Author: Team Admin

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: The Goa Department of Home has declared the manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and transportation of pharmaceutical products and their components as an “essential service” under the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1988. The government stated that any strike or disruption in these activities would severely affect the supply of medicines and essential drugs, which are critical to public health. “Such interruptions would prejudicially affect the maintenance of supplies and services necessary for the life of the community and result in grave hardship,” the notification read. By bringing the pharmaceutical sector under ESMA, the government has ensured…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: With sea swimming restricted during the monsoon season, more than 450 Drishti Marine lifesavers are undergoing their annual refresher training across Goa to sharpen emergency response, fitness, and soft skills. The two-month-long intensive programme, conducted in batches, ensures that while some lifesavers undergo training, others remain deployed on duty to maintain round-the-clock vigilance on Goa’s beaches. “This year all 450+ lifesavers, including three women, participated in the refresher training. The focus is on updating professional techniques such as CPR, first aid, beach operations, jet ski handling, and the use of rescue equipment,” said Colonel Austin Collaco,…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: The Goa Animal Federation (GAF) has claimed that stray dog bite figures in the state have been grossly exaggerated, stating that actual numbers are lower by nearly 1,000 percent compared to those reported. According to GAF’s analysis, there were only 372 genuine stray dog bite or scratch cases in Goa between 2022 and 2025, not 37,197 as published. The federation pointed out that hospital records do not differentiate between bites from different animals, nor between individuals receiving multiple rabies shots. Since each affected person receives five injections, the federation said hospital registers inflate the numbers, creating…

Team Goemkarponn PANAJI: Panaji Police have arrested five out of six accused involved in the brutal assault on social activist Rama Kankonkar at Caranzalem, while one accused remains absconding. The case was registered on the complaint of Soiru Velip (45), a resident of Barcem, Quepem, who stated that six persons conspired and wrongfully confined Kankonkar before assaulting him with deadly weapons and threatening to kill him. The complainant himself was also threatened at knifepoint. Police have booked the accused under Sections 126(2), 109, and 351(3) read with Section 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 for attempt to murder,…

Team Goemkarponn MORMUGAO: The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Thursday afternoon swung into action against illegal fishing sheds that had mushroomed along the footpaths and parking spaces at Kharewado, a hotspot for wholesale fish activity that has long drawn complaints from vendors of the newly constructed Vasco fish market. Led by MMC Chairperson Girish Borker, teams of municipal staff, supervisors and labourers began dismantling the sheds, many of which doubled up as counters for evening fish sales. The action came after repeated warnings to occupants went unheeded. Borker said the drive was part of a larger crackdown on encroachments…

Team Goemkarponn VASCO: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on September 17 handed over ICGS Akshar (Yard 1276), the second of eight fast patrol vessels being built for the Indian Coast Guard under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The handing over was marked by the First Reading Ceremony held at the shipyard. The ceremony was attended by GSL Chairman and Managing Director Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Director (Operations) RAdm Nelson D’Souza (Retd), DIG V.K. Parmar, PD (MAT), and Commandant (JG) Subhendu Chakraborty, the commanding officer of ICGS Akshar, along with senior Coast Guard officials. The 51.43-metre-long vessel, with a breadth of 8 metres…

Team Goemkarponn MARGAO: A Yamaha MT motorcycle worth over ₹1.57 lakh was reported stolen from the open parking area of Rosary College, Navelim. The complaint was lodged by Melvito Monteiro, a resident of Raia-Talconda, who stated that the theft occurred between 9:50 am on September 15 and 9:30 am on September 16. Margao Town Police have registered the case, and further investigation is being conducted by ASI Santosh Gaonkar.