PANAJI
The ruling and the Opposition have come at loggerheads over Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s statement on NITI Aayog’s ‘inaccurate’ unemployment figures in Goa.
The BJP was quick to hold a press conference after Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai made a slew of allegations against the BJP, particularly CM’s failure to control large-scale unemployment. The saffron party, however, rubbished the allegations saying Sardesai was frustrated as he was out power.
At a press meet on Saturday morning, Sardesai questioned the Central leadership why they have not replaced Chief Minister Promod Sawant despite failures. “NITI Aayog is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has given unemployment figures where Goa ranks third highest in the country. But our CM contradicts the findings claiming that only 20,000 are unemployed in the State. These figures are paving the way to replace the CM,” the Fatorda MLA said.
A former ally of the BJP government during Manohar Parrikar’s regime, Sardesai further demanded that CM should be asked to step down; else continuous failure across the sectors will damage Goa. “I want to question BJP's Central leadership that when NITI Aayog certified him as a failure, then why is he kept in that position? He should be made to step down and immediately replaced for failing in all areas because continuing him as CM is a loss to Goa. There won’t be any improvement,” Sardesai stated, taking a dig at the Goa government’s overall functioning.
Sardesai went on to claim that despite having a rich diaspora, Foreign Direct Investment has been a failure while accusing the BJP of “investing” huge sums of money to allegedly trigger defection in the Opposition.
Explaining the government's fiscal policy, he alleged that the Goan population will be burdened with heavy taxes in order to repay the debt which ultimately will affect the State’s development. “Sawant has messed up the economics of Goa. The Government should issue a white paper on the state of finance,” he demanded.
Sardesai’s yet another accusation on CM’s “allergy” to talent also evoked sharp reactions from the BJP who called the former frustrated on being thrown out of power.
The BJP was prompt to address a separate press conference at their head office in Panaji where Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho released a list of works and developmental activities carried out by Sawant-led government and the double engine sarkar.
“There is an attempt to create negativity and controversy over NITI Aayog’s report (on unemployment). Don’t pick up issues selectively and portray that CM is contradicting the findings. CM hasn’t disputed the Central reports. Don’t twist and turn,” Godinho said.
The minister clarified that discrepancies in facts and figures are usually sorted through a proper channel while reiterating that the Goa government has no intention to prove that Centre’s reports are erroneous.
“We are witnessing massive development in Goa and all that is possible because BJP has worked hard in Goa and at the Centre. The upcoming Zuari Bridge and Mopa international airport are soon to commence with the support from the Central government. We are getting funds to bring all-round development of Goa,” Godinho clarified.
Regarding the unemployment ratio, the minister’s justification was that several people continue to be on the employment exchange’s roll despite being gainfully employed in the private sector, with the hope to get government jobs.
“The entire country and Goa are making efforts to curb unemployment. Goa’s unemployment population is small, and the BJP government has introduced many schemes to arrest unemployment where one can become an employer,” he said.
Claiming that the State has introduced a new industrial policy to encourage more industries in Goa, he also slammed opposition to various government projects that intend to improve the employment rate.
Minister Vishwajit Rane, whose equation with the CM has often been questioned, also came to the rescue of his government. “I have full faith in my leadership and my minister. No third party should dictate terms to the BJP on who should be the CM. I am a loyal karyakarta of the party and will work based on the guidelines laid down,” he said referring to Sardesai’s statements.
BJP Spokesperson Giriraj Pai Vernekar also came down heavily on Sardesai stating the latter is “frustrated at being out of power” for a long time.
