Panaji : May 3, 2017 … Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) has organized poster competition  and street play and elocution on  May 14, 2017 at Auditorium hall of Goa Science Center, Miramar Panaji, to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). Last date for submission of poster in person or by e-mail is  May 10, 2017 till 5.30 pm

        May 22, is celebrated worldwide as International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). On the occasion of the same the UN General Assembly has declared IDB 2017 theme as “Biodiversity and Sustainable Tourism” to coincide with the observance of 2017 as the “International year of Sustainable Tourism for Development”.

 This year National Level event for celebrating (IDB) will be held in Goa on May 22, 2017 at “Dinanath Mangeshkar Auditorium”, Kala Academy, Panaji. From 10.00 a.m. onwards, which is expected to attend by the Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Shri. Anil Madhav Dave along with Chief Minister of Goa Shri. Manohar Parrikar, and other National Level dignitaries including Central Secretaries.

Panaji : 1st May, 2017 … The last date for filing of quarterly or annual returns, as the case may be, for the quarter or year ending March 31, 2017, as a special case has been extended upto May 15, 2017.

All the assesses registered under the Goa Value Added Tax Act, 2005 ( Goa Act 9 of 2005) either as regular dealer or as composition dealer are required to file their quarterly / annual returns for the quarter / year ending March 31, 2017 on or before May 15, 2017; failure to file returns within the extended  time will attract penalties as provided in section 55 of the said Act.

Panjim, April 30: Keeping in mind the increasing demand for clean and affordable accommodation facilities for tourists visiting Goa, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) has decided to renovate four of its existing residencies across the State.

These include the residencies at Mapusa, Margao, Vasco and Calangute annex. It is proposed to give all these residencies a facelift and facilities. These proposals have been approved by the GTDC Board which met on Wednesday.

Some  of the other decisions  taken  by the GTDC Board include  the construction  of a  Convention Centre  in South Goa which will have  large  halls for events, weddings, banquets etc,  offices and adequate parking.

The GTDC Board has also agreed to float fresh tenders for appointing agencies for the maintenance and upkeep of the Multi Level Car Parking (MLCP) project and Santa Monica Jetty.

The GTDC has also proposed to buy new buses which would be later designed as  Camiaos for  conducting sightseeing tours.

The GTDC Board also agreed to lease out office space to the FFRO and India Tourism at the Paryatan Bhavan, Patto.

During the meeting, various proposals pertaining to tourism infrastructure were taken up and proposals with regards to pathways, utility services, signage’s, sewage treatment plants, and lighting were also approved by the board. The board has also agreed to a proposal for development of jetties for tourism purpose and a proposal to obtain Rs.500 crore from the central ministry under the Sagar Mala scheme has been agreed upon. This proposal will be sent to the Captain of Ports who will thereafter forward it to the Govt of India.

Panaji. May 28, 2017 … The Department of Handicrafts, Textile & Coir will   start training   programmes in various trades of Handicrafts, Textile & Coir in different parts of Goa in the concerned training centre of the department and in vacant Government Primary School premises  from  June . 1 2017

The timing of the courses  will  be from 10.00 am. to 5.30 p.m. with one hour lunch break, on all working days except on 2^nd Saturday and Sundays and all Government Holidays.

In this connection, the interested candidates may enroll themselves for the courses of their choice by collecting the application forms on payment of Rs. 10/- from Department of Handicrafts, Textile & Coir, Crafts Complex, Neuginagar, Panaji-Goa or from the In charges of the regular Centres of the Department. For details, the candidates may contact department officials on Phone No. (0832)2226153 during office hours.

Panaji: April 27, 2017 … World Malaria Day was observed by Urban Health Centre, Margao today. Advocacy workshop on vector borne diseases by National Vector Born Diseases Control Programme was also held on the occasion. The theme of the World Malaria Day was ‘End Malaria for Good’. Chairperson, Margao Municipal Council Dr. Babita Angle Prabhudessai inaugurated the gathering by lightning traditional lamp in presence of Dr. Chandrakant Parab, Deputy Director, National Vector Born Diseases Programme, Dr. Martinha Fernandes, Health Officer, Urban Health Centre, Margao and others.

While speaking on the occasion Chairperson Dr. Babita Angle Prabhudessai said, sanitization in environment is directly related with vector borne diseases and it is a duty of every responsible citizen to contribute towards sanitization in their surroundings. She also asked to prevent stagnation of the water as it is a most favourable breeding ground for mosquitoes. She appealed all to work hand in hand with government authorities and assured all cooperation from municipality.

Dr. Chandrakant Parab with the use of slide show gave talk on vector borne diseases. He said Mosquito is the most dangerous insect. He also informed how the vector borne diseases spread, types of mosquitoes and diseases transmitted by them.

Officials of various Departments, councillors, members of NGO’s, builders, labour contractors, scrap yard owners took part in the interactive session.

Dr. Martinha Fernandes welcomed the gathering while Dr. Joseema Colaco gave vote of thanks.

Panaji, April 26, 2017 … President  of India Shri. Pranab Mukherjee was conferred an honorary D.Litt by the Goa University  at its 29^th Annual Convocation ceremony held today at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Bambolim. President Shri. Mukherjee was the Chief Guest for the Convocation ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion the President  expressed need for quality education in educational institutions so as to prepare graduates for competitive programs in the world. Adoption of global best practices and academic management skills will lead us towards educational excellence. Universities Should be breeding grounds of ideas, he further said.

Shri. Mukherjee congratulated Goa University for its unique initiatives to provide  various platforms for interactions between different fields of education.

Goa University today conferred Ph.D to 56 candidates of different faculty. 77 awards of  Prizes, Scholarship and medals to the students in their respective faculty. Besides this, students from various faculty received certificates of Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees at the convocation ceremony.

Chancellor of Goa University and Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt) Mridula Sinha in her speech focused upon the power of youth . She said that positive contribution from the youth community can develop the society through human values.

One cannot be all rounder every time but Universities have to take efforts to make their students strong and able physically, mentally and intellectually, the Governor further said.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Varun Sahni in his address informed that Goa University is taking the steps to amalgamate certain Departments to create new schools of studies which are envisaged in the Act of University. He announced that the Executive Council has approved the creation of a School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences out of the currently existing departments of Earth and Marine Science.

Chief Minister Shri. Manohar Parrikar was the special guest for the convocation ceremony.

Panaji: April 25, 2017 … Minister for Water Resources Shri. Vinod Dattaram Palyekar in  the  presence of leader of Opposition Shri. Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar laid the foundation stone for the proposed construction work of Retaining Wall at Biptimol near Mr. Clement Ferrao House at Quepem today. The  estimated cost of the project is Rs. 43,66,337 and the work would be undertaken by M/s. Unique Constructions,  Quepem and would be  completed  in a stipulated time period of 180 days. The stretch of wall is 60 Mts. with 5 mts. height. The construction of retaining wall will help prevent soil  erosion during  rainy season.

Speaking on the occasion  Minister Shri. Palyekar assured to extend  cooperation for the all-round development of Quepem and its surrounding areas. He said the development work of historical and touristic places in Quepem Constituency will be taken up through funds earmarked for the  development of Tourism. Development of these places he said  will boost tourism by benefiting the local people  he added.

Shri. Kavlekar, MLA said, to make all round development of Quepem cooperation and support of the government is essential. He said the water scarcity problem of Quepem  needs to be resolved  on priority.

Chairperson  of Quepem Municipal Council Shri. Raul Pereira, Vice Chairperson Shri. Paulu Fernandes, Councillors Smt. Deepali Naik, Smt. Rasmi Bhandari and others, were  present on the occasion.

 Panaji: Date:-24 April,2017 :::  Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Dr.Pramod Sawant inaugurated    free health check up camp, on the occasion of his birthday for the staff of Goa Legislative Assembly at Goa Legislative Assembly Complex today.

Secretary Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri N.B. Subhedar,Chairperson of North Goa Z.P Smt.Ankita Navelkar, Shri Sharmad Raiturkar,Shri Prashant Desai, Students from Goa University and various colleges and others were present on the occasion.

Dr Sawant thanked the team of doctors for extending their cooperation for making the camp successful and also thanked his well wishers for their heartiest birthday greetings.He appealed to doctors to create a healthy society by providing basic health services