VOW AFTER VOW! KAMAT NOW VOWS TO FIGHT FOR SPECIAL STATUS OF GOA

PANJIM: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat On Tuesday said that the government would fight for obtaining special status for the state from the central government so as to protect the state’s unique identity.  Replying to various issues raised by the members of the House during discussion on demands for various departments held by him including Town and Country Planning, vigilance, general administration and co-ordination, etc the Chief Minister said that the issue of special status would be taken up with the central authorities.

The Chief Minister said that the surface utilisation plans of five talukas have been meticulously planned taking into consideration the requirement of the local population, past changes made through notifications, etc and the suggestions from individuals, panchayats, etc.

Mr Kamat also told the House that the Lok Ayukta Bill passed by the state assembly but returned by the Union Home Ministry with suggestions to amend some of the provisions in it, would be withdrawn by the government and new bill incorporating the suggested changes would be introduced by the end of the session.

He also said that his government has been making efforts to strengthen the vigilance department but not many state officials were coming forward to serve in the department for various reasons, including pressure from the people known to them or their relations for going soft on the people accused of wrongdoings. He, however, said that some officers have now shown willingness to work in the department and would be drafted.

Dealing on the issue of International Film Festival of India, the Chief Minister said that the state could not break away from the central government agencies as IFFI was a national festival and not Goa’s own. He said that demand of the directorate of film festival to set up a bigger theatre to host opening and closing ceremonies would be met. He further said that IFFI has been becoming popular globally with 64 nations participating in the last festival and added that despite lots of problems the authorities have been able to hold the event successfully. He also said that the room rent in Goa Niwas, New Delhi would be revised.

Earlier, the leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar told the House that the vigilance department has become almost defunct and accused the Chief Minister of being responsible for it by being too accommodative of the requests for being lenient. "He does not want to hurt anybody," said Mr Parrikar. He urged the Chief Minister to take firm action on corruption charge and called for bringing the Lok Ayukta Bill.

He also said that IFFI has been deteriorating over the years and went on to add that if the DFF was a stumbling block in hosting of the event in a better way, then the state should not sign memorandum of understanding with them. He also said that state should play bigger role in hosting the event. Mr Parrikar said that building regulations needed to be revised.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Mauvin Godinho said that the Chief Minister should be more affirmative now and provide better administration to the people, even as he urged action against those involved in corruption. He also urged the government not to allow the medium of instruction issue to gain political momentum.

Mr Damodar Naik raised the issue of striking government employees and urged the Chief Minister to give them their dues. He also wanted to know whether the vigilance department was functioning or not. He further said that the government should probe whether there was any link between the promoters of Aldeia de Goa and wanted criminals.

Mr Francisco Xavier Pacheco pointed out that huge chunks of land in the talukas whose surface utilisation plans have been notified have been bought by non-Goans and urged the government to probe the deals. He also said that most of the constructions carried out in the state were not up to the approved specifications.

Mr Ramesh Tawadkar pointed out that the suggestions made by the people were not incorporated while finalising the plan for Canacona while Mr Dayanand Narvekar wanted to know when the Lok Ayukta Bill would be tabled even as he questioned the functioning of the vigilance department.

Mr Francis D’Souza wanted the government to bring in accountability in the functioning of the government. Mr Pandurang Dhavalikar wanted to know what steps government would take to protect the eco-sensitive zones notified in the Regional Plan 2021. Mr Laxmikant Parsekar told the House that large chunks of land have been notified as settlement land in Paliem village of Mandrem constituency.

Ms Victoria Fernandes told the government to take comments of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India seriously and take necessary corrective steps. Mr Mahadev Naik urged the government to decide on issue of providing employment to the relatives of those government servants who died while in service or on duty. Mr Chandrakant Kavlekar and Mr Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco also participated in the discussion.