Panaji : March 27, 2020 …The Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs is organizing a State – level poster Competition for the students of standard 9^th to 12^th on the theme “Consumer Awareness”, on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day 2020.

          The Competition will be held in two stages. Each student can forward one original entry only. Each poster shall be on “Half imperial” chart paper. In the first stage one student can forward his original entry on the theme “Consumer Awareness” to the following address under the Seal and Signature of the Headmaster / Principal on or before March 31, 2020 alongwith the contact details. The Address is Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, 1^st lift, 2^nd floor, Junta House Panaji-Goa, 403001.

          The best twenty entries will be selected for the second round to be held at a designated venue in Panaji to be declared later (tentatively mid of April 2020)| and the students will have to carry their own drawing material.

          The topic for the second round will be give at the venue on the spot. All the qualified entries for second round will be awarded certificate of Merit.

          The first prize for best Posters at the second round is Rs. 5,000/-, the second prize is Rs. 3,000/- and the third prize is Rs. 2,000/-. There will be 4 consolation prize of Rs. 500/- each.

Panaji : March 26, 2020 …. The Third batch of Certificate Course in Library and Information Science (6 months) will begin from May 4, 2020 at Goa College of Engineering Library, Farmagudi, Ponda. The course is of 6 months duration which includes 45 day internship in a reputed library.

          This course is mandatory for the applicant who wishes to seek employment in School Libraries, Public Libraries (Gr I and II Librarians) and Library assistant’s in other libraries. The admission for the course will be given on first come first serve basis as there are only 30 seats available. Those who are employed in the library will be given preference. The candidate has to pass standard XIIth in any stream to apply for the course.

          Interested students may collect the prospectus which will available in the college library from April 6, 2020. For more details you may contact the course co-ordinator, Dr. Sandesh B. Dessai on 9823978438 / 08322336391.

Panaji: March 25, 2020 :::: Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant recently paid floral tributes to former Defence Minister and Ex-Chief Minister of Goa late Manohar Parrikar on the occasion of his first Death Anniversary at the ongoing site of late Parrikar`s Smriti Stal, Miramar.

Minister for PWD Shri. Deepak Pauskar, Minister for Revenue Smt. Jennifer Monserrate, Minister for Water Resources, Shri. Filipe Nery Rodrigues, MLA, Panaji Shri. Atanasio Monserrate, MLA Fatorda, Shri. Vijay Sardessai, Mayor, Corporation City of Panaji Shri. Uday Madkaikar, Advocate General Shri. Devidas Pangam, Chief Secretary Shri. Parimal Rai IAS, Collector,North Goa Smt. R. Maneka IAS, Chairman of EDC Shri. Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Secretaries to Government, other Senior Government Officers and family members of late Parrikar were present on the occasion.

Panaji : March 24, 2020 The Controller, Legal Metrology, Porvorim, has appealed to all the respective agencies to prevent overcharging in respect of masks, sanitizers etc, so that their availability and affordability is freely available to health services providers and consumers at large.

          The Legal Metrology Department has informed that Section 18(1) of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 provides that ‘no person will manufacture, pack, sell, import, distribute, deliver, offer, expose or possess for sale any pre-packaged commodity unless such packaged is in such standard quantities or number and bears thereon such declarations and particulars in such manner as may be prescribed.’

          Also, ‘no retails dealer or other person including manufacturer, packer, importer, and wholesale dealer will make any sale of any commodity in packed form at a price exceeding the retail sale price thereof.’

          The penal provision for violation of Section 18 is made under Section 36(1).

          ‘Whoever manufactures, packs, imports, sells, distributes, delivers or otherwise transfers, offers, exposes or possess for sale, or causes to be sold, distributed, delivered or otherwise transferred, offered, exposed for sale any pre-packaged commodity which does not conform to the declarations on the package as provided in this Act, will be punished with fine which may extend to twenty-five thousand rupees, for the second offence, with fine which may extent to fifty thousand rupees and for the subsequent offence, with fine which will not be less than fifty thousand rupees but which may extend to one lakh rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with both.

Panaji :: March 23, 2020  …To abide by the security measures mentioned in the Government advisories and considering the safety and welfare of all the litigants, lawyers, staff members and the parties appearing in-person, security, maintenance, support staff and interns, the Hon’ble Acting Chief Justice has directed that the functioning of the Courts in High Court as well as its Benches functioning at Nagpur, Aurangabad and the High Court of Bombay at Goa will be restricted presently for a week commencing from March 16, 2020, to urgent matters only.

              The Advocates, litigants and parties in persons may mention their matters showing the urgency before the concerned Courts and upon satisfaction about the urgency, the Court will hear such matters. CMIS dates would be given to the rest of the matters. Orders of Ad-interim and interim relief subsisting in the matter will continue to operate.

It is appealed to all the Bar associations and the Advocates that they will endeavor to restrict the entry of the litigants in the Court and only in cases where the presence is unavoidable, one person may be called.

              Advocates and Party in person are requested to provide number and stage of matter on daily board which they want to be taken up urgently to the concerned Court Sheristedar/Associate prior to 11.00 a.m. The rest of the matters on the Regular Board will stand adjourned.

              Considering the importance of the safety measures for health, all concerned are requested to cooperate with the instructions of the staff on duty, in the interest of all.

Panaji, March 22, 2020  … Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has appealed Goans to avoid mass gathering as a precautionary measure from spreading of the COVID-19, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has asked the people of Goa to avoid mass gatherings in public places. “All the educational institutes in the state will be closed from Monday till March 31, 2020, however all the exams including the SCC Board will be held as scheduled. Spots such as Public Swimming Pools, Gymnasium, Casino, Spa, Cinema Halls, Cruises, Pubs/Discotheques will be closed from the midnight of March 15, 2020 to March 31, 2020,” the Chief Minister informed.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a press conference held at the Official Residence of the Chief Minister at Altinho today. Minister for Health Shri. Vishwajit Rane was also present on the occasion.

To restrict the entry of persons infected with Corona virus in the state, the Government will place Thermal Scanners, initially one each at the Airport, Marmugao Port Trust (MPT) and railway stations, the Chief Minister told. “The scanners will be purchased by the Government on priority to screen every individual entering Goa. Also, a fully equipped Virology laboratory will be set up at the Goa Medical College (GMC) so the state will not have to seek help from neighbouring states for early detection and tests regarding COVID-19,” the Chief Minister said.

            Decision regarding Shigmo float parade which is yet to happen in few talukas in the state will be taken by the local Shigmotsav Committees, however, the Government appeals people to be safe, make use of sanitizers and avoid public meetings, the Chief Minister said.

            He directed the Office of the Collector of both districts to not to permit any public meetings or gatherings pertaining to the upcoming ZP elections. “To maintain the hygiene at the election booth, the voters will be provided with hand sanitizers and the staff on election duty will be provided face masks. Hence, people need not panic. Do come to cast your vote,” the Chief Minister informed.

            Dr. Sawant further urged the shop and pharmacy owners to stop stocking sanitizers or selling them at high price as malpractices like such will be viewed as a punishable offence as per the Advisory. He also urged the general public to adhere to all the Guidelines and Advisories issued by the Govt. from time to time for the safety of individual as well as the state. If any person suspects of infected with Coronavirus in the vicinity, they may call 104 helpline of the Government, the Chief Minister said.

Panaji : March 21, 2020 …. The Department of Public Health Dentistry, Goa Dental College and Hospital, Bambolim in collaboration with Directorate of Health Services, Campal is organising a rap battle and Zinger (original one liner) making competition on March 18, 2020. The theme for the competition is ‘World No Tobacco Day’. Winners will receive a prize money of Rs. 10,000/- and Rs. 5,000/- respectively. The competition will be held at the Goa Dental College and Hospital.

The last date for entries is March 15, 2020. Further queries regarding the competition may be mailed to goapublichealthdentistry@gmail.com.

Panaji : March 20, 2020 … The Governor of Goa, Shri Satya Pal Malik felicitated Cadets of Karnataka and Goa NCC Directorate who participated in Republic Day Parade at New Delhi on January 26,2020 and secured fourth place in the event with cash incentives and certificate of appreciation at home function at Raj Bhavan yesterday.

The felicitation function was hosted by Governor at Raj Bhavan to acknowledge outstanding performance of NCC Cadets from Karnataka and Goa Directorate to boost their morale and Passion to strive for further excellence.

Speaking on the occasion Governor congratulated the NCC Cadets for their outstanding contribution and excellent performances in the Republic Day Competition held at New Delhi and hope that, similar commitment and efforts will be shown in personal career path by them.

Speaking further, the Governor said that NCC has moulded  youths to be disciplined and motivated human resource to take up leadership in all walks of life and lead the Nation to the pinnacles of glory and mentioned that growth of the Nation is directly related to the growth of the youth and said that, NCC Cadets have additional responsibility to helping others to be responsible citizens of the country.

Air Commodore L K Jain, Deputy Director General of Karnataka and Goa NCC Directorate also spoke on the occasion.

The Governor awarded Cheque of Rupees two lakhs to the team of Song “Navbharat”, (New India) the song which becomes best group song in Pre- Republic Day Camp 2020.

Brigadier Sanjay Rawal, COMDT 2 STC, Commodore Ajay Singh Bisen Representative of FOGA, Commodore TVN Prasanna VSM, CO, Manndovi were also present on the occasion.

Col. Daniel Abraham, CO, 1 Goa NCC Battalion compered and proposed vote of thanks.

Panaji :: 19/03/2020 ::: Goa Cricket Association will be organizing the Goa Premier League One Day matches from 15th March 2020 to 11th April 2020 at Porvorim, Sanguem, and MCC (Margao) ground.

Six teams will be participating in the tournament.

The teams are:
1. Salgaocar Cricket  Club
2. Dempo Cricket Club
3. Chowgule Sports Club
4. Margao Cricket Club
5. Karimabad Sports Club
6. Geno Sports Club

Panaji : March 18, 2020 ….. Directorate of Health Services, Government of Goa has issued an Office Memorandum on travel advisories dated March 10, 2020, issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, for information of general public.

It is informed that more than 100 countries across the world now have reported cases of COVID – 19. People travelling to these countries or people who have travelled abroad might come in contact with people affected with COVID-19 during their stay or even while in transit at the airports. Within these countries, few countries have reported very large number of cases and deaths putting passengers from these countries particularly at higher risk of infection.

     In view of the above, Indian citizens are advised to avoid non – essential travel abroad, they are further strongly advised to refrain from travelling to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, Japan, France, Spain and Germany.

    All incoming international passengers returning to India should self-monitor their health and follow required Do’s and Dont’s as detailed by Government.

   Further, all passengers having travel history to China, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Iran, Malaysia, France, Spain and Germany are advised to undergo self-imposed quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival. If such passengers are working in some organizations/institutions, their respective employers are advised to facilitate work from home during this period.

  With respect to restrictions on visa, besides the already issued instructions, all regular Visas (including e Visas) which have been granted to nationals of France, Germany and Spain on or before March 11, 2020 and where these foreigners have not yet entered India stands suspended.

       Regular visas (including e Visas) granted to all foreign nationals who have travel history to these countries on or after February 1, 2020 and who have not yet entered India also stands suspended.