Dilapidated, unauthorised yet documented structures cited in 1972 land survey to get legal cover: CM
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said his government will come up with legislative protection in the current monsoon session itself to safeguard houses which have been impacted by the High Court order directing demolition of illegal structures.
Sawant, who was replying to the debate on the budget in the Goa legislative assembly, hinted that in the proposed law protection will be provided to all houses which are documented in the comprehensive land survey conducted in the State in 1972.
"Even dilapidated and fallen down structures figuring in the land survey, whether legal or illegal will get protection. Provision will be made in the law for authorities to issue documentation legalising them," Sawant said.
During other proceedings of the House earlier in the day, Sawant again referred to the issue of protection to unauthorised and illegal houses of people which face the threat of demolition following the High Court order. He said all MLAs will get an opportunity to speak when the legislation is brought before the House.
Pan-Goa plastic bags ban
Making yet another major announcement Sawant said his government is planning to enforce the ban on use of plastic carry-bags across the State.
"We will come up with a system by which cloth bags will be manufactured en-masse by empanelling local women and others under the Goa Handicrafts and Rural Small Scale Industries Corporation (GHRSSIC). Around one-lakh such cloth bags will be distributed free of cost and then the ban on plastic bags will be imposed," Sawant said.
He also agreed to demands from the Opposition that manufacturing of plastic carry bags and their import should also be banned.
Swayampurna Goa: SHG success
Meanwhile, Sawant said, efforts of his government under the Swayampurna Goem initiative have brought out a major success in rural economies of the State with as many as 340-odd self-help groups (SHGs) registering businesses.
"These groups involving some 48,000 women have generated a turnover of over Rs 300 crore," Sawant said, adding that nearly 11,000 women with over one-lakh rupees earnings a year will soon be confirmed and registered as 'Lakpati Didis'.
Ethanol plant
Responding to issues raised by Opposition MLAs, Sawant said his government will float a new tender within a month for inviting bids to set up the ethanol plant at Usgao.
