Goa: Freedom fighters to get health allowance, wards govt jobs

PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar announced a monthly health allowance of Rs 1,000 for freedom fighters and five per cent reservation in government jobs for their wards in Budget 2013-14 tabled in the Legislative Assembly today.

The announcement came even as Goa is celebrating the Golden Jubilee year marking its liberation from the Portuguese rule.

"There will be five per cent reservation in the government jobs for the wards of freedom fighters. The state government will prepare a list of eligible candidates", Parrikar said while presenting the Budget in Konkani language.

He said the eligible candidates would be provided jobs within 18 months and the criterion of their maximum age limit relaxed.

Various associations fighting for the cause of freedom fighters in Goa have been demanding government jobs for their children.

Parrikar, who also holds the finance portfolio, announced a monthly health allowance of Rs 1,000 for freedom fighters. "We can not forget the sacrifice of freedom fighters", he added.