MAPUSA
In a significant move aimed at safeguarding the interests of local job seekers, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced that proficiency in reading and writing Konkani will soon be made mandatory for recruitment to postal department vacancies in Goa.
Responding to a Zero Hour mention raised by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai in the Goa Legislative Assembly, Sawant said the requirement would be enforced through a certification process under the Goa Konkani Academy.
“I agree that people from Maharashtra are getting appointed as postmen in Goa since the State falls under the Maharashtra postal circle. I have been pursuing this issue for the past six months. I will now ask authorities to ensure that only those who can read and write Konkani are appointed here,” the Chief Minister said.
Sawant added that the government is exploring making a Konkani proficiency certificate issued by the Goa Konkani Academy a prerequisite for such appointments.
Sardesai had raised the issue of recent appointments of postmen from Maharashtra, alleging that they are unfamiliar with Goa’s geography and local language, leading to operational inefficiencies.
“Goan postmen are being replaced by outsiders who don’t know anything about the State. They don’t deliver letters properly. As many as 40 Goan postmen are affected by this,” he said.
He further alleged irregularities in the recruitment process, claiming he was in possession of a video in which a newly appointed postman from Maharashtra admits to paying a bribe of Rs 3.5 lakh to secure the job.
Sardesai called for a thorough investigation into the matter to protect the interests of Goan candidates.
