Water shortage issue in Vasco: MLA Salkar demands immediate solution
PANAJI: In Vasco, the MLA Krishna Salkar has raised concerns about the severe water shortage affecting the constituency. He emphasised the urgent need to clean the overhead water tanks that supply water to the area.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant acknowledged that frequent power outages are causing disruptions in water pumping. He assured that the government will prioritise resolving this issue to improve water supply in Vasco.
Tourism Minister responds to allegations of excessive spending by department
PANAJI: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has responded to accusations made by Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira. The MLA had claimed that Rs 1 crore 4 lakhs was spent on foreign trips for Khaunte's Officer on Special Duty (OSD). However, Khaunte stated that the actual amount spent, according to records, is Rs 6 lakhs 50 thousand 57 rupees.
Khaunte has demanded that the Aldona MLA either provide evidence to support his claim on the spending or retract the statement. He emphasised that the allegations were "very serious and need to be addressed". Previously, MLA Carlos Ferreira had raised concerns about Rs. 1.02 crore being used from State funds for foreign trips related to the minister's OSD.
Benaulim MLA criticises govt over no discussion on crime rate in zero hour
PANAJI: Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas has criticised the Goa government, saying that if former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru were alive today, he would have remarked on the strange behaviour of Goa's ministers and Chief Minister.
Viegas pointed out that crime rates in the State have increased, yet the government is preventing discussions on the Home Department during the Zero Hour in the legislative assembly. He called it a crucial matter that needs attention.
New trees to be planted instead of replanting uprooted ones: Babush
PANAJI: Panaji MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate announced that there is no plan to replant the massive trees that have fallen in Panaji. He questioned where these uprooted trees could be translocated and replanted. Monserrate clarified that replanting one banyan tree does not mean all uprooted trees will be replanted. Instead, the plan is to plant new trees to replace those that were lost.
Govt under fire as roof of un-inaugurated district session court blown away
PANAJI: On Tuesday morning, strong winds blew away the roof shade of the yet-to-be-inaugurated District Session Court in Merces. This incident has drawn sharp criticism from Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.
Alemao pointed out that this event comes just a day after the ceiling of the Chemistry Lab at Goa University collapsed. He remarked, "Yesterday, while the Chief Minister was assuring the House that everything is well in the education sector, the ceiling of the Chemistry Lab at Goa University collapsed. Today, the roof of the Merces Court, which hasn't even been inaugurated yet, has been blown away." He further criticised the BJP government, stating, "Very soon, the BJP government will blow away too."
Siolim MLA queries about 4x4 mini fire trucks on beaches
PANAJI: Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo raised questions about the availability of 4x4 all-wheel drive mini fire trucks for emergency situations on Vagator and Anjuna beaches. In response, Chief Minister Sawant confirmed that the department has proposed these vehicles for emergency purposes in the Siolim constituency.
The department has also requested four 4x4 Quick Response Vehicles, along with necessary accessories, from the Revenue Department through the State Disaster Response Fund. Once these vehicles are acquired, two of them will be stationed at the beaches of Vagator and Anjuna to improve emergency response capabilities.
Mandrem MLA demands improved facilities at beaches in Pernem Taluka
PANAJI: Mandrem MLA Jeet Arolkar emphasised the need for better facilities in Pernem's four major beaches: Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, and Querim. He highlighted that these beaches attract visitors from around the world, and providing adequate facilities like toilets and changing rooms is essential to maintain their appeal to high-quality tourists. Arolkar stated, "These beaches must have facilities like toilets and changing rooms. If we fail to provide good facilities, then we cannot expect good quality tourists to come here." His comments come in the wake of a recent major fire incident at a toilet on Morjim beach, underscoring the urgent need for improvements in beach infrastructure.
