Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said that around 8,000 govt jobs will be created in Goa over the next six months. He told the youth to explore opportunities and invest in the renewable energy sector in the state.In his Independence Day address, the last such address of his current tenure ahead of the assembly elections in 2027, Sawant sought to touch upon a range of issues, including employment, healthcare, the Majhe Ghar and Majho Flat initiative, the state’s Happiness Index and fulfilling the demands of the ST community, including political reservation.CM said that 2,500 sanands have been handed over to the ST community under tribal right act and by Dec 19, 100% sanands would be given.He said that Goa is the first state in the country to check the happiness index of its citizens.CM said that state govt will establish a coconut board, coir board and cashew board to push for swayampurna Goa. He said that vision-for-all programmes will commence soon for school students and health-for-all will commence in each village.Sawant said that old age homes will be upgraded in the state to provide better facilities for senior citizens.He said that more than 3,000 govt vacancies have been filled through Goa Staff Selection Commission (SSC), providing jobs to youths.“In coming days, 2,000 more vacancies will be filled through the SSC in a transparent manner. We are concerned about the youths who have completed Classes X and XII and govt is also providing jobs to these youths through the Goa Human Resource Corporation. In the next six months, state govt will create 6,000 to 8,000 jobs,” Sawant said.He said that Gen Z and Gen Alpha think in a different way, and state govt is creating a roadmap for these youths.Sawant said that 91,000 MSMEs are operational in the state, and that is the reason govt has been able to create jobs in govt and private sectors.CM said that in the last 10 years, Goa investment board has completed 100 projects worth Rs 6,000 crore in investment and 22,000 jobs have been created.Advising youths, Sawant said that with nation first, talent belongs to you and what you do with the talent becomes part of India’s future. “The opportunities available are due to the efforts of your ancestors, and it is our duty to save Goa for future generations,” he said.On the 80th Independence Day, Sawant hoisted the tricolour at the old secretariat here and remembered the sacrifices of freedom fighters and reaffirmed govt’s commitment to building a strong, prosperous and Viksit Bharat.
