Soon, Goa to have its state butterfly
oa has a rich splattering of 254 species of butterflies and quite a few of them are endemic to the state. Soon, Goa is set to become the seventh Indian state to have a state butterfly. The forest department has formed a committee of ecologists and has begun consultations with over a hundred scientists, conservationists and other experts.
Goa: BJP core panel for action against minister in sex scandal
A meeting of the core committee of state BJP on Wednesday called to discuss Prime Minister Narendra Modis expected visit to Goa turned stormy as some senior party functionaries raised the issue of allegations of sexual assault made by Congress against a cabinet minister.
Rainfall reported in Goa for all 12 months of 2021
With a cyclonic circulation prevailing over the East central Arabian sea, the India meteorological department (IMD) issued a yellow colour weather warning over Goa on Wednesday. Parts of Goa received rainfall on the first day of the last month of the year, due to this weather phenomenon.
Goa Airport tests 2% flyers from Sharjah, none +ve
In a bid to avoid congestion at the airport, the norms for testing international flyers at Goa International Airport were relaxed a bit with random sampling limited to 2% of flyers from not-at-risk countries, instead of the earlier 5%. In keeping with the Standard Operating Procedure and guidelines issued by the Centre, travellers picked for random testing were allowed to leave the terminal after they submitted their samples for RT-PCR testing.
Goa: 100 more electric buses to be ordered by KTC under central scheme
Goa is going to add 100 more electric vehicles (EV) to its fleet of Kadamba buses under the FAME II Scheme.
Goa: Covid testing must for international arrivals at airport, MPT
To prevent the spread of the Omicron variant, the state government on Tuesday decided to conduct a compulsory Covid-19 testing for all international passengers at Goa International Airport and Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).
Congress, GFP form Team Goa alliance to take fight to BJP
After months of uncertainty, Congress and Goa Forward Party (GFP) agreed to form an alliance for the 2022 assembly polls. While the decision was taken on Tuesday in the presence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the modalities of Team Goa, as well as seat-sharing, will be decided at the state level, the parties said.
Government nixes nod to controversial Old Goa project, panchayat issues stop order
The state government finally gave into public pressure on Tuesday and revoked the permission granted to the controversial project in Old Goa next to a world heritage site, and issued orders to stop construction work immediately
FC Goa has been forced out of their training base at Salvador do Mundo by the panchayat, which unilaterally decided to discontinue with an existing three-year agreement and dug up a concrete pitch for cricket in the middle of the two grounds.
Govt will assist filmmakers make movies on Indian culture: I&B minister
The Union information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry will soon offer assistance to filmmakers through the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) to make movies portraying Indian culture and traditions.
From tomorrow, RT-PCR tests for fliers on arrival from UK to Goa
Amid the scare created by Omicron, the new variant of Covid-19, Goa airport will start mandatorily testing travellers from countries at risk upon arrival, including passengers from the UK, from December 1. Airport director Gagan Malik also said that fliers from countries not on the at risk list will also undergo random RT-PCR tests upon arrival.
Can develop Mapusa river for tourism: Goa CM Pramod Sawant
Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said that the Mapusa river needs to be desilted. The mouth of the river has reduced drastically, he said, adding that even canoes may not pass smoothly.
Eye on 30% electric vehicles by 2025, Goa govt gives nod to electric mobility policy
With the objective of boosting adoption of electric vehicles (EV) to at least 30% by 2025, the state government has approved the Goa Electric Mobility Promotion Policy (GEMPP) 2021. The policy aims to create 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in the sector by 2025.
TCP dept starts checking Old Goa bungalow files
The town and country planning (TCP) department has started the process to review permissions and check for illegalities if any, pertaining to the construction of a bungalow on a plot owned by BJP spokesperson Shaina NCs husband Manish Munot. The TCP department has also started checking the documents submitted to the Old Goa panchayat and TCP for repairs of the structure that falls within the heritage conservation zone.
Gujarat delivers Goan football a KO blow - Times of India
Gujarat delivers Goan football a KO blow Times of India
Calangute police on Sunday said that so far this year, they have booked 450 persons for illegal touting.
Goa: Bicholim schools move up to Class VI online again
A few schools in Bicholim that had commenced offline sessions for students up to Class VI have stopped them after the education department issued a circular warning of action.
Goas resident doctors threaten protest over NEET counselling
The Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) in solidarity with resident doctors in other parts of the country, have threatened to withdraw routine services from OPDs indefinitely from December 1 if the Union government and judiciary dont take steps to expedite the process of NEET PG Counseling 2021 on urgent basis.
Goa: From December 1, vaccination drives only at health centres
With 87% of Goas population double vaccinated, in the government sector, only health centres will carry out daily vaccinations beginning December 1.
Ring Wandering takes home Iffi Golden Peacock
Japanese film Ring Wandering, by director Masakazu Kaneko, was declared winner of the Golden Peacock for the best film at the closing ceremony of the 52nd International Film Festival of India (Iffi) on Sunday evening.
A bronze to remember for Goas mini basketball team in Bhilwara
Nobody really gave thema chance.
From lounges to live DJs to selfie points, beach shacks up their game
The states beach shacks, which over the past decade have gone beyond offering just a dining facility on the shore, have gone a step ahead this season. A stroll along the popular Calangute-Baga stretch reveals that shacks now have a loungelike facility with sofas, fancy lighting, hookahs, live DJs, as well as selfie-friendly installations for tourists inclined towards social media.
Centre eases HTL norms for Goa in khazan, sluice gate areas
The Union environment ministry on Friday has issued a notification amending the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms of 2019, based on representations from Goa. The amended notification states that in cases where salt water ingress has taken place beyond the bund or sluice gate and this area is under mangroves, the area will be classified as CRZ-IA and will be protected from diversion of the land for any developmental activities.
Goa govt tells health centres to ramp up testing
Following a letter from the Union ministry of health to Goa and other states over low testing, and in view of Omicron, the new variant of concern identified by the WHO, the directorate of health services on Saturday asked all its health centres to increase testing.
Goa CM calls for debate over Indian govts delay in securing liberation
Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said that he was yet to fathom the reasons for the 14-year delay by the Indian government in securing Goas liberation from the Portuguese rule, and called for a debate over the issue.
As protests mount, Old Goa panchayat says will stop work at heritage site
The Old Goa panchayat on Friday said that by December 1, they will issue a stop work order, and subsequently revoke the construction licence of the controversial project coming up close to the world heritage site at Old Goa.
In midst of Iffi mania, Goa Votes booth spreads election awareness
Booth level officers (BLOs) from Panaji are making the best use of the 52nd Iffi, not to watch films, but to spread awareness about the system of EVMs and VVPAT machines for the upcoming state assembly elections.
Approvals for Old Goa bungalow given by BJP govt in 2016, says Vijai Sardesai
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Friday clarified that neither he as town and country planning (TCP) minister nor his Goa Forward Party (GFP) was involved in issuing permissions for the controversial house at Old Goa, and challenged the incumbent TCP minister Chandrakant Kavlekar to prove otherwise.
Velsao residents oppose survey by railway officials
Residents of Velsao, Mollo along with Goencho Ekvott and village panchayat members, on Friday stopped the demarcation work being undertaken by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) contractors who are hired by South Western Railways (SWR) for the rail doubling work.
Goa: Dont commence physical classes below Class VII
The directorate of education (DoE) has warned schools against conducting physical classes for students below Class VII, as the state government has not permitted the same. DoE has said that action will be initiated against schools violating the directives.
Goa: Two Covid-19 deaths, new cases under 50
The state reported two Covid-19 deaths on Thursday after three consecutive days of nil deaths. However, new infections have stayed under 50 for over a month now with 34 new cases reported on Thursday. At 255, Goas active case count has also continued to remain under the 500-mark.
Nets worth Rs 3 lakh seized from Karnataka fishermen in Goa
The fisheries department on Thursday found 25 high speed fishing boats from Karnataka fishing in the territorial waters of Goa within two nautical miles near Talpona in Canacona.
Showers to continue in Goa for five days from tomorrow: IMD
There appears to be no relief from unseasonal rain and thunderstorms that disrupted a wide range of activities in the state, including agriculture and tourism, as India meteorological department (IMD), Panaji, has forecast similar weather for the next five days beginning Saturday.
In urgent cases like Kala Academy, tender can be dispensed with: Govt tells HC
The government told the high court of Bombay at Goa that the ongoing Rs 39 crore structural repairs and renovation work of Kala Academy was awarded without following the regular tendering process.
Villagers demand arrest in Sacorda assault case
At least 25 villagers from Bottar Sacorda in Dharbandora taluka marched to Collem police station on Tuesday afternoon seeking the immediate arrest of Vasudev Kudshekar and his son Ravindra in connection with an alleged assault case.
22 new Covid cases, zero deaths
Provide proof of job scam, will take action: Sawant
Bio-med waste: Dentists hold protest during Nadda meet
Sunburn will not be allowed in Goa this year, says CM
Chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday that the electronic dance music (EDM) festival Sunburn wont happen in Goa this year.
Goa: BJP national president JP Nadda on 2-day visit from today
BJP national president J P Nadda will be in Goa on a two-day visit on November 24 and 25. The national president will be in Goa to address karyakartas, said BJP state president Sadanand Shet Tanavade.
Institutes in Goa to decide if Classes VII-VIII will return to campus
Following the governments approval, the directorate of education (DoE) on Tuesday issued a circular with SOPs for schools to begin physical classes for Class VII and VIII students from November 25. The DoE has said that heads of institutions and management can take their own decision about reopening taking into consideration available infrastructure and local conditions.
First charter from Russia to land in Goa on December 30
After a long wait, charter bookings from Russian destinations have commenced. Rossiya Airlines has booked slots at Dabolim international airport and the first charter from Moscow will arrive in Goa on December 30.
Goa reports 32 fresh Covid cases, no deaths
Goa reported 32 Covid-19 new cases, 19 recoveries and nil deaths on Tuesday, taking the count of active cases to 244. With 2,541 tests done, the daily case positivity rate was 1.25%, marginally higher than recorded on Monday, which was below 1%. The recovery rate was 97.9%.
Tomatoes at Rs 70 per kg, other vegetables too see price hike in Goa
Vegetable prices have soared in the retail market due to short supply caused by unseasonal rain and damaged crops. Tomato, a key kitchen staple, has skyrocketed to Rs 70 per kg, while other vegetables are also seeing a sudden spurt in prices.
Fully vaxxed cross 10-lakh mark on Monday in Goa
Goas fully vaccinated population crossed 10 lakh on Monday with 4,387 persons taking their jabs. Of these, around 685 took their first jab and 3,702 their second.
Goas active Covid-19 caseload dropped below 250 as 16 new cases and 20 recoveries were recorded on Monday. No fatalities were reported.
Classes VII-VIII can return to school on November 25: Goa govt
The state government on Monday allowed schools to conduct physical classes for Classes VII and VIII from November 25. Director of education Bhushan Savaikar said that the broad SOPs will be issued on Tuesday.
Goa: Devendra Fadnavis says BJP will field Sopte from Mandrem
BJP election in-charge for Goa and former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday that the sitting party MLA from Mandrem, Dayanand Sopte, would get the BJP ticket for the upcoming assembly election.
Goa: Active Covid cases stay under 300-mark
Thirty-one fresh Covid-19 infections were detected over the past 24 hours, with no Covid deaths. Active cases have stayed under the 300-mark for the 13th consecutive day, with 2,050 samples tested.
Man gets 3-year imprisonment for attempting to kill his wife in Goa
Principal sessions judge Irshad Agha sentenced a man to three years simple imprisonment for voluntarily hurting his wife in 2019.
Goa gets cleaner, rises to 3rd position
Goa notched up an impressive performance in the nationwide Swachh Survekshan 2021 cleanliness survey, climbing up the ranks to the third position among 14 states that have less than 100 urban local bodies.
Rain sweeps across Goa from Karnataka
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely to continue over Goa till Monday as the combined impact of a trough from the Arabian Sea and the remnant of a low pressure system over south interior Karnataka will take some time to wear off.
Glitches mar inaugural of 52nd Iffi
The opening ceremony of the 52nd International Film Festival of India (Iffi) saw many glitches, with invitees complaining of being forced to enter the venue more than an hour before the event could begin.
'Want to make India a global post-production hub for films'
We aim to make India a post-production hub of films for the world, and want to take Indias regional cinema across the globe, Union information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Anurag Singh Thakur said on Saturday.
Goa tourism department gives 50% relief on fees for various services
The demand was also made as the department had implemented a new fee structure, hiking them for various services, rationalising charges. Services that were left out were also brought under the ambit of the law.
Goa: Last 3 days of rain swells November surplus to 142%
The low-pressure area is the main system that is contributing to the rainfall, India meteorological department (IMD), Panaji, scientist Rahul M said.
Goa: Multiple accidents at Guirim, tree falls, cops hurt
The police vehicle was damaged and three personnel were injured. They had to be shifted to hospital for treatment. Three occupants of the private vehicle which rammed into the police vehicle also sustained injuries.
Goa: Taskforce for reopening schools from November 22
Chief minister Pramod Sawant, however, said that a decision will only be taken by the weekend, after discussing the taskforce recommendation with PTAs and other stakeholders.
Six cases of child abuse every week in Goa from July to September this year
The highest number of child abuse cases were reported at Mapusa police station (24), followed by Calangute police station (10) and eight at women police station.