Govt to develop tourist spots in Quepem: Rane NT News Desk Panaji Jan 21: The Chief Minister, Mr Pratapsing Rane reiterated government's commitment for all-round development of the state laying more stress on rural areas. The Chief Minister was speaking at the meeting of the Quepem Block Advisory Committee at the panchayat hall, Balli-Quepem recently.
The Panchayat Minister, Mr Subhash Shirodkar, MLA and Chairman of GIDC, Mr Chandrakant Kavlekar and MLA, Mr Ramrao Desai attended the meeting. Mr Rane further said that government is making all efforts to provide basic amenities which will ease the hardships of the rural people in the villages. He urged the sarpanchas to co-operate with the government and participate in the development process. The Chief Minister said that Employment Guarantee Scheme is intended to provide employment to the rural people. He called upon the sarpanchas of the village panchayats to execute the scheme with dedication in true spirit of service to people. The Chief Minister said that the people should avail the benefit of the various schemes of the government and raise the standard of living. Stressing the importance of horticulture, the Chief Minister called upon the farmers to take up plantation of the various horticulture crops with all seriousness and on scientific lines. Mr Rane said there are many beautiful spots in Quepem and Curchorem like Shantadurga temple at Fatorpa, Marutigad at Curchorem, Cabo de Ram Fort, Betual which can be developed into tourists destinations and said efforts would be made to improve the tourist destinations by developing infrastructure facilities in the region. The Chief Minister said the government is keen to create employment potential in the larger interest of the youth and every possible effort will be made to promote industrial growth in Cuncolim and Curchorem industrial estates. Mr Shirodkar speaking on the occasion said that the main aim of the government for re-starting the BAC meeting is to promote interaction between officers of various departments and representatives of local-self bodies to review development works initiated in the villages. The Minister urged the government officials to maintain strict vigil on contractors who undertake development work and also terminate the contract for derelictions, if any. Emphasizing the need to achieve all-round growth and development of village panchayat, the Minister said that apart from making development in the areas of roads water and electricity more stress will be laid on education health, sanitation, sports and art and culture. Mr Shirodkar said that an amount of Rs 10 lakh has been earmarked for construction of community halls. Stressing the need of more anganwadis in Goa, the Panchayat Minister said that the government proposes to construct buildings for anganwadis. The Minister advised the sarpanchas to see that the government schemes reaches to the doorsteps of the rural people. The MLA, Mr Chandrakant Kavlekar and MLA, Mr Ramrao Desai also spoke. On this occasion, the Chief Minister distributed 'playway kits' to the 66 anganwadi centres. The kits consist of toys and literature on education for the benefit of Anganwadi children. Mr Govind Faldesai, chairperson of Quepem Block Advisory Committee welcomed. Mr Arvind Khutkar, BDO, proposed a vote of thanks. The director of panchayats, Mr Meniro De Souza, deputy collector, Mr P K Velip, zilla panchayat member, Mr Subhash Faldesai, Director of Agriculture, Mr Ramesh Joshi, sarpanchas of 11 panchayats and other government officials also attended the meeting.
