Launches work to clean and de-silt 120-km Tillari Irrigation Project Canal
BICHOLIM
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday appealed to local elected representatives to come forward and carry out people-oriented public works in rural areas.
Chief Minister was addressing the public at a function in Sal-Bicholim after launching the work to clean and de-silt the 120-km Tillari Irrigation Project Canal under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) scheme of Department of Rural Development in convergence with the Water Resources Department (WRD).
The total cost of this project under WRD is Rs 1.5 crore, while the total cost of the project is about Rs 70 lakh under MGNREGA, a central funded scheme, wherein 90% funds are from the Centre and 10% funds are from the State.
The State has to provide Rs 7 lakh, hence a saving in total Rs 1.43 crore to the State government. Job cards holders under MGNREGA will be engaged for this work.
Speaker Rajesh Patnekar and RDA Minister Michael Lobo were also present.
“Taking Goa ahead lies in the hands of local elected representatives and other stakeholders. If they come together to bring about development in any aspect, the government will extend all required support for such cause,” Sawant said.
The chief minister emphasised the need to engage the services of various local bodies such as self help groups and social clubs to carry out the developmental works in their areas through MGNREGA scheme.
Sawant said Goans have always preferred organic products which are imported from neighbouring states.
“Why should we not think of producing the same here in our State,” asked Sawant, while assuring government support to local produce by extending all possible support to farmers under Swayampurna Goem programme.
Speaker Rajesh Patnekar lauded the State government’s work and thanked the chief minister for commencing development work in his constituency.
DRDA Project Director Meena Goltekar and Additional Chief Engineer Shrikant Patil also spoke on the occasion.
State gets Rs 1.5 cr for various works, says Lobo
BICHOLIM: Rural Development Minister Michael Lobo on Tuesday said the Central Government has allotted Rs 1.5 crore to the State government, from which work to clean canals will be taken up through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) scheme.
He said during pandemic period, 1,809 labourers were engaged for minor works and Rs 73 lakh has been paid to them as remuneration.
Sawant assures to resolve seafarers’ pension scheme issue
PANAJI: Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant on Tuesday assured members of Goan Seamen Association to resolve the issues regarding the pension scheme for retired seamen/widows.
Delegation of Goan Seamen Association of India on Tuesday submitted a letter to Chief Minister requesting the government to restart the scheme. Retired Seamen/widows were receiving financial help through Goa Welfare Pension Scheme for Seafarers for last 5 years. It was informed that the scheme has been stopped without intimating the beneficiaries causing the inconvenience to them. The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to the delegation regarding their grievances and assured to resolve the matter at the earliest.
