Minister for Tribal Welfare, Dr. Ramesh Tawadkar, attended the day-long 7th Adivasi Vidhyarthi Sammelan, organised by the Directorate of Tribal Welfare, at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Director of Sports Dr. Ajay Gaude, Director of Tribal Welfare Nilesh Dhiagodkar, Chairman of the Goa State Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation Ltd. Vasudev Gaunkar, and President of the North Goa Zilla Panchayat Dhaku Madkaikar, along with other officials and representatives.
The Sammelan focused on motivating tribal students, highlighting educational opportunities, and reinforcing the government’s commitment towards the academic, social, and overall development of students from tribal communities.
The programme served as a platform for interaction between students and policymakers, aiming to strengthen awareness about welfare schemes and initiatives designed for the upliftment of Scheduled Tribe students in Goa.
Goa, January 28, 2026: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune Global 500 company and Maharatna PSU, today announced the launch of Bharatgas Lite, a next-generation LPG cylinder designed for safer, lighter, and more convenient cooking energy solutions for Goan households.
The launch was held during India Energy Week 2026 and was attended by key dignitaries, including the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Chief Minister of Goa, and senior BPCL officials.
Key Features of Bharatgas Lite:
Lightweight: Over 50% lighter than conventional mild steel cylinders, easing handling, transport, and installation.
Visibility: Translucent body allows instant monitoring of LPG levels.
Hygienic & Rust-Free: Composite construction eliminates corrosion-related issues.
Safety: Explosion-resistant design reduces risk under extreme conditions.
Modern Design: Aesthetically pleasing, suitable for contemporary kitchens.
T. V. Pandiyan, Business Head – LPG, BPCL, said: “Bharatgas Lite reflects BPCL’s commitment to reimagining everyday energy solutions through innovation and customer-centric design. By combining advanced composite materials with enhanced safety features and reduced weight, we are delivering a smarter and safer LPG experience aligned with the aspirations of a modern India.”
The launch at India Energy Week emphasizes BPCL’s focus on innovation and enhancing the consumer experience while contributing to India’s evolving energy ecosystem.
The Goa Government has announced the implementation of a Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) effective April 1, 2026, under which consumers—both residents and tourists—will be required to pay an additional deposit on daily-use food items sold in plastic and glass packaging. These include bottles, pouches, multilayered wrappers, cartons, and similar packaging formats.
Under the scheme, consumers will be expected to return used packaging to designated collection centres in order to receive a refund, ranging from ₹2 to ₹10 per item, credited digitally to their bank accounts.
Concerns Raised for Consumers
Industry representatives and consumer groups have flagged multiple challenges associated with the scheme. Consumers will be required to store used, often unhygienic packaging and transport it to collection points, which may be limited in number and accessibility. While urban consumers may have easier access, rural and semi-urban residents could face difficulties, potentially leading to forfeiture of the deposit amount.
Additionally, Goans would effectively bear the cost of managing the same waste stream twice—once through existing household waste management fees and again through the DRS deposit—raising questions about fairness and efficiency.
Environmental and Operational Questions
Stakeholders argue that the cost and complexity of the scheme may outweigh its environmental benefits. India already has established recycling infrastructure for plastic, metal, and glass waste, and Goa operates a functioning door-to-door waste collection, segregation, composting, and processing system. Goa’s urban bodies were also recognised nationally for their waste management efforts at the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25 Awards.
Despite this, the DRS has reportedly been introduced without a comprehensive scientific or technical evaluation. Industry bodies claim there was no prior consultation with local self-governments, consumers, retailers, waste pickers, recyclers, waste management agencies, or environmental experts, nor was sufficient environmental impact data assessed.
Impact on FMCG Industry
India’s FMCG sector, valued at approximately ₹21 lakh crore and a significant contributor to Goa’s GDP, is already compliant with the Plastic Waste Management Rules. Industry representatives say the DRS imposes duplicate regulatory compliance specific to Goa, potentially disrupting market dynamics.
The exemption of micro enterprises from the scheme has also raised concerns, as it may undermine the stated objective of reducing litter while creating price distortions in highly competitive categories such as packaged snacks, drinking water, soft drinks, and juices.
Call for Deferment
Citing operational, design, and implementation challenges, stakeholders have urged the Chief Minister of Goa to defer the rollout of the Deposit Refund Scheme. They have recommended the formation of a joint working group comprising industry associations, consumer representatives, local bodies, and technical experts to review the framework and assess its environmental, economic, and social impact before implementation.
Goa, January 23, 2026 — Gourov V. Pokle, Founder of YIMBY, has been honoured with the “Inspiring Young Entrepreneur of the Year” award in recognition of his commitment to developing practical waste management solutions and creating sustainable environmental impact at the grassroots level.
The award was presented by Minister Mauvin Godinho in the presence of the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, and Minister Rohan Khaunte, at a prestigious ceremony organised by the Vibrant Goa Foundation in association with the Government of Goa. The event brought together leaders from government, industry, and social enterprises to celebrate young changemakers driving meaningful change.
The recognition highlights YIMBY’s work in designing and implementing decentralised waste management systems that empower communities to manage waste responsibly at the source. Through infrastructure development, awareness programmes, and capacity-building initiatives, YIMBY has consistently worked to reduce landfill dependency while promoting sustainable, scalable environmental practices.
Speaking on the occasion, Gourov V. Pokle said the award represents a collective belief that sustainability begins at the community level. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts behind YIMBY’s journey and dedicated the honour to the organisation’s team, mentors, partners, and family for their continued support.
The award marks a significant milestone in YIMBY’s mission-driven journey, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and responsible growth. As the organisation continues to expand its reach, YIMBY remains focused on building resilient, community-centric solutions that contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Team Yuva Panaji delivered an outstanding performance at Elgar 1.0, securing 1st place in the Flag Painting Competition and finishing as 4th Runners-Up at the cultural event.
The competition was hosted by Ghumat Mogi on January 24 and 25, 2026, at Shree Bodgeshwar Temple, Mapusa, and witnessed enthusiastic participation from several teams.
Despite stiff competition, the team’s dedication, creativity, and hard work paid off, earning them top recognition at the event. Their achievement reflects the growing spirit of youth-led cultural participation in Goa.
