Kejriwal’s announcement could have sent shivers down the spine of Sawant, who may now be forced to put his thinking cap on. Especially because every time Kejriwal comes, he makes some big announcements, and people’s support tends to tilt on the Aam Aadmi Party side.
However, with the crumbling financial condition of the State, Sawant can do little to tackle Kejri’s announcements.
Now coming to the freebies, is it really possible to implement what has been said.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemakrponn
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been in Goa for the second time in the last couple of months, has made another set of announcements in Goa.
The last time he came around, he made a slew of announcements in the power sector, including free 300 units of power, 24×7 power supply and arrears waiver.
Today, he announced 80-per cent of reservations for locals in the private sector, Rs 5000 dole for tourism dependents, one job per family, Rs 3000 dole for unemployed, etc.
Last time after Kejriwal’s announcement, Sawant, in a tit-for-tat, had announced 16000 litres of free water.
During his visit, there has been no such announcement from Devendra Fadnavis, who is Goa BJP in charge.
However, Kejriwal’s announcement could have sent shivers down the spine of Sawant, who may now be forced to put his thinking cap on. Especially because every time Kejriwal comes, he makes some big announcements, and people’s support tends to tilt on the Aam Aadmi Party side.
However, with the crumbling financial condition of the State, Sawant can do little to tackle Kejri’s announcements.
Now coming to the freebies, is it really possible to implement what has been said.
Goa government has announced hundreds of times that they will make 80 per cent of jobs reservation for Goans in the private sector, but it has met with stiff opposition from industries. Mainly because Goa does not have skilled manpower. Kejriwal’s announcement can be achievable in the near future as he also announced skilled university along with the reservations.
Not that Goa does not have skilled manpower, our Industrial Training institutes train thousands of youth every year, but shockingly very few take to the Industries.
Most of them either opt for government jobs with the help of politicians or move abroad for greener pastures.
The question here is why will industries keep reservations if the Goan workers are not available.
Take, for example, Casinos, thousands of non-Goans, especially, are working in the industry, and the government has done nothing about it. There is no special training required for working on casinos which Goan youth are well worse with. Other technical things can very well be thought. Yet, the casino owners want outsiders to work.
Here the government can intervene and ask the industries and the casinos to only employ Goans and, if required, train them.
Coming to the second and third announcements of Rs 5000 and Rs 3000 for tourism stakeholders and the unemployed youth.
This could be a challenging task for Kejriwal, even if he comes to power.
There are about 1.25 lakh Goan unemployed, which means an additional expenditure of at least Rs 30 crores every month.
Mind you, he has already announced 300 units of free power. Hence with the dwindling state coffers, the promises could be an uphill task to implement.
Even if Sawant decides to negate the announcements with his own promises style, he could be further pushing Goa into a debt trap.
However, Kejriwal’s announcements are good for Goa. Even if he cannot form a government and BJP does by negating his announcements, Kejriwal may have indirectly given Goans what they were entitled to for many years.
Of course, the style of working of both CMs is different, while Kejriwal is a self-styled leader, does what h wants to, Sawant on the other hand, depends on the party high command for the smallest of decisions.
Overall, it is raining freebies for Goans, and if this continues, this 2022 election could be a game-changer for Goa.