Three ministers, 8 MLAs referred to Lokayukta for not submitting assets

PORVORIM: The State Government tabled the names of three ministers and eight MLAs who have failed to submit details of assets and liabilities within time frame before the Goa Lokayukta. PWD Minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar, who is the in-charge of the government on Tuesday, laid the report of Goa Lokayukta under Section 21(2) of the Goa Lokayukta Act 2011 on the Floor of the House on Tuesday.

The report mentions names of Ministers Manohar Azgaonkar (Tourism), Minister Govind Gaude (Civil Supplies) and Jayesh Salgaonkar (Ports); and legislators Nilkanth Halarnkar, Antonio Fernandes, Francisco Silveira, Pravin Zantye, Wilfred D’Sa, Churchill Alemao, Clafasio Dias and Prasad Gaonkar for failing to submit their financial statement for the year ending March 31, 2017 within the stipulated time limit.

`1.9 cr revenue earned from music fiesta

PORVORIM: The State government has earned revenue of over Rs 1.92 crores from the organisers of TimeOut multi-genre music fiesta held in the coastal belt of Vagator in December, last year.  As per the information tabled on the Floor of the House, Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar has said that government earned revenue of Rs 1,94,30,470 from the TimeOut organisers. The event was attended by 20,000 people. 

Tourism department alone earned Rs 1,18,17,000 revenue which included event fees, processing fees and Goods and Service Tax (GST).  The organisers have paid Rs 40 lakh to the police departments towards the security arrangement while another Rs 12 lakh for excise licence. For the year 2015, when the Sunburn electronic dance music festival was held, the organisers had paid an amount of over Rs 4.70 cr to the government. The event was attended by 50,000 people as per police report. 

Sunburn did not take place in 2016 and in 2017.

Ruling benches curtailing our voice: Oppn

PORVORIM: The Congress party on Tuesday accused the ruling benches of trying to waste the time of the House by prolonged and directionless replies on the floor, thereby sabotaging the crucial questions raised by them during ongoing Budget session of the State Legislative Assembly. Addressing media persons at the sidelines of the assembly proceedings, Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said that Ministers and MLAs from the ruling benches, with a purpose, try to pose lengthy questions and replies to the same, thereby ensuring that crucial questions tabled by us don’t figure up during the session. “Ruling benches are trying to curtail opposition voice. They are doing this with proper planning. It was done during the last assembly session and now too,” Kavlekar said. He pointed out how the Minister for Tourism and WRD tried to give misleading and directionless answers to the questions raised by Cong MLA. 

Madkaikar assures to rehabilitate displaced Saleli families 

Porvorim: Social Welfare Minister Pandurang Madkaikar has assured to rehabilitate the two families, whose houses illegally built on Water Resources Department (WRD) land were demolished earlier this month. The minister was responding to the calling attention moved by Congress’ Ponda MLA Ravi Naik on the pitiable situation of the displaced families in Saleli. 

Madkaikar informed the House that the structures, although built over two decades ago, were illegally constructed on government property. “They were issued a show cause notice through the District Collector in 2015 but government didn’t receive any reply. Social Department is concerned about the families and I will follow it will all the related departments like Revenue, Tribal Welfare and the WRD; and ensure they are rehabilitated,” he said. The manner in which the houses were razed by WRD was also criticised by opposition MLAs with Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar claiming that the families were not given enough time to exit along with their belongings. 

Poriem MLA Pratapsingh Rane questioned the reason behind non compliance of the show cause notice, which was supported by Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte who too sought that an inquiry be held into this aspect.

WRD ‘didn’t set deadline for Tillari project’

PORVORIM: WRD Minister Vinod Palyekar failed to set deadline for completion of long pending Tillari irrigation project, which is a joint venture between Maharashtra and Goa. Minister said that of the total area covered under the project is 14,521 acres and that only 10 kms work of the canal is pending. The total cost of the project is Rs 120 crore. Congress MLAs Pratapsingh Rane and Jeniffer Monserrate, sought to know when the project will be completed as it is long pending. The minister assured to ensure that it is completed at the earliest.

Taxi governors can be relaxed: Lobo

PORVORIM: Deputy Speaker and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo on Tuesday informed that installation of speed governors on taxis can be relaxed as it has not been told by the Supreme Court but was suggested to the centre by an appointed committee.  

“The installation of speed governors has not been told by the Supreme Court or the High Court, it was the committee appointed which then suggested the centre. It can be relaxed” said Lobo speaking on the motion of thanks to Governor’s address.

He said “The taxi issue still remains unsolved. I only stand by them because they are Goans and whatever needs to be done, should be done. There are so many issues which are faced by the taxi owners such as the interstate tax.”

Work on toilets should start on 

war footing: Dy Speaker

PORVORIM: Speaking on ODF, the deputy speaker said that Goa is in need of 70,000 toilets and if we the government wants it to be complete building the toilets by October 2, work should start on war footing basis.

“If not 70,000 toilets, I feel that at least 25-30,000 toilets should be built but of extremely good quality. Also the MLA from all constituencies should work along with their panchayats if we want to achieve the status of ODF and Swachh Bharat. I also urge the Speaker to make it compulsory for all MLAs to come and see the state of the art plant at Saligao,” Lobo said. 

Meanwhile, the deputy speaker also said that the Medium of Instruction (MoI) is still pending and should be resolved at the earliest.