MLAs call for development works in their constituencies
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JULY 21
Need for development with sustainable infrastructure in some of the constituencies formed the core issue during the discussion on budget on Wednesday afternoon on the third day of the Monson Session of Goa Legislative Assembly.
Opposition MLAs from Sanguem and Shiroda Vasudev Gaonkar and Mahadev Naik brought to the notice of the House the need to finish some of the promised works and to raise new infrastructure wherever necessary in their constituencies that have not seen developmental activities in a long while.
The Shiroda MLA Mahadev maintained looking at the growing population of his constituency there was a need for a 50-bedded hospital with all types of outpatient departments (OPDs). He said the Health Minister had never bothered to visit his constituency and take note of the healthcare needs of the people even once.
Mahadev further held that the State budget money had not come to Shiroda and many infrastructure works like hot-mixing of several roads wasn’t taken up. “What I am talking here is exactly the situation on the ground. Anyone who wishes to come with me I can show him,” he mentioned.
He informed a few schools had made a request for toilets, but the same has not been considered by the authority concerned. Shiroda is also besieged with the problem of mining dust and illegal scrapyards that are operating without registration, he highlighted.
Sanguem MLA Vasudev cottages built near the picturesque Sanguem dam for people visiting the place have not been utilised for the last 10 years. Many people from Goa and tourists, alike, who visit spot can’t find a place to spend the night. The cottages which require minor repairs to be made stay-worthy could generate revenue, he pointed out.
When the MLA highlighted that work on the market, for which foundation stone had already been laid, had not started, he was assured by Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao the same would begin within a month.
Vasudev stressed on the need to have contract farming in Sanguem that has a great potential. He called upon the Government to see that agricultural land was preserved at any cost. “Outsiders are coming and buying land lock, stock and barrel. An effort has to be made to stop this,” he stated.
Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar maintained in spite of land being made available his constituency was yet to see a decent bus stand. “The tendering process for the bus stand has not taken off. Eight months have passed. How long we will have to wait? We need this bus stand,” he stressed.
MLA Vijay Pai Khot asserted that the Sports City development should not be concentrated in one place. The whole of Goa has to get the benefit of the infrastructure being developed for Sports City, he maintained.
Khot said the Bal Rath scheme of the Government through which schools have been given one bus each has to be extended to Government institutions as well or otherwise the students from these schools will feel sidelined. The Shreesthal Government High School in Canacona has 100 per cent ST students so why not this school should get the benefit of the scheme, he questioned.
Even MLA Deepak Dhavlikar was of the view that the Bal Rath scheme be extended to Government schools and not only to government-aided schools.
