Panaji, April 14 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday offered floral tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his 135th Jayanti and virtually laid the foundation stone for the Ambedkar Bhavan at Porvorim.

The project, spearheaded by the Directorate of Social Welfare in coordination with the Goa State Scheduled Castes and Other Backwards Classes Finance and Development Corporation, is slated for completion within a year.

"This Bhavan will be dedicated to the people by the next Ambedkar Jayanti. Our government remains committed to the ideals of Babasaheb, specifically his belief that education is the most powerful tool for social empowerment," Chief Minister Sawant said during the state-level function.

The Chief Minister felicitated meritorious students from the SC and OBC communities, urging them to compete in national-level examinations such as NEET and JEE.

He emphasised that the state provides extensive scholarship opportunities to ensure financial constraints do not hinder academic progress.

The Chief Minister noted that the government aims to reach every section of society through the â??Swayampurna Goaâ?? mission, ensuring that welfare schemes penetrate the grassroots level.

He said that the Ambedkar Bhavan would serve as a hub for social advancement and intellectual discourse for marginalised communities.

Under the Sawant-led administration, the BJP government has expanded the social safety net for backward classes.

Key measures include the â??Kanya Dhanâ?? scheme, which provides financial assistance for the marriage of daughters from SC/OBC families, and the â??Griha Aadharâ?? initiative that supports housewives from lower-income brackets.

The government has also streamlined the issuance of caste certificates and enhanced credit facilities through the stateâ??s finance corporation to encourage entrepreneurship among youth.

Official data indicate a significant increase in budgetary allocations for the Directorate of Social Welfare during Sawantâ??s tenure. These funds support the construction of community halls, vocational training centres, and the renovation of houses for the underprivileged.

/IANS