Goa News Clips
 

Goa Summer Scene Joel de Souza See more of Joel’s pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/52243088@N00/page2/

Pre-monsoon showers lash Goa PANAJI: The pre-monsoon showers have started lashing the state, with the monsoon expected to arrive in Goa on June 4/5, coinciding with the opening of schools. The meteorological observatory sources have informed that the monsoon has already arrived in Kerala on May 31, delayed by two days. [NT]

Thanks to rains, mankurad prices take a nosedive PANAJI: After remaining static for nearly over a month, the prices of Mankurad (king of mangoes) have taken a sudden nosedive. The king of mangoes was being sold at Rs.350 per dozen till about a week ago, but sudden availability of the fruit in the market in large quantity has pushed down its price to Rs.100 per dozen. Initially it was being sold for Rs.800-900 per dozen. [NT]

Goa Expects Normal Monsoons This Month Panaji (PTI): After witnessing record rainfall last year, Goa expects to have normal monsoons this time which is likely to hit the state in the first week of June, a top meteorological officer said on Tuesday. "Last season, the rainfall was 369 cm. It was highest since 1961, which had recorded 431 cm rains," Indian Meteorological Observatory Director K V singh told PTI. "This year, the monsoons are expected to be normal," he added. Goa, which receives monsoons seven days after it hits Kerala, has an average annual rainfall of 285 cms. Right now the monsoons have arrived in Bay of Bengal, and will be advancing towards Kerala in next three days and will hit Goa coast after a week, Singh said. Goa has already started receiving pre monsoon showers since this week. The rains accompanied by winds caused damage to various crops besides damaging houses. In an incident reported last evening in the port town of Vasco, 40 kms away from here, four children were injured when the roof top of the house flung in the air and dropped at the spot where they were playing. All the four were shifted to Goa medical college and hospital at Bambolim, near here.

Check the Progress of 2008 Monsoon Click on link http://www.imd.ernet.in/section/nhac/dynamic/mon-prog.htm

Faith - a central theme of this year's Pastoral Letter PANJIM: The Pastoral Letter, addressed by Archbishop to priests, religious, lay faithful and people of goodwill, lays emphasis on faith in consonance with its theme: "Rooted in faith, Go, Spread the Jesus Glow". At the same time, it has touched upon issues like political responsibility and education. "Political responsibility comes from God. He calls people to make and follow suitable laws, but this should be at the service of the human family," says the letter while exercising caution in the following manner: "But should the citizens find it objectionable, those in authority should be open to hear the dissenting voice." [GT]

VILLAGERS ROAR IN BENAULIM AGAIN MARGAO: The Benaulim Villagers Action Committee led the village's gram sabha in passing a resolution demanding a vigilance enquiry by the government into the various plans that had been approved by the panchayat body during the past two terms till date. The BVAC also wants the findings of this report be made public. At the adjourned Benaulim Gram Sabha meeting held on June 1, the BVAC also got a resolution passed demanding that all NOCs and other licences issued to the various housing projects be immediately revoked and scrutinsing committee, comprising of the BVAC and the village panchayat be set up to approve any housing proposal in the village. The agitated villagers erupted with annoyance when they were informed that the panchayat had forwarded two housing plans to the Town and Country Planning department, despite the village's strong opposition to 'mega projects'. [GT]

Goa Land Purchase: Doe Serves Show-Cause Notices To Foreigners Panaji (PTI): The Directorate of Enforcement has served show-cause notices to foreigners who have purchased properties in Goa allegedly in violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The notices, issued directly to the parties and also through the Goa government, has asked why their properties involved in the contravention of the FEMA should not be confiscated to the Central government account in terms of section 13 (2) of FEMA 1999. Also, all the respondents (foreigners) have to appear in person or through legal practitioner at DoEs Mumbai office at different dates as mentioned in the notice. Goa, the erstwhile Portuguese colony, recently woke up to the grim reality of losing its large chunk of lands to the foreigners allegedly in violation of FEMA. The state government in their report presented on the floor of the house cited 392 such cases and formed a high level committee headed by senior IAS official Anupam Kishore to probe into the violations. The committee, prima facie, had found violations in 298 cases, which were referred to Directorate of Enforcement and Reserve Bank of India. Russians and the UK citizens topped the list of foreigners who had invested in properties in Goa, mostly by forming companies. "Those cases where investment is above Rs 1 crore will be heard by special director while below Rs one crore will be referred to deputy director," DoE's Assistant director Anil Kumar Singh told PTI on wednesday.

FDA begins drive for hygiene at roadside eateries PANAJI: With monsoon round the corner, the Food and Drugs Administration has initiated a special drive to ensure that the hand carts, fast food stalls as well as eateries around the state maintain total hygiene and adhere to the FDA guidelines. [NT]

In a world of words Author, historian, librarian and columnist Maria de Lourdes Bravo da Costa Rodrigues is particular that every name is given equal weightage. As a senior librarian of the 175-year-old Central Library, Maria for the last 28 years, has spent her days contentedly surrounded by her world of words and books. "You have to work hard and be a student always. Continuously upgrading your knowledge today is a must," she says. [Nicole Suares, TOI]

Benaulim sarpanch to resign today MARGAO: Bowing to pressure from the people over the controversial housing projects in Benaulim, the Benaulim sarpanch, Ms Maria Fernandes, on June 1, said that she would resign from the post on Monday. She said that she would keep her promise to step down and expressed happiness that she could complete the gram sabha. [NT]

Churchill says no to Mopa airport OLD GOA, June 2: PWD Minister Churchill Alemao on Monday stated that he was not in favour of airport at Mopa and would always oppose it tooth and nail. [H]