NEWS UPDATES

The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of Goa Act, 2025 has come into force from August 6, 2026. The Law Ministry has directed the Census Commissioner to ascertain/estimate Goa’s Scheduled Tribe population as per the last census, paving the way for further action on ST political reservation in the Assembly. • CM Pramod Sawant announces education loans at 4% interest for ST and OBC students pursuing higher education outside Goa. • The Goa Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Chief Executive Engineer of Department of Drinking Water, Member Secretary of Goa State Pollution Control Board and the management of Club Mahindra Resort in Assonora following a complaint filed by local residents alleging the severe pollution of the Par River—the primary source of drinking water for the entire Bardez Taluka. The Commission has directed all respondents to to submit their replies on August 26, 2026. • Former Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar announces plans to contest the 2027 Assembly elections from Mandrem. Parsekar says he has met Dayanand Sopte and both are together for the future of Mandrem. • Minister Mauvin Godinho says AI cameras are still in the trial phase and traffic violations have dropped to a few hundred, indicating better compliance. He said motorists are also queuing at PUC centres and obtaining third-party insurance, stressing that the government’s aim is to ensure traffic discipline, not impose fines. • The Mormugao Port Trust Pensioners’ Association met Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi, seeking resolution of their long-pending grievances. Sonowal spoke to the Mormugao Port Authority Chairperson and assured the pensioners that their issues would be addressed at the earliest. • A local fisherman, identified as 40-year-old Umesh Dabolkar, a resident of Nerul, drowned at Sinquerim Beach after reportedly falling from a fishing boat. A search and rescue operation is currently underway to trace him. • Farmers’ organisations from Nargund and Belagavi have warned of a massive protest and complete shutdown of Belagavi city from August 13 if the government fails to act on the stalled Mahadayi-Kalasa Bhanduri project. Farmers say drought-like conditions across several districts have severely affected agriculture, drinking water and livestock, and have urged the Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister to expedite the project. • UTAA’s August 13 protest demanding ST political reservation will now be held at Mardol, after permission for the protest at Azad Maidan was denied. UTAA President Prakash Velip has reiterated that the reservation must be implemented before the 2027 Goa Assembly elections. • Valpoi Police arrested 25-year-old Mehbub Sab Bagale after allegedly catching him red-handed transporting 1,800 kg of meat worth around Rs 3.4 lakh at BCP Keri, Sattari. Police said the meat was being transported without a bill or authorisation letter from the competent authority. The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of Goa Act, 2025 has come into force from August 6, 2026. The Law Ministry has directed the Census Commissioner to ascertain/estimate Goa’s Scheduled Tribe population as per the last census, paving the way for further action on ST political reservation in the Assembly. • CM Pramod Sawant announces education loans at 4% interest for ST and OBC students pursuing higher education outside Goa. • The Goa Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Chief Executive Engineer of Department of Drinking Water, Member Secretary of Goa State Pollution Control Board and the management of Club Mahindra Resort in Assonora following a complaint filed by local residents alleging the severe pollution of the Par River—the primary source of drinking water for the entire Bardez Taluka. The Commission has directed all respondents to to submit their replies on August 26, 2026. • Former Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar announces plans to contest the 2027 Assembly elections from Mandrem. Parsekar says he has met Dayanand Sopte and both are together for the future of Mandrem. • Minister Mauvin Godinho says AI cameras are still in the trial phase and traffic violations have dropped to a few hundred, indicating better compliance. He said motorists are also queuing at PUC centres and obtaining third-party insurance, stressing that the government’s aim is to ensure traffic discipline, not impose fines. • The Mormugao Port Trust Pensioners’ Association met Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in New Delhi, seeking resolution of their long-pending grievances. Sonowal spoke to the Mormugao Port Authority Chairperson and assured the pensioners that their issues would be addressed at the earliest. • A local fisherman, identified as 40-year-old Umesh Dabolkar, a resident of Nerul, drowned at Sinquerim Beach after reportedly falling from a fishing boat. A search and rescue operation is currently underway to trace him. • Farmers’ organisations from Nargund and Belagavi have warned of a massive protest and complete shutdown of Belagavi city from August 13 if the government fails to act on the stalled Mahadayi-Kalasa Bhanduri project. Farmers say drought-like conditions across several districts have severely affected agriculture, drinking water and livestock, and have urged the Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister to expedite the project. • UTAA’s August 13 protest demanding ST political reservation will now be held at Mardol, after permission for the protest at Azad Maidan was denied. UTAA President Prakash Velip has reiterated that the reservation must be implemented before the 2027 Goa Assembly elections. • Valpoi Police arrested 25-year-old Mehbub Sab Bagale after allegedly catching him red-handed transporting 1,800 kg of meat worth around Rs 3.4 lakh at BCP Keri, Sattari. Police said the meat was being transported without a bill or authorisation letter from the competent authority.

LEGAL

High Court Allows Goa Foundation to Amend PIL Challenging 39A

High Court has allowed an application filed by NGO Goa Foundation to amend its subjudice Public Interest Litigation

11th Aug 2026 • 3 hours ago • 96 views

High Court Allows Goa Foundation to Amend PIL Challenging 39A

The High Court has allowed an application filed by NGO Goa Foundation to amend its subjudice Public Interest Litigation challenging Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act.

Overriding objections raised by the State Government, the court permitted the applicant to incorporate consequential reliefs seeking the invalidation of any individual land-use approvals or notifications granted by the State during the pendency of the litigation.

The primary PIL challenges the constitutional validity of Section 39A of the TCP Act. Section 39A allows the government to evaluate and process individual applications for land-use zoning changes across the state.

While the petition was pending, the Town Planning Department initiated the process of evaluating and issuing approvals for applications submitted under Section 39A. This progression was previously noted in the High Court's order dated April 23, 2025.

At that time, the court recorded that any approvals or notifications granted to individual parties under Section 39A would strictly remain subject to the final outcome of the main PIL.

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HC Rejects Sada Residents' Plea Opposing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Removal

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HC Rejects Sada Residents' Plea Opposing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Removal

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