Here is part of the budget speech of the Goa CM MP as far as Language and culture is concerned: Official Language, Art and Culture, Archives and Archaeology 110. Speaker Sir, I intend to undertake extensive research work as well as creation of various terminologies and lexicon in Konkani. For this purpose, I intend to set up separate cell in Department of Official Language. Initially, I have kept a provision of ` 20 lakhs. 111. I would like to start Devanagari shorthand and typing classes for Government servants so that as a part of implementation of Official language so as to enable the Government Departments start corresponding as well as put up notings in Official language. 112. My Government has already started extensive training in Official language for the Government servant at all levels. Now, I propose an honorarium of ` 3000 for each employee who successfully undergoes this training. 113. Speaker Sir, I need not tell this August House the present state of affairs of the Gomantak Marathi Academy. Without commenting on that, I want to announce, that I propose to establish a separate Marathi Academy. While setting up the new Marathi Academy, the problems of the current employees will be addressed adequately. For this purpose I have provided an amount of ` 2 crores in the budget. 114. Similarly, Konkani Academy has been provided with a grant of ` 2 crores and during the year, I will also be commencing construction of Konkani Bhavan. 115. Sir, there are many enthusiastic Konkani and Marathi publishers in Goa who publish weekly’s, monthly’s, bimonthly’s, fortnightly’s and sometimes non periodicals. Sir, I feel this is our cultural treasure and needs to be supported. I intend to provide financial support, under “Akshar Mitra Yojana” to these publications. I have made provision of ` 25 lakhs for this purpose. 116. Sir while announcing all this new initiative for the development of Konkani and Marathi, I have increased the budget provision of Official Language Department from ` 2.46 crores to `12.18 crores. 117. Speaker Sir, we have already inaugurated long pending projects of Ravindra Bhavan at Baina,Vasco and at Sanquelim. The Bhavans will start fully functioning by June 2014. Speaker Sir, I have already laid foundation stone for Ravindra Bhavan at Canacona and the work has already been tendered and the entire project will be completed within two years. During the year Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir at Ponda will be completed and work on new Ravindra Bhaavn at Mapusa will begin satisfying long pending demand of all Bardezkar’s 118. I am happy to inform that my Government is overwhelmed by the appreciation of the people for restoring and beautifying Fort Reis Magos. The restoration of the Fort has led to increase in visitors. Encouraged by this appreciation, my Government would like to take up restoration and beautification work of the Forts at Aguada, Chapora, Alorna and Cabo De Rama. I have made initial provision of ` 2 crores for the purpose. 119. Speaker Sir, this year we are celebrating tri-centenary of the birth of great Goan Saint Shree Sohirobanath Ambiye. On this occasion, the Department of Art & Culture will publish compilation of his all scattered literature. Further, I propose to celebrate this year by conducting various activities at Government level as well as supporting private initiative. For this purpose, a State Level Committee shall be constituted. Sir, Sohirobanath Ambiye is known as the Dynaneshwar of Goa who has given a revelation of Marathi to Goans as Dynaneshwar did for Maharashtrians. I propose to establish a chair at Goa University in the name of Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye, for research in Marathi language and Goan Marathi literature. 120. Speaker Sir, the Government Central Library at Panaji and District Library at Margao are par excellence comparable with any international standard. Now, I propose to strengthen taluka and village libraries. As first step towards this, I propose to enhance the Government grants given to libraries with private initiative with an increase in the salaries of contractual staff appointed by the management of private libraries. I have made an appropriate provision for this purpose in this budget. 121. Speaker Sir, I intend to recognize tremendous work done by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, a parent organization of Konkani Movement and intend to give continuous regular maintenance grant of `15 lakh for their regular activities. I also propose to give regular grant of `15 lakh to All India Konkani Parishad for their activities. I have made appropriate provision for this in my budget estimates. 122. Sir, I would also extend financial support to Gomantak Sahitya Sevak Mandal and Lokmitra Mandal Mapusa to conduct literary and linguistic activities of Marathi. 123. Sir, in order to recognize the contribution of legendary personalities working for the promotion of language and literature, I intend to start a life time achievement award for the individuals working for Konkani, Marathi and Sanskrit. I have provided ` 10 lakhs for this purpose. Sir, I also intend to promote growth of Hindi by providing requisite support . 124. Speaker Sir, the present state of infrastructure of Goa State Museum is very pathetic, I therefore, propose to construct a new building for Goa State Museum for which I have made initial provision of ` 10 crores.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 13:29:43 +0000