Voting to elect 224 members of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly will be held on May 10 and the counting of votes will take place on May 13. (Image/PTI)
Damodar Kochkar, president of the Goa State Industries Association, questioned the logic behind the state government’s “absurd” decision.
The BJP government in Goa has declared May 10 as a paid holiday, which will also include private establishments and industrial workers in view of polling for the assembly elections in neighboring Karnataka.
However, the decision of the Pramod Sawant government has not gone down well with opposition parties and industry bodies.
The Goa State Industries Association said that they may have to take legal recourse against the leave.
But, a senior official in the Goa Chief Minister’s Office said that it is customary to give leave when elections are held in neighboring states. He claimed that a holiday was declared in Karnataka on the day of polling in Goa last year.
The Goa government on Monday issued a notification declaring May 10 as a paid holiday on account of the Karnataka assembly elections. The holiday was also extended to those working in private establishments, including government employees and industrial workers.
Damodar Kochkar, president of the Goa State Industries Association, questioned the logic behind the state government’s “absurd” decision.
Kochkar alleged, “Industries in Goa feel that this is an absolutely absurd and stupid decision…holding industries to ransom for electoral gains.”
Aam Aadmi Party’s Goa unit president Amit Palekar also criticized the state government for this foolish decision.
“After selling our mother Mhadei to Karnataka, the BJP-led Goa government is stooping to low levels to please the neighbors,” he alleged in a video message.
The Goa Forward Party (GFP) also condemned the state government.
“@DrPramodPSawant’s enthusiasm & ability to take fast decisions was not evident when #Goans sought leave for #RamaNavami. The #Goemkars in #Goa clearly do not enjoy the same respect or dignity as their friends in @BJP4Karnataka. This is Jai Shri @BSBommai for @Goacm and @BJP4Goa,” tweeted GFP.
Goa and Karnataka are at loggerheads over the sharing of Mahadei river water.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)