GOA

The has granted its approval for the purchase of 11narcoticdetection kits for testing of banned substances on the spot during raids.

Currently, chemical drugs are sent out of the state for analysis, with most seized substances sent to thecentral forensic science laboratory(CFSL), Hyderabad. However, ganja and charas are tested at the food and drugs administration (FDA) laboratory in Goa. The current procedure of sending drugs out of Goa is time-consuming and hinders both investigations and chargesheets/closure reports, Police said.

Chief ministerPramod Sawantand IT ministerRohan Khaunteannounced that 75 Wi-Fi hotspots will be activated in villages to make Internet available in the hinterland.

The department for IT, electronics and Communication activated 10 of the 75 Wi-Fi hotspots across five constituencies based on the requests of MLAs.

The government has already taken the lead to launch the Har Ghar Fiber scheme, under which, each household will be connected to an internet Network.

On setting up of CSCs, the minister further said that the state will set up CSCs in the remaining four talukas Dharbandora, Bicholim, Mormugao, and Tiswadi in the coming months.

The has notified theMiningDumpPolicythus permitting handling of low-grade ironOregenerated between November 23, 2007, and September 11, 2012.
The government had granted approval to the new policy in December 2021, just before the Code Of Conduct came into force, in a bid to restart mining activities.

The mineral rejects, sub grade ore or by-product, which were generated during the course of mining from November 23, 2007, to September 11, 2012, shall be disposed off as may be determined by the state government, including auctioning as per existing e-auction policy of the state government.

The policy allows handling of mining dumps outside and inside leases through auctioning by the state government and allows lessees to handle the dumps.

The spent over Rs 67 crore of taxpayers Money, purchasing 536 vehicles for various government departments between 2018 and 2022.

A large chunk of the expenditure Rs 29.3 crore (43%) was incurred by the directorate of fire and emergency Services on 22 vehicles, including quick response fire tenders, multipurpose fire tenders, quick response vehicles, motorcycle response units and water tankers. The department also purchased a man turntable ladder truck costing over Rs 6.7 crore.

The Police department purchased the highest number of vehicles i.e. 239, including two- and four-wheelers, incurring the second highest expenditure among all departments of over Rs 13 crore.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharamans announcement that the Special Economic ZonesAct, 2005, (SEZAct) will be revamped to enable states to partner in industrial hubs has aroused thecuriosityof several local industrialists. Given that Sitharaman said that the new law would cover existing industrial enclaves many in the state are eager to see the new legislation when it comes.

As part of the PM Gati Shakti master plan, Sitharaman proposed 50-year, interest-free loans of Rs 1 lakh crore to states to help them attract investments in the financial year 2022-23. Local industrialists said that if Goa could attract some of these funds, it could help improve and bring in private investments. There are additional funds also made available to states, which, if utilised properly, can help to develop the state. Projects under Gati Shakti can be planned and Logistics can be promoted in a big way, chairman, MSME national council, Assocham, Manguirish Pai Raikar said.

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.