BJP MLAs Nilesh Cabral and Michael Lobo rocked their own government with sharp criticism on key issues.
PANAJI
The punches from the Opposition were expected, and the government led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was often well prepared to defend.
What, however, came as a bolt from the blue was the tone and tenor of the criticism and questions thrown at the government from members of the treasury benches, more notably, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, Priol MLA Govind Gaude, and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo.
Cabral, for instance, raised a stir in the House over a proposal for a cargo-handling jetty at Curchorem, his home turf, proposed by Dinar Tarcar Resources Pvt Ltd. The Opposition had alleged that the jetty had been given an okay by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority without mandated formalities and raised the fear among locals that it would be used for coal handling.
Cabral picked the baton from there and delivered a brief but high-pitched, critical speech against his own government over the jetty project. "The GCZMA says the site has been inspected, but how is it possible when there is no access road to the site?" Cabral asked, questioning the approval which GCZMA has granted to the project.
Cabral also questioned the project's EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) report, alleging that it is "erroneous" and demanded that the government "blacklist" its author. Cabral's outburst prompted Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira to respond with a claim that the matter is before the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), which has raised queries and served the firm notice. "The permission will be rejected if no response is received in 15 days," the Minister said in a bid to cool down tempers.
Another legislator from the treasury benches who gave the ruling side several anxious moments was Lobo, who rubbed it in and put his own government under scrutiny by raising pointed questions over the future and functioning of the Dabolim airport after the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, became operational.
He raised serious concerns over the absence of new international airline arrivals at Dabolim and questioned whether the government had conducted any feasibility studies regarding the simultaneous operation of both airports. “I’m speaking in the interest of Goa,” Lobo said, drawing support from the Opposition MLAs who thumped their desks in approval.
“Both the former and current Chief Ministers had assured us that aircraft operations would not be diverted from Dabolim. But since Mopa began operations, no new international airlines have started flying to Dabolim.”
Lobo's pot shots forced Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to respond and reaffirm the government’s commitment to keeping both airports operational. “We have no plans to shut Dabolim airport. We want both Dabolim and Mopa airports to function," Sawant said, and capped his response with his catch-phrase: "Michaelak bhivpachi garaj na (Michael need not fear).”
Last but not least to give the ruling side 'red-face' moments was Gaude, who accused the government of attempting to create division in the ST community by citing the disputes before the Registrar General of Societies pertaining to two community organisations -- UTAA and Gomantak Gaud Maratha Samaj. Gaude said it is unjust to impose restrictions on these organisations and that an impression should not be created that the BJP will only use the ST community for political benefit.
"The restrictions imposed on ST organisations should be lifted during the pendency of the hearings. Otherwise, it will create an impression that the BJP is creating division in the ST community. BJP has come to power because of this community," Gaude said.
