PANAJI
In signs that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is shifting gears into election mode, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that the vacant berth in his cabinet will be filled soon, following consultations with the party’s central leadership.
The vacancy was created after the death of Ravi Naik last October.
Sawant, who returned from Delhi after meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior leaders, said the BJP will convene a meeting of its ministers and MLAs on Friday at the party headquarters in Panaji.
Although the agenda is under wraps State party president Damodar (Damu) Naik is expected to chair the session, where a strategy for the coming months leading to elections will inevitably be deliberated.
The Chief Minister also revealed that he has sought the Prime Minister’s intervention on easing restrictions under the Noise Pollution Rules.
Sawant argued that destination wedding tourism in Goa is suffering as couples increasingly choose foreign locations due to strict noise curbs.
He proposed designated entertainment zones where weddings could be held without disturbing residents and said that the PMO has directed the Union Environment Ministry to examine the issue.
Sawant also said he has pressed for relaxation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules that currently prevent sand extraction.
He said construction activity in Goa is being hampered, forcing builders to import sand from Malaysia or resort to polluting alternatives. Even sand dredged during desilting operations cannot be used and must be dumped back into the sea, he noted.
On infrastructure, Sawant announced that the new Captain of Ports building will be inaugurated on June 8 by Union Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The minister has also assured speedy clearance of Goa’s Water Metro Project proposal, aimed at improving ferry services used daily by nearly 50,000 commuters, he added.
Sawant said, he also met Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and sought expediting of the proposed ESI Medical College at Margao. Mandaviya assured him that the commissioning process would be fast-tracked.
With the BJP preparing to enter poll mode, Sawant’s Delhi meetings and push for central support on tourism, environment, infrastructure, and healthcare underscore underscore its 'double-engine government' template to appeal to the electorate.
In the coming weeks, the party is expected to sharpen its strategy as Goa heads into a politically charged season going into the assembly poll, ordinarily due in February next year.
