PANJIM: Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar’s outburst on the availability of drugs in the northern belt and slamming police’s inaction to crack it down has sparked a debate in the State.
His dramatic reaction on Monday revealing to the media about his tip-off to the police on drug activity, comes despite Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar last September censuring MLAs for creating unwarranted sensationalism about the drug trade.
The CM had asked MLAs to inform him about leads related to the drug trade, instead of going public, and had assured action would be taken. Since then information sharing has certainly begun only to once again take a twist, thanks to Azgaonkar’s remark.
Minister Rohan Khaunte has backed Azgaonkar’s concern that the ‘drug menace is a serious issue’. “It is a serious issue and when the CM had called for a meeting to share our thoughts, we did so. Drug peddling cannot take place invisibly for sure,” he said. Asked if Azgaonkar’s reaction was warranted, Khaunte said, “It is our responsibility to share sentiments to our Chief Minister and Home Minister on issues.”
Azgonkar had also pointed fingers at Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte claiming drugs are openly sold in this constituency. Sopte had a befitting reply to this allegation arguing that the latter has letdown the State for not being able to control the menace in the State.
“Being the Tourism Minister, it is his responsibility to look into the drug menace, to find out about the illegality and accordingly to contact related agencies to curb it. He has the responsibility of the entire State rather than just one constituency. If he doesn’t know how to act, then what is the use of him being Tourism Minister?” Sopte said denying any inefficiency or involvement in the drug trade.
The Congress MLA went on to state that Azgaonkar was shying away from his responsibility by playing the blame game.
