Pension for motorcycle pilots: CM

PANAJI: Chief minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday announced that motorcycle pilots who are 40 years and above will now be eligible for the Dayanand social security scheme's pension. He also assured to make caste certificates permanently valid and income certificates usable for one year. Speaking at the conclusion of the general discussion on budget 2010-11, on Wednesday, Kamat said his government has shown sensitivity to issues concerning the common man.
Stating that motorcyle pilots will be brought under DSSS as they face health problems after they cross the age of 40, he added that pilots and rickshaw owners would also be given a one-off assistance of Rs 5,000. On the lines of the assistance given to flower sellers and kiosk owners, this would be to replace old tyres, batteries, etc of vehicles. Following suggestions from MLAs, Kamat said that caste certificates once issued would be valid throughout as against the present trend, while income certificates could be valid for one year.
If land is available at the Verna industrial estate, a garbage treatment facility for not only units but panchayats around could be worked out, Kamat said. Cortalim MLA and deputy speaker Mauvin Godinho had raised the issue about poor garbage management in the area. The introduction of school buses under the Indira bal rath scheme had benefited not only ST students, but even other students, teachers and parents, said Kamat. In all, 120 buses had been distributed and 16 more will be given shortly, he added.
The government is also planning to provide buses to orphanages. A similar facility will also be extended to government schools in the state as they have complained about being left out. Meanwhile, the government will rope in 50 more cooperative societies to distribute certain food grains at reduced prices, said Kamat. "The idea is to increase the number of outlets and pick-ups to transport food items," he said.
The CM added that the state horticultural corporation should buy vegetables grown in remote areas to help local farmers. "This way they may be encouraged to grow more. It is because of these small farmers who toil in the fields that agriculture has survived," Kamat stressed. As part of Goa's golden jubilee preparations, the state has formed a golden jubilee development council under the chairmanship of R Mashelkar, with Ashank Desai, Anil Kakodkar and others on board, to prepare a vision document for the next 25 years. "If we get the document by March 2011, it would come at the right time," Kamat said.
A committee under the leadership of Vijay Bhatkar has also started functioning and it has been asked to prepare a report on more services to the people. With regard to industrial plots, he said 84 small plots of 500 to 1000 sq m had been carved out in various industrial estates to cater to small industries and the allotments would be done soon.
Replying to Siolim MLA Dayanand Mandrekar, Kamat said he would ensure that all 16 unemployed wards of freedom fighters would be accommodated in government jobs before Goa's golden jubilee. Kamat also said all legislators should work out a consensus on how to upgrade agriculture in the state.
Replying to criticism from legislators about unbalanced development in constituencies, Kamat said that PWD's list of projects showed that barring a couple of constituencies, lot of work had been executed. Responding to Canacona MLA Vijay Pai Khot, Kamat said the hospital at Canacona would have an ambulance and doctors soon.