PORVORIM
The Children of Freedom Fighters’ Association has demanded that 97 children of freedom fighters should be immediately absorbed in government service.
Addressing a news conference in Porvorim on Thursday, Dr Shivaji Mukund Shet, an office-bearer of Children of Freedom Fighters Association, said their records had revealed that 97 children of freedom fighters are yet to get government jobs.
“We submitted a new memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on December 6 putting forth three main demands. First, children of freedom fighters who have registered themselves for jobs with the home department should be absorbed immediately in government service.”
“Second, those who have crossed 50 years should be either given a job or given a One Time Settlement and third, children of freedom fighters whose names are yet to be registered with the home department may be allowed to be registered,” said Dr Shet.
Dr Shet said former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar had assured to address their grievances within 15 months.
“However, he failed to solve our grievances. Since the government did not make any recruitment between 2000 and 2007, the backlog has increased.”
“In August 2013, the State government had framed a scheme to employ children of freedom fighters in government offices, wherein a reservation of 2% was increased to 5% in Group C and D posts.”
“It was agreed to clear the entire list of children of freedom fighters who have availed for the facility of government jobs under the scheme within 18 months, that is, by February 2015. That scheme has now been extended till February 28, 2021,” said Dr Shet
He informed that many children have now crossed the age of 50 and have permanently lost the opportunity of government employment.
“The government should compensate them by providing a One Time Settlement. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recently announced that about 10,000 jobs will be provided to the Goans.”
“It is not difficult for the government to absorb 97 children of freedom fighters in government service.”
“On December 19, our association will submit a memorandum to the President of India during his visit to Goa in this regard. If our grievances are still not redressed, the association will be forced to intensify our agitation,” Dr Shet added.
