CM said he’d look into issue of high shack fees: Lobo

Times of India | 3 days ago | 24-09-2022 | 04:30 am

Panaji: Calangute MLA Michael Lobo on Friday said that there’s been an increase in various fees for shack owners, and asked chief minister Pramod Sawant to reduce them. Lobo said that Sawant promised he would look into the matter.Lobo met Sawant and discussed issues pertaining to stakeholders of the tourism industry. The Calangute MLA said that tourism minister Rohan Khaunte has started the shack allotment process and even granted a one-year extension.“The finance department has increased fees for shack licenses by 80% and deck bed fees have increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000. Even garbage fees have been added, which was never there earlier,” Lobo said.He said that the shack owners’ association has urged the CM to provide some relief where fees are concerned. “All shacks do not do the same business,” Lobo said. “Some shacks at good locations will not have problems paying the fee. But there are some locations with very few tourists, and they may face issues.”The Calangute MLA said many shack owners have not paid last year’s fees, and that the tourism department told them their licence would not be renewed.

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From October, Calangute p’yat to also collect garbage at night

Times of India | 3 hours ago | 27-09-2022 | 04:51 am

Times of India

3 hours ago | 27-09-2022 | 04:51 am

Calangute: The Calangute panchayat has decided to collect garbage at night from October. The decision comes following suggestions from tourism minister Rohan Khaunte and other stakeholders at the recent International Beach Clean-up Day last Saturday.During the clean-up drive, resort owners, staff and other stakeholders said that garbage is only being collected during the day. But, with a large number of tourists visiting the coastal village during the night, garbage gets littered on the beach and roads during this time, which then becomes a sore sight for their guests and tourists visiting or walking around during the early morning hours. Garbage clearing workers start work only at 8am. “The trucks will also collect garbage late evening and from 6.30am onwards so that the roads are clean early morning,” Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said. Stakeholders also pointed out that the workers simply sweep the garbage from the roads into the nearest drains. Sequeira assured them that the workers will be trained to make them more effective.

Soon, app to bring Goa tourism at the fingertips

Times of India | 3 hours ago | 27-09-2022 | 04:40 am

Times of India

3 hours ago | 27-09-2022 | 04:40 am

Panaji: While the tourism department’s website does have essential basic information for tourists, like places to visit and activities, the department is keenly aware that these details are insufficient for the present-day traveller, especially when everything is technology driven.An app that can guide a traveller across destinations in North and South Goa will be launched by November-December, tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said.“We have already started using technology to give tourists a better experience and we are in the process of introducing an app,” he said.The app will aid a traveller to access all information required to make his stay better and enjoyable. “A tourist will be able to download the app from the playstore. A wallet facility will be offered with a QR code, which he can use at various locations,” he said.GIS mapping of locations, he said, has started. The attempt is to see that every part or area is integrated into the facility.“Suppose a tourist is visiting Dudhsagar. All locations in that circuit will be geo-tagged. The tourist can make informed choices as he starts on a journey and sees more than one place in the circuit,” Khaunte said.A Dudhsagar-bound tourist can also visit the Tamdi Surla temple. Depending on the circuit chosen by the tourist, he will be able to see tourist spots in that area.Besidea, a call centre will promptly address any grievances or queries he or she may have.Travellers exploring Goa’s interiors have mostly gained their knowledge about locations other than coastal areas though social media, reels and YouTube videos. The number of tourists visiting waterfalls and other water bodies in the interiors have gone up and some even turn to adventures in their pursuits in total disregard to the dangers of venturing into inaccessible and remote areas.

Eatery staff held for cash, bike theft

Times of India | 5 hours ago | 27-09-2022 | 02:40 am

Times of India

5 hours ago | 27-09-2022 | 02:40 am

Panaji: Saligao police on Monday arrested one person for theft at a restaurant at Sangolda. Police said that Aakash Basavaiah, a native of Bengaluru and an employee of the restaurant, stole Rs 45,000 from its cash counter, and further used the restaurant scooter worth Rs 95,000 and fled, thereby causing loss to the complainant to the tune of Rs 1.4 lakh. tnn

Goa: TCP minister Vishwajit Rane scraps plans that paved the way for golf courses, race tracks and film cities

Times of India | 11 hours ago | 26-09-2022 | 07:58 pm

Times of India

11 hours ago | 26-09-2022 | 07:58 pm

PANAJI: In a significant victory for environmental activists and citizens, Town and Country Planning (TCP) minister Vishwajit Rane buckled under pressure on Monday and scrapped the draft Goa Land Development & Building Construction Regulations. Rane, who initially announced that he would keep the contentious norms in abeyance, appears to have backed down in the face of street protests and an admonition by the BJP. Rane also announced that the TCP department has decided to scrap all approvals granted to applicants under Section 16B of the TCP Act. Rane said that the department will file an affidavit before the Bombay High Court at Goa informing the court about the policy decision. “Keeping the TCP amendments in abeyance will create more doubt so I have decided to scrap the amendments,” said Rane. “The expert committee and the TCP board will discuss these amendments.” Earlier in the day, environmentalists and concerned citizens held a peaceful protest against the draft Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations outside the TCP building. The protest was organised by the Federation of Rainbow Warriors and other activists. The activists said that the Town and Country Planning department has shown no scientific basis while framing the amendments to Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations. Over the last two weeks, several villages have also organised gram sabha meetings where locals have panned the TCP department’s move to encourage golf courses, film cities, farm houses and other mega projects in the state.

Goa: RG wants September 28 deadline for new land norms to be extended

Times of India | 21 hours ago | 26-09-2022 | 10:05 am

Times of India

21 hours ago | 26-09-2022 | 10:05 am

PANAJI: Revolutionary Goans (RG) hit out at town and country planning (TCP) minister Vishwajit Rane after the latter accused political parties of submitting repetitive objections against the Goa Land Development & Building Construction Regulations. RG chief Manoj Parab said that the draft regulations apply to the entire state and all Goans had the same concerns. He said that Rane will be forced to apologise for introducing the draft norms. “He claims that the objections are cut and paste but I want to remind him that he has framed rules for the entire state not different rules for each village. If he has the ability to do, make plans for each village and then we will submit separate objections,” said Parab. Further, RG has demanded that Rane should translate the draft Goa Land Development & Building Construction Regulations into Konkani and increase the time frame to submit objections and suggestions. The last day to submit objections and suggestions is September 28. On Rane’s recent dismissive reference to the nativist party, Parab said, “I want to remind him that we have one MLA in the assembly.”

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