Latest news with #NilkanthHalarnkar
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Animal deaths in accidents rise in fiscal year 2024-25, jumping to 582 from 508
Panaji: In the financial year 2024-25, a total of 582 animals died due to injuries sustained in accidents, marking a rise from 508 such deaths recorded in the previous year. Data from recent years shows fluctuating figures with 246 deaths in 2020-21, a peak of 666 in 2021-22, followed by 509 in 2022-23, and 508 in 2023-24. The latest figures highlight a renewed increase in animal fatalities in accidents, raising concerns over road safety. This was shared by minister for animal husbandry and veterinary services Nilkanth Halarnkar in response to a question by Margao BJP legislator Digambar Kamat. Halarnkar said that Goa govt has implemented a multi-pronged action plan to control stray animals, particularly dogs and cattle, on public roads. 'Govt has adopted the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, and Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, under which local municipal bodies, with the help of accredited welfare organisations, are mandated to run continuous sterilisation and vaccination camps for stray dogs,' Halarnkar said. He said, 'These programmes aim to contain the uncontrolled growth of the stray dog population and reduce rabies risk.' In 2024-25, a total of 12,089 stray dogs from across the state were sterilised. 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 'The local bodies are responsible for impounding stray cattle from roads, beaches, and fields, and transporting them to cattle pounds,' Halarnkar said. Under Chapter XX of the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968, the management of stray cattle in the municipal areas is the mandate of municipal councils. Under Section 112A-F of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, the management of stray cattle in rural areas is the mandate of panchayats. The Goa Stray Cattle Management Scheme (Amended) has helped impound 8,944 cattle. A total amount of Rs 21.6 crore was released as a grant in aid during the year 2024-25.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Lawmakers question delay in subsidies for fisheries sector
Porvorim: The House on Friday said that schemes meant to promote fishing and dairy farming have failed to reach the intended beneficiaries. The lawmakers cited deficiencies in a range of areas, from fuel and dairy subsidies to schemes for landless fisherfolk to build homes. The harshest criticism against the functioning of the fisheries department and the directorate of animal husbandry and veterinary services came from within the BJP ranks. Addressing Nilkanth Halarnkar, who holds the two portfolios, legislators called for proactive steps to aid fisherfolk and farmers in the state. The total subsidy allocation under all the schemes of the fisheries department was Rs 13.4 crore last year, and this year it has been cut to Rs 9.2 crore. 'Milk subsidy has not been given since Jan. On the one hand, you ask people to take up dairy farming and then you do not give subsidies,' said Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral. He said, 'If the poor do not receive subsidies on time, how will they survive?' Cabral said that the staff of the two departments refuse to assist farmers from his constituency. 'They are only working in your constituency of Tivim and they don't want to come South,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is AI the secret to mastering a new language faster than ever? See why experts are buzzing. Talkpal AI Undo 'There are many schemes, but I don't know how effective they are. Only you know what is happening. The fisheries director is good, but for some reason, she does not help my people.' Bicholim legislator Dr Chandrakant Shetye had a similar grievance about the disbursal of incentives. 'The support price and incentives to farmers and dairy farmers should be released on time every month or at least once in two months,' he said. Halarnkar informed the House that he would discuss the delays in payments with the CM. Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai said that the budgetary allocation for the fisheries department exposes govt's priorities. 'The total budget allocated to fisheries this year has been reduced from Rs 84 crore last year to Rs 72 crore,' Sardesai said. 'In 2023-24, the original allocation was Rs 100 crore, later revised to Rs 200 crore, and yet the actual expenditure was less than 25% — only Rs 46 crore.' Calangute MLA Michael Lobo demanded that govt take advantage of its connect with the Centre to obtain funding. 'There is a need to use the double engine to buy fast patrol boats to crack down on illegal fishing, bull trawling, and LED fishing,' Lobo said. He said, 'Send central govt a full list of what Goa's fisheries sector needs: jetties, refrigeration systems, and ice boxes.'
New Indian Express
25-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Goa Assembly passes bill to extend daily factory work hours to 10, cites 'Ease of Doing Business
PANAJI: The Goa legislative assembly has passed a bill to raise the daily work hour limit in factories from nine to ten to facilitate the 'Ease of Doing Business'. The assembly on Thursday night passed the bill seeking to amend provisions of the Factories Act, to extend daily working hours in factories and increase the permissible limit for overtime work. The Factories (Goa Amendment) Bill was tabled by the State Factories and Boilers Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar on Thursday during the ongoing monsoon session of the House. Through the bill, the government plans to amend section 54 of the Central Act, as applicable to Goa, and enhance the daily limit of working hours for adult workers from the existing nine to ten. It also seeks to amend Section 65 of the Act to raise the maximum overtime permitted in a quarter from 125 to 144 hours. The statement of objects and reasons attached to the bill said that the proposed amendments were aimed at facilitating the 'Ease of Doing Business' by reforming and simplifying regulatory frameworks. 'The amendments will provide greater flexibility in factory operations and align with evolving industrial needs while ensuring compliance with statutory safeguards,' according to the Bill. The government has clarified that the proposed changes do not entail any financial implications. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the House that the Bill would be referred to the President for assent before it takes effect as law.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
In addition to manual boats, drones also to be deployed to protect Goa's fish stock: Halarnkar
Porvorim: The fisheries department successfully tested drone technology over two months to monitor bull trawling in the state's waters, fisheries minister Nilkanth Halarnkar told the assembly on Wednesday. A special control room for monitoring has been set up at the fisheries department, and now drones will be used to identify vessels that enter Goa's waters to deplete its fish stock, he said. Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that the drones are being used to identify violations, in addition to the two existing manual boats used by the state. 'We have started taking action against bull trawling. So far, 17-18 boats were seized, and the labourers and others caught are kept in a lock-up for two days as a deterrent,' he said. Halarnkar said such drones are already used effectively by Maharashtra govt. 'The drone capacity is up to 20km, and it gives a clear picture even at night. We have two boats already, and additional force will be provided once we start the drone system full-fledged. The high court has already said that we can act against such bull trawling up to 12km. When violations are caught, we auction the fish stock, and they are fined five times this price,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Won't Believe the Price of These Dubai Apartments Binghatti Developers FZE Get Offer Undo Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginald Lourenco said, 'You will watch the boat from the drone, but how will you attach the boat? This issue has been going on for a long time. Will you be able to stop it? There is a very strong nexus between the department and those bull trawling.' Halarnkar said that the Coast Guard and coastal police will also assist in attaching the violating vessels. Benaulim MLA Venzy Veigas and Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar said that in areas like Baina and Desterro, fishermen don't even have boat parking facilities, sheds for mending nets, or high mast lighting needed. 'Around 500 fishermen are affected,' Amonkar said. Halarnkar said that the required CRZ permission has already been received for the shed, and the work will be tendered within 15 days. 'The high mast map costing Rs 1.43 crore has already been tendered by GEDA,' he said.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bill tabled to let industries boost working hours to 10
Porvorim: Goa govt has introduced an amendment to the Factories Act, 1948, to increase the daily working hours to 10 from the current nine hours, in addition to permitting more overtime hours for employees. Minister for factories and boilers Nilkanth Halarnkar introduced the Factories (Goa Amendment) Bill in the assembly on Wednesday. 'To reform and simplify regulations and procedures to facilitate the ease of doing business, the Factories (Goa Amendment) Bill seeks to amend Section 54 of the Factories Act, 1948, to enhance the daily hours of work from nine hours to ten hours,' Halarnkar said. He said, 'The bill also seeks to amend Section 65 of the act to enhance the total hours of overtime in any quarter from 125 hours to 144 hours.' The bill will come up for a discussion in the coming days. Goa is following in the footsteps of Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, the House also passed the Goa Suits Valuation Bill, 2025, with 31 MLAs voting in its favour. The opposition opposed the bill on the grounds that it will increase the cost of litigation in property disputes. The Goa Animal Breeding and Domestication (Regulation and Compensation) Bill, 2025, was also passed by the House. Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira said that the bill will conflict with the Centre's Dog Breeding and Marketing Rules.
