Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Monday ruled out the chances of Goa getting special status in the near future.
“Special status cannot be given to the State of Goa, as the State ranks on top on all aspects and recently India Today awarded Goa with top ranks in various categories. Special status is only given to those states which are economically backward, while Goa as a State has marched ahead in all aspects,” Parsekar said.
“We got Rs 3000 crore from the Centre for the construction of the new Zuari bridge, that is special status,” he added.
He rubbished allegations that the government is harbouring casinos, stating, “All six casinos in River Mandovi are a gift to Goa from the previous Congress government. My government has not given any permission to the casinos.”
Highlighting his government’s achievement and the schemes introduced, Parsekar said, “Beneficiaries of the Griha-aadhar scheme will get a rise from Rs 1200 to 1500 in the next few days. A total of 1,50,327 persons benefit from this scheme and the government spends Rs 22.5 crore on this scheme,” Parsekar said.
Stating that till date 44,325 beneficiaries have been covered under the Laadli Laxmi scheme, he said around 9,000-10,000 beneficiaries have been added to the list. Even with the Dayanand Samajik Suraksha Yojana (DSSY) around 1,41,666 beneficiaries enjoy the scheme, in which senior citizens and widows get Rs 2,000 per month and people with disabilities get Rs 2,500 to 3,500 per month.
“Not only these schemes, we have other schemes like Kalakar Samaj Yojana, krushi subsidy, milk support price, farmers get 90 percent subsidy on poly house, the government also gives support to people purchasing boats and trawlers. On all the schemes the government spends around Rs 1,200 crore annually.” he said
He also said the government has undertaken infrastructure projects in all constituencies such as medical facilities at GMC, sports stadiums, new hospitals, upgradation of colleges, widening of roads, etc.
