Panaji: December,18, 2019 … Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has said that the work for the development of Goa should be keeping in mind dream and vision of former Defence Minister and Chief Minister of Goa late  Shri Manohar Parrikar.

Dr. Sawant was speaking at a function organized at Saraswat  Vidyalay School, Khorli Mapusa recently to inaugurate Manohar Parrikar Pratishthan-Goa  and to launch  Manohar Parrikar Lecture Series to commemorate 64^th birth day of Shri Parrikar.

Dr. Sawant said his vision was to produce Goan Scientists and therefore keeping this in mind the Government is holding  Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotstav. Wherein noble laurettes, scientists would  be invited to extend an opportunity to Goan Students to listen   and to interact with them. He said the memorial which will be constructed would  be kept open for public for 365 days. To keep alive memories of Parrikar,  the Government has taken some initiatives like University road at Bambolim to be named as Manohar Parrikar road. A law school which is to be started in University would be named as Manohar Parrikar School of Law etc. .

The Guest speaker of the function Dr. Anirban Ganguly while  delivering  his talk on the topic Redefining Governance: Essays on one year of Narendra Modi Government said that the redefining governance means  purity of mind and clarity of thought gives surety of success. It means  a change from a politics of promise to politics of performance.  To provide good governance needs art of Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency, thorough planning coupled with the participation of people.

Dr. Ganguly further said Shri Parrikar while serving as Defence Minister did not compromise with the interest of the nation.  What is Parrikar? Clearm logic, Decisive action and comprehencive delivery defines Parrikar and his vision.   Appreciating the endeavour of the Pratishthan he said that  forming Pratishthan and launching lecture series is no doubt a best  Intellectual tribute to Parrikar.

MLA Mapusa Shri Joshua D’Souza,Ex-MP South Goa Shri Narendra Savoikar  Son of Manohar Parrikar, Shri Utpal Parrikar, President of Manohar Parrikar Pratishthan, Shri Rupesh Kamat, Founder Member of Pratishthan Shri Sukhaji Naik among others attended the function.

Earlier Dr. Sawant garlanded the portrait of late Shri Manohar Parrikar to pay floral tributes to the departed leader and lighted the ceremonial lamp to mark the formal  inauguration of the Pratishthan.

Shri Datta Kholkar Founder Member of the Pratishthan welcomed the gathering.

Panaji, 17th December 2019, … Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant in presence of Minister for Science, Technology and Waste Management, Shri Michael Lobo; Minister for Power, Shri Nilesh Cabral; Minister for PWD, Shri. Deepak Prabhu Pauskar; MLA, Shri Prasad Gaonkar laid the foundation stone for the proposed 100 tons per day (+25%) Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility’ at Cacora recently.

While speaking on the occasion Chief Minister, Shri Sawant declared that this project will be named as Manohar Dream Project for Garbage Management. He reiterated Government’s efforts to take forward the vision of Late Ex CM Shri Manohar Parrikar. Development of Infrastructure requires vision and this Government is Working tirelessly with a vision to serve the last citizen of the State he said. The aim of the Government is to ensure that Goan should not suffer for basic needs like drinking water, roads, electricity, health, sewerage he said.

He urged the people to keep the identity of Goa. Issue of Garbage menace cannot be solved just with the garbage projects but it requires public participation, Shri Sawant opined. We should change the tendency looking at the way we are dealing it with the garbage issue he said. Government is working to give training for the teachers, councillors, panchayat members including the one who comes in public contact to solve the garbage issue at the basic level.

Stating that Goa is a tourist destination on the world map Shri Sawant appealed every citizen to w work responsibly to preserve the scenic beauty and environment of the State. When we say that our culture is “Athithi Devo Bhava” we should give priority for the cleanliness and be self motivated he said.

Shri Micheal Lobo said, solid waste management facility at Kakoda will be put up at a cost of Rs. 173 crores by using improvised technology. Work of this will be completed in 16 months he said. People should supplement the efforts of the Government to make State garbage free. Attitude and thought of the people “not in my backyard” should be changed  he said.

Speaking further, he said every house is generating garbage and they should take responsibility that this garbage will not be a problem for the entire society. He said State is in need of it’s own RDF factory and for that Government is working which will generate energy from garbage.

Similar garbage plants like Kakoda but with less capacity will also be made available at Sonsodo in South Goa and Bainguinim in North Goa. State is doing its best in infrastructure development and now it should also come up in waste management. Everyone is responsible for degradation of environment he said.

Shri Nilesh Cabral said garbage of 43 local bodies of Sanguem, Quepem, Cancona and Dharbandora talukas will be treated at Kakoda solid waste management facility. Roof Top solar panels will be installed on 16,000 sq.mts. roof of this garbage project to generate solar power he said. He thanked people to support this project.

Shri Dipak Pauskar said Overall development of the state is underway with the inspiration of late CM Shri Parrikar. Curchorem Constituency will get  it’s own sewerage treatment plant, process of acquiring land is underway. All major infrastructure projects in the State will be completed by December 2022, he added.

Shri Prasad Gaonkar said, solid waste management facility is the main project of overall development process.

 The project is under the aegis of the Department of Science, Technology and Waste Management and Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC).

The project will be set up on an area of approx 81,000 sqm, which was an existing waste dump site and GWMC has remediated the waste scientifically and disposed the RDF/SCF to cement factories for co-incineration.

The proposed plant is on the lines of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (SWMF) at Saligao and the design has been upgraded to take into account the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and the learning from the SWMF at Saligao. The plant will have separate lines for wet and dry waste with the organic extruder being the heart of the system. The entire system will be PLC/SCADA based and will be monitored 24×7.

The facility is being setup by an SPV, Vasudha Waste Treatment Pvt. Ltd. Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation has been entrusted the work of project management consultants. The design and technical parameters of the plant have been vetted by an expert committee under the chairmanship of Padmashri Dr Sharad Kale with members from IIT – Mumbai, NEERI, BITS Pilani.

Panaji: December 16, 2019 …Sanjay Centre for Special Education Goa, Porvorim has postponed its ‘All Goa Quiz Competition’ title ‘Brain Vita’ which was scheduled from December 13, 2019

The quiz will be now held on December 17, 2019 from 8.30 to 2.00 p.m in the premise of Sanjay School, Porvorim. Dr. Padmanabh Rataboli will be the Quiz Master, Shri Guruprasad Pawaskar Chairman, Sanjay Centre for Special Education Goa, Porvorim and Smt. Sheru Shirodkar, Member Secretary, Sanjay Centre for Special Education Goa, Porvorim will present for the quiz competition 2019.   

Panaji, December 15, 2019… An Oil Spill Response Preparedness Mock Exercise under the provisions of Goa State Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (GOA-SOS-DCP) was conducted today at the Miramar Beach by Office of the Collectorate, North Goa in association with Goa state Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and Indian Coast Guard as a part of regional Level Pollution Response Exercise (RPREX).

In a half day mock drill exercises like manpower mobilization with personal safely gears, mobilizing earth movers, JCBs and other beach clean-up equipment, pit digging with tarpaulin sheets for stowage of recovered oil/sand mixed sludge and shoreline sealing with boom were practiced under the guidance of officers of Coast Guard.

“This Mock drill is a part of the disaster preparedness of District Disaster Management Authority. With such drills, we are enacting scenarios and making people aware of the state machinery. For this mock drill, the GSPCB had made a contingency plan. We have achieved satisfactory results today. However, we now know a few areas on which we need to work upon which we will surely do,” informed Smt. R. Menaka, Collector, North Goa.

Officials from GSPCB, Department of Tourism, Fisheries, Police, Coastal Security, Fire and Emergency, CCP were also present on the occasion.

Panaji: December 14, 2019 …..Entries for the One Act Play Competition at High School Level have been invited by Kala Academy Goa in the prescribed format of application so as to reach the same in the Kala Academy office  at Panaji latest  by  December 20, 2019 at 4.00 p.m.

The participating institutions will have to pay a consolidated fee of Rs. 100/- as an entry fee irrespective of the number of one act plays, category wise presented by the institutions. The amount shall be accepted in cash during office hours between 10.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m and 2.00 p.m to 4.00 p.m in the accounts section of Kala Academy. Duly filled in entries in the prescribed format and physically received in the hard copy format, will  only be accepted.

One Act plays to be staged by the concerned high schools as mentioned in the entry form will only be allowed for performances. Change in the name of One Act plays after submission of entries will not be entertained. All the entries should bear official seal duly signed by the Head of Institution or  Headmaster of the  High School.

All the High Schools desirous of participating in the said competition may submit their entries within the stipulated date i.e on or before   December 20, 2019.  The entry forms are available free of charge at the reception counter of Kala Academy during office hours on working days.

Panaji, December 13, 2019… The Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant calling the former Chief Minister, late Manohar Parrikar a scientific visionary said that the Government will honour Manohar Parrikar’s commitment towards scientific progress by organising the Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav annually. The Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), at Dona Paula, yesterday.

Speaking further, Dr Sawant said that the festival will give ideas to explore new opportunities in science. Stressing on the field of education, Dr Sawant said that the Government will make Goa a premier educational hub.

The Minister for Science, Technology and Waste Management , Shri Michael Lobo said that if we develop a positive approach and a scientific temper and follow it daily, we can help keep the ideals of Manohar Parrikar alive by our deeds and bring laurels to the State of Goa.

Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, Dr K. Vijay Raghavan said that Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav is a path-breaking occasion to honour Manohar Parrikar. He said that Manohar Parrikar was an extraordinary person who valued expertise and knowledge and had a deep connectedness with society.

On the occasion, two Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) were signed between the Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India and Government of Goa and between Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Government of Goa.

A photo book on Manohar Parrikar, ‘The Legend’ was released on the occasion. The Book is brought out by the Department of Information and Publicity containing the compilation of Photographs on different facets of the former Chief Minister.

Earlier, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav and Goa State Innovation Council, Shri Jose Manuel Noronha launched a short film on Manohar Parrikar.

Present on the occasion were Chief Secretary, Shri Parimal Rai, IAS, Shri Daulat Hawaldar, IAS, Minister for Social Welfare and Urban Development, Shri Milind Naik, Manohar Parrikar’s son, Shri Utpal Parrikar, Director of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Prof. Sunil Kumar Singh, among others.

The inauguration was followed by a guest lecture, ‘Nature Inspired Science: Why do we flock together?’ delivered by Padmashri Dr Ajay Kumar Sood.

The two-day Manohar Parrikar Vidnyan Mahotsav is being organised by the Department of Science, Technology and Waste Management and supported by Directorate of Higher Education, Directorate of Education, Directorate of Technical Education, Department of Information and Publicity, Department of Protocol, Goa State Innovation Council, Goa State Pollution Control Board and Goa Waste Management Corporation among others.

Panaji:  December 13, 2019 … Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant inaugurated Lokotsav 20 organised by Adarsh Yuva Sangh, Gaondongri, Khotigao and Shree Balram Shikshan Saunstha, Amone, Paingin, Canacona in association with Directorate of Art and Culture at Amone, Canacona recently.

The two days event is supported by Directorate of Tribal Welfare and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sawant said continuity is very important in any organization and applauded the efforts of organisers for organising such a beautiful event from the last 20 years successfully. Lokotsav festival, he said is not limited to the State as it attracts the people from the neighbouring States. Lokotsav is a festival for the people by the people, he pointed.

Recalling the efforts and initiatives taken by Ex CM late Shri Manohar Parrikar for bringing the tribals and rural people in the main stream, Shri Sawant applauded the work of Adarsh Yuva Sangh and Shri Balram Shikshan Saunshtha in the field of education in the remote areas. This institutions builds the students not only in education but also in sport, art and culture he said. He said collective efforts are required to take the State to the next level.  One should not keep culture aside while doing progress he said.

Appealing to the people to take up agriculture as profession Shri Sawant said Agriculture field is also a culture and base of the State. Shri Sawant also spoke about the IT Policy of the State and urged the youth to derive benefit of the policy and EDC incubation center.

Chairperson, Canacona Municipal Council, Smt Nitu Dessai said Lokotsav is a stage for local artist to showcase their varied talent in art and other qualities.

Zilla Panchayat Member, Dr Pushpa Ayya and Shanu Velip; Sarpanch, Village Panchayat Khotigao, Smt Suman Gaonkar and others were present on the occasion.

Dr Shivanand Bandekar, Smt Kamlini Painginkar, Dr Shekhar Salkar, Dr Rupa Chari, Smt Sulakshana Sawant, Smt Kamakshi Pai, Shri Arvind Tengse, Smt Kunda Chodankar, Smt Krushni Walke, Smt Sunita Sawant, Smt Chanda Dessai, Smt Vinda Satarkar, Dr Sucheta Naik, Smt Manuja Naik Gaonkar, Smt Pallavi Shirodkar were felicitated on the occasion.

Ex Minister and President, Adarsh Yuva Sangh, Shri Ramesh Tawadkar welcomed while Shri Ashok Gaonkar proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji, December 12, 2019 ..The 45^th State Art Exhibition of Kala Academy in the Artist Category will be held between December 26, 2019 to December 30, 2019 at Art Gallery, Kala Academy Complex, Panaji. Entry forms along with the rules and regulations are available at the Kala Academy’ office during working hours.

 The entries along with the exhibits will be accepted on December 18  and 20, 2019 between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the office of  Kala Academy, Campal, excluding  lunch break from 1:15 pm to 2:00 pm.

 Kala Academy has appealed to all the interested Goan Art students to submit their entries along with the exhibits within the stipulated period.

Panaji, December 11, 2019 …At a meeting held with the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant in Panaji, today, the Chief Engineer, Water Resource Department (WRD), Shri Shrikant Patil, and other officials informed the Chief Minister that there was no shortage of water in the State.

The officials informed Dr Sawant that currently, the water from Tillari Canal from Maharashtra has been stopped because of landslides due to the recent rains in August and September and that the cleaning of the landslide work has been undertaken up by Government of Maharashtra and are likely to be completed by the second week of December. They further informed that this work is being monitored by Executive Engineers of Goa in-charge of the canal on a daily basis and project authorities in Maharashtra have assured that they will release the required quantity of water for irrigation and drinking water purpose in Goa by the second week of December.

The WRD officials further stated that the Tillari Dam is full to its capacity indicating that they was no shortage of water. Shri Patil informed that because of the work of clearing the landslide in the canal in Maharashtra, as a temporary arrangement, the Goa authorities are pumping water from Sal Bandhara and bringing to Amthane Dam which in turns supplies water to the Assonora Water Treatment Plant. The officials further informed that the Amthane Dam has got a minimum of 20 days stock of water and there is no shortage of water in Goa.

The Tillari Irrigation Project is a joint venture of the Governments of Goa and Maharashtra. The canal network begins in Maharashtra and enters Goa at Dodamarg. The Tillari Irrigation Project supplies water to the Assonora Water Treatment Plant directly from the canal and the water from here is supplied to Bardez taluka.

Panaji, December 10, 2019 …The ongoing works of augmentation and laying of new pipelines will solve all the water woes of Quepem Constituency permanently said Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Chandrakant Kavlekar.

Shri Kavlekar was speaking after commissioning 150 mm DI drinking water pipeline from Quitol to Pirwada and Pirwada to parts of Quitol Village laid at a cost of Rs. 70 lakhs recently. The water pressure problems too will be solved with the laying of the new pipeline.

Stating that the developmental works in varied sectors in the constituency are carried out with a vision and taking the requirements of years ahead, Shri Kavlekar said some of these works are near completion while process on others is going on said. Keeping in mind the needs for the coming 25 years all round development in terms of infrastructure, health, education, water supply is being undertaken said Shri Kavlekar adding that no stone will be left unturned for the Development.

Speaking further Shri Kavlekar said, work of laying new water line, worth Rs. 8.00 crores from Ambaulim is underway. Drinking water system work under JICA project at a cost of Rs. 29 crores in Quepem Municipality jurisdiction is accorded approval by Government he added. Unity of the people is very much important for progress and development of the village, he remarked.

Khola Zilla Panchayat Member, Shri Shanu Velip said Government is working tirelessly for the overall development of the last citizen of the State. People should keep aside their differences and work unitedly for the welfare of the people he added. He also lauded the efforts of Shri Kavlekar for undertaking various Developmental works in Quepem constituency.

Sarpanch, Village Panchayat Betul, Shri Tato Parwar thanked Shri Kavlekar for solving the various problems faced by the villagers.

Deputy Sarpanch, Smt Akanksha Naik, panch members, Assistant Engineer, Water Supply, Quepem, Shri Vasuraj Karmalkar, Curchorem – Smt Harsha Kakodkar and others were also present on the occasion.  Executive Engineer, Water Supply, Quepem, Shri Shrikant Gaonkar welcomed while Technical Assistant, Smt Jyoti Velip proposed the vote of thanks.

Shri Kavlekar also laid foundation for a Club House at Gavliwada Betul, construction of which will be taken on a land donated by Kavlekar family under Panchayat Golden Jubilee Fund. Gymnasium for Club House costing Rs. 25 lakhs will also be made available under Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Fund. Four Gymnasiums total costing Rs. 1 crore are sanctioned for Betul, Morpirla, Khola and Barcem villages under MP Fund, he informed.