PANAJI: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, has said that the state cabinet on Wednesday accorded its approval for the appointment of consultant for examining details of the Panaji-Vasco sea link.

Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting held earlier in the day, the Chief Minister said that project would be executed under public-private partnership and the appointed firm would examine the details of the project. The cabinet also approved the beach shack policy for the year 2009-10.
Mr Kamat also said that the cabinet also accorded its approval to three schemes — interest subsidy, Goa state employment subsidy and Goa state investment subsidy, for bio-tech industrial units.
These schemes would help the state to attract more bio-tech industrial units to the state, said the Chief Minister. He also said that the benefit of the scheme would also be given to the existing units that were set up in the state after the scheme was notified on July 13, 2006.
The cabinet also decided to waive of the interest on loans and penal interest of the beneficiaries of seed margin money scheme. In all 11 persons would get the benefit of the government decision, who would now have to pay only the principal amount ranging between Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000.
As per the decision of the cabinet, the services of teachers winning state and national teaching awards would now be extended by one year and two years respectively. The cabinet also accorded its approval to creation of 80 posts of computer teachers.
The government also approved demand for permanent ferry service between Tolto and Dhavjim, as demanded by the people of Kumbharjua constituency. Besides, it also allowed continuation of appointment 119 instructors in directorate of craftsmen and training.