Goa


GOA - Holiday Beach State of India

Seeking justice through a social network

A group of citizens has formed a Facebook group seeking justice for a Goan whose wife and unborn child died in a road accident in Gurgaon recently.

 

On May 5, Shailesh Shetye along with his pregnant wife Kshama Shetye, and parents were being driven back home by their driver Sanjay after a doctor’s visit at Gurgaon in Haryana.
Boris Gonsalves, a friend of Shailesh who provided TOI with the information of the accident said, “In a fraction of a second, their world turned upside down when a speeding BMW car at 150 kmph driven by a reckless real estate businessman’s son rammed into their car.”
Gonsalves states the BMW bore a Gurgaon registration number and the car is owned by Devendra Sherawat, also a resident of Sector 14.
The driver is absconding and Gonsalves fears soon the police will report that they cannot find him or that he was innocent and will frame one of the businessman’s servant instead.
The Facebook group called ‘Justice for Kshama and Shailesh Shetye’ was created by Shailesh’s friends and already has over 10,000 members.
His friends and well-wishers in Goa are planning to organize a candlelight vigil at the Miramar circle on May 12 with the theme ‘Goa is united for justice’.

The Goans from ac crossed the world participated  in demanding justice in the matter by expressing their anguish through the social network.

Goa Vision 2035′ document to be ready in June

Five months after submitting preliminary report, a Government-appointed committee led by noted scientist Raghunath Mashelkar will present its final document on `Goa Vision 2035′ in the first week of June.

 

The committee, whose members met here this week, has decided to give a detailed report on `What should be Goa’s vision for 2035′. Sources stated that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had attended the Mashelkar panel meeting and asked it to give the vision document with doable things.    ”Suggest those things which can be implemented within a time-frame,” the Chief Minister reportedly told the closed-door meeting. Renowned environmentalist Madhav Gadgil and technocrat Ashank Desai are the other members of the committee, which had submitted its preliminary report in December last year.    The report had suggested various measures, including a cap on iron ore extraction in the tourist state, for the long -term sustainable development of Goa. Parrikar has said the Government can form an empowered committee to implement the final report.    The committee under Mashelkar, a former chief of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) who has Goan roots, was set up by the erstwhile Congress-led Government.

 

1.32 crore tonnes of iron ore illegally extracted in 4 years: Goa Foundation

Over 1.32 crore tonnes of iron ore was illegally extracted in Goa between 2006 and 2010.
This is alleged by NGO Goa Foundation in its reply to the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) which is conducting a personal hearing on the alleged excess production of iron ore by 48 leases.
GSPCB had asked complainant, Goa Foundation, to submit, by May 10, additional documents with regard to the excess production.

 

The NGO on Thursday sent its reply to the board based on statistics provided in the legislative assembly and the government’s reply to the PIL writ petition heard by the high court. The high court had disposed of the petition with directions to GSPCB to conduct the personal hearing.
In its reply, Goa Foundation pointed out that in 2006-2007, 21 lakh tonnes of iron ore was illegally extracted. In 2007-2008 this figure went up to 27 lakh tonnes, which reduced in 2008-2009 to 20 lakh tonnes. But in 2009-2010, the alleged illegal extraction of iron ore saw a sudden jump to 62 lakh tonnes.
GSPCB sources said mining companies have to now submit, by June 8, a reply with regard to the documents submitted by Goa Foundation. At the last hearing, mining companies present had sought three weeks to reply.
Pollution control board sources said, “We have to complete the hearing by July 6. The high court has also asked us to inform it about our decision on excess production of iron ore.”
The board had issued notices to over 48 mining companies to check the validity of environment clearances issued by the ministry of environment and forests. Goa has 336 valid mining leases of which 90 are in operation.
GSPCB officials, at the start of the personal hearings, had asserted that any violation to the consent to operate order, which specifies the ore extraction limit, would cause the board to revoke the order for that particular mine.
At the first hearing in October 2011, 48 lessees said they had exported ore from dumps in their mines and had sought more time to furnish details.

Courtesy : TOI

Goa govt issues notices to 8 mines for overloading vehicles

Goa Mines and Geology Department today issued notices to eight mining firms for violating the norms under the Mines Act by overloading trucks with iron ore in Cauvrem and Rivona areas, a mineral rich-belt in South Goa.

 

Director of Mines Prasanna Acharya said that notices are issued to eight mining firms, as the trucks operating for their mining leases were found overloading. This is for the first time that the mine owners and not the truck operators are held responsible for overloading. In its notice, the department has given 8 days’ time for the mining firms to explain the dereliction, failing which, the action would be taken under the Mines Act. Trucks overloading the ore, which eventually gets spilled over on the main road, had become nuisance in the mining belt. The Transport Department has been confiscating such overloading vehicles. Chief minister Manohar Parrikar, after taking over the reigns of the state, had instructed the Mines Department to hold the mine-owners responsible for the violation of overloading. “Trucks are loaded within the mining leases, so it is the responsibility of the mining firms, if there is any overloading,” a senior Mines official said. Goa government has been on the mission to regulate mining in the state. Parrikar has enacted several regulatory methods to ensure that the illegal ore is not exported out of the state. The state exported 43 million metric tonnes of iron ore last year, which was 30 per cent less compared to the exports during earlier year.

Courtesy : TOI

Goa world’s most valued destination’

Popular for its beaches and unique architecture, Goa has been voted as the most valued and relaxed tourist destination of the world.Goa has left imprint on peoples’ heart and mind as readers of ‘Lonely Planet’ voted Goa as the ‘best value destination in India’ and the ‘best destination for relaxation’, the state tourism said in a release issued here.

 


Lonely Planet magazine is popular the world over and for the first time announced the Lonely Planet magazine India Travel awards to celebrate those who provide the best travel experiences in the country.
“Goa is making continuous efforts to encourage a steady tourist inflow and keeping our guests happy through unforgettable experiences. We are really honoured that Goa has been voted as the best destination for relaxation as well as the best value destination in the country,” Goa Director Tourism Swapnil Naik said.

Courtesy : FE

AIFF, Goa plan centre of excellence

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has joined hands with the Goa government to build a state-of-the-art centre of excellence in Goa, an official said. AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said that the Goa government, which had already declared football as the state sport, will be providing land and infrastructure while the federation will offer technical assistance.

Goa Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, Goa State Football Development Council chairman Rufino Monterio and Goa Football Association vice president Elvis Gomes were also present at a meeting on the issue. Das said that the proposed centre of excellence, which will be on the lines of the ones in Dubai and Austria, will house all the national teams, including the age-group squads. ”Apart from having two or three fully developed grounds and other facilities that will allow us to make it a permanent venue for holding camps for all national teams, the centre will also have the necessary infrastructure to hold referees and coaching courses,” said Das.

Assuring full support of the Goan government, Tawadkar said that the centre would be fully functional in the next couple of years. Tawadkar also insisted that the centre could be used by national teams of other countries as well. ”It will give us the opportunity to generate funds like it is done in Dubai or Austria,” said Tawadkar, adding that the state government had earmarked an annual grant of Rs.5 crore for the development of the sport. But the funds for the centre will be above the annual grant set aside for the development of the sport. Gomes, who was also present during the meeting, brushed aside questions when asked why AIFF’s ambitious academy funded by the Bharti group remained a non-starter. ”There was no clarity in it. A private player was involved and lots of questions were unanswered. So, it did not materialise in the end,” he said.

Courtesy: manoramaonline

Goa NGO to be probed in juvenile smuggling case

The role of Goa-based NGO Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN), currently in the line of fire for its unprofessionalism, is likely to be probed if evidences of guilt are found against them.

Superintendent of Police, North Goa Vijay Singh told reporters that if the inquiry reveals NGO’s involvement in the crime, a probe will be ordered. Three caretakers, whose are named in the Levinson Martins inquiry in connection with the frequent escapes from the shelter home, had demanded inquiry against the NGO in the entire matter.

The caretakers under the banner Goa Government Employees Association had stated at a press meet that NGO SCAN would visit Apna Ghar even during late nights to interact with children and assault the inmates. “The NGO acts brutal towards the children. The children were also taken for unscheduled training outside the Home,” association president Mangaldas Shetkar alleged on behalf of caretakers. The Director of the Directorate of Women and Child Sanjiv Gadkar is also accused of making baseless allegations against the caretakers.

Courtesy: indiablooms

The story of St Estevam, the Goan island

Situated just 22 km away from vibrant Panaji, the “isle of vegetables” as St Estevam is called in the local parlance, has been holding on to the unique legacy of getting their wards married within the village.


However, vegetable cultivation is now on wane as youngsters in this Catholic-dominated settlement prefer jobs on ship to working in traditional agricultural sector.
Interestingly, St Estevam and its villagers are considered as the ‘richest in Goa’ as every family has its male member employed on board of ship.
However, the 4600-odd Catholic community here has kept the tradition alive.
“May be because this is an island that’s why people remained cut off from the outside world and hence they began this tradition,” says Sebastian Rangel, a former employee of Mumbai Port Trust (MPT), now retired and back in the village.
Rangel himself entered into a wedlock with a girl from the village, way back in 70s.
The picturesque island, known for its serenity and historical heritage, is locked with Mandovi river from its sides and was connected to the mainstream by construction of a bridge only in 80s.
Before that people used to travel here in canoes and later in motorised ferry boats. Priscilla Menezes from the village has her own take on the tradition.
“The village is small so girls and boys tend to fall in love with each other during their schooling. Later they get married during their marriageable age,” says Menezes, who runs a general store shop in the village.

Courtesy : ZEE

 

Legislation needed to rgulate service conditions of Government Servants : Goa MP

MP has demanded that the Central Government as also State Governments, should enact legislations   to regulate the recruitment and provide for conditions of services of employees appointed by them in public services.

 

Naik said that Article 309 of the constitution of India provides for enacting such a legislation, however, hardly any Government has framed legislations as enumerated in the Constitution. Some sort of skeleton rules are framed under the said article, but they do not deal with all the aspects of the recruitment, their promotions, transfer and pay-scales in a transparent manner, he said.

He further said that vagueness in these rules have, over the years, resulted in lakhs of litigations, causing expenditure of crores of rupees, both for theGovernment as well as the employees.
He said that a regular legislation should be enacted by the Central Government and also by the State Governments in order to make clear the conditions regarding pay-scales, promotional avenues, transfers of employees, writing of character rolls, disciplinary matters, trainings, upgradation of qualifications, etc.

Today, voluntary retirements are announced through schemes.However, such schemes should not be issued as executive instructions. But they should be framed under a legislation in which broad principles should be laid down, he said.  He further added that in case, it is found that an employee is threatened or undue influence is exercised or he/she was coerced into signing an application to take voluntary retirement, it should be treated as a cognizable offence.

 

Mopa Airport-Goa: Proposed Airport Land Conflicts With Tribes’ Future

The proposed Greenfield airport project at Mopa has brought uncertain future for the members of the nomadic Dhangar tribes, as the state government has acquired land, where the tribes claim to have been living for generations together. The tribes, who claim that they have been living on the plateau since over a century, say they are left in a lurch, as they are not sure about getting the government compensation, which is paid for land acquisition.

From the Mopa village, which is almost 30 kms north of the capital city of Panaji, it is an hour’s ride through the rough and non-tarred roads to reach the Mopa-Sodo pleateau, which is home for 12 families of this tribal community. Eighty-year-old Bhago Warak, who stays here with his family, says he was born here and has been living at the site ever since he can remember. The family has now multiplied and there are five more houses of the Waraks here. Some more people from the same community have also joined them and shared the space without any differences.

“Things were all right till 2000. But suddenly, there was a buzz of airport project planned here. Initially, we thought that we would be spared, as we live much away from the actual Mopa village,” Bhago said. ”But, we were dejected when we saw government officers coming here to demarcate the land for the airport project,” he added. Raising goats is the prime vocation of the Dhangar families, whose male members travel to Pernem, a small town few kilometers away on Goa-Maharashtra border in search of daily wage job.
“The original owners of the land are Deshprabhu, Parab, Kambli and Fauzdar families. There is no record with us to prove our rights. But it’s truth that we have been staying here for almost a century now,” Bhago claimed.

Goa government has fast paced the Greenfield airport project, which is expected to take shape by 2015. The airport, once completed, is expected to accommodate wide-bodied aircrafts. It would be the second airport in the coastal state. For ages, the Dhangar families have battled against the odds. Namisha Warak, a housewife, narrates how they travel three kilometres to reach to a spring to fetch fresh water. There is no electricity in this hamlet. ”Children have to travel three kilometres to reach to the nearest road where they are picked up by a school bus. Everyday they travel two hours to reach to the bus stand,” Namisha explained.

While the families are still uncertain about their future, in a jocular vein they also say that ‘although they will not be able to board the aeroplane, airport will help them have a look at the flights from close quarters, which they have never got an opportunity to.’
“What will we do watching flights? There is no assurance from the government about employment to the locals. We would happily relocate ourselves, if there is some assurance of at least employment at the project,” a young boy, school drop out from one of the families stated.

However, local legislator, Rajendra Arlekar, who is also the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, has assured that those who are affected due to the airport project, would be given compensation. “Even if they have no document to prove their right of land, government will compensate them,” he assured.

Courtesy: outlookindia