Latest news with #GoaRevolutionDay
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Minister who claimed corruption in department under Goa CM Sawant sacked
Goa CM Pramod Sawant dropped controversial art and culture minister Govind Gaude Goa CM Pramod Sawant dropped controversial art and culture minister Govind Gaude from his cabinet on Wednesday. Sawant had decided nearly three weeks ago to drop Gaude after the minister made serious allegations of corruption in the tribal welfare department, which is under the CM. However, Gaude's removal was delayed as Sawant was awaiting clearance from Delhi, reports Murari Shetye. TOI was the first to report on May 31 that Gaude would be dropped from the cabinet. Sawant has not yet decided whether he will immediately induct a new minister into his cabinet or wait until the end of the Goa assembly's monsoon session, which is to begin July 22. In his statement on social media platforms, Gaude said: "There can be no greater honour than to be recognised on Goa Revolution Day for standing with the weak and oppressed. I am grateful to govt and the party for liberating me to give voice to the struggle - the very cause for which govt has taken this stance. When faced with the choice between power and truth, I will always choose truth."
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Minister: Govt panel to solve pvt heritage property issues
Margao: Archives and archaeology minister Subhash Phal Dessai said on Wednesday that govt will establish a committee to address concerns of private homeowners desirous of availing benefits from state's heritage conservation policy. Phal Dessai stated that while govt remains committed to preserving heritage structures—including privately-owned historic homes—the new committee will work to resolve issues with property owners and create mutually beneficial solutions under the state's heritage framework. 'Conservation of heritage houses in private properties will be undertaken by govt only upon the owners' consent. The committee will hold consultations with the owners and thrash out issues if any,' Phal Dessai told reporters on the sidelines of a function held to commemorate Goa Revolution Day at Lohia Maidan, Margao. Phal Dessai made this statement when it was brought to his notice the need for conservation of Francisco Luis Gomes' house, and the demand for converting the house of Juliao Menezes at Assolna into a museum. While Gomes raised his voice for Goa's Liberation in the Portuguese parliament much before Goa's Liberation movement started, Menezes hosted Lohia in his Assolna house. Govt recently approved the Goa state heritage policy, which is a comprehensive guide aimed at conserving, protecting, and promoting Goa's unique cultural, historical, and natural heritage. Phal Dessai said that while heritage structures in existence for 100 years are covered under the department of archaeology's conservation mandate, those less than 100 years enjoy protection under the state's heritage policy. Earlier, addressing the gathering for the Goa Revolution Day celebration, Phal Dessai revealed plans of govt to produce an animation web series on the Goa Liberation movement and its protagonists.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Liberated for choosing truth over power: Govind Gaude
Margao: Former art and culture minister Govind Gaude issued a defiant statement following his ouster from chief minister Pramod Sawant 's cabinet on Wednesday. Gaude said he would always choose 'truth over power' and termed his removal as a 'liberation' to voice the struggles of the oppressed. In his statement on social media platforms, Gaude said: 'There can be no greater honour than to be recognised on Goa Revolution Day for standing with the weak and oppressed. I am grateful to govt and the party for liberating me to give voice to the struggle — the very cause for which govt has taken this stance. When faced with the choice between power and truth, I will always choose truth.' Gaude's removal from the cabinet stemmed directly from his attack on the tribal welfare department during a Prerna Din function on May 25, where he launched a scathing criticism of the department's administrative efficiency and transparency, and veiled allegations of corruption. The department is under CM Sawant. Political observers said by terming his dismissal as 'liberation', Gaude has signalled his intention to continue to champion the cause of the tribals despite losing his ministerial position.
NDTV
11 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"A Reward": Minister Govind Gaude Dropped From Goa Cabinet Weeks After Corruption Remarks
Panaji: Goa Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude was on Wednesday dropped from the state cabinet, almost a month after he alleged corruption in the tribal welfare department headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Govind Gaude called the decision a "reward" for him on Goa Revolution Day, which is celebrated on June 18 every year. BJP Goa unit president Damodar Naik confirmed to PTI that Gaude was removed from the council of ministers. State Under Secretary (General Administration) Shreyas D'Silva said that the Governor of Goa had accepted the recommendation by the CM, following which Gaude ceased to be a member of the council of ministers with immediate effect. Naik, however, didn't mention the official reason for sacking the minister. "This is a decision of the state government," he said without elaborating. CM Sawant was not available for comments. Reacting to the development, Gaude tweeted, "I have been rewarded this fate on the Goa Revolution Day for standing up for the downtrodden communities. Gratitude to my government and the party for liberating me to continue the struggle that I voiced for." Addressing a state-level function on May 26, Gaude had dubbed the state tribal welfare department inefficient and claimed its officers were taking bribes to sign files, drawing a sharp reaction from the BJP, which warned of action. Latching on to Gaude's claims, Congress had demanded that Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai sack the state government for "rampant corruption". The 53-year-old MLA from the Priol assembly segment in North Goa took oath in March 2022, after the BJP won the state elections. Gaude had also served as a minister in the Sawant-led cabinet from 2019 to 22.
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Goa minister dropped from Cabinet after alleging corruption in CM's department
PANAJI: Goa Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude was on Wednesday dropped from the state cabinet, almost a month after he alleged corruption in the tribal welfare department headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Gaude called the decision a 'reward' for him on Goa Revolution Day, which is celebrated on June 18 every year. BJP Goa unit president Damodar Naik confirmed to PTI that Gaude was removed from the council of ministers. State Under Secretary (General Administration) Shreyas D'Silva said that the Governor of Goa had accepted the recommendation by the CM, following which Gaude ceased to be a member of the council of ministers with immediate effect. Naik, however, didn't mention the official reason for sacking the minister. 'This is a decision of the state government,' he said without elaborating. CM Sawant was not available for comments. Reacting to the development, Gaude tweeted, 'I have been rewarded this fate on the Goa Revolution Day for standing up for the downtrodden communities. Gratitude to my government and the party for liberating me to continue the struggle that I voiced for.'
