Will create fisheries ministry if Congress voted to power: Rahul Gandhi
Panaji: Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday assured a group of traditional fishermen in Goa that if his party was voted to power at the Centre this year, a separate Union ministry would be created for fisheries.
Gandhi, who arrived in Goa on Friday, held series of meetings here on Saturday with the people dependent on mining, traditional fishermen, environmentalists opposing recent amendment to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification and citizens opposing handling of coal in Vasco town.
"Gandhi assured us that a separate ministry for fisheries and fisher welfare would be created in order to do justice to the sector once voted to power," said Olencio Simoes, Vice Chairperson of National Fisherworkers' Forum.
He said Gandhi agreed to include the demand of a separate ministry in the party's manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
"Presently, fisheries is only one of the three divisions of the department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries that functions under the ministry of Agriculture," Simoes, who led the group of fishermen for a meeting with Gandhi, said.
The fishing community also demanded scrapping of CRZ notification 2019, describing it as detrimental to the community.
Gandhi also met the representatives mining dependents and as well as those affected due to pollution created by the handling of coal at Mormugao Port Trust in Vasco to hear their grievances.
The Congress chief did address media as he immediately left for Karnataka after the meetings.
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Koppal: Municipal JE suspended over alleged Rs 10 crore works irregularities
Koppal: The Directorate of Municipal Administration has suspended a Municipal Council Junior Engineer, Somalingappa, following allegations of causing a loss of nearly Rs 10 crore through irregularities in municipal works.
The suspension order was issued on March 16, though it became public nearly 10 days later.
According to preliminary investigation, irregularities were detected in 336 works carried out between 2023 and 2025. Officials said several works were either poorly executed or existed only on paper, with bills allegedly generated for incomplete or non-existent projects.
Officials further indicated that the role of other individuals, including a former Municipal Commissioner, an Assistant Executive Engineer, and a consulting firm responsible for quality inspection, is also under scrutiny in connection with the case.
The matter had earlier been brought to attention through a complaint filed with the Lokayukta in September 2025, prompting further investigation.
