PANAJI: Promising to root out corruption and providing clean governance in the state, the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Parrikar called upon the people in the state to lend their full support to his government to eradicate corruption.

Addressing Goans at the state-level Independence Day function at the old secretariat, the Chief Minister said the neglect of administration led to widespread corruption during the previous two regimes over the past seven years, which in turn came in way of development and progress of the state.

Highlighting various schemes initiated by his government and announced in the state budget for the development of state and its progress, Mr Parrikar said that his government would ensure proper development and progress of all, including the backward classes, while ensuring protection of environment. He said that his government has already started working for the welfare of the Goans.

He claimed that ever since he has taken over as the Chief Minister corruption has been reduced to a large extent in upper bureaucracy and whatever is prevalent in the lower bureaucracy would be rooted out soon, and by the next Independence Day his government would be providing totally corruption free and clean administration.

Stating that corruption in any form would not be tolerated by his government, he went on to add that no one involved in corruption would be spared and that strictest action would be taken against the corrupt. He also said that dedicated work was necessary for the development and progress of the state and its people.

The Chief Minister further said that it was necessary to have knowledge with character, politics with principles and vision with direction for providing good administration or else one could head towards destruction.

He highlighted the efforts of his government to make Goa an educational hub and also to create new employment opportunities to unemployed youth. He also recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters and paid homage to them.

Mr Parrikar presented President’s Home Guard and Civil Defence Medal for meritorious service to Mr John Aguiar, honorary company commander of Home Guards, Panaji Division and President’s Medal to retired police sub-inspector, Mr Suresh Jairam Raut, for their meritorious services on the occasion.

He also honoured Mr Nandakumar Parab, range forest officer and Mr Laxman Pendse, forest guard for their meritorious services.