From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld News Network - Goa

Margao, Nov 22: Joint secretary of personnel department Yatindra Marlakar has assured delegation of "Goa Hitrakhan Manch'' (GHM) that a suitable way would be found out to implement the requirement of compulsory knowledge of Konkani for government jobs.

All those seeking government jobs in Goa had to procure certificate from Goa Konkani Academy about the knowledge of Konkani and had to attach it to their applications.

GHM, an organization working to preserve 'Goenkarponn' (The Goan entity) and welfare of Goa, met Marlakar after they came to know that personnel department, in an office memorandum issued on October 30, 2006, had done away with the requirement of the certificate of Goa Konkani Academy from all the government job-seeking candidates.

The local media had raised the issue of hardships faced by unemployed youth to procure this certificate from GKA. In this regard, GKA had suggested that all those seeking jobs in government or semi government, if had opted the Konkani as one of the subjects at SSC and HSSC level need not to be asked to produce the certificate from them (GKA).

The GHM delegation brought to the notice of Marlakar that by doing away the certificate altogether, he was inviting outsiders to apply for jobs in Goa, at the cost of the local unemployed. It was also brought to his notice about the recent case of false residential certificate produced by outsiders to secure jobs in Mormugao Port Trust.

Marlakar has assured the delegation that he would find a way out within ten days time, after discussing the matter with the department of Official Language and other concerned departments.