Latest news with #Curchorem


Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Goa cracks down on litterbugs: New garbage bill aims to keep tourist areas clean; fines up to Rs 3 lakh
PORVORIM : The House passed the crucial Goa NonBiodegradable Garbage (Control) (Amendment) Bill, which has provision to penalise people caught littering not just public spaces, but private ones too. The bill facilitates a fine of Rs 300 for the first offence, with subsequent offences attracting fines of up to Rs 3 lakh. Opposition leader Yuri Alemao asked why imprisonment as a deterrent was not included in the amendment bill. It was passed after a brief discussion on provisions, and with amendments suggested by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral. The House also passed the Goa Tax on Infrastructure (Amendment) Bill, introduced by TCP minister Vishwajit Rane, which aims to make payment of infrastructure tax by builders and developers easier. Opposition MLAs questioned govt's intent in allowing payments in two installments. To the point raised by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on whether similar benefits will be extended to Goans for constructing their houses, the CM said such a law is in the pipeline. Passing of the Goa Public Universities Bill, with a provision to facilitate setting up of multi-disciplinary universities was deferred till Friday following Opposition members' demands that the bill be sent to the select committee.


Time of India
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bill to penalise litterbugs passed
Porvorim: The House passed the crucial Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) (Amendment) Bill, which has provision to penalise people caught littering not just public spaces, but private ones too. The bill facilitates a fine of Rs 300 for the first offence, with subsequent offences attracting fines of up to Rs 3 lakh. Opposition leader Yuri Alemao asked why imprisonment as a deterrent was not included in the amendment bill. It was passed after a brief discussion on provisions, and with amendments suggested by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral. The House also passed the Goa Tax on Infrastructure (Amendment) Bill, introduced by TCP minister Vishwajit Rane, which aims to make payment of infrastructure tax by builders and developers easier. Opposition MLAs questioned govt's intent in allowing payments in two installments. To the point raised by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on whether similar benefits will be extended to Goans for constructing their houses, the CM said such a law is in the pipeline. Passing of the Goa Public Universities Bill, with a provision to facilitate setting up of multi-disciplinary universities was deferred till Friday following Opposition members' demands that the bill be sent to the select committee.


Time of India
29-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
All units at Verna ind estate to be told to treat effluents
Porvorim: Minister for water resources Subhash Shirodkar said in the assembly on Tuesday that the Kesarval spring at Verna will soon be rejuvenated and beautified at an estimated cost of Rs 13 crore. Chief minister Pramod Sawant said it will be made mandatory for even smaller units at the Verna industrial estate to set up effluent treatment plants so that the quality of water at the spring is maintained. Quepem MLA Altone D'Costa said that the quality of the water at the spring is deteriorating. 'The Kesarval spring sees a large number of visitors every day. Our tourism department has proposed the development of springs, and when we noticed it was not part of the list, we decided to add it,' Shirodkar said. 'We carried out an inspection recently. The spring will be developed and beautified, and bandharas will be built downstream so local farmers can continue using the water for agriculture.' Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that today people report getting skin infections after bathing in the Kesarval spring, while Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral said that unless the quality of water is improved at the spring, there is no point in carrying out the beautification works.


Time of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Uproar in House over Carlos calling new law ‘official land grab' in video
Porvorim: There was an uproar in the House on Thursday as arguments between ruling and opposition MLAs heated up during a calling-attention motion by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral. He sought the withdrawal from social media of a video by Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira, in which the latter said that the new law on no man's land was an 'official land grab' ploy. Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that Ferreira was defaming govt, while revenue minister Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate said that Ferreira was fearmongering. Cabral said that Ferreira was misrepresenting the provisions of the Goa Escheats, Forfeiture and Bona Vacantia Act, 2024. 'The bill seeks to protect the land of Goans, especially those lands lying vacant and abandoned, and are at risk from illegal encroachments, fraudulent transfers, and land grabbers,' Cabral said. 'Govt needs to counter this false propaganda on the act.' Ferreira said govt needs to auction the land it takes over and cannot divert it for any purpose it wants. He said there is no clear definition of abandoned properties in the act. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo by Taboola by Taboola Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that Ferreira has only repeated in the video what opposition MLAs said during the discussion on the bill in the House and asked why the ruling side was creating an issue over the words 'official land grab' now. 'He cannot be allowed to make baseless allegations. If he has a problem with the bill, he should challenge it in court. Our intent is clean and clear,' Sawant said. He said, 'We have registered 22 cases of land grab so far under the SIT formed for this purpose. The land of people living in foreign countries is being grabbed. We are the first govt to act against it.' Sawant said govt has already clarified that it is only taking over properties which are no man's land. Ferreira said there is no question of withdrawing his video as he has the right to speak out. 'After one year, how many cases have been filed under the new legislation? How many abandoned properties are there, can govt reply?' asked Sardesai. Monserrate said that unlike what is being projected, no survey has been carried out to identify any vacant houses in the state and said that procedures are on to take action on no man's land as stipulated by the new legislation.