THE PAN card has now become mandatory for the renewal of any registration license or permission under all acts and rules of various government departments and local bodies. This effectively means that PAN card details will be needed for renewing passports, motor vehicle permits for cars and two-wheelers, and registration of land documents. Applications for completion certificates, etc; all departments have been directed to incorporate the requirement of PAN card details in all forms for registration and permission from the government.
SENIOR CITIZENS PROTEST!
SENIOR citizens have registered their protest against the token system in the super-speciality departments of the GMC. They have pointed out that patients have to get up at 4am in the morning to get the tokens for appointments in the OPD. The Senior Citizen Welfare Association of Santa Cruz has asked the GMC to simplify the process to reduce the time wasted by patients. They have also asked for a special fast-track counter for disabled patients and those suffering from chronic illnesses. They pointed out that many patients travel from Canacona and Pernem and even outside the state from Sawantwadi. They have pointed out that there is no drinking water and no sanitation facilities for patients waiting for tokens outside the Super-speciality block. Super-specialty block.
WATER SHORTAGE AHEAD
AS of mid-April the water levels in the dams supplying drinking water to Goa, the storage capacity is less than 40% in the major reservoirs in the state. The Amtane reservoir supply water to Bardez and Pernem taluka is only 38% full. The level at the Tillari reservoir is down to 34%. The water supply at Anjunem dam, which supplies drinking water to Sattari, is down to 35%. In the Salaulim dam, which supplies water to Panaji city, the level has come down to 40%. It is not known whether the water will be enough to meet drinking water requirements till the first week of June when the monsoons normally arrive. Never mind that roadworks under way perennially in capital city Panaji constantly see these massive water pipe breakages and water flows away merrily for hours, days, and nobody cares.
US VISA DREAMS EVAPORATE
THE United States embassies and consulates in India have stopped granting appointments for issuing visas to Indian citizens, including students who have secured admissions to American universities. The academic year in the United States begins in September. Since mid-March there is been a big delay in giving dates for interviews for aspiring visa seekers. Besides submitting all documents, all those who want a visa have to undergo an interview at the American consulate. There have always been complaints that the officials at the consulate are very rude to students seeking visas. Students who had sought appointments in February will now be granted time in April. Appointment dates for May have been frozen. This appears to be part of the Trump administration’s campaign to discourage students from travelling to the US.
WAQF BILL UPDATE
THE Supreme Court has given an intervention repeal on some aspect of the recently passed WAQF property bill. The SC has directed the Central government not to reopen issues of ownership of Waqf property with retrospective effect. The SC has expressed the fear that fresh scrutiny of Waqf properties created for charity would create major problems. The chief justice has pointed out that before the British came to India, there was no concept of registration of property. The Jama Masjid is a Waqf property by usage and cannot be expected to produce documentary proof. The SC has also objected to the requirement that non-Muslims should be nominated for the Waqf board. The SC has asked whether the government will permit Muslims to be part of Hindu temples.
PORVORIM’S KHELANGAN
IN a significant step towards enhancing community sports infrastructure and promoting a healthy lifestyle among residents, Khelangan, a comprehensive multi-utility sports and recreation facility, was inaugurated on April 16, 2025 in Porvorim by Minister for IT & Tourism and Porvorim MLA Rohan A. Khaunte.
Present at the event were GTDC Managing Director Kuldeep Arolkar, senior officials from the Department of Tourism, Zilla Panchayat Member Kavita Gupesh Naik, Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar, Sarpanch Sonia Sanjay Pednekar, and Panch members from Socorro, Penha de Franca, and Salvador Do Mundo, along with a large gathering of enthusiastic residents.
Speaking at the occasion the minister expressed his vision for creating a robust ecosystem that nurtures physical wellness, community bonding, and youth development through such grassroots-level initiatives. “Earlier, our children had to travel to Panjim or Mapusa for training and to access facilities. Today, right here in Porvorim, everything is available in one place — training grounds, a futsal ground, a laughter club, coaching facilities, and much more. These amenities are now fully accessible to the people of Porvorim. With the help and guidance of the Goa Cricket Association (GCA), especially Suraj Lotlikar and GCA officials, we are also bringing structured training programs for our youth. This will empower them with skills, opportunities, and a pathway to a brighter future. Futsal, which has become extremely popular among the youth, now has a dedicated ground right here. Alongside this, we have a badminton court and several other facilities to promote a healthy and active lifestyle.”
What was once available only in selected cities is now here for the people of Porvorim. The overwhelming turnout and enthusiasm of the public reflect the love for sports and community activities in Goa.
Khelangan offers a variety of facilities including a cricket training centre in collaboration with the Goa Cricket Association (GCA), a futsal court catering to the growing interest in the sport, a badminton court, a dedicated senior citizen sit-out area, community activity zones such as a laughter club and coaching spaces
Kelangan is envisioned as a dynamic hub where all may come together, engage in physical activity, learn new skills and strengthen the spirit of community living. Making Porvorim is on the move as a beacon of progress and inclusivity as also setting an example for other MLAs to follow!
VEDANTA & SAFETY BEST PRACTICES
VEDANTA Sesa Goa’s Value-Added Business (VAB) has been recognized for its commitment to Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) by winning the International Safety Award 2025 in the Merit category by the British Safety Council. The award acknowledges organizations that demonstrate outstanding initiatives to protect the health, safety and well-being of their workforce.
Being one of the most prominent industrial installations in Goa, and employing over 1200 personnel, Vedanta VAB has been continuously adopting advanced risk assessment frameworks and digital monitoring tools to strengthen workplace safety. As part of the holistic approach to OSH, comprehensive training modules and safety drills are conducted regularly to build awareness and readiness among employees. Under its “Safety is Us” initiative, VAB runs structured awareness campaigns for its employees as well as the communities, aimed at developing a culture of safety which is premised on the commitment to Zero Harm.
Speaking about the award CEO-VAB Saptesh Sardesai says, “This recognition by the British Safety Council is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering a world-class safety culture. At VAB, we prioritize the wellbeing of our employees and business partners, ensuring a Zero Harm workplace through continuous innovation, training and best-in-class safety practices. This achievement motivates us to further strengthen our safety framework and set new industry benchmarks.”
Recently, Vedanta VAB also observed the 54th National Safety Week, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to health and safety excellence. The award reinforces its vision of setting new industry benchmarks and embedding safety excellence across all levels of operation.