Page 3 - Pramod Sawant

PM Modi to inaugurate National Games on Oct 26, says Goa CM Sawant

"I welcome all the athletes coming to Goa. PM Modi will be inaugurating the National Games here on October 26..." CM Sawant told ANI on Thursday

Goa will get wings with new airport, set to clock double-digit growth: CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said the coastal state is expected to clock a double-digit economic growth after the commissioning of a new international airport which is expected to provide a fillip to tourism. The Manohar International Airport at Mopa in North Goa was inaugurated in December last year and it started commercial operations in early January. Addressing a Western Zonal Council meeting in Gujarat's capital Gandhinagar in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sawant said Goa's economy did not suffer any major setback during the COVID-19 pandemic due to smart initiatives taken by the state government. The CM said a double digit economic growth rate is expected in Goa due to the commissioning of the Manohar International Airport which will enhance global connectivity through new routes to meet increasing travel demand. He said the tiny state has secured the 4th position by garnering 72 points in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index Report .

Goa to ensure 100% renewable electricity supply by 2050: CM Sawant

Goa will ensure 100 per cent renewable energy-based electricity supply to all the demand sectors by 2050 or even much earlier, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Saturday. The chief minister was speaking at the launch of Goa's clean energy roadmap 2050 during the ongoing G20 Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) and 8th Mission Innovation (MI) Meeting. Guided by Goa's Energy Vision, and following the Clean Energy Roadmap's analysis, Goa is certain that it will ensure 100 per cent renewable-based electricity supply to all demand sectors by 2050, or even much earlier, Sawant said. He said Goa is on the path of optimally harnessing solar power and the state Solar Policy is focused on household generation of clean energy. "We have already increased solar power generation sevenfold since 2019, the chief minister added. Sawant said his government was committed to transforming Goa's tourism sector, making it among the first global green tourist hotspots. A strategic roadmap for this is alrea

NEP 2020 being implemented in foundation stage of school education: Goa CM

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is being implemented in the foundation stage (one) of school education in Goa from the academic year 2023-24, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said. The NEP for higher education is being implemented in a phased manner as per directives of the Ministry of Education, UGC, NITI Aayog and recommendations of the Chief Secretaries' Conference held in Dharamshala, Sawant said in a written reply in the Goa assembly on Tuesday. He was responding to a question tabled by the opposition members on the implementation of NEP 2020. In a written reply tabled in the assembly, Sawant, who also holds education portfolio, said the new NEP 2020 academic structure has been implemented starting from the first year (2023 onwards) at the under graduate (UG) level in all non-technical colleges in Goa. The monsoon session of Goa legislative assembly began on Tuesday.

Youth registered for apprentice scheme can join depts by July 15: Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that 5,000 youths who register for the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) will be able to join the state government departments directly by July 15. Addressing a virtual event on Saturday, the chief minister said the central government has been focusing on skilling, reskilling and upskilling youths. Five thousand youngsters who register on the NAPS portal will directly join various departments of the state government as apprentices by July 15, he said. As of now, only 1,200 applicants have registered on the portal, Sawant said, appealing to youngsters to take advantage of the opportunity. There are openings for jobs in data entry, accounting and for drivers, cleaners among other sections, he said. The chief minister further said that panchayat members and municipal councillors should take over the work of registering youths for NAPS.

Central govt spent Rs 30,000 crore on Goa's development: CM Pramod Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday that in the last nine years, Rs 30,000 crore has been spent by the Central government on the developmental works of the coastal state

Goa plans to adopt 'best' practices of three other BJP-ruled state

He said that officials of the Goa government will visit these three states that are, Haryana, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, for better understanding

CM Sawant: Iron ore mining in Goa may resume in 2023-24

Iron ore mining in Goa may resume in 2023-24, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday and asserted that the coastal state has turned the G20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meetings into opportunities to promote its tourism industry. Speaking at a meeting of the NITI Aayog, the Centre's apex public policy think tank, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sawant said Goa has taken steps for the auction of iron ore blocks to resume mining activities. The industry, which used to be one of the major revenue earners for the state, had come to a standstill in 2018 after the Supreme Court quashed 88 mining leases. The first auction of four iron ore mineral blocks has been successfully completed in December 2022 and the government has received an upfront payment of Rs 43 crore from them. It is expected that these four mineral blocks may start mining activities in the financial year 2023-24, he said. The CM said that the second auction of five more mining blocks

Goa CM Sawant hands over catamaran built by a private shipyard to Maldives

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday handed over a catamaran built by a private shipyard here to the Maldives government. The 30-metre long vessel named "Thinaaveshi", built by Vijai Marine Services, was handed over to representatives of the Maldives government at a function here. This is the largest catamaran vessel built in India, Sawant claimed. "Handing over of this vessel to the ministry of environment, climate change and technology of Maldives indicates the strength of the 'Make in India' initiative," the chief minister said. Goa's shipping industry has been contributing to this sector since 1961. Sawant said, adding that handing over the catamaran to the Maldives government is a proud moment for the state. Representatives from the Maldives government will take the vessel to their country on Tuesday. The ship can travel up to 100 nautical miles in the sea and will be used for monitoring and research, a senior Vijai Marine Services official said.

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 ...

Congress dividing people while BJP seeking votes for development: Pramod

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday expressed confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party securing a complete majority in the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka

BJP will get more votes due to Bajrang Dal ban row: Goa CM in Karnataka

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday hit out at the Congress party alleging that it is dividing people in the name of caste and religion

Goa debt swells to Rs 24,000 cr, repay it before taking loans: Oppn

Ministers in the Pramod Sawant government are on record saying that as mining is yet to resume, there is a need to focus on tourism, which can generate revenue

Credible inputs must be behind NIA raids against PFI in Goa: CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday confirmed the raids by the National Investigation Agency in Goa against those having alleged connections with Popular Front of India (PFI). NIA on Tuesday conducted several raids across the nation, including the coastal state, in connection with the banned outfit. I learnt about the raid through media but now it is confirmed, said Sawant, who also holds the home portfolio. He said that if the raids are conducted by the NIA, it means that the federal agency must have got credible information about the persons' links with PFI. If there are still contacts of PFI in Goa then they must be raided, he said, in an apparent reference to the action against the sympathisers of the banned outfit by local police earlier this year. Last month, the Sawant had told Goa Legislative Assembly that 32 PFI activists had been arrested by the state police.

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 ...

New rules for Goa casinos soon, says CM Sawant during Budget speech

New rules for casinos, including off-shore ones, will be notified soon under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act, an official said in Panaji on Thursday. The announcement was made by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during his Budget speech in the Assembly on Wednesday, the official said. The rules will streamline the sector and also speak of giving power of issuing tickets to the 'Gaming Commissioner', he said. Goa has six off shore casinos, while several five-star hotels also operate casinos.

Govt has made strong case against diversion of Mhadei: Goa CM Sawant

Sawant said that the government has effectively stopped any further construction or diversion of the Mhadei waters

Goa budget session to commence on March 27, says CM Pramod Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said the budget session will start on March 27. The House will be in session from March 27 to March 31, with a holiday on March 30 for Ram Navami. "The exact date of the budget presentation will be announced later. A discussion on the budget would be held in the next session," the chief minister told reporters. Sawant said the ruling party had suggested that the general discussion on the budget could start from the upcoming session and resume in the next sitting, but the opposition parties didn't agree. He said the session would be held for only four days "as there is no business to transact for an extended period".

Goa has potential to become defence manufacturing hub: CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said the coastal state has the potential to become a hub for defence manufacturing, creating employment opportunities and also strengthening India's defence capabilities. Addressing the inaugural function of the 3rd Manohar Parrikar Memorial Lecture here, he said Goa's strategic location provides several advantages to key industries, including defence. With unique strategies, Goa has the potential to become a place for defence manufacturing, creating employment opportunities and also strengthen India's defence capabilities, he said. The chief minister said the Union government is committed to encourage self-reliance in defence manufacturing as a part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make In India initiatives. To achieve this, we need trained manpower and we must focus on building competent individuals at the operational level to deploy, direct, review and update the resource effectively, he said. Sawant said quality of workforce is essential .

Proper upbringing of boys can curb violence against women: Goa CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said proper upbringing of boys can play an important role in curbing violence against girl and women. Addressing a function organised to mark the International Women's Day, Sawant urged women to add spiritual element to their physical and mental fitness. At the event, 50 women from different fields were felicitated. Women should achieve physical and mental fitness and at the same time, add spiritual fitness to it, he said, hailing one of the women honoured at the function who plays badminton at the age of 80. Referring to instances of violence against women, the chief minister said there should not be any discrimination between girls and boys right from the time of their birth. If a boy has a good upbringing since his childhood, we can certainly ensure there is no violence against women in the future. This attempt should start from our homes, he said. The Goa CM said the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendr