Panaji, December 17, 2018 … The Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt) Mridula Sinha  inaugurated a four day “National Conclave  on Value Education organized by The Goa University in association with GVM’s Dr. Dada Vaidya College of Education, Difficult Dialogues, and Sponsored by State Bank of India, at  Donapaula yesterday. Dr. Prakash Shah delivered the keynote address.

The Governor  speaking on the  occasion  said that the decline of social values in society should be a matter of concern for all of us. We are doing remarkable development in the field of science but decline in our social values is not a good sign. A house is a primary institution where child learns basic lesson of values.  Therefore the behaviour of parents matters here.

The Governor further said that the four day conclave will deliberate on important aspects of human society and will arrive at a solution for the same.

Dr. Prakash Shah who was the keynote speaker in his address said that the value education is the vast subject like ocean. It comprises behaviour of human being in society. Values have social bearings. 

The Vice-Chancellor of Goa University Prof. Varun Sahni. In his welcome address said that education is the best tool to check the trend of degenerating value system. Now a days he said, there is a confusion about values in society.  Value education help us to differentiate between right and wrong  and therefore there is no end to value education which is necessary to become good human being. He hoped that the four day conclave would deliberate on this core issue of the conclave to explore strategies to bring back values  in the society he reiterated.                                         

Prof. Dhruv Raina, Col. ( Retd. ) John D’Silva, also spoke on the occassion

Prof. Y.V. Reddy Registrar proposed the vote of thanks.  

Panaji, December 16, 2018. … Government through the Budget Speech 2015 had announced three ambitious Social Security Schemes pertaining to the Insurance and Pension Sectors, namely Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and an the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) to move towards creating a universal social security system, targeted especially for the poor and the under-privileged. Prime Minister had launched these schemes nationally in Kolkata on 9^th May, 2015.

In light of the fact that a large proportion of the population have no accidental insurance cover, the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana (PMJJBY) is aimed at covering the uncovered population at an highly affordable premium of just Rs.12 per year. The Scheme will be available to people in the age group 18 to 70 years with a savings bank account who give their consent to join and enable auto-debit on an annual renewal basis.

Under the said scheme, risk coverage available will be Rs.2 lakh for accidental death and permanent total disability and Rs. 1 lakh for permanent partial disability, for a one year period stretching from 1^st  June to 31^st May. It is offered by Public Sector General Insurance Companies or any other General Insurance Company who are willing to offer the product on similar terms with necessary approvals and tie up with banks for this purpose. Participating Bank will be the Master policy holder on behalf of the participating subscribers. It will be the responsibility of the participating bank to recover the appropriate annual premium in one installment, as per the option, from the account holders on or before the due date through ‘auto-debit’ process and transfer the amount due to the insurance company.

The cover shall be for the one year period stretching from 1st June to 31st May for which option to join / pay by auto-debit from the designated bank account on the prescribed forms will be required to be given by 31st May of every year. Joining subsequently on payment of full annual premium would be possible. However, applicants may give an indefinite / longer option for enrolment / auto-debit, subject to continuation of the scheme with terms as may be revised on the basis of past experience. Individuals who exit the scheme at any point may re-join the scheme in future years through the above modality. New entrants into the eligible category from year to year or currently eligible individuals who did not join earlier shall be able to join in future years while the scheme is continuing.

PMSBY will be an Accident Insurance Scheme offering accidental death and disability cover for death or disability on account of an accident. It would be a one year cover, renewable from year to year. The scheme would be offered / administered through Public Sector General Insurance Companies (PSGICs) and other General Insurance companies willing to offer the product on similar terms with necessary approvals and tie up with Banks for this purpose. Participating banks will be free to engage any such insurance company for implementing the scheme for their subscribers.

All individual bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 70 years in participating banks will be entitled to join. In case of multiple bank accounts held by an individual in one or different banks, the person would be eligible to join the scheme through one bank account only. Aadhar would be the primary KYC for the bank account.

Margao: December 15, 2018 …A mock drill to assess the preparedness levels of all the response teams of the district administration, concerned industry and the surrounding industries was conducted on Thursday at the bottling plant of Bharat Petroleum Corporation at Verna Industrial Estate, Verna under the guidance of the District Magistrate and Chairperson of South Goa District Crisis Group, Dr. Tariq Thomas.

The scenario was of a gas leak at the point of Lorry Tank Unloading Gantry wherein on-site emergency tried to arrest the fire with their own resources and then declaring off site emergency.

The drill was conducted perfectly with everyone discharging their defined roles within the estimated schedule response time.  The Fire and Emergency Department with due assistance from medical teams including that of the BPCL undertook the full evacuation of the people/employees of surrounding industries too within the entire radius of 250 metres to an identified location and shifting of causalities to nearby medical centre.    

Precautionary measures were undertaken by vacating the area and controlling the fire by spraying water.  The minor causalities were treated based on the severity of the injuries at the Cikitsa hospital, Verna and Hospicio Hospital while the serious injured were shifted to GMC. The surrounding industries also participated and co-operated in the entire exercise.

Shri Uday Prabhudessai, Dy. Collector(Salcete) and Incident Commander speaking at the debriefing stressed that the mock drill provides an opportunity to the line agencies and the industries in adopting the SOP’s in handling such disasters.  Identifying the strong points as well as the areas of weakness he urged the officials to improve the efficacy of the emergency response further.

Shri Prabhudessai complimenting all the officials involved in the Mock Drill for effective co-ordination of every aspect informed that the primary objective of the drill was to evaluate and check the efficacy and adequacy of resources to be required during any disaster and promptness of various response teams for further improvement in emergency preparedness systems.

Shri Nandan Sawaikar, Inspector, Factories and Boilers who was one of the observers for the drill expressed satisfaction in the conduct of the exercise.  He also pointed out areas of concern where improvement of concerned management was required based on certain situations.

Senior officials of Police, Fire & Emergency, Medical services, Collectorate besides the BPCL participated in the drill.

It may be informed that the South Goa District Crisis Group have successfully conducted such drills in four of the  8 Major Accidental Hazardous Units (MAH) in South Goa to create awareness among the residents of the locality on how to take safety measures and prepare themselves during such incidences.  

 Panaji, December 14, 2018 …Minister for Health Shri Vishwajeet Rane will launch ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)-Goa project on December 15, 2018 at 4.00 p.m at Goa Medical College, New Auditorium cum Exhibition Hall, near new Forensic Department.

 This programme aims to decrease cardiac mortality and morbidity resulting from ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI or Heart Attack) by aiding prompt and accurate diagnosis in peripheral health centers of Goa using tele-ECG, thrombolytic of the clot using newer thrombolytic agents and prompt transfer to Goa Medical College using Cardiac/ALS ambulances of 108 GVK-EMRI.

          This is a landmark project of Government of Goa and a revolutionary way of treating heart attacks in the state.

Panaji, December 13, 2018 …….. The Department of Information and Publicity is conducting two half day workshops on RTI Act 2005 in North and South Goa district. The workshop for North Goa will be held at Mapusa Residency, Mapusa on December 14, 2018 whereas the workshop for South Goa will be held at Conference hall, Mathany Saldanha Collectorate Complex, Margao on December 20, 2018.

The function will be held from 9.30 am to 2 pm.The Participant of the workshop will include elected representatives of Local self government bodies such as Municipality and Village Panchayat, Consumer clubs, consumer forums and general public.

Two Resource Persons namely Smt.Sima Fernandes, Assistant Director GIPARD and Shri Roland Martins, Coordinator, Goa CAN will guide /enlighten the participants of the workshop on various aspects of RTI Act. Smt. Sima Fernandes will speak on RTI Act and overview whereas Shri Roland Martins will speak on RTI Act 2005, a tool for transparency and accountability.

The primary objective of conducting the workshops is to empower the citizens to promote transparency and accountability in the working of the government and to educate them on various aspect of RTI Act and also to make them aware of rules and gain access to seek information under RTI Act.

Panaji, December 12, 2018 … According to Office of the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, the following important development activities were carried by the Department of Cooperation during the month of October, 2018. These include an amount of 2729.59/- lakhs were Loans and Advances by Goa State Coop, Bank Ltd., Panaji.

          210 Coop. Societies have been audited during the month of October, 2018, Total Amount of Audit fees has been collected of Rs. 3, 33,657/- during the month of October, 2018. 270 number of societies filed returns. Total Amount of filling fees collected is Rs 1,17,100/-.

150 number of members have been enrolled during the month of October, 2018.

          An amount of loan recovered by the Co.op Bank and Other Institutions is Rs. 200.01 lakhs. An Amount of loan recovered by the Goa State Housing Finance and Federation Ltd is Rs. 33.32 lakhs.

          In October, 2018, 6,26,24,413 liters of milk from local and NIL liters of milk from outside State has been procured by Goa State Coop. Milk Producer’s Union Ltd; Curti, Ponda.

          Societies Registered are the Gufur’s Chandrakant Square Coop. Housing Society Ltd., Pontemol, Curchorem, Kalika Devi Self Help Group Coop. Society., Sawantwada, Curchorem, Shri Brahmani Self Help Group Coop. Society., Bombad Uguem, Sanguem, Jai Shree Hanuman Self Help Group Coop. Society Ltd., Sakalwada, Morpirla, Quepem, Kuttimaya Self Help Group Coop. Society., Khutiwada, Netorlim, Sanguem, Sattari Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Saunstha Maryadit, Velus, Valpoi, Sattari, The Martins Classic Coop. Housing Society Ltd., Varca, The Grandeur Residency Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Alto, the Prime Heritage Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Vasco-da-Gama, The Paramount Galaxy Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Nuvem,Shri Ganesh Residency Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Nagoa, The Chandra Meadows Coop. Housing Society Ltd., Cortalim, The Argentina Apartments Coop. Housing Society Ltd., Gogal-Margao, The Hi-lite Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Gogal-Margao, The Mapte Grove Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Nuvem, The Sitaram Residency Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Aquem, The Meadow Lands Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Per-Seraulim, Shanta Niwas Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Shantinagar, Ponda,Sayyadri Mannor Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Nagzari, Curti, Ponda, Tranquil Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Mapusa, SRS Bhavan Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Verem, Prestige Verdant Coop. Housing Maintenance Society Ltd., Duler, Mapusa.     

Panaji, December 11, 2018 …“Saving life is the purpose of medical fraternity-be it Public or private sector. Institutions like Healthway Hospitals, led by Goan doctors with a clear vision, will help create a benchmark for quality healthcare services in the state. I firmly believe that integration of private and public sector in healthcare is critical to be able to offer premium healthcare facilities. We all need to work together to make this happen.

The state government is working on various advanced programmes and would like to partner with Healthway Hospitals to make these a reality,” said Minister for Health Shri. Vishwjeet Rane while speaking at the Inaugural function of Heathway Hospital at Ella in Old Goa recentl.

            Former Chief Minister Shri. Pratapsingh Rane, EDC Chairman Shri. Subhash Shirodkar and former Panaji MLA Shri. Siddhartha Kuncalienker, Dr. Virendra Gaonkar, Chairman, Healthway Hospitals Pvt Ltd and Dr. Antonio De Bossuet Afonso, Chairman, Goa Doctors Alliance Pvt Ltd were present among others.   

            Shri. Pratapsingh Rane speaking as a Chief Guest congratulated the team of Goan doctors by calling them ‘Dream team’ for conceptualising Healthway, a state-of-the-art medical care under one roof. “Health is wealth, and Goa is privileged to have the finest healthcare system than its neighboring states. A lot more facilities can be offered if the Public and Private sector medical care join hands. A fulfilling health insurance for both these sectors is need of an hour. The Government can play a vital role in popularising the existing medical schemes and insurances so as to reach the rural population. With such small steps Goa can be a hub for medical facilities for the entire country,” Shri. Rane said.         

            Earlier, the program began by lighting the traditional lamp and unveiling the plaque. Dr. Isha Dhuri sang an invocation song accompanied by Dr. Samant on harmonium. Dr. Mahendra Kudchadkar read a message sent by Chief Minister Shri. Manohar Parrikar. Shri. Kuncalienker and Shri. Shirodkar also spoke on the occasion and conveyed their best wishes. Dr. Virendra Gaonkar gave the welcome address. Dr. Sandesh Chodankar proposed the vote of thanks.

            Dean of GMC Dr. Pradeep Naik, Sarpanch of Old Goa VP Smt. Janita Madkaikar, MLA Maem Constituency Shri. Pravin Zantye, Senior doctors from the state and their families were present on the occasion.

            Collectively owned and run by 52 Goan doctors, who understand the holistic philosophy of healthcare, Healthway Hospital is a 250 bedded hospital  which has been envisaged on the basis of four pillars – Clinical (providing state-of-the-art compassionate services to contribute to the betterment of healthcare I society), Academic (conducting training programmes, lectures, workshops to impart knowledge and skills to medical colleagues), Social (healthcare awareness and preventive medicine) and Research (set up a research centre which will focus on research on communicable and preventive medicine).

The hospital has 50 ICU beds including medical, surgical, cardiac, neonatal and paediatric ICUs. It has 7 world class operation theatres, state-of-the-art Cathlab, 24 unit OPD Block for specialities and super speciality services and an in-house prosthetic and orthotic department. It features the largest neonatal care facility in the state and the first pediatric ICU in the private sector in the state. The hospital offers 24 hour services in accident and emergency services, ICU services, Cathlab services, Radiological imaging (CT, MRI, X-ray, Ultrasound and Mammography), Dialysis unit, and pharmacy, laboratory and accident services.

Margao:  December 10, 2018 … Union Minister of State for Ayush(Ind),  Shri Sripad Naik Inaugurated the “Lokotsav 19” – two day event organized by Adarsh Yuva Sangh and Balaram Education Institute in association with the Department of Art and Culture Government of Goa at Amone Poinguin, Canacona in the distinguished presence of Local MLA, Shri Isidore Fernandes; ZD member, Dr. (Smt.) Puspa Ayya, General Manager, NABARD Smt. Kamaxi Pai and others yesterday.

Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Ex. Minister and MLA Shri Ramesh Tawadkar; President of Balalram Education Society, Shri Arjun Gaonkar; Acting principle of Balalram Education High School, Shri Kamalakar Mhalshi; Sarpanchas of Shristal, Poingunim, Loliem and Agonda  alongwith panch members.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Naik said he is very happy to associate with such type of programmes where our traditional culture are showcased and added that one should encourage this type of activities to keep the tradition and our culture alive.

Shri Naik further urged the youths to come forward to organize such types of programme in all the rural areas of the State to ensure the youth’s involvement and development of village. The motive behind this type of programme is to make every youth independent, he said.

Lokotsav is a good example to create awareness and to showcase our traditional culture and our lifestyle to the outside world and added that the various natural dishes prepared and displayed by the local people, self help group is the way to acquire knowledge and to pass it on the coming generations, he said.

Traditional games are slowly disappearing and we need to start them.  These games not only provided entertainment but helped up to remain healthy, he pointed.

Congratulating the organizer of “Lokotsav 19” Shri Naik urged the tribal communities to come together to save our culture. Organic farming need to be encouraged to control diseases developed through use of fertilizers. Various schemes provided by Government to promote organic farming should be apprised to the people at such lokotsav’s, he remarked.

MLA, Shri Isidore Fernandes, Shri Tawadkar and Smt. Kamaxi Pai also spoke on the occasion.

Ms. Suvidha Komarpant and Ms. Resha Kholkar compered the function while Shri Srikant Tawadkar proposed vote of thanks.

Panaji, December 09, 2018 … Department of Sainik Welfare, Panaji observed annual Armed Forces Flag Day at Raj Bhavan recently. The Armed Forces Flag Day or the Flag Day of India is a day dedicated towards the collection of funds from people of India for the welfare of the Indian Armed Forces personnel. It has been observed annually in India on December 7 since 1949.

 Governor Dr. Smt. Mridula Sinha, Chief Secretary Shri. Dharmendra Sharma IAS, DGP Shri. Muktesh Chander IPS, Commandant HQ 2 STC Brig. A.K. Sharma and Secretary of Department of Sainik Welfare (DSW) Major. Venugopal Nair(Retd) was present on the occasion.  

 In her address to the gathering, the Governor congratulated the Sainik Welfare Department and its staff for working towards the betterment of ex-servicemen in the state. “We must have the feeling of gratitude towards the armed forces. It is because of them, that we can live a peaceful life. However, being a patriot is also equally important. We must inculcate this feeling among young children; only then we can imagine about a powerful India,” the Governor said. She also appreciated the proposed initiative of a retirement home for abandoned defense veterans and widows and veer naris. 

The program began with Major. Venugopal Nair(Retd) giving an outline about projects planned by the DSW for the ex-servicemen in the state. “An old age home for abandoned veterans, veer naris and widows is an upcoming project undertaken by the DSW with the help of NGOs and the Government. In the current year 2018, many activities were undertaken in villages of Goa to understand the grievances of families of ex-servicemen and to encourage youth to join defense forces. All the activities gained a huge response from the public,” Major Nair informed.

The Governor distributed awards to Government departments for collecting highest funds towards Sainik Welfare. The 1^st place was bagged by Commissioner of Excise, 2^nd – Directorate of Education and 3^rd – Directorate of Panchayat who also bagged the ‘Ummid se Jyada’ puraskar given for exceeding the collection target.

Smt. Usha Nevrekar proposed the vote of thanks. The function was attended by ex-servicemen and their families, senior Govt. officials among others.