FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024
Technical Education Institutes & Colleges likely to re-open online from August 17
PORVORIM: The Technical Education Institutes and Colleges in Goa are tentatively scheduled to re-open for the Academic Year 2020-21 from August 17, on online mode, as per the circular issued by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). CM Pramod Sawant on Monday informed the Assembly that the commencement of the classes for newly entering first year students including lateral entry to second year courses is scheduled from October 15. Responding to a question raised by MGP MLA Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, Sawant said the decision regarding reopening of schools for the Academic Year 2020-2021 will be taken after MHA permits the children in schools. Meanwhile, he added that as per the AICTE circular, the ‘Technical Education Institutes’ and Colleges’ have to reopen for students on online mode from August 17. “The guidelines issued by the Centre, UGC and AICTE shall be followed as regards Technical Institutions. The Academic Year 2020-21 has been tentatively scheduled to commence from August 17,” he added. Sawant, who’s also the Education Minister, said a Special Ordinance has been framed relating to the conduct of the Academic Programme during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Decision has been taken to delay commencement of the new academic year to August 2020 or later and conduct an assessment through assignment and projects in accordance with the circular from Goa University ,” it informed.
GFP, Congress and Independent MLAs take on CM, Revenue Minister over labour gate scam
PORVORIM: CM Pramod Sawant informed the House that a departmental inquiry has been initiated into the financial assistance scheme offered to Building and Other Construction Workers in view of the COVID-19 crisis, following allegations of irregularities into the scheme. The opposition had, however, demanded inquiry through a House Committee. The Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLAs Vinod Palyekar and Vijai Sardesai termed the scheme as “labour gate scam”. During the Question Hour, Sardesai told the State Legislative Assembly that the Goa Lokayukta himself authenticated the scheme as a scam and observed gross irregularities. “In the name of COVID pandemic, the public exchequer was looted,” he charged. “We demand a CBI inquiry into the matter or a House Committee,” he said.
The demand was supported by Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco and Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte, who demanded that a House Committee be formed to investigate the entire episode. Replying to the same, the CM said that a departmental inquiry has been initiated into the allegation. Responding to a question tabled by MLA Palyekar, Labour Minister, Jeniffer Monserrate refuted the charges and said that it is not a scam. She said that as on date total 7m355 migrants cum workers have benefited under the scheme with a total amount of Rs 4.41 crore being disbursed. The Minister further said that the re-verification is going on to identify the alleged illegal beneficiaries. “At present there is no such illegal disbursement of funds as the process of re-verification is on,” Monserrate said. Monserrate added that so far, money has been recovered from six ineligible beneficiaries.
