NT NETWORK
Panaji
Stating that the state is going through an economic crisis, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that it is not possible to provide any financial package to any section at this point.
Speaking to media persons at his official residence on Tuesday, Sawant said that the government is aware that many industries and self employed business community members have been facing problems due to lockdown which has been imposed in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
“I understand the situation of the business community including the taxi drivers, entrepreneurs, and self-employed sector. But, it is not possible to give any financial package to them in current circumstances as the state is also going through economic crises. However, the government can consider it in future. Therefore, I request everybody to cooperate with the government in the fight against COVID-19,” he said.
Sawant informed that the state cabinet will meet on April 8 at 11.30 am to seek suggestions from ministers on extending the lockdown and if so in what manner it should be done, adding that these suggestions will be forwarded to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also said that the decision on extending lockdown would be taken on April 13 after consulting the central government.
He further said that the Goa University will hold exams from June 1, 2020 which will begin with exams for third year students followed by first year students and finally for second year students.
“As the Goa University is an autonomous body, it will decide the time table of exams and rescheduling of next academic year,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that the decision to get back Goans stuck abroad which include seafarers depends on what the Ministry of External Affairs decides.
“It’s a national issue. Goa government has appointed joint secretary of NRI Affairs Anthony D’Souza as a nodal officer to coordinate on the issues related to Goans overseas,” he informed.
As regards to the restarting of the operations of the cooperative banks in the state, Sawant said that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has not permitting to operate them.
The Chief Minister also warned that those who are storing fish and selling it at higher prices will face the music and added that issues of fishermen and fishing sector would be resolved by the state coordination committee.
He further said that the government will set up economic revival committee which will include experts from various fields, in two days, adding an internal committee of officers had already begun assessing revenue loss during lockdown period.
Sawant informed that the government has also extended health insurance scheme of Rs 50 lakh life cover to the police personnel of the state.
Moreover, Sawant said that the state disaster management authority headed by him has reviewed the prevailing situation in the state in detail and directed all the deputy collectors and both the district collectors to submit report of expenses incurred during the lockdown period.