PANAJI: The State Legislative assembly on Friday unanimously adopted a resolution moved by St Cruz MLA, Ms Victoria Fernandes, recommending the government to plan, design and erect thematically and architecturally unique "gateway to Goa" at all major entry exit points like Pollem, Mollem and Patradevi.

Ms Fernandes said that these gateways should showcase episodes of freedom struggle of the state and post-liberation progress made by Goa and would serve as befitting memorials and permanent creative assets of public education and tourist attraction.

The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat while responding to the issue said that since a high level committee has been formed to plan and oversee all the activities for the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the liberation of the state, this issue would be placed before it and since the gateways fell under the ambit of National Highways, permission from the National Highway Authority of India would have to be obtained before going ahead with the project.

Another resolution seeking issuance of directions to all the schools in the state to celebrate Golden Jubilee of Goa’s liberation and create its awareness among students and tell them about its importance, tabled by the Fatorda MLA Mr Damodar Naik was withdrawn after the Education Minister, Mr Atanasio Monserrate informed him that the issue would be placed before the committee formed to celebrate the event and necessary steps taken in that direction.

Mr Naik brought to the notice of the House that some school (teaching curriculum of Delhi board) did not mark the event and the students were given a holiday on that though it was an important and historical day in the state.

He said that the message should be sent to the students by celebrating the day and remembering the martyrs.

Mandrem MLA, Mr Laxmikant Parsekar said that the day was not being properly observed in some schools, even as he said that some people in the state were still "dreaming" of return of the former rulers. Mr Ramesh Tawadkar said that days of national importance should be given due respect and properly celebrated.

The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat told the House that the government has formed a committee to celebrate the day and that the issue would be put before it and sentiments expressed by the members of the house would be taken into consideration.

Yet another resolution moved by Mapusa MLA, Mr Francisco D’Souza urging government to open immediately for public the OPD facilities in the newly constructed district facilities as the existing facilities in Old Asilo hospital were in bad shape was withdrawn after the Health Minister said that he would work out modalities to start OPDs of medicine and paediatric in the new building after taking stock of everything.