Roque Dias Margao The shortage of beds at the South Goa District Hospital (SGDH) resurfaced on Monday, with several patients forced to receive treatment on stretchers, wheelchairs, and even on the floor a situation that left visitors dismayed. Upset relatives appealed for urgent action, urging that the hospitals unused additional floor be opened for []

NT Reporter Ponda Data presented during the recent assembly session has underscored the urgent need for better healthcare facilities at the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) in Ponda. Between April 2024 and June 2025, 5,865 patients from Ponda taluka were referred to Goa Medical College (GMC) for treatment. Of these, 3,876 patients were referred from SDH Ponda, []

NT Reporter Pernem As many as 59 sanctioned posts remain vacant at the Community Health Centre (CHC), Pernem, affecting the essential medical services. As per the reply provided by state government on the floor of House during the recently concluded assemby session to a question raised by AAP Velim MLA Cruz Silva, vacant posts at []

NT Reporter Panaji Two persons from Bardez have become the latest victims of cyber fraud, losing close to Rs 90 lakh in total to trading and task-based scams. In one case, police said a senior citizen, who is a retired employee, lost Rs 69.75 lakh in a trading scam that occurred between July 5 and []

Research suggests broader strategies addressing abandonment, migration Abdul Wahab Khan Panaji : A study conducted across multiple sites in Goa has challenged the conventional wisdom that surgical sterilisation is effective in controlling stray dog population. According to the study, intensive sterilisation campaigns achieving 58-66% female coverage have failed to reduce the adult dog numbers over []

New varsities could also be beneficial to local students (Editorial) How many universities should Goa have? What spin-offs will they bring to the state? And are there ways to secure the maximum benefits from them? Earlier this month, the Goa Public Universities Bill, 2025, was tabled in the state assembly and sent to a Select []

Many people dont associate cities with trees. Trees within cities reduce heat, recharge the soil and water, and provide spaces for recreation Dol ka baadh, Jaipurs naturally grown forest reserve of some 105 acres that has taken root and thrived over the last three decades or thereabouts is the focus of a new battle that []

Villagers to approach Election Commission, seek resurvey of two wards Margao : The Seraulim gram sabha on Sunday expressed grave concern over discrepancies in the electoral roll of two wards and demanded a resurvey of the entire village voters list. The meeting saw strong participation from youth members who said they were alarmed by the []

Locals push for village to be placed in CRZ-II to facilitate construction Pernem: Questioning the governments claim of 100% coverage under the Har Ghar Jal scheme, Arambol gram sabha members on Sunday said many houses in the village still lack PWD tap connections. They added that wells in the area have turned contaminated and the []

Panaji: A major dispute over the Rs 15 RoRo ferry fare and frequent changes in the sarpanch post dominated the Chorao gram sabha held on Sunday. Villagers strongly opposed the panchayats decision on the ferry fare, demanding accountability. When we had asked for the fare to be rolled back, why did the panchayat take a []

Margao: The gram sabha of Betalbatim on Sunday demanded the appointment of a full-time secretary, holding the absence of one responsible for pending works and projects in the village. Concerns about migrants and mega projects were also discussed at length during the meeting. The session, chaired by deputy sarpanch Ilma Dias, was delayed due to []

PTI New York/New Delhi President Donald Trump has indicated that the US may not impose secondary tariffs on countries continuing to procure Russia crude oil. There were apprehensions that additional secondary tariffs would have hit India in case the US decided to enforce them. Trump imposed tariffs totalling 50 per cent on India, including 25 []

NT Reporter Panaji The newly-formed Goa Animal Federation (GAF) has suggested a Rs 100-crore plan for controlling stray dogs in the state, and found fault with animal husbandry departments proposed Rs 10,000-crore solution which the organisation claims is both ineffective and financially unsustainable. Objecting to the governments shelter-centric approach, federation members argued that the government []

NT Reporter Panaji Exposing the low side of crime detection rate in Goa, government figures pointed out that over 14 per cent kidnapping and abduction cases remained undetected, and that 6 per cent rape cases also remained unsolved in 2024. As per the government data, 30 murders were reported last year in which the police []

NT Reporter Panaji Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane met Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi and held discussions on ways to use funds released under the PMs MISTHI scheme for mangrove conservation in Goa. They also deliberated on the forest management plan for the state. We discussed how Goa []

SUJATA DABOLKAR In Goas forests during the monsoon, a remarkable wild mushroom makes its appearance Termitomycesheimii. For generations, it has been a delicacy in local kitchens, a vital part of forest soil health, and a silent partner to termites. My research has revealed another surprising role for this mushroom: it can naturally create gold []

Unauthorised security agencies to be closed down Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said innovation, involvement, and investment form the foundation for the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goa. Addressing the 79th Independence Day state-level function in Panaji, Sawant highlighted the ongoing efforts to empower local artisans, particularly in rural areas, through initiatives []

Self-reliance must as economic selfishness rising globally New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday gave a clarion call for making a Samriddh Bharat by becoming self reliant in fields ranging from fighter jet engines to energy and artificial intelligence, as he announced a task force for next generation reforms, GST changes as big gift []

Special 40% tax on luxury and sin goods on cards New Delhi: The central government has proposed two tax rates of 5 per cent and 18 per cent in the revamped goods and services tax (GST), slated to replace the current indirect tax regime by Diwali this year, highly placed sources said. The Centre has []

Agency conducted raids in Goa New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday said it has seized Rs 1.41 crore in cash from the residence of Karnataka Congress MLA Satish Krishna Sail, apart from gold jewellery and bullion of 6.75 kg from the bank lockers of his family, as part of a money laundering investigation. The []

161 people, mostly two-wheeler riders, lost their lives Amresh Parab Panaji: These figures will give some relief to road users: the police said that 161 people were killed in road accidents in the state in the last seven months, a decrease in fatalities by over 12 per cent as compared to the corresponding period of []

Special Correspondent Panaji: Reacting to the recent passing of the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of Goa Bill, 2025 in the Parliament and the granting of the Presidential assent to it, Speaker of Goa legislative assembly Ramesh Tawadkar said if the Election Commission of India considers Census 2011 to effect delimitation []

Margao: Former chief minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat on Friday said that if every citizen acknowledges their duty and contributes to the advancement of the state and the country, then the nation will soon attain self-sufficiency and self-reliance. He was addressing the 79th Independence Day celebration at the South Goa Collectorate after unfurling the []

10 self-help groups from various talukas identified by agri dept Padmavati Prabhu Panaji: In a bid to improve agricultural productivity, reduce drudgery and ensure sustainable farming practices, the Directorate of Agriculture aims at expanding drone usage in the farming sector. Accordingly, the state government has initiated steps to create Drone Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) to []

Margao: A day after the state government notified the amendment increasing the number of wards in A-Class municipalities to 27, Margao BJP MLA Digambar Kamat on Friday said the amendment to Section 9 of the Goa Municipal Act, 1968 increasing the number of wards in A-Class municipalities from 25 to 27 will help []

New road signage must be installed professionally for safety of motorists (EDITORIAL) Road signage plays an important role in regulating vehicular traffic. It goes without saying that a professionally displayed signage system helps in ensuring road safety. The State Road Safety Council meeting chaired by the Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho earlier this week finally decided []

Given the restricted room for manoeuvres against the restrictive trade practices so patently deployed by worlds trade major, India has little latitude in building coalition or alliances The world is inured to US President Donald Trumps revealed penchant to double down tariffs on allies and adversaries alike, using it as a weapon to wreak wrenching []

Nirgosh Gaude Ponda Within a year of the fatal attack on an elderly woman at BondbaagBethoda, fear of the bison has returned to haunt the villagers. Locals said they have witnessed heavy movement of the animals in recent days, with a herd grazing in residential areas despite the wild-proof trench constructed last year. Upset residents []

NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the chief officer of the Margao Municipal Council to demolish an illegal structure covered by the transgression report dated July 30, 2020, preferably within one month. The registry has been asked to communicate the order to the chief officer for immediate action, with []

NT Reporter Panaji The High Court of Bombay at Goa has quashed Clause 5.7 of the prospectus issued by the Director of Technical Education, Goa, which provided a 3% reservation in professional degree courses, including MBBS, in favour of children of Central/State government employees and persons in private occupations. A division bench of Justices Bharati []

Alliances are written in ink when interests align and in pencil when they do not. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, US-India relations have entered a period of turbulence. Washingtons recalibration of its South Asia Policy sparked by New Delhis public rejection of President Donald Trumps claim to have brokered a ceasefire between India and []

Islamabad applauded over success in containing terrorist entities Islamabad: Pakistan and the US have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation to tackle leading militant groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), ISIS-Khorasan, and the Taliban. The issues were discussed during a bilateral counterterrorism dialogue in Islamabad on Tuesday, a day after the US designated the Pakistan-based []

The poll panel leadership should know and understand that this is an important moment in the history of free India. The ECI must act fast The response of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to Rahul Gandhis detailed, well-researched presentation raising specific concerns that go to the very heart of the working of Indias elections []

Just Bakes is a one-woman business operated by Kian Braganza, out of her home, focusing on quality over quantity ADITHI SHARMA | NT BUZZ Just Bakes, founded and run by Kian Braganza, began not as a mapped business venture, but as a gesture in the family kitchen. It all started two years ago when I []

The 10th, 11th, and 12th editions of the Goa State Film Festival will be held from August 14 to 17 at Maquinez Palace Theatre and Inox, Panaji, showcasing Konkani and Marathi films as well as workshops and masterclasses. This years line-up has 19 feature films and four non-feature films competing for 21 and seven awards []

Miguel Braganza During the monsoons, slender coconut palms swaying in the south-west winds from the Arabian Sea become the star attraction for tourists who throng to Maddamni in the once-sleepy village of Parra. Dozens of Instagram reels have made these trees more famous than the so-called influencers who tried to defame Goa last year. Tourists []

On National Librarians Day, the writer highlights the various opportunities available for those who choose to pursue library and information science Dr. Sandesh B. Dessai Library and information science is also called the science of knowledge. The primary purpose in this field is to collect information, process it as per the users needs and []

Next big priority should be becoming self-reliant in technology Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India is moving fast towards becoming the third major economy in the world. The Prime Ministers comments come days after US President Donald Trumps India a dead economy, jibe. In his address after laying the foundation stone for []

Police personnel are regularly sensitised: Govt data Amresh Parab Panaji: A total of 119 complaints were lodged against police personnel before the Goa police in over five years, alleging misconduct or unprofessional behaviour by the persons in uniform. Of the 119 complaints, the police have disposed of 51 complaints while inquiry has been in progress []

375 cases booked in over five years; conviction in just six incidents Panaji : In the last five and a half years, 375 cases were booked by the Goa police against matka gambling thriving within the close vicinity of police stations. However, in over 54 per cent of these cases, the accused were found not []

New Delhi: The Karnataka chief electoral officer on Sunday i ssued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking him to share documents based on which he had alleged that a woman voted twice. Soon after the notice was issued to the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Election Commission once again asked []

RAMANDEEP KAUR NT BUZZ With a seafood caldine and a tangy ambotik, chef Avinash Martins introduced Goan flavours on Iron Chef Thailand vs Asia, a reality series now streaming on Netflix. The opportunity came through president, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA), chef Manjit Singh Gill, who selected four chefs to represent different zones []

PTI New Delhi The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday questioned Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani for around 10 hours in a money laundering case linked to alleged multiple bank loan fraud cases worth crores of rupees against his group companies. The businessman reached the office of the probe agency in central Delhi in an e-vehicle []

PTI Ahmedabad Seafood exports from India to the United Kingdom would witness a three-fold jump in the coming years after the removal of duty on fisheries products under the India-UK free trade agreement, according to industry leaders. Since Gujarat, having a coastline of nearly 2,300 kilometers, is one of the key states contributing to Indias []

Disaster swept through the Himalayan village of Dharali on way to Gangotri on Tuesday with a massive cloudburst leading to flashfloods that barrelled through homes, trees and cars, trapping 60-70 people and leaving at least four dead. Dharali is the main stopover on way to Gangotri, the origin of River Ganga, and home to many []

PTI New Delhi Gautam Gambhir has always been against the mega-star culture prevailing in Indian cricket but Mohammed Sirajs Herculean effort throughout the English summer has definitely given the Indian head coach a real shot in the arm. The creditable 2-2 series draw in England will certainly empower Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar []

Special Correspondent Panaji Admitting that the government has received multiple complaints of outsiders adopting Goan surnames, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said that if required, the government will take necessary steps to further amend the Change of Name and Surname (Amendment) Act, 2022, so as to make it more stringent and prevent its misuse. []

NT Reporter Panaji Director of Panchayats Siddhi Halarnkar has placed secretary/gram sevak of the village panchayat of Sancoale, Orville C Vales, under suspension with immediate effect following an inquiry report by the Directorate of Vigilance, Panaji. The suspension order was issued in response to a letter from the Additional Director-II of the Vigilance Directorate (dated []

NT Reporter Panaji The state legislative assembly on Monday passed a bill amending the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garb-age (Control) Act, 1996, empowering the government to impose fines from Rs 200 to Rs 3 lakh for littering in public or private spaces. The bill also empowers the Goa State Pollution Control Board to monitor industrial waste via []

PTI New Delhi The Supreme Court on Monday censured Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his alleged derogatory remarks about the Indian Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra by stating, If you are a true Indian, you wouldnt say such a thing. The top court, however, stayed the proceedings initiated before a Lucknow court in the []