On the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami, Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant performed the traditional Ayudha Pooja, a ceremony that holds deep cultural and spiritual significance across India. The ritual, symbolizing the worship of instruments and tools of one’s trade, is a celebration of dedication, gratitude, and the pursuit of righteousness.
As part of the celebrations, the Chief Minister extended his warmest greetings to the people of Goa. In his message, he wished every Goan family strength, prosperity, and joy, praying that the spirit of Dussehra inspires renewed determination and unity.
Vijaya Dashami, also known as Dussehra, marks the victory of good over evil and is one of the most important festivals in the Indian cultural calendar. Dr. Sawant emphasized the importance of preserving and celebrating such traditions that reinforce our shared values and heritage.
The ceremony was a reminder of the state’s rich cultural fabric and the role that traditions play in guiding public life and governance with a sense of purpose and devotion.
The Chief Minister’s participation in the rituals underscored his deep connection to the cultural ethos of Goa and his continued commitment to leading the state with strength and spiritual grounding.
The Government of Goa has reaffirmed its commitment to achieve 100% implementation of the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), a central employment initiative aimed at incentivizing both first-time employees and employers across sectors. This was stated by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant at an outreach programme organised as part of the Seva Pakhwada campaign, in collaboration with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Regional Office Goa, and the Office of the Commissioner, Labour & Employment.
Dr Sawant called upon industrial employers to take full advantage of the PM-VBRY incentives by creating new jobs in their respective units. At the same time, he urged Goan youth to be more proactive in pursuing these opportunities. Referring to a job fair held in Bicholim, he noted that despite over 300 openings, fewer than 100 job-seekers turned up—highlighting a disconnect between job availability and participation. “If locals don’t step up, these opportunities will go to candidates from other states,” he said.
The scheme is divided into two major parts:
Part A – Incentive to First-Time Employees: Targeting individuals registering with the EPFO for the first time, this provision offers a financial incentive of up to ₹15,000, disbursed in two installments. The first installment is payable after 6 months of continuous service, and the second after 12 months—subject to completion of a financial literacy programme. Employees earning up to ₹1 lakh per month are eligible. To promote saving habits, a portion of this incentive will be placed in a fixed deposit or similar instrument, withdrawable after a defined period.
Part B – Support to Employers: This component focuses on encouraging businesses—particularly in the manufacturing sector—to hire additional employees. Employers who hire two (for those with <50 employees) or five (for those with ≥50 employees) new workers will receive ₹3,000 per month per employee, for a duration of two years. For manufacturing units, this incentive may extend to the third and fourth years, provided sustained employment is maintained.
Establishments must be EPFO-registered and commit to continued employment for at least six months per new hire to qualify.
With this initiative, the Goa government aims to catalyze economic activity, reduce unemployment, and align with national employment goals. The outreach also reflects the state’s intent to bridge gaps between industry needs and job seeker readiness, offering long-term benefits to both employers and employees.
For updates on implementation and eligibility, residents are encouraged to contact the Labour & Employment Department or visit the EPFO Regional Office, Goa.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant recently visited the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in a significant step toward promoting financial literacy and market awareness among the youth of Goa. During his visit, he engaged in in-depth discussions on initiatives focused on educating students and young professionals about stock markets, investment practices, and economic opportunities.
The visit also included a review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier between NSE and the Directorate of Higher Education, which aims to bridge the knowledge gap by introducing structured financial education in academic institutions across Goa.
Dr. Sawant emphasized that financial literacy is an essential life skill in today’s fast-evolving economic landscape. He reiterated that such collaborative initiatives will empower the next generation with practical insights into financial management, strategic investments, and understanding economic trends. The goal is to prepare students to make informed financial decisions and actively participate in the nation’s economic growth.
This move aligns with the broader vision of creating a financially aware and economically capable youth population in Goa, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and growth-oriented state economy.
In the ever-evolving world of digital technology, even political communication is witnessing a transformation. The latest example of this trend comes from Goa, where Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has taken a leap into the future by embracing artificial intelligence. A hyper-realistic 3D image of the Chief Minister, generated using Google’s popular AI tool ‘Nano Banana,’ is currently making waves across social media platforms.
The image, which has been widely shared by the official BJP Goa handles as well as numerous fan pages, presents the Chief Minister in a strikingly vivid and life-like form. From sharp facial features and expressive details to the intricate textures of his clothing and the realistic background, every element of the portrait reflects the remarkable capabilities of AI in creating detailed visual content.
What makes this trend more noteworthy is the accessibility and popularity of such tools. Nano Banana, developed by Google, has quickly become a favorite for those looking to create high-quality 3D images effortlessly. Its growing popularity isn’t limited to tech enthusiasts—it’s now being adopted by political figures and public personalities who see its value in enhancing digital presence and outreach.
The AI-generated image of Dr. Sawant has not only captured attention due to its visual appeal but also sparked conversations about the increasing role of technology in shaping public narratives. With captions calling him the ‘architect of progress’ and the ‘people’s hero,’ the photo campaign sends a strong message about visionary leadership, development, and the seamless blend of tradition and technology. The BJP has linked the visual representation to their broader agenda of shaping Goa’s future through infrastructure, education, and sustainability.
This wave of AI-generated content allows leaders like Dr. Pramod Sawant to connect with the public in new and innovative ways. By stepping into the world of AI-driven media, political figures are expanding their influence beyond traditional formats, engaging audiences who are increasingly active on digital platforms. In a world where visual impact matters more than ever, the Chief Minister’s viral AI portrait is a compelling symbol of this new era of tech-powered public engagement.
The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) organized a landmark seminar on the newly announced GST 2.0 Reforms on 8th September 2025 at the Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall in Panaji, Goa. The event was held in the backdrop of major tax reform decisions taken during the GST Council meeting on 3rd September 2025. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, was the Chief Guest for the seminar, while Shri Sarpreet Singh Gill, IAS, Commissioner of SGST Goa, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
In her welcome address, GCCI President Mrs. Pratima Dhond termed the reforms as a momentous step for India’s indirect tax landscape. She highlighted the shift to a simplified two-slab GST structure of 5% and 18%, with a special 40% slab for luxury and sin goods. These changes, she noted, would stabilise tax administration, encourage compliance, and reduce litigation. The rollout of the long-awaited GST Appellate Tribunal was also cited as a significant step toward improving trust and ease of doing business.
Mrs. Dhond emphasized the wide-ranging benefits of the reforms: reduced compliance burdens for MSMEs, lower tax on essential goods for households, affordability in healthcare and insurance, and sectoral relief for farmers and artisans. She praised the government’s balanced approach to revenue while promoting inclusive economic growth.
GCCI’s Honorary Secretary, CA Rohan Bhandare, opened the session by underlining the historic nature of the reforms. He noted the symbolic significance of 3rd September 2025—not only as the day GST 2.0 was announced but also GCCI’s 118th Foundation Day. He acknowledged that many of the reforms aligned with GCCI’s long-standing recommendations, while urging adequate support during the transition given the tight implementation timeline.
Guest of Honour Shri Sarpreet Singh Gill, IAS, highlighted the contribution of Goa’s Chief Minister in building consensus at the GST Council. He praised Dr. Sawant for his proactive leadership in both GST and VAT reform deliberations.
In his keynote address, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant outlined the core decisions under GST 2.0. These included 90% upfront refunds for exports and inverted duty structures, simplified registration processes for small and e-commerce businesses, and the establishment of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT). He stressed that these reforms were designed to support MSMEs, exporters, and sectors like tourism and agriculture, which are crucial to Goa’s economy.
Dr. Sawant encouraged businesses and professionals to proactively transition to the new framework by updating systems, revising contracts, and aligning with compliance requirements. He reaffirmed the Goa government’s commitment to supporting industry through the transition and congratulated GCCI for its role in policy advocacy and thought leadership.
To commemorate the dual milestone of GCCI’s Foundation Day and GST 2.0, a special brochure titled “A Historic Convergence on 3rd September 2025” was unveiled by the Chief Minister.
The seminar concluded with a technical session. CA Gaurav Kenkre presented an overview of GST 2.0 proposals, followed by a panel discussion featuring Mr. Vishant Gaunekar, Additional Commissioner SGST Goa, and CA Gaurav Kenkre, moderated by CA Yatish Pai Vernekar, Co-chair of the Taxation & Financial Services Committee. The panel addressed emerging compliance issues, passing on rate reduction benefits, transitioning to the non-ITC regime, and key action points for industry.
An engaging Q&A session followed, allowing participants to gain deeper insights. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by CA Atindra Prabhu Bhatikar, with the event coordinated by Shri Kiran Ballikar, Director, GCCI.
This seminar marked a pivotal moment for Goa’s trade and business community, as it aligns with national reforms and reaffirms GCCI’s 118-year legacy of driving growth and advocacy.
