Panaji: August 16, 2019 ….The South Goa District committee for the implementation of Maintenance& Welfare of parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007 and Goa rules 2009 under the Chairmanship of District Collector (S) at its quarterly meeting has decided to make Awarness of the Act and Rights of Senior Citizens for information to General Public at large.

The said Act came into force in the year 2007 and in Goa the Rules were framed and published in the year 2009.

As per the Act “Senior Citizen” means any person who has attained the age of sixty years or above. Under section 5 of “The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Act-2007” any senior citizen including a parent who is unable to maintain herself or himself from his/her own earning or out of the property owned by her/him is entitled to make an Maintenance application.

The application for maintenance has to be filed before the Maintenance Tribunal constituted by the State Government. The state Government has constituted a Maintenance Tribunal for each Sub-Division of the State of Goa presided over by the respective Deputy Collector (Sub-Divisional Officer) for the purpose of adjudicating and deciding upon the order for maintenance vide notification No. 83-9-2006-07-SDB/Part/2008/3846 dated 24/09/2009.

An application for maintenance may be made by a senior citizen/parent or, if he/she is incapable by any other person or Registered organization authorized by applicant or the tribunal may take cognizance suo motu.

As per sub section(17) of “the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007” No party to a proceeding before a tribunal or Appellate Tribunal will be represented by a legal practitioner. However a parent/ senior citizen can be represented by a Maintenance Officer appointed by the State Government if they so desire.

Assistant Director (Welfare of Differently Abled) of Social Welfare Department is appointed as Maintenance Officer for South vide notification No. 83-9-2006-07-SDB/Part/2008/3844 dated 24/09/2019 and Asstt Director (SC & OBC) of Social Welfare Department is appointed as Maintenance Officer for North vide notification No. 83-9-2006-07-SDB/Part/2008/3845 dated 24/09/2009.

The maintenance application has to be disposed off by the Tribunals within 90 days from the date of service of notice of the application to such person. However in certain exceptional cases the Tribunal may extend the said period once to a maximum period of 30 days for reasons to be recorded in writing.

The Maximum maintenance allowance which may be ordered by the Tribunal will not exceed upto Rupees Ten Thousand per month.

Any Senior Citizen or a Parent, as the case may be, aggrieved by an order of a Tribunal may, within sixty days from the date of the order, prefer an appeal to the Appellate Tribunal. The State Government has constituted the Appellate Tribunal for each District of the State of Goa which will be presided over by the respective Collector for the purpose of hearing the appeal against the order of the Maintenance Tribunal under the said Act. vide notification No. 83-9-2006-07-SDB/Part/2008/3847 dated 24/09/2009.

Panaji: August 15, 2019 …The Office of the Commissioner, Labour and Employment, has requested the Employers, Contractors, Users and Other concerned persons to file their returns in respect of applicable Acts and Rules only through online system on (www.goaonline.gov.in).

The notification in this regards has published in the Official Gazette Government of Goa, Series I No.48 dated 28/02/2019, under order                        No. 24/43/2018-LAB/98.

 As part of ease of doing Business initiative of the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, under Business Reforms Action Plan, has proposed several reforms. Accordingly, the o/o the Commissioner, Labour has accepted the mandate of filing of returns under 10  Labour Laws by online single integrated/consolidated form and maintenance of all registers/records under the Acts and Rules there under in electronic format.

Panaji, August 14, 2019 … Goa Library and Information Science Convention-2019 (GOA-LIS 2019) to commemorate Librarian’s Day was organised at the Multipurpose Hall, Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, by Krishna Das Shyama Goa State Central Library, recently. The daylong convention included book launch and paper presentations by librarians across the state.

Minister for Art and Culture Shri. Govind Gaude was the Chief Guest while Secretary for Art and Culture Shri. C.R. Garg IAS, Director of Department of Art and Culture Shri. Gurudas Pilernekar, Curator of Central Library Dr. Carlos Fernandes and Sr. Librarian Smt. Samiksha Kolmule were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Shri. Gaude urged the librarians and library attendants to work with dedication. “Your work may enlighten someone’s life and many a times you are unaware about it. A librarian opens up knowledge doors for an individual and guides him/her in choosing the right path.  They play a pivotal role in creating healthy environment. Books are our friends for life and hence, let us work to build up the reading habit among people and strengthen the library movement,” the Minister said.

Earlier, the function commenced by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The Minister later released in-house publications – Annual Report 2018-19, Ruzvonn-Tiatr Index, Pakhllio-Index of Articles from Goan Observer, Kurpanne-An index of library science articles, Yadintle Goem-Index of photograph from Portuguese books and GOA-LIS 2019 Seminar Volume by Dr. Carlos Fernandes and Team, and Goa Public Library Act, 1993 in Konkani and Marathi by Shri. Milind Mhamal. The Minister also felicitated Security Guards of the library Shri. Namdeo Gokarnekar, Shri. Devdatt Kankonkar, Shri. Dashrath Sawardekar and Shri. Deepak Gawas for their brave acts shown in the past. This was followed by paper presentation by participants.

Dr. Carlos Fernandes gave the welcome address while Shri. Pilernekar briefed about LIS-GOA 2019. Shri. Garg, IAS also spoke on the occasion. Shri. Pradip Naik compered the function while Smt. Kolmule proposed the vote of thanks.

          The function was attended by librarians from college, Taluka, district and NGO across the state.

Panaji: August 13, 2019 … Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has said, Goa will be known for creating digital diabetes registry in the country. The Chief Minister was speaking at a launching  function of nations first digital diabetes registry in partnership with Novo Nordisk Education Foundation in city recently.

Speaking further the Chief Minister lauded the endeavor of Health Minister and the doctors who are instrumental in the initiative of launching of Digital Diabetese Registry. He appealed to work together to reduce the number of diabetic patients in the state.

Addressing the launching ceremony Minister for Health Shri Vishwajit Rane said that diabetes is on the rise in Goa.  Diabetes is the silent killer He luaded the role of the Chief Minister and other stakeholders for the purpose to curb the rise of diabetes and helped the people to get rid of the menace. He urged to work on various reasons which lead to diabetes. He also called for the need to follow precautions, proper diet, exercise and timely treatment will help to control diabetes he added.

The Legendary Cricketer and brand Ambasador, Novo Nordisk Shri Anil Kumble in his address expressed his happiness for being part of the noble initiative of launching digital diabetes Registry for the people in Goa.   He praised the Government for taking such excellent step for the welfare of the people. He said that diabetes has strong relationship with changing life style, lack of exercise and inconsistency leads to develop complications. Therefore he urged the people to secure proper advice and guidance and health tips and follow precautions to arrest the growth of diabetes.

The Director of Health Services Dr. Jose Disa welcomed the guests.

The Managing Trustee-NNEF, Shri Melwin D’Souza gave detailed talk on topic changing diabetes, Barometer & Registry.

Mrs. Fatima D’Souza and Shri Gurunath Naik shared their experiences as living as diabetic patients.

Shri Ashok Kumar (IAS) Secretary Health,  Shri Shivanand Bandekar, Dean GMC, Dr. Ankush Desai, Endocrime Unit, Dr.Edwin Gomes, HOD Medicine. Smt Jyoti Sardesai, Director of Directorate of Foodn & Drug Authorities were among those who attended the function.

Miss Mekhala  Bhat compered the function.

Panaji: August 12, 2019 ….“We have to strengthen infrastructure by putting emphasis on quality infrastructure using modern technology,” said Minister for Public Works Department (PWD), Shri Deepak Prabhu Pauskar who was speaking as the Chief Guest at the inauguration of two-day Indian Roads Congress (IRC) 218^th Mid-Term Council Meeting, held in Dona Paula, recently.

The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) is the Apex Body of road sector engineers and professionals in the country.  Shri Pauskar informed that the State authorities were looking into solving issues such as land acquisition which would help in the development of National Highways in the State.

Chief Secretary, Shri Parimal Rai, IAS, in his address said that roads are the interface between a person and the place. He said that engineers and administrators have to find innovative means to address issues. Shri Rai further said that often times there are techniques offering solutions in theory but these are not implemented in practice because many prefer the easy way of building roads. He said, “We must think of time and cost effective solutions.”

Earlier, Principal Chief Engineer, PWD, Shri Uttam  Parsekar in his welcome address said that Goa had entered into the Golden phase of infrastructure building in the State. The President of IRC, Shri Toli  Basar briefed the gathering about the activities of the IRC.

Souvenirs of IRS Council Meeting and 13 IRC Documents were released on the occasion.

Secretary General, IRC, Shri S.K. Nirmal proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji: Aug 11, 2019 … MLA St. Cruz Shri Antonio Fernandes launched the first round of ‘National Deworming Day’ at a function organized by State Family Welfare Bureau ( DHS ) in collaboration with Dr. K.B. Hedgewar High School   at Cujira Babolim recently.

The National De-worming day is observed in two rounds every year. The next round will be observed in  February 2020.

Shri Fernandes while speaking on the occasion called upon the students to take care of their health and follow tips and suggestions of their parents and teachers to maintain their health. He said the Government is taking every step to curb various diseases by making awareness, educating the people. The participation of all the people is must in this endeavor to achieve the objective of de-worming.

Shri Fernandes also   suggested that the students should keep themselves away from vices and obey their parents teachers be emerge healthy and well cultured citizens of the country.

The Chief Medical Officer, SFWB (DHS) Dr. Vandana Dhume in her welcome address said that good health of the children is important to decide the future of the country and hence it is important that children receive critical health interventions.

Dr. Dhume said according to the report of WHO, 64% of Indian population, less than 40years of age are at the risk of soil transmitted helmet infection ie: worms. These soil infections leads to morbidity, mal nutrition impaired physical development of the children

Dr. Dhume further said that periodic de-worming of children coupled with improvement of water and sanitation facilities, health education will help to reduce transmission of these infections and therefore to combat these infections the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the biannual National De-worming Day programme where in all the children and adolescent between the age of one to nineteen years will be mass administered  one Alpendazole tablet through a  single fixed day approach in all School and Anganwadi centre  she informed

Dr. Dhume further speaking also informed that In the NDD programme in this round we  have a target of covering  24.44 crore children and adolescents in  13 states and Union Territories  in India and in Goa we have a  target of covering 6, 88, 625 children.  In Goa we have planned to cover approximately 1513 Government and Government aided schools, 281 private schools, 1447 Anganwadi centres.  During last round of August 2018 we had covered around 367 799 children which is 94% of their fixed target. The objective of  observing National De-worming day is to make Goa free of worms she reiterated.

Shri Vilas Satarkar, Head Master  Members of RBSK  Staff, Teachers and others attended the function.

Dr. Sharvari Gaunekar,  medical Officer, RBSK compered the function and also   welcomed the guests.

Dr. Jude D’Souza, Health Officer PHC Chimbel proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji: August 10, 2019 …. On the occasion of International Senior Citizen’s Day, Directorate of Social Welfare will felicitate 14 outstanding Senior Citizens on the occasion of ‘International Day for the Senior Citizen’ on October 1, 2019. One Senior Citizen from smaller talukas and two senior Citizens from bigger talukas will be selected for felicitation.

 Interested outstanding Senior Citizens (above 70 years) may apply in prescribed application form with their Bio-data along with testimonials (in Soft and Hard copy/CD) and one passport size photo copy to the Director, Directorate of Social Welfare, 18^th June Road, Panaji on or before August 31, 2019. Application received after due date will not be entertained.

    Incase of further information, please contact the Director, Directorate of Social Welfare or Assistant Director (Social Defence Branch) during normal office hours, on telephone No.2232257, 2223784 or email socialwelfaregoa@rediffmail.com

Panaji: August 9, 2019 ….The District Magistrate, North Goa has ordered that all the owners of the houses, buildings, flats and other residential accommodation and the owners / management of all hotels, lodging and boarding, private guest houses, paying guest accommodation of religious bodies etc in the whole of North Goa District should verify the bonafides of the persons through their proof of identity such as Election Card, Driving License, Aadhar Card, Passport, etc. and should fill in the Tenant/Visitors/Guest Verification Form in  respect of their Tenants/Visitors/Guest before such as persons are allowed to reside/ stay in their premises and furnish the same to the local Police Station for further verification and record. This order shall also apply to the owners of such premises who have so far not furnished the verification forms in respect of their Tenants/Visitors/Guests who are already occupying their premises.

This order has come into force and will be effective for a period of 60 days that is upto October 7, 2019  unless withdrawn earlier. As the notice cannot be served individually on all the concerned, the order is hereby passed ex-parte. Any person contravening this order will be punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

Panaji: August 8, 2019 ….Independence Day will be celebrated in the State as in other parts of country on August 15, 2019. The main function will be held in front of Old Secretariat, Panaji at 9.15 a.m. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant will unfurled the National Flag, inspect the guard of honour and later address the people of the State. On the occasion the Chief Minister will also present awards to those who have excelled in varied fields.

The function will be attended by Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri. Rajesh Patnekar, Cabinet Ministers, Leader of Oppostion Shri Digamber Kamat, Judges of High Court, Advocate General and other dignitaries.

On his arrival at the venue of the function the Chief Minister will be received by Minister for Revenue Smt. Jenifer Monseratte, Chief Secretary Shri Parimal Rai and DGP Shri. Pranab Nanda.

Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula, Old Secretariat building and Directorates of Accounts building at Panaji, New Secretariat and Legislative Assembly Complex at Porvorim will be illuminated on the nights of  August14 and 15, 2019 .

The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs will organize Prabhat Pheries on August 15, 2019 involving children and citizens who will participate separately. It will also organize cycle races and marathon races after the function for children and citizens. The students of Bal Bhavan will present patriotic song.

The flag hoisting ceremony have also been planned at district level and at various talukas headquarters at 9.15 a.m. Minister for Water Resource Shri Philip Neri Rodrigues will perform flag hoisting ceremony at Margao. Whereas  Minister for Art and Culture Shri Govind Gaude will unfurl National tri colour at Ponda.  At Mapusa the flag hoisting ceremony will be performed by Minister for Science and Technology Shri. Michael Lobo. Shri. Pravin Zantye, MLA will hoist National flag at Bicholim. Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Shri. Isidore Fernandes will hoist the flag at Canacona, Minister for Transport Shri. Mauvin Godinho will unfurl tri colour at Vasco. Deputy Chief Minister Shri. Manohar Azgaonkar will perform flag hoisting ceremony at Pernem.  At Valpoi flag hoisting will be performed by Deputy Collector, Sattari. Deputy Chief Minister Shri. Chandrakant Kavlekar will unfurl tri colour at Quepem, Minister for Public Works Shri. Deepak Pauskar will perform flag hoisting ceremony at Dharbandora  and at Sanguem flag hoisting ceremony will be held at the hands of Minister for Power Shri. Nilesh Cabral.

             Later in the evening the Governor of Goa Dr.(Smt) Mridula Sinha will host State reception at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula on August 15, 2019 at 5.15 pm.

            The function at the Martyrs Memorial at Patradevi Pernem will be held at 11.30 a.m where Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant along with freedom fighters and other dignitaries will lay wreath at Martyrs Memorial.

Panjim, 7^th August  2019: The Goa International Travel Mart (GITM) will be held from October 23^rd to 25^th 2019, at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukerjee Stadium at Taleigao.  This prestigious B2B event promises to bring together travel companies, hoteliers, Eco Tourism, Adventure, Wildlife, Nightlife, Event Managers, Wedding Planners Wellness and other leisure enterprises under one roof to showcase the tourism investment potential in the state.

Addressing a press conference today, Mr. J . Ashok Kumar,  Secretary for Tourism, Govt.  of Goa said “We are  very happy that Goa Tourism  is organizing the third edition of  GITM in October this year. The first two  editions  in 2011 and  2014  had received  a good response then and  this  year the event  promises to be  bigger and  better. When the entire  global economy is focused on tourism as a key industry and tourists’ thirst to explore and experience  continues to  grow, events like  GITM serve as an ideal platform  for stakeholders to engage  in dialogue,  business opportunities to  improve,  innovate and  initiate.  I wish GITM  2019 the very best with the  assistance and  co-operation  of all tourism  stakeholders.”

Also present at the press conference were Mr. Sanjiv Gadkar, Director, Dept of Tourism, Mr. Rajesh Kale, Dy. Director, Dept of Tourism and Mr. Gavin Dias, GM-GTDC.

This year’s GITM is on a larger scale than the previous year as it as expected that over 125 international buyers from USA, UK, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Scandinavian, Baltic’s, CIS, Australia, New Zealand, Croatia, Bulgaria, Israel, Jordan, UAE, Middle East, Italy, Czech Republic, Russia, Poland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Malaysia; will fly down to take part in the event. The event is also highly regarded on the domestic front with over 150 buyers confirming their participation. GITM is also well supported by renowned associations in the industry like TTAG, TAAI, TAFI, ADYOI, ATTOI and IATO.

In attendance will also feature International media, around  25 Bloggers  as well as  around 35 Domestic media from travel trade to cover the event.

The main aim behind GITM 2019 is to serve as a platform for face-to-face networking among travel trade, hoteliers and other stakeholders from Goa with leading travel agents and operators from India and abroad. GITM will also reach out to Trade Associations/National Travel Organizations, Airlines, Travel Agents and Tour Operators, Hotels and Resorts, Adventure Tour Operators, Spice Plantations etc.

Apart from showcasing the tourism investment opportunities and potential in Goa, this event will also serve as a platform to promote various segments  of Goa that reflect the multi-dimensional facets of the state.

A special Goa Pavilion will be created to showcase festivals and nightlife, beaches, heritage trails, UNESCO Heritage sites, Wildlife, Medical tourism, Monsoon tourism, MICE, Wedding Destination, Religious Tourism, Spice Farms and Adventure, Elements like promotion and conservation of heritage, arts, crafts, endorsement of hinterland tourism, exhibiting the state’s rich culture and heritage will also be incorporated.

GITM 2019 has received an overwhelming response for participation already and apart from travel industry professionals there will also be representation from those who organize niche tours, leisure activities, MICE operators, event managers, prominent travel writers, bloggers and columnists. Travel agents and tour operators on a non hosted basis will also be invited to participate.