Author: Team Admin

Team Goemkarponn Panaji: In view of repeated incidents involving loss of life and serious injuries at abandoned and disused quarry sites, the North Goa District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has issued a comprehensive administrative order directing mandatory safety measures at all such locations across the district. The order, issued by Collector and District Magistrate Ankit Yadav, IAS, notes that unfenced and unsecured abandoned quarries pose a grave and continuing threat to human life, livestock and public safety, particularly during the monsoon due to water accumulation, slippery terrain and reduced visibility. Unrestricted public access to such sites has been classified as…

Team Goemkarponn Panaji: The online OPD registration system at Goa Medical College (GMC) continues to see a strong response from the public, with 624 patients registering online on the second day of its rollout, indicating growing adoption of digital healthcare services across the State. The initiative enables patients to book OPD appointments online for key departments including Medicine, Surgery, Dermatology, ENT and Orthopaedics, helping reduce waiting times and making hospital visits more organised and predictable. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the encouraging response reflects public trust in people-centric healthcare reforms aimed at simplifying access to medical services. He added that…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: Decision on applications to be delivered on February 10; defence rejects reports on asset auction for victim compensation A Mapusa court on Thursday postponed its ruling on the bail pleas filed by Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, the prime accused in the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire tragedy, and stated that the order will be pronounced on February 10. During the hearing, lawyers representing the Luthra brothers informed the court that the bail order was not yet ready for announcement, leading the court to reschedule the matter for next week. The defence also addressed media reports claiming…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: One-time grant under State scheme aims to protect heritage, boost livelihoods, and restore wetlands The Goa government has approved a one-time financial assistance of ₹95 lakh for traditional salt pan cultivators under the Salt Pan Conservation, Support and Revival Scheme, which will come into force from the ongoing financial year. As per a notification issued by Director of Environment Sachin Dessai, a major portion of the allocation—₹75 lakh—has been earmarked for direct monetary support to salt farmers. Under this component, 75 traditional salt pan cultivators will receive ₹1 lakh each annually, helping them sustain and revive age-old…

Team Goemkarponn Panaji: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Goa has sought detailed reports from the concerned authorities following a formal complaint submitted by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar, who raised serious objections over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the State. Patkar, in his complaint, alleged grave procedural lapses, lack of transparency and unconstitutional practices in the SIR process, stating that instead of strengthening democracy, the exercise was being conducted in a manner that raises doubts over its intent, fairness and legality. According to the GPCC, the CEO’s move to call for…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: Ecstasy, ganja and cocaine recovered from Mapusa resident; accused remanded to seven days police custody In a significant breakthrough against drug trafficking, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) seized a large haul of narcotic substances during a targeted operation conducted in the wee hours of Thursday. Acting on specific inputs and human intelligence, a team of ANC officers and staff intercepted the accused, Afnan Ghori, a resident of Mapusa. During a personal search, the team recovered ecstasy powder from his possession. Following sustained interrogation, the accused led the ANC team to his residence, where a large quantity of drugs…

Team Goemkarponn SANGUEM: Sanguem Police have registered a case against three persons for illegally extracting laterite stones in an eco-sensitive zone of Sanguem taluka. Based on a complaint lodged by Sidharth Prabhu, Executive Magistrate and In-charge of the Flying Squad, Sanguem taluka, police said the action followed a report received from the In-charge Range Forest Officer, Range Forest Office, Sanguem. According to the complaint, prior to January 8, 2026, at village Naiquinim in Sanguem taluka, the accused — Anand Gaonkar, Francis D’Costa and Richard Fernandes — allegedly extracted laterite stones illegally from three pits without obtaining the mandatory permission from…