Navahind Times

Panaji, June 7: For chief minister Pratapsing Rane, who completed one year in office on Tuesday, the biggest challenge before his government was to restore confidence among all sections of the society that the rule of law would prevail.

Rane, who released a book entitled Achievement published by the information and publicity department at his official residence at Altinho, patted himself on the back for the performance of his government and said that his government has performed quite well during the last one year in office, and that the results were there for everyone to see.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Wilfred de Souza, Public Works Department Minister Ramkrishna Dhavlikar and Chief Secretary J P Singh were present on the occasion.

Rane said "his government had to contain the forces which hitherto were engaged in dividing the society and destroying the secular fabric of Goa. Though there were a couple of hiccups and an aberration on the front of communal amity, we have been able to maintain a firm grip on the law and order situation," Rane added. He said his government would not allow communal forces to raise their head again.

The Chief Minister also stated that besides accelerating the pace of development, his government had taken some bold decisions to provide social security to the people, particularly weaker sections. The government would go ahead with its proposal to implement rural employment guarantee scheme on the pattern of the National Employment Guarantee Act.

Some of the new schemes announced by the government were ‘Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojana’, ‘Kanya Dhan’, and ‘Bachpan’. In fact, 50 per cent of the state annual budget has been earmarked for social security. This includes the free mediclaim scheme and provision of insurance cover to various segments of the population.

While providing a breakthrough to the agricultural sector, including horticulture and floriculture, the government has initiated measures to boost information technology and knowledge economy keeping in view the interests of the youth, Mr Rane stated and added that tourism, which was a prime sector of the state economy would get top priority of the government. Establishment of mega convention centre, cruise terminal, mono-rail project and the north-south corridor, are some of the projects which the government wants to implement speedily, Rane informed.

The Chief Minister stated that village panchayats and municipal councils are being strengthened as per the provisions of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, respectively. This policy would help commencement of the process of evolution of planning and devolution of administrative and financial authority to local self-government and urban bodies. “We are already on fast track of socio-economic developments,” the Chief Minister stated and added that the book stood testimony to the achievements and perspective planning of his government. In fact, every activity of the government would be put in fast gear.

Assuring that he was committed to give good governance to the people by enforcing total transparency in the administration, the Chief Minister stated that he and his cabinet colleagues believed in working hard but without fanfare.