Goemkapronn desk
VASCO: On Friday, Goa Forward Chief and three-time Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai painted a grim picture of Mormugao Taluka’s future, highlighting rampant extortion and gambling during a Janata Darbar in Vasco. Sardesai assured residents that he would raise their grievances in the upcoming assembly session.
“The people of Mormugao Taluka are not getting justice despite having BJP MLAs,” Sardesai declared. “The MLAs who promised action on critical issues have betrayed the people. The Taluka is on the brink of a health disaster and is sitting on a ticking time bomb due to lack of planning.”
Sardesai was particularly critical of the administrative state of the Taluka, accusing local officials of corruption and negligence. “There is an administrative mess, and MPA seems to be the owner of the state,” he stated. “Hafta collection has become the order of the day, with MLAs demanding money for clearing cargo in the port. The cargo has been stopped since the money was not given to the MLA. The BJP has finished the Taluka completely, leaving people desperate for change.”
Environmental concerns also topped Sardesai’s list. He warned of severe health repercussions due to coal pollution and the mass cutting of trees. “There will be a rise in lung diseases, and the traditional fishermen are finished. Kharewado beach is a mess, and the Kharewado fishing jetty remains in a dilapidated state despite permissions from the MPA,” he lamented.
Sardesai emphasized the adverse impact on the youth due to unchecked gambling. “Gambling is rampant, affecting the youth, and people from all walks of life are unhappy,” he said. “Trawler owners are not getting subsidies, and small fishermen are being harassed by Malpe fishermen with no intervention from the state.”
Accusing the BJP of fostering an environment of extortion, Sardesai remarked, “The transporter involved in the movement of cargo, a Goan, has been replaced by an outsider due to Hafta. Only the extortion industry is thriving in the Taluka.”
In a scathing comparison, Sardesai added, “I had heard about the issues here, but the reality shocked me. Vasco seems more like Bihar, with rampant gambling and extortion, and the police are incapable and involved in the corruption.”
Determined to fight for Mormugao’s future, Sardesai concluded, “We will raise this issue in the assembly and unitedly work to bring back the town and Taluka to its past glory.”
