Latest news with #PhalDessai
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chorao wants old ferries in addition to Ro-Ro vessels
The Chorao panchayat has asked the river navigation department (RND) to deploy two traditional ferries on the Ribandar-Chorao route during peak hours, alleging traffic chaos and delays due to the Ro-Ro vessels. Responding to the demand, RND minister Subhash Phal Dessai said that if locals officially oppose the Ro-Ro, govt is willing to replace it with the older six ferries, noting that no loss would be incurred as the Ro-Ro vessels are not govt-owned. 'If the people, sarpanch and MLA give us a representation saying that the Ro-Ro vessels cannot handle the load and they are not better than the earlier services, we can remove them from the route,' he said. Phal Dessai said that footfall on this route has increased by 30% since the launch and problems are arising as two-wheeler riders are crowding the ramp. The minister said that videos of the loose seats and dirty toilet onboard the Ro-Ro are being circulated to 'defame' the RND. 'Am I supposed to clean the toilet after every person entering? The toilets are for emergency use only. Also, bending the seats to show they are loose is an effort to malign us.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like My 4-year-old kidneys are failing, only you can help Donate For Health Donate Now Undo 'As much as we admire the benefits of Ro-Ros, these vessels are not enough during peak hours. The Ro-Ros operate from 7am to 9pm, so we have asked the RND to provide two traditional ferries from 7am to 9am and again in the afternoon and evening,' sarpanch Ramakant Priolkar told TOI . The panchayat's request comes after locals endured congestion during peak hours at the Chorao berth since the Ro-Ro service began last week. 'Teething issues are bound to happen in the initial few weeks; however, we anticipated that the RND may have learnt from their mistakes after the failure of the hybrid solar-electric ferry, which was discontinued after a few months,' a Chorao resident said.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Animation film to memorialise Cuncolim chieftains' valour
Margao: An upcoming animation film aimed at presenting Goa's authentic history to younger generations will feature significant episodes from the historic Cuncolim uprising, in which 16 chieftains staged the first rebellion against colonial rule, said social welfare minister Subhash Phal Dessai. Speaking at a function held to commemorate the day at Cuncolim, Phal Dessai urged youth to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of the 16 chieftains. He said that the Cuncolim uprising gained recognition at both state and national levels after the anti-colonial push was incorporated into textbooks for Class 9 and Class 11. Phal Dessai said that the chieftains of Cuncolim fought against the atrocities committed by the colonial rulers. Phal Dessai, who also holds the portfolio of archives and archaeology, said that govt is committed to preserving and conserving historical documents and land records of Goa. The digitisation of old land documents is currently under way. With this technology, manipulation of land records and land scams could be curbed in the state, he said. Nearly 10% of this digitisation work was completed, he said. Selected books will be made available in libraries to enhance students' understanding of history, he added. Opposition leader and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao said that govt sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for the revamp of the Chieftains' Memorial, with tenders already invited by the PWD. Statues of all 16 chieftains will be installed by July 15, 2026, he said.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt identifies 25 tribal villages for holistic development by 2029
Panaji: As part of the Dharti Aaba Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan, Goa govt has identified 25 tribal villages where it aims to provide all the basic amenities, including telecom network connections. Govt has involved 17-18 departments to ensure that these 25 villages receive all the amenities in the next five years by 2029. This also includes education, sports, and doorstep delivery of govt services. 'We will assist landless farmers in obtaining their krishi cards and help them avail themselves of the benefits of govt schemes. Additionally, we will ensure the prompt resolution of forest right claims cases related to the scheduled tribe community,' said social welfare minister Subhash Phal Dessai. These villages should get all facilities, including electricity, water, road connectivity, and other basic amenities. The Dharti Aaba Jan Bhagidari Abhiyan rollout is scheduled for July 3 at the Sanguem municipal hall. 'This scheme is for the holistic development of the tribal communities. These villages had to have at least 50% of tribal community members and at least 500 villagers,' said Phal Dessai. 'In Goa, we have a total of 25 villages that fit this criteria.'
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chillar portfolios, yet I deliver': Goa minister Phal Dessai defends cabinet spot; counters exit talks
PANAJI: Amid speculation by Marathi newspapers that social welfare minister Subhash Phal Dessai is under pressure to quit the cabinet to make way for a reshuffle, the Sanguem MLA said that even after having 'chillar' portfolios, he is a performing minister in chief minister Pramod Sawant's cabinet. Phal Dessai said that neither the party nor the chief minister informed him that he would have to quit as a minister. 'I have been a faithful soldier of the party for the past 25 years. During my tenure, I served in various posts in the party, from booth member to mandal president several times,' he said, responding to questions on whether he was under pressure to quit. Responding to rumours that he may be appointed speaker, he said, 'If I was appointed as speaker, how would the organisation benefit, and why would somebody do such a thing? This time, I may be a junior minister, but I have the capacity to perform. I am ready to work further, and I have been continuously working. If such a person is asked to sit in an ornamental position, don't you think it would be a loss for the party?' He also said that he started his political career as a panchayat member, then became a zilla panchayat member, and then MLA. He said that during this tenure, he was made a minister. 'All this while, I worked on both fronts—party organisation and political front. This is the first time I was made a minister, and I have not got any lucrative portfolios. Even if I was given 'chillar' portfolios, you can see my performance in all the portfolios, including social welfare, navigation, and archives and archaeology,' he said. Phal Dessai said that he also worked for the party organisation and remained outside Goa for almost three months to campaign for elections in other states. 'I don't think I will be dropped from the cabinet as a reward for working for the organisation. I am confident that I will not be removed from the cabinet. I come to know about such things from the media,' he said. He also said that he worked across South Goa during the Lok Sabha election. Former art and culture minister Govind Gaude on Sunday said that the narrative set by the media about the allegations of corruption in the tribal welfare department under the chief minister turned out to be true, and that is the reason he was sacked from the cabinet for speaking the truth. Last week, Sawant dropped Gaude from his cabinet.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Goa minister says he was given ‘chillar' portfolios, but is confident he won't be dropped from Cabinet
Amid speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle in Goa, state Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai said that despite having got 'chillar' portfolios, he performed well and is confident he won't be removed from the Cabinet. Phal Dessai, who also holds Archives, River Navigation and Archaeology portfolios, was responding to questions from the media on the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle and whether he was under any pressure. 'I have been a faithful soldier of the party for the past 25-30 years. I have worked at various posts in the party — from a booth member to mandal president. I started my career as a panch member, then became a member of zilla panchayat and then an MLA,' the MLA from Sanguem constituency said. On rumours that he may be appointed Speaker of the Assembly in case of a reshuffle, he said, 'If I was appointed Speaker, how would the organisation benefit? I may be a junior minister, but I have the capacity to perform. I have been working tirelessly. If such a person is given an ornamental position, wouldn't it be a loss for the party?' Phal Dessai said he has worked on several fronts for the party, including in the organisation and election campaigns in other states. 'This is the first time I was made a minister. I have not got any lucrative portfolios. Even though I was given chillar portfolios, you can see that I have performed in all the portfolios, including river navigation, social welfare, archives and archaeology,' he said. 'I do not think I will be dropped from the Cabinet as a reward for working for the organisation. I am confident that I will not be removed from the Cabinet,' he added. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant dropped former Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude from the Cabinet on June 18, nearly three weeks after Gaude alleged corruption in the Department of Tribal Welfare, a portfolio held by Sawant. The controversy erupted when Gaude made a jibe at the functioning of the Tribal Welfare Ministry at a Prerna Divas event on May 25. In his speech, Gaude had said, 'A large amount of taxpayers' money is allotted to the Tribal Welfare Department. If it is unable to organise this programme efficiently, then it shows a lack of control over the administration. In my opinion, the administration has weakened today. The files of contractors are handled in the Shram Shakti Bhavan (a government block) building on the sly. Something is taken from them, and then they are asked to submit their files.' Gaude's ouster from the Cabinet has triggered speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle in the coastal state. Last week, Sawant said a reshuffle was not on the cards 'as of now'.
