Officials visit businesses to check GST compliance
NT Reporter Panaji Officials of the Commercial Tax Department on Tuesday visited around 117 shops across the state to check if the goods and services tax (GST) rate reductions are being passed on to customers. No violations were reported during the visits. The officials visited all types of shops such as grocery stores, pharmacies, cement []
Land scam: ED arrests Suhail under PMLA
NT Reporter Panaji The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Panaji, has arrested Mohammed Suhail alias Michael under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the land grabbing scam. The ED said Suhail, an alleged mastermind in the large-scale land grabbing in the state, was taken into custody on September 22 from []
Centre eases process of selling iron ore dumps
NT Reporter Panaji Streamlining the process to sell iron ore dumps, the Union government on Tuesday specified that dumps which are in leased area up to August 31, 2025, are permitted for sale by mining companies. Earlier, the mines ministry had empowered states to allow the sale of dumps stacked in the leased area but []
Chemists seek 120-day period to transition into new GST rates
NT Reporter Panaji Chemists in the state have asked for a protection period of 90-120 days to transition into the new GST rates, seeking to ensure that those who do not stock lower MRP items are not subjected to punitive action by tax officials. With the revised GST rates coming into effect from September 22, []
HC directs resort to restore Siolim lagoon to original size
NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa directed M/s Goveia Resorts/Waterfront, Goveia Marina Resorts, Vaddy, Siolim, to remove the mud filling carried out in the lagoon and restore it to its original dimensions. The court noted that in its order dated March 15, 2024, with reference to the April 7, 2017 direction []
Unity Mall, Prashasan Stambh projects planned on area declared as wetland
NT Reporter Panaji A day after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the proposed Unity Mall and the 17-storey administrative tower Prashasan Stambh, set to come up at Chimbel, have all required permissions, chairman of the Chimbel Biodiversity Committee Govind Shirodkar said the projects are planned on land officially classified as wetland by the government []
Integrative oncology centre to be opened today in Dhargal
NT Reporter Panaji In a first-of-its-kind initiative, an integrative oncology research and care centre will be inaugurated at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Dhargal on Tuesday. A tripartite agreement will be signed between the Goa government, AIIA and Tata Cancer Hospital to start the centre on the occasion of Ayurveda Day on Tuesday. This []
Scientists call for community-driven revival of freshwater ecosystems, warn against quick fixes
NT Reporter Panaji Scientists and academics from IIT and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) have cautioned that Indias freshwater ecosystems face mounting threats that require systemic, behavioural, and community-driven responses rather than quick fixes that only worsen degradation. Speaking during a brainstorming session titled Mission Sarovar Punha Nirman: Reimagining Goas Lakes, on Thursday Dr []
Goa open to global universities: CM
Special Correspondent Panaji Stating that Parul University has become Goas first private university, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said two more private universities have been approved by the government, thus taking the total number of such universities in the state to three. The government is also open to international universities setting up their campuses []
Activist Rama Kankonkar brutally attacked in broad daylight, police arrest 5 assailants
NT Reporter Panaji In a brazen act of daylight violence that has shocked Goa, social activist Rama Kankonkar was brutally attacked by a gang of six assailants near the Childrens Park at Caranzalem on Thursday afternoon. The assault, carried out with lethal weapons in full public view, has left Kankonkar grievously injured. Police have registered []
Top scientist flags deterioration of Goas lakes, calls for urgent revival
NT Reporter Panaji Sounding an alarm over the deteriorating condition of Goas lakes, Dr Sharad P Kale, former Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) scientist and chief advisor to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on Thursday said 39 water bodies in the state have been placed under E category by the Central Pollution Control Board due to []
Filmmaker returns awards in protest against ESG grading
Special Correspondent Panaji Goan filmmaker Miransha Naik, whose Konkani film Juze won a record 14 awards at the recent Goa State Film Festival, organised by the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), returned his awards on Thursday. Naik said the decision came after the same Entertainment Society of Goacategorised his film in the lowest C grade []
Goa turning into Mirzapur: Oppn
Special Correspondent Panaji Opposition parties strongly condemned the attack on activist Rama Kankonkar, raising sharp questions over the law and order situation in Goa. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said, Goa is witnessing a disturbing trend of goondagiri by assailants who are protected by police, while questioning the Chief Minister on whether Goa is safe []
Rooftop solar systems to cost Rs 25,000 less after GST cuts
NT Reporter Panaji Solar power installers in Goa on Thursday said that rooftop solar systems will become cheaper by about Rs 25,000 for consumers, following GST rate cuts announced by the Union government. From September 22, the average GST on rooftop solar systems will fall to 8.9 per cent, compared to the current 13.8 per []
Opposition to IIT project at Codar angers CM
Panaji: Voicing concern over the pervading trend of protests across the state, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the mentality to oppose everything, including the project like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), in a literate state like Goa is not right. Speaking to mediapersons at Mantralaya, Porvorim, he said some people are opposing everything []
Traffic cops seize 21 motorbikes fitted with modified silencers
Panaji : As part of its enforcement against noise pollution, the traffic police have seized 21 motorcycles fitted with modified silencers. The drive was conducted on Monday, with traffic police across the state booking riders and owners under the relevant section of the Motor Vehicles Act. Lets join hands to keep our roads safe, quiet []
Conservationists call for protection of tiger habitat, Western Ghats ecology
Welcome Supreme Courts pause on Mhadei eco-tourism project Abdul Wahab Khan Panaji: Goas environmentalists said that the Supreme Courts decision to maintain the status quo on the proposed ecotourism project in the Mhadei-Cotigao tiger reserve area is a critical step for the protection of the states fragile ecology. Goa-based environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar described the verdict []
Schools under watch as health dept intensifies dengue prevention drive
NT Reporter Panaji As a proactive step to prevent the spread of dengue, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) has instructed in-charges of all health centres to visit schools in their respective areas, check for mosquito breeding, and destroy it if found. The schools were closed for the Ganesh Chaturthi vacation, and during this period []
Higher NMET levy adds to costs for mining leaseholders
Shoma Patnaik Panaji The Centre has increased the contribution to the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) from two to three per cent of royalty, adding to the burden on mining leaseholders of newly auctioned iron ore blocks in Goa. The change took effect on September 1. The mines ministry amended the Mines and Minerals (Development []
Hospitality sector seeks flat 5% GST on tourism services
NT Reporter Panaji With a two-day GST Council meeting ongoing in Delhi, stakeholders in Goas hospitality trade said they are hoping for a flat 5 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate on tourism services. Currently, GST on hotel rooms is 12 per cent for tariffs up to Rs 7,500 per night, and 18 []
Waves Film Bazaar to offer Rs 17L cash grants in Nov edition
NT Reporter Panaji Waves Film Bazaar, South Asias largest film market and a key platform in Indias international film outreach, has opened submissions for its Co-Production Market at the 19th edition to be held from November 20 to 24 in Goa. Held alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the market was rebranded as []
932 ST, SC, women entrepreneurs cash in on Standup India Scheme
Shoma Patnaik Panaji In an encouraging trend for entrepreneurship at grassroots level in the state, 932 scheduled caste, scheduled tribe as well as women entrepreneurs have benefitted from the Centres Standup India Scheme, under which loans running into Rs 210 crore have been sanctioned by banks as on March 31, this year. Among the smaller []
Court acquits Godinho in 1998 power rebate scam
I even stopped going to Church Panaji : A special court in North Goa on Monday acquitted Transport and Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho in the 27-year-old power rebate scam. Pronouncing the verdict in open court, special judge Irshad Agha cleared Godinho of all charges. I had to wait for 27 years but I got justice. []
Brendens 44-yr-long quest for Indian citizenship ends
Panaji: Brenden Valentine Crasto, a Roman Catholic with Goan roots and technically a citizen of Pakistan, was on Monday officially granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Crasto, a long-time resident of Anjuna, has become the third person in Goa to receive Indian citizenship through the CAA route. The citizenship certificate was handed []
SC judgment on house demolitions of accused persons reaffirmed citizens' rights: CJI Gavai
PANAJI: Chief Justice of India B R Gavai has said he was glad that the Supreme Court's ruling against the demolition of houses of accused persons without following due procedure of law upheld the rights of citizens. He was part of the SC bench that last year slammed instant ulldozer justice' and laid down pan-India guidelines on demolition of properties, saying the executive could become a judge and declare an accused as guilty and demolish his house. Speaking at a felicitation function organised by the Goa High Court Bar Association in Panaji on Saturday, the CJI also explained the reasoning behind his landmark judgment on the creamy layer in the reserved category. Pointing out to the speeches by earlier speakers during the felicitation, which referred to his historic judgments, CJI Gavai said, I am really happy that we could do something as a custodian of the Constitution for protecting the rights of citizens whose houses were demolished without following the procedures of law. He said that the buildings or houses of the people who had not even been tried by the law and who had been accused of certain charges were being demolished without following the due procedure of law. The CJI said the SC bench held that the houses did not belong solely to an accused person, yet the other family members residing there were made to suffer despite no fault of their own. Even if a person is convicted, the CJI said, he is still entitled to the rule of law. The rule of law is paramount in the country. I am happy that we could lay down the guidelines. We could prohibit the Executive not to become a judge, he said. CJI Gavai said the Indian Constitution recognises the separation of powers of the executive, judiciary and legislature. And if the executive is permitted to be the judge, then we will be hitting at the very concept of separation of power, he said. Referring to the SC judgment on sub-classification of scheduled castes, CJI Gavai said that he had been widely criticised for the judgment by the people belonging to his own community. I always believed that I have to write my judgment not by demands or desires of the people, but as per the law that I understand and as per my own conscience, he said. CJI Gavai said he had observed that when a first-generation individual from a reserved category becomes an IAS officer, the benefit often extends to subsequent generations, with the second and even third generation also entering the IAS through the same category. The question which I had put to myself was that the son or daughter of a person who gets the best education in a school in Mumbai or in Delhi can he be equated with the son or daughter of mason or agricultural labourer in a village and taking education in a Zilla Parishad or gram panchayat school, he said. He said Article 14 of the Constitution does not mean equality among unequals. What is contemplated is that unequal treatment to unequals so that they become equals, he said. Therefore, by putting a child of a labourer residing in a village and a child of chief secretary residing in Mumbai and studying in the best of the school, my view is that it hits at the very best concept of equality, he added.
Level of success is decided by hard work and commitment to profession, not by exam score: CJI Gavai
Panaji, Aug 23: Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai on Saturday said the level of success in professional life was not determined by examination results but by determination, hard work, dedication and commitment to work, and recalled that he was a bright student but would skip classes. Speaking during the golden jubilee celebration of V M Salgaocar College of Law at Miramar near Panaji, he noted that the legal education system has taken a paradigm shift. Dont go [] The post Level of success is decided by hard work and commitment to profession, not by exam score: CJI Gavai appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Kejriwals arrest in 2024 strengthened AAPs resolve to take on BJP: Atishi
PANAJI, Aug 20: AAP leader Atishi has described former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals arrest by the ED last year as a very difficult phase for the party, but insisted it only strengthened their resolve to fight the BJP till their last breath. Talking to PTI in Goa on Tuesday, former Delhi CM Atishi said when Kejriwal was taken away by the Enforcement Directorate, sleuths in connection with a money laundering case in March 2024, she went home with a [] The post Kejriwals arrest in 2024 strengthened AAPs resolve to take on BJP: Atishi appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
2 Bardez persons lose Rs 90L in trading, task-based scams
NT Reporter Panaji Two persons from Bardez have become the latest victims of cyber fraud, losing close to Rs 90 lakh in total to trading and task-based scams. In one case, police said a senior citizen, who is a retired employee, lost Rs 69.75 lakh in a trading scam that occurred between July 5 and []
Sterilisation alone ineffective in controlling strays
Research suggests broader strategies addressing abandonment, migration Abdul Wahab Khan Panaji : A study conducted across multiple sites in Goa has challenged the conventional wisdom that surgical sterilisation is effective in controlling stray dog population. According to the study, intensive sterilisation campaigns achieving 58-66% female coverage have failed to reduce the adult dog numbers over []
Chorao locals clash with pyat over ferry fare and leadership changes
Panaji: A major dispute over the Rs 15 RoRo ferry fare and frequent changes in the sarpanch post dominated the Chorao gram sabha held on Sunday. Villagers strongly opposed the panchayats decision on the ferry fare, demanding accountability. When we had asked for the fare to be rolled back, why did the panchayat take a []
Over 14% kidnapping cases remained undetected in 2024
NT Reporter Panaji Exposing the low side of crime detection rate in Goa, government figures pointed out that over 14 per cent kidnapping and abduction cases remained undetected, and that 6 per cent rape cases also remained unsolved in 2024. As per the government data, 30 murders were reported last year in which the police []
Rane discusses mangrove upkeep with Union minister
NT Reporter Panaji Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane met Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi and held discussions on ways to use funds released under the PMs MISTHI scheme for mangrove conservation in Goa. They also deliberated on the forest management plan for the state. We discussed how Goa []
CM gives mantra of innovation, involvement and investment
Unauthorised security agencies to be closed down Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said innovation, involvement, and investment form the foundation for the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goa. Addressing the 79th Independence Day state-level function in Panaji, Sawant highlighted the ongoing efforts to empower local artisans, particularly in rural areas, through initiatives []
Over 12% drop in road fatalities in 7 months
161 people, mostly two-wheeler riders, lost their lives Amresh Parab Panaji: These figures will give some relief to road users: the police said that 161 people were killed in road accidents in the state in the last seven months, a decrease in fatalities by over 12 per cent as compared to the corresponding period of []
ST quota in 2027 if election panel considers 2011 Census: Tawadkar
Special Correspondent Panaji: Reacting to the recent passing of the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of Goa Bill, 2025 in the Parliament and the granting of the Presidential assent to it, Speaker of Goa legislative assembly Ramesh Tawadkar said if the Election Commission of India considers Census 2011 to effect delimitation []
Hiring centres run by SHGs to provide drone services for farmers
10 self-help groups from various talukas identified by agri dept Padmavati Prabhu Panaji: In a bid to improve agricultural productivity, reduce drudgery and ensure sustainable farming practices, the Directorate of Agriculture aims at expanding drone usage in the farming sector. Accordingly, the state government has initiated steps to create Drone Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) to []
HC directs Margao civic body to demolish illegal room on terrace
NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the chief officer of the Margao Municipal Council to demolish an illegal structure covered by the transgression report dated July 30, 2020, preferably within one month. The registry has been asked to communicate the order to the chief officer for immediate action, with []
HC quashes 3% MBBS quota for govt, pvt sector staffers children
NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa has quashed Clause 5.7 of the prospectus issued by the Director of Technical Education, Goa, which provided a 3% reservation in professional degree courses, including MBBS, in favour of children of Central/State government employees and persons in private occupations. A division bench of Justices Bharati []
119 plaints filed against cops over misbehaviour in 5 years
Police personnel are regularly sensitised: Govt data Amresh Parab Panaji: A total of 119 complaints were lodged against police personnel before the Goa police in over five years, alleging misconduct or unprofessional behaviour by the persons in uniform. Of the 119 complaints, the police have disposed of 51 complaints while inquiry has been in progress []
Matka gambling thrives near police stations
375 cases booked in over five years; conviction in just six incidents Panaji : In the last five and a half years, 375 cases were booked by the Goa police against matka gambling thriving within the close vicinity of police stations. However, in over 54 per cent of these cases, the accused were found not []
Hyderabad couple faces brutal attack while holidaying in Goa
Hyderabad: A couple from Hyderabad faced a brutal assault while holidaying in Goa. They were attacked at the Panaji bus stand. As per the details, the incident took place following a dispute over bike rental charges. Details of the incident During their holiday, the couple had rented a bike. After using the bike, they returned Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
CM assures Assembly of action over misuse of Goan surnames
Special Correspondent Panaji Admitting that the government has received multiple complaints of outsiders adopting Goan surnames, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said that if required, the government will take necessary steps to further amend the Change of Name and Surname (Amendment) Act, 2022, so as to make it more stringent and prevent its misuse. []
Sancoale panchayat secretary suspended over procedural lapses
NT Reporter Panaji Director of Panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar has placed secretary/gram sevak of the village panchayat of Sancoale, Orville C Vales, under suspension with immediate effect following an inquiry report by the Directorate of Vigilance, Panaji. The suspension order was issued in response to a letter from the Additional Director-II of the Vigilance Directorate (dated []
Penalty upto `3 lakh for dumping waste; House clears bill
NT Reporter Panaji The state legislative assembly on Monday passed a bill amending the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garb-age (Control) Act, 1996, empowering the government to impose fines from Rs 200 to Rs 3 lakh for littering in public or private spaces. The bill also empowers the Goa State Pollution Control Board to monitor industrial waste via []
Will speak to Chief Minister over `4.5k cr green cess recovery: Sudin
NT Reporter Panaji Power Minister Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar assured the Goa legislative assembly that the state government will look into the Rs 4,500 crore pending green cess dues allegedly owed by private coal-handling firms. Responding to the demand on electricity and new and renewable energy on Monday, Dhavalikar said that the green cess on coal []
Public varsities bill set for detailed debate on Aug 8
NT Reporter Panaji The government on Monday agreed to defer the Goa Public Universities Bill, 2025, for a detailed discussion on August 8 following the Oppositions argument that the bill lacked clarity and that it cannot be cleared in a hurry. Seeking to implement the goals of the National Education Policy 2020, Chief Minister Pramod []
Opposition storms well of House over illegal structure at Old Goa
Special Correspondent Panaji The state legislative assembly was adjourned for 10 minutes during Question Hour on Monday after Opposition legislators stormed the well of the House, demanding demolition of an allegedly illegal structure within 100 metres of the protected UNESCO World Heritage Site at Old Goa. Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao led the protest, []
Sawant denies recruitment freeze at Goa University
Special Correspondent Panaji Stating that there is no recruitment ban in Goa as far as filling vacancies at Goa University is concerned, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said the government has adopted alternative measures to improve the universitys NAAC rating. The Goa government has been supporting Goa University with regards to infrastructure. For the []
Panaji : In a morale booster to the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted Goas women-led efforts in waste management, during his Mann ki Baat address to the nation. In the 124th broadcast of Mann ki Baat, Modi spoke about the Swachh Bharat Mission and appreciated the contribution of women in sorting waste []
Goas flower imports rose by over 200% in last three years
Panaji : Imports of flowers into Goa from neighbouring states increased by more than 200 per cent in the last three years due to the rising local demand, which emphasises that the government must give a strong push to floriculture in the state. Flower imports increased from Rs 3.2 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 8.4 []
GFA general body resolves cluster dispute
Panaji: The General Body of the Goa Football Association (GFA) has approved the Revised Private Football Tournament Rules, ending a prolonged dispute that had disrupted tournaments and delayed player license cards since January 2025. The deadlock centered around the cluster allocation in South Goaspecifically the Guirdolim/Chandor groupingwhich had remained unresolved even after the last Extraordinary []
Take India forward by working unitedly, urges new Governor
Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju takes oath of office Panaji: Former Union minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju was sworn in as the Governor of Goa on Saturday, succeeding P S Sreedharan Pillai. Raju was administered the oath of office at the Raj Bhavan by Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Alok Aradhe. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant []
234 foreign nationals overstaying in Goa deported in last 5 yrs
Panaji: The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Goa has deported 234 overstaying foreign nationals in the last five years out of which over 50% were from African countries. As per government data, since 2020, foreign nationals from 31 countries have been deported. African countries account for 118 such individuals, with 69 of those deported []
Over 2.25 lakh traffic challans issued in 3 yrs
Panaji: In a drive aimed at tightening road safety, the Directorate of Transports enforcement wings based in Panaji and Margao have issued a staggering 2,25,503 challans over a three-year period ending March 31, 2025. The action has resulted in fines amounting to Rs 17.56 crore being collected from erring vehicle owners and drivers. However, an []
GCCI: India-UK FTA will benefit Goa in tourism, feni exports
Duty-free exports of marine products to benefit local fisheries sector Panaji: India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is likely to significantly enhance trade and investment opportunities between India and the UK and has benefits for Goa in tourism, feni exports, and sectors such as fisheries and IT services, said the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry []
Tourism dept to appoint agency for digital influencer campaign
Panaji: The Tourism Department will soon appoint an agency to prepare a comprehensive annual key influencer programme for Goa Tourism. The move is aimed at building a strong audience community and to aggressively promote and market Brand Goa in both the international and national markets. Accordingly, the department has proposed to enhance its visibility and []
776 TB patients under treatment at govt hospitals, says Rane
Panaji: Goa currently has 776 tuberculosis (TB) patients on treatment at government hospitals, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane informed in a written reply to the Goa Legislative Assembly. The constituency of Cortalim has the highest number of TB patients on treatment, with 56, followed by Vasco, which has 55 patients. To control and eliminate TB in []
Goa Assembly passes bill to extend daily factory work hours to 10, cites 'Ease of Doing Business
PANAJI: The Goa legislative assembly has passed a bill to raise the daily work hour limit in factories from nine to ten to facilitate the 'Ease of Doing Business'. The assembly on Thursday night passed the bill seeking to amend provisions of the Factories Act, to extend daily working hours in factories and increase the permissible limit for overtime work. The Factories (Goa Amendment) Bill was tabled by the State Factories and Boilers Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar on Thursday during the ongoing monsoon session of the House. Through the bill, the government plans to amend section 54 of the Central Act, as applicable to Goa, and enhance the daily limit of working hours for adult workers from the existing nine to ten. It also seeks to amend Section 65 of the Act to raise the maximum overtime permitted in a quarter from 125 to 144 hours. The statement of objects and reasons attached to the bill said that the proposed amendments were aimed at facilitating the Ease of Doing Business by reforming and simplifying regulatory frameworks. The amendments will provide greater flexibility in factory operations and align with evolving industrial needs while ensuring compliance with statutory safeguards, according to the Bill. The government has clarified that the proposed changes do not entail any financial implications. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the House that the Bill would be referred to the President for assent before it takes effect as law.
Tonca vet hosp sees 80 pets daily, recovery rate at 90%
Shahin Bepari Lambe Panaji The Government Veterinary Hospital at Tonca is successfully handling between 60 and 80 pet cases daily, with an 80-90 per cent recovery rate achieved through consistent follow-up, said an official at the hospital. Most of the cases we receive respond well to treatment and show good recovery with regular check-ups, said []
Sudin: 50% state subsidies for residential rooftop solar panels
NT Reporter Panaji Minister for New and Renewable Energy Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavlikar said that the state government provides a 50% subsidy for installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) plants to residential consumers, group housing societies, residential welfare associations, and educational institutions. Commercial, industrial, and other consumers are eligible for a 20% subsidy. Any citizen with []
Will stop Ro-Ro services on Chorao route if pyat, MLA want: Phal Dessai
NT Reporter Panaji River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai, on Monday, said that the government will stop the roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferryboat services on the Chorao-Ribandar route, if the local panchayat representatives and the MLA give a representation to him that the earlier services of conventional ferryboats were better. Ro-Ro ferries are a new technology []
CM feels Goa needs anti-conversion law
NT Reporter Panaji Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said there was a need to bring an anti-conversion law against forceful religious conversions. Sawants statement comes in the wake of Uttar Pradesh police recently busting a large-scale illegal religious conversion racket and arresting 10 individuals, including one from Goa. Speaking on the floor of the []
Govt hikes pay of daily wage workers with 7 yrs of service
NT Reporter Panaji In a major relief to 3,000 plus daily wage workers working in government departments, semi-government bodies, corporations as well as municipalities, the state government has decided to formulate a new scheme to grant temporary status to daily wage workers, who have completed seven years of service. With this new scheme, the government []
SC orders status quo on land changes affecting 42 lakh sq mt of land in Goa
NT Reporter Panaji In a blow to the state government, the Supreme Court on Monday rejected a request to stay two judgments of the High Court of Bombay at Goa concerning Section 17(2) zone conversions and ODPs of Calangute-Candolim, Arpora, Nagoa and Parra, and directed that status quo be maintained. The apex court bench comprising []
PWD comes under fire over fund underuse, poor road work
NT Reporter Panaji The Public Works Department came under sharp criticism during the budget discussion in the State Legislative Assembly, as opposition and ruling MLAs flagged chronic underutilisation of funds and deteriorating road infrastructure across the state. Opposition MLA Viresh Borkar cited consistent patterns of underutilised budgets by the department. From 2022-23, PWD has saved []
`58.19 cr recovered from ineligible DSSS beneficiaries: Phal Dessai
NT Reporter Panaji The Data Analytical Cell of the Finance Department has been tasked with identifying Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) beneficiaries engaged in business activities, said Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai in the state legislative assembly, on Monday. Responding to a question raised by MLA Viresh Borkar, Phal Dessai said, The department also []
Stray dog menace despite budgetary provision to dept
NT Reporter Panaji BJP MLAs Krishna Salkar and Michael Lobo raised the issue of the growing stray dog menace in the state, urging the government to act swiftly. Vasco MLA Salkar said residents were living in fear of dog bites. Its scary to even walk on the roads. We urgently need regular sterilisation camps in []
State saw over 19,000 power cuts in 17 months: Power Min
NT Reporter Panaji Reflecting massive disruption in the supply of electricity to consumers, with nearly 40 power cuts per day, Goa witnessed 19,119 instances of power outages from January 2024 to May 2025. Maximum outages were reported in substation division XVI, Margao (5,276), followed by VI Mapusa (2,422) and VII Curchorem (2,254). During the same []
Cleanliness: Panaji stands firstin 20-50k population category
NT Reporter Panaji In a major achievement, the Capital City of Panaji has been ranked first in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 in the category of small cities having a population of 20,000-50,000. Also, Sankhali was conferred with the State-Level Award for being Promising Swachh Shehar, at the Swachh Survekshan Awards. The capital city has scored the []
Govt renews ban on new permits for rental vehicles
NT Reporter Panaji The transport department has issued a fresh notification placing a ban on new permits under the rent-a-cab scheme, 1989, effective since February24,2025 citing concerns over road safety and increasing congestion on Goas roads. This is not the first time such a freeze has been imposed. Authorities first initiated a ban on the []
Expert committee formed to look into land use in Goa
NT Reporter Panaji The state government has formed an expert committee, headed by senior advocate Ramchandra Ramani, to examine and recommend policy measures for the sustainable use and management of land resources in the state. The panel will also assess the impact of various developmental and other activities on non-government land. As per the terms []
Scheme to collect hidden gems from local languages
NT Reporter Panaji The official language directorate has launched the Lokbhasha Sangrah Yojana, a scheme aimed at collecting, coining, and preserving words, phrases, and expressionsespecially those that are extinct or on the verge of extinctionto ensure their continued use by future generations. A notification has said that it has been noticed that there are terms []
Goa pushes for better access to Europe
NT Reporter Panaji With the aim of having a greater say in international air transport treaties, Goa has asked to be included in all future bilateral Air Service Agreements (ASA) of the aviation ministry. Participation in ASA negotiations will boost direct long-haul flights to the state and also improve access to markets like Europe and []
State govt raises paddy assured price to Rs 25 per kg, ties it to Centres MSP
NT Reporter Panaji The state government on Thursday raised the assured price of paddy by Rs 2 per kg, to Rs 25 per kg, to addressthe burden of higher labour and other input costs faced by farmers. The assuredprice was previously Rs 22 per kg and was last revised in July 2023. The assured price []
AAP opposes bill to regularise illegal structures on comunidade land
NT Reporter Panaji Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva strongly objected to the proposed bill to regularise illegal structures on comunidade land. The comunidade is the owner of comunidade land. If somebody comes and constructs something on comunidade land, how can you legalise it? As per law, you cannot regularise these []
Arctic warming tied to extreme rainfall in India: NCPOR scientist
NT Reporter Panaji Rapid Arctic warming is influencing extreme weather events in India, including heavy rainfall and flooding, according to Dr Avinash Kumar, Scientist E at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). He said the Arctic is warming six times faster than the global average and its changing climate patterns are now []
HC: Suspended PWD employee entitled to subsistence allowance
NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa has ruled that subsistence allowance paid to a suspended employee is a right, not a bounty, and ordered the Public Works Department (PWD) to pay the pending dues. The court was hearing a petition filed by Shankar Chandrakant Gawas of Coparde, Sattari, who sought directions []
Spotlight shines on ocean research and coastal security institutions
NT Reporter Panaji The crucial role of scientific research institutions and coastal security agencies in understanding and protecting the countrys marine and polar ecosystems was highlighted during a day-long workshop for media persons, organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Goa at Old Goa on Thursday. The workshop, themed Know the Oceans around Us, was []
Tenanted farmland can be used only for farming: SC
Dismisses petition filed by Tivim comunidade Panaji: The Supreme Court has said that tenanted agricultural land can only be used for farming purposes as mandated by law. It dismissed a petition filed by the Comunidade of Tivim, which challenged the High Courts order denying permission to allow tenants of farmlands to use it for non-agricultural []
672 digital platforms, 936 SIM cards blocked
Cybercrime polices crackdown targets various illegal activities Panaji: In a concerted effort to curb online crimes such as cyber fraud, fake resort scams, gambling and prostitution, the cybercrime police have blocked 672 digital platforms and 936 mobile numbers over nine months. Between October 2024 and July 2025, a total of 672 websites, social media profiles, []
Dont breach limit on industrial plot allotment for special projects
Panaji : Goan industry is opposing any further allotment of land to special category projects in industrial estates once the internal cap is reached. Industry representative bodies the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) and the Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) said that Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) must go by the []
GCZMAs stop-work order against Bambolim retaining wall withdrawn
Panaji: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has withdrawn the stop work order and dropped the April 15 show cause notice issued to a star hotel in Bambolim over the construction of a retaining wall. The authority said that it lacked jurisdiction to revisit or revoke its earlier decision and said that the construction []
HC seeks urgent action on Fatorda sewage spill into Sal
Court takes cognisance of Navhind Times report, seeks suggestions Panaji : The High Court of Bombay at Goa has taken on record a news report published in The Navhind Times on June 26, titled Sewage from blocked chamber in Fatorda flows into River Sal, farmers threaten agitation. Advocates Gauravvardhan Nadkarni and Neha Shirodkar, amicus curiae, []
Soon, all depts to have AI-powered chatbots to address consumer queries on govt services
Panaji : The government on Monday launched the Goa AI Mission, 2027, aimed at developing an artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem in the local economy. The larger goal of the mission is to make Goan youth future-ready for jobs in the IT industry, where growth is expected to be driven by AI. As part of the []
Study finds steep decline in Goas forest health
Moist deciduous forests drop to 22.64% in 2022 Abdul Wahab Khan Panaji: Scientists have mapped the troubling forest structure dynamics in Goa, revealing a steep decline in forest health in a study. They have called for an urgent need for ecological safeguards. The study used over five decades (1973-2022) of satellite data and spatial modelling []
Quiet revolution of Prabhakar Bhide
In an age of shrinking attention spans and rising superficiality, he stands out as a cultural anchor building ecosystems while others lament their absence The cultural identity of Panaji, post-liberation, has been quietly shaped by three iconic Bs in the world of booksBhate, Bidaye, and Bhide. Among them, Prabhakar Dattatray Bhide has played a singular, []
CM favours app-based taxi bookings for safety
NT Reporter Panaji Citing a recent incident of assault and carjacking of a taxi driver in North Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said the government is actively exploring technology-driven reforms to enhance safety, accountability and traceability in the states taxi sector, which has long been criticised for a lack of regulation and digital []
Utilise mineral fund inaffected villages keysectors, Centre to states
NT Reporter Panaji The central mines ministry has directed all the states to focus on utilising money collected under the District Mineral Fund (DMF) in five key areas of health and nutrition, education, agriculture, basic infrastructure and social development in the mining-affected villages. Under health and nutrition, the fund must be spent on healthcare and []
Goas tax disputes stand at 390, most cases of govt depts
NT Reporter Panaji Withan increasing number of Goans aggrieved by orders passed by the central income tax authority, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has pegged Goas standing tax disputes at 390 cases presently. Vice-president of ITAT, Delhi, Mahavir Singh said on Friday that majority of the disputed tax cases in the state are []
Government to tweak laws to push states tourism sector
NT Reporter Panaji To give a push to tourism in the state and flourish the sector following issues raised by stakeholders of hurdles encountered in conducting businesses in the coastal belt, the state government has decided to amend laws and tweak rules during the upcoming assembly session so as to provide ease of doing business. []
