Apna Ghar inmate turns violent
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The authorities at Apna Ghar, Merces, lodged a police complaint against an 18-year-old inmate for turning violent. According to Old Goa
police, officials of Apna Ghar said that one Cyrone Rodrigues who recently turned 18 complained that he was feeling unwell. However when a nurse approached him, he allegedy turned violent.
"They also alleged that he damaged the tube-lights," a police officer said. Rodrigues was admitted to the home after police detained him in crimal cases when he was a minor. The police said that he was allegedly involved in a theft case at Marcel and other cases at Porvorim, Pernem and Panaji. The police are conducting further investigations.
28 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Asked to leave, but when did they arrive?
Asked to leave, but when did they arrive?
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: German national Karl Heinz Tetzener is not the only foreigner whose date of entry into Goa is not known. The cops have no clue of the
entry date of any of the 122 foreigners served deportation orders between 2002 and 2008.
The foreigner’s registration office (FRO) is also clueless about the whereabouts of four foreigners served deportation orders as they have no confirmation of their having left the country, reveals information obtained by TOI under the Right to Information Act.
Add to this three foreigners overstaying due to court cases pending against them and four others who have approached the court after having been served deportation orders for being involved in “undesirable activities”.
A majority of those served deportation orders were convicted for overstaying under the Foreigner’s Act, while 11 convicted under the NDPS Act were also issued deportation orders.
Explaining why the foreigner’s date of arrival in Goa is not known, an FRO official said, “If a foreigner, especially on a tourist visa, arrives in some other part of the country and then comes to Goa, we don’t have their date of arrival in Goa. However, instructions have been issued to local police to keep a check on foreigners so that they don’t overstay or violate the provisions of law.”
11 March 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: German national Karl Heinz Tetzener is not the only foreigner whose date of entry into Goa is not known. The cops have no clue of the
entry date of any of the 122 foreigners served deportation orders between 2002 and 2008.
The foreigner’s registration office (FRO) is also clueless about the whereabouts of four foreigners served deportation orders as they have no confirmation of their having left the country, reveals information obtained by TOI under the Right to Information Act.
Add to this three foreigners overstaying due to court cases pending against them and four others who have approached the court after having been served deportation orders for being involved in “undesirable activities”.
A majority of those served deportation orders were convicted for overstaying under the Foreigner’s Act, while 11 convicted under the NDPS Act were also issued deportation orders.
Explaining why the foreigner’s date of arrival in Goa is not known, an FRO official said, “If a foreigner, especially on a tourist visa, arrives in some other part of the country and then comes to Goa, we don’t have their date of arrival in Goa. However, instructions have been issued to local police to keep a check on foreigners so that they don’t overstay or violate the provisions of law.”
11 March 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
He came, he saw, stayed on and got a ration card
He came, he saw, stayed on and got a ration card
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: German national Karl Heinz Tetzener who has managed to acquire various documents, including a ration card and a driving licence in Goa,
claims he has done nothing wrong.
“The police say that the documents I acquired in Goa are fake. I don’t know if I am right or wrong, but I definitely know that I am innocent,” Tetzener said.
“If the authorities weren’t supposed to issue me certificates, why did they? I have always been open about my nationality. I have led a straight life and I don’t cheat,” Tetzener defends himself.
Police sources said that after arresting Tetzener, they conducted an inquiry and recorded his statement and that the foreigner’s registration office (FRO) has written to the special secretary (home) to take cognizance of the matter. The FRO wrote that Tetzener, “has no Indian citizenship nor is there any record of him having applied for it”.
All that SP (PRO) Atmaram Deshpande said was: “We have forwarded the matter to home department for their consideration.”
Describing his journey to Goa, Tetzener from Itzehoe in North Germany, said that finishing his four-year service in the German army, he took a break to travel the world. With a backpack and some money, he travelled to Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and then India. “Before I entered the other countries, they insisted on valid documents, but at the Wagah border I was allowed to enter the country with others in a bus from Pakistan. No one stopped me and after travelling in various Indian states, I came down to Goa, where I met my wife, a Goan.” They were married in December 1978 and have two daughters, settled in Goa. The couple have a civil marriage registration certificate issued from Ponda.
“Goa is my home. In the last 30 years I have never visited Germany. I may have made some mistakes. But please have a heart, my home and family is here. I have no home in Germany. If I am deported, where will I go? My heart is here,” Tetzener pleads.
7 Mar 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: German national Karl Heinz Tetzener who has managed to acquire various documents, including a ration card and a driving licence in Goa,
claims he has done nothing wrong.
“The police say that the documents I acquired in Goa are fake. I don’t know if I am right or wrong, but I definitely know that I am innocent,” Tetzener said.
“If the authorities weren’t supposed to issue me certificates, why did they? I have always been open about my nationality. I have led a straight life and I don’t cheat,” Tetzener defends himself.
Police sources said that after arresting Tetzener, they conducted an inquiry and recorded his statement and that the foreigner’s registration office (FRO) has written to the special secretary (home) to take cognizance of the matter. The FRO wrote that Tetzener, “has no Indian citizenship nor is there any record of him having applied for it”.
All that SP (PRO) Atmaram Deshpande said was: “We have forwarded the matter to home department for their consideration.”
Describing his journey to Goa, Tetzener from Itzehoe in North Germany, said that finishing his four-year service in the German army, he took a break to travel the world. With a backpack and some money, he travelled to Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and then India. “Before I entered the other countries, they insisted on valid documents, but at the Wagah border I was allowed to enter the country with others in a bus from Pakistan. No one stopped me and after travelling in various Indian states, I came down to Goa, where I met my wife, a Goan.” They were married in December 1978 and have two daughters, settled in Goa. The couple have a civil marriage registration certificate issued from Ponda.
“Goa is my home. In the last 30 years I have never visited Germany. I may have made some mistakes. But please have a heart, my home and family is here. I have no home in Germany. If I am deported, where will I go? My heart is here,” Tetzener pleads.
7 Mar 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Illegal forex trade in Goa on upswing
Illegal forex trade in Goa on upswing
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: While holidaying in Goa, British tourist Daniel Clemente discovered a simple way to avoid interminable queues and paperwork while exchanging currency. He familiarized himself with unauthorized dealers — from jewellers to taxi drivers, shack employees to tour guides.
Clemente claims that by trading in this manner, he not only earned more, but also saved about Rs 25, which is charged as taxes by recognized forex dealers.
Illegal exchange of foreign currency in Goa is a fact. The directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) in a report to the state government in 2008 emphasized on the "emerging/thriving hawala racket in the state" and said that those involved also had a hand in counterfeit Indian currency, "the quantum of which, though may be diminutive at present but if not impeded, may soon assume gigantic proportions".
The report suggested that unscrupulous individuals involved in accumulating foreign currency from various sources to funnel the hawala system had surfaced in North Goa and claimed to be working for "D" company. Reports from the US suggest that 'hawala' money in India is directly linked to financing terrorists.
Explaining how the illegal trade functions, a forex analyst said, "The foreigners get 50 paise to Re 1 more than the market value on every pound or dollar exchanged, while the unauthorized dealer earns up to Rs 3, depending on the market situation. The foreign currency is collected daily by small time agents in the state and routed out."
Though intelligence sources reveal that the magnitude of the problem is huge and the illegal trade continues largely unchallenged in the state, former DGP B S Brar said, "Such activities have not come to our notice."
However, police records reveal that between January 2007 and December 2008, the number of cases of duplication or counterfeiting of currency reported was 32. Of these, only five were detected and chargesheets filed. Police claim that a majority of such cases were based on complaints by banks discovering fake notes in their treasury.
Police sources said probes into counterfeit notes revealed a Bangladeshi link but investigations reached a “dead end” as those arrested for possession of fake notes were poor labourers sent to the state to act as couriers.
Police sources also said that investigations found that counterfeit money was sent through couriers to Goa to be handed over to a contractor, who would contact them. But the police are clueless as to where this money goes from the contractor's hands.
SP (public relations) Atmaram Deshpande said, "Though investigations continue, the trail has gone cold as the real persons involved in the trade are not traceable. The persons arrested are mere couriers or end beneficiaries."
(Name of tourist changed on request)
5 Mar 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: While holidaying in Goa, British tourist Daniel Clemente discovered a simple way to avoid interminable queues and paperwork while exchanging currency. He familiarized himself with unauthorized dealers — from jewellers to taxi drivers, shack employees to tour guides.
Clemente claims that by trading in this manner, he not only earned more, but also saved about Rs 25, which is charged as taxes by recognized forex dealers.
Illegal exchange of foreign currency in Goa is a fact. The directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) in a report to the state government in 2008 emphasized on the "emerging/thriving hawala racket in the state" and said that those involved also had a hand in counterfeit Indian currency, "the quantum of which, though may be diminutive at present but if not impeded, may soon assume gigantic proportions".
The report suggested that unscrupulous individuals involved in accumulating foreign currency from various sources to funnel the hawala system had surfaced in North Goa and claimed to be working for "D" company. Reports from the US suggest that 'hawala' money in India is directly linked to financing terrorists.
Explaining how the illegal trade functions, a forex analyst said, "The foreigners get 50 paise to Re 1 more than the market value on every pound or dollar exchanged, while the unauthorized dealer earns up to Rs 3, depending on the market situation. The foreign currency is collected daily by small time agents in the state and routed out."
Though intelligence sources reveal that the magnitude of the problem is huge and the illegal trade continues largely unchallenged in the state, former DGP B S Brar said, "Such activities have not come to our notice."
However, police records reveal that between January 2007 and December 2008, the number of cases of duplication or counterfeiting of currency reported was 32. Of these, only five were detected and chargesheets filed. Police claim that a majority of such cases were based on complaints by banks discovering fake notes in their treasury.
Police sources said probes into counterfeit notes revealed a Bangladeshi link but investigations reached a “dead end” as those arrested for possession of fake notes were poor labourers sent to the state to act as couriers.
Police sources also said that investigations found that counterfeit money was sent through couriers to Goa to be handed over to a contractor, who would contact them. But the police are clueless as to where this money goes from the contractor's hands.
SP (public relations) Atmaram Deshpande said, "Though investigations continue, the trail has gone cold as the real persons involved in the trade are not traceable. The persons arrested are mere couriers or end beneficiaries."
(Name of tourist changed on request)
5 Mar 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Abuse charge on Apna Ghar caretakers
Abuse charge on Apna Ghar caretakers
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The Dickensian nightmares from the Merces-based juvenile home Apna Ghar continue to pour out with Children’s Rights in Goa, an NGO, on
Saturday filing a police complaint against two caretakers for allegedly abusing and assaulting two minor boys over four months ago.
The complaint follows an inquiry report submitted on February 16 by the principal magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board to the Women and Child Development department for “action and compliance” in the matter. On October 6, 2008, the CRG filed an application before the JJB for an inquiry into an incident, three days prior, where two minors were allegedly assaulted and abused by caretakers Raju and Minguel.
22 Feb 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The Dickensian nightmares from the Merces-based juvenile home Apna Ghar continue to pour out with Children’s Rights in Goa, an NGO, on
Saturday filing a police complaint against two caretakers for allegedly abusing and assaulting two minor boys over four months ago.
The complaint follows an inquiry report submitted on February 16 by the principal magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board to the Women and Child Development department for “action and compliance” in the matter. On October 6, 2008, the CRG filed an application before the JJB for an inquiry into an incident, three days prior, where two minors were allegedly assaulted and abused by caretakers Raju and Minguel.
22 Feb 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa no longer safe for tourists?
Goa no longer safe for tourists?
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANJIM: Goa has always had its share of tourist troubles — from the nudist beaches of the sixties to drug peddling, and more recently, to
pedophilia rackets. But the spike in murder and rape incidents in the last two months has darkened the mood in this otherwise charming and peaceful coastal state.
Under threat is the beach. That sandy magnet which attracts solo backpackers, families and young groups from all over the world, has become the site of unnatural deaths. As attack after attack of rape and unnatural drowning has hit the news, the sense of dismay has grown among the tourists and locals. It has forced the Goa government, which is in a perpetual state of political intrigue, to take a hard look at a scenario where there are five lakh tourists every year and only 68 tourist police personnel to be of assistance.
In the last two years, more than 126 foreign tourists have died in Goa. The figures of the Goa Police's Foreigners Branch reveal that 55 foreigners died during 2006, 59 in 2007 and 12 in the first two months of 2008. Scarlette Keeling's death it appears is only the latest in a string of crime.
• A 32-year-old British woman was raped on January 12 allegedly by an unknown person in Panjim.
• Two British women were sexually assaulted by the owner of a resort, a Russian woman was attacked by a beach cafe owner in south Goa and a Finnish woman alleged that two local men threatened to rape her at a beach shack.
• Two Japanese tourists Urano Asaki and Keigo Yashiki died of drug abuse early this month.
"Sexual harassment in public places is routine, even if you are with your partner. Men stare at you and pass lewd comments. The police are not at all helpful. I am scared to go to the Anjuna or Vagator beach after sunset," said American tourist Dakini Runningbear, who says she was drugged and robbed at Anjuna.
But police officials say that foreign tourists cannot afford to simply point the finger. They allege that foreigners have little respect for local values and dress codes and come to the state only for trance parties on the beach, fuelled by drugs and alcohol.
But others feel that a zero-tolerance approach to drugs is the only way to get rid of the rot. "The majority of deaths occur due to drug abuse," said Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Nitin Kunkolienkar. "Rape and sexual abuse are interlinked with drug abuse. If the government really wants to control this, they need to seriously take on the local drug lords rather than watch helplessly. Goa can only become the best tourist destination if the government acts on the intelligence reports it has gathered against drug abuse."
SP (Tourist Police) Waman Tari downplayed the issue. "Goa is safe," he stated. This view is maintained even by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd managing director Sanjith Rodrigues. However, Rodrigues admits that foreigners need to be more careful about whom they befriend. "Security needs to be tightened and people should also be careful," he added.
9 Mar 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANJIM: Goa has always had its share of tourist troubles — from the nudist beaches of the sixties to drug peddling, and more recently, to
pedophilia rackets. But the spike in murder and rape incidents in the last two months has darkened the mood in this otherwise charming and peaceful coastal state.
Under threat is the beach. That sandy magnet which attracts solo backpackers, families and young groups from all over the world, has become the site of unnatural deaths. As attack after attack of rape and unnatural drowning has hit the news, the sense of dismay has grown among the tourists and locals. It has forced the Goa government, which is in a perpetual state of political intrigue, to take a hard look at a scenario where there are five lakh tourists every year and only 68 tourist police personnel to be of assistance.
In the last two years, more than 126 foreign tourists have died in Goa. The figures of the Goa Police's Foreigners Branch reveal that 55 foreigners died during 2006, 59 in 2007 and 12 in the first two months of 2008. Scarlette Keeling's death it appears is only the latest in a string of crime.
• A 32-year-old British woman was raped on January 12 allegedly by an unknown person in Panjim.
• Two British women were sexually assaulted by the owner of a resort, a Russian woman was attacked by a beach cafe owner in south Goa and a Finnish woman alleged that two local men threatened to rape her at a beach shack.
• Two Japanese tourists Urano Asaki and Keigo Yashiki died of drug abuse early this month.
"Sexual harassment in public places is routine, even if you are with your partner. Men stare at you and pass lewd comments. The police are not at all helpful. I am scared to go to the Anjuna or Vagator beach after sunset," said American tourist Dakini Runningbear, who says she was drugged and robbed at Anjuna.
But police officials say that foreign tourists cannot afford to simply point the finger. They allege that foreigners have little respect for local values and dress codes and come to the state only for trance parties on the beach, fuelled by drugs and alcohol.
But others feel that a zero-tolerance approach to drugs is the only way to get rid of the rot. "The majority of deaths occur due to drug abuse," said Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Nitin Kunkolienkar. "Rape and sexual abuse are interlinked with drug abuse. If the government really wants to control this, they need to seriously take on the local drug lords rather than watch helplessly. Goa can only become the best tourist destination if the government acts on the intelligence reports it has gathered against drug abuse."
SP (Tourist Police) Waman Tari downplayed the issue. "Goa is safe," he stated. This view is maintained even by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd managing director Sanjith Rodrigues. However, Rodrigues admits that foreigners need to be more careful about whom they befriend. "Security needs to be tightened and people should also be careful," he added.
9 Mar 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Lax security at MPT matter of concern
Lax security at MPT matter of concern
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Should terrorists decide to exploit lax container security at ports to smuggle in bombs or WMDs, as warned by Navy chief Admiral Sureesh
Mehta on Wednesday, Mormugao port would be an easy entry point.
Not only are the checks on container cargo leaving Mormugao Port Trust inadequate, but goods are inspected only manually by the customs. Further, if one is a “known” importer, then the 5% selection process is followed, wherein only 5% of the goods are randomly checked.
Add to this the fact that the port has neither a bomb disposal squad nor a dog squad, no facility to scan cargo or CCTV’s to record the movement of people, even though there are allegations by port authorities that Pakistani seamen employed on international merchant ships are being illegally ferried by fishing trawlers and boats to the shore. General cargo berths 10 and 11 are close to Kharewada fishing jetty.
Admitting that the threat was real and the current security measures inadequate, port authorities and custom officials said they planned to plug the gaps and instal CCTVs at vital points, besides utilizing other equipment like radio frequency identification device for vehicles and bio-metric scan system for identification of personnel.
Mormugao port, which has lax security measures, handles about 15,000 containers a year. Only one feeder vessel arrives every eight days from Colombo, Sri Lanka. This is significant, as post the Mumbai attack, an intelligence input to states on the western coast raised concerns about Colombo’s links with the LeT and suspicion that “some boats from Colombo carrying explosives and arms” may land at Mangalore.
“After 9/11, the US has taken stringent steps to ensure proper security at its ports. But despite several instances of known landings of men and machinery in India we have not taken sufficient measures,” said officials.
“Security of the port is our responsibility. As far as container cargo is concerned, checking is done by the customs, not us. They have installed mobile and fixed scanners at other ports and with time, once there is sufficient container traffic, they will install a scanner here too,” said MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal.
“Despite our best efforts, it would be intelligence inputs and installation of container scanners and other equipment that would play a crucial role in thwarting any untoward act,” said Amit Kamat, president, Goa Custom House Agents Association.
A senior custom official said that it would be difficult to check each and every container and that the installation of a scanner may not really help. “Weapons can broken up and the components dispatched separately. The only possibility of identification being that of the core material which is possible with specialized equipment like Geiger counters usually used to detect gamma and beta radiation,” he said.
“Industry expects the customs department to clear the goods in a speedy manner. There is continuous demand to reduce the transaction time. Though enhancing security measures is now unavoidable, it will obviously increase the transaction time,” said Kamat. Clearance of goods at present takes about 48 hours.
On an average 100 to 140 containers containing machines, raw materials, HDPE granules used for making plastic, electronic components, cables, medical instruments and other raw materials are imported to Goa every eight days in the feeder vessel.
Once an importer of container cargo pays the duty, it is inspected by the customs, the contents opened and physically checked to verify the description, nature, quantity and weight. About 15 to 20 minutes is devoted to checking the container, said sources. But just 5% of a known importer’s cargo is checked at random to enable speedy clearance. “However, this depends on the nature of commodity, type of importer (manufacturer or exporter) and specific intelligence inputs. But if they are traders, then they check 100%,” said sources.
21 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Should terrorists decide to exploit lax container security at ports to smuggle in bombs or WMDs, as warned by Navy chief Admiral Sureesh
Mehta on Wednesday, Mormugao port would be an easy entry point.
Not only are the checks on container cargo leaving Mormugao Port Trust inadequate, but goods are inspected only manually by the customs. Further, if one is a “known” importer, then the 5% selection process is followed, wherein only 5% of the goods are randomly checked.
Add to this the fact that the port has neither a bomb disposal squad nor a dog squad, no facility to scan cargo or CCTV’s to record the movement of people, even though there are allegations by port authorities that Pakistani seamen employed on international merchant ships are being illegally ferried by fishing trawlers and boats to the shore. General cargo berths 10 and 11 are close to Kharewada fishing jetty.
Admitting that the threat was real and the current security measures inadequate, port authorities and custom officials said they planned to plug the gaps and instal CCTVs at vital points, besides utilizing other equipment like radio frequency identification device for vehicles and bio-metric scan system for identification of personnel.
Mormugao port, which has lax security measures, handles about 15,000 containers a year. Only one feeder vessel arrives every eight days from Colombo, Sri Lanka. This is significant, as post the Mumbai attack, an intelligence input to states on the western coast raised concerns about Colombo’s links with the LeT and suspicion that “some boats from Colombo carrying explosives and arms” may land at Mangalore.
“After 9/11, the US has taken stringent steps to ensure proper security at its ports. But despite several instances of known landings of men and machinery in India we have not taken sufficient measures,” said officials.
“Security of the port is our responsibility. As far as container cargo is concerned, checking is done by the customs, not us. They have installed mobile and fixed scanners at other ports and with time, once there is sufficient container traffic, they will install a scanner here too,” said MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal.
“Despite our best efforts, it would be intelligence inputs and installation of container scanners and other equipment that would play a crucial role in thwarting any untoward act,” said Amit Kamat, president, Goa Custom House Agents Association.
A senior custom official said that it would be difficult to check each and every container and that the installation of a scanner may not really help. “Weapons can broken up and the components dispatched separately. The only possibility of identification being that of the core material which is possible with specialized equipment like Geiger counters usually used to detect gamma and beta radiation,” he said.
“Industry expects the customs department to clear the goods in a speedy manner. There is continuous demand to reduce the transaction time. Though enhancing security measures is now unavoidable, it will obviously increase the transaction time,” said Kamat. Clearance of goods at present takes about 48 hours.
On an average 100 to 140 containers containing machines, raw materials, HDPE granules used for making plastic, electronic components, cables, medical instruments and other raw materials are imported to Goa every eight days in the feeder vessel.
Once an importer of container cargo pays the duty, it is inspected by the customs, the contents opened and physically checked to verify the description, nature, quantity and weight. About 15 to 20 minutes is devoted to checking the container, said sources. But just 5% of a known importer’s cargo is checked at random to enable speedy clearance. “However, this depends on the nature of commodity, type of importer (manufacturer or exporter) and specific intelligence inputs. But if they are traders, then they check 100%,” said sources.
21 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Obesity stalking Goans
Obesity stalking Goans
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Goan adults are far more overweight than other Indians and this is causing a serious concern among health professionals. And when it
comes to being obese, Goan women outdo the men.
The percentage of women who are overweight or obese is 27, much higher than the all India figure of 14.8%. The men are not far behind though, with 20.8% of Goan men being obese or overweight, again higher than the all India percentage of 12.1. This has been revealed by the Health Intelligence Bureau report, 2007, of the Directorate of Health Services.
The year of reference for the data is 2005-06 and it reveals the nutritional status of adults (age 15 to 49).
"Obesity is a growing disease among Goans. It is a silent killer," said Dr Digambar Naik from Vrundavan Hospital, Mapusa. Naik added that 60% of the patients above the age of 40 who come to the hospital are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30.
"Abdominal obesity is a problem in Goa and about one-third of the adult population is obese," said Dr Rufino Monteiro from Vintage Hospital, Panaji.
A person with a BMI between 25 and 35 is deemed obese or overweight and those with BMI of 35 and above are considered to be morbidly obese.
"The socio-economic status in Goa being the highest in the country, we have the additional burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular ailments and cancer, which are linked to sedentary lifestyles that lead to obesity," said Goa Medical College’s preventive and social medicine associate professor Dr Jagdish Cacodcar.
26 Jun 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Goan adults are far more overweight than other Indians and this is causing a serious concern among health professionals. And when it
comes to being obese, Goan women outdo the men.
The percentage of women who are overweight or obese is 27, much higher than the all India figure of 14.8%. The men are not far behind though, with 20.8% of Goan men being obese or overweight, again higher than the all India percentage of 12.1. This has been revealed by the Health Intelligence Bureau report, 2007, of the Directorate of Health Services.
The year of reference for the data is 2005-06 and it reveals the nutritional status of adults (age 15 to 49).
"Obesity is a growing disease among Goans. It is a silent killer," said Dr Digambar Naik from Vrundavan Hospital, Mapusa. Naik added that 60% of the patients above the age of 40 who come to the hospital are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30.
"Abdominal obesity is a problem in Goa and about one-third of the adult population is obese," said Dr Rufino Monteiro from Vintage Hospital, Panaji.
A person with a BMI between 25 and 35 is deemed obese or overweight and those with BMI of 35 and above are considered to be morbidly obese.
"The socio-economic status in Goa being the highest in the country, we have the additional burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular ailments and cancer, which are linked to sedentary lifestyles that lead to obesity," said Goa Medical College’s preventive and social medicine associate professor Dr Jagdish Cacodcar.
26 Jun 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
There's no recession at MPT
There's no recession at MPT
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Despite plunging global markets and an economic meltdown, Mormugao Port Trust's cargo traffic is set to touch 40 million tonnes this
financial year, above the estimated target of 37 million tonnes.
Confirming this MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal said, "This year we will set an all time record as cargo traffic at the port has gone much above what was estimated."
With just over a month to go to the end of the financial year, MPT expects to beat last year's traffic of 35.13 million tonnes and even the estimated target for the current financial year.
Sources at MPT said that recession has not affected them. "It is only getting better," sources said. MPT's traffic this financial is almost 9% of the total 519.24 million tonnes handled by the twelve major ports of India last year.
Much of the cargo has been in the form of iron ore and coal. Last year, over 27.30 million tonnes of iron ore had been exported through MPT mainly to China, Japan, Korea and some European countries. "Business picked up in December 2008 and January 2009, and iron ore exports increased, due to which traffic this financial would be almost similar to that of last year. But from April 2009, it may be a different tale altogether," said S Sridhar, executive director, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association.
Sources said that though ore makes up the bulk of the cargo, there has been a steady increase in liquid and general cargo traffic too. Besides, iron ore, 5.29 millions tonnes of coal or coke and 1.41 million tonnes of petroleum products and other liquid cargo were exported during the last financial year. The remaining traffic consisted of fertilizers, alumina, limestone, containerized cargo, HR steel coil and steel slabs.
Container business, however, declined. "On an average, 100 to 140 containers arrive in Goa every eight days in a feeder vessel from Colombo. But due to recession, this has gone down to 30 to 50 containers per voyage for almost a month now," said Amit Kamat, president, Goa Custom House Agents Association. Last year, MPT handled about 15,000 containers.
However, sources at MPT blame this decline not just on recession, but to the insufficient number of feeder vessels calling at the port, absence of four-lane highway and insufficient railway rakes for transport. "We are trying to put these things in place and once that is done, four years from now, we will have a handling capacity of about 50,000 containers," added sources.
At present with the container traffic insufficient, there is only a feeder vessel to and from Colombo, a transhipment port. No main line vessels call at MPT.
24 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Despite plunging global markets and an economic meltdown, Mormugao Port Trust's cargo traffic is set to touch 40 million tonnes this
financial year, above the estimated target of 37 million tonnes.
Confirming this MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal said, "This year we will set an all time record as cargo traffic at the port has gone much above what was estimated."
With just over a month to go to the end of the financial year, MPT expects to beat last year's traffic of 35.13 million tonnes and even the estimated target for the current financial year.
Sources at MPT said that recession has not affected them. "It is only getting better," sources said. MPT's traffic this financial is almost 9% of the total 519.24 million tonnes handled by the twelve major ports of India last year.
Much of the cargo has been in the form of iron ore and coal. Last year, over 27.30 million tonnes of iron ore had been exported through MPT mainly to China, Japan, Korea and some European countries. "Business picked up in December 2008 and January 2009, and iron ore exports increased, due to which traffic this financial would be almost similar to that of last year. But from April 2009, it may be a different tale altogether," said S Sridhar, executive director, Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association.
Sources said that though ore makes up the bulk of the cargo, there has been a steady increase in liquid and general cargo traffic too. Besides, iron ore, 5.29 millions tonnes of coal or coke and 1.41 million tonnes of petroleum products and other liquid cargo were exported during the last financial year. The remaining traffic consisted of fertilizers, alumina, limestone, containerized cargo, HR steel coil and steel slabs.
Container business, however, declined. "On an average, 100 to 140 containers arrive in Goa every eight days in a feeder vessel from Colombo. But due to recession, this has gone down to 30 to 50 containers per voyage for almost a month now," said Amit Kamat, president, Goa Custom House Agents Association. Last year, MPT handled about 15,000 containers.
However, sources at MPT blame this decline not just on recession, but to the insufficient number of feeder vessels calling at the port, absence of four-lane highway and insufficient railway rakes for transport. "We are trying to put these things in place and once that is done, four years from now, we will have a handling capacity of about 50,000 containers," added sources.
At present with the container traffic insufficient, there is only a feeder vessel to and from Colombo, a transhipment port. No main line vessels call at MPT.
24 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Govt plan may hit poor hard
Govt plan may hit poor hard
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Patients, including the economically backward, may have to pay for availing of radiology services in the two government hospitals
in
North Goa once this has been outsourced to a private partner. The tender’s terms and conditions reveal, “The tenderer who offers free services/minimum charges to patients below poverty line will be given preference.”
Further, Goa Medical
College’s radio-diagnosis students may not have 24x7 access to the facilities at the teaching and research institute because the same terms and conditions state, “PG students and faculty members of the department of radio-diagnosis will be allowed to work on facilities during mutually agreed hours for clinical and research work.”
However, health minister Vishwajit Rane said, “The services are free for people below the poverty line and those availing the Dayanand Social Security Scheme. But others will have to pay a nominal fee, which would be at least 60% less than the amount charged in private hospitals.”
The tender which was to be opened on February 19, has been cancelled. “There was a technical error, so we cancelled the tender and will now issue a fresh tender,” said Rane. He, however, did not comment on any change in the terms and conditions of the tender, but said that the students’ interests will be protected.
“It is a government decision as we have no money to purchase the equipment. It is not outsourcing of the department but of operations and a few technical staff. The doctor’s role will not change. This is done to bring in more efficiency,” Rane said.
But doctors and students at the GMC are worried as the successful tenderer “will have to arrange for the consultant radiologist, who is competent to analyze the reports and to guide post graduate students of the GMC, and skilled staff including technicians.” This, they believe, is a move to create a parallel department with private consultants.
The terms and conditions of the tender are such that those who can only provide facilities such as CT or MRI or radiology or pathology will not be considered and they “should have a minimum capital of Rs 50 crore with the expertise of running pathology and radiology facilities”.
The firm that is awarded the tender will have to provide a 64 slice CT scan machine and a high end colour Doppler unit of minimum 30,000 channels or higher machine with 4D capacity at GMC. Besides, they would have to provide a dedicated vascular laboratory with state of art DSA machinery and digital radiography X-ray at the TB hospital in Panaji.
At the district hospital in Mapusa, the tenderer would have to provide MRI scan, high end colour Doppler unit of minimum 30,000 channels and digital radiography X-ray. Besides, the terms and conditions also state that GMC will also provide the MRI machine to be managed by the successful tenderer. But when they bid they will have to submit a demand draft of Rs five lakh each to GMC and district hospital.
“We are following the same procedure followed at Madhya Pradesh government medical college. I had discussed the matter with the advisory council and the signing of MoU with the private party will be done after taking the doctors into confidence,” added Rane.
21 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Patients, including the economically backward, may have to pay for availing of radiology services in the two government hospitals
in
North Goa once this has been outsourced to a private partner. The tender’s terms and conditions reveal, “The tenderer who offers free services/minimum charges to patients below poverty line will be given preference.”
Further, Goa Medical
College’s radio-diagnosis students may not have 24x7 access to the facilities at the teaching and research institute because the same terms and conditions state, “PG students and faculty members of the department of radio-diagnosis will be allowed to work on facilities during mutually agreed hours for clinical and research work.”
However, health minister Vishwajit Rane said, “The services are free for people below the poverty line and those availing the Dayanand Social Security Scheme. But others will have to pay a nominal fee, which would be at least 60% less than the amount charged in private hospitals.”
The tender which was to be opened on February 19, has been cancelled. “There was a technical error, so we cancelled the tender and will now issue a fresh tender,” said Rane. He, however, did not comment on any change in the terms and conditions of the tender, but said that the students’ interests will be protected.
“It is a government decision as we have no money to purchase the equipment. It is not outsourcing of the department but of operations and a few technical staff. The doctor’s role will not change. This is done to bring in more efficiency,” Rane said.
But doctors and students at the GMC are worried as the successful tenderer “will have to arrange for the consultant radiologist, who is competent to analyze the reports and to guide post graduate students of the GMC, and skilled staff including technicians.” This, they believe, is a move to create a parallel department with private consultants.
The terms and conditions of the tender are such that those who can only provide facilities such as CT or MRI or radiology or pathology will not be considered and they “should have a minimum capital of Rs 50 crore with the expertise of running pathology and radiology facilities”.
The firm that is awarded the tender will have to provide a 64 slice CT scan machine and a high end colour Doppler unit of minimum 30,000 channels or higher machine with 4D capacity at GMC. Besides, they would have to provide a dedicated vascular laboratory with state of art DSA machinery and digital radiography X-ray at the TB hospital in Panaji.
At the district hospital in Mapusa, the tenderer would have to provide MRI scan, high end colour Doppler unit of minimum 30,000 channels and digital radiography X-ray. Besides, the terms and conditions also state that GMC will also provide the MRI machine to be managed by the successful tenderer. But when they bid they will have to submit a demand draft of Rs five lakh each to GMC and district hospital.
“We are following the same procedure followed at Madhya Pradesh government medical college. I had discussed the matter with the advisory council and the signing of MoU with the private party will be done after taking the doctors into confidence,” added Rane.
21 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Drug offenders top lookout list in Goa
Drug offenders top lookout list in Goa
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: There have been 254 “look out circulars” issued between 2000 and 2008 by the Goa police against foreigners wanted for various offences in
the state. Of these, 101 foreigners were involved in offences related to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).
Information obtained by TOI under the Right to Information Act reveals that a majority of the LOCs were issued against Nepalis (51), followed by 41 against Britishers, 24 against Nigerians, 21 against Israelis and six against Russians. Some Japanese, French, German, Italian and Spanish nationals also figure in the list.
A majority of the LOCs for offences under the NDPS were against Nepali citizens (40), followed by 11 against Israelis, nine against Nigerians, six against Italians and five against Britishers. LOCs were issued against 17 foreigners wanted for several offences under the Foreigner’s Act, especially overstaying, and 16 LOCs for violations of the Madhya Pradesh Music and Noise Pollution Act.
After the Goa Children’s Act came into force in 2003, LOCs were issued against seven foreigners for offences under this Act, which includes sexual abuse. LOCs were also issued against foreigners involved in forgery, kidnapping, trespass, creating nuisance under the influence of alcohol, threatening and even for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Police sources said that LOCs, valid for a year, are issued either to trace absconding criminals or to prevent and monitor the entry or exit of persons who may be wanted by law enforcement authorities. “Most of the time we extend the validity beyond one year, especially if the person is not on bail and there is a case pending in court,” said sources, adding that though a majority of LOCs were issued against Nepalis, it was difficult to keep a check on their entry into and exit from the country as no passport or visa is needed to travel between the two countries.
26 Feb 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: There have been 254 “look out circulars” issued between 2000 and 2008 by the Goa police against foreigners wanted for various offences in
the state. Of these, 101 foreigners were involved in offences related to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).
Information obtained by TOI under the Right to Information Act reveals that a majority of the LOCs were issued against Nepalis (51), followed by 41 against Britishers, 24 against Nigerians, 21 against Israelis and six against Russians. Some Japanese, French, German, Italian and Spanish nationals also figure in the list.
A majority of the LOCs for offences under the NDPS were against Nepali citizens (40), followed by 11 against Israelis, nine against Nigerians, six against Italians and five against Britishers. LOCs were issued against 17 foreigners wanted for several offences under the Foreigner’s Act, especially overstaying, and 16 LOCs for violations of the Madhya Pradesh Music and Noise Pollution Act.
After the Goa Children’s Act came into force in 2003, LOCs were issued against seven foreigners for offences under this Act, which includes sexual abuse. LOCs were also issued against foreigners involved in forgery, kidnapping, trespass, creating nuisance under the influence of alcohol, threatening and even for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Police sources said that LOCs, valid for a year, are issued either to trace absconding criminals or to prevent and monitor the entry or exit of persons who may be wanted by law enforcement authorities. “Most of the time we extend the validity beyond one year, especially if the person is not on bail and there is a case pending in court,” said sources, adding that though a majority of LOCs were issued against Nepalis, it was difficult to keep a check on their entry into and exit from the country as no passport or visa is needed to travel between the two countries.
26 Feb 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Registration of biz by foreigners gets tougher
Registration of biz by foreigners gets tougher
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Foreign nationals wanting to register a company in India will need to have their signatures and addresses on the memorandum of
association, as well their proof of identity notarized by a notary of the country of their origin.
The registrar of companies, Goa in a circular sent to the association of chartered accounts and company secretaries, on December 19, 2008 said that for registration of foreign companies or of companies by foreign nationals it is now mandatory that "the signatures and alteration in the memorandum of association and proof of identity, wherever required, should be notarized before the notary of the country of their origin and be duly apostilised (registered)".
This is in accordance with the Hague Convention, 1961 and the ministry of corporate affairs notification of December 4, 2008 on the issue.
"This will ensure that foreigners who invest in businesses in India have proper documents for registering the company, and will also keep a check on people with a dubious record getting into business here. Even ambiguity regarding incorporation of companies will be done away with," said Sanjay Gupta, Registrar of Companies, Goa, Daman and Diu.
Advocate Vikram Varma, legal advisor to several foreigners who have established businesses in Goa said, "After the recent crisis in the international market, such additional checks and balances for companies being floated in India is absolutely essential," said Varma.
Before the enforcement of this notification, the memorandum of association was prepared by a chartered accountant, company secretary or lawyer in India and foreign investors filled up their personal details and signed the documents in presence of these, and the proof of identity (passport) was certified by the three, or a notary in India.
"We have been side-stepped by the government. The Indian government now wants the signatures of the foreign investors to be attested by a notary in their country, which would also be countersigned by the Indian embassy. This will delay the process," said chartered accountant Lalit Shah.
Several foreigners who have established businesses in Goa have come under the scanner as it was alleged that some with a dubious record had formed companies with the sole purpose of purchasing property in India. Gupta added, "We can't stop any foreigner from setting up a company in India. But now, in case of any discord, we can track down the foreigner and produce them before the law."
22 Jan 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Foreign nationals wanting to register a company in India will need to have their signatures and addresses on the memorandum of
association, as well their proof of identity notarized by a notary of the country of their origin.
The registrar of companies, Goa in a circular sent to the association of chartered accounts and company secretaries, on December 19, 2008 said that for registration of foreign companies or of companies by foreign nationals it is now mandatory that "the signatures and alteration in the memorandum of association and proof of identity, wherever required, should be notarized before the notary of the country of their origin and be duly apostilised (registered)".
This is in accordance with the Hague Convention, 1961 and the ministry of corporate affairs notification of December 4, 2008 on the issue.
"This will ensure that foreigners who invest in businesses in India have proper documents for registering the company, and will also keep a check on people with a dubious record getting into business here. Even ambiguity regarding incorporation of companies will be done away with," said Sanjay Gupta, Registrar of Companies, Goa, Daman and Diu.
Advocate Vikram Varma, legal advisor to several foreigners who have established businesses in Goa said, "After the recent crisis in the international market, such additional checks and balances for companies being floated in India is absolutely essential," said Varma.
Before the enforcement of this notification, the memorandum of association was prepared by a chartered accountant, company secretary or lawyer in India and foreign investors filled up their personal details and signed the documents in presence of these, and the proof of identity (passport) was certified by the three, or a notary in India.
"We have been side-stepped by the government. The Indian government now wants the signatures of the foreign investors to be attested by a notary in their country, which would also be countersigned by the Indian embassy. This will delay the process," said chartered accountant Lalit Shah.
Several foreigners who have established businesses in Goa have come under the scanner as it was alleged that some with a dubious record had formed companies with the sole purpose of purchasing property in India. Gupta added, "We can't stop any foreigner from setting up a company in India. But now, in case of any discord, we can track down the foreigner and produce them before the law."
22 Jan 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Govt clinics not in pink of health
Govt clinics not in pink of health
Preetu Nair and Rajtilak Naik, TNN
PANAJI: On the face of it, Goa has excellent health facilities. Nineteen primary health centres (PHC) and more on the planning board. This
includes a 10-bed PHC at Chinchinim and 40-bed PHCs at Bali, Canacona, Quepem and Sanquelim. Even the doctor-population ratio of 1:636 appears excellent when compared to the 1:2148 in the rest of the country.
Indicators, however, can be misleading and the ground reality far different.
A check by TOI exposed the bitter truth -- the PHCs are short staffed, equipment like X-ray machines are available but there are no technicians to man them, operation theatres lie unused as there is no surgeon or anaesthetist and instead of serving a maximum of 30,000 people, in Goa the PHCs serve a population anywhere between 20,000 and 85,000.
Goa Medical Council member Dr Shekhar Salkar says, "Doctors at PHCs are not trained to handle emergencies. Also, there is a shortage of manpower and equipment to tackle emergencies. There is an urgent need to appoint more doctors and add equipment at the PHCs rather than focus on constructing new buildings."
Check this out: If residents of Sanquelim and Candolim are fortunate to have a doctor 24x7, this has been at the cost of residents of Surla in Pale and Keri and Guleli in Sattari, as the doctor from there has been temporarily posted at Sanquelim PHC. Similarly a doctor from the Pernem community health centre has been temporarily posted at Candolim PHC to tide over the tourism season rush.
On public demand, a new health centre was opened at Ribandar, but no doctor posted, and a doctor from Panaji is deputed to attend to patients there.
With 13 PHCs having just one doctor on night duty, patients are immediately transferred to the district hospitals or to the GMC. In most cases, in the absence of attendants, it is the security guard and the patient's relatives who struggle to lift patients from stretchers to the ambulance.
While health care is concentrated in and around Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa, rural Goa has been overlooked. It is, therefore, not surprising that rural patients still rush to Goa medical college and hospital even for minor ailments like coughs, colds and diarrhoea.
Dr Rajan Kuncolienkar, GMC medical superintendent explains this saying, "People find the facilities at the GMC better and have faith in the treatment provided there rather than at the PHC. Due to this there is huge rush at GMC."
Admitting that Goa's health indicators are heavily urban centric leading to the belief that everything is fine, Dr Gladstone D'Costa, president, Voluntary Health Association of Goa said, "Some of the PHCs are badly maintained and lack basic facilities like water and electricity 24x7. Very few PHCs can handle an emergency situation, either due to a lack of amenities, facilities or due to inadequate medical staff."
A patient, vomiting and complaining of chest pain, and rushed to Bicholim PHC at 1 am last Sunday was immediately transferred to Asilo hospital, Mapusa instead of the Valpoi community health centre, as it does not have enough staff. He was shifted in a DHS ambulance, but a patient from Betki PHC would have to wait for the 108 service ambulance as the DHS ambulance at this PHC has not been working for the last three months.
If PHCs are the cornerstone of rural health services -- a first port of call to a qualified government doctor in rural areas -- then about 3 lakh people living in the vicinity of a PHC are denied night-time care as there is no doctor on duty.
Loutolim, Cortalim, Colvale, Corlim, Chinchinim and Quepem PHCs have no doctor on duty at night. Interestingly, all six PHCs have a security officers guarding the premises at night.
Further, when the doctor at Loutolim PHC was asked to attend the National Family Health Survey meet at Panaji, last Friday, patients had to return home or seek the services of a private doctor as there was no doctor available at the PHC.
Of the 19 PHCs in the state, six PHCs don't have a doctor 24x7. Health services director, Dr Rajnanda Dessai said, "Only 13 PHCs work 24x7, while six others are daughter' PHCs and have no admission facilities. Therefore there is no doctor at night in these PHCs."
This, despite the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) of the directorate general of health services, ministry of health and family welfare as part of the national rural health mission stating that the minimum requirements (assured services) at PHCs, which cover a population of 30,000 should be, "4-6 indoor or observation beds and OPD services for four hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon or evening". It also states that PHCs should provide "24 hours emergency services and in-patient services with 6 beds".
However, PHCs in Goa cover a population between 21,000 and 83,000. "The load on the PHCs has increased over the years, but the number of doctors posted at them has either remained steady or declined. Though doctors have been absorbed on contract basis, it is a temporary solution as most of this is urban centric," said former Indian Medical Association, Goa branch president Dr Francisco Colaco.
Sources revealed that more than 30 posts of doctors and technicians in community health centres are still vacant. However, Dr Dessai maintained that the PHCs cater to routine cases. "The focus here is on the first line of treatment. Moreover, the staff position is as per norms prescribed and when a post falls vacant, we try to fill it on a priority basis."
22 Jan 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair and Rajtilak Naik, TNN
PANAJI: On the face of it, Goa has excellent health facilities. Nineteen primary health centres (PHC) and more on the planning board. This
includes a 10-bed PHC at Chinchinim and 40-bed PHCs at Bali, Canacona, Quepem and Sanquelim. Even the doctor-population ratio of 1:636 appears excellent when compared to the 1:2148 in the rest of the country.
Indicators, however, can be misleading and the ground reality far different.
A check by TOI exposed the bitter truth -- the PHCs are short staffed, equipment like X-ray machines are available but there are no technicians to man them, operation theatres lie unused as there is no surgeon or anaesthetist and instead of serving a maximum of 30,000 people, in Goa the PHCs serve a population anywhere between 20,000 and 85,000.
Goa Medical Council member Dr Shekhar Salkar says, "Doctors at PHCs are not trained to handle emergencies. Also, there is a shortage of manpower and equipment to tackle emergencies. There is an urgent need to appoint more doctors and add equipment at the PHCs rather than focus on constructing new buildings."
Check this out: If residents of Sanquelim and Candolim are fortunate to have a doctor 24x7, this has been at the cost of residents of Surla in Pale and Keri and Guleli in Sattari, as the doctor from there has been temporarily posted at Sanquelim PHC. Similarly a doctor from the Pernem community health centre has been temporarily posted at Candolim PHC to tide over the tourism season rush.
On public demand, a new health centre was opened at Ribandar, but no doctor posted, and a doctor from Panaji is deputed to attend to patients there.
With 13 PHCs having just one doctor on night duty, patients are immediately transferred to the district hospitals or to the GMC. In most cases, in the absence of attendants, it is the security guard and the patient's relatives who struggle to lift patients from stretchers to the ambulance.
While health care is concentrated in and around Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa, rural Goa has been overlooked. It is, therefore, not surprising that rural patients still rush to Goa medical college and hospital even for minor ailments like coughs, colds and diarrhoea.
Dr Rajan Kuncolienkar, GMC medical superintendent explains this saying, "People find the facilities at the GMC better and have faith in the treatment provided there rather than at the PHC. Due to this there is huge rush at GMC."
Admitting that Goa's health indicators are heavily urban centric leading to the belief that everything is fine, Dr Gladstone D'Costa, president, Voluntary Health Association of Goa said, "Some of the PHCs are badly maintained and lack basic facilities like water and electricity 24x7. Very few PHCs can handle an emergency situation, either due to a lack of amenities, facilities or due to inadequate medical staff."
A patient, vomiting and complaining of chest pain, and rushed to Bicholim PHC at 1 am last Sunday was immediately transferred to Asilo hospital, Mapusa instead of the Valpoi community health centre, as it does not have enough staff. He was shifted in a DHS ambulance, but a patient from Betki PHC would have to wait for the 108 service ambulance as the DHS ambulance at this PHC has not been working for the last three months.
If PHCs are the cornerstone of rural health services -- a first port of call to a qualified government doctor in rural areas -- then about 3 lakh people living in the vicinity of a PHC are denied night-time care as there is no doctor on duty.
Loutolim, Cortalim, Colvale, Corlim, Chinchinim and Quepem PHCs have no doctor on duty at night. Interestingly, all six PHCs have a security officers guarding the premises at night.
Further, when the doctor at Loutolim PHC was asked to attend the National Family Health Survey meet at Panaji, last Friday, patients had to return home or seek the services of a private doctor as there was no doctor available at the PHC.
Of the 19 PHCs in the state, six PHCs don't have a doctor 24x7. Health services director, Dr Rajnanda Dessai said, "Only 13 PHCs work 24x7, while six others are daughter' PHCs and have no admission facilities. Therefore there is no doctor at night in these PHCs."
This, despite the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) of the directorate general of health services, ministry of health and family welfare as part of the national rural health mission stating that the minimum requirements (assured services) at PHCs, which cover a population of 30,000 should be, "4-6 indoor or observation beds and OPD services for four hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon or evening". It also states that PHCs should provide "24 hours emergency services and in-patient services with 6 beds".
However, PHCs in Goa cover a population between 21,000 and 83,000. "The load on the PHCs has increased over the years, but the number of doctors posted at them has either remained steady or declined. Though doctors have been absorbed on contract basis, it is a temporary solution as most of this is urban centric," said former Indian Medical Association, Goa branch president Dr Francisco Colaco.
Sources revealed that more than 30 posts of doctors and technicians in community health centres are still vacant. However, Dr Dessai maintained that the PHCs cater to routine cases. "The focus here is on the first line of treatment. Moreover, the staff position is as per norms prescribed and when a post falls vacant, we try to fill it on a priority basis."
22 Jan 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Scarlett yet to get decent burial
Scarlett yet to get decent burial
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: One year after the death of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, she is yet to be given a decent burial as her mother Fiona is yet to
receive her daughter's organs. On February 18, 2008, her semi-naked body was found on the Anjuna beach.
Fiona was planning to come to India in the first week of February to collect her daughter's organs and also give her statement to the CBI. "I don't have Scarlett's organs yet, although an undertaker is processing the paperwork and preparing to collect them on my behalf," she told TOI.
Explaining why she changed her plans, she said, "I won't be coming to Goa now as I cannot risk being detained by the Goa police as my other children need me too much, especially now. The present investigations are proof of how long investigations can take in Goa. If I am detained while investigations took place it could be a long time and could be harmful to my children's future."
"But in Scarlett's remembrance, we are going to plant one hundred trees (brightly coloured willows) in the morning with the children and Scarlett's friends and then we are all going to the beach for the day," the mother said.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that Scarlett was not just living a hedonistic life of drugs and rave parties in Goa in the weeks before her death, she also had no plans to return home to Devon for like years,' it has emerged.
In an email to her childhood friend in Devon on February 3, 2008, she wrote that she had met Julio, who worked in Finland. Julio had promised to take her to Finland with him and work there for six months and then come back to Goa, she said in the letter.
In another letter, she stated that she would be going to Belgium, Portugal, Peru and Thailand. "And it all sounds so good but then i wouldnt c (see) u guys 4 like years an that suks but i wld b makin mony man i dunno what to do man its tearin me apart," she had written. All these emails are in possession of her mother Fiona Mackeown and she has handed the same over to the CBI.
17 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: One year after the death of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, she is yet to be given a decent burial as her mother Fiona is yet to
receive her daughter's organs. On February 18, 2008, her semi-naked body was found on the Anjuna beach.
Fiona was planning to come to India in the first week of February to collect her daughter's organs and also give her statement to the CBI. "I don't have Scarlett's organs yet, although an undertaker is processing the paperwork and preparing to collect them on my behalf," she told TOI.
Explaining why she changed her plans, she said, "I won't be coming to Goa now as I cannot risk being detained by the Goa police as my other children need me too much, especially now. The present investigations are proof of how long investigations can take in Goa. If I am detained while investigations took place it could be a long time and could be harmful to my children's future."
"But in Scarlett's remembrance, we are going to plant one hundred trees (brightly coloured willows) in the morning with the children and Scarlett's friends and then we are all going to the beach for the day," the mother said.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that Scarlett was not just living a hedonistic life of drugs and rave parties in Goa in the weeks before her death, she also had no plans to return home to Devon for like years,' it has emerged.
In an email to her childhood friend in Devon on February 3, 2008, she wrote that she had met Julio, who worked in Finland. Julio had promised to take her to Finland with him and work there for six months and then come back to Goa, she said in the letter.
In another letter, she stated that she would be going to Belgium, Portugal, Peru and Thailand. "And it all sounds so good but then i wouldnt c (see) u guys 4 like years an that suks but i wld b makin mony man i dunno what to do man its tearin me apart," she had written. All these emails are in possession of her mother Fiona Mackeown and she has handed the same over to the CBI.
17 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Medication: A hard pill to swallow
Medication: A hard pill to swallow
While a study reveals that an expensive drug may not necessarily mean better treatment, doctors argue that their patients often think otherwise,
reports Preetu Nair
Expensive medication need not always mean better therapy nor for that matter do branded drugs equal to better efficacy. These are findings of a study conducted by doctors P Rataboli and Amit Dang of the Pharmacology department of the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.
Titled, Selecting the cost effective antimicrobial: quandary of medical profession and published on the online medical site Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, the study emphasizes that efforts should be made at all levels to identify antimicrobial therapies (drugs) that can lower healthcare costs while maintaining quality of care.
It notes that the escalation in prices of drugs together with hospitalization expenses are a major pinch on a patient's pocket. "While drug costs vary tremendously making it tough for doctors to make cost-effective therapy decisions, prescribing costly drugs can have a negative impact on a patient's compliance," the study notes.
It goes on to note that the probable differences in cost arise because most of the prescribed medicines are branded which adds to the cost of therapy and therefore, if possible, alternative "safe" drugs (generic preparations) with similar efficacy should be prescribed which could be less expensive, says the study.
"The cost of one tablet is not directly proportional to the cost of therapy as the dosage of different antimicrobials varies. Long-acting expensive drugs may ultimately end up being cheaper than their short-acting counterparts. Costly antimicrobials need not be the better ones," notes the study.
The study aimed at comparing the average retail price of different drugs available in oral and parenteral (intravenous or intramacular) dosage forms. It also calculated the cost of one-day therapy and aimed at selecting and justifying the use of certain antimicrobials as the most cost-effective in common microbial infections.
The idea behind the study was to make physicians realize the importance of "cost factor", as increased costs for better health outcomes can often have negative consequencespatients taking less than the recommended dose, saving medication for future use or taking a cheaper medicine of same chemical
name prescribed to another person for a similar reason.
For the study, the doctors procured the pricelist of antimicrobial brands and the average price of commonly available oral and parenteral brands of antimicrobials was calculated. The difference between oral and parenteral dosage costs was also observed.
"When oral and parenteral cost per day of a few antimicrobials where both forms are available are compared the parenteral preparations are generally found to be much more expensive than the oral forms," the study reveals.
It also shows that long-acting expensive antimicrobials may ultimately end up being cheaper than their short-acting counterparts. Take for instance the general treatment for respiratory tract infections. The cost of a once-a-day, daily dose of azithromycin is Rs 15.32 in contrast to the Rs 12.76 for erythromycin given four times a day. However, the total cost of azithromycin therapy (given for three days) is much less (Rs 45.94) than the therapy cost of erythromycin (given for five days) which comes to over Rs 63.
Similarly, in the treatment of hospital-related infections, especially among patients admitted to the intensive care unit, the cost per dose of teicoplanin (200 mg OD) is Rs 667 while the total cost of a one-day therapy with vancomycin is Rs 1330, the study notes.
Doctors however, say that most of the time it's patients themselves who prefer to opt for expensive drugs.
"People want doctors to prescribe expensive drugs as they feel that the effect will be better. I always give my patients a choice and ask them to select the drug, which only varies in cost. In majority of the cases, patients want us to prescribe the expensive drug," says Dr Shekhar Salkar, president of the Association of Surgeons of India, Goa chapter. He adds that the government needs to regulate the variation in prices of drugs.
On the other hand, Dr Govind Kamat, former president of the Association of Private Nursing Homes says, "Drugs have become expensive. Patients want fast recovery and we prescribe drugs on the basis of effectiveness and not on the basis of cost. We are always afraid of prescribing drugs from non-reputed companies and prefer prescribing drugs based on the company's reputation."
25 Jan 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
While a study reveals that an expensive drug may not necessarily mean better treatment, doctors argue that their patients often think otherwise,
reports Preetu Nair
Expensive medication need not always mean better therapy nor for that matter do branded drugs equal to better efficacy. These are findings of a study conducted by doctors P Rataboli and Amit Dang of the Pharmacology department of the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.
Titled, Selecting the cost effective antimicrobial: quandary of medical profession and published on the online medical site Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, the study emphasizes that efforts should be made at all levels to identify antimicrobial therapies (drugs) that can lower healthcare costs while maintaining quality of care.
It notes that the escalation in prices of drugs together with hospitalization expenses are a major pinch on a patient's pocket. "While drug costs vary tremendously making it tough for doctors to make cost-effective therapy decisions, prescribing costly drugs can have a negative impact on a patient's compliance," the study notes.
It goes on to note that the probable differences in cost arise because most of the prescribed medicines are branded which adds to the cost of therapy and therefore, if possible, alternative "safe" drugs (generic preparations) with similar efficacy should be prescribed which could be less expensive, says the study.
"The cost of one tablet is not directly proportional to the cost of therapy as the dosage of different antimicrobials varies. Long-acting expensive drugs may ultimately end up being cheaper than their short-acting counterparts. Costly antimicrobials need not be the better ones," notes the study.
The study aimed at comparing the average retail price of different drugs available in oral and parenteral (intravenous or intramacular) dosage forms. It also calculated the cost of one-day therapy and aimed at selecting and justifying the use of certain antimicrobials as the most cost-effective in common microbial infections.
The idea behind the study was to make physicians realize the importance of "cost factor", as increased costs for better health outcomes can often have negative consequencespatients taking less than the recommended dose, saving medication for future use or taking a cheaper medicine of same chemical
name prescribed to another person for a similar reason.
For the study, the doctors procured the pricelist of antimicrobial brands and the average price of commonly available oral and parenteral brands of antimicrobials was calculated. The difference between oral and parenteral dosage costs was also observed.
"When oral and parenteral cost per day of a few antimicrobials where both forms are available are compared the parenteral preparations are generally found to be much more expensive than the oral forms," the study reveals.
It also shows that long-acting expensive antimicrobials may ultimately end up being cheaper than their short-acting counterparts. Take for instance the general treatment for respiratory tract infections. The cost of a once-a-day, daily dose of azithromycin is Rs 15.32 in contrast to the Rs 12.76 for erythromycin given four times a day. However, the total cost of azithromycin therapy (given for three days) is much less (Rs 45.94) than the therapy cost of erythromycin (given for five days) which comes to over Rs 63.
Similarly, in the treatment of hospital-related infections, especially among patients admitted to the intensive care unit, the cost per dose of teicoplanin (200 mg OD) is Rs 667 while the total cost of a one-day therapy with vancomycin is Rs 1330, the study notes.
Doctors however, say that most of the time it's patients themselves who prefer to opt for expensive drugs.
"People want doctors to prescribe expensive drugs as they feel that the effect will be better. I always give my patients a choice and ask them to select the drug, which only varies in cost. In majority of the cases, patients want us to prescribe the expensive drug," says Dr Shekhar Salkar, president of the Association of Surgeons of India, Goa chapter. He adds that the government needs to regulate the variation in prices of drugs.
On the other hand, Dr Govind Kamat, former president of the Association of Private Nursing Homes says, "Drugs have become expensive. Patients want fast recovery and we prescribe drugs on the basis of effectiveness and not on the basis of cost. We are always afraid of prescribing drugs from non-reputed companies and prefer prescribing drugs based on the company's reputation."
25 Jan 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Day's haul comes to Rs 7L for this couple
Day's haul comes to Rs 7L for this couple
Preetu Nair,TNN
PANAJI: Remember Rakesh from Furstaganj and Vimmi from Pankhipur? Calling themselves Bunty and Babli, they con millionaires, investors
, ministers and hoteliers on screen. Well, Goa had its own version of Bunty aur Babli last November, when in a single day a couple shopped in the capital city using a credit card and duped business persons of items worth about Rs seven lakh.
The first that the police came to know about the couple is when Michael D'Costa a watch showroom manager complained on Tuesday of having been duped of Rs 42,350 by a young couple on November 10, 2008.
Police sources say that a man going by the name of Mojjafar Sheikh and his female companion from Pune, purchased two wrist watches worth about Rs 42,350 from the showroom. Police sources said that while making the payment, Sheikh claimed he wanted to ensure the sale was secure and hence wanted to use the PIN (personal identification number) facility for which he required privacy to enter the details. The shop manager allowed this and after the transaction, Sheikh signed on the charge slip that was generated.
D'Costa had no reason to doubt that the successful settlement report was generated without connecting "online" with the bank's servers and believed the transaction was genuine.
What D'Costa didn't know was that the couple had gone "offline" and completed the transaction without authorization from the bank that had installed the machine. Sources said that as per the bank's policy all "offline" transactions are to be validated by the bank's risk containment unit, authorized to recommend withholding payments after analyzing the potential of risk associated with a credit or debit card transaction.
Sources said the couple, in their mid twenties, well dressed, with attractive personalities and speaking English went on a shopping spree and purchased items worth about Rs seven lakh on November 10, 2008. They followed the same modus operandi at all shops, making sure that all the credit card transactions were offline and purchased laptops worth over Rs one lakh, jewellery worth more than Rs 4.5 lakh, watches worth Rs 42,000 and dined at a city based restaurant.
None of shops have received the money and the shop owners realized they had been cheated only after the private bank, who supplied the electronic data capture (EDC) machine, withheld payment as the off-line transaction was done without its authorization. Efforts by the police to get in touch with the couple have failed. The only clue the police have is the CCTV footage of the couple in some of the shops. The cops are yet to ascertain whether the credit card used was a fake, was stolen or genuine.
Investigating officer PSI Radesh Ramnathkar said they are verifying with the Sangli police who arrested a couple who used a similar modus operandi to cheat jewellers and businessmen of Rs three lakh in Kolhapur earlier this year, were the same couple who cheated businessmen in Goa.
12 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair,TNN
PANAJI: Remember Rakesh from Furstaganj and Vimmi from Pankhipur? Calling themselves Bunty and Babli, they con millionaires, investors
, ministers and hoteliers on screen. Well, Goa had its own version of Bunty aur Babli last November, when in a single day a couple shopped in the capital city using a credit card and duped business persons of items worth about Rs seven lakh.
The first that the police came to know about the couple is when Michael D'Costa a watch showroom manager complained on Tuesday of having been duped of Rs 42,350 by a young couple on November 10, 2008.
Police sources say that a man going by the name of Mojjafar Sheikh and his female companion from Pune, purchased two wrist watches worth about Rs 42,350 from the showroom. Police sources said that while making the payment, Sheikh claimed he wanted to ensure the sale was secure and hence wanted to use the PIN (personal identification number) facility for which he required privacy to enter the details. The shop manager allowed this and after the transaction, Sheikh signed on the charge slip that was generated.
D'Costa had no reason to doubt that the successful settlement report was generated without connecting "online" with the bank's servers and believed the transaction was genuine.
What D'Costa didn't know was that the couple had gone "offline" and completed the transaction without authorization from the bank that had installed the machine. Sources said that as per the bank's policy all "offline" transactions are to be validated by the bank's risk containment unit, authorized to recommend withholding payments after analyzing the potential of risk associated with a credit or debit card transaction.
Sources said the couple, in their mid twenties, well dressed, with attractive personalities and speaking English went on a shopping spree and purchased items worth about Rs seven lakh on November 10, 2008. They followed the same modus operandi at all shops, making sure that all the credit card transactions were offline and purchased laptops worth over Rs one lakh, jewellery worth more than Rs 4.5 lakh, watches worth Rs 42,000 and dined at a city based restaurant.
None of shops have received the money and the shop owners realized they had been cheated only after the private bank, who supplied the electronic data capture (EDC) machine, withheld payment as the off-line transaction was done without its authorization. Efforts by the police to get in touch with the couple have failed. The only clue the police have is the CCTV footage of the couple in some of the shops. The cops are yet to ascertain whether the credit card used was a fake, was stolen or genuine.
Investigating officer PSI Radesh Ramnathkar said they are verifying with the Sangli police who arrested a couple who used a similar modus operandi to cheat jewellers and businessmen of Rs three lakh in Kolhapur earlier this year, were the same couple who cheated businessmen in Goa.
12 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa realty prices come down by 25%
Goa realty prices come down by 25%
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The meltdown has started to trickle into Goa's real estate market. According to developers, prime property rates are down by 5-10%, while
the prices of flats constructed by small-time builders are down by 20-25% since the new year. Prices, they predict, are likely to fall further by mid-2009.
Moreover, about 25% of ongoing projects are stuck due to lack of funds or buyers and even the number of north Indian buyers has dropped by about 75%, they say.
"Small builders have reduced their rates by 20-25% to pay off bank loans. But prime builders in the state have reduced their prices by only 5-10%. Many builders who own land are not constructing now and are closely watching the market for changes," said Victor Albuquerque, chairman of the Alcon Victor Group.
Agreeing, architect Dean D'Cruz said that the prices are set to fall further by at least 20% in the next few months. "The number of buyers have reduced and about 25% of projects are stuck as people are not investing in them because of the anti-mega projects movement and the glut in the market," he said.
Real estate sources told TOI that the market has been stagnant for the last six months now and even banks are refusing to give loans to builders.
"The main reason for this is that prime investorsmostly north Indians, especially Delhiiteswho were investing in property in Goa have decreased from 55% to about 30%," said sources. The percentage of Goans investing in property however, has remained constant at 10% for the last eight years, they added.
Meanwhile, property evaluators believe that prices had been overpriced by almost 30-50% in the last three years.
In mid-2008, residential prices at their highest, ranged between Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000 per sq m in Panaji, Calangute, Baga and Candolim, followed by between Rs 15,000 and Rs 40,000 at Anjuna, Vagator, Arpora, Parra, Dona Paula and Miramar.
At their lowest, prices ranged between Rs 8,000 and Rs 15,000 per sq m at Pernem, Quepem and Canacona. Prices are currently down by between 5% and 25% depending on the builder. "Prices may come down further as sales have considerably reduced," said property evaluator S N Bhobe.
Admitting that the prices have come down, Datta Naik, president, Confederation of Real Estate Development Association of India said that the rates have now been rationalized. "In the cities there is no reduction in prices as there is limited supply. It is the upmarket and coastal areas where there is some rationalization," he said.
This rationalization, he added, has happened after a brief period of stagnation. "People are now buying smartly and builders are taking care of the specifications, security aspect, post delivery maintenance and other aspects aimed at improving the quality of the premise," said Naik.
18 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The meltdown has started to trickle into Goa's real estate market. According to developers, prime property rates are down by 5-10%, while
the prices of flats constructed by small-time builders are down by 20-25% since the new year. Prices, they predict, are likely to fall further by mid-2009.
Moreover, about 25% of ongoing projects are stuck due to lack of funds or buyers and even the number of north Indian buyers has dropped by about 75%, they say.
"Small builders have reduced their rates by 20-25% to pay off bank loans. But prime builders in the state have reduced their prices by only 5-10%. Many builders who own land are not constructing now and are closely watching the market for changes," said Victor Albuquerque, chairman of the Alcon Victor Group.
Agreeing, architect Dean D'Cruz said that the prices are set to fall further by at least 20% in the next few months. "The number of buyers have reduced and about 25% of projects are stuck as people are not investing in them because of the anti-mega projects movement and the glut in the market," he said.
Real estate sources told TOI that the market has been stagnant for the last six months now and even banks are refusing to give loans to builders.
"The main reason for this is that prime investorsmostly north Indians, especially Delhiiteswho were investing in property in Goa have decreased from 55% to about 30%," said sources. The percentage of Goans investing in property however, has remained constant at 10% for the last eight years, they added.
Meanwhile, property evaluators believe that prices had been overpriced by almost 30-50% in the last three years.
In mid-2008, residential prices at their highest, ranged between Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000 per sq m in Panaji, Calangute, Baga and Candolim, followed by between Rs 15,000 and Rs 40,000 at Anjuna, Vagator, Arpora, Parra, Dona Paula and Miramar.
At their lowest, prices ranged between Rs 8,000 and Rs 15,000 per sq m at Pernem, Quepem and Canacona. Prices are currently down by between 5% and 25% depending on the builder. "Prices may come down further as sales have considerably reduced," said property evaluator S N Bhobe.
Admitting that the prices have come down, Datta Naik, president, Confederation of Real Estate Development Association of India said that the rates have now been rationalized. "In the cities there is no reduction in prices as there is limited supply. It is the upmarket and coastal areas where there is some rationalization," he said.
This rationalization, he added, has happened after a brief period of stagnation. "People are now buying smartly and builders are taking care of the specifications, security aspect, post delivery maintenance and other aspects aimed at improving the quality of the premise," said Naik.
18 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
HC slams Quepem cops for poor probe
HC slams Quepem cops for poor probe
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Eighteen months after she was allegedly murdered, officers of Quepem police station who are investigating the death of Iralina Noronha, a
61-year-old cancer and diabetes patient from Avedem, Quepem, have been asked to be present in the high court of Bombay at Goa to explain the delay in registering the offence.
The court is hearing the bail application moved by Conceisao Noronha, 64, who was arrested for allegedly setting his wife on fire.
While Iralina died on July 19, 2007, of burn injuries, the court observed that the Quepem police failed to register an offence for almost 40 days, despite her dying statement before the Quepem sub-divisional magistrate that she suspected some person in the house of setting her on fire. “While I was sleeping, I felt hit and I woke up. I realized that I had caught fire,” Iralina had told the SDM.
A case of murder was however registered only on August 29, 2007 and Conceisao was arrested by the crime branch on December 29, 2008.
While hearing the accused’s bail application on Friday, the court wanted to know why there was a delay in registering the FIR and adjourning the matter till Monday told the public prosecutor to ask the investigating officers from Quepem to be present in the court to explain the same.
The records of this case reveal that it was transferred to the crime branch by the DGP on October 17, 2007. Before this, the case was registered as murder only after Iralina’s brother, in a 10-page letter to then SP (South) on August 23, 2007, asked that a “proper and speedy investigation into the murder of my only sister” be conducted and the criminals be brought to justice as per the law.
The SP then instructed the Quepem PI who registered the case as murder. On the same day, the investigation was handed over to the Quepem SDPO with a note that “the family (has) alleged foul play in the death of the woman”. This delay, despite Iralina’s dying declaration where she had also said “while sleeping I never use divo (kerosene lamp) but always keep a torch with me”.
However, during investigations, Conceisao told the police that he was sleeping in another room when at about 12.30 am on July 14 he heard his wife screaming and so he got up and rushed to her room where he saw that his wife had sustained burn injuries.
1 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Eighteen months after she was allegedly murdered, officers of Quepem police station who are investigating the death of Iralina Noronha, a
61-year-old cancer and diabetes patient from Avedem, Quepem, have been asked to be present in the high court of Bombay at Goa to explain the delay in registering the offence.
The court is hearing the bail application moved by Conceisao Noronha, 64, who was arrested for allegedly setting his wife on fire.
While Iralina died on July 19, 2007, of burn injuries, the court observed that the Quepem police failed to register an offence for almost 40 days, despite her dying statement before the Quepem sub-divisional magistrate that she suspected some person in the house of setting her on fire. “While I was sleeping, I felt hit and I woke up. I realized that I had caught fire,” Iralina had told the SDM.
A case of murder was however registered only on August 29, 2007 and Conceisao was arrested by the crime branch on December 29, 2008.
While hearing the accused’s bail application on Friday, the court wanted to know why there was a delay in registering the FIR and adjourning the matter till Monday told the public prosecutor to ask the investigating officers from Quepem to be present in the court to explain the same.
The records of this case reveal that it was transferred to the crime branch by the DGP on October 17, 2007. Before this, the case was registered as murder only after Iralina’s brother, in a 10-page letter to then SP (South) on August 23, 2007, asked that a “proper and speedy investigation into the murder of my only sister” be conducted and the criminals be brought to justice as per the law.
The SP then instructed the Quepem PI who registered the case as murder. On the same day, the investigation was handed over to the Quepem SDPO with a note that “the family (has) alleged foul play in the death of the woman”. This delay, despite Iralina’s dying declaration where she had also said “while sleeping I never use divo (kerosene lamp) but always keep a torch with me”.
However, during investigations, Conceisao told the police that he was sleeping in another room when at about 12.30 am on July 14 he heard his wife screaming and so he got up and rushed to her room where he saw that his wife had sustained burn injuries.
1 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
CM overrules IGP, gets officer transferred
CM overrules IGP, gets officer transferred
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In a blatant act of government
interference in police functioning, the state government on Friday ordered the transfer of SDPO (Panaji)
DySP Sammy Tavares to Mapusa. This despite the fact that the police had initially refused to transfer the officer as, according to rules laid down by the Supreme Court, he had not completed two years in his current posting nor with the elections approaching, was he posted in his home district.
In a note to the government on February 24, 2009 (a copy of which is with TOI) IGP Kishan Kumar said the, “Chief minister, Goa, has desired that Sammy Tavares, DySP, SDPO Panaji should be transferred as SDPO Mapusa-I and Gajanan Prabhudesai, who stands transferred as SDPO Mapusa-I may be transferred as SDPO Panaji.”
The note explains that Tavares’ case “does not fall within the guidelines laid down by Election Commission of India and therefore, his case was not considered for transfer” nor had he “completed two years in the present post and as per Supreme Court guidelines laid down in the case of Prakash Singh v/s Union of India, which held that a field officer (district SP, SDPO sub-division or police station in-charge) should not be transferred before the completion of two years unless there are certain special situations like complaints against the officer resulting in a departmental enquiry. Tavares does not attract the guidelines of Supreme Court also”.
28 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In a blatant act of government
interference in police functioning, the state government on Friday ordered the transfer of SDPO (Panaji)
DySP Sammy Tavares to Mapusa. This despite the fact that the police had initially refused to transfer the officer as, according to rules laid down by the Supreme Court, he had not completed two years in his current posting nor with the elections approaching, was he posted in his home district.
In a note to the government on February 24, 2009 (a copy of which is with TOI) IGP Kishan Kumar said the, “Chief minister, Goa, has desired that Sammy Tavares, DySP, SDPO Panaji should be transferred as SDPO Mapusa-I and Gajanan Prabhudesai, who stands transferred as SDPO Mapusa-I may be transferred as SDPO Panaji.”
The note explains that Tavares’ case “does not fall within the guidelines laid down by Election Commission of India and therefore, his case was not considered for transfer” nor had he “completed two years in the present post and as per Supreme Court guidelines laid down in the case of Prakash Singh v/s Union of India, which held that a field officer (district SP, SDPO sub-division or police station in-charge) should not be transferred before the completion of two years unless there are certain special situations like complaints against the officer resulting in a departmental enquiry. Tavares does not attract the guidelines of Supreme Court also”.
28 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
'Attack was political, not personal'
'Attack was political, not personal'
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: "The attack on me is politically motivated and an attempt to scare me," alleged Reis Magos panch member Francisco Serrao, who was
attacked by three masked men on the morning of February 5.
The three-time elected panch member who works as a peon at St Teresa school in Candolim, and was attacked while on his way to work, told TOI, "The opposition members want to be in power in the panchayat at the moment as two casinos and two mega projects are coming up in the panchayat area and there is loads of money to be made. They wanted me to support them, but because I refused I was attacked."
Speaking candidly, Serrao said that till three months ago he belonged to the group that's presently in the opposition. Led by the former panch's husband Francis Colaco, the group enjoys the support of Calangute legislator Agnelo Fernandes, he explained. "I left when the group lost majority. I have no confidence in Colaco's judgment. Moreover, it is important to be in the ruling side in order to ensure that your work gets done. Your supporters or people are not bothered about whom you support, they only want to ensure that their work is done."
Alleging that his political opponents contacted him 15 days before the incident, asking him to switch sides, he said, "They had convinced one member from the ruling side to join them earlier thus taking their total to five. I was contacted and asked to support as they would then gain a majority. But I declined and the attack on my life appears to be an attempt to scare me," alleged Serrao.
The present panchayat has 11 members, seven on the ruling side, four in the opposition.
Recalling his attack, he said, "Three men came out. They had covered their faces with masks and started attacking me with iron rods. The attackers didn't utter a word and the attack on me lasted less than five minutes. They escaped because a person in the neighbourhood who heard my screams came out."
While he suspects that the Calangute legislator was part of the attack he's quick to say, "The attack on me is political and there is nothing personal about it. Agnelo even came to meet me and told me that he had come to meet me as I was injured."
For his part, Agnelo Fernandes denied any hand in the attack and also emphasized that the opposition group led by Colaco was also not involved. "I even went and meet him in the hospital. I am even willing to go for brain mapping but my critics should also come for brain mapping. Then the truth will be out," he Agnelo.
Meanwhile, on February 6, Serrao submitted a letter to the Calangute PI claiming that some sections have been omitted in the FIR to "protect the local MLA".
"Section 120 (b) is intentionally omitted in the present case to protect the local MLA Agnelo Fernandes, as the entire attack on my life was at a instant and the conspiracy (sic) of the local MLA. As the motive behind the attack is only connected and benefiting the said MLA. According to me you have missed out in charging the said accused under section 120 (b), 511, 307 and other such sections of the Indian Penal Code," Serrao alleged in the letter. The police have registered an offence under section 341, 326 read with 34 of IPC.
However, the police have refused to register it as a case of attempt to murder, till they have evidence. SP (north) Bosco George told TOI, "We are trying to gather evidence and check out who is involved in the assault. Initial investigations reveal that the attack was an attempt to create fear and not to kill as there were no dangerous weapons used nor any attack on his vital organs." In his police complaint, Serrao said that he "strongly suspected" that he was attacked by Colaco, Agnelo and one Pitush.
10 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: "The attack on me is politically motivated and an attempt to scare me," alleged Reis Magos panch member Francisco Serrao, who was
attacked by three masked men on the morning of February 5.
The three-time elected panch member who works as a peon at St Teresa school in Candolim, and was attacked while on his way to work, told TOI, "The opposition members want to be in power in the panchayat at the moment as two casinos and two mega projects are coming up in the panchayat area and there is loads of money to be made. They wanted me to support them, but because I refused I was attacked."
Speaking candidly, Serrao said that till three months ago he belonged to the group that's presently in the opposition. Led by the former panch's husband Francis Colaco, the group enjoys the support of Calangute legislator Agnelo Fernandes, he explained. "I left when the group lost majority. I have no confidence in Colaco's judgment. Moreover, it is important to be in the ruling side in order to ensure that your work gets done. Your supporters or people are not bothered about whom you support, they only want to ensure that their work is done."
Alleging that his political opponents contacted him 15 days before the incident, asking him to switch sides, he said, "They had convinced one member from the ruling side to join them earlier thus taking their total to five. I was contacted and asked to support as they would then gain a majority. But I declined and the attack on my life appears to be an attempt to scare me," alleged Serrao.
The present panchayat has 11 members, seven on the ruling side, four in the opposition.
Recalling his attack, he said, "Three men came out. They had covered their faces with masks and started attacking me with iron rods. The attackers didn't utter a word and the attack on me lasted less than five minutes. They escaped because a person in the neighbourhood who heard my screams came out."
While he suspects that the Calangute legislator was part of the attack he's quick to say, "The attack on me is political and there is nothing personal about it. Agnelo even came to meet me and told me that he had come to meet me as I was injured."
For his part, Agnelo Fernandes denied any hand in the attack and also emphasized that the opposition group led by Colaco was also not involved. "I even went and meet him in the hospital. I am even willing to go for brain mapping but my critics should also come for brain mapping. Then the truth will be out," he Agnelo.
Meanwhile, on February 6, Serrao submitted a letter to the Calangute PI claiming that some sections have been omitted in the FIR to "protect the local MLA".
"Section 120 (b) is intentionally omitted in the present case to protect the local MLA Agnelo Fernandes, as the entire attack on my life was at a instant and the conspiracy (sic) of the local MLA. As the motive behind the attack is only connected and benefiting the said MLA. According to me you have missed out in charging the said accused under section 120 (b), 511, 307 and other such sections of the Indian Penal Code," Serrao alleged in the letter. The police have registered an offence under section 341, 326 read with 34 of IPC.
However, the police have refused to register it as a case of attempt to murder, till they have evidence. SP (north) Bosco George told TOI, "We are trying to gather evidence and check out who is involved in the assault. Initial investigations reveal that the attack was an attempt to create fear and not to kill as there were no dangerous weapons used nor any attack on his vital organs." In his police complaint, Serrao said that he "strongly suspected" that he was attacked by Colaco, Agnelo and one Pitush.
10 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Registration of biz by foreigners gets tougher
Registration of biz by foreigners gets tougher
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Foreign nationals wanting to register a company in India will need to have their signatures and addresses on the memorandum of association, as well their proof of identity notarized by a notary of the country of their origin.
The registrar of companies, Goa in a circular sent to the association of chartered accounts and company secretaries, on December 19, 2008 said that for registration of foreign companies or of companies by foreign nationals it is now mandatory that "the signatures and alteration in the memorandum of association and proof of identity, wherever required, should be notarized before the notary of the country of their origin and be duly apostilised (registered)".
This is in accordance with the Hague Convention, 1961 and the ministry of corporate affairs notification of December 4, 2008 on the issue.
"This will ensure that foreigners who invest in businesses in India have proper documents for registering the company, and will also keep a check on people with a dubious record getting into business here. Even ambiguity regarding incorporation of companies will be done away with," said Sanjay Gupta, Registrar of Companies, Goa, Daman and Diu.
Advocate Vikram Varma, legal advisor to several foreigners who have established businesses in Goa said, "After the recent crisis in the international market, such additional checks and balances for companies being floated in India is absolutely essential," said Varma.
Before the enforcement of this notification, the memorandum of association was prepared by a chartered accountant, company secretary or lawyer in India and foreign investors filled up their personal details and signed the documents in presence of these, and the proof of identity (passport) was certified by the three, or a notary in India.
"We have been side-stepped by the government. The Indian government now wants the signatures of the foreign investors to be attested by a notary in their country, which would also be countersigned by the Indian embassy. This will delay the process," said chartered accountant Lalit Shah.
Several foreigners who have established businesses in Goa have come under the scanner as it was alleged that some with a dubious record had formed companies with the sole purpose of purchasing property in India. Gupta added, "We can't stop any foreigner from setting up a company in India. But now, in case of any discord, we can track down the foreigner and produce them before the law."
22 Jan 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Foreign nationals wanting to register a company in India will need to have their signatures and addresses on the memorandum of association, as well their proof of identity notarized by a notary of the country of their origin.
The registrar of companies, Goa in a circular sent to the association of chartered accounts and company secretaries, on December 19, 2008 said that for registration of foreign companies or of companies by foreign nationals it is now mandatory that "the signatures and alteration in the memorandum of association and proof of identity, wherever required, should be notarized before the notary of the country of their origin and be duly apostilised (registered)".
This is in accordance with the Hague Convention, 1961 and the ministry of corporate affairs notification of December 4, 2008 on the issue.
"This will ensure that foreigners who invest in businesses in India have proper documents for registering the company, and will also keep a check on people with a dubious record getting into business here. Even ambiguity regarding incorporation of companies will be done away with," said Sanjay Gupta, Registrar of Companies, Goa, Daman and Diu.
Advocate Vikram Varma, legal advisor to several foreigners who have established businesses in Goa said, "After the recent crisis in the international market, such additional checks and balances for companies being floated in India is absolutely essential," said Varma.
Before the enforcement of this notification, the memorandum of association was prepared by a chartered accountant, company secretary or lawyer in India and foreign investors filled up their personal details and signed the documents in presence of these, and the proof of identity (passport) was certified by the three, or a notary in India.
"We have been side-stepped by the government. The Indian government now wants the signatures of the foreign investors to be attested by a notary in their country, which would also be countersigned by the Indian embassy. This will delay the process," said chartered accountant Lalit Shah.
Several foreigners who have established businesses in Goa have come under the scanner as it was alleged that some with a dubious record had formed companies with the sole purpose of purchasing property in India. Gupta added, "We can't stop any foreigner from setting up a company in India. But now, in case of any discord, we can track down the foreigner and produce them before the law."
22 Jan 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Antidepressant gives patient nightmares
Antidepressant gives patient nightmares
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: An article published in a medical journal by Goa Medical College and Hospital's
Dr Padmanabh V Rataboli, Dr Amit Dang and Dr Gaurav Garg
revealed a rare adverse reaction to an antidepressant drug.
After taking the drug mirtazapine (15 mg once daily at bed time), which was prescribed for his depressive symptoms for approximately two weeks, the patient, a 21-year-old medical student, went to GMC's psychiatry outpatient department with a history of severe nightmares almost every night. In addition, he complained of malaise, confusion and increased sedation during day time, while on therapy.
The nightmares included seeing an unknown person trying to stab him with a knife, seeing himself tied up to a pole over the bridge with gun shots hitting him from the sides and visualizing his girlfriend dead under a collapsed building.
After a night of horrible dreams, the medico would wake up confused with palpitations, sweating and fear. He was not suffering from some psychiatric illness, but his problems were due to a rare adverse drug reaction to the antidepressant drug.
Incidentally, the nightmares disappeared completely within a couple of days after mirtazapine was stopped, revealed the study Mirtazapine induced nightmares in an adult male' published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology on November 5, 2008.
So far, the most common adverse effects reported from mirtazapine, according to the paper, include drowsiness or sedation and malaise or lassitude but sleep disorders are extremely rare adverse events with mirtazapine as the drug has been documented to show sleep-promoting action by increasing total sleep time, sleep efficiency and slow wave sleep.
Later, he was put on fluoxetine and no such episodes were reported. On careful evaluation of past history, it was found by doctors that the patient had shown poor compliance to mirtazapine a few years back and had experienced similar nightmares.
"There was no history of concomitant use of other medications (including herbal medicines) or alcohol intake. The temporal relationship between the initiation of treatment with mirtazapine and onset of nightmares and their disappearance with discontinuation of the drug, and also their occurrence during a previous episode of mirtazapine treatment suggests a causal aetiology and puts this extremely rare adverse drug reaction (ADR) in a highly probable' category," the paper states.
31 Jan 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: An article published in a medical journal by Goa Medical College and Hospital's
Dr Padmanabh V Rataboli, Dr Amit Dang and Dr Gaurav Garg
revealed a rare adverse reaction to an antidepressant drug.
After taking the drug mirtazapine (15 mg once daily at bed time), which was prescribed for his depressive symptoms for approximately two weeks, the patient, a 21-year-old medical student, went to GMC's psychiatry outpatient department with a history of severe nightmares almost every night. In addition, he complained of malaise, confusion and increased sedation during day time, while on therapy.
The nightmares included seeing an unknown person trying to stab him with a knife, seeing himself tied up to a pole over the bridge with gun shots hitting him from the sides and visualizing his girlfriend dead under a collapsed building.
After a night of horrible dreams, the medico would wake up confused with palpitations, sweating and fear. He was not suffering from some psychiatric illness, but his problems were due to a rare adverse drug reaction to the antidepressant drug.
Incidentally, the nightmares disappeared completely within a couple of days after mirtazapine was stopped, revealed the study Mirtazapine induced nightmares in an adult male' published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology on November 5, 2008.
So far, the most common adverse effects reported from mirtazapine, according to the paper, include drowsiness or sedation and malaise or lassitude but sleep disorders are extremely rare adverse events with mirtazapine as the drug has been documented to show sleep-promoting action by increasing total sleep time, sleep efficiency and slow wave sleep.
Later, he was put on fluoxetine and no such episodes were reported. On careful evaluation of past history, it was found by doctors that the patient had shown poor compliance to mirtazapine a few years back and had experienced similar nightmares.
"There was no history of concomitant use of other medications (including herbal medicines) or alcohol intake. The temporal relationship between the initiation of treatment with mirtazapine and onset of nightmares and their disappearance with discontinuation of the drug, and also their occurrence during a previous episode of mirtazapine treatment suggests a causal aetiology and puts this extremely rare adverse drug reaction (ADR) in a highly probable' category," the paper states.
31 Jan 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
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