Panaji: 5th November, 2017 … Taking a step forward towards simplification and rationalisation of GST tax structure and to bring changes in GST Law and Rules, the Government has constituted an Advisory Group to Law Review Committee of GST Council. Six prominent persons of different  fields including Mr Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has been appointed as members of the Group. Mr Gautam Ray Retired Chief Commissioner Central Board of Direct Taxes has been named as the Convenor. The Committee has been constituted with approval of Union Finance Minister Mr Arun Jaitley.                                                  

Other members of the group are Mr Araghya Sen Gupta, Research Director, Centre for Legal Policy, Mr Vinod Jain, CA, Mr Anuj Sahai, CEO of Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation, Mr Om Prakash Mittal, President Laghu Udyog Bharti.                                     

The Group shall discus possible changes in GST Law and its Rules  and will submit its recommendations to Law Review Committee by 30th November and if need be shall have joint meeting with Law Review Committee.

The first meeting of the Group has been convened on 8th November to discuss in depth the  GST Law and Rules and what amendments can be done to make GST a easy compliance law by removing its complex nature- said Mr Praveen Khandelwal. The formation of the Group is first concrete step of the Government to ensure participatory governance . While welcoming the initiative Mr Khandelwal urged Union Finance Minister to accord participation of Trade Representatives in GST Council to have more participatory role of stakeholders. It is noted that during VAT regime, a joint Committee with Chairman of Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers and Trade representative did exist for ensuring cohesive approach

Panaji, November 4, 2017 …. Large number of people from Goa including domestic and foreign tourists visited Vithalapur, Sankhali to witness the State Level Tripurari Poornima festival held at Vithalapur, Sankhali yesterday.

The highlights of the annual celebrations was the Boat Festival. The boats are miniature replicas of actual ships while others are traditional crafts mostly made of thermacol and cardboard.  All together 34 boats took part in the state level competition which was held in Valvanti River.

Tripurari Poornima is jointly organized by Department of Art and Culture, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Department of Tourism and Department of Information and Publicity in association with local Deepavali Utsav Committee, Vithalapur, Sankhali.

Minister for Art and Culture Shri Govind Gaude, Smt, Ramesh Sawant, Sarpanch, V. P. Karapur Sarvan, Shri Ashok Parab, Chairman of Shree Vithal Devasthan, Shri Deepaji Rane, along with others graced the occasion.

Apart from this the cultural programme was organized at the venue.

Panaji, November 3, 2017…  The Department of Information and Publicity are holding their annual photo contest under the Goa State Photo Contest and Exhibition Scheme -2014. The Photo Competition will be held in two different categories, Architecture of Goa/Undiscovered Goa’ and ‘Infrastructural Development in Goa’ (The Development taken place in Goa).

The winners will get cash prizes in each category. First Prize: Rs. 20000/- along with trophy and certificate. 2^nd Prize: Rs. 16000/- along with trophy and certificate. 3^rd prize: Rs. 12000/- along with trophy and certificate and five consolation prizes of Rs. 2000/- each along with certificate will be given.

Each entry should carry the author’s name, nationality, postal address, mobile number, telephone numbers, e-mail address on the back of the photographs in Block letters. Technical details such as camera used, should be sent along with the entry.

Mobile images shall not be considered for the entry. A brief of the photographs and bio-data of the photographer in not more than 100 words each should be attached along with the entry. A self declaration letter stating that all photographs are work of original nature and taken by the participant himself/herself is to be enclosed. Entrants are required to send a soft copy along with photograph of high resolution. Photographs shot with drone shall not be accepted.

            The entrants need to submit colour prints in 8”x12” size and can send a maximum number of 4 different photographs in each section. The photographs should be mounted. There is no entry fee, no age bar and no qualification required to participate in the contest.

Individuals who are born in Goa and are resident in Goa for 15years shall be given preference under this scheme, though the contest does not bar others, who are residents of the State of Goa for at least 15 years prior to the application under this scheme.

The photographs will be used for exhibition and other publications of the Department and Government of Goa. The last day for submission of entries is up to November 6, 2017. The prizes to the winner will be presented at the National Press Day function on November 16, 2017.

            The entries should be superscribed with the words: “Entries for The Goa State Photo Contest and Exhibition” and is to be addressed to the Director of Information and Publicity, 3^rd Floor, Udyog Bhavan, Panaji. Entries received after the closing date will not be entertained

Panaji, November 2, 2017… The two day Coastal Security Exercise “Sagar Kavach” is scheduled on November 8 and 9, 2017 to provide seamless seaward cover along the Goa Coast jointly by all security agencies from coastal belt area line to the limit of territorial water i.e 12 nautical miles.

The exercise will also assess the effectiveness of coastal fishing community in serving as “Eye and Ears” for early warning of seaward threat. This time the service of Drishti lifeguards, present at the beaches of Goa, will also be utilized for same purpose.

The Coastal Security exercise is being supervised by the Chief Secretary and is conducted and coordinated by Indian Coast Guard, District Headquarter at Goa. Various agencies like Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Goa Police, Goa Coastal Security Intelligence Agencies, MPT, Ports Administration Department, CISF and Customs etc. will take part in this exercise. Intelligence and infiltration will be induced and the alertness and preparedness of the entire stakeholder including people of Goa will be tested. This exercise provides all stakeholders and opportunity to fine tune standard operating procedure and test new operation concepts for coastal security.

Panaji: November 02, 2017  … One can claim with considerable assertion that the future of the world will be shaped to a large extent by the political and economic interactions between stakeholders in the region of the Indian Ocean stated Union Raksha Mantri, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman after inaugurating the two-day Goa Maritime Conclave at the Naval War College, at INS Mandovi, Verem today. She spoke of how the Indian Ocean has gained centre stage largely due to the potential impact on its regional dynamics on the international geo politics. 

Speaking about the Conclave, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman said that the aim of it was to bring together like-minded countries to evolve and formulate collective responses to emerging challenges in the maritime domain. She also said that the Conclave provides an opportunity to communicate viewpoints in a forthright manner and collectively shape a favourable maritime environment for countries.

She however, said that opaqueness in strategic intent and incoherent behaviour of certain countries acts as impediments to creating a favourable maritime environment.

She spoke of the Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR

(Security and Growth for All in the Region) and initiative of Sagarmala- which is about establishing new ports and modernising old ports.

She highlighted significant trends in maritime security and spoke of the increased militarisation and increase in warships operating in the Indian Ocean region and of extra regional nations maintaining a near permanent presence within the region on one pretext or the other which increases the complexities related to maritime security.

She also spoke of the increase in the vulnerability of coastal population to natural disasters.

Earlier, Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Naval Staff, said that the Conclave is envisioned to be an initiative to establish regional maritime forum among like-minded countries.

Explaining the significance of the logo for the Conclave, Sunil Lanba said that the Lighthouse symbolised the host venue-Goa and Goa’s rich maritime heritage while the handshake represented regional maritime cooperation and the blue background was a reminder of the Indian Ocean and navies who have maintained good order at sea.

He spoke of the non-traditional threats and emerging menaces at sea and elucidated on the benefits of nurturing resilient maritime architecture for maritime security. He underscored the importance of information sharing mechanism between the navies of different countries.

The Naval War College Journal was released on the occasion. The central theme of the Conclave is “Addressing Regional Maritime Challenges”. After the inauguration, a seminar was held which was followed by a question and answer session.

 Panaji: November 1, 2017 ….  Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya(JNV), Canacona invites applications for admission to class VI during 2018-19.

 Any student who is born between May 1, 2005 and April 30, 2009 (both the days inclusive), studying in class V in academic Session 2017-18 in a Govt. /Govt. recognized school in South Goa district, have passed classes III and IV from Govt. /Govt. recognized school, studied full academic session in each class from South Goa District can apply.    

Along with online application for admission through common service centre, the parents/ candidates can also submit their application offline duly verified by the Headmaster, respective taluka ADEI’s or the Principal, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Canacona and obtain acknowledgement. The candidates who have already registered successfully through CSC need not submit another application through offline mode. The application form may be downloaded from the website www.nvshq.org. / www.jnvcanaconasg.gov.in.

          For more details contact on 0832-2633304 for JNV Cancona and 0832-2374228 for JNV Valpoi. The last date to apply for admission is  November 25, 2017. 

 Panaji: November 1st, 2017 … Goa Festival, an annual event organized by Goenkarancho Ekvot, a registered Organization of Goans living in New Delhi and NCR will be held on November 10-12, 2017 at Goa Sadan, Amrita Shergill Marg, New Delhi.

The festival is organised in association with Department of Tourism, Govt. of Goa and will be inaugurated by Minister for Tourism Shri. Manohar Ajgaonkar in the presence of Rev. Anil J.T Couto, Archbishop of Delhi and other members of Parliament.  

Three days festivity is designed to promote authentic Goan cuisine, music, handicrafts and processed Goan Food. Lucky draws will be held during the celebration with the offer of holiday packages to Goan resorts. The inaugural function will be followed by a cultural programme and live music by Goan bands.

Panaji: October 31, 2017 …. The Directorate of Social Welfare has invited applications from Employers, NGOs and persons with disabilities for state awards in Best Employer, Best NGO and Best Employee with Disability categories.

One award in each category of Disability such as visually disabled, speech and hearing impaired, physically disabled will be given for the best employee with disabilities. Each award consists of cash amount of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only), citation certificate, shrifal (coconut) and shawl.

Application forms are available at the Directorate of Social Welfare, Panaji and District Welfare Offices, Directorate of Social Welfare, M.S.A. Complex, Margao free of cost. Applications in prescribed format duly filled in all respect and accompanied with photocopies of the required documents attested by Gazetted Officer should reach the Directorate of Social Welfare, Panaji on or before November 20, 2017.

State awards will be presented on December 19, 2017 by the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar on the occasion of Goa Liberation Day.

Panaji: October 31, 2017 … A week long Vigilance Awareness programme being organised hosted by Directorate of Vigilance, and General Administration Department, Secretariat Porvorim commenced today in the presence of Chief Minister Shri. Manohar Parrikar, Chief Secretary Shri. Dharmendra Sharma IAS, special secretary Shri. Govind Jaiswal IAS, SP Anti Corruption Branch Shri. Bosco George and Director of Dept of Vigilance Shri. Sanjiv Gauns Dessai at the Seminar Hall, Secretariat Porvorim. The weeklong event which will conclude on November 3, 2017 is themed on ‘My Vision-Corruption Free India’ and will consist of seminars and workshops for senior Government officers.

The function began with the Integrity pledge administered by the Chief Secretary to the officers of various departments.

Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of the integrity pledge and urged the officers to adhere to it throughout their career span. He also reviewed the tasks undertaken by the Government via Vigilance Directorate. “Major steps have been taken to strengthen the Vigilance department and to clear the pending cases. The department has successfully disposed 160 cases of C and D category and have fasten its speed by disposing  200 files till date as against  20 files per year in previous years. Major cases except pertaining to misappropriation use of funds, crime against women or child are being given special attention. During the current year 50% pending cases will be resolved,” he informed.

He suggested the Directorate to conduct training programs for the officials. “Vigilance is of two kinds. Being negligent or careless in taking a decision and direct corruption, though the latter is seldom. The officer should be vigilant enough to not to fall in problem. GPARD may conduct such courses for the officers,” he said.

The Chief Minister advised the officers to use Government resources with utmost care and avoid wastage of funds. “Saving money of the Government is an example of pro-active vigilance”, he quoted.   

The event began with lighting the lamp. Director Shri. Sanjiv Gauns Dessai gave the welcome address. DySP ACB Smt. Sucheta Dessai compered the function Shri. Shashikant Kamat proposed the vote of thanks.