The SÃ ve Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC), in a representation to the Department of Archives and Archaeology, has objected to the use of the name “Haath Katro Khambo” for a structure listed in a notification dated 17 February 2026, published in the Official Gazette on 5 March.
The committee has urged the State government to correct what it describes as an inaccurate title. It has pointed to photographic evidence from 14 April showing the structure, identified as a pillory, bearing nameplates reading “Pelourinho Novo” in Portuguese and “New Pillory” in English, along with a Konkani inscription. According to SOGAC, this appears to contradict the name used in the gazette entry.
It may be noted that historian Dale Menezes had also raised a formal objection earlier with the Department of Archives and Archaeology regarding the same notification, which declared the structure in Old Goa as a protected monument under the name “Haat Katro Khambo”.
Menezes had argued that there is no clear historical evidence supporting this name and that the structure has traditionally been referred to as “Pelourinho Novo”. He had requested that the authorities reconsider the official nomenclature and ensure that records are based on documented historical sources. So far, the Department of Archives and Archaeology has not issued a public response or clarification regarding these objections.
