Panaji. January 30, 2019 …  Nominations are invited from eligible farmers/ cultivators who are growing Medicinal Plants viz. Kokum (Garcinia indica), Pippali (Piper longum) and Madhukari (Stevia rebaudiana),  etc. in their land for the grant of subsidy.

Interested farmers fulfilling the eligibility criteria as per National AYUSH Mission norms may apply to the Chief Executive Officer – State Medicinal Plants Board Goa, Office of the Dy. Conservator of Forests, Research and Utilisation Division, Aquem Margao on or before February 15, 2019.

For more information contact The Chief Executive Officer – State Medicinal Plants Board Goa office of the Dy. Conservator of Forests, Research & Utilisation Division, Aquem Margao or email dc**************@*ic.in or call 0832-2750099.

Panaji, January 29, 2019 … …Minister for Civil Aviation Shri. Suresh Prabhu today inaugurated India’s 1^st Geographical Indication (GI) Store at Goa International Airport in Dabolim. The store is located on the 1^st floor on Departure Terminal, and jointly set up by Airport Authority of India(AAI) and The Cashew Export Promotional Council of India(CEPCI). Members of Parliament Shri. Narendra Sawaikar and Shri. Vinay Tendulkar, Minister for Tourism Shri. Manohar T. Ajgaonkar, Minister for Town and Country Planning Shri. Vijay Sardesai, Minister of Panchayat Shri. Mauvin Godinho were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Prabhu informed that currently there are 270 GI registered products in the country and the store will be a boon for the global tourists. “All airports in India will have a GI stalls in the coming future. These stalls will also promote local products, handicrafts and geographical talent. Goan Feni is one of the GI products, and Mankurad Mango is a local specialty. The AAI will soon sign an agreement with all the State Governments in the country to promote their local produce at the airport,” the Minister told.

The Minister also told that products from self-help groups, artisans and farmers’ produce will be also displayed on the airport at a concessional rate. “The Ministry of Commerce has already made a proposal to overseas Trade Missions. If the Trade Missions across the globe agree to display our products, it will be very profitable for the rural sector. Japan, Korea and other Scandinavian countries have already agreed to keep our Marine products with a little value addition at their airports. International Trade Expos is another destination to keep these products on display,” he informed. He further added that in the coming future all the GI stores will have a similar design, designed by National Institute of Design. We have a very rich cultural heritage. Hence, our archives will be digitized soon and made available to the general public, Shri. Prabhu said.

            Earlier, the Minister inspected the new stall in the presence of other Ministers and traders. Ministers Shri Ajgaonkar and Shri. Godinho also spoke on the occasion.

Panaji, January 28, 2019 …The newly Upgraded existing Cottage Hospital  at Chicalim Vasco, which is now called as Chicalim-Sub District Hospital, was   inaugurated  by Shri. Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Panchayat in the presence of Minister for Health, Shri Vishwajit Rane recently.

  Those  who present on the occasion were Minister for Urban Development Shri Milind Naik,  Chairman, GSIDC and MLA ,Shri Deepak Prabhu Pauskar, Chairman, K.T.C.L and MLA, Shri Carlos Almeida, Chairperson, Goa Rehabilitation Board and MLA, Smt.Alina Saldanha, Chairperson Mormugao Muncipal Council, Shri Kritesh Naik Gaonkar, Deputy Chairperson Mormugao Muncipal Council, Shri Shashikant  Parab, Sarpanch V.P. Chicalim, Shri Sebastiao B. Pereira, Deputy Sarpanch V.P. Chicalim, Shri Kamla P. Yadav,Parish Priest of St Andrew’s Church Fr Gabriel Coutinho and others.

Shri Godinho while addressing the gathering expressed his happiness over   up gradation and extension of existing Cottage hospital at Chicalim Vasco and for naming the same as Chicalim-Sub District Hospital, in the interest of  the people of Mormugao Taluka. Shri Godinho  further speaking appealed to the people about its maintenance and cleanliness. Shri Gudhino further briefed about various upcoming projects and said Government aims and strives to take  up similar other projects for which  urged support of the people. .

Health Minister Shri Vishwajit Rane speaking on the occasion, assured to provide other necessary  amenities in the hospital  as early as possible.

, Shri Sanjeev Dalvi Director Health Services, welcomed the gathering and Deputy Sarpanch V.P. Chicalim, Shri Kamla P. Yadav proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji: Jan. 27, 2019 …The newly constructed Indias third largest cable stay bridge, built across   river Mandovi,  is named as Atal  Setu, named after the name  of former Prime Minister of India Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee is inaugurated by the Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in the distinguish presence of Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways  Shri Nitin Gadkari at a function organized by Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd on the  bridge in the city today.

Shri Parrikar while addressing the gathering mentioned the quote of former President of America MrJohn F Kennedy who said that America is rich because roads in America  are good through which he impressed upon the fact of the importance of roads in the development . He said the aforesaid quote imprinted on his mind which led to the idea of this mega project.

Shri Parrikar informed that this bridge went through many hurdles, obstacles to become a reality.  He said the negative attitude of the people towards the development is not a good sign. The Government he said equally committed   to protect ecology and environ of the state. Therefore he advised the people to have positive attitude towards development. He expressed his happiness over the completion of this mega project within the expected time period. He thanked Union Minster Shri Nitin Gadkari for his generosity  for providing whole hearted  financial support in  infrastructural development of the state and other stakeholders of the project.

The Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari who was the chief guest of thee function said that the state of art bridge will add to the beauty of Goa. The Central Government he said has sanctioned developmental work for Goa to the tune of rupees fifteen thousand crore rupees. He appreciated  Shri Parrikar and said that he has played vital role in the development of Goa.  Another work of  project  is in progress  He said Goa has a potential in developing water transport  and sky bus project for tourism He said for having Water Resource portfolio he would extend all sort of cooperation for the same.

Shri Gadkari further speaking said that Chief Minister is sensitive towards the development of the state Therefore he has rigorously followed up to get the project collated.  He said those development works which are assure would completed he assured.

The Union Minister of State for AYUSH ( Independent Charge ) Shri Shripad  Naik said that the state of art bridge will play important role in growth and progress of Goa.. This bridge  he said will provide solace to the people from traffic congestion faced by the people long back.

The PWD Minister Shri Ramkrishna Dhavalikar in his address said that State has taken rapid strides in field of infrastructural Development. He said there are many projects of bridge, road development , construction of buildings for schools Government offices is in progress and  will be completed soon  The Usgao Khandepar bridge, Dhavali Ponda bypass,  widening and improvement of Patradevi to  Pollem, Ponda to Banastari and 8kmts road at Mopa will be taken up soon.. So also many developmental works which are  taken  up would completed soon. he He thanked  Shri Gadkari for his whole hearted  support  for the development of the state.

Shri Vishwajit Rane, Health Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly,Shri Michael Lobo, Deputy Speaker,  Shri Mauvin Godinho, Panchayat Min ister, Shri Manohar ( Babu ) Ajgaonkar, Tourism Minister, Shri Nilesh Cabral, Power Minister, Shri \jayesh Salgaonkar, Rural Development Minister, Shri Rohan Khaunte, Revenue Minister, Shri Vinod Palyenkar, WRD Minister, Shri Govind Gaude, Art & Culture Minister, Shri Vijay Sardesai TCP Minister,   Shri Laxmikant Parsekar Ex-Chief Minister, Shri Narendra Savoikar, MP South Goa, Shru Vinay Tendulkar, Member of Rajyasabha, Shri Levinson Martins, Collector of North Goa.other Ex- Ministers, MLAs Ex-MLAs Dr. Muktesh Chander, DGP-Goa, Shri Jaspal Singh,( IPS ) DIG-Goa, Shri Paramaditya, (IPS ) IGP-Goa, Secretaries to the Government,  HODs of Various Government Departments , Staff  & Engineers of L&T Company, and others attended the function.

          The Mandovi River Cable Stay Bridge was an important project proposed by GSIDC (Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation) and designed by L & T Infrastructure Ltd; constructed by L&T heavy Civil Infrastructure

          This 4-lane Cable stayed bridge in the State of Goa across the river Mandovi in between the two existing bridges will support and sustain burgeoning traffic and will be an aesthetically pleasing landmark for tourism development in the State of Goa.

          To streamline  the Mumbai bound traffic incoming from Bangalore via Ponda route and Old Goa i.e. Madgaon and even from Panaji can be collectively sent towards NH-17 through an elevated bridge, bypassing the main Panjim City. The Cable Stay Bridge also adds an architectural beauty to the capital of Goa, Panaji. Total Bridge Length of the Bridge is 5.1(km including approaches.

Shri Dipak  Pauskar, Chaiman GSIDC welcomed the guests. While Shri SSiddharth Kuncalienkar, EDC Chairman proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji, January 27, 2019 … …“National Voters Day is a very significant occasion as a democratic nation is imperfect without its voters. Not casting vote is a criminal offense as per our conscience as a voter and as a citizen of this country. Young voters must realize the importance of vote as participating in this democratic process makes you a true citizen of India,” stated Smt. Nila Mohanan IAS, Secretary for Revenue while speaking as a Chief Guest at the District Level National Voters Day program held in Panaji recently.

While addressing the new voters she further added that the first vote is an occasion to celebrate like a birthday or an anniversary. “The Election Commission tries to make each election a celebration of democracy and we must proudly be a part it. Exercise the right to vote efficiently and meaningfully. Use your independent judgment to decide who to vote and encourage your peers to enroll in the process too,” she said.

            North Goa District Collector Shri. Levinson Martins, Addn Collector Shri. Gopal Parsekar, Election Icon and Information Officer Shri. John Aguiar, Shri. Brahmanand Shankhwalkar and Shri. Mukesh Ghatwal were present on the occasion.

            Earlier, the function began by lighting the traditional lamp. Shri. Martins welcomed the gathering. The dignitaries then distributed the EPIC cards to the new voters and released a video made by BLOs of Taleigao Constituency on the process of voting. Jt. Mamlatdar Tiswadi Smt. Varsha Parab administered the Voter’s pledge to the gathering.

Kum. Afreen Khan compered the function while Mamlatdar Tiswadi Smt. Sapna Bandodkar proposed the vote of thanks.