Demand to solve traffic congestion on Margao-Panjim route

MARGAO: The traffic situation on Margao-Panjim route has been terrifying and chaotic these days, with vehicles being stranded for hours, specially at the Verna-Cortalim stretch. The Shiv Sena has demanded that the government find an appropriate solution for the mess, which has become a major headache for those travelling between Margao and Panjim on a daily basis. "We would like to know whether the State government, while planning for third bridge on River Mandovi and the over bridges had not envisaged this problem? Were they ignorant to the fact that such huge construction in the traffic sensitive areas around Kadamba bus stand in Panjim and national highway connecting Margao-Panjim would result in traffic chaotic situation?" questioned the Sena.

Sulabh Sauchalaya for needy in Collem 

SANVORDEM:  MLA Deepak Pawaskar assured the construction of Sulabh Sauchalaya to every needy individual in Collem village under ‘Clean India Clean Goa’ scheme devised by the government to make Goa clean and green. It is a dream of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi  to provide every household in the country with a Sulabh Sauchalaya and I will work towards the achievement of the dream, claimed Pawaskar, while speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of the Sauchalaya at Souzamoll ward of Collem Village Panchayat, where the PWD have issued work orders for the construction of 200 Sulabh Sauchalayas.

Speaking further, he said by December-end most of the roads in Collem village would be hot-mixed and assured to take up work on construction of a new building to house the Rural Medical Dispensary in the village. Besides, the work of the construction of the panchayat ground, panchayat building and a community hall will also be undertaken in the near future by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation, he said.

Four acquitted  in murder case 

MARGAO: Principal Sessions Judge B P Deshpande on Wednesday acquitted all four persons who were tried in connection with the murder of 35-year-old native of Madhya Pradesh Vijay Sitaram Srivastava, who was living at Zuarinagar. While three persons were charged of murder, one was charged with destroying the evidence.

The prosecution case was that Renuka Chavan  (35) along with her friend Meena Yadav (35)  and her husband Mulchanda Yadav got the deceased, who was a known alcoholic, drunk and beat him up badly. Apparently Renuka, who was a widow, had an affair with the deceased. When the group tried to dump the body at Velsao beach they were spotted by the coast guards, following which they reportedly hired a rickshaw driven by Shom Yemmeti. The body was found the next day near Consua Chapel at Velsao and police first registered a case of unnatural death.

 which was subsequently converted into a murder case, as the police traced the accused after catching the rickshaw driver whose vehicle number was provided by the coast guards. While Renuka, Meena and Mulchana were charged of murder, Shom was charged of destroying evidence by transporting the body and dumping it near the chapel. However, the defense showed that the chain was not completed by exposing the State’s case that the rickshaw driver had provided the names of the accused as it was not mentioned in the arrest panchanama nor was a confessional statement filed nor was Shom declared an approver. Besides, the defense also argued that the life guard who had reportedly identified the vehicle was not examined by the prosecution nor were any documents from Drishti produced to establish that the life guards had seen the incident. The judge giving the accused benefit of doubt as the prosecution failed to prove their case acquitted all four. Adv. Julius Gomes appeared for Renuka while Adv Rajiv Gomes argued for Shom and Adv. Amey Prabhudessai represented the Yadav couple. Initially, Sarojini Sardinha represented the State when the court was examining witnesses where 20 witnesses were examined on behalf of the State. However, following her promotion Public Prosecutor Ladislau Fernandes appeared for the State and argued the case.

Consumers reminded of their rights 

MARGAO: The Consumers’ struggle for good quality goods and services in the market place is an important part of the larger battle against corruption being fought worldwide, was the message given out at the Goacan Awareness Action held in Margao on Wednesday.

The Awareness action was held as part of the ongoing Consumer Rights Awareness Fortnight on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, which has been promoted worldwide by the United Nations. At today’s action Goacan volunteers highlighted the importance of supporting the ongoing worldwide fight against corruption by consumers in their daily lives. Volunteers displayed placards reminding consumers that they use goods and services provided by the Goa government controlled departments and corporations, on a daily basis, covering a range of services like water supply, electricity, kerosene, rations, milk, bus transport, ferry boats, pay toilets, pay parking, roads etc.  Similarly, consumers were reminded of the goods & services used by them on a daily basis are also provided by the Central government departments & corporations and public sector companies.  Consumers were informed that goods and services are provided based on tenders issued to contractors by these government departments and corporations and involve corrupt practices that eventually affect the consumer’s right to good quality products and services.  Tourists in Goa are also on the receiving end of poor quality goods & services being provided and at most times they do not file complaints with the concerned agencies.

 due to which the corrupt practices being  followed carry on unabated. Volunteers distributed information slips to consumers with telephone numbers of the Goa government’s vigilance department which can be contacted on 2422111,  the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) at Altinho, Panjim on 2232733 and the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) Anti-Corruption Branch at Bambolim on 2459971 / 2459972.  Consumers were also encouraged to file complaints of poor quality goods & services on email to the Assistant Director, Department of Consumer Affairs on