STATE - GOA
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Particulars
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Description
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|
Area
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3,702 sq. km
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Population
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14,57,723 *
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Capital
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Panaji
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Principal
Languages
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Konkani(official
Language)
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Other
Languages
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Marathi,
Hindi, English, Kannada
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* As per 2011 Census (Provisional Data)
History
and Geography
Goa, known in the
bygone days as Gomanchala, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri, Govapuri, Gomantak, etc.,
abounds in a rich historical heritage. Early history of Goa is obscure. In the
first century of the Christian era, Goa was a part of the Satavahana empire, followed
by the Kadamba, the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed, the Chalukyas and the Silharas.
The empire of the Yadavas by the end of the 14th century was displaced by the
Khiljis of Delhi and thus Muslim rule came to Goa. After the discovery of the
sea route to India by Vasco-da-Gama in 1498, many Portuguese expeditions came
to India. In 1510, Alfonso de Albuquerque with the help of the emperor of
Vijayanagar attacked and captured Goa. With the arrival of the Jesuit priest
Francis Xavier in 1542 proselytisation began in Goa. However, the Portuguese
continued to rule over the territory except for an interlude during the latter
half of the 17th century when Shivaji conquered a few areas in and around Goa.
Even after India's independence, Goa continued to be in the hands of the
Portuguese. However, they could not fulfil the aspirations of the Goan people
and ultimately on 19 December 1961, Goa was liberated and made a composite
union territory with Daman and Diu. On 30 May 1987 Goa was conferred statehood
and Daman and Diu was made a separate union territory.
Goa is situated on the
western coast of the Indian Peninsula. On its north runs the Terekhol River
which separates Goa from Maharashtra and on the south lies North Canara
district of Karnataka. On the east lie the Western Ghats and on the west the
Arabian Sea. Panaji, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa and Ponda are the main towns of Goa.
Goa is currently
celebrating the Golden Jubilee of its liberation and 25 years of attainment of
full-fledged Statehood.
Agriculture
The total cultivated
area in Goa is 160320 hectares while the total production was 108333 tons. A
total of 30,632 hectares area was cultivated under paddy during last kharif
season. It is proposed to take up soil testing and soil mapping of Queperm and
Sattari to know the soil fertility. Budgetary provision of Agricultural
Development was enhanced from Rs.17 crores four years ago to Rs.70
crores. Several schemes have also been launched by the Government through
Directorate of Agriculture to promote farming and attract youth towards this
activity. Farmers can avail the benefit of up to 90 per cent on solar power
battery fencing scheme. A subsidy of up to 90 per cent is also provided for
construction of polyhouses and green houses. Similar subsidies are provided for
drip irrigation and for construction if Biogas plants. In order to enhance the
yield of sugarcane it is proposed to provide 90 per cent subsidy on Drip
Irrigation. The Government has also taken steps to recognize the contribution
from Biogas to contribution of progressive farmers to the State economy by
awarding them three State level awards of Rs.2 lakh, Rs.1 lakh
and Rs.50 thousand in the name of Krishi Ratna, Krishi Vihushan and Krishi
Bhushan respectively. This initiative will undoubtedly encourage the farmers to
adopt modern agriculture techniques and boos production in Goa. The government
has spent an amount to the tune of Rs.12.5 crores on extending subsidy to
several farmers.
Water
Resources
Tillari Irrigation
Project, an ambitious joint venture project under major and medium irrigation
aimed at creating an irrigation potential of 21,056 hectares and 117.03 MCM of
water for domestic and industrial use is expected to be completed in the
financial year 2011-12. For better and efficient utilization of the potential
so created, apart from the irrigation purpose it is proposed to supply to PWD.
The Water Resources Department apart from supplying raw water for irrigation
has also augmented with 25 MLD raw water from Chapora river at Sal and 10 MLD from
Amthane tank. A total 6 Bandharas (small dams) have been built across Assonora
river to augment raw water supply during the lean season. Opa Water Works has
been augmented with a 50 MLD raw water fed from SIP canal to Kalay river. 35
MLD raw water is fed from Medei river at Gunjem to Khandepur river. A total 19
Bandharas have been built across Kalay and the Khandepar river to augment raw
water during lean season.
Forest
As decided by the
United Nations, the Goa Government is celebrating this year as International
year of Forests. Goa has a good forest cover of 34 per cent against the
national requirement of 33 per cent and nearly 62 per cent tree cover. During
the year 6 lakh seedlings were planted and nearly one lakh seedings distributed
to various institutions and industries to make tree planting a people's
movement.
Social
Welfare
It is proposed to
provide a insurance cover through an insurance policy scheme to be called as
'Swaranjayanti Aarogya Bima' to the entire resident population of the State
similar on the lines of Central Government's health insurance scheme for BPL
families called as Rashtriya Bima Swasthya Yojana.
Industry
All schemes under the
State Industrial Policy as well as the state Biotoch Policy will continue to be
in force and will be used for further development. The setting up of Goa IT
Knowledge Centre at Verma to provide incubation facilities in the IT sector is
proposed. To provide encouragement to artisans of Goan handicrafts, it is
proposed to develop Goa Haat-cum-shilpagram, new emporiums in Goa and outside
Goa and develop e-portal for the of handicraft items across the globe. The
Government also intends to set up a marketing centre for women Self Help Groups
(SHGs) at Margao to provide forward and backward linkages.
Information
and Publicity
The Department of
Information and Publicity is a nodal agency for dissemination of information
and policies and programmes of the Government. It implements the scheme such as
interest on computer loan to journalists, financial assistance to indigent
journalists, Patrakar Kritandnyata Nidhi Goa Journalists Welfare Scheme
(pension scheme); Goa scheme of financial assistance for films, songs and drama
services and others. The pension for journalists has been enhanced
from Rs.2000 to Rs.4000 per month. It is also proposed to provide a
well equipped Media Facilitation Centre at each Taluka headquarters. The
Entertainment Society of Goa, a special vehicle has been established for
organizing film related activities including organization of International Film
Festival of India. A scheme to provide financial assistance to produce films is
implemented through this special vehicle.
Art and
Culture
The Government desires
to give thrust on Library movement in Goa in order to make the libraries as
information and knowledge centres. This year Goa is celebrating the brith
centenary year of Bhausaheb Bandodkar, the first Chief Minister of Goa who was
a man of vision. He had established many socio-cultural institutions and
patronized them. Two of these include, Vivekanand Society, Panaji and Janata
Vachanalaya, Mormugao. In appreciation of their contribution to the society and
in honour of Bhausheb Bandodkar, it is proposed to provide a grant of Rs.5
lakh each. The government intends to document all forms of folk art, folk
festivals, other cultural traditions and intangible heritage of Goa state,
through audio-video documentation, for which adequate budgetary provision has
been provided within the existing scheme of Directorate of Art and Culture.
Education
The Government has
strong commitment to enhance IT literacy at school level itself, and to
strengthen computer laboratories in all high and higher secondary schools in
the state. The Education Department is in the process of strengthening the
computer laboratories by providing an additional 10 computers, 2 printers and
UPS, web camera and internet connectivity. The Scheme of School Computer
Laboratories shall be taken on priority for implementation as mentioned above
would replace the Cyberage (EDUNET) Scheme from 2010-11. The Government also
intends to implement the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, a Central sector
scheme in the State.
Health
New Rural medical
dispensary was established at Keri-Sattari equipped with Pathology Lab, dental
and ultrasound facilities. Goa became the first state in the country launch
diabetic registry. The District hospital at Margao will cater to the health
care needs of entire south Goa. New District Hospital as Mapusa has been
completed. The new 170 bedded ID hospital at Ponda is nearing completion. Other
new hospitals are at Sanqulim, Bicholim and Valpoi.
Transport
As on 31/12/2008 the
total number of driving licenses issued in Goa is 4,40,152 and the total number
of vehicles registered in Goa is 6,59,012.
Roads:Of
the motorable roads, national highway constitutes 264 kms, state highways 279.4
kms and other roads MDR/RR/4501.18 kms.
Railways:
Goa is linked with Mumbai, Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram through the Konkan
Railway, which has introduced several fast trains on these lines. Vasco da Gama
is connected with Bengaluru and Belgaum on the South Central Railway, presently
for goods traffic only.
Aviation:
: Mumbai, Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Chennai, Agati and Bengaluru are
linked with Dabolim through regular Airlines services.
Ports:
Mormugao is the major port in the State. Mormugao handles cargo vessels. Minor
ports are located at Panaji, Tiracol, Chapora Betul and Talpona, out of which
Panaji is the main operative port. One off-shore berth at Panaji has also been
commissioned.
Health
The health care
services in the state are made available to the people at their door steps. It
is one of the best performing states in India in the matter of health and
medical care. Under Mediclaim scheme financial assistance has been enhanced
to Rs.8 lakh. Mobile health care vans and the unique 108 ambulance
services have been introduced to cater to the health care needs of the people
advanced emergency paramedics rooms have been established at Government run
primary health centres to stabilise patients inflicted with major diseases.
Tourist
Centres
Important tourist
centres are Colva, Calangute, Vagator, Baga, Harmal, Anjuna and Miramar
beaches; Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral churches at Old Goa; Kavlem,
Mardol, Mangeshi, Bandora temples; Aguada, Terekhol, Chapora and Cabo de Rama
Forts; Dudhsagar and Harvalem waterfalls and Mayem lake resort. The state has
rich wildlife sanctuaries, viz., Bondla, Cotigao, Molem and Dr Salim Ali Bird
Sanctuary at Chorao covering an area of 354 sq km.
Districts
The total number of
districts in Goa is 2(North Goa and South Goa).
A
district of Goa is headed by a Deputy Commissioner who is over all in-charge of
the administration in that particular district. He has to perform triple
functions as he holds three positions: at once he is the Deputy Commissioner,
the district Magistrate and the Collector. As a Deputy Commissioner he is the
executive head of the district with multifarious responsibilities. As the
District Magistrate he is responsible for maintaining the law and order
situation in the district. As the Collector he is the Chief Revenue Officer of
the district, responsible for revenue collection and recovery. The Police
administration in the district is under the control of Superintendent of Police
(SP).
Governor
: Shri. Bharat Vir Wanchoo
Chief
Minister : Shri. Manohar Parrikar
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