SATURDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2026

Vijai maintaining pressure on cops to act on jobs-for-cash scam

At Friday’s media briefing at the Goemkar Ghor, Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai kept harping on one issue in the jobs-for-cash scam “ whether the police have taken cognisance of the complaint allegedly filed by Sandip Parab with the Economic Offense Cell in September last? Well, a confident looking Vijaibab said skeletons will tumble out of the cupboard if the men-in-uniform act on Parab’s detailed complaint. What exactly has Parab alleged in the complaint to the EOC, has he named any of the key persons, alleged to be the brain behind the scandal, and if yes, whether any of these persons have so far been called to join in the investigations. Wait and watch as Vijaibab seemed waiting for an opportune time to place the contents of the complaint in public domain.

Absence of Oppn parties, MLAs at Cong protest raises eyebrows

The weekend saw the Congress led by Chief Amitbab Patkar and MP Captain Viriatbab Fernandes finally descending on the streets to corner the saffron brigade on the jobs-for-cash scam. The absence of the Opposition parties and MLAs, however, has raised many an eyebrow in political circles. For, the Opposition MLAs and party leaders had twice addressed the media in the last one week, to warn the government of joint street protests on the scam. The absence of Opposition MLAs has indeed thrown up a host of questions. Wait and watch.

Maha poll debacle: A wake-up call for Opposition parties?

Has the Maharashtra Assembly poll result, which saw a debacle of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, hold any message for the Opposition parties in Goa? Well, as the election results from the neighbouring state started trickling in on Saturday morning, ringing in good news for the saffron brigade, the message seemed loud and clear that Lok Sabha poll success may not automatically reap dividends in an Assembly election.  Post-2024 Lok Sabha victory in the South Goa Lok Sabha seat, the Congress is all charged up, but the Maharashtra debacle may call for caution. Any questions?

Questions arise over Environment Min’s stance on beach restoration

What exactly did Environment Minister Aleixobab Sequeira meant to when he stated that crores of rupees have been spent on beach restoration over the years? Well, Aleixobab was categorical in saying that crores of rupees have been spent in the past to restore the eroded beaches, with questions raised on the beach stretches that were taken up for restoration and whether the restoration work had paid dividends. Will the government or concerned department shed light on the restoration works carried out to restore the eroded beaches. Wait and watch.

Cong eyes ‘sure shot’ candidate for Benaulim in 2027 elections

Aam Aadmi Party Benaulim MLA Capt Venzy Viegas, sources said, was not in town during the weekend, since he has reportedly gone out of station. Back home, the Congress made a determined bid not just to strengthen the party base in Benaulim, but to zero in on a capable candidate to keep the party flag flying high in the 2027 Assembly election. Congress Secretary Dr Anjalibai sounded categorical in saying the party is scouting for a ‘sure shot’ candidate to win Benaulim after two decades, throwing up questions on the fate of the INDI Alliance. Any questions?


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SPOTLIGHT | GOA'S IFFI SCRIPT: HITS AND MISSES Festival still a far cry from what was first envisioned

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has called Goa home for over two decades, transforming the State into a key player on the global film map. Initially chosen to elevate the festival’s stature, IFFI has brought attention to Goa's cultural landscape while boosting tourism and local businesses. However, its success in nurturing the State’s film industry and infrastructure remains debated, with questions around the festival’s lasting impact on regional cinema and Goa’s role as a permanent host

ASHLEY DO ROSARIO
Published Nov 24, 2024, 12:38 AM IST
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SPOTLIGHT | GOA'S IFFI SCRIPT: HITS AND MISSES Festival still a far cry from what was first envisioned

PANAJIOne of the principal reasons why the decision-makers opted to make Goa the permanent home for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) back in the early years of the current millennium: To give the festival which was until then struggling to make a mark and compare with peers like Cannes, Venice or Toronto, the oomph of a seaside resort suited to 'internationalise' the event.Today, on the cusp of yet another edition, incidentally the twenty-first being hosted in…

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