Panaji: The Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Monday slammed the state government for failing to release financial assistance to Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS), Griha Adhar beneficiaries and remuneration to volunteers and medal winners of the 2023 National Games.
Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao said that beneficiaries of social welfare schemes always suffer to get financial assistance for lethargy and bankruptcy of government. “Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and his party colleagues boast of events, which are organised spending more than Rs 600 crore in last five years. But the insensitive government fails to release financial assistance to beneficiaries. It is irony that this government is forcing senior citizens, widows and womenfolk to visit banks now and then to check whether financial aid is released,” Alemao said, adding he should imediately release money and keep his word given in assembly session.
Alemao charged that due to bankruptcy and as this government is fully dependent on borrowings, it has failed to release financial assistance on time. “Sometimes it takes more than six months to receive money, which means the government is not serious to help senior citizens and other beneficiaries,” Alemao said, adding the government should stop hoodwinking the public.
He said that government is in no mood to take austerity measures despite it is reeling under debt of around Rs. 30,000 crores.
Alemao said that total debt of the state for financial year 2019-20 was Rs 16894 crore, 2020-21 Rs 20729 crores, 2021-22 Rs 23271 crores and 2022-23 Rs 24619 crore.
“Year back Pramod Sawant had announced that Goa will be on track to generate enough revenues in the coming years, but nothing concrete in this manner is seen. He is only trying to hide his failures,” Alemao said.
Yuri Alemao, said that the payment of Rs 103 crore is pending for vendors engaged for the Games and Rs 1.9 lakh for associations, and Rs 3 crore for medal winners. “Our athletes and other beneficiaries should be paid immediately.” He said.
He said that the government should also release incentives to milk, dairy farmers and fuel subsidies for fishermen immediately.
