Team Herald
PANJIM: Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat on Saturday said that mere speeches, announcements and lip services will not help as the people of Goa have suffered very badly on economic front because of faulty policies of the BJP government at the Centre as well as at the State.
In a joint statement of Congress Legislative Party (CLP), Kamat said that the coronavirus lockdown has further deepened the financial crisis of the common man, who is now eagerly waiting for a package from the government.
“The people should be given a cash package immediately to reduce the huge burdens on them due to stoppage of business and zero revenues in last two months. Mere speeches, announcements and lip services through virtual rallies are not going to help them in anyway,” Kamat said.
He said the Speak-Up India Campaign of the Congress Party has already exposed the collapse of mobile networking system in Goa. “The government needs to focus on improving the same in Goa, which will eventually help the people, more particularly students for pursuing online education which has become need of the hour in this coronavirus crisis,” the former CM said.
All the five MLAs condemned the act of the BJP of celebrating one year of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second stint.
The Congress MLAs have stated that people are in despair due to lethargic approach of the government to help them during crisis and have demanded that government should immediately declare the package of Rs 100 crore to support the common man of Goa.
Former chief minister and Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane demanded that the government should listen to the voice of the people who have suffered financially in last two months due to stoppage of business activities which stopped the day to day income of the small and medium business sectors.
“The farmers and agriculturists have suffered losses and are expecting financial help from the government. The government should convene special session of the Assembly to discuss on the overall effects of COVID pandemic on the State of Goa,” Rane stated.
Former chief minister and Ponda MLA Ravi Naik has urged the government to take up the works which will bring solace to the common man.
He said that the government needs to behave in responsible manner to give confidence to the people of Goa.
He said taxi drivers, motorcycle pilots, Gadda owners and small businessmen have suffered the most.
Navelim MLA and former chief minister Luizinho Falerio said that the government needs to act fast to help the needy as there is total gloom on the overall economy of Goa.
“Today, people who make their living on day to day earnings are the biggest sufferers. The rising cases of COVID in Goa are a matter of concern and this is not the time for celebrations,” he says.
Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco demanded that the government must put in all efforts to bring back our stranded Goan brethren within India and abroad by making necessary travel arrangements for them.
“The government needs to put in place better medical facilities and quarantine facilities in Goa. There is an immediate need for increasing testing facilities and treating our seafarers and other Goan brethren who are returning to Goa in respectful way. They all need to be given humanly treatment, rather than organising rallies,” he said.