Pramod Sawant

New rules for Goa casinos soon, says CM Sawant during Budget speech

New rules for casinos, including off-shore ones, will be notified soon under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act, an official said in Panaji on Thursday. The announcement was made by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during his Budget speech in the Assembly on Wednesday, the official said. The rules will streamline the sector and also speak of giving power of issuing tickets to the 'Gaming Commissioner', he said. Goa has six off shore casinos, while several five-star hotels also operate casinos.

Govt has made strong case against diversion of Mhadei: Goa CM Sawant

Sawant said that the government has effectively stopped any further construction or diversion of the Mhadei waters

Goa budget session to commence on March 27, says CM Pramod Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said the budget session will start on March 27. The House will be in session from March 27 to March 31, with a holiday on March 30 for Ram Navami. "The exact date of the budget presentation will be announced later. A discussion on the budget would be held in the next session," the chief minister told reporters. Sawant said the ruling party had suggested that the general discussion on the budget could start from the upcoming session and resume in the next sitting, but the opposition parties didn't agree. He said the session would be held for only four days "as there is no business to transact for an extended period".

Goa has potential to become defence manufacturing hub: CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said the coastal state has the potential to become a hub for defence manufacturing, creating employment opportunities and also strengthening India's defence capabilities. Addressing the inaugural function of the 3rd Manohar Parrikar Memorial Lecture here, he said Goa's strategic location provides several advantages to key industries, including defence. With unique strategies, Goa has the potential to become a place for defence manufacturing, creating employment opportunities and also strengthen India's defence capabilities, he said. The chief minister said the Union government is committed to encourage self-reliance in defence manufacturing as a part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make In India initiatives. To achieve this, we need trained manpower and we must focus on building competent individuals at the operational level to deploy, direct, review and update the resource effectively, he said. Sawant said quality of workforce is essential .

Proper upbringing of boys can curb violence against women: Goa CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said proper upbringing of boys can play an important role in curbing violence against girl and women. Addressing a function organised to mark the International Women's Day, Sawant urged women to add spiritual element to their physical and mental fitness. At the event, 50 women from different fields were felicitated. Women should achieve physical and mental fitness and at the same time, add spiritual fitness to it, he said, hailing one of the women honoured at the function who plays badminton at the age of 80. Referring to instances of violence against women, the chief minister said there should not be any discrimination between girls and boys right from the time of their birth. If a boy has a good upbringing since his childhood, we can certainly ensure there is no violence against women in the future. This attempt should start from our homes, he said. The Goa CM said the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendr

Goa aims for 100% renewable energy usage across all sectors by 2050: CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said the state government has set a goal to ensure 100 per cent renewable energy usage across all sectors by 2050. Addressing the second edition of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Conference on Clean Renewable Energy 2023 here, Sawant said the state government's plan is expected to create around 15,000 jobs. The Goa government has set a goal to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy usage across all sectors in the state by 2050, he said. "This ambitious plan is expected to create around 15,000 additional jobs, with 500 jobs per year dedicated exclusively to the solar and wind energy generation sector, the chief minister said. The government is committed to generating 150 MW of green energy in the next two years and will be setting up 100 MW solar power plants throughout Goa, he said. "The state government has also signed a memorandum of understanding to develop India's first convergence project to generate green energy for rural a

Goa govt to conduct safety audit of roads amidst rising accidents

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday issued directions to the state Public Works Department (PWD) to carry out an audit of state highways, village pathways and major district roads from safety point of view. The directions were given in the view of series of road accidents in the coastal state. Sawant chaired a meeting of various departments to discuss the cause of rising number of road accidents in the state. In a statement issued after the meeting, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Sawant has issued directions to the PWD to carry out the cause and analysis of accidents and implement short-term and long-term measures to prevent them. A senior PWD official informed that 10 per cent of the estimate of road work is assigned to safety aspects like erection of signboards and barricades. A direction was issued to expedite work and carry out an audit of state highways, village roads, and MDR (major district roads)," said the statement. At the meeting, the CM expressed ...

'Goa ki Baat' programme on 3rd Saturday of every month: CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that his government will start 'Goa Ki Baat' on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'

Three departments taking measures to reduce road accidents: Goa CM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that three departments of his government are taking measures to reduce road accidents, which are on the rise since last one month

Goa Oppn parties seek CM Sawant's resignation over Amit Shah's statement

Opposition parties in Goa on Saturday sought the resignation of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant over the statement of Union Home Minister Amit Shah that the Mahadayi river water dispute between Karnataka and the coastal state had been resolved. The two states have been engaged in a tussle over the sharing of water of the river for several years now and Goa has often accused Karnataka of proceeding unilaterally by ignoring pacts. Addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party's 'Jana Sankalp Yatre' in Belagavi in the neighbouring state earlier in the day, Shah said, "I want to tell you (people) that BJP, by resolving the long-standing dispute between both states, has given Mahadayi water to Karnataka and, thereby, ensured farmers in several districts here are benefited." Yuri Alemao, leader of opposition in the Goa Assembly, said Sawant must resign immediately for the "murder of Mahadayi". "Truth always Prevails, God is Great! Home Minister's statement in Belgavi makes it clear that Chief ...

Goa to implement NEP in graduation, technical courses from next academic yr

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said his government will introduce a foundation course and a graduation level course as per the National Education Policy (NEP) in educational institutes from the next academic year. Addressing a state-level workshop on the NEP at Sankhali, Sawant said there is confusion over the implementation of the policy in technical education. The confusion would be cleared within two-three months, he said. The chief minister said, "Goa is one step ahead of other states in implementing the NEP in its educational institutes. From the next academic year onwards, we will introduce a foundation course and the syllabus at the graduation level." Sawant said the Goa Directorate of Technical Education and directors of the skill development and higher education departments have been asked to address the "confusion prevailing over implementation of the NEP in technical education. All the stakeholders including managements and teachers of educational institu

Will fight legally and politically for Mahadayi water: Goa CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said the coastal state will win the battle for the Mahadayi river water as his government is making efforts on legal, technical and political fronts and leaving no stone unturned. Goa and Karnataka are at loggerheads over diversion of the Mahadayi water through the construction of dams by Karnataka on the river's tributaries Kalasa and Banduri. The Central Water Commission recently approved a detailed project report (DPR) submitted by Karnataka for the construction of the two dams, to which the Goa government has objected. The Goa government has contended that Karnataka cannot divert water from the Mahadayi river, as it passes through the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located downstream in North Goa. Whoever may say anything, we are firm on our decision. Whatever we have to do for Mahadayi, we are doing it legally, technically and politically. We will do whatever is required and we are confident that we will win the battle," Sawant said

Goa CM Sawant-led delegation to meet Shah over Mhadei river issue

"Interstate dispute is always resolved by the Home Minister. Hence we are meeting him," Sawant said

Goa CM Sawant to meet stakeholders to review functioning of new airport

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will hold a meeting with stakeholders to review the functioning of the newly inaugurated Manohar International Airport (MIA), state Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Sunday. The first flight landed at MIA on Thursday, after which the airport commenced domestic operations. It's been three days since the airport started functioning. There are bound to be some teething problems. We are gathering all the information about these problems and will meet chief minister on Tuesday, Khaunte told reporters in Mapusa town. State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho will also be present for the meeting, which will also be attended by the stakeholders of the new facility, he said. When asked about a viral photograph showing taxis charging passengers whopping fares at the airport, Khaunte said he has taken a note of the photo showing a taxi charging Rs 4,000 for journey between the airport and Benaulim. We have asked for the details about the bill. We must also find ou

2022: Pramod Sawant continues as Goa CM, international airport added

For Goa, 2022 began on a high note politically with the conduct of the Assembly polls in February that saw the BJP retaining power and Pramod Sawant occupying the chief minister's chair for the second straight term even as the Congress's strength in the 40-member House dipped further. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 20 out of 40 seats and formed a government with the help of three independents and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) that bagged two seats. Despite a high-decibel campaign, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) drew a blank, while the Arvind Kejriwal-headed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) opened account with two seats. The Congress, which won 11 seats in the polls, witnessed depletion of its strength in the House more than six months later as eight of the MLAs, including former chief minister Digambar Kamat, switched to the ruling BJP in September. With this, the grand old party's count of legislators came down to just three. Interestingly, in the run up to

No Covid-19 curbs in Goa till Jan 2, says CM as govt advises precautions

The Goa government will not impose any COVID-19-related restrictions till January 2 but will review the situation on January 3, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Friday after chairing a high-level meeting here. He said that people should voluntarily follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour. "The state will not impose any COVID-19 related restrictions till January 2, but will review the situation on January 3," Sawant told reporters after chairing the meeting. He said as per the Centre's direction, a mock drill will be conducted on December 27 to check the preparedness to tackle any potential coronavirus outbreak. Sawant said authorities have already started random checking of international passengers arriving in the coastal state. "Two per cent of international passengers arriving in the state are being tested," he added. As Goa gears up to ring in the Christmas and New Year festivities amid a rise in COVID-19 cases in some countries, the state government has appealed to the peop

Goa govt's Drone Policy 2022 promotes use of unmanned aerial vehicles

The Drone Policy 2022 launched by the Goa government has suggested that its departments consider the use of the unmanned aerial vehicles for efficient and effective governance. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday launched the Drone Policy 2022, as per which the government will engage with technical institutes and academia to design drone-related courses for use in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, forestry, healthcare, mining and others. The government will help in establishing drone schools that offer various courses in drone operations and pilot certification, the policy said, adding the government will encourage the setting up of centres of excellence within higher academic institutions to promote research and development. The policy mentions that "drones offer tremendous benefits to almost every sector of the economy, including but not limited to agriculture, infrastructure, emergency response, transportation, geospatial mapping, media, entertainment, law enforcement an

Goa CM Sawant warns of strict action against those who harass tourists

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said stern action will be taken against harassment of tourists in the coastal state and said people involved in such acts will not be spared. Sawant was addressing a function here to mark the Goa Liberation Day, where he inspected a parade and received the guard of honour. The Goa Liberation Day is celebrated on December 19 every year to mark the success of 'Operation Vijay' undertaken by the armed forces to liberate the state by defeating the Portuguese in 1961. Highlighting the importance of tourism in the coastal state, Sawant said cooperation from stakeholders such as taxi and tour operators is required for the development of the sector. The state government is working towards creating a positive image of Goa with respect to tourism internationally, he said. We are exploring different facets of tourism such as beach, hinterland, eco-tourism, wellness and spiritual tourism, the chief minister said. People who harass tourists in the st

Goa CM slams Rahul Gandhi, says his love for China has gone beyond limits

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has slammed Rahul Gandhi over his 'China preparing for war and Indian government sleeping' remark, saying the Congress leader's "love for China" has gone "far beyond limits". Sawant also criticised Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto for his "outrageous" remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Rahul Gandhi's love for China and hate for India's Political Party and our Prime Minister has gone far beyond limits. The Indian Armed Forces are guarding the borders of India with Valour and Courage. The people of India love, respect and support the Armed forces by heart," Sawant said in a tweet on Saturday evening. Addressing a press conference in Rajasthan on Friday, Gandhi had alleged that China was preparing for war and the Indian government was sleeping over it and trying to ignore the threat. He also alleged that China has taken away 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory, killed 20 Indian soldiers and was "thrashing our jawans in ...

Cyber crime threat to India's progress, security: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said cyber crime is a threat to India's progress and security and cyber warriors need to be created to combat the menace. Sawant was speaking at the International Conference on Information Security, Privacy and Digital Forensics (ICISPD 2022) at BITS Pilani campus in Vasco city, 35 km from here. The chief minister said the importance of comprehensively addressing social media privacy issues cannot be underestimated and the challenge calls for skilled experts. Cybercrime is a threat to the progress and security of our nation. The need of the hour is to create cyber warriors to combat cyber crime, he said. Sawant stressed on the need for awareness, knowledge and skills about the emerging trends in cybercrimes and training in latest technologies of cyber security and computer forensics. As per data from the National Crime Records Bureau, a total of 52,974 cases of cyber crime were registered, showing an increase of 5.9 per cent in registrati