Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 6: Viresh Borkar, MLA of the Revolutionary Goans Party, on Friday raised concerns over road safety, coal handling and low allocation to agriculture while participating in the Budget session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.

Borkar alleged that the state government has failed to implement basic road safety measures, claiming that several roads lack proper signboards despite earlier assurances given by the chief minister in the House.

“There are no proper road safety measures in the state. We don’t even have adequate signboards. The chief minister had given assurances earlier in the Assembly, but those are yet to be fulfilled,” he said.

The legislator also questioned the government’s stand on coal handling in the state, stating that there was widespread opposition to the activity.

“Everyone is opposing coal handling, including BJP MLA Sankalp Amonkar, but the government still wants it to continue. If coal is harmful, then why is its handling not stopped?” Borkar asked.

Raising the issue of agriculture, Borkar said the sector was receiving very little attention in the state budget, claiming that only around one per cent of the allocation has been earmarked for agriculture.

He further said the agriculture policy introduced during the tenure of former chief minister Ravi Naik should be strengthened with adequate financial support.

“If the chief minister wants to carry forward the legacy of Ravi Naik, then the government should support the agriculture policy with funds. At least six per cent of the state budget should be allocated to agriculture,” he said.

Borkar added that increasing the allocation to agriculture would help strengthen the rural economy and provide better support to farmers across the state.