GOA

Mobile towers in Goa strictly monitored, radiation within norms: Telecom dept

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Misinformation about radiation from mobile towers is alarming in Goa, the department of telecommunications (DoT) said on Saturday. It said that several studies have shown that mobile tower electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation has no adverse impact on peoples Health.

The EMF project of World Health Organisation (WHO), after two decades of extensive research has corroborated that there is no evidence to support the claim that exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields is harmful to human health. The WHO has studied over 25,000 articles and reached the conclusion that there is no correlation between mobile tower EMF emissions and its hazardous impact on human health.

In India, EMF radiation norms are 10 times stricter than the limits prescribed by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and recommended by the WHO.

Goan-built vessel to help Maldives with maritime research, environment protection

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A 30-meter catamaran built byVijai Marine Shipyardat Rassaim was handed over on Monday to the Maldives government to undertake marine research. Funded by the (WB), the vessel – Thimaaveshi will help the Maldivian ministry of Environment,Climate Changeand Technology to track the effects of Climate Change, impact on coral reefs and Fisheries.

IIT Kharagpur helped Vijai Marine with the design and vessel construction.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant flagged off the vessel which will set sail for Maldives on Tuesday. This 30 meter catamaran ship has been built in Goa and this ship is a proud moment as it symbolizes Make in India and Make in Goa too. This ship has been built for the Maldives government, said Sawant.

Bicholim gets its first free dialysis facility, 10th such centre in state

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Health minister Vishwajit Rane said on Tuesday that in a bid to provide better healthcare Services in the state, the government has taken the initiative to startdialysiscentres in different parts. As such, the tenth dialysis centre was made operational at the community health centre, in Bicholim, on Tuesday. Chief minister Pramod Sawant has fully supported the initiative, the health minister said.

The state has over 1,000 patients on dialysis who take the treatment at various centres. The government then reimburses them the cost of dialysis.

For govt projects, Goa moves to acquire comunidade land

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After facing stiff opposition to its land acquisition initiatives, the has now decided to acquire comunidade land for public projects, with the prior Consent of the respective comunidades. Chief ministerPramod Sawanttold TOI that around 30% of land in Goa belongs to comunidades.
The government, to execute its decision, is set to amend some articles of theGoa legislative diploma.

The state government has also put in a clause wherein comunidades, in case they want to develop plots through private agencies, must invite bids after getting approval from the government.

The bill also seeks to enable the government, with prior consent, to grant land up to 2 lakh sqm on lease to any educational or Health institution, or any government-recognised charitable or social trust or institution involved in Education or health.

Goa to host International innovation expo next month

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Goa will host the International Innovation & Invention Expo (INEX) 2022 in November which aims to focus on start-ups, industrial technologies, technology transfer, and the promotion of local products in the global markets.

The Goa government has partnered with theIndian Innovators Associationfor the event.
Goa State Innovation Council along with the department of science, technology and Waste Management have tied up with Polish firm IBS Global to organise the event in Goa.

Govt notifies draft ODP-2031 for 4 areas, two months for scrutiny

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With threemonthsto go for the 2022 assembly , the State Government has opened up the outline development plans (ODP) 2031 for Margao, Ponda, Kadamba Plateau and Panaji, even though the present plans are valid till 2028.

The South Goa planning and development authority (SGPDA) and the Greater Panaji planning & development authority (GPPDA) have kept the ODPs of the planning areas for viewing. The planning bodies have also given a two-month period for the inputs regarding change of land use and zone change.

Thetwoplanning bodies had submitted the draftODP-2031in September to the town and country planning board, which granted provisional approval for thedraftODP-2031 in October.

The NGPDA has already notified the ODP 2030 of the Arpora-Nagoa-Parra planning area while in November 2020, the TCP approved the draft outline development (ODP) plan for the Mormugao planning area.

Copies of the draft ODP-2031 of the Kadamba Plateau, Margao, Panaji and Ponda planning areas have been kept for inspection at the offices of the SGPDA and NGPDA apart from the offices of the municipal bodies of the respective areas

Despite pandemic, budget is futuristic: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

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Goa chief ministerPramod Sawantsaid the Union Budget 2022-23 presented by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday was futuristic.

The chief minister further tweeted, The budget is formulated keeping in mind to enhance the Gati and Shakti of the economy for the bright future of the country, giving true to every sector of the economy. I am sure that this exercise is indeed a blueprint for the next 25 yeras, ie Amrit Kaal as said by FM.

Pathik will help track guests checking into hotels: Goa Police

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To keep a check on tourists visiting the state,Goa policehave started discussions with hotels to use a Software which will help it check every guest checking in and out.

Goa Police is in the process of implementing the Pathik software developed by Ahmadabad city police.Pathikis aimed at creating a digital searchable Database of all visitors/guests checking in and out of hotels and lodges.

Goa is a major tourist destination with a very large footfall, and it is expected that the implementation of Pathik would be a great help in ensuring the safety of citizens and tourists through better prevention and detection.

Goan film featuring Mhadeis biodiversity screened in Dhaka

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Afilmhighlighting the rich of Goas lifeline, the Mhadei, was screened in Bangladesh on December 17 as part of theInternational Film Festival at Dhaka.

The documentary titled Mhadei: Life in Monsoon, directed by Ashish Shah from Panaji for the Goa forest department, showcases glimpses of the richness of the biodiversity as well as the ecosystem of the Mhadei (known as the Mandovi downstream).

The film was scripted by Nandan Saxena and was part of a documentary series produced by the department over a period of three-four years, covering various aspects of Goas forests, ECOLOGY and wildlife.

The documentary film will also be screened at the lnternational Film Festival of Agra, in Uttar Pradesh. It is among 25 films selected from out of 100 entries submitted.