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5 Cong MLAs absent during thanks motion discussion BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 14 - Discussion on motion of thanks to the address of Governor S C Jamir to the Assembly began today in which three BJP members spoke while five Congress members who were scheduled to speak were not present in the House when their names were called out. Ramesh Tawadkar (Poinguinim), Gaonkar (Sanguem) and Narahari Haldankar (Valpoi) highlighted the woes of small farmers and agriculturists. Tawadkar said three talukas of Canacona, Sanguem and Quepem have remained backward because the Government has failed to resolve the problems of the people there. He said kumeri issue is waiting for a solution for the last many years while farmers continue to suffer due to lopsided policies of the Government. Gaonkar said the Government needs to look into the grievances of sugar cane farmers and arecanut growers and demanded that they be given incentives. Haldankar said the Government should transfer the land rights to the land tillers. To this, the Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane said the Government was in the process of resolving the issue. Haldankar also complained of the dust pollution caused by stone crushers in the taluka. Later, when Dy Speaker Victoria Fernandes who was in the chair called out the names of five Congress MLAs and none of them was present in the House. -- Peace be with you! Gabe Menezes. London, England