the goan I network
MARGAO
Former minister Mickky Pacheco on Saturday demanded the resignation of Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa in the Krishi card episode allegedly involving his wife Freda.
Mickky’s demand came a day after a resident of Nuvem, Arvind D’Sa lodged a complaint with the agriculture department and the police, alleging that Wilfred’s wife Freda allegedly submitted a false affidavit stating that she is the caretaker of the land belonging to one Jose in order to obtain a Krishi card.
Mickky said he would also request the Agriculture Minister to order a detailed inquiry to find out whether the husband-wife duo of Wilfred and Freda has obtained Krishi cards by claiming to be caretakers of lands.
Addressing the media, Mickky said the police complaint lodged by Arvind against Freda claiming benefits under Krishi card by falsely swearing that she is a caretaker of the agricultural property needs to be taken very seriously. “This case needs to be looked from a serious perspective as a lawmaker’s family is involved. The investigations should be done immediately and D’Sa should be asked to step down to make way for an independent inquiry,” Mickky demanded.
Saying that the Congress has no guts to come on the streets now and claim themselves as a non-corrupt party, Mickky said the party leadership should first seek explanation from their own MLA over the case.
He further demanded that the agriculture department should start surveying how many wealthy people have taken advantage of the scheme by claiming that they are caretakers of agricultural land. Replying to a question, Mickky said the Agriculture Minister should take note of Arvind’s complaint and ensure that the benefits of Krishi cards go to poor farmers.
Jovin D’Sa, brother of Arvind, told the media that the land in question is in the name of his father Jose, adding that there’s no understanding between his family and Wilfred’s family, which has allows Freda to be the caretaker of the land. He said his family came to know of the Krishi card obtained by Freda only recently.
Have done nothing wrong, then why should I resign, asks Nuvem MLA
MARGAO: Demanding to know why should he resign as an MLA when neither he nor his wife has done anything wrong, Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa has said that Freda has not committed any forgery or claimed to be the owner of the land.
Reacting to Mickky’s demand for his resignation in the Krishi card episode, D’Sa said that Mickky should not harbor any hopes of returning back to power in Nuvem by levelling false allegations. “People of Goa know why Mickky was asked to quit the Digambar Kamat government. I have done nothing wrong which warrants my resignation,” the Nuvem MLA told the media. “My wife has not stated in the affidavit that the land belongs to her. She has only claimed that she is the caretaker of the land, which is our ancestral land cultivated by my grandfather,” he said. Admitting that Freda has claimed subsidy on the Krishi card, Wilfred said that subsidy is meant to give boost to agriculture, adding “people of Nuvem are aware that I and wife Freda have been closely associated in reviving agriculture in Nuvem over the years through mechanisation”.
The Nuvem MLA further claimed that complainant Arvind D’Sa has lodged the complaint against his wife in retaliation to stopping of pool parties at the Woodbourne club as per the request of the local residents.
