the goan I network
MARGAO
Town and Country Planning Minister on Monday tried to woo the minority Muslim community in his home constituency Fatorda, promising to make a member of the minority community a municipal councilor, dole out jobs to the unemployed and resolve the burning kabrastan issue.
Saying that it is the duty of the government to provide decent burial grounds to all the religious communities, the Fatorda MLA said the coalition government will not run away from the issue by shifting the blame on others.
"I can only say that the issue will be resolved 100 per cent. How the issue will be resolved I do not want to spell out today because there are certain vested interests, including members of the Muslim community, who are hand in hand with the other groups, in order to sabotage the issue," he said at Chandrawado-Fatorda after laying the foundation stone for the development of gymnasium and open space at a cost of Rs 40.14 lakh.
Asserting that back channels will be used to work out a solution to the Kabrastan tangle to the satisfaction of all concerned, the TCP Minister stressed on the need to resolve the issue in a peaceful and non-violent manner.
"There are many people, who claimed to be secular, have today questioned the need for a kabrastan. But, we don't want to run away or shift the blame. We will resolve the issue," he said.
On jobs for the Muslim community, the TCP Minister promised that no injustice will be done to the Muslim community as far as government jobs are concerned.
"My portfolios may not generate too many jobs, but my word counts in this government and there will not be any injustice to the community. Prepare a list of the unemployed in the community and we will take efforts to dole out jobs to the unemployed youth," he said.
Recalled the results of the bye-poll for the Valpoi Assembly constituency, Vijai said the results only went to show that the Muslim community stood by Vishwajit Rane despite the fact that he contested on the BJP banner.
"Rane has made a member of the Muslim community as the Chairperson of Valpoi Municipal Council. I can only assure you that a member of the Muslim community will be made a Municipal Councilor from Fatorda," he said, amidst thunderous applause from the gathering.
