AN ASSURING CM “ASSURES” FARMERS CLEARANCE BY 20TH MARCH 2011

PANJIM: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Friday said that all the dues to the farmers affected by natural calamities would be cleared by the agriculture department by March 20, 2011.  Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting at the state secretariat, Mr Kamat also told the reporters that the cabinet approved pattern for financial assistance to the farmers affected by natural calamities and accordingly the dues as assessed by the agriculture department would be paid to all the farmers.

The farmers who were affected by the heavy rainfall in 2008 and other natural calamities would be paid compensation as per the approved pattern under Shetkari Adhar Nidhi, said the Chief Minister adding that affected farmers have already been identified.

The Chief Minister also said the assistance under old government scheme was meager and as such the government decided to evolve a new pattern so that the farmers could be paid a decent amount as compensation.

Mr Kamat also said the government would work out plans to regulate traffic, overloading of trucks carrying mineral ore, spilling of ore on the roads thereby causing pollution and over speeding of trucks in the mining belt in the next 15 days. He said the officials were preparing a proper plan to deal with the situation.

He also said the excavation work at Dhulapi was not a mining activity.  As regards to hike in milk prices by Rs 3 a litre declared by Goa Milk Producers Union, the Chief Minister said that he and the Animal Husbandry Minister, Mr Ravi Naik, have asked for a report from the concerned authorities and that the government would intervene, if necessary.

On demand for providing employment by those affected by the Tillari project in Maharashtra, Mr Kamat said that demand came too late and that it would not be met by the Goa government.