MARGAO: Stating that instead of listing its achievements in the last eight years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has brought Goa into a crunching debt trap, lamented Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat and hoped that 2020 does not turn into a “Year of Agitations”.
Briefing media persons he said Goa is facing various problems due to BJP’s scant respect for the State, which seeks to bully it (State) probably because of its small size. He said the Mhadei issue has been thrust upon Goans by the saffron party.
“It is not fair that Nitin Gadkari should play such games with Goa on this issue only because Goa is small in size and has only three MPs,” he alleged while referring to the jugglery played with the letter issued to Karnataka, which was subsequently withdrawn only to be issued again.
Mining has come to a standstill; he said and added that the legislative way was the only way out. He accused the Centre of not acting to the detriment of Goa and Goans. Pointing out that tourism is at its low this time with stakeholders claiming 30 per cent drop in tourist arrivals.
He said the government has now reduced to taking loans on a weekly basis and appealed to the Chief Minister to curtail wasteful expenditure and set proper priorities.
He demanded to know why “Goa: Vision 2035” a revolutionary document prepared by Padma Vibhushan Dr Raghunath Mashelkar has not been implemented in the last eight years. “This document was prepared when I was the chief minister and handed over to the next chief minister but only the government knows what has happened with it till date,” he said.
Kamat said the rising drug cases in Goa and the breakdown in law and order are cause for concern along with other issues such as murder, crime against women, thefts and robberies.
He lamented that the sports and cultural policies, which were announced when he was the chief minister and welcomed all over India, have not been implemented as yet. “While the sports policy to some extent has been implemented as sports persons get additional marks but those participating in cultural events do not get the same benefit they are supposed to get,” he said.
“The biggest failure of this government has been the non-completion of the South Goa District hospital that has been languishing for the last eight years,” he claimed and alleged that due to this even Goa Medical College is crumbling and patients made to sit on the floor.
Pointing out that tourism is the mainstay of Goa’s economy, he said it was high time the government announces a Tourism Policy and take steps to improve tourism in the State, He demanded that “Goenche Daiz”, a scheme notified by his government then, be implemented.
