Latest news with #PramodSawant
India Gazette
5 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Goa CM Pramod Sawant holds Janta Darbar in Sanquelim, listens to grievances of people
Sanquelim (Goa) [India], June 29 (ANI): Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday held a Janta Darbar in Sanquelim of North Goa's Bicholim Taluka. This initiative provides a platform for commoners to express their grievances and concerns directly to the government. Such events remain crucial for the public to seek assistance. During the Janta Darbar, CM Sawant heard the problems being faced by the people. This program is part of a regular initiative designed to foster direct communication between the government and its constituents. Earlier in the day, CM joined the launch of the Raj Bhavan Annadan Scheme. 'Pleased to join the Launch of Raj Bhavan Annadan Scheme (Aided by Hon'ble Governor's Royalty from Books) & Distribution of Financial Aid to Cancer & Dialysis patients at the hands of Hon'ble Governor Shri @psspillaigov Ji, in the presence of Hon'ble Governor of Kerala Shri @rajendraarlekarJi, at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula. I thank & congratulate Hon'ble Governor of Goa for the initiative extend my best wishes,' CM Pramod Sawant posted on X. On Saturday, Sawant announced the launch of the Majhi Bus New Public Transport System, aimed at revolutionising public transportation in the state. Under the new initiative, private bus owners joining the digital platform will receive a subsidy of Rs 3 per kilometre. The CM explained that the digital platform will make bus tracking easier, benefiting both tourists and locals. He also thanked the Transport Department for bringing the vision to reality. 'On behalf of the Goa government's Transport Department, we have launched the Majhi Bus New Public Transport System. To bring a revolution in the public transport system, we have started this service. All private bus owners who are joining the digital platform are being given a subsidy of Rs 3 per kilometre,' Sawant told ANI.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
CM mulls 50% fare concession for women in private sector
Goa CM Pramod Sawant Bicholim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday said that state govt is considering a 50% bus fare concession to women employed in the private sector in Goa. He said that the move is meant to cut down the expenditure on travel made by women, to encourage them to take up jobs in the private sector. Sawant relaunched the Mhaji Bus Scheme and fuel and insurance subsidy drive in Bicholim and Sattari talukas, a Rs 3/km operational subsidy, and a Rs 10 lakh one-time grant to private bus owners to replace old buses. Sawant said that with this aid of Rs 3/km, if a bus runs up to 200km per day under the scheme, the bus owner would be able to earn an average income of Rs 2.20 lakh per month. The CM said that bus operators would also get 50% of their insurance premium reimbursed, free ticketing machines, and KTCL smart card support. Some swipe machines were handed over to bus owners on Saturday. Sawant said that the card provided by KTC authorities can be also used in buses running under scheme, which will help bus owners earn more profit. Besides this, a real-time bus tracking app, 'Bus On The Go', will be introduced, he said. 'Goa will be the first state in the nation to digitalise bus services with the help of a novel technology under the scheme,' said Sawant. He also said that private buses would also be extended govt ad revenue and branding support. 'This is a big step towards modern, inclusive, and self-reliant public transport in Goa,' said Sawant. At the programme at Sanquelim, Sawant distributed approval letters of 50% of the pending arrears for diesel to bus owners, and promised to release the balance 50% payment in two months. Sawant also asked bus operators not to overtake other buses in a bid to get the more passengers in. He said that if a bus operator is seen regularly running on a route, govt may even take a KTC bus off the route. The CM said that the idea behind improving public transport is to reduce the movement of private vehicles, which will ultimately help reduce accidents.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Will cut red tape, but locals must get jobs: CM to Goa Inc
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant has promised Goa's private sector fewer bureaucratic delays, greater transparency, and stronger support but sought an assurance that locals would get preference when employment opportunities arise. Sawant also asked Goa Inc to commit to the complete treatment of hazardous waste at the Pissurlem hazardous waste treatment plant. Sawant, who was speaking at the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual body meeting, said that the private sector and govt need to work hand in hand to create an industrial revolution in the state. 'Our focus is clear. To reduce red tape, increase transparency, and support businesses through every stage from registration to expansion,' Sawant said. 'This is govt's focus. I have given instructions to all departments to follow this 100%,' he added. Sawant said govt has already brought 20 services online to improve ease of doing business, with more services being digitised. He also said that self-certification and deemed approval for certain clearances were introduced to make it easier to do business in Goa. 'Over the past 10 years, we spent more than Rs 30,000 crore on public infrastructure, including connectivity from airport to port, port to railway, and rail to national highway,' Sawant said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists: Losing a Hanging Tummy Comes Down To This 1 Thing Health Wellness Journal Learn more Undo 'We are setting up business facilitation centres and women facilitation centres in the state under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance scheme.' He then expressed disappointment over what he perceived as the private sector not doing its bit to support govt. He said that despite the state setting up a facility at Pissurlem to treat hazardous waste, just 50 of the 350 industries that generate hazardous waste have signed up. 'We need to find where the remaining hazardous waste is going. Goa is industry-friendly, but we want hazardous waste to be treated in the right manner,' he said. 'If there are issues, let's discuss them.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Seven projects offering 1,500+ jobs get Goa IPB approval
Panaji: The Goa Investment Promotion Board (IPB) has approved seven projects that will see an investment of Rs 180 crore come into the state and create 1,508 jobs. The cleared projects include a gurukul, a cricket academy, and three manufacturing units. The largest investment comes from two Salcete-based projects. Ramesh Hotels and Resorts will expand its luxury hospitality facility at Majorda by adding 60 rooms. The Rs 65-crore expansion is expected to generate 300 jobs. 'There was a meeting last week with industry associations, and the issue of pharma companies recruiting from outside the state was discussed. This same point was brought up during the IPB meeting where the CM said that cleared projects and local industries must try and ensure that employment is given to locals,' said an official. A Rs 65-crore project by Venture Building Dreams at Loutolim proposes a cricket academy and sports complex. This facility alone is estimated to create 950 employment opportunities, the highest among the approved proposals. In the industrial sector, three manufacturing units have received the green light. Kemplast Systems will invest Rs 25 crore to set up a plant for biodegradable and compostable carry bags at the Pissurlem Industrial Estate. The project is expected to create 63 jobs. Standard Epoxy Materials will also operate out of Pissurlem, setting up a Rs 13.6 crore unit to produce epoxy and adhesives. It will employ 90 people. Another Rs 5 crore investment from Sakshi Equipments & Spares at Kundaim will focus on hose pipes, couplings, fittings, nozzles, and gaskets, generating 35 jobs. In the education and cultural sector, Siddhagiri Gurukul Trust has been granted permission on land at Latambarcem, Bicholim, for a Rs 5.5-crore gurukul that will house libraries, a museum on Sanatan Dharma, an archive, and a children's games park. The trust expects to employ 58 people. A Rs 1 crore multi-sports arena dedicated to futsal has also been approved at Camurlim. The project, by Flick and Fire Multi-Sports Arena, is expected to provide employment to 12 people. The seven projects were cleared during the hour-long meeting chaired by chief minister Pramod Sawant at the Mantralaya. 'The issue of land scarcity and the need for more industrial land to be made available was also discussed. The board discussed ways to free more industrial land for IPB projects. IPB is evolving into a forum to discuss larger aspects of Goa's economic development,' said the official.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Entrepreneurship needs to start from college: Sawant
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant has urged college students, especially women, to begin thinking about entrepreneurship from the first year of college. Speaking at the state-level event to mark World MSME Day 2025, organised by the industries department, Sawant said it was time Goa reversed its growing dependence on other states by nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs. 'Keep a clear vision,' Sawant told the gathering, which included students, business owners, and govt officials. 'If you want to start a business, start thinking from college, from the first year. Otherwise, you will end up carrying a CV and going for multiple interviews,' he said. Sawant said Goa, once a manufacturing hub, was now increasingly reliant on other states for goods and services. 'We must start manufacturing locally,' he said. 'If we don't start businesses, we cannot complain that outsiders are taking over. This happens because we leave the space open.' According to data shared by the CM, Goa's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) produced goods and services worth over Rs 21,000 crore in 2024. As of 2025, more than 70,000 MSMEs are registered on the Udyam portal in Goa, though some are no longer operational. Of these, 60% belong to the service sector and 97% are micro-enterprises. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Everybody Is Switching To This Enterprise Accounting Software [Take a Look] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo Sawant announced that from Aug, non-IT startups would also be eligible for subsidies and support under the state's IT policy. He said govt would soon launch a Women Entrepreneurship Cell to encourage and support women in starting their own businesses. 'Women are growing in the manufacturing sector in Goa. In fact, 50% of startups in the state have been founded by women,' he said. Industries minister Mauvin Godinho said, 'The youth must become employers. MSMEs are not just job creators, they are innovation hubs.' Industrialist Manguirish Pai Raiker underlined the role of small businesses in shaping Goa's economy.
