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First Post
4 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
Are homestays becoming trouble-spots for Goa? Minister blames ‘people from outside'
Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced tighter enforcement on illegal tourist accommodations and updated the state's Homestay Policy to support rural women read more Multiple second residences and residential structures in Goa are being utilised for tourist stays by people from outside the state without informing the Goan authorities, state tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said in the assembly on Monday. He also stated that the Goa government is regularly monitoring lodgings offered on online travel agency (OTA) platforms to ensure they are legally registered with authorities. His statement came when BJP MLA Michael Lobo raised the matter in the House, claiming that homestays functioning in residential communities are causing difficulty for locals by attracting disruptive tourists. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Responding to the Zero Hour mention, Khaunte stated, 'Regular watch is kept on accommodations listed on OTAs. They are actively monitored.' He said, 'The government has ensured all inventory of hotel rooms, guesthouses and other stays linked with OTA platforms are registered with the tourism department.' 'Many second homes and residential buildings are being misused for tourist stays without informing the authorities. The people who come to these second homes and operate as tourist accommodations often do so without proper registration,' he added. 'The Goa government will work towards finding a sustainable solution that protects the interests of both residents and the tourism sector,' he assured the assembly. Later, addressing the reporters, Khaunte stated that the Goa government has updated its Homestay Policy to address critical difficulties confronting local people working in the hospitality business in the coastal state's rural regions. A direct grant of Rs 2 lakh will now be provided to eligible applicants to establish homestays, replacing the previous reimbursement-based model that posed financial challenges for many rural households, he said. 'The original policy required beneficiaries to invest first and claim the amount later, which was not practical for women in rural households,' he told reporters on the margins of the state assembly's ongoing monsoon session. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Based on their feedback, we have made the necessary changes to ensure the policy is inclusive, accessible and truly empowering,' says Khaunte. The updated legislation would apply to homestays with one to six lettable rooms within the owner's property, particularly in rural regions, according to the ministry. 'While the registration is permitted across Goa, incentives will be limited to non-coastal, non-urban zones to ensure the policy's rural focus is preserved,' added the official. Khaunte stated that the project is profoundly founded in women's empowerment, since homestays would be administered mostly by household women. 'This is not just about adding inventory to our tourism ecosystem, it's about creating livelihood opportunities, preserving cultural heritage, and giving rural women a leadership role in community-based tourism,' he said. The tourist department will launch the application procedure for taking advantage of this program once the current assembly session ends on August 8, he added. 100 homestays will be supported under the scheme in the initial phase, the minister said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Goa govt to introduce holograms to curb illegal liquor trade: Chief minister
I observe a Goan excise officer using a handheld scanner to verify the authenticity of liquor bottles with holographic seals in a bustling market. Porvorim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that a system of holograms will be introduced in Goa to help identify and stop illicit liquor trade in the state. His statement came after govt was heavily criticised in the assembly over an incident of a truck carrying liquor that overturned and caught fire on the highway at Dhargalim last month. Opposition MLAs asked whether 'duplicate alcohol' is being manufactured in Goa and how the truck entered the state by passing the border checkpost. Sawant admitted that no entry of vehicle was found at the checkpost. 'No duplicate alcohol is being manufactured in Goa. We will use hologram tech in the future, which allows us to scan and get all the information about the alcohol,' said Sawant. The opposition criticised govt's failure to identify the origin of the liquor consignment even though the incident occurred on June 17. 'The driver, cleaner, and others left the vehicle and ran away. Why are police and excise officials ignoring the incident? We know that illegal alcohol business is taking place in Goa,' said Benaulim MLA Venzy Veigas. The CM said that the PI and the excise inspector reached the spot once the fire was reported and seized whatever alcohol was still intact. 'Based on the collected labels, investigations are on. They transport this alcohol with no export licence, no permit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Spacious 3 & 4 BHK Homes Starting ₹1.65 Cr Near HITEC City Honer Signatis Book Now Undo Till now, we have not been able to verify where it was manufactured,' said Sawant. He added that the vehicle was from Nagaland. 'We have written to Nagaland govt, but we have not received a response yet. Our team has gone to Delhi and Haryana already in the case,' Sawant said. Leader of opposition Yuri Alemao said that although 1,395 cases of violations in liquor trade were found in Goa, state govt has initiated action against only two inspectors. 'Only show cause notices have been issued. You need to seriously look into the lapse,' said Alemao.
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The Purumenth menu at Goa's Petisco features six drinks, and comes with postcards
As a child, a core memory for Dev Narvekar was getting off at the bus stop in Panjim and making a beeline for a fresh lime soda. The drink was frothy, with bubbles that went up his nose and mouth and added to the experience. Decades later, now as head mixologist at gastro-bar Petisco, also in Panaji, Dev is bringing that childhood memory to spectacular life. It is in the form of a mango chilli air that sits daintily atop a drink called Saxtti. It pops, and bursts in the mouth too. Saxtti is one of six drinks on a special monsoon cocktail menu at Petisco. It is a menu that showcases Gaon ingredients and spirits, and a fast-disappearing practice. Once upon a time, Goans would spend the summer stocking up provisions for the torrential rains ahead — also a lean month for fresh produce and fish. This stocking up included pickling, drying, fermenting, salting, and other preservation methods applied to a variety of foods: fish, prawns, mango and jackfruit seeds, kokum, and tamarind. This practice was called purumenth (a Konkani corruption of the Portuguese word, provimento or provisions). The easy availability of produce today has reduced the importance of this practice, which is now restricted to little markets, some church fairs, and certain corners of Goa. Today, it is finding new space in our cocktail glasses. The Purumenth menu at Petisco is just six drinks, and comes with postcards, highlighting the ingredients in the drinks. It is not just a prop: write a letter and the team will post it for you. Each drink tells a different story — of produce, of childhood memories, and of purumenth ingredients. There is the GI-tagged short and fiery Harmal chilli, grown in Harmal village in the north, turned into a tincture; the local palm jaggery whipped into a silken sweet syrup. Coconut and tamarind are fizzed into a soda, and solam (kokum) is mixed with dry mango and spices to create bitters. The alcohol used here is tequila and the local spirit, feni — popular homegrown brand Cazulo, and new kids on the block, Goenchi. One is a popular spirit worldwide, the other, in Goa. The aforementioned Saxtti has tequila, a chilli tincture, and the brine of that beloved Goan pickle, chepni tor (raw mango pickle). 'Saxtti was a region in South Goa, which comprised of 66 settlements, hence the name (derived from the Konkani words for 66). It also refers to Salcete taluka, and the (dialect of the) language spoken there,' says Dev. 'We've used chillies from the region.' The sour-style drink is served tall, with a mountain of that mango chilli air. On the palate, it has a piquancy with underlying spicy notes. In-Feni-Tea is a play on words and a tribute to the Goan penchant of drinking futi cha (black tea) in the monsoons. The cocktail has Cazulo's café feni, black tea, jaggery rum, coconut jaggery syrup and is served with a turmeric leaf. The ingredients (coconut, jaggery, turmeric) remind me of that steamed sweet, patoli, but the drink is more warming. 'It's a take on the hot toddy. We are serving it in a mud cup to showcase Goan pottery, which was once common in our kitchens,' he says. This Goan pottery is also the star of Budkulo Martini. Budkulo (earthen pots) were once used to keep water cool. Here, he uses it to store vermouth, which is then used to create a very dirty martini. Interestingly, instead of olives, he uses pickled kadna (karvanda), a local berry. 'This is the Goan version of olives,' Dev says with a smile. The pickled kadna is a throwback to his childhood, and fighting with his siblings to get the kadna in a pickle. Drunken Sailor is like a highball, on the sweeter side, with a salted galmo (dried baby shrimp) rim and a galmo cracker shaped like a fish. 'I was inspired by the kismur (like a dried shrimp salad) using ingredients like coconut, green chillies, and tamarind,' says Dev. There is also a low-waste policy governing the drinks. Take the West Coast Feni, for instance. The refreshing drink stars Goenchi Feni's West Coast Kokum feni with a Harmal chilli tincture, and lemon, rimmed with rock salt. It is served with a fruit leather made with the ground chilli mixture and jackfruit; jackfruit leather is another popular purumenth treat. The most stunning of the drinks is the Ambot Tik. Named after a popular fish curry that is sour (ambot) and spicy (tik), it uses the Goan choris as a fat wash for Goenchi feni, chilli, and a sublime recheado syrup. It is a smokey, spicy, drink redolent with the aroma and flavour of sausages and the spice of the recheado. Dev is largely a self-taught mixologist, picking up much of his creative flair and experiments during stints at Marriott in Goa, working on the ship for six years. He has been with Petisco almost from the beginning, honing the drinks and creating new expressions that showcase Goan ingredients: there is even a dodol-inspired drink. Dev is a proud Goan and it reflects in his drinks — the ingredients are not used as a gimmick but are treated with thought and care. An inherent need to showcase different aspects of Goan life is what drives Dev's work as a mixologist. 'I've been doing Goa-forward drinks for a few years now,' he says. His Purumenth menu is Goa, distilled in a glass.
News18
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
In Pics: Daisy Shah's Yacht Adventure In Goa With Fur Babies Theo And Mike
Last Updated: On Day 2 of her Goa holiday, Daisy Shah brought her adorable fur babies, Theo and Miko. Daisy Shah beat the monsoon blues the right way. The actress, best known for her roles in Jai Ho and Race 3, jetted off on a coastal escapade in Goa. While she is yet to share postcards from her tropical getaway on Instagram, Daisy recently uploaded a vlog on YouTube. In the video, she documented her travel experiences at the destination. From indulging in a gastronomical adventure to exploring the vibrant state, she had the time of her life. One moment that stood out in the clip had Daisy enjoying a yacht ride with her fur babies — pet dogs Theo and Miko. Daisy Shah Offers Glimpses Into Her Goan Vacation The vlog opened with Daisy Shah having a chat with her friends at the breakfast table. Soon, she headed out to explore Goa's charming sea beaches and vibrant street-side stalls. The actress soaked in the beauty of the golden beaches and shimmering waters before pausing for a quick snack break. She took a scrumptious bite of a corn cob before visiting other sightseeing points. Elsewhere in the clip, she had a sweet encounter with a stray dog, hinting at her love for animals. On day 2 of her Goa holiday, Daisy Shah brought her adorable companions, Theo and Miko. The 40-year-old exuded easy-breezy vibes in a strappy white midi dress featuring blue and yellow stitch patterns, offering some much-needed contrast. Daisy let the wind play with her hair as she posed for pictures with her pet dogs on the cruise. Daisy Shah Breaks Silence On Her Bigg Boss 19 Appearance Daisy Shah recently found herself in the headlines after speculations that she was a part of the Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 19. The actress, however, put the rumours to rest, claiming that she is not going to participate in the reality show. In her now-disappeared Instagram Stories, Daisy Shah wrote, 'Putting an end to all the rumours. I am not doing Bigg Boss. Probably never will. Dhanyawad (Thank you)" and added a folded hand emoji. Daisy Shah's Work Front Daisy Shah made her Bollywood debut opposite Salman Khan in the 2014 film Jai Ho. The Sohail Khan directorial failed to impress viewers upon its release. She was last seen in the web series Red Room, which premiered on the Hungama OTT platform last year in October. First Published: July 29, 2025, 16:43 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.
NDTV
a day ago
- Politics
- NDTV
MNS Workers Garland Sindhudurg Excise Officer With Liquor Bottles
Mumbai: The workers of Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have started making headlines -- this time using violence against two people -- an excise inspector and the chief of a coaching centre. At an Excise Office in Sindhudurg, MNS workers were protesting against the illegal sale of liquor had garlanded excise inspector Milind Garud with liquor bottles made in Goa to make the point that Goan liquor continues to be sold. It is illegal to sell liquor from one state to another without a special permit. They accused the administration of lax management. The workers said they had written a letter four months ago and provided detailed information about the places of illegal liquor sale in Kudal taluka and the mechanisms behind it, but no action was taken even after four months. In Kalyan, near Mumbai, they slapped the director of a coaching center and threw a water bottle at him, alleging that the coaching center's fees are high and on top of that the classes are not being taken properly. The Siddharth Logic Coaching Classes, which has its premises in front of Kalyan Railway Station, prepares students for major competitive exams like MPSC and UPSC. The MNS workers alleged that the director, Siddharth Singh Chandel, is cheating students. The MNS - who made headlines with their violence against common people on multiple occasions - have started making its presence felt again as its leader Raj Thackeray draws closer to his estranged cousin, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The had an impromptu meeting on Sunday when Raj Thackeray visited his cousin's house to greet him on his 65th birthday. The meeting had sparked massive speculation about an alliance ahead of the crucial civic elections. The MNS meanwhile, have been vocal about the language row and a few other issues and have been in the news for targeting several people.
