PANAJI
To further strengthen security measures, the government has decided to extend its ongoing tenant verification drive to industrial estates and labourers temporarily hired for various projects.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the verification process for migrant workers in industrial estates will soon commence but assured that it would not disrupt daily industrial operations.
"The migrant workers in industrial estates will have to undergo tenant verification. The process will be coordinated between the Labour and Police departments to ensure smooth functioning. Companies that have not complied will be asked to do so," Sawant said, speaking to the media on Thursday.
Reiterating that Goa remains 100 percent safe, the CM acknowledged isolated incidents involving migrants. He revealed that so far 70,000 tenants have been verified and sought cooperation from Goans regarding the same.
Sawant, also Home Minister, further stated that in the future, contractors hiring temporary labourers will be required to get them verified. “Certain incidents have occurred at (construction) sites. We want to curb that,” he said, adding that the tenant verification process has now moved online for easier implementation.
Responding to concerns over women’s safety, particularly raised by Mahila Congress, Sawant reiterated Goa's security measures. “Goa is 100 percent safe for solo and group travellers including women. Our police services including helplines and the Pink Force are in place… any isolated incidents have been detected,” he added.
With Goa being a major tourist destination, Sawant stressed the crucial role of law enforcement in ensuring security. “Police must be proactive in identifying suspicious individuals. Tourists' safety is important but so is ensuring locals' safety from tourists,” he stated, indicating recent cases where visitors were involved in crimes against Goans.
On a different note, the CM also called for collective efforts in keeping the state clean. Urging stricter enforcement, he directed the police to take action against owners/ occupants of vehicles caught littering on roads. “The cleanliness sector is a shared responsibility,” he said.
