AGNELO PEREIRA
MAPUSA
For many legislators in Bardez, failure to create employment opportunities was one of the biggest disappointments while infrastructure development and stability was high on the achievement list, as the BJP-led coalition government completes one year in office in the state.
Urban Development Minister and Mapusa MLA Francisco D’Souza said one year was too short a time to judge the performance of a government, but considering that it was a coalition government it was able to deliver.
“Since it’s a coalition government, a lot of promises made by the party (BJP) could not be fulfilled. Things have got delayed. In the next year, things will be better,” D’Souza said.
The five-time Mapusa MLA said one of the key takeaways of the current government was stability. “We are in coalition. There are a lot of pulls and pressures, but yet we managed to give a stable government to the people,” he said.
He said a ban on recruitment had affected the image of the government, while the government was under test on issues like mining, Mhadei river diversion, tourist-taxi imbroglio, etc.
Michael Lobo, the mercurial and outspoken MLA of the coastal belt gives the government an ‘average’ on his score card. “This government’s performance is not very good. It is not bad either. It is average,” Lobo said, adding that expectations of people were unlimited and for any government in power, time was of the essence. “Everything cannot be achieved in a day. It will take time,” he said.
According to Lobo, the entire cabinet needs to work as a team instead of banking on one person. “One person cannot do wonders. It is collective work. Every minister needs to do a follow up…In my constituency, I have completed a lot of work and some is in the process,” he said.
The Calangute MLA, who is the deputy speaker, said unemployment was the biggest problem area for the government. “We have grossly failed on the employment front. We promised 50,000 jobs but utterly failed to create vacancies. We have even failed to get industries in the State,” he rued.
Lobo, however, said the government managed to keep its focus on infrastructure despite a financial crunch.
Giving credit to the CM, WRD Minister and Siolim MLA, Vinoda Paliencar said the State has witnessed good governance under the coalition set up. “Overall, all ministers have done a good job. Parrikar has given an ear to our requests and a lot of works have been accomplished,” Paliencar said.
He said people’s expectations were never ending, but felt that overall, the public was satisfied with the government. The Siolim MLA said that government had put up an excellent show on the infrastructure front, but Mhadei and mining issues had removed much of the glitter from the achievement.
“We are trying to resolve the unemployment issue,” he added.
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I would give 8/10 to this govt: Khaunte
PORVORIM: Giving 8 on 10 marks to the state government on its governance during this one year, Revenue minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte said it is now for the people to judge the performance of the government.
“As far the coalition government is concerned, we have tried to fulfil the promises given to the electorate during the formation of the government,” said Khaunte giving it 8 out of 10 marks for the past one year.
A lot of development in terms of infrastructure, e-governance etc. had taken place in Goa, while quick decisions were taken on major issues decided under the common minimum programme, he added.
“Work on the Zuari bridge has been started and the third Mandovi bridge is nearing completion, while the Agricultural Tenancy Act has been amended and cases have been transferred back to the Mamlatdar. Coconut trees have been given the status of trees, nationalisation of rivers has been addressed and Captain of Ports has been given powers.”
“In addition, mutation processes have been streamlined, IT policy has been formulated, satellite consultant has been appointed for IPB and projects sanctioned have been reviewed.”
“Besides, there has been significant development in labour and employment, power, panchayats, health and education sectors,” said Khaunte.
Khaunte, however, admitted that there are still a lot of challenges before the government. “The recent mining problem has arisen mainly because of the SC judgement. Unfortunately, the CM is down with sickness at this time, but the coalition government will surely come out with a solution soon,” he said.
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Despite development, Govt fell short in many areas: Cabral
QUEPEM: While claiming that development had taken place in the State, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral has admitted that the government had fallen short in many other areas, with a major failure being in the job sector.
“There were many issues confronting the government, but there was always a positive approach in handling issues taking into account the future of Goa and Goans,” Cabral stated, adding, “Although there was lot of development, the government fell short in many other areas which were promised to Goans during elections. One main failure was providing jobs to Goans,” said Cabral.
He admitted that people have had many expectations from the government. “Though they feel the government is slow in delivering on election promises, they still have faith and trust on our CM Manohar Parrikar and they have not given up yet,” he added.
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Worst govt in my political career: Halarnkar
MAPUSA: Labeling the current government as the worst in his political career, Tivim’s Congress MLA Nilkant Halarnkar said the coalition government was playing revenge politics.
“This is the worst government I have ever witnessed in my political career. The common man has faced the worst brunt of this poor governance with many feeling left out,” Halarnkar said adding that the government has failed to work for the people of Goa and was busy engaged in taking revenge against its opponents.
“People had voted them out on March 11, 2017, but the BJP forcibly took control of the State with the sole reason to teach the people of Goa a lesson. If this is not revenge politics what is it,” questioned Halarnkar, who is the only opposition MLA in Bardez.
Snubbing the stability of the government as a façade, he said the coalition partners came together for their own selfish interest.
“They came together for a purpose not for stability,” he said.
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Govt hit by unemployment, anti-Goan decisions: Isidore
CANACONA: Assessing it as ‘50-50 governance’, Canacona’s Congress MLA Isidore Fernandes said unemployment and some anti-Goan decisions had affected the coalition government as it completes one year in power.
“Being a coalition, the government has become elastic whereby strings are being pulled from all sides as it continues to hold on to power,” said Fernandes.
He admitted that Canacona constituency has had many problems, prominent among them being issues on employment, healthcare, water and garbage.
“Employment is slow as the government has no projects in the pipeline. It has not introduced any either. Canacona still needs more to be done in healthcare facilities by introducing new doctors and services at the Community Health Centre.”
“People have miserably suffered for the entire year for want of water supply, but better days are expected. Thanks to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and the principal chief engineer, we are anticipating more works to begin soon.”
“Works worth Rs 19 crore have been tendered for water pipelines, overhead tanks and cleaning of the Water Treatment Plant, while the chief minister has allotted Rs 18 crore works to each MLA,” Fernandes added.
Asked for his analysis of the government and its governance during the one year, Fernandes replied: “It’s 50-50 more because of the financial crunch and a lot of decision which the government had taken were against the Goans.”
“Developments are pursued at the cost of heavy borrowings which has opened the state to a debt trap, while coal transportation and nationalization of rivers were some of the anti-Goan decisions of this government,” explained the MLA.
Fernandes believed he had satisfied his constituents in his first year of the present term, even though their expectations were high.
“Expectations of my constituents are very high and most importantly, everyone wants everything completed and achieved at quick pace. The trend of shortcuts and fastest results in all public works is, however, a matter of concern,” said Fernandes.
