Goa Legislators’ Day will be celebrated on January 9 at the Secretariat, marking an important occasion that honours the contribution of legislators in shaping the democratic and legislative framework of the State.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant will address the function, highlighting the role of elected representatives in strengthening governance, democratic values, and public service delivery in Goa. The event is expected to bring together legislators, senior government officials, and members of the administration.
The programme will also feature J M Vyas, Vice Chancellor of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gujarat, as the guest speaker. His address is expected to focus on contemporary governance challenges, institutional strengthening, and the evolving role of policy and law in ensuring transparency and accountability.
Goa Legislators’ Day serves as a platform to reflect on the responsibilities of lawmakers and to reaffirm the State’s commitment to democratic ideals, effective legislation, and people-centric governance.
The annual observance underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between policymakers and institutions in guiding Goa’s progress and development.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant attended and addressed the 32nd AIBC All India Builders Convention held at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao, highlighting the importance of sustainable infrastructure development and innovation in the construction sector.
Addressing builders and industry leaders from across the country, the Chief Minister emphasised the role of responsible construction practices in supporting economic growth while preserving environmental balance. He underlined the government’s commitment to creating an investor-friendly ecosystem while ensuring inclusive and planned development across Goa.
During the event, Dr Sawant presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Shri Jagdish Kumar, recognising his outstanding contributions to the building and construction industry. The Chief Minister also released the 32nd AIBC Souvenir and the Builder’s Book, marking key milestones of the convention.
The All India Builders Convention serves as an important national platform for policy dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among builders, developers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. The 32nd edition witnessed participation from professionals representing various regions of the country.
The Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communication (DITE&C), Government of Goa, convened the 10th Empowered Committee Meeting at the Conference Hall, Mantralaya, Porvorim, to review and evaluate applications under the Seed Capital Grant Scheme of the Goa Startup Policy 2025. The meeting marked another significant step in the state’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its startup ecosystem and promote innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
The committee was chaired by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, and co-chaired by Shri Rohan Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for IT, Electronics and Communications. Senior government officials and industry leaders were present, including representatives from the Department of Industries, Directorate of Education, ITG, GCCI, Goa Technology Association and leading technology firms, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation process backed by policy, industry and academic perspectives.
The Seed Capital Grant Scheme, a flagship initiative under the Goa Startup Policy 2025, provides one-time financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh to startups that have developed a Minimum Viable Product. A total of 27 applications were received by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, which were scrutinised by an Expert Committee before being placed before the Empowered Committee. After detailed discussions and evaluations based on innovation, feasibility, scalability, revenue potential and long-term sustainability, 16 startups were shortlisted, of which eight were selected for funding.
The selected startups represent a wide spectrum of emerging sectors, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, construction technology, tourism discovery, digital accessibility, micro-task platforms and regional OTT content. Each of these ventures showcased solutions developed in Goa, reflecting the state’s growing capability to nurture homegrown innovation with national and global potential.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rohan Khaunte highlighted that the quality of ideas presented reaffirmed Goa’s position as an emerging startup destination in India. He emphasised that early-stage financial support through the Seed Capital Grant Scheme plays a crucial role in helping founders transition from ideas to scalable enterprises, while also reinforcing the government’s commitment to building a long-term innovation-friendly environment in the state.
In addition to startup funding, the meeting also focused on encouraging innovation at the academic level. Cheques of ₹50,000 each were presented to 10 student projects under the newly launched Campus Innovation Scheme. Five engineering colleges across Goa received funding for projects spanning advanced biomedical research, artificial intelligence applications, agriculture technology, drone-based security systems, assistive wearable devices and sustainable manufacturing solutions.
The growing participation in these schemes reflects Goa’s increasing appeal as a startup and innovation hub. Through initiatives like the Seed Capital Grant Scheme and Campus Innovation Scheme, the Government of Goa continues to invest in ideas, talent and technology, creating an enabling ecosystem where startups and young innovators can build, scale and succeed from Goa.
The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, acted promptly upon receiving reports of garbage accumulation along a stretch of beach in North Goa, ensuring immediate clearance of the affected area and restoration of cleanliness. The swift response reflects the Department’s zero-tolerance stance on littering and its continued commitment to maintaining Goa’s beaches as clean, safe, and welcoming spaces for both visitors and local communities.
Upon identification of the issue, ground teams were mobilised without delay, working in coordination with the concerned agencies to thoroughly clean the area. The Department also reinforced instructions with relevant stakeholders to ensure strict adherence to waste management protocols and sustained cleanliness across beach stretches.
Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, reiterated the government’s focus on responsible tourism, stating that clean beaches are integral to Goa’s identity as a world-class tourism destination and that any lapse is addressed with urgency. He emphasised that continuous collaboration with stakeholders remains key to preserving the coastline in an environmentally responsible manner.
Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik echoed these views, highlighting that the Department remains vigilant in monitoring beach cleanliness. He stressed that proactive action, cooperation from stakeholders, and consistent awareness efforts are essential to maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and environmental care along Goa’s beaches.
Appreciating the timely intervention, Shri Cruz Cardozo, President of the Shack Owners’ Welfare Society, Goa, expressed gratitude to the Department for its swift and effective response. He noted that such prompt action not only restores the natural beauty of Goa’s beaches but also strengthens the confidence of shack operators and local stakeholders in the Department’s leadership and management.
The Department of Tourism has once again appealed to shack operators, vendors, and visitors to responsibly manage waste and actively support cleanliness initiatives. Regular monitoring and enforcement measures will continue as part of Goa’s broader commitment to sustainable and regenerative tourism.
Goa has taken a significant step toward strengthening its innovation landscape with the launch of the Campus Innovation Scheme under the Goa Startup Policy 2025. Introduced by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) under the leadership of Minister Rohan Khaunte, the initiative seeks to nurture early-stage ideas developed within educational institutions and encourage students to explore emerging technologies through hands-on research and prototyping.
The scheme offers financial assistance of up to ₹50,000 per application, covering actual project expenses, and is open exclusively to bonafide students enrolled in UGC-recognised institutions in Goa. By limiting support to 10 beneficiaries each financial year, the program ensures focused funding and close monitoring of selected projects. Colleges are required to set up dedicated selection committees that carefully evaluate proposals based on sustainability, innovation potential, technical depth, and relevance to evolving technological domains.
Students must submit their project proposals through their respective institutions, after which recommendations from the college committees are forwarded to the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) for further evaluation. Approved applicants receive reimbursement after the expenditure is made, encouraging accountability and proper utilisation of funds. To maintain progress transparency, institutions must also submit quarterly reports to SITPC in the prescribed format.
In November, DITE&C hosted a meeting with Training and Placement Officers from various colleges to familiarise them with the scheme and encourage active participation. This interaction was aimed at fostering stronger collaboration between government bodies and educational institutions in nurturing a new generation of innovators.
The Campus Innovation Scheme serves as a launchpad for students aspiring to transform their ideas into tangible prototypes and impactful solutions. By equipping them with the resources and support they need at an early stage, Goa is cultivating a culture of innovation within campuses and preparing young minds for the next steps in their entrepreneurial journey.
