MAPUSA
The recently concluded 18-day monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly provided the opposition with a platform to challenge the government on a range of pressing issues.
Led by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and Goa Forward Party leader Vijai Sardesai, the opposition benches launched a spirited attack, raising significant concerns.
However, the government, led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, ultimately managed to navigate through the storm, leveraging its numerical strength.
Zuari land sale
controversy
reignites debate
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the Assembly that the government would thoroughly investigate the controversial sale of land by Zuari Industries Ltd (ZIL).
Sawant even suggested that the permissions granted for the project could be revoked if necessary.
This issue, which had previously caused uproar in the Assembly in July 2022, remains unresolved.
Despite earlier promises to halt the registration of sale deeds until an inquiry report was received, little progress has been made.
Oppn demands clarity on
private medical
college proposal
The proposed establishment of a private medical college at the South Goa District Hospital in Margao was another contentious issue.
Opposition leaders Yuri Alemao and Vijai Sardesai vehemently opposed the potential privatization of the hospital. However, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane offered no conclusive response, stating only that the proposal was under consideration and nothing had been finalized.
Scam allegations in
GBBN extension
Vijai Sardesai also raised serious allegations regarding a Rs 182 crore scam in the extension of the Goa Broadband Network (GBBN) project until 2027.
Despite opposition from the finance department, the extension was granted, which Sardesai claimed was done without proper justification.
IT Minister Rohan Khaunte defended the decision, emphasizing the critical role GBBN plays in supporting e-governance projects across Goa. The matter, however, remains unresolved.
Special court for land
grab cases promised
In response to concerns over illegal land grabbing, Chief Minister Sawant announced the establishment of a special court to oversee such cases.
He assured that properties fraudulently acquired would be returned to their original owners, pending consultation with the legal team.
However, no timeline was provided, leaving affected landowners in uncertainty.
Tourism Act drafting
sees sparks fly (with pic)
A major confrontation erupted between Yuri Alemao and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on the final day of the session over the appointment of a Hyderabad-based agency to draft the new Tourism Act.
Alemao accused Khaunte of outsourcing the work to NALSAR, a private agency, for Rs 1.32 crore, despite objections from the Tourism Board.
Khaunte defended the decision, stating that the agency was only tasked with preparing a report, which would then be reviewed by the law department. The exchange ended without resolution.
Dabolim airport's future
under scrutiny (with pic)
In another significant development, Chief Minister Sawant assured the Assembly that he would engage with the Civil Aviation Ministry to reduce development and parking fees at Dabolim Airport.
Concerns have been growing about the airport's future, especially with airlines increasingly shifting operations to the Mopa International Airport.
While Sawant promised that the government would take all necessary steps to keep Dabolim Airport operational, the long-term outcome remains uncertain.
As the session concluded, several key issues raised by the opposition remain unresolved, leaving many wondering whether the government's assurances will translate into concrete action.
