Manohar Parrikar chairs cabinet meet, defers Baga hill decision

PANAJI: The controversial proposal to demarcate and notify land on the Baga hill, in Calangute constituency, as an investment promotion area has been deferred following objections from members of the cabinet who pointed out that it was part of a private forest.

The decision was taken during the cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Manohar Parrikar at his private residence in Dona Paula, on Wednesday.

On the day of the cabinet meeting, TOI had reported that Calangute MLA Michael Lobo claimed to have spoken to chief minister Manohar Parrikar voicing his opposition to the investment promotion area and demanded that the villagers should be taken into confidence before the proposal is cleared.

Various approvals were granted and many issues discussed during the 50-minute cabinet meeting, held after a gap of three months. It was also decided to hold a cabinet meeting after every fortnight.

“The third item on the agenda was to demarcate and notify land admeasuring 28,000 sqm in Baga as investment promotion area; this we have deferred. There was strong objection to this because some members said that it was a private forest and had a steep gradient. So, it has been sent back to IPB for clarification,” town and country planning minister Vijai Sardesai said.

Para teachers’ salaries raised from Rs 12,000 to Rs 32,000: Vijai Sardesai

A cabinet note had stated that it has been proposed to set up a 138-room ‘ayurvedic/wellness resort’ on the Baga hill.

The cabinet approved the exemption of registration fees of Rs 3.61 lakh Diocesan Society of Education with regards to deed of gift.

“A major decision taken by the cabinet was that of para teachers. Their remuneration has been increased substantially from Rs 12,000 to Rs 32,000. They have been appointed for a period of 10 months,” Sardesai said.

An increase in harvesting incentive to farmers and lease share capital to Sanjivini Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana (SSK) Limited also got the cabinet nod.

The cabinet also gave ex post facto approval for extension of financial institution for a further period with effect from January 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019. This will benefit the mining dependents such as workers, truck owners, barge owners, owners of mining machinery, etc.

A decision to amend the Goa Goods and Service Tax Act 2017, to promulgate an ordinance, was also taken. With this decision a person with revenue up to Rs 1.5 crore can now opt for the composition scheme.

It was also decideed to establish an IT cell and revenue assurance support team for a period of three year by nominating M/s RECPDCL, who will deploy 62 skilled workers during the first two years.

The cabinet also approved the amendment to the Financial Incentives To Mother Who Deliver A Girl Child (MAMTA) Scheme and reduced the financial incentives to mothers from Rs 25,000 to Rs 10,000.

As per the original scheme an amount of Rs 5000 was paid to all the mother through ECS who deliver a girl child in the registered medical institution in the state. Later scheme was amended enhancing the financial benefits from Rs 5000 to Rs 25,000 with the disbursal linked to five stages each of Rs 5,000. As per the cabinet approval the scheme is revised the quantum of financial assistance to Rs 10,000.

The cabinet also approved the lease of the software and technology park for a two-year period to US automotive parts firm Visteon. “The company inked an MoU with the information and technology department and hired 18 Goan employees, and will start operation from Thursday,” IT Rohan Khaunte said.