THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA: IT Minister Rohan Khaunte on Wednesday asserted that the State government believed in a public participatory process, but cautioned that opposition just for the sake of it will only damage future prospects of Goan youth.
“Instead of spreading wrong information, it’s better to understand the topic and then take a conscious decision. That is democracy. We believe in a public participatory process, but a person who opposes should understand what Goa and Goans need,” Khaunte said.
“If we start a disinformation campaign without understanding the subject, then the effect of damage done to the future generation will be colossal,” he added.
The revenue minister, who has been facing stiff opposition from the locals against the IT Park in Chimbel was addressing a gathering after unfurling the tricolour on the Liberation Day function at the government complex in Mapusa.
Mapusa Chairperson Ryan Braganza, other councillors and government officials were present on the occasion.
Speaking further, Khaunte said information technology (IT) industry brought non-polluting companies and there was need to welcome industries in the IT sector with open arms.
“We need to create opportunities in the private sector. And while encouraging the private sector, we have to ensure that a platform is created so that our children can get respectable salary, good jobs and position,” he said.
He further said government has framed an IT policy, implemented schemes and was planning to build new infra for the IT sector.
“We say Goa has the highest per capita income and has high literacy rate. When we are educated people, it is always better to know the facts before deriving a conclusion,” said Khaunte, trying to hit back at his detractors on the IT Park.
The minister praised the initiative taken by the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) to ban use of plastic in the city.
“The MMC has shown the right direction by banning use of plastic. If we want to protect the environment, we have to ensure that environment hazards are taken care of,” he said.
He said the State faced a lot of challenges like the drugs menace, unemployment etc and called upon the industry, the academia and citizens of the state to come and work together for a progressive Goa.
He also paid tributes to freedom fighters for the sacrifices they made to liberate Goa from the colonial yoke.
INSET
'Work on Mapusa, Porvorim revenue bhavans within 3 months'
MAPUSA: Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte assured that work on pet projects -- revenue bhavans in Mapusa and Porvorim -- would begin within the next three months, while a revenue bhavan at Dharbandora would be inaugurated very soon.
He also promised to set up Citizen Service Centres (CSC) in all 12 talukas in the State in the next three months.
“In the next three months, work on revenue bhavans in Morod-Mapusa and Porvorim will start. Also, a revenue bhavan at Dharbandora will be inaugurated and offices will be opened soon,” Khaunte said.
He said revenue was a key department where there was maximum interface with public and said the government has taken a lot of measures like online facility to ensure smooth delivery to the common man.
“Taking these initiatives means government is concerned about the common man and shows the youth a new direction,” he said.
