CM counters job bias debate in Budget reply

PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that of the 2,500 candidates selected for government jobs through the Goa Staff Selection Commission (GSSC), nearly 2,000 had studied in Marathi medium, asserting that “merit matters, not medium.” He urged parents not to hesitate in choosing Marathi as the medium of instruction for primary education.

Sawant made the remarks during his reply in the Legislative Assembly while defending the 2026–27 State Budget after a day-long discussion in which the Opposition criticised it as an election-year budget filled with populist announcements.

Describing the budget as transparent and merit-driven, Sawant said it was aligned with the State’s “Developed Goa 2037” vision. He noted that Ponda constituency had the highest number of recruits with 63 candidates, while his own constituency of Sanquelim had fewer. “Selection is strictly on marks and merit,” he said.

Responding to concerns over unemployment, the Chief Minister said between 6,000 and 7,000 jobs had been provided in recent years. He added that private firms are also hiring through campus placements, with such initiatives already beginning at Khandola College. Goa University, he said, has received a Rs 100-crore grant under the PM-USHA scheme.

On infrastructure, Sawant said road repairs will be monitored through GIS mapping to avoid repeated work at public expense. The budget has allocated over Rs 3,000 crore for the Public Works Department.

Highlighting welfare measures, he said 543 beneficiaries under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme receive direct cash transfers, with around Rs 50 crore disbursed monthly and an annual outlay of Rs 543 crore.

Sawant also spoke about improvements in transport, including plans to introduce a Ro-Ro ferry service on the Divar route.

In the education sector, he said old “Bal Rath” buses are being replaced and the State Council for Education, Research and Training (SCERT) is working to ensure effective implementation of the National Education Policy.

He added that land has been sought for a pilgrim facility at Velankanni in Tamil Nadu, with similar arrangements being explored in Maharashtra.