Situation at Selaulim Dam under control, says Parrikar
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar sought to allay fears on the issue of high manganese content entering the water at Selaulim dam reservoir saying that according to the report of the Goa State Pollution Board the situation was under control.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board has been monitoring the water quality of the Selaulim Dam since March 2011 and the iron and manganese content and that it has classified the water body as ‘Class C’ which means portable after conventional treatment.
“It is within the limit. However it is a cause of concern. I am aware of the concerns,” Parrikar said
on the issue.
The reply was given in response to demands from various MLAs who raised the issue of water quality.
Chief minister Manohar Parrikar promised that mining would be brought under control but also stressed that mining is absolutely essential to the State but that does not give it licence to destroy the ecology.
‘Term schedule’ of engg degree courses tabled in House
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Wednesday tabled a detailed ‘term schedule’ of the engineering degree courses offered in five colleges in the State.
“The University Grants Regulations pertaining to academic matters are mandatory in nature and consequently, the Goa University has rearranged the I and II semester academic calendar for 2012-13 accordingly, so as to reflect the directives issued through the regulation which are published in the Gazette of India,” Parrikar said.
He was responding to a calling attention motion moved by legislator Dr Pramod Sawant.
Sawant had said that engineering students would face various problems due to the change of calendar for the engineering courses at Farmagudi, Verna, Shiroda, Fatorda and Assagao colleges.
The calendar is has been revised because the UGC stipulates that universities and colleges must adopt at least 90 working days for teaching and learning in a semester for all academic programs conducted by the affiliating universities.
“Accordingly, the academic terms for the engineering degree courses were proposed by the Dean, Faculty of Engineering as per the UGC directives…” the reply elaborated on the matter.
The term schedule of these courses is decided by Goa University as per the ordinances and statutes in force from time to time.
Man found dead at Calangute
CALANGUTE: A man in his early forties was found dead at Sawtawada-Calangute on Tuesday. According to Calangute Police, one Amar, full name and address not known, was found dead at Sawtawada.
Police conducted the inquest and the body has been preserved at GMC morgue in Bambolim. PSI Melson Colaco is investigating the case.
Jewellery worth Rs 1.9 lakh burgled at Mapusa
PORVORIM: Burglars broke open a house at Rajwado-Mapusa and decamped with jewellery worth Rs 1.9 lakh on Wednesday. According to Mapusa Police, burglars entered the house of one Shivdas Shankerdas by break opening the lock of the main door somewhere between 10.30 am and 1 pm on Wednesday.
The complainant further stated that he and his wife had gone out at about 10.30 am. However, when his wife returned home at 1 pm she found the door lock opened and jewellery worth Rs 1.9 lakh missing from the house. Police is investigating the case.
Gold chain snatched from woman at Porvorim
PORVORIM: A woman from Porvorim was robbed off her gold chain worth Rs 47,000 near Damian-de-Goa at Porvorim, on Tuesday evening.
According to Porvorim Police, one Sushma Naik complained that at about 5.30 pm, two persons on a motorcycle snatched gold chain worth Rs 47,000 from her neck and fled from the site. PSI V.N. Patil is investigating the case.
One held for assaulting Bicholim woman
BICHOLIM: Bicholim Police arrested a 40-year-old man on charges of assaulting and abusing a woman from Kulan-Karapur, Bicholim. According to Bicholim Police, one Sumitra Bhate complained that accused, Janu Bhate, abused her and assaulted her with knife, thereby causing injuries to her near Adhar Hospital, Kulan, on July 23 at about 11.45 pm. Police arrested the accused and Head Constable G J Gawas is investigating the case.
Bagalkot native found dead at Valpoi
VALPOI: A 45-year-old native of Bagalkot, but residing at Velus-Valpoi, died at the Valpoi CHC on Tuesday.
Valpoi Police conducted an inquest into the death of Shantabai Rathod and has ruled out foul play. The body has been sent to the GMC morgue in Bambolim for preservation.
Quepem resident assaulted
QUEPEM: A 31-year-old resident of Colomb-Quepem was allegedly assaulted by a person from Kadsai-Colomb. According to Quepem Police, Dayanand Babu Gaonkar complained that the accused stopped him while he was proceeding to a shop with his sister.
The accused assaulted Gaonkar and also threatened him with dire consequences. Police said Gaonkar had deposed evidence against the accused in criminal case before Sanguem Court. PSI Gaurish Parab is investigating the case.
Cash of Rs 40,000 stolen from car at Ponda
PONDA: Cash of Rs 40,000 was reportedly stolen from a parked car at JC Nagar Ponda on Wednesday afternoon. In his complaint, one Sanjay Gopi Panikar of Radha Niwas, JC Nagar Ponda, told Ponda Police that he had parked his car near his residence at about 2 pm.
However, when he returned at about 3 pm, he noticed the left glass window broken and cash of Rs 40,000 missing from the car. ASI Dayanand Bhat is investigating the case.
Free diabetes camp at Mapusa
PANJIM: A free diabetes detection and awareness camp organized by Mapusa Navyuvak Mandal and Union Pharmacy and sponsored by Roche Diagnostics Pvt Ltd., makers of Accu Check, will be held on July 28 from 7.15 am to 9.15 am at Union Pharmacy, first floor, Sirsat Building, Mapusa. Blood sugar will be checked absolutely free. Interested persons are requested to come on empty stomach. For further details and registration, contact Union Pharmacy, Mapusa on 2252557.
Cidade earns 2012 Tripadvisor certificate of excellence
PANJIM: Cidade de Goa, a five star resort located at Vainguinim Beach, announced that it has received a TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com) Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Approximately 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award. To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, the resort must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Cidade de Goa is pleased to receive a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence,” said Neeta Sen, General Manager of Cidade de Goa. “We strive to offer our customers a memorable experience with our hospitality, and this accolade is evidence of our hard work and motivation to keep striving for Excellence.”
Conversational course in Portuguese
PANJIM: The Heritage Cell of Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim, in collaboration with Communicare, Panjim will conduct a conversational course in Portuguese Level I. The course will be held twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 pm to 4.30 pm in the college premises from August 2 to October 9. The resource person for the course is Tanula Cotta. For further details contact Alison Quadros at Rosary College on 2736864 and 2701564 before July 31.
Aguiar appointed District Chief Commissioner
PANJIM: The District Council of the Bharat Scouts & Guides, in their executive body meeting proposed and elected unopposed John Aguiar to the post of District Chief Commissioner for the Tiswadi District Association for the period upto 2013.
Rita Joshi to lead Lions Club of Calangute
CALANGUTE: The 39th Board of Directors of Lions Club of Calangute was installed by V V Krishna Reddy, immediate past international director. Rita Mody Joshi (president), Kanchan Nagvekar (secretary) and Gajanan Salkar (treasurer) are executive committee members in the Board. The Ladies Club led by Philomena Mascarenhas was also installed at the function. A scholarship sponsored by Padma Kumar Nair was given to a deserving student. Earlier, Surendra Nagvekar, outgoing president, welcomed the gathering, while Secretary Fabian Pinto read the report of the activities of the year. Flavia Mascarenhas later proposed the vote of thanks. A number of Lion Members, including Herald Sports Editor Jovito Lopes, Filipe Dias, Vasudev Valawalkar, Matias Mascarenhas, Michael Mascarenhas and others were present.
Shree Bhumika Nursery Primary School opened at Sattari
VALPOI: Describing education as the solution to many problems, Opposition Leader Pratapsing Rane said education promotes good habits, values and awareness in society. Rane was addressing a gathering at Parye-Sattari after inaugurating the Shree Bhumika Nursery Primary School. Pallavi Dhempo was the chief guest at the function, while Primary School Committee Chairperson Vijayadevi Rane was also present on the occasion. Highlighting the importance of education, Rane said it helps to draw the best out of one’s mind and spirit. “Education plays a vital role in the personal growth and the social development”, he added. Pallavi Dhempo highlighted the role of teachers in moulding the mind of students. She said teachers must have a passion for teaching and should develop knowledge and skills continuously throughout their careers.
Vijayadevi Rane also spoke on the occasion. Shree Bhumika Shikshan Sanstha Manager Shankar Rane and Primary School Manager Laxman Chari were also present on the occasion.
Cynthia Fernandes compered the function, while Shree Bhumika Higher Secondary Principal Dr Sadanand Hinde proposed the vote of thanks.
Dessai elected Sangod-Mollem Forest Rights panel chief
COLLEM: Rajendra Prabhu Dessai was elected chief of Sangod-Mollem Forest Rights Committee under the Scheduled Tribes and other traditional Forest Dwellers Act.
At a special Gram Sabha at Makdem-Sangod, other committee members elected were Dinakar Malekar (secretary) and Jano Suzare, Babu Zore, Ankush Khutkar, Nanda Malekar, Narsinha Chari, Shyamsundar Prabhu,Vithoba Malekar, Agnel Fernandes, Savita Sangodkar, Snehal Khutkar, Vishranti Gaonkar, Kavita Naik and Sunanda Malekar.
Vasco Deputy Collector Shankawalkar was the observer for the meeting.
It was also decided that the occupants (Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers) have to submit their claim to the committees as early as possible.
It was also decided that president and secretary of the Forest Committee should make available to the villagers at least twice a week.
Earlier, Mollem Sarpanch Snehalata Naik explained the purpose of holding the Gram Sabha.
