Latest news with #Goans
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Konkani proficiency to be must for job of postal worker, says Sawant
Porvorim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that Konkani would be made mandatory for appointing new postal workers in Goa. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that a new postman had paid Rs 3.5 lakh to secure the job. Sawant said that Goa Post is part of the Maharashtra circle, and postal workers are appointed considering their SSC marks. 'We have empowered the Goa Konkani Akademi to issue certificates to people who want to apply for the job, certifying that they know how to read and write Konkani,' Sawant said. 'The postal service administration will change the recruitment rules, and new postal workers will be appointed based on their knowledge of Konkani.' Sardesai, in his zero-hour mention, said, 'There is fear and anxiety in the minds of Goans with regards to the non-delivery of postal letters in the state of Goa.' He urged the CM to raise the issue with the PM and protect Goan postal workers who have lost their jobs. The Fatorda MLA said that during his taluka-wise outreach programme, he discovered that 40 Goan postal workers, who had served for 15-20 years on daily wages, were removed and replaced by 50 outsiders from Maharashtra who couldn't even pronounce the names of Goan villages. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like I'm closing my shop! Last chance to enjoy 80% OFF my jewellery! Wendy Clarke Shop Now Undo 'What is happening to our Goa? Sting videos show letters taken home, addresses unknown. One recruit admits paying Rs 3.5 lakh for the job,' Sardesai said. 'Corruption has reached the central engine. They approached the CM three times. No action was taken.' Sardesai said that the CM should fulfil his assurance to mitigate the crisis of these 40 Goemkars. 'This is not just about jobs; it's about Goan identity and dignity,' he said. Sawant said that he would consider the matter of the 40 postal workers.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Goa CM bats for anti-conversion law to curb ‘love jihad' cases
(You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday told the state assembly that it was time for Goa to introduce an anti-conversion law, similar to those enacted in states like Uttar Pradesh, to counter alleged instances of 'love jihad'.Sawant claimed there had been several such cases in the state in the past and said he would soon release official data. 'We need to bring in the anti-conversion law, and all of you from Congress need to support it,' he stated. His remarks followed criticism from the opposition regarding the Goa Police's failure to locate a woman named Ayesha, who was recently arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with an anti-conversion proposal was sharply opposed by Vijai Sardesai, Fatorda MLA and leader of the Goa Forward Party , who accused the Chief Minister of trying to impose a national party agenda on Goa. 'There are no cases of love jihad in Goa. He should give the number of such cases. We are diverting from the issue of a transnational network, which also saw activities from Goa. No Goans live in Aldeia de Goa (a gated complex where accused Ayesha's parents rented a flat) and nobody knows what the residents there are up to,' Sardesai clarified that the law, if implemented, would only target forced conversions and not consensual interfaith marriages. 'Conversion should not take place by offering lures like money, etc.,' he added.[With TOI inputs]
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Noticed cases of love jihad': Now Goa CM wants a law against ‘forced' conversions
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said there is a need for an anti-conversion law in Goa to deal with 'forced' religious conversions. Responding to a calling attention motion on the first day of the Goa Legislative Assembly's Monsoon Session, Sawant said, 'Forced conversions are not allowed under the anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh. Several states have passed such laws. I feel we too need a law so that forced conversions do not take place. There was denial about 'love jihad'. We have noticed cases of 'love-jihad' in the state. If you want, I can give you details later.' Pointing to the recent arrest of one S B Krishna, alias Ayesha, from Goa by Uttar Pradesh Police in an alleged illegal conversion racket, BJP MLA Premendra Shet and AAP MLA Cruz Silva had moved a calling attention motion, claiming an 'international network' had been operating in Goa 'funded by international operators'. They questioned the steps taken by the government to neutralise the 'transnational network'. Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday claimed to have busted a network allegedly indulging in illegal religious conversions with the arrest of 10 people from six states in connection with its probe into the abduction of two sisters from Agra in March this year. Police said the accused would allegedly lure young women, particularly minors, across states through deceitful means for religious conversion and were receiving funds from Canada and other countries to run their operations. As per UP police, preliminary investigations suggest the group's link with organisations like PFI, SDPI and some extremist groups in Pakistan. Calling on the Congress to support the government, Sawant said, 'Recently, some targeted cases are occurring. You may say they are adults…they are in love, but when there are (specific) cases of targeting, then we will have to pay attention.' Vijai Sardesai, Goa Forward Party (GFP) president, intervened, stating that the 'narrative' of 'love jihad' had been imported from the national discourse and was irrelevant to Goa's ground reality. 'If there are forced conversions, show us the data. Where is the report? Do not confuse Goans with borrowed narratives. This is about crime, not religion,' Sardesai said. Independent MLA Aleixo Lourenco, also interjected, asking the Chief Minister to clarify. 'There are no conversions happening in Goa, especially from the Catholic side,' he said. Sawant responded by saying, 'Goa's harmony has never been disturbed and it should never be. I made it clear that this is against those who are attempting to do forced conversions. Inter-religious marriages are happening in Goa. That is their willingness…their wish. But forced conversions…by giving money…should not happen.' AAP MLA Cruz Silva demanded a thorough investigation into the case, urging the law enforcement agencies to investigate how many such accused are residing in the state. 'Goa is an international tourist destination. Tourists from across the country and abroad visit Goa. Recently, a grand Exposition of Saint Francis Xavier was held in Old Goa, attended by lakhs of people. However, during the same period, (this accused)…was also staying in Old Goa and was allegedly linked to ISIS. Now that the Uttar Pradesh police have arrested her, everything has come to light. But how is it that the Goa Police and the Crime Branch had no information about her?' Silva asked.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Need to bring law to stop 'love jihad', says Goa CM
Goa: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant addresses a press conference at the State Assembly complex, in Porvorim, Goa. (PTI Photo) PORVORIM: Goa CM Pramod Sawant said in the assembly on Monday that it was time the state also brought in anti-conversion laws like Uttar Pradesh to curb cases of ' love jihad '. The chief minister said many cases of love jihad were reported earlier in Goa too, and he would release the numbers soon. "We need to bring in the anti-conversion law, and all of you from Congress need to support it," Sawant said after opposition criticised state govt over Goa Police's inability to track an accused woman, Ayesha, who was recently arrested by UP Police in an anti-conversion case. Sawant's statement was, however, opposed by Goa Forward Party's Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, who said the CM was trying to push his party's national agenda in Goa. "There are no cases of love jihad in Goa. He should give the number of such cases. We are diverting from the issue of a transnational network, which also saw activities from Goa. No Goans live in Aldeia de Goa (a gated complex where accused Ayesha's parents rented a flat) and nobody knows what the residents there are up to," Sardesai said. Sawant said the anti-conversion law would only be applicable in cases of forced conversions and would not interfere with consensual inter-religious marriages. "Conversion should not take place by offering lures like money, etc.," he added. tnn
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CM says love jihad cases in Goa, state needs anti-conversion law
Porvorim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said in the assembly that it is time Goa also brought in anti-conversion laws like Uttar Pradesh to curb cases of 'love jihad'. Sawant said many cases of love jihad were reported earlier in Goa too and he will release the numbers soon. His statement was, however, opposed by Goa Forward Party's Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, who said the CM is trying to push his party's national agenda in Goa. 'We need to bring in the anti-conversion law and all of you from Congress need to support it. Love jihad cases came to light in Goa too earlier. When we spoke about it, at that time you all said there is no such thing as love jihad. There are cases in Goa, I will put up the figures soon,' said Sawant. The CM's remarks came after the opposition criticised govt for Goa police being unable to track the movements of alleged accused Ayesha, who was recently arrested by Uttar Pradesh police in an anti-conversion case. 'There are no cases of love jihad in Goa. He should give the number of such cases. We are diverting from the issue of a transnational network which also saw activities from Goa. No Goans live in Aldeia de Goa (gated complex where accused Ayesha's parents rented a flat) and nobody knows what the residents there are up to,' said Sardesai. Sawant said that the anti-conversion law is only against forcefully done conversions and will not in any way interfere with willing inter-religious marriages. 'But conversion should not take place by offering lures like money, etc,' said the CM.
