PANAJI: With around six months left for the state to face the assembly elections, CM Pramod Sawant on Sunday announced that the state would provide free water supply up to 16,000 litres per household per month to Goans from September 1. The announcement came against the backdrop of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announcement to provide free electricity up to 300 units.
The CM said that once this kicks in, 60% of the families in the state wouldn’t have to pay water bills if they utilised water properly. On average, a person uses 100 litres a day, he said.
“Water is essential to human life,” Sawant said. “It is our responsibility to provide water to each and every household. Today (Sunday), I am announcing that from September 1, the state government will provide free water up to 16,000 liters per month, and this would benefit the people of Goa.”
In his address after unfurling the tricolour in Panaji on Independence Day, Sawant said that Goa tops the national list in administering the Covid vaccine.
“Goa is the first state in the country to have administered the first dose of the vaccine to 90% of the eligible population, and in a few days, Goa will become the first state to cover 100% of the eligible population with the first dose.”
Speaking on Mhadei, Sawant said that the state would form a Mhadei cell to coordinate with the advocate general over the various cases. “The Goa government will not compromise on Mhadei and the state will fight till it gets its water,” Sawant said.
On mining, Sawant said that around Rs 100 crore of revenue has been generated through major and minor minerals. He also said that the state government would soon restart mining activities through the mining corporation.
Sawant said that the state is going to implement a new education policy in the state. The chief minister said that to pass NET and SET exams, the state has started an NET monitoring program to give guidance to aspirants.
He also said that the state government has set up a language laboratory to promote the local languages under the new education policy. He added that an Act has been passed to make Goa an educational hub.
The CM also said that restoration of sand dunes has started, and that the animal health and welfare policy has been thrown open for public suggestions. He added that the state government has paid Rs 33 crore to over 6,000 dairy farmers to make Goa self-sufficient in milk production.
During the Covid pandemic, Sawant said that the state government has provided free-of-cost treatment to Covid patients. He also said that Goa is the first state to provide free treatment to Covid patients even in private hospitals.
