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.

POLITICS

2027 Poll Battle: Parsekar Announces Mandrem Poll Bid, Says 'Change Needed'

Former Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has alleged that illegal activities have increased in the Mandrem constituency

11th Aug 2026 • 2 hours ago • 242 views

Former Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has alleged that illegal activities have increased in the Mandrem constituency and said a change is needed to address the situation.

Speaking to the media, Parsekar announced that he will contest the 2027 Goa Assembly elections. He also revealed that he has already held discussions with former MLA Dayanand Sopte over the upcoming political battle.

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade could contest the 2027 Assembly elections from the Thivim constituency.

Reacting to the speculation, Minister and incumbent Thivim MLA Nilkanth Halarnkar dismissed the possibility, saying Tanavade is carrying out his responsibilities as a Member of Parliament. “He is doing his work. There is nothing like that. He guides me,” Halarnkar said.

BJP Laxmikant Parsekar Mandrem

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