Panaji: September 5, 2015 …. The Union Minister (IC) AYUSH and Family Welfare, Government of India Shri Shripad Naik has said that there are many challenges before the Indian Sugar Industry and also enough scope for improving the productivity and efficiency both in sugar and sugarcane sectors. In most of these areas, technology is the key factor.  

           Shri Naik was speaking as Chief Guest for the inaugural function of 3 days XI Joint Convention and Sugar Expo  jointly organized by The Sugar Technologists Association of India and The Deccan Sugar Technologists Association of India in Shyama Prasad Mukharjee Stadium  at Bambolim today.

           Shri Naik speaking further said that there is also a need to ensure efficient communication and coordination between research institutes, the sugar mill and the farmers. The varied change in respect of sugarcane is rather slow in the country resulting in fluctuations in sugarcane yield where in the Associations should address itself to this issue.

           Shri Naik further speaking also said that sugarcane also provides the basic source for production of alcohol and ethanol either from cane juice or from molasses. Countries like Brazil, USA,and number of other countries have successfully applied this technology. Usage of ethanol blend petrol is also an environment friendly energy source which can be blended with petrol and this blended petrol can result in reduction of air pollution he opined.

             Shri Naik complimented STAI and DSTAI for their endeavor to organize convention for the purpose to provide required inputs to the sugar industry to improve its efficiency reduce the costs and hoped to make the sugar industry globally competitive.

      The Sugar Technologists Association of India presented Lifetime Achievements Awards”to Dr. M. Manickam, Executive Chairman Sakthi Sugar Limited, Dr. Gururaj Hunsigi, Ex- Senior Manager, Mysore Paper Ltd.Mr.Harindar Pal Singh Bhatia, Director,Chadha Sugar and Industries Pvt.Ltd,Shri Shantaram Pansare Business Coordinator ThyssenKrupp India Ltd, Shri R.V Vatnal Group TYechnical Advisor Nirani Group of Industries, Shri Murugesh R. Nirani Nirani Group of Industries,

         Whereas The Deccan Sugar Technologists Association of India”has also presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Padmabhushan E.V. Alias Shri Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Ex-MLA, Ex-Minister, Dr.Anand Dinkar Karve,Ex-Director Nimbkar Agricultural Reasearch Institute Pune, Shri Shekhar Vijaysingh Pilajirao,Ex-Technical Advisor at Tehran Sugar Refinery-Iran.,Shri B.B.Thombare Ex.Chairman and MD of Natural Sugar Ranjani-Osmnabad, Shri Dilip Sitaram Bhamare, Founder and Promoter of SITSON India, Dr. Subhash Shinde,Ex-Director Research MPKV Rahur

                       The STAI on the occasion also conferred Industrial Excellence Awards to Shri Murugesh R. Nirani, Shri Hasan Miyalal Musharif Founder Sar.Senapati Santaji Ghorpade Sugar Factory, Shri Mohd. Hussain Chairman, Three Star Engineering Pvt. Ltd.Shri Yogesh Marwaha Sr. Vice-President Isgec Engineering Pvt. Ltd. Shri Pradeep Kumar Asthanan Chairman and MD Kamuna Group,

                       Shri G.V.Rao won Dr. Bansidhar Gold Medal for Innovation in the area of Energy Efficiency and Conservation in Sugar Industry while Shri Balaji `Dattappa Pabsetwar Works Manager Sahakari Khand Udyog Mandal Ltd. Gandevi Gujrath also won Shri J.P.Mukharji Gold Medal Award for best Engineer of the year. Isgec Gold Medal Engineering for Excellence, Process Technology won by Shri Narendra Mohan and Shri T.S.Rao also win Gold Medal-Engineering for Excellence, Process Engineering.

The winners were given awards at the hand of Minister Shri Naik.

                          Shri Narendra Sawaikar, Member of Parliament South Goa, Shri Amit Khattar Secy. STAI, Technologists, Engineers, Agriculturists  and other office bearers were those who attended the function.

                          Shri R.V. Shirgaokar President DSTAI welcomed the guests. while Shri Sanjay Avasthi proposed the vote of thanks. 

September 4, 2015 … Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar has expressed his heartfelt condolences at the demise of three-time Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Wilfred de Souza.

          In a condolence message, Chief Minister Shri Parsekar termed the demise of Dr. de Souza as a great loss to society. Dr de Souza, he said  was a prominent politician of Goa. The Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul. 

Governor of Goa Dr.Mridula Sinha has condoled the death of former Chief Minister Dr.Wilfred de Souza. In her message to Smt.Grace de Souza the Governor said that she is distressed to learn about the very sad demise of her beloved husband Dr. Wilfred de Souza, former Chief Minister of Goa.

She has further stated that, “Besides being an expert and eminent Surgeon, Dr. Wilfred de Souza, was a towering political leader who occupied the position of Chief Minister of Goa, thrice. He has undoubtedly made an indelible mark on the political and socio-economic cultural history of Goa. I am sure that the people of Goa will remember him forever for the splendid contribution which he made for the development of the State. My husband Dr.Ram Kripal Sinha, joins me in conveying our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to yourself and the other members of the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace. “

meanwhile the Government of Goa has declared state mourning from September 4, 2015 to September 6, 2015 throughout the state as a mark of respect to  Dr.Wilfred D’Souza , Ex-Chief Minister of Goa who passed away on September 4, 2015  

Panaji:  September 3, 2015 … District Collector (South), Shri. Sachin Shinde exhorted the tourism Department to galvanize COPTA awareness activities among the public, under Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COPTA) especially in view of the World Tourism Day to be celebrated on September 27.   He also stressed upon the Mamlatdars to conduct random visits to the schools to check if infrastructure is available to implement wall painting competition on school compound walls/boundary for school children under COPTA Act 2003 is likely to be held on October 2.

The District Collector, South, Mr. Sachin Shinde (IAS) on Tuesday reviewed the action taken report by various Departments at the District Level Coordination committee (SGDLC) for tobacco control stressed that every Mamlatdar of the Taluka and Government Departments should implement COPTA effectively.  He also urged the concerned officials to conduct raids to create awareness apart from refraining people smoking in public places. Various other issues related to COPTA were also discussed during the meeting.

District Magistrate, South Mr. Sachin Shinde (IAS) chaired the meeting and the member Secretary Dr. Doreen Dias (SGDLCC for tobacco control) welcomed the members.

Mr. Roland Martins co-ordinator (GOACAN) complemented all the concern authorities of South Goa Talukas for the efforts taken to conduct  successful rallies on May 31, the World No Tobacco Day in their respective Taluka and also for the fine collected from January 2015to June 2015 by COPTA enforcement squads consisting of Jt. Mamlatdar, officials of Police Department, Health Department and NGO (South District).

Shri Martins highlighted various issues effecting the implementation of the Act and placed the same before the Collector to initiate necessary action against the violators who does not follow the rules under COPTA Act 2003 and FDA in South Goa.

Further, Mr. Shinde suggested and asked the Director of Urban Health Centre, Margao to install banners on COPTA, PC-PNDT, Helmet for Road safety and awareness of senior citizen on rotation basis infront of the Urban Centre, Margao so that the public may not lose the awareness attractiveness.

Panaji: Sept 02, 2015 …. Minister for Art and Culture Shri Dayanand Mandrekar, was the Chief Guest for the valedictory function of National Printmaking (Etching) camp was organised by Directorate of Art and Culture at the Graphic Studio, Sanskruti Bhavan, Panaji.

Speaking on the occasion. Shri Mandrekar appreciated  the artists for their creative works and for print making art for its meticulous interesting techniques.

On behalf of participant artists Shri Siddharth Ghosh and Shri Viraj Naik expressed their views about the camp. They appreciated the initiative taken up by the state Government to promote artists in the state and also other parts of the country and also admired the state- of- the- art print making studio established by the department for the development of the Print making art.

The camp commence on August 19^th  concluded on August 26^th, 2015.  Total 15 artists had participated in the camp; namely Shri P.D. Dhumal (Baroda), Shri R.M. Palaniappan (Chennai), Shri Siddharth Ghosh, (West Bengal), Smt. Gauri Vemula (Hyderabad), Smt. Soghra Khurasani  (Baroda), Prof. Hanumant Kambli, Shri Querozittode Souza, Shri Viraj Naik, Shri Rajendra Usapkar., Shri Siddharth Gosavi, Shri Vijay Bhandhari, Shri Vitesh Naik and Shri Sripad Gurav, Shri Rajesh Salgaonkar & Shri  Ryan Abreu from Goa.

All the participants were presented mementoes and certificate at the end. Earlier Shri Prasad Lolayekar, Director of Art and Culture welcomed. Shri Ashok Parab, Dy. Director of Art and Culture proposed vote of thanks.  Smt. Siddhi Upadhye compered the programme.

Panaji: September 1, 2015 … The General Elections to 11 Municipals Councils are due to be held on October 25^th, 2015.

The preparatory work for Municipal Election has been announced by the State Election Commissioner. The Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers are already working on the job.

The Election scheduled commence from September 30^th, 2015 and concludes with the counting of votes on October 27^th, 2015.

Panaji, August 31, 2015 …. Stating that the State Government is committed for the welfare of Dhangar Community in the State, Minister for Social Welfare Shri Mahadev Naik has said that the Government is endeavoring for the inclusion of Dhangar Community in Schedule Tribe category.

Addressing a large number of Dhangars from the State who were assembled to commemorate the 22^nd anniversary of Gomantak Dhangar Samajonnati Mandal organized in association with Directorate of Social Welfare at a function held at Betora near Ponda yesterday Shri Naik said the long pending issue of inclusion of Dhangars in ST Category needs to be resolved to facilitate the Dhangars to avail benefit of various schemes and ensure their wellbeing. Shri Naik said that the state Government has decided to take all party delegation to New Delhi to put forth the demand and problems of Dhangars and redress them accordingly.

The Social Welfare Minister further informed that eight schemes which are being implemented under various Departments for the upliftment of ST Community are also applicable for Dhangar Samaj, the benefit of which will be extended to Dhangars till their demand for inclusion in ST category is met, he added.

The Minister highlighted the significance of education and mentioned that it is education alone which can bring name and fame and ensure all round development of the children. He advised the students to opt for Technical education to promote self employment and become reliant in life.  He said the Government is committed to provide the benefit of welfare schemes to all section of the society irrespective of caste, creed, religion and party affiliations.

Shri Vishnu Surya Wagh, MLA and Chairman Kala Academy speaking on the occasion defended the demand of Dhangar Community for its inclusion in the ST Category keeping in view their long struggle for the status. He said it is the responsibility of Government to pursue their demands with the Central Government for favourable consideration. He called for unity among the Dhangars to redress their woes and the demand for the inclusion in Schedule Tribe category becomes a reality.

Shri Narendra Sawaikar, Member of Parliament said the contribution of the Dhangar Samaj for the development of the State and nation as a whole is immense. Shri Sawaikar was confident that the long pending demand of Dhangars in the State to include them in ST Category will be fulfilled in near future.

Shri Vinay Tendulkar, President Bhartiya Janata Party, Goa unit also spoke on the occasion.

Minister also felicitated for Dhangar community students for securing highest marks in the recently held examination SSC/HSSC on the occasion.

Those who were present on the occasion were Dr. Janu Zore, Dr. Shantaram Surve, Smt. Lambore, Dr. Rajan Lambor, Smt. Meena Naik Goltekar, Director Social Welfare amongst others.

 Shri Chandrakant Kavalekar, MLA and President of  Gomantak Dhangar Samajonnati Mandal welcomed.

Panaji: August 30, 2015 …. Minister for Industries, Shri Mahadev Naik admitting that unemployment is a big challenge asserted that imparting technical qualification to youths is the need of the hour to make them technically qualified for being absorbed in the multinational companies and felt the need to change the mind-set of the youth to acquire technical knowledge.

 Minister for Industries, Shri Mahadev Naik was speaking at the laying of the foundation stone for Auto Plaza for block A at Industrial Estate, Kakoda, Curchorem in the distinguished presence of local MLA and Chairman GTDC, Shri Nilesh Cabral and MLA & Chairman, IDC, Shri Ganesh Gaonkar. 

 The Auto Plaza once complete will accommodate all those garages, vulcanizing, etc in the town at a centralized area.  The auto plaza was a long felt need of the small business community people operating from scattered areas in the village including the locals.  Auto plaza is being constructed in a phased manner consisting of 8 blocks comprising of 100 galas in the range of 50-100 sq. mts and 67 offices at a total cost of approximately Rs. 18 crores. 

 The Block A is being built at a cost of 3.5 crores on an area admeasuring 2000 sq. mts and will have 20 Galas and will be complete in a year time. Each block is independent of each other with necessary basic facilities like toilets, parking, etc. and will provide the perfect opportunity to serve the people in an effective manner apart from providing the opportunity to the people to get services at one place.

 Speaking further, Shri Naik said that the Government has taken a decision to impress upon industries to impart training to our local youth and absorb them.  This will ensure that the local youth get their hands-on-job and at the same time match the needs of the industries.

 Investment Promotion Board set up to encourage and attract investment in the State will emphasize upon all industries to provide employment opportunities to the local, Shri Naik said and pointed that new industrial estate in Dharbandora, Sanguem and Panchwadi will provide the much needed opportunity to get gainful employment to the people of the vicinity.

 Seeking people support and co-operation, the local MLA, Shri Nilesh Cabral informed that the Auto Plaza is a step in the direction of making our town a model one, enticing people to come calling at our town.

 Informing that foundation stones for a slew of projects like improvement and development of circles, swimming pool, etc for which all codal formalities and permissions are complete will soon be laid, he pointed that the government has been carrying out various development projects despite of its financial limitations.

 Shri Cabral said that all the blocks will be completed in a phased manner and allotment will done once for everybody operating their garage in the town only after completion of the total blocks.  The space allocation is at least 30 percent extra from the existing one each one is operating, he added.

 Shri Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman, IDC also spoke on the occasion.

Smt. Anita M. Naik, Chairperson, CCMC; Smt. Hazel Perpetual Fernandes, ZP Member, Councillors and others were present on the occasion.

Shri Prakash Gurav, General Manger(Engg), IDC welcomed while Shri Jose Barreto, Manager, Kakoda Industrial Estate compered and proposed the vote of thanks.

August 29, 2015 ….. Shri John Aguiar, honorary Company Commander of Home Guards, Panaji Divions has been nominated to attend the “Collapsed structure search and location course” conducted by the National Civil Defence College (NCDC), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India at Nagpur from September 7, 2015 to September 11, 2015.

Shri Aguiar is Information Officer in the Department of Information & Publicity. He also looks after as “Public Relations Officer” of Goa Police Department.

 He is an Arts graduate of Bombay University and also earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

 Shri Aguiar has won several awards and commendations. Has been Best All Round Student 1983 (Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College, Margao), Recipient of Presidents Home Guard and Civil Defence Medal for meritorious services in Home Guards-2012, Recipient of Goa Chief Ministers Gold medal for Meritorious services in Home Guards-2007, Director General of Civil Defence, New Delhi commendation for meritorious service-2013.He is also a shooter and  has represented  Goa State at the Maulankar National Shooting Championship held at Chennai-2003.

Panaji, 28^th August, 2015 … LIC is completing 59 years of  its service to the nation on 1^st Sept. 2015.  LIC’s Divisional Office with its 11 Branches, 3 satellite offices, Pension & Group Scheme unit and Customer Zone in the state of  Goa, will celebrate  the 59^th  Anniversary Insurance week from 1.9.2015 to 7.9.2015.

 On 1st of September 1956, The Life Insurance Corporation of India ( LIC ) embarked upon its momentous journey in true spirit of serving the people and nation as a whole. Since then, it has spearheaded the financial and infrastructure development of the nation. The performance of LIC has been exemplary and it has been growing from strength to strength, be it customer base, agency network, branch office network, and the like. LIC has played a significant role in spreading life insurance among the masses and mobilization of people’s money for people’s welfare. Even after the entry of private insurers for almost a decade now, LIC continues to be the frontrunner in the industry in terms of the market share.

 True to the spirit of nationalization, the Corporation has deployed its funds to the best advantage of LIC policyholders as well as for the community as a whole. National priorities and the obligation of reasonable returns to the policy holders are the main criteria of LIC’s investments.

 Inaugural ceremony of the Insurance Week will be held at  Jeevan Vishwas  Patto, Panaji  on 1^stSeptember, 2015. Shri Narayan R. Bandekar, MD & CEO NRB Group will be the Guest of honour for the ceremony.

 During the Insurance week, many initiatives such as, additional help desks for LIC Customers in the branch offices, special drive for creating awareness of Insurance in rural areas, Customers Meets at our various offices etc., have been planned.

 On the 4^th Sept.2015,  all the offices of LIC would be holding Agents recruitment drive, wherein enrolment to join the Corporation as a Life Insurance Agent would be done. Agents Day would be celebrated on the 5^th  of September,2015  with various competitions being held for them at our offices.

 Customer Service Counters at offices of the Paying Authorities i.e. Organizations who are having salary savings schemes with LIC. In these counters, the employees who are policyholders with LIC would be helped to submit their “Contact details (Mobile  No & or e mail id) and the bank details” to facilitate settlements of policy claims through NEFT. LIC Customers can now walk in to any offices of their Corporation to submit their “Contact details(Mobile No & or email id) and Bank Account details” to facilitate updation of these details in their respective policies. Drawing Competitions for school children of 10 schools have also been organized during the week .

  The valedictory function of the Week would be held on 7^th of sept.2015 at the Auditorium, Directorate of Museum, EDC Complex, Patto, Panaji.

Panaji: August 27, 2015 …. Government of Goa has Recognizes Vishwa Sanjivani Health Centre, Multi Specialty Hospital, Vasco-da-Gama for the treatment of Haemodialysis to  kidney patients @Rs. 1300/- per dialysis for a minimum of 12 dialysis per month for the purpose of Mediclaim under Goa Mediclaim Scheme and for medical reimbursement of Government Employees, Freedom Fighter, MLAS under Civil services (Medical Attendance) Rules. 1994.