NT Reporter Panaji
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that knowledge of reading and writing in Konkani will henceforth be mandatory for recruitment to posts in the Department of Post in the state.
Stating that the rules are being revised, Sawant said a certificate from the Goa Konkani Akademi will be made compulsory for such recruitments.
Responding to a Zero Hour Mention wherein Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai raised an issue related to 40 Goan postmen, who were replaced with individuals from Maharashtra, Sawant said the Goa postal division falls under the Maharashtra postal circle. Sawant said the government has communicated with the Department of Post with regard to the issue.
“I have told them that only individuals with knowledge of Konkani should be posted in Goa,” said Sawant and added that he will look into the issue of the 40 appointed postmen.
Claiming that a sting operation conducted by the displaced Goan postmen has exposed incompetence and corruption, Sardesai said, “Video evidence reveals that these ‘outsiders’ were taking letters home, unable to deliver them due to lack of the local knowledge. One individual even admitted to paying Rs 3.5 lakh to secure the job.”
Sardesai said that he will soon release the sting operation video through his official social media handles to let the people of Goa see the truth for themselves.
The Fatorda MLA said that he became aware of the issue during his taluka-wise outreach programme. He said 40 Goan postmen, who had served the Department of Post for 15-20 years on daily wages were abruptly removed from service and postmen from Maharashtra were appointed in their place.
