OLD GOA
RGP MLA Viresh Borkar stated that he is capable enough to take up issues on his own in the Assembly as he has done in the past.
He was responding to The Goan over the forthcoming Assembly session in which his party, the RGP, would be on its own as it did not ally with a united opposition at the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.
“I have taken up issues affecting my constituency and the State, on my own, in the past Assembly sessions and this time, too, it won’t be any different as I am capable enough to raise issues affecting Goa and Goans,” Borkar said.
“In the past, when I spoke on POGO Bill, Land Protection Bill, Slums, job security for Goans in industries, etc. I did it on my own and did not have support of the other opposition members. So, this time, too I will raise issues without support from anybody,” a confident Borkar stated.
“As an elected member of the Goa Legislative Assembly, it is my right and duty to raise issues,” he further added.
However, Borkar said that he will extend support to the other Opposition members if the issues concern Goa and Goans.
“I am not averse to extending issue-based support to the other Opposition MLAs,” he informed.
When questioned on the issues that he has lined up, MLA Borkar stated that he is going to re-introduce the Goa Land Protection Bill, 2024 as it is the need of the hour.
“Also, I will raise the issue of recognition of heritage sites in the State. There are many heritage sites which are yet to be recognised. In my constituency itself, there are many heritage sites which have not been declared as such,” Borkar said.
“Issues of job security in the private sector, giving boost and promotion of local businesses, government aid to salt pan sector, etc. will also be raised,” he stated.
Further, the MLA said that he would raise the issue of the delay in disbursing funds under Disaster Management Act.
“In light of the Mandur tragedy where the loss of two lives could have been averted if the funds were disbursed on time, I will raise a demand that the funds have to be cleared on urgent basis to the affected,” he said.
The MLA also said that he will speak on the draft Tourism Bill as well as apparently the stakeholders have expressed their reservation about the same.
“The stakeholders have to be taken into confidence if any move is made to amend the laws,” he opined.
