PANAJI
At the backdrop of a personal attack on him and his wife in connection with multi-crore jobs-for-cash scam, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that his government has been making tremendous progress by overcoming personal criticism, pre-conceived notions, and the “toolkit of jealousy.”
Sawant was speaking while addressing the State on 63rd Goa Liberation Day, wherein he maintained that the organization of the Exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier sends a message of peace, unity and harmony to the world.
The Chief Minister said that his government was working towards making the dream of the freedom fighters a reality through an all-inclusive growth.
“We are giving positive governance, surpassing personal criticism, preconceived notions, and the toolkit of jealousy. “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas are the hallmark of the BJP rule,” he said while adding that his government is committed to make the State Vikasit Goa by 2037.
Sawant's wife Sulakshana has filed Rs 100 crore defamation suit against AAP leader Sanjay Singh for allegedly naming her in the scam.
Speaking further, Sawant hailed his government for successfully organizing the Exposition of St Francis Xavier and hoped that the event will help further foster harmony among Goans and bring about a spiritual renewal.
In his speech, Sawant said that his government has been working proactively to give justice to the issue of the Mhadei river diversion through the State government’s PRAWAH. He said that the State has been putting up a strong fight through the Supreme Court and central government to ensure that Mhadei river water is not diverted.
He said that steps are being taken to ensure the resumption of iron ore mining through a sustainable and environment-friendly way, which will provide employment opportunities to thousands of youth living in the mineral-rich belt of the State.
He informed that for the ongoing financial year, the Goa Investment Promotion Board has approved 15 projects with proposed investment of Rs 1,459 crore and a total 1,894 employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister said that the State government is working towards women’s empowerment by undertaking various initiatives under the central government’s Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission and Deen Dayal Antodaya Yojana, in which self-help groups are helped to create self-employment. He said that the state has 4,700 women self-help groups covering 50,000 women who have become financially independent and by next year, the target is to have 17,000 ‘Lakhpati Didis’, which are currently eight to ten.
Sawant also informed that Goa is the first State in the country to get ISO certification for all its ITIs. Also, the government has commenced work on developing a Kunbi Village in Sanguem taluka at an estimated cost of Rs 1 crore.
During the event, the Chief Minister awarded several individuals for their meritorious services. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sudesh Naik, was presented with the President's Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
CM Police (Gold) Medals for Meritorious Services was awarded to several police officers and Fire Service, Home Guard and Civil Defence Medals, along with the CM Bravery Award, Krishi Vibhushan, Krishi Bhushan, Krishi Ratna Award and felicitation under Swayampurna Goa 2.0 Programme and Best Social Workers.
