The legislators in the State complete one year since they were voted to power on March 11, 2017. While many retained their seats, some were first time MLAs and others returned to power after a gap as legislators. One year on, THE GOAN speaks to some MLAs to assess the situation in the context of a coalition government and the present political uncertainties in the State
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 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. “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.
