Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has expressed confidence that the BJP will return to power in Goa in the 2027 Assembly elections, maintaining that the government’s development work, infrastructure expansion and welfare initiatives would form the basis of its electoral campaign. He also challenged opposition leaders to engage in an open debate on governance and development, saying he was prepared to defend the government’s performance on any platform, including Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.
Speaking about his eight-year tenure, Sawant said Goa’s development under the BJP government, backed by the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was visible across sectors. He pointed to the state’s two international airports, improved railway infrastructure and major connectivity projects as examples of the transformation taking place.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Goa’s reported economic growth rate of nearly 12%, attributing it to expanding industrial activity, infrastructure investment and growing interest among businesses in setting up operations in the state.
Sawant said Goa had improved its position in NITI Aayog’s sustainability index from seventh place when he assumed office to third after five years. He described the improvement as an achievement reflecting the government’s focus on development across multiple sectors.
He also spoke about the Vibrant Goa Summit, launched in 2019 to reposition the state as an investment destination beyond its traditional tourism identity. According to Sawant, the initiative has brought together representatives from more than 50 countries and around 500 international delegates, along with local businesses.
The government, he said, is prioritising industries that are environmentally sustainable and will not encourage polluting red-category industries. Tourism, hospitality, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, electronics manufacturing and information technology are among the sectors being promoted.
Addressing the resumption of mining, Sawant said the 2012 shutdown had severely affected families and businesses dependent on the sector. Coming from a mining belt, he said he had personally witnessed the economic difficulties faced by mining-dependent households.
He attributed the earlier crisis to uncontrolled mining activity between 2008 and 2012, which eventually led to judicial intervention and the closure of operations.
According to the Chief Minister, mining was restarted after 2019 through competitive auctions in compliance with Supreme Court directions. He stated that around 18 mining leases had been auctioned, with six already operational.
Sawant also defended the government’s Dump Handling Policy, saying it would facilitate the removal of accumulated mining overburden from government and private properties. He said the process could support transportation businesses, generate foreign exchange and help restore affected land, subject to environmental regulations.
Highlighting the state’s energy strategy, Sawant said a dedicated department had been established under the Goa Energy Development Agency to accelerate renewable energy adoption, particularly solar power through the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Expansion of CNG infrastructure for transport and industrial use is also part of the government’s cleaner-energy agenda.
On tourism, the Chief Minister said Goa receives more than 12 million visitors annually but stressed the need to create greater employment opportunities for local youth in the hospitality sector through skill development.
He said the government was working to reduce dependence on conventional beach tourism by promoting wellness, spiritual, hinterland, wildlife and sports tourism, besides MICE events. The Ekadasha Teertha circuit was also highlighted as part of the effort to develop spiritual tourism.
Reacting to allegations by opposition parties, Sawant accused their leaders of making brief visits and holding public interactions without examining the government’s development work on the ground. He said he was willing to participate in a detailed debate on governance and performance.
