Panaji, Jun 26: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Luizinho Faleiro on Saturday condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state and central governments’ failure in curbing the price rise of essential commodities.

Faleiro bought vegetables and pulses from the Panaji municipal market on Saturday morning alongwith the GPCC Mahila Congress president Sunita Verenkar and party workers.

Addressing the media, after his visit to the market, Faleiro said that Rs 1,200 given to the women beneficiaries under the Graha Aadhar Scheme is far less compared to the expenses incurred in buying the daily essential commodities.

“The cost of buying the essential commodities like vegetables and pulses for daily use has crossed Rs 1,200, which is provided under the Graha Aadhar. Fish, chicken and mutton are not included in these daily needs. These are not luxury items but have become a luxury now”, he added.

He condemned the BJP-led state and central governments’failure in fulfilling their election promises of ‘achche din,’ and said that the Goans are fighting a losing battle against the price rise.

Meanwhile, stating that the Ministry of External Affairs should protect the interest of Goans living in the United Kingdom on Portuguese passports, in view of Brexit, Faleiro said that Goans had left Goa by obtaining the Portuguese passport in search of better opportunities, especially, in the UK.

“The Goans abroad have been contributing to the Indian economy and Goan economy by sending remittances back home. Brexit can lead to unemployment and force them to return to Goa,” he added.

Hitting out at the AAP, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party is a part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and is working to split secular votes. He also said that more and more cases are being filed against the leaders of opposition parties.

“BJP which is ruling at the Centre and in the state is known for its intolerance and political vendetta,” he claimed.

Meanwhile, while speaking at the Iftaar party, organised by Vasco Block Congress Minority Department at the railway community hall on Saturday evening, Luizinho said that, “The Congress will give stable government in the state after the assembly election to be held in 2017. It is my duty to build party, organisation and even the young leadership by adopting secular ideology.” When asked as to what will be the strategy of the Congress to win the forthcoming assembly election, he said that “there is a need for secular forces to come together to fight the communal BJP.”