Education institutions should be temples of learning, not politics: CM

PORVORIM: Speaking on the sorry state of affairs, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday lamented that educational institutions should remain as temples of learning and not get into politics.

Parrikar was referring to the recent incidents in the State wherein students resorted to boycotting school/college protesting the transfer of teachers. 

“Educational institutions should remain as temples of learning education and not politics. But unfortunately, these days the temples are becoming too light with students reacting too quickly rather than approaching government for solution,” he said. 

Parrikar, who is also the Education Minister, said that discipline in the schools is crucial, and the government will not allow it to be tampered with. 

Velim MLA Felip Neri Rodrigues raised in the House the issue of student boycotting classes and taking to the streets. 

New ferry boats in two months: Sudin

PORVORIM: River Navigation Minister Ramakrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar on Wednesday told the House that the government will discontinue the use of old ferry boats, replacing them with new, modern vessels in the next two months.

The Minister said that the government has already issued an order for building new ferry boats, which will be handed over and put into operation in the next two months. 

“There are several ferry boats that are old and will be discontinued from the service. We will replace them with new boats,” Dhavalikar said. 

He was replying to a Zero Hour mention raised by BJP MLA Pravin Zantye, who brought to the notice of the House the lack of ferry services along the Chodan-Ribandar route. 

House condoles deaths of Kansar, Almeida and others

PORVORIM: The State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday paid tribute to several eminent personalities including eminent lawyer and former MP Adv Amrut Kansar, former State Chief Secretary Dr J C Almeida and veteran actor Shashi Kapoor, who passed away recently. 

Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant moved the condolence motion for 20 eminent personalities from the field of politics, education, literature, artists and freedom fighters.

Kansar, a constitutional expert, passed away on September 11, while Dr Almeida, a distinguished administrator died on November 28. Padma Bhushan awardee Shashi Kapoor died on December 4.

Other personalities who passed away include former MLA Dulo Kuttikar, veteran journalist Arun Sadhu, Konkani poet Yusuf Shaikh, Hindustani Classical singer Girija Devi and Suhasini Kortkar, former Union Minister  Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, theatre artiste Pandit Narayanrao Bodas, industrialist Jaisinh Maganlal, freedom fighters Jaganath Pednekar, Ganpat Punalkar and Balwantrao Dessai, litterateur HM Marathe, journalist Vasu Naik, former Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, Goan Sahithik Raghunath Joglekar, Mhableshwar Redkar and educationist Dr Shridhar Phadke. 

People hampering tourism will not be tolerated: Azgaonkar

PORVORIM: Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar on Wednesday told the House that the government will not tolerate if any person tries to disturb tourists and hampers tourism in the State. 

The Minister was replying to a question tabled by Congress MLA Francis Silveira on whether the government would restrict the movement of Lamanis on Goan beaches, who disturb the tourists and hamper tourism.

“Yes. Sir, any person who disturbs the tourists and hampers tourism will not be allowed to do so,” the Minister said in the written reply.

Azgaonkar also said the Department has deployed the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) Police, Tourist Police, Ex-servicemen and Tourist Warden to ensure safety and security of the tourists. “In addition, Government has already constituted an Anti Narcotic Cell under Police Department,” he said. 

Assembly greets CM on birthday, PM Modi wishes Parrikar on twitter

PORVORIM: The State Legislative Assembly wished Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on his birthday on Wednesday. 

Wishes poured in for the Chief Minister, who celebrated his 62nd birthday, from a cross section of society. Several programmes were held to mark the occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to the social media to wish Parrikar. “On his birthday, my greets to Goa CM @manoharparrikar Ji. May he lead a long life filled with good health,” the Prime Minister tweeted Wednesday morning.

Several Union Ministers and State Ministers used the social media to wish Parrikar, who is a former Union Defence Minister.

In the Assembly, Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant commenced the session by wishing the Chief Minister.

Francis writes to Speaker on inability to attend session

PORVORIM: Ailing Urban Development Minister Francis D’Souza has written to the Speaker of the Assembly that he won’t be able to attend four-day winter Session, that commenced from Wednesday. 

D’Souza did not attend the first day of the session. Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant informed House about D’Souza’s communiqué.

In D’Souza’s absence, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will handle the minister’s portfolios and answer on his behalf.