PANJIM, AUG 21
Unfazed by news of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao’s bid to get a Congress ticket for daughter Valanka for the Benaulim seat, the Nationalist Congress Party Spokesperson Trajano D’Mello on Saturday maintained the NCP would not give up its claim for Benaulim constituency that is presently represented by its MLA Mickky Pacheco.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Trajano asked media persons to think over the recent statement of Churchill wherein he stated if his daughter was denied the Congress ticket she would contest as an independent. This is a clear indication Churchill knows in his heart Valanka is not getting the Congress ticket, he mentioned.
HOUSING BOARD PLOTS: Harping on service to the common man, the outspoken spokesperson claimed his party minister Nilkanth Halarnkar had made it easy for the salaried class to bid for plots under a scheme of the Housing Board. For the very first time the salaried class will be able to bid for plots of 150 square metres at an average rate of Rs 4 to 4.5 lakh, he mentioned.
He said, Halarnkar, who is the Housing Board minister, had reduced the size of the plots from 300 square metres to 150 square metres so that the common man in rural areas will be able to buy the same. “Earlier 300 square metres was the minimum area one had to compulsorily bid for — something that was impossible for the salaried class because the rate of the plot would work out to Rs 10.5 lakh”, he stated.
He observed by bringing down the area to be purchased, the minister had made it easy for the salaried people to vie for the same. “I think the rate of Rs 4.5 lakh will not pinch the common man. Also, the moneyed or better off will not vie for the smaller area plots giving the salaried class an opportunity to own a piece of land, he mentioned.
RICE QUOTA: He informed Civil Supplies Minister and NCP Party President Jose Phillip D’Souza had succeeded in getting additional rice quota of 4000 metric tonnes only for Ganesh, Diwali and Christmas seasons for APL (above poverty line) people who will get on an average 15 kgs of rice during the festive period.
Trajano claimed when the Revenue Minister took charge in 2007 Goa’s quota was 500 mt and since then it has gone up. A few days back the quota for the State has been increased to 2,700 mt and as a result per ration card 11 kgs of rice will be disbursed, he informed.
