Panaji: To help Goan youth gain hands-on training in drone operations and maintenance, the IT department is working on a proposal to start a drone academy in Goa. IT minister Khaunte made the announcement while handing over laptops to 232 meritorious students from SC and ST communities on Monday.

Khaunte also said the IT department has worked on a scheme to provide a drone to one individual per taluka — mainly women from self-help groups — to kickstart the process of wider drone adoption in the state.

“Drones can be used for many things: Logistics, weddings, photography, agriculture, surveys,” said Khaunte. He was speaking at an event to distribute free laptops to 121 beneficiaries for the 2023-24 academic year, and 111 beneficiaries for the 2024-25 academic year.

Khaunte urged the students to use the laptops to become future-ready and work towards contributing to the digital economy.

“Look at our startup policy. It is no longer a policy that you can avail of only after you finish your education. We are here to support you if the management of your institute proposes your project. Govt is willing to support projects at the college level that come to us through the institutions. A startup is nothing but problem-solving,” said Khaunte.>