Rane denies dissolution of House for early polls

Panaji, Mar 20 (UNI) Scotching rumours of early polls in the state, Goa Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane today ruled out the dissolution of the Goa Legislative Assembly.

Interacting with media after chairing a Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said there was no need for dissolving the House and the elections would be held as usual.

The term of the House expires on May 30 before which the new members have to be elected. The state has to conduct Panchayat elections in May.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet had accepted the three-member high-power committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred De Souza, hiking the superannuation age of all government employees to 60.

The committee, earlier, had approved all the demands except removal of anomalies in wages which would be referred to the Sixth Pay Commission.

In a bid to boost development programmes, the government had directed the Infrastructure Development Corporation, Economic Development Corporation and Infotech Corporation to part with Rs 100 crore, 50 crore and Rs 50 crore respectively from their profits to the state.

The government had also decided to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Goa Cricket Association for constructing a state-of-the-art international cricket stadium at Tivim, Mr Rane added.

UNI