The latest unemployment figures of Goa appear to have shaken up political leaders like never before with contrasting comments and veiled references dominating the political landscape for three successive days. A recent Central report by the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24 pegged Goa’s unemployment rate at 8.7 per cent, way higher than the national average of 4.5 per cent. The report also gave a classification that the State’s labour force participation rate is 39 per cent which was also below the national average of 42.3 per cent.
The State Opposition parties were quick to latch on to the survey and castigate the government over failing to address the crucial unemployment issue with LoP Yuri Alemao stating that the government is seeking comfort in its false narrative on unemployment. AAP President Amit Palekar made a case for bringing new industries into Goa while Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai stated that the government has neglected the youth of the State.
In an interesting turn, TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane, who until now was backing the government to the hilt and singing laurels of achievements, seems to be disillusioned on the scale of joblessness. He mentioned that people will have to opt for another alternative if the government is unable to create employment opportunities. He said at least 22,000 jobs need to be created during the next two years. The statement from within the ranks unsettled the hierarchy and prompted BJP President Sadanand Tanavde to state that some ministers are not from the cadre and may take time to imbibe the party’s disciplinary ethics, a clear indication that Rane’s statement is unacceptable.
The matter does not end there. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant seems to have momentarily infused positivity by stating that Goan youth need to look beyond government jobs while adding that two lakh opportunities will be up for grabs in the next two years in various sectors like tourism, IT and manufacturing.
While the inner battles of the BJP are for the party to settle, the unemployment data has been and continues to be, a worry for Goa and Goans, regardless of the CM’s assurance. Probably for the first time, there has been a sense of awakening within the government that unemployment needs to be addressed. The CM is speaking numbers and, although with a tinge of bitterness, Rane is also talking numbers. The question is whether the creation of two lakh jobs in the next two years is a realistic target. Or, for that matter, can we expect to meet Rane’s target of 22,000 new jobs? Past promises paint a grim picture, and let’s not get too far. In 2023, against a projection of 55,000-odd jobs, there were only 8,031 created.
To reach anywhere close to the 2 lakh mark on jobs Goa will have to record an exponential tourism growth far from the annual 11 per cent that is currently recorded. Besides tourism, Goa will need more industries to come in, with the hope that they will employ locals. The manufacturing sector is in a nascent stage, and the logistics sector has just begun its journey. The State has a long way to go to find conviction in employment numbers that are currently projected.
What Goa needs is a robust industrial environment propelled by ease of doing business, Goa needs a well-defined roadmap on employment generation, not the inflated investment figures posted by IPB or some random numbers. For example, against the proposed investment of Rs 19,688 crore in ten years, the actual investment has been only Rs 2,982 crore. Such numbers don’t inspire confidence and cut out a sorry picture as we look for “achhe din” in the next two years.
