Panaji, December 31, 2018 …Governor of Goa Dr. Smt. Mridula Sinha has summoned the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, to meet at Assembly Hall on Tuesday January 29, 2019 at 11.30 am

Panaji: December 30, 2018 … The Election Commissioner of India, Shri Ashok Lavasa today reviewed the Special Summary Revision of Electoral Roll 2019 & State’s preparedness plan for the ensuing Lok Sabha Election 2019, at a meeting held at Office of Chief Electoral Officer, Altinho Panaji.

A meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Election Commissioner, Shri Ashok Lavasa alongwith  Chief Electoral Officer, Shri Kunal, IAS; Director General of Police Shri Muktesh Chandra, District Election Officers, Dr Tariq Thomas, IAS and Shri Levinson Martin; Inspector General of Police, Shri Jaspal Singh, IPS.

Meeting deliberated various issues on Special Summary Revision 2019, disposal of various claims & objections, health of electoral roll, apart from awareness undertaken under SVEEP activities, availability of EVM, VVPATs and various measures to be taken out for accessible election. The Election Commissioner desired that the motto of No Voter to Be Left Out should be followed in true spirit and continuous revision should be carried out with full vigour. The Election Commissioner stressed upon identification and marking of Persons with Disability (PwD) electors and marking them in software for having targeted plan for their effective participation. 

During the course of discussion, the Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officers and Nodal Officer (Police) presented the Election Preparedness Plan to the Election Commissioner. 

The Election Commissioner launched booklet on Accessible Election Plan for Goa drafted by Dr Taha Haazik, OSD, Social Welfare Department and PwDs Icon, Booth Election Management Plan Template and also released post card on Competition ‘Write to CEO’ on postcard and the same were handed over to Students. He also released SVEEP songs CD made by Shri Pravinjay Pandit, Mamlatdar Bicholim.

Election Commissioner complimented the Chief Electoral Officer and Goa Election team for the various efforts initially taken under the SVEEP activities for creating awareness among the general public about accessible election. He appreciated efforts taken by Dr Taha Haazik for Accessible Election Plan focusing on persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and prepared in accessible format which can be used by anyone with any disability with special software. 

Panaji, December 30, 2018 …Governor of Goa Dr. Smt. Mridula Sinha on the occasion of Goa Liberation Day announced that the Raj Bhavan will be accessible to the common citizens i.e., Goans, people from other States, as well as to the foreign nationals, to see its rich history and heritage, flora & fauna of the place and above all its mesmerizing scenic beauty from the 5^th January, 2019 on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The visit will be in 2 slots, each batch of 50 visitors starting from 2:30 pm. till 4:00 pm. and second batch of 50 visitors from 4:00 pm. till 6:30 pm.

Raj Bhavan, Goa also known as Palacio-de-Cabo is the official residence of Governor of Goa. It is one of the finest residences of Indian Governors and also the oldest as no other residence of a Governor of a State in India has its origin dating back to over four hundred fifty years in the past. This place has been a restricted area for several decades.

 Visitors are informed to make online booking for visiting the Raj Bhavan at https://bookings.rajbhavan.goa.gov.in  and bookings will be accepted from 30th December, 2018. This link will be provided on Raj Bhavan, Goa website. Visitor will have to register on the said portal at least 3 days before the date of visit and entry will be subject to police verification. Confirmation of the booking will be intimated on SMS/Email to the applicant.

 In Raj Bhavan, there is a Visitor Information Centre for further facilitation. A tour guide will accompany the visitors. Drinking water, Washroom/toilet facilities are provided inside Raj Bhavan, and visitors are prohibited to drink, smoke, litter, carry plastics or food in plastic. Entry route will be under surveillance. Entry fee has been fixed at Rs.300/- per person and payment has to be made online at the time of booking. Child below 12 years of age will not be charged the entry fee. The visit to Raj Bhavan will be conducted by GTDC.  

Panaji, December 28, 2018 … All public / cultivators are informed that the Salaulim main canal from 10.80 km to 25.30 km along with Direct outlet and FC’S , Distributory DI ,Branch Canal off take Minor M2 Canal and Minor M3 canal have been released water of 1.00 Cumes and further it will be increased as per the demand. All are hereby cautioned not to venture in the canal and other Sub canals and keep safer distance for livestock and children. Also refrain from throwing waste materials, garbage, bottles etc.

          Main areas covered under this canal are Quepem, Xeldem, Savordem, Assolna, Cuncolim and near by areas.  

Panaji: December 28th ::: Minister for Power Shri Nilesh Cabral recently attended the closing ceremony of First Bardez Chess Festival 2018 organised jointly by Bardez Taluka Chess Association and Saraswat Vidhyalay’s Sridora Caculo College under the aegis of Goa chess association which concluded on December 26, 2018 at Corlim Mapusa.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Cabral congratulated the winners and participants and appreciated the parents who recognised that the child has to be in academics but  should also  develop into a sports person and chess is a game where not only physically and mentally we develop the brain but they also have ability to perform well .Expressing his happiness he said being president of Goa Chess Association it has given immense pleasure working in all 12 taluka’s where association exists who actively promote chess not only in school but amongst the Taluka to produce  not only young players but also to  have players to play at different level.

Shri Cabral also distributed prizes for the winners who participated in the tournaments from various parts of schools in Goa.

Shri Ryan Braganza, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council also spoke on the occasion.

In the festival along with School Team Championship Various different events such as Rapid Chess, Blitz Chess was held.

Also present on the occasion were Dr. Santosh Patkar Principal of Sridora Caculo College, Bardez Taluka Chess Association President Shri Vishwas Pilankar, Shri Pravin Barde and other committee members. 

Panaji, December 27, 2018 … The Directorate of Transport has compiled their monthly report of number of accidents that occurred and number of Challans issued for the month of October 2018.

As per the report there were 305 road accidents of which 13 Fatal Accidents (North Goa – 8 and South Goa – 5), 26 Grievous Accidents (North Goa – 8 and South Goa – 18), 76 Minor Accidents (North Goa – 22 and South Goa – 54) and 190 Non – Injury Accidents (North Goa – 106 and South Goa – 84) took place.

The total number of people who lost their lives in road accidents were 14 (North Goa – 9 and South Goa – 5). 9 riders, 3 Pedestrian and 2 passengers lost their lives in these accidents.

67 people were Grievously Injured (North – 12 and South – 55) while 113 persons suffered Minor Injuries (North – 40, South – 73).

A total 9357 Challans were issued by Transport authorities in the month of October.

Panaji, December 26 2018 … Goa Police has launched the Traffic Sentinel Scheme with a sole aim to create traffic sense amongst various sections of roads and to reduce M.V. Accident and fatalities. In order to achieve the task cooperation and participation from members of public is of utmost importance.

The “Goa Traffic Sentinel” App developed by Goa Police has been designed in such a way that photograph, video of defaulting vehicle cannot be imported from external sources like CCTV, Mobile Gallery etc. It has to be compulsorily clicked or recorded through the App. The Traffic Sentinel Scheme is playing a major role in creating road safety awareness by seeking assistance from citizens. The public are requested to kindly cooperate and help Goa Police in reducing M.V. Accidents and Fatalities on Goan roads by enrolling themselves as Traffic Sentinels. The “Goa Traffic Sentinel” App is available for download on Google play Store.

In the past few incidences of threatening have been reported by Traffic Sentinels. It is appealed to the members of the public that instead of resorting to such wrong action they should ensure that while on road they abide all traffic laws in the interest of their own safety and that of other road users.    

Panaji, December 25, 2018 … Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar has extended greetings and best wishes to the people of the State on the occasion of Christmas.

In his message, the Chief Minister has said that Christmas is an auspicious occasion all around the world. People from all communities come together to observe the occasion with great pomp. It is the time of the year to give to others, bringing in happiness and delight with simple things.

The Chief Minister further states, “Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ and rekindles the spirit of peace and harmony. This Christmas, let us resolve to promote unity and be the harbinger of peace and development in the State.”

“Let us all unite and work for the welfare of the State by channelizing all our efforts and energy in ensuring progress of our State.  May the joys and festivities continue to radiate each ones lives,” the Chief Minister concludes. 

meanwhile Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt.) Mridula Sinha has conveyed her heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Goa on the occasion of Christmas.

In her message, the Governor says, “Every year this sacred day is observed with religious zeal, in great merriment, and with sincere prayers all over the world. On this auspicious day, we celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus, who gave us the valuable and eternal message of peace, tolerance, compassion, love and sacrifice. It is an appropriate occasion for us to carry the spirit of Christmas to foster the values that Jesus Christ professed and practiced for the benefit of humanity.”

The Governor further states, “This is an occasion for people to meet their loved ones, leave behind their worries and come together for merry-making. Ours is a secular country, where people belonging to various faiths live in harmony, amity, social solidarity and unity. Religious and spiritual festivals are occasions when we renew these qualities, in order to lead a peaceful and wholesome life. On the eve of Christmas, let us rededicate ourselves to live together as member of one family and work for greater glory and progress of the nation,” the Governor concludes.

Panaji:  December 24, 2018 … A special programme to officially launch the seasons strawberry cultivation by three self help gropus of Verlem and Tudav village of Netravali Panchayat under the range of western ghat in hinterland area was held today. The project of strawberry cultivation is assisted and initiated by Atal Gram Development Agency apart from monitoring the projects undertaken in Netravali under the Atal Adarsh Gram Vikas Yojana a central Government scheme.

While speaking on the occasion MP, Shri Sawaikar said time has come to think something different rather than mining and beach tourism industry. He said mining business might not be able to run for the life time. Restrictions will come in this industry from time to time, he added.

          Speaking further, Shri Sawaiker reiterated Governments commitment to support this type activity in a big way and called upon the youths to venture into such enterprise which is really lucrative. The youths should make every attempt to protect the State’s identity.  Goa itself is a brand. We need to work towards sustainable hinterland tourism with proper marketing and by protecting nature.

Applauding the initiative and efforts taken by Atal Gram Development Agency under the able leadership of Project Director, Shri Vijay Saxena Shri Sawaiker emphasized the need to take such unique projects in every villages. He also congratulated the members of self help groups and villagers who participated in this scheme and actually worked on ground to bring the fruit in the goan market.

The Atal Gram Development Agency – Goa, is implementing this unique project i.e. Financial Assistance for cultivation of strawberry at Verlem and Tudav in the jurisdiction of V.P. Netravalim.  Three Mahila Self Help Groups viz. Shiv Shakti Self Help Group and Bhumika Self Help Group in Verlem and Uddengi Self Help Group in Tudav have undertaken stawberry cultivation.

This Scheme has benefited about 40 households in the villages of Verlem and Tudav. The cultivation of strawberry has covered an area of 4500 sq. mts. About 30,000 high yielding varieties strawberry saplings of strawberry viz. Sweet Charlie, Kamaruja, Nabila, Winter star, Elina, San Andreas (SA) and R-2,  are cultivated by these Self Help Groups.   The strawberry saplings have been procured from strawberry farms in Wai,  Mahabaleshwar a famous hill station in Maharashtra. The strawberries will be produced in the village over a period of 6 months (November to April). 

An exclusive irrigation system (drip irrigation) has been created for the cultivation of strawberry. The Agency has also provided hands on training to the farmers in the cultivation of strawberries through an accomplished strawberry farmers from Bhilare village, Panchagani Maharashtra. Training sessions of various duration have been held in Goa and Bhilare village. The Agency has also provided necessary one time logistic supports such as irrigation facilities, mulching paper, fertilizers & pesticides, ventury and hand spray pump etc. for undertaking the cultivation of strawberries. 

Necessary marketing arrangements have also been made to promote the sale of strawberries. Exclusive outlets have been created in the jurisdiction of V.P. Netravali for sale of strawberries. The strawberries will be available at leading markets across the State at reasonable rates. The Goa State Horticultural Corporation Limited (GSHCL) has also agreed to undertake the sale of strawberry through its outlets across the State.

Sarpanch, V P Netravali, Smt Rajani Gaonkar thanked the Atal Gram Development Agency for supporting this project in Netravali Panchayat.

Shri Subhash Velip Chairman, Atal Gram Development Agency, Shri Ragunath Morajkar and Shri Subhash Phaldessai also spoke on the occasion.