Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Wednesday approved the Goa State Cooperative Policy 2026, along with key decisions granting maternity leave benefits to female coterminous staff and a wage hike for helpers working in government pre-primary schools.
Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said the Goa State Cooperative Policy 2026 has been framed in alignment with the Government of India’s National Cooperative Policy 2025 under the vision of “Sahkar se Samridhi” and Viksit Bharat 2047.
“Keeping in view our state’s vision of Swayampurna Goa@2037, we have prepared the Goa State Cooperative Policy 2026 to strengthen the cooperative sector and address emerging challenges,” the Chief Minister said.
He stated that the policy focuses on tackling governance deficit, financial stress, limited professional capacity and the urgent need for digital transformation in cooperative institutions across the State. The policy has been drafted by a committee headed by Adv Narendra Sawaikar.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the grant of maternity leave to female coterminous staff appointed in the offices of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers, Leader of Opposition, Advocate General and other Cabinet rank and status holders. The benefit will be applicable to women employees with less than two surviving children.
Dr Sawant said the move reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring welfare and dignity of women employees serving in key government offices.
The Cabinet also approved an amendment to a scheme providing wage hike to 42 helpers working in government pre-primary schools. The decision is expected to benefit the helpers and improve support services in early childhood education institutions.
“These decisions reaffirm our government’s focus on strengthening institutions, empowering women employees and supporting grassroots workers in the education sector,” the Chief Minister added.
