GOA NEWS: GENERAL
Sanny de Quepem
GOA NEWS: GENERAL
Fisherwomen
strike work in city market
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 4 The fish vendors in
the city municipal market engaged in retail sale of fish today closed their
business in protest against the decision of the Corporation of the City of
Panaji to allow the wholesale fish vendors to continue their business
activities at the market even after 9
a.m.The retail sellers of fish also threatened to
continue their strike tomorrow if the wholesaler fisherfolk as well as non-Goan
fisherman doing their business on bicycle continue to hamper their business
prospects.
Today they came to market as usual
but with empty baskets, sat whole day idle without doing any business and went
home empty handed. They felt that wholesale fish sellers from outside Panaji
should not be allowed to do business here as they pose threat to their
business.
A CCP official told ‘The Navhind
Times’ that the Corporation cannot obstruct anyone from carrying out business.
“We can’t stop anyone from selling fish by visiting door to door. It is beyond
our limit,” the official added. The
retail fish vendors have also taken serious objection to the presence of those
fish vendors in the market after 9
a.m, who normally buy fish from the wholesale fish
vendors and sell them to the customers by making trips around the city over
bicycle. Meanwhile, the CCP has convened
a meeting of the fisherfolk tomorrow to convince them to withdraw the strike.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=110512
IFFI
scenario and controversies
Ramnath Pai Raikar
Panaji, Nov 4 It’s a little over
two weeks before the curtains go up for the 38th edition of the International
Film Festival of India, in Goa. The
preparations have already started for the mega film event, while important
decisions related to the IFFI are in the process of being reached. The overall
scenario however shows controversies and uncertainties.
To start with, the Chief Minister
of West Bengal, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, in his recent statement had said
that Kolkata should be made the permanent venue for IFFI rather than Goa because of its cultural environment and
infrastructure. “We have told this
several times but in vain. Hope the Centre will understand our views,” Mr
Bhattacharya had told reporters in Kolkata after announcing the inauguration
date of November 10 of the 13th Kolkata Film Festival. The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat
reacting to the statement by Mr Bhattacharya told ‘The Navhind Times’ that he
would rather concentrate on making the festival a success. “Goa has a history of successfully organising
the film festival for consecutive three years,” he said adding, “We should work
towards repeating the feat with added improvements rather than giving
importance to demands for shifting the festival out of Goa.”
Meanwhile, the selection of the
chief guest for the inaugural ceremony has once again entered into controversy,
with the differences between Bollywood-South Indian film industry surfing up. All efforts by the Directorate of Film
Festivals to invite the ‘Sultan’ of South Indian films, Rajnikanth to grace the
inaugural ceremony have fizzled out after the popular actor declined to be the
chief guest on the opening day of the film festival. Rajnikanth’s name had come up during a
meeting of the film festival organising committee held in New Delhi, last week. It is learnt that the
South Indian superstar, however, turned down the offer as he had some overseas
commitments. Meanwhile, the Indian
Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) has suggested the name of the
‘He-man’ of silver screen, Dharmendra, in the event of Rajnikanth failing to
accept the invitation. But there is an
apprehension that it may be rejected by the I&B ministry as Dharmendra is
seen as a BJP man. This situation is no different from the one last year, when
the megastar Amitabh Bachchan was dropped at the last minute due to his
closeness to the Samajwadi Party.
A letter written by the Southern
film industry to the DFF that Hindi film artistes should not be allowed to
dominate the festival has compounded the matter. The letter, it is learnt, has
also stressed that as the South Indian states produced more films than the
Hindi film industry, separate delegate passes should be allotted to their film
representatives. This year’s event
management agency, the Times Innovative Media Ltd, has also failed to satisfy
the members of the governing council of the Entertainment Society of Goa, in
terms of its creative ideas. The company has already given two presentations
before the members and is scheduled to come out with a third one on November 7,
desperately hoping that its revised infrastructural plans for the film event
including the stage decor will please the council members.
The members themselves are divided
over the choice of the Times Innovative Media Ltd as an event management agency,
with some of them openly displaying soft corner for the losing bidder
-Brilliant Entertainment Networks.
The selection of city public
theatres - Cine Samraat and Cine Ashok - as well as the Cardium auditorium of
the National Institute of Oceanography which can be converted into a cinema
hall depends entirely on the technical committee constituted for the film
festival.
The technical committee of the DFF
is slated to arrive in the state on November 10, just 13 days before the
festival commences, giving very little time for these venues to make
improvements/ changes, if required. The
old building, once housing the Food and Drugs Administration office which is
being converted into a media centre as well as a 200-odd seater theatre will be
ready by November 7, informs the ESG officials.
A visit to this building clearly shows that this deadline would be very
difficult to maintain, even if the Goa State Infrastructure Development
Corporation, in charge of the task, employs work force for all 24 hours, during
next three days. The organisers of the
film festival have also announced the introduction of ticketing/ advance
booking system for entry to the films, from this year. The film personalities
will have priority over others for the entry, while the media and the delegates
will have access to five and three films per day, respectively.
Though the concept is loosely
based on the entry system followed at the Cannes Film Festival, many questions
remain unanswered. When will the time-table for the films to be screened during
the 10-days of the festival be made available to the media and the delegates,
so as to allow them to book seats for their preferred movies. Last year, the
time-table came late, while the movie synopsis book made its entry when the
film festival was halfway through.
Another question which remains to
be answered is what the organisers would do with ‘not-so-serious’ audiences who
may book their seats on first come first serve basis, and leave the theatre
half-empty, after watching a movie for ten-fifteen minutes and deciding that it
would be worthwhile to leave the theatre, thus depriving the genuine movie
connoisseurs.
One must also not forget that
trials need to be conducted for the software specially ordered for this
purpose. After all, it is being used for the first time. Finally, the Sword of Damocles will
constantly hangover the state government during the 11 days of the film
festival in the form of the warning from the Union Minister for Information and
Broadcasting, Mr Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi that there be no goof-ups this time;
whether it’s about treating the senior film personalities with due respect and
dignity or ensuring best of security for the film festival.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=110510
Ponda
residents doubt timely completion of hospital
NT News Service
Ponda, Nov 4 Will the construction
work of the proposed 220-bedded hospital be completed within the stipulated
time of 24 months? Many citizens have raised doubts over the said project’s
timely completion given the fact that just twenty per cent of the works have
finished in ten months. The Goa State
Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has undertaken the project of
constructing the well-equipped hospital estimated to cost Rs 40-crore. When
‘The Navhind Times’ reporter visited the site, he found that many labourers
were engaged in concrete construction work for speedily completing it.
The officer in-charge of IVRCL
Infrastructure and Project Ltd present at the site speaking on condition of
anonymity, confirmed that the work is “slightly delayed”. He attributed the
delay to the non-availability of construction material and the heavy rains that
lashed the state. He however assured that in January, 2008 ground floor would
be completed. According to him, the
contractors will complete the project within 24 months. Sources said that it
would not be possible to finish it in next 14 months as the rainy season may
again slow down the speed.
The in-charge of ID Hospital, Dr
Santosh Naik was also of the opinion that the contractor would complete it in
time. He said: “Though I had no control over it, I had sort weekly reports only
to encourage speedy work.” He explained
how essential is the full-fledged hospital here at Ponda. The consulting
engineer of GSIDC was not available for his comments.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11059
Siolim-Marna
VP passes on market issue to Directorate of Panchayats
NT News Service
Mapusa, Nov 4 A special gram sabha of
Siolim-Marna village panchayat was held to discuss the important issue of
setting up of a market by Ms Juliet D’Souza Neussl at Fernandes Vaddo in Siolim.The
meeting that witnessed heated arguments between the supporters and opponents of
the market, saw the sarpanch Mr Sylvester Fernandes trying to stay away from
the controversy by passing on the issue to the Directorate of Panchayats for
looking into the matter. According to
the sarpanch, Ms Juliet and Dream Group had moved an application to the
panchayat seeking permission for setting up a market in Fernandes Vaddo.
Ms Juliet had stated in her
application that the market would be running from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and would be
a general market where there would be Goan artisan stalls, eatable outlets,
besides stalls for fruit and vegetable sellers, clay pot dealers and various
artisans.
Many who were seen supporting the
market were seen doing so on the grounds that it would provide employment to
unemployed people of Siolim. Many
supporters of the market felt that at least 300 people stood to directly
benefit from this market besides if anything was found objectionable the
panchayat had every right to revoke the permission.
The former sarpanch, Ms Alba
Sequeira opposed the market, however in a rather diplomatic manner. Ms Sequeira felt that the long-term interests
of the village had to be kept in mind before arriving at any important
decision. Panch member, Ms Rita
Fernandes, however, pointed out that there were certain discrepancies that were
observed between the details of the market that were put on the net and what
was applied for at the panchayat. However,
she said that she was with the sarpanch on the issue. The sarpanch pointed out that around 172 by
45 sq metre area was sought to be acquired for 6 months for setting up this
bazaar. However, he said that he could not give any commitment as he claimed to
have received a circular from the government stating that no panchayat was
permitted to single-handedly permit any setting up of night bazaar without
forwarding such proposals to the Directorate of Panchayats wherein these
proposals would be thoroughly examined before taking any decision. He said that whatever decision that would be
taken at the government-level would be acceptable to the panchayat.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11058
Another booked under Explosives Act
CANACONA, NOV 4 (HC)— A third person was booked by Canacona
police under Sections 4 and 5 of Explosives Act, in connection with the
blasting operations at Muthal in Sadolxem village. Anand Dessai of Bhatpal was charged with the
similar offence as Devyanandan Anthony of Dharwad and Parashuram Lamani of
Chennai, who were caught by locals on Friday and handed over to Canacona
police.
The accused have been remanded to four days police custody and police is on the
lookout for a fourth accused culprit involved in the illegal act. It may be
recalled that on Friday afternoon, residents of Muthal in Sadolxem stopped the
perpetrators who were allegedly involved in blasting operations. Incidentally,
two of the vehicles allegedly involved in the illegal transportation of
boulders are yet to be attached by the police.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3820&cid=26
4 accused of blackening sect members released
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 4 — A local court here on Sunday released the
four persons arrested by Margao police in connection with the incident at Comba
here on Saturday.
The two members of the religious sect and the two youngsters accused of
blackening the faces of the former were released on bail of Rs 10,000 each with
one identical surety each.
All the four persons have been directed by the Court to report to the Margao
police station for the next three days.
Further investigations are on.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3819&cid=26
This senior citizen still missing from electoral
roll for 20 years!
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 4 - Francisco Sardinha may have heaved a sigh of
relief after coming out trumps in the South Goa Parliamentary election, but for
John Eric Gomes, 69, a
retired defence officer, the word “election” has left a bad taste. Gomes,
69, a
resident of Defence Colony at Porvorim for the last more than 20 years, is one
amongst the thousands of voters whose name has gone missing from the electoral
rolls and the authorities have no explanation to give him for the blunder.
Gomes is also amongst the rare types who sought to know the reasons why his
name went missing from the rolls from January 2007. The same month he informed
the sarpanch about the deletion in a gram sabha. The sarpanch too discovered
the name of the senior citizen was missing.
But since nothing happened Gomes went to the mamlatdar’s office and filled Form
6 that’s required to get a missing name back on the rolls. Still nothing
happened and instead the Form 6 was rejected. He then approached the State
Election Commission at Junta House on April 25. On the same day, the SEC sent a
letter to the Chief Electoral Officer stating that Gomes’ name was missing from
the latest electoral rolls although he held an EPIC card. The CEO was requested
to issue suitable instructions to officers concerned in the matter. Even
then nothing happened and Gomes could not vote at the panchayat election on May
5 and the subsequent assembly elections on June 2. Aggrieved over the same, the
senior citizen approached the Public Information Officer under the RTI Act on
May 24 seeking detailed information why he was denied his right of franchise in
spite of being a Goan resident for the last more than 20 years and having
retired from the defence force.
>From the information sought under RTI, Gomes was shocked to discover that as
per the instructions issued by the ECI Form 6 was only to be filled “for inclusion
of name for the first time and also for inclusion of name of a person already
enrolled in a constituency for inclusion of name in another
constituency”. His Form 6 was rejected on technical grounds without
informing him the technical grounds. According to Form 6 it is mandatory to
give “Detailed reasons for acceptance [(under or in pursuance of Rule
18/20/26(4)] or rejection [under Rule 17/20/26(4)]. Gomes opines that if only
1/10th of the instructions of the ECI pertaining to preparation of electoral
rolls are followed word by word then there will be no cause for complaints
further. He laments, “Even under the RTI
Act, scant information was reluctantly given to me on the last day when the
one-month period of furnishing details under the Act expires. This forced me to
approach the first appellate authority, the North Goa Deputy Collector, who
also failed to reply within the stipulated time.”
He therefore approached Goa Information Commission, which summoned the PIO and
the first appellate authority for a hearing on November 5. Mine is one among
the thousands of legitimate names deleted from the electoral rolls and the same
calls for a greater participation from the electorate to correct the wrongdoing
by the authorities concerned, Gomes asserts and adds, “But, sadly, it looks
like people are pre-occupied with other things, which they feel are more
important.”
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3818&cid=26
Wine merchant, 2 others acquitted
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 4 – Bharat Asgaonkar, a
Khorlim-Mapusa-based wine merchant and two others have been acquitted by
JMFC Court of the charge of selling spurious foreign liquor.
“The evidence produced by the prosecution creates a doubt on the story of the
prosecution as all the witnesses examined are interested witnesses being
employees of the Excise department”, the Judicial Magistrate First Class ‘C’
Court at Mapusa said in the order. Secondly, the court took into consideration
the analysis report which clearly showed that the liquor was not spurious. The
three accused Asgaonkar, Ganjibhai Patel and Premjibhai Nisar were
acquitted under section 482, 483, 486, 420, 272, 272 read with 34 of IPC and
section 63 of Copy Right Act by giving benefit of doubt, the order passed
sometime ago said.
It was the contention of Asgaonkar that inorder to cancel the licence issued to
him, a businessman in collusion with a political leader filed a false complaint
against him. According to the prosecution, Excise Department
officials in a raid at 11 am on 6th July 2002 caught the first accused
selling spurious liquor under brand labels of foreign companies. This was
announced at a press conference by the Manohar Parrikar government in the
presence of excise officers. Having been a social workers, the negative
publicity affected Asgaonkar’s reputation.
The Court considered three points raised by the prosecution – whether the
prosecution established that Asgaonkar was caught selling spurious liquor; whether
he cheated the public with adulterated drink; and whether the two accused
supplied Asgaonkar with empty bottles of foreign liquor? After
examining the matter in detail, the court found that the prosecution
failed to prove all the three points. Excise officials headed by
assistant commissioner Ashok Dessai had raided the house of the accused
and 41 bottles of foreign liquor, 1 3 bottles of IMFL and 78 empty bottles, 56
scaling caps, etc were found. The court examined more than one dozen
witnesses and most were from the excise department. “Therefore it is clear from
the testimony that the panchas to the panchanama are interested witnessed as
such no credence can be given to such a panchanama”, the JMFC said in the
order. There was no evidence to show
that there was any sale of spurious liquor from the residence. He had licenced
liquor shop at Tara
Gardens, Khorlim, Mapusa. One witness S Shet
admitted that when he acted as a panch, he was working for one Pravin
Kerkar, a liquor distributor who has an agency opposite the Mapusa police
station.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3814&cid=26
Arrest hubby or face street protest: women to Vasco
cops
BY HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, NOV 4 – Expressing their solidarity towards the dowry
harassment victims, representatives of various Mahila Mandals, NGO and women
from New Vaddem, on Sunday marched to the house of the accused Harishchandra
alias Dinesh Ulhas Naik demanding his arrest and later served a two-day
ultimatum on Vasco police failing which they threatened to resort to street
protests. Harishchandra and his family
members - Ulhas Mahadev Naik, Sukanti alias Shalini Ulhas Naik, Sanjana Dessai,
Reshma Naik and Uttam Kandolkar have been accused of demanding dowry from both
victims besides harassment.
Earlier, the women held a meeting at Government
School, New Vaddem to
chalk out their further course of action and unanimously decided to march to
the house of accused demanding his arrest.
Expressing their solidarity to both victims Supriya Naik (first wife)
and Vandana Mandrekar (second wife) the representatives alleged that the police
have failed to arrest the accused due to his political patronage. Tara Kerkar, President of ‘Savera’, a NGO and
‘Mahilanchi Pragati’ flayed the police for failing to arrest the accused.
Earlier, sensing anger of various Mahila Madals, NGO and women, the accused and
his family fled away from their residence. When asked what made them to go
against their husband, both victims Supriya and Vandana said, “He and his
family had crossed the limit of harassment; often he would threaten to kill us.
The way we have been victimised it should not happen to other women, such
husband deserves to be behind bars.” Earlier, Vandana Mandrekar had
lodged her complaint against Dinesh and his seven family members on October 30
for demanding dowry and threatening to kill her. While Supriya Naik, first wife
of Dinesh too had filed a similar complaint against Dinesh and his family
members on November 3.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3812&cid=26
Parked car goes missing at Comba
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 4 — A Maruti Car (GA-02-A-0805) which was parked
at Comba near a finance company went missing on Saturday evening.
In this connection, the owner Vishnu S Pai Raiturcar has
lodged a complaint with the Margao police stating that his car has gone missing
from the place it was parked.
Raiturcar further told the police that two gentleman had
approached him with an offer to purchase the car last week. The duo had even
taken a test drive of the car, but did not return to purchase the car.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3811&cid=26
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GOA NEWS: GENERAL
Fisherwomen
assault CCP corporator
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 5 The Corporation of
the City of Panaji today condemning an attack on its corporator, Ms Carolina Po
by some aggrieved retail vendors of fish in the municipal market this morning,
said that if needed police force would be called in to maintain order and
discipline in the city fish market. The
meeting of the CCP council to be held tomorrow evening is also expected to
reach a decision as regards the differences, which arose between the retailers
and wholesalers of the fish in the city market.
The retail fish vendors in the city market had suspended their business
yesterday and again today to register their protest against the sale of fish by
the wholesalers to fish vendors who move around the Tiswadi taluka on their
bicycles selling fish. Presently, there
are around 275 retail fish vendors selling fish in the city market, while the
number of persons selling fish on their bicycles in Tiswadi taluka vary from 50
to 75. Some of the bicycle fish vendors directly buy the fish at jetties.
The deputy mayor, Mr Yatin Parekh,
addressing a press conference this afternoon said that the attack by a few of
the retail fish vendors should be condemned not only by the orporation, but
also by fish consumers who regularly visit the city market. “The fish market
belongs to the corporation and the consumers of fish, and not the vendors of
fish,” he added. Stating that a few of
the retail vendors of fish in the city market were trying to establish their
monopoly over the sale of fish, Mr Parekh said that this would not be tolerated
at any cost. “The retail vendors of fish
in the city market have hiked the prices of fish to an exorbitant amount, thus
making it highly impossible for a common man to buy fish in the market,” the
deputy mayor observed, pointing out that the vendors of fish moving on their bicycles
and making fish available to the public at a very low rate through their door
to door service should be lauded.
“Everyone has a right to do
legitimate business in the state, whether he or she is a Goan or a non-Goan,”
he stated, adding that the corporation is viewing the entire issue with all
seriousness.
Mr Parekh also said that if the
retail vendors of fish continue with their bandh, the corporation would not
hesitate to allow the wholesalers to do business in the fish market. “The
people needs fish as it is a staple diet of Goa, and no one can be allowed to
hold the city to ransom on any issue,” he stressed. Another CCP corporator and chairman of the
corporation’s market committee, Mr Uday Madkaikar said the matter has been
discussed with the police, and their help would be sought if any law and order
situation arises in the fish market tomorrow.
Mr Madkaikar also informed that a
complaint has been lodged against the attackers with the local police station
on the charge of manhandling Ms Po. Mr
Surendra Furtado, a CCP corporator came out against the members of the
corporation’s market committee, especially its chairman, Mr Madkaikar, for
interfering in the matter of fish vendors.
He said the committee members are supposed to observe the activities in
the municipal market and present their report with recommendations, if any, to
the mayor and the commissioner of the corporation.
Today morning the corporator, Ms
Po had gone to the fish market to find solution to the impasse. A group of
wholesalers came to the spot with around 25 baskets full of fish -- mackerels,
small sized king fish, pomfrets and sardines etc. As Ms Po was standing next to
them, the retailers took it as her sympathy to wholesalers. They became
infuriated and attacked her. Ms Po lodged
a complaint with the Panaji town police stating that she was standing in the
wholesale fish market. She noticed a mob approaching towards her. The mob
started throwing fish at her. Then the
group from retailers came very close to her, allegedly caught hold of her hair,
pushed her down and assaulted her with kicks. The police sub-inspector, Mr
Brendon D’souza, stated that she sustained minor injuries on her face.
She alleged that the attackers
took away her mobile handset in the scuffle.
Ms Po had identified the persons attacked her and lodged a complaint
against the group comprising Ms Devditta, Ms Mary, Ms Christalina, Ms Peretua,
Ms Albertina, Ms Domingo Mary, Ms Josepha and Mr Vicky. Later on she was shifted to a city hospital
at Tonca and doctors discharged her after first-aid treatment. The police have registered the complaint
against the alleged rioters under sections 143,147, 356, 323 read with 149 of
the Indian Penal Code.
The police are after the alleged
accused but presently all of them are absconding and fish market is closed for
the second day today.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11069
Silver
items worth Rs 30,500 stolen from jewellery shop
NT News Service
Margao, Nov 5 While the Margao
police are yet to make a breakthrough in the three theft cases reported in
jewellery shops, thieves again struck yesterday mid-night when they burgled
another jewellery shop at Rawanfond and took away silver items worth Rs
30,500.According to the police, the theft took place at Pavitra gold smith shop
at Rawanfond wherein silver items worth Rs 30,500 were stolen. The items were
kept in a drawer.
The police said that Mr Devidas
Shirodker has lodged a complaint in this connection with the Margao police and
an offence under Sections 457 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code has been
registered, however, no arrest has been made as yet. The police disclosed that finger print
experts and dog squad were pressed into service but so far no vital clue has
been collected.
The police said that they have
stepped up vigil in Margao following the robbery. Also a combing operation has
been launched in the inter-state border areas following the incident.
Night patrolling and naka-bandi
has also been ordered.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11061
DRAG
for justice to disabled victim
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 5 The Disability
Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) has demanded
that justice be done immediately to Ms Vandana Naik, the disabled victim in the
Harischandra Naik dowry harassment case.
A press release from DRAG said that a representation has been made to
the Vasco police inspector, Mr Sammy Tavares wherein DRAG has demanded that Mr
Naik and his family be immediately arrested due to the serious nature of the
complaints i.e. cheating, bigamy and dowry harassment that are pending against
them. Copies of the representation have also been forwarded to the
superintendent of police (South), Mr Prabhudessai and the State Commissioner of
Disability and Secretary Social Welfare, Mr Ajit Srivastava.
The DRAG has also demanded that
the cases against Mr Naik and his family be registered as atrocities towards disabled
women and not just atrocities towards women as the disabled are a protected
category with special rights under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. The
DRAG has also demanded that the state press for maximum sentence against Mr
Naik and his family as it will be a deterrent to those committing atrocities
towards the disabled.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11063
IFFI
’07: ESG panel discusses programme modalities
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 5 The programme
committee of the governing council of the Entertainment Society of Goa, today
taking strong objections to the recent demand by the West Bengal Chief
Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharya to shift the International Film Festival of
India to Kolkota, and decided to create a IFFI wave in the state with quality
programmes having an ethnic Goan touch. The
committee members met today to discuss the modalities of the programmes which
would be held in five urban and five rural centres around the state, during the
11-day IFFI period. The committee also discussed the visual and creative
content of the festival with the representatives of the event management
agency, Times Innovative Media Ltd, Mr Sumit Chatterji and Mr Aditya Bhagwat.
The chairman of the programme
committee, Mr Vishnu Wagh later told ‘The Navhind Times’ that clear message
would go to the entire country about Goa being the best place for holding the
film festival, and it has been rightly selected as the IFFI permanent venue.
“We propose to achieve this task through cultural programmes around the state
which will necessarily have an element of Goa
in them,” he pointed out. The committee
has earmarked a budget of Rs 1 crore for the cultural programmes to be held in
five towns, while Rs 50 lakh would be spent on such programmes in the five
rural regions. The committee is also trying to rope in private sponsors to
organise programmes in these ten centres.
Speaking further, Mr Wagh informed that the members of the programme
committee discussed with the event management agency various aspects of the
film festival decor including the stage settings in the ten centres. “We
further discussed other necessities like backup generators and green rooms
during the inaugural and closing events as well as the cultural programmes, as
also the parking facilities,” he informed.
The vice chairman of the programme
committee, Mr Vishal Pai Cacode said that a number of contests are also being
organised during the mega film event. “One of the contests which will have its
participants photographing virgin shooting locations in Goa,
will inform the national and international film-makers about the state in more
than one ways,” he informed, pointing out that the entries will be displayed at
a public exhibition. The committee will
meet again tomorrow morning and finalise the details about the cultural
programmes to be organised at the ten centres. The committee members including
Mr Manguirish Pai Raikar and Mr Raju Naik, and the ESG general manager, Mr
Nikhil Desai were present at the meeting.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11065
Objections, suggestions to ODPs for Margao, Ponda
flood SGPDA
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 5 — The South Goa Planning and Development
Authority (SGPDA) is flooded with objections and suggestions to the Outline
Development Plans for Margao and Ponda. October
21 was the last date for filing of objections to the draft-ODPs, which was
re-notified for public suggestions and objections for the second time two
months ago.
PDA Member Secretary, A P Diniz could not exactly say how many objections his
office has received to the draft-ODPs, saying that the process of compiling the
objections is on.
Sources, however, told Herald that the PDA office is in receipt of numerous
objections and suggestions vis-à-vis the draft-ODPs.
The process of hearing the objections will commence soon after the Planning and
Development Authority headed by MLA Mauvin Godinho constitute a PDA to go into
the suggestions and objections received against the draft ODPs. The last time the draft-ODP was notified, the
PDA office had received many objections, which were disposed off by a PDA
committee after giving personal hearings to the parties concerned.
The ODPs were re-notified for public objections after a hue and cry by social
activists suspecting hanky panky over the entire planning process being carried
out by the Town and Country Planning Department. In the draft-ODPs, the government had planned
to convert a part of the parking area in front of the SGPDA building for a
shopping mall, but objections received from local NGOs and citizens forced the
PDA and the government to think otherwise.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3872&cid=26
Haircut to turn costlier in South
Goa from Dec 1
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 5 — Come December 1 and a haircut or the early
morning shave would turn costlier in the Commercial Capital and down south Goa. For, the
Saloon Association has decided to hike the rates by Rs 5 per hair cut or shave
as the case may be to beat inflation.
While haircutting would now cost Rs 25 per head, a simple shave would be
charged Rs 15. A
special shave with foam and other facilities would cost more.
The reason for the hike in the rates is the increase in all the items connected
with haircutting saloons — right from blades, shaving cream, foam, hair dyeing
item, labour et al.
Says newly-elected President of Saloon Owners Association, Laurel Abranches:
“There was no increase in rates since the last many years. But, the saloon
items have witnessed a rise and turned expensive in recent times”. If Abranches is to be believed, the increase
in the items across the board hit the margin of the saloon owners, leaving no
other option than to hike the rates.
What’s more, the new rates will be applied uniformly to all saloons, whether AC
or non-AC, he said. South
Goa has around 270-odd saloons, including 38 in the Commercial Capital.
But, Abranches says the saloon owners are further affected, with the labour
(barbers) playing around. “Most of the hair cutters hail from Hubli in
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh or from Delhi
or UP”, he said. Instances are galore
when these outside demand a constant raise or threaten to quit the saloons,
leaving the owners with no option than to accede to their demands.
While many saloons are run on 60:40 commission basis, there are still many
which are run with labour, charge anything between Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 per
month. Meanwhile, the new Managing
Committee of Saloon Owners Association, includes Laurel Abranches as President,
Chandrakant Khanapukar as Vice-President, Sudesh Gaotanker (Secretary), Domnic
Barreto (Jt Secretary), Satish Suryawanshi (Treasurer) and Yogesh Kumar,
Prashant Kerkar and Bipin Kurade as members.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3871&cid=26
Shack owners: Expedite allotment process
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 5 — The All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society today decried the
month-long delay in allotment of shacks and have urged the Department of
Tourism to expedite the process. The
Society led by its President Cruz Cardozo called on the Tourism Director Arvind
Lolyenkar on Monday and reiterated that the submission of application forms by
November 9 and allotment of shacks by November 21 and 22 was unjustifiable as
the tourism season was already underway.
Mr Cardozo when contacted by Herald today said that the Tourism
Department which issued an advertisement yesterday stipulating the schedules
has now assured to issue a corrigendum and pre-pone the allotment process at
least by a week.
Cardozo said that the application forms should at least by released by
Wednesday and the allotments be completed by November 13.
“Every year the process is being delayed,” Cardozo said adding that the months
of October and November were very crucial for business.
The Society today also grilled the director over illegal shack operations and
told Herald that a blind eye is being turned to this aspect.
Cardozo also told Herald that the Society wants the hoteliers to refrain from
interfering with the locals as far as allotment of shacks was concerned.
This is perhaps the first time in many years that the allotment of shacks has
not taken place even as the tourist season began last month. Last year, the
advertisement inviting applications for putting up shacks was issued by the
department September end.
DEMOLITIONS: The Tourism Department today demolished six shacks put up along
the Candolim-Calangute belt. Sources said that some residents as well as those
in the tourism trade are falling victims to the ongoing tug-of-war between the
Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes and his friend-turned-foe Joseph Sequeira,
former sarpanch of Calangute.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3869&cid=26
MMC razes structure at Khareband
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 5 — The Margao Municipal Council on Monday razed
down a structure at Khareband, which partly housed a scrap yard, on the orders
of the High Court. A demolition team
headed by a Municipal Engineer demolished the structure, including the scrap
yard this morning. MMC Chairperson
Johnson Fernandes later told Herald that the structure was demolished upon
directives from the High Court. “The matter was earlier heard in the
Administrative Tribunal and then in the High Court. The Council had clear-cut
order to demolish the structure”, he added.
When his attention was drawn to scrap yards located within the Municipal
limits, the Chairperson said that the Council is of the firm opinion that all
scrap yards from the city should be relocated to the city outskirts or in the
Industrial Estates. He said scrap yard
owners have filed petitions in the court over the Council’s action to demolish
the yards, adding that “appropriate action will be initiated against these
scrap yards as per the court ruling”.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3868&cid=26
GMC staff bewildered over sick man’s death
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 5 – The staff at the 125 ICCU Ward on the first
floor at the Goa Medical College
were taken unawares after an ill man jumped to the ground through a window of
the ward on Sunday afternoon. Suresh
Shrikant Veer, 30, of Mapa, Panchawadi in Ponda, expired Monday morning. A
doctor, who chose to remain anonymous, told this reporter Veer died of natural
causes and not as a result of the fall.
The doctor said the man, who was admitted to the hospital on November 2, was
brought in with viral syndrome and had high fever. As a result of the fall the
man suffered external injuries and there were no internal injuries, the doctor
maintained. Police said Veer’s mother
had shown him to a doctor at Sanvordem, who asked her to admit him to GMC. “On
Sunday, the day the incident occurred, he was admitted to the ICCU. Could be
the man was depressed due to his sickness,” they stated. A case of unnatural death was registered and
the body was handed to the family today evening after the autopsy, which showed
death due to natural causes.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3866&cid=26
27-year-old girl hangs to death at Velim
MARGAO, NOV 5 (HR) — A 27-year old girl ended her life by
hanging in her house at Velim on Monday.
Cuncolim police disclosed that the deceased girl used to nylon rope to
hang herself. Her body was later sent
to Hospicio hospital for post mortem examination, which would be carried out on
Tuesday.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3865&cid=26
Processed, Canned, Sold - II
By Orville de Silva
Another great concern regarding the proposed food park at
Naqueri in Quepem taluka has been the manner in which the government has
hurriedly acquired the land. One fails to understand the urgency of the
government in invoking the Urgency Clause. It has left no room for the people
to file their objections. The Land Acquisition Act in itself is a
draconian law. Terms such as “public purpose” in Section 4 of the Act are left
highly ambiguous and have not been clearly defined. With numerous public
debates and deliberations on this Act, the central government promised to put a
new Land Acquisition Act in place. A proper working of this Act is yet to
materialise.
One would have to question the government’s strategy in invoking Section 17 in acquiring the land.
What was the urgency? What “auxiliary services” does the government intend to
provide? In a recent ruling of the High Court, the government had to withdraw
its notification of invoking the Urgency Clause in acquiring the total 8,83,576
square metres of land for the main food park at Quittol. So what is going to
happen to the 4,28,155 square metres of land that the government has already
acquired? Probably it is yet another story of Goa
being processed, canned and sold! The
common man will still have a lot of unanswered questions regarding such a
decision taken by its government. First of all, the government has not clearly
defined the concept of the proposed food park. What are some of the industrial
units that would be classified within the food park? What job opportunities
would it provide for the tribal communities and Goans at large? Further still,
who would be licensed to set up such an industry in Goa?
And what foods would be processed over there? Does Goa
really have a food surplus that could afford us to set up such food parks in
the State? Is there a skilled Goan workforce in place that would fit in such an
industry? Or are we thinking of increasing the number of migrants into Goa? Are these jobs for us Goans or for migrants? Are we
heading towards another “Zuarinagar”? Ultimately, is this a government for our
benefit?
The growing naxalite groups in tribal areas such as Jharkhand, Chattisgarh,
Andhra Pradesh and other regions bears witness to the unjust social
structures that their governments had created. While the government along with
the high caste/class people grabbed the land of the tribals, the tribals were
left with no other option than going underground.
What has continued as a legacy in these parts of India is pure militant action that
has unleashed its violence on the common masses. Taking away land from the
tribals is more than a heinous crime. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to think
of Goa one day becoming a base for naxalites.
The government has been shying away to categorise the proposed food park as a
Special Economic Zone, when in all reality it is! Is the government trying to
undermine the Supreme Court’s ban on such land being acquired for a SEZ.
Besides, acquiring land and developing it into an industrial belt would
adversely affect the demography of the place. In the present scenario, the
government administration has clearly revealed its incompetence in addressing
issues that concern Goans living in Goa. I wonder
whether the government will further alienate us Goans in our own motherland!
Much of our land has already been sold to land sharks in Delhi and beyond. It will not be too late
before the peace and serenity that our villages afford us be replaced with the
hollows of concrete jungles. It’s time that we Goans wake up before our
politicians cordon off our open spaces. It is time we make a determined effort
to save Goa from our politicians whose
governance is ruled by money power that is devoid of all values, principles and
ethics. Yes, it is time we wake up before we Goans become a marginalised group
within our own State… before Goa gets
processed, canned and sold. The writer is a member of the Society of Jesus
based in Mapusa.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3864&cid=26
Sopo payer seeks NOC for electrical connection from
MMC
MARGAO, NOV 5 — The very definition of Sopo — a tax
collected from market vendors — came to haunt the Margao Municipal Council as a
sopo tax payer sought NOC for electrical connection from the civic body. The
question was put before the Margao Municipal legal counsel, who could not find
any definition of Sopo either in the Portuguese dictionary or in the Goa Municipalities
Act. Finally, the civic body has decided to treat sopo as occupation of a
market area by a vendor and the fees collected from the vendors as occupation
fees for sitting and doing business in the market.
Incidentally, the Municipal retainer has opined that no right or inheritance is
created in the vendors paying the sopo tax. The sopo vendor is only permitted
to occupy the market, but cannot claim any right over the area permitted to do
business. The Municipal retainer,
however, has left it to the Municipal Council to decide the question of issuing
NOC for sopo tax payers for electrical connection. Civic officials say that the
civic body cannot issue an electrical connection as that would only create a
right over the area occupied by the vendor.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3863&cid=26
London
music results declared
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 5 – The results of the 2007 practical
examinations of the Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music, London, have been
declared.
Grade-wise, the distinction list in violin includes: Grade 4: Ferreira
Alvares Armando Carlos; Grade 3: Alvares Ferreira Daniel Filipe; Da Costa
Jonah Michael; Dias Merle Casia; Talwalkar Madhura Narendra; Grade 1: D’ Souza
Rauto Elroy Alexandre.
MERIT: Grade 6 - Fernandez Shannon; Grade 5: Antao Aldrich Luke; Antao Sheldron
Benedict; Mendes Alisha Maria; Noronha Adrian Xavit; Silveira Delcy; Vaz Verrel
Chris; Grade 4: Barreto Roland; De Souza Senon Silvestre; Gomes Jason; Menezes
Nagel Baptist; Pinto Nikita Roseanne; Talwalkar Mihir Narendra; Grade 3: D’
Costa Analia; Fernandes Roma do Carmo; Noronha Samir Arnold; Sequeira Sherwyn
Devlin; Grade 2: D’ Costa Leonard; Grade 1: D’ Souza Rauto Elaine Mihelle;
Pereira Macan.
PASS: Grade 5: Antao Ravindra Rosario; Menezes Marshall Ncholas; Grade 2:
Alvares Adelino Cipriano Guilherme; Menezes Brandon Michel Noel; Grade 1:
Fernandes Mariah Teresa; Rodrigues Jennifer Swizel.
PIANO: DISTINCTION: Grade 4: Ferreira Alvares Armando Carlos; Grade 3: Alvares
Ferreira Daniel Filipe; Dias Merle Casia; Grade 2: Antao Nashoma Gracia; Barros
Ines; Da Lima Leitao Jose Marcelino Nicholas; Grade 1: Martins Akim Aires
Antonio; Do Rosario Fernandes Rachel Alleluia;
MERIT: Grade 4: Bawa Megha; Grade 3: Bandekar Simran Suvarn; Da Gama Paes Rahul
Fernando; Dias John Joseph and Fernandes Paolma Suzette; Grade 2: Da Gama Paes
Anakarina; Dias Denver and Fernandes Pooja Maria; Grade 1: Almeida Coutinho
Naheera; Dias Samantha Kimberly; Fernandes Jason Manuel Baptist and Gupta Ibha
Vivek.
PASS: Grade 7: Jorge Arlene Hazel; Grade 6: Da Gama Pais Akshay Pascoal; Grade
5: D’ Costa Antonio Mario Savio and Yaduvanshi Devsurabhee; Grade 4: D’ Costa
Ivo Manuel Simon; Grade 2: Bonnaud Patrica Ivy; Grade 1: Joshi Shamani P.;
Raiturkar Ankita Anup Poy. PREP TEST
(PIANO): D’ Costa Vidal Nancy; Dayal Aditya; D’ Souza Josei Kyle; Fernandes Ria
Marie; Gupta Komal Mathur; Kharangate Bharvi V; Kuhu Vivek; Salkar Rama Nilesh. The candidates were examined by Mr Bernard King, ARAM,
Dip RAM, Dip CPP, according to a press note issued Regional Co-ordinator for Goa, C A Ferreira.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3862&cid=26
Citizen takes on military men, gets offence
registered against them
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 5 – A non-cognisable offence under Section 352
of IPC has been registered against two military personnel from the 2Signal
Training Centre (2STC) who were allegedly involved in intimidating a citizen in
the city on Sunday night. However, the citizen, Manoj Naik from Vodlembhat,
Taleigao, proved too strong for the two – Sriniwas Govind Nair and Gulabsingh
Roshan Singh Lal – who tried to bully him opposite the Children’s Park at
Campal at around 11.15 pm yesterday.
Naik summoned the Panjim police and dragged the duo, who identified themselves
as cops and tried to intimidate him, to the Town Police Station. Speaking to Herald, Naik described, “I was
sitting for the cool breeze at the place. When I was about to start my bike and
leave, the two appeared on the scene and asked me in Hindi where I was going.
When I counter questioned them they told me they were cops.” After Naik asked them to prove their identity
one of them started walking towards the Military Hospital.
After some time, the other of his friend followed suit. “I followed the two,
who entered the Military
Hospital gate. I told the
security at the gate I wanted to see the in-charge. The security told me the in-charge
would be here in the morning,” Naik narrated.
After Naik persisted with the security, the latter had no option but to push
the two outside the gate to deal with the former. In the meanwhile a police
jeep appeared on the scene after the citizen called 100. Both the military
personnel were brought to the Town Police Station after which three
higher-ranked personnel from 2STC appeared on the scene to rescue their
colleagues. They requested Naik not to file a complaint and even pleaded with
him. However, in the end the police went ahead and filed a non-cognisable
offence. The above incident is not a lone one and one may recall that in the
month of August three Central Industrial Reserve Force personnel got into a
brawl with a citizen in a drunken stupor. The three were part of the
high-profile security of the Governor at the Raj Bhavan. The August incident
occurred when the three, who were off-duty, after getting high on liquor
decided to test who among them was the strongest by lifting a car parked nearby. As the three were taking turns to lift the
car, the citizen questioned them and thus started an argument between the three
after which latter was assaulted by one of the personnel.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3861&cid=26
- Forwarded by: Sanny de Quepem <sami...@yahoo.com>
http://www.live365.com/stations/61664
Goa's first and only Konkani music station online, brought to you
by Ulysses
Menezes & Gaspar Almeida of www.goa-world.com based in Kuwait.
Sanny de Quepem
GOA NEWS: GENERAL
CCP to look into
grievances of fisherwomen
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 6 The Corporation of
the City of Panaji today decided that the mayor, Mr Tony Rodrigues and the CCP
commissioner, Mr Elvis Gomes, without the interference of any corporator, would
look into the problems of city fish vendors and come out with an amicable
solution. A meeting of the corporation
council, presided over by Mr Rodrigues in the presence of the deputy mayor, Mr
Yatin Parekh, Mr Gomes and the corporators, debated the issue wherein a section
of corporators said the retail fish vendors should be allowed to carry on their
business in the market only if they apologise for their recent attack on a
corporator, Ms Carolina Po.
Yet another section of the
corporators observed that those vendors selling their fish on bicycles through
door-to-door service are carrying out their business illegally. Mr Gomes observed that the bicycle fish
vendors are unregulated, non-tax paying individuals and have no trade licences.
This morning, the police arrested
the persons, Ms Devditta, Ms Mary, Ms Christalina, Ms Perpetua, Ms Albertina,
Ms Domingo Mary, Ms Josepha and Mr Milagres Fernandes alias Vicky for allegedly
assaulting the corporator, Ms Po yesterday when she had gone to the fish market
to find an amicable solution to the ongoing conflict between ramponkars and
retail fish vendors. Later on, they were released on personal bail bond of Rs
1000 and a surety. A strong posse of the
police, mostly ladies from the Indian Reserve Police and the Panaji town police
station, were deployed in the CCP fish market sensing some trouble.
But till 11.30 a.m. the market was
full of fish and even people flocked to the fish market and it was functioning
as normal except a little confrontation with a person, Mr Ashok Agarwal for
occupying bigger place and then the corporator ordered to confiscate his fish
and boxes. Later, Mr Agarwal lodged a complaint with the police for allegedly
hurling foul language against him and his partner by Mr Uday Madkaikar. At around 11 a.m. the fish vendors
marched peacefully to the BJP office in the city to meet the opposition leader
and Panaji MLA, Mr Manohar Parrikar and urged him to solve the problem under
the leadership of Mr Milagres Fernandes.
Mr Parrikar said that no
corporator has right to interfere with fishing communities’ problems. He said
Mr Madkaikar has no right to interfere in the fish vendors’ matter and even if
he interferes he should always be neutral.
Speaking after the meeting, the Panaji town police inspector, Mr Serafin
Dias informed that Mr Parrikar said if Mr Madkaikar pokes his nose again, he
would lead a morcha to Mr Madkaikar’s residence.
Mr Parrikar came to the Panaji
town police and urged the police inspector to be neutral and act as per the
law.
He further said no corporator has
any right to seize fish or fishing boxes or interfere in the functioning of the
market as a committee has already been set up to look into the matter and
hammer out a solution under the leadership of the CCP commissioner and others.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=110710
CCP corporators’
Jaipur tour being probed: Elvis
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 6 The CCP commissioner
Mr Elvis Gomes today informed that a tour of Jaipur by some corporators is
being investigated and if any fraud is found in the same responsibilities would
be fixed. “There are so many people
involved in this tour,” he added.
A CCP corporator, Mr Surendra
Furtado alleged that an amount of Rs 50,000 has been spent on this tour
organised under the pretext of a conference. “There will be no money left to
pay the salaries of the CCP staff if such tours are organised,” he pointed out.
The corporators also opposed a
proposal to construct multi-storyed pay parking buildings in gardens opposite
Kamat hotel and Govinda building. The corporators maintained that no gardens
should be concretised. It was also suggested that the government storehouse
behind Junta House, military area in the city as well as old cold storage
building area at Patto, could be used as the parking areas in consultation with
government agencies.
The meeting decided to have a
presentation on controlling dog menace in the city.
The corporators also agreed to
lift junk vehicles lying around the city and put them to scrap, if their owners
does not turn up within a month. The
issue as regards construction of a drain along the Miramar-Dona Paula road was
not taken up for discussion as it is sub judice.
The corporators further suggested
the mayor that the city development works for the International Film Festival
of India should not be undertaken by the CCP unless the corporation receives
money from the government for the same. The
council meeting also reached a conclusion that no fresh licences should be
given for commercial projects in the city until the solid waste management
plant of the corporation coming up at Patto Plaza
is ready. The corporators supported reviewing such recent licences.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11078
Britons
shed tears for Goa’s Gregory
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 6 The people in
Fawley, United Kingdom, have expressed shock and sorrow over the death of
Gregory Fernandes, a 32-year-old young man from Agonda in Canacona taluka of
the state, who fell victim to the horrendous racial attack of around 20 British
youth, near Southampton in Great Britain on October 20. The deceased was the
main breadwinner of his family that included his aged parents and a sister. According to a report appearing in ‘Echo’, a
local newspaper, over 300 people including New Forest East MP, Ms Julian Lewis,
attended a candlelit vigil for Gregory at a memorial service in All Saints
Church in Fawley, which had never seen such an attack before the incident on
October 20.
The British papers have quoted Rev
Barry James, who led the church service as saying: “The community is in shock.
People are dismayed and ashamed of what happened here, in what is normally a
quiet Hampshire village. We wanted to acknowledge what happened and express our
feelings of solidarity, as well as to show Gregory’s family that we are
remembering him and that we care.” The
report also states that at least two businesses in Fawley were also running
collections in memory of Gregory. According
to the information provided by the family members of the deceased Goan youth,
the British police arrested 13 teenagers, aged 13 to 17 and all from Fawley and
Blackfield in Hampshire county, on the suspicion of murder, grievous bodily
harm and violent disorder.
The attackers were believed to be
under influence of liquor. They have been since released on bail even as
enquiry into the incident continues. The local elders have expressed dismay
over the incident. The deceased along
with a shipmate had just left the Falcon Hotel when they were assaulted by a
group of 20 teenagers outside and along Church Lane on that fateful Saturday
evening, while they were returning to the cargo ship, The Garonne, berthed at
Fawley oil refinery. According to
reports appearing in British newspapers and British Broadcasting Corporation,
Gregory was attacked because of his race. They also reported that a passer-by
took the injured Goan youth to dock gate two at the end of Marsh Lane, where he collapsed and died.
His 29-year-old colleague was also attacked and left with a broken shoulder. A post-mortem examination conducted on
Gregory proved inconclusive and three further tests have been ordered,
according to the information provided by his father. His body would be flown to
Goa only after all tests were completed.
Gregory’s uncle, Reverend Father
Diogo Fernandes, who lives in Florida in United States of America,
has since appealed to those living in the community to help the police trace
the people responsible for attacking his nephew. He also said that sailor’s
death has left his family in Goa without
financial security and staring at a bleak future. Surprisingly, the state authorities,
including those in the office of the commissioner for NRI affairs, were not
aware of the brutal killing of the Goan youth.
Our Canacona Correspondent adds: Gregory’s father, Mr Floriano Fernandes
today said the police investigation into the killing of his son was in
progress. Gregory’s killing outraged
shocked the people of entire Canacona taluka.
He informed that Gregory had
joined The Garonne some four months ago on a fresh voyage as a second cook. The
Mumbai-based recruiting agency, which facilitated Gregory’s hiring by the ship,
broke the news of his killing on the second day of the incident to his family
members at Agonda, Canacona. The
anguished Canacona people expressed their frustration over the apathy of the
state over the Goan victim of racial attack in UK.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11079
PG
course in neurosurgery at GMC
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 6 The Medical Council
of India has given
recognition to the post-graduate degree and the training of students in the
super-speciality of neurosurgery in Goa
Medical College.
This course leads to the award of M Ch in neurosurgery.
Very few institutes in the country
have the distinction of being able to award this degree. This is the highest
degree in medical profession and entitles the holder to practise neurosurgery.
The dean of GMC, Dr V N Jindal,
who was instrumental in starting the department 24 years ago, said that this
has been possible because of the generous help by the government of Goa in developing the super-speciality of neurosurgery at
the GMC as well as the untiring efforts of the staff of the neurosurgery
department. Dr Jindal joined the GMC in
November 1983 and started the department of neurosurgery. He has been able to
establish one of the finest neurosurgery departments in the country at the GMC.
It has become a boon for patients as they do no have to travel out of Goa for neurosurgery treatment.
Dr Jindal also said that it was a
proud moment for the GMC as it has joined the select few institutes in the
country that offer this post-doctoral qualification in neurosurgery and that
this has been possible in a short span of just 24 years since the inception of
the department.
He also said the MCI inspector,
who came for the inspection of the department, was highly impressed with the
facilities and the functioning of the department. First candidate for this
course will be admitted in May/June 2008.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11077
Primary
students yet to get uniforms under SSA scheme
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 6 The distribution of
uniforms to the students of primary classes during the academic year 2007-2008
is still pending, with the first term of the educational year coming to an end
with the commencement of Diwali vacation.
The chairman of the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary
Education, Mr L M T Fernandes, who was in-charge of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
(SSA) told ‘The Navhind Times’ that under the Goa SSA scheme, money has already
been distributed to the girl students from the primary classes for buying
uniforms, during the ongoing academic year.
“We have also distributed
raincoats and textbooks to them,” he informed, adding “however, now the
department of education has been made the in-charge of this scheme and I have
no idea as to whether all the primary students have been distributed uniforms
or not.”
The director of education, Dr
Celsa Pinto, acknowledging the fact that the DoE is in-charge of running the
Goa SSA scheme, said that the raincoats as well as the textbooks have already
been distributed to all the primary students.
“I agree that the uniforms are yet
to be distributed to them,” she told this daily, pointing out “However, the delay
was due to the election Code of Conduct which was in force for the assembly
polls.” We have now floated a tender for
inviting bids to supply the uniforms, Dr Pinto said, stressing that the
uniforms would be made available to the students at the earliest.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the
delay in supplying the uniforms to the primary students was due to the
objection raised by the Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries
Development Corporation in this matter.
A senior official from the
GHRSSIDC said that a circular was earlier issued by the government stating that
if the government departments or agencies desire to purchase handicraft items
or cloth material/ dresses, they should be procured from the GHRSSIDC.
“However, if the department of
education desires to buy the uniforms from a bidder, then it could have taken a
NOC from the GHRSSIDC,” the official added.
The official also stated that generally such NOCs are not granted as the
GHRSSIDC, on its list, has a number of suppliers of cloths and dresses who are
tried and tested, and the Corporation has successfully supplied such items to
government departments like electricity and public works.
According to the sources,
altogether 8,192 students from classes I and III are yet to receive the uniforms,
besides those in classes II and IV.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11076
5
held for assault
NT News Service
Margao, Nov 6 Maina Curtorim
police have arrested five persons from Davorlim in connection with a case of
forming unlawful assembly at Davorlim and assaulting one person.
The injured has been admitted to
the Hospicio Hospital, Margao said the police and
added that those arrested have been released following court order. The police said that in all eight persons
were involved in the offence but five of them were arrested.
The police said that the offence
under Sections 143, 147, 148, 23 324 and 506 (ii) has been registered against
the accused. According to the police,
the complainant Mumtaz Mullha stated that she had visited house of H Pedneker
to ask as to why her son was assaulted. This was followed by discussion and
later eight persons formed unlawful assembly and assaulted one person from the
group of Mumtaz, the police informed.
Further investigations are in
progress.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11075
Majorda
locals for rejuvenation of lake
NT News Service
Majorda,Nov 6 Several villagers
from Majorda have said that the Majorda lake located near the church along side
the railway track has been neglected by the concerned authorities.
Villagers said that this
particular lake provided water to the villagers and now stands neglected as no
one bothers to erect a sluice gate. When
contacted on this matter, some villagers disclosed that the Farmers’
Association used to erect the sluice gate and for the last many years, the
practice has been stopped.
Several villagers pointed out that
this lake was the main source of water supply to fields in areas like Majorda,
Dongrim, Calata and Moti-Vaddo. However,
they said that ever since the practice of erecting sluice gate has been
stopped, the water table in the village has gone down drastically.
Villagers said that there was a
time when the entire Majorda village used to experience cool climate even
during summer season due to the Majorda lake,but now the story is different as
the lake nearly gets dry during the months of April-May. Villagers felt that the Majorda panchayat
should play a role in desilting this lake and stop the people from dumping all
sorts of garbage in it. In this
connection, former sarpanch, Mr Anthonio Pobres Fernandes had said that the
lake will be desilted, but so far nothing has happned. Even the new panchayat
body headed by Ms Laxshmi Gonsalves had promised to desilt few lakes and ponds
in the village.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11074
Sao
Jose locals caution against polluting unit
NT News Service
Margao, Nov 6 Residents of Sao
Jose De Areal have threatened to launch an agitation if the Goa State Pollution
Control Board permitted any polluting unit to come up near the residential
area. They have decided to meet the
Chief Minister, Mr Digamber Kamat and to air their grievances. In a petition addressed to the Goa State
Pollution Control Board, Mr Salvador Fernandes and others have alleged that
hill cutting operations were being openly carried out at Sao Jose De Areal and
greenery was fast disappearing in the area.
They have also complained against
stone crushing units, which operate in the residential area.
The residents have pointed out
that a stone crusher unit had been permitted to operate in the residential area
even after the expiry of the permission given to it by the Goa State Pollution
Control Board. According to the
residents, the permission issued by the Goa State Pollution Control Board
expired on September 18, 2000 but the stone crushing activity was being
continued unabated.
They alleged that the stone
crusher unit was being operated at a distance of about 50 meters from a school
and it was a major source of dust and noise pollution. The residents have pointed out to the Goa
State Pollution Control Board several lapses which were purportedly committed
by the owner of the stone crushing unit.
According to the residents, the owner of the unit was required to
develop a green belt by planting variety of trees besides treating gaseous and
particulate emissions with appropriate technology but none of these conditions
were fulfilled. The residents had
earlier requested the village panchayat to shift the stone crusher unit from
their locality.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11073
Freedom
fighter Krishnarao Rane passes away
NT News Desk
Panaji, Nov 6 A well-known freedom fighter
and president of The Navjivan Society of Freedom Fighters, Azad Bhavan,
Porvorim, Krishnarao Rane died after a brief illness, today morning. He was
74.Rane was admitted to Goa
Medical College
and Hospital, Bambolim after he suffered from brain haemorrhage on Friday
night. The family members rushed him to GMC where he was admitted to ICU. The members of the governing body of
Navajivan Society of freedom fighter attended the funeral ceremony and paid
floral tribute to the departed soul, today afternoon.
Krishnarao Rane was an important
member of the Azad Gomantak Dal and had participated in the armed struggle
during Portuguese regime. He was honoured with a Tamra Patra by the Union
government. He was also honoured by the Goa
government on Goa Revolution Day for his courage and action in Goan freedom
struggle. His funeral was well attended by people including freedom fighters
from all over the state.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11071
Property worth Rs 3 lakh gutted in Corlim blaze
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
OLD GOA, NOV 6 — Property worth Rs 3 lakh was destroyed in a major fire which
broke out in a factory at the Corlim Industrial Estate, Old Goa at around 4.50
pm on Tuesday.
Three fire tenders — two from Old Goa and one from Panjim rushed to the site
and managed to extinguish the fire at Total Packing after one-and-half hour.
According to the station fire officer in-charge Old Goa, S V Palni, packages of
mosquito coils were kept for drying in four rooms of the factory. Apparently due to excess heat, the packages
in one of the rooms caught fire which destroyed the packed mosquito coils. Fire
tenders which fought the blaze, managed to save property worth lakhs of rupees. Apart from Palni, sub-officers M Braganza and
J A Gawde from Panjim, were part of the fire fighting team.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3898&cid=10
CCP to ban projects sans garbage, parking plans
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 6 — The Corporation of the City of Panaji
(CCP) today decided to ban licenses for commercial construction projects which
fail to provide arrangements for garbage disposal and parking
arrangements. The issue proposed by
Mayor Tony Rodrigues last month, today figured at the CCP meeting and received
the unanimous support from the corporators.
Senior corporator Avinash Bhonsle even recommended for a review of all
licenses granted in the recent past.
The Corporation also kept on hold plans for a multi-storeyed parking project at
the Panjim municipal garden and has agreed to wait for a report being prepared
by students of Goa
Architecture College
on parking proposals for Panjim. While
the opposition took strong objections to use of a part of the municipal garden
for parking, the Mayor noted suggestions from the members that the CCP should
try and pursue the government for space adjoining the Junta House, space near
the military camp and government garage area near Don Bosco’s school. Avinash Bhonsle said that the government
should give the CCP space for two crucial issues of garbage disposal and
parking.
Bhonsle also pointed out to the pathetic potholed condition of roads in Panjim
and objected to a proposal for rumblers.
Surendra Furtado strongly demanded a no parking zone near Magsons and
flayed the CCP for delaying the proposal for nearly four months.
On the stray dog menace in Panjim, the CCP members sought for a special
meeting.
The Mayor also said that the CCP would paste notices on junk cars parked on
roads and would thereafter remove them if respective owners failed to act. Earlier, Furtado demanded that the CCP should
not undertake any IFFI works unless it received the proposed Rs one crore for
the same. Interestingly, members did not
press for a hike in honorarium although the matter was listed on the agenda.
There was, however, a suggestion to hike the same to Rs 7000 from the existing
payment of Rs 3500.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3899&cid=2
CM condoles death of social worker at Saleli
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, NOV 6—Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has expressed,
deep shock over the death of freedom
tighter and social worker from
Saleli, Sattari Krishnnarao A Rane.
The chief minister said Krishnarao.Rane has contributed, immensely inthe
freedom struggle and always helped the persons in distress. In his death
Sattari talukas has lost a good social leader. He prayed to the almighty to
give courage to the .family of Krishnarao A. Rane to bear the loss .
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3921&cid=26
Studio portion of DD building to be ready by
Dec-end: Naik
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, NOV 6— Member of Rajya Sabha Shantaram Naik said here today that studio
portion of the new building of the Doordarshan Panjim, is expected to be
completed by December-end and the administrative portion, two or three months
later.
Naik who visited the construction site of the new Doordarshan building along
with general secretaries of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Altinho Gomes
and Dr. Ulhas Parab said in a statement that the new studio will have a total
built up area of 770
square metres with a studio of 135 square meters
and a conference room of 40 square metres.
The proposed new studio will get latest equipments besides, a digital
newsgathering van.
Naik in a statement said that the program Generating facility which the Panjim
station is having at present was due to his efforts. He said, he pursued the demand of Goans for a
full-fledged studio, with the Union government.
Naik said that he will now be after getting the required, machinery for
the studio and will also ensure that no machinery booked for Goa
studio is diverted elsewhere as it happened earlier.Chandrakant Barve Station
Director. Ujwala Chandramore Station Engineer, Pawar Assistant Engineer, P.S.
Prabhu Desai Asst. Engineer were present on the occasion.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3919&cid=26
10 corporators face the music
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 6 – There appears to be a very strong demand for
the disqualification of nearly 10 corporators of the Corporation of the City of
Panaji (CCP) for alleged involvement in various unauthorized activities during
the last couple of days. The first
demand came for the disqualification of corporators from the ruling faction
numbering about five for their alleged unauthorized interference in the fish
vendors feud thereby fuelling it further.
Another argument raised was that the said corporators were also supporting
unauthorized cycle fish vending operations
The second demand for disqualification came up against four more corporators
from the ruling faction for their trip to Jaipur at the cost of the CCP. The opposition faction, at the meeting today
slammed the CCP mayor on the issue as the four corporators allegedly proceeded
to Jaipur to attend a civic training programme which in reality was cancelled
days ahead of their departure. Even
though the Mayor Tony Rodrigues assured to recover the money, both Surendra
Furtado and Rudresh Chodankar also demanded an inquiry, a report and fixation
of responsibility on the CCP Accounts Officer for sanctioning the money without
the approval of the Commissioner.
The opposition also demanded disqualification of co-opted corporator Daya
Karapurkar for filing a case against the CCP.
It was argued today that Karapurkar who has filed a civil suit against
the CCP should not have been co-opted into the corporation. The opposition however played safe while
discussing a matter pertaining to the Miramar-Dona Paula drain issue raised at
the meeting today by cutting short the discussion on the matter on grounds that
the same was sub-judice and could result in their disqualification for stepping
into legal jurisdiction.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3917&cid=26
Fish vendor escapes tree fall
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 6 — A fish vendor had a miraculous escape after a dead coconut tree
came crashing down just outside the Aquem side of the Margao railway station
this evening. Fire services when contacted, stated that the coconut tree fall
did not cause any major injury for the fish vendor, who was doing business at
the place along with three other vendors. Fire personnel, who rushed to the
site — said the tree just brushed the back of the vendor, without causing
any injury.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3916&cid=26
Parrikar calls for solution
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 6 – The Panjim market fracas reached a boiling
point on Tuesday with a large number of the retail fish vendors marching to the
Town Police Station where allegations and counter-allegations flew thick and
fast. Even the local MLA and Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar decided to
intervene in the matter and was seen at the police station along with the
fisher-folk. Panjim PI Serafin Dias said the MLA wanted the police to make sure
that the tense situation doesn’t snowball into a law and order problem.
Speaking to Herald, Parrikar said he requested the police to ensure that whatever
has been decided by the Council should be implemented through the officers of
the Council. I do not dispute the role of the councillors in solving the
dispute, but there is a procedure to be followed, he observed. The MLA said as
told to him today by the fisher-folk, Uday Madkaikar was involved in lifting
some fish boxes when he had gone to the market. This behaviour of Madkaikar is
uncalled for and doesn’t fit into the role a corporator should be playing, he
added. Meanwhile, a retail fish vendor, Suresh Agarwal, who holds a solid clout
at the market place, petitioned the Panjim PI stating that Madkaikar took away
some fish baskets and his behaviour amounted to that of ‘dadagiri’. Earlier,
Madkaikar filed a complaint against Agarwal. 8 people, who were involved in
beating up councilor Caroline Po were arrested and released on bail
immediately.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3915&cid=26
Fisherfolk stir raises stink within CCP
BY HERALD REPORTER
Ruling corporators blamed for ‘illegal trade’
PANJIM, NOV 6 – From the corridors of the Panjim fish market
the ruckus today shifted to the headquarters of the Corporation of the City of Panaji where the
opposition (BJP-NCP) faction turned the tables on ruling corporators for
supporting the alleged illegal fish trade operations by cycle vendors and
demanded immediate ban of the same. The
issue today rocked the CCP at its meeting on Tuesday afternoon when corporator
Surendra Furtado demanded action against corporators from the ruling faction
for supporting the illegal trade and for instigating fish vendors causing
serious problems during the last one week.
At the outset, Furtado said that since the cycle vendors were not paying any
taxes to the corporation, it enabled them to sell fish at a cheaper rate.
He strongly opined that the CCP had provided a market for the people of Panjim
who he felt should visit the market and not rely on vending from illegal
traders. He raised a very serious issue
pertaining to security problems allegedly posed by the mobile cycle vendors. It
was his argument that the cycle fish vendors allegedly engage in gathering
information while doing the rounds and further alleged that this is one of the
possible reasons for the increase in cases of thefts and robberies in Panjim, Miramar and Dona
Paula. He went a step further to say
that the cycle fish vendors have virtually taken the police for a ride. The opposition faction today also demanded to
know how and why corporators from the ruling faction were allowed to intervene
in the fish vendors woes and flayed the Mayor over the same stating that it had
brought shame and bad name to the city corporation.
The CCP Commissioner who was also grilled refused to comment and directed all
queries to the CCP Mayor. While the CCP
members were unanimous in condemning the assault on Caroline Co yesterday, the
opposition refused to oblige a proposal from Market Committee chairman Udai
Madkaikar that the 7 persons involved in the incident should be evicted from
the market. After almost 30 minutes of
pandemonium and accusations flying high, the members agreed that the
Commissioner alone should be allowed to handle the matter and that no
corporator should be allowed to interfere in the same. Earlier in the discussions, the Commissioner
agreed that the cycle fish trade is unregulated. Others who raised a hue and cry on the issue
include Suresh Chopdekar and Menino D’Cruz from the opposition faction. The
ruling faction saw market committee chairman Udai Madkaikar being backed by
Mangaldas Naik, Avinash Bhonsle and others.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3914&cid=26
Man hangs to death
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 6 – A native of Kerala, around 40-45 years in age, allegedly
committed suicide by hanging from the ceiling fan using a nylon rope in a city
hotel where he had checked into on November 2. Police identified the man as
Sandesh from the name they found on the hotel register. They said he may have
remained hanging for two-three days as the body was partially decomposed. No
suicide note was found on his person or anywhere in the room.
He was wearing a grey and red-colour T-shirt and a black pant. His body was
sent for post-mortem to the Goa
Medical College
and Hospital in Bambolim. The report revealed death due to asphyxia as a result
of hanging.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3913&cid=26
SIO silver jubilee celebration to focus on social
issues
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 6 – As part of the silver jubilee celebration of the organization,
the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) will organise a nationwide campaign on
the theme “25 years of Redefining education, Regaining struggle, Renovating
society. SIO awakening the nation”
Addressing a press conference here, Sayyed Mazhar, SIO personal relations
secretary from Maharashtra, stated that the
SIO since its inception in 1982 has been working for the overall development of
the students’ community with the aim of restructuring the society on the
foundations of ethics and morality. “The
thrust area of the campaign is to remind the students the need of an education
system that moulds them to be socially responsible citizens,” he said before
continuing “to develop individuals to adhere and cater to the society in times
of need.”
“The need of the hour is an education system that would make every individual
responsible and accountable for each and every act to the society,” he
said.
Further, he continued, as part of the campaign, three Caravans are leaving from
New Delhi, Kolkata, and Calicut.
“The caravan leaving from Calicut will
arrive in Goa on November 22, and will be
address a public meeting at Lohia Maidan in the evening,” Mazhar said.
The three caravans will then proceed to Mumbai for the National Students
Converging Conference on the November 25.
Abdul Wahab, the Goa zone in-charge said, the Students Islamic
Organisation, Goa will also be organizing a
state level essay competition for the students of higher secondary school,
colleges and universities as part of the campaign.
During the campaign SIO, Goa Zone will be delivering lectures in campuses,
meeting educationist & academicians, literary figures, policy makers,
intellectuals from the field of education an individual contact with students
and parents.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3912&cid=26
DRAG demands justice for disabled victim
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, NOV 6 – Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) has demanded that
justice be imparted immediately to Vandana Naik, the disabled victim in the
Harischandra Naik dowry harassment case.
In a representation to Vasco PI Sammy Tavares, copies of which have been
sent to SP South Shekhar Prabhudesai and to the State Commissioner of
Disability Ajit Srivastava, DRAG has demanded that Naik and his family be
arrested immediately due to the serious nature of complaints against them.
DRAG has also demanded that the cases against Naik and his family be registered
as atrocities towards disabled women and just atrocities towards women as the
disabled are a protected category with special rights under the Persons with
disabilities Act, 1995. Calling for maximum sentence against Mr Naik, DRAG said
that this would act as a deterrent to those committing atrocities towards the
disabled.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3911&cid=26
Goa’s
award winning director announces launching of new Marathi film
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 6 – Goa’s first national award-winning director for a Konkani film
Rajendra Talak on Tuesday announced his new film Saavariya.com in Marathi and
Hindi which would hit the screens at IFFI 2008, even as he declared his stint
with Konkani cinema-making was over. Addressing a press conference to
announce his new project, Talak informed, “The making of Saavariya.com will cost
around Rs 90 lakh and part of the movie will be shot in London. I’ve retained Ashok Patki to do the
music for the film, while Vidyadhar Pathare and Devu Devdhar (cameraman) are
the other names finalised.”
The award-winning director said the shooting for the film, the storyline of
which is based on Internet marriages, will begin in March 2008 and he expects
to wind it up in a month’s time like his earlier projects – Aleesha and
Antarnad. While Aleesha fetched the director a national award, Antarnad, which
was also made in Marathi (Savelee), won him accolades from Maharashtra. He said two Hindi and two Marathi production
houses have evinced keen interest financing Saavariya.com. In December I will
submit the proposal to the Hindi production houses, he stated. Talak, who
declared his journey into Konkani filmmaking as bad, said, “From now on I will
not make any Konkani cinema on my own, but if the Government invites me to make
a film in the local language I will be there.”
He rued over the fact that the Government had failed to clear the amount (Rs 16
lakh) due to him for his national award-wining film Aleesha, which was
shown at IFFI. Till date I’ve spent Rs 1.35 crore and have been able to
get back Rs 60 lakh.
The director condemned the bureaucrats for moving slow when it came to
processing files pertaining to film finance, even as he lauded Chief Minister’s
recent instructions to do whatever possible for Konkani cinema. “I will request
the CM to set a deadline for bureaucrats to clear all files relating to Konkani
cinema,” he added. Hitting back at critics of the Government scheme
for final assistance for films, Talak said, “There’s no flaw in the scheme and
there has been no favouritism shown towards me for gaining from the scheme.
Milind Mhadgoot and others, instead of making allegations should concentrate on
making good cinema.” He expressed his
displeasure with the film workshops held in the State. “There are absolutely no
follow-ups after these workshops are over. Goans take filmmaking lightly,” he
asserted. Meanwhile, the filmmaker has
announced that those seriously interested in acting can contact him on ta...@sancharnet.in. He was accompanied
by Ketaki Haldipur and Sonali Kalangutkar, who are his assistants in film
directing.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3909&cid=26
Sand truckers to seek CM’s intervention
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 6 — Newly-formed Salcete Sand Truck Owners Association has decided
to seek the intervention of Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat to resolve the
problems faced by the owners, especially parking of sand-carrying trucks in the
city. These truck owners contended that
the vehicles are parked near the over-bridge, but accused the police for
harassing the owners.
The meeting also discussed other problems facing the owners and general
secretary Peter Ferrao urged the members to carry out the trade in a fair
manner without giving any room for cheating the customers in terms of quantity
and rates. He said the sand transporters
have got a bad name due to some selfish sand suppliers, who are indulging in
supplying less quantity sand. Members
present at the meeting unanimously elected Wolfango Camara as its president,
Peter Ferrao as general secretary and Ajit Malkarnekar as treasurer. Others
members are Francis Rebello, Tadeo Furtado, Raymond De Sa, Bartholomew Gracias,
Munawar Khan, Mohammed Dukendar, Milagres Colaco, Sameer Hore, Herculano Miasso
and Babuso Naik. Ferrao has urged all
the sand truck owners from Salcete to join the Associatin by registering
themselves.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3908&cid=26
Man beaten up after mishap at Miramar
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 6 – A man from Caranzalem was beaten up after his two-wheeler was
involved in a minor accident with a car which was driven by local MLA Babush
Monserrate’s son Amit. Eyewitnesses told Herald they saw the man,
better known as Milu and in his 30’s, being thrashed after the accident which
occurred late evening on the Miramar-Dona Paula by-pass road. But they could
not tell how the accident occurred or who was at fault, even as the police
maintained the man was under the influence of liquor.
Till the time of going to the press full name of the assaulted person could not
be known or confirmed from the police. Sources claimed the assaulted person,
who is a driver by profession, was booked for the accident, while no action was
taken against those who assaulted him.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3906&cid=26
Margao body clears footpaths, pavements
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 6 — The Margao Municipal Council on Tuesday has finally cracked a
whip against encroachments erected by business establishment in-front of their
premises to make way for customers to inside.
Terming the practice as illegal, Civic workers today went round the city
and removed the iron fittings and chains erected on public spaces.
MMC Chairperson Johnson Fernandes informed that the drive would continue in the
days to come following complaints by members of the public against this illegal
practice.
“How can shop owners fence the space in-front of their premises with iron rods
and chains when it vests with the Civic body”, Fernandes contended. Today’s encroachment drive against the
illegal pipes and chains evoked positive response from NGO’s and citizens
alike. City-based organisation Margao
First welcomed the MMC drive, saying removing encroachments along footpaths and
pavements was long overdue.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3905&cid=26
CMC clears encroachments at Palolem
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, NOV 6 - Virtually acting tough on encroachers at
Palolem, Canacona Municipal council today cleared the approach road leading to
main beach, which was partially blocked, by hawkers and roadside hoardings. CMC Chief Officer Ajit Panchawadkar deputed
municipal workers to Palolem and dismantled whatever encroachments existing on
roadside which had allegedly cropped–up during last month and lifted items kept
for selling to tourists.
A number of hoardings and display materials of road-side establishments
protruding onto the road blocking smooth flow of motor traffic were also
dismantled and removed. CMC had to
depute a second party after reports that the illegal encroachments are again
done with two hours of first clearance.
In a swift action initiated by CMC today morning, visibly no leniency was
provided to any encroacher while locals and visitors provided a sigh of relief
for the corrective action initiated by the council after a deep slumber. Lately, there is widespread condemnation for
municipals inaction and virtually entertaining illegal construction activities
especially in tourist’s important areas including Palolem. As the Tourism
season has already commenced, a number of hawkers dealing in garments, shoes,
other wares descended at Palolem and put-up shops right on the side of the
roads/footpath blocking free-flow of motor traffic and pedestrians.
It may be recalled that during the last years demolition drive, the entire
stretch of Palolem Main-beach road was freed from local encroachments (who had
literarily seized municipal land) shrinking public and motorists movement in
the locality.
After deciding to allottee the left side of open space for temporary
structures, the CMC than had decided to keep the right side open space for
developing as footpath and parking space for vehicles. Incidentally, CMC had
neither developed parking lot or footpath freed from encroachers after last
years demolitions and this has allegedly emboldened the ncroachments, by Hawkers
even putting up their shops over gutter slabs and had completely blocked
pedestrians forcing the visitors to walk on the road.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3903&cid=26
Kingfisher Voice of Goa
enters semi-finals today
By Colin Savio Coelho
The day has dawned and the ‘Kingfisher Voice of Goa 2007’ opportunity now enters
the next round – the semifinals. There has been an exceedingly good
response to the competition so far and around 60 participants have qualified
from the auditions rounds to compete in the semifinal to be held at Woodbourne
Country Club ( IAM
College), Nuvem on
November 7 and 8. The Indian Language Round semifinal will be on
November 7 while the English round will take place on November 8. The
contestants who have qualified for the semifinal, in both the categories, must
report to the venue on their respective days at 2 pm sharp or face the risk of
being disqualified. The semifinals on both days will begin at 5 pm The semifinalists are requested to note that
as before; they can bring along their own music or play an instrument they
know. The music must be set well before the commencement of the
semifinal at 5 pm.
There will be two rounds in the semifinal also. All the participants will
contest the first round and a few will be chosen to proceed to the second
round. A few from these will then be chosen to participate in the
finals to be held on November 17 and 18 at the Goa Karting Track at
Nuvem. The judging criteria will be concentrated on voice clarity,
rhythm, timing but most importantly the voice. Contestants must
note that the decision of the judges will be final and binding and no forms of
protests will be entertained The
Kingfisher Festival, to follow the semifinal, shows all the signs of being the
biggest festive occasion to have been witnessed in Goa for a long while.
The three-day extravaganza will begin with a musical evening on November 16 and
the bands to fill the air with music will be Crimson Tide and Band
Wagon. There will also be other performances by renowned musicians
and entertainers. The musical fiesta will begin at 7 pm.
On November 17 the finals of ‘Kingfisher Voice of Goa’ (Indian Language Round)
will be held and the gala time with music will continue with the band Symphony
and will include the display of the breathtaking acrobatic prowess of the
African Acrobats Springbok.
The grand finale is slated for November 18 with the finals of ‘Kingfisher Voice
of Goa’ slated to take place that day. The winners of the Indian
Language round and the English round of ‘Kingfisher Voice of Goa 2007’ will be declared on
this day. The night will continue with performances by Suhail Kaul (Fame
from the movie ‘Life in a Metro’) and the internationally acclaimed Hard
Kaur. Goa’s scintillating
musicians Lynx will also be part of the gala entertainment. The
start of the finals is slated for 5 pm. The three-day festival will be
held at the Goa Karting Track, Nuvem which now boasts of ample parking space
and the right ambience for an event of this magnitude. The entry will be free
to both the semifinal and the final rounds of ‘Kingfisher Voice of Goa 2007.’
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3922&cid=26
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GOA NEWS: GENERAL
Goans greeted on
Diwali
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, NOV 7 – Extending his warm greetings on the occasion of Diwali,
Governor S C Jamir in his message has said that Diwali is one of the most
ancient and deeply entrenched festival and is widely celebrated throughout the
country with tremendous gaiety and community fervour. The Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in his
message recalled tah Diwali — the festival of lights is one of the biggest
festival with universal appeal. “Everybody celebrates the festival with equal
enthusiasm and interest, which is the rich tradition considering the diversity
in our religious and customs.
In his message, the opposition leader Manohar Parrikar has extended his warm
greetings to the people of Goa on the occasion
of Diwali celebrations. Parrikar said
“let this Diwali bring happiness and prosperity to people. Wishes, aspirations
and resolutions of everyone may fulfill with the grace of Goa.”
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3956&cid=26
Festival
of lights to be celebrated today
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 7 Diwali, the festival
of lights, will be celebrated in the state with the rest of the country
tomorrow with traditional joy and fervour.
The unique Goan tradition of displaying the effigies of the demon
Narkasur on the Diwali eve and burning the same at dawn next day was however
affected by the incessant rains which began in the afternoon. Earlier in the day, the people thronged the
market as well as shops around the city buying gift items, sweets and cloths
for the festival. The partial hike in the prices of commodities did not dampen
the festive spirit.
This year, Laxmipujan, which
signifies obeisance to the goddess of prosperity, will be held on November 9.
Laxmipujan is celebrated by businessmen/entrepreneurs in their shops, offices
and industrial units as well as devotees.
The Diwali festival also includes Bhaubeej, witnessing the sisters
paying respect to their brothers. The
Governor, Mr S C Jamir, extending warm greetings to the people of Goa on the occasion of Diwali, said, “I expect everyone,
irrespective of caste, creed and religion to participate in the celebrations of
this unique festival with renewed enthusiasm and spiritual fervour, greater
co-operation and friendship.”
“The joyous celebrations of this
festival are intended to eliminate all evil vices from our minds like
ignorance, superstition, selfishness, arrogance, jealousy, hatred, animosity,
etc, and to illuminate and enlighten our minds, bodies and souls with the
fragrance of universal love, goodwill, friendship, brotherhood, co-operation,
mutual understanding, mutual trust, righteousness and virtues, in order to make
our life more happy and meaningful,” he added.
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar
Kamat has also extended warm greetings to the people of Goa
on the occasion of Diwali. In his
message to the people, Mr Kamat said that Diwali, the festival of lights, is
one of the biggest festivals with universal appeal. “Everybody celebrates the
festival with equal enthusiasm and interest, which is a rich tradition
considering the diversity in our religions and customs,” he stated. The leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar
Parrikar in his message said that the Diwali brings happiness and prosperity to
people. “On this occasion, wishes, aspirations and resolutions of everyone may
be fulfilled with the grace of God,” he wished.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11088
Rains
paralyse life in Goa
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 7 Un-seasonal rains
accompanied by lightning and thunder played havoc in the state on the eve of
Diwali, uprooting trees, disrupting power supply for nearly four hours and
causing traffic jams in various parts of the state particularly due to
flooding. The rains dampened the spirit
of the people ahead of burning of effigies of Narkasur and Diwali celebrations.
Prior to the rains, lightning and thunder, darkness prevailed in most part of
the state prompting last-minute buyers among the people to return to their
homes to escape being caught in the rains. The rainfall was around 1.5 inches. The Chief Secretary, Mr J P Singh informed
‘The Navhind Times’ that there were no reports of any damage and that he was
waiting for reports from the collectors. He said that power supply has been
disrupted due to thunderstorm.
The collector of North
Goa district, Mr Swapnil Naik said that there were reports of tree
uprooting and falling of trees on power lines etc. He also said that no report
of damage to any property or life has been received so far, adding that
waterlogging near the bus stand caused traffic jam. The chief electrical engineer, Mr Nirmal
Braganza informed that lightning was the cause of conductors snapping at
various places. He said that power supply to Panaji would be partly restored
from Ponda station in due course of time.
The electricity department chief further said that restoration of power
supply from Tivim and Verna station could take some more time. He also went on
to add that some of the transformers were also damaged due to lightning and
restoration of power supply in some parts of the state could take some time.
The meteorologist in-charge of the
Indian Meteorological Observatory in Panaji, Mr K V Singh said that the
un-seasonal rains were part of post-monsoon phenomenon observed in the state. He
also said that thunderclouds were formed at about 10-12 km above the sea level.
He said that this phenomenon is
observed during October-November period in the state and that various places
receive rainfall during the afternoon/evening hours. This rainfall he added
continues for about 2-3 hours.
Mr Singh further said that
thunderclouds have been formed over the state, particularly the coastal areas
throughout the state. He said that the phenomenon could continue for some more
time. Our Margao Bureau adds: The
festival of lights turned into darkness for the citizens of South Goa, as 110
KV line in Ponda snapped, cutting off electricity supply to Margao and other
parts of South Goa, from 4.00 p.m. onwards. Power was finally restored to most parts of
Margao and Vasco at 7.30 p.m. but Benualim continued to remain in darkness. “Our men are working in the area to restore
power in Benaulim, as early as possible,” the executive engineer, Mr Peter
Fernandes said. Continuous lightning and
windy condition in the evening played havoc with the power lines at many places
in the state, Mr Fernandes informed.
According to the executive
engineer, the 110 KV line between Ponda, Borim and Verna snapped, mainly due to
lightning, plunging parts of South Goa in
darkness.
33 KV power supply of Kundaim
Industrial Estate was diverted to Vasco and parts of Margao via Verna, the
executive engineer informed. The
superintendent engineer, Mr Talegao disclosed that heavy damage has been caused
to power lines and other electricity equipment in Curchorem, Quepem and Sanguem
areas. The business community in Margao
were worst hit due to the power failure.
People who came to make last-minute purchases of Diwali goodies and
fireworks also found it difficult on account of darkness. Most of the traders make roaring business on
the eve of Diwali, as people rush to make last-minute purchases.
Our Mapusa Correspondent adds: The
untimely rains that lashed the state created havoc in large parts of Bardez
taluka. Fire brigade personnel were kept on their toes attending to calls of
removing fallen trees in villages of Nerul, Guirim, Verla Canca, Para, Calangute, Assagao, Mapusa and Anjuna.
Many trees fell on houses damaging
valuable properties while many others fell on roads breaking electric wires and
poles and completely disrupting electric supply in all the above villages. The entire Bardez taluka and parts of
Bicholim and Pernem talukas were in darkness as lightning struck the Tivim sub
station. The Mapusa executive engineer,
Mr Ulhas Kerkar when contacted however claimed that he had deputed his men to
restore the supply at the earliest after he came to know about the fault. Power
supply that was disrupted at around 3 p.m was finally restored at around 8 p.m.
However, due to the rains and the lightning many parts of Mapusa and other
villages were still in blackout.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=110810
Expert
flays implementation of sex education at primary level
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 7 The education
syllabi have made our students mere consumerists with little interest in the
needs of the society, stated the Maharashtra
zone in-charge of Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIOI), Mr Sayed Mazhar. Speaking to the media reporters this evening
at a city hotel, Mr Mazhar stated that the education system today has become
degree-oriented rather than knowledge and personality-oriented besides becoming
a medium to promote Western culture, which has led to excessive emphasis on
individual freedom and liberty.
“Sexual anarchism has become the
order of the campus besides promoting pre-marital and live-in relationships,”
he observed. Criticising the
implementation of sex education for school children, he pointed out that the
education on usage of condoms and contraceptives will be the final step towards
making the society open to all the vices prevalent in the Western society.
He further said all these have
made our student community lose its vitality, energy and the spirit for a life
of struggle and endurance and has fallen prey to lethargy and immobility.
Mr Mazhar said, in this kind of
circumstances, the society needed to redefine education and regain struggle to
transform the society.
He noted that the year 2007 marks
the 25th year of organisation’s existence in the country.
On this occasion, SIOI would be
organising a nation-wide campaign on the theme `25 years of redefining
education, regaining struggle, renovating society, SIO awakening the nation.’
As part of the campaign, three
caravans would be leaving from New
Delhi, Kolkatta, and Calikat. The caravan leaving from
Calikat would reach Goa on November 22 and
would culminate in a public meeting at Lohia Maidan in the evening. All the three caravans will be meeting in
Mumbai on November 25 at the National Students Converging Conference.
In Goa,
they will be organising essay competitions for higher secondary school,
colleges and university students besides meeting people from different
background.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11085
Restrictions
on powers of Calangute sarpanch, deputy
NT Legal Correspondent
Panaji, Nov 7 The Division Bench
of the Bombay High Court comprising of Mr Justice R M S Khandeparkar and Mr
Justice A P Lavande has by way of interim order restrained the sarpanch and
deputy sarpanch of Calangute village panchayat from taking any decision
involving financial implications and granting of licence for construction
activities in the panchayat area. The
Bench while issuing the rule, observed that out of the 11 members of panchayat,
6 members appeared to be consistently expressing no-confidence against the
sarpanch and the deputy sarpanch and hence granted interim relief.
The Bench has also noted that
there is a failure on the part of Director of Panchayats to take appropriate
decision till date pertaining to the resolution expressing no-confidence motion
passed on October 21. The petitioner had
challenged the communication dated October 29 by the BDO, Mapusa declining to
fill up the vacancy to the office of sarpanch and the deputy sarpanch. The BDO in his communication had also
informed that the resolution of October 21, was not passed by a majority of
total members of the panchayat as required under the Section 51 of the Goa
Panchayat Raj Act.
The petitioner had submitted in
his petition that the sarpanch and the deputy sarpanch are deemed to have
vacated the office after the resolution was passed on October 21 in as much as it was
passed by the majority of the members present and voting. It may be recalled that the BDO, appointed by
the High Court had observed in his report that since only five members had
passed the resolution, the motion was not passed by majority of the members of
the panchayat.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11084
Charge-sheet
filed in Mapari murder case
NT News Service
Ponda, Nov 7 The investigating
officer in the Samir Mapari murder case, DySP, Mr Mohan Naik today filed the
charge-sheet against the three accused -- Rajesh Desai, Balesh Desai and Vinay
Desai for abduction (section 364), murder (section 302), destroying evidence (section
201) and conspiracy ( section 120(B) read with 34 IPC) with the Judicial
Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Quepem.
According to the police, Rajesh
Desai and Balesh Desai, the two accused were arrested on August 17, 2007 for
allegedly kidnapping and murdering their driver, Samir Mapari, as he was learnt
to have known about their involvement in the panch Mariano Mascarenhas shooting
case. The notice of leaving the job from
June 1, 2007 by Mapari was what forced the businessmen to commit the offence,
the police said further and added that the third accused was arrested on August
21, 2007. It may be recalled that Mapari
was missing since July 31, 2007 and that missing person complaint was filed.
The body of Mapari was found
floating in the river Zuari on August 8, 2007. It was recovered and later
identified by his relatives. The police
inspector, Mr Manjunath Desai was the first investigating officer in the case,
and later on the case was handed over to Mr Mohan Naik for investigation.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11083
Sadhana,
Sardessai to perform at IFFI 2007
NT Staff Reporter
Panaji, Nov 7 The programme
committee of the governing council of the Entertainment Society of Goa today
short-listed Kunal Ganjawala, Milind Ingle, Sadhana Sargam, Hema Sardesai,
Anagha Ghaisas and Ravindra Sathe for performing at various venues in the
state, during the forthcoming International Film Festival of India. The ‘Euphoria’ and the ‘Indian
Ocean’ bands have also been short-listed for the film event.
‘Marathi Bana’, a mega show will also be performed.
The committee also attended yet
another presentation by the event management agency, Times Innovative Media
Ltd, earlier in the day as regards fresh ideas about creative concepts and
visuals to be used during the International Film Festival of India. The presentation was given by the Times team
led by Mr Sumeet Chatterji. The chairman
of the committee, Mr Vishnu Wagh later told ‘The Navhind Times’ that committee
members gave a green signal to the event management agency after they witnessed
concepts for the backdrop and stage decor to be used during the opening and
closing ceremonies of the festival as also for the stages at the five urban
venues where cultural programmes would be held during IFFI.
The presentation also included
concepts for the mega arch to be set up at the film festival venue, and
decorations at the INOX courtyard as well as Campal corniche. “Mr Francis Martins and Mr Shridhar Kamat
Bambolkar will monitor the decor,” Mr Wagh added.
The vice president of the
committee, Mr Vishal Pai Cacode said that the IFFI volunteers would be wearing
Kurta and blue denim, the attire aimed towards giving an Indo-Western feel to
the film festival. He also informed that
the committee will now work on day to day basis to ensure success of the
festival.
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11086
Not for India
Has the Indian captaincy suddenly become a dirty word for
the players to handle or are they getting two soft for the job? First Rahul
Dravid said no and now its Sachin Tendulkar’s term. So what is the problem? As
Raj Singh Dungarpur, former BCCI member rightly said, “in Sachins case, he was
not getting runs and things are a little difficult for him. If he accepts and
loses matches the knives will be out for him.’’ And that could be the case for
Dravid too? The other school of thought, let a junior player take the captaincy
and the seniors can bully him on and off the field. And if anyone though that
cricket and patriotism took a front seat, please thing twice. It was only their
personal gain and financial fortunes that is uppermost on everyones minds.
Patriotism is dammed.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3965&cid=26
Bicholim cops register assault case
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
BICHOLIM NOV 7 - Bicholim police today registered a case against four persons
from Karapur-Sarvan for assault.
According to the Bicholim police the incident occurred at about 9.30 am.
Due to some earlier enmity between neighbors one Sangeeta Gaonkar was allegedly
assaulted by four of her neighbours Vinayak Gaonkar,Vinanti Gaonkar, Vidya
Morajkar and Vidya Gaonkar with Koita and bamboos. The police have registered a case against the
four under Section 324, 504, 427 r/w 34. Hawaldar, Uday Umarye is further
investigating the case.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3961&cid=26
Narkarsur effigies bear the brunt
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CURCHOREM, NOV 7 – Heavy rains accompanied by thunder and
lighting lashed Curchorem and Sanvordem areas on Wednesday afternoon disrupting
electricity in most areas. Although
there were no reports of any casualties, the rains however the dampened the
spirit of especially the youth towards the Narkasur effigy competition organized
by the Shining Star Sports and Cultural Club.
Many narkasur effigies were either damaged or could not brought on to the
streets due to heavy rainfall. Quepem
Correspondent adds: The rains also spoiled the Narkasur competition organized
in Quepem town by the Deumol Sports Club.
The rainfall also caused major problems to the agricultural activities,
which is in progress in the hinterland of the taluka.
Ponda Correspondent adds: In Ponda also, normal life was through out of gear by
the post-monsoon rainfall. Apart from
snapping wire-lines due to heavy winds, many Narkasur effigies were also
damaged.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3960&cid=26
Donations ‘rain’ in Taleigao for Narkasur effigies
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 7 – Taleigao, the constituency, which is famous
for beer and chicken during elections, is now set to become the village having
the most Narkasur effigies in Goa.
The trend of narkasur began decades ago and the number was almost insignificant
in the village of
Taleigao at that time.
>From around a dozen narkasur effigies 10-15 years ago, the number has risen
manifold to about 100-120. Incidentally,
the number has increased ever since the former MLA Somnath Zuwarkar was
replaced by a new dispensation – the one who has gained the notoriety for
giving huge donations for such celebrations.
Shocking but true the residents of Taleigao received donations of Rs 20,000 for
a Narkasura.
However, the donations vary in size while a normal size gets Rs 20,000 the
smaller ones (5-feet) fetch upto Rs 10,000 while the bigger one has no limit
(upto 50,000 or more).
The amount of donation, which was Rs 10,000 last year has been, doubled much to
the joy of the Taleigao youth. It is
learnt that the Taleigao bigwig was busy doing a survey of the narkasurs on
Saturday and disbursed the amount the next day.
Though he continues to be the major patroniser of narkasur effigies, his former
allies (most of them friends turned foes) are also in the race for bringing
colour to the demon god.
Moreover, while the youth are happy with the ‘big heart’ of the MLA, the
residents also have much to cheer except the noise pollution. They are happy as
they are no more troubled by the youth for donations. Says one resident, “every year around five
groups use to come and ask for donations but for last few years we have some
relief.”
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3957&cid=26
GBA gets Vincent Verodiano Award
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 7 – Even as the lights failed Panjim city on
Wednesday evening, in a dark corner of Menezes Braganza Hall the Goa Bachao
Abhiyan received the Vincent Xavier Verodiano Award amidst the burning of
candles and torch lights. With the
burning of candles we have achieved the significance of Diwali, announced the
compere of the function as he introduced the Verodiano Foundation’s Awards
Committee Chairperson and prominent lawyer Norma Alvares, who spoke at length
on the significance of the award.
Ms Alvares said even though the award was given to people who have served and
influenced society over a period of time, she as chairperson campaigned hard so
that GBA got the award. The reason for this, she cited, was that the Abhiyan in
such a short span of time had dared to come up with an agenda to save Goa capturing people’s imagination. Convenor GBA Dr
Oscar Rebello, Secretary Patricia Pinto, Dean D’Cruz, Treasurer Anand
Madganvkar, Miguel Braganza, Raboni Saha, Jamshed, Leroy and others received
the award at the hands of veteran journalist Rajan Narayan. The award,
instituted by Dom Martin in 1989
in memory of his father Vincent Xavier Verodiano,
constitutes a cash prize amounting to Rs 1,00,000.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rebello maintained that GBA was very much alive
and the rumblings in Keri, Sancoale and Verna were nothing but extensions of
the Abhiyan’s emotional trigger. The GBA may have conflicting interests within,
but its democratic set-up remains intact, he asserted.
Rajan Narayan called upon GBA to take cognizance of Special Economic Zones and
maintained that the zones are not part of the land-utilisation plan of Regional
Plan 2001 and as a matter of fact shouldn’t be allowed. Miguel Braganza said
that GBA is opposed to SEZs and supports all those groups that oppose these
zones. However, he cleared that GBA would not share the platform with any
political party to oppose the zones. Secretary of Vincent Xavier
Verodiano Foundation, Herman de Souza, proposed a vote of thanks.
Past Secretary Percival Noronha was also present.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3955&cid=26
Legal camp at Malcornem
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
QUEPEM, NOV 7 -- The Taluka Legal Services Committee Quepem in coordination
with District Services Authority, South Goa Margao will conduct legal Literacy
Camp at the panchayat hall at Malcornem on November 14 at 4 pm to observe
the National legal Literacy fortnight.
The Chairperson of Taluka Legal Services Committee and Civil judge
Senior Division Quepem Synora Telles Laad will preside over the function.
Adv Luiza Antao will speak on “The duty to protect the environment with
particular reference to the Environment Protection Act 1986, Adv P Dessai will
speak on Right to Information Act 2005 and Adv Visvas Naik will speak on
Entitlement of legal Aid under the Legal services Authority Act 1987
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3953&cid=26
Diwali festival brings ‘relief’ to encroachers
BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 7 - MMC on Wednesday has suspended its drive against encroachments
in view of the ensuing Diwali festival.
Chief Officer, N D Agrawal, however, told Herald that the Civic body
would resume the drive from Monday to clear the footpaths and pavements from
encroachments. Agrawal said the
anti-encroachment drive was undertaken in view of obstructions caused to
pedestrians on the pavements and footpaths by some unscrupulous owners of shops
and business establishments.
MMC drive had earned appreciation from city-based NGOs and other promiment
citizens against the encroachments. In fact, the citizens have called upon the
Civic body to carry out the drive on a day-to-day basis by making optimum use
of the services of market inspectors, supervisors and Municipal workers.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3954&cid=26
Blackout hits State as rain wreaks havoc
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 7 — On the eve of the festival of lights,
major parts of the State were plunged into darkness as lightening damaged power
lines and unseasonal rain caused water logging turning normal life topsy turvy.
Severe lightning streaks on Wednesday afternoon damaged power supply lines of
110 kv at Tivim, Ponda, Verna and 220 kv at Xeldem affecting all the major
cities. The Chief Electrical Engineer
Nirmal Braganza when contacted by Herald said that work force was pressed into
service round-the-clock to repair the damaged lines.
Motorists had a tough time late evening as traffic jams were witnessed near KTC Circle in
Panjim and Bambolim-Goa Velha Road. The weather bureau reports indicated light to
moderate rainfall in the State which caused water logging at a few areas in
Panjim city.
The State weather bureau disclosed that today’s stormy weather and thunder
activity was a localised phenomenon which developed suddenly on Wednesday
evening and lasted for around 2-3 hours.
Officials at the IMO state bureau said that it was a normal post-monsoon
phenomenon which developed locally and could continue for a few days.
The bureau said that the prevailing weather conditions in the State had no link
with the existing upper air cyclonic circulation prevailing in
Lakshwadeep. While power supply to
remote areas of the State was also disrupted, complaints also poured in of
water shortage in the capital city. The
Principal Chief Engineer who was unaware of the complaints said that the power
failures could have disrupted water supply on Wednesday.
http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3948&cid=10
New law mooted to protect Goa’s
coastal areas
BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 6 — When pressure on the
environmentally-sensitive land is increasing by the day, should Goa go in for Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) law?
A suggestion to this effect was strongly made by Botanical
Society of Goa before the Task Force for Regional Plan 2021 here today.
The Task Force had invited various NGOs and other organisations who had written
to it earlier, to make their presentations before the panel on Tuesday. Advisor
to Goa government on land use plans and
renowned town planner - Edgar Ribeiro, Nodal officer of Task Force – S T
Putturaju, Rahul Deshpande, Dean D’Cruz, Datta D Naik, Dr Oscar Rebello and
Patricia Pinto were present. Task Force chairman – Chief Minister Digambar
Kamat was not present as he was out of station. Making the presentation, Botanical
Society of Goa President Miguel Braganza mooted the idea of TDR for protection
of areas under coastal coconut plantation, sand dunes, private forest,
mangroves etc.
He said transfer of FAR/FSI (Floor Area Ration/Floor Space
index) of such areas would meaningfully compensate the owners of such lands
without cost to the state exchequer. The builders, Braganza said, could buy
these rights for additional construction in other areas and appropriate entries
made in the land documents of the FSI being consumed by the one-time TDR. “This
would enable the perpetuation of green cover in fragile coastal zone and other
CRZ areas”, he said. Under TDR, the
landowner would be able to sell development rights to a developer who then uses
those rights to increase the density of his project at another location. TDR
system is being followed in Mumbai, parts of Delhi and western countries too.
Similar TDR system could be worked out for mangrove areas in
privately owned inter-tidal mud flats and khazans, Braganza suggested.
He said in a market-driven environment that we live in, it
is imperative that there is financial incentive to conserve the natural,
cultural, social, religious or built-up heritage. While the socio-cultural
heritage is relatively well taken care of, attention is needed for the natural
heritage, he emphasized. The Botanical Society also stressed for a better
policy on beach shacks and restaurants for the protection of coastal sand dunes
and their vegetation. It has also suggested that planned tree planting must be
made an integral part of plans for all major projects – whether roads, housing
estates, or industrial estates – when submitted for approval to the TCP Board
or any successive body. Among others who made presentations before the Task
Force were Ramesh Gauns, K D Sadhale, Adv Andre Pereira, Soter D’Souza,
Rajendra Kerkar and Roland Martins.
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