Team Herald
PANJIM: Revolutionary Goans (RG) have slammed the announcement made by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that 10,000 government jobs will be created, calling it a pre-election stunt ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
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Pointing out that there are over one lakh unemployed youth in Goa, RG opined that the BJP-led government uses this 10,000 job vacancy announcement every time there is an election in order to influence the voters.
“He had made a similar announcement in November before the Municipal and Zilla Panchayat elections as well. Seven months later, we know what the reality is. In order to fill 10,000 vacant jobs over Rs 250-300 crores annually will have to be borne. Has a budgetary provision for the salaries already been made during this pandemic time when everyone knows that the government’s financial situation is unstable?” asked Revolutionary Goans Founder Manoj Parab.
“Everyone knows how merit is ignored and favouritism is adopted in giving jobs. If these jobs are really created, will they be given on merit basis or like always, the ministers will fill the posts from their respective constituencies? These jobs that are going to be created will be on a permanent or contract basis. Which departments these vacancies will be created has to be made clear. The government needs to make sure that these jobs are given to People of Goan Origin (POGO) and not migrants with a mere 15 years’ residence certificate,” Manoj stated further.
RG further recalled that in BJP’s 2021 election manifesto, the party had promised an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500 per month under the minimum employment assurance scheme. Thereafter, they recalled that BJP’s 2017 election manifesto promised that it will make the State ‘unemployment free’ in five years if voted to power again.
They further recalled how recently the Chief Minister himself had pointed out that there was a need to study the reason behind the high unemployment rate as the private sector was struggling to get skilled workers in Goa.
“Sawant also said that many youth in Goa are unemployed and he is worried about them. If you are really worried then get up and do something about it. If you remember our former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar was working towards a scheme and said an assistance of Rs 3,000-4,500 per month would be given to unemployed youth. Why not implement this if the BJP-led government is really worried,” Manoj questioned.
