Difficult to get special status for Goa, says Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Thursday said it is difficult for the state to get its demand for special status approved by the Centre since it may not fit within the legal framework.

"I also feel that special status should be accorded to Goa, but we have to chase whatever is practical, feasible and possible within the legal framework. I would be happy if we got it, but I have said that it is difficult. So we are considering other options," Parsekar told reporters at Dona Paula, where he met Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan. Goa has been demanding special status to preserve its unique identity and depleting land resources. The Goa State Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution seeking such a status and the state government had also petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently demanding special status.
"We have not withdrawn our demand for special status but I would say that it is difficult," he said.

The Goa Chief Minister said that during next three years ahead of 2017 Assembly polls, the focus would be on creating private sector jobs. "During the last three years and even during the last term, we implemented several schemes. Now the priority would be job creation. After Goa's liberation, development of educational infrastructure led to educated unemployed youth. They aspire for government jobs and hence get frustrated," Parsekar said. "We have already set up an investment promotion board to welcome investors. We have asked the central government for a tax holiday. All government departments would pursue the same agenda of job creation," he said.