The Goa IPB recently cleared 7-8 green projects worth around Rs 180 crores, aimed at boosting employment for Goan youth. However, if these jobs are truly meant for Goans—as publicly claimed—what exactly defines a “Goan”?
At present, there is no proper policy to define this. In my view, Goan identity should trace back at least to pre-liberation times. The reality is that truly ethnic Goans are often sidelined, while many of these jobs go to people from outside the State.
Even the Revenue Minister admitted in the last assembly session that the government considers anyone with a Goa address as Goan.
If the government is serious about securing jobs for Goans, it must urgently clarify: What is the official definition of a Goan? What steps will ensure that most of these jobs actually go to Goans? What types and approximate numbers of jobs will each project create?
Without clear answers, this promise risks appearing as a pretext to push real estate projects that mainly benefit politicians and their allies.
