Elections 2025

Goa Eyes Glass Liquor Bottles Ban Near Beaches Amid Complaints Of Injury

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the legislative assembly that the state government was considering a ban on the sale of glass liquor bottles near beaches and replacing them with cans.

31 Jul 2025 10:13 pm
Goa earns over Rs 1,661 crore from casinos in five years, says CM Pramod Sawant

Goa CM Pramod Sawant informed the Assembly that casinossix offshore and several onshoregenerated Rs 1,661.27 crore in recurring fees over five years. A year-wise breakdown shows rising revenue, with Rs 603.76 crore earned in 2023-24 alone. The government is now identifying alternate sites for relocating offshore casinos from the Mandovi River.

31 Jul 2025 10:13 am
Goa Earned Rs 1,661 Crore As Fees From Casinos In Five Years: CM Sawant

The Goa government has earned more than Rs 1,661 crore as recurring fees from onshore and offshore casinos over the last five years, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said in the state assembly.

30 Jul 2025 2:40 pm
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 []

27 Jul 2025 1:56 am
Ex-union minister Gajapathi Raju to be sworn in as Goa guv tomorrow

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 11.30 am, and several dignitaries, including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, are expected to be present, a state government spokesperson said

25 Jul 2025 6:39 pm
Congress Culture: Goa Chief Minister Slams DK Shivakumar Over Mahadayi Row

Responding to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's lost his mental balance remarks amid row over Mahadayi project, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday called it Congress culture.

25 Jul 2025 3:24 pm
Lost his mental balance jibe: DK Shivakumar attacks Pramod Sawant over Mahadayi project; Goa CM hits back, says it reflects 'Congress culture'

Goa CM Pramod Sawant has strongly criticized Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar's remarks regarding the Mahadayi river dispute, labeling them as reflective of Congress culture. This comes after Sawant announced Goa's intention to approach the Supreme Court against Karnataka's Kalasa-Banduri project. The long-standing dispute revolves around water diversion from the Mahadayi river, a crucial resource for Goa.

25 Jul 2025 1:45 pm
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 mo

25 Jul 2025 11:10 am
Lost Mental Balance: DK Shivakumar Slams Goa Chief Minister Over Mahadayi Row

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday hit back at Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant over his remarks on the Mahadayi river project, saying he had lost his mental balance and that the state would proceed with the project.

24 Jul 2025 7:29 pm
Goa CM Pramod Sawant Proposes Anti-Conversion Law Amid Rising Concerns Over Love Jihad Network

In a significant political development during the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant called for the introduction of an anti-conversion law to combat what he termed as forced conversions and cases of love jihad. Drawing parallels with states like Uttar Pradesh that have already implemented similar legislation, Sawant stated that Continue reading Goa CM Pramod Sawant Proposes Anti-Conversion Law Amid Rising Concerns Over Love Jihad Network The post Goa C

24 Jul 2025 11:35 am
'Backdoor sabotage, silence, & betrayal? ': Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah slams Goa CM Pramod Sawant over remarks on Mahadayi project; what is the row about?

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has strongly criticized Goa CM Pramod Sawant's remarks regarding the Mahadayi river water project, deeming them an insult to the people of Karnataka. Karnataka vows to fight for its rightful share of the project legally, politically, and morally, emphasizing the project's importance for North Karnataka's drinking water needs.

24 Jul 2025 10:11 am
Goa CMs statement on Mahadayi project is shocking, says H.K. Patil

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reportedly made a statement in the Legislative Assembly that Union Minister for Environment and Forests Bhupendra Yadav informed him that the Central government will not approve the Mahadayi project

23 Jul 2025 7:18 pm
NEP 2020 to be adopted across Goa schools by 2028, Chief Minister confirms

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will be fully implemented in all schools across the state by 2028. The policy is already in effect at the undergraduate level in all non-technical colleges. Implementation is being rolled out in phases, with teacher training programs focusing on key areas aligned with the NEP.

23 Jul 2025 12:36 pm
Goa CM bats for anti-conversion law to curb love jihad cases

Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant wants an anti-conversion law. He says it will address 'love jihad' cases. The opposition criticizes the proposal. Vijai Sardesai claims there are no such cases in Goa. Sawant clarifies the law targets forced conversions only. He says consensual interfaith marriages are not the target. The debate continues in the state assembly.

22 Jul 2025 5:16 pm
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 []

22 Jul 2025 3:42 pm
CM assures help to Goan youth detained in US

NT Reporter Panaji Stating that there are ample employment opportunities for youth in Goa as well as in other parts of India, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday assured to look into the issue of detention of Goan youth in US jails due to visa and documentation issues. Sawant was responding to the issue raised []

22 Jul 2025 3:41 pm
Need to bring law to stop 'love jihad', says Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced plans to introduce anti-conversion laws, similar to Uttar Pradesh, to combat 'love jihad' cases. He claimed that Goa had previously reported such cases and promised to release the data soon.

22 Jul 2025 4:14 am
Goa Hikes Remuneration Of Daily Wage Workers Employed In Government Bodies

The in-hand hike would be up to 51%, Goa Chief MinisterPramod Sawant said at a press conference.

21 Jul 2025 9:01 pm
Coastal Charm To Tech Ambition: Goa Rolls Out AI Mission 2027

The Pramod Sawant government has rolled out Goa AI Mission 2027, a visionary roadmap to build an inclusive and future-ready Artificial Intelligence ecosystem, officials said.

21 Jul 2025 10:19 am
GST officers detect 15,851 crore fraudulent input tax credit claims in April-June; 3,558 fake firms uncovered

A panel of State Finance Ministers, chaired by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, is currently studying tax evasion in specific sectors and looking at ways to check ITC fraud

20 Jul 2025 12:08 pm
Goa Chief Minister Launches 1st Private Solar-Electric Boat In Mandovi River

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has launched the first privately owned solar-electric passenger cruise boat in Mandovi river.

18 Jul 2025 1:56 pm
GU paper leak: Panel submits report to govt

Special Correspondent Panaji The four-member fact-finding committee headed by the retired High Court judge RMS Khandeparkar appointed to probe the paper leak case at Goa University has submitted its report to the state government. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that the panel has submitted its findings and stated that the report has been forwarded to []

18 Jul 2025 1:35 am
Tourism reboot

EDITORIAL Meeting with stakeholders must result in resolutions to major long-pending issue On Thursday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant chaired a meeting of stakeholders to understand their pain points. Several issues came up. Responding to them, he assured them that their grievances would be looked into in preparation for the next tourist season beginning in October []

12 Jul 2025 1:21 am
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 []

12 Jul 2025 1:21 am
Govt to bring bill soon to ban Pitbull, Rottweiler dog breeds

NT Reporter Panaji The state government will introduce a bill soon to ban ferocious dog breeds Pitbull and Rottweiler, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday. Stating that the bill will be brought in the upcoming monsoon session of the assembly, scheduled to commence on July 21, Sawant said the cabinet has given its nod []

10 Jul 2025 1:06 am
Goa relaunches unified online scholarship portal for students

Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday relaunched the Chief Minister Scholarship Portalan integrated online platform bringing all state and central government scholarship schemes under one roof. The portal, developed by the Department of Social Welfare, allows students to apply for pre-matric, post-matric, and other scholarships in a streamlined, single-window system. Students and institutions can []

3 Jul 2025 1:45 am
Sun, Sand & Sky-High Fares: Can Goas Tourism Buzz Beat The Airfare Blues?

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is preparing to take the issue to the Centre, seeking intervention to cap or regulate fares during the most crucial tourism months

1 Jul 2025 2:40 pm
Minister's removal from Goa cabinet: Opposition hits out at government over 'corruption'

PANAJI: The opposition parties in Goa have targeted the Pramod Sawant government over alleged corruption after the removal of Art and Culture minister Govind Gaude from the state cabinet. Gaude was on Wednesday dropped from the state cabinet, almost a month after he alleged corruption in the tribal welfare department headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The notification issued by state Under Secretary (General Administration) Shreyas DSilva did not mention the official reason for his sacking.

19 Jun 2025 10:24 am
Goa minister Govind Gaude dropped from Cabinet weeks after alleging corruption in CM-led department

Goa Minister Govind Gaude was removed from the state Cabinet on Wednesday, nearly a month after he alleged corruption within the tribal welfare department, which is headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The Goa governor accepted the CM's recommendation, confirmed by BJP's Goa unit chief Damodar Naik, although the official reason for the dismissal remains undisclosed.

19 Jun 2025 12:00 am
Goa minister dropped from Cabinet after alleging corruption in CMs department

PANAJI: Goa Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude was on Wednesday dropped from the state cabinet, almost a month after he alleged corruption in the tribal welfare department headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Gaude called the decision a reward for him on Goa Revolution Day, which is celebrated on June 18 every year. BJP Goa unit president Damodar Naik confirmed to PTI that Gaude was removed from the council of ministers. State Under Secretary (General Administration) Shreyas D'Silva said t

18 Jun 2025 10:30 pm
Aggregator Stalemate

The state needs to be firm in its resolve to put an efficient and transparent system in place Once again, the coastal MLAs had their way. On Friday, following pressure from them, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that taxi aggregators from outside the state, such as Ola and Uber, would not be introduced in Goa. []

16 Jun 2025 12:18 am
App-based platforms power one-third of Goa's taxi fleet

Goa's taxi landscape is changing. Local app-based platforms are becoming popular. Around 5,000 taxis are now on these apps. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced restrictions on outside cab aggregators. This move boosts local services like Goa Miles and Goa Taxi App. Goa Miles transports 15,000 passengers daily. The Goa Taxi App has 1,000 taxis.

15 Jun 2025 9:50 am
No entry for Ola, Uber under aggregator rules, Goa CM assures taxi unions

Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assures that new cab aggregator guidelines won't favor Ola and Uber. Local taxi operators expressed concerns about potential competition from national firms. BJP MLAs met with the Chief Minister to discuss these worries. The government will hold a meeting with stakeholders before finalising the guidelines. The aim is to protect local taxi businesses.

13 Jun 2025 4:19 pm
'Had meeting with doctors, passed all 7 of their demands': Goa CM on GMC doctors' strike

Goa's medical fraternity called off their strike after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant accepted their seven demands, addressing concerns over Health Minister Vishwajit Rane's verbal abuse of a senior doctor. The government signed an MOU, promising increased security measures and a commitment to prevent future incidents.

11 Jun 2025 9:08 am
CM urges youth to help make Goa viksit by 2037

Felicitates iconic Goan brands on 39th Statehood Day Panaji: Calling upon every Goan, especially the youth, to contribute towards the states progress by 2037, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said we can make Goem Viksit if we put in extra effort. Speaking during the 39th Goa Statehood Day celebration held at the Dinanath Mangeshkar []

31 May 2025 2:10 am
Senior BJP leaders want action against Gaude

Special Correspondent Panaji: There are strong indications that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may initiate action against Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude following his recent controversial statement alleging corruption in the department of tribal welfare held by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant himself. According to highly placed party sources, the state unit of BJP []

31 May 2025 2:07 am
Goa is now a 100 pc literate state: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant

Goa has achieved 100% literacy under the ULLAS Nav Bharat Literacy Programme, a central government initiative aligning with the National Education Policy 2020. The program targeted individuals over 15 who missed formal schooling, focusing on functional literacy skills. Goa's success is attributed to sustained efforts in education and the mobilization of volunteers, including teachers and students.

30 May 2025 5:49 pm
Joy of 10: The tale of two women naval officers and their journey around the world

On May 23, 2023, a white sail appeared on the horizon off the coast of Goa. Had it been a century ago, the bastions of Fort Aguada and Reis Magos, perched on the cliffs overlooking the bay, might have roared to life and fired upon the approaching vessel. But on that balmy afternoon, the yacht was met with a no-less thunderous applause from the Boat Pool of INS Mandovi, the Indian Navy's premier training establishment. The vessel was none other than the much-awaited INSV Tarini, a 55-foot indigen

29 May 2025 5:04 pm
North Goa temple stampede: Collector, SP shunted out

PANAJI: Hours after six devotees lost their lives in a stampede during a temple festival in Goa, the state government on Saturday ordered the transfer of five senior officials, including the North Goa collector and the superintendent of police. In order to ensure free and fair inquiry, the government has transferred District Collector Sneha Gitte, Superintendent of Police (North) Akshat Kaushal, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Bicholim) Jivba Dalvi, Deputy Collector (Bicholim) Bhimnath Khorjuve

3 May 2025 6:38 pm
Goa CM Pramod Sawant announces inquiry into temple stampede, says report will be made public

Pramod Sawant, Goa's Chief Minister, has ordered an inquiry into a stampede at the Sree Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao. The incident occurred during an annual festival, resulting in six fatalities. Sawant visited the site and the injured at the hospital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his support. The inquiry report will be released publicly.

3 May 2025 11:02 am
6 dead, over 15 injured in stampede at Lairai Devi temple in Goa

PANAJI: At least six persons were killed, and several sustained injuries after a stampede broke out during a temple festival in North Goa, officials said on Saturday. The incident occurred at Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village in the wee hours of the day, a senior police officer said. Thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka had gathered at the temple for the festival, he said, adding that the exact cause of the stampede would be ascertained after a probe. At least six p

3 May 2025 8:36 am
Stampede at Goas Lairai Devi temple: Six killed, at least 15 injured

A stampede at the revered Shri Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao, Goa, has claimed at least six lives and injured over 15 during the annual Zatra festival. Thousands had gathered for the dhondachi zatra ritual, which involves walking barefoot on burning embers. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the incident. Emergency services responded swiftly, and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited hospitals to assess the situation. The event has left the state reeling and the administration under

3 May 2025 8:22 am
Pakistan on verge of split, Balochistan will be a new nation: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Goa CM Pramod Sawant predicted the potential split of Pakistan due to Balochistan's independence push, assuring BJP workers of PM Modi's retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. He contrasted India's growing Muslim population and secular harmony with Pakistan's insularity.

28 Apr 2025 5:46 am
272 Pakistan nationals left India through Attari-Wagah border in past two days

NEW DELHI: Around 272 Pakistani nationals have left India in the past two days through the Attari-Wagah border point, and a few hundred more are expected to exit on Sunday when the deadline for the 12 categories of short-term visa holders of the neighbouring nation ends, an official said. As many as 629 Indians, including 13 diplomats and officials, have returned from Pakistan through the international border crossing located in Punjab. The 'Leave India' notice to the Pakistani nationals was iss

27 Apr 2025 3:51 pm
CM reviews govt schemes, budget implementation

Special Correspondent Panaji Chief Minister Pramod Sawant chaired a meeting with Chief Secretary and Secretaries to various government departments at the Secretariat, on Monday to review the implementation of various government schemes and budget implementation. Discussions were also held on streamlining execution and ensuring effective delivery of services to every Goan. Later, Sawant said that []

22 Apr 2025 12:59 am
Goa looking at erecting a strong start-up-orientated ecosystem: CM

Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, addressing the gathering at the 43rd Foundation Day of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) held in Ahmedabad virtually, said India is pacing fast on the path of becoming a foremost startup nation and that Goa too is looking at erecting a strong start-up-orientated ecosystem. Sawant praised Gujarats development []

21 Apr 2025 1:07 am
PM, ministers, leaders greet Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu on birthday

Amaravati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union ministers and chief ministers on Sunday extended birthday greetings to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, G Kishan Reddy, among others, wished Naidu on his 75th birthday. Chief Ministers Revanth Reddy, Devendra Fadnavis, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Pramod Sawant, Nayab Saini, and others Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on

20 Apr 2025 8:15 pm
No Bhoma house, temple will be affected by highway work

Sakhali: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday assured the residents of Bhoma that no house or temple would be demolished or endangered due to the proposed road project in the village. The residents of Bhoma have in the past few weeks upped the ante against the proposed widening of the Bhoma-Old Goa stretch of the []

20 Apr 2025 8:25 am
No new sanads to be issued for converting farmlands, says CM

Staff Reporter Panaji Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Wednesday that henceforth no new sanad (a certificate granting permission for non-agricultural use) will be issued for farmlands, as per the Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural LandAct, 2023, When mediapersons pointed out that despite notifying the new agriculture policy by the government, paddy fields are []

10 Apr 2025 1:31 am
Arresting beggars

The government must adopt short- and long-term measures to end the menace Begging activity has come into focus again. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has declared that activities such as begging, offering massages on the beach and touting would be completely banned and violators immediately arrested. In another case, an activist lawyer moved the High Court []

9 Apr 2025 1:26 am