State’s genome sequencing facility becomes operational

Navhind Times | 1 week ago | 11-05-2022 | 01:36 am

Staff ReporterPanajiAfter much delay, Goa’s first genome sequencing facility has been made operational at the North Goa District Hospital (NGDH) in Mapusa.Even though the facility is yet to be certified by the INSACOG forum of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Directorate of Health Services has claimed that it is at par with the Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV).The INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium) has been set up by the Union Health Ministry to study and monitor genome sequencing and virus variation of circulating strains of COVID-19 in India.Addressing a press conference in Panaji, state epidemiologist Dr. Utkarsh Betodkar said that from now onwards the genome analysis will be carried out in the new facility at the North Goa DistrictHospital.It is pertinent to note that the genome study ascertains the different variants of the coronavirus that are in circulation in Goa.“INSACOG certification is only for reporting under national level and for just national recognition. We have applied with them and the process is on. Our quality check is with NIV, which is a hub laboratory for our state. They have already certified it…gone through, and we have made it functional. Now onwards, samples from Goa will be tested at our new facility at NGDH,” Dr. Betodkar said. Previously, in the absence of a genome sequencing facility in the state, samples drawn from different parts of the state were sent either to the NIV orthe National Centre for Cell Science, which is also based in Pune.A medical team of the NGDH,headed by the district hospital’s senior pathologist Dr. Varsha Munj,had undergone two-day training formaking the genome sequencing facility operational at the hospital.Dr. Betodkar informed that recent reports received from the NIV Pune have revealed that Omicron sublineage BA.2 has been the dominant variant in Goa in the last four months. “During the third wave, two strains of Omicron were there in Goa –B.1.1.529and BA 2. But in the last two months only BA 2 is prevalent,” he said.

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Helicopter service takes off in Aguada

Times of India | 1 hour ago | 21-05-2022 | 01:03 am

Times of India

1 hour ago | 21-05-2022 | 01:03 am

Panaji: The state’s plans for heli tourism that were grounded since 2016 following protests by Sinquerim locals, took off on Friday after a private agency, Blade India, an urban air mobility company, launched the state’s first helicopter service from the helipad at Aguada. The Blade India announced three rides — connecting airport to South and North Goa, charter service from Maharashtra and within Goa and a 10-minute experiential flights giving a bird’s eye view of the state’s coastline. Five years ago, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) had to discontinue the project after local fishing community and villagers, supported by some local politicians, raised objections to the use of the same helipad. The GTDC tried to operate the service by moving it to South Goa, but it had to be discontinued for logistic reasons. Chief minister Pramod Sawant who launched the service exuded confidence that there won’t be “opposition” now and appreciated Blade India for taking the risk. “There was an opposition, then but I don’t think people will oppose these kind of services, now,” Sawant said replying to a query. Last year, the GTDC had commissioned a helipad at Old Goa and declared that it will re-launch the helicopter service. Sawant said that it could not start since permission from CRZ authority is awaited. In the past, the project was delayed as GTDC had to finalise a location for a helipad and later since it had to retender to select a service provider. Having a helicopter service in Goa, Sawant said, will boost tourism and help the tourists explore the hinterlands of the state. “The government will help the agency in getting permissions required to commence operations,” Sawant said. Blade India has identified landing points in Surla and Sanquelim in North Goa. The company’s founder Karanpal Singh said they will use the present infrastructure and also create new helipads with the help of the government. Blade India’s strategic partner Airbus Helicopters’ India and South Asia head Sunny Guglani said despite having rich flora and fauna, the country has not been able to attract more tourists as it is hard to reach the interiors. “We need solutions to connect potential tourists both foreign and Indian and create economic opportunities. Goa has beautiful beaches, forts and waterfalls. I think helicopters can play a pivotal role in unlocking the true potential of Goa,” he said. Goa can lead the way for the rest of the country, Gunglani said. Copter service can be used for medical emergencies: CM TNN Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said Blade India’s helicopter services in the state can be used in case of medical emergencies, an option that was not available in the past. “In a medical emergency, where a patient needs to be immediately shifted to a hospital, wherever needed, the helicopter service can be availed. Sometimes, it takes two hours to transport a patient to a medical facility via road,” Sawant said. Goans and other travellers, he said, will also have the option of choosing helicopter service to visit nearby cities in Maharashtra or Karnataka, and help increase connectivity and also promote medical tourism. The chief minister said people from other neighbouring cities of Maharashtra and Karnataka will certainly use the helicopter services.

GCZMA notices to 12 in Siolim for CRZ violations

Times of India | 1 day ago | 19-05-2022 | 04:56 am

Times of India

1 day ago | 19-05-2022 | 04:56 am

Panaji: At least a dozen Siolim residents have been issued notices by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) after they were found to have carried out constructions encroaching on government property. Additional collector-I North Goa drew up a list of violators, as per which the offenders were found to be encroaching on government land and violating CRZ laws. “The mamlatdar of Bardez, Mapusa, has forwarded the list of violators along with the photographs to the office of the collector, North Goa district, Panaji. Based on the list forwarded by the additional collector the following alleged illegal construction resulting violation of CRZ Notification 2011 are noticed,” the GCZMA said in its show cause notice to the offenders. Most of the alleged violators have sought time to respond and the GCZMA will now be hearing all 12 matters on June 9, 2022. The GCZMA said that hearings against the alleged offenders are part of an exercise to ensure that CRZ notification 2011 is not violated. Constructions along Goa’s coast have increased drastically over the years. The CRZ notification issued first in 1991 prohibited any construction 200m from the coast which was to be considered a no-development zone. The notification regulated construction between 200m and 500m from the coast. Except for the reconstruction and repairs of pre-existing structures belonging to traditional fishing communities on the existing plinth, no other constructions were to be permitted.

56,000+ cases pending in Goas lower courts, 2,600 for 10+ years

Times of India | 4 days ago | 16-05-2022 | 05:41 am

Times of India

4 days ago | 16-05-2022 | 05:41 am

PANAJI: Even as there are 56,467 cases pending in Goa’s lower courts, just 4.7% of these — of 2,674 cases — are pending for over a decade. A large majority of pending cases, over 60%, are ones filed up to three years ago, while the figures for prolonged pendency has stablised in recent years. The National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) shows that an important reason for pendency is the court's issuing stay on matters. However, three other major reasons for pendency are beyond the court’s control — non-availability of the lawyer, long wait for document submission, and one or more accused persons absconding or not appearing. Of the 56,467 total pending cases in Goa, 30,886 are criminal cases and 25,581 are civil matters. Goa is known to have a good ratio of judges. The disposal rate of cases is also satisfactory, with 2,469 cases — 1,552 criminal and 917 civil matters — disposed of last month alone. This indicates that pendency remains high mainly due to the fast pace at which new matters are filed in the state’s courts. In 2021 alone, 11,336 new cases were filed in Goa’s lower courts. Barely four months into 2022, already almost 6,000 (5,946 to be precise) new cases have appeared before the courts in Goa. The number of cases filed in North Goa were higher than those filed in South Goa. This also means that the pendency of cases in North Goa was more than double that of South Goa. There are a total of 40,379 cases pending in North Goa district, as compared to only 16,088 in South Goa. Of the total cases pending in the state, 14% (7,952) are those filed by senior citizens and 13% (7,313) are matters filed by women. There are also 220 cases pending for more than 30 years in the lower courts, of which only one is a criminal matter and the remaining 219 are civil cases. Another 568 cases were pending for between 20 and 30 years. Six years ago, in May 2016, more than 8,000 cases were pending in Goa for more than ten years. This figure came down in 2017 to around 2,500 and has remained stable since.

Omicron BA.2 Covid strain circulating in Goa at present: Epidemiologist

Times of India | 1 week ago | 11-05-2022 | 12:57 am

Times of India

1 week ago | 11-05-2022 | 12:57 am

Panaji: Omicron BA.2 is the Covid-19 strain presently circulating in Goa, said state epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar. Both Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 strains were detected in Goa during the third wave over the past four months, but the last two months have seen only the Omicron BA.2 variant which is why the severity of cases, hospital admissions and death rate have been low, he said. Goa reported 11 new cases on Tuesday, taking the active tally to 67. A total of 799 samples were tested with a case positivity rate of 1.3% Hospitalisations and deaths continued to be nil. tnn

Shripads son to head north ZP

Times of India | 1 week ago | 10-05-2022 | 12:57 am

Times of India

1 week ago | 10-05-2022 | 12:57 am

Panaji: Union minister for state Shripad Naik’s son Siddesh Naik has been elected unopposed as new north Goa zilla panchayat (ZP) chairperson on Monday. Siddesh said that he will try to seek more powers in the functioning of ZP. In the recently-held assembly polls, BJP had denied Siddesh a party ticket. Siddesh said, “I will take everyone together and take up development work. Since the first ZP formation there was always a demand from members for more power to ZP and it still exits.” He also said that ZP constituency is half of the assembly constituency. “I think ZP should get more powers and I will try to get it. I thank panchayat minister Mauvin Godinho for trying to give more powers to ZP,” he said. Siddesh also said that he will meet the minister to discuss further about seeking more powers for ZP. He added that ZP has proposed to the government to construct a ZP bhavan, and said that he will seek help from his father who is the Union minister to get more funds from the Centre. He also said that the state government has increased funds for ZP functioning and this has made more funds available for development work. He added that these funds will be utilised for development work in Corlim also.

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