Goa 123 updates: October 2010

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Goa Blog

Posted: 31 Oct 2010 08:50 AM PDT

The Goa Cricket Association (GCA) on Sunday said that it will not host any international cricket match in the state until its own stadium is completed.

“We had asked for one match with BCCI which was granted to us. But we failed to conduct it because of the improper stadium. It’s a government-owned stadium. Now we won’t host any matches until we have stadium of our own,” GCA President Dayanand Narvekar told PTI on Sunday.

One Day International (ODI) between India and Australia scheduled on October 24 had to be called off due to soggy field.

Narvekar said that in absence of proper drainage for the stadium, soggy field was created at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

“It’s uncomfortable to hold match there,” he added.

GCA President said that being a government-owned stadium, several issues crop up during organisation of the match.

“Change in government makes policies differ. Each sports minister comes up with his own thinking,” Narvekar, former state Finance Minister, said.

He said that GCA has already acquired land for Rs. 150 crore worth stadium project at Thivim village, 15 km away from here.

“Once we get environment clearance, the work on the project will start by December this year and entire project will be completed in next two years,” Narvekar added.

Goa government has been paid Rs. 1.6 crore by GCA to acquire land for the project.

“BCCI will provide subsidy to the tune of Rs. 50 crore for this facility,” Narvekar said adding that it will be a stadium with 45,000 sitting capacity.

The state cricket association has said that it does not want money from the state government to complete the project.

“We don’t want money but we want full co-operation of the government to complete the project,” he said.

Courtesy:CN

GCA admits loopholes in India-Aus ODI

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 09:45 AM PDT

Goa Cricket Association (GCA) on Saturday admitted ‘loopholes’ in organisation of the recent One-day International between India and Australia , which was called off without a ball being bowled due to rain.

“Some of the executive committee members, who were found negligent, would be shifted out of the committee,” GCA president Dayanand Narvekar said.

The state cricket association has been in news after some duplicate tickets surfaced after the rain-washed India-Australia ODI on October 24 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.

Narvekar said that, during the marathon meeting held on Friday, some officials admitted they neglected the printing mistakes on the tickets.

“None of the GCA officials were involved in the mistake. It was a printing error but some of the officials who came to know about it should have informed the committee,” Narvekar said.

He said that he was stationed in Margao (town next to the stadium) during the day of the match.

If printing mistake was pointed out in time, corrective measures could have been taken, he said.

“We could have asked the security to inform the people about the printing error and made them sit at proper seats,” he added.

The GCA president said that there were two to three more organisational lapses, but refused to highlight them.

The association has also decided not to pay 25 per cent of printing money to the Pune-based printer.

The printer had, on Friday, admitted that it was his fault that created the confusion.

Courtesy:Rediff

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Goa Blog

Siemens to invest Rs 200 cr to set up two manu units in Goa

Posted: 30 Oct 2010 08:34 AM PDT

Siemens today said it would invest Rs 200 crore in Goa to set up two manufacturing facilities to produce energy automation and medium voltage products.

“Siemens will invest Rs 200 crore in Goa over the next few years to set up two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities,” the company said in a statement here.

This expansion is part of the overall growth agenda of Siemens in the country wherein the company will invest Rs 1,600 crore in India over the next few years, it said.

Together, these factories would provide direct employment to around 200 people and indirect employment to over 500 people.

With this, Siemens also plans to make Goa a hub for energy automation products that will cater to the domestic and emerging markets.

“So far Siemens has witnessed favourable business environment in Goa. The new factories are part of our strategy to develop base level products for the bottom of the pyramid market in India. With these factories, we will strengthen our local portfolio to cater to the growing domestic demand,” Armin Bruck, Managing Director, Siemens and CEO - South Asia Cluster said.

This will be the first such factory outside Europe and third in the Siemens World , after Germany and United Kingdom and will be equipped with world-class technology.

Courtesy:ET

Warrants against German mother, daughter to depose in court

Posted: 29 Oct 2010 10:11 AM PDT

Goa court today ordered the prosecution to issue warrants to the German mother and daughter, who had complained of sexual abuse against the son of a state minister, to remain present in the court. Goa Children’s Court President P V Sawaikar said that warrants be issued to the minor victim and her mother, who are currently in Germany, to remain present in the court for deposition. Goa Education Minister Atanasio Monserratte’s son, Rohit is accused of sexually abusing a minor German girl in 2008. The mother had filed police complaint on October 02, 2008 and Rohit surrendered on November 04 after being on the run. The medical examination on the girl had confirmed sexual abuse. Since the beginning of the prosecution, the Court has been facing problems to get the deposition of the duo. In the past, two warrants were issued against duo, and both the times, they refused to co-operate. In August, the mother, through an e-mail communication to the court had said that she was not willing to continue with the cas

Courtesy:IBN

Friday, October 29, 2010

Goa Blog

Big B takes a break in Goa
Goa: Fishing Community Protests CRZ Notification
Goa police check sea security ahead of Obama’s visit to Mumbai

Big B takes a break in Goa

Posted: 29 Oct 2010 06:18 AM PDT

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan decided to take a sudden sabbatical in Goa and is thoroughly enjoying his stay there.

'It is a boon at times to just spring out of circumstances and travel to just anywhere! I just did that and find it most invigorating to be able to not be specific or scheduled. And Goa it is,' Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com.

The 68-year-old says he loves Goa.

'Quiet and peaceful, green and warm, sea and sunshine! The silence whispers gently in the ears, time takes time to pass and nothingness has no value at all,' he wrote.

Courtesy:TN

Goa: Fishing Community Protests CRZ Notification

Posted: 29 Oct 2010 05:37 AM PDT

Fish markets and fishing jetties across the state wore deserted look as the fishing community struck their work protesting the draft coastal regulation zone notification.

The All India strike call, given by the National Fisherworkers Forum (NFF) evoked tremendous response in Goa, which has fishing as third largest economic activity after tourism and mining.

NFF President Matanhy Saldanha said that all the stakeholders of fishing industry cooperated in the strike.

“Trawler owners, fish merchants and fish vendors participated in the strike,” he said.

Saldanha said that the central government should now atleast realise about tremendous dissident against it because of the draft CRZ notification.

The activity at Malim jetty, tucked across Mandovi river overlooking the capital city of Panaji, came to a standstill since morning.

Mandovi Fishermen Welfare Co-operative Society Chairman Menino Afonso said that those trawlers which have already ventured in the sea have been asked to stay there and not to return to the jetty.

“Those who are at the shore have been asked not to go today,” Afonso said expressing his full support for the agitation.

Afonso heads the co-operative society at state’s one of the biggest jetty, which has 300-odd trawlers venturing from it.

The strike will continue for a day and fishes would be available only by tomorrow, Saldanha added.

Courtesy:Outlookindia

Goa police check sea security ahead of Obama’s visit to Mumbai

Posted: 28 Oct 2010 10:24 AM PDT

The security agencies in Goa today checked their preparedness to counter seaward terrorist attack, but claimed that the exercise was nothing to do with US President Barack Obama’s scheduled visit to Mumbai. Police spokesman Atmaram Deshpande said that operation Sagar Kavach was a routine exercise to check the preparedness of the agencies.

“It has nothing to do with US President’s visit,” he said, adding that Goa will be on general alert along with other states during Obama’s visit.

“We have no intimation of whatever (about specific security requirement) and we have no role to play in the security aspect,” Deshpande said when asked about Obama’s presence in neighbouring Mumbai city.Responding to a question on Goa’s role, as it shares common waters with Mumbai, Deshpande said entire western states share common waters with Mumbai.

“We are just 105 km long stretch,” he added.

Police said that Sagar Kavach exercise held today was a routine thing.

Goa had held similar exercise in last May. “This time, we were better than the last time,” Deshpande said.

“There were certain targets that were explored for infiltration and at majority places, the police teams managed to identify them,” he said, refusing to divulge more details of the `security operation’.

Courtesy:HT

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Goa Blog

GST riddle: Centre, States to meet in Goa tomorrow

Posted: 28 Oct 2010 06:04 AM PDT

State Finance Ministers and the Centre will try to reconcile their differences on the contours of the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) at a two-day meeting starting here on Friday.

However, it is unlikely that the Finance Ministry will be able to salvage the April 1, 2011, deadline for roll-out of the new tax regime even if a consensus is reached at the meeting.

Some states — including West Bengal, which heads the state GST panel — do not agree with the Centre's proposal on the constitution of a GST Council, led by the Union Finance Minister, to deliberate on the state subject of indirect taxes.

Furthermore, a proposed body for settlement of disputes has not garnered any consensus either.

The GST Council and Dispute Settlement Authority were key features in the initial draft of the Constitution Amendment Bill formulated by the Centre and sent to the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on GST for approval.

The states had rejected the first draft of the Centre, alleging that it gave veto power to the Union Finance Minister on state taxation issues. The draft had proposed that changes in GST could only be made with the consent of the Union Finance Minister and a two-thirds majority of the states in the council.

After the states' opposition, the Centre had floated a second draft proposing that alteration in GST could only be done when there is complete consensus.

While Congress-ruled states agreed to the idea, BJP-ruled states, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu opposed even the second draft.

The BJP-ruled states wanted to know the exact meaning of 'consensus' and suggested that the word be replaced with 'consent'

These states are also opposing the Dispute Settlement Authority proposed by the Centre. The authority is proposed to be chaired by a retired judge of the Supreme Court to resolve disputes arising out of the GST regime.

"Eight to 10 states have been opposing the dispute settlement mechanism, including Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh," Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Raghavji had said.

Now, even Empowered Committee Chairman Asim Dasgupta, who is the Finance Minister of West Bengal, suggested that both the GST Council and Dispute Settlement Authority should be done away with.

"Empowered Group of State Finance Ministers Chairman Asim Dasgupta recently met Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and has submitted a proposal to do away with GST Council and the dispute settlement body in the Constitution Amendment Bill," an official source said.

Given the stiff opposition of some states to the Centre's proposal, the Union Finance Ministry is likely to ask the states to come out with their own proposal, to which the Centre would give its response, the source said.

Meanwhile, economic think-tank CUTS said the GST regime will promote a common market in India and enhance consumer welfare, but the Centre should address states' concerns on the issue.

"State governments have some genuine concerns regarding the expected impact and implementation procedures of the proposed Goods and Services Tax. They should be addressed by the Centre and a suitable path based on political consensus should be devised," CUTS International Secretary General Pradeep S Mehta told reporters.

Many analysts said that GST roll-out is now a victim of politics, as it is supported or opposed on political lines, though disguised in economic diction.

Introduction of GST, which will subsume excise duty and service tax at the central level and VAT at the state level, besides various other cesses, surcharges and local levies, has already missed the original deadline of April 1, 2010. Now, even the revised timeframe of April 1, 2011, is all set to be missed.

While the Constitution Amendment Bill for rolling out GST was originally proposed to be tabled in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, officials have now admitted that it is unlikely to be tabled even in the Winter Session.

An amendment to the Constitution is required for the roll-out of GST, since under the present mechanism, the Centre cannot impose tax beyond manufacturing, while states cannot impose service tax.

Courtesy:Hindu

Gas-based power plant for Goa!

Posted: 27 Oct 2010 08:13 PM PDT

The Centre has asked the Goa Government to consider setting up a gas-based power plant in the State, media reports said here today.

"We have suggested gas-based electricity generation in Goa", the Business Standard quoted Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde as saying at the Economic Editors' Conference.

Goa being a tourist destination, the power project had to be environment-friendly, he said.

Gas-based power generation accounts for 10.5 per cent of India's total generation capacity of over 164,000 mw.

At the same time, the Government said it would meet its 62,000 mw power capacity addition target during the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12).

He also said talks were on with the Maharashtra Government for the proposed ultra mega power plant. "There are some land issues, talks are on. We hope to find a solution", he said.

When contacted State Power Minister Alexio Sequeira said that the statement was the outcome of persistent demand from his ministry.

"I have not come across the statement as I speak but if the minister has made the statement it has to be the outcome of our demands", Sequeira told Herald.

"I had demanded two gas-based power generation plants for Goa from the minister and since then I had not heard from him. Maybe this is the outcome of our demand", he said.

Courtesy:Herald

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Goa Blog

Hippie who discovered Anjuna beach dies in Goa
Flights diverted, repairs on at Goa airport runway
Australian woman alleges molestation in Goa
Wendell Rodricks showcases colours of Goa

Hippie who discovered Anjuna beach dies in Goa

Posted: 27 Oct 2010 08:31 AM PDT

Yertward Mazamanian alias Eddie, a Hippie who discovered Anjuna beach in Goa for the rest of the world, died in the coastal state last week, his friends revealed.

The 85-year-old Eddie, known as Eight Finger Eddie, was an American Expat of Armenian ancestry, who discovered Anjuna beach for rest of the world in 1965 and stayed here till he breathed last on October 18.

Tony Almeida, whose father Joe was the first person to meet Edie at Anjuna, said that he had actually come to Colva beach in South Goa. “He moved northwards after hearing from the locals about this stretch of shore, Almeida said.

Tourists on Ajuna Beach

He is also called as father of Hippie tribe in Goa. In the 1960s, few beatniks and hippies travelled from Western Europe towards South Asia. Eddie was the first amongst them.

“Eddie and his companion came to Anjuna after walking through dense forest in 1965. It was a place at the foothill overlooking Arabian Sea,” said Tony

Eddie also coined the idea of Anjuna’s flea market in 1975 which initially began as a place to barter goods. The flea market still exists at Anjuna although it has been turned into a cluster of shops.

Eddie continued hogging limelight even after his death. The page devoted to this first hippie on facebook has been receiving comments from all across the globe. His fans also had live streaming of his funeral on a website on October 18.

Courtesy:IBN

Flights diverted, repairs on at Goa airport runway

Posted: 27 Oct 2010 06:47 AM PDT

Three flights, including a chartered plane, were diverted from the Goa airport on Wednesday due to an oil spill on the runway, an official said.

A tanker carrying 6,000 litres of aviation fuel had Saturday night overturned on the runway of the airport which is run by the Indian Navy. Navy officials say the runway would be fully operational only by Friday.

Dabolim airport director D. Paul Manickam said repair work was on at the runway and the oil spill had reduced its length from 11,000 ft to 6,900 ft.

“Three flights were diverted in the morning. After the spillage on the runway, repair work is still going on, which has reduced its length. The visibility was also not good,” the senior Airport Authority of India (AAI) official said.

The three flights were a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Goa carrying 127 passengers, which was diverted to Bangalore; a Jet Airways flight from Mumbai to Goa that was sent back to Mumbai; and an Amsterdam to Goa chartered flight carrying 324 passengers that was diverted to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Airport sources said the pilots decided against landing the planes at the Goa airport for safety considerations.

“The reduced declared distance however has put restrictions on bigger aircraft, including the Boeing 747,” a statement issued by the naval authorities said.

Courtesy:TOI

Australian woman alleges molestation in Goa

Posted: 27 Oct 2010 06:39 AM PDT

29-year-old Australian woman has complained that she was molested at a massage parlour near Goa's Arambol beach, police said Wednesday.

The victim, who filed a complaint at the Pernem police station Wednesday, alleged she had gone to the massage parlour near Arambol beach, 60 km from here, when she was molested by a masseur identified only as Babu.

"A complaint has been filed today (Wednesday) under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code against the accused for outraging her modesty," a police official said.

Courtesy:T

Wendell Rodricks showcases colours of Goa

Posted: 26 Oct 2010 10:54 AM PDT

Designer Wendell Rodricks unveiled his latest Kunbi tribe collection on the second day of Will Lifestyle India Fashion Week. The collection displays the ethnicity of a group of people who have almost remained hidden in today’s society. The Kunbi saree has perhaps been the biggest revelation of the

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week so far. The Goan designer has created something out of the box, something totally unique which people not only in Goa will wear but even saree lovers around the world will appreciate the very first Goan made saree.

The original Kunbi saree was mainly worn by the Kunbi tribe and thus Wendell wanted to change that perspective by introducing soft pastel shades with irregular designs flowing along the saree, giving the whole collection a very modern and an elegant look.

The eco-friendly handloom made from vegetable dye has its origins from the Kunbi tribe which consists of aboriginals who settled in Canacona taluk of South Goa. Wendell’s love for Goa and his dedication to build Goa’s cultural heritage has made this work possible. His saree collection will now compete with other Indian states that have their own type of traditional saree.

Goa must be proud and Wendell must be delighted as it took nearly seven years of extensive research in sourcing the weavers, working with the tribals and then creating designs that mixed well with today’s contemporary style of clothing.

Courtesy:HT

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Goa Blog

IT targets Reddy brothers in massive raids

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 09:38 AM PDT

Against the backdrop of charges of horse-trading in Karnataka, Income Tax officials conducted simultaneous raids today at the premises of three ministers including the Reddy brothers, who are mining magnates, and four other ruling BJP MLAs.

The premises of G Janardhana Reddy and G Karunakara Reddy and their business associate and minister B Sreeramulu came under the scanner of the IT department, official sources told PTI.

A majority of the 60-65 raids were conducted here and in mine-rich Bellary, Hospet and Sandur in the home district of the Reddy brothers, who have been accused by the opposition of trying to lure their MLAs. Bellary is the stronghold of the Reddy brothers.

During the operation launched early this morning, several documents have been seized, the sources said. The raids were conducted by a 300-strong team of IT sleuths headed by G Rajeshwara Rao, Director General (Investigation), Karnataka and Goa.

A room in the Legislators’ Home here was also raided. “Searches are on”, an IT official said several hours after the raids commenced. None of the seven BJP legislators were available for comments on the IT raids carried out amid a volatile political situation in Karnataka with suspense continuing on the future of the BJP’s first government in the south.

But the BJP said the raids were a “political conspiracy” and nothing but an attempt by the ruling dispensation to take undue advantage of the political power at the Centre.

“People who are sitting in the Opposition in the state are getting frustrated in their attempt to destabilise the democratically elected government are now upto misuse of power vested in the hands of the Government of India,” said BJP leader Dhannajay Kumar in a veiled attack on the Congress.

The residences and office premises of BJP MLA from Kampli H T Suresh, also a relative of Sreeramulu, and B Nagendra, MLA representing the Kudligi Assembly constituency were among those places raided.

A staff member attached to Janardhana Reddy also faced the IT action, the sources said. At least four mining companies in Hospet came under the IT scanner and raids were carried out at the residence and office premises of a BJP leader in Sandur.

The IT raids came against the backdrop of the political turmoil in the state which saw 16 MLAs withdrawing their support to the B S Yeddyurappa Government forcing it to face two floor tests in the 224-member Assembly. Four MLAs have deserted the opposition ranks by giving up their memberships.

The Congress and JD-S have accused the BJP of poaching on their MLAs to shore up its numbers in the House, but the ruling party has hit back at the opposition, charging it with trying all means to topple the state government.

Though the BJP Government has won the trust vote, a cloud of uncertainty still looms large with the Karnataka High Court reserving its verdict on the plea of 11 rebel BJP MLAs challenging their disqualification by the Speaker and pendency of petitions filed by five disqualified Independents.

Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah and JD-S state unit chief H D Kumaraswamy refused to react to the IT raids saying, “It is a routine thing done by IT department based on the information collected by its enforcement wing”.

Courtesy:DH

Monday, October 25, 2010

Goa Blog

Drunk Russian tourist saved on Goa beach
MS Dhoni and Sakshi have a blast in Goa
Dempo elected as new president of Goa Football Association

Drunk Russian tourist saved on Goa beach

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 07:16 AM PDT

A Russian tourist, reportedly drunk, was rescued from drowning by lifeguards at Goa’s popular Candolim beach Monday afternoon, officials said.

Anton Bernladnikov, 27, who was staying at a nearby hotel, went for a swim after having a few glasses of an alcoholic beverage at a beach shack.

‘Strong undercurrents at the beach pulled him deeper into the sea. We rescued him with an inflated tube,’ said an official of Drishti Special Response Services, which manages the lifeguard services on Goa’s beaches.

Nearly 40,000 charter Russian tourists visit Goa annually during the tourist season stretching from October to March.

Courtesy:Sify

MS Dhoni and Sakshi have a blast in Goa

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 06:18 AM PDT

On Sunday the third and final One-Day International between India and Australia was dumped without a ball being bowled as a result of wet outfield which was caused by overnight rains. And to give the hosts a 1-0 series triumph, their first over the Aussies in above two decades.

This is the second such case in the three-match series however with the rejection of Sunday’s ODI, Australia returned home devoid of winning a single game on their tour of India. Before the ODI series they had lost the two-match Test series 0-2.

On Wednesday Australia beat India by five wickets in the second ODI at Visakhapatnam while the first match in Kochi was dull.

As a result India, uneven up their first ever reverses of Australia in both Test and ODI series on the similar tour.

Indian skipper MS Dhoni and wife Sakshi have cheerfulness in Goa. And captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni renowned the tour whitewash by spending time with his wife on the well-known Goa beaches. Sakshi likes to enjoy on Goa beaches.

Courtesy:Topnews.in

Dempo elected as new president of Goa Football Association

Posted: 24 Oct 2010 10:40 AM PDT

Chairman of Dempo Group of companies, Shrinivas Dempo, was today elected as new president of Goa Football Association (GFA) for a four-year term from 2010 to 2014.

In a closely-contested GFA elections held here, Dempo polled 85 votes, while his nearest rival Peter Vaz, who heads Sporting Clube de Goa, got 75. He defeated his competitor by a margin of 10 votes.

Representatives of all the 160 clubs — 87 from South and 73 from North — had turned out for voting, which was a record for the first time.

Dempo, speaking to reporters after being elected as new GFA President, called for improving the instrastructure in Goa to push the game of football to the next level and also appealed for the decentralisation of GFA administration.

He promised to make Goa a model football state in the years to come.

Elves Gomes from South zone and Lavino Rebello from North zone were respectively elected as vice-presidents.

Other zone-wise GFA members are: Salcet: Subert Furtado, Bejimin Silva, Anthony Pango, Benet Dicto Timudo.

North Zone: Babli Mandrekar, Alirio Lobo, Udai Lingudkar and Gajanand Kerkar.

Marmugao: Lorence Gomes, Prakash Naik, Savio Mesaies.

Ilhas zone: Velwin Menezes, Sanjiv Nagvekar and Anjulo Albuquereque.

Courtesy:New kerala

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Goa Blog

Goa airport runway closed for two hours after fuel spill
Goa: NHAI proposes 2 toll booths on NH 4A
Wet outfield forces Goa abandonment
Ind vs Aus 3rd ODI: Australia Can’t Afford Rain in Goa

Goa airport runway closed for two hours after fuel spill

Posted: 24 Oct 2010 04:59 AM PDT

The Goa airport was closed for over two hours late Saturday night after a tanker half-full with aviation turbine fuel overturned on the runway, officials said Sunday. A probe has been ordered. The tanker, operated by the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and carrying 6,000 litres of the highly combustible fuel, was heading towards civil terminal for refuelling parked aircraft, according to a statement by the Indian Navy, which operates the airport.

According to the statement, naval authorities reached the scene of accident within a few seconds, rescued the driver to safety and took action to prevent the leaking fuel from catching fire. “The runway was closed immediately and a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued,” the statement said, adding that the runway was unusable for nearly two hours. “We had to ensure that the surface was not slippery, which could cause the aircrafts to skid,” the navy said, adding that the tanker was later lifted away with the help of a crane. “The runway was restored and declared fit by 2300 hrs and normal operations were resumed,” a navy spokesperson said.

Goa's only airport at Dabolim is a part of the INS Hansa naval base and is out of bounds for civilian traffic several hours of the day and night.

Courtesy: thaindian

Goa: NHAI proposes 2 toll booths on NH 4A

Posted: 24 Oct 2010 01:52 AM PDT

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has proposed a minimum toll of Rs 23 for four wheelers travelling from Panaji to Ponda after the completion of the four laning of the NH 4A. During a presentation on Saturday evening on re-survey of the proposed alignment for broadening of the NH 4A, Mr Kiran of Wilbur and Smith Associates, a consultancy firm hired by NHAI, said there would be two toll booths, one at Banastarim and the other at Mollem. He said that the two wheelers will not be charged any toll. Cars will have to pay a minimum of Rs 23 when crossing the Banastarim toll booth while the toll charge for light commercial vehicles will be Rs 38. Buses will be charged Rs 79 while medium commercial vehicles will be charged Rs 124 and heavy commercial vehicles would have to pay a toll of Rs 150.

Similarly, the four wheelers crossing the second toll booth at Mollem will have to shell out Rs 25 while light commercial vehicles will have to pay Rs 42. Buses crossing this toll booth would be charged Rs 87, medium commercial vehicles would be charged Rs 137 and heavy commercial vehicles will have to shell out Rs 160.

Mr Kiran further said that there would be a provision wherein locals with personal vehicles within a radius of 10 km from the booth could pay Rs 150 per month at a single toll booth and could travel without any restrictions on the number of times they cross that booth. He also said that special provisions have been made on return journey.

Mr Kiran said after the re-survey, the right of way will be 60 metres at open places and 45 metres where commercial establishments and houses are located on the highway and 35 metres at the heritage site at Old Goa. He said that 168 structures could face demolition as against 569 in the previous alignment and added that there would be two major bridges, one at Khandepar and another at Banastarim, and five other minor bridges. Mr Kiran informed that 132 hectares of land is yet to be acquired of the total 232 hectares of land required for the four laning of the NH 4A, which has been reduced by four kilometers after the fresh realignment.

Courtesy: Navhind Times

Wet outfield forces Goa abandonment

Posted: 24 Oct 2010 01:39 AM PDT

On-field umpires Billy Bowden and Amish Saheba, accompanied by ICCmatch referee Chris Broad decided to call off the third one day international between India and Australia. The abandonment was due to unplayable conditions caused by a wet outfield. This means India wins the series 1-0, having won the only match played in the three match series, at Visakhapatnam on October 20 by five wickets.

A damp outfield caused by overnight rains had already delayed the start of play for more than three hours when the umpires and match referee had an inspection of the entire Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium ground, including the bowlers’ run-up and the wet areas on the outfield at 11 am before deciding to have another inspection at 12:15 pm.

The ground was covered by tarpaulins overnight which protected most parts of it but still there were some seepages on the outfield. The super sopper was employed to suck up the water from the covers. The wicket itself looked dry and fit for play. The series opener in Kochi last Sunday was washed out.

Courtesy: expressbuzz

Ind vs Aus 3rd ODI: Australia Can’t Afford Rain in Goa

Posted: 23 Oct 2010 10:32 AM PDT

Tomorrow is the third and final ODI between Australia and India in the ongoing series of 3 ODIs. Australia already had a bad experience in the two test series earlier than the ODIs when it lost both the tests. With India's clean sweep in Test Series by 2-0 and winning the second ODI thereby leading ODI series by 1-0, Australia would not be very comfortable position if the play tomorrow is not held due to rain.

Match cancellation tomorrow due to rain will mar Australia's chances of squaring off the ODI series 1-1 and it will be a double embarrassment for Australia by losing in both the formats of cricket in India. Though it is not a regular rainy season in Goa but an out of turn rain is predicted by the local Metrological department which may disrupt match for few overs or totally wash it out as it happened in Kochi.

It will be after more than two decades that Australia had a double defeat in any country. Rain started yesterday evening in Goa and was going on till midnight. It started raining again in the morning after just a few hours it had stopped. Due to this frequent rain the two teams could not even have substantial practice session in the ground either yesterday or today. The sky is still not clear and Met department is also not very confident of no rain happening further according to their report.

The win in the test series by 2-0 and in the ODI series leading by 1-0, India definitely has an edge over Australia. Though bowling was not very impressive in the second ODI but the fire in batting line was quite visible.

With first ODI washed out and a win by India in the second ODI thereby taking the lead in ODI series by 1-0 in this three ODI series reduced to two ODI series, Australia will go back with a bad mood and low esteem if tomorrow's ODI does not take place due to rain and India winning the ODI series by 1-0. At least Australia will have a fair chance of squaring off the ongoing ODI series 1-1 if tomorrow's ODI happens and Australia is able to win the match.

Courtesy: cricket

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Goa Blog

Deepika, Siddharth romancing in Goa

Posted: 23 Oct 2010 01:17 AM PDT

Lovebirds Deepika Padukone and Siddharth Mallya are holidaying in Goa. Deepika has taken her beau Sid to the wedding celebrations of her 'Break Ke Baad' director Danish Aslam with Shruti Seth. Apart from wedding celebration, both finds time to spend together. They were spotted at a resto-bar called Martin’s Corner on Monday night and on the street walked holding hand in hand.

After the wedding, their friends stuff returned to Mumbai but Deepika Padukone left back with her beau. It seems they are not fully satisfied. They wanted to be with each other some more time.

Courtesy: bollywoodmantra

Goa: Floating casinos get 3 months NOC

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 10:26 PM PDT

The government has given time to offshore casino operators to submit all relevant documents mandatory for their operations, while granting a three-month no-objection certificate (NOC) to ply in the River Mandovi. Incidentally, the offshore casino vessels have also maintained a status quo vis-a-vis shifting to new positions in the river that was given by the government recently. Sources said that while the off-shore casino operators have given technical reasons for not moving to their new positions, the reasons for some of them continuing to stay put has been opposed by Ribandar locals.

(Photograph credit: fameleaf)

“Three casinos - Arabian Sea King, Leela (Mint Casino) and the Caravela are to shift to the eastern side of Mandovi bridge. They are required to be positioned at least three kilometres away from the bridge,” sources said. Sources added that the validity of the NOC is for a period of three months.

Courtesy: TOI

Friday, October 22, 2010

Goa Blog

Goa ODI under rain threat

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 08:56 AM PDT

The third and final one day international between India and Australia scheduled to take place in Goa on Sunday is in doubt after rains threatened to play spoilsport. A top met official stated that the rain threat was due to the unseasonal rains caused by a low pressure in the Arabian Sea. Speaking to reporters, met department director K.V. Singh said there is a possibility of showers within the next two days. “The circulation off-Maharashtra is getting stronger and is drifting towards south Konkan and Goa region which has created this cloudy condition. It is likely to rain in next 48 hours in several parts of the state,” Singh said.

Goa over the last 15 days has witnessed thunderstorms, which is a departure from the state’s standard monsoon pattern. “We have recorded 191.7 mm rains in this month alone,” Singh said.

The Goa ODI which is being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, at Fatorda, 40 km from Margao, could help the Aussies level the three match series at 1-1. The first ODI at Kochi was cancelled due to heavy rains.

Courtesy: cricbuzz

Goa govt expects Rs 500 cr by collecting royalty on ore exports

Posted: 22 Oct 2010 07:20 AM PDT

Goa government expects to garner Rs 500 crore by March 2011 as royalty on the ore exported from state’s ports, a senior official said. ”During last two quarters of this financial year (FY), Rs 375 crore has been collected and with mining season yet to gain momentum, the revenue collection is expected to jump to projected Rs 500 crore mark,” Arvind Lolienkar, Director-Mines, told media. The corrective measures adopted for this fiscal has paid well for the department, he said.

Goa had earned Rs 292 crore for FY 2009-10. The jump in revenue is primarily due to royalty charged on ad-volerom, meaning the taxation depends upon international market prices. ”This is different from the earlier practice of charging fix Rs 8 per tonne on the ore exported,” Lolienkar said adding that department has meticulously streamlined its royalty collection methodology. The department has identified all revenue leaking points and exporters have been asked to deposit their royalty in time. “They have to deposit royalty by 10th of every month and file returns by 15th,” Lolienkar said.

Goa has exported 15 MT ore till September 15, this year as against the total of 42 MT ore exported FY 2009-10. Almost 80 per cent of the ore exported from Goa comprises of Iron ore. Chief Minister Digamber Kamat, after receiving flak for letting revenue drain, has worked out a mechanism of asking the ships to take No objection certificates (NOC) from the mines department before they leave the port. ”This will cut down on the export of illegal ore. The ship will have to certify legality of ore before it leaves overseas,” Lolienkar said.

Courtesy: ET

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Goa Blog

India, Australia arrive for final ODI in Goa
Holiday after fashion week
Congress wins Goa’s Valpoi bypoll
CCTV to Check Smuggling On Goa Karwar Route
ASI chalks out plan to restore Aguada fort in Goa
Goa’s staple ‘Fish curry-rice’ under threat

India, Australia arrive for final ODI in Goa

Posted: 21 Oct 2010 08:39 AM PDT

India and Australia today arrived here from Vishakapatnam ahead of the third and final one-dayer scheduled to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Sunday.

After the first ODI was washed off in Kochi, India won the second match by five wickets yesterday at Vizag to take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The Australians arrived here with only 12 playing members after injured speedster Doug Bollinger and key middle order batsman Michael Hussey flew home at the conclusion of the second match.

Cricket Australia’s Communications advisor Lachy Patterson, who is traveling with the visiting team, said that no replacements have been called for as the October 24 fixture was the concluding tie of the rubber.

“Yes, that’s correct. We have come here with 12 players. There won’t be any replacements (for Bollinger and Hussey), as this is the final match,” he told PTI. The two teams are set to have their first practice sessions at the Nehru Stadium here tomorrow.

Goa has been experiencing off-season rains over the last few days but with the sun coming out in full force the wicket has dried out nicely. Pitch curator Narayan Raju from Bangalore said the wicket for the match, which was damp following incessant rains over the last few days, has dried up well thanks in large measure to the bright sunshine yesterday and today.

“Even if it rains on the eve of the match we have provision to cover 90 per cent of the ground and the match can commence in time,” he told PTI. The last two matches at this venue have gone in India’s favour – after they had lost the earlier three ties.

India defeated England by 49 runs in 2005-06 and got the better of Sri Lanka in 2006-07, the last ODI held here, by five wickets. But Australia too have a wonderful record here, having won on both occasions they have played at this ground.

The Aussies won the inaugural tie held here as part of the MRF World Series in 1989-90, beating Sri Lanka by 20 runs. Their next fixture here was against India, which the Kangaroos won by four wickets in 2000-01.

Sunday’s match would be the eighth ODI to be held in Goa, with all matches – barring the washed-out Wills World Series fixture between New Zealand and the West Indies in 1994-95 — producing a result.

Courtesy:Herald

Holiday after fashion week

Posted: 21 Oct 2010 07:15 AM PDT

Model Nolana D’Mello is one dedicated lass. Even though she tied the knot just a few days ago – in fact, on October 10 – she’s already back to work and to the ramp.

Nolana was married in Goa, but immediately returned to Delhi for the upcoming edition of the fashion week. She’s not even been on her honeymoon yet!

When we met her during the fittings on the first day, Nolana told us that she wanted to come back for the shows to Delhi. Also, her husband has some work at the moment, and even he isn’t free. So, once the fashion week gets over, she says, “I will jet set to an exotic location so that I can enjoy my honeymoon-cum-holiday in peace. I’m so looking forward to it.”

Courtesy:TOI

Congress wins Goa’s Valpoi bypoll

Posted: 21 Oct 2010 05:36 AM PDT

Congress wrested the Valpoi seat from the BJP with its candidate Vishwajit Rane winning the election by a margin of over 8,000 votes on Thursday.

Congress polled 11,642 votes while BJP’s Santosh Haldankar could get only 3,237 votes.

The by-poll in this constituency was necessitated after Rane an independent candidate, resigned as member of Legislative Assembly and joined the Congress on June 24.

Talking to reporters, Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat said that Valpoi voters took the right step by supporting Congress.

With today’s win, Congress has increased its strength in the Goa Legislative Assembly to 20 in the 40 seat House.

BJP has 14 members, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party has two, Nationalist Congress party has three and an Independent legislator.

Courtesy:Sify

CCTV to Check Smuggling On Goa Karwar Route

Posted: 20 Oct 2010 09:54 AM PDT

After North Karnataka, now Uttara Kannada is turning to CCTVs to check crime rate. CCTVs have been installed at Majali checkpost in Karwar, Uttara Kannada district, to scan smuggling activities. This border area establishes a link between Goa and Karwar.

Various government departments like excise, commercial tax, mines and geology, Customs and police will check vehicles coming from both Goa and Karwar at this check post.

All these days, despite strict vigil, people managed to smuggle goods between Karwar and Goa as all the departments involved in checking at this juncture were reportedly finding it difficult to keep eye on each and every vehicle and person.

Realizing that it was a difficult task, police department, with the help of other departments, has installed three CCTVs at this checkpost on Tuesday evening. These CCTV cameras will capture the movement of vehicles and persons within a distance of around 5 to 6 mts on NH 17 leading to the checkpost.

Speaking to TOI, Raman Gupta, SP, Uttara Kannada district, said that Majali checkpost is one of the sensitive areas and there is always heavy traffic movement. With the installation of CCTVs, we can now keep an eye on each vehicle coming to our state from Goa and the vehicles proceeding to Goa from our state.

There will be no scope for smuggling and other illegal activities as cameras will follow and capture the image of each vehicle quickly, he said. ”We expect the crime rate in this border area to come down now. We plan to install more CCTVs in Karwar city at sensitive areas,” he added.

Courtesy:TOI

ASI chalks out plan to restore Aguada fort in Goa

Posted: 20 Oct 2010 09:37 AM PDT

he Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has drawn up a comprehensive restoration plan for the Aguada fort.

The ASI has submitted a Rs 1.6 crore restoration plan to the Centre after senior ASI officials certified that the stones at the foothill of the fort were crumbling. “The part of the fort facing sea is damaged. Also, some restoration work is required to be done at the top most portion of the fort,” ASI officials said. The moat area of the fort has seen pieces of stones falling down due to continuous contact with sea water. The fort, 10 kms away from here, houses a five-star hotel, a lighthouse and a jail at its foot. It was constructed in 1612 by the Portuguese to protect the territory from Dutch invasion.

Courtesy:IBN

Goa’s staple ‘Fish curry-rice’ under threat

Posted: 20 Oct 2010 09:10 AM PDT

After a marine biologist warned of a fish famine in the seas off Goa, an official Wednesday said unseasonal rains had hit paddy cultivation in excess of 20 percent — putting Goa’s showcase culinary staple ‘Fish curry and rice’ under threat.

Speaking to reporters in Panaji, Satish Tendulkar of the state agriculture department said unseasonal rains over the last week to ten days have caused large-scale damage to seasonal agriculture, especially paddy, which is a major crop of the kharif season.

‘We have received complaints that paddy cultivation has been destroyed by the rains from across the length of north Goa. In most cases, the farmers are in the middle of the harvesting process and these heavy rains have hit them hard,’ Tendulkar said.

‘The paddy crop in talukas (sub districts) like Ponda, Bardez and Pernem have been extremely damaged due to rains,’ he added.

Goa, which has nearly 31,000 hectares of land under paddy cultivation, produces in excess of 1.20 lakh tonne paddy annually.

‘We have dispatched our officers to determine the exact damage caused by the rains,’ the official said, adding that with the rains showing no sign of abating - the damage to the crop could be much more.

Leading marine biologist Baban Ingole, chief scientist at the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), has earlier warned that a combination of the state’s burgeoning fishing trawler industry, pollution and climate change was resulting in the fish being driven off the Goa coast, resulting in a ‘fish famine’ in the region.

‘It is both due to natural causes like climate change and decreased dissolved oxygen (in the seas) as well as man-made,’ Ingole had said, adding that popular fish like mackerel, sardines and prawns would be the first to exit the marine habitat off the state, which is flanked by the Arabian sea on the west.

Goa’s annual fish haul has steadily decreased over the years from 88,771 tonnes in 2009 to 80,687 tonnes this year.

Courtesy:MN