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Goa enacts law to kick out ragging

July 1, 2009 – 12:29 pm

Students indulging in ragging will not go scot-free, from now on, as Goa Governor Dr S S Siddhu has given his accent to Goa Prohibition of Ragging Bill 2008 and the same has been notified as an Act. Dr Siddhu made an announcement to this effect at the Silver Jubilee celebration of Goa University held at the Kala Academy, on Tuesday. Dr Siddhu said with the enactment of the law, the managements of educational institutions have a primary responsibility to implement the Act, effectively. However, the onus rests on parents and guardians to advice their wards to behave sensibly with their juniors, he felt.

The governor said there was a steep increase in ragging in educational institutions, some of which had even resulted in loss of lives and in some other cases it caused tremendous psychological trauma to victims. The spread of this menace was indeed worrisome, he noted. He said the Act was more relevant at this time of the year when educational institutions were gearing up fornew academic year.The anti-ragging Act was pending approval since 2007. It authorises heads of the institutions to file fact-finding reports and makes them abettors in ragging if they fail to take cognizance of complaints pertaining to the act which leads students to commit suicides. Congratulating Goa University for its entry into Silver Jubilee year, Dr Siddhu urged teachers to be conscious to the needs of students and make themselves more accountable to their jobs. Also, the educators have to be innovative to meet the day-to-day challenges in the field of teaching, he opined.

On the occasion, Director of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, P Balaram, exhorted the university to grow bigger and better institution. Balaram, a Padmashree awardee, said that there should be reward for good performance and negative markings for non-performance in educational institutions. But, no such system exits presently, he rued. He said many of the institutes have become rigid as most of the postings were of permanent nature. This doesn’t augur well for educational institutions because they cannot undergo change, he said. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat assured the university of Government assistance, after the vice chancellor highlighted the fund crunch it was facing.

-Herald, Goa Daily

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Goa: Get Rid Of Garbage

June 30, 2009 – 11:31 pm

The wheel has come full circle. Sanjit Rodrigues, who as commissioner of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) had initiated the chaka chak campaign during the tenure of Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister, is back as the boss man at the CCP. I remember being present at an interaction with leading citizens on eliciting if not enthusing citizens, or rather residents, of Panaji to cooperate in solving the problem of garbage disposal, which had assumed threatening proportions then as now. Sanjit very eloquently stressed that without the cooperation of the residents, the problem of garbage could not be solved. It is very simple. Garbage did not come out of thin air. It is the citizen or the resident and the families living in Panaji who generate garbage. So much so, they have an obligation to not only support but actively participate in solving the literally mounting problem of garbage disposal. It was in the interest of residents to actively participate in garbage disposal because if garbage accumulates, it is them and their children and their grandchildren who will be vulnerable to the entire range of diseases, ranging from malaria to filaria to dengue to gastroenteritis.

Robins take to Goan roads

June 30, 2009 – 10:07 pm

To strengthen police presence all over the state and to improve the response to distress calls received at police control rooms(PCR), motorcycle patrols - code named Robins - will now be located at various strategic locations (bases) in Goa. DGP Bhimsen Bassi, while launching the Robins on Monday, said that these motorcycles will also patrol specified areas (beats), and will halt briefly at other important locations (halting points) “for crime prevention and control”.

While pointing out that initially 30 new motorcycles will be introduced for integrated beat patrolling’. police said that these motorcycles will be under the operational control of PCR, “whereas the local police shall have the administrative control”, since the staff for the same will be drawn from the police station. But this move has upset those heading certain police stations, as they complained of being short staffed.

Robins: Goa Police

Bassi said, “Police presence is a must. If the policeman is going to lie down in a barrack or sit at a police station, then the response time is going to be slow. It’s a tough job, as they have to be on a motorcycle for eight hours, despite rain, dust, sun and heat.” However, soon after the launch, sources in the police said that the Robins may not be able to walk the talk.

It was pointed out that each Robin is expected to cover about a stretch of 70 to 75 km stretch at least once in a shift almost on a daily basis, while the fuel alloted for every vehicle is 50 litres a month. Sources said that presuming that each motorcycle has a mileage of about 70 km per litre, then within a fortnight the Robins would run out of fuel. But police spokesperson SP A V Deshpande said, “The fuel quota allotted to the Robin vehicles is adequate. In case a situation arises wherein they need more fuel, then the same will be provided.”

Courtesy: TOI

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Graft charges influenced my decision to quit: Dr Jindal

June 30, 2009 – 9:38 am

The decision of Goa Medical College dean, Dr Viney N Jindal took most in the medical fraternity by surprise. The Navhind Times caught up with him on Monday evening to know the reasons behind his decision to seek voluntary retirement. Here are the excerpts of an interview with Dr Jindal.

What are the reasons for your sudden decision to seek voluntary retirement from service?
My decision to seek benefit of voluntary retirement scheme was for personal reasons. I have been dean of the GMC for the over three and half years. During this period because of my commitment to the office of the dean I have not been able to perform much of neurosurgery, which is my passion. As I do not expect any reduction in workload of dean’s office, I thought of quitting and going in for private practice so that I could pursue my passion for neurosurgery.

Was that the only reason for your quitting or were the charges of corruption and inefficiency that appeared in a section of the media that made you quit?
I have given prime of my life to the GMC and have always worked dedicatedly in setting up the neurosurgery department and bringing it to the present level. The GMC is among the few medical colleges in the country to offer MCI recognised post-graduate (MCh) course in neurosurgery. Here I would like to state I too have self-esteem and was hurt by the allegation. My decision to quit was also influenced by the unfounded charges of corruption and inefficiency against me.

What has been the response from your colleagues and friends to your decision to quit the GMC?
It has been mixed response, while most of my friends at GMC as well as outside have requested me to reconsider my decision on quitting as the dean; the others have expressed happiness that I would be available for neurosurgical consultations and operations. They also feel that my expertise in neurosurgery is going waste and that it should be put to good use in treating the patients with neurosurgical problems. Here I would like to state that I am overwhelmed by the response from my colleagues and general public.

You have been at helm of affairs of GMC for quite sometime. What are that problems ailing the GMC?
GMC in my opinion is one of the best equipped hospitals in the country. The government of Goa is spending a large amount of money on it. However, there are procedural delays because of which the GMC has not been able to come up to the expectations of public. Goa being a high literate state, the expectations of the people from GMC are very high. While this is a good stimulus for development of GMC at times we feel handicapped in not being able to match up to these expectations.

How do you think that your services could be utilised as a neurosurgeon and as administrator?In most hospitals there is a dichotomy of responsibilities and functions of administrators. The dean is responsible for the academic part, i.e. medical college and looks after teaching while responsibility of management of hospital largely lies with medical superintendent. The duties and responsibilities are usually very well defined and also the accountability is fixed accordingly. In such a situation the dean has sufficient time to attend to clinical work in addition to his administrative responsibilities. This model is followed in all good institutions like AIIMS (New Delhi) and PGI, Chandigarh.

What happens if the government rejects your VRS application?
In that case I would have no option but to go by the government decision, as I cannot afford to press for resignation because I would be losing all the service benefits.

-Navhind Times, Goa daily

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BSNL launches its wireless broadband service in Goa

June 29, 2009 – 6:53 pm

Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) today announced the full scale commercial launch of its wireless broadband service in Goa. The company, which is India’s state-owned and largest telecommunication provider, targets to cover 10,000 customers in Goa in the first phase.

“We have partnered with US-based Soma Networks Inc for supply of vital equipment required to provide seamless broadband service to the customers,” said Chandra Prakash, chief general manager, Maharashtra-Goa Telecom Circle.

He added that the BSNL has inked an agreement with Soma Networks for such a facility in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat also. The goal is to deliver affordable and high quality service to enterprise and urban customers and also provide access to low cost education and healthcare services through e-governance, Prakash said.

The company has currently installed 25 towers, which will provide signals to the service. With the customers like Sesa Goa already on their list, the BSNL expects whoopping response for this service, which according to them, will change the speed in which people browse. He said that in the next three years, the BSNL intends to cover 100 million people in Maharashtra and Goa through this service.

Courtesy: businessstandard

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Goa to have Tribal Welfare Department Soon

June 29, 2009 – 2:43 pm

Coming out with a good news for the scheduled caste and tribe communities in the state, Goa chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Sunday June 28, announced that for the welfare of these people a separate ‘tribal welfare department’ will be established very soon in the state and that thereafter, the Tribal Commission will be formed. He was speaking at a programme held at Ponda.

Speaking in the capacity of the chief guest at the first S T Vikasa Parishad, organized by United Tribals Association (UTTA) in association with the department of Information and Publicity, at Farmagudi Ponda, the Chief Minister said that establishing this department will help this community to develop.

Ramesh Tawadkar, MLA and convenor of UTTA was present on the occasion. He further assured them that the government will sincerely work to solve the problems and try to meet the demands of ST community. He promised them that the state will actively pursue issues concerning their welfare, wherever the union government is also involved, expeditiously.

The establishment of the tribal welfare department and S T commission will help to cease the problems faced by this community and will help in various aspects, he said further and appealed to UTTA to finalize the model best suited for them, before establishing the S T Commission, for which he said that a cabinet decision has already been taken by the government.

The Chief Minister admitted that in spite of having been conferred the status of ST in 2003, enough efforts were not made to resolve the issues and mitigate the woes of this community. He took credit for the positive outlook his government is having on this issue, towards working for the improvement of the living conditions of the weaker sections of the society.

MLA Ramesh Tawadkar in his speech, said that the first ever S T Vikasa Parishad in Goa will mainly focus on education, tribal sub-plan, social empowerment and land issues. Tawadkar also demanded that a Tribal Rehabilitation Centre be established in Goa for the empowerment of ST people and also urged for the proper implementation of the Tribal Forest Act. Prakash Velip, president of UTTA, welcomed the gathering and Govind Gawade, co-convener, proposed vote of thanks.

Courtesy: Daijiworld

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IFFI standards to match Cannes, Berlin festivals: Ambika Soni

June 28, 2009 – 9:22 pm

Hoping to bring the International Film Festival of India on par with those in Cannes, Berlin and Shanghai, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni has insisted that the event should be made more competitive from this year. Ms. Soni, who met officials from the Directorate of Film Festivals in this regard recently, also wanted the IFFI to become a permanent fixture in the global entertainment calendar, I&B Ministry sources told PTI on Sunday.

“We have an international festival in Goa. I think it should be on world calendar,” the sources quoted Ms. Soni as telling the meeting. The IFFI is scheduled to be held from November 23 to December 3 this year in Goa, which was selected as the permanent venue for the international event since 2004. “This year being the 40th year of IFFI, we want to raise the standard of this festival and catch up on lost time to bring it on par with that of Cannes, Berlin and Shanghai festivals,” the sources said.

This year’s IFFI would screen 26 feature films and 21 non-feature films. The meeting also finalised the schedules in the run-up to the event, according to which the jury for the contest would be approved by September and by end of that month, the films in the competitive section would be screened before the jury. Once the films are finalised, the prints would be ordered for the IFFI screening by third week of November, the sources said.

Only last year, the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), which would jointly host the IFFI. Under the MoU, ESG would provide infrastructure for the IFFI free of cost, and take care of hospitality for the delegates, including their travel. The ESG would register delegates for the festival in coordination with DFF. However, the opening and closing ceremonies of IFFI will entirely be the responsibility of the DFF.

Courtesy: Hindu

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GMC to outsource waste management to private player

June 28, 2009 – 1:21 pm

Goa Medical College and hospital (GMC), which is grappling with the problem of biomedical waste and its treatment, will soon outsource the management of solid and medical waste generated in its premises to a private player. Confirming this, medical superintendent Dr Rajan Kunkolienkar said, “We intend to outsource the management of both solid and medical waste generated at the hospital to a private player, who would be entrusted with the work of collection, segregation, transportation and disposal. This is being done to ensure better garbage management, segregation at source and timely pick-up of garbage”.

At present, the collection and segregation of waste is done at the ward or at the place where it is generated such as the operation theatre. While bio-medical waste is treated in a incinerator, the soli (municipal) waste is dumped in a quarry at the GMC premises and later burnt.

GMC generates about 2,000 kg of waste per day, of which 10% (200 kg) is biomedical waste. Another 100 kg bio-medical waste from Asilo and Hospicio hospital is sent on a daily basis to GMC for treatment. The incinerator at the GMC has capacity to treat 60 kg medical waste per hour.

Recently, two Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) officials, who inspected the hospital found that plasma pyrolysis plant was not in operation. Also the incinerator ash was dumped in the premises and contained broken vials and bottles. Besides, so far, no deep pit lined with concrete has been constructed. Besides, it is also found that in a quarry, along with solid and wet waste, cotton and other medical waste was dumped.

Courtesy: TOI

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Goa can tap gas from Dabhol-Bangalore pipeline: Deora

June 27, 2009 – 10:40 pm

Goa will be in the loop for ambitious Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline project with the state getting nod from the Petroleum Ministry to tap the gas from Gokak in Karnataka. ”The 400 km long Goa to Gokak pipeline will be laid at an estimated cost of Rs 1,595 crore which will link Goa with indigenous supply of gas,” Petroleum and Natural Gases Minister Murli Deora told reporters here this afternoon.

The announcement was made in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat and union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gases Jitin Prasada at the state secretariat here. The Minister is in Goa as a part of ‘meet the people’ programme. GAIL India has identified two cities — Panaji and Margao — for gas distribution, he said, adding that all this cylinder carrying exercise will come to an end once project is through.

Kamat said the project will be completed by the first quarter of 2012. “It will not only serve the industry but we have plans to have joint venture company with GAIL to promote distribution of gas to households,” he said.

Courtesy: Zee News

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Goa: Request to Deora to Shift Dabolim Airport Petrol Pump

June 27, 2009 – 4:01 pm

Shantaram Naik, member of Rajya Sabha has requested the Union Minister for Petroleum, Murali Deora to direct the Indian Oil Corporation to shift their petrol pump presently located in the vicinity of the Dabolim Airport as the area is required for the expansion of the Dabolim Airport.

Naik who met Deora late in the evening on friday in a hotel at Benaulim, informed the minister that Indian Oil Corporation has a fuel pump occupying abour 1.8 acres in the vicinity of their port and unless the said pump is shifted Apron Expansion and Parallel Taxi Track construction connected with the up gradation of Dabolim Airport cannot be taken up. Naik informed the minister that the Indian Navy has also the Airport Authority of India have already requested the Indian Oil Corporation in this regard, but, till today the IOC has not heeded to the request.

Shantaram Naik M P discussing with Murili Deora, Union Minister for Petroleum at a hotel at Benaulim, Goa. Altinho Gomes is also seen in the photograph.

Naik informed the minister that an alternate site for locating the petrol pump has also been suggested to IOC and that, it is learnt that the Indian Navy and the Airport Authority of Indian are willing to consider any other site that may be suggested by the IOC. Deora assured Naik to look into the matter by discussion with the officials. Altinho Gomes, General Secretary of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee accompanied Naik.

Courtesy: daijiworld