Panaji: May 29,2018 …. Minister for Urban Development Shri Francis D’Souza launched Plastic Recycling Initiative at a function held at  Donapaula today.

This is a multi-stakeholder partnership to ensure a circular economy for plastic, kicked off in Goa. It is a result of an in initiative by United Nations Development  Programme ( UNDP ) and Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages  ( HCCB )to support sustainable plastic waste Management practices across 50 Indian Cities. While improving the socio economic conditions of waste pickers, especially women. Through this critical partnership, the aim is to better manage over 85.000tonnes of plastic waste per year and improve the lives of 37,500 waste pickers or safai Mitras.

In Goa UNDP India and HCCB with the Goa Waste Management Corporation will manage all matters related to waste, including plastic waste, to create a sustainable value chain in plastic recycling in Goa.

 Speaking on the occasion Shri D’Souza said that the disposal of garbage is a matter of concern across the world which is   increasing day by day.  It has led to pollution and contamination   of   water and environment too. Plastic garbage has become a problem which requires cooperation of people. Proper waste management, segregation   of garbage,  reducing  the use of plastic through which we can overcome the problem of plastic.

Shri D’Souza further   appreciated   the initiative of the UNDP India and HCCB partnership to create a model that ensures a circular economy for plastic waste by generating value of used plastic thereby reducing plastic litter.

Managing Director of  Goa Waste Management Corporation while addressing  said that, It is a welcome initiative to establish circularity in plastic waste management and holds immense promise in tackling the plastic management issue in the state.

Mrs. Christina Ruggiero, CEO, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd.Mrs. Marina Waqlter, Country Director, UNDP, Sater pickers  among  others who attended the function.

Shri Richard Dias welcomed and compered the function. 

 Panaji, May 28, 2018 …   The 21^st statuary meeting of the Central Building and other construction Workers Advisory Committee, Western Zone was held on May 24, 2018 at Mormugao Port Trust, Guest House, Headland Sada, Vasco-da-Gama.

The meeting was chaired by Shri Vedurlapally Srinivasa Naidu, Chairman Central Building and Other Construction Workers Advisory Committee.

The Committee meet focused on collection and utilization of BOCW welfare cess by the State Government, amount spent on various welfare schemes, volume of registration of workers etc. It also discussed the ways and means to streamline the BOCW Act by way of amendments to improve cess collection, registration of workers and to implement various schemes for the welfare of construction workers. It would also explore to install awards of excellence to the best performing State Welfare Boards.      

 Panjim: May 27,2018 …. Goa State Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation Ltd has set up a office at south  Goa in Old Secretariat building, Margao.

Minister for Tribal Welfare Shri Govind Gaude recently inaugurated the Office on May 24, 2018 in the presence of Chairperson, Goa Commission for SC/ST Shri. Prakash Velip, Chairman GSSTFDCL Shri. Durgadas Gaude.

The Office at South Goa would mitigate the hardships faced by the people in talukas of South Goa especially from Sanguem, Canacona, Quepem, Salcete in availing benefit of different schemes of the Corporation.

Margao:  May 26, 2018 … Goa State Biodiversity Board in association with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Biodiversity Authority observed International Day for Biological Diversity at a full day programme held at Parisram Damodar Raikar Hall, Daivadnya Bhavan, Margao recently. 

The programme was inaugurated by Secretary, Environment, IAS, Shri Daulat Hawaldar.

Speaking on the occasion Shri Daulat Hawaldar underscored the need of conservation of biodiversity. Every citizen should understand the importance of conservation of Biodiversity and the damage caused to it. Urgent problems faced by humanity in the world like war, terrorism, climate change and others are not the cultural problems, culture is only the part of these problems and not the core to these problems, he said.

Shri Hawaldar lauded the efforts initiated in various parts of the State by activists for conserving biodiversity and also arresting the damage wherever done.

Speaking further, he said Goa is a civilised State and civilisation mainly denotes a material development. Core to the civilisation is the central theme of desire that is unending. Material development has the impact on the biodiversity, he pointed.

Expressing concern about the human tendancy of mortgaging the future life for their present day needs he said sacred groves which exist in many parts of State are the part of goan culture that needs to be preserved. Western lifestyle is aspirational and addictive lifestyle has dangerous consequences. Major consequence of wesern lifestyle gives rise to global warming, he remarked.

Chairperson, National Committee on Access Benefit Sharing, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, IAS, Dr Giridhar Kinhal said, people should stand up for the conservation of Biodiversity. People should understand the gravity of the development that is going as a result of which many species are lost. There is a need to protect the Biodiversity not only with conservation but with sustainable and potential use of this Biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation has no exception, he exhorted.

Member Secretary, Goa State Biodiversity Board Shri Pradip Sarmokadam welcomed while Director, Department of Environment, IAS, Shri Ravi Jha, IAS proposed vote of thanks.

Environmentalist, Shri Rajendra Kerkar was among the prominent persons present on the dias.

Members, Goa State Biodiversity Board; Chairpersons, Secretaries and Members of Biodiversity Management Committees; Village Panchayat Members and stakeholders concerned with Environment and Biodiversity attended the programme. “Sacred Groves of Goa” a book written by Environmentalist Shri Rajendra Kerkar was released on the occasion.

Prizes were presented to winners of various competitions. Representatiives of various Biodiversity Management Committes were recognized for their contribution towards Biodiversity conservation.

Sessions on Importance of Mangroves and Involvement of Biodiversity Management Committes for conservation efforts, Centre of excellence for sustainable development on mainstreaming of biodiversity in business learning and best practices and Role of ICAR in supporting Biodiversity Management Committes for conservation of local species were held during the course of the day.

Panaji, May 25, 2018 …. Matrubhumi Seva Pratisthan. Goa in association with Dr. Manoj Sharma’s Ayurvedic Neuro Therapy Hospital and Research Centre, Rajasthan have organised a free Ayurvedic Neuro Therapy Medical Camp at Dr. Dhakankar’s Hospital, Pilar junction, Goa Velha. The camp which is open for general public till May 26, 2018, from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00p.m was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for AYUSH(IC) Shri. Shripad Naik, recently.

A team of more than 30 doctors headed by Dr. Manoj Sharma and Dr. Venu Sharma will endow facilities such as Neuro Therapy, Caping therapy, Acupuncture, Acupressure and Agnikarma to its visitors. People can also avail treatments for all types of Neurological problems such as frozen shoulders, cervical pain, back pain, slip disc, ankle pain, migraine pain, vocal cord problem, paralyzes, knee joint pain and tennis elbow.

MLA Shri. Francis Silveira, Parish Priest of Pilar Fr. Britto, Principal of Fr. Agnel College of Arts and Commerce, Pilar Fr. Fredric Rodrigues, Prof. Ramrao Wagh, Dr. Avinash Dhakankar were present on the occasion. The program began with lighting the traditional lamp. Dr. Dhakankar gave the welcome address

In his address Shri. Shripad Naik urged people to avail the facility for better health prospects. “It is for the first time, such kind of a Neuro therapy Medical camp is organized in the state of Goa. Under AYUSH Ministry, there are distinct techniques of medicines. However, treatments like Naturopathy and Ayurveda cure ailments without having any side effect. Ministry of AYUSH will soon undertake the work of 50 bedded hospitals in each district of Goa to give the best of medical treatments in all systems of medicine,” he said.

MLA Shri. Silveira and Fr. Rodrigues also spoke on the occasion. The dignitaries later inspected the camp area. Shri. Ravindra Borkar compared the program while Shri. Ramrao Wagh proposed the vote of thanks.

           To register for this Camp contact 0832-2438501, 9422441300, 8806890179 and 7498686860.

Panaji, May 24, 2018  … ‘Balotsav’, the concluding ceremony of summer camps held at 52 Bal Bhavan centers all over Goa, was organized at Kala Academy, Campal recently. The program was a colorful amalgamation of music, dance, art, and craft displayed by participants. Minister for Power Shri. Pandurang Madkaikar was the Chief Guest for the function.  Chairman of Bal Bhavan Dr. Shital Naik, Managing Director Shri. Vinay Sahkari, Board Members Smt. Hemangi Golatkar, Smt. Anita Raikar, Smt. Devbala Bhise, Shri. Vishwambhar Gawas, Shri. Bhushan Bhomkar, Shri. Sudhir Malik and Program Officer Shri. Shashikant Punaji were present among others.

          The program began with lighting the traditional lamp. The students of Bal Bhavan Kendra, Panaji performed a welcome song and a welcome dance. The Chief Guest later presented ‘Gomant Bal Bhushan Award 2016’ to Kum. Tanisha Shenvi Maujekar, Mast. Somdatt Gaonkar, Mast. Nitesh Naik and Kum. Siddhi Gawde for being selected as ‘Balashree’ Awardees in the field of Creative Performance-Vocal, Theatre, Creative Art-Sculpture and Creative Art respectively. The Chief Guest also awarded Bal Bhavan Kendra, Chandel with the ‘Best Bal Bhavan Kendra Award’. He later released ‘Bal Varta’, an official newsletter of Bal Bhavan.

          Addressing the gathering Shri. Madkaikar appreciated the participants and their instructors for their efforts in making ‘Balotsav,’ a success. “Bal Bhavan has performed a revolutionary work of training more than 15,000 children during its summer camp. I congratulate every person associated with Bal Bhavan for achieving this milestone. Participants must make good use of the art learned during this camp to brighten their future. This is also an amazing platform for the students from rural areas to showcase and polish their talent,” Shri. Madkaikar said.

          Smt. Devbala Bhise proposed the vote of thanks which was followed by dance performances by the participants. The event was attended by Bal Bhavan instructors and parents of the participants in large number. 

 Panaji, May 23, 2018 … To ensure correctness in metering and to reduce losses due to not functioning meters, the Electricity Department has planned for replacement of all Electromechanical and Non working Electronic meters of LT domestic consumers in Goa. The meters will be replaced under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) of the Central Government for Rural and Urban areas respectively.

            Representatives from Electricity Department along with technician of meter manufacturers will visit each house for replacement of meters. These technicians will carry valid identity cards issued by Electricity Department.  The Department has requested all LT domestic consumers to provide cooperation during meter replacement work.

            Details regarding existing and new meters, seal details, etc. will be collected by the technicians in a format to be jointly signed by the consumer and the department representative. The format will also contain other consumers’ details such as email, mobile number, etc. for effective communication with the consumer during planned/forced outage and also to provide alerts regarding billing and payments. Existing meters owned by the consumers will be returned to consumers and department owned meters will be carried back by the technicians.   

 Panaji, May 22, 2018 …  Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has appealed to all food business operators dealing in food business by way of catering to compulsorily display a true copy of their FSSAI license, along with name and contact number of the Food and Business Operator at the place of banquet set up while catering for various functions.

            The Food Business Operators who are dealing in food articles by way of retail sale/ wholesale/ manufacturer/trader/distributor/supplier/caterer/repacker/restaurants/mobile carts, including those who participate in various exhibitions are informed that dealing in food articles without a valid registration certificate or license under the Food Safety And Standard Act, 2006   and rules/regulation, 2011, is in contravention of the provisions of the Act/Regulations, and is punishable with imprisonment and under Section 63.  

            The above said categories of Food Business Operators should not start their business activity without obtaining the required license/Registration Certificate from Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration.

            The Food Business Operators who are found operating their food business without license will be dealt with imprisonment and fine, as provided under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006. It is mandatory for all Food Business Operators to display their License/Registration Certificate in a prominent place at the business premises, failing which a fine will be levied on the defaulters, for non display of the License/Registration Certificate, by way of compounding of offence.  

Panaji, May 21, 2018  … Several states in India have witnessed unprecedented high temperatures in the recent past, leading to heat strokes and heat-related deaths; the elderly and children are particularly more susceptible.

A heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia or heat-related illness caused by long exposure to high environmental temperature. It can be caused by intense physical activity in hot weather, exposure to a hot environment for prolonged periods, excessive physical activity in hot weather, not drinking enough water in hot weather and due to wearing excessive clothing in hot weather. Alcohol consumption causing an imbalance in temperature maintenance is also one of the major causes of Heat strokes.

Newborns and infants, children, elderly, individuals who work in direct sunlight for hours. eg. Laborers, farmers, road and construction workers etc. and those who engage in rigorous physical activity including sports eg. Athletes, Military personnel, Police are more often prone to heat stroke.

Heat stroke occurs most commonly during the summer months of April to July. The key sign of heat stroke is a body temperature above 104 Degree Fahrenheit (40 Degree Celsius) and consumed state of mind. Throbbing headache, dizziness and light-headedness, lack of sweating despite the heat, red, hot, and dry skin, muscle weakness or cramps, nausea and vomiting, extreme lethargy, rapid heartbeat, rapid shallow breathing, mental confusion, disorientation, unsteadiness of gait or staggering, seizures and unconsciousness are the some of the signs of heat strokes.

To prevent heat stroke public need to take appropriate measures. If someone has a heat stroke, arrangements should be made to take the person immediately to the nearest health facility. One can also initiate First aid measure immediately and educate the family/community about the same.

A person with heat stroke must be moved to an open and well-ventilated environment or a cool, shady area, remove any unnecessary clothing, aim to reduce the temperature to less than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a fan over the patient while wetting his or her skin with water using a sponge or towel and apply ice packs, if available, to the patient’s armpits, groin, neck, and back. If possible, immerse the patient in a shower or tub of cool water, or an ice bath. Do not apply an ice pack or immense newborn/baby in water as it may cause hypothermia.

However, there are several ways in which one can prevent Heat Stroke. Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, keep the house well ventilated, especially the cooking area, keep the doors and windows open. During the hottest part of the day, cover the windows with curtains, cloth, bed sheet etc. To prevent dehydration, drink at least eight glasses of water, fruit juice, buttermilk or other fluids daily. Avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather. Where possible, avoid going out during the hottest period of the day i.e. early and late afternoons. Take additional precautions when working outdoors in the field or exercising. Drink water/juice etc even not thirsty. Houses with tin roofs tend to get hotter. Take extra precautions in such a case. Avoid alcohol during this time.

Babies who are exclusively breastfed may need extra breast-feeds in hot weather. Children above 6 months of age, who have started complementary feeding, can be given small amounts of cool, boiled water between feeds. Choose the coolest place in the house for babies or young children to sleep. Give young children (over 6 months of age) regular fluids throughout the day. Children should be prevented from playing outside in sun during peak hours of the day.

Panaji, May 21, 2018 … Directorate of Fisheries inorder to conserve fish, has prohibited fishing from June 1, 2018 till July 31, 2018 (both days inclusive) by fishing vessels fitted with mechanical means of propulsion, and by means of trawl-net and purse-seine net, except fishing by registered motorized canoes using gill nets only, and fitted with outboard or inboard motors, of upto 10 HP capacity, as a means of propulsion, along the sea cost and the territorial waters of Goa.