PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday stated in the Legislative Assembly that schemes like Atal Asra will be reviewed to expedite relief for people whose houses have been damaged due to natural calamities.
Speaking during question-hour, Sawant said that a survey is underway to assess the damage caused to agriculture and other crops due to the incessant rains. Relief money will be deposited into the bank accounts of farmers within the next two months, he said, adding that Rs 2 lakh will be provided directly as immediate relief to disaster-affected families across the State.
Earlier, in his reply to Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar regarding the status of landslide-prone areas in Mormugao constituency, Revenue Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate said that six areas, including Bogda, Sada, Jetty, and Desterro, have been identified as landslide-prone under Disaster Management.
The Minister further mentioned that the government has identified and mapped potential areas with a likelihood of landslides in the State, including Mormugao, which have been included in the State Disaster Management Plan, 2024. The Deputy Collector/SDO, Mormugao, has directed talathis to maintain continuous vigilance over these areas to prevent any untoward incidents in the future and to inform local bodies to respond to emergencies, including evacuating residents.
Amonkar expressed concern about recent landslides in the Mormugao constituency over the last two years and inquired about the measures the Disaster Management Authority has put in place to prevent major disasters and risk mitigation plans for people residing in these areas.
During the discussion, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat denied interference by PWD in the repair of former home guard Vimal Shirodkar’s house, which collapsed at Shirvodem last week.
When Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai pointed out that this issue was published in newspapers, Kamat alleged that newspapers publish “anything”. He added that some people are politicizing the issue and stated that he has arranged for a philanthropist to reconstruct the house.
Disaster Mgmt Authority operates like a postman, has no funds: Babush
PORVORIM: Amidst numerous red alerts and severe damage caused by heavy rains and floods this monsoon, Revenue Minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate stated that the Disaster Management Authority operates merely as a “postman” and lacks funds.
Monserrate explained that the Public Works Department (PWD) or the Water Resources Department (WRD) are responsible for carrying out repairs whenever landslides occur. According to him, the Authority’s role is limited to preparing reports. He noted that the funds received from the Centre for disaster management are primarily used to purchase equipment rather than for infrastructure projects like building protective walls.
