Aam Aadmi Party leader Valmiki Naik said he was willing to discuss the power issue with Goa power minister Nilesh Cabral who said he was ready to discuss it with any Goan anywhere.
It may be recalled that Nilesh had earlier challenged AAP for a public debate on the power issue and even offered to sponsor their travel to Goa.
However when AAP spokesperson and MLA Raghav Chadha arrived in Goa Nilesh said he would discuss only with Delhi minister.
Valmiki while pointing out that he is a son of the red soil of Goa said he was willing to discuss the matter so that Goans can benefit and asked Nilesh to resist using derogatory terms like “aaoto” or mad.
Refuting Nilesh’s claim that he received no call from Raghav, he pointed out that the call was made in the presence of reporters.
Valmiki wondered whether Nilesh is in touch with ground reality and pointed out that Goans all over were protesting against the high electricity bills given after three months.
“How can Nilesh say that Goans are not troubled by the electricity bills while in Delhi people get zero bill,” he asked.
Valmiki also refuted Nilesh’s contention that centre is bearing 60 per cent of the cost of Delhi administration and revealed that centre only pays Rs 350 crore of the Rs 60,000 crore Delhi budget.
“Nilesh Cabral as is his nature is giving false information only to fool and mislead Goans,” he said.
While pointing out that most of the beneficiaries of the welfare schemes in Goa have not received their dole for months he said the Delhi government has announced new schemes even during the lockdown period.
He disclosed that Delhi will be distributing 7.5 kgs extra rations to its residents during the lockdown period and said this benefit will be given to 7.1 million people.
“Delhi the old age pension has been increased from Rs. 2,250 to Rs. 4,500 during covid crises,” he said while pointing out that senior citizens in Goa have not received their pension for months.
Besides he said the Kejriwal government has offered a scheme for senior citizens to go for teerth yatras. Under this scheme every year 77,000 senior citizens will be allowed to go free for a teerth yatra along with an adult attendant.
“In Delhi widows get Rs 2,500 every month while women travel free in public transport while in Goa the Laadli Laxmi scheme is frozen and the Griha Adhar scheme is in cold storage, he said.
Valmiki pointed out that the world has appreciated the public education system in Delhi and said that Harvard University wanted to study it. “I fail
to understand why the BJP government does not want to replicate that in Goa.
Besides he pointed out that the Mohalla clinics in Delhi where free treatment including surgeries are done have also grabbed world attention while in Goa even medicines are not given free in government clinics or hospitals.
Valmiki said all this needs to be discussed threadbare without seeking cover of protocol or resorting to name call so that ultimately the people can decide on which government is better.
