The BJP-led coalition government has zeroed upon ‘sab ka sath sab ka vikas with Goenkarpon’ as their slogan for its Common Minimum Programme (CMP) – the process to draft which has begun on Wednesday.
With a focus on providing ‘sensitive’ and ‘responsible’ government to the people of Goa, the coalition government comprising of- BJP, MGP, Goa Forward Party (GFP) and independent MLAs is committed towards ‘preserving Goa’s identity with sabka sath sabka vikas’.
The first-ever meeting on CMP, chaired by Parrikar, remained inconclusive but the coalition partners unanimously agreed to withdraw the amendment to the controversial Tree Preservation Act – that declassified coconut as ‘tree’ and to give coconut a State Tree status, to extract the amendment to Goa Agriculture Tenancy Act and to review the rules and regulations of the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) and so also all the permissions granted by it over last two years.
Interestingly, Chief Minister managed to convince his alliance partners- GFP on the contentious issue of nationalisation of six waterways assuring that ownership will lie with the State.
The meeting was attended by GFP leader and Minister for Town and Country Planning Vijay Sardesai, MGP leader and PWD Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar and Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte.
There is not much clarity as on when the CMP would be released, as Sardesai presses for its release on Statehood Day — May 30 while Khaunte says it would be before June 18 — the Goa Revolution Day.
Speaking to media persons soon after the meeting, Sardesai said that the slogan of the CMP is going to be ‘sab ka sath sab ka vikas with Goenkarpon’.
“Being a coalition partner, this is our broad understanding. We are committed to the slogan and we will not dilute on that,” he said adding that the focus of CMP would be on how to give a sensitive and responsible government to the people of Goa.
He said the meeting discussed about providing the quality infrastructure to the people ensuing that every household has water and electricity connection. “Safer and wider roads and a comprehensive mobility plan is also part of CMP,” Minister said.
During the next meeting, which is likely to be scheduled within the next 10 days, issues like policy for shifting of offshore casinos, decision on medium of instruction, Alvara land, affordable housing, and minority finance commission would be discussed.
Later Khaunte said that shifting of off shore casinos out of River Mandovi has been our demand and it is also a promise of the government. “But the elaborate discussion on the issue will take place during the next meeting. There has to be a proper policy,” he said.
Minister said that CMP will consist of all those points that they, when in opposition, had been pressing for.
Team TNV
