Govt assures a new CZMP with people’s views
Plan to be drafted by Environment Department in consultation with CZMA, GSPCB, scientists PORVORIM: In a major victory to the people, the State government on Tuesday announced it woud draft a fresh
Herald (Panjim)
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Bill to safeguard agri land tabled
PANJIM: In his resolve to boost agriculture and prevent misuse of agricultural land, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has initiated a timely legislation which empowers the Government to contain diversion of agricultural land. Parrikar who declared his intention to arrest declining agriculture activity in the State on Tuesday tabled the Goa Land Use (Regulation) (amendment) Bill, 2012, that prohibits use of agricultural land for any purpose other than agriculture.
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Government to conduct fresh survey of tribal population
PANJIM: The State government on Tuesday disclosed plans for conducting a fresh survey of the Tribal population in Goa that would facilitate implementation of schemes and disbursement of benefits for this backward section of society. Minister for Tribal Welfare Ramesh Tawadkar stated that the survey conducted almost a year ago to enumerate the tribal population was not correct, while speaking during Question Hour.
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40 mining leases to be cancelled: CM
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said 40 mining leases granted illegally by the previous Congress regime will be cancelled. These 40 cases had been identified in the PAC report and a file proposing to take action has already been moved. Parrikar once again made this statement pointing out that the leases were renewed illegally by condoning the delay in the renewal procedure when there was no legal provision to do so. He took a dig at former chief minister and mines minister Digambar Kamat saying the House should direct these queries to the latter who had been heading the ministry for almost 14 years.
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Govt for 75 days fishing ban period
PANJIM: The state will have a 70-75 day total fishing ban with the intention of conserving fish resources, allow for a sufficient spawning period and possibly increase the catch Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said while speaking on behalf of Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado who was not present in the Assembly. Replying to the discussion on demands for grants, Parrikar stressed that it was absolutely necessary that there is a ban to ensure that the carrying capacity of the sea is maintained.
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139 mining dumps are lying on forest land
PANJIM: If one can presume a combination of arrogance and patronage enjoyed by mine owners in their operations, the almost 139 mining rejects dumps lying on forest land, majority of which belong to large mining firms, are a glaring indication. In a written reply on the floor of the House, Forest Minister Alina Saldanha said that total 139 mining dumps are on forest land, of which 95 are in South Goa and 44 in the North. A total of 37 dumps are on government land.
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Efforts would be made to further reduce rate of tobacco consumption: CM
PANJIM: Chief minister Manohar Parrikar today said that efforts would be continued to bring down the rate of tobacco consumption and would target the reduction to 6 per cent. This statement was made after Sanquelim MLA Dr Pramod Sawant moved a motion congratulating the government for the State award conferred on it for ranking first in the list of States with the least tobacco consumption at 8.8 per cent.
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Legislators demand comprehensive policy to boost State’s tourism
PANJIM: Setting up of golf course, convention center, theme parks and encouraging wedding tourism were the major demands placed by the legislators in the State Legislative Assembly today, in promoting Goa as a major tourist hub in the world, apart from being highlighted as a beach tourism destination. A need for formulating a comprehensive tourism policy, giving direction to state’s tourism, was also raised on the floor of the House. Speaking during the demand for grants for tourism, the legislators cutting across party line pointed towards government’s failure in promoting the state’s hidden tourism sides including its heritage, hinterland, historical monuments, and others as major tourist attractions.
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Govt says mid-day meal not fit even for animals
PANJIM: The head of government’s opinion that the food is sub-standard and not fit to even feed animals and the leader of opposition’s statement that students refuse to eat the meals and nearly 60 to 70 per cent of the food is thrown out, is serious rebuke to highlight the abysmal quality of food supplied to children under the midday meals scheme in Goa. Rancid food, lizards and foreign objects in meals which have regularly dogged the scheme intended to keep children in school, is evidence of a good scheme gone horribly wrong to the extent that students may now stay out of school, just to avoid the revolting food served to them.
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Govt proposes to consider illegal tree felling as offence
PANJIM: The state government has proposed to consider illegal tree felling cases as theft and impose stringent penalties of compulsory imprisonment against the offenders henceforth. This was disclosed by the chief minister Manohar Parrikar, on behalf of the state forest ministry, during question hour in the Goa Assembly on Monday. The matter was raised by Opposition leader Pratapsingh Rane and Valpoi MLA Viishwajeet Rane.
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Mines Dept embarks on ‘Operation Dumps’
PANJIM: As the final touches are being given to the much-awaited Mining Policy which is likely to be tabled in the House this week, Mines and Geology Department has embarked on a massive exercise of identifying, locating and quantifying mining dumps, which are lying across the State. Besides other aspects, the draft mining policy is expected to cover all aspects of the controversial dump handling which has been the bone of contention and has evoked heated debates in political and social circles and dump handling was banned during this financial year.