Quepem News

Congress releases first list of candidates for Goa assembly polls
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

PANAJI: The Congress party on Thursday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming state assembly elections which are likely to be held in February. The party has named eight contenders for the assembly polls with Congress legislature party leader Digambar Kamat and Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco being given the go ahead. The announcement of the Congress candidate list marks a significant departure from the earlier trend when the party would release the names of the candidates at the last minute and closer to the final date for nomination. First list of Goa Congress candidates for the Assembly Elections 2022 https://t.co/yNS4S1GDky— Goa Congress (@INCGoa) 1639664248000“We had promised that we would give fresh faces and if you see the first list most of them are fresh faces. Today we have announced much in advance, and here the Congress has announced the names much before the other parties,” said state Congress president Girish Chodankar. The Congress has picked Sudhir Kandolkar for Mapusa constituency, former Corporation of the city of Panaji mayor Tony Rodrigues for Taleigao, Rajesh Verenkar for Ponda, Sankalp Amonkar for Mormugao, Yuri Alemao for Cuncolim and Altone D’Costa for Quepem. Chodankar said that the second list of candidates will come at a later stage once the Pradesh Election Committee and the Central Election Committee arrive at a consensus on the candidates. On November 21 the Congress party had said that it would announce the first list of its candidates by the November end or first week of December. Chodankar had said that the process to pick candidates had gained momentum as a screening committee has been set up by the AICC. Chodankar had said that he party would field young and new candidates in the coming polls and that MLAs who had defected and joined other parties would not be considered.

Congress releases first list of candidates for Goa assembly polls
Citizens question shelving of Old Goa masterplans
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Panaji: While the satyagraha at Old Goa entered its 20th day, many citizens from the Quepem and Calangute constituencies joined the fast as issues of a masterplan for the old city and demolition of an illegal structure resurfaced on Monday. A significant part of the issues raised during the satyagraha on Monday was the plan prepared for Old Goa in 2016 by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), an organisation pursuing heritage awareness and conservation. Another plan was prepared for the former capital by the Charles Correa Foundation with former chief town planner Edgar Ribeiro, in 2020. “Why have all these masterplans been shelved?” Alton D’Costa from Quepem asked. He was among citizens from Quitol, Fatorpa, Barcem and Quepem who showed solidarity to the ongoing hunger strike. Others were from Arpora, Parra, Calangue and Candolim. The Save Old Goa Action Committee, a group of activists and heritage lovers, has been demanding a masterplan for Old Goa since 2011. Haphazard development continued as the world heritage site was stripped of green cover, impacting the character of the place. D’Costa urged deputy chief minister Chandrakant Kavlekar, who holds the town and country planning portfolio, to update the regional plan within a week in order to protect Old Goa. While residents of Calangute wondered about the seriousness of their MLA Michael Lobo’s demand for demolition of the illegal structure in the protected area, they reiterated their stand on getting the site cleared up. Although the Old Goa panchayat has initiated the process for it, it has been progressing at a slow pace, the citizens said.

Citizens question shelving of Old Goa masterplans
Quepem public toilet discharge flowing into Paroda canal
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: The septic tank of the Sulabh toilets in the heart of Quepem town has been overflowing since the last eight days and the discharge is flowing into the Paroda canal. Locals are concerned as no remedial measures have been taken yet by the authorities concerned, including the Quepem Municipal Council. “The overflow is being directly discharged into the Paroda canal as the sulabh toilets and the septic tanks are located on the edge of the canal. People use the water in canal for bathing and washing clothes,” said a resident Clive Colaco. The Sulabh attendant told TOI that he brought the issue to the notice of higher authorities nearly six days ago, but that no action has been taken till date. When contacted, Sulabh official said that they will empty the septic tank as soon as possible The open chambers of the sewage line are also a cause for concern for locals. “The chambers from the sewage line are kept open and this being a busy shopping location, someone could fall into the chamber and get seriously injured,” said one shopkeeper.

Quepem public toilet discharge flowing into Paroda canal
2.5m crocodile rescued from spillway of Selaulim dam
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: A crocodile, which was trapped in the duckbill spillway of the Selaulim irrigation dam, was rescued after an over three-hour operation. Even as the water overflowing from the duckbill spillway had been stopped, the 2.5m-long reptile accidentally fell in the deep basin and was stuck inside the concrete wall. The Selaulim dam officials immediately called forest department for the rescue. However, their efforts to lift the crocodile were in vain. Later, the dam officials called the Animal Rescue Squad, a voluntary organisation for the crocodile’s rescue. Squad in charge Charan Dessai and his team took three hours to lift the crocodile to safety.

2.5m crocodile rescued from spillway of Selaulim dam
Over 5k students likely to attend Vigyan Mahotsav
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Panaji: The third edition of Manohar Parrikar Vigyan Mahotsav will be held on Monday across the state at eight different venues. Over 5,000 students are likely to attend the event. The first lecture will be delivered virtually by former chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation Prof K Kasturirangan on ‘Space — A promising human endeavour’. It will be followed by an online lecture by 2009 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Prof Ada Yonath on ‘Next Generation Antibiotics’. Prof Ashutosh Sharma will deliver a talk on ‘Science and innovation in the new millennium’ at NIO, Dona Paula. Each talk will have a question and answer session at the end where the speaker will clarify and explain issues raised by the audience. Students across various institutions in the state, including Don Bosco College of Engineering, Goa Vidyaprasarak College of Education, government colleges of arts and science (Quepem, Sakhali, Pernem), Government Higher Secondary School, Canacona and BITS, Zuarinagar. More than 5.000 students and academicians are expected to attend this event across the state and all safety measures as required to be observed due to Covid will be followed, advisory committee and organising committee chairman and Goa Public Service Commission chairman Jose Manuel Noronha told TOI. The programme is being organised by the state science and technology department and is assisted by IIT Goa, NIT Goa, BITS Goa, Goa State Innovation Council, Goa University, besides various other government departments. The inaugural function will be held at NIO from 9.30am to 10.15am.

Over 5k students likely to attend Vigyan Mahotsav
Tribals demand ST seats in 4 constituencies
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Ponda: Alleging that the state government is not keen on uplifting tribal communities, the Gakuved Foundation — an Umbrella organisation of Gauda, Kunbi, Velip and Dhangar communities in Goa — has demanded that the four constituencies of Priol, Nuvem, Quepem and Sanguem be reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates for the 2022 assembly polls. Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar said that reservations for ST candidates are being implemented across the nation except in Goa. “We received the ST status in 2003 and it was supposed to be implemented from the 2007 assembly polls, but was deferred stating that it would be implemented after next Census, in 2012. However, the reservation was not implemented in the 2012 polls and not even till the 2017 general elections,” Gaonkar said.

Tribals demand ST seats in 4 constituencies
Priyanka Gandhi to visit Goa on December 10
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Margao: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be on a visit to Goa on December 10, Goa state unit president Girish Chodankar said. Vadra’s itinerary upon her arrival includes her visit to Assolna where she will lay a wreath at the Martyr’s Memorial, interaction and lunch with tribal women at Morpirla in Quepem taluka, and an interaction with ‘Amchem Mollem’ student activists at MCC hall, Margao. She will later address a women’s convention ‘Priyadarshani’ at the Costa ground, Aquem. An interaction with Mahila Congress office bearers and functionaries has also been planned. A convention of party workers of Mormugao has also been organised at Chicalim ground where prominent activists will be inducted into the party.

Priyanka Gandhi to visit Goa on December 10
2,000 fraud voters trying to enrol on Quepem list, alleges Congress
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: The Quepem Congress block on Thursday submitted a memorandum to assistant returning officer and Quepem mamlatdar Pratap Gaonkar alleging that around 2,000 new voters have fraudulently applied to enrol on the constituency’s electoral roll. Congress functionary and aspirant of the party’s ticket, Altone D’Costa told reporters that have learnt that more than 1,000 migrants voters have applied for enrolment without cancelling their voting cards from their native state. The enrolment drive was held from November 1 to November 30, during which period the Quepem mamlatdar’s office received around 2,500 news application for enrolment. “We don’t want bogus migrant voters. Only genuine voters will elect our leaders. The government must delete these names within 15 days or else we shall be constrained to agitate and come on the road to protest the illegalities,” D’Costa said. Between November 27 and November 30, the mamlatdar’s office received 1,183 applications, of which around 90% were that of migrants who are voters in their native states, D’Costa alleged. Congress functionary Altino Gomes said that they have brought the fraudulently applications to the notice of the assistant returning officer with documentary evidence. Gaonkar said that he will start scrutiny of all names from Monday. “There are around 600 forms without proper documentation. I will take a personal hearing of the applicants who are above 25 years of age and will ask them to produce valid documents. Applications will be rejected if documents are forged,” he said. As per the guidelines last date of disposal of claims and objections is December 20, 2021 and final elections role will be publish on January 5, 2022.

2,000 fraud voters trying to enrol on Quepem list, alleges Congress
Goa: Land development issues rock Xeldem meet
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: The gram sabha held at Xeldem on Sunday witnessed heated arguments between locals, the sarpanch, panch members and the panchayat secretary over permission issued to a building and the development of an open space. Sarpanch Caetan da Lima announced that the meeting was postponed as they were not allowed to conduct a gram sabha in the absence of a BDO observer. However, those present at the venue insisted that he conduct the meeting. Former panchayat member Caetan Carvalho demanded that the permission issued to a builder for a commercial building at Novimodi in Tilamoll be revoked it was blocking access to over 70 houses. In 2020, acting on a complaint, the panchayat had issued a stop work order to the builder. Carvalho alleged that the builder then produced a revised plan and his proposal was approved without holding a meeting of the panchayat body. Refuting the charges, the sarpanch said, “We will send notices and conduct a site inspection in the presence of a technical person.” Meanwhile, residents of a housing board colony opposed the development of an open space claiming that the space belonged them. Other villagers, however, said that everybody had a right to it as it was under the jurisdiction of the panchayat. Interestingly, the housing board had handed over the space to the Xeldem panchayat which has started developing sporting facilities including a volleyball court, a football ground and a garden.

Goa: Land development issues rock Xeldem meet
Cuncolim traders group demands resignation of CMC chairperson
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: The Cuncolim Traders Association (CTA) has demanded that the chairperson of the Cuncolim Municipal Council (CMC) Laxman Naik should step down immediately. Naik is accused of having an indifferent approach towards the various issues affecting the business community of Cuncolim and failure to resolve the issues. Addressing a public meeting, the association said Naik has been cold shouldering the community and at times, making personal attacks directed at CTA office bearers, whenever approached with grievances. The CTA had convened a public meeting to highlight the issue of rehabilitation of shop owners on national highway and on the Cuncolim-Quepem road, which are likely to be demolished in the near future and who were promised shops in the newly constructed commercial building. The promised rehabilitation in the new building has been thrown into cold storage with the civic body now proposing to auction the shops while there has been no mention of the rehabilitation of the 21 shops which are likely to face the axe.

Cuncolim traders group demands resignation of CMC chairperson
Sanguem Cong block opposes Gaonkars entry
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: Sanguem Congress block unanimously opposed independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar’s proposed entry into the party stating that he had changed three parties in three months. Congress functionaries criticised opposition leader Digambar Kamat for accompanying Goa Forward Party (GFP) president Vijai Sardesai and Gaonkar to Delhi to meet Rahul Gandhi. “Kamat should have taken them to Delhi in 2017 to form the Congress government when Congress was short of four MLAs. Sardesai’s three MLAs and Gaonkar’s support was needed to form the government, but these four supported BJP. Kamat betrayed Congress workers by accompanying these people to Delhi,” former SMC councillor Sandesh Kosambe said. Youth congress president Jervis Fernandes said that Gaonkar’s brother along with both of their supporters joined Congress just three month ago, but later shifted to Trinamool Congress (TMC). “Gaonkar had categorically stated that TMC is the only party that can give a fight to BJP’s Modi government at the Centre and in states. Now why is the same person wanting to join hands with Congress?” Fernandes said that the Sanguem Congress block has submitted names of 14 aspirants to the party, of which five are those of serious candidates. “We will welcome anyone, but we will oppose tooth and nail if Gaonkar gets the party ticket,” Kosambe said. “Congress central observer P Chidambaram said only loyal party workers will get the ticket on the recommendation of block committee members. We are confident that Congress will stick to its words and not give tickets to new entrants,” he said. Congress spokesperson Rakhi Prabhudessai Naik said that Gaonkar has failed to perform as a MLA and Sanguem is without development.

Sanguem Cong block opposes Gaonkars entry
State records 40 new cases, nil deaths
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Panaji: Goa reported 40 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours. No Covid deaths were reported. The active case load has stayed under the 300-mark for the past 20 days with 275 active cases recorded on Saturday. The weekly district positivity rate was 1.3 for South Goa and 1.21 for North Goa between November 20 and 26. Three persons were hospitalised and 37 opted for home isolation. Two persons were discharged and 31 recovered over the past 24 hours. Margao has the highest active cases with 21 followed by Dharbandora with 18, Chimbel with 17 Porvorim and Cansaulim with 16 each, Candolim and Siolim with 15 each, Panaji and Quepem with 13 each and Curchorem and Aldona with 12 each. tnn

State records 40 new cases, nil deaths
Quepem to treat waste from two neighbouring villages
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: The Quepem Municipal Council (QMC) at its recent meeting, resolved to accept and treat garbage from two neighboring panchayats at its garbage treatment plant even though the plan was opposed at previous council meetings. A ruling councillor, Filu D’Costa has also opposed the proposal. Village panchayat Avedem-Cotombi and Xeldem had requested QMC to accommodate their garbage at the Pedamoll, Sirvoi plant. Xeldem panchayat sarpanch Caetan de Lima said that the panchayat is finding it difficult to acquire land for a waste treatment plant. The high court had issued directions to all panchayats in Goa to set up plants or arrange to dispatch their garbage to neighbouring plants. Avedem panchayat sarpanch Alleluia Afonso told TOI, “As per high court directions, the panchayat will have to pay heavy fines if they fail to locate land for dumping garbage before the expiry of the court’s deadline.” QMC has earlier rejected both the panchayat proposals because the treatment plant would not be able to cope with additional garbage. QMC has a 10 metric tonne capacity plant in a 20,000sqm land. QMC generates around 6 to 7 tonnes of garbage daily. Council engineer Nitin Kotharkar said that a new bio-methanation plant has been installed recently by the council to treat wet garbage, but is not yet functional due to some mechanical problem. “If the council is willing to allow garbage from other panchayats then the council should have a 11-month agreement with them and impose a rent of not less than Rs 25,000 per month, ” D’Costa said, and demanded a white paper during the next council meeting.

Quepem to treat waste from two neighbouring villages
Congress cant manage 4 MLAs, how will it handle 21: Devendra Fadnavis
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

QUEPEM/VASCO: BJP central observer and former chief minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday likened Congress to a small car — a ‘Nano’ party — with only four MLAs as its occupants. “But unity being lacking among them, they are driving in different directions,” Fadnavis said. “If Congress cannot manage their four MLAs, how will they form the government with 21 MLAs?” he said while addressing two workers meetings, first at deputy chief minister Chandrakant Kavlekar’s residence in Betul, and later at Vasco. Referring to Kavlekar as a true leader of the masses, he said that his defecting from Congress with 10 MLAs left the party more desperate. Kavlekar will win the coming election with a thumping majority, Fadnavis said, adding that it was the deputy minister’s connection with the masses that prompted him to request him to organise a meeting at his residence at such short notice. The BJP central observer hit out at both Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC), alleging that the latter was an “extortion industry”. If the people of Goa elect TMC then they will destroy the image of the state, which is considered an international tourist destination, he said. Attacking Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, he said that Delhi is a half state and that the AAP government looks after only the health, education and electricity department, while the rest of the departments and infrastructure work are handled by the central government. He reminded the gathering that it was former chief minister Manohar Parikar who had brought Goa’s infrastructure to international standards. “BJP will follow his legacy,” Fadnavis said. Party president Sadanand Tanavade and NRI commissioner Narendra Sawaikar, among others were present at the meeting. Meeting worker’s at Mormugao, Fadnavis urged the party worker’s to strive hard to achieve satisfactory success in the upcoming assembly elections.

Congress cant manage 4 MLAs, how will it handle 21: Devendra Fadnavis
‘Local bodies must be loyal to voters, not political bosses’
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: Former director of municipalities and Congress functionary from Cuncolim Elvis Gomes said that those elected to local bodies should have unflinching loyalty to the people that elect them and not their “political masters” so that functioning of grassroots democracy becomes vibrant and productive. Responding to reports about the resignation of councillor Udesh Dessai from the market committee after a public spat with the chairman of Cuncolim Municipal Council, Gomes said Dessai’s resignation would trigger a chain of events that may have repercussions on the stability of the council. Stating that civic bodies did not have a provision for election on party lines, Gomes said that keeping true democratic traditions in mind and in the best interest of people, there was a need to have ‘a people’s council’. Meanwhile, Gomes has been appointed as the president of All India professionals Congress Goa unit (AIPC). In a letter signed by national president Shashi Tharoor and regional coordinator Geeta Reddy, Sita Antao and Sidharth Karapurkar have been appointed as general secretary and treasurer of the Goa unit respectively. “We will be inviting Tharoor to visit Goa shortly” said Gomes.

‘Local bodies must be loyal to voters, not political bosses’
Most of South Goa to get restricted water supply on November 19 and 20
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Margao: Most parts of South Goa will have restricted water supply on November 19 and 20 as the public works department will be carrying out maintenance work at the 160MLD Salaulim water supply plant. Office of the executive engineer, Div XII (PHE- SWSP), said that there will be restricted water supply to Sanguem, Quepem, Salcete and Marmugao talukas. PWD sources said that supply will be restored to most parts of South Goa by the night of November 19, while some parts of Mormugao and a few other locations on a higher elevation may have to go without water until November 20. Executive engineer Shrikant Gaonkar said that the maintenance work pertains to repair of the gate of the water reservoir, which could take up to six hours. “During the period of shutdown of this old 160 MLD plant, the new 100 MLD plant will be in operation as usual,” Gaonkar said. “This means that two-thirds of the water supply operations will be shut,” he said. PWD sources said that arrangements have been put in place to supply water through tankers in certain areas of Mormugao, among others.

Most of South Goa to get restricted water supply on November 19 and 20
Woman found dead in home at Sanguem
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: Bharati Samant, 57, was found dead in her house at Orcotto, Sanguem, early Tuesday morning. Sanguem PI Praveen Gawas said the body has been sent for a postmortem at the district hospital, Margao, and has been preserved for one more day to find out if any foul play is involved in her death. Samant, a widow, lived alone and operated a grocery shop attached to her house. On Tuesday, when some neighbours noticed the shop had been closed since Sunday evening, one tried to contact her on her mobile. Since there was no response, he contacted the Sanguem police. When the police team broke open the door, they found her lying dead on the floor. Suspecting foul play, the brother of the deceased has demanded a thorough investigation.

Woman found dead in home at Sanguem
COVID claims two more lives
Navhind Times | 1 year ago | |
Navhind Times
1 year ago | |

NT NETWORKPanajiGoa, on Saturday, recorded 22 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally of active cases of the dreaded virus to 263. Two new deaths associated with the virus have also been reported.The positivity rate of the total 2,705 samples tested in the last 24 hours is 0.81 per cent.The confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Goa currently stand at 1,78,467, of which 1,74,830 patients have defeated the deadly disease. Till date, 3,374 patients have succumbed to the disease.According to the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) active positive cases in the jurisdictions of urban health centres stand as follows: Margao- 25 cases, Vasco – 2 cases, Panaji- 26 cases and Mapusa – 19 cases.While the active positive cases in the jurisdictions of community health centres are as follows: Sankhali – 2 cases, Bicholim – 11 cases, Pernem – 4 cases, Valpoi – 8 cases, Curchorem – 7 cases and Canacona – 5 cases.And, the active positive cases in the jurisdictions of primary health centres stand as follows: Aldona – 5 cases, Betki – 0 cases, Candolim – 9 cases, Cansarvanem – 0 cases, Colvale – 1 cases, Corlim – 1 cases, Chimbel – 6 cases, Siolim – 9 cases, Porvorim- 18 cases, Mayem – 2 cases, Balli – 2 cases, Cansaulim – 7 cases, Chinchinim – 12 cases, Cortalim – 7 cases, Curtorim – 7 cases, Loutolim – 6 cases, Marcaim – 0 cases, Quepem – 10 cases, Sanguem – 3 cases, Shiroda- 5 cases, Dharbandora – 12 cases, Ponda – 27 cases and Navelim – 5 cases.

COVID claims two more lives
21-yr-old youth from Borimol dies in self-accident
Navhind Times | 1 year ago | |
Navhind Times
1 year ago | |

Margao: A 21-year-old youth from Borimol, Quepem,who was moving on a two wheeler towards Quepem, died in self- accident on Friday morning.TheQuepem police said that Gorson Rodrigues was proceeding towardsQuepemand he dashed his two wheeler against aparked tempo.The police said that he suffered injuries, and was taken to South Goa District Hospitaland later shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim,however, he succumbed said the police.Quepem police have conducted panchanamaand facts are being verified. The police have registered a case of unnatural death.The police said that further investigation is in progress under supervision of PI Deepak Pedneker.

21-yr-old youth from Borimol dies in self-accident
Quepem town in urgent need of parking plan
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: Navigating through the roads in Quepem town is nothing less than a challenge for motorists. Vehicular movement has witnessed a steady rise over the years as the town is the headquarters of Quepem taluka with numerous government offices, including those of the deputy collector and mamlatdar, located here. In the absence of a proper parking system, severe traffic congestions are a frequent sight. Vehicles are mostly found parked on both sides of the road from the main Quepem junction to the temporary fish market, thereby disrupting the flow of traffic Areas near the buildings of the RTO office, deputy collector and around the fuel station are the most congested due to parking scarcity. A few years ago, as per the notification issued by the South Goa collector, Quepem municipality with the assistance of traffic police had erected parking signboards with painted markings at various locations in the town. However, the signages have disappeared since then. “There is no control over the traffic as people park their four-wheelers on the road for the entire day. Some areas which were allotted for two-wheelers are now used for parking four-wheelers as well,” said a resident Filomeno Pereira. Traffic police expressed helplessness in issuing challans for improper parking owing to the lack of designated markings and signboards at parking lots. As per the collector’s notification, a stretch of around six metres parking space along the roadside in front of the RTO building office was reserved for differently abled persons. However, the entire stretch is now being used for routine parking as authorities failed to erect signboards. Speaking to TOI, deputy collector Nilesh Daigodkar expressed concern over the issue and said that he will call the municipality’s chief officer and the police inspector of traffic cell to his office to discuss the implementation of a parking system in the town.

Quepem town in urgent need of parking plan
Quepem locals protest road widening for 4-lane project
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: Deputy chief minister and Quepem MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar’s Rs 13.3 crore dream project, the four-lane road from Karalli to Tilamoll through Quepem town, received a setback with residents opposing the road widening as it would likely lead to the demolition of their houses and compound walls. The decision to oppose the road widening was taken on Sunday during a meeting called by the 35 families who stand to be affected. These families are located between the police station and town border, which is a 500m stretch. “We will not allow work to commence. This is a residential area. Some old houses are touching the road. The government has neither acquired our land nor has it taken us into confidence,” resident Clive Colaco said. The widening work of the 4-km long road commenced earlier this month and is expected to be completed within six months. There is no issue with the work except along the 500-mt stretch. Kavlekar had said that the 500m stretch will be widened by 1.5m on either side since all residents had given their approval for the project. “I have a horticulture shop in my ancestral house and since the road is touching my house, my shop has to be demolished even if I give 1.5m for road widening. How can PWD issued the tender and commence work without land acquisition?” Vallabh Prabhudessai, a resident, said.

Quepem locals protest road widening for 4-lane project
HC appoints nodal officer to tackle illegal sand mining
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Panaji: The high court of Bombay at Goa has appointed deputy collector and Quepem SDM Nilesh Daigodkar as the nodal officer to implement orders of the high court on illegal sand mining in South Goa. The petitioners, Goa Rivers Sand Protectors Network, through its secretary Claude Alvares, pointed out to the high court that the nodal officer for South Goa, Kedar Naik, has been transferred. The high court in earlier orders has directed the two nodal officers to take steps to prevent illegal sand mining, transportation of illegal extracted sand and restore the sand to the river bank. The officers are also expected to keep a record of complaints received and action taken in response to these complaints and if necessary maintain photographic record of action taken The court had also stated that all officers and police must cooperate and render assistance to them failing which they could approach the court pointing out the names of officers who are not cooperating.

HC appoints nodal officer to tackle illegal sand mining
14 more water bodies to be declared wetlands
Navhind Times | 1 year ago | |
Navhind Times
1 year ago | |

NT NETWORKPanajiUnderlining the importance of wetlands not only as sources of water but also as ecosystems that prevent land degradation and desertification, the technical committee of Goa State Wetland Authority (GSWA) has identified 14 more water bodies for priority restoration and approved them for draft notification, giving two months to the public to file their objections and suggestions so that the water bodies can be declared as wetlands.A total of 12 of these identified water bodies that have been approved for draft notification are located in South Goa – Talaulim Lake, Curtorim Lake, Sonbem Lake, Macasana Lake, Mai Tollem, Bandolem Lake, Ambulor Lake, Pali Lake, Kamala Lake, Udden Lake, Orlim Lake and Tarvale Lake. The two other identified water bodies – Sulabhat Lake and Mayem Lake – are in North Goa.The wetland authority has so far notified a total of six wetlands, which are Cottombi Lake (Quepem), Toyyar Lake (Chimbel), Sarzora Lake (Salcete), Xeldem Lake (Quepem), Dhashi Lake (Bardez) and Nanda Lake (Quepem). Five more identified lakes – Carambolim, Batim, Durga, Bondvol and Salem – have been draft notified and in the process of final notification under thewetland rules.Brief documents of 24 other water bodies have been prepared by the empanelled agency National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and will be placed before the technical committee of wetland authority for identification of wetlands under Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017.A wetland is a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, and takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem.The Wetland Conservation Rules prohibit setting up or expansion of industries and disposal of construction and demolition waste withinthe wetlands.

14 more water bodies to be declared wetlands
Goa: Two more persons succumb to Covid
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

PANAJI: Goa lost two more men aged 48 and 52 to Covid-19 on Monday. Thirty new infections were reported and 42 recoveries, pulling the active caseload down to 286 cases, the lowest count in 17 months. Samples tested have also dropped to 2,262. The 48-year-old man from Rivona died after 17 days of hospitalisation. He had tested positive for Covid on the day of admission in hospital. He was reported to have diabetes, wet gangrene and chronic kidney disease, and had symptoms for two days prior to hospitalisation. The 52-year-old man from Assonora passed away after ten days in hospital. He too tested positive for Covid-19 on the day he was admitted and had symptoms for four days prior. He was reported to have diabetes. The state capital Panaji with 34 active cases has surpassed Margao’s 33 active cases. Ponda has the third highest active cases with 29 followed by Porvorim with 25, Mapusa with 14, Chinchinim with 12, Quepem and Bicholim and Chimbel with 10 each. All other health centres have under 10 active cases each. Mayem has joined Madkai and Cansarvanem as the only heath centres with nil active cases. Another 5,307 persons took their second dose on Monday and 706 their first dose of the vaccine. Goa’s fully vaccinated population is 9.4 lakh and partially population 3 lakh.

Goa: Two more persons succumb to Covid
Quepem local attempts to murder ex-teacher as revenge for beating in school, held
Times of India | 1 year ago | |
Times of India
1 year ago | |

Quepem: A resident of Kakumoddi, Quepem was arrested on Monday for allegedly attempting to murder his former school teacher. Quepem police said that Abhishek Hiremath, 25, had sought to take revenge on his former teacher for allegedly beating him up in Standard X while studying at Government high school, Xeldem. Quepem police inspector Deepak Pednekar said that around 3.30am on Monday morning, Hiremath went to the teacher’s residence and entered the house by removing the roof tiles. The accused allegedly first stole Rs 7,000 from the house and later proceeded with his plan to kill the teacher by pouring petrol while she and her husband were asleep, police said. Pednekar said that the accused mistakenly doused the teacher’s husband, but before he could strike the matchstick, the husband woke up and managed to apprehend the accused. He was later handed over to the police. The accused later confessed to committing the crime. The teacher continues to be attached with the school, while her husband is a retired headmaster from Curchorem higher secondary school. Hiremath was arrested for attempt to murder under Sections 307, 457 (house breaking), 380 (theft) and 459 (causing hurt) under the Indian Penal Code. Pednekar told TOI that the accused will be produced before JMFC court on Tuesday for remand.

Quepem local attempts to murder ex-teacher as revenge for beating in school, held
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