PANJIM: One out of 10 ore ferrying barges were sold off through distress sale, following the ban on mining since September 2012, the Goa Assembly was told on Monday.
Minister for Ports Laxmikant Parsekar told the Assembly that out of a total of 525 barges registered with the department, 55 have been sold in the intervening period from September 2012 till date.
According to the reply tabled, the barges were sold to companies in Gujarat, Mumbai, Kolkata and Karnataka.
Barge owners are having loan liabilities amounting to over Rs 300 crore and the distress sale was done to repay the loans.
Mandur health centre to be rebuilt
PANJIM: The Mandur rural health centre, would be fully reconstructed by demolishing the existing structure, and two new rural health centres would be started at Sankhali and Tuyem, Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told the State Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Admitting that the existing construction was dilapidated, Parsekar said that the facility had not been renovated even once.
“The health centre is beyond repair and hence we have decided to demolish the existing structure and reconstruct a full-fledge health centre. The process has already started,” he informed.
The question was raised by BJP St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh, who pointed to the pathetic condition of the health centre. He also sought to know whether along with Mandur, whether government has any plans to add more rural health centers.
Replying to the same, Parsekar said that when government decided to increase the medical seats from 100 to 150, the Indian Medical Council had directed us to have three rural health centers under GMC.
Mandrekar expresses helplessness in recovering money
PANJIM: Water Resources Minister Dayanand Mandrekar on Monday expressed his helplessness in recovering money which the state government had released to people who were supposed to relocate, paving the way for Selaulim reservoir project.
“Many families were paid Rs 4 lakh each to vacate their respective land to be covered under Selaulim irrigation project. But they continue to occupy the land,” he told the House during a reply on demands for grants on water resources.
“We had requested them to refund the amount if they want to retain the plots as they are carrying out plantations.” He also said that government officials, who were deputed to execute the order by deputy collector to return the land to the government, were threatened. The minister also claimed that several illegal houses have mushroomed in the area.
“The department has made futile efforts to get the people to vacate the land or get the money reimbursed,” Mandrekar said as he urged Sanguem MLA Subhash Faldesai to assist the government after the latter mentioned that several displaced families are yet to be rehabilitated. Mandrekar conceded there are 81 missing families which would be helped by the government. “Each of these families was offered 100 square metres of land but they refused the proposal. Whoever is left to be rehabilitated would be taken care of,” he assured.
Wagh flays govt move to divert Romi Konkani books awards
PANJIM: BJP’s St Andre MLA Vishnu Surya Wagh on Monday condemned Goa government’s reported move to ‘divert’ Kala Academy’s Romi Konkani books awards, so that they are given by other departments. Speaking during demands for grants on Art & Culture, Wagh alleged that this step by the government was unfair towards Kala Academy, which existed much before the Department of Art and Culture came into existence.
“Kala Academy has its own pride. It existed before Art & Culture Department was born. Diverting the awards is totally unfair and I condemn this,” he said. Wagh, as the then Chairman of KA, had last year decided to re-start separate awards for Konkani books in Romi script considering the immense contribution of Romi script writers for at least 500 years. He had also said that the decision was not just his personal choice, but that it was approved by the academy’s executive committee and endorsed by its general council.
Tillari project almost complete: govt
PANJIM: The government on Monday claimed they have almost completed the inter-state Tillari Irrigation Project, rubbishing allegations of delay in the project.
“Under this project, 11,166 hectares of command area is already developed in Goa. Now it is for Command Area Development Authority (CADA) to use this potential for the agricultural growth in the State,” Water Resources Department Minister Dayanand Mandrekar told the ongoing monsoon session of the Goa assembly, during a reply on demands for grants.
He stressed that it was not right to accuse the government for failing to complete the project, a joint venture between Goa and Maharashtra which aims to revive farming in a big way.
The minister informed the House that the project was conceived to irrigate 14,521 ha area in Goa, and provide 117 MMT of water for drinking purpose in North Goa. The left bank main canal covers 4,214 ha area in Pernem while the right bank main canal will irrigate 10,226 ha area in Bicholim and Bardez talukas.
The cost of the project, which was Rs 217.22 crore in the year 1986, has now risen to Rs 1,612 crore based on the 2009 prices. “Goa government’s share in expenditure would be Rs 1,052.15 crore. The project cost went up because of the delay in land acquisition for the construction of canals,” he said.
Some of the legislators had alleged during demands for grants that Tillari irrigation project was delayed inordinately.
