Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: The Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant today informed NITI Aayog that Goa is eligible for Rs 1000 crore special assistance for successful implementation of various reforms including One Nation One Ration card system.
Sawant today attended the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, virtually.
In his speech, the Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for allocation of Rs 300 crore towards 60th Goa Liberation Day celebration.
Sawant said that Goa is eligible for Rs 1000 crore special assistance for successful implementation of reforms like One Nation One Ration card system, Ease of Doing Business, Strengthening of local bodies, reforms in ULB and reforms in power sector.
The Chief Minister urged the Aayog to kindly consider the State for the special assistance.
He further said that Goa has aligned with the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat with the Swayampurna Goa programme, which is being accelerated across sectors like agriculture, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure and optimum governance modules.
Sawant said that in the ongoing 60th year of Liberation, Goa intends to become Swayampuran in various aspects.
The CM also sought Center’s intervention in the Mhadei river diversion issue. He said that salinity testing of the water has already been done and any diversion of the river water will further increase the salinity and State will face major water shortage.
He said that Mhadei is a very serious and sensitive issue and can have some serious problems.
Sawant also extended full support of the State government to move ahead with Central sponsored projects like double tracking of railway line.
He informed Aayog about government proposal to set up Convention Center in North Goa and a second Medical College in South Goa on public private partnership basis.
Sawant said that Goa is the only State to use Receivable Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL) platform to provide Rs 500 crores to MSMEs .
Further, the Chief Minister thanked Union government for allocating Rs 965 crores to Goa Shipyard Ltd under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
He also thanked the Center for Rs 24 crore financial assistance for undertaking research and for measures for protection of marine life and ecosystem in the coastal region of Goa.