Pramod Sawant flags concern about NGOs being used as 'blackmailing' tool

Goa Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant Wednesday said some NGOs are "blackmailing" the state government. Sawant, who was speaking at a function to mark the Goa Legislators' Day, however, didn't elaborate the context in which he is making these remarks. "Some people use NGOs as a tool to blackmail. If we see today, NGOs are being used as a tool to blackmail. There are many NGOs who are doing a good job," he told a gathering of sitting and former MLAs organised by the Goa Legislators' Forum.

"However, some NGOs are blackmailing Goa and the state government," said the speaker who represents Sankhalim constituency as a BJP MLA. He also said Goa is veering towards negativity, and that trend needs to be arrested. "If we see around, we feel that Goa is going towards negativity. If we need to reverse the trend and get the state towards positivity, then we need to work for it," the speaker said. He said many people who lacked knowledge of the legislature are speaking about laws, and criticising them. The Manohar Parrikar-led coalition government in the state is supported by Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), Goa Forward Party (GFP) and three Independent MLAs.

(With inputs from agencies.)