Panaji, Goa Forward Party MLA Vijay Sardesai on Friday launched a scathing attack on the state government, accusing it of indulging in “wasteful” spending on events and claiming that benefits from resumption of mining activities have not reached the people.
Speaking before the state assembly, Sardesai claimed that the government was “taking over mosques in the same way it takes over companies” and said that “exceptional circumstances” prevailed in the coastal state.
He questioned government spending $74 crore at various events, alleging that public money was being used for propaganda rather than addressing problems affecting people.
While discussing the supplementary demands for grants in the budget session, the Fartoda MLA pointed this out $Rs 13.22 crore was spent on the ‘Vikasit Bharat’ event in his constituency, claiming that people from neighboring Maharashtra and Karnataka were brought in for the programme.
He claimed that $Rs 9.48 lakh crore was spent on hoardings and advertisements during activities related to the G20 summit in Goa, and funds earmarked for mining sponsorship were diverted for electricity-related purposes.
Sardesai also criticized the government’s waste management policies, noting that there is more to it than that $Rs 500 crore was spent on projects, but cleanliness remained a major concern.
“Roadside dumping of garbage continues across the state. Garbage is disposed of openly, and there is no action against those responsible,” he said.
The opposition lawmaker also claimed that although mining activities have resumed, residents of the state are not getting employment opportunities.
He alleged that mining leases were structured in such a way that even temples fell within the lease areas, sparking protests in the affected areas.
Sardesai said people were protesting against the mining operations of companies, including Vedanta Ltd, alleging that the benefits of mining were not reaching the local people.
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