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Goanet mourns the passing of Cornel da Costa in London, England - Sep 10/10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, SEPT 10 Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has said the government is in the process of drafting a scheme to provide financial assistance to the Goan podears, chonnekars and khajekars to keep alive the traditional occupations. Addressing vegetable, flower and fruit vendors after distributing cheques at Margao on Friday, the Chief Minister said a committee under the chairmanship of noted scientist Dr Nandakumar Kamat is working out a scheme for these traditional Goan hawkers. “The process of finalising the scheme for these traditional hawkers has got underway. Scientist Nandakumar Kamat is heading the committee to formulate the scheme”, he said. The Chief Minister underlined the need to extend support to the traditional Goan occupations to keep outsiders at bay from taking over these occupations. While distributing cheques for the fruit, vegetable and coconut sellers on the eve of Ganesh Chathurti, Kamat said that his government has brought the aam admi on the centre-stage since the last three years. “No one had thought that these categories of the people will ever receive government’s support. But, my government is committed for the welfare of the common man”, Kamat said, adding that his government has not discriminated against any constituency while implementing the scheme. Saying that the government has modified the scheme for the benefit of the common man, the Chief Minister said that the government has raised the income limit to Rs 1.5 lakh so that more and more people engaged in selling flowers, coconuts and vegetables avail benefits under the scheme. http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/Govt-scheme-to-woo-traditional-hawkers/40805.html COMMENTS: Glad we will continue to get Goencho Pão, chonnem ani festachem khajem. Let us hope Goans reap benefits of this scheme and not migrants. Moi-mogan, Domnic Fernandes Anjuna, Goa Mob: 9420979201