PANAJI
Leader of Opposition DIgambar Kamat on Friday informed that the Opposition will unitedly take the government to task over the pressing issues facing Goa.
Among the prominent issues which the Congress expects to raise are the amendment to Lokayukta Act, Municipal Act ordinance and implementation of the new Motor Vehicle Act.
Speaking to media people at Congress House, Kamat stated, “From Monday, the four-day session of the Goa Assembly will commence. We will raise a host of issues to make the most of this short session, which the government has convened without paying heed to our demand for a longer session this year.”
He said that the Goa Lokayukta Act amendment cleared by the cabinet is scheduled to be passed by the Assembly and accused the BJP government of “attempting to weaken and dilute the institution of Lokayukta”. “Lokayukta takes care of all the complaints against corruption. Reducing its powers is not ideal,” Kamat warned.
Speaking about the Municipal Act ordinance, Kamat said, “Was it of such urgency and emergency to amend these many sections of the Municipal Act without consulting the stakeholders? The Select Committee stage has also been wiped out. The ordinance has been cleared without applying the mind. We will oppose this bill and demand that this be referred to a select committee.”
The Leader of Opposition further urged the government not to implement the new Motor Vehicle Act in Goa and pointed out that the fines cannot be reduced under a Central government Act for Goa alone.
Congress has also demanded that top priority be given to the demands of the children of freedom fighters for employment.
“Three linear projects proposed in Mollem forests will also be raised in the House along with tourism, panchayats, Sanjivani sugar factory and so on will also be raised during the three days that we get to discuss the pressing issues,” Kamat stated.
