Power to all by 2011, says CM
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 19
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today unveiled a volley of schemes and sops for Goans while ushering in the golden jubilee year of the State’s liberation.
Addressing an impressive gathering at the Campal parade ground after inspecting the parade, Kamat resolved that the State government will give electricity to each and every household in Goa and also ensure that everyone is literate by end of 2011.
In a series of resolutions and announcements, the chief minister also declared enhancement of pension for freedom fighters and financial assistance for police, fireand emergency and home guards.
“We resolve that all the households in the State will have electricity by end of 2011. Currently, we have more than 90 per cent houses which have the power connections, we are planning to have hundred per cent electricity percolation,” Kamat told the gathering.
He added “Wherever there are issues to get electricity in the conventional form, the State will provide non-conventional electricity like solar power. “There are many households in the State where the said form of energy would be provided.”
During the celebration of Goa Liberation Day, the chief minister also announced a scheme called ‘Teach one each one’ with an aim to attain 100 per cent literacy rate by the end of coming year.
Kamat also declared hike in the pension of freedom fighters from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 each. He also said that his government will ensure that at least one person from a freedom fighters family gets a job in coming few months.
The State government also declared a financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to the Police Welfare Society and Rs 10 lakhs each to the home guards and fire and emergencyservices departments.
Kamat during his half an hour long speech also announced a scheme providing shelter for the homeless children.
The chief minister said that the State will initiate a process to have an arbitration centre along with a convention centre, which will give a platform to performing artists in the State.
Admitting that the dust pollution due to mining activity is bothering the locals, Kamat said that mining corridors would be constructed which will shift the ore laden trucks from the main roads. “The plans will come out very soon,” he said.
The chief minister has appealed the people to support government in their project to expand the existing national highway. He said that the highway expansion would be done without affecting the common people.
“We will see that minimum number of houses is demolished. Even if we have to acquire land or houses for the expansion, we will be paying them as per the market price,” Kamat said adding that the government is working out a land acquisition policy based on the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh models.
He also urged people to help the government in preserving the environment. “We have already notified Regional Plan 2021 for Pernem and Canacona taluka’s and very soon the rest of the talukas would be covered. But it’s not just the duty of the government but the common man also needs to help us in protecting our environment,” Kamat observed.
Earlier, ushering in the golden jubilee year of the State’s liberation, Kamat paid tributes to Ram Manohar Lohia, Bahusaheb Bandodkar and all those freedom fighters who laid their lives for the liberation of Goa as well as played great role in its progress.
The celebration which was marked by cultural programmes by the school children across the State was witnessed by legislative assembly speaker Pratapsingh Rane, Chairperson of Bal Bhavan Vijayadevi Rane, leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar, Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament Shripad Naik, Transport Minister Ramkrishna Dhawalikar and other political party legislators .
During the celebration, Kamat awarded the Chief Minister’s Police (gold) medal for meritorious service to Superintendent of Police (SP) Vishram Borkar, SP Tony Fernandes, Deputy Superintendent of Police (crime branch) Chandrakant Salgaonkar and Chandrashekhar Bicholkar.
Home Guards namely Sarita Naik, Sudhakar Gaonkar (Margao), Mulla Muzawar (Ponda) and Vijay Mandrekar (Mapusa) were also awarded for their bravery.
Apart from these awards, the awards for best anganwadi worker, best farmer, best information technology man, best social worker, disabled awards and fire service medals were also given .
