WEEKEND UPDATES

MARINA PERMIT REVOKED!

THE Goa government has revoked the in-principle approvals given to marina projects. It may be recalled that permission had been given to two marina projects at Nauxi (Divar)and Sancoale by Kargaal Constructions and Yacht Heaven (Goa). The projects proposed providing parking for yachts and related facilities including floating jetties. The projects estimated to cost Rs200-Rs500 crore were expected to create 250 jobs. The promoters apparently backed out due to stiff resistance from locals. Therefore, the Investment Promotion Board decided to cancel the projects, amongst these is the Vani Agro-farm project in Sanguem for setting up a distillery and alcohol unit.

VM SALGAOCAR COLLEGE OF LAW INITIATES `PROJECT POSH’

PROJECT `POSH’ is an initiative of VM Salgaocar College of Law in association with the Goa Institute of Public Administration, and Rural Development (GIPARD), to empower all educational institutions in Goa to comply with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (commonly called the POSH Act).

The Department of Higher Education, Department of Education and SCERT has made the project official and requiring the participation of the IC members at Training Programs. Project POSH was launched in September 2022 way ahead of the Supreme Court judgment in Aureliano Fernandes v. State of Goa (May 12, 2024) that directed the governments at all levels to verify whether the committees under POSH Act were duly constituted.

Under this project, a total of 1334 members of the ICs from 54 Higher Educational Institutions, 109 Higher Secondary Schools and 395 High Schoos were trained in the law and procedure to deal with a complaint. Goa would be the first State in the country that empowered all its educational institutions to comply with POSH Act.

Project POSH concluded on September 23, 2024. Dr Seema Fernandes, Assistant Director-GIPARD in her valedictory address congratulated Principal Shaber Ali G, the Coordinators Prof MRK Prasad and Dr Sandhya Ram and the entire Project POSH team of VM Salgaocar College of Law for completing the task successfully.

PIL AGAINST FORMER CS

A PUBLIC interest petition has been filed against misuse of power by former chief secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, who was also the TCP secretary. It is alleged that the CS gave his sanction for the conversion of a paddy field in Aldona into a settlement zone. He signed the file for change of zone on March 11, 2024 in his capacity as TCP secretary. Allegedly, he later bought the property. The CS’s lawyer has issued a public notice on his desire to buy the property for his personal use. The petitioner Jose Maria Miranda has accused CS of misuse of power and ask for the cancellation of permission.

NO MYSTIC HIGH

THE SP Narcotics claims to have seized DMT, a drug used in remote parts of the state to get a spiritual high. The drug was seized for the first time in Goa and is called “Ayahuasca.” It is a psychotic beverage of South African origin. The narcotic squad recovered 3.5kg of the drug from a native of Kerala. The drug is so powerful that one gram of DMT is enough to give a trip to 20 people. This is the first time the drug has been found in Goa.

THE STITCHED SHIP

A UNIQUE hand-stitched traditional wooden ship is being recreated at the Hodi innovation shipyard at Divar. The ship has used no nails but instead only ropes to tie together various logs. The masts are also made by the stitching technique. This ship building technique is based on a traditional technology. The ship has been brought to live based on the painting of a three-mast ship found in the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra. The shop is expected to be ready by December 2025 to sail from Mandvi in Gujarat to Muscat in Oman.

NO OPEN AIR MUSIC

CHIEF MINISTER Pramod Sawant has decided that amplified sound will not be permitted in the open air beyond 10pm. This will seriously affect all the nightclubs in Anjuna, Vagator and Baga and the shacks which play loud music all night. Heavy fines are likely to be imposed on those who violate the noise control regulations. The ban on amplified sound beyond 10pm is also likely to affect Sunburn if it gets permission for the EDM event between December 28 and December 30, 2024.

BAL RATHS WITHDRAWN

THE Education department has reportedly decided not to supply any busses for transporting primary school students of private schools. The schools are expected to buy the busses from their own funds or through donations under corporate social responsibility. However, the department however will continue to pay for diesel and the salaries of attendants and bus drivers.   Government schools will continue with the Bal Rath buses. It is possible that the auto-rickshaw and taxi lobby may have influenced the government. Thousands of children are transported to school by autos and taxis.

WELLNESS PHARMA THREAT

WELLNESS Pharma which supplies medicines to the Goa Medical College has threatened to stop supply of emergency medicine on credit. This follows the government’s failure to clear arrears of Rs14 crore. This has forced the GMC to purchase drugs directly on payment of cash. The cabinet has decided to release the pending payment to the Wellness group which runs two pharmacies at the GMC’s pharmacy section.  

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

THE External Affairs Ministry has asked district collectors to make inquires on residents of Goa who have acquired Portuguese citizenship.  Earlier the Central government had decided that any Goan who had registered his birth in Portugal would be considered a Portuguese citizen and would lose his Indian citizenship. It is believed that there are over 50,000 Goans who have registered their births in Portugal. After Liberation the Portuguese government offered Goans citizenship not only to those born before Liberation in Goa but their sons and grandsons too. Portuguese citizenship allows Goans to work in any of the European Economic Committee (EEC) countries, including the UK, without a visa. Taking advantage of this many Goans migrated to the UK. It is been clarified that those who acquired Portuguese citizenship would be entitled to persons of Indian origin status. However, those who registered their birth in Portugal will automatically lose their citizenship of India.

KADAMBA BUS SERVICE TO CONTINUE

CHIEF Minister Dr Pramod Sawant assured that the Kadamba bus service will remain operational despite the launch of the Mhaji Bus Scheme. He was speaking after inaugurating two new Kadamba buses at the 44th anniversary celebration of Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd at the KTC Bus Terminus, Panaji, on October 12.

The CM congratulated the KTCL team, acknowledging the corporation’s commitment to public service. He stated that KTCL offers a 50% concession on bus fares to students and senior citizens, while cancer patients, HIV patients, and those with more than 40% disability can avail free transportation when travelling on Kadamba buses.

The CM explained that Kadamba had to stop its long-distance, profitable routes, to Kolhapur, Pune, Bangalore and Belgaum due to a shortage of buses. This decision demonstrates the corporation’s dedication to providing services on shorter routes, even at a loss, to benefit the public. Furthr, the Kadamba electric bus service, launched under the Smart City initiative, has been providing excellent service to the public. He added that the government plans to expand this service across the Goa with the goal of reducing carbon emissions.

The CM urged long-distance travellers to consider using public transport more often, explaining that it could help lower the incidence of road accidents, particularly those involving two-wheelers, which have been on the rise. Public transport carries a lower risk.

MLA and KTCL Chairperson Ulhas Tuenkar  highlighted that the Kadamba family, including drivers, conductors, and mechanics, has been serving the people from Pernem to Canacona taluka for the last 44 years. He acknowledged challenges such as a shortage of buses and the need to upgrade bus stands, but appreciated the continuous support from the government. He said due to regulations around 100 buses which were 50 years old had to be scrapped, causing a shortage of buses on a 100 routes. He thanked the government for providing 50 new buses and urged the CM to supply 50 more buses annually to help fill the gap. Out of the 150 electric buses, KTCL has received 87, with the remaining 43 expected by December. Twenty new buses were also requested for the upcoming solemn Exposition of St Francis Xavier, this will help in serving the public.

KTCL staff, including traffic controllers, drivers, conductors, and mechanical staff were felicitated on the occasion. Meritorious children of KTCL staff who secured high marks in SSC and HSSC were also felicitated. Earlier, in the presence of the CM a puja was performed on the first Kadamba bus, GDX 1, which was purchased in 1980, to mark the occasion. KTCL General Manager Narayan Naik welcomed everyone and also present were Kritesh Naik Gaonkar (vice-chairperson of KTCL), Pundalik Khorjuvekar (managing director-KTCL), Ujwala Naik,  Madhukala Shirodkar, Bayo Bhandari, Board of Directors along with KTCL staff.

1-DAY DRONE WORKSHOP

THE Department of Geology, Government College Sanquelim, in association with the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), organized a highly successful 1-day workshop titled “Exploring Earth from a Bird’s Eye View – Drone Workshop on October 10, 2024. The workshop familiarized participants with drone technology, its applications, and practical flight techniques.

The event began with an inaugural session, where Principal Dr Namdev Gawas, welcomed 50 participants, including  students and staff of Sanquelim College, Chowgule College, Dnyanprassarak Mandal College, Dhempe College and Goa University.  Magnolia Miranda introduced resource person Daryl Emmanuel Vaz, a certified drone operator with extensive experience in aerial site mapping and photography. The department also celebrated the release of its first newsletter, marking an important milestone in its journey.

The first session of the day covered the basics of drones, including their components, flight mechanics, and an introduction to drone software. Participants then moved outdoors for a hands-on session where they practiced basic flight techniques, focusing on controlling altitude, speed, and direction.

Participants were introduced to advanced drone techniques and automated flight modes such as waypoints and follow-me features. This was followed by another hands-on practice session where participants applied these advanced techniques in various outdoor flying conditions, enhancing their practical experience. The final session focused on drone regulations in India and video processing techniques. The workshop concluded with a valedictory function with the distribution of certificates to participants.

 ROAD USERS BE RESPONSIBLE: CM

CHIEF MINISTER Dr Pramod Sawant at the inaugural of the 13th State Road Safety Week-2024, organized by Directorate of Transport at Don Bosco High School, Panaji on October 14, said that it’s not just the government, but all road users who have a responsibility to ensure that there are no accidents on Goa’s roads.

 Ruing the fact that on an average there is an accident death daily in Goa, the CM said observed, “Bhivpachi garaz asa.” According to him the major reasons for road accidents are drunken driving; using phones while driving, performing stunts, over speeding, etc. To enhance safety in the public transport system, he urged the Transport authorities to  check drivers of interstate public vehicles entering Goa and ensure there was no  driving under the influence of alcohol.

The CM added that the government  responded promptly when giving compensation to families of road accident victims, but the endeavour should be to save lives. He lauded the creativity of the exhibition on road safety rules put up by students of various schools on the occasion. Minister for Transport Mauvin Godinho said that there is a need to ponder why so many accidents are taking place on Goa’s roads. Youngsters can bring about a huge change by being responsible while on the roads and also encourage their parents and others about how to use roads to be save.

The government will be installing cameras, including night vision cameras, to help reduce accidents and also bring about greater accountability. Director of Department of Transport, P Pravimal Abhishek, IAS, said that the State Road Safety Week — comprising of campaigns and educational programs — was a clarion call to action, reflect on our responsibility and an opportunity to engage with citizens to ensure Goa’s roads are safe. Elaborating on the theme of this year’s road safety week — Be a Road Safety Hero — he said that a road safety hero was someone who chooses to follow rules, values life and encourage others to do so. He informed that the department will soon be implementing smart technologies to further the cause of road safety. Winners of the film making competition on road safety were felicitated on the occasion. Road safety week is being observed till October 20, 2024.

1-DAY STATE LEVEL SYMPOSIUM

THE Government College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Sanquelim in collaboration with Pradnya Shakti, Goa organized a 1-day state-level symposium titled “Women in Science, Technology and Innovations in the Amrut-Kal of Bharat” on October 10, 2024.

The welcome address was delivered by college principal, Prof (Dr) Namdev Gawas. Dr Suphala Pujari, convener of the Research and Development Cell, introduced the keynote speaker Prof Savita Kerkar, former Dean of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology at Goa University. Prof Kerkar captivated the audience with her lecture, sharing her personal research journey and offering insights into overcoming challenges faced by women in academia and research. She emphasized the disparity between male and female researchers in various fields, stressing the urgent need to bridge this gender gap. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment.

A vote of thanks was delivered by  Shubha Kauthankar (assistant professor in the Department of Botany and a member of the Research and Development Cell), the first panelist, Prof Seema Rath (vice-principal, post-graduation) and Economics faculty member, spoke about Nobel laureates in Economics.  Prof Purnakala Samant (principal of Khandola College and president of Pradnya Shakti) discussed the evolution of chemistry research over the years, emphasizing its breakthroughs and the opportunities it has created.

Other panellists who spoke included  Asha Arondekar (entrepreneur and businesswoman) and Dr Sambhavi Gadgil ( practitioner of Ayurveda). Students from various the Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics, Economics and English departments actively participated in the event, alongside members of the Research & Development Cell. Dr Ambika Kamat compered the session.

After the brief valedictory function certificates and mementos were distributed to participants. Fifty students and 19 teachers attended the event and made it into a enriching experience.

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