GOA

Chief ministerPramod Sawant inaugurated a solar power-basedelectrification programmefor rural households in the state. With an eye on 100% electrification, this project will provide power through to areas where grid connectivity isnt feasible.

The project is pursuant to an agreement signed by the Goa energy development agency (GEDA) with Convergence energy Services limited (CESL). Theproject Sawantannounced would be CESLs first off-grid engagement, and will install and maintain photovoltaic (PV) systems for five years under the governments remote village electrification programme. It will be executed through gram panchayats.

Even as the gross enrolment ratio (GER) in institutes of higher Education has touched 33.8%, the has set out to take it to 50% by 2035.

From 2016 to 2021, the male student’s Average GER was around 28.8, while for girls, it was 34.2.

Education secretary Prasad Lolayekar told TOI that the state’s target is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP), which mandates that enrolment in higher education should touch 50% by 2035.

Unesco defines GER as the “total enrolment in a specific level of education, regardless of age, expressed as a Percentage of the eligible official school-age Population corresponding to the same level of education in a given school year”.

He said that BITS-Pilani’s Goa campus in Zuarinagar has 4,200 students, and if these are added to Goa’s GER, it would be 36.2%. “As of date, BITS-Pilani shows their enrolment in Rajasthan, which is not correct. As per the rules, it should be shown in the state (Goa) number,” he said. The education secretary said that the directorate of higher education has written to the all-India higher education survey authority to include BITS-Pilani’s enrolment in the state GER.

Meanwhile, the gender parity index for Goa stands at 1.2% in higher educational institutes. Explaining this, Lolayekar said 1.2% means that for every 100 males enrolled in higher education institutes, there are 120 females.

Thestategovernment issued orders for takingoverCovid admissions in 21privatehospitals from Monday, for a period one month or until further orders. The said that50%of thebedsin privatehospitalswill be reserved for Covid patients.

The state government said that in order to make for sufficient provision of beds for Covid patients, private hospitals had earlier been directed to reserve a certain Percentage of their total bed capacity.

Payment for the treatment of DDSSY beneficiaries will be made by the government to the hospital based on the treatment provided and upon verification of the bills as per the rates fixed by the public Health department for treatment of Covid.

The state cabinet on Tuesday granted approval to amend theGoa Telecom Policyfor rolling out 5G mobile Services in the state.
This decision is likely to provide relief to consumers who face mobile connectivity issues. Theministry of communications(department of telecommunications), government of India, has notified TheIndian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016 for the establishment of an underground/overground telegraph line.
Subsequently, the Union Government amended the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016 in the years 2017, 2021 and 2022, intending to incorporate the provisions related to nominal one-time compensation and uniform procedure for establishment of overground telegraph line in the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016.

It is to inform that, under the Scheme for Special Assistance to State for Capital Investment for 2022-23, Part-V (optical fibre cable), an amount of Rs 3,000 crore is earmarked for this part of the scheme. This amount will be available to states for capital projects on OFC Network.

The allowed import of iron Ore extracted in other states or countries for domestic consumption or export fromMormugao PortAuthority (MPA). This will generate additional revenue for the state by way of Rs 50 per tonne as cess, processing fees and other incidental revenue opportunities.
The directorate of mines and geology notified amendments to the Goa (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Storage and Transportation of Minerals) Rules, 2013.

All imports shall be by rail route or road at the cost of importers under the strict supervision of directorate of mines and geology

The state had received representation from stakeholders requesting to allow them import of iron ore from Karnataka specifically for export from Mormugao port. Presently iron ore is being imported from Karnataka for domestic consumption only.

Principal secretary Puneet Kumar Goel is the new chief secretary of Goa.
He took charge on Tuesday following the retirement of Parimal Rai.
Goel, a 1991 cadre officer has held important portfolios finance included since his posting in Goa two years ago.

He will hold portfolios that were held by Rai such as Home, personnel, general administration.
The order appointing Goel as chief secretary was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs last month.

Efforts are under way to make the Goa state commission for persons with disabilities (PwDs) a separate department, saidGuruprasad Pawaskar, state commissioner forPwDs. The body currently operates under theSocial Welfare Department.

After the success of the first edition of the Purple Festival in Goa which was the first-ever inclusive festival for PwDs, Pawaskar has asked for suggestions from members of the disability community to formulate policies for PwDs in Sports and tourism sectors.

The commission is also contemplating making various grounds and stadia under theSports Authority of Goa(SAG) accessible to PwDs and invite special trainers as well as coaches to Goa to train para-athletes in the state at these grounds.

For tourism, beach access is also in the process at Baga, Arambol, Colva and Palolem. Additionally, 40 government buildings across the state are going to be made accessible within two years.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that the Mapusariverneeds to be desilted. The mouth of the river has reduced drastically, he said, adding that even canoes may not pass smoothly.
The chief minister also said that it could be developed into a tourist spot with a proper promenade and beautification.

He was inMapusato lay the foundation stone for a bridge across Mapusa river.

The project, being constructed by Goa State Development Corporation (GSIDC), will help decongestion of traffic at Tarikade. He said that the Rs 10 crore bridge will be completed in the next four months.