PANJIM: The implementation of the much-awaited flagship health insurance scheme of the BJP-led government- Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) has been delayed by a fortnight. The scheme will now roll out on September 1, CM Laxmikant Parsekar said on Monday.
Addressing the 70th Independence Day function at Old Secretariate, Parsekar said the implementation of DDSSY has been further delayed till September 1 as the insurance cards for all families registered under the scheme are not ready. “Moreover, the administration was busy with the Monsoon session of the State Legislative Assembly and hence could not follow up,” he stated.
“The government has received 1,38,000 applications under the DDSSY but 40,000 cards are printed and only 26,000 families have collected the same,” Chief Minister said.
Also mentioning that when we contacted the insurance company, it came to our notice that the maximum number of cards that could be generated in a single day were only 5,000 and stated that the government requires a few more days to complete the task of issuing the cards.
He led the State in saluting the Tri-colour during the State level function of the 70th Independence day at the Old Secretariat here. He later reviewed the Guard of honour presented by the contingents of Goa and Maharashtra Police.
Speaking on the contentious medium of Instruction (MOI) issue, Chief Minister told the crowd that the recommendations of the Advisory Committee would be adhered to by the government.
He also said foundation stone for the Tuem Electronic City will be laid next month.
“The current BJP Government has done a perfectly good job in the field of education. The Advisory committee will not only decide on MOI but also give suggestions on other aspects. We have selected experienced people as committee members who have no political ambition,” Parsekar said
Indirectly appealing BBSM and FORCE to place their suggestions before the committee, Chief Minister said whosoever has got suggestions on MOI or any other education-related issue, they should provide the same before the panel.
The function attended was attended by Deputy Speaker Vishnu Wagh, Cabinet Ministers and MLAs including Leader of opposition Pratapsingh Rane and bureaucrats.
Announcing that the term of Mhadei Water dispute tribunal is been extended by one more year- upto August 21, 2017, Parsekar assured the people of Goa that there will be no compromise in the state`s interest in the ongoing interstate battle on water diversion.
“The issue of Mhadei is before the tribunal. Goa has won the first victory in the Mhadei dispute with the tribunal`s decision not to allow Karnataka to divert 7TMC of water” said Parsekar.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister hoped that the full-fledged iron ore mining operations in the State will resume during the coming season in October.
“The mining business in the state has resumed after a gap of three-and-half years. After the Monsoon season, it will pick up the pace and will start with full potential,” Parsekar said
“It would not be wrong if we say that mining is the financial artery of Goa,” he said infoming that a total of Rs 163 crore were spent on schemes providing financial help to the people affected with mining ban.
He assured that the mistakes committed by the previous government to encourage illegal mining will not be repeated by his government.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Goa as venue for the BRICS summit as it would provide an opportunity to showcase Goa’s culture to the world.
“When India got an opportunity to host Brics summit, Prime Minister Modiji selected Goa as the venue. None of the states had applied for it, Goa too did not apply, but he thought our Goa would be the right choice,” Parsekar said
“All BRICS nations together calculate to 40 per cent of world’s population. This means the entire world would be looking at Goa during the summit and said hosting BRICS summit is significant as heads of different nations would be participating in it and Goa needs to take advantage as it will get during the BRICS to increase tourism flow in the state.
