Panaji, December 28, 2018 … All public / cultivators are informed that the Salaulim main canal from 10.80 km to 25.30 km along with Direct outlet and FC’S , Distributory DI ,Branch Canal off take Minor M2 Canal and Minor M3 canal have been released water of 1.00 Cumes and further it will be increased as per the demand. All are hereby cautioned not to venture in the canal and other Sub canals and keep safer distance for livestock and children. Also refrain from throwing waste materials, garbage, bottles etc.

          Main areas covered under this canal are Quepem, Xeldem, Savordem, Assolna, Cuncolim and near by areas.  

Panaji, December 27, 2018 … The Directorate of Transport has compiled their monthly report of number of accidents that occurred and number of Challans issued for the month of October 2018.

As per the report there were 305 road accidents of which 13 Fatal Accidents (North Goa – 8 and South Goa – 5), 26 Grievous Accidents (North Goa – 8 and South Goa – 18), 76 Minor Accidents (North Goa – 22 and South Goa – 54) and 190 Non – Injury Accidents (North Goa – 106 and South Goa – 84) took place.

The total number of people who lost their lives in road accidents were 14 (North Goa – 9 and South Goa – 5). 9 riders, 3 Pedestrian and 2 passengers lost their lives in these accidents.

67 people were Grievously Injured (North – 12 and South – 55) while 113 persons suffered Minor Injuries (North – 40, South – 73).

A total 9357 Challans were issued by Transport authorities in the month of October.

Panaji, December 26 2018 … Goa Police has launched the Traffic Sentinel Scheme with a sole aim to create traffic sense amongst various sections of roads and to reduce M.V. Accident and fatalities. In order to achieve the task cooperation and participation from members of public is of utmost importance.

The “Goa Traffic Sentinel” App developed by Goa Police has been designed in such a way that photograph, video of defaulting vehicle cannot be imported from external sources like CCTV, Mobile Gallery etc. It has to be compulsorily clicked or recorded through the App. The Traffic Sentinel Scheme is playing a major role in creating road safety awareness by seeking assistance from citizens. The public are requested to kindly cooperate and help Goa Police in reducing M.V. Accidents and Fatalities on Goan roads by enrolling themselves as Traffic Sentinels. The “Goa Traffic Sentinel” App is available for download on Google play Store.

In the past few incidences of threatening have been reported by Traffic Sentinels. It is appealed to the members of the public that instead of resorting to such wrong action they should ensure that while on road they abide all traffic laws in the interest of their own safety and that of other road users.    

Panaji, December 25, 2018 … Chief Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar has extended greetings and best wishes to the people of the State on the occasion of Christmas.

In his message, the Chief Minister has said that Christmas is an auspicious occasion all around the world. People from all communities come together to observe the occasion with great pomp. It is the time of the year to give to others, bringing in happiness and delight with simple things.

The Chief Minister further states, “Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ and rekindles the spirit of peace and harmony. This Christmas, let us resolve to promote unity and be the harbinger of peace and development in the State.”

“Let us all unite and work for the welfare of the State by channelizing all our efforts and energy in ensuring progress of our State.  May the joys and festivities continue to radiate each ones lives,” the Chief Minister concludes. 

meanwhile Governor of Goa Dr. (Smt.) Mridula Sinha has conveyed her heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of Goa on the occasion of Christmas.

In her message, the Governor says, “Every year this sacred day is observed with religious zeal, in great merriment, and with sincere prayers all over the world. On this auspicious day, we celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus, who gave us the valuable and eternal message of peace, tolerance, compassion, love and sacrifice. It is an appropriate occasion for us to carry the spirit of Christmas to foster the values that Jesus Christ professed and practiced for the benefit of humanity.”

The Governor further states, “This is an occasion for people to meet their loved ones, leave behind their worries and come together for merry-making. Ours is a secular country, where people belonging to various faiths live in harmony, amity, social solidarity and unity. Religious and spiritual festivals are occasions when we renew these qualities, in order to lead a peaceful and wholesome life. On the eve of Christmas, let us rededicate ourselves to live together as member of one family and work for greater glory and progress of the nation,” the Governor concludes.

Panaji:  December 24, 2018 … A special programme to officially launch the seasons strawberry cultivation by three self help gropus of Verlem and Tudav village of Netravali Panchayat under the range of western ghat in hinterland area was held today. The project of strawberry cultivation is assisted and initiated by Atal Gram Development Agency apart from monitoring the projects undertaken in Netravali under the Atal Adarsh Gram Vikas Yojana a central Government scheme.

While speaking on the occasion MP, Shri Sawaikar said time has come to think something different rather than mining and beach tourism industry. He said mining business might not be able to run for the life time. Restrictions will come in this industry from time to time, he added.

          Speaking further, Shri Sawaiker reiterated Governments commitment to support this type activity in a big way and called upon the youths to venture into such enterprise which is really lucrative. The youths should make every attempt to protect the State’s identity.  Goa itself is a brand. We need to work towards sustainable hinterland tourism with proper marketing and by protecting nature.

Applauding the initiative and efforts taken by Atal Gram Development Agency under the able leadership of Project Director, Shri Vijay Saxena Shri Sawaiker emphasized the need to take such unique projects in every villages. He also congratulated the members of self help groups and villagers who participated in this scheme and actually worked on ground to bring the fruit in the goan market.

The Atal Gram Development Agency – Goa, is implementing this unique project i.e. Financial Assistance for cultivation of strawberry at Verlem and Tudav in the jurisdiction of V.P. Netravalim.  Three Mahila Self Help Groups viz. Shiv Shakti Self Help Group and Bhumika Self Help Group in Verlem and Uddengi Self Help Group in Tudav have undertaken stawberry cultivation.

This Scheme has benefited about 40 households in the villages of Verlem and Tudav. The cultivation of strawberry has covered an area of 4500 sq. mts. About 30,000 high yielding varieties strawberry saplings of strawberry viz. Sweet Charlie, Kamaruja, Nabila, Winter star, Elina, San Andreas (SA) and R-2,  are cultivated by these Self Help Groups.   The strawberry saplings have been procured from strawberry farms in Wai,  Mahabaleshwar a famous hill station in Maharashtra. The strawberries will be produced in the village over a period of 6 months (November to April). 

An exclusive irrigation system (drip irrigation) has been created for the cultivation of strawberry. The Agency has also provided hands on training to the farmers in the cultivation of strawberries through an accomplished strawberry farmers from Bhilare village, Panchagani Maharashtra. Training sessions of various duration have been held in Goa and Bhilare village. The Agency has also provided necessary one time logistic supports such as irrigation facilities, mulching paper, fertilizers & pesticides, ventury and hand spray pump etc. for undertaking the cultivation of strawberries. 

Necessary marketing arrangements have also been made to promote the sale of strawberries. Exclusive outlets have been created in the jurisdiction of V.P. Netravali for sale of strawberries. The strawberries will be available at leading markets across the State at reasonable rates. The Goa State Horticultural Corporation Limited (GSHCL) has also agreed to undertake the sale of strawberry through its outlets across the State.

Sarpanch, V P Netravali, Smt Rajani Gaonkar thanked the Atal Gram Development Agency for supporting this project in Netravali Panchayat.

Shri Subhash Velip Chairman, Atal Gram Development Agency, Shri Ragunath Morajkar and Shri Subhash Phaldessai also spoke on the occasion.

Panaji, December 23, 2018 …  “The majority of the agricultural workforce comprises women, and hence facilities and benefits, like those that are maternity-related, should be provided to them,” said Governor of Goa, Smt Mridula Sinha while speaking at the State Credit Seminar organized by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in Panaji, recently.

            The Governor further said that there was also a need to provide counseling facilities to those widows of farmers, who had committed suicide owing to farm distress.

            The Governor further added that in Goa there was a lot of agricultural land which is not being cultivated and should be put to optimum agricultural use by the means of innovative thinking. “There’s this mentality,” she noted, “where people tend to buy their agricultural produce instead of growing it by themselves when there is so much of land which is not being cultivated.” The Governor continued, “It’s fine to have agricultural goals, but it’s important to change mentalities in favour of agriculture,” the Governor said.

On the occasion, the State Focus Paper 2019-20 and Desk Calendar for 2019 on the theme Sustainable Agricultural Practices were released.

            The Secretary, Finance, Shri. Daulat Hawaldar, IAS, spoke of the vulnerability of farmers and said that their lives are faced with uncertainties because they are rain dependent, and are also faced with other challenges such as climate change, unstable markets, rising cost of cultivation, decreasing yields, increase in cost of living in rural areas etc. Shri Hawaldar lauded NABARD for taking sincere efforts to finance farmers in various areas. He appreciated the initiatives of NABARD in providing loans for the “Open defecation free” (ODF) programme, Solid Waste Management for Swachh Goa etc.

            Present on the occasion were the Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Dr. S. Rajagopal, General Manager, NABARD, Goa RO, Kamakshi Pai, among others.