29 Aug 2019  |   05:07am IST

Goa is lagging behind others in declaring the State as ODF-free: CM

Highlights govt’s efforts in providing ‘urgent relief to those affected by the heavy rains
Goa is lagging behind others in declaring the State as ODF-free: CM

Team Herald


ponda: Stating that Goa is falling behind other States when it comes to declaring the State as Open Defecation Free (ODF), Chief Minister Pramod Sawant appealed to the civic body chiefs, councillors, sarpanchas and panch member to cooperate with the government in declaring Goa as ODF free before August 31. 

While making the appeal, he pointed out that the government had procured mobile bio-toilets, which should reach the members of the public who do not have toilet facilities 

Sawant was speaking at Rajiv Kala Mandir, Ponda on Wednesday while distributing financial relief to the flood affected victims. He emphasised that urgent relief has been provided to banana plantation farmers, whose crops were destroyed, as they felt it was necessary that these farmers receive compensation before Ganesh Chaturthi.

He added that other flood affected farmers with different crops will be provided relief after the festival. 

Besides the banana plantation farmers, people whose houses had collapsed or suffered damage during the heavy rains were also provided relief ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1.10 lakh. 

Sawant added that the government has provided a minimum of Rs 10,000 as financial assistance to those whose crops were destroyed. 

He also explained that a total of around 1.5 crore had been distributed in the state from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund as well as the State Disaster Management fund. He further appealed to industries in various industrial estates to donate to the CM Relief Fund.  He elaborated that more than 800 people had been affected by the flood and heavy rains. 

He further added that out of this, some have been provided immediate relief, which includes 110 at Ponda, 250 at Bardez, 70 at Tiswadi and 125 at Sanguem. 

He said that others affected will surely be provided relief after the festival.  He also thanked the Santa Cruz Rickshaw drivers for donating around Rs 50,000 to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. 

Cooperation Minister Govind Gaude, Ponda MLA Ravi Naik, Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar, Shiroda MLA Subhash Shirodkar and former MP Narendra Sawaika were present for the occasion.

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