He said strengthening employment opportunities for tribal youth remains a key focus, along with wider welfare and development measures.
On Forest Rights Act implementation, the Chief Minister said the state is targeting full settlement within a fixed timeframe. “Our target is to ensure 100% FRA sanads are issued by December 2026, with all genuine claims settled,” he said.
He added that nearly 10,000 FRA claims have been received in Goa, with around 1,000 already cleared and about 2,000 under process.
Along with FRA certificates, benefits under the Ashray Aadhar Yojana were distributed to eligible beneficiaries.
Sawant also launched the revised Atal Aasra Yojana, the Tribal Research Institute website, the FRA Atlas, and released Rediscovering Tribal Cuisine of Goa. He unveiled the Tribal Vision Document 2037, which lays out a long-term roadmap for tribal empowerment aligned with Viksit Goa 2037.
Under a new initiative, Dharti Aaba Suvidha Kendras will be set up in 20 village panchayats to bring government services closer to tribal communities.
He said housing support under ST Corporation schemes has been enhanced, and a dedicated scholarship portal has been introduced to streamline education assistance from higher secondary to professional courses.
On infrastructure and cultural preservation, Sawant said work is underway on the Tribal Museum in Ponda and the Tribal Bhavan project in Porvorim. The Tribal Research Institute is also documenting traditional knowledge, including tribal cuisine.
He also referred to the Assembly resolution on ST political reservation and reiterated the government’s commitment to its implementation.
Paying tribute to tribal martyrs Dilip Velip and Mangesh Gaonkar, he said their struggle for rights must not be forgotten.
The event also saw the presentation of the Adiwasi Pragyavant Puraskar to individuals recognised for their contribution to society.
