Goa Chief Minister Stresses Unity and Communal Harmony

Rejecting Divisive Elements
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of Goa addressed the public on Independence Day, cautioning against the influence of "anti-social elements" attempting to sow discord among communities. He strongly affirmed that the coastal state would not tolerate the emergence of communal hatred and urged its people to remain united in the face of such divisive attempts.
In his address at the Old Secretariat in Panaji, Sawant underscored the history of religious coexistence in Goa since 1961. He emphasized that regardless of challenges, Goa has upheld harmony among various faiths, and he pledged to preserve this legacy.
Chief Minister Sawant highlighted significant legislative achievements of the state government. He termed the passage of the Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Bill 2023 as "historic." This legislation aims to safeguard paddy fields from being acquired for non-agricultural purposes.

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Sawant also mentioned two vital bills passed by the government. The Goa Public Records Bill 2023 was enacted to assist government departments in maintaining accurate records. Additionally, the Goa Ancient and Historical Records, Acquisition and Preservation Bill, 2023 was introduced to facilitate access to historical records and manuscripts related to Goa, both within the country and abroad.

Pursuit of Self-Reliance and Welfare Initiatives
Expressing the need for Goa to lead by example in self-reliance, Sawant detailed the implementation of the Swayampurna Goa program. He emphasized the government's dedication to ensuring the effective delivery of welfare schemes to all beneficiaries.
Chief Minister Sawant acknowledged the sacrifices of freedom fighters and outlined the government's commitment to achieving a developed India by 2047. He highlighted Goa's exceptional literacy rate and plans to enhance education quality through the NEP-2020.
Sawant shared innovative initiatives to empower the youth. The relaxation of recruitment rules enabled the absorption of 62 home guards into regular police service. He announced the upcoming launch of the "Har Ghar Fibre" scheme, aiming to provide household internet access. The introduction of an apprenticeship scheme was also mentioned, offering young individuals employment opportunities across government and private sectors.

Attracting Green Industries through Progressive Policies
The Chief Minister elaborated on the state's forward-looking policies. The Goa Industrial Policy 2023, Information Technology Policy, Start-Up Policy, and Tourism Policy were designed to attract environmentally conscious industries to the region, fostering economic growth and sustainability.
In conclusion, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's address reaffirmed Goa's commitment to unity and communal harmony. Rejecting divisive forces, the state remains dedicated to its history of religious coexistence and is actively advancing legislation, initiatives, and policies to foster growth, inclusivity, and a harmonious future for all its citizens.

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