News Clips from Goa
 

Cansaulim villagers say no to mega projects http://www.navhindtimes.in/news/goa-news/7776-cansaulim-villagers wagoa@yahoogroups.com | Written by NT Network | Monday, 25 January 2010 01:22 MARGAO: Sunday seemed to be a day of mega projects in South Goa, with these issues dominating gram sabhas in Salcete and surroundings. Cansaulim gram sabha, presided over by the sarpanch, Mr Jose Manuel Fernandes, resolved that no mega projects, including hotels or multi-dwelling units be allowed in the village until proper arrangements for basic necessities like water and electricity are made in the villages of Cansaulim, Arossim and Cuelim by the concerned authorities. Drafting of minutes of the meeting by the secretary also came under the scanner. The resolution, on these mega projects, proposed by Ms Sheela Gracias and seconded by Mr Alvaro D’ Costa, that saw a majority of gram sabha members approving it, declared that no commercial mega projects like hotels or mega commercial housing projects be allowed in the village till such time adequate basic necessities like water and electricity are provided to the villagers by the concerned authorities as the villagers face daily water cuts and power shortages – with some pointing out that it was the fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution that a citizen be provided the same and a denial of the same was violation of Article 14 of the Constitution. The sarpanch, speaking to media, after the gram sabha, said that the meet was against any mega projects or hotels or even multi dwelling units coming up in the village. “The gram sabha members were upset that every now and again electricity fails, and there is a shortage of water. Till proper water and electricity is available no projects should be given permission, was what the gram sabha wanted,” he said. A sidelight – amusing and scary at the same time - was a long time serving former sarpanch stating that the gram sabha had no powers to pass such resolutions, eliciting protests from the villagers that while on one hand the Union Government was trying to empower grass root democracy - that is the village panchayats and gram sabhas - certain elected representatives were still trying to brow beat the villagers and seeking to deny and deprive them of their powers. Also, in a subsequent decision, the gram sabha decided that the NOC given for a project for the construction of 46-odd flats and having a swimming pool and club house be revoked, pointing out that there was an earlier gram sabha resolution - endorsed by the panchayat body at their meeting where new proposed constructions for multi dwellings units should be placed before the gram sabha before any NOC or licence or occupancy certificate was given. The gram sabha wanted the immediate revoking of the licence issued by the village panchayat stating that it was going against the resolution passed on August 5, 2008 by the panchayat body. The drafting of minutes of the earlier gram sabhas by the panchayat secretary also raised hackles with members alleging that there were omissions on his part. The secretary was absent today and the today’s gram sabha was recorded by another panchayat secretary – apparently on deputation from another village. Another topic that came up for discussion – brought up by gram sabha member, Mr Evans Fernandes – saw the sarpanch being asked on the action being initiated on the Park Hyatt Hotel, Arossim consequent to the show cause notice served on them by the Goa State Pollution Control Board for allegedly letting out contaminated water from the hotel into the agricultural fields and ponds.

Govt ropes in manager for a professional Carnival The Goa Carnival 2010 will be celebrated in the State from February 13 to 16 even as the Government has sought the services of an event management company to celebrate the festival in a professional manner. The float parade will begin in Panjim on February 13, Margao on February 14, Vasco on February 15 and Mapusa on February 16. This year, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation has decided to have floats in Traditional, Club or Institutions, Fun Junk, Family, Clown or Joker and Sponsored categories. [H]

Tourist visa guidelines revised The Ministry of Home Affairs has revised tourist visa guidelines for tourists holding long tourist visas having multiple entry facility at the time of their departure from the country, revealed the superintendent of police, security, Mr. Tony Fernandes. Speaking to 'The Navhind Times' Mr. Fernandes informed that a circular has been received by the 'Foreigners' Registration Office at the Goa Police headquarters, in this regard on Monday urging to endorse the passports of such foreigners, who are already holding long term visas for 10/5 years. [NT]

Needle of hope Goa has over 500 intravenuos drug users on rolls of NGOs who have for almost two years been working wiht them on a programme to supply them with syringes to arrest the spread of HIV. Positive people, a prominent NGO working in the field of HIV/AIDS in Goa, handles some 435 intravenous drug users (IDUs) in North Goa, to whom they give out a regular supply of syringes -- two per day -- to avoid re-use or exchange. [GT]

Linking Panjim to Belgaum Four-laning of Goa sector on fast track The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified the process of land acquisition for the four-laning of North Goa stretch of NH 4A connecting Panjim to Belgaum. Among the villages wherein land acquisition will be done for the project include: Usgao, Khandepar, Curti, Bandora, Priol, Velinga, Kundaim, Bhoma and Adcolna in Ponda taluka and the villages of Corlim, Ella, Bainguinim, Talaulim, Panaulim, Chimbel, Morombi-o-Grande, Morombi-o-Piqueno in Tiswadi taluka. The project is being undertaken by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) under BOT basis. [H]

Students should have and open mind: Rane The Speaker of Goa Legilative Assembly, Mr. Pratapsing Rane on Friday laid the foundation stone for the second phase of Goa Dental College and Hospital. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 27 crore. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Mr. Rane said that better infrastructural facilities with state of the art equipments at the Goa Dental College and Hospital would help the student to better their skills. [NT]

No fooling, Mapusa hospital opening in April Finally, the new district hospital at Mapusa lying idle since its construction was complete last year will be functional in April this year. Advocate General Subodh Kantak made this submission to the Bombay High Court at Goa yesterday, when the latter took up the public interest litigation filed by one Prakash B Sardesai, who had raised the issue of the poor conditions prevailing at the two district hospitals- Asilo at Mapusa and Hospicio at Margao. [GT]

Chilli cultivation gets a boost in Goa Chilli cultivation is witnessing a major boost in Goa. According to officials, the state is increasing the area under chilli cultivation by sponsoring five plots at different places in the state. At present the state cultivates chillies mainly for dry chilli. Though Goa does not fall under the major chilli growing areas, demand is rising and farmers in the state have been encouraged to cultivate green chillies by the Goa State Horticulture Development Corporation (GSHDC). [NT]