(Contn) 10. The Government has decided to upgrade the sewerage system and the sewage treatment plant covering the Panaji city at an estimated cost of Rs. 14.10 crore for which approval of the Government of India through environment upgradation scheme has been obtained. A proposal for improvement to Orem creek and restoration of St. Inez nallah in Panajic city has been submitted to the Government of India for financial assistance. Under the rural sanitation programme, since January 2002, 3611 sulabh toilets have been constructed all over the State. In recognition of Goa's achievements in the area of rural sanitation the Government of India have given an award to the State Public Works Department.
11. Under e-governance programme, the system requirement specifications for 29 Department has been completed. System requirement study of 10 Departments is in progress Software development for 13 Departments is in progress and another 17 Departments are in the pipeline. 12. Under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme of Freedom from Hunger Project 12,171 beneficiaries have been sanctioned pension up to 15th April 2002. 13. In yet another new initiative for the women of Goa a new scheme 'Yashasvini' was launched at the 'Mahila Shakti Mellava' on 10th March 2002 in Panaji. The 'Yashasvini' initiative will give women the choice of becoming self-reliant and economically independent. Also, for the first time in the history of Goa, my Government has instituted awards to honour women who have achieved outstanding success in their fields. Accordingly, 28 women were honoured on the occasion of Women's Day 2002 at the Mahila Shakti Mellava attended by over 30000 women. 14. My Government, being committed to democratic decentralization, successfully conducted the general elections for the Panchayats on the 20th January 2002. Also, the election of Sarpanchas and Deputy Sarpanchas were held on the 31st January 2002 and the newly elected members took oath on the 1st February 2002. Special grants have been released towards payment of staff salaries to weak panchayats whose annual income is less than Rs. 10.00 lakhs. 15. In a significant achievement my Government has established the Goa Accident Trauma Emergency Services popularly known as GATES-102. The set up comprises round the clock services of hotline, special trauma ward and ambulances. Seven ambulances are stationed at Pernem, Bicholim, Ponda, Sanvordem fire stations and Balli and Verna police stations and at Goa Medical College, Bambolim. The ambulances are equipped with necessary equipments and trained manpower to deal with the emergencies. 16. The economy of our State has forged important linkages both at the national and the international level. The Tourism industry in the State offers a telling example of this phenomenon. Following the recent worldwide slump in the tourism industry, there was a drop in the number of foreign tourist arrivals in Goa. However, the drop was more then compensated by a higher inflow of domestic tourists. Consequently, the overall annual growth in tourist arrivals was of the order of 8 percent during the previous year, which was in large measure due to focused marketing efforts. 17. In order to more effectively regulate the tourist trade in the State, the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act 1982 has been amended. In addition Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) Act 2001 has been enacted to protect places of tourist importance. My Government is giving importance for restoration of old structures like chapels, cemetery, temples, forts and development ancient rock carvings towards attracting tourists to the rich heritage and culture of the State. 18. My Government is giving priority for improving the infrastructure and quality of education in Industrial Training Institutes of the State. The Government has laid foundation stone for construction of a new ITI complex at Porvorim at an estimated cost Rs. 5.05 crore. The Government has decided to strengthen Industry-ITI Linkage by forming Institute Management Committees comprising members from both the industry and the Government. 19. Implementation of a major World Bank Aided Project entitled 'Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management' (ICMAM) project is under execution in collaboration with the Department of Ocean Development, Government of India. The project will generate a GIS based Decision Support System for sustainable development of coastal area through sustainable management of coastal as well as marine eco-system and resources. 20. The construction of the Rajiv Kala Mandir at Ponda has been completed and dedicated to the State. Foundation stone has been laid for construction of Ravindra Bhavan at Fatorda, Margao. 21. My overnment has continued its efforts to promote sports infrastructure in the State. A Gymnasium has been established at Keri n Sattari Taluka. Development of play ground at Assolna, Chicalim. Bhutte Bhatt, Poriem, Mandrem, Curchorem, Mala-Panaji and Haturlim has been completed. Quantum of grant-in-aid to village panchayats and non-government institutions for play grounds and sports halls including land acquisition have been enhanced to provide better sports facilities in rural areas. The State of Goa has performed creditably at the 47th National School Games in swimming, judo and baseball held at Gandhi Nagar and Delhi by winning a number of medals. 22. Since mechanization has helped to increase the agricultural production, cropping intensity, diversification of farming and reduce the cost of cultivation, subsidy is provided on various machineries. Since January 2002, financial assistance has been given to the farmers for purchase of 30 power tillers, 2 tractors and 20 brush cutters/weed cutters. Moreover, support price was extended to 1315 farmers for arecanut, 102 farmers for coconut and 178 farmers for oil palm. 23. My Government has decided to construct open type bandaharas at Kumbharwadi in Ponda taluka, Kodli, Matojenwada, Daucond and Okamb in Sanguem Taluka for augmentation of water at Opa water works. Out of the five bandharas, the works for three bandharas are in progress. As a special case, the Government has waived the loan with interest amounting to Rs. 2.16 crore to the project affected people of Salauli Irrigation Project and Anjunem Irrigation Project in January 2002. The issue of regulation of drawal of ground water and protection of khazan lands are also engaging the attention of my Government. 24. Under Animal Husbandry sector, my Government has launched a new scheme namely 'Special Calf Rearing Scheme' in January 2002. The scheme has received tremendous response and so far 435 farmers have availed the benefit. A new scheme for control of stray cattle and stray dogs is under formulation. At present, the Government is giving financial assistance to NGOs working in the field of animal welfare. 25. Towards developing infrastructure facilities to the fishermen, construction of jetty, workshop and net mending shed at Cutbona is in progress. Construction of sulabh saunchalayas at Malim and Cutbona is also in progress. A project proposal for development of Chapora jetty complex has been submitted to the Government of India for central assistance. 26. With a view to arresting urban migration and providing in-situ employment, the Government proposes to convert patches of barren and wasteland scattered all over the State to intensively managed horticulture and forestry plantations. The Government proposes to give support to the interested and indigent youth financially and technically to raise the plantations. 27. My Government has decided to start a new course of three and half year duration in B.Sc. Fire Technology in association with the Dhempe College Arts and Science from the ensuing academic year. The Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture has conveyed its approval for setting up of Disaster Management Centre in Goa. 28. The magnitude and the nature of the challenges that face us in our endeavour would seem to call for a wider consensus on introducing more innovative and bolder measures. Therefore, as the State marches ahead in the pursuit of all round development, let us, at the outset, resolve to rededicate ourselves to the fulfillment of the goals, which we have set. 29. I am absolutely confident that there would be a synergy of ideas and our creative efforts would be directed towards the fullest utilization of the human and material resources which abound in plenty in the State. JAI HIND. COURTESY: goabjp.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
