THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2026

Cong MLAs back Khaunte, Porvorim block slams him

the goan I network

MAPUSA

While the Congress legislators backed Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte at his hour of need, the Porvorim Block Congress condemned Khaunte for the “attack” on the BJP spokesman indicating that the Congress legislature and its party wing were totally out of sync.  

The Porvorim Congress, however, said the immediate arrest of the legislator was unwarranted especially when the House was in session.  

“We strongly condemn the attack on Premanand Mahambre. If a leader of a ruling political party can be attacked like this, what better can we expect of the MLA. There is no reason to disbelieve the allegations levelled by Mahambre,” said Shankar Phadte, President of Porvorim Congress Block.  

The Porvorim Block Congress chief said the right to freedom of movement and freedom of speech was basic fundamental right guaranteed to every citizen and that it was unfortunate that the Porvorim MLA could not respect the basic fundamental right of his political opponent.  He said the immediate arrest of Khaunte was not necessitated when the House was in session.  

“We cannot trust the BJP which is best at its tricks. We hope that this is not just an eye wash. If the government is serious than it should also be swift to complete the investigation and should file a chargesheet within 30 days in the case,” Phadte said.  

He said the government should also investigate the Serula Comunidade scam and reveal the involvement of the Porvorim MLA and his cronies when he was the revenue minister.  Khaunte should apologise for 

joining with BJP: Bhike  

MAPUSA: Slamming some of the political decisions of the Porvorim MLA, North Goa District Congress President Vijay Bhike said Rohan Khaunte had ditched the Congress and joined hands with the BJP to form the government.  “The Porvorim MLA should publicly apologise to the people of Goa for joining forces with the BJP. He should also assure that he will never join the BJP in future,” Bhike said. Khaunte supporters decry arrest, 

demand action against complainant

PORVORIM: A large number of supporters of Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte gathered near the Chawdeswar temple at Salvador do Mundo on Thursday evening, to denounce the arrest of Khaunte in a dramatic manner in the wee hours of Thursday and to express their solidarity with him.   

The supporters first went to the temple and offered prayers for the well being of Khaunte and to seek punishment of the BJP spokesperson Premanand Mahambre for filing a false complaint against Khaunte.  

The speakers claimed that senior Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane had already mentioned that the complaint lodged against Khaunte is false and added that the BJP had tried to tarnish the good image of Khaunte by filing a false complaint.

Insisting that BJP spokesperson Premanand Mahambre immediately apologises in public for filing a false complaint, they also demanded that police take immediate action against Mahambre for filing a false complaint and damaging the reputation of the Porvorim MLA.


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EXCISE DUTY, LICENCE FEE ON ALCOHOL HIKED

The Goan Network
Published Feb 7, 2020, 2:01 AM IST
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EXCISE DUTY, LICENCE FEE ON ALCOHOL HIKED

the goan I networkPANAJIChief Minister Pramod Sawant has sharply increased excise duty on several categories of alcohol in a bid to mobilise more tax revenue. He said that he was increasing the excise duty and fees, which will generate revenue of around Rs 100 crore.The increase in excise duty is in the range of around 10% to 50%. However, it doesn’t mean that the alcohol will get expensive by 50% in Goa. It only means that the excise portion will be increased by that…

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