Quepem News

Quepems Cong MLA Altone DCosta favours plan for IIT Goa campus on home turf
Times of India | 1 week ago
Times of India
1 week ago

Panaji: In a surprising move from the opposition camp, Congress MLA Altone D’Costa said that he is happy to hear that the state government could set up the IIT Goa campus in Quepem. D’Costa said the IIT-Goa campus will be an “honour and an opportunity” for the constituents of Quepem. Nearly six years after the IIT Goa was established, the search for a site to house the institute’s permanent campus continues. TOI recently reported that after vociferous protests at Shel Melauli, the government has shortlisted four sites — on the Kulti plateau at Poinguinim in Canacona, an area at Sanguem, the land at Quitol, where the defence expo was held in Quepem, and another site at Dharbandora. “The government of Goa is considering Quepem as one of the options for IIT Campus. I believe it’s an honour and an opportunity for us to have this prestigious campus in our area. If the government is willing, we will be more than happy to shoulder the responsibility,” D’Costa said. Plans in at least seven locations, earlier identified by the state government, had to be scrapped, either due to shortcomings found by the site selection committee or objections from locals. D’Costa’s open support is significant because in January 2021, Congress had supported the protesters in Melauli-Guleli who had objected to the IIT campus. IIT-Goa is functioning from its temporary campus at the Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi, since 2016. As per central government norms, the state has to provide at least 500 acres of land for the IIT campus, but considering that Goa is a small state, it was agreed that 300 acres would be adequate.

Quepems Cong MLA Altone DCosta favours plan for IIT Goa campus on home turf
Goa: Despite plaints, hill-cutting on for 3 years, says Quepem locals
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

Quepem: Congress MLA Altone D’Costa and locals have complained to police that, for the past three years, a real estate developer has been undertaking hill-cutting work at Davantwada-Adnem, about 6km from Quepem town, during the weekends. They alleged that, since 2019, around 5 lakh sqm land, which is partly orchard, has been excavated, and that despite several verbal complaints to Quepem police, the authority has taken no action. “The hill-cutting is in progress at the moment. In the past three years, locals have made several complaints to the deputy collector, local panchayat and flying squad, but none of them have taken any step to stop the work,” D’Costa told police. Locals told TOI that the excavation work has had an impact on their fields that lie at the base of the hill as they get flooded with muddy runoff during the monsoon. They also expressed their fear over the destruction of the natural water source on the hill on which they depend as PWD water supply is irregular. Adnem local, Sakshi Gaonkar told TOI that the hill-cutting work was carried out only on Saturdays and Sundays. “I had informed the flying squad at around 2.30pm on Saturday. The person who responded assured to send the squad to the site, but no one turned up till Sunday,” Sakshi said. Balli sarpanch Raju Gonsai told TOI that the panchayat had carried out inspection at the hill-cutting site and an inquiry report has been submitted to the deputy collector and Quepem police for further action. Deputy collector Jyoti Kumari, in-charge of the flying squad, told TOI that a stop-work notice will be sent to the developer after conducting a site inspection. Another local, Shankuntala Gaonkar said that the muddy runoff from the excavated site is destroying their fields. “Our fields are being buried during rainy season and farmers are suffering losses,” she said.

Goa: Despite plaints, hill-cutting on for 3 years, says Quepem locals
Major rehaul on the anvil for NCP: Goa in-charge
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

Panaji: NCP’s state in-charge and observer Clyde Crasto arrived in Goa for a three-day visit to meet with party candidates and office bearers. Crasto is also reviewing the work that has to be done to build up NCP in Goa. He urged the party workers, sympathisers and candidates to work to address voters’ issues and rebuild the party without worrying about ties with Congress. “We have to go to the grassroots, that is the only way to rebuild the party,” Crasto said. He visited party candidates for St Andre, Quepem, Sanguem, Velim, Nuvem, Dabolim, Mormugao, Tivim, Porvorim, Marcaim, Priol and Shiroda. “I cannot give a time frame, but we will have two district presidents, block presidents for each of the 40 constituencies, youth presidents and a legal cell. We will have 500 office bearers, but at this point, I don’t know when,” Crasto said. NCP state chief Jose Philip D’souza and general secretary Avinash Bhosle are accompanying Crasto for the meetings. The party is in the midst of an overhaul and is keen to try and rebuild its presence in Goa without relying on Congress. Many party candidates have conveyed to Crasto that the decision to wait for an alliance for the state assembly elections resulted in a late charge for the party in Goa. “I am meeting the party candidates to understand their assessment of the elections, to give them a chance to speak out, to voice what they feel,” said Crasto.

Major rehaul on the anvil for NCP: Goa in-charge
My decision to join BJP was right, no regrets, says ex-Quepem MLA
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

Quepem: Former deputy chief minister Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar said that although the people of Quepem constituency may have voted him out because he defected from Congress, he has had no regrets about joining BJP in 2019. He said that if he had decided to stay with Congress and had won on a Congress ticket, he would have remained in the opposition. The ex-Quepem MLA was speaking at a workers meeting held at his residence on Sunday evening ahead of preparations for Ambedkar Jayanti and BJP’s foundation day. “I made the right decision (of leaving Congress and joining BJP). I joined BJP for the development of my constituency. People supported me till the 2022 elections arrived, but back-stabbed me by voting for someone else. Henceforth, I will remain in BJP,” said Kavlekar, who had won for four consecutive terms as a Congressman prior to his defeat this year. He lost to Congress’s Altone D’Costa by a margin of 3,601 votes. He said he had assumed his voting margin would have doubled as both Congress and BJP workers supported him till before the elections. “Everyone in the party thought BJP would win the Quepem and Valpoi seats with a thumping majority, but the people may have thought that my decision of leaving Congress was wrong, and hence they voted against me,” Kavlekar said. His wife, Savitri, unsuccessfully contested as an independent from Sanguem at the recently concluded elections. BJP had initially approached Kavlekar to get her candidature withdrawn but she did not relent. The seat was eventually won by Subhash Phal Dessai for BJP.

My decision to join BJP was right, no regrets, says ex-Quepem MLA
Balli tribal deaths: After 11 years, court acquits all accused
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

COLVA: In an 11-year-old case, principal district and session judge South Goa, Irshad Agha, on Wednesday acquitted all the 13 accused charged by the CBI of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the death of two persons during the agitation of the United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) in Quepem. Deepak Faldessai, Prashant Faldessai, Viraj Dessai, Bhupesh Dessai, Surendra Naik, Salil Fatarpekar, Vinod Faldessai, Satyawan Parwar, Ramnath Dessai, Piedade Fernandes, Dayanand Kholkar, Deepak Vishnu Fal Desai, Kiran Gal Dessai were exonerated by court. They were charged under Sections 143 ( unlawful assembly), 147(rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 427 (mischief), 436 (mischief by fire) and 304 (ii) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) read with Section 149 of IPC. The prosecution case was that on May 25, 2011, at Balli in Quepem, a mob of around 15 to 20 unknown persons, armed with wooden sticks and iron rods formed an unlawfully assembly and, in furtherance of their common object, set fire to Adarsh Bhavan and Achal Cashew Factory, and caused the death of two persons — Manguesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip. The two had succumbed to burn injuries. In all the prosecution examined 67 witnesses. In May 2011, members of United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) had held an agitation at Balli junction, blocking the NH17. Despite repeated requests from the collector, South Goa, and superintendent of police, South Goa, to clear the national highway, the group had continued agitating in an aggressive manner, turning violent, pelting stones on government officials, including police personnel. As a consequence, the collector had ordered use of necessary force, including lathi charge and firing of tear gas shells, to disburse the agitators. Subsequently, the UTAA crowd had turned more violent and attacked officials and damaged several government vehicles and other private and public property, pelting stones and resorting to arson. At this juncture, a group of around 15 to 20 unknown local persons retaliated and set Adarsh Bhavan and Achal Cashew Factory on fire, then Cuncolim police inspector Santosh Dessai had alleged. The accused were represented by advocate Amey Prabhu Dessai and advocate A B Menezes. Public prosecutor Noushad P M argued on behalf of the CBI.

Balli tribal deaths: After 11 years, court acquits all accused
MLAs raise issue of water woes
Navhind Times | 1 month ago
Navhind Times
1 month ago

Panaji: Raising the issue of water scarcity in their respective assembly constituencies in the state legislative assembly on Wednesday, legislators cutting across party lines demanded immediate relief to the common man.Interestingly, the MLAs included some first-time legislators besides the Speaker of the legislative assembly Ramesh Tawadkar.St. Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, Nuvem MLA Aleixo Sequeira, Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo, Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa said that people in their respective constituencies are facing hardships due to scarcity of water while the Speaker Tawadkar, who represents the Canacona constituency, also asked the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to take steps to resolve the issue.Sequeira said that there has been acute water shortage in Loutolim village while Amonkar raised the water scarcity problem in the Sada-Vasco area.Delilah Lobo said that for the last 20 years, the Siolim constituency has been facing acute water shortage and demanded to lay down a pipeline to resolve the same.Quepem MLA D’Costa brought to the notice of the House how the villages of Barcem, Morpirla and Cola have been relying on spring water.Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the House that the government will take steps to resolve the water shortage problem across the state as soon as possible.Sawant also assured to start pre-monsoon works as soon as possible while responding to the issue raised by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, Saligao MLA Kedar Naik and Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira.Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and Velim MLA Cruz Silva also raised the issues pertaining to their respective constituencies.

MLAs raise issue of water woes
World Poetry Day was celebrated in Quepem college
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

World Poetry Day was celebrated in Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Quepem on March 21, 2022 by Department of English. The campus was filled with budding poets and their buzzing emotions. Around 40 student and faculty members presented their poems in various languages including English, Konkani, Hindi and Marathi. Tanvi Bambolkar welcomed the gathering. Principal Prof Joydeep Bhattacharjee inaugurated the programme with unique limericks he wrote about various teachers from college. Also present we’re Head of the Department Deepa Prajith, Ellaine Noronha and Natasha Gouarda. On this occasion department also presented prizes of ‘Still I Rise’ an online poetry recitation competition which was organised last year on women’s day. Apurva Naik and Lisa Fernandes shared first place and Gautam Naik won the second place. The programme was compèred by TYBA students Princy Gonsalves, Lisa Fernandes and Janvi Fernandes. Snigdha Naik proposed vote of thanks in rhyme form. The GCQ campus was ‘versified’ for a day!

World Poetry Day was celebrated in Quepem college
  • World Theatre Day celebrations at Government College of Quepem
  • Times of India

    Department of English of Government College of Quepem celebrated World Theatre Day on 28th March with performance of a Marathi play ‘Hattmalchya Palyad’ performed by Theatre Flamingo. The play was originally written by Bengali playwright Badal Sirkar and translated by Anirudh Deodhar. The play was directed by Mandar Devsthali. The actors Prajakta Kavlekar, Shrawan Fondekar and Pranav Tengse performed the play. Still from the playThe play is an intimate form of theatre that includes involvement with the audience. The students of the college thoroughly enjoyed the act. Shrutika Angadkar and Durva compèred the programme. Dr Tanvi Bambolkar welcomed and thanked the actors. Amodi Sanap of theatre flamingo was also present and shared the concept of 10 by 20 theatre. Theatre Flamingo has been performing intimate theatre in various places in Goa and outside.

Diocesan Catechetical Day celebrated at Vaddem, Sanguem
Navhind Times | 1 month ago
Navhind Times
1 month ago

NT BUZZCatechetical Day was celebrated at the Diocesan level at the parish of Vaddem, Sanguem.The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão and concelebrated by executive secretary, CCBI Commission for Catechists, Fr Dumingo Gonsalves; dean of Sanguem Deanery, Fr Vithal Miranda; director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre, Old Goa, Fr Romeu Godinho, Fr Conceicao Pinto and other priests from the Archdiocese.In his welcome address, Fr Godinho appreciated the efforts of all the families who had welcomed and served the ninety-two catechists during their weekend stay with them.On this occasion, the Diocesan Catechetical Centre awarded 55 catechistswho had volunteered to serve the sick and the suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Diocesan Catechetical Centre also felicitated 47 catechists from the Sanguem, Canacona, Benaulim, Chinchinim, and Quepem deaneries for teaching catechesis in their parish for more than 15 years. They were awarded with a certificate and a memento.In his address, the Archbishop said that the Christian faith and life is a matter of relationships. “Jesus established relationships with all, especially with the poor, sick, and downtrodden,” he said. He commended the catechists who had participated in the weekend programme and for experiencing new relationships with the families of Vaddem. He also acknowledged and appreciated the services of the 102 catechists.On the occasion, catechistEdna Fernandes from Anjuna shared her experience of the weekend stay while Monica Mascarenhas from Panchwadi shared her experience as a COVID-19 warrior. A faith programme was also presented by the catechists and children from Sanguem Deanery.

Diocesan Catechetical Day celebrated at Vaddem, Sanguem
Ancient rock etchings along Quepem-Canacona border tell a story of bygone tradition & culture
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

KERI: A team of heritage lovers from Goa have discovered aniconic (images of deities, symbols not portrayed in a human or animal form) petroglyphs in Gokuldem on the border between Quepem and Canacona which throws light on the cultural heritage of bygone days. Gokuldem is a village situated 12km from Cuncolim town on the Margao-Karwar highway and is known among geologists for the well-preserved pillow lavas, described by the geologist A R Gokul since a quarter century and which belong to the Barcem rock formation. In this tribal Velip-dominated forested village along the traditional pathway in use since the hoary past to the temple of Mallikarjun of Gaodongari, a team of heritage lovers brought to light the petroglyphs. At Chipla in Gokuldem, the massive meta basalt nestled on the conspicuously high ridges in the rock shelter, aniconic petroglyphs showcases the artistic expressions and technological expertise. These etchings which are relatively deep have carved lines that are dominated by linear and curved geometrical symbols. Uttam Shanu Gaonkar a villager and maths teacher told TOI, “When I was 10 years of age I saw this rock art. Our elders who were doing agriculture in the hilly terrain were aware of this heritage. It is difficult to say what these carvings represent. The meaning is possibly understood only by the carver.” Devidas Gaonkar, a tribal researcher from Cotigao who visited the site said, “These images are the cultural heritage of people who might be living in the area. There is an urgent need to protect these carvings.” The rock shelter offers protection during the monsoon where these carvings were discovered. A perennial stream, Kelme vhal emerging from the forests of Vavurla is just 200m from the rock shelter. This stream flows to Maina and empties into River Kushavati. Devendra Tawadkar, a social science teacher said, “There is a need to study the archaeological importance of these carvings and to see whether they represent meteorological symbols or prehistoric rituals.” Earlier petroglyphs have been discovered in Ponsaimol in Sanguem, Kajur and Pirla in Quepem within the Kushavati river basin. Besides Velip tribals, in the past Yamkar Dhangar were residing at Kondir in the vicinity.

Ancient rock etchings along Quepem-Canacona border tell a story of bygone tradition & culture
Councillors oppose 10% tax hike in Quepem
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

Quepem: The move to increase tax by 10% in Quepem town was stalled as former chairperson Filu D’Costa and two other councillors opposed the move during a council meeting held recently. Councillor Dayesh Naik had proposed to increase house, sanitation and trade licence tax by 10% stating that the council had no resources to pay the salaries of municipal staff. D’Costa, while opposing the proposal, said that the council had already increased all taxes by 10% just a year ago. “It is not possible to increase the taxes every year. This is not affordable to the poor and middle-class people to pay their tax amount with such a huge hike every year,” he said. The Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) had earlier hiked tax on door-to-door garbage collection by 100%, which was opposed by locals along with the councillors during the tenure of the previous council. QMC had increased the garbage tax from Rs 350 to Rs 700 per year. Opposing the move, councillors Prasad Faldessai and Amol Kanekar said that people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and increase in taxes will add to their financial burden. D’Costa questioned recruitment of additional staff when the council cannot afford to pay the salaries of existing staff. “We have excess staff in the council. There was no need to recruit additional staff,” he said. QMC chairperson Suchita Shirwaikar said, “Äs majority of the councillors opposed the proposal for hike in taxes, I am with the people.” At the meeting, councillor Jakina Dias asked the council not to allow vendors to operate from footpaths.

Councillors oppose 10% tax hike in Quepem
FDA fines eateries for violating food detail norms
Times of India | 1 month ago
Times of India
1 month ago

Panaji: The food and drugs administration (FDA) has imposed fines on stalls and shops at KTC bus stand, Panaji, and the Quepem municipal area of Tilamol, Curchorem and Canacona which were found selling food items like samosas, sandwiches, bakery items and Indian sweets without carrying adequate details of the manufacturer and the best before date. At the KTC bus stand, Panaji, the FDA fined 12 food business operators with spot fines, under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006. Four units were also served improvement notices in view of non-compliance to hygiene conditions. At Quepem,Tilamol and Curchorem, the FDA team carried out the drive on various sweetmarts, bakeries, street food vendors. Apart from non-compliance of hygiene standards, it was also found that they were not displaying the use by date and details of the supplier on ready-to-eat foods and sweets. The FDA also found newspaper was being used for wrapping food items. Around 30 units were inspected by the team till late Saturday evening. A similar inspection was carried out at the Canacona bus stand and notices issued to food operators there. “The FDA shall continue with its drives in all other areas and food business opeartors at bus stands, super markets, grocery shops, restaurants and sweet marts selling ready-to-eat item and fines will be imposed on violators,” FDA director Jyoti Sardesai said. “Food business operators must ensure strict compliance with all norms. They should watch out for informative advertisements released by the FDA in the newspapers to keep themselves updated with the latest developments of law,” she said. The FDA has recently received complaints from a consumer organisation that ready-to-eat food items which are semi packaged or kept in trays for sale, do not carry information like use-by date and details of the manufacturer. Suchitems with short shelf life should ideally carrythe use by date and manufacturer details on the package or on the tray in whichthey are displayed, and shall not be wrapped to newspaper.

FDA fines eateries for violating food detail norms
Goa: Billboards defaced after Quepem MLAs victory
Times of India | 2 months ago
Times of India
2 months ago

Quepem: Billboards bearing congratulatory messages for Congress Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa on his victory at the recent assembly polls were defaced by some unknown persons on Thursday night. Altone, who polled 14,994 votes defeated former deputy chief minister and BJP candidate Chandrakant Kavlekar by 3,601 votes, termed it as an act of frustration by rival parties. “People of Quepem have taught these people a lesson by electing me with a thumping majority. The rival group can tear our posters, but not our people’s hearts,” he said. CCTV cameras in Quepem town have not been working for the past many years. “Kavlekar has been the MLA for the last 20 years. His rivals never stooped to such low levels. What we see now is manifestation of frustration,” panch of Fatorpa panchayat and Altone’s brother, Sanzil said. Meanwhile, posters and signboards of the D’Costa sports arena, erected by former chairperson Filu D’Costa, were also damaged by unknown persons on Thursday night. Filu filed a complaint at the Quepem police station on Friday. Filu, a staunch supporter of Kavlekar for the last 20 years, had not backed the former Quepem MLA at the polls. “My posters are related to my business and not politics. I have requested the Quepem police to book the culprits at the earliest so that people learn under whose instance they are committing this crime,” Filu said.

Goa: Billboards defaced after Quepem MLAs victory
Quepem civic body issues documents to regularise structure in no devpt zone
Times of India | 2 months ago
Times of India
2 months ago

Quepem: Contrary to Quepem Municipal Council’s (QMC) resolution not to allow any structures in no development zone (NDZ) and despite numerous complaints against the illegal structures at Igramoll-Ganvkarwaddo in a partly agricultural and orchard land, the QMC has issued documents to regularise some of the structures. QMC chief officer Madhu Narvekar allegedly issued a house number to one structure and also a no-objection certificate to the electricity department for a connection. A Delhi-based developer had sold more than 500 plots and around seven illegal houses were developed on it after hill-cutting. On May 17, 2019, the QMC had passed a resolution not to allow any kind of construction in non-settlement areas. TOI had carried a report on January 12, titled, ‘Land development on 4L sqm of agricultural and orchard land raises eyebrows in Quepem’. At that time, Narvekar had told TOI that an investigation is under progress and that house number has not been allotted to any illegal structure. However, an RTI reply from the electricity department shows that the chief officer had issued NOC on December 12, 2021, and also allotted house number. When contacted, Narvekar declined from giving information in the matter. “I am not ready to speak with the press,” he said. Municipal engineer Nitin Kotharkar said that he had not received the file for allotting house numbers to illegal structures and issuing NOC. QMC chairperson Suchita Sirvoikar also denied that she has signed the file for allotting house numbers. “No such files are coming to my office for signature or consent. It is directly done by the chief officer” Sirvoikar said. “I had brought the issue before the council meeting and demanded a five-member committee to investigate the illegal activities. Even a resolution to this effect was taken, but the QMC has failed to constitute the committee till date. Some councillors are directly involved in selling plots and issuing house numbers,” former chairperson and councillor Filu D’Costa alleged.

Quepem civic body issues documents to regularise structure in no devpt zone