Goa to draft human development report

Participants at the workshop including government servants and environmentalists pointed out that the impressive economic indicators of Goa conceal a more grim reality. While education in the state is near universal, large influx of poor migrants from other states ensure that a large number of persons remain illiterate, according to a paper. Similarly tourism and mining, Goa8217;s primary industries also affect theenvironment, it was pointed out.

The quality of education churned out in institutions here has also come in for severe criticism. According to information put out by Goa8217;s planning and statistics department few students get admissions to engineering and management institutions like IITs and IIMs. Moreover no students from Goa have cleared the IAS and IFS exams, it was noted.

However, the UN representative noted that Goa was best poised for globalisation due to its long contact with the West. Dr McSweeney also pointed out that the tiny state was best poised to discuss gender equality since literacy among women stood at 67 per cent. Similarly the mortality rate among women also stood low, she pointed out.