NEWS UPDATES

A Ro-Ro wagon derailed on the railway track at Verna. Restoration work was completed within four hours, with the track and operations subsequently restored. • The US has paused global visa appointments to train consular officers as President Trump’s administration intensifies its immigration crackdown. Plans to revoke up to 200,000 B1/B2 visas and sharply raise H-1B application fees are also drawing legal challenges and concerns over discrimination and due process, with Indian skilled workers among those likely to be affected. • International passenger traffic from Goa-Dabolim plunged 69% and fell 42% at Mopa during April-June, among the steepest declines recorded across Indian airports. Nationally, international traffic from India dropped 10%, with Indian carriers losing 27% of passengers while foreign airlines gained 6%. • GFP Chief Vijai Sardesai warned that the opposition will “paralyze” the Goa Assembly if the government fails to resolve issues concerning Diocesan Society-run schools and their employees. He accused the government of interfering in education and minority institutions and demanded a clear policy on the around 138 schools run by the society. Sardesai said they will work with anyone willing to make a common cause on the issue. • Supreme Court rejects Tarun Tejpal's plea to exempt from surrendering and directs him to surrender within 2 weeks. Goa High Court by a judgment dated 6 August had convicted Tejpal for raping a junior colleague in 2013 and sentenced him 10 year rigorous imprisonment. Tejpal has challenged HC's judgment before the Supreme Court. • Minister Babush Monserrate says surname changes follow a legal procedure and cannot be stopped entirely. He said misuse by a few individuals should not be used to label the entire system as flawed. • A raid is underway at Saiccha Minerals office owned by Tarak Arolkar at Peddem, Mapusa. Arolkar was arrested in connection with an alleged Rs 40 lakh land fraud case involving a plot in Assagao, Bardez. Further details are awaited. • Mangaluru Excise Police have busted an alleged liquor smuggling racket involving illegal transportation of liquor from Goa to Kerala via Mangaluru. Two persons have been arrested and 438 litres of Goa liquor seized in the operation. • GPCC Working President Sunil Kawthankar has alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was aimed at deleting the names of Congress voters from electoral rolls. He also alleged that BLOs faced political pressure while carrying out the exercise in parts 10, 16 and 18, of Panaji constituency and claimed that names of genuine Congress voters were removed. • GPCC Working President Sunil Kawthankar has alleged political interference in the functioning of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Parts 10, 16 and 18 of Panaji constituency. He claimed local MLA and Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate and BJP leaders are influencing BLOs instead of allowing them to follow Election Commission guidelines. Congress has condemned the alleged interference and urged BLOs to strictly adhere to the prescribed electoral process. A Ro-Ro wagon derailed on the railway track at Verna. Restoration work was completed within four hours, with the track and operations subsequently restored. • The US has paused global visa appointments to train consular officers as President Trump’s administration intensifies its immigration crackdown. Plans to revoke up to 200,000 B1/B2 visas and sharply raise H-1B application fees are also drawing legal challenges and concerns over discrimination and due process, with Indian skilled workers among those likely to be affected. • International passenger traffic from Goa-Dabolim plunged 69% and fell 42% at Mopa during April-June, among the steepest declines recorded across Indian airports. Nationally, international traffic from India dropped 10%, with Indian carriers losing 27% of passengers while foreign airlines gained 6%. • GFP Chief Vijai Sardesai warned that the opposition will “paralyze” the Goa Assembly if the government fails to resolve issues concerning Diocesan Society-run schools and their employees. He accused the government of interfering in education and minority institutions and demanded a clear policy on the around 138 schools run by the society. Sardesai said they will work with anyone willing to make a common cause on the issue. • Supreme Court rejects Tarun Tejpal's plea to exempt from surrendering and directs him to surrender within 2 weeks. Goa High Court by a judgment dated 6 August had convicted Tejpal for raping a junior colleague in 2013 and sentenced him 10 year rigorous imprisonment. Tejpal has challenged HC's judgment before the Supreme Court. • Minister Babush Monserrate says surname changes follow a legal procedure and cannot be stopped entirely. He said misuse by a few individuals should not be used to label the entire system as flawed. • A raid is underway at Saiccha Minerals office owned by Tarak Arolkar at Peddem, Mapusa. Arolkar was arrested in connection with an alleged Rs 40 lakh land fraud case involving a plot in Assagao, Bardez. Further details are awaited. • Mangaluru Excise Police have busted an alleged liquor smuggling racket involving illegal transportation of liquor from Goa to Kerala via Mangaluru. Two persons have been arrested and 438 litres of Goa liquor seized in the operation. • GPCC Working President Sunil Kawthankar has alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was aimed at deleting the names of Congress voters from electoral rolls. He also alleged that BLOs faced political pressure while carrying out the exercise in parts 10, 16 and 18, of Panaji constituency and claimed that names of genuine Congress voters were removed. • GPCC Working President Sunil Kawthankar has alleged political interference in the functioning of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Parts 10, 16 and 18 of Panaji constituency. He claimed local MLA and Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate and BJP leaders are influencing BLOs instead of allowing them to follow Election Commission guidelines. Congress has condemned the alleged interference and urged BLOs to strictly adhere to the prescribed electoral process.

POLITICS

Congress Questions ₹2,147-Cr TCP Revenue Loss Over Additional FAR

Chodankar Cites Cag Findings, Demands Accountability From Goa Government

26th Aug 2026 • 1 hour ago • 35 views

Congress Questions ₹2,147-Cr TCP Revenue Loss Over Additional FAR

The Goa Congress has intensified its criticism of the government over the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department’s handling of additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR), with GPCC President Girish Chodankar alleging a potential ₹2,147-crore revenue loss to the state.

Chodankar claimed that the issue has been highlighted in a CAG report and questioned why the government did not collect fees for additional FAR granted to commercial establishments.

The Congress has demanded greater transparency and accountability from the government, seeking clarity on how additional FAR was granted and why the corresponding revenue was allegedly not recovered.

TCP sources, however, have dismissed the allegations as baseless and maintained that the matter is sub judice, saying the issue should be left to the court to decide.

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