GOA

State law dept to be restructured soon
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Wednesday said that the state law department would be thoroughly restructured in the next two months, on the lines of the Union law ministry and additional staff like two joint secretaries, besides legal officers and legal assistants looking after 2-3 departments would be appointed for vetting the proposals etc and expeditiously clearing the documents. Replying to the issues raised by members of the House during discussion on demands for law, district courts, prosecution, election office, legislature secretariat, etc held by him, the Chief Minister also said that the government would construct a hostel for the MLAs and provide all facilities for holding various legislative works and events like Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meetings. As regards to discrepancies in the electoral rolls, he said that he agreed with the complaints made by the legislators and said that the Chief Electoral Officer has already started taking action on the matter, even as he said that names of foreign nationals would be deleted from the rolls. [NT]
National Games 2011 may not kick off in Goa
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday stated on the floor of the House that the National Games 2011 allotted to the State may not be held next year. While clarifying on the issue during “Question Hour” he said, two States (Jharkhand and Kerala) which were allotted the National Games in 2007 and 2009 respectively, are yet to conduct national games and therefore, games in Goa will be held only after they are held in these two States, he said in reply to a question tabled by Mandrem MLA, Laxmikant Parsekar. The opposition legislators also questioned the government over why public private partnership (PPPs) linked to tourism could help build part of the infrastructure for the forthcoming games. Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar asked Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar what alternate arrangements have been made if it fails to get private partners to invest in any of the eight PPP projects. The opposition also raised concern about viability of the PPP projects, when the sports minister failed to give a specific answer in the house. The opposition declined to accept the minister’s long explanation of how the project was initiated. In no mood to endure Azgaonkar’s usual talks, Parrikar objected to the latter’s replies saying the minister should give a correct answer or they will stop asking him any further questions.
Enter the Dragon
Back from jail, Mickky spits fire at CM, Ravi. Beleagueured Benaulim MLA Francisco (Mickky Pacheco) yesterday made his maiden appearance in the ongoing monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly and used the ocassion to give vent to his ire against Chief Minister Digambar Kamat for what he called "misleading" the NCP leadership to force him to resign as minister because of the Nadia Torrado death case. Mickky, who is the main accused in the Nadia case, yesterday lashed out at Kamat while denying his involvement, except in trying to save Nadia's life. Released on bail on Monday after spending 17 days in jail and prior to that 29 days in hiding, Mickky said: "I was pressurised to resign as Minister. Chief Minister (Kamat) had told my party leader Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel that there was clinching evidence in this issue and that I would be dismissed if I had not resigned." Kamat, however denied he had spoken to NCP leaders Sharad Pawar or Praful Patel on the issue.
Ruckus in house over rising prices
Under continuous fire from opposition benches in the legislative assembly over rising prices of essential commodities, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday said he was willing to take suggestions from all members to modify the price control intervention scheme and pump in more money to bring relief to the common man. However, the reply didn’t find favour with the opposition leader Manohar Parrikar and Fatorda legislator Damu Naik, who proposed a debate on the subject. Both of them continuously interrupted the proceedings by referring to statistics to indicate corruption and other malpractices in the departments concerned. Noisy scenes were witnessed at regular intervals during the more than half-an-hour discussion on the subject with opposition members maintaining corruption had resulted in the common man buying essential commodities at exorbitant prices. When the CM said he was willing to pump in more money into the scheme, Parrikar asserted the government has to specify the amount in figures or else there was no substance in Kamat’s statement . He rubbished the chief minister’s claim that the price control scheme in Goa was unique in the country.
CM to discuss unique identification plan with central project chief
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat will discuss various key issues pertaining to the Unique Identification Project of the central government with the chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India, Mr Nandan Nilekani, including definition of a resident and a citizen, as per the project. The Chief Minister is the chairman of the State Unique Identification Implementation Committee, constituted last year. Earlier, the leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar questioned the Chief Minister as to whether the status of the residents of Goa would be upgraded to the citizens, once they are given a unique identification number under the project. Cops robbed my passport, cash: Himachali youth
A youth from Himachal Pradesh has accused two policemen of robbing Rs 4,000-5,000 and taking away his passport when he spent the night at the KTC bus terminus in Panjim on July 25. According to BK Singh, who worked as a cook in a beach shack in Goa, the act of the policemen has shattered his dream of landing a job in London. The desperated Singh has been making several trips over the last few days to the Panjim police station to get back his passport. According to his complaint, Singh worked as a cook in a shack and was planning to go to London to seek a job. On July 25, he visited a friend in Santa Cruz as the season has ended. While returning, he consumed liquor and spent the night at the KTC bus terminus in Panjim, the complaint states. Two cops, apparently on night patrolling, came towards him at around 1 am and accosted him. He alleged in his complaint that they removed cash of around Rs 4000-5000 from his bag as well as his passport.
Oppn casts doubt on UID cards
The Opposition on Wednesday drew attention of the government to certain aspects of the Unique Identification Project (UIP) which is being implemented in the State needing greater attention. Responding to queries raised by the Opposition, the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said he will take up the issue with Nandan Nilekani, Chairman, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which is responsible for implementing multipurpose national identity card project in India. He was responding to a question tabled by Mapusa MLA, Francis D’Souza during “Question Hour” when Leader of the Opposition, Manohar Parrikar enquired whether UID card will be given to the residents of the State. “If this is the criteria then it is very dangerous,” he said. ‘Even foreigners including drug dealers such as Dudu and Atala will be able to obtain UID cards without much difficulty,” he pointed out seeking explanation from the government.
Decision soon on removal of River Princess: Kamat
The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Wednesday assured the House that the State Disaster Management Committee will soon take a decision as regards the removal of the River Princess vessel, grounded off the Candolim coast since past 10 years. Replying to a Zero Hour mention by the Calangute MLA, Mr Agnel Fernandes as regards fear and apprehension in the minds of the residents of Candolim and Sinquerim about massive beach destruction and sand erosion due to the grounding of the vessel, the Chief Minister said that there is no delay on the part of the government on this issue. The Calangute MLA also pointed out that the beach had caved in about 15 mts due to River Princess vessel. The Chief Minister further said that the bids for removal of River Princess have already been opened and scrutinised, and as one of the bidders requested for some time to come out with certain clarification, he was allowed the relaxation. "The SDMC will take decision related to the grounded vessel, at its meeting scheduled tomorrow," he added.
GBA, Cansaulim villagers to hold meet
The Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) and the villagers of Cansaulim will hold a meeting with those who are concerned about the type of "development" being carried out across the state while the Government of Goa drags its feet and the village panchayats do not address the concerns of the village residents who form their constituency. The meeting will be held at 6 pm on July 30 at the Cansaulim panchayat hall. While the gram sabha of Cansaulim had resolved in 2009 that no multi-dwelling units would be approved by the village panchayat without first referring it to the gram sabha, construction licenses for the same continue to be given even in 2010. There were also constructions licensed in low-lying paddy fields that had been intentionally lef fallow. A major issue of the villagers was the change in the demography of the wards with the advent of multi-storeyed, multi-dwelling buildings amidst the ground level single-unit residences.
Asilo once lifeline of people in North Goa, now in ruin!
Once the lifeline of the people in North Goa, the Asilo Hospital at Mapusa has now turned into a ruin that can barely support itself, let alone provide facilities to the public. Asilo Hospital claims to have all basic facilities like casualty, out-patient department, pathology laboratory, sonography, X-Ray machine, intensive coronary care unit, operation theatres and pharmacy. About 30 specialist doctors and 22 medical officers are employed in the hospital. But when it comes to discharge of medical services and hygiene at the hospital, the list of complaints are endless. When this scribe visited the ladies ward on the first floor of the hospital, a dog was seen seated in the corridor of the ward, while a cat was resting on the patient’s bed. The appearance of the bed sheets gives the impression that they are as old as the hospital. Plaster of the roofs and walls of OPD Block has peeled off at many places and water is seeping in the building through the roof. Besides, walls are soaked and mangled electricity wires are seen hanging, thereby posing threat to the lives of people. [H] 4 months time sought to bring victim in court
The case of the alleged rape of the Russian girl, in which John Fernandes is an accused, came up for hearing before the additional district and session judge, South Goa, Mr B P Deshpande, at which the Crime Branch, Panaji, investigating the case, sought time of four months, so that the victim girl could be brought before the court. The public prosecutor, Mr Bhanudas Gaunker, representing the state made the prayer before the court. The victim girl was not present for the hearing on Wednesday. It is learnt that Crime branch, through Interpol, will contact the victim and bring her back for the hearing. Meanwhile, arguments on the bail application moved by John Fernandes, the accused in the alleged rape case, will come up for arguments on Thursday. Electricity employees not to partake in strike
The Electricity Employees Union (Goa) unanimously passed a resolution not to participate in the proposed 'Tool Down - Pen Down' Strike proposed on August 2. Electricity Employees Union (Goa) president A F G Mascarenhas has appealed to all its employees at the Electricity Department not to participate in the proposed strike since the Goa Government Employess Association, which gave the call, had been declared as unregistered and illegal entitiy by the Inspector General of Societies/Registrar of Societies, North Goa. The executive committee meeting of Electricity Employees Union (Goa) was held recently to discuss and review that various issues of the goverment employees employed in the electricity department. In the meeting it was unanimously decided to pursue their pending demands and issues with the Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in order to resolve them expeditiously.
GCWT to build school for differently-abled kids
The Goa Citizens Welfare Trust has decided to build a school for differently-abled children. Chairman of the Trust Michael Ferns said the Trust will approach the government to allot a plot of land to construct the school, adding that the Trust will build the school by raising required funds. In this respect, Ferns said the Trust will organise a programme Rafi Ki Yadein on July 31 at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao at 8 pm and the proceeds from the show will be dedicated to the cause of the underprivileged children. “The Trust will work for the betterment of the underprivileged children. We have decided to take up the cause of these children”, he said. Ferns said that the Trust Secretary and columnist Colin Savio Coelho has pledged his first book “Goa in Concert” towards the cause of the building fund for the school. The DVD “Rafi Ki Yadein” by Goa’s Voice of Rafi, Shakil Ahmed will be used exclusively towards the cause of special children and their care. [H] Farmers optimistic as good rains bring hope for improved yield
The 3,200 hectares of cultivable land covered under paddy cultivation in Canacona taluka, is in the final stages of cultivation. Of the total cultivation carried out in this Kharif season, 80 per cent paddy is sown through transplantation while the remaining 20 per cent is done by direct sowing. ZAO Canacona, Mr Rajesh Desai while speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’ said that this year the rainfall is well distributed and as such a good yield is expected. Despite the heavy rains, there was no flooding which was a good sign to bring more area under cultivation, which otherwise was left fallow. Because of good rain the farmers in Canacona were happy to bring more area under paddy cultivation this season. Denied regularisation, MMC worker goes on hunger strike
The Margao Municipal Council worker who was denied regularisation by the Civic body on Wednesday went on an indefinite hunger strike at the entrance to the Municipal building. The hunger strike coincided with the celebration of the 41st birthday of the Margao Municipal Council Savio Coutinho. Accompanied by his close relatives and CWC President Sriram Raiturkar, Wenceslan Silva went on the hunger strike in protest against the Municipal decision to ignore his candidature despite working in the civic body for the last 14 years. The worker said he had put in various odd jobs in the Civic body during his long years of services, but lamented that only non-Goan candidates were considered by the Municipality for regularisation. “My name was there in the list of workers eligible for regularisation, but the Civic body considered the names of the Zamunis for regularisation”, he added.