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

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

Time of India2 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.
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Current agri loans over  ₹28 lakh crore, but no waiver plan: Govt
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Current agri loans over ₹28 lakh crore, but no waiver plan: Govt

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Women in Andhra Pradesh will soon travel for free on buses. How much will it cost the exchequer?
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CM Sawant urges Centre to facilitate resumption of Goa-Gatwick Air India flight
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CM Sawant urges Centre to facilitate resumption of Goa-Gatwick Air India flight

Agency: PTI Last Updated: Panaji, Jul 23 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu to facilitate the resumption of Air India's Goa-Gatwick flight, saying many people from the state are being inconvenienced. Sawant had assured the Goa legislative assembly on Monday that he would take up the matter concerning the resumption of the flight, between the coastal state and the UK, with the Centre. In an email, a copy of which is with PTI, Sawant said that it is learnt that the Goa-Gatwick flight operated by Air India was suspended in June 2025, after the Ahmadabad plane crash. On June 12, Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft en route to London Gatwick, crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel complex shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad. The aviation disaster killed 241 out of 242 people onboard and 19 individuals on the ground. 'The resumption was likely to be with effect from July 15, 2025. Air India has not begun the services on this route," Sawant wrote. 'Many Goans travel on this route for employment purposes. Suspension of service has caused a lot of inconvenience to Goans travelling to and fro from London," he said. The CM has requested the Union minister to take up the matter with Air India and facilitate early resumption of the flight service, according to the email. On Monday, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo had raised the issue on the floor of the House, claiming that it was the only flight that directly brought Goans from London to the state. PTI RPS NR view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 15:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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