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.”

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”.

“Fear and anxiety in the minds of the farmers in Sattari due to huge losses suffered due to crop damage by wild animals more then 5000 farmers are registered Krishi Card holders. Wild animal feed on coconuts arecanuts, cashewnuts and mangoes. The Agriculture Department under reports cases of damage due to monkeys, bison’s and other wild animals further farmers are allowed only a year to claim under Shetkari Adhar Nidhi Scheme. As such the Government may increase the compensation offered, allow multiple claims in a year so that they are adequately compensated. The steps of the Government to provide adequate and timely relief”.

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).

Attention of the House is drawn as regards the people and Members of the Village Panchayats of Poriem Constituency due to non-disbursement of Grants-In-Aid (GIA) Funds during the financial years from 2022 till date. The steps the Government will undertake in this regard for the developmental works to boost local economic growth.

“Attention of the House is drawn as regards the people of Sattari, who have inherited and are holding rights to Alvara Grant of lands made by the Government and have not been able to become rightful owners. The steps the Government has taken in this regard and also to introduce an amendment to the Goa Land Revenue (Disposal of Government Lands) Rules, 1971, vide a Notification giving the detailed procedure to be followed in cases wherein the documents to substantiate the facts set out in the application (Alvara) are not available, with oral evidence that are available”.

“Attention of the House is drawn as regards the farmers of Sattari taluka due to crop damage by wild animals.

I had raised the seriousness of this issue during last the assembly sessions and that the compensation paid to the farmers under Shetkari Adhar Nidhi Scheme is only once a year, although the damage to the crops is periodical in nature (throughout the year). This is because the bills submitted for payments are not processed in time by the Dept. and fresh bills submitted by the farmers are not processed till such time the earlier bills are paid. The delay in processing the bills is the problem that needs to be addressed immediately. 

As the house is aware, the farmers of Sattari depend solely on farming for their livelihood and if compensation does not reach them on time; when much needed, they face financial hardships and feel discouraged to continue farming, which is detrimental. 

The farmers want the comprehensive plan to protect the crop from wild animals prepared and implemented on top priority by the Dept., as it will safeguard them against huge financial losses in future.

Monkeys, wild boars and bisons continue to destroy the crops, damage the soil (rhizospheres) of saplings and cause loss of fruiting trees, as the Repeller/Carbide guns are no longer effective as the animals are not frightened by the sounds as reported by the farmers. 

I request the hon’ble Minister to kindly constitute a panel of experts, who must visit the affected areas to assess the extent of the damage to the crops; and based on their study, prepare a report to find a permanent solution.