Ball in SEC court to hold p'yat polls: Minister
MARGAO
While saying the ball lies in the court of the State Election Commission (SEC) to hold the Panchayat polls, Minister Mauvin Godinho on Tuesday wondered whether it is practically possible to conduct elections when monsoons are likely to hit the State soon.
He also said that the question of handing over the Rural Development Agency (RDA) department to the Zilla Panchayats to manage falls in the domain of the Chief Minister.
Virtually saying that it is impossible to hold elections during monsoons, the Panchayats Minister said the recent Supreme Court ruling in respect of the elections in certain districts of Maharashtra is clear that elections need not be held where monsoons are likely and heavy rains are expected.
“The ball lies in the court of the State Election Commission. The SEC has to take a call. They have to decide on the issue and intimate the government. They have not sent us anything officially till date on the election,” he said.
Mauvin added: “One thing, however, is clear. The Supreme Court in its May 10 judgement has stressed the triple test. The court order also talks about the monsoons since the petition was concerning certain districts of Maharashtra. Though the court order was in respect of Maharashtra, it is now applicable for the whole of the country,” he added.
The Panchayat Minister demanded to know what is the hurry in holding the elections when the state is required to fulfil the triple test laid down by the court. We will fulfil the triple test and we will complete the formalities. Let the OBC commission complete the process and the election dates will come automatically,” he added.
On the long-pending demand from Zilla panchayat members to hand over the RDA department to the District Panchayat bodies, Mauvin said he may be the State’s Panchayats Minister, but the question falls in the domain of the Chief Minister.
“The issue does not come in my domain. It is for the Chief Minister to decide. I understand that the demand to hand over the RDA to the Zilla Panchayats has come up time and again, but it is for the Chief Minister to decide.
New industrial policy to stress on single window clearance: Mauvin
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho on Tuesday said the Goa Industrial Policy laying stress on single window clearance and industries such as logistics and entertainment will soon be in the public domain for suggestions and objections.
Unveiling some of the salient features of the Goa Industrial Policy, Mauvin told the media on the sidelines of an RDA programme at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Tuesday that the new policy envisages nod for industries on a mere declaration, wherein the units will be allowed to commence productions and obtain the permissions at a later stage.
“We have proposed in the new policy that instead of getting multiple permissions from various departments, there will be one single application which will go to various departments. The policy has a provision wherein industries can start production on a mere declaration and the units can obtain the permissions later,” he said.
Saying the new policy will lay stress on environment-friendly industries that will not destroy the environment, Mauvin said stress will be laid on the promotion of logistics and entertainment industries in the State.
“Goa is known all over for music and art. We have good and lovely artists. If people are coming forth to set up an entertainment industry, the government will support such an industry in the policy,” he said, adding that the focus will be to provide gainful employment for the Goan youth and solve the unemployment problem.
The minister said the new Industrial Policy will be in the public domain shortly, inviting objections and suggestions from the public. He further said the policy will be discussed threadbare in the ensuing session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
‘Will ask officials to visit p’yats, explain schemes to people’
MARGAO:
Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho on Tuesday said he would issue directions to the officials to visit the panchayats and explain the various schemes of the Central and State government to the people.
The Minister was speaking at the beneficiary interaction programme of centrally sponsored schemes by Prime Minister Narendra Modi organised by the District Collector and the Rural Development Agency at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Tuesday.
Ministers Sudin Dhavalikar, Govind Gaude, Subhash Phaldesai and Subhash Shirodkar along with South Goa Collector Jyoti Kumari, Additional Collector-II Paresh Faldesai, besides officials of various departments also attended the function.
The Panchayat Minister said the officials will go to the Panchayat and explain to the people the salient features of the scheme.
