State tourism minister Rohan Khaunte launches Goa chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India

Times of India | 1 month ago | 03-02-2023 | 09:36 pm

PANAJI: Nearly 45 percent of Goa’s population linked to the restaurant industry with nearly 50 percent of the money spent by tourists being spent on food and drink, said Prahlad Sukhtankar, the head of the National Restaurant Association of India’s (NRAI) newly launched Goa chapter.Sukhtankar said that the data is from a recent study that underlines the significance of restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs to the Goan economy."So for every rupee spent in Goa, 50 paise is directly spent on food and beverage, because that’s the main activity here. People either go to restaurants and bars, or will go to nightclubs and there again they will eat and drink,” said Sukhtankar.Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte launched NRAI’s Goa chapter at a Dona Paula based resort on Thursday.Khaunte welcomed the setting up of the Goa chapter of the NRAI and said that the association would serve as a platform for restaurateurs to voice their legitimate grievances with the government for faster redressal.Though chief minister Dr. Pramod Sawant did not attend the event, in a video message he urged the food and beverage sector to come together, share ideas and best practices.

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H-1B visa: Laid-off workers in US get BQ/B2 cushion

The Indian Express | 4 days ago | 24-03-2023 | 11:45 am

The Indian Express

4 days ago | 24-03-2023 | 11:45 am

Laid-off IT sector employees can continue to stay in the United States even beyond the H-1B time limit of 60 days to find another job, as per an announcement by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).Earlier, it was presumed that H-1B visa-holders get only 60 days after losing their job to either find a new job, have another employer file an H-1B petition on their behalf, or leave the US. While this may be true, all they have to do is shift their H-1B visa status to a B category visa, meant for tourism or business travellers, while they are there, according to USCIS.In fact, the US has this facility for anyone visiting the country on B1 (business) or B2 (tourist) status, the USCIS stated. The clarification is expected to assuage fears of Indian citizens on H-1B visa in the US amid widespread layoffs in the IT sector, which are said to have affected over 1 lakh Indians. In the first quarter of 2023 itself, layoffs — or “workforce reductions” — have been effected by tech giants such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Yahoo, and Zoom. Several startups have also announced job cuts across sectors.The USCIS stated, “Many people have asked if they can look for a new job while in B-1 or B-2 status. The answer is, yes.”In a series of tweets, it clarified that “searching for employment and interviewing for a position are permissible B-1 or B-2 activities”.However, it is not permissible to engage in employment on B1/B2 visas. “If you are in B-1 or B-2 status, please remember you may not engage in employment within the domestic labour market (also known as ‘local labour for hire’) while in B-1 status or engage in any employment while in B-2 status,” the USCIS said.Before beginning any new employment, a petition and request for a change of status from B-1 or B-2 to an employment-authorised status must be approved, and the new status must take effect, the US government agency stated. Even those planning to look for employment in the US can use B1/B2 visas. The US recently said that it will process a million non-immigrant visa applications in India in 2023. At present, a thousand interviews are being conducted in India on a daily basis for B1 and B2 visas. The US had also extended interview waivers for B1/B2 cases, in case the applicants have had a US visa before, even if in another category.The embassy and consulates in India have already processed over 2 lakh visa applications so far this year, as per statistics provided by a US Embassy spokesperson in New Delhi.

Chinese visa for Indian citizens resumes today after a 3-year gap

The Indian Express | 1 week ago | 15-03-2023 | 11:45 am

The Indian Express

1 week ago | 15-03-2023 | 11:45 am

After a three-year hiatus, China has announced the resumption of all types of visas for Indian travellers, including those for tourism purposes. “The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in India will resume issuing various types of Chinese visas, starting March 15,” it announced Tuesday.With this, China has resumed all types of visas for foreigners, including tourism visas, port visas, and multiple visa-exemption policies, as a move to reopen its borders for the first time after the coronavirus pandemic struck in early 2020. However, inbound travellers have been advised to consult with their local China embassies or consulates for more detailed requirements and procedures.Under its zero-Covid policy, China had imposed strict travel restrictions on international arrivals starting March 28, 2020, to stop the spread of coronavirus disease cases from abroad. In addition to the reduced frequency of international passenger flights, the restrictions included limited visa availability – including a suspension of tourist visas – and strict Covid-19 testing and quarantine requirements before and after arrival in China.However, late last year, the country had shifted from a “zero-Covid” policy to “living with Covid”, with the removal of centralised quarantine for inbound travellers. Gradually, they reopened visa applications for most types of visas, even as visa applications for tourism and medical treatment were still on hold.Now, “with the latest policy adjustment” announced by the embassies across the world – including in Canada, France, Kuwait, Malta, New Zealand, Thailand, the US, and the UAE – these restrictions will finally be removed.In August 2022, the Chinese embassy had resumed services for 10 types of ordinary visas for Indian citizens, including long-term study, business, work, family visits, personal visits, and talent introduction, among others. However, applications for visas to China for travel, medical treatment and other reasons remain suspended.Even as the number of Indian citizens entering China with visas for business visits, family visits are also expected to rise significantly after this move, experts in the travel industry say this may not mean much till direct flights to China are resumed. Currently, China and India are said to be negotiating details for the resumption of direct flights, which were curtailed during the pandemic.

Drunken driving, indiscipline behind spike in accidents: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Times of India | 1 month ago | 22-02-2023 | 10:11 am

Times of India

1 month ago | 22-02-2023 | 10:11 am

PANAJI: CM Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that drunken driving and indiscipline on roads are some of the reasons for the increase in accidents. He added that the Goa police traffic cell, transport department and PWD are holding meetings and will chalk out a plan to reduce accidents.Sawant pointed out that the vehicle population has increased compared to the state population. "There are three reasons for the increase in accidents. These include people not following rules, drunken driving, rash and negligence driving among others," he said. The chief minister added that people should cooperate with the authorities, and this will help reduce the frequency of road accidents.In 2020, the vehicle population was 14.5 lakh vehicles, in 2021, it was 14.9 lakh and in 2022 it climbed to 15.4 lakh, but the infrastructure more or less stayed the same. Police said that looking at 2020-21 and 2021-2022, there has been a 3% increase in vehicle population, but the infrastructure hasn't changed much.It has been found that two-thirds of the people who died in road accidents in 2022 were linked to two-wheelers. The state witnessed an almost 9% rise in road accidents during the year.In 2022, 3,011 road accidents were reported, of which 253 were fatal, wherein 271 succumbed to injuries. A total number of 181 persons on two-wheelers died in accidents while 51 pedestrians lost their lives.In 2021, 2,849 accidents were reported, of which 218 were fatal. Almost 226 people lost their lives. A total number of 152 persons on two-wheelers died while 36 pedestrians were killed.The highest number of accidents in North Goa was reported in the jurisdiction of Panaji, Mapusa and Porvorim police stations areas. In South Goa, the highest number of accidents were reported in Ponda, Verna and Vasco police station areas.State witnessed 9% rise in road accidents in 2022In 2020, the vehicle population was 14.5 lakh vehicles, in 2021, it was 14.9 lakh and in 2022 it climbed to 15.4 lakh, but the infrastructure more or less stayed the same. Police said that looking at 2020-21 and 2021-2022, there has been a 3% increase in vehicle population, but the infrastructure hasn't changed much.It has been found that two-thirds of the people who died in road accidents in 2022 were linked to two-wheelers. The state witnessed an almost 9% rise in road accidents during the year.In 2022, 3,011 road accidents were reported, of which 253 were fatal, wherein 271 succumbed to injuries. A total number of 181 persons on two-wheelers died in accidents while 51 pedestrians lost their lives.In 2021, 2,849 accidents were reported, of which 218 were fatal. Almost 226 people lost their lives. A total number of 152 persons on two-wheelers died while 36 pedestrians were killed.The highest number of accidents in North Goa was reported in the jurisdiction of Panaji, Mapusa and Porvorim police stations areas. In South Goa, the highest number of accidents were reported in Ponda, Verna and Vasco police station areas.

CM Pramod Sawant moots collab with international universities in Goa

Times of India | 1 month ago | 22-02-2023 | 07:42 am

Times of India

1 month ago | 22-02-2023 | 07:42 am

PANAJI: In a bid to put Goa on the global education map, the state government intends to open its arms to higher education in the state by collaborating with world class universities, said CM Pramod Sawant. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the QS India Summit 2023 in Goa on Tuesday.The state is in talks with various stakeholders to set up a national design institute, national sports academy, marine technical academy, and few language institutions. "We are also focusing on having research and development in waste management, which will not only help the state with zero wastage, but also be a changemaker for the rest of the country," Sawant said.He further said that Goa wants to "bring internationalisation in its education". He pointed out that the directorate of international cooperation and exchange looks after the internationalisation strategy at Goa University.

Goa: Plain-clothes cops deployed to nab violators of M V Act

Times of India | 1 month ago | 22-02-2023 | 07:39 am

Times of India

1 month ago | 22-02-2023 | 07:39 am

PANAJI: Following a hue and cry over the increased number of road accidents in the state, Goa police have started deploying plain-clothes personnel at various locations on Tuesday. These police personnel will take photographs of those violating traffic rules and fine them. Police caught 145 traffic violators on day one.Plain-clothes police personnel are being deployed to ensure that violators do not attempt to escape looking at a policeman in uniform, said deputy superintendent of police (DySP) Jivba Dalvi. “Whenever people see a policeman in uniform, they either try to overspeed or they take another route to escape being caught.” He said that among the violations observed were the failure to wear helmets or seat belts and riding triple seat, adding that helmets can prevent fatalities and major head injuries.“To overcome such practices, we have deployed plain-clothes policemen at all police stations in the Mapusa Sub division, which covers the jurisdiction of the Mapusa, Anjuna and Colvale police stations. The police personnel have been directed to click the photographs of violators,” said Dalvi.Police personnel have been asked to submit their reports, which will be forwarded for the issuing of challans.

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