NEWS UPDATES

An accident involving an Ertiga car and a goods truck was reported near the Old RTO Office in Ponda. No casualties • Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will chair the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting in Goa on August 18 during his two-day visit to the state; meeting to be attended by LoP, MLAs & Block Presidents; Kharge will also meet certain members of various NGOs: GPCC Working President Sunil Kawthankar • Goa CM Pramod Sawant will meet members of the public at Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhali, only on Sundays as per the usual schedule. He will not be available for public meetings on other weekday mornings due to official commitments. • Goa recorded 61.38 lakh tourist arrivals between January and July 2026, registering 0.08% growth over the same period last year. July alone saw 6.94 lakh visitors, up 2.27% year-on-year. Domestic arrivals stood at 59.02 lakh, while 2.36 lakh international tourists visited Goa • A post-match clash between two groups at a football ground in Old Goa turned violent, with one person allegedly injured after a knife was used during the confrontation. Police have registered an FIR and arrested four persons in connection with the incident. • Maharashtra FDA issues show-cause notices to Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan and Tiger Shroff over their participation in advertisements/promotional support for Vimal Elaichi/Pan Masala. Notices cite alleged violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and related rules. • AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge will address the BLA and Booth Workers Convention of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee at Verna, on August 17; convention will bring together Congress booth-level workers from across Goa as part of the party’s organisational strengthening and grassroots mobilisation drive. • Goa’s Directorate of Technical Education has released the Degree Admissions 2026 provisional merit list for NEET-based courses and Pharmacy. However, counselling will not begin on August 18, as the Medical Counselling Committee has revised the All India Quota schedule. Fresh admission dates will be announced after the MCC publishes the state schedule. Candidates have also been asked to verify their eligibility and report discrepancies by 12 noon on August 17. An accident involving an Ertiga car and a goods truck was reported near the Old RTO Office in Ponda. No casualties • Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will chair the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting in Goa on August 18 during his two-day visit to the state; meeting to be attended by LoP, MLAs & Block Presidents; Kharge will also meet certain members of various NGOs: GPCC Working President Sunil Kawthankar • Goa CM Pramod Sawant will meet members of the public at Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhali, only on Sundays as per the usual schedule. He will not be available for public meetings on other weekday mornings due to official commitments. • Goa recorded 61.38 lakh tourist arrivals between January and July 2026, registering 0.08% growth over the same period last year. July alone saw 6.94 lakh visitors, up 2.27% year-on-year. Domestic arrivals stood at 59.02 lakh, while 2.36 lakh international tourists visited Goa • A post-match clash between two groups at a football ground in Old Goa turned violent, with one person allegedly injured after a knife was used during the confrontation. Police have registered an FIR and arrested four persons in connection with the incident. • Maharashtra FDA issues show-cause notices to Ajay Devgn, Shah Rukh Khan and Tiger Shroff over their participation in advertisements/promotional support for Vimal Elaichi/Pan Masala. Notices cite alleged violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and related rules. • AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge will address the BLA and Booth Workers Convention of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee at Verna, on August 17; convention will bring together Congress booth-level workers from across Goa as part of the party’s organisational strengthening and grassroots mobilisation drive. • Goa’s Directorate of Technical Education has released the Degree Admissions 2026 provisional merit list for NEET-based courses and Pharmacy. However, counselling will not begin on August 18, as the Medical Counselling Committee has revised the All India Quota schedule. Fresh admission dates will be announced after the MCC publishes the state schedule. Candidates have also been asked to verify their eligibility and report discrepancies by 12 noon on August 17.

POLITICS

Congress Leader Amit Palekar Alleges Extortion Of Goa Club, Beach Restaurant Owners

Palekar Questions BJP Government Over Alleged Extortion, Warns That Continued Pressure Could Hurt Tourism

17th Aug 2026 • 2 hours ago • 68 views

Congress leader and lawyer Amit Palekar has alleged that club owners, beachside restaurant operators and shack owners in Goa are facing continued extortion, while claiming that some dance bars are being allowed to operate with political support.

In a statement, Palekar questioned who was allegedly backing the extortion and whether Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant was aware of the situation. He also questioned whether the government supported or tolerated such activities.

Representing restaurant and shack owners, Palekar said the alleged harassment must stop, warning that continued pressure on local businesses could force them to shut down and adversely affect Goa's tourism sector.

Palekar also urged Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte to take note of the issue and act, saying that the government must wake up to the concerns of businesses dependent on the tourism industry.

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