Goa Khabar:Chairman of the Media & Communication Department of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, Amarnath Panjikar, strongly criticized the BJP Government for preaching austerity to common citizens while Ministers continue to enjoy luxurious lifestyles funded by taxpayers’ money. He stated that such appeals should have been made before elections so that people could know the real condition behind the slogans of “Viksit Bharat”.
Amarnath Panjikar said that while citizens are being indirectly advised to reduce the use of petrol, diesel, cooking oil and now even avoid purchasing gold for one year, BJP Ministers continue to use luxury foreign vehicles, expensive gadgets, VIP convoys, flying escorts, and spend crores on publicity, foreign tours, events, advertisements, welcome hoardings, and self-promotion campaigns.
Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reported appeal not to buy gold for one year, Amarnath Panjikar asked what will happen to lakhs of gold jewellers, craftsmen, small traders, and workers dependent on the jewellery business across India. He questioned whether the BJP Government plans to compensate them for losses or whether this is yet another unplanned publicity-driven exercise similar to the “Tali Bajao” and “Thali Bajao” campaigns during the COVID period.
Amarnath Panjikar stated that if the Government is genuinely serious about reducing expenditure, austerity should first begin with Ministers and ruling party leaders. He demanded strict restrictions on misuse of government vehicles for private purposes and an immediate reduction in wasteful government spending on political branding using taxpayers’ money.
“PM asking people to compromise on basic household needs and traditional savings like gold purchase reflects the complete failure of BJP’s economic policies. Instead of controlling inflation and improving purchasing power, the Government is now shifting the burden of economic hardship onto ordinary citizens,” stated Amarnath Panjikar.
Amarnath Panjikar further criticized Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant for blindly supporting every statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi without explaining its practical impact on the people of Goa. He demanded that the Chief Minister clearly explain how common Goans, small businesses, middle-class families, taxi operators, fishermen, farmers and traders are expected to survive if they are told to cut fuel usage, reduce household consumption and stop traditional gold purchases for weddings and other functions . “ People of Goa cannot be expected to blindly follow every impractical and insensitive appeal merely to please BJP leadership. Goa’s people need governance, economic relief and accountability — not blind bhakti and publicity-driven slogans,” stated Amarnath Panjikar.
