Panjim ::; 09/07/2020 :::: : While the entire world is facing unprecedented challenges due to outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. With a crucial phase of unlocking is underway across the country there is need to further ensure utmost safety and hygiene of all people.

In line with Vedanta’s philosophy of care and community welfare, Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore recently provided Face masks to Captain of Ports, Government of Goa to aid the staff of the office of captain of ports while carrying out their duties during these testing times of Covid -19. Face masks were handed over to Captain James Braganza by representatives of Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore Business.

The objective of this initiative is to support the safe and hygienic working environment for all employees of captain of ports. This gesture of Vedanta Sesa Goa iron Ore is well appreciated by office of captain of ports.

Panaji:- July 8, 2020 ::: Post Covid19, Goa was the first Indian State which provided direct financial assistance and support to Certified Startups in terms of grants and incentives. These funds have been disbursed through various schemes which are notified under the Goa Startup Policy 2017. There are 14 different schemes for Startups such as Seed Capital Scheme, Salary Reimbursement Scheme, Reimbursement Scheme for charges/lease/expenses paid by Startups for Co-Working, Leased/Privately owned office spaces, etc.

Goa Startup Policy was launched by the late Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar. The policy was formulated with an objective of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship amongst the Goan population. The purpose was to support Entrepreneurs and Startups, which will take Goa on the path of new economic development and generate local employment opportunities. Carrying the same ethos, under the leadership of  Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Government during this pandemic time, have given a cumulative assistance amounting to Rs. Rs 41,68,631.00 to 13 Startups.

Around 50+ out of the 88 registered Startups have received financial and non-financial assistance from the State Government. According to Department of Information Technology, the startups which had applied for various incentives through the Goa State Startup portal were scrutinized and put forth for approval of the High Powered Committee. Only in the case of Seed Capital Funds, the applicants were invited to pitch before a Panel of Experts which included startup ecosystem enablers from the industry, academia, incubators and investors; the Startups approved and selected by this Panel of Experts were also placed before the High- Powered Committee. The High-Powered Committee comprised of the Chief Minister, Minister for Information Technology, Chief Secretary, Secretary (IT), Secretary (Industries) and 4 nominated personnel from the industry. Only after approval from the High Powered Committee are any incentives disbursed to the applicants.

The Minister for Information Technology, Smt. Jennifer Monserrate updated that the Government of Goa has disbursed financial incentives to the tune of Rs 92,98,717.00 till date under the Goa Startup Policy 2017 to 21 Goa Startups. Out of this Rs 77,92,135 total has been disbursed to cumulative 19 Start-ups in the last 9 months. These funds have been disbursed as per the various financial incentives & schemes notified under the Startup Policy – 2017.

During these turbulent times, the State Government realized the need to encourage startups and has acted decisively as well. In another attempt to promote the Startups in the State, the State Government has recently adopted the General Financial Rules – 2017 (GFR – 2017). Adoption of GFR – 2017 would be a boon to the Startups as it eases public procurement norms for Startups (ex. relaxation for registered Startups on clauses of turnover, prior experience and Ernest Money Deposit (EMD)). Startup can even offer their products/services on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Portal launched by Government of India. GeM is game changing the way Government and Government undertakings are sourcing products, services and solutions and it is envisaged that the Startups will hugely benefit from the same.

The Government of Goa hopes that extending such assistance will foster the Goa Startups’ to emerge “Better and Stronger” after this Covid 19 pandemic.

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:::; Available in variants of 500 ml, 250 ml, 505 ml pet bottles and 330 ml glass bottle, the revolutionary water can be purchased at Goa airport, hotels, clubs, restaurants, e-commerce websites and selected pharmacies & food courts

:::: Also available in a monthly subscription model for its customers in monthly deliveries of 12, 24, and 60 bottles with free shipping all across India

Goa, July 07, 2020: AV Organics, the maker of India’s first mineral-rich, black alkaline water Evocus H2O has launched the brand in Goa. The launch is a part of AV Organics’ vision to offer products that provide consumers with immunity boosting and detoxification via optimum hydration.

Vadodara-based start-up started selling Evocus H2O in June 2019. The revolutionary alkaline water is enriched with 70+ natural minerals imparting its unique black colour. Being 100% natural, it provides sustained hydration, better detoxification, reduced acidity & balanced pH levels in the body, improved metabolism and heightened alertness. Moreover, a zero contributor to glucose calories and carbs, it is also an exceptional nutrient booster for the new-age consumers and millennial who are always on the go.

Available in four recyclable variants; 500 ML PET bottle, 250 ML PET bottle, 505 ML PET bottle and 330 ML Glass bottle, Evocus H2O has been rated 4.5* out of 5 on Amazon by its customers. Thus, the brand is now equally focusing on its offline expansion plan, aiming to reach out to the consumers of Goa to encourage wellness and better living through optimum hydration and detoxification. Evocus H2O is  available at Goa international airport, major 4 and 5 star hotels, clubs, casinos, restaurants (Fisherman’s Cove, Curlies, De Baga Deck, Leos’, etc.), e-commerce websites (Drinkevocus.com, Swiggy and Amazon, Retail chains like Magson, Delfinos, Oxford, AJ Supermarket, DG Mart and major chain of supermarkets across Goa), pharmacies and food courts.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Aakash Vaghela, Founder and Managing Director, AV Organics said, “Launching in Goa has been a part of our aggressive expansion plan to become more visible and reach most of the TIER 1 and TIER 2 markets by March 2021. Helping consumers with immunity boosting has been a core focus since the inception of our brand, and it’s good to see that the recent times have reawakened people’s desire to take control of their health. In fact, after seeing a lot of repeat purchases online and offline, we are glad that consumers are shifting towards a conscious living by making simple changes in their lifestyle.”

With the market for premium water pegged at INR 900 crore and expected to grow at a CAGR of 22 per cent, AV Organics had invested $1 million in setting up a fully-automated manufacturing and bottling plant in Vadodara, Gujarat. The facility has a capacity of producing 40 million bottles per year. The company has so far invested $1.5 million in operations and plans to raise more to meet its target of selling 3-5 million bottles of Evocus by June 2021.

About Evocus H2O

Evocus H2O is no ordinary water; it is a premium, revolutionary, new-age, alkaline bottled water, that gets its unique black colour from nature’s 70+ minerals, sourced from the depth of the Earth. 100% natural, Evocus H2O is delivered untouched by human hand, bottled in a fully automated, sterile and a state-of-the-art plant. It provides with superior hydration, better detoxification, improved metabolism and heightened alertness, all through the day. Evocus H2O is the feel good factor, health signature, style statement and game changing water with a difference– all in one bottle.

Panaji: July 06, 2020 …The District Magistrate, South has notified the hostel premise of Hostel V of Goa Engineering College and the entire premises of NIT Mandavi Hostel, Ponda as Covid-19 Care Centre to house asymptomatic Covid-19 positive patients from July 04,2020.

Panaji: July, 5, 2020 ::: Start up, Speed up, Scale up is the Mantra of proposed new Startup Policy of Goa Government. This new Goa Startup policy is being drafted, with a comprehensive approach towards Startups. While the current pandemic situation has proven to be cause to limit some avenues, it has as well opened up certain options for Startups. The Government also has had its share of issues coping up with the emergencies; as these unprecedented times have limited Government exchequer. Yet, the Startup Promotion Cell (SPC), Government of Goa’s nodal agency for Startups has been continuously working towards Uplifting Startups by building and creating continuous opportunities for Startups and depended ecosystem.

Amid all this anarchy caused by the pandemic, SPC has begun work on drafting a new Goa Startup Policy. The drafting of the new Startup Policy has been undertaken after interacting with Startups, Investors, respective Goa Government Departments & State Governments. The central nodal agency, Startup India and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) have been actively involved and is being consulted for policy inputs. The new 2020 Startup policy will be drafted by incorporating the learnings of present Startup Policy 2017, Inputs by Goa Startups & Ecosystem Enablers and most importantly keeping in mind these unprecedented times.

Director (IT) & CEO (SPC), Kum. Ankita Anand, IAS said “The draft of new Goa Startup Policy 2020, will be uploaded on the Goa Online Portal and all are encouraged to provide suggestion on the policy. It will be posted on the recently launched online MyGov.in platform exclusive for Goa”.

The 5 policy pillars of the Goa Startup Policy 2020 will be Institutional Support & Framework, Access to Finance, Access to Talent, Education & Skill Development and Thought Leadership”

Reflecting the same, the scope of new Startup Policy will be diverse yet inclusive. Additionally, the revised Policy looks forward to enforce special focus on Women Entrepreneurs & Social Enterprises with focus on sustainable solutions.

Minister for Information Technology, Smt. Jennifer Monserrate has been actively monitoring the SPC and has launched a series of “Startup Day Programs” and these programs have got phenomenal participation & response. These programs were launched with a vision to assist the Goa Startups to be prepared to Speed up, Scale up and Go Global. Taking inspiration from the same, the Startup Policy 2020 will have programs to connect these Startups with the Goan Diaspora across the globe thereby providing global access to experts. This will serve as a catalyst for growth of our Startups’.

Secretary (IT), Shri. Sanjay Kumar, IAS has been encouraging SPC continuously to foster Entrepreneurship & Innovation among students. Students & Freshers from Colleges have invigorating ideas and should be given wings to fly. For this purpose, SPC plans to launch Hackathon & Challenges exclusively for the students, to provide them with a platform to showcase their skills and talent. The purpose behind these programs would be to enable deserving ideas to not only get the financial assistance but also more importantly the advice and guidance from an established Mentor(s). The SPC reports to the High Powered Committee, which is chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. As per the directions of the High Powered Committee, a “Fund of Funds” (FoF) will be set up by the SPC. This FoF will be investing in Certified Goa Startups and will play a crucial role to build an active investor network in Goa.

Panaji: July 4, 2020 :: The Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs has informed that the distribution of kerosene quota  to the Non-LPG Ration Card Holders  for the month of July to September 2020 is extended till August 21, 2020.  10.5 liters of kerosene per ration card will be distributed through the selected Fair Price shop/SKO retailers, where their cards are attached.

In case of non-supply or short supply of kerosene over-charging etc, may be addressed to the Director of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, 1^st Lift, 2^nd Floor, Junta House, Panaji or may be lodged/registered through e-mail ID: dir-csca.goa@nic.in , adi-csca.goa@nic.in or lodged on helpline No.1967 or 18002330022 or can be lodged at the respective Taluka Civil Supplies Offices.

Panaji:- July 2, 2020 ::: Governor of Goa Shri Satya Pal Malik inaugurated an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at Raj Bhavan installed by State Bank of India (SBI) today.

Secretary to Governor, Shri Rupesh Kumar Thakur, IAS and Shri Naveen Kumar Gupta, Deputy General Manager (B&O) SBI were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Governor appreciated SBI for setting up of ATM facility at Raj Bhavan which will benefit the staff members attached to Raj Bhavan to a large extent. He also urged the SBI staff members to maintain good rapport with their customers as it is only the financial institutions who can extend financial support to the needy to set up their ventures and sustain livelihood. He termed the opening of ATM facility as one step towards digitalization at Raj Bhavan.

Shri Rupesh Kumar Thakur IAS said that opening of ATM was the long pending demand of the Raj Bhavan staff members and today it has become a reality. He also informed that the Raj Bhavan is entirely going cashless in their day-to-day financial matters.

Smt.Lata Mashelkar, Branch Manager, SBI, Dona Paula welcomed the gathering and compered the function while Deputy General Manager (B & O) SBI, Shri Naveen Kumar Gupta proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji: July 1, 2020 ::; A  press clipping pertaining to exorbitant electricity bills have appeared, in the recent past in many newspapers.

In this context, the Electricity Department has clarified that due to Covid-19, the bills could not be issued on a monthly basis due to lockdown.

The printed bills which could not be issued were issued subsequently by extending the due date of payment and also waiving of delayed payment charges for the entire period. Bills are issued as per the actual calculation of a period of consumption recorded by energy meter.

Bills are issued on a pro-rata basis by dividing the consumption spread over the entire period for which bills were issued. Since the period for which the last bills have been issued coincided with the lockdown period, and people were mostly indoors, there is every likelihood that consumption has increased. Due to this, the consumers are comparing their consumption pattern during this the particular time to the pattern during the non – lockdown period. On finding the consumption high during the lockdown period people have assumed that the meter has shown wrong reading and department has issued exorbitant bills as per the said wrong readings. 

The Electricity Department has strongly refuted this claim by the consumers and maintained that the bills have been issued as per the consumption of energy recorded by the energy meter.