Team Herald
PANJIM: Amid rising unemployment rate in Goa, the Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik on Friday warned of consequences if Central government institutions, having offices in Goa, fail to reserve jobs for locals.
In a video message, Naik has directed non Goa senior central government officers in the State to stop doling out jobs to their children or near and dear ones. He said that locals must be given priority for jobs at the upcoming Mopa International Airport, Goa Shipyard Limited, Post and Telegram Office and other Central agencies.
“In Goa, there are several central government offices. They publish advertisements for recruiting posts. Subsequently, Goan youths apply for it and give interviews. But if we observe minutely, they don’t get jobs. Despite being skilled, the Goan youths are not hired in several central government offices,” the Union Minister said.
“Those higher level officers working here in Goa offices provide these jobs to their near and dear ones and people of their choice. The Goan youth feels that their rights are not protected. Jobs are given to the outsiders,” he added.
Naik cited example how locals working in the Post and Telegraph Department as branch post masters, then drawing Rs 4,000-6,000 as salary, were not regularised despite being promised. He said that an official complaint has come to him and necessary action will be taken, as the vacancies are now filled by recruiting outsiders.
“Secondly, Goa Shipyard also needs workers. But despite Goa having skilled manpower, outsiders are given opportunities. There is no need to bring a workforce from outside…locals should be given priority…. Recruiting outsiders unnecessarily puts burden on the State for providing them water, power and other infrastructure. Goans are suffering this way,” he said.
He said that now Goan youth have awakened. They know what is happening around them. “I want to suggest other ministries that give priority to locals, if failed, I don’t know what will happen,” he said.
“Don’t repeat the past, give the quota of Goa to locals. With folded hands I request you not to deprive Goan youths of the jobs,” the minister added.
