Panaji : March 22, 2017 … The 16^th  General Body Meeting of North Goa Zilla  Panchayat was held  at conference hall of the Secretariat Porvorim  today. The meeting was chaired by President North Goa ZP Smt. Ankita  Navelkar. The Vice-President Shri Vassudev Korgaonkar  and other ZP Members attended the meeting.

 The meeting discussed about allocation of funds to be utilized for undertaking various developmental projects to be taken at various places in North Goa and various other issues pertaining to usual conduct of the office. Earlier, the meeting approved  minutes of the last meeting. Shri Dasharath Redkar CEO coordinated the meeting. The meeting unanimously passed the resolution of congratulation  tabled by ZP Member Shri Dhaku Madkaikar who congratulated the former North Goa ZP President Shri Jayesh Salgaonkar for getting elected as MLA for Goa Legislative Assembly and for his induction as a Cabinet Ministers.

Panaji : March 21, 2017 …  Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar today allocated portfolios to his Council of Ministers.

          Chief  Minister, Shri Parrikar has kept important portfolios such as Home, Finance, Personnel, General Administration, Vigilance and Transport.

 Shri Ramkrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar has been allotted the Public Works Departments (PWD). Shri. Vijay Sardesai has been allotted the Town and Country Planning Department, Shri. Francis D’Souza has been allotted Urban Development; Shri Manohar Azgaonkar has been allotted Tourism, Shri. Rohan Khaunte has been allotted the Revenue Department while Shri. Pandurang Madkaikar has been allotted the Power Department. The Art and Culture Department is been allocated to Shri. Govind Gawde.  Shri. Vinod Palienkar and Shri. Jayesh Salgaonkar have been allotted with Water Resources Department and Housing with Housing Board respectively.

          The Departments not allocated to any Minister will remain with the Chief Minister.

March 21, 2017 …. The Governor of Goa, Smt. Mridula Sinha inaugurated Sixth All India Rajbhasha Sammelanorganised by Central Bank of India at a hotel in Panaji. While speaking on the occasion, the Governor, called the occasion a festival and not just a mere sammelan (convention) as India’s national language Hindi was being celebrated. She expressed how one’s language is rooted and connected in the family and not just in the public domain.

Earlier, the Deputy Director, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Dr Sunita Yadav spoke of the richness of the Hindi language.

Noted Konkani writer, Pundalik N. Naik was felicitated on the occasion for his contribution to Indian languages. While expressing his happiness on being felicitated, he said Hindi was a beautiful language. He also spoke of the fight for the Konkani language, and his memories participating in the 1987 language agitation in Goa.

Several Hindi officers of the bank were also felicitated for their meritorious work. Present on the occasion were officials of the Central Bank of India among others. Dr. Usha Gupta, All India in-charge Raj Bhasha Department, Central Bank of India compered the programme.

Panaji : March 20, 2017 … The Indian Water Works Association, Goa Center and the Institute of Engineers (India) Goa State Center will jointly organized World Water Day-2017 on March 22, 2017 at International Center Goa, Dona Paula. The program is supported by Public Works Department, Government of Goa and the International Center, Goa, Dona Paula.

          An expert in Waste Water, Shri K.B. Wadhavane, Director (Technical), IWWA from Mumbai will deliver the key note address on the theme ‘Water and Waste Water’.

          A Power Point Presentation Competition for the students of Technical Institutions in the state and a Drawing competition for students of std. VIII to X are also organized to mark the occasion.

  Panaji: March 19, 2017 …. National School of Drama, New Delhi in association with Kala Academy, Goa and Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa will host a four days classical drama festival (Theatre Festival) at Dinanath Mangueshkar auditorium, Kala Academy, Campal, Panaji from March 24 to March 27, 2017.

 The plays are in four different languages and are directed by renowned directors. The plays will be presented at 7.00 p.m. everyday. On March 24, 2017, Manipuri drama ‘Urubhangam’ will be presented by Chorus Repertory, Theatre, Manipuri. The play is directed by Shri Ratan Thiyam.

On March 25, 2017 Sanskrit play ‘Shakuntalam’ will be presented by Sopanam, Thiruvananthapuram. The play is directed by Shri K.N. Panikkar. On March 26, 2017 Hindi play ‘Bhagvadjjukeeyam’ will be presented by NIPA Rangmandali, Lucknow. The play is directed by Shri Surya Mohan Kulshreshtha. On March 27, 2017 Rangapeeth, Mumbai will present Hindi play ‘Mohe Piya’ directed by Shri Waman Kendre.

 The entry for all the plays is free; however, some seats will be reserved.

Panaji:  March 18, 2017 … The District Magistrate, South Goa, Margao  have ordered the closure of mining activities and mining transportation on March 20 & 21, 2017 in Quepem Taluka  in view of Shigmostav & Gulal festival  at Shree Ramnath Damodar Devasthan, Zambaulim.

The Gulal Festival will be celebrated at the Devasthan on March 21, 2017.  The Annual Shigmo Festival will be celebrated by the Devasthan with effect from March 16 to 21, 2017

Panaji: March 17, 2017   The Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Legal Affairs, Judicial Section, has granted the permission to Advocate Atmaram N. S. Nadkarni, Ld. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) to represent the state of Goa in the matter of Mhadei Inter-State River Dispute Tribunal.

The permission has been granted in relaxation of rules with the stipulation that his appearance will be as an Advocate and no as Additional Solicitor General.

Earlier, the former Chief Minister of Goa, on Feb 22, 2017, had requested to grant permission to allow Shri Nadkarni to appear on behalf of the state.

Panaji : March 16, 2017 …. The State Government has instituted a Scheme “Dalit Puraskar and Dalit Mitra Puraskar” under which State Government will award Rs.25,000/- cash, a shawl, a shrifal and a certificate on the occasion of Dr. Banasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti on Friday, April 14, 2017 to a person who has worked for the welfare of Scheduled Caste for 25 years or more.

 The objective of the scheme is to encourage individuals creating social awareness and to encourage the society, in general, to work for the upliftment and welfare of Scheduled Caste which will improve their socio economic conditions, education, standard of living etc.

  To be eligible for the award, the individual should be a Goan above the age of 60 years and He/She should have at least 25 years of remarkable service for the upliftment of Scheduled Caste in Goa in order to improve their socio – economic condition, education, standard of living etc.

 Interested persons may obtain prescribed application form from the Directorate of Social Welfare, Panaji. Last date for submission of duly filled application is March 30, 2017 along with all the relevant documentary evidences. For further information Director of Social Welfare, Panaji-Goa may be contacted.

Panaji : March 15, 2017 …. World Consumer Rights Day was celebrated in Panaji on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 by Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, in collaboration with Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). The theme for the programme was Consumer Rights in the Digital Age.

  The Director of Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Shri. Mahesh Corjuenkar welcomed the gathering and briefed the gathering regarding the history of World Consumer Rights Day. He spoke of the work done by the Department and highlighted various remedies available to the consumers through the state consumer redressal agencies and various regulatory bodies.

         On the occasion, leaflets and banners on Consumer Awareness were released. Special invitee for the function and Co-ordinator, GOACAN, that works to create consumer awareness, Shri. Roland Martins said that the consumer movement is growing steadily. He complimented the Department for forming the Consumer Awareness Cell, which he said would benefit a lot of people.

 Also, present on the occasion were the Chairperson, Consumer Affairs Committee, GCCI, Shri Gangaram Morajkar and Chairperson, Trade and Commerce Committee, GCCI, Shri. Manoj Patil among others.

Dr. G. Shaber Ali later held a session on Rights and Responsibilities in a Digital World.

Panaji : March 7, 2017 … International Naturopathy Organization in association with Indian Red Cross Society, Goa will be holding a program to mark International Women’s Day 2017 on Wednesday March 8, 2017 at Indian Red Cross Society – Goa State A/C Conference hall, Panaji-Goa at 3.30 p.m.

A talk on ‘Human Health through Naturopathy’ by Dr. Joeline Fernandes is organized which will be followed by felicitation of five eminent women of Goa.