CORTALIM: Unemployment and migration to foreign countries for “greener pastures” are some key issues faced the youth of Cortalim, which will be duly addressed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) through its Yuva Shakti scheme, said Gilbert Mariano Rodrigues, TMC candidate from Cortalim.
“We have promised that if TMC comes to power, it will implement the schemes promised by us within 100 days. People also have faith in Didi (Mamata Banerjee). They know that she is the next PM in the making. We mean business. We have not come here to fool around with people of Goa. I switched over from Congress to TMC because I saw a better future for Goa and Goans,” Rodrigues said.
Cortalim has a mixed demography with fishermen, taxi drivers and farmers. How will they benefit if he got elected?
“The youth are migrating abroad for greener pastures. There are only a handful of youngsters interested in farming. Most want to go abroad. So, I am trying to convince the youth that we can do something for the them through our Yuva Shakti card which offers pre-approved credit of Rs 20 lakh at just four per cent interest. With this money, they can set up their own businesses or pursue higher education,” he said.
He wants the youth of Cortalim to seek self-employment. “This Yuva Shakti scheme will definitely help the youth. Our party will make it happen by implementing this scheme as soon as we form the government. If you really give 100 per cent to business then the returns are high in comparison to getting employed in govt sector,” the TMC candidate said.
Apart from issues of youth, he also wants to ensure basic civic amenities at Zuari Nagar slums. “I want to end open defecation there. We need a 24×7 hospital and a playground. There is this ‘Mini India Park’ project which is proposed to come up at Quelossim which is another vexed issue. It will destroy our ecosystem. We will scrap this project if we are voted to power,” he said.
Speaking about prospects of fighting against heavyweights like a former BJP MLA and now AAP candidate from Cortalim(Alina Saldanha), the TMC candidate said that he is up against all BJP candidates who are officially and unofficially representing BJP.
