Murari Shetye
As seen in:
MSN India,
MSN UK,
ET Energy World,
ETAuto,
ETCFO,
India Times,
The Economic Times,
The Times of India,
Navbharat Times,
Flipboard
and
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Murari Shetye
Goa notifies rehab scheme for acid attack survivors
Panaji: State govt has notified the Rehabilitation of Acid Attack Victims Scheme, which provides medical treatment, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation and financial assistance to acid attack survivors. Goa reported two acid attack cases in 2025 and 2016. In 2025, a 17-year-old student was attacked at the Dhargal bus stop. In 2016, a minor girl and her grandmother were injured in an attack in Mapusa.
Cops direct banks to scrutinise large transfers by senior citizens
Panaji: With senior citizens and retired people increasingly becoming victims of cybercrime, Goa police have directed banks to temporarily pause fund transfers initiated by senior citizens to unknown or random accounts and to verify with the senior citizen the purpose of the transfer to prevent them from becoming victims of cyber fraud .
Govt contemplates data centre for Goa: CM
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday announced that the state govt is contemplating setting up a data centre in Goa. Sawant said that Rs 1,000 crore would be spent to create education infrastructure in the state for students to learn futuristic studies. “We have plans to set up a data center in the state. Before making any decision, we have to think ten times considering the sentiment of the public. At present we have only plans.
Seat ambitions could trip pre-poll alliance talks in Goa
Panaji: With political parties in Goa gearing up for the 2027 assembly elections, the battle for a larger share of seats has emerged as a major stumbling block in efforts to forge pre-poll alliances. While politicians have publicly expressed their willingness to join hands, negotiations have yet to move beyond statements, with competing electoral ambitions threatening to complicate alliance-building efforts.
State launches AI policy, to introduce AI fundamentals for Classes VI–XII from next academic year Original
Panaji: State govt on Thursday launched Goa Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026, which includes introducing AI fundamentals for Classes VI–XII from the academic year 2027-28 and setting up AI labs in up to 50 govt schools in phases. The policy targets 50,000 AI-certified professionals by 2030, including at least 25% women, 30% youth under 30 and 15% from tier-2 and tier-3 talukas. Chief minister Pramod Sawant and IT minister Rohan Khaunte launched the policy on Thursday.
BJP and MGP differ on status of post-poll alliance talks
Panaji: BJP and MGP functionaries on Tuesday gave conflicting accounts of post-poll alliance talks ahead of the 2027 assembly election. Chief minister Pramod Sawant said preliminary discussions had begun and that the two parties would contest the 2027 election together. “We will forge the BJP-MGP alliance. We had a meeting with MGP president Pandurang ‘Deepak’ Dhavalikar and started the discussion. The final discussion will continue with central BJP members.
Parties take the AI route to take potshots at their rivals
Panaji: Elections may be fought on the ground, but in Goa, the political battle is increasingly spilling into the digital world. With the Assembly elections scheduled for Feb 2027, BJP and Congress are turning to AI to create memes, sharpen their attacks on each other, and capture public attention. As political messaging moves beyond traditional rallies, posters, and speeches, AI-generated content is emerging as another tool in the contest for visibility and narrative control.
Cops bust 2 drug rackets, arrest 4 and seize narcotics worth Rs 13 lakh
Panaji: Police arrested four people in two separate narcotics cases and seized drugs worth about Rs 13 lakh. The alleged suppliers in both matters were also arrested. The arrests are part of the ongoing crackdown under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, with North Goa police focusing on tracing linkages and identifying suppliers instead of limiting investigations to those caught with contraband.
Pedestrian deaths fall 33% in Goa, cyclist deaths rise
Panaji: Goa recorded a 33% decline in pedestrian deaths on state roads during the first nine months of 2026, while cyclist deaths increased by 200%, according to data from the Goa Police traffic cell. The state reported 1,965 road accidents through Sept 2026, up from 1,726 in the corresponding period last year, a 13% increase. Thirty pedestrians died in road accidents till Sept this year, down from 45 during the same period last year.
Goa’s urban property card drive sees just 5% response Original
Panaji: State govt has completed the work of updating land records and issuing urban property cards (UrPro) to landowners, but only 5% of people have submitted their documents for the preparation of these cards. Govt will prepare cards for the 5% who have submitted documents and keep them available for review so these people can check the details and submit objections or suggestions. A govt official said that once the 30-day period is over, the cards will be handed to the landowners.
Rahul attending Cong yatra in Goa will have no impact on state politics: CM
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday refuted the claim by Congress MP and leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi that BJP has turned Goa into a model state for corruption. Sawant said Rahul participating in the 27-day ‘Goy Rakhonn Yatra’ with the aim to defeat BJP in the 2027 assembly elections will have no impact on state politics. The CM said Rahul should think 10 times before he makes any allegations.
Goa road crashes up 9%, deaths rise 22% in Sept
Panaji: Goa recorded a 9% increase in road accidents and a 22% rise in fatalities in Sept 2026 compared with the same month last year, traffic cell data showed. Around 95% of accidents occurred due to rash and negligent driving, the traffic cell said. A total of 216 accidents were reported in Sept 2026, compared with 197 in Sept 2025. “There is an increase in accidents of 19 cases.
Foreigner in Goa alleges raped by man she met on social media
Murari.Shetye@timesofindia.comPanaji: Goa police have registered an FIR against a man for allegedly raping a 45-year-old foreign tourist at the coastal town of Mandrem in North Goa . Police said the survivor got in touch with the accused on social media and made plans to meet in Goa. The survivor, a divorcee, is European and had subsequently acquired another country’s nationality. She arrived in New Delhi in Aug before travelling to Goa and has been staying at Mandrem, police said.
CJP protest: Police file FIR against 300 for anti-Hindutva slogans
Panaji: Goa police have registered an FIR against 300 unidentified protesters who took part in a Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest in Panaji on Oct 11, alleging they raised slogans that hurt Hindu sentiments.
Goa’s low-grade iron ore dumps contain critical minerals: GSI
Panaji: A Geological Survey of India (GSI) survey conducted in Goa found that the state’s low-grade iron ore dumps contain critical minerals, and state govt is exploring whether it is economically viable to extract them. GSI has submitted its report to the directorate of mines and geology (DMG), including a list of critical minerals available in the state. DMG director Narayan Gad said that GSI has confirmed the presence of critical minerals in Goa.
Govt clears apparel cluster at Honda, eyes 300 jobs Original
Panaji: State govt has approved a proposal by Brighter Ideas Production and Supplies Pvt Ltd to set up an apparel manufacturing cluster at Honda to manufacture school uniforms, school bags, rainwear, safety apparel and other institutional textile products. The project is expected to create more than 300 direct jobs, primarily for women, and will include skill development and training programmes.
On Centre’s prod, Goa transitions smart city into state-level SPV Original
Panaji: State cabinet on Saturday granted its approval to repurpose and transition Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) into a state-level urban development special purpose vehicle (SPV) to complete the projects and hand them over to the respective departments.
Govt shifts Rs 228 crore Mirabag water project to Panchawadi
Panaji: The state cabinet on Saturday approved shifting the proposed barrage and 50 MLD raw water pumping station from Mirabag to Panchawadi to ensure an uninterrupted supply of raw water to the drinking water treatment plant at Panchawadi in Shiroda, South Goa . The project is estimated to cost around Rs 228 crore.
Goa police proposes setting up of women police station in South Goa
Panaji: Goa police have moved a proposal to state govt to establish the second women police station in the state in South Goa to handle women-related cases, including rape and sexual assault. The women police station in South Goa will provide relief to the survivors, who now have to travel to Panaji. Currently, only one women police station is in operation in Panaji.
Pitru Paksha pause, post-festival pact: Congress–GFP alliance back in play
Panaji: Ego and self-interest have plunged the opposition parties into an imbroglio, yet politics has neither permanent friends nor permanent enemies — an apt frame for the renewed alliance buzz between Congress and GFP. With the 2027 assembly elections inching closer, political equations are shifting. Old differences are being revisited, and the push for a united opposition has brought Congress and GFP back to the negotiating table, pushing Goa First alliance into the background.
Sawant urges Karnataka speaker to improve ties with state over Mhadei
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday urged Karnataka legislative assembly speaker G S Patil to improve relations with Goa, saying the appeal included the long-pending Mhadei water dispute. Addressing the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Goa legislative assembly complex, Sawant noted that speakers of Maharashtra and Karnataka had attended the event. “I urged (Karnataka speaker) to have a better neighbourly relation.
Creators to explore Goa, document change under ‘Impact Drive’ Original
Panaji: State govt is launching a four-month, statewide creator-led storytelling programme to document citizens’ experiences of govt schemes and services, including what is working, who is benefiting and where gaps remain. The Goa Impact Drive (GID), under the umbrella narrative ‘Kharem Goem — The Real Goa’, aims to supplement official dataand claims with on-ground public feedback.
Goa defers ban on four ‘ferocious’ dog breeds Original
Panaji: State govt has decided to keep in abeyance its plan to ban four ferocious dog breeds in Goa — pit bull, rottweiler, cane corso and dogo argentino — after Centre’s move to ban ferocious dogs was challenged in court. Animal husbandry and veterinary services minister Nilkant Halarnkar said two cases have been filed in the Kerala and Delhi high courts, and the courts have stayed the move that allowed Centre to ban 23 ferocious dog breeds.
Sewage plants in state used at 55% of capacity, Centre told Original
Panaji: Goa’s sewage treatment plants (STPs) are being utilised at just around 55% of their actual capacity, the state has told Centre. There are 14 treatment plants in the state with a total capacity of 113.3 minimal liquid discharge (MLD), but only 63.3 MLD is being utilised, the state told Centre in its status report on STPs. The state’s urban areas generate an estimated 72.7 MLD, a senior official said.
Goa asks Centre to inspect K’taka’s projects on Mhadei
Panaji: With monsoon rainfall down about 32%, Goa govt has urged Centre to direct the chairperson of Mahadayi Prawah to immediately inspect the Kalasa and Bhandura project sites during the ongoing monsoon. Goa wants the inspection to assess the extent of any breach and to recommend the remedial measures required, with a report submitted to Centre.
Centre promises support for coconut, cashew farming in Goa Original
Panaji: Union agriculture and farmers welfare minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday launched the Goa Fresh brand to promote and market agricultural products from Goa. Chouhan also announced the establishment of a third Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Goa to provide farmers with access to modern agricultural technology.
Goa police get two fast patrol boats to strengthen coastal security
Panaji: Goa police have received two 15m fast patrol boats to strengthen coastal security at Rs 3 crore. At present, only one operational 15m fast interceptor boat, ‘Chandreshwar’, is available for patrolling with the coastal security police. DGP Alok Kumar said the vessels would be first put on trial, and as soon as possible they would be inducted into the force.
State govt clears land for first affordable housing project in Parcem
Panaji: State govt has approved the transfer of 96,512 sqm of govt land at Parcem in Pernem to Goa Housing Board for construction of the state’s first affordable housing complex under a scheme aligned with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The Housing Board had identified the govt-owned land and sought its transfer to undertake the project. The proposal was examined by the revenue department under the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, following a report from the North Goa collector.
Posting twist sees Panaji, Porvorim SDPOs swap charges
Panaji: In an unusual order issued by SP (headquarters) Tushar Vernekar, the officers already serving as sub-divisional police officers in Porvorim and Panaji have been given additional charge of each other’s posts. This means both Panaji and Porvorim will have two officers overseeing investigations. Senior police officers said the order was not issued as per procedure. They said postings of SP are issued by govt, while postings of DySP are handled by the police establishment board.
Man held for raping minor, then asking her to convert
Panaji: Goa police have arrested a 21-year-old Muslim man for allegedly stalking and raping a 16-year-old Hindu girl from Mormugao taluka. The man is also accused of trying to convert the minor after she became pregnant, claiming that his family would accept her once she is converted. The minor told police in a statement that he kidnapped her after threatening to circulate her compromising photos on social media and took her to Solapur.
Panaji MLA opposes privatisation of CoP terminal
Panaji: Revenue minister Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate has strongly opposed state govt’s proposal to privatise and commercialise the Captain of Ports (CoP) new terminal building and jetty at Panaji, citing concerns over traffic, parking, pedestrian safety, emergency access and public access to the waterfront.
Babush opposes cafe, shops in Miramar beach toilet redevpt plan Original
Panaji: Tourism department’s plan to redevelop the toilet block with a cafe, refreshment area and co-working space at Miramar beach is likely to hit rough weather, as revenue minister and Panaji MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate has opposed the plan. Tourism department invited bidders for development, operations and maintenance of the toilet block along with allied services at Miramar on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
Goa begins iron ore dump handling under new policy
Panaji: Goa’s iron ore industry has reached a significant milestone as companies begin handling low-grade ore dumps for the first time in the state’s history. The development comes in the wake of state-led auctions that placed 25 dumps under new management and granted four dumps to former mining lessees. The total quantity of dumps is around 50 million tonnes. Full-fledged mining is expected to resume in Goa from Oct and is likely to generate around Rs 1,000 crore in revenue.
FRRO Goa deports six foreigners a month till Sept Original
Panaji: On average, six foreign nationals have been deported by Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Goa, per month till Sept for allegedly overstaying, while more than 100 foreigners have obtained exit permits and left India. This week, three foreigners—including nationals from Japan, Uganda, and Kenya—have been deported. A total of 60 foreigners illegally overstaying have been deported by the FRRO, Goa, since Jan 2025. These include 32 males and females respectively.
Cabinet approves Sanjivani sugar factory redevelopment
Panaji: Goa govt on Friday selected Credo Impex Pvt Ltd, in consortium with Agrahar Infra Pvt Ltd and Aravinda Infra Pvt Ltd, to redevelop Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Limited, the state’s only sugar factory. The project will be taken up through a public-private partnership. The selected bidder will design, finance, build, operate and later transfer the facility to govt. The estimated project cost is around Rs 130 crore. The bidder has offered govt a 0.2% revenue share.
Porvorim vehicles may get entry to Atal Setu next week
Panaji: The PWD will need more time to reopen the entry and exit points connecting the Porvorim elevated corridor to Atal Setu , as it works to align three elevated lanes and a service lane with Atal Setu’s two lanes for traffic heading towards the Panaji side. A senior govt officer said work had begun at Porvorim to open the Atal Setu entry and exit and will be completed by next week, after which traffic from Porvorim will be allowed to enter Atal Setu.
Cabinet approves farmer organisation policy, to be in force until March 2031
Panaji: The state cabinet on Friday approved the Goa Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) Policy, 2026 to strengthen institutional coordination, professional management, access to finance and infrastructure, and market governance. The policy will be in force until March 31, 2031, with provisions for review, amendment or extension by govt.
State approves SPV for water metro
Panaji: The state cabinet on Friday approved the formation of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) under the Companies Act, 2013, to implement, finance, operate and maintain the ‘Namo Tarang – Goa water metro’. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), appointed to prepare the detailed project report (DPR), has completed nearly half the work and is expected to submit the report by Oct.
Atal Setu entry to open for Porvorim traffic from today, traffic plan in a week: Sawant
Panaji: Entry to Atal Setu for traffic from Porvorim will be reopened Friday, with chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday saying a complete traffic management solution for the six-lane elevated road at Porvorim would be put in place within a week.
Fake call centres resurface in Goa, police told to act immediately: DGP
Panaji: Three months after the Goa police crackdown on fake call centres, such operations are resurfacing in the state. Director general of police (DGP) Alok Kumar said on Thursday that he has instructed the police to act immediately whenever information about fake call centres is received. “Goa police have zero tolerance towards fake call centres and we will act against such activities as soon as it comes to light,” Kumar said.
ED attaches ₹4.2 cr Socorro property in land grab case
Panaji: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Panaji, on Thursday attached a property at Socorro village valued at Rs 4.2 crore in connection with an alleged land grab case. The 5,000-sqm property, comprising 11 plots, has been attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Porvorim police had registered an FIR under the IPC for cheating, impersonation, and forgery of documents based on a complaint by the property owner’s heir.
Police decline casino director’s demand for escort, pilot vehicles
Panaji: Goa police have declined Majestic Pride Group director Shrinivas Nayak’s request to provide him with a police escort and pilot vehicles — a privilege currently afforded only to chief minister — as the Porvorim shootout case has been worked out. TOI was the first to report about Nayak’s request to Goa police to provide him security. “Goa police do proper threat assessment. Based on these grounds, security is provided.
MGP-BJP war of words continues over alliance Original
Panaji: After chief minister Pramod Sawant asked Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) to mend its ways, senior MGP functionary and power minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar on Saturday hit back, reminding Sawant of his past electoral defeats when MGP contested in Pale constituency. Despite friction, Dhavalikar said the MGP-BJP alliance was not formed at the state level but was shaped by Union home minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis .
Goa casino director writes to police, demands police escort, pilot vehicles Original
Panaji: A local casino director may soon be roaming the state with a police escort and pilot vehicles — a privilege currently afforded only to the chief minister — if Goa police accept Majestic Pride Group director Shrinivas Nayak’s request. Nayak has demanded the protection citing continuing threats to his life after an alleged armed attack and attempt to murder on Aug 28. Police have arrested six people in connection with the case.
Every week, Goa sees four rapes or sexual assaults: Police stats
Panaji: Goa police statistics have revealed that on average, the state sees four women raped or sexually assaulted every week. From 2021 to 2025, a total of 922 women — aged between five and 70 — were either raped or sexually assaulted. Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that investigating officers are regularly briefed and debriefed to strictly adhere to the mandatory provisions contained in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), during investigations.
Goa police direct IOs to conduct identification tests when necessary
Times news network Panaji: Even as a number of court orders exposed investigating officers adopting a casual approach to test identification parades (TIPs) in rape and murder cases resulting in acquittals, Goa police maintained that parades are not mandatory in all cases but directed the investigating officers to conduct those promptly, especially where the accused is an unknown person. “In certain cases, TIP is essential and accordingly it is held.
2 killed in accident on Porvorim elevated corridor
Panaji: Two people died in an accident at the exit of the newly opened six-lane Porvorim elevated flyover on its second day of operation. A car hit a scooter from behind which was proceeding in the same direction, pushing it into a truck entering the national highway proceeding towards Atal Setu . The two-wheeler rider’s children were waiting for their father to return home so they could travel to their native place for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, Porvorim PI Tukaram Chavan said.
State turns to social media to promote sustainable farming
Panaji: State govt is turning to social media to promote sustainable and climate-resilient farming and advance its mission of making the state self-sufficient in agricultural products, with plans to take information on farming, schemes and local produce directly to farmers, consumers and young entrepreneurs. The directorate of agriculture will appoint an agency to manage and promote its activities across social media platforms and strengthen the department’s digital outreach.
Goa govt to collect dry waste from 450-plus educational institutions Original
Panaji: State govt will collect segregated dry waste from over 450 schools, colleges and higher secondary schools across three talukas as part of a project to keep educational premises clean and improve waste recovery. The project, described by govt as secondary collection and transportation of segregated non-biodegradable dry waste, will cover educational institutions as well as village panchayats and other organisations across all 12 talukas and three districts.
Goa to launch carbon calculator under net positive p’yat push
Panaji: Govt will launch a carbon calculator under the ‘Net Positive Panchayats’ initiative to assess energy consumption and the state’s carbon footprint. It will also roll out a ‘Green Cooking’ pilot integrated with PM Surya Ghar. Chief minister Pramod Sawant said Goa has set a target of installing 21,200 rooftop solar systems by 2027, generating 65MW of clean energy. “Climate action must begin with measurement.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Murari
Contact Murari, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack