Latest news with #Sawant
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Soon, public bus service in all rural areas of Goa: CM
Bicholim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that govt has decided to start public bus service in all the rural areas of the state and that testing for this has started. The service will be under the Mhajhi Bus scheme with a subsidy of Rs 3 per km. This rural transport service will be a boon for students and women who work in private jobs, the chief minister said. 'Our resolve is to provide transport services to the last point and to the last house in a village throughout the state, and transport minister Mauvin Godinho has been asked to make arrangements in this regard,' said Sawant. He was addressing a gathering after flagging off a bus facility for the people of Surla, Bicholim, who have to walk 3 to 3.5km every day to take a bus. The bus facility has been started on behalf of the Padmini Foundation and Sawant launched it by starting a bus at Surla. He said this is a transport system for 365 days a year and he appealed to everyone to take advantage of it. CM said instructions have been given to arrange solar power in all places where there is need for better security. Therefore, this public system will be started in phases in every corner of Goa.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Panchayats must identify TB patients, counsel them on regular treatment: CM
Panaji: A day after chief minister Pramod Sawant announced his govt's target of a tuberculosis-free Goa, he said on Saturday that panchayats should identify TB patients within their jurisdictions and ensure that they take regular medical treatment. He urged panchayat members and swayampurna mitras to start telephonic counselling with TB patients to make sure they take their regular medicines. 'Get their names from health centres and provide them with counselling,' he said. Sawant said that it's not difficult to make Goa TB-free. 'We have to make sure that they maintain a proper diet. TB patients who are alcoholic should stop drinking and smoking. Patients who follow this can fully be cured within six to nine months,' he said. As the monsoon hit the state early this year, Sawant said that panchayats should barricade and put up signboards to stop people from visiting waterfalls during the rains, to avoid any untoward incidents. He also urged public representatives to take precautions and visit construction sites to avoid the spread of vector-borne diseases. During an interaction with swayampurna mitras on disaster management, Sawant said that panchas and sarpanches should ensure that, in coordination with the panchayat, 'they clean the roadside to avoid water logging on roads'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 'This will not damage the roads, and will reduce accidents,' he said. The CM also said that a public awareness campaign should be launched against vector-borne diseases like malaria. 'We have to educate people to keep their surroundings clean and maintain cleanliness in villages. Only if we educate people will they keep their surroundings clean,' he said. Sawant said that authorities should be active in flood-prone areas, and that everyone should work to provide quick service to the public in emergency situations. 'We have to take all precautions to avoid any disaster during the monsoon,' he said. He mentioned that in Goa, there are 150 amrit sarovars (ponds). 'We have to check whether those these are rejuvenated or not. We have to clean them well before the monsoon,' said Sawant. The chief minister also said that a mock drill was conducted to check preparedness in disaster situations. Sawant said that Goa was declared a fully literate state, and it could not have happened without the work of panchayats and swayampurna mitras.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Goa minister Govind Gaude's sacking delayed as CM Sawant awaits Delhi's nod
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant 's decision to drop his cabinet colleague Govind Gaude has been delayed by a couple of days as he is waiting for the approval from BJP central leadership. TOI had reported that Sawant and BJP state unit had decided to drop Gaude on Saturday, but had not got the party central leadership nod. Top sources in the party said the decision to drop the art and culture minister has been firmed up and there was no going back on it. 'It is just a formality. We need the central leadership's approval and till late Saturday we did not receive any clearance from Delhi, which has delayed the decision by a couple of days.' The move to drop Gaude from his minister's post came after he made serious allegations of corruption in Sawant-held tribal welfare department. Gaude had made a scathing attack on the tribal welfare department last Sunday and raised questions about the department's administrative efficiency and transparency. His comments were soon amplified by the United Tribals Associations Alliance (UTAA) functionaries, who started coming out in open support of Gaude and threatening govt. Piqued by the poor turnout at a UTAA function, Gaude had launched a diatribe against govt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Florida Launches New Policy for Cars Used Less Than 50 Miles/day Bindright Undo 'A huge amount of taxpayers' money is allotted to the tribal welfare department. If it is unable to organise this programme efficiently, then it only shows a lack of control over the administration,' Gaude had said. Gaude also made allegations about some behind-the-scenes operations. 'The files of the contractors are handled under the Shram Shakti Bhavan building (from where the tribal welfare department functions) on the sly. And they think we don't know of such things,' he had said. A day later, Sawant strongly came down on his cabinet colleague for raising serious charges against him and had said, 'action will be taken against Gaude'. 'A responsible minister should make a responsible statement. He should not make irresponsible statements. Necessary action will be taken as soon as possible,' Sawant had said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Gomant Vibhushan conferred on Ajit Kadkade
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Friday announced that the Gomant Vibhushan Award has been conferred on Pandit Ajit Kumar Kadkade. The award is bestowed to honour Goa-origin personalities who have done exceptional work in their fields. Speaking at the Statehood Day function in Panaji, Sawant urged the people of the state to contribute to its development. He said the development the state witnessed over the past 10 years was never seen in the previous 50 years. Sawant said that on every Statehood Day, govt will honour those who have contributed to the state and its people. He felicitated 10 iconic brands of Goa for their contribution towards the economic growth of the state and for preserving Goa's identity. He also felicitated the village panchayats of Taleigao and Bandora for implementing the Swayampurna programme. Sawant presented the Ravindra Kelekar Konkani Bhasha Puraskar to Manikrao Ram Nayak Gaunekar, Suresh Ramchandra Pai, and Bhiku Bomi Naik. He also presented the B D Satoskar Marathi Bhasha Puraskar to Shambhu Bhau Bandekar, Anil Gajanan Samant, and Ramesh D Onskar. The chief minister released three books: 'Temples of Goa', 'Gomantakiya Durganchya Vatevar', and 'Vikas Path: Goa's Journey of Reform and Renewal'. He handed over appointment letters to 16 children of freedom fighters.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Why BJP's Goa govt faces corruption storm from its own again
In a political maelstrom, the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government in Goa has come under fire from its own minister Govind Gaude, who has charged it with corruption and March, former minister and senior BJP leader Pandurang Madkaikar had alleged that ministers in the state were 'busy counting money' and 'looting' Goa. He even claimed he had paid Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh to a minister to get work who belongs to the Hindu Gauda Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, is a former four-term MLA from Cumbarjua. Gaude too belongs to the Gauda community, which has a significant presence among at a 'Prerana Din' event organised by the tribal welfare department and the United Tribal Association Alliance on May 25, Gaude, who holds the art and culture portfolio in the government, lashed out at the department, which is under the chief minister himself. 'Prerana Din' is commemorated in the memory of two tribal youngsters killed in mob violence on May 25, 2011 in Balli, around 50 km from state capital Panaji, while they were agitating for demands such as political reservation for STs, notification of scheduled areas and formation of a tribal advisory council. The protests had taken a violent turn and the two youth were burnt alive. The subsequent elections in 2012 saw a backlash from the tribal electorate against the then Congress government, and the BJP was voted to charged that contractors were asked to pay slush money to get their works done. He claimed taxpayer money was not being utilised allegations came as a major embarrassment for Sawant and his government. A visibly upset chief minister promised 'appropriate action' against Gaude. 'Responsible ministers must make responsible statements,' he state president Damodar 'Damu' Naik told INDIA TODAY 'the party will take appropriate action' against Gaude. 'We will summon him and ask for an explanation This is a disciplined party, and there are appropriate forums to take up wrongdoings, if any. We will initiate disciplinary action,' Naik a reshuffle of the Sawant cabinet has been long pending. It is expected that some ministers will be legislative assembly speaker Ramesh Tawadkar too came out strongly and asked Gaude to make statements responsibly. Tawadkar and Gaude, both tribal leaders, are said to be at odds. Tawadkar had organised a rally named after tribal icon Birsa Munda, with Gaude questioning the utility of the Tawadkar is said to be close to Sawant, Gaude is reported to be close to his challenger Vishwajit Rane, the health minister. The son of former chief minister and Congress veteran Pratapsingh Raoji Rane, Vishwajit quit the Congress and joined the BJP in 2017. He was re-elected from Valpoi constituency in north Ranes come from a prominent Maratha feudal family with its base in Sattari, and Rane Senior has been the longest-serving chief minister of Goa. He was also the speaker of the Goa assembly. Vishwajit is said to be eager to occupy the chair that his father once sat Gaude later complained that his statement had been 'misinterpreted' and that he had not said anything against Sawant. Gaude, who went out of station after the controversy broke, also met Sawant later. Gaude has described Sawant as his 'friend' and added that the chief minister had been sensitive to the demands of STs. Gaude also secured support from the United Tribal Associations' Alliance, led by former MLA Prakash Gaude's charges have prompted the Opposition to target the government. The Congress's Captain Viriato Fernandes, Lok Sabha MP from South Goa, said Gaude had spoken the truth about corruption. 'This government has become a den of corruption,' he alleged. He said taking action against Gaude was akin to 'shooting the messenger'.Gaude, 53, is an engineer and businessman. He is also an amateur theatre 2017, Gaude won as an Independent after defeating Pandurang 'Deepak' Dhavalikar of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP). He joined the BJP and retained his seat in 2022. Deepak's elder brother Ramakrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar is the power minister in the Sawant cabinet, and Gaude has a bristling relationship with the Dhavalikar Gaude has come under fire for technical glitches and allegations of corruption in the renovation of the Kala Academy Goa. The academy was established by the state government in 1970 as an apex body to develop music, dance, drama and fine arts. Last year, Gaude found himself in the eye of the storm over a purported audio clip of him allegedly abusing and threatening a government officer. Assembly speaker Tawadkar had also charged Gaude with misappropriation of North Goa is estimated to have a tribal population of 56,606, around 7 per cent of the population, it is 92,669 or 14.5 per cent of the population for South Goa. Put together, the tribal population in Goa is around 10.23 per cent, which includes Christians. In addition, the pastoralist Gouly Dhangar community is also seeking inclusion in the ST are regarded as the original settlers and inhabitants of Goa. In 2003, the Gauda, Velip and Kunbi communities were added to the ST category. Though the STs and Scheduled Castes (SCs) have 12 per cent and 2 per cent quotas respectively in jobs and education, the STs have not been given political reservations in the legislative the SCs have one seat reserved for them in the house—Pernem bordering Maharashtra in North Goa, which is represented by Pravin Arlekar of the BJP. The state has four tribal MLAs, who have been elected from general seats: Tawadkar (Canacona), Gaude (Priol), Ganesh Gaonkar (Sanvordem), who belong to the BJP, and Independent Antonio Vas (Cortalim). Vas has declared his support for the to India Today Magazine
