Panaji: May 06, 2018 …. The Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (GSA) (village self Governance Campaign) which began on April 14, 2018 recently got concluded at the Menezes Brangaza hall at Panaji in the distinguished presence of Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt.) Mridula Sinha, Member of Parliment, Lok Sabha, South Goa. Adv. Shri Narendra Sawaikar, Union Minister for State (Ayush), Member of Parliment, Loksabha, North Goa, Shri Sripad Naik, Minister for Rural Development Shri Jayesh Salgaonkar, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Shri Vinay Tendulkar, Secretary to Governor, Shri Rupesh Kumar Thakur were also present on the occasion along with other dignitaries like Director of Panchayat Shri Ajit Panchawadkar, Chef Executive Officer of GSRLM Shri V.N.Shetye and Zilla Panchayat adhyaxa (North Goa & South Goa).
The programme was organised by the Department of Rural Development along with Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission (GSRLM) Streeshakti. The day was celebrated as “Aajivika Diva under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.
The Governor, while addressing the gathering felt that the work done by self help groups is note worthy and laudable. The number of groups in the country are increasing year after year. In 2014, the total number of groups was 18 lakhs, in 2015 it was 23 lakhs but in 2017 the figure increased to 46 lakhs. The Governor also reminisced her days of childhood where she expressed how her mother has to save money so that it can be used in need. She also shared her various past experience about people working in salt farm and understood their difficulties and accordingly took up the issue to Government to provide some facilities to them.
Shri Salgaonkar expressed that, the need of market place for the product prepared by self help groups is genuine need and therefore Goa Government has decided to go ahead with the concept of Goa Bazar at Merces having approximately 150 shops were items prepared by these groups can be sold. Also provision for cultural activities, theatre, lok kala, food stall etc for tourist attraction. Government has been working for making provision for such type of stalls in new Government buildings.
Shri Shripad Naik said that self help groups are doing good work in the state.
The Member of Parliament for South Goa Shri Narendra Sawaikar and Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha Shri Vinay Tendulkar also spoke on the occasion
Dr. Roopa Chari compered the function while Smt. Snehal prabhu, Project officer proposed the vote of thanks.
