Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Friday said that the government will organise various cultural programmes across the State from August 15, as part of 60th year of Goa liberation celebrations.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly after transacting all the business listed for the day, Dr Sawant said that the government had chalked out various year-long programmes across Goa and in other States so as to promote Goa’s tourism and culture as part of grand celebrations and also launched the celebrations at the hands of President of India Ramnath Kovind on December 19 last year. But all the proposed plans suffered due to surge in COVID-19 cases.
Stating that the COVID-19 cases are now on a decline the government will restart its various festivities from Independence Day and continue them till the conclusion of the December 19 this year, with the cooperation of artistes and people of Goa.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had allocated Rs 300 crore to Goa government to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee year even as Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant had asked Rs 100 crore from the Centre for year-long festivities.
Reportedly the opposition parties had urged the Chief Minister to utilise Rs 300 crore to improve healthcare infrastructure in the State and to fight COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chief Minister said that the government mapped and restarted minor and major minerals. The government after a gap of 15 years officially granted 12 leases for minor minerals and all quarry maps were also approved. He also told the House that Goa officially exported 43,90,890 metric ton iron ore.
Dr Sawant said that under the Goa Mineral Development Corporation, the government will auction leases and also resume mining operations through the Corporation. Goa Mining Development Corporation has been enacted for the welfare of the people and in the interest of the State, he said adding that it will also generate revenue for the State exchequer.
Stating that the government is prepared to tackle the third wave of Coronavirus in the State, he said that health for all programmes will be launched in every taluka soon.
Dr Sawant hoped that Goa will achieve Atmabirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goa and be self-reliant.
