MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and informed him about the ongoing vaccination programme and the steps taken by the State government to tackle the third wave of Covid-19.
“We discussed political and developmental issues about the State. The PM has expressed his willingness to come for the inauguration of the historic Aguada jail beautified under the Swadesh Darshan scheme,” Sawant said.
He said the PM has also agreed to virtually interact with the ‘swayampurna mitras’ either in August or September.
He will take a review of the Atmanirbar Bharat and Swayampurna Goem movement in the state and also advise the ‘swayampurna mitras’ on how to go about the plan.
The CM further informed that the PM was briefed on the Covid management and the ongoing vaccination programme in the State followed by an update on how the state was prepared to handle third wave whenever it strikes.
Sawnat also met union home minister Amit Shah and union tribal minister Arjun Munda to discuss about conferring ST status to the Dhangar community.
Dy CM, Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, Social Welfare Minister Milind Naik, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar and Speaker Rajesh Patnekar were present in the delegation.
“We handed over a memorandum to the union tribal minister who has agreed to find a way out to resolve the issue. The union home minister has also assured to take a positive decision in the matter,” the CM informed.
He said the Dhangar community issue has been lingering from 1993. The Gauda, Kunbi and Velip communities were conferred the ST status in 2003 but the dhangar community were left out as the neighbouring State of Maharashtra and Karnataka had conferred OBC status to the community.
“Now, on a study from Dharwad University in Karnataka we have impressed the tribal minister and the home minister and made them aware that the Dhangar community is tribal and therefore they should get them tribal status,’ he said.
…SNUBS TALKS ON LEADERSHIP CHANGE
MAPUSA: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant snubbed questions on whether there were any talks of leadership change in the state or reshuffle among his ministers during his visit in the national capital.
“I think only one newspaper highlighted the issue. None of the other media outlets focused on it. I think nobody is taking it seriously,” Sawant said in a terse reply.
When told that Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar had made some post on his Facebook page on leadership, the CM said it would be better if he (Tendulkar) was approached for the comment. “It is better you ask him,” the CM told the journalists.
It may be recalled The Goan had emphasised on the speculation on leadership change when CM suddenly left for Delhi on Sunday noon.
The trigger to leadership change came in the backdrop of the recent public utterances of Union Minister of State for Tourism, Shripad Naik of his desire to re-launch himself in State politics.
