Panaji, May 22, 2018 …  Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has appealed to all food business operators dealing in food business by way of catering to compulsorily display a true copy of their FSSAI license, along with name and contact number of the Food and Business Operator at the place of banquet set up while catering for various functions.

            The Food Business Operators who are dealing in food articles by way of retail sale/ wholesale/ manufacturer/trader/distributor/supplier/caterer/repacker/restaurants/mobile carts, including those who participate in various exhibitions are informed that dealing in food articles without a valid registration certificate or license under the Food Safety And Standard Act, 2006   and rules/regulation, 2011, is in contravention of the provisions of the Act/Regulations, and is punishable with imprisonment and under Section 63.  

            The above said categories of Food Business Operators should not start their business activity without obtaining the required license/Registration Certificate from Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration.

            The Food Business Operators who are found operating their food business without license will be dealt with imprisonment and fine, as provided under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006. It is mandatory for all Food Business Operators to display their License/Registration Certificate in a prominent place at the business premises, failing which a fine will be levied on the defaulters, for non display of the License/Registration Certificate, by way of compounding of offence.  

Panaji, May 21, 2018  … Several states in India have witnessed unprecedented high temperatures in the recent past, leading to heat strokes and heat-related deaths; the elderly and children are particularly more susceptible.

A heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia or heat-related illness caused by long exposure to high environmental temperature. It can be caused by intense physical activity in hot weather, exposure to a hot environment for prolonged periods, excessive physical activity in hot weather, not drinking enough water in hot weather and due to wearing excessive clothing in hot weather. Alcohol consumption causing an imbalance in temperature maintenance is also one of the major causes of Heat strokes.

Newborns and infants, children, elderly, individuals who work in direct sunlight for hours. eg. Laborers, farmers, road and construction workers etc. and those who engage in rigorous physical activity including sports eg. Athletes, Military personnel, Police are more often prone to heat stroke.

Heat stroke occurs most commonly during the summer months of April to July. The key sign of heat stroke is a body temperature above 104 Degree Fahrenheit (40 Degree Celsius) and consumed state of mind. Throbbing headache, dizziness and light-headedness, lack of sweating despite the heat, red, hot, and dry skin, muscle weakness or cramps, nausea and vomiting, extreme lethargy, rapid heartbeat, rapid shallow breathing, mental confusion, disorientation, unsteadiness of gait or staggering, seizures and unconsciousness are the some of the signs of heat strokes.

To prevent heat stroke public need to take appropriate measures. If someone has a heat stroke, arrangements should be made to take the person immediately to the nearest health facility. One can also initiate First aid measure immediately and educate the family/community about the same.

A person with heat stroke must be moved to an open and well-ventilated environment or a cool, shady area, remove any unnecessary clothing, aim to reduce the temperature to less than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a fan over the patient while wetting his or her skin with water using a sponge or towel and apply ice packs, if available, to the patient’s armpits, groin, neck, and back. If possible, immerse the patient in a shower or tub of cool water, or an ice bath. Do not apply an ice pack or immense newborn/baby in water as it may cause hypothermia.

However, there are several ways in which one can prevent Heat Stroke. Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, keep the house well ventilated, especially the cooking area, keep the doors and windows open. During the hottest part of the day, cover the windows with curtains, cloth, bed sheet etc. To prevent dehydration, drink at least eight glasses of water, fruit juice, buttermilk or other fluids daily. Avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather. Where possible, avoid going out during the hottest period of the day i.e. early and late afternoons. Take additional precautions when working outdoors in the field or exercising. Drink water/juice etc even not thirsty. Houses with tin roofs tend to get hotter. Take extra precautions in such a case. Avoid alcohol during this time.

Babies who are exclusively breastfed may need extra breast-feeds in hot weather. Children above 6 months of age, who have started complementary feeding, can be given small amounts of cool, boiled water between feeds. Choose the coolest place in the house for babies or young children to sleep. Give young children (over 6 months of age) regular fluids throughout the day. Children should be prevented from playing outside in sun during peak hours of the day.

Panaji, May 21, 2018 … Directorate of Fisheries inorder to conserve fish, has prohibited fishing from June 1, 2018 till July 31, 2018 (both days inclusive) by fishing vessels fitted with mechanical means of propulsion, and by means of trawl-net and purse-seine net, except fishing by registered motorized canoes using gill nets only, and fitted with outboard or inboard motors, of upto 10 HP capacity, as a means of propulsion, along the sea cost and the territorial waters of Goa.

Panaji, May 20, 2018 … The Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has allocated one seat each for the state of Goa at Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Salem, Tamil Nadu (Govt. of India), Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Kannur, Kerala (Govt. of Kerala) and at Karnataka Handloom Technology Institute (KHTI), Gadag, Karnataka (Govt. of Karnataka) for undergoing three years Diploma Course in Handloom and Textile Technology (DHTT).

          To join the course one must be a citizen of Goa for 15 years must pass 10^th standard or equivalent with English, should be between the age of 15 to 23 years for General candidates and 15 to 25 years for SC/ST candidates as on 01^st July 2018.       

The candidate will be given stipend of Rs.1000/- pm, Rs.1100/- and  Rs.1200/- pm. during the three years respectively, for 10 months each year.

For prescribed application and further details, interested candidates may contact Technical Officer, Department of Handicrafts, Textile & Coir, Crafts Complex, Neuginagar Panaji-Goa. Contact No. 0832-2226153). The interested candidates must submit the filled applications by  June 9,  2018.

Panaji dated May 19, 2018 … The Collector, North District has directed to complete the work of cleaning of the drains within the areas of Corporation, Municipalities and Panchayats and submit weekly reports to the Collectorate on the progress.

The Collector, North Goa has convened a second meeting to review the preparations made by different Departments for the ensuing monsoons today.

The Mamlatdars of all talukas have been directed to forward calamity relief cases within 24 hours to the Collectorate for timely disbursal of relief amount.

24×7 Control rooms has been set up in the Collectorate, North Goa and the Mamlatdar Offices of all talukas from May 14, 2018 onwards to receive calls from the public regarding any incident or calamity that may arise due to heavy rains and to co ordinate swift response.

Panaji:-May 18, 2018 …  Minister for Urban Development, Shri Francis D’souza inaugurated one day Capacity Building Workshop of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and stakeholders on six Waste Management Rules (2016) organized jointly by Goa State Urban Development Agency and National Productivity Council in the city recently.

Smt.R. Menaka, IAS, Director of Municipal Administration and Member Secretary, GSUDA, Shri Hemant Kumar Rao, Director of National Productivity Council, Hyderabad and Sandesh Sail, APO, GSUDA were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion Shri D’souza said today’s technology has reached our doorstep. It is now our responsibility to take full advantage of it in converting garbage into gold. People must work together to achieve the objective of Swachh Bharat Mission, he urged.

Shri S. Suresh, Regional Director CPCB Bangalore welcomed the gathering, Shri Gaurao V. Polke, Consultant, GSUDA compered the function while Shri Jagdish Hosmani CPO, GSUDA proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji, May 17, 2018 …. The Goa State Bio-Diversity Board (GSBB) will celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on May 22, 2018, at Daivadnya Hall, Samaj Kalyan Kendra, Margao at 9.00 a.m. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Celebrating the 25^th year of the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.’

To venerate the occasion, there will be special exhibition stalls at the venue by BMCs, Government departments and organisations related to Biodiversity. The GSBB has appealed to all the farmers, environment enthusiast and others to share unique indigenous and local plant species from their village during Seed collection and conservation festival which is planned on the same day.

To know more please visit website www.gsbb.goa.gov.in or email to go**************@***il.com. The program is open to all.

Panaji, May 16, 2018 …. Governor of Goa, Dr. (Smt.) Mridula Sinha stated that co-ordinated efforts from diverse sectors of society will provide us a better health system.

Dr. Sinha was speaking at the ‘International Nurses Day’ function organised by the Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI), Goa Branch at Kala Academy recently. The theme for this year’s function was ‘Nurses -A Voice to Lead – Health is a Human Right.’

Minister for Art and Culture Shri. Govind Gaude and Minister for Health Shri. Vishwajit, keynote speaker Dr. Wilson Fernandes, Secretary of Goa TNAI, Smt. Rubina Fernandes, President Smt. Kuntal Kerkar and Director of Health Services Dr. Sanjeev Dalvi were present among others.

The Governor further said that Nurses must assure every patient a quality service. “Nursing is not a profession but a mission which requires kind heart and sharp mind.  For a patient, a nurse is no less than a God. Nurses perform their duties at par with the doctors, hence, we have to look at it as a positive career option,” the Governor said.

The Governor appreciated Minister for Health, Shri Vishwajit Rane for his contribution in the field of healthcare. “The facilities introduced such as Bike Ambulance, Ayushman has brought health care at our doorstep”, the Governor said.

Shri Vishwajit Rane said that the Government is committed to providing best of nursing education and infrastructure facilities to train nursing students.

Shri Govind Gaude stated that nurses always secure a respectable place in the society hence; the current generation must choose this career and bring laurels to the state of Goa.

Dr. Wilson Fernandes In his keynote address highlighted the journey of nursing education. He iterated that healthcare facilities have prospered since past few years and so, the role of nurses. However, there are still many people who lack essential health care facilities as 28.5% of Indian population is below the poverty line. During instances, sickness is not addressed due to lack of finance. The International Council of Nurses (ICN) believes that good health is a human right, and a nurse is bound to provide primary check-up thereby contributing towards a healthy nation.”

Smt. Kuntal Kerkar welcomed the guests and proposed the vote of thanks.

Panaji, May 15, 2018 …  Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration, (FDA) has informed that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India,  has designed “Food Safety Training and Certification (FOSTAC)”, food businesses across the value chain throughout the country.

 Hence It is, now, mandatory, for all food business operators operating in the State of Goa, to have at least one trained and certified “Food Safety Supervisor’, for every 25 food handlers or part thereof, in all their premises.

To implement this policy, F DA along with Designated Training Partners, will be organizing number of trainings through out the year. In this regard, the food business operators are required to contact RDA and register themselves for the training. The food business operators will  also have to pay a nominal fee for the training programme.

 It is further stated that the said requirement has to be completed before December 31, 2018 failing which food licences of food business operators, without the trained supervisor, shall not be renewed, any further.  

Panaji, May 14, 2018 … Office of the Chief Electrical Officer has informed that as per the directives of the Election Commission of India, the work of House to house verification of photographs and other details of the electors from Photo Electoral Rolls, is undertaken in all the 40 Assembly Constituencies of Goa by the respective Deputy Collectors / EROs and Mamlatdar / AEROs with the help of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) of the concerned Part of the Assembly Constituency.

 The Booth Level Officers will visit from house to house in their respective Part of the Assembly Constituency to verify the photo and other particulars of the electors for e.g. names, relation’s name, age, gender and EPIC number from  May 15, 2018 to June 20, 2018.

Public in general and the political parties are requested to co-operate with the Booth Level Officers and provide necessary information so as to prepare accurate Photo Electoral Rolls in connection with the Special summary Revision of Electoral rolls of  intensive nature with reference to January 1, 2019 as qualifying date.