President Ramnath Kovind Wednesday laid foundation stone for the construction of the Raj Bhavan annexe at the Goa Governor’s residence. The new building will come up within the Raj Bhavan premises overlooking the Arabian Sea.Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai said Thursday that the Raj Bhavan building, which was over 400 years old, is a national monument and would be preserved in its existing form.Why is a new Raj Bhavan being built?The Raj Bhavan at Dona Paula in Panaji is a monument that has been standing for over four centuries. Government officials have argued that the maintenance of the Raj Bhavan building is difficult and expensive and modifications to the existing structure are not permissible since it is a heritage building. The government has envisioned use of the existing Raj Bhavan building, a protected Archeological Survey of India monument, for tourism.When was the decision to construct a new Raj Bhavan taken?The Goa government had first announced its decision to construct a new Raj Bhavan in July 2020. However, the then Goa Governor, Satyapal Malik, had written a letter to Goa CM Pramod Sawant stating that “at a time when the state is battling Covid-19 and reeling under financial crises, the idea to construct a new Raj Bhavan is irrational and imprudent”.The Cabinet led by Sawant in his new government formed in March, recently approved the construction of the new Raj Bhavan building.What has been the government’s response to those opposing the move?Opposition parties in Goa have questioned the need for a new building.In a statement issued on May 23, the Raj Bhavan clarified that the “present building of Raj Bhavan and the Governor’s Secretariat Building will remain intact and will not be disturbed or modified in any manner”.Glimpses from Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula, Goa.@psspillaigov@DrPramodPSawant@ramesh_tawadkar pic.twitter.com/ncf0dAo1uC— Shripad Y. Naik (@shripadynaik) June 15, 2022But it said the building had undergone “a great deal of wear and tear resulting in crores of rupees being spent every year for the maintenance by the Public Works Department”.The statement added, the Raj Bhavan’s requirements too have changed, needing “more space with modern facilities and amenities”.Governor Pillai had earlier said, “This (the existing Raj Bhavan) is a monument, a national monument. Not even a single stone can be changed by the Governor, the Chief Minister or the President.”Officials said Pillai accepted the Chief Minister’s proposal as maintaining the old building was “difficult”. The new project will be executed by the Public Works Department.What is the history of the heritage building?In 1540, the then Portuguese Viceroy had built fort ramparts surrounding the entire cape due to its strategic location, government officials said.Subsequently in 1541, the chapel that exists at site was built along with the present day structure — it was originally planned to serve as a convent.In 1844, this convent became the residence of the Archbishop and, in 1866, it became the palace residence of the Portuguese governor.What is there inside the existing Raj Bhavan premises?The sprawling Raj Bhavan estate is located on a cape in the Goan capital, and is also known by its erstwhile Portuguese name “Palacio do Cabo”. It offers a breathtaking view of the Arabian sea and hosts a number of residential suites along with the Our Lady of the Cape Church, a Grotto, the Estate Beach and a jetty.After being opened for visitors in 2019, it was closed for the public in 2020 citing “security reasons”. Governor Pillai said that it would once again be opened to the public once the new building gets completed.Where will the new Raj Bhavan come up?The new building will come up within the sprawling 88-acre premises of the Raj Bhavan in Dona Paula in Panaji. Government officials said that the construction is likely to begin by September, adding that the building should be ready in about two years.President Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation stone of the new Raj Bhavan (Annexe) at Goa.राष्ट्रपती रामनाथ कोविंद यांच्या हस्ते गोव्यातील नव्या राजभवन वास्तूचा पायाभरणी सोहळा दोनापावल येथे पार पडला. प्रस्तावित वास्तू सध्याच्या राजभवन आवारातच निर्माणाधीन आहे. pic.twitter.com/ZXz3kTaDz2— PIB in Goa (@PIB_Panaji) June 15, 2022What will the new building look like?According to the PWD, the ground floor of the building will have the President’s quarters with a master bedroom, a large sea-facing deck, living, dining area, kitchen and two guest bedrooms. It will also have the Governor’s office, office space for staff to the Governor, President’s staff on duty, ADCs, video conferencing facility and two VIP guest rooms. There will be a separate entrance for VIPs and another entry for other offices.The first floor will have Governor’s quarters with a master bedroom, a large sea-facing deck, living, dining, kitchen, and two guest bedrooms. It will also have offices of secretaries, joint secretaries, controller, assistant controller, allied staff offices, a control room, a banquet hall and a dining hall.The PWD has said that it has designed a barrier-free, sustainable building design suited to Goan climate while making maximum use of the sea view.
Panaji: Welcoming the government’s plan to build a new Raj Bhavan, Congress MLA Carlos Fereira said Goa government should consider the possibility of getting the project funded by the Centre. “I’m told that funds are made available for building Raj Bhavans by the Centre. The Goa government can examine if the funds can be obtained from the Centre,” Fereira said. President Ram Nath Kovind is on a two-day visit to Goa during which he will lay the foundation for the project. “I will support the move of the government to build a new Raj Bhavan, which will be modern and yet meet the aesthetic standards of the existing Raj Bhavan. We should look at it positively. I don’t want to oppose it simply because I’m an opposition MLA,” he said. The Aldona MLA said the existing Raj Bhavan is the oldest in the country. Being a protected monument, there are limitations involved in restoration, renovations and maintenance. “Since I have been an advisor to governors of Goa, I know the dangers concerning the stability of the structure, the kind of work that was sought to be undertaken in 2000, and the apprehensions of the engineers,” he said.
PANAJI: As Covid cases continue to rise in the state, health officials have said that people must get tested for the disease even if they have flu-like symptoms. State epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar said that people have no option but to take precautions. On Wednesday, the state recorded a total of 82 new cases.
Panaji: Even as Covid-19 cases rise rapidly in the state, health authorities have said that people should get tested even if they have flu or flu-like symptoms. On Tuesday, Goa hit 100 daily cases after nearly four months, after several days of daily cases ranging from 60 to 70. State epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betokdar said that people have no alternative but to take precautions. “People should get tested even if they think they have the flu,” Betodkar said. However, health authorities are still not ready to term the present rise a new (or a fourth) wave. “Hospitalisations are still on the lower side, just one or two admissions a week,” he said. “Since the rise, a single fatality has been reported, adding that the patient who died after contracting the infection was a 95-year-old woman. Betodkar said that most patients reported mild symptoms, unlike in earlier phases of the pandemic. Since the rise in cases, the majority of patients have been treated in home isolation. The directorate of health services is still unclear as to how to define the ongoing increase, but one pattern that’s been emerging has been similar to earlier, which is that South Goa is reporting more cases than North Goa. “We haven’t seen any clusters so far, but more infections are being reported from South Goa,” he said. Betodkar said that it may be because of “the higher concentration of population” in certain talukas of South Goa. The first wave originated at Mangor Hill, Vasco, in the first week of June 2020, reaching other parts of the state by the month-en. While Vasco became the hotspot, Salcete also reported a huge number of cases. During the second wave, Margao remained at the top, whereas in North Goa, Calangute, Candolim, Panaji and Porvorim saw the disease spread like wildfire, but the tally of cases in South Goa was higher than that of North Goa. Even during the third wave which began from December 28, 2021, and started dipping by mid-February, South Goa was ahead in terms of numbers.
PANAJI- The Union government said that at least 10.5% of Goa’s population was unemployed during the Covid-19 pandemic, much above the national unemployment rate of 4.2 %. This was the third highest joblessness in the country during that period, after Nagaland and Lakshadweep, according to a report released by the Union ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI). The data also shows that women constitute just one fourth of the labour force in Goa. At 27.3%, this figure is less than the average 32.5%
Panaji: At least 10.5% of Goa’s population was unemployed during the Covid-19 pandemic, much above the national unemployment rate of 4.2 %, shows a report released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) for 2020-21. Goa had the third highest joblessness in the country during that period, after Nagaland and Lakshadweep. The data also shows that women constitute just one fourth of the labour force in Goa. At a meagre 27.3%, the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of women in Goa is below the national average of 32.5%. This data is part of the Union ministry’s Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) annual report for July 2020 to June 2021. For the survey, MoSPI collected data from 24 villages in Goa, contacting 723 persons from 192 rural households. For the urban areas, 962 women and men from 256 households were interviewed. In rural and urban areas, the unemployment rate is more or less the same, with rural areas registering unemployment rate of 10% and urban areas registering unemployment rate of 10.9%. Monthly data published by the Centre for Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE) showed that unemployment in Goa increased over the past three months and stood at 15.5% in April, up from the 11.6% unemployment rate in January. The independent research firm had also come to the same conclusion that the prevalence of unemployment in Goa is higher than the national average. As per the Centre’s report, the LFPR for Goa stood at 48.5% for those in the 15 years and above age group. In this, the female participation stands at 33% in the rural areas and at 23.8% in urban pocket. Men form 69% of the work force in Goa (rural 64.6% and urban 71.6%). Among rural males, 33% of the employed men said that they are self employed while 57% claimed to be salaried with regular wages and 9% working as casual workers. Among rural women who said that they were employed, 59% stated they are self employed, 34% earn regular wages and 7% are casual workers. Among urban men, 36% are self employed, 59% are salaried and 5% are casual labourers. At 63%, the percentage of urban women who are salaried outnumbered salaried men. The data also appears to vary from the data released by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) for 2019-20. According to the MoSPI, Goa’s sex ratio in rural areas stands at 831 females for every 1,000 men, while in urban areas, the sex ratio is 999 females for every 1000 men. However, the NFHS data pegged the sex ratio in rural areas at 1,092 females per 1,000 males and in urban areas at 985 women for every 1,000 males.
PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that the state government's legal team is examining anti-conversion laws in the state and at the Centre, and that if required, the state would bring in an anti-conversion law. He said current anti-conversion laws are "weak". The chief minister added that anti-conversion laws are a state subject and, if required, the state will bring in new laws. Sawant said that he has never differentiated between the majority and minority in the state, and it will not be done in the future too. "Goa follows a common civil code, and everyone is Goan," he said. "At present the anti-conversion laws are weak to act against those involved in religious conversions," he said. "Nobody can be involved in religious conversions. If someone is doing illegal conversion, then we will not keep quiet," Sawant added. Speaking on the construction and renovation of temples which were destroyed during the Portuguese regime and on religious conversions, Sawant said temples showcase Goa's culture.
Panaji: Stating that the existing anti-conversion laws are weak, chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that the state government’s legal team is examining these laws in the state and at the Centre. The chief minister added that anti-conversion laws are a state subject and, if required, the state will bring in new laws. Sawant said that he has never differentiated between the majority and minority in the state, and it will not be done in the future too. “Goa follows a common civil code, and everyone is Goan,” he said. “At present the anti-conversion laws are weak to act against those involved in religious conversions,” he said. “Nobody can be involved in religious conversions. If someone is doing illegal conversion, then we will not keep quiet,” Sawant added. Speaking on the construction and renovation of temples which were destroyed during the Portuguese regime and on religious conversions, Sawant said temples showcase Goa’s culture.
Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Tuesday that his legal team was studying anti-conversion laws, and added that if any changes were required, they would be carried out. In an interview to a news channel, Sawant said that “illegal” religious conversions would not be tolerated.“If anyone illegally converts by inducement or duress, that will not be tolerated,” said Sawant. “This is not for votes. This is a wrong idea,” he said, when asked if his stance was a political strategy.“At present, the law is weak. My legal team is studying it. If any changes are required, they will be carried out. Anti-conversion laws in the state and in the country are being looked at,” Sawant said. “If for the last 20-25 years someone is doing it (illegal religious conversion), if this has been going on in broad daylight and no one is acting against it even after a complaint, and if with the existing laws we cannot put an end to it, then there needs to be a new law for it,” he added.
Panaji: With the Mopa International airport expected to be commissioned in September, Goa is set to see an increased flow of travellers. While development at the beginning of the tourist season ought to have made the tourism industry euphoric, concerns have risen over alleged non-implementation of taxi meters. Trade members have alleged that though tourist taxis have been fitted with meters, operators are still not billing travellers as per metre rates and fear that, as an immediate fallout, hotels in South Goa may be affected. A hotelier from North Goa, Francisco de Braganca, said that tourist taxi operators continue to charge exorbitantly and added that the transport department does not have a mechanism in place to check if they are using meters. "If you charge Rs 3,000-4,000 for a one-way journey from North Goa to South Goa, we are afraid hotels in South Goa may lose clients," he said.
Panaji: With the Mopa International airport expected to be commissioned in September, Goa is set to see an increased flow of travellers. While development at the beginning of the tourist season ought to have made the tourism industry euphoric, concerns have risen over alleged non-implementation of taxi meters. Trade members have alleged that though tourist taxis have been fitted with meters, operators are still not billing travellers as per metre rates and fear that, as an immediate fallout, hotels in South Goa may be affected. A hotelier from North Goa, Francisco de Braganca, said that tourist taxi operators continue to charge exorbitantly and added that the transport department does not have a mechanism in place to check if they are using meters. “If you charge Rs 3,000-4,000 for a one-way journey from North Goa to South Goa, we are afraid hotels in South Goa may lose clients,” he said. “Is there any system in place to check if tourist taxis operators bill their clients reasonably?” Braganca said. He said coaches will have to be arranged from the North Goa airport rather than completely relying on tourist taxis for transportation. A hotelier in South Goa said that the state has received enough bad publicity in the past on the account of a few operators indulging in unhealthy trade practices. The need of the hour is to have a shuttle service as available at other airports in the country, he said. “Until four-lanning of the national highway is completed fully, travelling from North to South and vice versa will not be smooth and fast. In such a situation, taxi operators are likely to take advantage of the situation,” he said. It has taken the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) over five years and that too, after intervention of the court, to get the government to ensure that tourist taxis install digital meters. Some, however, are yet to get the digital meters fitted on their vehicles. A senior official from the transport department said that so far they have not received a single complaint of overcharging. “The guests should insist that the driver switch on the digital meter and charge accordingly. They should complain to the transport department if they (drivers) fail to do so,” the senior officer said. TTAG has discussed the problem with chief minister Pramod Sawant. “With Zuari bridge expected to be commissioned by the end of the next month, it will cut travel time. When we met the chief minister on Monday, we discussed connectivity issues, and hassle free travelling from North to South should. If meters are fixed and if they are not used, what is the use of having them installed?” Shah said. Shah said a rapid system of transportation has to be in place before the new airport is thrown open. “We will need more vehicles once the new airport becomes functional, so we also asked the CM to remove an embargo on issuance of fresh licences for taxis and rickshaws,” Shah added.
