PANJIM: With the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant-led government on Thursday completing its first anniversary, the BJP said the year has been full of hurdles including Mhadei River crisis, mining closure and the current COVID-19 scare.
In a statement, the BJP has said that taking over the reins of the state under tragic circumstances arisen following the death of Manohar Parrikar, Sawant has managed to take further the developmental goals set up by his predecessor.
“Chief Minister faced several hurdles in the form of Mhadei River crisis, expectations from mining dependents, and the current coronavirus scare. Despite that, Sawant has managed to calmly handle the situation,” the party said.
Sawant, who was then Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, was selected for the coveted post by the BJP, who had formed the government in the State with the support of alliance partners including Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents.
However, in July, with ten Congress MLAs switching over the side to join Sawant-led government, he dropped four ministers from his cabinet including three from Goa Forward Party – Vijai Sardesai, Vinod Palyekar and Jayesh Salgaonkar and an Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte. Earlier he had dropped MGP’s Ramakrishna Dhavalikar.
The party claims that Chief Minister’s move to ensure that there is no Mhadei River diversion and partial resumption of mining activities, reflects his capabilities.
“Sawant-led government has given stability to the State, at the time, when globe is hit with the crisis. The recently tabled budget also has plan chalked out to ensure that financial health of the State is left unaffected, though the government has inherited the debt from former Congress-led governments,” the statement mentioned.
The party said the State govt is working on a legislation, which will make private sector to prioritise employment for the locals.
