Author: Team Admin

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: The Goa government has decided to abandon the proposed ‘Aarti Ghat’ project at Naroa in Bicholim, following protests by local residents. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured that the initiative will not move forward. “Aarti Ghat, which was scheduled to begin at Naroa from May, has been scrapped. The Chief Minister has assured us it will not take place,” MLA Rajesh Faldesai told reporters after meeting the CM at his official residence on Monday evening. The decision comes after residents from Divar, Naroa, Akhada, Vanxim, and neighboring villages staged a protest at the site on Sunday, highlighting the…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa has instructed all relevant authorities to promptly enforce the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court concerning construction approvals and associated procedures. The direction came while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Agnelo Baretto. A Division Bench comprising Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Amit Jamsandekar ruled that the apex court’s judgment, along with subsequent circulars issued by State authorities, must be implemented strictly and without deviation. During the proceedings, Advocate Sahil Sardesai, appearing for the petitioner, argued that despite circulars issued by the Directorate of Panchayats, the Urban…

Team Goemkarponn ANJUNA: Goa police has requested additional time from the court to submit their response to an application filed by UK citizen Surinder Kumar Khosla, owner of the land where the popular Birch nightclub operates. The move comes in connection with the recent fire incident at the nightclub. Khosla, who has been named as an accused in the case registered following the blaze, challenged a proclamation order issued against him. Such an order is typically issued when an accused is declared absconding for failing to appear before the court or investigating authorities despite being served summons. During the hearing,…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: The Social Welfare Department has issued instructions to all government offices, public sector undertakings, autonomous institutions, municipalities and panchayats to discontinue the use of the term “Harijan” in official communication and documentation, and to replace it with “Scheduled Castes.” The move follows concerns raised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which took serious note of the continued use of caste-identifying and potentially derogatory terminology in official records. The Commission flagged references not only in correspondence but also in the naming of villages, localities, settlements and hamlets. In a circular issued by Director of Social Welfare Dipak…

Team Goemkarponn CANACONA: A complete blackout will be observed in designated parts of Canacona during the bi-annual spiritual ritual of ‘Veeramel’ scheduled to be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026. As per a public intimation issued to residents, businesses and visitors of Canacona taluka, the age-old customary ritual holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the local community. The organisers have called for full cooperation to ensure the smooth and respectful conduct of the ceremony. As part of the observance, a complete blackout will be enforced from 9:30 PM to 1:00 AM in certain municipal areas. During this period, vehicular…

Team Goemkarponn CANACONA: A long-pending and much-awaited 300 cubic metre Ground Level Reservoir (GLR) along with a 10-kilometre conveying pipeline was inaugurated at Poinguinim on Monday, bringing major relief to residents facing persistent water supply issues in the area. The water supply project, constructed at Potkem-Welwada at a cost of over ₹1.5 crore, includes a 300 cubic metre ground level reservoir and a 10 km pipeline network comprising 90 mm and 110 mm diameter pipes. With the commissioning of the reservoir and the new pipeline network, regular and improved water supply has now been ensured for the local wards. The…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has appealed to the Additional District Collector of North Goa, Prashant Parab, seeking immediate intervention to stop “Holi parties” being organised by several nightclubs and river cruises in the State in the backdrop of the upcoming Holi festival. In a memorandum submitted to the Additional District Collector, HJS stated that certain events, including the “Hyatt Centric Holi Bash”, are promoting activities such as rain dance, pool parties, Bollywood DJ performances and dhol dance, along with the proposed serving of unlimited beer and other alcoholic beverages. The organisation alleged that children above eight…