Page 2 - Goa

Cong alleges job scam in Goa, minister asks HoDs to file police complaints

The circulation of a call recording by an individual allegedly offering to sell government jobs was intended to damage the reputation of the minister and departments involved, Rane said

Cash-for-jobs scam: Goa CM must clarify on filling vacancies, says Cong

In light of the arrests in the cash-for-government-jobs scam, Goa Congress on Saturday demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant clarify if vacancies will be filled through the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) or individual departments. Addressing a press conference, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Amit Patkar said the party will petition Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai on Monday over the job scam. Goa police have arrested at least six people for allegedly cheating people with promises of government jobs. The scam was exposed following a series of cases registered at police stations. Patkar said the state government should clarify if vacancies will be filled through the staff selection commission or by individual departments. He demanded that the government issue a white paper on the availability of jobs and said vacancies must be filled through SSC to curb such scams. The Congress leader said a high-level commission should be constituted to probe the issue. He claimed t

Man claims foreigners 'avoiding' Goa; state responds with police complaint

The Goa tourism department has lodged a police complaint, alleging that entrepreneur Ramanuj Mukherjee 'disseminated false data' to 'undermine' Goa's image

AAP seeks CBI probe into various cases of cash-for-jobs fraud in Goa

The Aam Aadmi Party has demanded a probe by the CBI or a retired high court judge into various cases of cheating on the promise of government jobs in Goa. Talking to reporters on Tuesday in South Goa, state AAP president Amit Palekar also sought an immediate halt of the process of recruitment in government departments. An inquiry should be conducted into the "scam" by the Central Bureau of Investigation. If not the CBI, then the probe should be carried out by a retired high court judge, he said. "The role of insiders in the entire scam should be probed as it does not look like some isolated cases. This is a big racket," he claimed. All senior officers, including those who are close to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, should be held accountable, he said. The Goa police have arrested half-a-dozen persons for their alleged involvement in the cash-for-government jobs scam, recently exposed following a series of cases registered at various police stations in the state. A person who was .

Goa govt aims to create 11,000 Lakhpati Didis this financial year

With the implementation of schemes for livelihood in rural areas, the Goa government has set a target of having at least 11,000 'Lakhpati Didis' in the state by the end of the current financial year, an official said on Tuesday. Deepali Naik, project director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), said under the Goa State Rural Livelihood Mission, 3,804 self-help groups (SHGs) have been formed, covering 48,306 members. "The SHGs are supported with Rs 1,952.78 lakh from the community investment fund (CIF) released through village organisations (VOs) and revolving fund of Rs 828.04 lakh," she said. A Lakhpati Didi is a member of a self-help group (SHG) who earns an annual household income of more than Rs 1 lakh. Naik said 184 village organisations have received start-up funds of Rs 137.49 lakh, and 791 SHGs have availed bank loans amounting to Rs 3,646.96 lakh. The GSRLM has created self-employment, livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities for 23,556 SHG members, she

Cyber criminals make fake WhatsApp accounts of Goa minister, another MLA

Goa's Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral have been targeted by cyber fraudsters who have allegedly created their fake profiles on WhatsApp and have been asking for money from people. BJP leader Godinho said a police complaint has been lodged in connection with his fake WhatsApp account. In a post on his Facebook page late Wednesday evening, Godinho said a false message has been circulated using his name and image on WhatsApp requesting for money through an Amazon Pay e-gift card. "The message is fraudulent and I strongly condemn such malicious activities," he said. The minister said an official complaint has been lodged with the Vasco police and the matter is under investigation. "I urge everyone to remain vigilant and not to engage with any suspicious requests," he said. In a similar cyber fraud, a fake WhatsApp account with an image of Curchorem MLA Cabral has also been created to seek money from people. Cabral, the former state PWD minister, on Thursd

Coast Guard conducts 'Sagar Kavach' exercise along Maharashtra, Goa coast

The Indian Coast Guard in co-ordination with other agencies has undertaken an exercise along the coast of Goa and Maharashtra to protect the country's maritime interests and to test the agencies' collective response to security threats, officials said on Thursday. The two-day 'Sagar Kavach' coastal security drill began on Wednesday, the Coast Guard said in a release. The Coast Guard is conducting the exercise in co-ordination with the Indian Navy, Customs, Coastal Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Mormugao Port Authority and the Goa government's Fisheries and Captain of Ports departments, it said. "The comprehensive coastal security exercise aims at strengthening and enhancing the coastal and maritime security of our nation. The multi-agency exercise takes place along the entire coastline, engaging a range of maritime agencies and stakeholders," the Coast Guard said. "The exercise will simulate realistic scenarios to test and improve our collective response to maritime ...

Cocaine in namkeen packets: How police carried out 208 kg Delhi drug bust

The latest seizure is connected to the October 2 recovery of 562 kg of drugs from south west Delhi's Mahipalpur. An absconding Indian-origin UK citizen has been identified as a suspect

BJP stoking communal tensions in Goa; attempts will not be tolerated: Rahul

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the BJP of deliberately stoking communal tensions in Goa and asserted that the ruling party's attempts will not go unchallenged as the people of the state and the whole of India "see through this divisive agenda". In a post on X, Gandhi said Goa's appeal lies in its natural beauty and the warmth and hospitality of its diverse and harmonious people. "Unfortunately, under BJP rule, this harmony is under attack. The BJP is deliberately stoking communal tensions, with a former RSS leader provoking Christians and Sangh organisations calling for an economic boycott of Muslims," the former Congress chief said. Across India, similar actions by the Sangh Parivar continue with impunity, backed by support from the highest levels, he alleged. "In Goa, the BJP's strategy is clear: divide the people while exploiting ecologically sensitive areas by illegally converting green land and bypassing environmental regulations - an assa

Sailing vessel INSV Tarini headed for Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition

The first-ever global circumnavigation onboard is to be completed by two women Naval Officers, Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa, marking a significant event

Consensus eludes GoM on GST rate rationalisation, over 100 items discussed

The outcome of the rate rationalisation discussions will be crucial in shaping the agenda for the upcoming 55th GST Council meeting, expected in November

GoM meeting in Goa: No consensus on GST proposals for real estate sector

Meeting favours States that declare tourism as infra to facilitate exemptions

Two-day GST Summit in Goa: GoM to review tax rates for 100+ products

The recommendations from this panel will serve as the foundation for a report to be presented at the 55th GST Council meeting in November

Goa CM launches GURU plan to boost innovation in biotech, tech sectors

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday inaugurated the Goa University Research Park Unit (GURU) initiative under the UniGoa Knowledge and Innovation Foundation and distributed the sanction letters to teams under the Hand Holding and Start-Up Scheme 2023-24.Taking to social media platform X, Sawant informed that the GURU initiative had provided an investment of Rs 12.85 crore to establish state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to support young innovators.He further said that the initiative symbolises the knowledge and mentorship that will propel Goa's advancement in biotechnology, healthcare, information technology, and electronics innovation."I am glad to inaugurate the Goa University Research Park Unit--GURU (UniGoa Knowledge and Innovation Foundation) and distribute the sanction letters to teams under the Hand Holding & Start-Up Scheme 2023-24. The event was graced by the presence of Vice Chancellor Shri Harilal Menon, Education Secretary Shri Prasad Lolyekar, and ...

New cruise terminal in Goa to boost tourism, local economy: Official

With a 40 per cent rise in cruise passengers in FY 2023-24, the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) expects to grow it further with the construction of the International and Domestic Cruise Terminal in Goa by March 2025, an official said. The development of the International and Domestic Cruise Terminal and allied facilities is expected to boost tourism and local economy while fostering sustainable practices and infrastructure improvements, thereby enhancing the region's competitiveness in the global cruise market, the senior MPA official told PTI. He was speaking on the sidelines of the Maritime States Development Council meeting held in Goa on September 12 and 13. The increase in global cruise liner traffic has led to a significant rise in cruise ship arrivals at the Mormugao Port, positioning it for a substantial future growth, the official said. In the 2023-24 financial year, there was an increase in calls by cruise vessels by 15 per cent and and rise in cruise passengers by 40 per c

Death of fishing labourers: Dengue, cholera rising at Goa jetty, says Rane

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday said there has been a rise in cases of dengue and cholera at a jetty in Cutbona village, where six fish workers died of dehydration earlier this week, and asked authorities to monitor and control the situation. The health secretary has been asked to hold review meetings with health officers to address the situation at the Cutbona jetty, located in South Goa district, Rane said in a media statement. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of fish workers, who died of dehydration on their return to the fishing jetty at Cutbona village earlier this week. Sawant paid a visit to the jetty on Wednesday along with state Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira and local MLA Cruz Silva to take stock of the situation. Rane said there has been a "rise in cases of dengue and cholera reported from the Cutbona jetty." The Directorate of Municipal Administration has been asked to cooperate with th

Christian population of Goa declines to 25%, claims Governor Pillai

Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai on Sunday said the Christian population at Goa has come down while the Muslim population has gone up. Speaking at an event in a church here, Pillai, a senior BJP leader, said the Christian population in Goa had come down to 25 per cent from the earlier 36 per cent. "I spoke to a senior priest. I told him that the percentage of Catholic community members has come down to 25 per cent while the Islamic community members have gone up to 12 per cent from the earlier three per cent," he said. Pillai added that he had asked the community members to "conduct a positive study" in this regard. Later at another event, Pillai clarified that what he meant was "brain drain." "I have seen certain media houses creating controversy out of my statement. I was not talking about the demography or about any particular community," Pillai said. He said the number of Catholic members in Goa have come down over the years. "When the community leaders including the pries

BJP targeting to add 500,000 new party members in Goa, says CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the ruling BJP aims to enrol five lakh new members in the state during the membership drive. He filed his primary membership form on Tuesday along with BJP Goa unit president Sadanand Shet Tanavade and Union minister Shripad Yesso Naik here as part of the party's nationwide membership drive. "Among the 12.5 lakh voters in the state, the party wants to enrol five lakh people as its members," he said. Sawant added that during the last membership drive, the party had enrolled four lakh people as its members. "Members of the party have equal rights in the BJP office as held by its state party president or the chief minister," he said. Sawant said that the BJP has been increasing its presence in south Indian states and it has clocked an impressive performance in north India. The party has already entered Kerala during the last election, and will soon have its presence in the Tamil Nadu assembly, he said. Tanavade said the first phase o

Lessons from Wayanad: Goa to impose Rs 1 cr fine for illegal hill cutting

Under the proposed amendment to the rules, the department plans to curb illegal hill cutting activities by imposing a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore, depending on the size of the plot

Goa sets up task force committee for safety of medical professionals

Goa is the first state to announce the setting up of a task force committee dedicated to safety of medical professionals, minister Vishwajit Rane said on Monday. The announcement about the committee, which comes in the backdrop of the August 9 rape-murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, was made earlier in the day. "Goa has become the first state to set up such a committee. In line with Supreme Court's guidelines, we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of doctors at Goa Medical College (GMC). The task force will be chaired by GMC Dean Dr SM Bandekar," he said. "Its members will be Heads of Departments from Forensic Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pathology, Respiratory Medicine, Emergency and Trauma, Psychiatry, as well as the Director of Academics, the Hospital Matron, representatives from the Student Council, the Advisor to the Health Minister etc," Rane added. Apart from this, the demands of the Goa Association of Resident Doctors' (GARD), like enhancing ...