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AICC leader Sachin Pilot alleged a “complete collapse” of law and order in Goa and claimed that 1.7 lakh voters were deleted after the SIR. He further alleged that crores of voters were deleted across India. Pilot also said that despite several opposition parties in Goa, Congress workers are the ones working hard on the ground. • AICC leader Sachin Pilot alleged that Goa has “two types of laws” — one for powerful people and another for local Goans. He claimed that powerful people come out of jail quickly, while also saying that despite several opposition parties, Congress workers are the ones visibly working hard on the ground. • GPCC president Girish Chodankar claimed that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the state cabinet are “in panic” over Congress leader Sachin Pilot joining the Goy Rakhonn Yatra in Sankhali on Gandhi Jayanti. Chodankar also alleged that Congress posters were torn and said the party is targeting the CM politically. • AICC leader Manikrao Thakare alleged that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is afraid of Congress and claimed that the tearing of party posters reflects the government’s concern over the Congress campaign in Goa. • LoP Yuri Alemao said Sachin Pilot has been a “blessing” for Congress in Goa, recalling that Pilot had campaigned for him and Carlos in their constituencies and both went on to win in the 2022 Assembly elections. • Congress leader Sachin Pilot claimed Congress will secure a majority in the upcoming February elections, saying people are tired of the BJP government. He alleged the BJP seeks votes by dividing people along religious, caste and linguistic lines. • Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Centre and Goa government will work together to boost coconut and cashew production through technology and resources. A special coconut promotion scheme will also be formulated to improve production and productivity. • Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Goa can produce vegetables and other agricultural products locally, reducing dependence on supplies from outside. He assured all necessary support to help Goan farm produce reach global markets. • CM Pramod Sawant says vegetables and other agricultural produce from Goa will be exported to foreign markets through Mopa Airport. A dedicated warehouse is being developed, while farmers have been urged to focus on increasing cultivation and production. • CM Pramod Sawant says the Goa government has reached out to 52,400 farmers, connecting them with basic facilities and farming schemes. He also highlighted a 100% increase in vegetable production and exports, along with initiatives to empower farmers and Nari Shakti. AICC leader Sachin Pilot alleged a “complete collapse” of law and order in Goa and claimed that 1.7 lakh voters were deleted after the SIR. He further alleged that crores of voters were deleted across India. Pilot also said that despite several opposition parties in Goa, Congress workers are the ones working hard on the ground. • AICC leader Sachin Pilot alleged that Goa has “two types of laws” — one for powerful people and another for local Goans. He claimed that powerful people come out of jail quickly, while also saying that despite several opposition parties, Congress workers are the ones visibly working hard on the ground. • GPCC president Girish Chodankar claimed that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the state cabinet are “in panic” over Congress leader Sachin Pilot joining the Goy Rakhonn Yatra in Sankhali on Gandhi Jayanti. Chodankar also alleged that Congress posters were torn and said the party is targeting the CM politically. • AICC leader Manikrao Thakare alleged that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is afraid of Congress and claimed that the tearing of party posters reflects the government’s concern over the Congress campaign in Goa. • LoP Yuri Alemao said Sachin Pilot has been a “blessing” for Congress in Goa, recalling that Pilot had campaigned for him and Carlos in their constituencies and both went on to win in the 2022 Assembly elections. • Congress leader Sachin Pilot claimed Congress will secure a majority in the upcoming February elections, saying people are tired of the BJP government. He alleged the BJP seeks votes by dividing people along religious, caste and linguistic lines. • Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Centre and Goa government will work together to boost coconut and cashew production through technology and resources. A special coconut promotion scheme will also be formulated to improve production and productivity. • Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Goa can produce vegetables and other agricultural products locally, reducing dependence on supplies from outside. He assured all necessary support to help Goan farm produce reach global markets. • CM Pramod Sawant says vegetables and other agricultural produce from Goa will be exported to foreign markets through Mopa Airport. A dedicated warehouse is being developed, while farmers have been urged to focus on increasing cultivation and production. • CM Pramod Sawant says the Goa government has reached out to 52,400 farmers, connecting them with basic facilities and farming schemes. He also highlighted a 100% increase in vegetable production and exports, along with initiatives to empower farmers and Nari Shakti.

LEGAL

Goa Moves to Remove Discriminatory Leprosy Provisions from Prison Rules

Goa government has approved key amendments to the Goa Prison Rules, aiming to eliminate archaic and discriminatory provisions concerning pri

17th Apr 2026 • 65 views

Goa Moves to Remove Discriminatory Leprosy Provisions from Prison Rules

The Goa government has approved key amendments to the Goa Prison Rules, aiming to eliminate archaic and discriminatory provisions concerning prisoners affected by leprosy, in line with Supreme Court mandates. The reference to "leprosy patients" as a specific category for post-release assistance has been deleted. Assistance will now focus on habitual and police-registered prisoners, without the stigmatizing label. In the rule for segregation of prisoners, while leprosy remains listed under contagious diseases, segregation can no longer be arbitrary. It now requires a medical opinion from a specialized Medical Officer for that specific sickness before any action is taken. By requiring a specialist's opinion for segregation, the state ensures that prisoners are not isolated based on social stigma, but rather on verified medical necessity. Furthermore, the removal of the term from Rule 663 ensures that rehabilitated individuals are not "tagged" by their medical history when seeking help from the Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society. The proposal is currently slated for notification under the Goa Prison (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026.

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