the goan I network
MAPUSA
Accusing the government of failing to take the drug menace seriously, the Congress party on Wednesday said that in spite of providing crucial information the Goa Police failed to act.
Curtorim MLA, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said that the House was unanimous on taking action against the drug trade in the state, but the government did not appear to be serious on the issue.
“Everybody in the House is against drugs. Nobody is against the government taking action against the menace. But when government says provide information and then we will take action, it shows connivance of the government with the drug dealers,” Reginald said while addressing the media after the morning session of Assembly.
The Leader of Opposition, Chandrakant Kavlekar said that on one hand the government was asking information on drugs but when information was given, the Goa police failed to act.
“A principal of a school in Cujira complex has written confidential letters to the police expressing apprehension of drugs circulating in the campus but police failed to respond to those letters showing the casual approach of the government,” Kavlekar said.
He said different varieties of drugs made its way into the State and a lot of Goan youth were involved in drugs.
“Strong action has to be taken on how the drugs come in, who is involved, how it is distributed etc,” he said.
The leader of the opposition said that government was once again found wanting in providing proper answers to the queries posed by the MLAs.
“In the absence of the chief minister, concerned officers should have provided answers to PWD Minister, Sudin Dhavalikar who was currently holding the fort. But it does not appear to happen and we do not get proper answers,” he said.
He said ruling MLAs were wasting precious time of the House by asking frivolous questions like staffing and availability of vehicles. “MLAs from the ruling group can easily sit with the respective ministers and thrash out their problems,” he added.
Reginaldo said that he had asked some questions on coal pollution and handling in Vasco but the answers provided were incomplete.
“Clever methods are used by the present government to divert questions, to see that the main issue is diverted,” he said.
Pointing to the problems of the bar owners affected by the Supreme Court direction, Kavlekar said the State government has failed to come out with concrete solution on the issue.
“The bar and restaurant owners particularly those in rural areas are suffering. The government of Maharashtra has approached the Supreme Court on behalf of bar owners and even got relief but Goa government appears uninterested,” he said.
