Congress will solve Goa's unemployment problem: Rane

Panaji, May 24 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane today said the issues of ''unemployment'' and ''all round development'' are the main planks on which the Congress is contesting the June 2 State Assembly elections.

''If the Congress is returned to power, we will provide gainful employment to the youth besides ensuring socio-economic-scientific development of the state,'' Mr Rane claimedd while addressing reporters here today.

We are moving towards participatory democracy, and the state needs scientific development through systematic developmental plans, Mr Rane stressed while drawing attention to two such plans of his government in 1974 and 2001, ''that paved the way for grassroots development''. The regional plan 2011 was however withdrawn following public uproar.

Criticising the BJP manifesto, he said it promises ''doles to the unemployed''. However, doles do not solve the greater problem, Mr Rane said while remarking, ''It is better to teach the people how to fish instead of giving them fish.'' The Congress, on the other hand, promises to generate employment opportunities through SEZs. People are opposing SEZs out of ignorance, Mr Rane said.

Mr Rane said ''house tax abolition'' as promised by the BJP manifesto is a ''populist measure''. Taxation is the main revenue earner for panchayats and local bodies, he pointed out.

If returned to power, the Congress government will evolve a new regional plan to ensure clean and green Goa, he said.

Mr Rane refuted allegations that the State was facing a financial crisis. On the contrary, the situation is sturdy, he claimed while stating that he had recently cleared a file for the repayment of Rs 100 crore loan on development bonds.

He said a Congress government would strive to usher in ''transparency in the administration''. The Goa Broadband scheme for networking the entire state was a step in this direction, he added.

Modernisation of the Dhabolim airport at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore, construction of a North-South Expressway, and setting up an international airport at Mopa, are some of the other projects to which the Congress is committed, he said.

UNI