GOA

With an eye on the assembly constituencies in the mining belt, the cabinet on Monday granted approval to the re-introduction of the debt relief scheme for mining-affected borrowers of financial institutions, which will have an additional burden of Rs 11 crore on the state exchequer.

The cabinet note stated that since there was a request from stakeholders for further extension of the scheme, the request was forwarded to the government for a decision, however, in the meantime, the scheme expired on March 31 last year, thanks to which the CM had directed that the scheme be reintroduced for one year.

The borrowers who availed of credit facilities for barges, trucks, tippers, mining machinery/equipment from various financial institutions were unable to meet their repayment commitments, a senior official said. The non-performing assets (NPA) of the financial institutions increased substantially due to mining loans, especially in the co-operative sector.
During the last cabinet meeting, the state granted approval to a new policy for handling of mining dumps outside and inside mining leases through auctioning by the and allowing lessees to handle the dumps to restart mining activities in the state. Around 20 million tonnes of iron Ore are lying in the form of dumps.

The state has decided to auction mining leases. The government had identified eight mining leases to be auctioned, which are in Sattari and Bicholim talukas. Sawant had set a deadline to e-auction mining leases by December 15, but they have not yet been auctioned.

TheGoa Universityhas signed a MoU with Bangladeshs Bangabandhu SheikhMujibur Rahman Maritime University(BSMRMU) for cooperation in the maritime fields. Goa University has become the first varsity in the country to forge ties with the university.

The MoU was signed between GU and BSMRMU for cooperation in the maritime fields, extending support for Education, research, training, student and faculty exchange and joint research in areas of mutual interest. The study involves both fundamental and applied research leading to conceptualisation of various sensors and equipment for a sustainable usage of blue water.

Stampsoncyclonesand the scientists who helped in combating these during the past 10 years, could be released in a chronological sequence said vice chancellor of Goa University, Harilal Menon, at the GOAPEX exhibition.

The department of posts and the Goa Philatelic and Numismatic Society held the district-level virtual philatelic exhibition and launched special covers and picture postcards.

Fourth edition of biennial Goa Maritime Symposium was conducted successfully by the INDIAN NAVY at Goa from 31 October to 01 November 2022.

Coming out of the shadows of global COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian Navy was delighted to witness physical participation of overseas delegates from all 12 invitees. Representatives from Navies and Maritime Agencies from 12 Friendly Foreign Indian Ocean littoral countries, which included Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand, besides India, attended the Symposium, conducted by the Naval War College, Goa.

India has consistently advocated of the concept of for maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. The Goa Maritime Symposium and the Goa Maritime Conclave, conducted by the Indian Navy in alternating years is a manifestation of such efforts.

TheGoanfilm Kaajro (Bitter Tree) won a National Award at the 67th https://exam.pscnotes.com/national-film-Awards“>National Film Awards. M Venkaiah Naidu, Honourable Vice President of India handed over the national award to Shri Rajesh Pednekar, Creative Producer of the Konkani filmKaajroat the award ceremony held atRashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Kaajro, the film which is directed byNitin Bhaskarspeaks about the class and caste discrimination practiced in Society globally cutting across international boundaries. It is produced by de Goan Studio which is co-founded by Gayatri andRajesh R. Pednekar. This is their second feature film which has won a national award. The first film K Sera Sera (2016) also won a National award.

The film premiered in the Indian Panorama Section at the 47th IFFI (International Film Festival of India) at Goa and at several film festivals in India and internationally.

The ICAR-CCARI currently has 24 scientists, besides the director in four departments natural resource management, crop science, animal and science and Horticulture science.

Sawant said that Goa is fast becoming the preferred base for startups and tech entrepreneurs who are looking at remote working. The priority of my government is to retain Goans in Goa. I call upon all Goan youth and entrepreneurs. Come create a new India, not just technology startups but startups of all kinds, he said.

Goa along with other coastal states has been facing the brunt of extreme weather events occurring more closely than ever before. Activists said that despite this, the impact of the Climate crisis has been overlooked in the draft coastal zone management plan (CZMP).

A series of in 2019 and 2020, extremely heavy rainfall that caused unprecedented flooding, and even a hail storm more recently has made experts realise that the close sequence of these events is evidence of Climate Change.

With the sea level rise likely to be in the range of a metre in the near future, the ramifications are likely to be catastrophic for Goa, as many parts in low lying areas would be submerged. Beaches would face greater erosion and cultivable land would be lost. Even settlements could face threat from these extreme weather events.

Promoting Sustainable Development with threats of natural hazards in coastal areas, especially sea level rise, is one of the objectives of CRZ Notification 2011.

Three bidders have shown interest in setting up model beach shacks at overall the cost of Rs 4 crore inNorth and South Goa.

The contractors have to study the site conditions and quote the rates accordingly. No extra claims will be entertained due to the conditions prevailing at the site, approaches, storing and stacking facilities, etc.
To be built in the one-plus-one format, these shacks are expected to be an upgraded version of the current structures and will allow tourists to relax and enjoy their meals while being able to take in an unhindered view of the sea from the upper deck.

Once set up as part of a pilot project, the four model shacks will be leased out.