Goa a step closer to getting 3rd district, Cabinet approves proposal
As per the proposal, the new district will consist of four hinterland talukas of Sangeum, Dharbandora, Quepem and Canacona, which currently fall under the South Goa district. The district headquarters is proposed to be set up at Curchorem in Quepem taluka.
Goa currently has two districts, North Goa and South Goa. North Goa district comprises five talukas — Bardez, Tiswadi, Pernem, Bicholim and Sattari. South Goa district has seven talukas — Ponda, Mormugao, Salcete, Sanguem, Dharbandora, Quepem and Canacona.
In November 2023, the Goa government formed a committee to examine the proposal for the creation of a third district in the state. The seven-member committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, was tasked with assessing the need for a third district in view of the increasing population and the need for overall development of the state.
The committee was mandated to ascertain whether the creation of a third district would lead to the development and welfare of the people in general, and of backward talukas in particular. It was also asked to suggest the boundaries of the new district after considering several aspects, including population, economic status, availability of infrastructure and public opinion.
Sources said that after considering aspects related to the demography, geographical area, infrastructure and administration, the committee recommended the creation of a third district, carved out of areas falling under the South Goa district. 'The existing South Goa district, thus altered, may consist of Ponda, Salcete and Mormugao talukas. The boundaries of the existing North Goa district may remain unchanged,' the committee is learnt to have said in its report.
The committee further said that as per the socio-economic indicators of the area of the proposed district, it meets the criteria for selection for the Aspirational Districts Programme. The panel further said it is likely that the creation of the district would attract central funds in key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, water, infrastructure and financial inclusion to accelerate development in the area.
In January 2021, former chief minister and Ponda MLA Ravi Naik had moved a private member's resolution in the state Legislative Assembly, demanding the constitution of a third revenue district, comprising Sattari, Ponda and Dharbandora talukas. Naik had argued that the third district was a long-pending demand of the people of these talukas and that it would facilitate better administration, efficient delivery of services and help in getting more funds from the Centre for development projects in the state.
Naik had also said the people of Sattari, Ponda and Dharbandora talukas were largely underprivileged and often found themselves running in the corridors of the collectorate buildings and forced to travel to Margao and Panaji to get their work done. The resolution was defeated after a vote in the House. In February 2020, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government was considering forming a third district in the state, in view of increasing population and the need for overall development.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
J&K statehood must be restored for Constitutional respect, says Farooq Abdullah
Veteran politician and president of National Conference, Farooq Abdullah, has said if the Constitution of the country has to be respected, statehood for Jammu and Kashmir should be restored and that the recent Pahalgam terror attack could have been prevented had the local government been in charge of the security."It's not a question of being hopeful," Abdullah said in reply to a query about the growing demand for the restoration of statehood in the Union Territory."If the Constitution of India is to be respected, states are never converted into UTs. A UT is converted into a state. The tragedy is that they converted a state into a UT. And what did they achieve?" he told PTI here recalled that "promises" were made when Article 370 was abrogated six years ago on August 5, 2019, that "terrorism would disappear"."Has militancy disappeared? Or has it increased?" he said, adding, "The Centre should answer this in the parliament". Abdullah said that the people were "expecting" that statehood for Jammu and Kashmir would be announced soon. "Already, all the opposition parties are fighting for us also in the have seen recently, (Congress President Mallikarjun) Kharge and Rahul Gandhi's letter to the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) asking that the statehood must be restored." Abdullah recalled that the central government has made promises "to us in Parliament and also committed themselves in the Supreme Court". The veteran politician, who has been the chief minister of the erstwhile state three times and also a Union Minister, questioned the Centre's motive behind "downgrading" the state."And what did they achieve? When they did this, they said that the militancy would die because 370 is responsible for militancy. For the last six years, they have been ruling for all 5 years before the election came. "And even today, they are in control of the security and all the rest. Has militancy disappeared? Or has it increased?" he asked. Reflecting on the current situation, Abdullah lamented the lack of control the elected government has over security and administrative matters and went on to say that the recent Pahalgam terror attack could have been prevented had a local government been in charge of the to admission by the Lieutenant Governor admitting security failure for Pahalgam, Abdullah said, "I am glad the Lt Governor has accepted his failure. He should have had the courage to resign." Abdullah pointed out the glaring silence from Jammu and Kashmir in the Rajya Sabha as four seats remain vacant, terming it a "tragedy"."Why was Jammu and Kashmir denied election to the Rajya Sabha?" he said. "Not only that, two seats are vacant in the Assembly. What is the Election Commission doing?" The National Conference chief dismissed talk of internal discord in the party. "This party is a democratic party. It is not like the BJP, which has become an autocratic party. Here people have the right to speak what they want," he said while answering a question about the difference of opinion between the party and Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Pakistan's role, Abdullah's stance was firm. "Pakistan is not going to give up. Therefore, what is the way forward? War is never a solution to any problem," he advocated for a peaceful solution that would be "honourable for India, honourable for Pakistan, and honourable for the people of Jammu and Kashmir". To a question about separatist leader Bilal Lone announcing joining the mainstream, he said, "I am very glad, very happy that they have realised that J-K is a part of India", and expressed the hope that the leader could now contribute to the welfare of the people after "years spent in the wilderness".
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Lessons from the Rajasthan school tragedy
The death of seven children during the collapse of a government school in Rajasthan's Jhalawar district should serve as a painful reminder of the decrepit infrastructure that often characterises government-run schools in many parts of India. The failure to release funds earmarked in the state budget for 2,710 schools identified by the education department as needing repairs makes this a crime of omission. Against this backdrop, state school education minister Madan Dilawar's remark that the money for repairs can't come from him is not merely insensitive but downright offensive. A state where government school enrolment among 6-14-year-olds stands at close to 60% (according to Pratham's Annual Status of Education Report 2024) can ill-afford to overlook infrastructural needs. If students and their parents can't feel confident about the safety of a school building — a basic ask — and are unable to undertake out-of-pocket expenses for private schooling, it is a short path to rising dropout rates. The quality of school spaces, research indicates, is positively correlated with students' educational attainment. The state government has ordered a high-level inquiry and announced compensation for the families of the children killed. It now needs to act on school repairs. The Centre has advised states and UTs to assess building safety, but also for evacuation/emergency readiness, and psychosocial care protocols of schools. While this is a welcome measure, states have to take a proactive role and not just scramble to do this after a Jhalawar-like incident.
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Legacy of Chola dynasty provides road map for modern India, says PM Modi in Tamil Nadu
Paying glowing tributes to the military might and administrative acumen of Rajendra Chola I and his father Rajaraja Chola in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 27, 2025) said the heights reached by the emperors were a source of inspiration, providing an ancient road map for the country to become a developed nation. 'The economic and strategic advancements achieved during the Chola era remain a source of inspiration for modern India. To become a developed nation, we too must prioritise unity; strengthen our Navy and Defence forces and look for new opportunities, even while safeguarding our core values,' Mr. Modi said at the valediction of the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival marking the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola I at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Follow PM Modi in Tamil Nadu highlights here Mr. Modi released a commemorative coin in honour of Rajendra Chola I on the occasion. The king had built Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the ancient capital of the Imperial Cholas, along with the Brihadisvara Temple and the Cholagangam, a massive lake, after his victorious expedition to the Gangetic plains about 1,000 years ago. The Prime Minister announced the Centre would install grand statues of the two emperors in Tamil Nadu, to serve as the pillars of country's historical consciousness. 'The legacy of Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola is synonymous with India's identity and pride. The history and heritage of the Chola Empire proclaim the true potential of India,' he said. Rajaraja Chola built a powerful navy; his son Rajendra Chola I strengthened it. The Cholas strengthened local administration, established extensive trade and cultural links to bring out about development in various spheres to his country. The Chola rulers had extended their diplomatic and trade relations to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Southeast Asia, he pointed out. India too placed the highest priority on its national security, Mr. Modi said and added that through Operation Sindoor, the world has witnessed the firm and decisive response of the country to any threat to its sovereignty. Pointing out the Chola reign was considered to be one of the golden ages of the country by historians, Mr. Modi said the dynasty was not only known for their military strength but also for being the mother of democracy by introducing the kudavolai system of electing local representatives centuries ago. The global discourse now revolves around water management and ecology preservation, but our ancestors understood the importance of these issues long ago, Mr. Modi said citing the Cholas excellent water management systems. 'The Chola rulers had woven a thread of cultural unity. Our government is carrying forward their ideals,' he said referring to the conduct of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam to reinforce centuries-old bonds of unity. Over the past decade, the nation had worked on mission mode to preserve its cultural legacy. About 600 ancient statues and artefacts, which had been stolen and sold abroad, have been brought back to India since 2014. Of these, 36 belonged to Tamil Nadu. The Prime Minister paid tributes to the country's Shaivite tradition too, saying it played a vital role in shaping the nation's cultural identity. If only the world adopted the teaching of Tirumular, 'Anbe Shivam' (Love is God), problems such as instability, violence and environmental crises could be solved, he observed. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, State Ministers Thangam Thennarasu and S.S. Sivasankar, and Lok Sabha MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, were among the participants.
