PANAJI
Aam Aadmi Party said that the continued power shortages in large parts of the state demonstrate that the BJP government has failed yet again, even as CM Pramod Sawant tries hard to portray a false image in the media that everything is under control.
With multiple consecutive failures on various fronts such as the pandemic, the cyclone, and the economy, State Convenor Rahul Mhambre has said the BJP itself is the biggest disaster facing Goans now.
Referring to the failure of the government to address the power outages in the wake of cyclone Tauktae, Mhambre demanded to know who is in charge of the Power Ministry in the absence of the minister due to health issues.
“We wish Nilesh Cabral a speedy recovery and good health. But CM Sawant must announce who is responsible for restoring the power supply today? Goans have been silently suffering for the past 72 hours, and helpline numbers are not reachable. Who is taking decisions and who is directing and supervising the Electricity Department to ensure they have everything they need to fix the problems?” Mhambre asked.
Mhambre questioned whether a single MLA's house is without power, and stated that the CM needs to ensure that electricity department staff is not diverted to give priority to fix the power outages of VIPs over the common man.
Mhambre praised the dedication and valour with which the frontline workers have been helping clear the destruction wreaked by the cyclone.
“It was thanks to the untiring efforts of the Fire Department, Goa Police, Electricity Department and sanitation workers that some sort of normalcy was restored. Hundreds of trees and other obstructions that had fallen across roads were cleared within the first 24 hours,” Mhambre said.
AAP leader Valmiki Naik, while commending the frontline workers, expressed anguish that even Goa Police personnel were seen clearing trees with nothing but a chopper and their bare hands. Naik demanded to know why the local MLAs could not arrange chainsaws and even basic safety gear such as hardhats and raincoats.
Pointing out that there was a lot of news coverage of cyclone preparedness meetings held by CM with PM Modi himself, Naik demanded to know what was discussed in these meetings.
