Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar has criticised the BJP-led State Government for allegedly attempting to suppress democratic voices by filing defamation complaints instead of addressing the concerns of the Scheduled Tribe community.
Addressing a press conference, Chodankar questioned why the ₹3,200 crore Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) allocation, meant for the welfare and development of the Scheduled Tribe community, had allegedly not reached the intended beneficiaries.
He also claimed that several long-pending demands of the Scheduled Tribe community, including assurances sought during the Bali Andolan, remain unfulfilled despite repeated promises by the Government.
According to Chodankar, instead of responding with transparency and accountability, the BJP Government has chosen to intimidate critics through police complaints and legal action.
“The Scheduled Tribe community is not asking for favours. They are demanding what is rightfully theirs. The Government must ensure that the Tribal Sub Plan funds are utilised transparently and that every commitment made to the community is honoured without further delay,” he said.
Chodankar further stated that democracy is strengthened through accountability, public participation and the right to question those in power, adding that defamation complaints cannot suppress public concerns or erase facts.
He urged the BJP Government to stop what he termed the misuse of authority against political opponents and instead focus on ensuring transparency, justice and the constitutional rights of the Scheduled Tribe community.
