|
The past sixteen years have seen Goa on the move in the critical areas of State building-education, health, infrastructure, investment, prosperity and consumers market. Even with political instability during these years when we saw thirteen Chief Ministers, one head of Government almost two years, the State ushered in a dynamic process of socio economic revitalisation and cultural renaissance with the support and cooperation of the people.
An analysis has shown that for the past sixteen years, the period from the year 2000 has demonstrated political stability and the governance has proved the maturity of Goans and enhanced its prestige in the country and abroad.
Goa has forged ahead on many fronts of economic growth and social development, thanks to some of the most ambitious and reform-oriented policies and programmes undertaken since 2000. A "Good Governance" wave is sweeping in the State. Highways, rural roads, town and cities, and infrastructure are being expanded and modernized on an unprecedented scale. The whole world has come to recognize Goa as �best of States�.
Most initiatives have taken to ensure dignity to all sections of the society through pension scheme for old and indigents, till date benefiting around 40,000, interest free loans for pursuing higher studies, computers to students, insurance to motorcycles pilots, toddy tappers and security to the poorest of the poor. Even for Government employees, as part of providing shelter, Government has a tie up with HDFC to extend loans to all viable housing projects. Even a driver, peon, sweeper can go for purchase a flat or house of his own.
The gains, we had during the last 16 years are numerous. Goa has to rely on Central Government for all decisions and funds, to carry on development and welfare oriented schemes. For twenty six years after liberation Goa remained in this bottlenecks and through tiredless efforts in order to preserve identity of Goa and Goans, the fullfledged statehood was bestowed on May 30 during the prime Ministership of Late Rajiv Gandhi, who inaugurated the State at a massive rally at Campal this day.
The State has grown by leaps and bounds. We had a population of 1007749(1981 census) at the formation and now we have reached to 13,43998(2001 census) though the decadal growth rate of population has declined from 16.08% during 1981-91 to 14.89% during 1991-2001. The literacy rate of Goa at present has reached to 82.32. While there is steady increase in urban population, the number of towns in the State has increased from 31 in 1987 to 44 in 2003.
The emergence of Goa as the State saw a time bound development programme bringing about a perceptible qualitative change in the life of the people. Though Statehood preceded making Konkani as official language, as it was the language spoken by majority of the people, now we have our own University, a huge modern assembly Complex, a modern hospital with Goa Medical College, an international airport at Mopa in the offing, National Institute of Oceanography,Antarctica centre for Ocean studies, and others.
Goa is the first State to achieve 100% computerisation of Records of Rights of all villages. Besides Kala Akademy, a new centre of Art in the shape of Rajiv Kala Mandir is established at Ponda and another art complex is proposed at Margao.
The State saw a sharper focus on the amelioration of the standard of living of weaker sections and rejuvenation of rural economy has underscored all schemes meant to ensure welfare and prosperity of the masses. Education being the foundation for human development, the Government extended infrastructure development loans to schools for buildings, equipment, toilet, water supply, library and play grounds,
Cyberage scheme provided computers to the students pursuing education in Std. XI and besides interest free loans to students, a Goa Institute of Design is proposed to be set up in addition to Goa Architecture College. On health front, under mediclaim scheme financial assistance is extended upto Rs.1.50 lakhs for availing super specialities. Besides Goa Accident, Trauma and Emergency Service(GATES 102) is established at GMC.
Goa is the first State to launch 'Freedom from Hunger' project providing pension of Rs.500 to single women, disabled persons and other old and indigents thereby providing dignity to these segments of the society.
To recognise the services rendered by women so far 36 of them have been conferred with Yashadamini Awards and a scheme for women 'Yashashwini' has been implemented.
The Statehood was achieved during the seventh plan where we spent on outlay of Rs.438.61 crores thereafter, the annual plan expenditure in 1990-91 was of Rs.135.50 crores, 1991-92( Rs. 158.87 crores). Thereafter began the eight plan which pumped in Rs.840.64 crores for five years.
The revenue expenditure in 1993-94 was Rs.357.34 crores, in 1994-95 Rs.389.46 crores, 1995-96 Ts.467.43 crores, 1996-97 Rs.542.11 crores, 1997-98 Rs.626.90 crores, in 1998-99 Rs.795.25 crores, 1999-2000 Rs.922.67 crores, 2000-01 Rs.1015.89 crores, 2001-02 Rs.1159.10 crores, 2002-03 Rs. 1332.11 crores and 2003-04(projected) Rs.1384-34 crores. The pumping of these funds could develop Goa and uplift the living standard of the people.
The record says that the period after granting of Statehood was politically dominant as we could see several Chief Ministers in the span of 16 years. While the granting of Statehood has bestowed on people of Goa a responsibility, the democratic form of Government and its exercise by our elected people Goa had to face almost one Chief Minister every two years.
While Shri Pratapsingh Rane continued as Chief Minister on the day of grant of Statehood till 8.1.1990 and on assumption as the first Chief Minister of the State of Goa on 9.1.1990 there was political upheaval and on 27.3.1990 Shri Churchill Alemao took over as Chief Minister and within 17 days another Chief Minister, Dr.. Louis P. Barbosa sworn in on 14.4.1990. This arrangement lasted for nine months when on 25.1.1991 Shri Ravi S. Naik became the Chief Minister and continued for two years and two months. Shri Wilfred D'Souza became Chief Minister on 18.5.1993 and continued till 2.4.1994.
In another political drama on 2.4.1994 Shri Ravi S. Naik was sworn in as Chief Minister and continued only for six days. Shri Wilfred D'souza was restored as Chief Minister till elections. Shri Pratapsingh Rane again became Chief Minister on 16.12.1994 and continued till 29.7.1998 when he was toppled by Dr. Wilfred D'Souza. Shri D'Souza was toppled by Shri Luizinho Faleiro on 26.11.1998 and then on 8.2.1999 there was a brief spell of President Rule. In the elections held in 1999 and continued till 23.11.1999 when Shri Francisco Sardinha toppled him and became Chief Minister on 24.11.1999 and continued till 23.10.2000.
Thereafter Shri Manohar Parrikar became Chief Minister on 24.10.2000 and continued till today. The shifting of loyalities by the MLAs and changing the parties displays that the Parliamentary democracy had deep rooted at the grassroot level in Goa polity and the elected representatives are deriving the maximum benefit of the Anti- Defection law elected by the union Government.
Due to frequent defection and change over the common masses who are regarded as voters and called as masters in this democracy, have shown their indigencies and NGOs and other organisations has called for boycott of the leaders who frequently change the parties and democratic principles.
At the end of 2000, a new era began under the leadership of Shri Manohar Parrikar, who took the reigns with a vow to usher in Good Governance. His commitment and dedication to bring in prosperity to this tiny state has now began showing results. He tried to tackle issues affecting common masses which were not touched since liberation and because of which many suffered.
The commitment to translate the essence of good governance into reality has seen many steps forward leading Goa to become first 'intelligent State' in the country. Goanet is being launched tomorrow which will facilitate to take Learners Lincences at Mahiti Ghars while a new market complex is being inaugurated at Panaji.
The Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation which has built a bridge at Ugem in record time will be inaugurated while foundation for another bridge at Corjuem will be laid to link the island with the main land. While Industrial Policy is released, pending subsidies to industrial units have been paid. While tourism sector is growing, Goa is also emerging as a place to host international film festival for which Goa Government is ready to spent around Rs.80 crores.
The Government has also adopted a strategy of retention of in traditional sector, creation of large scale employment and encouragement to self employment. Today is a great day, a truly historic day for Goa, a day which we have worked long and hard to prepare. Goa is rejoicing- and rightly so.
| 