Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for Goa’s ‘Mhaje Ghar Yojana’ and several major development projects. The event was attended by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Union Minister Shripad Naik, and other dignitaries.Addressing the gathering, Shri Shah said the ‘Mhaje Ghar Yojana’ is not just a government programme but a symbol of the Modi government’s commitment to empowering citizens through reform and effective governance. The scheme grants ownership rights to thousands of Goans who were entangled in nearly 11 types of legal disputes, marking a major step towards social and economic empowerment. He commended Dr Sawant’s government for eliminating these anomalies through a single comprehensive law, benefiting almost half of Goa’s population, and for ensuring house repair approvals within three days alongside guaranteed electricity and water supply.Shri Shah recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, since assuming office in 2014, urged all states to identify people’s problems and enact laws to secure their rights. Inspired by this vision, state governments across India have enabled over 600 million citizens to gain access to basic amenities such as electricity, water, housing, and healthcare — transforming lives across the nation.Highlighting the day’s achievements, Shri Shah announced that 1 million citizens have now received ownership rights to their homes, while 21 development projects worth Rs 24.52 billion were also inaugurated or launched. These initiatives, he said, represent a significant leap in Goa’s progress and will strengthen the state’s foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth.He added that Goa’s per capita income has grown from Rs 112,073 in 2014 to Rs 357,000 in 2023–24, reflecting the state’s economic transformation under stable leadership. For the first time, Goa’s Scheduled Tribe communities will also receive reserved representation in the Legislative Assembly, following the passage of an Act by Parliament on 5 August 2025.Responding to political critics who label Goa a “small state,” Shri Shah emphasised that every Goan is an equal citizen of India. He predicted that, at the current pace of development, Goa will become India’s first fully developed state, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision.The Home Minister also lauded the Modi government’s decision to reduce GST on 395 essential items to less than one-third of previous rates, calling it one of the largest tax reliefs since Independence. The move, coinciding with Navratri, aims to ease the financial burden on families, especially women. Shri Shah urged citizens to take a Diwali pledge to avoid foreign-made goods, stating that if India’s 1.4 billion citizens choose Swadeshi products, the nation will achieve global economic leadership.He also noted that income up to Rs 1.2 million per year is now tax-free, compared to Rs 250,000 in 2014 — a move that has enhanced the purchasing power of women and strengthened the middle class. Shri Shah concluded by describing Goa as the ‘bindiya on Bharat Mata’s forehead’, urging citizens to make it a model of comprehensive development for the rest of India.