PANAJI: The Senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Sunday stated that if the economy of Goa should improve then, it is very important to start legal mining and promised that resumption of mining activities in the state within 3 to 6 months after Congress comes to power.
P Chidambaram was speaking on vital points of the manifesto released by the Congress Party. Goa In Charge Dinesh Gundu Rao, GPCC President Girish Chodankar, former Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap, AICC Media Incharge for Goa Elections Alka Lamba, Prakash Rathod, Avinash Tawaris, M K Sheikh , Amarnath Panajikar, and others were present on the occasion.
He said that for Goa the problem is not about finding resources, but the problem is with allocation of resources. There are three avenues for state budget, governments own resources, share of central government revenues and central governments grants. Source of funds was never a problem, but the problem was with allocation of funds. If wise hands and thinking minds can allocate funds then all the issues highlighted in the manifesto can be achieved in 5 years.“ He said.
Citing an example of how state resources can increase, he said that if Goa becomes an IT and pharmaceutical hub then the resources will multiply. “If one fails to attend to the problems then revenues are depressed.” He said.
“We can start sustainable legal mining under the supreme court judgment. But we need to attend to the problems. He reiterated, and assured to restart the mining in Goa.
Replying to a question, P Chidambaram said that disease of defection should stop in Goa and it is only possible if people decide to defeat the defectors during by-elections. “People should defeat such politicians who defect.” He said.
Ramakant Khalap said that a manifesto has been drafted considering vision for 2035. “This manifesto is drafted by taking 500 unique suggestions from people of Goa. We believe that everyone should benefitted and get justice.” He said.
Chodankar appealed to people not to fall prey to the misinformation spread by BJP that if they get defeated then all schemes will be closed. “They are trying to create fear into the minds of people.” He said.
The Congress Party’s manifesto is a 5-year roadmap towards the vision of Goa drafted in the year Goa was celebrating its Golden Jubilee. The then Congress-led UPA government put forth a vision for Goa where we set out to create a knowledge driven, diversified and cosmopolitan Goa built on unique social, cultural and
ecological values.
To achieve this vision, seven pillars consisting Suramya Goa – Serene Goa, Susanskrut Goa – Cultured Goa, Santulit Goa – Balanced Goa, Suvidhya Goa- Knowledge-centric enlightened Goa, Samrudh Goa- Affluent Goa, Sushaseet Goa- Well Governed Goa and Swanandi Goa – Healthy Goa.
Under the Nyay scheme, Congress will provide help of Rs 6000 monthly to poor families.
