NT NETWORK
MARGAO
Minister for Fisheries Avertano Furtado, on Monday, said that the panchayats in the state will be brought under e-governance so as to facilitate the people in getting various certificates and forms online within the next two months.
Furtado was speaking as the chief guest at the Independence Day programme in Margao after unfurling the National Flag in the presence of the MP Shantaram Naik, and Salcete MLAs including Digambar Kamat and Vijai Sardesai.
The Minister said that the 7th Pay Commission recommendations will be implemented from November 2016, and that the arrears will be credited to the provident fund account from January 2017.
“Budgetary provision for implementing recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission has been made and it works to be Rs 72 crore,” he said.
He further said that state government will be launching the health insurance scheme from September 1.
He informed that the government has proposed to construct ultramodern wholesale fish market in Margao besides a ropeway project from Panaji to Reis Magos at a cost of Rs 190 crore on PPP model for tourism development, and expects another Rs 350 crore spending this year as Goa has become one of the best tourist destinations.
The Minister recalled that the state government, despite financial crisis on account of the closure of mining, continued with the various schemes like Laadli Laxmi, DSSS etc for the benefit of the people of Goa
Interestingly, the Minister did not touch the controversial issues like medium of instruction (MoI), casinos, and alleged negligence of the South Goa hospitals.
A bravery award was conferred on late Ashlesha Ramesh Naik, who was a MMC councillor, and who died while saving a college youth on May 1, 2016, at
at the hands of Furtado in presence of the Salcete MLAs and MMC chairperson, Dr Babita Prabhudesai
Meanwhile, Margao MLA and former chief minister Digambar Kamat and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that they attended the Independent Day programme at the Collectorate premises perhaps after four years purely because a bravery award was to be conferred on late Ashlesha Naik.
“I came here, because our late councillor Ashlesha Naik was to be conferred with a bravery award. I normally do not come here,” said Kamat.
Kamat, pointing finger to late Ashlesh’s father added that he is his good friend and hence cannot skip the function.
He denied that he attended the function for political posterity.
When contacted, Fatorda MLA said, “I had boycotted the Collectorate function, because despite being the local MLA, I was not invited for government functions by the government.”
He, however, clarified that he attended the Independence Day function only because of the award for Ashlesha.
Lambasting the government, the opposition legislator said that he does not require to attend the government functions to gain political mileage.
“ Do not think that I have come here to get political mileage,” he added.
