Panaji: The first meeting of the newly constituted Goa State Planning Board (GSPB) was held on September 14, 2012 under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar at the International Centre – Goa, Dona Paula.

The Director of Planning/Member Secretary of the said Board welcomed the Chairman, Deputy Chairman Shri Dattaprasad Kholkar and all Official and Non official members.  Deputy Chairman of the Board, Shri Kholkar in his address briefed the members on the present development scenario in the State. While discussing agricultural related issues, he narrated his experience during his several visits to various villages and interactions with the small and marginal farmers.

He expressed the view that development should begin from the remotest rural villages of the State, since these villages have the potentials, which if properly channelized could contribute significantly to the economic development of the State. He appreciated the efforts of the present government for making schemes and programmes for benefits of every segment of Goan population. He urged the members of the Board to contribute in what so ever field they were interested in, towards the development and Planning Process in the State.

He expressed the need for development of remotest rural villages with full participation of local people. The Dy. Chairman was of the view that this can only be the best tool for ensuring that each and every marginal and small farmers, other poor and disadvantaged in the villages live a happy life. He emphasized that the present board must take the programme and schemes of the Government to villages and thereby makes all out efforts to raise standard of living of all rural people. Towards achieving this end, he advised for selection of initially a few villages, and work towards transforming them into model villages.

This was followed by a presentation made by the Planning Department depicting some villages, wherein, it was expressed that the natural resources in these villages were not efficiently put to its fullest use and that these villages lacked basic facilities, for human development. Chief Minister and Chairman of the Board Shri Manohar Parrikar, declared that the board will meet every three months on a regular basis. He urged the members of the Board to contribute their best in the fields of their expertise, towards the development of the State. He further added that, Board would also be forming sub-committees, to study in depth the problems under various sectors. He also made a mention that  he would see to it that the field officers/officials of various Government departments do not sit in the offices, doing paper work and that they are actively engaged in their outdoor The Chief Minister announced that his Government will form a High level Scheme Implementation Committee within 15 days which would closely monitor whether the benefits under each scheme is actually reaching to the deserving people. The Jt. Director of Planning, Shri Vijay B. Saxena proposed the vote of thanks.