CM HOLDS MEET WITH NABARD
PANAJI: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant held a meeting with all the stakeholders of the National Agricultural Development Bank (NABARD) at his official residence at Altinho on Wednesday.
Dr Sawant underlined the need to restart various developmental projects of various Departments like PWD, Electricity, Education, WRD, GSIDC etc. which are delayed and stuck due to various reasons.
The Chief Minister further deliberating on issue of power loom and handloom unit in the State which are yet to be functional advised the concerned officials to explore the possibility of outsourcing for its better operation to ensure the people get employment and derive benefit from it.
Dr Sawant’s objective of having the meeting was to explore the avenues of opportunity to develop rural entrepreneurship to accomplish the goal of Swayampurna Goa. This, he said, can be done taking in view the sectors like agriculture, handicraft, horticulture and handloom and powerloom etc. He called for the need to focus on tribal areas where people are mostly engaged in farming, cashew cultivation, horticultural product.
Secretary (Finance) Puneet Kumar Goel, IAS; Director, DPSE Dr Y Durgaprasad; PWD Principal Chief Engineer Uttam Parsekar; NABARD General Manager Usha Ramesh; Director of Science and Technology, Levinson Martins; Director of Women and Child Development Sunil Masurkar; NABARD Deputy General Manager Vasant Sawardekar and others were among those attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister urged all concerned engaged in handloom activities of producing Kunbi sarees to develop a special shawl which can be presented to guests VIPs in their honour. He also suggested the stakeholders of handicraft to avail the benefit of the schemes of NABARD to start their venture and strive to design gift items which will be useful for presentation as our special brand item, he pointed.
NABARD General Manager Usha Ramesh highlighted about the various projects that can be undertaken under certain schemes of their bank. The project of powerloom and handloom are viable, she added.