Outsiders favored, Goans neglected : AAP blasts Sawant govt. on unemployment crisis

Goa Khabar : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa Working President Valmiki Naik criticised the Sawant-led government for systematically sidelining Goans in employment opportunities and favoring outsiders in key recruitments. Addressing a press conference at the AAP office in Panaji, Naik demanded a white paper detailing the government’s strategy to reduce Goa’s rising unemployment rate.  

Highlighting irregularities at Goa Shipyard Limited, Naik questioned the recruitment process wherein engineering-level posts were advertised and reached the final stage, with Goans being recommended. However, the process was later scrapped, and the posts were re-advertised. “Why were the positions re-announced? Is it because Goans had cleared the selection process?” Naik asked.

Expressing concerns over employment at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), Naik noted that in 1989, MPT employed over 5000 workers, which has now dwindled to just 950 employees. “Dedicated Goan employees with 15-20 years of service are being denied promotions. Initially, the recruitment ratio mandated 2/3 direct recruitment and 1/3 promotion of Goan employees. However, this quota is being violated, and even the limited opportunities for promotions are being awarded to outsiders through direct recruitment. Does the CM want to hand over Goa’s only port to Adani, enabling him to recruit outsiders?”, Naik questioned.

AAP Vice President Prof. Ramrao Wagh raised similar concerns about the Indian Post Office recruitment in Goa. He stated that Maharashtra-based candidates are being recruited, displacing Goan employees nearing retirement who have served for 20-25 years. Wagh criticised the recruitment of non-locals unfamiliar with Goa’s geography and demanded alternative income sources for affected Goans.

Prof. Wagh also exposed amendments in the Goa Staff Selection Commission’s recruitment rules, where mandatory one-year work experience for entry-level positions such as LDC and Junior Stenographer was introduced. He pointed out that such conditions discourage economically disadvantaged Goan youth, from applying for government jobs.

AAP Leader Sunil Siganapurkar revealed irregularities in a PWD tender process, where a contractor from Madhya Pradesh got a chance compete with other contractors despite not holding the mandatory Goan certification. When questioned by local contractors, PWD officials dismissed it as a human error. Siganapurkar condemned such favoritism, accusing the Sawant government of providing jobs and opportunities to outsiders.

AAP leaders unanimously criticised the government for failing to protect Goans’ employment rights and systematically alienating locals. They demanded immediate corrective measures to prioritise Goans in recruitment processes across sectors.