Panaji, January 26, 2019 …  … The 70^th Republic Day of the country was celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervor in the State today. The State-level function was held at the SAG Ground, Campal where Governor of Goa Smt. Mridula Sinha unfurled the National Tri-color and inspected the Guard of Honour.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said that on this day in 1950 the people of India resolved to make India a sovereign, secular and democratic republic and to treat everyone with equality and respect. We are the biggest Democratic nation which includes people from different religion, culture, caste and region. It is an occasion to introspect our values and unite for the betterment of our country, the Governor said.

The Governor gave a detailed summary of various projects, quoting the 3^rd Mandovi Bridge and the Eight lane cable Zuari bridge as milestones of the Government. “The state Government works hard in order to strengthen the society and to provide the best facilities to the public. The law and order in the state have always been in control. The Government via its schemes in Education, Women Empowerment, Agriculture and Fisheries have achieved tremendous growth in the social sector. With upcoming District Hospitals and Super Speciality Blocks, our state will soon be a hub for Health Care,” the Governor said.

Applauding the progress made in the Industrial and Tourism sector Smt. Sinha said that the state has made a commendable job in the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’. She also informed that ‘Gaanv aur hum’, a unique program wherein she visits remote villages in the state, is gaining popularity and has helped the state Government to take its schemes and programs to the rural people.

 On the occasion, the Governor later presented ‘Krishiratna’ award to Shri. Shrihari Kurade for his distinguished work in the field of agriculture. Similarly, Shri. Uday Prabhudessai, Shri. Dalgerio Santan Fernandes was given with ‘Krishi Vibhushan and Krishi Bhushan’ awards respectively. Shri. Rajesh Molu Gaonkar was presented with Fr. Inacio Alemida Special Award.

Prominent among those who attended the Republic Day ceremony included senior political leader Shri. L.K.Adwani, Speaker Shri. Pramod Sawant,   Chief Secretary Shri Parimal Rai IAS, Secretaries to the Government, senior officers and freedom fighters. The function was compered by Dr. Dayanand Rao.

Earlier, contingents from Defence, Police force and School children performed March past. The program ended with cultural programs presented by children from various local schools.

Panaji. January 26, 2019 ….  ..The Directorate of Transport has compiled their monthly report of number of accidents that occurred and number of Challans issued for the month of November 2018.

As per the report there were 309 road accidents of which 22 Fatal Accidents (North Goa – 11 and South Goa – 11), 21 Grievous Accidents (North Goa – 11 and South Goa – 10), 62 Minor Accidents (North Goa – 23 and South Goa – 39) and 204 Non – Injury Accidents (North Goa – 126 and South Goa – 78) took place.

The total number of people who lost their lives in road accidents were 22 (North Goa – 11 and South Goa – 11). 9 riders, 7 P/Riders and  6 Pedestrian lost their lives in these accidents.

24 people were Grievously Injured (North – 13 and South – 11) while 92 persons suffered Minor Injuries (North – 31, South – 61).

A total 8820 Challans were issued by Transport authorities in the month of November 2018.

Panaji. January 26, 2019 … Prayog Saanj will be held on January 25, 2019 at 6.30 p.m. at Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji in which ‘Let Me Be Me’ a theatrical presentation will be presented by Ms. Anagha Saish Deshpande.

The play has been written Ms. Florina Frazilla Fernandes and directed by Mrs. Anagha Saish Deshpande and will be performed be the students of Nirmala Institute of Education, Altinho, Panaji.

The main objective of ‘Prayog Saanj’ is to provide a platform to the new groups and budding artistes in the field of Drama. The Directorate of Art and Culture provides its Multipurpose Hall free of cost for the performance of the play. The groups interested to perform in ‘Prayog Saanj’may kindly contact Directorate of Art and Culture for further details.

   This programme is open for all the artists and theatre lovers.

Panaji: Jan. 25, 2019 … On the occasion of Republic Day, I convey my hearty greetings and best wishes to everyone. Today, we reaffirm our dedication towards our Constitution and repose faith in the ideals enshrined in our Constitution. Let us all work together to take our country on the path of progress. This Republic Day let us resolve to strengthen our nation by dedicating ourselves towards building a progressive and prosperous India.

Panaji: Jan. 25, 2019The Constitution Week was celebrated at Bardez Taluka level. To mark the celebration, the Directorate of Panchayat in association with Sucuro Village Panchayat organized a function at Socorro Bardez today. Prof. Suchita Timble of V. M. College of Law was the keynote speaker  for  the function.

Smt. Timble speaking on the occasion said that with the enforcement of the constitution on January 26, 1950 India become Sovereign, Socialist Democratic country. We Indians are empowered to rule ourselves. The constitution has made us privileged society and a largest democratic nation in the world.

Smt. Timble further said that being citizen we have to know basic things of our constitution. Our constitution has granted us fundamental rights along with duties. The Constitution adopted one vote one value. All are equal before law. The country is responsible for the welfare of every citizen irrespective of his religious affiliations, caste creed and gender Therefore we are a welfare nation. She appeal to the people to learn about  constitution.

Shri Krishnakant Pangam BDO welcomed the gathering.

The function was attended by Shri Swapnil Chodankar Sarpanch,VP Penha De Franca, Shri Sandip Salgaonkar Sarpanch, VP Salvador Do Mundo  Ward also Sarpanchas  and  Ward  Members of  various  Village  Panchayat of Bardez Taluka and others.

Panaji. January 25, 2019 ….The Electricity Department will launch the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) facility on January 26, 2019.

BBPS is an integrated bill payment system in the country that offers interoperable and accessible bill payment services to customers through a network of agents, enabling multiple payment modes, and providing instant confirmation on receipt of payment. It is a fully sophisticated, Digitized form of utility Bill transactions system which receives Bill Amount from consumers and updates the Database of the Biller.

Presently collection facilities available to the consumer are physical counters in 34 sub-divisions of the Department in cash/cheque/draft, ATPM Machines operated at 5 locations throughout Goa, payment through SBI gateway from website and Mobile App, collection of payment by 390-co-operative societies throughout Goa.

            With the present collection facilities, around 20% of payment are by e-payment, 30 % by ATPM and rest through the co-operative societies/Banks etc. with the introduction of BBPS, except for Departmental counters, rest of the collections will be through Digital mode and will include transactions by cash, drafts, etc. The consumers will have the convenience to pay from anywhere in India and at any time using this platform through participatory Banks.

            Officials at the Electricity Department have informed that M/s TJSB Bank is the operating Unit for Electricity Department under BBPS and all Banks taking part in BBPS all over Goa shall be collecting the Electricity Bills payments and handing over the receipt to the consumers. Online Electricity Bills payment through various other modes such as BHIM, IMPS, mobile banking/net banking etc. is also possible through BBPS. Consumers are urged to take advantage of this arrangement.

The consumers will also be benefited by the extension of Departmental cash counter timing from the present 10.00 a.m to 12.30 p.m to the new extended timings from 10.00 a.m to 1.00 pm and 2.00 p.m to 4.30 pm.

Panaji. Dated: January 24, 2019 …State Designated Agency Goa, Electricity department, Government of Goa has informed that complaints regarding non – working of LED streetlights are to be registered on Toll free customer service center no 1800-180-3580 and 1800-233-3949 operating from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. or email : helpline@eesl.co.in.

Panaji. Dated: January 24, 2019 …The Government of Goa has notified the “The Goa Compensation Scheme for Women Victims / Survivors of Sexual Assault / other Crimes, 2018” with effect from January 7, 2019 as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.

          An application for the award of interim / final compensation can be filed by the Victim and/or her Dependents or the Station House Officer (Inspector/Sub-Inspector) of the area before concerned State Legal Service Authority or District Legal Services Authority in Form ‘I’ along with a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) or criminal complaint of which cognizance is taken by the Court and if available Medical Report, Death Certificate, wherever applicable, copy of judgment/recommendation of Court if the trial is over.

          The application/recommendation for compensation can be moved either before the State Legal Services Authority or the concerned District Legal Services Authority or it can be filed online on a portal which shall be created by all State Legal Services Authorities. The Secretary of the respective SLSA/DLSA shall decide the application/recommendation moved before him/her as per the Scheme.

          The women victims or her dependent(s) who have suffered loss, injury, as a result of the offence committed and who require rehabilitation will be eligible for grant of compensation under “The Women Victims Compensation Fund”.

          An application for the award of interim / final compensation can be filed by the Women Victim and/or her Dependents or it can be filed online on a portal created by Goa State Legal Services Authorities (GSLSA) or the Station House Officer of the area before concerned State or District i.e. North and South Goa District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) – and will be submitted in Form ‘I’ along with a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) etc.

          The amount of compensation will be decided by the State Legal Services Authority as per the schedule of the compensation in the scheme which would vary from Minimum of Rs.1 Lakh to a maximum of Rs. 10 Lakh depending on the gravity of injury/loss to the women victim/survivor Compensation shall be disbursed by the State Legal Services Authority or District Legal Services Authority by depositing the compensation in a Bank in the joint or single name of the victim/dependent(s).

Panaji, January 23, 2019 .. Health Minister Shri Vishwajeet Rane said that the second phase of beautification of Valpoi constituency has been sanctioned, and soon the work of beautification will be carried out. He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the proposed work of the construction of modern fire station at Valpoi today.

Others present for the occasion were Shri Akhtar Shah, Chairperson, Valpoi Municipal Council, Shri Nitin Raikar, Deputy Director, Fire and Emergency Services, Shri Fati Gaonkar, Zilla Panchayat Member, Smt. Parveen Shaikh, Former Chairperson and Shri Shaikh Sarfaraz, Vice Chairperson of Valpoi Municipal Council and others.

Speaking further Shri Rane listed on the developmental works that are in progress in the Sattari taluka and said that Valpoi will be on top position as far as infrastructure development is concerned. He said, Keri and Usgao areas will also be beautified once the beatification work in Valpoi begins.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 6,84,20,708,00. The Work includes construction of fire station building consisting of appliances bay, control room, sentry post, gym, training room etc.

Panaji. Dated: January 23, 2019 … The new state-of-the-art Market complex and Multipurpose Hall for V. P. Dongurli – Thane  Panchayat inaugurated yesterday  by Shri. Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Panchayat in the presence of Shri. Pratapsingh Rane, former Chief Minister and present MLA at Thane in Sattari taluka yesterday.

 Others present on the occasion were Shri Deepak Prabhu Pauskar, Chairman, GSIDC and MLA, Shri Fati Gaonkar, ZP Member, Smt. Sarita  Gaonkar, Sarpanch, Shri Suryakant Gaonkar, Dy. Sarpanch and members of the panchayat.

Speaking on the occasion Panchayat Minister said that the Government has always believed in giving back to society and have organised various community development programmes in area such as health, education, governance, etc. Continuing on the same philosophy of improving the quality of life amongst communities, the Government has taken initiatives in constructing  new Mandovi and Zuari bridges, panchayat office buildings with better infrastructure and facilities, which will help the panchayat to work more effectively for the welfare of the people, he added.

Panchayat Minister highlighted the development that has taken place in the Sattari taluka for past several years and complimented the dedicated work of former Chief Minister Shri Rane.

 Shri Pratapsing Rane and Shri Deepak Prabhu Pauskar also spoke on the occasion.

 Earlier Shri Fati Gaonkar welcomed the guest. Shri Uday Sawant compered and Shri Suryakant Gaonkar proposed vote of thanks.