Tag: rural development

Social

CSCs Bring Governance to Goa’s Doorstep

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Across the coastal villages and inland communities of Goa, Common Service Centres are quietly reshaping how citizens interact with government systems. For many residents, especially in rural areas, accessing official documents or welfare schemes once meant repeated visits to distant offices, long waiting times, and uncertainty. Today, CSCs are changing that experience by placing essential services right within village panchayats, making governance more approachable and efficient.

The CSC initiative in Goa draws strength from the national Digital India Programme launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. Recognising the unique needs of local communities, the state government adapted this framework through the Gramin Mitra Yojana, implemented by the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Government of Goa. This adaptation ensures that digital governance is not just technologically sound but also socially inclusive and locally relevant.

At the heart of this system are the Village Level Entrepreneurs, or VLEs, who serve as the human interface between citizens and digital services. These local entrepreneurs play a critical role by guiding residents through online processes, assisting those unfamiliar with digital platforms, and ensuring that services remain accessible to everyone, regardless of age or digital literacy. Their presence adds trust and reassurance, turning technology into a supportive tool rather than a barrier.

The growing usage of CSCs reflects the trust citizens are placing in these centres. Between 1st April 2025 and 10th September 2025, over 30,000 transactions were successfully completed through 351 active VLEs operating across 191 village panchayats. With registered CSCs already functioning and additional centres in the pipeline, the network continues to expand, extending its reach to more communities across the state.

CSCs offer a wide range of services designed around everyday needs. Citizens can apply for Aadhaar and PAN cards, obtain birth and marriage certificates, access land records, apply for licenses, and seek pension-related assistance, all at a single, familiar location. This consolidation of services not only saves time but also reduces the stress often associated with navigating complex administrative systems.

Goa’s CSC initiative stands as a strong example of how technology, when combined with responsive governance and community participation, can transform public service delivery. By making services local, transparent, and user-friendly, CSCs are helping bridge the digital divide, strengthening trust in institutions, and ensuring that governance truly reaches every citizen’s doorstep.

Finance

Bank of Baroda Engages 3.65 Lakh Farmers, Sanctions Rs 5,636 Crore in 8th ‘Baroda Kisan Pakhwada’

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Bank of Baroda, one of India’s leading public sector banks, has successfully concluded the 8th edition of its flagship rural outreach programme, ‘Baroda Kisan Pakhwada,’ held from 3rd to 15th November 2025. Over the course of the fortnight, the bank engaged with more than 3.65 lakh farmers across the country and sanctioned agricultural loans totaling over ₹5,636 crore. This year, the initiative was themed “Towards Atmanirbharta,” reflecting the bank’s commitment to supporting financial inclusion and empowering India’s farming community.

The programme featured a variety of on-ground activities including Kisan Melas, Kisan Meets, choupals, credit camps, and financial literacy sessions. Farmers were provided with guidance on modern agricultural equipment, drone technology, and financing options for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs), with several receiving loan sanction letters on the spot.

Baroda Kisan Pakhwada also highlighted the bank’s innovative digital offerings designed to make access to credit faster and more convenient. These included the Digital Baroda Kisan Credit Card, integrated with the RBIH digital land records system, and the Digital Gold Loan, available on the bank’s digital lending platform. These solutions demonstrate the bank’s commitment to making financial services more accessible, simplifying processes, and supporting the agricultural sector’s growth and self-reliance.

Speaking on the completion of the programme, Shri Lal Singh, Executive Director of Bank of Baroda, said, “The 8th edition of Baroda Kisan Pakhwada reflects our continued commitment to serve India’s farmers with solutions that are accessible, reliable, and increasingly digital. Whether through our Digital BKCC, Digital Gold Loan, or our on-ground outreach programmes, the aim is to strengthen our engagement and support by making credit simpler and more empowering for every farmer we reach. We remain deeply committed to supporting the agricultural community and contributing to their progress and self-reliance.”

Through initiatives like Baroda Kisan Pakhwada, Bank of Baroda continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing financial literacy, promoting digital adoption, and providing crucial financial support to farmers across India, reaffirming its position as a trusted partner in rural development and agricultural growth.

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Revives Over 20 Hectares of Farmland in Maem with ‘Back to Farming’ Initiative

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Vedanta Sesa Goa – Iron Ore Goa, recognizing the need to support local farmers, has launched the ‘Back to Farming’ initiative in Maem, aimed at rejuvenating over 20 hectares of uncultivated land and empowering more than 150 farming families. The project is designed to provide critical support to agricultural activities, enhance crop yields, and encourage the younger generation to take an active interest in farming.

A key aspect of the initiative is the construction of a traditional water storage system, known locally as a ‘bandhara’, which will augment irrigation facilities and enable farmers to cultivate double crops as well as vegetables. The foundation stone for the bandhara was laid in a ceremony attended by Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA for Maem, along with Vedanta IOG executives, Panchayat members, and community members.

Currently, factors such as high input costs, expensive farm machinery, and a declining interest in farming among the youth have left several large land tracts uncultivated. Vedanta Sesa Goa is actively mapping these areas across the villages of Mulgao, Piligao, Maem, and Bordem, providing scientific guidance, construction of fences, and water storage mechanisms to support sustainable farming practices.

Speaking at the ceremony, Shri Premendra Shet emphasized the significance of this initiative in preserving Goa’s agrarian heritage, strengthening farmer livelihoods, and ensuring sustainable rural development. Farmers, including Mr. Dilip Shet of Maem, highlighted the importance of Vedanta’s support in giving uncultivated land a second lease of life and sustaining agricultural practices for future generations.

This initiative builds on Vedanta IOG’s previous successes in Piligao, where over 20 hectares of uncultivated land were rejuvenated through the ‘Hands to Help’ farmers’ association. Similar projects are also underway in Amona and Navelim, further cementing Vedanta Sesa Goa’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, community engagement, and rural development in Goa.

Goan Personalities

New Curti-Khandepar Panchayat Ghar to Be Named After Late Former CM Ravi Naik

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The upcoming New Panchayat House Ghar will soon stand as a tribute to one of Goa’s respected leaders, former Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister late Ravi Naik. In recognition of his enduring contributions to the state and his legacy in strengthening agricultural and local governance initiatives, the Panchayat body has unanimously resolved to name the new building in his honour.

Sarpanch Naved Tehsildar shared that the process of land acquisition for the construction of the new Panchayat House Ghar is nearing completion. He expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support extended by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, who has assured full assistance in ensuring the timely execution of the project.

“The Panchayat body has taken a resolution to name the new Panchayat House after former Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister late Ravi Naik as a mark of respect for his immense contribution to public service and governance,” said Tehsildar. He added that the foundation stone for the project will soon be laid, marking a significant milestone in local infrastructure development.

This decision has been welcomed by residents and local representatives alike, who view it as a fitting tribute to a leader remembered for his dedication to rural progress, governance reforms, and the betterment of Goa’s agrarian community. The new Panchayat House Ghar is expected to serve as a vital centre for local administration and community activities, carrying forward the values of service and commitment that Ravi Naik embodied throughout his political career.

Events in Goa

Nominations Open: 13th Orchid Award for Women Achievers of Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa is a land of culture, talent, and untold stories — especially those of women who are quietly yet powerfully shaping their communities, industries, and the future. Recognizing the need to bring such stories to light, the Orchid Group is proud to announce the 13th edition of the Orchid Award for Women Achievers of Goa.

This unique award ceremony is the first of its kind in the state and was introduced to celebrate women who embody excellence, resilience, and impact in their respective fields. From trailblazers in education and sports to changemakers in rural development and business, these awards are a tribute to the spirit of Goan women.

The categories for this year include: Education, Art & Culture, Sports, Social Work, Journalism, Business, Rural Development, Woman Achiever with Disability, Girl Child Prodigy, and the prestigious Life Time Achievement Award. Each category is crafted to ensure that a wide range of contributions and accomplishments are recognized and honoured.

Nominations are now open, and the invitation is extended to every corner of Goa. Whether you’re a woman who has made a mark or you know someone who deserves this recognition, now is the time to act. The Orchid Award is not just an accolade — it is a movement that aims to uplift, encourage, and inspire future generations of Goan women.

Celebrate the women who inspire us. Celebrate Goa. Nominate today.

Last date of nominations 05th November 2025