Porvorim: The Goa government will initiate a survey on traditional salt pans in the coastal state, which are on the verge of extinction.
Responding to a question on the floor of the House on Friday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that farmers continuing salt production would be covered under central government schemes. He also stated that the salt produced by them would be procured for industrial use.
Revolutionary Goans Party MLA Viresh Borkar raised the issue in the House during the ongoing winter session of the Assembly, demanding justice for salt farmers. He pointed out that the industries department, which had submitted a report on salt pans in the state, had missed some important villages where salt farming was traditionally practiced.
Borkar highlighted that those involved in salt farming were not covered under central government schemes designed for the sector.
Sawant informed the House that the state government is conducting a survey on salt pans in association with the Goa Biodiversity Board. Experts from Goa University have been onboarded to conduct the study.
He further stated that the state government has partnered with an industry located at Verna Industrial Estate in South Goa, which will procure salt from local farmers.
