State to lift moratorium on fresh recruitment from December 1

Team Herald

PANJIM: The State government is set to lift the moratorium imposed on fresh recruitment and expenditure from December 1, 2020. The procedures had come to a halt due to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The announcement made by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, comes ahead of two crucial local polls – Zilla Panchayats and Municipal Councils. The government is likely to have the ZP polls next month, while the municipalities will vote in February 2021. 

Sawant’s announcement to advertise 10,000 vacancies to various posts across different government departments will bring major relief to job seekers.

“The moratorium was imposed in March soon after the COVID-19 pandemic, which had weakened Goa’s financial situation. An office memorandum was issued to control the expenses, new expenditure, etc. Since our financial situation is improving, in a review meeting held with the Finance Department, we have decided to retain the previous OM till November 30 and from December 1, new projects will be undertaken,” the CM told media persons outside his official residence, Altinho on Thursday

He added that around 10,000 vacancies in various departments, including around 1,200 in Goa Police, 1,400 in the Accounts Department are to be filled. Advertisements will be issued for recruitment to the new posts soon.

The government will also hold another meeting to decide if vacancies are to be filled through the Staff Selection Commission that was set up last year, to reduce recruitment time. “We have to come up with the criteria if recruitment can be conducted without going through SSC. Technical posts can be filled through departments. We will meet regarding this issue shortly,” the CM added.

Reacting to the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) election promise to provide free electricity to consumers in Goa, the CM accused the party of attempting to benefit Delhi settlers in Goa. “Someone from Delhi comes to Goa and assures to provide free electricity to households. Goa government is giving benefits of Rs 5,000 to each family and transfers money directly into their accounts. Many people from Delhi are settled in Goa and the person who made this statement must be trying to give the benefit to this section of Delhi,” he charged, as he pointed at AAP Delhi MLA Raghav Chadda’s free electricity remarks during his visit to Goa this week.