Page 17 - Goa

Goa govt notifies modified interest rebate scheme to boost economic growth

The Goa government believes the modified interest rebate scheme, notified on Tuesday, will create a conducive environment for entrepreneurs, boost employment opportunities, and drive overall economic growth in the coastal state. The Mukhyamantri Modified Interest Rebate Scheme was announced in the Budget to promote industrial development. A senior official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the new scheme is aimed at encouraging investments in various sectors and promoting industrial development in the state, including the industrially underdeveloped talukas. He said the scheme reflects the state government's commitment to ensuring inclusive growth and equal opportunities for entrepreneurs across all regions. The scheme will be implemented for a period of five years, starting from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028, and it applies to both new and existing industrial/MSME loans disbursed by EDC (Economic Development Corporation). He said that as per the scheme, the units locat

Take action against officers responsible for supplying spoiled rice: GFP

In August last year, the Civil Supplies Department drew criticism after 241 tonnes of 'toor daal' was found spoiled in its warehouses

Low-cost airline IndiGo to run flight from Goa to Dehradun from May 23

Low-cost airline IndiGo will run a direct flight from Goa to Dehradun (Uttarakhand) connecting both the tourist destinations from May 23. The flight between Manohar International Airport (Mopa) in Goa and Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) in Uttarakhand will be operated by IndiGo. Goa tourism minister Rohan Khaunte is scheduled to board the first direct flight on May 23 to mark the beginning of a collaboration between the two states, an official of Goa tourism department said. "The new direct flight route is set to provide an easy and convenient way for tourists to travel between Goa and Uttarakhand and explore the unique cultural and natural attractions of both states," the official said. In a media statement released here, Khaunte said, "I am delighted about the commencement of direct flights between Goa and Uttarakhand, which will help in promoting spiritual tourism in Goa under the vision of Dakshin Kashi." He said that Goa has several archaeologically important temples that tour

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Goa ration card holders get rice swarming with maggots, mites, fungus

Goa's Department of Civil Supplies has now once again drawn attention over alleged mismanagement by supplying rice infested with maggots, mites and fungus to ration card holders in the coastal state

SpiceJet suspends flight operations from Ahmedabad-Goa for a month

The bench led by NCLT President Ramalingam Sudhakar directed SpiceJet to attend the hearing on the given date

India highlights inclusive, sustainable development agenda at G20 DWG meet

India has put forth an ambitious agenda for the G20 Development Working Group (DWG) which aims to bring inclusive and sustainable development, a senior Central government official told delegates from various countries on the first day of the DWG meeting in Goa. More than 80 delegates from member countries and nine invitee countries and various international and regional organisations are attending the three-day meeting. The meeting was co-chaired by India's DWG Co-Chairs Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretaries Nagaraj K. Naidu and Eenam Gambhir. "India has put forth an ambitious agenda for the DWG that aims to bring inclusive and sustainable development and accelerating achievement of SDGs at the forefront," Secretary (Economic Relations) of the Ministry of External Affairs, Dammu Ravi, told the delegates in a video address. Ravi stated that the outcome documents proposed by India including High-Level Principles (HLPs) for Data for Development, HLPs for LiFE and Action Plan

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Goa declares paid holiday on K'taka poll day; Oppn, industry bodies fume

The BJP government in Goa has declared May 10 as a paid holiday, which will also cover private establishments and industrial workers, in view of voting for the Assembly polls scheduled in neighbouring Karnataka. However, the Pramod Sawant government's decision has not gone down well with Opposition parties and industry bodies. Goa State Industries Association said they may have to take legal recourse against the holiday. But, a senior official from Goa Chief Minister's Office said it is a practice to give a holiday when there are elections in neighbouring states. He claimed a holiday was declared in Karnataka on the day of polling in Goa last year. The Goa government on Monday issued a notification declaring May 10 as paid holiday owing to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections. The holiday was extended to government servants and also those working in private establishments including industrial workers, it said. Goa State Industries Association president Damodar Kochkar ...

Goa announces paid holiday on Karnataka polls day, Opposition fumes

The BJP government in Goa has declared May 10 as paid holiday, which will also cover private establishments and industrial workers, in view of voting for Assembly polls scheduled in neighbouring Karnataka on that day. However, this decision of the Pramod Sawant government has not gone down well with Opposition parties and industry bodies. Goa State Industries Association said they may have to take legal recourse against the holiday. The government on Monday issued a notification declaring May 10 as paid holiday owing to elections for Legislative Assembly in Karnataka. The holiday was extended to government servants and also those working in private establishments including industrial workers, it said. Goa State Industries Association president Damodar Kochkar questioned the rationale behind the state government's "absurd" decision. Industries in Goa feel this is absolutely absurd and stupid decision...taking industries to ransom for electoral gains, Kochkar alleged and said they ar

Police recovers 'incriminating materials' from club at Anjuna beach in Goa

"Incriminating materials" have been recovered from a club at Anjuna beach in North Goa during a probe into a drug case, police said. The club was raided on Saturday after two drug peddlers arrested recently claimed during interrogation that drugs were sold there, Deputy Superintendent of Police Jivba Dalvi said. "Many incriminating materials were seized and sent for forensic examination as they are suspected to have traces of drugs, he added.

Pak foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto arrives in India to attend SCO meet

Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in Goa on Thursday to attend a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), in the first such high-level visit to India from the neighbouring country since 2011. Bhutto Zardari's visit comes amid continued strain in ties between India and Pakistan on a number of issues including Islamabad's continued support to cross-border terrorism. People familiar with the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) conclave preparations said there is no plan for a bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Bhutto Zardari so far as there was no request for it from the Pakistani side. "On my way to Goa, India. Will be leading the Pakistan delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization CFM. My decision to attend this meeting illustrates Pakistan's strong commitment to the charter of the SCO," Bhutto Zardari tweeted ahead of his arrival here. "During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I lo

SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting to kick off in Goa today; all you must know

Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto will also attend the meeting but it is unclear if he and Jaishankar would conduct a bilateral meeting or not

Get 'labour cards': 90% of crimes in Goa due to migrant labourers, says CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that about 90 per cent of the crimes in the coastal state are committed by migrant labourers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other areas, urging contractors to obtain "labour cards" before employing them. Sawant made the claim at a Labour Day function on May 1 in Panaji. The chief minister said that every migrant labourer working in the state should have a labour card given by the state government. The Goa government issues labour cards to those working in the private, unorganised and industrial sectors to keep a record of employment as well as extend welfare measures to this category. Sawant said that it is necessary to track the details of labourers as after committing a crime in Goa, migrant labourers often return to their state and it becomes difficult to locate them. The chief minister said that about 90 per cent of the crimes in Goa are committed by migrant labourers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other areas. Sawant said that the stat

Maximum crimes in Goa are committed by migrant labourers: CM Sawant

Sawant speaking during a Labour Day program in the state capital, said that every labourer coming to Goa should have a labour card

Goa beaches to get trained dogs, AI-powered systems for safety operations

A team of 11 dogs, called the 'paw squad', is being trained, and it is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Asia

Obtain fresh environment clearances: HC to bidders of Goa's mining blocks

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday ordered the successful bidders of the recently-auctioned mining blocks in the state to obtain fresh environmental clearances (ECs). A division bench comprising Justices Mahesh Sonak and Valmiki Menezes of the high court passed the order. The ruling is likely to delay the resumption of the state's iron ore mining operations that came to a standstill in 2018 after the Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases. In December last year, the Goa government had said that it completed the first phase of auction of mining blocks with four companies winning bids for the extraction of ore from different mineral rich stretches of the coastal state. The mining industry used to be one of the major revenue earners for the state. "We clarify that fresh ECs will have to be obtained even by the successful bidders...," the high court said in its order. The Goa Foundation had submitted an intervention application over a petition filed by mining firm ...

Regional airline Fly91 receives govt approval, targets Oct launch

Goa-based carrier is promoted by former executives of Fairfax and Kingfisher

Skill development is primary focus under Swayampurna Goa 2.0: CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said skill development is one of the primary focus areas under the state government's Swayampurna Goa 2.0 initiative. Speaking at the launch of a booklet by the Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the chief minister said the state government has been undertaking various programmes to boost employability of Goan youth in all sectors. The state government's Shiksha Sangam programme will enhance the scope of skilling, upskilling and reskilling, he said, expressing hope that the youth of the state will benefit from the programme. Sawant further said the government has undertaken an apprenticeship programme in collaboration with industry and educational institutions to provide on-field experience and skill development to youngsters. The chief minister released an apprentice circular focusing on the importance of apprenticeship in the institutions and signed memorandums of understanding with L&T Limited, Daikin, Abhinav ...

People-centric health innovations in focus at G-20 meeting in Panaji

The third day of the Health Working Group meeting on Wednesday under India's G20 Presidency witnessed engaging technical sessions on digital health innovations with a people-centric approach, and the issue of digital divide among others. In line with the "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "One Earth, One Family, One Future," theme of India G20 Presidency, the discussions emphasised the country's commitment to "healthcare for all" through vibrant global and local collaborations. Three panel discussions were held on the issue with the first focusing on "Innovations in Healthcare - Health service delivery aided by Technology Interventions", a health ministry statement said. The session saw health experts pushing for a lifecycle-care framework where open-source software can enable data innovations, it said. Suggestions such forming a central organisation/coalition in the world to guide national governments, along with regional implementation hubs, paradigm shift towards artificial general ...