the goan I network
MAPUSA
The Congress on Saturday launched a scathing attack against the BJP-led government in the State for the rising prices of essential commodities, even as soaring prices of onion have made vegetables out of reach of the common man.
“Eating good food and providing good hospitality was the culture of Goans. People of Goa harvested good local produce, be it fish, vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy or poultry. However, the government has failed to provide the required support to farmers and fishermen in the State,” said Vijay Bhike, North Goa Congress District President, while addressing a news conference in the party’s office in Mapusa.
He said low-quality food was supplied in Goan market and at high prices which has made essential commodities beyond the reach of the common man.
“Onion prices have started shooting up like gold and very soon you will find gold merchants trading in onions,” the district president mocked the government.
Bhike said during the Congress regime, provision was made to subsidise onions and vegetables but the BJP-led government had failed to live up to the expectations of the common man.
“The staple food of Goa which is fish is no longer affordable to Goans. Low-quality mackerels imported from outside States are being supplied in the State with all impurities and that too at prices as high as Rs 50 per fish in the peak season,” he said.
He said Goa could be self-sufficient in fish production but the government does not provide support to local Goan fishermen and wants fish to be imported in order to support fish traders and fish mafia of outside states.
The North Goa Congress District President said the government has repeatedly failed to provide clean and safe drinking water even as ministers chose to blame the bureaucrats and engineers and refusing to take responsibility on themselves.
He said Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo recently blamed new and inexperienced engineers for the shortage of water supply in Bardez, but failed to point the inefficiency of the PWD minister in his government.
“Lobo thinks that after being sworn in as a minister he’s also become a scientist and has answers to all problems,” Bhike said.
He said the same minister when he was an MLA used to raise issues whenever there was a shortage of water.
“Next time if the public is put to inconvenience due to scarcity of water, we will not issue a memorandum but take such an action that it will shock the ministers,” Bhike warned. Porvorim Congress Block President Shankar Phadte, General Secretary Wilbur Ticlo, secretaries, Umesh Narvekar and Niles Tari and Sarvesh Naik were also present.
