Team Herald
PANJIM: Cutting of trees in the State will become costlier as the State Cabinet has decided to increase the security deposit by five times.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that the Council of ministers approved the amendment to Rule 6A of the Goa, Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees Rules, 1983 regarding increase in security deposit.
“The existing deposit is Rs 200 per tree which has now been increased to Rs 1,000 per tree. This is against the condition of planting of trees,” he said.
He said there was need to amend Section 6A of the Goa, Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees Rules, 1983 as it was noticed that in recent years people were not seeking a refund of the small security deposit and not planting trees. “With the increase in security deposit, the applicant seeking permission to cut trees under PTA 1984 will also realise the seriousness of replanting trees in order to maintain a proper tree cover and healthy environment,” he said.
Sawant said the Cabinet also resolved to approve the proposal of Electricity Department to extend the Power Purchase Agreement with NVVNI for purchase of solar power at Rs 5.50 per unit at Generator Ex-bus for the period of three years with effect from August 28, 2019.
“The total financial implication of Rs 20.60 cr for a period of three years will be incorporated in the annual revenue requirement and the tariff proposal as it is done for all the power purchase proposals,” he said. Sawant said that in 2014, power was purchased at Rs 7.99 per unit for five years.
The State cabinet also approved the appointment of 130 para teachers for a period of 10 months, with effect from June 2019 to March 2020, with a monthly salary of Rs 34,299 per month, since there is need of these teachers’ services in various government schools.
