Goa elections: Congress vows to cap fuel prices at Rs 80 per litre, bring in land reforms | Goa News – Times of India

PANAJI: Congress took a cue from the Raghunath Mashelkar report, Goa Vision 2035, and promised a “serene, cultured, sustainable, enlightened, affluent and well-governed” state. While its manifesto Avoided overambitious and populist announcements, it did promise to lower taxes on fuels so that diesel and petrol prices can be brought down to under Rs 80 a litre. Congress also promised to scrap all three linear projects at Mollem.
State party president Girish Chodankar said that Congress would form a manifesto implementation committee to ensure that all schemes are implemented in a time-bound manner.

Unlike TMC and AAP, which announced welfare schemes that will put a huge burden on the exchequer, the Congress manifesto said that “fiscal discipline shall be the hallmark” of its government.
“We will ensure that the large debt burden on each Goan placed by the current BJP government is effectively reduced over a period of time by adopting austerity measures,” stated the manifesto. The manifesto is along the lines of the report submitted by the Goa golden jubilee development council, which was headed by Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, a Padma Vibhushan recipient.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said that the Goa government will focus on job creation, and the Congress manifesto has stated that private firms will be incentivised if 50% of their employees are Goans. All government recruitment will be through the Goa staff selection commission with a common written exam being conducted. The results of the exam will be valid for a year, the manifesto said.
The Congress has also promised comprehensive land development reforms, vowing to frame a new Regional Plan for the state within two years while restricting the role of planning and development authorities to preparation of outline development plans.
“Section 16B of the TCP Act, which has become the source of corruption, shall be scrapped,” the manifesto said.
As expected, Congress also laid heavy emphasis on women-centric policies, promising 30% reservation in government jobs for women, more women police stations, dedicated public transport for women, and working hostels for women.
Congress has also promised to revamp Kadamba Transport Corporation, implement a rapid public transit system connecting Panaji to Mapusa, Vasco, Ponda and Margao, review the GoaMiles contract and promote electric vehicles.
In terms of environmental protection, Congress has promised to make every effort to repeal the CRZ notification of 2019 and revive CRZ 2011, which protected ecologically-sensitive features.
The party has also said that Goa would not be allowed to become a coal hub or a gambling hub.