13/08/2014 …. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has registered 4466 complaints/ cases till date for violation of Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The NCPCR enquires into the complaints relating to the RTE and takes necessary steps for further pursuance with concerned agencies.

The other measures taken / being taken by the NCPCR for the propagation of the said Act include:

(i)                     Sensitizing workshops on child rights in coordination with the State Commissions for   Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs) for School Management Committees (SMCs) members and teachers.

(ii)                   Monitoring RTE infrastructure parameters in schools situated in educationally backward   districts.

    (iii)      Organizing public hearings in different States to directly receive complaints for redressal of RTE  related issues.

NCPCR has established an online Complaints Management System (CMS) whereby complaints are registered and processed in a transparent manner.

This information was given by Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Union  Minister of Women And Child Development in reply to an Unstarred Question  in Lok Sabha recently.

13/08/2014 … An Anganwadi Karyakartri Bima Yojana exists for the Aanganwadi workers/helpers in the country.  The Government launched the Scheme on 01.04.2004 in association with the Life Insurance Corporation of India as a welfare measure for the benefit of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs).  The Scheme is operated through the Social Security Group Scheme of LIC.  The salient features of the Anganwadi Karyakartri BimaYojana are as under:-

The Scheme is applicable to all AWWs and AWHs in the age group of 18-59 years;

The premium under the Scheme is Rs.280/- per annum per member.  The breakup is as  under:-

(i)      Rs.100/- from Social Security Fund of LIC

(ii)    Rs.100/- by the Government of India

(iii)   Rs.80/- by the Anganwadi Worker/ Helper (additional for male critical illness of the insured member).  The premium of Rs.80/- payable by these workers towards critical illness has been waived off till 31-03-2015.

The Scheme provides the following benefits:-

(i)      Natural Death  Rs.30,000/-

(ii)    Accident benefit:

Ø      Death/ Total permanent disability  Rs.75000

Ø      Partial Permanent disability           Rs.37500

(iii)   Female Critical Illness (FCI) Benefits: An amount of Rs.20,000/- is payable on the diagnosis of invasive cancers (malignant tumour) manifest in specific organs.

(iv)  ShikshaSahayogYojana: A free add-on scholarship benefit is available for the children of AWWs and AWHs.  Scholarship of Rs.300/- per quarter for students 9^th to 12 Standard (including ITI courses) is available but it is limited to two children per family.

This information was given by Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Union  Minister of Women And Child Development in reply to an Unstarred Question  in Lok Sabha recently.

August 13, 2014 …. The Home Department has made necessary transport arrangements for freedom fighters to attend Independence day celebrations at Panaji and Patradevi.

 Transport arrangement has been made from “Hutatma Chowk”, Mapusa for the benefit of Freedom Fighters to attend the Independence day celebrations at Panaji.  KTC bus bearing registration No GA 03 X 0246 will leave from “Hutatma Chowk”, Mapusa at 8.00 a.m. on August 15, 2014.

 After the function at Old Secretariat, Panaji, the above bus along with another bus with registration No. GA 03 X 0308 will be parked at Ferry Wharf, near Old Secretariat, Panaji which will proceed to Patradevi.  The buses will return to Panaji with the freedom fighters after the Patradevi function at 12.30 p.m.

 The contact details of the driver, Shri Santosh Volvoikar driving vehicle GA 03 X 0246 and Shri Sachit Parab for vehicle No. GA 03 X 0308 are 9823246151 and 8412877508 respectively.

August 13, 2014 …. The 5^th Executive Committee meeting of Special fund for reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen was held in the conference of Chief Secretary at Secretariat yesterday which was Chaired by Chief Secretary Shri B. Vijayan.

The meeting was attended by Station Commander 2STC Brig. Harvijay Singh, Additional Collector North Goa Shri Swapnil Naik, Additional Collector South Goa Shri D. S. Morajkar, Commander Anup P. Keny (Retd.), Lt. Col. K. F.D’Lima (Retd.) and others.

Matters like financial assistance and handicapped grant to the old infirm non pensioner Ex-servicemen/widows and  the handicapped wards of ex-servicemen/widows having 40 percent disability, financial assistance, Scholarship and Special Scholarship cases, Medical Reimbursement and other issues were discussed at the meeting.

Medical reimbursement to the non pensioner Ex-Servicemen and their dependents has been enhanced to Rs. 25,000/- from Rs. 10,000. Decision was also taken to organize contact programme with the help both the district collectorates.

Secretary of the Department of Sainik Welfare Major Venugopal Nair  gave a presentation.

The 19th meeting of Rajya Sainik Board was also held on  under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Shri B. Vijayan at Secretariat, Porvorim yesterday. The meeting discussed several issues pertaining to the welfare of retired personnel in the force including army, air force and navy and with due consideration to widows, their dependants and serving soldiers’ families of the state of Goa.

The  meeting decided to hold Armed Forces Flag day on December 7. Other issues discussed are mobilization of funds. Release of souvenir, Presentation of trophies during armed forces flag day, Achievers awards, Advertisements through local radio and news channels,  It was decided to hold Blood donation camp in the first week of December.  and others issues were discussed.

As regards  patriotic song during the AFFD function, the same of well know singer  Samiksha Bhobe Kakodkar was proposed and approved by the board for  this year’s flag day function at Raj Bhavan. 

The meeting was attended by Station Commander 2STC Brig. Harvijay Singh, Commander Indirijit Singh, HQ Goa naval Area, Vasco, Shri Arun Dessai , Director Transport, Shri Menino D’Souza, Comissioner of Excise, Shri J. B.. Bhingui, Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Panaji, Additional Collector North Goa Shri Swapnil Naik, Additional Colelctor South Goa Shri D. S. Morajkar, Director of Education Shri Anil Powar. Superintendent of Police (H.Q) Shri Vishram Borkar,  Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Shri Yeshwant Tawade, DFES Shri A. Menon and others attended the meeting.

Secretary of the Department of Sainik Welfare Major Venugopal Nair  gave a presentation about the welfare projects and programmes concerning the Ex-servicemen and the and the issues pertaining to  them.

August 13, 2014 … The Librarian Day was celebrated in the city today by Krishnadas Shama Goa State Central Library by organizing various activities to mark the day.  August 12^th is celebrated as National Librarian’s Day in India in remembrance of national professor of Library Science, Dr. S.R. Ranganathan who had spearheaded library development in India.

 “Texts, Tomes, Treasures” book on the evolution of Goa’s Pubica Livrario by Smt. Maria Pia de Menezes Rodrigues, Ex-Curator of Central Library, Panaji was released on the occasion at the hands of Shri V.B. Hubli, Ex-Curator of Central Library, Panaji.

 Shri Hubli speaking as chief guest on the occasion stressed the need to make the library movement more vibrant by inculcating the habit of reading among the younger generation.

 Congratulating Smt. Rodrigues on her book release Shri Hubli felt that a lot more needs to be done to the library movement in the State.

 Readers of the Central Library like Dr. P. Phal Dessai, Dr. Kenkre, Dr. Celsa Pinto,Shri B. D’Cruz, Stmt. Archana Kakodkar were felicitated on the occasion.

 A motivation talk on communications & Stress Management by prominent personality and a quiz competition for participants on the topic “Events & Happening in India” was also held on the occasion.

 Shri Madhav Borkar, Ex-Director, AIR gave a brief synopsis of the book “Texts, Tomes, Treasures”.

 Dr. Teotonio D’Souza, Smt. Maria Pia de Menezes Rodrigues and Shri Ashok Parab also spoke on the occasion.

 Shri Carlos Fernandes, Curator welcomed while Smt. Sulaksha Kulmule proposed the vote of thanks on the occasion.

Dated: August 12, 2014 …. The International Youth Day was organized by Goa State AIDS Control Society, Panaji in collaboration with NSS unit, St. Xavier’s College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Mapusa and NSS unit, Goa University at St. Xavier’s College Mapusa today.

Minister for Health and Panchayat Shri Laxmikant Parsekar was the chief guest for the function. Other present were Dr. Vandana Patankar, Project Director, Goa State AIDS Control Society, Smt. Ursula Pinto Barreto, Vice Principal, St. Xavier’s College, Shri Pradeep Morajkar, NSS Co-ordinator, Goa University, Shri Umakant Sawant, Dy. Director (IEC), Shri Carmelitto De Souza, NSS Programme Officer, Ms. Ruella D’Souza, Red Ribbon Club Convenor.

A presentation on, ‘International Youth Day 2014’ was delivered by               Dr. Narayan Kamat Dalal, Sr. Consultant, Goa SACS.

Smt. Ursula Pinto Barreto, Vice Principal, St. Xavier’s College welcomed the guests.

Shri Laxmikant Parsekar, in his speech highlighted the importance of the day and said that the students are future citizens of the nation.  He said stress, frustration, anxiety among other factors results in committing suicide. It is therefore necessary to express our feelings with parents, teachers or share views with others to overcome such mental health problems. He also said students should take interest in others in order to get solutions.

The Minister further appealed to the students to make awareness on dreaded disease HIV/AIDS. He said students should come forward to donate blood voluntarily to save lives of others.

Dr. Vandana Patankar, Project Director, Goa State AIDS Control Society said there should not be stigma and discrimination and no children should be kept in isolation for HIV/AIDS.  She also said that people are reluctant to come forward for testing fearing that they might infected with the disease.

Smt. Jeunesse Dittosa Fernamdes, proposed vote of thanks.

 Panaji: Aug 12, 2014 … The Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar has said that Bhausaheb Bandodkar has done legendary work in the field of education which lead to educational revolution in Goa. He said Bhausaheb had worked tirelessly to reach education at the doorsteps of common people of Goa. 

Shri Parrikar was speaking after unveiling the life size statue of the first chief Minister of Goa late Shri Dayanand Bandodkar alias Bhausaheb Bandodkar on his death anniversary observed by the Government at Secretariat Porvorim today.

Shri Parrikar further speaking remembered the departed leader for his remarkable contribution in socio economic growth of the state.. He said Bhausaheb was a great visionary who laid down the foundation of state’sdevelopment therefore the Goa has earned accreditations in field of education and health all over. Therefore we need to emulate ideals of Bhausaheb Bandodkar. It was the dream of the Goan people to have statue here at this Secretariat has been fulfilled he opined.

The function was also attended by Speaker Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Francis D’Souza, WRD Minister Shri Dayanand Mandrekar, Cooperation Minister Shri Deepak Dhavlikar, Industries Minister Shri Mahadev Naik, Forest Minister Mrs. Alina Saldanha, Fisheries Ministe Shri Avertano Furtado, Health  Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar, Commissioner NRI Affairs Dr. Wilfred Mesquita, ,  MLA & Chairman of Goa Handicraft Shri Lavu Mamledar, MLA St. Andre Shri Vishnu Wagh,MLA Porvorim Shri Rohan Khaunte, MLA Calangute Shri Michael Lobo,MLA Aldona Shri Glen Ticlo,  Ex-MLAs  Shri Sadanand Malik, Shri Luis Alex Cardozo, Shri Pandurang Raut, Shri Ramakant Khalap, Shri Prakash Velip, Shri Narahari Haldankar,Former Chief Minister Smt. Shashikalatai Kakodkar, Chief Secretary Shri B. Vijayan, DGP Shri T.N.Mohan  HODs and  Officers of Various Govt. Departments, Under Secretaries. prominent citizens 

Shri Ramkrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar PWD Minister welcomed the guests. Dr. Pramod Sawant Vice- Chairman GSIDC proposed the vote of thanks.