Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jul 23: In a strong push to safeguard local employment opportunities, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced that the ability to read and write Konkani will soon be a mandatory requirement for postal department jobs in Goa.

The Chief Minister made the statement in the Goa Legislative Assembly while responding to a Zero Hour mention raised by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai.

“I agree that people from Maharashtra are getting appointed as postmen in Goa since the State falls under the Maharashtra postal circle. I have been pursuing this issue for the past six months. I will now ask authorities to ensure that only those who can read and write Konkani are appointed here,” Sawant said.

He added that the State is considering making a Konkani proficiency certificate, issued by the Goa Konkani Academy, compulsory for recruitment to postal posts.

Sardesai raised concerns over recent appointments of postmen from Maharashtra, claiming they are unfamiliar with Goa’s geography and the local language, leading to delivery issues and inefficiencies.

“Goan postmen are being replaced by outsiders who don’t know anything about the State. They don’t deliver letters properly. As many as 40 Goan postmen are affected by this,” he alleged.

He also alleged irregularities in the recruitment process and claimed possession of a video where a newly appointed postman from Maharashtra confessed to paying a bribe of Rs 3.5 lac to secure the job. Sardesai demanded a thorough investigation to safeguard the interests of Goan candidates.