Photo caption.
Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik launching the Food Security Act in Salcete in the presence of MLA Benjamin Silva and ESG executive council member and BJP leader Sharmad Raiturkar at the Ravindra Bhavan. Santosh Mirajkar
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MARGAO
Launching of the National Food Security Act in Salcete taluka kicked up a row of sorts after the invitation card made no mention of the two MLAs Digambar Kamat and Vijai Sardesai representing Margao and Fatorda and the duo were invited for the programme at the eleventh hour.
Both Kamat and Sardesai sought to know why the Department of Civil and Consumer Supplies did not include their names on the invitation card and invited them just on the eve of the programme. “It's surprising that the government thought it fit to ignore the opposition at an important programme such as the launching of the Food Security Act," Digambar, who is out of station, told The Goan.
On the other hand, Kamat’s Fatorda counterpart Vijai Sardesai demanded to know whether keeping local MLAs away will ensure food security, further seeking to know whether for the Goa BJP, every government function is a party function.
Sardesai told The Goan that an official from the Civil Supplies department came to invite him only on Thursday morning, minutes before the launching of the Food Security Act in Salcete. “I have already drawn attention of the Civil Supplies Minister Dayanand Mandrekar to the episode. He has promised to look into the matter," Sardesai said.
As it turned out at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, the programme was launched at the hands of Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik in the presence of Velim MLA Benjamin D’Silva and city BJP leader and ESG executive committee member.
As per the invitation, Cuncolim was supposed to inaugurate the programme in the presence of special guests, including Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva, Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco and Velim MLA in the distinguished presence of MMC Chairperson Dr Babita Prabhudesai, ESG executive council member Sharmad Raiturkar, Ravindra Bhavan chairperson Damu Naik and GOACAN convenor Roland Martins.
In their addresss, both Rajan and Benjamin urged the people to avail benefits under the Food Security Act. They also insisted that the benefits should go to the deserving beneficiaries.
