THE report submitted by revenue secretary Sandeep Jacques primarily blames local officials including the mamladar, the police inspector and the sarpanch for the Lairai jatra stampede which took place on May 3 in Shirgao in north Goa. However, the report that the immediate trigger for the stampede was lack of discipline on the part of the Dhonds or those who walked on the beds of live coals or “homkund.”
Apparently, there was overcrowding on the sloped pathway towards the homkund, compounded by a sudden surge by a group of Dhonds. No protocol was observed. This led to one of them falling and the other fell in a domino effect. The chief minister has stressed that the stampede was avoidable. Notices have been issued to eight officers including the North Goa collector and the SP. They are already under suspension. Belatedly, the government had decided to introduce new rules for dealing with temple jatra of which there are many in Goa.
PRE-MONSOON SHOWERS
LAST week, the meteorological department issued a yellow alert not for a heat wave but for rains accompanied by thunder showers and strong winds. There were light showers in some parts of the state. Though thunderstorms and heavy rains were predicted for Wednesday, May 14, it was hot and humid. With every small shower, the temperature soared. Monsoon rains are predicted to arrive early this year by the last week of May. Usually they arrive in June.
CRACKDOWN ON TOURISM RENTALS
THE Tourism department has decided to restrict the renting of villas and flats for home stay accommodation for tourists. This is because of complaints of complaints from the tourism industry that hotels are losing business to these homestays which have come up in a big way in Goa.
Increasingly it has been found that tourists prefer to stay in these homestays, presumably much cheaper compared to hotels. Part of the problem for budget tourists is that food and beverages are priced very highly in hotels, adding to the burden of accommodation.
Goa has about 20,000 listed homestays. These may be offer accommodation in the price range of less than a Rs1,000 to several thousand per night, depending on whether it is ordinary homestay or a luxury heritage homestay say in Saligao, or a furnished homestay near a beach destination, or a farmhouse getaway in Quepem, or maybe a Portuguese era villa by the riverside. You may explore options for homestay holidays on websites like Airbnb or Holidify to find what fits your budget and preference.
Goa Tourism department is now also planning to regulate the price and duration of water sports activity in Goa. For example, tourists have been complaining that they are charged large amounts for a few minutes of parasailing. Many of the runners of water sports are into lying about price, time and safety procedures. Clearly, all these complains need looking into.
SINDOOR YATRA BY MINISTERS
BIZZARE thought it may sound our BJP ministers and MLAs have been organising “sindoor yatra” to express their solidarity with the Indian defence forces. It was Vishwajit Rane who took the lead in organising a mega sindoor yatra in his constituency of Valpoi on May 14. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant himself led the sindoor yatra in Porvorim from the Vidya Probodini school to the Shivaji Maharaj chowk. Tourism Minister Rohan Khante has organised his sindoor yatra Yatra on Tuesday, May 13.
All these mock yatra are taking place the country over post-Operation Sindoor after the gruesome April 22 terror attack on tourists in which 26 tourists were shot dead by terrorists in Kashmir. Apparently, the BJP issued directions to all party MLAs to hold “sindoor yatra” to praise the leadership of Narendra Modi in facilitating Operation Sindoor to destroy the terrorist hideouts across the border in Pakistan.
DRONE IN MORMUGOA SHIPYARD
IT HAS been revealed that a drone was found in the coal handling facility managed by the Adanis at the MPT. The Adani group imports a large quantity of coal through MPT for the benefit of the steel units in Karnataka. The government had banned all drones in Goa in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The police claim to have filed a first information report against the Adanis.
GOA CASHEW FEST
THE cashew fest which was postponed due to Pahalgam terrorist attack will now take place on Saturday, May 17 to Sunday, May 18 at Dayanand Bandodkar ground in Panaji. The DB ground was the former venue of the first football stadium in the state. The stadium was demolished by the late Manohar Parrikar to create infrastructure for the International Film Festival. The cashew festival, besides a lot of fenny, will feature a fashion show and something like 50 food and beverage stalls; of course live music too.
SUMMER BAZAAR AT KALA ACADEMY
A SUMMER bazaar is being organised at Kala Academy by Tarang, a private organisation claiming to promote small local brand businesses. The bazaar takes place from May 17 to 18 and there will be something like 50 stalls. Check out the fashion labels, handmade kurti and sarees. There will also be jewellery and play craft and summer-specific products like cooling plants and seasonal beverages. Summer bazaar and cashewnut festival take place on the same dates so plan your visits in advance.
POETRY RETREAT
A POETRY retreat is being held in South Goa by poet Rochelle D’Silva in an old resort in South Goa. The poetry retreat was founded in 2019 and the six-day program is being organised between June 4 and June 9. Among those invited to mentor the young poets are Vinita Agarwal and actor Shawn Williams. Registration for the retreat is open till May 30, 2025.
CREATE A FUTURE-READY WORKFORCE!
CHIEF Minister Dr Pramod Sawant urged government employees to work in a citizen-centric manner for the government is here to work for the people. He was speaking at the inauguration of the workshop on iGoT Karmayogi organised by Department of Personnel & Goa Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (GIPARD), for HODs and other government officials at the Secretariat in Porvorim on May 12, 2025.
Speaking of the ‘iGoT Karmayogi’ online platform of providing courses and programs to civil servants to upscale their skills and learning, the CM said that it is compulsory for government employees to register for it. Stressing on the mandate of working for the people, he said work should be citizen-centric. He further said that this competency capacity based learning would help shift governance from rule based to role and resource based management. He stressed on the powerful digital training tool which facilitated the concept of “anytime, anywhere” learning which he said is very important in strengthening the skill set of every employee. CM said that this is an initiative to create a future ready workforce.
Others speaking at the function included Chief Secretary Dr V Candavelou, IAS, who said that “iGoT Karmayogi” aimed at empowering civil employees with skill and competence for efficient delivery of public services and ensured that skill training is democratized and decentralized. Director General-GIPARD Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, said that competitiveness and skills encapsulated in ‘iGoT Karmayogi’ are an important essence to achieving Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
Chief Operating Officer-iGoT India Rakesh Verma said that it was democratization of learning, giving role specific training and transforming employees from “karmachari” to “karmayogi.” He said that the future lies in blended learning of online and offline resources and added that courses in this portal are being designed and developed in context with each State’s requirements.
On the occasion, Training, Planning and Management (TPMS) Software was launched along with the Prison Recommendation booklet. Director of GIPARD Vasudev Shetye proposed the vote of thanks.
GOVERNMENT OFFICE COMPLEX, BICHOLIM
CHIEF Minister Dr Pramod P Sawant laid the foundation stone for construction of the government office complex building at Bicholim, on May 12, 2025. The estimated cost of the project is Rs57.33 crore. Gracing the function were MLA, Bicholim and chairperson, Goa Infotech Corporation, Dr Chandrakant P Shetye, MLA, Mayem, chairperson, GSHCL Premendra V Shet, former MLA and Speaker Rajesh Patnekar, chairperson, Bicholim Municipal Council Vijaykumar Natekar, IAS, North Goa Collector Yashaswini B, Dy Collector Bicholim Nehal Talaunekar, president, North Goa Zilla Panchayat Shankar Chodankar and managing director GSIDC Harish Adconkar.
Earlier, Yashaswini B, IAS welcomed the guests. Addressing the ceremony Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reiterated the vision of the State government to make Goa a progressive state over the next 25 years, in a bid to revamp the administration, make it more responsive to people’s needs, ensure effective functioning and well planned development. Government machinery has started working in that direction to see that no stone is left unturned to accomplish the desired goal of Vikasit Bharat, said the CM.
He added that online e-Services are available to provide citizens a single window to access various government services at any time without visiting government offices. 211 services are made available online in the state of Goa. He appealed to people to take advantage of such e- services of the government.
Others who spoke included MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye who said this unique project will cater to all the demands of people in Bicholim taluka. Various facilities will be available in the project such as stilt floor for parking 94 vehicles besides service utilities. This building will have four floors including Kala Bhavan on the fourth floor.
Premendra V Shet, MLA, spoke said the government must think of starting Kala Bhavan on the lines of Ravindra Bhavan on priority in the new complex at Bicholim. Nehal Talaunekar, Dy Collector proposed vote of thanks.
GOVERNOR’S NEW `KHUSHAL KALYAN YATRA’
GOVERNOR P S Sreedharan Pillai has visited five holy places in South Goa under the “Khushal Kalyan Yatra” which started on May 13, 2025. He plans to visit various temples, churches, dargahs and gurudwaras covering all the talukas of Goa. Since assuming charge as the Governor of Goa in 2021, Governor Pillai has undertaken several yatras across the length and breadth of Goa, such as Goa Gram Sampurna Yatra, Saimik Daiz Yatra, Dweep Parichay Yatra and Goa Giriarohan Yatra to reach out and connect with the people in the State.
In the context of an unfortunate incident that happened in Goa recently and in the context of the crisis that prevailed in the country, the governor has announced the start of a new “Khushal Kalyan Yatra” involving visits to various holy places. During this yatra, he will offer prayers at these places of worship and invokes divine blessings for the peace, happiness and welfare of the people of Goa and the nation.
On his arrival at Shree Anant Padmanabh temple, Savoi Verem, president of Devasthan Samiti Rahul Shet Verekar and others welcomed the governor with flowers. Others present were Sudin Shet Verenkar, past president, Suhas Shet Verenkar, president of Anant Seva Pratishthan Trust, Sadanand Shet Verenkar, past President, Shobha Perani, Sarpanch and others. The governor was felicitated with an offering shawl, sreefal and a memento. The governor presented a cheque of Rs50,000 to the Devasthan Samiti.
Later the Governor visited Shree Mahalasa Narayani Temple at Mardol. Minister for Art & Culture Govind Gaude welcomed him. Temple president Premanand Kamat also welcomed the governor with a bouquet of flowers. Others present were Sanjeev Kamat, secretary, Sachin Pai, treasurer, Darshan Pai Vernekar, Dr Naguesh Pai Kakode and others.
Governor Pillai and First Lady of Goa Rita Sreedharan Pillai offered prayers in Shree Mahalasa Narayani temple. Later, they offered prayers in Shree Nageshi temple. The governor was felicitated by the devasthan samiti with shawl, sreefal and a memento. At Shree Nageshi temple, Nageshi the governor was welcomed by the president, Sanjay Shenvi Priolkar and others. Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat was also present on the occasion.
Later the governor visited Rachol Seminary in Margao where Swami Vivekananda spent three days. On his arrival he was welcomed by Fr Donato Rodrigues and others, MLA Alexio Reginald Lourenco was present. The governor presented a cheque of Rs1 lakh to Fr Donato Rodrigues for Rachol Seminary, and later interacted with the officials of the seminary.
Other places visited included Shree Shantadurga Kunkalikarin Devasthan, Shree Shantadurga Fatarpekarin Devasthan and Shree Saptakoteshwar temple in Fatorpa.