PANJIM: With sagging mining and tourism industry, which have been the backbone of State economy for decades now, the BJP-led coalition government is looking at reviving Goa’s oldest economy — Agriculture.
In its 32nd Statehood Day message, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that government is committed to review the agriculture sector for which wants youth to take up farming.
“During Portuguese era, Goa’s economy was entirely dependent on agriculture which was later replaced with other activities. Now, youth should take up agriculture using all the incentives available with the State government,” he said.
Chief Minister said that government has introduced various schemes like that of community farming to encourage agriculture. “I want youth to take up agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming and pisciculture. We need to review this economy,” he stated.
The 32nd Statehood day will be celebrated on May 30. Further, Sawant has urged the public to ensure that water and electricity are not wasted. “We need to use water and power very wisely,” he said.
The chief minister also pointed out that government spends almost Rs 15 on per cubic liter of water, which they charge only Rs 2.50 on per cubic liter to consumers. Similarly, he said that State depends on power from national allocation for which Rs 3.80- Rs 4.40 per unit is spent. “While we charge consumers hardly Rs 1.40-Rs 2.50 per unit,” he stated.
Sawant said that his government will address all the issues related to youth including that of employment. He has urged them to take up higher education facilities that are provided by the State.
In her message, Dr Mridula Sinha, Governor of Goa said, “I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Goa. May 30 is indeed a memorable day in the political history of Goa, for it was on this day in 1987 when Goa became the 25th State of the Indian Union. Achieving Statehood was a long and much-cherished dream of the people of Goa, which was rightfully fulfilled in a truly democratic manner. Statehood gave to the people of Goa a distinct identity and individuality, besides providing them ample opportunities to shape the destiny of their land.”
