PANAJI
In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Goa government has decided to launch special outreach programmes including ‘Panchayat Chalo Abhiyan’, under which it will interact with people across all 40 assembly constituencies from February 27 onwards. The programmes are set to be held to mark five years of Pramod Sawant’s government.
Sawant, who succeeded Manohar Parrikar after his death on March 19, 2019, had continued as Chief Minister after the 2022 assembly elections that saw BJP winning 20 seats.
“My continuous government will complete five years on March 19, but during that time the election Code of Conduct may be in force. Hence to mark these five years we have decided to reach out to people under Vikasit Goa Vikasit Bharat initiative,” Sawant told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
Sawant said that his government will launch ‘Panchayat Chalo Abhiyan’ on February 27, wherein he along with 11 ministers will visit panchayats across all 40 assembly constituencies. “It will be a day long visit wherein the Ministers will interact with people, listen to their grievances and try to resolve it,” he said.
As per the schedule, the Chief Minister will visit Panchayats from Panaji and Taleigao, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane will be in Mormugao, Nuvem, Shiorda and Madkai, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho will be available in Calangute, Canacona, Pernem and St Andre, Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik in Bicholim and Valpoi, WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar will cover panchayats of St Cruz, Aldona, and Sanvordem, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte will be in Dabolim, Curchorem, Priol and Velim, Tribal Minister Govind Gaude is entrusted with Saligao, Sanguem and Curtorim, Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate will handle Vasco, Mayem and Margao, Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar will be in Mapusa, Sanqulem and Cortalim, Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar in Fatorda, Ponda and Cumbharjua, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phaldesai in Pernem, Mandrem and Thivim and Environment Minister Alexio Sequeira will handle Navelim, Benaulim, Quepem and Siolim constituencies.
Sawant said that ‘Public Oriented Programmes’ are organised to provide benefits to the people. “Our aim is to reach the last mile. All should get benefits of government schemes. Hence, we have also decided to have a review programme of ‘Swayampurn Goa 2.0’ on March 2 and also to distribute 30 thousand spectacles, free of cost, to students on March 4 under the Vision for All scheme,” he said.
The Chief Minister further said that on the eve of Women’s Day, the Department of Women and Child Development and Rural Development Authority will organise programmes for womenfolk. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also address on the occasion,” he said adding that revolving funds to the tune of Rs 4 crore will be distributed to the self-help groups on that day in addition to distribution of bank loans. State gas around 1145 SHGs.
Sawant said that a ‘Youth Conclave’ has also been organised by the Tourism Department to mark five years of his government.
