LoP Yuri Alemao Slams Govt Departments for Lapses, Demands Accountability and Immediate Corrective Action
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao came down heavily on the state government on Thursday, slamming the River Navigation and Social Welfare departments for what he described as gross negligence, mismanagement, and insensitivity towards the public.
Alemao lambasted the River Navigation Department, stating that it had “completely failed in its duties” and demanded urgent corrective measures. “The department has shown sheer incompetence in ensuring efficient and safe river transport services. This negligence cannot be ignored anymore,” he said.
In a sharp critique of the Department of Social Welfare, Alemao recounted a shocking incident involving an 80-year-old widow from Taleigao who was wrongly declared dead, resulting in the abrupt stoppage of her pension under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS). “This is a very serious mistake. The department must apologise to the lady and ensure such inhuman errors are never repeated,” he asserted.
He further highlighted several irregularities in the implementation of DSSS, stating that “the department has turned social welfare into a lottery of luck and privilege.” He pointed out that while thousands of needy beneficiaries face endless delays, payments continue to be credited to accounts of deceased individuals.
“The Social Welfare Department must demonstrate accountability, transparency, and urgency. If not, every rupee sanctioned risks becoming a subsidy for inefficiency,” he warned.
Alemao also raised concerns over the long-pending Covid relief dues and the failure to implement various welfare policies.
Calling for a structured approach to inclusion, Alemao demanded that the state government notify a State Policy for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwD). “Such a policy should be binding on all departments and government corporations to ensure equal rights and dignity for persons with disabilities,” he said.
On the issue of heritage preservation, the Leader of Opposition cautioned against insensitive development. “We must protect the sanctity of our historical places. The Department of Town and Country Planning must ensure development is in harmony with preservation efforts,” he said, adding that the government should refrain from altering or rewriting historical narratives. “History is history. What is written in manuscripts must be preserved not erased or reinterpreted to suit political convenience,” he concluded.
