PANAJI
Goa is all set to get its third district, comprising four remote talukas of Canacona, Quepem, Sanguem and Dharbandora, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expected to make the announcement in the State Budget 2025-26, which will be presented this month.
Quepem taluka has been designated as the headquarters of the third district, following government approval of a proposal submitted by a panel led by the Chief Secretary.
Currently, the coastal State has two districts – North Goa and South Goa – with headquarters at Panaji and Margao respectively. Of the total 12 talukas, five are in North, seven are in South.
Highly placed sources confirmed that the proposal has been vetted by the Law department and the final approval from the Chief Minister is also received. “The announcement will be made in the State Budget by the CM,” sources said adding that the same would be cleared by the Cabinet thereafter.
The Budget Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly is scheduled from March 24 to March 26.
Sources further said that the eight member-committee has recommended establishing Quepem as the headquarters with sub-district offices at Dharbandora and Sanguem.
The Chief Minister had earlier in January confirmed that the proposal for establishing the third district is in the final stage.
The state had constituted a committee under the Chief Secretary in 2023 to assess the feasibility of financial aspects and administration for a third district and also to study whether the creation of the district would lead to development and welfare of the people in general and the backward talukas in particular.
The idea of having a third district for Goa was initially mooted by Ponda MLA and Minister Ravi Naik who had highlighted the difficulties faced by the people in travelling to the two existing headquarters. He, however, had demanded that Ponda may be part of the third District.
