Latest news with #RegistrarofCooperativeSocieties
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cooperative banks directed to recover dues from defaulters
Porvorim: Cooperative banks and credit societies in the state have been given a firm directive to ensure that non-performing assets (NPA) do not rise further, said minister for cooperation Subhash Shirodkar. Speaking in the state legislative assembly, Shirodkar said that cooperative banks and credit societies have been asked to work towards the recovery of outstanding loans to ensure that depositors' wealth is not eroded. 'Three to four cooperative banks and societies have collapsed. It is very difficult to revive them now. The old NPAs are okay, but in the future, it cannot happen. From Jan 1, they cannot have any new NPA accounts; this directive has been given to them,' said Shirodkar. He added that a special cell has been created at the Registrar of Cooperative Societies to monitor the financial status of cooperative entities. Out of 475 cooperative societies in Goa, only 431 submitted audit reports by Aug 2024. 'We have also directed the RCS to ensure that our auditor must audit these cooperative banks and cooperative credit societies at least once every two years. There are 10,000 cases of cheque bounce because the loanees could not repay the dues,' said Shirodkar. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
Indian Express
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Goa tourism minister's latest grievance: ‘People from Delhi… who bought second homes here during Covid'
'Unregistered homestays' being operated from residential units purchased by people from Delhi and other states are being misused for renting out to tourists, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Monday said, flagging these as a 'concern' for the state's tourism sector. The issue was raised during Zero Hour in the legislative assembly by BJP MLA Michael Lobo. Lobo, who represents Calangute constituency, said that many units that were originally purchased as 'second homes' within residential complexes are being illegally leased out for holiday rentals through the online aggregators, alleging that they often attract 'unruly' tourists and cause inconvenience to residents. 'There is a growing concern among Goans regarding illegal homestays in buildings and unregistered homes and estates. This unregulated activity is causing anxiety among the residents and raising concerns of safety, security and infrastructure strain. In buildings, if there are 50 flats, ten are given on rent for short-term holidays. No one keeps a track of who moves in and out. They drink in the common spaces [of the building complex]…play loud music,' Lobo said. Lobo added, 'I urge the government to take decisive action to crackdown against unauthorised homestays and ensure strict enforcement of registration norms and protect the interests of residents.' Tourism Minister Khaunte said the department is actively monitoring accommodations listed on online travel agency platforms to ensure they are registered with the authorities. 'We are keeping a regular watch on accommodations listed on online travel agencies. The government has ensured that all the inventory of hotel rooms and guest houses is registered with the tourism department. The issue is…that people from Delhi and other places who bought second homes here during Covid. Tourists come and stay in those homes and residential buildings. We have no details of these registrations. This is a serious issue because we are losing business [to unregulated and unregistered guest houses],' he said. He said that '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 them as tourist accommodations often do so without proper registration. This needs to be addressed on priority,' said Khaunte. The Minister said the government will work towards finding a sustainable solution that protects the interests of both residents and the tourism sector. Khaunte added, 'The Registrar of Cooperative Societies should be taken into confidence. Societies must remain alert and are encouraged to call the tourism department's toll-free number 1364 to report unregulated stays. The department is in continuous coordination with municipalities and panchayats to address this issue.' Goa government notified the 'Homestay and Bed and Breakfast Policy' to standardise services to tourists through homestays and Bed and Breakfast [B&Bs] establishments in December 2023. The objective of the policy was to streamline registration and to regulate the operation of homestays and B&Bs and augment the supply of accommodation units to cater to the growing demand in the state. Its primary focus was intended to promote tourism in the hinterland talukas of the state. According to data shared in the assembly last year, at least 230 homestays and Bed and Breakfast establishments have been registered with the Department of Tourism in the state.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
In a first, Punjab deputes teachers, clerks as transport officers to ‘curb corruption'
Schoolteachers, clerks and food and civil supplies officials were among 22 who were deputed by the Punjab government to serve as assistant transport officers (ATOs) on Monday. The move, according to the government, aims at curbing the 'rampant corrupt activities' in the transport department, particularly at the field office level. The decision comes in the wake of an ongoing investigation by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) that has unearthed widespread 'irregularities' in issuance of driving licences besides in other transport-related services. Instances of bribes being paid to bypass mandatory driving tests and the use of proxies during tests have been reported across multiple districts. The state transport department has selected 22 officials from varied backgrounds for deputation as ATOs. Among those appointed are Gurmit Singh, a commerce teacher; Shaminder Singh, a Hindi teacher; and Manpreet Kaur, a social studies teacher. Clerical staff from deputy commissioners' offices, officials from the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, food and civil supplies department and even a senior assistant from a university have also been brought in. The appointments aim to introduce transparency and accountability in a department long plagued by graft. The vigilance bureau has so far registered 16 FIRs in the ongoing probe, arrested three officials and booked three district transport officers (DTOs), two of whom are currently absconding. According to the orders issued by transport secretary Varun Roojam, the deputation will initially be for three years. The performance of the newly appointed ATOs would be monitored and evaluated regularly, the order mentioned. The selected candidates have been instructed to get relieved from their parent departments and report to the transport department at the earliest. They will undergo brief training sessions focused on department software systems and field procedures before being assigned to various district transport offices. A government functionary said that by introducing personnel from departments traditionally seen as less exposed to field-level corruption, the move can dismantle entrenched networks of malpractice and restore public trust in the transport system. 'The aim is simple to provide the best, quick and efficient services without any corruption to citizens and thus a background check has been done for all selected officials,' said an official, wishing not to be named. The applications for deputation were called in February.
