Rohan Ashok Khaunte (born 25 February 1974) is a politician and philanthropist who serves as the Minister for Tourism, IT, E&C and Printing and Stationery in the Government of Goa. He also serves as a member of the Goa Legislative Assembly, representing the Porvorim constituency constituency since 2012.[2] Khaunte has previously served as Minister of IT, Revenue, Labour and Employment and Planning and Statistics and Evaluation in the Cabinet of Manohar Parrikar.
Khaunte first contested the Goa Legislative Assembly Elections in 2012 as an independent candidate from the newly formed Porvorim constituency.[3] During his political career, Khaunte has initiated several social initiatives for public welfare under Porvorim Youth Welfare Trust and Chairman of Sporting Clube de Porvorim.[citation needed] In 2017, he became the first Independent MLA to be re-elected in Goa.
Early life
Rohan Ashok Khaunte was born on 25 February 1974 to Ashok Khaunte and Sunanda Khaunte in Panaji, Goa. He graduated as an Electronics Engineer from Goa University. In his college days, Khaunte participated in extracurricular activities as well as in academics, representing Goa in cricket, basketball at the national Level, and table Tennis at the university level. He is involved in his family business which was founded by his father. He was awarded the Young Entrepreneur Award by the then Governor of Goa, Kidar Nath Sahani in 2003.[citation needed]
Before embarking on his political career, Khaunte worked on building the Shiv Samarth Group, a business entity employing hundreds of Goans.[citation needed] Since his early youth, he believed in the importance of "being in the system to change the system". After spending time on the grassroot level, Khaunte decided to enter politics in 2012 and won in the State Assembly Elections.[4]
Political career
Khaunte is currently the Minister for Tourism, IT, E&C and Printing and Stationery in the Government of Goa since April 2022.[5] He had played the role of an active opposition member pulling up the government on several issues such as traffic due to the construction of the third Mandovi Bridge,[6] beach cleaning scam,[7] special status for Coconut Tree,[8] etc.
During his first tenure from 2012 to 2017 as the MLA from Porvorim, Khaunte implemented many initiatives, making Porvorim known as the model constituency of India.[citation needed] These initiatives brought about some upgrades in the constituency such as reduced power outages, electricity in every household,[9] access to clean drinking water in every constituency, development of quality open spaces and waste management.
Khaunte has been recognized for his leadership skills. In 2013, he was selected as one of the 16 young MLAs from across the country and conferred with the "Adarsh Yuva Award"[10] by the Bharatiya Chhatra Sansad Foundation[11] headed by the former Chief Election Commissioner of India, T. N. Seshan.
In May 2016, Khaunte submitted a complaint to the Goa Lokayukta about the multi-crore beach cleaning scam and alleged that the Goa tourism minister Dilip Parulekar has received kickbacks in awarding the contracts.[12]
In 2017, Khaunte was re-elected as MLA[13] winning by a margin of 4,213 votes. The only independent candidate to have been re-elected to the Goa Legislative Assembly, Khaunte was conferred the Lokmat ‘Goan of the Year’ title that year.[14]
In 2017, Khaunte ascended as the Cabinet Minister for IT, Revenue, Labour and Employment and Planning and Statistics and Evaluation in the Government of Goa. Owing to his track record as an administrator, the then Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar him this post.
Khaunte has worked actively in Porvorim and undertaken initiatives such as LiveFree – free Wi-Fi internet services,[15] sewerage works, door-to-door garbage collection and segregation, street cleaning programs and hot mixing of roads. He has been lauded for setting up synchronized traffic signals along the National Highway that passes through the constituency. Despite no financial assistance from the government, Rohan implemented this project in record time.[16]
Khaunte has led in forming farmer's clubs in Porvorim with the objective to revive and encourage farming.[17] He has formed 16 Bhajani Mandals in his constituency. He has also supported tiatr and Goan art and folk dance. He is the founding Chairman of the Porvorim Yuva Welfare Trust,[18] which was established in 2010.
Key reforms as Revenue Minister of Goa
Khaunte introduced a single-window system to make basic documentation easy and transparent for the locals of Goa. He integrated technology to simplify common services such as availing residence, income, mediclaim, caste certificates, and various other government permissions with full transparency. He also launched the government website www.goaonline.gov.in[19] for the same.
Khaunte further implemented a disaster management system in Goa by setting up atate and district Emergency Operation Centres[20] and training and deploying task forces. He proposed a new Revenue Bhavan to streamline all the systems for a smooth experience for the citizens of Goa. He also optimized the process of Mutation and Partition, ensuring issues are resolved within 90 days with or without objections. Khaunte transferred tenancy cases to Mamlatdar court to make handling of cases efficient.[citation needed]
Key reforms as IT Minister of Goa
Khaunte implemented startup promotion policies, IT Policies and schemes[21] to boost entrepreneurship in Goa. He also launched E-tendering and auctioning for convenience and transparency, leading to a growth of revenue for ITG Infotech Corporation of Goa[22] from 10% to 45%.
Khaunte further proposed the setting up of a sustainable IT park in Chimbel village and the formation of an Electronic Manufacturing Cluster in Tuem village. He also launched Goa's first Citizens Service Centres (CSC)[23] adopted under the Right to Time Bound Services Act with a vision to reduce the time and efforts of Goans by getting rid of long procedures and bypassing all officers. He proposed the project of laying of Fibre Optic Internet to homes for providing high speed internet connectivity.[citation needed]
Key reforms as Labour and Employment Minister of Goa
Set up a skill training academy in partnership with leading corporates to train Goan youth for the changing needs of industries.
Proposed state-sponsored safe transport and night hostels for women working night shifts.
Launched 'Stri Sakhi Scheme[24]' to ensure menstrual hygiene for women working at industrial sites. Eco-friendly sanitary pad dispensing machines and napkin incinerators were installed in several schools, colleges, and construction worksites.
Introduced a Smart Card system[25] to ease the process of seeking employment for Goans. The cards had professional data of the candidates, which could be easily accessed by employers.
Launched over 17 Schemes[26] to benefit construction workers, a vulnerable segment in the unorganized sector often devoid of information and benefits due to lack of transparency.
Launched Model Career Centre[27] to connect job seekers with relevant employment opportunities.
Commissioned multiple dispensaries[28] under Employees State Insurance (ESI) Scheme, a task that was stuck in the bureaucratic processes for three years.
Upgraded Margao ESI hospital[29] with 100+ beds and 3 ICUs.
Other initiatives and contributions
Among Khaunte's progressive initiatives in his constituency of Porvorim is construction of, modern panchayat Ghar,[30] comprehensive sewage network, pathways from the road to farms for farmers, underground cabling network, and a 15-20 MLD Water Harvesting and Treatment Tank. He also took initiatives such as door-to-door garbage collection and segregation, several street cleaning programs for the locals, and several beautification projects in Porvorim such as the Art Park.[31]
Khaunte has contributed to social causes across the state of Goa from organizing multiple health camps, to donating smartphones[32] to children from underprivileged backgrounds during lockdown to access online classes. With a focus on women empowerment,[33] Khaunte has helped start multiple self-help groups[34] in Goa, most notably in Porvorim.
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