Goa Legislative Assembly

“This House unanimously resolves that the Government frames necessary policies to conserve and promote traditional kumeri agricultural activities in Goa. This traditional agricultural practice has been instrumental in maintaining ecological balance, biodiversity conservation, besides providing livelihood and food security to indigenous farmers in forest regions. Hence the need to implement measures to conserve, modernise and make this traditional agricultural practice economically viable and this traditional knowledge be preserved for future generations.”

“This House unanimously resolves to urge the Government to take necessary steps for construction of Water Reservoirs and Dams at various locations in the State to sort out the water scarcity and fulfil the future demands.”

“Attention of the House is drawn as regards the apprehension of the residents and shopkeepers of the Donmad area in Village Panchayat at Poriem Constituency, due to the alarming rise in thefts. The steps the Government has taken in this regard, by way of identification and apprehending the culprits and intensifying night patrolling and conducting surprise checks.”

To call the attention of the Hon. Minister for Power, as regards the tragic death of Late Shri Chandru Gaonkar, linesman from V.P. Morlem, sattari and recent deaths of other linesmen due to electric shocks while on duty. The steps the Government has taken to conduct a thorough investigation, implement safety protocols and collaborate with technical experts for sustainable solutions”.

Calling Attention admitted for answer on 23.7.2025 postponed and answered on 25/7/2025.

“Fear and anxiety in the minds of the people of the State, that due to incessant rains, flooding/inundation, landslides and water logging, has been witnessed in several parts of the State and also due to the incessant rains and the heavy flow of the Valvanti River on the NH 748 AA road at Tulshimala, several trees have been uprooted and embankments along the roadsides have also been washed away. The steps the Government has taken in the matter.”

“Fear and Anxiety in the minds of Parents of school going children regarding increasing instances of attempt to kidnapping of children, trespassing in school premises by Anti-social elements etc. The Steps the Government intends to undertake in this regard to provide surveillance in school premises and on isolated tracks of roads and to identify and punish the culprits expeditiously "

“fear and anxiety in the minds of the people regarding the bridge over Kalti river in Sattari Taluka. The bridge is over 55 years old and has developed several cracks. Heavy vehicles from Karnataka use the bridge. There is a urgent need for structural audit and estimates for construction of new bridge alongwith repairs to approach roads and urgent repairs to current bridge has to be carried out to prevent untoward accidents. The steps the Government has taken in this regard”.

I would like to make a Zero-hour mention on the following subject:

Non-Payment of Compensation to the Village Panchayats of the Notified Area in the Industrial Estate

I hereby bring to your kind attention that as per the Notifications on \"Schemes to provide Grant-in-Aid to the Village Panchayats in Industrial Estate\", the said panchayats are entitled for compensation (90% Taxes & 95% License Fees). Regrettably, V.P. Pissurlem has not received the entitled compensation towards House Taxes & License Fees collected by the Goa-IDC from the industrial houses located in the Industrial Estate of the notified area under the jurisdiction of V.P. Pissurlem. 

The last compensation that was paid to V.P. Pissurlem vide Sanction Order dated 18/06/2021 for Rs. 7,89,492/- (Rupees Seven Lakh Eighty Nine Thousand Four Hundred Ninety Two only), which is total 90% of the Village Panchayat share for the Financial Year 2015-2016 and FY 2016-2017 and thereafter till date no compensation has been received by V.P. Pissurlem.

However, Village Panchayat Honda has not received the entitled compensation for Rs. 16,85,549/- (Rupees Sixteen Lakh Eighty Five Thousand Five Hundred Forty Nine only), which is total 90% of the Village Panchayat share for the Financial Year 2015-2016 and FY 2016-2017 and till date.

All the village panchayats of Sattari Taluka comes under Weaker Section Panchayat and are solely dependent on Government Grant-In-Aid for its administrative functions and development works within village panchayat jurisdiction. Regrettably, due to non-receipt of compensation from Goa-IDC till date, the village panchayats in Poriem constituency are not able to increase their own source of revenue, enhance their financial position and boost the administrative functions and overall development in Village panchayats. 

I seek the kind intervention of the Hon. Minister of Industries, Trade & Commerce to look into the serious matter of non-payment of compensation till date by Goa-IDC to the V.P. Pissurlem and V.P. Honda and ensure the entitled compensations are paid on ‘top priority’ in the interest of the people of the affected village panchayats. 

I rise to bring to the attention of this House the rise in alarming number of vehicular accidents caused by drunken driving, most commonly by domestic tourists in their private vehicles or self-driven rental cars, endangering the lives of people in the State of Goa. 

Cars and two-wheeler rental companies cannot be allowed to operate as neutral vendors, as tourists opt to rent vehicles as it is economical vis-a-vis taxi service available. Tourists are not familiar with roads in Goa, which are narrow and winding in villages with blind turns and very different from the metropolitan city roads. As they are enjoying their vacation, it is observed that they consume alcohol and drive and often flee the state when an accident occurs; before they can be held accountable by law. 

It is the fundamental duty of the State to prioritise safety and protect the lives of the people by strictly implementing road safety measures. 

Rental companies should be made accountable for traffic violations and offences, including drunken driving, as there should be an agreement between them to strictly follow guidelines by signing a Declaration to cover a brief on safety & local traffic rules, penalty clause in case of accident to cover damages and suspension/cancellation of driving licence in case of major accidents. 

The current checks (nakabandhi) carried out by the Police are good practices, but are not yielding the desired results, as most of these nakabandhis are on weekends and at predictable locations, making it difficult to book the offenders. 

Additionally, strict enforcement of breath analyzer tests by police personnel at every nakabandhi and checkpoint must be made mandatory, without exception, to ensure effective detection of drunken driving at all times.

The locations of nakabandhis should be changed regularly by shifting them to strategic points for better effectiveness. Permanent checkpoints should be established at locations identified through the overlap of areas where alcohol is easily available, high movement of rental vehicles are seen, and accident-prone zones.

There is a need to establish a dedicated helpline, integrated with the police control room, as this will enable quick reporting of violations and reduce police response time for swift action.

AI-powered surveillance cameras maybe installed on major roads, as it will help the police to detect suspicious behavior\'s, identify traffic violations and read number plates in the night.  

Enforce accountability on rental agencies by way of a substantial fine for renting vehicles to unlicensed drivers. 

Create awareness and organize safety briefing for tourists renting vehicles. 

Promote road safety through digital media and other channels.

Encourage locals to report reckless driving and reward them.

Attention of the house is drawn as regards the shortage of staff in the office of the Sattari, which is causing delay in completion of development works and other administrative functions, The steps the Government has taken in this regards.

Fear and anxiety in the minds of the people due to the dangerous and unusable condition of KTCL Bus Stand in Honda, which is a crucial transport hub for businesses and commuters in Poriem Constituency. 

Honda Bus Stand is a single storey structure constructed ~15 years ago by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) and handed over to Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd. (KTCL) for operation and maintenance. Regrettably, due to lack of maintenance and repairs by GSIDC/Director of Transport (DoT) till date, Honda Bus Stand has developed serious problems. The shop owners and commuters, who are facing a lot of inconvenience and loss of business have been complaining that KTCL Bus Stand Honda is in a dilapidated condition and is in urgent need of maintenance and major repairs, etc. 

The key issues which need to be addressed are;

1. Revision of roof structure as the current inverted parabolic shape leads to accumulation of water causing seepage of water inside shop premises and also advised replacement of roofing sheets.
2. Painting of the Honda Bus Stand is needed, as it has not been painted since inception, and is in a very shabby condition.
3. Replacement of pre-cast RCC slabs laid over cross drains, which are damaged is a safety hazard to commuters and shopkeepers.
4. Replacement of streetlights to ensure proper lighting and provide new electrical fixtures in the Bus Stand.

Since 2022, I have been following up on the above-mentioned works with the department. I was informed by the department that due to limited availability of funds (~ Rs. 10.00 Cr.) allocated for the repair works of all bus stands in the State of Goa, under Budget 2022-2023 is not sufficient to take-up the works. I have raised this serious issue on the floor of the Assembly Session with a request to kindly increase the budget provisions. 

In 2023, KTCL officials visited Honda bus stand on my request to study the structural feasibility and explore the possibility of constructing an additional floor over the existing structure to accommodate a multi-purpose hall, since the premises has unused Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.). This expansion will maximize the utility of the existing space and add value to the community. Regrettably, due to budget constraints, the proposal did not move forward. 

I once again urge the Hon’ble Minister for Transport to kindly consider including Honda Bus Stand in the proposed upgradation and redevelopment of Panaji Bus Stand, on PPP module, with Tata Group. Integrating Honda Bus Stand into this ambitious initiative would contribute to comprehensive development and ensure uniformity in the transportation infrastructure across both urban and rural areas.

Attention of the House is drawn as regards the anxiety in the  minds of the people and members of village panchayats of Poriem Constituency due to non-release of Grant-In-Aid (GIA) funds till date (FY 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026).