After minister Gaude raises graft issues, Goa CM Sawant says will act against him
Pramod Sawant
Monday strongly came down on his cabinet colleague and art and culture minister Govind Gaude for raising serious charges against him and said, 'action will be taken against Gaude'.
Sawant's statement comes a day after Gaude alleged that there was rampant corruption in the tribal welfare department under the CM.
'A responsible minister should make a responsible statement. I took cognisance of it. He should not make irresponsible statements. Necessary action will be taken as soon as possible,' Sawant said.
Without spelling out what action he intends to take or whether he intends to drop Gaude from his cabinet, the chief minister only said: 'Wait till I take action.'
BJP state president Damodar 'Damu' Naik also joined Sawant in castigating Gaude for his comments.
'BJP is a disciplined party. We have a proper forum to express ourselves. It is not acceptable to raise issues anywhere. We will not tolerate such things in the party. It is not just a warning. Action will be taken at the right time,' Naik said.
Gaude on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the tribal welfare department during a Prerna Din function and raised questions about the department's administrative efficiency and transparency.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Puerto Reconquista (ver precio)
Verisure
Undo
'A huge amount of taxpayers' money is allotted to the tribal welfare department. If it is unable to organise this programme efficiently, then it only shows a lack of control over the administration,' Gaude said at the event organised by the tribal welfare department in association with the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) at Ponda. The minister was seemingly piqued over the poor turnout at the event.
His comments are being viewed as politically significant given that Sawant also holds the tribal welfare portfolio. Gaude also made allegations about some behind-the-scenes operations. 'The files of the contractors are handled under the Shram Shakti Bhavan building on the sly. And they think we don't know of such things,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
A step closer to gig workers' safety, onus on aggregators
Bengaluru: The legislative assembly Tuesday passed the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025, placing obligations on aggregators to provide social security benefits, including occupational health and safety, to gig workers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Proposing to establish the gig welfare fund on the lines of the fund for construction workers, the govt had earlier promulgated an ordinance on April 11, with governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot giving assent on May 27. The Bill now replaces the ordinance and envisages the creation of a Gig Workers Welfare Board to manage the fund and extend welfare measures. Opposition members, including CN Ashwath Narayan, suggested the govt also contribute to the fund along with aggregators. In response, labour minister Santosh Lad, who tabled the bill, said such suggestions would be considered while framing rules for legislation. However, to a proposal from BJP's Suresh Kumar to bring outsourced employees under the bill, Lad said: "They can't be included as they do not fit the definition of gig workers. " Lad explained that the contribution of aggregators to the fund would be determined by the Board. The bill allows aggregators to collect 1% to 5% of a gig workers' welfare fee from customers, which must be deposited into the fund at the end of each quarter. "The legislation ensures social security for gig workers. It is the need of the hour considering the rapid emergence of the gig economy," Lad said. "A NITI Aayog report says by 2029-30, about 23.5 million people will be employed as gig workers, creating many opportunities in this sector. There are about 4 lakh gig workers in Karnataka." Key provisions of the bill include a dispute resolution mechanism, registration of gig workers and aggregators with the Board, and measures to provide reasonable job security and health safety. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Board will comprise four representatives from gig workers' associations, representatives of aggregators, and two from civil society. It will also have powers to enter into agreements between gig workers and aggregators to prevent indiscriminate termination. Gig workers may also file complaints against aggregators before the Board, and in case of injustice, appeal before an Internal Dispute Committee even against the Board itself. Highlighting challenges workers face, Lad said: "Gig workers, especially two-wheeler riders, are constantly exposed to noise and environmental pollution. Some work 18 hours to earn Rs 1,800, taking on 25 to 30 delivery tasks a day. They face severe health hazards which is why this bill has been introduced." Who is a gig worker? The bill defines gig workers as those engaged through online platforms for services such as food and grocery delivery, logistics, e-market operations, health services, travel and hospitality besides others. It states that a gig worker is a person who performs or participates in a work arrangement, is paid a fee as per terms of a contract, and whose work is sourced through a platform in the services specified in the schedule.
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Justice Sudershan Reddy Vs Radhakrishnan: Southern showdown for VP post
Hyderabad: For the first time since Independence, India's vice-presidential election will see both the ruling and opposition alliances fielding candidates from the South, underscoring the region's importance in national politics. The NDA has nominated C P Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu, while the INDIA bloc has chosen Justice B Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge from Telangana, as its candidate. Political observers see these choices as more than symbolic. For the BJP, the decision reflects its sharpened focus on Tamil Nadu, where it has long struggled to gain political ground. For the INDIA bloc, nominating Justice Reddy not only highlights the South's growing parliamentary strength but also aligns with its campaign theme of 'saving democracy and the Constitution.' Analysts suggest his legal background and clean image strengthen the bloc's attempt to position itself as the defender of constitutional values. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Gold Rates Today in Hyderabad | Silver Rates Today in Hyderabad The contest will decide India's 17th Vice-President. While the office has often seen consensus candidates, unopposed elections have occurred only five times. Eminent leaders such as Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Gopal Swaroop Pathak, Mohammad Hidayatullah, and Shankar Dayal Sharma ascended to the post without contest. Radhakrishnan, notably, was a Telugu from Tamil Nadu and served as the first and second Vice-President. This time, the competition itself carries historical weight, with one candidate hailing from Tamil Nadu and the other from Telangana. Though the NDA enjoys a numerical edge, experts believe the INDIA bloc's choice carries symbolic weight. "The BJP needed to respond to southern concerns, especially in Tamil Nadu, where there is a strong sense of being politically sidelined," said political analyst S Ramakrishna. "For the INDIA bloc, Justice Reddy's nomination not only counters that strategy but also connects with Telangana's political context," he observed. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy had even urged the NDA to nominate Bandaru Dattatreya, suggesting he would have cross-party appeal. Meanwhile, speculation also swirled around leaders such as BJP Rajya Sabha MP K Laxman. Eventually, the BJP settled on Radhakrishnan, while the opposition turned to Justice Reddy, whose judicial career included landmark rulings such as the 2011 judgment disbanding the Salwa Judum militia in Chhattisgarh. Senior analys Professor K Nageswar underlined that the INDIA bloc's choice was less about southern arithmetic and more about projecting credibility. "Justice Reddy brings neutrality and legal gravitas, qualities that match the opposition's campaign narrative," he opined. As voting approaches, regional parties like the TDP, BRS, and YSRCP may face difficult choices, given Justice Reddy's Telangana roots. The TDP has a precedent of refraining from fielding a candidate against former PM PV Narasimha Rao when he contested from Nandyal, despite his being a Congress nominee. Political observers said the contest is not just about numbers. "It reflects a deeper struggle—between constitutional ideals and political strategies, between southern aspirations and national calculations. In that sense, the vice-presidential election of 2025 may well set a new tone for India's evolving political landscape," a senior observer said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Revanth invokes Telugu pride, drums up support for Justice Reddy
Hyderabad: Hours after the INDIA bloc announced retired Supreme Court judge Justice B Sudershan Reddy as its vice-presidential candidate, chief minister A Revanth Reddy Tuesday made an impassioned appeal to Telugu parties across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to rise above politics and rally behind the "son of the soil". "It is an election between saving the Constitution, reservations, and democracy, which Justice Reddy represents, versus CP Radhakrishnan, the BJP-led NDA's candidate who stands for changing the Constitution, abolishing reservations, and undermining democratic principles," Revanth claimed. Emphasising that Justice Reddy was an 'apolitical' candidate, Revanth urged leaders of all parties — TDP, YSRCP, BRS, AIMIM, Jana Sena, Left, and even BJP MPs from both states — to support him. "On behalf of the Telugu people, I appeal to every party to unite on one platform to save the Constitution, reservations and democracy, and to uphold the self-respect of Telugus," he said. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Gold Rates Today in Hyderabad | Silver Rates Today in Hyderabad The CM highlighted Justice Reddy's humble beginnings in a Telugu farming family, and his rise to serve as chief justice of various high courts and later as a judge of the Supreme Court. "He is a legal luminary and a constitutional expert who will safeguard not only the Constitution and democracy but also reservations, which are under attack from BJP," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unbeatable Prices on Temu TEMU Shop Now Undo Revanth reminded that Justice Reddy had chaired the independent panel that studied Telangana's caste survey. "If he is elected vice-president, he will play a crucial role in getting 42% reservations for OBCs approved. He knows the survey in depth and has advised the state govt on ensuring justice for backward classes. He will be the strongest voice of OBCs in Parliament," he asserted. To questions on his role in finalising the candidature, Revanth said: "Justice Reddy is INDIA bloc's choice. He gave a presentation on caste survey analysis to MPs in Delhi, and they recognised his worth as a constitutional expert." Though both the NDA and the INDIA bloc candidates are from the South, Revanth accused BJP of trying to deepen north-south divides. "Congress and the INDIA bloc are fighting to unite the country. At least the 60 MPs — 42 in the Lok Sabha and 18 in the Rajya Sabha — from the two Telugu states must come together to support Justice Reddy," he said. BOX: Drawing on NTR's legacy Chief minister A Revanth Reddy invoked former Andhra Pradesh CM N T Rama Rao's statesmanship while appealing to all Telugu parties to back Justice (retd.) B Sudershan Reddy's candidature. "I appeal to Chandrababu Naidu, K Chandrasekhar Rao, Jagan Mohan Reddy, Pawan Kalyan, Asaduddin Owaisi and Left leaders to take inspiration from NTR, who refused to field a candidate against P V Narasimha Rao in Nandyal when Rao became prime minister. Let us protect the pride and honour of the Telugu people in the same spirit," he urged. Revanth said he would "most likely" attend the nomination event of Justice Reddy in Delhi. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
