Goa Chief Minister

Goa nightclub fire: Govt widens crackdown, confirms identity of victims

Of the 25 people who lost their lives in the blaze that erupted in the early hours of Sunday, four of them were tourists, and the others were staff members

Goa committed to strengthening MSMEs under new GST reforms: Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has welcomed the launch of the next-generation GST reforms by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the initiative would strengthen India's journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat 2.0. In a post on X on Sunday, Sawant said the prime minister had urged states to strengthen the ecosystem for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), build infrastructure to attract investment and enhance manufacturing competitiveness with the vision of Vocal for Local, Think Global. Goa is fully committed to this mission modernising infrastructure, simplifying processes and empowering our entrepreneurs so that Swadeshi products shine proudly in India and across the globe, the CM said. PM Modi on Sunday asserted that the GST reforms kicking in from Monday will accelerate India's growth story, emphasising that it is a big and important step for aatmanirbhar Bharat and linking a boost to 'swadeshi' products to the country's prosperity. Addressing the nation on the eve of

CM Sawant vows to regularise native Goans' homes on government land

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said his dispensation was committed to regularising native Goans' houses built on government or community lands through various laws. The government aims to remove the fear from the minds of local people that their houses would be pulled down, he said. Addressing the state-level Independence Day function in Panaji, Sawant said various legislations moved during the recently-held assembly session would regularise the houses of Goans. "For decades, native Goans have been living in houses constructed on government land. They were always afraid of litigation resulting in demolition of their structures," he said. The government has allowed such houses to be regularised so that they are saved from the fear of demolition, he said. Similarly, there are some houses which are constructed on comunidade (community) lands that existed there for years. "We have passed a law which will help them regularise their houses by paying a certain amount as ...

National education policy to be implemented in all Goa schools by 2028: CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will be implemented in all schools in the state by 2028. In a written reply tabled in the state assembly, Sawant, who also holds the education portfolio, said that the policy has already been implemented at the undergraduate level at all non-technical colleges in Goa. The chief minister was responding to a question by BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral. He said that the implementation of NEP is underway in a phased manner in schools and will be completed by 2028. Sawant said that for higher education, the NEP 2020 is being implemented as per the directives of the Ministry of Education, UGC, NITI Aayog and recommendations of the Chief Secretaries' Conference held at Dharamshala. He said block-level training programmes were organised for teachers, focusing on key areas that are in line with the NEP.

Goa govt rolls out AI Mission 2027 to boost governance and innovation

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. The mission, a bold leap from Goa's laid-back coastal charm to cutting-edge tech ambition, aims to empower people, enhance governance and spark innovation across sectors, placing the state firmly on the digital transformation map, they said. In a recently held meeting, Chief Minister Sawant and state Information Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte appealed to stakeholders to work towards drafting the AI Mission 2027, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. Nearly 350 Information Technology companies and startups are operating in Goa, as per data from the IT department. Goa Information and Technology Director Kabir Shirgaonkar told PTI Videos that the state government's AI mission is derived from the Centre's ambitious India AI Mission. "We intend to meet various objectives through this mission, an

Opposing Indian state has become Rahul Gandhi's new agenda: Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said opposing the Indian state itself has become the "new agenda" of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress. Gandhi's remark earlier in the day that his party was fighting the "BJP, RSS and the Indian state itself" triggered a row with the BJP alleging that everything the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha does or says is in the direction of breaking India and dividing society. "So, opposing the Indian State itself has become the new agenda of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party!" Sawant wrote on X. "The Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, has forfeited any moral ground to hold or preach the Constitution to others. Earlier, the statement by the South Goa MP, claiming that the Constitution of India was "thrust upon them" is a glaring testament to the deep-seated disrespect and contempt for India and its foundational principles that cultivates within the entitled dynastic leadership of the Congress," the chief minister added. Sawant was referring

Goa government urges officials to tune in to PM Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat'

In a social media post, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant praised Goa's role as a leader in adopting progressive governance practices that have been replicated nationally

Cash-for-jobs scam: Goa CM to file defamation case against AAP leaders

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said he has started the process of filing a defamation case against AAP leaders in Delhi and Goa for naming him and his wife in the alleged cash-for-jobs scam. Sawant said Opposition parties, especially the Aam Aadmi Party, are naming him and his wife in the scam without any reason and proof while the state police are conducting a transparent investigation. "I have started the process of filing a defamation case against AAP leaders in Delhi and Goa. My wife will file another defamation case against them," Sawant told reporters at Goa Airport. Many aspirants had lodged complaints across Goa alleging they were forced to pay lakhs to some persons who promised to facilitate jobs in the state government. "I initiated action against the accused involved in the cash-for-jobs scam. The government has given a free hand to police for free-and-fair investigation in the matter," Sawant said. He accused the Opposition of dragging him and his family

Goa CM's wife has been named in bribery-for-jobs scam: Sanjay Singh

Sanjay Singh highlighted the ongoing unemployment crisis in Goa

Goa govt eyeing Rs 500 cr revenue via e-auction of unclaimed iron ore dumps

With the approval for a revised policy, the Goa government is eyeing a revenue of about Rs 500 crore from e-auction of unclaimed iron ore heaps lying on private lands, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Thursday. The state government on Thursday approved the revised Goa Iron Ore Mining Dump Handling Policy, 2023, which allows it to e-auction unclaimed ore lying in the form of dumps at various private locations in the state. The iron ore mining. a major source of revenue, has been halted in the coastal state since 2012 following a Supreme Court order. The state has now begun e-auctioning of the mining blocks. The iron ore dumps, which have been lying at various locations in the state, have remained untouched since mining operations stopped in 2012. Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, Sawant said under the revised mining dump policy, the heaps of ore that are "unclaimed on private land without payment of the land conversion fee" will be e-auctioned by the state ...

Goa CM condemns attempts to convert people under guise of healing

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday slammed religious conversions in the name of healing, saying it is unfortunate that such practices are still followed in independent India. The CM of the BJP-ruled state claimed that efforts are being made to change people's faith by offering them treatment or healing them. These practices which were started to convert tribals in the name of education or healing are continuing even after the country has become independent, Sawant said, addressing the state-level function to mark the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda at Sankhalim in North Goa. Birsa Munda's birth anniversary is observed as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Divas'. Referring to religious conversions, the CM said a bhul bhulaiya (maze) has been created and people should be cautious about such preachers who indulge in the practice under the guise of healing. Before Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge in 2014, Sawant claimed that the British-era practice of converting ..

'One nation, one election' cost-effective, governance-friendly: Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has termed as "historic" the Union cabinet's approval of the 'one nation, one election' proposal, and claimed that the move will be cost-effective and governance-friendly. The Union cabinet on Wednesday accepted the recommendations of a high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind for holding simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies in a phased manner after a countrywide consensus-building exercise. Talking to PTI on Friday, CM Sawant said, "I welcome 'one nation, one election'. It is a historic decision taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has taken several historic decisions, including the abrogation of Article 370." "Frequently-held elections result in the breakdown of governance due to the model code of conduct. But holding elections pan-India at one time for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will save the nation from frequently imposed code of conduct," he said. The move is also ...

Goa's fiscal parameters improved under CM Pramod Sawant post Covid yrs: CAG

The CAG has appreciated the Pramod Sawant government's efforts in improving fiscal parameters, including increasing revenue surplus and bringing down fiscal deficit to GSDP ratio in the post-COVID years. A report of the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) till March 31, 2023, was tabled during the just-concluded session of the Goa Legislative Assembly. In an important achievement for the Sawant government, the CAG stated the state has succeeded in improving fiscal parameters like revenue, fiscal and primary deficits etc.\, compared to the previous four years. The report focused on the achievements of Chief Minister Sawant and the Finance Department team in improving the health of state finances very effectively post the COVID pandemic. The analysis of the report makes it clear that Sawant has been a very effective Finance Minister and achieved a majority of targets under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act and Rules. The report pointed out tremendous improveme

CAA rules: Goa CM lauds PM Modi for accelerating way for implementation

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for notifying rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and accelerating the pathway for citizenship rights. The Centre on Monday announced the implementation of the CAA 2019, a move coming four years after the contentious law was passed by Parliament and paving the way for citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. With this, the government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from the three countries. In a post on X on Monday, CM Sawant hailed the Centre's move. "It is a remarkable day in the history of Bharat, as the Citizenship Amendment Act rules are notified!" he said. "I thank and congratulate Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, for notification of CAA rules, accelerating pathway to get citizenship rights to persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians of Pakistan, Bangladesh,

Midnight masses, celebrations on beaches mark Christmas festivities in Goa

Prayers, midnight masses and carols sung in praise of Lord Jesus ushered in the Christmas festivities in Goa where several people gathered at churches and beaches for the celebrations held throughout the night. The streets of capital city Panaji were crowded with people who participated in the celebrations till the early hours of Monday after attending the midnight masses in churches. The famous Church Square in the heart of Panaji turned into a sea of people, as a large number of tourists have also arrived for the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the coastal state, which has about 30 per cent Christian population. Keeping with the festive spirit, Goans decked up their houses in colourful lights and put up beautifully decorated cribs, depicting the birth of Lord Jesus. At Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji, devotees started gathering from 11 pm on Sunday to attend the prayers. With the ringing of bells at midnight, the birth of Lord Jesus was celebrated a

As LS elections draw close, deeper scrutiny of anti-defection law is needed

Should the anti-defection law in India exist only to prevent democratically elected governments from being toppled?

After inviting Oppn wrath, Goa govt says free LPG only for the poor

The BJP government in Goa is under attack from the opposition and has also invited the public's wrath for not fulfilling its poll promise of '3 free LPG cylinders'

'Goa ki Baat' programme on 3rd Saturday of every month: CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that his government will start 'Goa Ki Baat' on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'

Three departments taking measures to reduce road accidents: Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that three departments of his government are taking measures to reduce road accidents, which are on the rise since last one month

There will not be compromise on Mahadayi issue: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said there will no be compromise on the Mahadayi issue and that his government was working to protect the river water from being diverted. Goa and neighbouring Karnataka have been engaged in a tussle over sharing of the river water for several years. Goa has often accused Karnataka of proceeding unilaterally in the matter by ignoring pacts. Opposition parties in Goa on Saturday sought the resignation of CM Sawant over the comment of Union Home Minister Amit Shah that the Mahadayi river water dispute between Karnataka and Goa had been resolved. Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Sawant said Goa has a strong legal standing in the Supreme Court on the issue. "There will be no compromise on it and the government has been working to protect the Mahadayi river water from being diverted," he said. Addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'Jana Sankalp Yatre' in Belagavi in Karnataka on Saturday, Union minister Amit Shah had said, "I want to te