PANAJI: PANAJI: After initially setting the Dec 19, 2024 deadline to achieve 100 per cent literacy in the State, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has now extended the timeline by almost a year.
Addressing a webinar on the Swayampurna Goa initiative, Sawant highlighted the importance of ensuring that every person in the state is literate.
"Not a single person should be left illiterate by December 19, 2025," he said appealing to the people and panchayats to work together to achieve this target.
He also noted that December 19, the day Goa celebrates its Liberation from Portuguese colonial rule in 1961, would mark the deadline for this literacy goal.
According to the 2011 Census, Goa’s literacy rate stands at 88.70%. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the state could close the gap and achieve full literacy, emphasizing that Goa should aim for 100% literacy in a meaningful and practical sense.
Sawant also raised questions over the Kerala government's claim of a cent per cent literacy, Stating the ground reality may be different.
In a bid to improve the state’s education system, Sawant said that the Government has introduced a Dual Degree program in ITIs and colleges across Goa and has encouraged students to pursue certified courses alongside their degrees to enhance their skills and career prospects.
Earlier Speaking, Sawant discussed the government’s plans to support farmers. He stated that the state’s goal is to ensure that every farmer is covered under key central government schemes, including the Kissan Credit Card, Kissan Soil Card, and Kissan Vima Card.
Sawant praised the role of Swayampurna Mitras, the officers working under the Swayampurna Goa scheme, for their efforts in achieving 100% coverage of central government schemes across the state.
Sawant said that the State has achieved 100 per cent coverage in 80 per cent of the Central schemes.
" By December 19, 2025, we also intend to achieve 100% success in all centrally sponsored schemes," he said.
Sawant also shared details about the state’s efforts to support local entrepreneurs. He urged Swayampurna Mitras and panchayat bodies to organize programs that would help local entrepreneurs with packaging, certification, and other resources to support Goa’s "Vocal for Local" initiative. These programs will also assist in marketing products made in rural areas.
