from Ares
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Feb 25: The state government has offered red carpet to the non-resident Indians of Goan origin (NRGs) to invest in the developmental projects in their hometowns.

"The NRGs can finance any public welfare scheme in their villages. The state government will also chip in with their fundings," Goa NRI commissioner Eduardo Faleiro told reporters on Monday February 25 morning.

Faleiro, a former external affairs minister, said that the scheme 'My Village' has been carved out considered strong interests evinced by NRGs in contributing for the development of their villages.

"Some of our expatriates are keen to participate in the development of their villages and towns in Goa," Faleiro said conceding that the state government has no exact record of NRGs from across the world.

The scheme, which aims at augmenting the village-level infrastructure, expects the fundings to come in the projects like schools, libraries, gymnasiums, playgrounds, hospital equipments, shelters for the old and physically-challenged and others.

"The maintenance and upkeep of such assets should be ensured by a government organization such as the local panchayat or a non-government organization," the NRI commissioner said.

The high level committee headed by Faleiro will clear the projects and works will start only after NRG advances 50 per cent of the project cost. "The balance will be borne by the state government from the budget of the commissionerate up to ceiling of Rs 10 lac. 

"A signboard carrying the name of concerned NRG and his contribution will be permanently and prominently displayed at the site," Faleiro said.