FPNitesh Rane acquitted in 2013 Goa toll booth vandalism, assault caseA Mapusa court on Thursday acquitted Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane and others in the 2013 Dhargalim-Pernem toll booth vandalism case. The group led by Nitesh was Goa bound when they allegedly refused to pay the Rs 250 toll fee at the booth at Pernem on the Goa Maharashtra border. They then allegedly created a ruckus and damaged the toll collection centre and assaulted three workers at the booth. His advocate said that the prosecution failed to prove that Rane and others along with him were involved in such an incident as a result of which they were acquitted.300 – LisaGoa govt waives off Rs 2cr power supply bills for Formula-4 circuit racing eventWhile the common man in the state was on the street to fight against the smart meter and huge electricity bills, the state govt granted ex-post facto approval to bear the entire cost of around Rs 2 crore for power supply through DG Set for temporary electrical connections for the Formula-4 Circuit Racing Event held in Feb. The Formula-4 Circuit Racing Event was held at Mopa Airport, Pernem.350 – MurariOTHER STORIESAI voice-bot public grievance helpline to be set up by stateThe state govt granted approval to set up an AI-based 24×7 helpline for the public to raise grievances and a 15-seat physical call centre to verify the accuracy of grievance details captured by the AI voice-bot, ensuring the correct information was collected from citizens and routed to the correct department concerned. The endeavour of the Directorate of Public Grievances is to enhance public accessibility and to streamline the process of grievance redressal through a modern and efficient communication channel, a senior govt officer said.450 – MurariMicheal Lobo acquitted in 2009 forgery caseA Mapusa court on Thursday acquitted Calangute MLA Michael Lobo in a 2009 forgery case. He was accused of conniving with employees of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and forging a letter and producing it in the panchayat for obtaining construction license and requesting for proposed construction of a resort. Lobo after the verdict told press persons it was a case of political vendetta against him as a result of which he had to demolish one wing of 35 rooms of his hotel. “It’s a very old case before I could become MLA. It was somewhere in 2007 and in 2008 when I became the block president of BJP and was about to contest ZP elections. That was all political vendetta,” he said.260 – LisaOver a month without water, Arpora residents blame inter-departmental “buck-passing” for delay, seek CM’s interventionA few residents from Arpora have been without water supply for more than a month, with the govt yet to offer a concrete timeline for restoration even as households bear mounting costs for private water tankers to meet daily needs. According to a grievance submitted by Lt Col D S Grewal (Retd) on behalf of the residents, the community had made “numerous reminders and representations” since the disruption began but had received only a communication advising them to seek permission from “another department” to cut a road. In his representation to the CM’s grievance cell, Grewal said that no department is specifying which authority to approach or the procedure to follow to get the water restored.300 – NewtonAmritkal agri policy: Experts flag community farming, cold storage, extension as focus areasWith the Goa State Amritkal Agriculture Policy 2025 having completed over a year on paper without commensurate ground-level implementation, attention is now turning to specific provisions within the policy’s core recommendations that officials and experts say need urgent focus to translate intent into results. The policy’s Part B, which lays out detailed recommendations across 36 core areas, singles out fragmented and fallow landholding, post-harvest storage, and extension outreach as areas where the gap between policy and practice is starkest. Experts have suggested measures to strengthen policy implementation.500-600 – GovindCREDAI pitches TCP reforms, plans to bring ‘one home, thirty trees’ green mission to the stateCREDAI has called on the Town and Country Planning department to aim for encouraging planned urban development, promoting sustainable construction practices and incentivising green buildings. The real estate body said it had also represented industry concerns around project approval timelines and environmental clearances to regulatory authorities, pushing for simplified procedures while, it said, maintaining governance and environmental compliance standards. CREDAI-Goa president Rajesh Sheth also spoke about the ‘One Home, Thirty Trees’ commitment. Under the initiative, CREDAI members pledge to plant 30 native trees for every home constructed, with participating homebuyers issued a Green Home Certificate and a digital tree passport to track the growth of trees planted in their name.300 – NewtonCuncolim residents demand action after third NH-66 death in 3 months“Concerned citizens of Cuncolim” have written to the Cuncolim Police Inspector and civic authorities demanding urgent preventive measures and accountability after a retired Cuncolim Municipal Council employee died after being hit by a tanker on the NH-66 stretch between the bus stand and Demani. The victim, a cyclist, was the third person killed on this stretch in three months. The group alleged the deaths stem not merely from traffic accidents but from a poorly designed drainage system that restricts safe passage for pedestrians and commuters, effectively turning the stretch into a “death trap.”250 – GovindDgsGoa Police Drug Disposal Committee (DDC) destroy over 46 kg of narcotic substances pertaining to 18 NDPS cases worth over Rs 2 crore.Cargo handling agencies flag high warehousing tariffs at Verna Goods Shed meet, seek reviewTraders and industry representatives have raised concerns over what they termed “comparatively high” tariff charges levied by the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) for warehousing and cargo handling at the Verna Railway Station Goods Shed. A meeting was held to promote greater use of rail-based freight movement and address operational challenges at the Verna Goods Shed. In response to the tariff concerns, CWC representatives asked the trade community to submit a joint representation to higher authorities seeking a review of the existing tariff structure. They further suggested that a commitment from industry towards assured cargo volumes would strengthen the case for tariff rationalisation. Separately, Konkan Railway officials used the meeting to highlight infrastructure and operational facilities at the Verna goods shed, encouraging industries, importers and exporters to shift greater cargo movement to rail, which they said would help reduce logistics costs and improve efficiency and sustainability.300 – Newton + PicCatholic Association of Goa expresses solidarity with protesting studentsExpressing solidarity with youth of India protesting over the NEET paper leak controversy, the Catholic Association of Goa in a letter to the Prime Minister of India is seeking a transparent and time bound inquiry into the paper leak and corrective measures to protect interests and dignity of students. “The voices raised by the youth, Mr Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata party should not be dismissed or ignored; they represent a wider national demand for justice, accountability and institutional integrity,” the association stated.250 – LisaAAP files police complaint against SawaikarThe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa on Thursday filed a police complaint against former BJP MP Narendra Sawaikar for allegedly posting a distorted map of India and making derogatory remarks against protesting youth, terming them “termites” on social media.150 – GovindGHRC notices in Bethora industrial pollution caseThe Goa Human Rights Commission on Thursday took suo motu cognisance of a news report of pollution from industrial units at Bethora and issued notices to authorities. Residents had complained of foul odour and pollution from industrial units. The Commission taking suo motu cognisance of the issue directed notices to be issued to the Chief secretary, director of the directorate of health services, director of the directorate of industries, trade and commerce, member secretary of the Goa state pollution control board, the secretary of Bethora- Nirancal-Conzem-Codari panchayat and the health officer of the sub district hospital at Ponda.130 – LisaStandalone photographs by Rajtilak Naik1: Slope stabilisation work is underway at the site of the 2024 landslide along the NH66 carriageway at Malpe, Pernem.2: Rain showers triggered tree fall incidents in Panaji and several other parts of Tiswadi.CORRESPONDENT COPIESMan attempts suicide during Morjim demolition driveA demolition drive targeting Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations in Tembwada turned dramatic on its fourth consecutive day when a local homeowner attempted suicide as authorities moved to raze his property. Rajan Halarnakar, a forest department employee who lives with his disabled son, allegedly attempted to hang himself as enforcement teams approached his residence.160 – KeshavVelsao villagers agitated as traditional pathway blocked for railway workvillagers of Velsao on Wednesday were agitated on noticing that the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) has commenced work on double tracking, despite the outcome of the pending review meeting and joint site survey not being out yet. The villagers fear that ongoing double tracking work of the railway authorities could block the only motorable Right of Way (RoW) which serve over 20 traditional houses, leaving families landlocked.300 – Sudesh + photoPonda’s golden jubilee project finally nears completionWith over 98% work carried out, Ponda’s Golden Jubilee project is finally nearing completion after 15 years. In 2011, former Congress govt had sanctioned Rs 2 crore to each constituency for various projects to commemorate the golden jubilee year of Goa’s Liberation. In Ponda, a multi-storey commercial complex has been constructed with the funds, which will be operated and revenue from it utilised by the Ponda Municipal Council.300 – Suraj + photoDriving on Canacona beaches threatening fragile ecosystemsDespite driving of vehicles on beaches being prohibited, recently cases continue to be seen of tourists driving four-wheelers on the beaches in Canacona. The beaches of Agonda, Galgibaga, Talpona, and Palolem remain popular among tourists. The Tourism Department took punitive action yesterday evening against two vehicle owners who drove on two different beaches in Canacona, violating regulations.280 – Albert + photoThousands expected to converge at Vitthalapur temple for Aashadi EkadashiThe historic Vitthal Rakhumai Satyabhama Temple at Vitthalapur, Sanquelim, will see devotees from across Goa thronging to the temple on Ashadhi Ekadashi on July 25, with thousands of devotees and walking pilgrimage groups expected to participate in the annual religious event.230 – ChodankarLoliem locals oppose villa project over environmental concernsLoliem-Polem locals have strongly opposed the project of 49 premium villas, each with attached swimming pools, by a well-known real-estate company.200 – AlbertMan booked for cruelty against wifeColva Police have registered a case against Shashank Naik, a native of Karnataka currently residing in Margao, for allegedly subjecting his 25-year-old wife to cruelty, assault, and criminal intimidation.140 – NisserPENDING STORIESFPGoa scientists’ study venomous sea creatures to discover new medicines: Scientists at National Institute of Oceanography, studying venomous marine animals to find compounds that could help make new medicines for pain relief, fighting infections, and treating nerve-related diseases. 460 + gfx (150 words) – NidaCourt flags lapses in test identification parades by Goa Police: Court orders exposed investigating officers of Goa police taking a casual approach to conducting test identification parades to identify accused in rape and murder cases, bringing embarrassment to the Goa police as many cases turned into acquittals. 500 – MurariSlum children find a voice for their struggle through creative writing: Muskaan (name changed), 10, a resident of Chimbel’s Indiranagar slums, recollects telling her construction worker father everyday to get her a pizza. But it is only through the short story she recently got to pen, did Muskaan feel satiated. 400 + pics – NidaCITYChild Rights Panel Urges Regular Safety Checks of Govt School Buildings: The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSPCR) recommended that the State conduct periodic safety inspections of all govt school buildings to prevent incidents that could endanger children’s lives. 400 – MurariGoa produced 17.87 thousand tonnes of cashew in 2025–26: Goa produced an estimated 17.87 thousand tonnes of cashew during 2025–26, according to the Second Advance Estimates of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. 200 – NidaArecanut Growers Turn to Scientific Farming for Better Yields: With erratic monsoon patterns, arecanut cultivation in Goa is increasingly adopting scientific management practices to improve productivity and resilience. 400 – NidaHealth officials inspect under-construction police station bldg,issues instructions for cleanliness: Taking cognisance of the complaints pertaining to wild growth of vegetation surrounding the abandoned under-construction quepem police station building, Quepem primary health centre’s health officer conducted an inspection of the site, and issued instructions to ensure cleanliness of the surroundings to prevent outbtreak of vector borne diseases. 300 – GovindStandalone photographs by Rajtilak NaikConstruction of a new memorial dedicated to Goa’s first Chief Minister, Dayanand Bandodkar, is underway at Miramar in Panaji.The roads within the KTC bus stand in Panaji are in a dilapidated condition.CORRESPONDENT COPIESCurti now new epicentre of dengue in Ponda: After several cases of suspected dengue fever were found in Bethora village and Khadapabandh ward of Ponda municipality, now Curti panchayat area on the outskirts of Ponda town is emerging as the new epicenter of dengue fever after multiple cases of dengue fever were found. 300 – Suraj + photosFemale leopard rescued from well in Loliem: A fully matured female leopard was rescued without injury by Canacona forest department rescue team, under Range forest officer, Anant Velip, after it fell in a deep well early on Wednesday morning at Madditolop in Loliem, Canacona. 200 – AlbertErratic Monsoon Rains Drive Shield-tailed Snakes onto Chorla Ghat Roads, Causing Spike in Roadkill: Unpredictable monsoon showers in the Chorla Ghat region have led to a rise in the deaths of shield-tailed snakes, which leave their underground burrows in search of dry ground and are frequently crushed by vehicles on tarred roads. 210 – Kerkar + photo
