According to the government, the domicile certificate proves your permanent residence in Goa and is needed for various government schemes and benefits. This certificate also helps non-Goans who have lived here long enough. If someone has stayed continuously in Goa for 15 years, they are considered Goan and can get a 15-year domicile certificate. That part is clear.
But the question is: why do Goan students who have passed their SSCE still need a 15-year domicile certificate to register for the Employment Exchange? From around age 3, whether Goan or non-Goan, children attend Anganwadi, then LKG and UKG, followed by primary school and up to 10th standard. This long period of schooling in Goa should automatically prove their Goan residency or 15 years of living here. So why waste time and effort getting a separate domicile certificate for students born and raised in Goa?
The government should exempt SSCE-passed students from the 15-year domicile certificate requirement. This is possible. Just as house repairs and partition processes are made easier, employment exchange registration should also be simplified for these students. We have a very capable Chief Minister who can surely find a solution.
Priority in employment for Goans is almost lacking. It is said that the Employment Exchange card gives local preference for government jobs and other opportunities, ensuring Goans are prioritised. But this remains uncertain, doesn’t it? The card also helps access government scholarships, jobs, and other benefits meant for local residents. Students may need a domicile certificate for admission to state-quota seats in educational institutions. But what about jobs? Is there no quota for families without employment?
In any case, SSCE-passed Goan students should be exempt from the 15-year domicile certificate when registering for the Employment Exchange card. At least, let them apply for government jobs through proper channels. For most people, registering for the Employment Exchange card is just a formality and doesn’t help much—I speak from experience.
