In a quick tête-à-tête with SURAJ NANDREKAR, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reflects
on the year that has gone by and addresses a few pressing concerns
Herald: Mr CM, you will be completing
a year in the Chief Minister’s office this week. How do you see the last one
year?
Pramod Sawant: Well, it was quite an
eventful and challenging year I would say. Challenging year, I would say was
because I was unnecessarily being targeted by the Opposition. In fact, the
opponents could not digest the fact that I had been appointed as the CM. Some
thought I was accidental CM, some felt I would be there just for a short time.
Nonetheless, with the blessings of my ‘kul devta’, and the support of my MLAs,
I have weathered the storm and have been able to complete one year; and I am
optimistic that I will be able to complete the coming two years. Every minister
in the Cabinet is doing a good job. We have won the Assembly by-poll eletions
3-1 and Lok Sabha elections 1-1.I am also very confident about the upcoming
Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections.
Herald: Any major and significant achievement
in the last year that you would like to mention?
Sawant: Well, I am happy that I have been
able to give justice to the people of Goa. I have been successful in bringing
in some new reforms. Moreover, some new bills were passed and some amendments were
made. Further, I have been able to do good work, be it in the administration or
social sector. It’s not just me but the voters and the people who are telling
me this.
Herald: What were the challenges
before you stepped in (late) Manohar Parrikar’s shoes as the CM?
Sawant: There were several challenges
before me when I took over. Take, for example, I was blamed for Nu Shi Nalini
drifting to Dona Paula coast but I was able to thwart that challenge and
refloat the grounded ship and send the dangerous naphtha out of Goa. On mining,
Mhadei or the coronavirus matter, I have been able to take up the challenge and
more importantly, take strong decisions.
Herald: Don’t you think Goa has lost
Mhadei forever?
Sawant: See this is the perception that has
been spread by some people. I am confident Goa will win on the Mhadei issue. I
have met the Prime Minister Narendra Modiji and he has given me an assurance
that Goa’s interest would be protected. However, the decision depends on the
Supreme Court and we have made a strong case for Goa. People are spreading lies
for publicity. There needs to be discussion on the Mhadei notification also. I
request media to bring it out to the people of Goa.
Herald: You mentioned mining but there has been no
clarity on resumption of mining too. Your opinion?
Sawant: Mining was not an issue created by
me but the government is clear that mining has to resume as people’s livelihood
is dependent on that. The State’s revenue also depends mostly on mining and
tourism.
Herald: The opposition is charging your
government of having failed to generate revenue and hence the government has to
depend on borrowings. Your say?
Sawant: To say that government is taking
loans every now and then is easy, but loans have always been taken even in the
past. Credit goes to my government that despite a fall in revenue, we have
continued the social schemes. Finally, I am hopeful that in the coming two
years, my government will work for the betterment of the people – come what may.
