Author: Team Admin

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: Goa has made significant progress in its fight against tuberculosis, with 87 village panchayats achieving TB Mukt Panchayat status in 2025, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said. Sharing the achievement, Rane said the number of TB Mukt Panchayats in the state has risen sharply from just two in 2023 to 87 in 2025 under the TB Mukt Panchayat Initiative, which seeks to strengthen TB elimination through the active participation of Gram Panchayats. Village Panchayat Shiroda in South Goa achieved Gold Status after maintaining the required performance for three consecutive years. Six panchayats — Revora and Nerul in Bardez,…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: Congress leader and advocate Amit Palekar has alleged that club owners and beachside restaurant operators in Goa are being subjected to extortion, claiming that the alleged practice is putting pressure on businesses already struggling to survive. Palekar questioned who was allegedly supporting and facilitating the extortion and asked Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant whether he was aware of the situation and supported action against such practices. “As lawyer of restaurant and shack owners, I can tell you only one thing — enough is enough, stop this,” Palekar said, urging the government not to ignore the alleged harassment…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Goa, has released the provisional merit list for 2026 degree admissions to NEET-based courses and pharmacy programmes. DTE has informed candidates that counselling for NEET-based admissions, including pharmacy, will not commence on August 18, 2026, as notified earlier, following a revision in the All India Quota counselling schedule by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC). The Directorate said fresh counselling dates and the detailed admission schedule will be notified after the MCC publishes the revised state-wise schedule. Candidates have been asked to report any discrepancies in the provisional merit lists to the…

Team Goemkarponn MARGAO: PWD Minister Digambar Kamat has urged people to support development projects in Goa and called for genuine concerns to be addressed through dialogue instead of opposing projects outright. Kamat said Goa’s development should not be held back by opposition to projects merely for the sake of opposing them. He stressed that any genuine issues arising from a project should be discussed and resolved through consultation. “If there is any genuine problem because of any project, let’s sit, talk and resolve the issue,” Kamat said, adding that a tendency to oppose every development project could ultimately result in…

Team Goemkarponn MAPUSA: The Goa government will introduce certified tourist guide courses for youngsters as part of efforts to create new employment opportunities and strengthen the state’s tourism sector, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said. Khaunte said the initiative would equip young people with professional skills to work as certified tourist guides and benefit from Goa’s growing tourism economy. He said tourism was being diversified beyond conventional offerings, with greater emphasis on Goa’s culture, spirituality, wellness and regenerative tourism. According to the Minister, creating trained local guides would help provide visitors with better access to Goa’s history, heritage and cultural experiences…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: Power Minister Ramkrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar has said that collective efforts towards environmental cleanliness, better access to education and quality infrastructure at the grassroots level can play a crucial role in achieving the vision of a prosperous and self-reliant India. Speaking at Quepem in the newly declared Kushavati District, Dhavalikar said cooperation between citizens and the government could create a stronger foundation for sustainable development and contribute to the vision of a “Samruddh Bharat”. The Minister stressed that responsible citizenship and constructive contribution to society were essential for the country’s progress. He said development should not be…

Team Goemkarponn PONDA: Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar has assured Ponda residents of greater accountability in administration, saying he would personally take responsibility for addressing the taluka’s grievances and remain available at the Ponda Municipal Council every Tuesday evening to hear citizens. “An active administration is a sign of an active government,” Shirodkar said, stressing the need for the administration to remain responsive to public concerns. He said the government would introduce greater accountability through compulsory audits of departments and regular reviews of development works. Shirodkar also assured residents that Ponda would become self-sufficient in potable water by August 30.…