In a bid to address rising unemployment among educated youth in Canacona, Janasena Warriors, under the banner of Vision & Mission… Progressive Canacona, have taken up the cause of ensuring local empowerment and job opportunities. The group recently met with the management of two prominent resorts, Lalit Golf & Spa Beach Resort and Hotel Cloud-9, to submit a memorandum outlining their key demands.
The memorandum strongly urged the resorts to reserve 75% of their jobs for local youths (Bhumiputras), award supply and other contracts to local businesses, and address harassment and discrimination faced by local employees. They also demanded immediate resolution of issues such as taxi parking for local drivers, support for locals running businesses in beach areas, and measures to curb pollution and improve sewage systems near the resorts.
Speaking on the issue, the group emphasized that Canconkars have made significant sacrifices, including land and resources, for the establishment of these resorts, and it is imperative that the local community benefits proportionately. They highlighted the increasing financial struggles of families due to limited job opportunities, particularly in the government sector, and pointed to the private sector as a critical avenue for economic stability in the region.
The delegation, led by Janasena Goa Supremo Janardhan Bhandari and accompanied by Shubham Komarpant (Councillor, CMC), Vaishnav Pednekar (Convenor, Janasena Canacona), and Cleston Viegas (Co-Convenor, Janasena Canacona), has given the resorts a 7-day ultimatum to fulfill their demands. The group warned that failure to address these concerns would lead to further action in a democratic and peaceful manner.
The initiative marks a concerted effort to bridge the gap between the local community and businesses thriving in Canacona, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism are shared equitably.
