OHERALDO
GOA
Pg 3
GOA, MONDAY, 2 AUGUST, 2010
Ad hoc panel recommends creation of dy collectors, mamlatdars posts HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, AUG 1
Condemning the mamlatdars and joint mamlatdars for huge pendency of mundkarial and tenancy cases, the Ad hoc Committee on Finance has recommended that if necessary new posts of deputy collectors and mamlatdars be created to clear huge backlog of pending cases. “The reason for pending of large number of cases is casual approach shown by the mamlatdars and joint mamlatdars towards disposal of these cases”, says Ad hoc Committee headed
(Left) A view of the St Anne’s Church, Santan-Talaulim. (Right) A devotee places his child before the statue of St Anne on the occasion of “Touxeachem Fest” (cucumber feast) on Sunday. Besides a huge number of devotees across Goa, many newly-wed couples attend the feast to seek the Saint’s blessings. Photos by Rozario Estibeiro
Hostile conditions prevent mechanised fishing vessels from venturing into sea HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, AUG 1
The prized solar shrimp is available in abundance in the sea, but mechanised vessels operating from the Cutbona fishing jetty could not venture out for fishing on Day One of the new season due to hostile conditions at the mouth of River Sal at Betul and the rough Arabian Sea. Day One of the new season saw majority of the vessels dropping anchor at the Cutbona Jetty. Only around 10-15 out of the 200-odd mechanised fishing vessels from the Cutbona Jetty venturing out in the Arabian Sea. These purse seine vessels successfully overcame the conditions at the river mouth to venture into the sea this morning. Though these vessels are believed to have netted the much-sought after solar shrimp in tones, they could not return back to the Cutbona Jetty with the prized catch due to navigational problems at the river mouth. Information revealed that 23 vessels are believed to have netted the solar shrimp around 3-4 tons each, indicating the presence of the shrimp in the
sea. A kilogram of solar shrimp was priced at Rs 85 at the Cutbona fishing jetty, informed sources in the know. Vice-President of the Cutbona Boat Owners Union, Roosevelt Alemao said most of the fishing vessels could not take advantage of the situation, primarily due to the rough conditions at the river mouth and the delay in the arrival of the manpower. “The situation at the River
Sal mouth is indeed rough, making navigation a big problem. Every year, the boat owners face this problem and this can be overcome only by government intervention by building a harbour a la Malpei”, he added. Indeed, small boat owners said that it may take a week or so before they could hope of venturing out in the sea to catch the prized shrimp.
Apart from the perennial conditions at the river mouth, the boat owners this year are faced by the delay in the arrival of the workforce from Jharkhand, Orissa and Karnataka. No doubt, the migrant labour from these States are making their presence felt at the fishing jetty, but boat owners said that nearly 30-50 per cent of the total workforce is yet to return back to the State this season.
The hostile conditions at the River Sal mouth at Betul prevented mechanised vessels from venturing out in the Arabian Sea on Sunday. Photo by Santosh Mirajkar
HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, AUG 1
The State government’s plan to set up surveillance cameras throughout the state to increase surveillance has come under severe criticism from a legislative panel. In order to increase the security and tackle terrorist threat to the State, government had decided to set up unmanned surveillance cameras across the State – at junctions, public places and places of strategic importance. The government had also made a budgetary provision of Rs 25 crore for the project. However, the ad hoc committee on Information Technology, chaired by Aldona legislator Dayanand Narvekar has passed strictures on the project saying the government did not make any study on the project before making budgetary provision. “The committee does not approve the gesture of the government in making budgetary allocation when the basic planning of the project was not complete,” the committee report, which was tabled in the Assembly says. The feasibility of the project is still on and Herald un-
Panel recommends monitoring of funds HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, AUG 1
While the Government has been promoting IFFI in a big way, the condition of some of the cinema theatres in the State has remained pathetic even after they obtained subsidy from the government for up-gradation with latest technology. The Ad hoc Committee on Finance in its report last week has recommended that the government should monitor that subsidy provided is used to the fullest extend for the purpose for which it has been provided as it found that despite taking subsidy benefits from the gov-
Mauvin on HCN
ernment, the conditions of some theatres has been pathetic. “The very idea to give subsidy for the renovation of the theatres is to upgrade their infrastructure on the lines of the international standards. It will also help boost film culture in Goa,” says Ad hoc Committee on its report. Subsidy disbursed to various theatres include Samrat theatre (Rs 57,74,648), Ashok theatre (Rs 39,18,119), Cine Lata (Rs 15,53,600), Cine Shivam (Rs 52,34,198), Vishant theatre (Rs 38,77,908), Cine Paradise (Rs 2,22,076), Cine Alankar (Rs 19,02,516), National theatre (Rs
Navelim gram sabha opposes NH-17 widening HERALD REPORTER MARGAO AUG 1
As the Deputy Speaker and Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho celebrates his 51st birthday on August 2, watch him discuss his career in politics and his development plans for his constituency… only on HCN on Monday August 2 at 11 am followed by a repeat telecast on the same day at 5.30 pm and 9 pm.
Mauvin turns 51 today
PANJIM (HND): Deputy Speaker cum chairperson of SGPDA, Mauvin Godinho is celebrating his 51st birthday today. Godinho will be available from 9 am at his office at Upasnagar, Zuarinagar. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will be laying foundation stone of 2nd phase of Cortalim Market Complex, Panchayat Ghar at Chicalim and Sancoale panchayat.
25,07,539), Nandi theatre (Rs 29,710), Cine Radhakrishna (Rs 7 7 , 1 6 3 ) , H i r a Ta l k i e s ( R s 5,28,548) and Cine Niagara (Rs 4,82,056). The Committee opined that the theatres well equipped with latest facilities and technology will not boost the number of theatre goers but will further help to generate more revenue to the State in the form of entertainment tax. The conditions of theatres should also be improved because today Goa is on the international map after becoming a permanent venue for IFFI, says the Ad hoc Committee.
The mortal remains of freedom fighter Dr Eclito D’Souza were laid to rest at Assolna on Sunday. Fr Savio who preached the homily said that Dr Eclito even though was old with a frail health was an alert and active person who managed his things well. He said that Dr Eclito had a very eventful and purposeful life even in the twilight of his life. Many of his friends and admirers attend his last rites. During the eulogy, Adv Gilman Fernandes said that Dr Eclito was a nationalist and a patriot who even inspired others to plunge into Goa’s liberation struggle. While praying his tributes, Prof Subash Velingkar said D’Souza was one of the brave and
The Navelim gram sabha on Sunday opposed the widening of the NH-17 and resolved that the Central government should build the 6/4 lane highway directly from Maharashtra to Karnataka by bypassing Goa. Gram Sabha members said that Goa is a tiny State with land admeasuring 3702 square kilometers and already has high density of existing roads, adding that the proposed highway would only bring disaster to Goa as the State does not require unnecessary traffic from North India heading to Karnataka, Kerala. Members said the proposed highway will not benefit from it and eventually destroy its environment. “Konkan Railway carries goods, loaded trucks and passengers from North to South and much of the business is carried out and major load of transportation is taken care of ”, informed social activist, Sidharth Karapurkar.
Gram Sabha members said that Goa is a tiny State with land admeasuring 3702 square kilometers and already has high density of existing roads, adding that the proposed highway would only bring disaster to Goa. He pointed out that traffic load in Goa is mostly between Mapusa and Margao which needs to be looked into. “A study shows that after Thivim Industrial Estate in the north and Navelim in south the traffic is low and hence does not require broadening of 45 mts. Instead, a 5-meter road should be sufficient. Whereas Mapusa to Margao needs a broader road and the existing land for 30 mts which is already acquired by government can be utilised for broadening and even 6-lane can be fitted in 30 mts. Hence, new acquisition should be stopped”, he added. Karapurkar further said the
road passes through eco sensitive area of River Sal and the wetlands attached to it which will be destroyed once the road is constructed. Other issues discussed were garbage and its handling. After much discussions, it was decided to look out for a plot for garbage disposal, but pending the final solution, members decided that wet garbage should be composted at home. In this respect, the gram sabha decided that all buildings should be instructed to dispose off wet garbage by composting, adding that Panchayat should collect the plastic waste. A proposal was received to acquire land for broadening of road in front of Navelim church which was rejected outright. Sarpanch Paul Pereira said that the gram sabha has resolved to issue notices to landlords keeping tenants to set up composting pits in their property, adding that the Panchayat would impose fines if the fail to do so.
patriotic son of AVC (Assolna, Velim, Cuncolim) who wanted to maintain Hindu-Christian unity in its true sense and strived hard to set history right. Velingkar said that Goa should be proud of producing such a patriotic son who not only worked in Goa but in East Africa not only for Goa’s liberation but also for liberation of Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. “Dr Eclito had entrusted me the task to make history of one of the greatest Goan, Dr Francisco Luis Gomes. While I would fulfill this task, the time has come to make Goa know about Dr DSouza, a selfless nationalist, who brushed shoulders with top national leaders and foreign diplomats pushing Goa’s case for freedom.”, Velingkar added. Levinson martins also spoke. Among those who attended were freedom fighter Urselino Almeida, Lambert Mascarenhas, Assis Correia, Member of Law Commission, Adv Cleofato Coutinho Almedia and many friends, relatives and admirers of Dr Eclito.
Total pendency of cases with mamlatdars in South Goa was 1,688 as on March 31, 2010 but in North Goa pendency of cases was extraordinarily high; 12,922 cases were awaiting disposal in North Goa. Inordinate delay in disposal of the cases is causing undue hardship to people who have to wait for years to get justice for no fault of theirs. The delay in disposal of cases has also resulted in additional financial burden on the litigants, pointed out Ad hoc
PENDENCY OF TENANCY CASES
Govt’s plan to set up surveillance cameras under severe criticism
Even with govt subsidy, condition Dr Eclito laid to rest of some cinema theatres pathetic HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, AUG 1
by Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes in its report on Finance which was tabled in the House, last week. As informed by the government to the Committee, as on March 31, 2010, total 17,540 cases were pending with deputy collectors and SDOs of North Goa district but pendency of cases in South Goa district was much less. Total 6,563 cases were pending with deputy collectors and SDOs of Salcete, Mormugao, Quepem and Canacona.
derstands that the government plans to take it up on PPP model, wherein the responsibility of getting adequate manpower to operate the system would be on the company. “The committee feels that the government has not made a deep study on the surveillance system. It is not enough to install a system, a thorough study on its effectiveness and profitability should have been undertaken side by side and as well as maintenance,” the report says adding “…it is a good system provided it is used effectively”. “It is also necessary to make the project full proof by examining it from all angles and also as these are sensitive device, its utility and maintenance also has to be looked into carefully,” the report states.
Committee. It has therefore recommended that the government should look into specific problems faced by the mamlatdars and joint mamlatdars so that their services could be utilised exclusively for disposal of large number of pending various cases. Besides, the Committee has reiterated its demand to create a separate election cell to deal with the matters relating to election census survey so that officers handling mundkarial and tenancy cases are not overburdened with additional duty.