MARGAO
Congress Quepem MLA Alton D’Costa created a flutter on Sunday when he said that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had been frantically looking out for him, but hastened to add that the future can be decided at a later stage.
What further triggered laughter in the audience were Alton’s comments that if he can do so many works in Quepem by being in the opposition, just imagine the number of works that would have taken place in the constituency if he was in the ruling.
He was addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the Panchayat building of Naqueri-Betul on Sunday by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at Betul. “The basic needs of the people of Quepem are getting fulfilled. Chief Minister Sir, I do not want to say anything on this BJP government. Sir, was trying to find me, but we can decide this at a later stage”, a smiling Alton said.
In fact, in his address, the Quepem MLA profusely thanked the Chief Minister, who also holds the Education Portfolio, in infusing fresh lease of life in the government run high schools and primary schools in Quepem Constituency.
“Even the media had described the state of these schools as cowsheds. But, after I petitioned to the government to renovate the schools, the Chief Minister was kind enough to sanction funds for the renovation of the school buildings”, he said.
In fact, the Congress MAL reminded the Chief Minister that the government has taken up the major work of building a retaining wall at an estimated cost of Rs 5.9 crore at the Cananguinim beach. “We have a beach at Cananguinim and the locals wanted a retaining wall around the area for beach protection. Work has already commenced on the retaining wall after the foundation stone was laid by WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar”, he added.
“There were lot of expectation from the people of Quepem after they elected me as MLA in 2022 and brought a change in the constituency. If the expectations were not fulfilled, I would have been accused of not honouring the promises, but I have managed to usher development in Quepem despite being in the opposition”, he said.
On the occasion, the Quepem MLA placed before the Chief Minister a host of proposals including a police outpost at Betul, a playground and setting up a sub-health centre at the newly-inaugurated Panchayat building.
In his address, the Chief Minister did not let down the Congress MLA. Asserting that the BJP government does discriminate against opposition represented constituencies, the Chief Minister said he would issue instructions to the Sports Authority of Goa to take a decision on the playground.
As far as the sub health centre is concerned, the Chief Minister said directions will be issued to the Health Director to shift the sub health centre to the new Panchayat building on priority to give better health services to the citizens. Similarly, he said the police officials will be directed to verify about the need for a Police outpost at Betul, saying the government will not hesitate to sanction the police outpost at Betul if it is required to control crime and law and order.
