MARGAO: Declining to comment on the Congress candidates or strategy for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in Goa, former chief minister Luizinho Faleiro however said the people’s mood has changed as they are frustrated with the BJP government.
“People have realized that the BJP robbed their mandate and the present situation is truly pathetic as governance has taken a big hit with it practically coming to a grinding halt,” he said while admitting that initially the BJP led government in Goa did begin very well.
Admitting that the water problem of his constituency was resolved when the new government took over, he however pointed out that nothing is moving at present. “It is so time consuming and cumbersome process to get funds to replace the old water pipelines replaced whenever there is a break down,” he said.
He further pointed out that the 39 MVA sub-station promised behind the Navelim Church has not made any progress even though land has been provided for it only because the officials do not know how to process the new Land Acquisition Law.
“I have got the NOC from the comunidade and the tenants are also willing to give their NOC but the department does not know how to proceed with this and hence the file is not moving forward at all,” he said.
Expressing grave reservation over the government’s proposal to provide underground electricity cables for Navelim constituency, Luizinho said he would prefer having bunch cabling given the fact that roads in his constituency are still ravaged due to the sewerage work and he did not wish to take up another digging exercise which would anger the people.
He also lamented that not much progress is made in all the four projects with the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation. The 12 bedded hospital to be constructed next to the Navelim health centre has not progressed beyond appointing a consultant.
“Despite providing 7,000 sq mts of land at Davorlim for setting up the Navelim police station, no progress is being made as the financial approval is still awaited,” he said adding that the development of playgrounds at Zoriwado in Davorlim and Dadio in Telaulim are also stuck for unknown reasons.
While admitting that Party President Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with booth workers was excellent, he however refused to comment on the party’s candidates or poll strategy in Goa. “I have a huge burden of looking after the Congress in the seven North Eastern States where the party is not ruling in any of them and I have to organize Rahul Gandhi’s visit to those states,” he said.
