State is marching towards self-reliance,says Governor

Governor said, the state is moving towards self-reliance Saying that Goa has achieved tremendous development and progress during the last decade due to the “double engine government”, Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai on Friday said the state’s crime detection rate is 85.83 per cent. Addressing members of the state legislative assembly on the first day of the budget session, Pillai said the state government aims to rapidly Development and expansion so as to achieve the goal of Self-reliant India – Swayampurna Goa. He said that the government has implemented PM Vishwakarma Yojana with great enthusiasm. He said that under the scheme all persons practicing 18 notified traditional occupations would be identified and added that so far more than 33,000 laborers have been registered under the scheme. The Governor said that there has been tremendous progress in the economy of the state. “This is reflected in the Gross State Domestic Product (at current prices), which has increased by 33% in 2023 (projected) compared to 2019-20. Also, per capita income has increased by 30 percent during the same period. He said. Pillai also said that the state police force has ensured that crime and law and order situation in the state remains under control. “This is reflected in the crime detection rate, which is 85.83 per cent, and the seizure of 159.17 kg of drugs worth Rs 396.35 lakh under the NDPS Act during the current financial year till November 2023,” he said. The Governor said the signing of an MoU with Paytm to help digitalise various departments demonstrated the government’s commitment towards zero tolerance towards corruption. He said Goa tourism now leads tourists to dive deeper away from the traditional ‘sun, sand and surf’ and delve into the lush, vibrant green environment, traditions, trade crafts, festivals and culture. Pillai said the government has obtained Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Goa’s popular produce Bebinka, Mankurad Mango, 64 Agasechi Vaygame, Cashew and Sat Shiro Bheno during this current financial year. “Besides, GI applications for Musarete mango, Goa sausage and Kunbi saree are in process,” he said. The Governor said the government has completed remediation work at all the 11 identified sites, including the major dumps at Sonsoddo, Margao, Assagao and Mapusa. At Sonsoddo, complete disposal of existing legacy waste has been completed and only disposal of rejected derived fuel (RDF) remains. He said the state government has cut red tape for free flow of eco-friendly industries through the Goa Startup Policy, Agriculture Export Policy and Information Technology Investment Policy. “Our state stands as a role model in drinking water supply and with the growth of various water treatment plants, soon Goa will be a ‘Smart Utility State’. To maintain this, several initiatives have been taken and the ultimate goal of the state will be 24×7 water for all,” he said. Referring to the new Zuari Bridge, the Governor said that it was the most spectacular infrastructure construction in the State this year and added that the engineering marvel now ranks high among the major achievements of the State. “The new Zuari Bridge, the country’s second longest cable-stayed eight-lane bridge, an engineering marvel, was solemnly inaugurated on 24 December 2023. Additionally, the foundation stone was laid for the observatory towers over the new Zuari Bridge, including the six-lane elevated corridor on NH-66 at Porvorim. These projects have multifaceted benefits, promoting tourism through innovative facilities, reducing travel time between North and South Goa and facilitating connectivity to Dabolim and Manohar International Airports and Mormugao Port,” he said. Pillai said the growth in community farming initiatives not only reflects the diversification of rural business but also symbolizes a collective effort towards sustainable farming practices and rejuvenation of Goa’s agricultural landscape so as to achieve the tag of self-reliant.