MARGAO: Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas has said that in the last two and a half years of his tenure, no one from his constituency has got government jobs either in the PWD, Health, Education or any other department. All government jobs are being sold, he alleged and there was no place for meritorious students.
Job aspirants say that they have applied for jobs several times but they have not got any response. Even jobs in Margao Municipality are given only to people from Margao. What about us in Benaulim, they asked?
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas told O Herald, “A girl with Master's degree is coming to an MLA for a job. Why? Because all the jobs are sold. The second girl Pawar, her great grandfather, was from Orlim. They have both applied at many places. But I told them I’m not hopeful that you will get a job, bceasue all jobs are sold.
“The government must show how many jobs were given to residents of Benaulim. In my two and half year tenure, my constituents have not got any jobs in the PWD, Health, Education or Margao Municipality even for the post of LED. How many Benaulim residents have got jobs through the system? I have not paid cash for jobs nor have I done any setting with the government,” Venzy stated.
Pratibha Pawar, of Orlim, in South Goa told O Herald, “My grandfather and father are from Orlim Village. I belong to the SC ST category. Everytime there is a government vacancy I have applied, but I have not been selected.”
Showing a copy of O Heraldo, Pratibha Pawar said, “Now we hear of the cash for jobs scam. I have also seen the vacancies announced by the Margao Municipality. When I saw this I approached our MLA Venzy Viegas. But he said the jobs are given only to people from Margao. But the advertisement does not say so.”
Pratibha asked with a tone of sadness and frustration in her voice, “I want to ask the government will niz goenkars not get jobs at all? Will we get jobs by paying cash?”
Isha Anita Coutinho was equally forceful in her need for a job. She said, “I am from Navelim. I came to meet MLA Venzy Viegas for the job of an Assistant Professor. I have searched for jobs but I’m not getting a job. Colleges are saying you have no experience. I have just passed out, how do they expect me to have experience? I have a Master’s degree in Commerce.”
Showing a copy of O Heraldo story on job scams, Isha says with pain in her heart, “They are asking cash for jobs. How will we give cash? We have paid lots of money by way of fees, to get a degree. I want to ask the government. We want jobs (on merit) . What's the use of a degree if we do not get jobs?”