15 YEARS OF BJP RULE HAVE COST GOA ITS LAND, RIVERS, SEAS, JOBS AND SAFETY: PAWAN KHERA

Goa Khabar: Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Shri Pawan Khera today accused the BJP government of systematically compromising Goa’s land, rivers, coastline, environment, employment opportunities and public safety, asserting that 15 years of BJP rule have come at a heavy cost to the people of Goa.

Addressing a press conference in Panaji during the ongoing Goy Rakhonn Yatra, Shri Pawan Khera, Chairman of the AICC Media and Publicity Department, was accompanied by AICC Goa Co-Incharge Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar, GPCC Working President Shri Sunil Kawthankar, GPCC Media Chairman Shri Amarnath Panjikar, and AICC Media Coordinators Shri Nishant Anand and Shri Mrinal Hebbalkar. He said that the growing slogan “Goa for Goenkars” reflects the aspirations and anger of people across the state.

“The land, seas, rivers and beauty of Goa have been destroyed. Fifteen years of BJP rule have brought unemployment, narcotics and a serious deterioration in law and order. Goa is now paying the price for the BJP’s failures,” Shri Khera said.

He questioned the BJP’s claim of working for Goans, pointing out that while the party seeks votes from Goenkars, Goan youth are increasingly being deprived of employment opportunities. Despite Goa’s high literacy rate, unemployment remains a major concern, with the unemployment rate cited at 8.3 per cent.

“The BJP wants the votes of Goenkars, but when it comes to jobs, opportunities are being denied to Goan youth. Our educated and talented young people are forced to look elsewhere for employment while the government fails to create adequate opportunities within Goa,” he said.

Shri Khera said the Goy Rakhonn Yatra has brought Congress leaders and workers directly to the people, enabling the party to hear their concerns on employment, land, environment, drugs, infrastructure and governance.

He expressed serious concern over the growing drug menace in Goa and alleged that drug networks could not flourish without political and administrative protection.

“Drug cartels cannot function without the support of the government. The government must answer the people of Goa on how such networks are operating and why the youth of Goa are being exposed to this dangerous menace,” he said.

He also attacked the BJP government over the deteriorating law and order situation, citing growing concerns over crimes against women, assaults, kidnappings and other serious offences.

“Goa must be a safe place for its people, particularly women and children. The government cannot simply look away while law and order continues to deteriorate,” Shri Khera said.

Questioning the government’s environmental policies, he said Goa’s fragile ecology was being sacrificed in the name of development. He raised concerns over land conversions, pollution, the degradation of rivers and coastline, and inadequate public consultation on regional planning.

He also questioned the government’s casino policy, alleging that permissions were being granted without adequate scrutiny and transparency. He further questioned whether revenues generated in Goa were genuinely benefiting Goans or being diverted outside the state.

Shri Khera said that the forthcoming Assembly elections would provide the people of Goa with an opportunity to evaluate the BJP’s 15-year record.

“People come to Goa to take everything from Goa, but they do not want to give anything back. But this time, Goa will not remain silent. Goa will not be treated as a resource to be exploited. Goa belongs to Goenkars, and the people of Goa will decide who gets their votes,” he said.

He said the Congress stands for a safe, environmentally protected, employment-oriented, drug-free and people-centric Goa, where development benefits Goans rather than vested interests.