Author: Team Admin

Team Goemkarponn CANACONA: In a continued enforcement drive following the deadly Arpora nightclub blaze that killed 25 people, authorities on Monday ordered the immediate sealing of the popular seaside establishment ‘The Cape Goa’ at Cabo de Rama in Canacona, citing serious safety violations and grave risks to public safety. The closure order was issued ex-parte by Maya Pednekar, Executive Magistrate and Chairperson of the Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee (JEMC), Canacona, without prior notice to the establishment. The decision, the order stated, was taken in view of the imminent and immediate threat posed to human life and property. “After examining…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: In an order that has triggered sharp debate over the future of coastal protection in Goa, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has rejected a complaint alleging illegal construction within a No Development Zone (NDZ) in Aldona, effectively allowing a bungalow associated with former chief secretary Puneet Goel to remain untouched. The decision, issued in October, arose from a complaint filed by politician Trajano D’Mello, who had accused the owners of a property bearing survey number 36/1 in Aldona village of violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. Following the complaint, a GCZMA inspection team — comprising…

Team Goemkarponn CANACONA: Alleging breach of alliance discipline, the Goa Forward Party (GFP) has demanded strict disciplinary action against two Congress leaders for openly campaigning against the official Congress–GFP alliance candidate in the Poinguinim Zilla Panchayat constituency, warning that such actions are creating voter confusion and risking loss of alliance votes. Addressing a press conference, GFP leader Vikas Bhagat, flanked by Canacona Congress Block President Abel Borges and Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari, alleged that Canacona Congress Mahila Block President Ursila D’Costa and South Goa District Organising General Secretary Gaspar Coutinho are canvassing for Congress rebel Daya Gaonkar, who is contesting…

Team Goemkarponn CANACONA: Claiming that BJP candidates in both Khola and Xeldem Zilla Panchayat constituencies are heading for a massive victory, former Deputy Chief Minister and BJP Vice-President Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar launched a sharp attack on his arch-rival and Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, accusing him of resorting to “cheap and flamboyant gimmicks” after realising the inevitable defeat of Congress candidates. Kavlekar said he is actively involved in four ZP seats — Khola, Barcem, Xeldem and Guirdolim — where Congress MLAs Yuri Alemao and Altone D’Costa hold influence. “The BJP is winning all four seats by huge margins. It has been…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: The State government has allowed an additional week for the Magisterial Inquiry Committee, led by the North Goa Collector, to wrap up its investigation into the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora that left 25 people dead. The four-member panel, constituted on December 8, was initially instructed to complete the inquiry and submit its report within eight days. As the deadline approached, the committee sought more time, citing the need to verify documents and continue recording statements of officials linked to the case. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant approved the request, granting an…

Team Goemkarponn MAYEM: Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of functioning as a “hafta party” and urging voters to reject it to safeguard democracy. Addressing a Zilla Panchayat election meeting in the Mayem constituency, Sardesai alleged that the BJP has become arrogant and insensitive to public issues. He accused Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant of deliberately neglecting the long-pending Mayem evacuee property issue and lacking the will to resolve it. Sardesai said the upcoming elections would give people an opportunity to demonstrate that democracy is still alive. Campaigning…

Team Goemkarponn BENAULIM: A tragic incident was reported from Toleband, Benaulim, where a one-and-a-half-year-old child lost his life after accidentally falling into a nearby pond while playing outside his house on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased has been identified as Irhan Sheikh. Colva police said the child’s body was recovered from the pond, following which an unnatural death case was registered in connection with the incident. The body has been kept at the South Goa District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination. According to police sources, the incident occurred between 11.30 am and 12 noon. Police later visited the spot and conducted…