PANAJI: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat while admitting flaws in the price control scheme told the State Assembly on Wednesday that the scheme would be suitably modified and more funds provided so that people of the state could get benefit from rising increase in the prices of essential commodities and vegetables.
Intervening in the debated during half an hour discussion, the Chief Minister told the House that inflation was a world wide phenomenon and the reasons behind were known to everybody. Mr Kamat said that rising inflation was not a permanent phenomenon and that the state government would take steps to protect the interest of the Goans. He said that the intentions of the government were good and as such the government had initiated the scheme to help the people get relief from rising prices. He said that the government had plans to engage services of 50 more co-operative societies to widen the scope of reaching out to people and making them commodities and vegetables at prices that were much lesser than the market prices. The Chief Minister also said that the Goa State Horticulture Development Corporation would be directed to lift the produce of the local farmers first, so that they could also get the benefit, and supply them to the people. As regards to corruption in gas distribution, he said that both the district collectors would be directed to warn the gas dealers not to resort to illegalities and if found committing the same their dealership would be terminated.
Earlier, the Civil Supplies Minister, Mr Jose Philip D’Souza told the House that price rise was to be found everywhere, even as he called on the members of the House, including opposition, to work together with the government to bring down the prices of essential commodities to provide relief to common man.
He said that the government was not trying to cover up even as he listed the steps taken by him to make available essential items to the people of the state, adding that the people of the state had got benefit from the scheme. He also said that House panel headed by the Chief Minister and comprising of the members from opposition could be formed to tackle the issue and provide relief to the people.
Earlier, Mr Damodar Naik, the BJP legislator from Fatorda while opening the discussion said that people across the state were affected by the rising prices, which had more than doubled over the last five to six years.
Stating that the subsidy amount provided by the government was meagre, he demanded that `200 crore be set aside for the purpose.
Mr Manohar Parrikar, the opposition leader alleged that there was fraud in the scheme operated through the horticulture corporation, even as he said that the kerosene was not reaching the intended population.
Stating that wholesalers and stockists were controlling the prices, Mr Vijay Pai Khot (BJP) demanded action against them, while his party colleague, Mr Dayanand Mandrekar said that there was corruption in gas allotment.
The Aldona MLA, Mr Dayanand Narvekar said that the scheme had failed to provide benefit to the common man and that no body was serious in its implementation. He questioned the motive about the supply of "luxurious" items like capsicum, carrot, spring onions through the scheme. Mr Pandurang Dhavlikar, MGP, said that the scheme had benefited a lot of people.
The opposition members tried to create a ruckus at the fag end of the day by stating that the government was not serious about controlling price rise, but the Deputy Speaker, Mr Mauvin Godinho, who was in the chair adjourned the House for the day.
