Statehood has given us power to legislate: CM

Statehood has given us power to legislate: CM
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, MAY 29
Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat today said that a full-fledged Statehood bestowed on Goa 23 years ago has given the people a distinct identity and freedom to make laws for the betterment of the State and the people.
Greeting the people on the 23rd anniversary of Goa Statehood, Kamat said though Union Territory had it own merits and demerits, a full-fledged Statehood has given us power to legislate for the good of the people at all levels.
It has also marked a logical completion of the process of freedom — political, social and economic ushered in by the Liberation of Goa on December 19, 1961.
The chief minister said there are now two districts which help to alleviate the administrative difficulties faced by people. Also, there are 40 Assembly seats instead of 30 at the time of Union Territory. This has resulted in easy solution of the problems faced by the people at various levels.  The Statehood also gave us a seat in Upper House — Rajya Sabha, he said
Apart from this, Kamat said, Statehood conferred us the power to formulate our own Budget, while at the same the State was also responsible for judicious expenditure.
He said for the last 23 years the State has done extremely well on raising revenue as is seen through prudent fiscal management. 
With Goa on the threshold of Golden Jubilee Celebrations, a Development Council under the Chairmanship of eminent scientist Raghunath Mashelkar has been created which will give directions to go ahead by 2050 taking together all stakeholders in the development, Kamat added.
Governor Dr S S Sidhu, meanwhile, extended greetings to people of Goa on the occasion of Statehood Day. The Governor in his message said, “mogall Goenkarano, aichea hea aitihasik Goenchea Ghotak Rajya Disa, hao tumkam soglleank monapasun hunhunit porbim ditam ani boro fuddar chittam”.