PANJIM: Having to spend huge sum towards reimbursement of medical expenditure of former and current legislators and their dependents, the Goa State Legislative Assembly is contemplating covering them under a medical insurance scheme.
Speaking on the occasion of ‘Goa Legislators’ Day’ organized by Goa Legislators Forum, Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant informed that till date, State Assembly is even reimbursing the medical bills of former MLAs of Goa, Daman and Diu Union Territory and their dependents.
Goa was part of Daman and Diu Union Territory before it attained State hood in May 31, 1987.
Sawant said the State Assembly is spending huge money on clearing the medical expenditure of former MLAs, current legislators and their dependents. “It is the only big expenditure that Assembly is doing,” he said.
“Hence, we are working on to bring in a medical insurance scheme covering all the former and present legislators. We will have to identify a hospital that will provide all the treatment. We are still working on it,” Speaker said.
During the ‘Goa Legislators’ Day’ celebration, several ex MLAs raised concern about delay in clearing the medical bills and other related issues.
Minister for Law and Judiciary Nilesh Cabral was also present for the event.
Later speaking, Speaker also announced to construct MLA Hostel in Goa. He said that the process to identify the land has been initiated. “We will soon acquire the land and come up with the hostel,” he said.
During the open forum discussion, the former legislators expressed their complete discomfort the manner in which Goa government handled the Mhadei water diversion mater before the Tribunal. They said that the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal (MWDT) decision allowing Karnataka to utilize 13.4tmc feet of water, clearly indicated the government apathy towards the serious of the issue.
Former MLA and president of Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan Nirmala Sawant said that the tribunal award will have long-term impact on Goa and the State government is not serious at all. She said that government attitude is like “nothing going to happen”.
“Government attitude needs to be changed,” Sawant said.
Former MLA and Law Commissioner Ramakant Khalap also raised the issue and demanded that State, while objecting to Karnataka’s plea before Supreme Court, should also challenge the tribunal decision.
Other issues like Alvar land, sale of agriculture land, education, removal of casinos, were also raised during the forum.
