TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
PANJIM: BJP Legislator Vishnu Wagh Wednesday called on mine owners to share half the financial burden for compensating the people affected due to closure of mining industry in the State, questioning why State government alone should share the burden.
Speaking during the general discussion on the Budget for 2013-14, Wagh asked, “What responsibility do mine owners have towards their workers who are rendered jobless now? Let the government compensate 50 percent and the rest be done by the mining companies,” he said supporting the government’s packages to the affected people.
“Mine owners have enough to pay the employees for the next three years even after the mining ban, he said. In the same breath, he also expressed apprehensions that various other sectors which are indirectly affected due to mining closure may come up with their demands for similar compensation, which government may not be able to afford.
“We are people’s elected representatives… everyone should take on the responsibility… government has announced various schemes/packages despite constraints in government treasury…there will be a series of groups demanding compensation,” he said narrating an example of a restaurateur at Curchorem who in a casual conversation with the St Andre MLA expressed desire for compensation after the number of customers reduced due to mining closure.
As he congratulated the chief minister for announcing Budget in the State’s mother tongue Konkani, which is the first ever in the history of State Legislative Assembly, Wagh said the Budget was drafted keeping in mind the interest of the common man.
The legislator however seemed unhappy with the unequal distribution of Parrikar’s pet schemes – Laadli Laxmi and Griha Adhar benefits that are mostly benefiting the beneficiaries from the mining belt.
“The development of all constituencies is needed and equal treatment should be meted out,” he added. Wagh also urged the government to preserve the environment and heritage structures, and suggested a provision should have been made in the Budget towards this.
Wants 27% reservation in public sector for OBCs
PANJIM: BJP’s St Andre legislator Vishnu Wagh Wednesday demanded 27 percent reservation for OBC in the public sector.
Speaking during the general discussion on Budget2013-14, he said that government should firmly think of the reservation which will support the people belonging to OBC category.
“The OBCs are deprived of any developmental projects or it does not reach them. Government should think seriously to upgrade the backward community,” he said. Another BJP legislator from Tivim constituency Kiran Kandolkar expressed full hope in the government for 27 percent reservation for OBCs.
