logo
Govt to pursue cases of Goans detained in US, says Sawant

Govt to pursue cases of Goans detained in US, says Sawant

Time of India4 days ago
Porvorim:
Several Goans have been detained in the US over visa issues, and state govt must provide assistance to them at the earliest, Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said on Monday in the assembly.
CM
Pramod Sawant
said any Goan families with members stuck in the US over visa issues should contact govt, and the issue would be pursued with Centre at the earliest.
'When cases come to the notice of the NRI commission and my office, we will help by following up with the embassy concerned,' said Sawant.
Viegas said it is a grave situation concerning a number of individuals from India, including Goa, who were arrested and detained in jails and immigration detention centres in the US. These arrests are due to expired visas or lack of valid documentation.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Death penalty too harsh: Governor sends back Bengal's Aparajita bill
Death penalty too harsh: Governor sends back Bengal's Aparajita bill

India Today

time31 minutes ago

  • India Today

Death penalty too harsh: Governor sends back Bengal's Aparajita bill

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has sent the Aparajita Bill back to the state government for consideration of the serious objections raised by the Centre over the proposed changes to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that the legislation seeks, a highly placed source in the Raj Bhavan Centre, in its observation, found that the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, passed in the assembly in September 2024, seeks changes in punishment for rape under multiple sections of the BNS that are 'excessively harsh and disproportionate,' the source state government, however, maintained it has no intimation so far from the central government or the governor's office regarding their 'observations' on certain provisions in the Bill. The Bill proposes enhancement of punishment for rape from the existing minimum of 10 years under the BNS to life imprisonment for the remainder of one's life or death."The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has flagged multiple provisions in the Bill as problematic. After taking note of the MHA observation, the Governor has referred those for appropriate consideration to the state government," the source told PTI."The Centre has described the proposal of amendment to Section 64 of the BNS to increase the punishment for rape from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment for the remainder of the convict's life or the death penalty as excessively harsh and disproportionate," he said, referring to the MHA's other controversial change is the proposed deletion of Section 65, which currently provides stricter penalties for rape of girls aged under 16 and 12."The removal of this classification undermines the principle of proportionality in sentencing and could reduce legal protections for the most vulnerable victims," he the clause drawing the sharpest criticism is the one under Section 66, which seeks to make the death penalty mandatory in rape cases where the victim either dies or is left in a persistent vegetative state."The ministry has raised constitutional concerns, arguing that removing judicial discretion in sentencing violates established legal norms and Supreme Court rulings," the source Bill was recently reserved by Governor Bose for the consideration of the President of India.'As of now, there is no communication from anyone with regard to the Aparajita Bill. We will consider taking suitable measures, as per requirements in the matter, if and when we receive such intimation," a senior bureaucrat of the state West Bengal assembly had unanimously passed the Bill nearly a month after the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#West Bengal#Bharatiya Janta Party

Goa govt to legalise over 1 lakh houses existing prior to 1972
Goa govt to legalise over 1 lakh houses existing prior to 1972

Time of India

time38 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Goa govt to legalise over 1 lakh houses existing prior to 1972

Panaji: In a major decision to legalise houses in the state that are facing the threat of demolition, state govt on Friday issued two circulars. One was by the revenue department and the other by the directorate of panchayat, to legalise over one lakh illegal houses that existed prior to 1972 on any land. Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that these circulars do not give any ownership rights on the land, but they legalise the structure and clarify the land status. 'We are making houses legal. The revenue department will give sanand, and the panchayat will give status as legal,' he said. Sawant said that with these circulars, there is no need to bring any bills in the assembly. A few minutes before the press conference to announce the circulars, both Sawant and revenue minister Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate made a statement on the floor of the House that govt will bring a bill to regularise the houses. Sawant said that to clear the confusion in villages about illegal structures, govt has issued two circulars. He said that if the house is shown on the survey plan but does not have any document, then the owner of the house should go to the deputy collector and apply for the sanad. He said that once the sanad is issued by the deputy collector under this circular, and in case the owner of the house needs to construct a new house, then the same sanad can be used. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The circular said that the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, has exempted all lands (survey holdings) situated in the settlement zone, as per the Regional Plan/Outline Development Plan, from the operation of provisions. This is provided the survey records of such survey show the existence of a structure on the said land, the total area of the survey holding does not exceed 1,000sqm, and the existing structure, as shown in the survey map, covers at least 25% of the total area of the said plot. However, govt found that in several cases, structures which are already in existence and are duly reflected in the records of rights (Form I and XIV) as well as in the survey plans prepared under the provisions of the Goa, Daman and Diu Land Revenue Code, 1968 (during the period 1970 to 1972) are being required to obtain a fresh conversion sanad at the time of reconstruction. 'This has led to certain ambiguities and inconsistent interpretations across departments regarding the applicability of the conversion provisions under the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968,' govt said.

Bengal: Centre raises concern over death penalty clause in Aparajita Bill, Governor sends it back to state govt
Bengal: Centre raises concern over death penalty clause in Aparajita Bill, Governor sends it back to state govt

Indian Express

timean hour ago

  • Indian Express

Bengal: Centre raises concern over death penalty clause in Aparajita Bill, Governor sends it back to state govt

GOVERNOR C V Ananda Bose has sent the Aparajita Bill back to the West Bengal government for consideration of the serious objections raised by the Centre over the proposed changes to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita that the legislation seeks, a highly placed source in the Raj Bhavan said. The Centre, in its observation, found that the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, passed in the assembly in September 2024, seeks changes in punishment for rape under multiple sections of the BNS that are 'excessively harsh and disproportionate,' the source said. A senior official at the Raj Bhavan, who did not wish to be named, said, 'The Governor had reserved The Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024 for the consideration of the Hon'ble President of India. The Centre has since conveyed its observations on certain amendments proposed to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 through this Bill.' The official said, 'One of the proposed amendments seeks to enhance the punishment for rape under Section 64 of the BNS, 2023, raising it from the existing minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment for the remainder of one's life or death. The Ministry of Home Affairs has termed this change as excessively harsh and disproportionate. Another proposed amendment seeks to delete Section 65 of the BNS, 2023, thereby removing the distinction in punishment for rape of women under 16 and 12 years of age. The Ministry has observed that the removal of such classification violates the principle of proportionality in sentencing.' He added, 'Additionally, the Bill proposes to make the death penalty mandatory for cases involving the victim's death or persistent vegetative state under Section 66 of the BNS. The Ministry has raised concerns over the removal of judicial discretion in such cases. Raj Bhavan has taken note of these observations and has referred them for appropriate consideration.' The West Bengal government, however, did not react immediately to the development, with sources claiming on Friday evening that there is 'no communication yet from the Raj Bhavan regarding the matter. The Bill proposes enhancement of punishment for rape from the existing minimum of 10 years under the BNS to life imprisonment for the remainder of one's life or death. 'The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has flagged multiple provisions in the Bill as problematic. After taking note of the MHA observation, the Governor has referred those for appropriate consideration to the state government,' the source told PTI. 'The Centre has described the proposal of amendment to Section 64 of the BNS to increase the punishment for rape from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment for the remainder of the convict's life or the death penalty as excessively harsh and disproportionate,' he said, referring to the MHA's observation. Another change that prompted the Centre's concern is the proposed deletion of Section 65, which currently provides stricter penalties for rape of girls aged under 16 and 12. 'The removal of this classification undermines the principle of proportionality in sentencing and could reduce legal protections for the most vulnerable victims,' he said. However, the clause drawing the sharpest criticism is the one under Section 66, which seeks to make the death penalty mandatory in rape cases where the victim either dies or is left in a persistent vegetative state. 'As of now, there is no communication from anyone with regard to the Aparajita Bill. We will consider taking suitable measures, as per requirements in the matter, if and when we receive such intimation,' a senior bureaucrat of the state said. The West Bengal assembly had unanimously passed the Bill nearly a month after the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024. – WITH PTI INPUTS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store