Fighting coups took most of my time: CM
by RAMNATH N PAI RAIKAR
Principal Correspondent/The Navhind Times
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Saturday said the second year of
his tenure as the state administration head would witness completion of a
number of projects including 4-laning of NH-17 and NH-4A, drafting of Regional
Plan 2021 as well as state educational policy, and administrative reforms in
five most visited government departments for providing relief to the aam aadmi.
Speaking to The Navhind Times" on the eve of the first anniversary of his
government, Mr Kamat said that he wanted to complete number of projects during
his first year as the Chief Minister, but most of his time was spent countering
the coups to dislodge the government.
Besides, there are natural limitations for the functioning of the Chief
Minister, when he is leading a coalition government, and has to take everyone
along without hurting anyone, he added.
Stating that he never received the expected response from the opposition
Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr Kamat said that he however, tried to form a
consensus with the BJP over several issues like the special economic zones,
regional plan and so on.
I have also spoken to the leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar, who
assured me co-operation from time to time, but could not put his assurance into
practice,â he lamented.
As for the projects to be undertaken during my second year in office, the
assurance given by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, during his recent
visit to Goa as regards providing an infrastructure costing Rs 1,650 to the
state, would be initiated, the Chief Minister stated.
Under this project, 4-laning of the entire length of the NH-4A would be
undertaken by the National Highways Authority, from Anmod to Molem, and the
detailed project reports for the same have already arrived, he informed, adding
that two officers would soon arrive for related land acquisition and the bids
will be invited within two months.
Mr Kamat also stated that the DPR for the expansion of the second road from
Sawantwadi to Patradevi to Polem have also arrived, and once the bids for this
project are opened, the Centre would be requested to construct the Galgibag and
Talpona bridges on priority.
I had also appointed the well-known Goan educationists on the State
Integrated Education Council so as to free the education sector from any
political interference, he maintained, pointing out, and the Council has today
(Saturday) submitted a draft educational policy encompassing education from
pre-primary level to technical level. The state education policy would be
announced once the draft education policy is debated and discussed upon, he
added.
The Chief Minister also said that a good interim report on the Regional Plan
2021 has been presented to the government by experts in the field like Mr
Charles Correa and Mr Edgar Rebeiro, further hoping that the RP 2021 Task Force
would come out with a good draft for the regional plan.
The government is also proposing to bring in administrative reforms in five
most visited government departments including police, health, panchayati raj,
municipality and collectorates, he informed, noting that the collectorates have
already been directed to issue various certificates like domicile and caste to
the students, within 48 hours.
âSuch reforms could also witness changing of roles, he observed.
I would also like to stress on the improvement of traffic situation in Goa,
Mr Kamat said pointing out that the advice from the expert in the field, Dr P S
Pasricha, as well as the Traffic Task Force, besides statistics about the road
accidents in Goa and causes for the same would be studied to streamline Goan
traffic.
On the personal front, besides holding a public Darbar in the secretariat
every Monday and at the South Goa collectorate, every Tuesday, I would also try
to meet the public at the taluka headquarters, in North Goa, at least once a
week, he assured.
I have a desire to do work, including undertaking developmental projects on
large scale, the Chief Minister said, and therefore, as many people told me,
the decision of the Mopa international airport was providentially intended to
come during my tenure.
Anyhow, the politicians too are part of the society, and I, with all
strengths and drawbacks of Goa being a small state, would try to give best
governance to Goans, he ended.
________________________________
Congratulations Chief Minister, but get rid of the SEZs and other unwanted,
unfriendly schemes/development plans unfavourable to Goa and Goans.
A very candid confession indeed.
www.goa-world.com
Pictures added from Net resources.
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mellounk zata.
Odhik mahiti fuddle khepek
Sompadpi ani Uzaddavpi.
GULAB-May 2008
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