Latest news with #Goans
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Rental bikes, cars causing accidents, killing taxi biz, scrap them: Goa minister Atanasio Monserrate
Panaji: Goa's taxi owners and union leaders gathered in large numbers outside the Junta House to protest against the draft Goa Transport Aggregator Guidelines, 2025. Hundreds of them queued up to submit their objections against the guidelines, which they see as favouring app-based taxi firms such as Ola, Uber and Rapido. While the taxi operators tried to put pressure on the transport department, ministers and local MLAs, revenue minister Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate refused to buy into their argument. 'The rent-a-car and rent-a-bike operators are creating a nuisance. Today, all sorts of accidents are taking place, and people are dying because of rent-a-bike and rent-a-car. No one seems to be talking about it,' said Monserrate. 'Let us stop rental bikes and cars totally.' App-based taxi services and cab aggregators will help streamline the taxi business, but the best solution would be to halt all rental vehicle services, which are 'killing the taxi business' for local Goans, he said after meeting taxi owners from Panaji, Taleigao and St Cruz. 'All parking spaces in Panaji have been occupied by rent-a-cab operators. It is the failure of the transport department. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The director should take care of this first. I challenge the transport department to look into this," said Monserrate. Taxi operators said that their biggest concern about the aggregator policy is that it will eat into their business and reduce their income. The taxi operators also said that the app or an aggregator cannot guarantee customers in far-flung areas such as Sanguem and Bicholim. Given the number of taxi operators lined up to submit their objections, the transport department set up a dedicated counter on the footpath outside the building to accept the inputs and suggestions. 'We have set a target to submit 6,000 to 8,000 representations. Our brothers will continue to submit their suggestions over the next two days,' said Chetan Kamat, a taxi operator. Meanwhile, Monserrate urged the taxi operators to keep 'an open mind' and try out the taxi aggregators before rejecting the govt's proposals. 'Their apprehension is that they will not get business. Let the department tell them about the pros and cons,' he said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Goa tops ability to report cybercrime, 50% females can report online frauds
Panaji: Goa has topped all other Indian states in terms of its residents' ability to report cybercrime, with an average of 44.6% of Goans knowing how to report cyber fraud directly to the police or through an online portal. A study by the Union ministry of statistics and implementation has also revealed that females surpass males in digital literacy. At least 50.1% females and 39.1% males above the age of 15 years can report online fraud directly to the police or via a portal. According to the study, 55% of Goans are aware of how to send and receive emails, and 57.9% know how to bank online. 'Goa has proactively addressed the challenge of cybercrime through sustained awareness efforts and citizen engagement, making it a model for other states. As a result of these efforts, it was ranked the number one state in the country in terms of the ability of citizens to report cybercrime, reflecting increased public awareness and trust in the system,' SP (cybercrime), Rahul Gupta, said. The nationwide survey defines 'ability to report cybercrime' as awareness of reporting platforms ( knowledge of complaint-filing mechanisms (online forms, helpline, social media platforms), and understanding of reportable offences (phishing, fraud, identity theft, etc.). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo 'Improved early reporting has helped prevent financial losses in multiple cases through timely blocking of bank accounts and UPI handles,' Gupta said. Goa police demonstrated that proactive awareness, youth engagement, and tech-enabled policing can make a significant difference in cybercrime prevention. Goa's success story highlights the power of community-police partnership, the SP further said. The state's cybercrime police station launched multiple outreach programmes targeting schools, colleges, panchayats, and urban communities. To date, more than one lakh people were sensitised through awareness sessions conducted by the cybercrime police station and the staff of local police stations.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Saligao taxi owners meet MLA, demand scrapping of cab aggregator plan
Calangute: Taxi owners from Nerul, Pilerne, Saligao and other parts of the Saligao constituency on Sunday met local MLA Kedar Naik to demand that state govt discontinue plans to bring in more cab aggregators in Goa. 'We are against the new taxi aggregator guidelines. We have told our MLA that it should be scrapped because otherwise it may result in Goan taxi owners getting scrapped,' said Laxman Korgaonkar, a taxi union leader. Korgaonkar, who operates a tourist taxi in Candolim, said the transport department had scheduled a meeting to discuss the new taxi aggregator guidelines with taxi owners in Calangute, but the meeting was abruptly cancelled without any explanation. 'Our demands are well known. But if we don't come forward and state our opposition to the guidelines now, tomorrow they will say we never objected and so they are allowing cab aggregators. We are opposed to the cab aggregators,' he said. Saligao MLA Kedar Naik said, 'If outsiders come to Goa, it will affect the livelihood of Goans. In the next few days, I will discuss this issue with other coastal belt MLAs and later meet the CM and the transport minister and put forth their issues for govt to take appropriate steps.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Mhadei water diversion to hit flow of Dudhsagar: Green plan
Panaji: The first ever Goa State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (GSBSAP) draft, opened recently by the state for public consultation, confirms the fear long held by Goans. Experts, who have prepared the report have confirmed the imminent threat to Goa's majestic and multi-tiered Dudhsagar waterfall due to the proposed diversion of waters from the Mhadei tributaries by Karnataka. The plan states that the diversion will adversely impact the flow of water in the Dudhsagar river and the waterfall, which could alter the flora and fauna around it. 'Diversion of Mhadei will reduce the water in the waterfall, a threat to ecotourism and biodiversity around the Dudhsagar and waterfall. Availability of water for plants and animals will reduce and the aesthetic value of Dudhsagar waterfall will reduce,' the plan states. 'Availability of water for flora and fauna will reduce and competition for the bioresource will increase resulting in decrease in population. Change in prey and predator ratio and reduction in floral population.' Karnataka, which is actively working to divert the Kalasa and the Bandhura, has long held plans, from 1988, to divert 3.85tmc ft water from the Katla and the Palna tributaries of the Dudhsagar river. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Karnataka intends to divert this water into its Supa reservoir in Kali basin. Katla and Palna are the main tributaries that feed the Dudhsagar waterfalls. Karnataka is also eyeing another 1.06tmc ft water from other sources of the Dudhsagar for diversion into the Supa reservoir. Though Goa govt has already stated its objections to the plans and they have not been approved by the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal, during the 2014 assembly session, Karnataka stated its intentions to construct four dams in the upper reaches of the Dudhsagar on the Katla, the Palna, the Diggi-Marra and the Diggi-Bondeli. Experts in the Goa biodiversity plan have now recommended that firstly more research be carried out to understand the Dudhsagar waterfall and Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Mollem. They have acknowledged that more research is required on Mhadei and its catchment area as well. Dudhsagar waterfalls in Mollem attracts lakhs of domestic and foreign tourists every year, which offers the primary source of livelihood for the locals living in surrounding villages. 'Assessment of research and review papers about Mhadei and the wildlife sanctuary needed in collaboration between educational institutions and involvement of National Institute of Oceanography,' states the plan.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Farmagudi Shivaji Museum to open by April '26: Khaunte
Panaji: The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum at Farmagudi, Ponda, costing Rs 125.6 crore, will open to the public by April 2026, said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte. The museum is being developed under the Centre's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The project received Rs 97.4 crore from the Centre and Rs 28 crore from the state. The museum is envisioned as a catalyst for local economic activity by supporting tourism services, generating employment for Goans, and providing a platform for local artisans and artists to showcase their work. It will host year-round public programmes, exhibitions, and cultural gatherings, drawing both residents and tourists, said the tourism department in a statement. Khaunte said that the project will boost hinterland tourism. The museum, covering 29,212sqm including the existing fort area, will be completed by March–April 2026.
