Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 30: The Congress slammed the Pramod Sawant led BJP government in the state and alleged that the chief minister's annoucement of 10,000 jobs was just an election gimmick and the government has not made any budgetary provisions for salaries. State Congress president Girish Chodankar said that the government's financial still precarious, the state could ill-afford to take on additional wage liability.

"If the government wants to release 10,000 jobs then the financial implications is Rs 350 crore per year, if one calculates based on the minimum government wage. There is no provision in the budget for these jobs," Chodankar claimed.

Chodankar further said that rather the government should release Rs 4000 - Rs 5000 to unemployed in the state which was promised by former chief minister Manohar Parrikar if the financial situation of the state has really improved.

"Suddenly zilla elections are being planned and then the chief minister announces 10,000 jobs. It is clear that the government is trying to influence voters to vote for BJP," the state Congress president said.

Chodankar said that Congress is in favour of zilla panchayat elections given the condition the elections do not lead to increased number of Covid cases in the state.