MARGAO
Inviting the people of Goa to partake in the year-long 60th Year Liberation Day celebrations by leaving behind their political and other differences, Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar has underlined the need to unitedly face all challenges and issues.
Saying that people need not agitate when the state is already liberated from the colonial rule, Kavlekar stressed the need to work out solutions to the problems facing the state, including Covid, mining etc.
Addressing the Liberation Day function at the South Goa District Collectorate on Saturday, the Deputy CM saluted the freedom fighters for their sacrifices which paved the way for the liberation of the state from colonial rule.
“All the people of Goa should participate in the 60th year-long celebrations. This liberation belongs to all the people of the state. Everyone, irrespective of caste,
creed and religion should participate in the celebrations by leaving behind their
political and other differences,” he said.
Kavlekar also paid respects to the freedom fighters and also the former chief ministers, including Goa’s first CM Bausaheb Bandodkar, Shashikala Kakodkar, Pratapsing Rane and Manohar Parrikar for taking the state to great heights during their rule.
“We cannot forget the contribution of Bandodkar for taking education to the rural areas of the state. Shashikala brought the land to tiller laws, while Pratapsing Rane introduced the KTC and Goa Medical College,” he said.
Kavlekar showered praises on ex-Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for his developmental initiatives during his stint, adding that Parrikar brought glory for Goa after his induction in the Union Cabinet as Defence Minister.
“The country will not forget Parrikar’s role in the Balakot strike. He had ushered in tremendous development of the state,” he added.
The Deputy CM said that Goa is marching towards achieving the green revolution, saying that additional land has been brought under paddy, vegetable and cashew nut production because of government initiatives.
“We have set in motion the process wherein Goa will not have to depend on other states for their vegetable requirements. Cashew production is also set to increase with additional area brought under cultivation,” he added. He said the government has set six months for the Collectors to resolve the Kumeri cases and those under the Forest Rights Act.
Showering praises on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for laying the foundation to take Goa to greater heights, Kavlekar said that government is working sincerely to ensure that the fruits of development reach every person in the state.
He made a special mention of the Chief Minister for effectively handling the Covid situation with hard work put in by the South Goa District Collector Ajit Roy and other bureaucrats.
Saying that tourists have started visiting the state again, the Kavlekar exuded confidence that the New Year will ring in good news for the tourism stakeholders.
