Considering more powers to Coast Guard, Marine Police
PANAJI
In a bid to strictly implement a ban on illegal LED fishing, Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar on Wednesday said his department is trying to get two additional interceptor boats and will also ponder over giving powers to Coast Guard or Marine Police to take action.
Speaking to reporters, Halarnkar admitted that LED fishing continues to take place, but emphasised that it has decreased after the government started taking action.
“LED fishing takes place 12 nautical miles in the sea. We have a single boat to take action, but it cannot reach that far and we are proposing two more vessels for the department,” said Halarnkar.
“We are also considering contacting the Marine Police or Coast Guard to grant them powers to carry out raids,” said the minister, while stressing that LED fishing has to stop.
Meanwhile, Halarnkar lamented that the director of fisheries is not available full time with the department and has been given additional charge of the Goa Pollution Control Board.
Assembly monsoon session from July 11
PANAJI: The Goa Legislative Assembly monsoon session will start from July 11, after the cabinet on Wednesday gave its approval to summon the legislative assembly.
Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the cabinet has given approval to seek the services of Amit Prabhakar Maydeo, gastroenterologist and endoscopy expert, to set up a department in GMC.
“Also, post facto approval under advance medical facility has been given by the cabinet for funds of Rs 1.79 crore, which were used to purchase ventilators for Goa Medical College Hospital.”
“Post facto approval was also given for expenses incurred to conduct the National Youth Parliament event in November 2021.”
He said the cabinet also approved to retain the operation and management agency for the maintenance of Aguada Jail fort.
“Extension has been given for IT support services of Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) for another one year,” said Sawant, adding that the IT services are provided under a central government scheme for working in the power department.
The CM said the cabinet also gave approval to 52 posts in the skill development ministry.
