Panaji (PTI): Goa will develop four fishing villages under a Central government-funded scheme with the state government providing all the infrastructure, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said.

Sawant, who was addressing the inaugural function of the Goa Mega Aqua Fish Festival on Friday, asked people to join the sector in large numbers and reap the benefits of various schemes introduced by the state fisheries department.

"With funding from the Union government, we will develop four fishing villages, two in each district of the state. Infrastructure like fishing jetties would be set up in these villages," he said.

The Narendra Modi government is giving several incentives to create a blue economy and people living in coastal areas must participate to ensure they benefit from the sector, the CM said.

"Fisheries plays an important role in achieving the state government's aim of 'Swayampurna Goa'. Initiatives like sagar mitra has taken the administration to the doorsteps of the fishing community," Sawant said.

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Bengaluru: The Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) has attacked the state Congress government for its failure to pay the salaries of 108 ambulance drivers, despite their crucial role in emergency healthcare services. The criticism comes amidst growing discontent over the government's inability to fulfil its financial obligations.

In a scathing statement, the JDS accused the government of prioritising popularity over the welfare of its citizens. Highlighting the plight of the ambulance drivers, who have not received their salaries for three months, the party condemned the administration's lack of accountability.

"The state Congress government is more addicted to popularity than people," remarked the JDS spokesperson. "Irresponsibility is more evident than drought management. It's a disgrace that these drivers, who risk their lives to save others, have been neglected in this manner."

The issue gained further traction after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made a bold declaration during a speech in Bagalkot, promising to resign if any state government employee reported unpaid wages. JDS immediately seized upon this statement, calling for the CM's resignation in light of the unpaid salaries of the ambulance drivers.

"If even a single government employee of the state comes to me and says that his salary has not been paid, I will retire from politics," CM Siddaramaiah had declared.

Responding to the CM's challenge, the JDS demanded immediate action to rectify the situation and ensure that the ambulance drivers receive their overdue wages without further delay.

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