Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually sounded the bugle for the next year’s Goa Assembly elections and expressed the need for the continuation of a “double-engine” Government to realise the vision of making Goa self-sufficient.
Mr. Modi interacted with the beneficiaries and stakeholders of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goa programme’ via video conferencing.
His “double engine” reference was to the BJP Governments at the Centre and in the BJP-ruled Goa, where the polls are due in February.
The poll scene has started hotting up with Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday saying she would be on her first visit to Goa on October 28. She appealed to political parties and individuals to join her party in defeating the BJP.
The TMC has already announced its decision to contest the elections.
“Goa can become ‘swayampurna’ [self-sufficient] only when it makes 100% use of the developmental avenues and possibilities,” Mr. Modi said, adding that “Swayampurna Goa” is a means to fulfil the aspirations of the common people.
“Swayampurna Goa is an assurance of well-being and health of our mothers and sisters. It will provide employment and self-employment opportunities to youths and the unemployed people.”
The Prime Minister said it was not just a programme of five months or five years, but it is the first phase of the vision for the next 25 years.
Each one from Goa will have to contribute to achieving this goal, he said.
“That is why Goa needs a continuation of development by double-engine government. Goa needs clear policies like the way they are today and a stable government,” he said.
He also said the coastal State needs “energetic leadership like today”.
“With the blessings of the entire Goa, we can make the State swayampurna.”
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant welcomed the Prime Minister during the event.
The implementation of the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goa” scheme began on October 2 last year.
According to the Goa Government, this scheme brings benefits of all the State and the Central government schemes to the doorsteps of the people. Officers, teachers and students reach out to every panchayat to ensure that every village becomes self-reliant by harnessing the locally available resources. Mr. Modi said Goa has a key role in the tour, travel and hospitality industry.
He said tourism States, including Goa, were encouraged by the COVID-19 vaccination drive.
“When the country crossed the 100-crore [of COVID-19] doses, Goa was the first State to achieve 100% vaccination of the first dose for its eligible population.”
The PM said the vaccination target has helped to build confidence among the people and tourists.
“Now when you are preparing for Deepavali, Christmas and New Year, during these vacations, we will be able to see new energy in the tourism sector of Goa.”
The PM said the arrival of domestic and international tourists will increase which are positive signs for the State’s tourism industry.
Praising the Sawant-led BJP government, he said Goa has topped in achieving the targets under “Har Ghar Jal” scheme, free ration for the needy and also achieved a 100% coverage by administering the first dose of vaccine.
Mr. Modi spoke to Goa Government official Isha Sawant, Betalbhatim panchayat sarpanch Costancio Miranda, Bicholim Municipal Council chairperson Kundal Falari, Fisheries sector representative Louis Cardoso and tea stall owner Rurki Ahmad Rajasahab, who is differently-abled.
The Prime Minister said the “Swayampurna Goa” scheme mirrors the unified efforts of the community to work towards self-sustenance.
“The Union Government wants to take all the schemes to the last level and Goa has played an important role in this endeavour of the Central Government,” he said.
Mr. Modi said the Central Government has increased by five times the funding for Goa’s rural infrastructure to provide impetus to the sectors like farming and fishing.
He said the production of fruits and vegetables has gone up by 40% while milk production has grown by 20%. “The Goa Government has also done a record purchase of the produce from the farmers.”
Mr. Modi said fishermen should also focus on the fish processing industry rather than relying on selling raw produce.
He said raw fish from India is exported to other Asian countries from where it is processed and exported. “We should encourage fish processing units within India.”
In the 2017 Assembly polls, the Congress had won the highest 17 seats in the 40-member House restricting the BJP to 13. Surprising the Congress, the saffron party allied with regional parties and came to power under the leadership of the late senior leader Manohar Parrikar.
