n Goemkarponn at heart: Vijai outlines CMP salient features n Coconut, fish, rice, pao to be subsidised n All permissions granted by IPB to be reviewed
MARGAO
Making a fervent plea to Goans to give the Manohar Parrikar-led coalition government a chance to implement the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for the good of Goans, Town and Country Planning Minister, Vijai Sardesai on Sunday said the government will work towards formulating Regional Plan 2030 instead of RP-21 and was categorical in reassuring parents that the new dispensation will not change the present Medium of Instruction (MoI) policy.
While announcing that the Coconut tree will become the State tree and that government would promote floriculture parks across the State, he further assured Goans that the state rivers will remain with the local people, saying that a tripartite agreement will soon be signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India, MPT and Captain of Ports, which will ensure all permissions will be granted by the State government and not by the Centre.
Outlining the salient features of the Common Minimum Programme of the BJP-led coalition government at the historic Lohia Maidan after paying homage at the freedom fighters memorial, the TCP Minister said “RP-21 has no relevance. Hence, we will concentrate on formulating RP-2030 which will take care of our rivers, khazans, hill slopes, forest areas, conservation zones etc. As far as applications from institutions are concerned, the government will issue permissions on case to case for institutions in public interest”.
Saying that ‘xitt coddi’ is the staple diet of Goemkars, Sardesai announced government’s plans to subsidize coconut, fish, rice and pao in the near future.
While the CMP promises to review all permissions granted by Investment Promotion Board, especially the red category industries, Sardesai said the government will ensure that local unemployed youth garner 80 per cent of the jobs generated in the private sector.
Saying that the government’s tourism policy will be for locals, by locals and of locals to ensure that the benefits percolate to them, the Minister said the government will move the Centre for relaxation of Noise Pollution rules in select zones given Goa’s status as a favourite wedding destination. “From this historic Lohia Maidan, I would like to reassure that the MoI policy will remain unchanged. Government focus will be centered on quality education. No one will change the MoI policy”, he said.
Touching on the Municipal Administration, the Minister said the CMP will set up a Common Cadre for the Municipal staff to mete out justice for the common man.
On the casino front, he said the CMP is committed to shift the casinos from Mandovi, adding that the new sites will be decided after taking the people into confidence.
Saying the government is committed to set up three more Solid waste management plants, Sardesai said a comprehensive mobility plan to ensure effective connectivity between North and South Goa will be put in place by the government.
“On this historic Day, I would like to reassure my friends, who had only recently criticized me from this very platform for forming the new government, that we will not deviate from the ideals and principles which we all stand for and to make Goa golden. Communal harmony will be the backbone of this government. We will not allow anyone to disturb the peace and amity in the State. People of Goa know our secular credentials”, he said.
“When we formed the government three months ago, I was accused for making a compromise. You have to make a positive compromise and we made a compromise for Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn”, he said, while reassuring that the government will take all sections of the society forward.
Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, district Collector Swapnil Naik, district police Chief Chandan Chaudhary, freedom fighters, school students were present.
