The Goa Cabinet has taken a series of key decisions concerning the Ujjwala Yojana, Goa Metro project and the revival of the Sanjivani Sugar Factory.

Under Goa’s Ujjwala Yojana, over 40,000 male applicants have submitted forms, taking the total number of applications beyond 2.5 lakh. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said eligible male applicants will also be considered for disbursement after scrutiny. The Civil Supplies Department has been directed not to reject applications merely because they were submitted by male applicants.

Nearly 1 lakh beneficiaries have already received assistance, while the next payment is expected by Wednesday. The Chief Minister also said the scheme will continue next year.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved the formalisation of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) ‘Namo Tarang’ for the implementation of the Goa Metro project.

The Cabinet also cleared the way for the revival of the Sanjivani Sugar Factory. CM Pramod Sawant said the factory will become operational from the next crushing season, with a bidder finalised to operate it on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis.

Sawant appealed to farmers to resume sugarcane cultivation and assured them that the factory will procure their sugarcane from the coming season onwards.