Author: Team Admin

Team Goemkarponn PORVORIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday clarified in the Goa Legislative Assembly that no rivers in the state have been surrendered or handed over to the Government of India, assuring members that they will continue to remain under the control of the state government and the people of Goa. Sawant made the statement during a discussion in the House on the draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019, stating that the plan is currently undergoing inter-departmental consultations and has not yet been opened for public review or consultation. He assured legislators that the draft would be…

Team Goemkarponn PORVORIM: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte informed the Goa Legislative Assembly that the proposed PM Unity Mall project will move forward, with the government currently exploring a new location for its construction. Addressing the House, Khaunte said the government has initiated the administrative procedure to identify an alternative site after the earlier plan to build the project at Chimbel faced resistance from local stakeholders. He assured that the project remains on track and that efforts are underway to finalise suitable land for its development. The minister also alleged that the Chimbel panchayat has retained ₹1 crore that the government…

Team Goemkarponn Panaji: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Tuesday said the Goa government will prepare a comprehensive eco-tourism policy in coordination with the Forest Department and other stakeholders before initiating eco-tourism projects in the State. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Khaunte said a clear policy framework is necessary to regulate and promote eco-tourism in a sustainable manner. He added that the government intends to seek suggestions from all 40 MLAs while preparing the policy. “Unless we draft an eco-tourism policy, we cannot move ahead with eco-tourism initiatives. The policy will be prepared in coordination with the Forest Department and other…

Team Goemkarponn PORVORIM: Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar voiced concern over the behaviour of members of the Council of Ministers during proceedings of the House, noting that instances of disorderly conduct have been repeatedly observed during debates. Addressing legislators, Gaonkar said that ministers have on several occasions been seen speaking in raised voices, engaging in shouting, making taunting remarks, ridiculing fellow members and levelling personal allegations across the floor of the House. The Speaker stressed that such behaviour runs contrary to the oath of office taken by ministers under the Third Schedule of the Constitution of India. He reminded…

Team Goemkarponn PORVORIM: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has said that strict action will be taken against tourists engaging in inappropriate behaviour on Goa’s beaches, amid growing concerns over incidents involving young visitors troubling foreign tourists. The minister said that due to the growing influence of social media, a perception has developed among some young tourists that they can behave irresponsibly while visiting the state. However, he made it clear that such behaviour will not be tolerated and authorities will take firm action against those who violate norms. “There is a growing perception among some young tourists that they can do…

Team Goemkarponn PORVORIM: MLA Vijai Sardesai responded in the Assembly today after the Speaker had asked him to apologise within 24 hours regarding the incident that took place in the Assembly gallery on Friday. Sardesai said that he respects the Speaker and considers him an ideal in a democratic House. He added that he has been an MLA for fourteen years and has worked both in the government and in the opposition. He has also served as a Minister and Deputy Chief Minister and therefore understands the functioning of the House. He further stated that as a people’s representative, it…

Team Goemkarponn PORVORIM: The Goa government will formulate a Human–Animal Wildlife Conflict Management Policy after examining the strategies adopted by Kerala and Karnataka, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane informed the Legislative Assembly. Responding to concerns raised in the House, Rane said the State has no objection to introducing a dedicated policy to deal with the increasing instances of wild animals entering human settlements. He added that the proposal will be discussed with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant before finalising the structure of the policy. According to the minister, the Forest Department will reach out to authorities in Kerala and Karnataka to obtain…