PANAJI: The Governor Dr S S Sidhu and the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat have extended warm greetings to the people of Goa on the occasion of Statehood Day.

The Governor in his message said, “Mogall Goenkarano, aichea hea aitihasik Goenchea Ghotak Rajya Disa, hao tumkam soglleank monapasun hunhunit porbim ditam ani boro fuddar chit-tam.(Dear Goans, on the historic occasion of Goa’s Statehood Day – 30th May 2010, I extend my heartiest greetings and best wishes to you).”
He said while Liberation from foreign rule opened up tremendous opportunities in a democratic setup, statehood brought higher responsibilities to the people to fulfil their needs and aspirations and for all-round progress of the state.
“Liberation and statehood have ushered in a paradigm shift in the attitudes of people of the state and they have adjusted themselves remarkably well to the changing national and global developments, while always striving for accomplishing greater and inclusive prosperity for all through the framework of democracy. I am confident that Goans would work hand-in-hand to make Goa a model state in the country. Goans are innovative and hardworking people, indeed.
“On this happy occasion, I would like to appeal to the people of Goa to continue to maintain peace and harmony, cosmopolitan way of life and extend their cooperation and support to the developmental process, so that Goa can achieve greater progress, prosperity and glory,” he said.
The Chief Minister in his message said the full-fledged statehood bestowed on Goa 23 years back has given to the people a distinct identity and freedom to make laws of their own for the betterment of the state and the people.
Greeting the people on the occasion of 23rd anniversary of the statehood, Mr Kamat said, “Though Union territory had merits as well as demerits, the full-fledged statehood has given us powers to legislate for the good of the people at all levels and it has marked a logical completion of the process of freedom -- political, social and economic -- ushered in by the Liberation of Goa on 19th December, 1961.”
Due to the statehood, the Chief Minister said, there are two districts which help alleviate the administrative difficulties faced by the people and also now we have 40 assembly seats instead of 30 at the time of Union territory.  This has resulted in easy solution of the problems faced by the people at various levels.  The statehood also gave us a seat in upper House i.e. Rajya Sabha.
“With the statehood, we also attained powers to formulate our own budget, while at the same responsibility of judicious expenditure also fell on us.  It had also imposed on us the work of raising the revenue for the state and for the last 23 years the state has done extremely well as is seen through prudent fiscal management, he said. 
When we are on the threshold of golden jubilee celebrations, a development council under the chairmanship of eminent scientist, Mr Raghunath Mashelkar has been created which will give us directions to go ahead by 2050 taking together all stakeholders in the development, Mr Kamat added.