No takers for rain water harvesting schemes
PANJIM: Goa government has not found any takers for rain water harvesting schemes, including the subsidy implemented by Water Resources department. Water Resources Minister Dayanand Mandrekar conceded that ‘no private party is coming forward to take the scheme or subsidy’.
In his reply tabled in Assembly on Monday, he said the government has taken various schemes for rainwater harvesting. “We give subsidy of 50 percent or Rs 2.50 lakh cash but nobody is coming forward to avail the schemes,” he told the House.
Some rainwater harvesting projects have been undertaken in industrial estates in collaboration with Goa State Industrial Development Corporation. Places such as Verna, Kundaim, Madkai, Sancoale, Pilerne and other locations are identified with some proposals of rainwater harvesting also executed.
“Hydro-geological and other investigations are necessary to consider any proposals for rainwater harvesting,” he said in response to a starred question by MLA Carlos Almeida.
Minister introduces Goa Labour Welfare Fund Bill 2015
PANJIM: Labour minister Avertano Furtado on Monday introduced The Goa Labour Welfare Fund (amendment) Bill 2015, proposing to increase the quantum of contribution from the employee as well as from the employer for the labour welfare fund. The Bill also seeks to increase government contribution to welfare funds.
The Goa, Daman and Diu Labour Welfare Fund Act, was last amended in 2004. There was a long gap since the last revision of contribution of employer and employee towards the labour welfare fund.
The bill further seeks to amend section 16 of the Act so as to authorize the board to frame a scheme for the workmen affected by lay-off. Consequently, such workmen will also stand to benefit.
The proposed amendment imposes an additional liability to the extent of Rs 1.50 crore on the government. Simultaneously, there will be an added contribution from the employers and employees to the extent of Rs 3 crore.
Govt to expedite police proposal to extend EOC to all of Goa
PANJIM: The Goa government has assured to expedite the pending Goa Police proposal seeking creation of 10 additional posts from the rank of police inspector to superintendent of police, and extending the jurisdiction of the Economic Offences Cell (EOC) to all of Goa.
The proposal, BJP’s Panjim legislator Siddharth Kunkolienkar tabled on the floor of the House, also included rechristening EOC as economic offences wing. “The two proposals are pending before the Administrative Reforms department (ARD),” he said asking the government for an assurance.
He went on to add that 104 proposals are pending with the ARD since 2013.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar assured to expedite the police department’s proposal while clarifying that 91 proposals for creation/revival/re-designation of posts were referred back to the respective departments. The remaining 13 posts are currently on scrutiny with the ARD including the assessment of Water Resources department and Social Welfare.
He added that ARD does not create posts but is only a recommendatory department. “The cabinet approves it,” Parsekar added. To another question by Independent MLA Rohan Kaunte, the chief minister assured to look into the five executive engineers’ posts – three on direct recruitment through Goa Public Service Commission and two on promotion – created in the Electricity department last year. “These posts are not reflecting in the ARD nor are they appointed. What is the status,” Khaunte had asked.
Housing Board policy to be expedited to give plots to educational institutes, says CM
PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has assured to expedite the Housing Board policy to give plots for setting up educational institutes or nursing homes, even as its draft policy was released last year.
Sanquelim MLA Dr Pramod Sawant sought a proper time frame as to when the policy will be in place, while he cited the example of the dilapidated condition of a school building in his constituency. The BJP MLA had submitted a proposal to acquire a plot under the scheme to set up a government school.
“When will I get the plot? I have been following this up since a long time. I don’t want to start a private school but a government-run school. The existing school building does not have the facilities. Students don’t have toilets,” he told the House.
Independent legislator Rohan Khaunte pointed out that the policy was supposed to be released during the last monsoon session of the Assembly but in vain. CM Parsekar assured that the policy is in the pipeline and it will be expedited.
Constituency budgets
PANJIM: PWD minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said that a budgetary provision of Rs 300 of the Public Works Department will be divided among all 40 constituencies. He said that each constituency will be given Rs 15 crore and some bigger constituencies will get Rs 20 core each for the various developmental works.
No change in water tariff
PANJIM: The tariff on water has remained the since 2011, ie Rs 2.5 per cubic meter, PWD minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said on Tuesday. What has changed in the slab that has been reduced to 15 cubic meters. For consumption of up to 15 cubic meters the rate remains at Rs 2.5, but from 15 to 40 cubic meters it is Rs 5 per cubic meter. The minister said that the reduction of the slab is not affecting the middle class. He said that Goa has cheaper water charges compared to other states.
KTC to take over Canacona-Margao route
PANJIM: Transport minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said that the Canacona-Margao route currently operated by private bus operators will be taken over by the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL). He said the buses will be taken over with the drivers and operated by KTCL.
Rent a car
PANJIM: Transport minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said that after the assembly ends the rent a car issue will be resolved. He said that he cannot assure all the 1800 vehicles will be passed and given licenses but a way out to issue licences will be found. The issue will be resolved within three months, he assured.
