Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 7: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced several key policy initiatives in the Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, including plans to regularise contractual teachers, set up a common campus for professional colleges, replace aging Balrath buses, and identify ore dumps for e-auction.

?? Regularisation of Teachers

Responding to queries on contractual teaching staff, Sawant confirmed the government is working on a scheme to regularise teachers and staff who have completed at least 10 years of service.

• No current contractual or lecture-based teachers are being removed.
• Lecture-based teachers continue to receive contractual salaries.
• The government will soon evaluate qualifications of teachers in government and aided institutions.
• Those found lacking required qualifications will be removed, with a detailed report to be presented in the next Assembly session.

?? Common Campus for Professional Colleges

Sawant revealed that the government has acquired around 1.20 lakh sq. metres of land from Goa University to create a common campus for professional colleges.

• The move aims to shift all professional colleges from Panaji city to a single unified location.
• Foundation stone for the new campus will be laid shortly.

?? Balrath Bus Scheme Overhaul

The state government will begin phased replacement of Balrath buses that are over 15 years old.

• Schools that joined the scheme earliest will receive new buses first.
• Buses still passing RTO fitness tests can remain in use.
• Scrapped buses will begin to be replaced this year.
• Operational funds for schools under the scheme will be disbursed in one installment in September.
• No new schools will be enrolled into the scheme for now.

?? 100% Literacy Achieved

Sawant announced that Goa has officially achieved 100% literacy, as declared by the Government of India.

• Even panchayat members participated in literacy examinations.
• 90% of repairs to primary government schools have been completed.
• Remaining 10% will be addressed within six months.

?? Mining and E-Auction Update

Addressing the stalled mining sector:

• 20 ore dumps in South Goa have been identified for e-auction in the first phase.
• The 31st e-auction of already-extracted ore will also take place this month.

On sand mining, Sawant admitted the government has not yet resolved ongoing issues.

These announcements reflect the government's multi-sector focus on education reform, transport infrastructure, and mineral resource management while tackling long-standing administrative challenges.