ADDRESS DELIVERED

TO THE

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF GOA

BY

H. E. SHRI S. C. JAMIRGOVERNOR

ON

FEBRUARY 13, 2006AT PORVORIM, GOA

Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members of

the Legislative Assembly,

The people of Goa desiring a change in

the Government have voted decisively in the

bye-elections to the five Assembly

Constituencies that were held in June 2005.

Their verdict is an affirmation of their faith in the

new leadership, which has since assumed

office. Also, it is an endorsement of the policies

and programmes that have been articulated in

the National Common Minimum Programme.

2. In true democratic tradition, the elections

to other tiers at decentralized levels in the State

have also been held simultaneously or

subsequently. The peaceful manner in which

the elections are held in the State and the

active participation of the electorate in the

democratic process is a tribute to the political

sagacity of the people. However, at the same 2

time it must be our collective endeavour to work

in unison to also ensure and institutionalize the

fundamentals of economic democracy.

3. The development profile of the State today

represents a fine blend of economic growth,

social progress, cultural advancement,

environmental protection and communal

harmony. The modest plan investments in the

initial years have multiplied over time. The pace

of development effort is being accelerated in

tune with present day imperatives.

4. The Mid-Term Appraisal of the Tenth Five

Year Plan conducted by the Planning

Commission takes cognizance of the fact that

Goa has achieved 80% of the expected

resource generation in the first four years of the

Tenth Five-Year Plan. Also, I am happy to note

that it has been possible for us to devote a

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greater magnitude of resources for

development purposes. More than half of the

budgeted outlay is allocated to the Social

Services sector.

5. The enhanced development spending in

the State Plan has been coupled with wide-

ranging fiscal and economic reforms. The

Government of India has been instrumental in

encouraging reforms at the State level,

particularly in the critical sectors of Power,

Irrigation and Urban Infrastructure through a

number of reform-linked financing facilities.

6. The Mid-Term Appraisal of the Tenth Five

Year Plan expresses deep concern at the

current pace of progress in the country with

regard to the achievement of the monitorable

targets for certain indicators of social

development in health, education and gender

equality. It appears unlikely that many of these

targets will be met. 4

7. However, Goa may take justifiable pride in

this regard since it is ahead of the monitorable

targets in these specific sectors/areas and is

nearer to the Millennium Development Goals

(MDG). The Mid-Term Appraisal of the Tenth

Five-Year Plan cites the low neo-Natal Mortality

Rate (NMR) in Goa specifically as contributing

to the success of population stabilization in the

State.

8. Being the smallest state of India in terms

of geographical size, physical planning for the

State becomes extremely important to ensure

optimum utilization of its limited land area.

While on the one hand, there is need for

speedier development, on the other it is

important to conserve its fragile ecology

specially in the Western Ghats Region as well

as along its beautiful coast line of over 100

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kms. The Regional Plan 1986 of Goa is being

revised accordingly.

9. The Planning and Development

Authorities for major urban areas have been

constituted and Outline Development Plans for

the areas under their respective jurisdiction are

being followed. Considering public interest at

large, the jurisdiction of the Planning and

Development Authorities has been limited to

towns except in the case of Mormugao

Planning and Development Authority.

10. There exists adequate scope for

diversification of agriculture that would not only

make agriculture a commercially viable activity

but also generate additional employment

opportunities especially in the field of Eco-

tourism and provide raw materials for agro-

processing industries. The gains from improved

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technology and the emerging knowledge

economy have to also permeate the agriculture

and rural development sectors and make a

visible impact on the lives and livelihood of the

masses.

11. Cashew continues to be the focus

horticultural crop, having potential for export,

creating rural employment, encouraging the

processing industry and generating additional

income. The National Horticulture Mission

launched in April 2005 by Government of India

provides comprehensive and holistic growth for

doubling of horticulture production. Steps were

taken to encourage farmers to cultivate off-

season vegetables with hybrid seeds to fetch

more income. 3000 vegetable mini-kits were

provided during the Kharif and Rabi seasons.

12. Goa is blessed with agro-climatic conditions which favor the tourism industry. In

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order to tap this advantage, the Government has taken up 2 out of 4 existing agricultural farms for up- gradation and development as model farms for organic farming and Eco tourism.

13. Also, the Government has taken measures to promote Eco-tourism comprising the beautification of the area near the Tambdi Surla Temple, improvement of approach road to Dudh Sagar Waterfall, erection of Watch Towers at Mollem and Cotigao Sanctuaries, improvement of road net-work with in Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park and up grading the animal enclosures at Bondla Zoo.

14. The Government has constituted three

Forest Development Agencies for protection

and development of forests through a

participatory approach on community/private

8

lands. The Government of India have launched

the Greening India Programme. Accordingly,

my Government is taking measures to raise

quality seedlings of Teak, Mahogany, Cashew,

Acacia, Mangium and other local species which

shall be made available to people for planting

on their farmlands, community marginal lands

etc., so as to bring more area under tree

coverage.

15. A large number of schemes in the

fisheries sector for mechanization of crafts,

welfare of fishermen, development of

infrastructure, storage and marketing facilities

and education and training are in operation.

16. The Government is also implementing a

large number of schemes to improve the

livestock and poultry production. The

application of scientific management and

technological practices will help to achieve self-9

sufficiency in the major livestock products such

as milk, eggs and meat. Simultaneously, it will

provide animal health service in preventing and

controlling diseases in the livestock and poultry

industry and financial support in the form of

subsidies. It also aims to create self-

employment in the farming community and for

the educated unemployed youth in rural areas.

17. The Khadi and Village Industries Board:

has disbursed subsidy in respect of 65

proposals with the project cost of Rs. 143.85

lakh. These proposals are expected to provide

employment to 295 persons.

18. The Co-operative Sector in Goa has been

playing a vital role in providing support to the

key sectors like credit, agriculture, small-scale

industry fisheries etc. The Government

proposes to strengthen the sector by various

reform initiatives including financial support. 10

19. The State is set to accomplish universal

immunization i.e. near 100% coverage of

pregnant women and infants during the current

year and thus reduce the vaccine preventable

disease markedly. The “Pre-Natal-Diagnostic

Techniques” Act, 1994 is being enforced strictly

and steps are being taken to register all

Diagnostic Centres/Clinics functioning in Goa.

An area of 15 hectare at Bambolim village has

been allotted for construction of Nursing

College and Hostel. Comprehensive up-

gradation of the Goa Medical College including

the setting up of super specialties is in

progress. The Universal Mediclaim Scheme,

which will offer total health coverage to all

persons in the State, is being finalized.

20. Education continues to be a thrust area

and in keeping with the demands of the

information society and the imperative of the 11

emerging knowledge economy, my

Government envisions an ambitious role for

education in all walks of life. It will facilitate the

creation of centres of excellence by way of

public-private-partnership. The sector is being

given a new look and major initiatives have

been taken to rejuvenate it, impart dynamism

and introduce qualitative changes at all levels.

21. The infrastructure in the polytechnics in

terms of manpower and laboratory facilities is

being augmented. Also, Computer facilities and

library facilities are being up-graded.

Curriculum revision and skill development

would be the focal point of all such

improvements. The ITI, Altinho, Panaji has

been renovated to accommodate the new trade

of Hospitality Management under the Centre of

Excellence scheme of the Government of India.

A new course of 2 years’ duration on

Hospitality Management has been launched. 12

22. The scheme of Interest Free Loan for

Higher Education has been modified so that

needy students including OBC category will

get the facility of completing higher education.

The Government has introduced a scheme to

finance aided non-Government colleges for

up-gradation of infrastructure. The setting up of

a state-of-the-art Institute of Hotel Management

in co-operation with the private sector occupies

centre stage in the scheme of promoting skills,

which offer a ready market for employment.

23. The Goa University is a key institution of

the State providing higher education. My

Government has arrested the trend of declining

budgetary support to it that was in evidence for

some time. Additional allocation of Rs. 4 crore

has been made during the financial year.

Progressive reorientation of the entire

education system is under way. The 13

implementation of the career advancement

scheme for teachers is a major policy change.

Also, the parameters of the Cyberage Student

Scheme have been modified to include the

supply of a printer and UPS system.

24. The Government of India has identified

Information Security as a thrust area and

proposed to initiate a project entitled “

Information Security Education and

Awareness” in the Country. The College of

Engineering, Goa Farmagudi is a participating

institution under this project. The Government

has appointed 25 new faculties in the College

as Professors/Assistant Professors/Lecturers

with a view to adhering to the AICTE norms.

Recognizing the gains to be exploited from the

information technology sector, my Government

proposes to provide broadband connectivity by

laying of Optical Fibre Cable in all the villages

and also set up an Info Tech Park. 14

25. Given its favourable indicators of literacy

and education, Goa is well placed to take full

advantage of the potential of the I.T. industry

for bringing about a quantum change in the

average citizen’s life through e-governance. My

Government will formulate a detailed Blue Print

for bringing about e-governance in the State

through a suitable Public-Private-Partnership

model. Our overall objective is to significantly

improve delivery of public services to the

average citizen and increase speed, quality

and transparency in Government functioning at

the cutting edge.

26. Welfare of all sections of the society

including the SCs, STs, other backward

classes, disabled, senior citizens, women is

uppermost in the development priorities of the

Government. The amount of pension under the

Dayanand Social Security Scheme has been

enhanced from 15

Rs. 500/- to Rs. 750/-. Over 76,000

beneficiaries which include Senior Citizens,

Disabled and Single Women have been

considered for grant of pension. The

Government has carried out various welfare

activities and provided financial assistance to

the World War –II Veterans, needy Ex-

Servicemen, widows of Ex-Servicemen and

their dependents, as per the schemes.

27. Concerned at the rising number of

accidents on the road, the Government is

undertaking road safety programmes.

Training/counseling to heavy vehicle drivers

and publicity through the print and electronic

media as well as cinema halls has been

undertaken. Special refresher training courses

have been given to mining drivers in the mining

areas with the help of traffic experts. Medical

camps for eye checkup for drivers are being

conducted on a regular basis. Awareness 16

programs on road safety are also being

conducted at the level of schools and colleges.

28. The Government is committed to

improving the availability and reliability of

power supply in the State. All major works in

respect of the North Goa Circle taken up under

APDRP (phase-I) have been completed. This

has resulted in a better voltage profile and has

also resulted in substantial reduction of

breakdowns. Further, to improve the revenue

realization, around 35000 non working electro-

mechanical energy meters have been replaced

with electronic energy meters.

29. Similar works are also under execution

in South Goa Circle. The scope includes

erection of 4 nos. of new 33 KV Sub-Stations

and augmenting the capacities of 4 nos. of 33

Sub-Stations with an additional 25.2 MVA. In

order to further improve the reliability of power 17

supply in Panaji and Margao as also the

aesthetic beauty, the existing overhead

distribution network is being converted to

underground network and work for the same is

under execution.

30. The up-gradation of minor ports and

improvement in river navigation is being

accorded due importance in view of its potential

for contribution to economic growth. A cruise

terminal at Aguada Bay is proposed with

private participation. This will cater to large

cruise vessels, offering a draft of 7 meters and

boost cruise Tourism.

31. It is ironical that in spite of being a

favoured global tourist destination, we do not

possess a modern Convention Centre. The

Planning Commission has approved the

scheme in this regard and I am quite confident

that this facility, which has immense scope for 18

boosting tourism, especially during the off-

season, and generating employment, would

soon become a reality. A decisive promotional

thrust and re-working of the appropriate tourism

model have been identified as key elements to

derive optimum benefits from the sector.

32. My Government attaches great

importance to the promotion of cultural

activities and performing arts. With a view to

promoting National integration, the Government

has received cultural teams from the North

Eastern States of Nagaland and Mizoram and

their performances were held in rural and urban

areas. A special event Mandovi Milan was

organized for 3 days in Goa in collaboration

with Yuwak Biradari, Mumbai under which 3000

students from North and South Goa were

trained to sing songs in five languages.

33. The Government has framed the “Goa 19

(Prisoner’s Victim or his family of offence)

Compensation Rules, 2005” and brought them

into force. Video Conferencing equipment is

being installed in the judicial lock-ups,

Mapusa/Sub-Jail, Sada and District Courts

Panaji and Margao to conduct trials through the

Video Conferencing system.

34. The Government has enhanced the financial assistance to outstanding sports persons from the existing meagre amount of Rs. 100/-, Rs.200/- and Rs.300/- to Rs. 800/-, Rs. 1000/- and Rs. 1500/- for State, National and International Level respectively. The NCC Cadets have done Goa proud winning laurels at the Republic Day and other All India Camps. They bagged the prestigious President Medal and also the Best Cadet award in the Country.

35. The crime and law & order situation in Goa has remained under control. It is however,

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unfortunate that in one isolated incident one person was killed by the public/mob. There has been improvement in the crime rate, during the year 2005 as compared to the crime figures of the corresponding period of the previous year. The Home Guards and the Civil Defence Organization has been providing valuable assistance to the local police in the maintenance of law and order.

36. The Government has reconstituted the

Block Advisory Committee for every Block to

advise the Block Development Officer for

implementation of developmental schemes in

the block and for direct inter action between the

officials and non- officials. The Second State

Finance Commission has been constituted. 100

Village Panchayats have been taken up for

implementation of the Info- Gram Scheme.

37. The Tillari Irrigation Project, which had

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been put on hold by the previous Government,

has been accorded high priority towards the

last mile completion. The project is being taken

up on full steam and sufficient head-way has

been made in the execution of the project. It is

reported that more than 90% of the earth-work

has been completed. So far the Government of

Goa has incurred expenditure of Rs. 345.70

crore on the project, of which Rs. 196.93 crore

has been advanced to the Government of

Maharashtra towards common works. During

2005-06,

Rs. 15 crore has been advanced to the

Government of Maharashtra and it is proposed

to advance another Rs. 35 crore by the end of

the financial year. The completion of the project

will contribute significantly to the water security

of the State and go a long way in meeting the

future requirements of both irrigation and

drinking water.

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38. Augmentation of the regional water supply

schemes is in progress. Besides, to meet the

growing demand of water as also to provide

improved sanitation infrastructure in the State,

it is proposed to seek external assistance from

the Government of Japan. The Japan

International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has

done a reconnaissance survey in this regard

and submitted the progress report.

39. Modern transport infrastructure is the need of the hour to derive full benefits of the State’s potential. We are considering constructing a state-of-the-art airport for the State at Mopa. The Central Government has set up a high powered panel under the Chief Minister for taking a final view on the issue. In addition, my Government proposes to take up construction of a North-South Expressway so that connectivity is enhanced in all parts of Goa and

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larger volume of both passenger and cargo traffic is facilitated. Furthermore, the floating of Expression of Interest for the Mono-rail project forms part of a larger strategy to meet the growing transport demand amidst increasing urban congestion.

40. Along with 20 other States and 6 Union Territories' administration, the State of Goa has implemented the Value Added Tax (VAT) system w.e.f. 01.4.2005. Upon introduction of VAT, the revenue has increased and displays good buoyancy. My Government is well set to make a record collection of taxes.

41. However, my Government is conscious of the fears and grievances, which the trade and industry may entertain, during the process of migration to the new system. It has, therefore, taken appropriate measures to assuage their apprehensions in this regard. The necessary

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amendments and/or clarifications required by the industry are being periodically undertaken. 42. Prudent fiscal management of the State is

the sine-qua-non of economic development

with efficiency. Even as the prescriptions of the

Twelfth Finance Commission to instill fiscal

discipline appear to be quite stringent and

constricting, I am hopeful that my Government

shall gradually overcome the constraints in this

regard and optimize the outcome of its

development spending.

43. Pension reforms are under way and a new

pension scheme has been adopted. The Fiscal

Responsibility and Budget Management Act is

being finalized for enactment. User charges

have been introduced across sectors and

rationalization of tax rates is being attempted.

However, given the present state of our

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development as also the nature of policies

pursued in the past, certain costs in the short

run may be inevitable to correct the systemic

distortions.

44. In tune with the strategy of economic

reforms envisioned in the National Common

Minimum Programme (NCMP), my Government

is committed to spreading and deepening all-

round prosperity in the State equitably. It would

strive to realize the full potential of its human

and material resources in a sustainable manner

in keeping with its avowed objectives and the

national priorities.

Thank You.

JAI HIND.

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