Goa

Goa SIR: EC clarifies notice to ex-Navy chief over missing details

The Election Commission of India on Monday issued a clarification on the notice issued as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision in Goa to former Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash (retd), stating that his enumeration form did not contain mandatory particulars related to the previous SIR. The ECI had asked Prakash, who has been settled in Goa since his retirement, to attend a meeting to establish his identity as part of the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls. Several netizens, including those who retired from the armed forces, had expressed concern about such a notice to Prakash, a Vir Chakra awardee for his role in the India-Pakistan War of 1971. In a clarification issued on Monday, Electoral Registration Officer Dr Medora Ermomilla D'Costa said, "In the context of media reports relating to notices issued during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), it is clarified that during the course of SIR, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) of Part No. 43 of Cortalim Assembly Constituency ...

Goa economy grew 14.94% in FY24, 'Viksit' state target set for 2037: Guv

Goa's economy has shown a positive growth trajectory of 14.94 per cent in 2023-24 (provisional) as per estimates received from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Governor P Ashok Gajapathi Raju said on Monday on the first day of the Winter Session of the state assembly. In his first address in the House since taking over as governor in July last year, Raju said the preparation of Vision Document 'Viksit Goa @ 2037' is in its final stages, adding it would act as an all-inclusive, long-term blueprint by aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Modi of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. "I am happy to state that Goa's economy continues to show a positive growth trajectory of 14.94 per cent in 2023-24 (provisional) as per the estimates received from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. 28," he said. Based on the enthusiasm and passion with which the state government was functioning, Raju said he was confident that the target of Goa becoming a developed state would

Pre-Budget meet: States push for equitable funds, higher deficit limits

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has sought a more equitable Centre-state funding pattern under centrally sponsored schemes, taking into account Goa's coastal challenges, Western Ghats ecology, and national tourism responsibilities. Sawant attended the pre-budget Meeting for the Union Budget 2026-27, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in New Delhi on Saturday. Finance ministers of various states and Union Territories and other senior officials participated in the meeting. Later, Sawant, in a statement, said the meeting involved detailed deliberations on key provisions and priorities for the upcoming Union Budget. "Goa's perspectives, demands, and developmental requirements were presented, with a focus on sustaining momentum in critical infrastructure projects," he said. The CM said Goa also sought to strengthen social welfare schemes, ensuring continued support for capital investment, carrying forward state-specific Finance Commission recommendations, and seeking a .

Goa sees record 10.8 mn tourist arrivals in 2025, foreign arrivals rise

Nearly 1.08 crore tourists, including five lakh foreigners, arrived in Goa in 2025, surpassing the numbers of previous years, as per official data. The Goa government's focus remains on promoting quality tourism, diversifying markets, and advancing the coastal state's vision of Regenerative Tourism, ensuring that its growth translates into long-term benefits for local communities, the environment, and the economy, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Sunday. In 2025, Goa recorded 1,02,84,608 domestic tourists and 5,17,802 foreign tourists, aggregating to 1,08,02,410 total arrivals, the state Tourism Department said in its data released on Sunday. Foreign tourist arrivals through charter flights have played an important role in Goa's inbound tourism, particularly from traditional source markets, it said. The data indicated that tourist arrivals in Goa, known for its picturesque beaches, have shown distinct phases of growth, disruption, and recovery over the years. In 2017, the st

HC flags access to phones in Goa's Colvale jail, orders jammer network

The High Court of Bombay at Goa has said that it shocks the conscience that mobile charging points were installed inside the Central Jail at Colvale in North Goa without the knowledge and consent of the prison authorities. In a recent order, Justice Shreeram V Shirsat took cognisance of the smuggling of mobile phones and contraband into the jail premises and asked prison officials to install a robust jammer network. The HC gave the directions while hearing a petition against Chandu Patil, who is in jail for allegedly murdering a child. Patil allegedly had called up the victim's family from the jail, issuing them veiled threats. Some swift, comprehensive, remedial and stringent measures are required to be taken by the jail authorities to ensure that such incidents do not occur in future, the judge said. The court order, which has sought a reply from the jail administration on January 20, 2026, has also pointed out that several cells inside the jail have mobile charging points, which

Goa govt waives ₹3.2 crore interest on old loans of ST, OBC beneficiaries

The Goa cabinet on Wednesday decided to waive the Rs 3.20 crore interest accumulated on loans availed by 500 beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Tribe and OBC categories around 30 years ago, and close cases pending against them with the Revenue department. These beneficiaries, however, will have to repay the loan principal. "Around 500 people had procured loans, ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, from state-run SC-OBC Finance Corporation, 25 to 30 years ago. Since the loan has not been recovered, cases against these beneficiaries are pending before the Revenue officers. "The state cabinet has decided to waive the accumulated interest of Rs 3.20 crore and close the pending cases," Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters.

Rajnath commissions ICG's pollution control vessel 'Samudra Pratap' in Goa

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) first indigenously designed and built pollution control vessel 'Samudra Pratap' in Goa on Monday. The 114.5-metre vessel, built by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), has over 60 per cent of indigenous content. The 4,200-tonne vessel boasts a speed of more than 22 knots and an endurance of 6,000 nautical miles, officials said. It will serve as a critical platform for enforcing marine pollution control regulations, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and safeguarding India's Exclusive Economic Zone. The vessel was formally delivered in December to the Coast Guard at GSL. Defence Minister Singh on Monday commissioned the ship at GSL, Vasco, in South Goa. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani were present on the occasion. Singh said this occasion is connected to India's great maritime vision. "India believes tha

Arpora sarpanch disqualified, panchayat secy sacked over Goa nightclub fire

The sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa village was disqualified, and the then secretary of the local panchayat was dismissed from service by the Goa government on Wednesday after they were indicted in a magisterial inquiry committee report on a nightclub fire that killed 25 people. In two different orders, Director of Panchayat, Mahadev Araundekar, disqualified the sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa, Roshan Redkar, and dismissed the then panchayat secretary Raghuvir Bagkar from government service. Based on the findings of the magisterial inquiry report released earlier in the day, Araundekar termed Redkar's conduct as "persistent remiss of duties." "The breach of the public trust resulted in a catastrophe, causing the death of 25 people," stated the order, passed under section 50(5) of the Goa Panchayati Raj Act. Redkar is removed from membership of the panchayat and debarred from holding any office in a panchayat for five years. The order regarding the dismissal of the then secretary of Arpora-Nagoa

Kushavati, with four talukas, to become Goa's third district: CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said the proposed third district in the state will be called 'Kushavati', named after a river that flows through the region. It will be an aspirational district in the country, he said. At present, the coastal state comprises two districts - North Goa and South Goa. Talking to reporters, Sawant said the new district will comprise four talukas - Dharbandora, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona - that are currently part of South Goa. "All the administrative works of the new district will be run from South Goa district till the infrastructure required for the new district is made available," the CM said. The new district will be named as Kushavati, a river that flows in these parts of Goa, he said. Till the time a full time collector is appointed in the nwe district, the responsibility will be handled by the collector of South Goa district, according to him. Quepem town will be the headquarters of the new district, which will be connected ...

Goa braces for nearly 500,000 tourists ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations

Goa is bracing for an influx of tourists in the run-up to New Year's Eve, as at least five lakh visitors are expected to throng the beaches and party hotspots of the coastal state to usher in the festivities, an official said on Sunday. The state tourism department claimed that the December 6 nightclub fire that killed 25 people in Arpora village in North Goa didn't seem to have impacted the activities. Talking to PTI Videos, State Tourism Director Kedar Naik said Goa is a safe destination, and people will continue to enjoy their New Year celebrations here. Popular beaches are gearing up for grand firework displays, while shacks are transforming into high-energy party zones that will keep buzzing late into the night. The state was fully geared up to receive visitors from India and abroad, Naik said. "Goa is all set to welcome tourists for the New Year's Eve celebrations. We have seen a large number of tourists coming into the state this entire year," he said. While the number of

Indian Coast Guard carries out medical evacuation of mariner off Goa coast

Earlier, the Indian Coast Guard's ship Rani Durgavati facilitated the repatriation of four Indian fishermen from Sri Lankan authorities, the Indian Coast Guard shared

President Droupadi Murmu to visit Goa, Karnataka, Jharkhand from Dec 27-30

On December 30, the President will address an Antarrajyiy Jansanskritik Samagam Samaroh - Kartik Jatra at Gumla, Jharkhand

Goa club fire: Police initiate blue corner notice against absconding owner

Surinder Kumar Khosla is the owner of the property on which the unauthorised structure housing the nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane was functioning

Goa Liberation Day 2025: History, significance and why December 19 matters

Goa was freed from Portuguese domination on December 19, 1961, and subsequently joined India. Notably, "Goa Liberation Day" commemorates the 451 years of Portuguese dominance in Goa

Goa nightclub fire: Co-owner Ajay Gupta files bail plea in Mapusa court

Ajay Gupta, one of the four co-owners of 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub in Goa, where 25 persons were killed in a fire earlier this month, on Thursday filed a bail application in a court in Mapusa town. Gupta was arrested in New Delhi by the Goa Police on December 10, following which a court in Mapusa remanded him in police custody for seven days. Twenty-five persons, including 20 staff members and five tourists, were killed in the major blaze at the nightclub at Arpora in North Goa around midnight of December 6. Gupta, who is currently in the custody of the Anjuna police, applied for bail before the District Judge in Mapusa. Senior lawyer Rohan Desai will represent him. The court is likely to hear the bail application later in the day, and notices will be issued to the state police seeking their response. So far, eight persons have been arrested in connection with the case, including Gupta, and two other owners - Gaurav Luthra and his brother Saurabh - who were deported from ...

Nightclub fire: Luthra brothers taken to Goa after court grants remand

The Luthra brothers were brought to Delhi earlier on Tuesday after being deported from Thailand, where they had allegedly fled following a deadly fire at their nightclub

Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers land in Delhi, to be presented in court

The Luthra brothers, who landed in the national capital today, will be produced before the Patiala House Court, and the officials will be seeking their transit remand, a media report suggested

Goa officials seal popular restaurant 'The Cape Goa' over safety violations

Authorities have sealed 'The Cape Goa', a prominent restaurant located on a cliff in South Goa district, for violation of fire and other safety norms, officials said on Tuesday. The Tourism Department had granted permission for one temporary private shack, but it was observed that the establishment was operating a full-fledged restaurant beyond the sanctioned plinth area, according to the sealing order issued on Monday. Continued operation of the premises without mandatory safety clearances poses an imminent, grave and real threat to human life and property, particularly in the event of fire, electrical short-circuit, structural failure, or any emergency requiring evacuation, it said. The action comes after a massive fire at a nightclub in Arporal, North Goa, on December 6 claimed 25 lives. Chairperson of the joint enforcement and monitoring committee, Canacona taluka, Maya Pednekar, on Monday issued the order to seal 'The Cape Goa', located on a cliff at Cabo de Rama Fort in Kuddi

ECI to release SIR draft rolls today: Here's how to check your name

India's voter rolls are undergoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to remove duplicate, fake, or ineligible names, including those of deceased or shifted voters

Goa nightclub fire: HC turns civil suit into PIL, seeks accountability

The Goa bench of Bombay High Court on Monday converted a civil suit against Birch by Romeo Lane at Arpora, where a devastating fire on December 6 killed 25 persons, into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) observing "someone has to be held accountable in such kind of cases". The HC also asked the state government to file a reply on permissions granted to the ill-fated nightclub. The petition was filed by Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar, owners of the land on which the nightclub stood. Converting it into a PIL, the division bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and Prithviraj Chavan said "someone has to be held accountable in such kind of cases". It observed that the local panchayat had failed to take suo motu cognisance of the club and had taken no action despite complaints. Commercial operations were going in the structure despite it being served a demolition order, the HC bench pointed out. Advocate Rohit Bras de Sa, the lawyer representing Amonkar and Divkar, was made amicus .