Goa Government has notified the Chief Minister’s Police (Gold) Medal Rules, 2026, introducing awards for gallantry, outstanding performance and meritorious service. A maximum of seven medals can be awarded annually, with each carrying a one-time cash prize of Rs 5,000. The awards will be announced every year on December 19. • Goa Government re-notifies its annual grant scheme to support private museums and galleries in preserving collections, upgrading infrastructure and improving visitor facilities. Museums must have a minimum of 50 artefacts or artworks to qualify for financial assistance. • Goa Government has demarcated 14 locations across North Goa for regulated watersports activities, including kayaking, paddle boating, boat rides and river rafting. The notified spots include Baga, Querim, Mayem Lake, Moira, Chapora, Nerul and Mhadei River near Ustem Dam. Activities will be subject to specified safety conditions and professional supervision. • Goa Government has made fire extinguishers compulsory for shops, guest houses, homestays, B&B facilities, temporary structures and beach shacks. The earlier exemption for shops under village panchayats has also been withdrawn. Establishments using commercial LPG cylinders must install additional extinguishers as prescribed. • In another setback to Karnataka’s Mahadayi diversion project, the Centre has removed its proposal seeking forest clearance for 71 acres of forest land in Belagavi from the approval list. The move follows Karnataka’s failure to submit the clarifications sought by the Forest Ministry, with pending Supreme Court cases also holding up the clearance process. • A major theft involving approximately Rs 15 lakh has been allegedly reported at the residence of Devidas Naik in Narlakond, Khandepar; investigation underway • Despite being expelled by RGP National President & MLA Viresh Borkar on 13 September 2026, Ajay Kholkar filed the party’s Contribution Report as Treasurer on 30 September; the ECI accepted the report on 10 October and uploaded it to its website on 21 October. • A 70-year-old man was allegedly assaulted with a metal mop handle and attacked by a Pitbull dog following a dispute over dog barking at Khoirut, Aldona; Accused Rahul Kerkar allegedly set his dog upon the victim, causing severe injuries. • A 27-year-old tourist from Rajasthan, Kamal Singh Vaghela, drowned at Arambol Beach after being swept away by strong waves while filming in the sea on November 11. His body was recovered following a search operation by lifeguards. The deceased had visited Goa with five friends. • Calangute Police continue their crackdown on touting in the coastal belt, initiating preventive action against 30 touts between November 1 and 12, taking the total action to 813 this year. Of these, 682 were apprehended under the Tourist Trade Act, while 131 faced preventive action under Sections 126/170 of BNSS.
Goa Government has notified the Chief Minister’s Police (Gold) Medal Rules, 2026, introducing awards for gallantry, outstanding performance and meritorious service. A maximum of seven medals can be awarded annually, with each carrying a one-time cash prize of Rs 5,000. The awards will be announced every year on December 19. • Goa Government re-notifies its annual grant scheme to support private museums and galleries in preserving collections, upgrading infrastructure and improving visitor facilities. Museums must have a minimum of 50 artefacts or artworks to qualify for financial assistance. • Goa Government has demarcated 14 locations across North Goa for regulated watersports activities, including kayaking, paddle boating, boat rides and river rafting. The notified spots include Baga, Querim, Mayem Lake, Moira, Chapora, Nerul and Mhadei River near Ustem Dam. Activities will be subject to specified safety conditions and professional supervision. • Goa Government has made fire extinguishers compulsory for shops, guest houses, homestays, B&B facilities, temporary structures and beach shacks. The earlier exemption for shops under village panchayats has also been withdrawn. Establishments using commercial LPG cylinders must install additional extinguishers as prescribed. • In another setback to Karnataka’s Mahadayi diversion project, the Centre has removed its proposal seeking forest clearance for 71 acres of forest land in Belagavi from the approval list. The move follows Karnataka’s failure to submit the clarifications sought by the Forest Ministry, with pending Supreme Court cases also holding up the clearance process. • A major theft involving approximately Rs 15 lakh has been allegedly reported at the residence of Devidas Naik in Narlakond, Khandepar; investigation underway • Despite being expelled by RGP National President & MLA Viresh Borkar on 13 September 2026, Ajay Kholkar filed the party’s Contribution Report as Treasurer on 30 September; the ECI accepted the report on 10 October and uploaded it to its website on 21 October. • A 70-year-old man was allegedly assaulted with a metal mop handle and attacked by a Pitbull dog following a dispute over dog barking at Khoirut, Aldona; Accused Rahul Kerkar allegedly set his dog upon the victim, causing severe injuries. • A 27-year-old tourist from Rajasthan, Kamal Singh Vaghela, drowned at Arambol Beach after being swept away by strong waves while filming in the sea on November 11. His body was recovered following a search operation by lifeguards. The deceased had visited Goa with five friends. • Calangute Police continue their crackdown on touting in the coastal belt, initiating preventive action against 30 touts between November 1 and 12, taking the total action to 813 this year. Of these, 682 were apprehended under the Tourist Trade Act, while 131 faced preventive action under Sections 126/170 of BNSS.
