Reinforcing its commitment to inclusive governance, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C), under Minister Rohan A. Khaunte, led a major digital empowerment drive at the Awareness & Benefit Saturation Camp in Sanguem. The event was part of the nationwide “Dharti Aaba Janbhagidari Abhiyan,” India’s largest tribal empowerment campaign spearheaded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
As a highlight of the camp, the ITE&C department distributed 22 laptops to meritorious Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) students from the 2023–24 academic year—equipping them with vital digital tools to support their educational journey and encourage higher learning in a tech-centric world.
Organized by the Directorate of Tribal Welfare, the camp brought together various state departments to deliver welfare schemes, health services, and digital support directly to tribal communities. The event was inaugurated by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, in the presence of leaders including Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Subhash Phal Dessai, Ramesh Tawadkar, and Ganesh Gaonkar.
The ITE&C department showcased its range of digital initiatives—such as free laptops, ICT training programs for youth and homemakers, and citizen-centric platforms like Goa Online and Gramin Mitra, which offer over 200 essential e-services. Progress updates on Har Ghar Fibre and BharatNet 3.0 underscored the ongoing expansion of 4G and broadband networks in rural areas, enhancing access to education, jobs, and government services.
Visitors also engaged directly with officials at a dedicated digital outreach stall, where they received guidance on schemes and digital literacy. Complementing digital inclusion, the camp offered free health screenings and on-the-spot welfare benefits—marking a holistic step toward tribal welfare and connectivity.
The initiative forms part of the national observance of 150 years of Janjatiya Gaurav, reflecting Goa’s ongoing commitment to equitable growth and tech-enabled public service delivery.