MARGAO, AUG 26
Asserting that Goans should have insisted on Special Category Status for the state at the time of Liberation, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Luizinho Faleiro has said that it is still not too late for the state to avail of the Central schemes, especially the 10 Flagship schemes floated by the Congress-led UPA government.
“Today, most of the North-Eastern states enjoy special category status and various financial benefits. But, I think Goa missed the bus. We should have asked for special status at the time of Liberation. Since Goa joined the national mainstream much later, we should have taken much more benefit”, Faleiro said, while speaking to journalists on the occasion of his birthday on Thursday.
The former chief minister, however, said it is not too late for the state government to avail of the various central schemes, especially the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREG).
“I think the Goa government should look at the national level and take benefits of schemes like many states. Goa is not taking benefits of the schemes. we should take benefit in the interest of the common man”, he said, adding that the flagship schemes such as NREG, rural water supply, rural health, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan should be tapped for the benefit of the state aam admi.
“Goa should take benefits of the flagship scheme even though we don’t enjoy the special status category. We have to ask for the benefits so that the central schemes reaches out to the people of Goa”, he added.
Faleiro called for strict monitoring of the implementation of the flagship schemes for better results. “As the Congress incharge of many state, I receive quarterly and monthly reports, known as development radar. States performing below par are either pulled up or advised to put up better performance based on the reports”, he said.
Saying that he is a congressman, Faleiro said he would like the party and the government to do its best so that the government delivers maximum to the people of Goa. “If anyone want my help and assistance, my services will always be at the disposal of the people of Goa”, he added.
