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Fire risk looms over Margao new market as lapses persist
Access for emergency services vehicles severely restricted Margao: Following the incident that claimed 25 lives at Arpora, Margaos new market has come under scrutiny, with fears that a fire incident could lead to a major loss of life due to the long-standing neglect. The market has returned to focus after the government initiated fire safety [] The post Fire risk looms over Margao new market as lapses persist appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Cong-GFP win 8 of 9 seats in Salcete, AAP & RGP falter
NT Reporter Margao The Congress-GFP alliance paid rich dividends in Salcete taluka, winning eight of the nine zilla panchayat seats, thus defeating BJP, RGP and AAP in the Catholic-dominated region. The results showed that voters in Salcete largely rejected all 15 independent candidates, including former ZP chairpersons Nelly Rodrigues and Maria Rebello, despite Chief Minister [] The post Cong-GFP win 8 of 9 seats in Salcete, AAP & RGP falter appeared first on The Navhind Times .
ZP polls: Stage set for counting of votes today
NT Reporter Panaji/Margao The fate of 226 candidates contesting the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections will be decided on Monday, with counting of votes scheduled to begin at 8 am across 15 centres in the state, following a record voter turnout of 70.81%, the highest since the formation of the Zilla Panchayats in the state. The [] The post ZP polls: Stage set for counting of votes today appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Record elector participation in rural Goa
NT Reporter Margao Polling for the Zilla Panchayat elections in Salcete taluka concluded on a largely peaceful note on Saturday, barring a couple of incidents. The taluka recorded a turnout of 61.13 per cent, with Guirdolim and Davorlim constituencies registering the highest turnouts 70.75 per cent and 65.78 percent respectively. A voter from Curtorim, [] The post Record elector participation in rural Goa appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Little impact on tourism along Salcete coast
NT Reporter Margao Tourism activity along the coastal belt of Salcete continued as usual even as local residents turned outto vote in the Zilla Panchayat elections on Saturday, with most visitors saying the polling-related restrictions had little impact on their plans. Many tourists said they were aware of the elections and the rule prohibiting the [] The post Little impact on tourism along Salcete coast appeared first on The Navhind Times .
20 resorts, nightclubs inspected in S Goa after Birch inferno, says district collector
NT ReporterMargao South Goa Collector Egna Cleetus said on Friday that the enforcement and monitoring teams constituted by the government to scrutinise resorts and nightclubs for compliance with safety norms have so far inspected 20 establishments in South Goa following the Birch fire incident that claimed 25 lives. The enforcement and monitoring teams have conducted [] The post 20 resorts, nightclubs inspected in S Goa after Birch inferno, says district collector appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Low-key campaign ends; 226 candidates vie for 50 zilla seats
NT Reporter Margao The low-profile and largely complaint-free zilla panchayat election campaign across Goa concluded on Thursday, with 226 candidates111 from North Goa and 115 from South Goaset to contest 50 seats statewide. A total of 40 independent candidates in South Goa and 23 in North Goa are contesting the elections, with their political futures [] The post Low-key campaign ends; 226 candidates vie for 50 zilla seats appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Inspect entire Cape Goa resort, initiate demolition if violations confirmed
NT Reporter | Margao The Deputy Collector (Revenue Section) at the South Goa Collectorate, Rohan Loliyenkar, on Tuesday directed the member secretaries of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and the Goa State Pollution Control Board to urgently conduct a comprehensive site inspection of the entire The Cape Goa resort at Cabo de Rama, Canacona, [] The post Inspect entire Cape Goa resort, initiate demolition if violations confirmed appeared first on The Navhind Times .
From learning curve to `2.5cr clout: How ZPs quietly built rural infra
Roque Dias Margao Over the past 25 years, the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) in Goa has quietly emerged as a vehicle of rural progress, even without being vested with the full formal powers it was meant to exercise. What began as an initial learning phase gradually evolved into determination, with result-driven rural development slowly becoming visible [] The post From learning curve to `2.5cr clout: How ZPs quietly built rural infra appeared first on The Navhind Times .
In Salcete, over 21k voter forms uncollectable; Fatorda tops list
NT Reporter Margao A total of 21,818 enumeration forms have been reported as uncollectable across the eight assembly constituencies of Salcete, accounting for slightly over nine per cent, according to the report of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. These forms were categorised as relating to absentees, individuals who have shifted residence, [] The post In Salcete, over 21k voter forms uncollectable; Fatorda tops list appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Cabo de Rama resort sealedfor flouting several norms
NT Reporter Margao Following the order of the joint enforcement and monitoring committee of the government, authorities late Monday evening sealed The Cape Goa resort at Kuddi, Cabo de Rama, Cola in Canacona taluka for operating in gross violations of mandatory statutory safety requirements. Panel chairperson Maya Pednekar, appointed as the executive magistrate under Section [] The post Cabo de Rama resort sealedfor flouting several norms appeared first on The Navhind Times .
ZPs serve as launchpad for aspiring leaders
Roque Dias Margao For over 25 years, zilla panchayats (ZPs) have functioned as the first rung on the political ladder for many aspiring leaders, offering a launchpad to the legislative assembly. Conceived to strengthen grassroots democracy, these bodies have produced a steady stream of politicians who went on to win assembly seats, some even rising [] The post ZPs serve as launchpad for aspiring leaders appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Christmas jewellery exhibition draws strong opening-day response
NT Reporter Panaji The Christmas Jewellery Exhibition by the 155-year-old C. Krishniah Chetty Group opened to a strong response on Thursday at Hotel Fidalgo, Panjim, with visitors thronging the venue on the first day of the showcase. The exhibition, which will run in Panaji from December 12 to 15 and in Margao at Hotel Nanutel [] The post Christmas jewellery exhibition draws strong opening-day response appeared first on The Navhind Times .
327 candidates in fray for 50 zilla pyat seats
Panaji/Margao/ Vasco: A total of 327 candidates have filed nominations for the 50 seats in the North Goa and South Goa Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections scheduled for December 20. Nominations opened on December 1, and Tuesday was the final day for submission. Both North and South ZPs have 25 seats each, marking the sixth elections [] The post 327 candidates in fray for 50 zilla pyat seats appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Calls mount for relief in voter roll cleanup
Citizens group seeks amnesty for Goans over Portuguese citizenship Margao: The Goans for Goa (GFG) on Friday urged the chief electoral officer (CEO) to grant amnesty to three of the four categories of Goans who have opted for Portuguese citizenship. This follows the CEOs call for such individuals to declare and delete their names from [] The post Calls mount for relief in voter roll cleanup appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Sanchar Saathi helped recover 60 stolen phones: South Goa SP
NT Reporter | Margao South Goa Superintendent of Police Tikam Singh Verma said the central governments Sanchar Saathi app is proving immensely beneficial in identifying stolen or lost mobile devices, as complainants can directly enter their details on the platform. If any individual encounters difficulties in entering their information on the portal, the Goa Police [] The post Sanchar Saathi helped recover 60 stolen phones: South Goa SP appeared first on The Navhind Times .
At SFX Feast, leaders echo Bishops call for safeguarding Goa
Margao: Politiciansincluding Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemaoextended greetings to citizens attending the feast of St Francis Xavier on Wednesday at the Bom Jesus Basilica in Old Goa. I extend my warmest greetings on the occasion of the feast of St Francis Xavier to everyone. The government is actively supporting [] The post At SFX Feast, leaders echo Bishops call for safeguarding Goa appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Make deleted voter list public, demands Viegas
NT Reporter Margao Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas on Monday demanded that the Election Commission (EC) make public the list of names deleted from the electoral rolls ahead of the Zilla Panchayat elections. Reacting to the announcement that 90,000 names had been removed, he said the poll body should provide a constituency-wise breakup and place it [] The post Make deleted voter list public, demands Viegas appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Romi script suffered injustice for 37 years due to exclusion
NT Reporter Margao Global Konknni Forum (GKF) president Antonio Alvares said that although the state government provides grants to the Dalgado Konknni Akademi (DKA), this cannot justify overlooking or suppressing the demand for justice to the Roman script. He was speaking at a programme organised to create awareness at St Theresa Church Hall, ChaudiCanacona, aimed [] The post Romi script suffered injustice for 37 years due to exclusion appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Block-level officers in Margao withholding SIR acknowledgements: Cong
Margao: Members of the Margao Congress Block on Wednesday alleged that the Block Level Officers (BLOs) within the Margao constituency were failing to provide acknowledgement copies of the enumeration forms, as mandated by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process that commenced in Goa on November 4. Margao Congress Block convener Savio Coutinho said that residents [] The post Block-level officers in Margao withholding SIR acknowledgements: Cong appeared first on The Navhind Times .
S Goa gears up for PMs visit ahead of Partagali Math event
NT Reporter | Margao Elaborate arrangements have been made by the South Goa administration for smooth flow of traffic during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 550th anniversary celebrations of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math at Partagali, Canacona on November 28. Thousands of devotees, spiritual leaders and dignitaries are expected to [] The post S Goa gears up for PMs visit ahead of Partagali Math event appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Asias tallest Lord Ram statue a moment of pride for Goans
NT Reporter | Margao PWD Minister Digambar Kamat announced on Tuesday that the tallest statue of Lord Ram in Asia has been installed at Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math in Canacona, calling it a moment of great pride for Goans. Kamat said, The 77-foot bronze statue will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi [] The post Asias tallest Lord Ram statue a moment of pride for Goans appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Reservation change triggers allegations of govt manipulation
NT Reporter | Margao The Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have strongly criticised the State Election Commission (SEC)s decision to modify its November 6 notification and change reservation pertaining to the Raia ZP constituency from Scheduled Tribe (ST) to ST Women, alleging government interference and political manipulation ahead of the [] The post Reservation change triggers allegations of govt manipulation appeared first on The Navhind Times .
ZP election: BJP to field 80% new faces, candidates list next week
NT Reporter Margao The president of Bharatiya Janata Partys Goa unit, Damodar Damu Naik, on Friday, announced that his party will unveil its candidate for the zilla panchayat election, scheduled for next month, within the forthcoming week. The groundwork for selecting the candidate has been completed. The state election committee of the party has nearly [] The post ZP election: BJP to field 80% new faces, candidates list next week appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Use of private vehicles for deliveries under transport dept scanner
NT Reporter Margao The rise in home delivery of food and daily consumables using private vehicles has come under the lens of the Transport Department for alleged registration violations. Several food delivery agents from outside the state are also under scrutiny for suspected tax evasion. Sources in the Transport Department said there has been a [] The post Use of private vehicles for deliveries under transport dept scanner appeared first on The Navhind Times .
With farmers uninterested, PWD plans to use sludge to create green zone at STP
NT Reporter Margao With almost no takers for sludge generated from processed sewagedespite it being a rich source of manurethe Public Works Department may use it to develop green space within the buffer zone of the sewage treatment plant. The proposal is at the planning stage. PWD sources said that although the department has been [] The post With farmers uninterested, PWD plans to use sludge to create green zone at STP appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Major blaze guts Zuari Nagar scrapyard; fire personnel battle flames for hours
NT Reporter Vasco A major fire broke out ata scrapyard in ZuariNagar early Wednesday morning, prompting a large-scale emergency response from fire brigades across the region. The blaze, reported at around 3.15 am, was so intense that engines from Verna, Vasco, Margao, Panaji, Goa Shipyard, Mormugao Port Authority and Paradip Phosphate were rushed to the [] The post Major blaze guts Zuari Nagar scrapyard; fire personnel battle flames for hours appeared first on The Navhind Times .
Smart classrooms, solar power: Childrenpush reforms at Chinchinim bal gram sabha
NT Reporter Margao A quiet hall in ChinchinimDeussua came alive on Saturday as schoolchildren took on the role of young policymakers, offering ideas on how to improve their village. At the bal gram sabha organised by the local panchayat, students from Mount Mary High School and St Marys of the Angels Convent High Schoolspoke confidently [] The post Smart classrooms, solar power: Childrenpush reforms at Chinchinim bal gram sabha appeared first on The Navhind Times .
BLOs cannot demand docus until Dec 4, says collector
NT Reporter Margao South Goa district collector and district election officer Egna Cleetus on Wednesday said booth-level officers (BLOs) have no mandate to insist on any documentation from voters until December 4 during the ongoing Special Intensified Revision (SIR)exercise. Her clarification followed allegations by Congress leader and Citizens for Democracy Goa convener Elvis Gomes, who [] The post BLOs cannot demand docus until Dec 4, says collector appeared first on The Navhind Times .
8 DMF-funded vehicles will benefit mining-affected people
NT Reporter | Margao Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that eight vehicles procured at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore by the South Goa District Mineral Foundation would be used for the benefit of mining-affected people in the district. The District Mineral Funds have consistently been allocated for their intended purpose. These eight []
Call for separate political party to represent Goas Scheduled Tribes
NT Reporter | Margao Senior Scheduled Tribe (ST) leader and former education minister Prakash Velip on Thursday called for the creation of a dedicated political party to represent Goas ST community, which constitutes about 12 per cent of the states population. Such a party is necessary to address the communitys specific demands and ensure effective []
27 young cancer survivors take train ride to Goa for joyful trip
NT Reporter | Margao For 27 young cancer survivors, the rhythmic sound of the train rolling down the Konkan coast was more than just a journey it was a celebration of life and resilience. Konkan Railway, in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, turned the trip into an unforgettable experience, arranging a special journey []
Activists challenge CM to debate, allege he is misleading over coal expansion
NT Reporter | Margao A day after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said there were no plans to increase coal handling in the state, Goyant Kollso Naka on Wednesday accused him of misleading people and challenged him to a public debate to prove the facts. The group, which organised a largely attended public meeting on Sunday, []
Woman booked for selling govt land worth ` 2.40 cr
NT Reporter | Margao In a shocking land grab case, a woman from Loutolim sold a plot which was allotted to the Electricity Department as her own for a whopping price of Rs 2.40 crore. The woman has now been booked for the fraud by the Fatorda police. The police said that Ashish Rajput, GED []
Sewage connection mandatory for households: PWD Minister
NT Report | Margao Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat on Tuesday said that it is mandatory for every household to obtain a sewage connection, warning that failure to comply could lead to penal action, including disconnection of water and electricity connections. The minister said that under the Sewerage and Water Management Act, it []
No plans to increase coal handling, CM assures Goans
NT Reporter | Panaji A day after thousands of Goans gathered in Margao to demand that the state government stop handling of coal at the Mormugao Port and also halt its transportation and related projects in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said coal handling capacity in the state has not been increased at []
Waste-to-energy plant at Sonsoddo by early 2026
NT Reporter | Panaji A 10 tonnes-per-day (TPD) Gasification Technology-based Waste Treatment Plant will be set up at Sonsoddo, Margao, as part of efforts to introduce sustainable waste management solutions. Installation of the plant is expected to be completed by late 2025 or early 2026. A tripartite agreement for the project was signed between the []
State to implement SC order on relocation of stray dogs
NT Reporter | Margao Minister for Animal Husbandry Nilkant Halarnkar said on Monday that the state would implement the Supreme Courts directions on the relocation of stray dogs. Speaking after inaugurating the Rs 6-crore veterinary hospital at Sonsoddo, Halarnkar said, The Chief Secretary has been entrusted with the implementation of the order, and the stray []
Scores of Goans unite in Margao to demand halt to coal projects
NT Reporter Margao Hundreds of Goans from across the state gathered at Lohia Maidan, Margao, on Sunday evening to renew their demand to stop all plans for increasing coal handling and related projects in Goa. The public meeting, organised by the Goyant Kollso Naka group, brought together political and social leaders, along with citizens, united []
Chhetri missing as Khalid Jamil names 23 probables for Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh
India are already out of contention for a berth in the main tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027 after losing their previous match against Singapore (1-2) in Margao last month
Super Cup | Blasters inch closer to semifinal with easy win over Sporting Club
In the other Group D match, Rajasthan United stuns Mumbai City with a 1-0 win at the PJN Stadium in Margao
Veteran journalist and former Navprabha editor Suresh Walve no more, cremated
Special Correspondent Panaji Veteran journalist and former editor of Navprabha, Suresh Walve passed away on Monday at his Valshi residence in Bicholim taluka following prolonged illness. He was 76. The final rites were performed at the Pajwada-Bicholim crematorium, late Monday evening. Walve started his career in journalism in Margao with the Marathi newspaper Rashtramat under []
Konkani short story translated from the book: The Salt of The Earth Author: Jayanti Naik Translator: Augusto Pinto Publisher: Goa 1556 Continued from last week So far everything was going as planned. Saheb, we have reached Balli; now should we proceed to Margao or should we take the shortcut to Quepem? Shivanands reverie was []
India face must-win battle vs Singapore as Subhasish, Apuia bolster squad
Asian Cup qualification MATCH TODAY INDIA v SINGAPORE at 7:30 pm Margao, Oct 13: The Indian football teams hopes of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 hang by a thread as they prepare to host Singapore in a crucial return-leg clash at the Fatorda Stadium here on Tuesday. With only victory likely to keep []
Goas first e-witness room in Margao to ease deposition
Roque Dias Margao In a key step to ease depositions before courts, Goa is all set to launch its first-ever e-witness room at the South Goa collectorate building in Margao, enabling witnesses, police officers, public servants, and citizens to testify before various courts via high-definition video conferencing, without stepping into a courtroom. This e-witness room, []
Govt must not dilute rights under pretext of heritage structure facelift
Roque Dias Margao Nearly a decade after promises, the government has finally issued a tender notice for urgent maintenance and restoration of the dilapidated heritage Administracao building (comunidade) in Margao. However, various comunidade authorities in South Goa said the government must first assure them that ownership rights will not be diluted under the pretext of []
Fisheries dept seeks partners for multispecies marine hatchery at Benaulim
NT Reporter Margao The fisheries department has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for setting up a multispecies marine fish hatchery on a PPP basis at the existing hatchery site in Benaulim. The project covers hatcheries for Seabass, Cobia, Pompano, Shrimp, Bivalves and Marine Ornamental Fish, along with common infrastructure. According to the RFP, the []
