Rare operation saves woman's life
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Lying in the ICU of the Campal clinic, Jamila Bi, 62, is a relieved woman. Doctors on April 15 successfully removed a giant sized "hydatid cyst" with thousands of worm eggs from her right lung.
A startling size and rare condition in India, previously unrecorded in medical corridors, doctors revealed that the Ponda-based Jamila, a housewife, might have been living in this condition since her childhood. She was promptly and efficiently diagnosed and referred to the hospital by the TB and Chest government hospital in a critical condition.
"I had frequent cough. But I never took it seriously as it was treated with medicines. In the last two or three years, the problem increased and at times I would cough continuously for nearly 15 to 20 minutes. But then felt better after taking medicines. But since last few months, the cough was unbearable. That's when I was referred by a local physician to TB and chest hospital," recalls Jamila.
"It was a 15 cm diameter giant hydatid cyst within the right lung. Termed the multilocular hydatid, it is formed by worms called echinococcus multiloculare. In India, this problem is rare", said cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon Dr Irineu A Pereira, who operated on Jamila.
While unilocular (single cyst cavity) due to echinococcus granulosus worms are relatively common in India, multilocular hydatid due to echinococcus multiloculare worms is uncommon, said doctors. "Multilocular hydatid in the lung and of this size is rare. There is only 5 to 15 % incidence world wide", said Goa Medical College and hospital's pathology department head Dr Wiseman Pinto, to whom the cyst has been sent for hysto-pathology tests.
Even the WHO manual on echinococcosis in humans and animals states that echinococcus multilocularis has an extensive geographic range in the northern hemisphere, including endemic regions in central Europe, most of northern and central Eurasia and parts of North America. In Eurasia, parts of Turkey, Iran and possibly northern India (report of one human case), the manual reports. "It is dangerous because they typically remain asymptomatic until the cysts cause a mass effect on an organ, which can occur 5-20 years after the initial infestation in the lung, mostly in childhood", said Dr Pereira.
Jamila underwent a three-hour-long surgery, in which her lung was cut open and the cyst removed. "The cyst contained thousands of worms and toxic fluids and had to be extracted without rupturing them, as leak or rupture had huge risk of massive allergic reactions leading to death," explained Dr Pereira.
Doctors said that echinococcus multilocularis worms follow a cyclical route. It is found in sheep and canines. The infection is passed to humans by either eating the infected animal or by drinking water contaminated with the excreta of the infected animal. Though the eggs multiply in the human body, it doesn't grow to become a worm within the human body, added doctors.
19 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Most young Goa Medical College docs are stressed
Most young Goa Medical College docs are stressed
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Young doctors at the Goa Medical College are highly stressed. According to a study, more than 80% doctors in the age group of 23 to 30
suffer from high levels of stress and tension. To help these doctors cope better, GMC has started stress management workshops and will be introducing counseling sessions for them.
The present study was undertaken with the intention of examining the causes and level of stress among doctors. A group of 100 junior and senior residents and consultants working at GMC served as sample for the study conducted by head of pathology department Dr Wiseman Pinto and intern Dr Amar Jain for the Medical Education Cell of GMC. The age of the doctors studied ranged from 23 to 50 years.
"Consultants reported more satisfaction with work and less stress. On the other hand, resident doctors who are just starting their career complained that they are stressed out. About 75.7% said that they were under stress everyday," said Dr Pinto. The study revealed that about 54% had medium stress levels while around 33% complained that they suffered from high levels of stress.
The major cause of stress among doctors are long duty hours, dealing with death, suffering and pain on a daily basis, frequent night duties and calls and overburdened with work. While about 90% said that the major causes for stress were long duty hours (36 hours), no post duty offs, overburdened with work, lack of sleep due to frequent night duties or calls, irritable behaviour of patients or relatives and study tensions, few others said that dealing with high risk patients, lazy junior staff, harassment from seniors, partiality and departmental politics stresses them out. Some also said that they had exam and operation theater tensions.
"Stress levels among young doctors have definitely increased. Though the number of patients have increased over the years, the number of doctors in GMC have remained steady", said Dr. Pinto. On an average, a resident has to handle 50 to 70 patients at GMC in a day, especially in busy departments like surgery, medicine, neurosurgery, ICU, casualty, orthopedics, anesthesia, gynecology and trauma.
While the number of patients has increased over the years, the number of posts have not increased. In 2008, there were 4 lakh OPDs, 52,111 admissions, 16,061 surgeries and 5,665 births in GMC. On the other hand, the number of vacant positions for junior residents are 2, for senior residents 28 and consultants 27.
17 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Young doctors at the Goa Medical College are highly stressed. According to a study, more than 80% doctors in the age group of 23 to 30
suffer from high levels of stress and tension. To help these doctors cope better, GMC has started stress management workshops and will be introducing counseling sessions for them.
The present study was undertaken with the intention of examining the causes and level of stress among doctors. A group of 100 junior and senior residents and consultants working at GMC served as sample for the study conducted by head of pathology department Dr Wiseman Pinto and intern Dr Amar Jain for the Medical Education Cell of GMC. The age of the doctors studied ranged from 23 to 50 years.
"Consultants reported more satisfaction with work and less stress. On the other hand, resident doctors who are just starting their career complained that they are stressed out. About 75.7% said that they were under stress everyday," said Dr Pinto. The study revealed that about 54% had medium stress levels while around 33% complained that they suffered from high levels of stress.
The major cause of stress among doctors are long duty hours, dealing with death, suffering and pain on a daily basis, frequent night duties and calls and overburdened with work. While about 90% said that the major causes for stress were long duty hours (36 hours), no post duty offs, overburdened with work, lack of sleep due to frequent night duties or calls, irritable behaviour of patients or relatives and study tensions, few others said that dealing with high risk patients, lazy junior staff, harassment from seniors, partiality and departmental politics stresses them out. Some also said that they had exam and operation theater tensions.
"Stress levels among young doctors have definitely increased. Though the number of patients have increased over the years, the number of doctors in GMC have remained steady", said Dr. Pinto. On an average, a resident has to handle 50 to 70 patients at GMC in a day, especially in busy departments like surgery, medicine, neurosurgery, ICU, casualty, orthopedics, anesthesia, gynecology and trauma.
While the number of patients has increased over the years, the number of posts have not increased. In 2008, there were 4 lakh OPDs, 52,111 admissions, 16,061 surgeries and 5,665 births in GMC. On the other hand, the number of vacant positions for junior residents are 2, for senior residents 28 and consultants 27.
17 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
BJP winning Catholic hearts
BJP winning Catholic hearts
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In Goa, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is moving away from its hardline Hindutva image and trying to woo the Christians. And what's more, the BJP workers claim that this election they have been able to penetrate into Catholic hearts, which have so far been considered staunch Congress supporters.
"I am witnessing a big change this year. Unlike in the past when Christians in North Goa used to avoid the BJP candidates, this time they are actually inviting us to address meetings in the village," said BJP's north Goa candidate and state party president Shripad Naik.
Naik is also working hard to reach out to the Christian population. Sources said that Naik generally starts his day's campaigning in a village after offering prayers. In the past, majority of village meetings and house to house visits started with paying obeisance in a temple. But this time, in several villages, the day started after praying at a church.
"I have started my day's campaigning after praying to God in a church or chapel in more than 10 to 12 places this time. The number is higher than last year. But it was not a deliberate attempt to woo the Christian hearts. It happened because the Christian population eagerly welcomed us," he said.
Of the 678 booths in north Goa, Naik has visited over 600 booths. He has also finished his one round of campaigning in almost each and every village panchayat, except in four or five.
BJP workers reveal that even the hardcore Congress areas are slowly warming up to the idea of a BJP leader and they are inviting BJP leaders to address people. Take the case of Girkarwado in Arambol, which has more than 90% Catholic population. Despite winning the assembly elections twice from Mandrem constituency, BJP's Laxmikant Parsekar has never been able to penetrate into the village vote-bank. But this time its a different scenario.
"I have never got votes from Girkarwado. But this time, the Catholics organized a public meeting and invited us to address a crowd of more than 400," said Mandrem MLA Laxmikant Parsekar. This, Parsekar believes, is a sign of the changing image of BJP in the Christian minds.
"The image that the BJP is a Hindutva party is changing. People have realized that BJP maybe a Hindu party, but we are definitely not against Catholics. People from the minority community are coming out in large numbers for the village meetings organized by us and extending their support to bhau (Naik)," said Parsekar.
Fr Francisco Caldeira, director, Diocesan Centre for Social Communication Media said, "Catholics are open to BJP. Even in the past, they had come to power with the help of Catholic votes."
17 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In Goa, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is moving away from its hardline Hindutva image and trying to woo the Christians. And what's more, the BJP workers claim that this election they have been able to penetrate into Catholic hearts, which have so far been considered staunch Congress supporters.
"I am witnessing a big change this year. Unlike in the past when Christians in North Goa used to avoid the BJP candidates, this time they are actually inviting us to address meetings in the village," said BJP's north Goa candidate and state party president Shripad Naik.
Naik is also working hard to reach out to the Christian population. Sources said that Naik generally starts his day's campaigning in a village after offering prayers. In the past, majority of village meetings and house to house visits started with paying obeisance in a temple. But this time, in several villages, the day started after praying at a church.
"I have started my day's campaigning after praying to God in a church or chapel in more than 10 to 12 places this time. The number is higher than last year. But it was not a deliberate attempt to woo the Christian hearts. It happened because the Christian population eagerly welcomed us," he said.
Of the 678 booths in north Goa, Naik has visited over 600 booths. He has also finished his one round of campaigning in almost each and every village panchayat, except in four or five.
BJP workers reveal that even the hardcore Congress areas are slowly warming up to the idea of a BJP leader and they are inviting BJP leaders to address people. Take the case of Girkarwado in Arambol, which has more than 90% Catholic population. Despite winning the assembly elections twice from Mandrem constituency, BJP's Laxmikant Parsekar has never been able to penetrate into the village vote-bank. But this time its a different scenario.
"I have never got votes from Girkarwado. But this time, the Catholics organized a public meeting and invited us to address a crowd of more than 400," said Mandrem MLA Laxmikant Parsekar. This, Parsekar believes, is a sign of the changing image of BJP in the Christian minds.
"The image that the BJP is a Hindutva party is changing. People have realized that BJP maybe a Hindu party, but we are definitely not against Catholics. People from the minority community are coming out in large numbers for the village meetings organized by us and extending their support to bhau (Naik)," said Parsekar.
Fr Francisco Caldeira, director, Diocesan Centre for Social Communication Media said, "Catholics are open to BJP. Even in the past, they had come to power with the help of Catholic votes."
17 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Other extreme: An LS aspirant who owns nothing, almost
Other extreme: An LS aspirant who owns nothing, almost
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Amidst the crorepatis contesting the Lok Sabha polls is a slum dweller who has neither savings nor movable assets. In fact, Martha D’Souza, an independent in fray for the North Goa seat is so poor that her contact point is a coin box pay phone outside her only immovable asset—an old, two-storied home in the middle of the Indiranagar slums in Chimbel, about 3 km from Panaji.
But poverty has turned into a poll USP for the 55-year-old widow of a police constable.
“I am poor and therefore I understand the pains and needs of the poor. I don’t have a manifesto that woos people before the elections. My aim is to work towards the upliftment of the poor. That’s my election manifesto,” says Martha. Her only source of income, according to her affidavit before the Election Commission, is a monthly pension of Rs 2,000.
Well aware that her competitors are not as poorly placed, the SSC educated Martha, who unsuccessfully contested two Assembly elections from Santa Cruz constituency in the past, says “money doesn’t matter”.
“What have the lahkpati and crorepati politicians done for the poor? Absolutely nothing. I have won the hearts of the poor here and they have contributed Rs 20,000 for my campaign. I will use the money to display banners and announce my candidature on a mobile loudspeaker,” says the candidate whose symbol is a coconut.
Quizzed about why she’s in the race, she shoots back, “If you want change you need to come out and contest the elections. Even if you don’t have money or muscle power, you need to contest to bring a change in the existing system. If you have the will to change today for a better tomorrow, then God will show you the way.”
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Amidst the crorepatis contesting the Lok Sabha polls is a slum dweller who has neither savings nor movable assets. In fact, Martha D’Souza, an independent in fray for the North Goa seat is so poor that her contact point is a coin box pay phone outside her only immovable asset—an old, two-storied home in the middle of the Indiranagar slums in Chimbel, about 3 km from Panaji.
But poverty has turned into a poll USP for the 55-year-old widow of a police constable.
“I am poor and therefore I understand the pains and needs of the poor. I don’t have a manifesto that woos people before the elections. My aim is to work towards the upliftment of the poor. That’s my election manifesto,” says Martha. Her only source of income, according to her affidavit before the Election Commission, is a monthly pension of Rs 2,000.
Well aware that her competitors are not as poorly placed, the SSC educated Martha, who unsuccessfully contested two Assembly elections from Santa Cruz constituency in the past, says “money doesn’t matter”.
“What have the lahkpati and crorepati politicians done for the poor? Absolutely nothing. I have won the hearts of the poor here and they have contributed Rs 20,000 for my campaign. I will use the money to display banners and announce my candidature on a mobile loudspeaker,” says the candidate whose symbol is a coconut.
Quizzed about why she’s in the race, she shoots back, “If you want change you need to come out and contest the elections. Even if you don’t have money or muscle power, you need to contest to bring a change in the existing system. If you have the will to change today for a better tomorrow, then God will show you the way.”
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Coastal police in Goa yet to get high-speed patrol boats
Coastal police in Goa yet to get high-speed patrol boats
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The coastal police will have to wait till after the Parliamentary polls to put to use the sophisticated skills they recently learnt.
Trained to operate high-speed, bullet-proof boats fitted with machine guns, the 65 policemen attached to three coastal stations will have to instead be content with patrolling the state’s 105-km coastline on four old, worn out boats.
This is because the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), which has an order to prepare 116 GRP patrol boats for the western state coastal police, is yet to supply the state government with the high-speed patrol vehicles.
After the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, with a view to improve coastal patrolling, the central home ministry decided to allocate high-speed boats to states on the west coast. Goa, accordingly, is due to receive four five-tonne ‘Invaders’ and four 12-tonne ‘Hell Raisers’, all highly sophisticated machines, capable of withstanding terrorist strikes.
“We are yet to get the high-speed boats from GSL. But we have been told that we will be immediately allotted one five-tonne speedboat as soon as a formal order is issued by the central ministry,” said a senior police official.
Officials at GSL, wishing anonymity on account of the election code of conduct, told TOI, “The boats are being built at GSL unit II in Goa. About 30-odd boats are ready and will be handed over to the government of India and the respective coastal police including Goa soon.”
While the five-tonne petrol vessels can hold 16 persons each, the 12-tonne diesel boats can accommodate 20 each.
Moreover, the former vessels feature two outboard motors, wireless systems and bullet-proof cabins that can withstand an AK47 charge from 10 m.
The latter boats, on the other hand, have jet propulsion engines, can travel up to 40 nautical miles and can be used for deep sea patrolling. These 12-tonne vessels are called the mothership and can’t be detected on radar.
“The boats are unsinkable, designed for the patrol party’s safety. Not only can they be used for patrolling, they can also be used for rescue operations and are very popular with the European coastal police,” said sources.
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The coastal police will have to wait till after the Parliamentary polls to put to use the sophisticated skills they recently learnt.
Trained to operate high-speed, bullet-proof boats fitted with machine guns, the 65 policemen attached to three coastal stations will have to instead be content with patrolling the state’s 105-km coastline on four old, worn out boats.
This is because the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), which has an order to prepare 116 GRP patrol boats for the western state coastal police, is yet to supply the state government with the high-speed patrol vehicles.
After the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, with a view to improve coastal patrolling, the central home ministry decided to allocate high-speed boats to states on the west coast. Goa, accordingly, is due to receive four five-tonne ‘Invaders’ and four 12-tonne ‘Hell Raisers’, all highly sophisticated machines, capable of withstanding terrorist strikes.
“We are yet to get the high-speed boats from GSL. But we have been told that we will be immediately allotted one five-tonne speedboat as soon as a formal order is issued by the central ministry,” said a senior police official.
Officials at GSL, wishing anonymity on account of the election code of conduct, told TOI, “The boats are being built at GSL unit II in Goa. About 30-odd boats are ready and will be handed over to the government of India and the respective coastal police including Goa soon.”
While the five-tonne petrol vessels can hold 16 persons each, the 12-tonne diesel boats can accommodate 20 each.
Moreover, the former vessels feature two outboard motors, wireless systems and bullet-proof cabins that can withstand an AK47 charge from 10 m.
The latter boats, on the other hand, have jet propulsion engines, can travel up to 40 nautical miles and can be used for deep sea patrolling. These 12-tonne vessels are called the mothership and can’t be detected on radar.
“The boats are unsinkable, designed for the patrol party’s safety. Not only can they be used for patrolling, they can also be used for rescue operations and are very popular with the European coastal police,” said sources.
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
New witness in Scarlett case: Fiona
New witness in Scarlett case: Fiona
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In a major development, Fiona MacKeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, has written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that she has a new witness who claims he saw Scarlett on the night she died.
Speaking to TOI from her home in Devon, UK, Fiona refused to give details of the new witness "for I fear for his life", but said, "He is a local and told me that Scarlett was crying on the night she was murdered (on February 18, 2008 at Anjuna beach) and had asked him to take her home. He agreed but was stopped by a group of men he was afraid of."
Fiona further said that the witness contacted her and told her that he "has not been able to forgive himself since Scarlett was found dead, but is very afraid of a group of men".
Claiming to have the witness' name, address and photograph, she however, wants to know from the CBI "whether they can still proceed with the case without my statement". It may be recalled, that the Goa children's court refused the CBI request to issue a Letter Rogatory (LR), letter of request, to record Fiona's statement in the UK. Fiona has said repeatedly that she is scared to come to India to meet the CBI to give her statement, because she would be arrested following a case of negligent parenting being issued against her.
"I want the investigations in India to be over fast or the UK coroner will not release my daughter's body for burial. I desperately want to bury my daughter so we can move forward with our lives," said Fiona.
Meanwhile, even as she has written to the police to assure her that she will not be arrested or detained in India and would be allowed to meet the CBI in Mumbai, Fiona has also replied to the questionnaire sent by the Goa police.
The Goa police had raised questions about Fiona's children, her source of income, purpose of visit to India along with her children.
Her replies have been very brief. To a question on whether Scarlett was consuming drugs or liquor, Fiona has replied: Drugs, no. Drink, she was permitted to have a small drink on special occasions with a meal. She has further stated that she was not aware if Julio and Scarlett were visiting nightclubs, nor did she visit nightclubs with her children. As for whether Julio or Scarlett were in love with each other, Fiona's answer has been in the negative.
She has also termed the relationship
between Julio and Scarlett, "platonic, working and friends". She insists she did not leave Scarlett alone with Julio in Goa. "She was not alone. She was in the care of Julio Lobo, an adult man, who was in the care of his aunts. She wanted the experience of working in Goa," Fiona has said in her reply. She has further said that Scarlett stayed in Goa "on her own wish".
To a question on whether she was aware that Julio was looking after Scarlett's day-to-day expenditure, she said, "No. I used to give her money when she visited us and I understand he was paying her for working."
11 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: In a major development, Fiona MacKeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, has written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that she has a new witness who claims he saw Scarlett on the night she died.
Speaking to TOI from her home in Devon, UK, Fiona refused to give details of the new witness "for I fear for his life", but said, "He is a local and told me that Scarlett was crying on the night she was murdered (on February 18, 2008 at Anjuna beach) and had asked him to take her home. He agreed but was stopped by a group of men he was afraid of."
Fiona further said that the witness contacted her and told her that he "has not been able to forgive himself since Scarlett was found dead, but is very afraid of a group of men".
Claiming to have the witness' name, address and photograph, she however, wants to know from the CBI "whether they can still proceed with the case without my statement". It may be recalled, that the Goa children's court refused the CBI request to issue a Letter Rogatory (LR), letter of request, to record Fiona's statement in the UK. Fiona has said repeatedly that she is scared to come to India to meet the CBI to give her statement, because she would be arrested following a case of negligent parenting being issued against her.
"I want the investigations in India to be over fast or the UK coroner will not release my daughter's body for burial. I desperately want to bury my daughter so we can move forward with our lives," said Fiona.
Meanwhile, even as she has written to the police to assure her that she will not be arrested or detained in India and would be allowed to meet the CBI in Mumbai, Fiona has also replied to the questionnaire sent by the Goa police.
The Goa police had raised questions about Fiona's children, her source of income, purpose of visit to India along with her children.
Her replies have been very brief. To a question on whether Scarlett was consuming drugs or liquor, Fiona has replied: Drugs, no. Drink, she was permitted to have a small drink on special occasions with a meal. She has further stated that she was not aware if Julio and Scarlett were visiting nightclubs, nor did she visit nightclubs with her children. As for whether Julio or Scarlett were in love with each other, Fiona's answer has been in the negative.
She has also termed the relationship
between Julio and Scarlett, "platonic, working and friends". She insists she did not leave Scarlett alone with Julio in Goa. "She was not alone. She was in the care of Julio Lobo, an adult man, who was in the care of his aunts. She wanted the experience of working in Goa," Fiona has said in her reply. She has further said that Scarlett stayed in Goa "on her own wish".
To a question on whether she was aware that Julio was looking after Scarlett's day-to-day expenditure, she said, "No. I used to give her money when she visited us and I understand he was paying her for working."
11 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
NGO Sangath to conduct study on autism
NGO Sangath to conduct study on autism
PANAJI: The non-governmental organisation Sangath will conduct a study on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among children in India, as part of
Autism Research and Training Initiative (ARTI) project in collaboration with Jyot, a Goa based support group for families affected by the disorder.
"Studies in the US, where most work has been done, suggest that up to 1 in 150 children have this disorder. However, there is no reliable data on ASD in India, nor are there any tools to help community health workers identify children with these disorders," said Gauri Divan from Sangath. "As a result, ASD remains a little understood condition in the country," she added.
ASD affects the development of language and communication, social interaction and restricts interests. While development of language and communication deals with the way a child learns vocabulary and describes his needs, social interaction deals with how a child interacts with others and restricted interests means the limited activities that a child is interested in.
Sangath is one of three south Asian organizations to have been awarded grants by the US based NGO Autism Speaks to launch a research program to improve the understanding of ASD in the region.
The ARTI project was launched recently and a two-day meeting was held with the stake-holders in Goa on Thursday, wherein it was agreed to strengthen regional collaboration to improve the understanding of ASD.
12 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: The non-governmental organisation Sangath will conduct a study on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among children in India, as part of
Autism Research and Training Initiative (ARTI) project in collaboration with Jyot, a Goa based support group for families affected by the disorder.
"Studies in the US, where most work has been done, suggest that up to 1 in 150 children have this disorder. However, there is no reliable data on ASD in India, nor are there any tools to help community health workers identify children with these disorders," said Gauri Divan from Sangath. "As a result, ASD remains a little understood condition in the country," she added.
ASD affects the development of language and communication, social interaction and restricts interests. While development of language and communication deals with the way a child learns vocabulary and describes his needs, social interaction deals with how a child interacts with others and restricted interests means the limited activities that a child is interested in.
Sangath is one of three south Asian organizations to have been awarded grants by the US based NGO Autism Speaks to launch a research program to improve the understanding of ASD in the region.
The ARTI project was launched recently and a two-day meeting was held with the stake-holders in Goa on Thursday, wherein it was agreed to strengthen regional collaboration to improve the understanding of ASD.
12 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
30 rape cases reported in '08
30 rape cases reported in '08
PANAJI: There were more rape cases reported in 2008 than the previous years. In 2008, there were 30 rape cases reported as compared to 20 cases
in 2007 and 21 in 2006. Data reveals that more minors were raped as compared to majors in the state.
Statistics available with the police department show that in 2005 there were 20 cases of rape, of which 15 victims were minors while five were majors. In 2006, there were 21 cases of rape, of which 14 were minors and seven majors.
The situation was not very different in 2007 when 20 cases of rape were registered. Of these, 15 were minor victims while five were major. The number of rape cases rose to 30 in 2008, with 18 minor and 12 major victims.
Even though the rate of detection has improved, the conviction rate remains low. In 2004, about 48 persons were accused of rape. While in 2005, 33 were accused of rape, in 2006, 19 were arrested. In 2007, 24 were arrested for rape and the number increased to 39 in 2008.
In 2004, six accused were convicted in a rape case, while in 2005, only one person was convicted. The trend continued in 2006 with one person being convicted for rape. In 2007, two persons were convicted for rape. In 2008, there was not a single conviction of rape, the records revealed.
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: There were more rape cases reported in 2008 than the previous years. In 2008, there were 30 rape cases reported as compared to 20 cases
in 2007 and 21 in 2006. Data reveals that more minors were raped as compared to majors in the state.
Statistics available with the police department show that in 2005 there were 20 cases of rape, of which 15 victims were minors while five were majors. In 2006, there were 21 cases of rape, of which 14 were minors and seven majors.
The situation was not very different in 2007 when 20 cases of rape were registered. Of these, 15 were minor victims while five were major. The number of rape cases rose to 30 in 2008, with 18 minor and 12 major victims.
Even though the rate of detection has improved, the conviction rate remains low. In 2004, about 48 persons were accused of rape. While in 2005, 33 were accused of rape, in 2006, 19 were arrested. In 2007, 24 were arrested for rape and the number increased to 39 in 2008.
In 2004, six accused were convicted in a rape case, while in 2005, only one person was convicted. The trend continued in 2006 with one person being convicted for rape. In 2007, two persons were convicted for rape. In 2008, there was not a single conviction of rape, the records revealed.
13 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Modi grounded
Modi grounded
Narendra Modi arrived two hours late for his rally at Bicholim on Wednesday and apologized saying, “I was supposed to come by helicopter. But
they refused to take off stating that it was dark. Therefore, I had travel by road.”
Police sources said, “He got late in Maharashtra and as it was dark when he arrived in Goa, it was not advisable to move him in a helicopter from Dabolim to Bicholim.”
An AAI official said, “I think the Navy should be contacted about this as it was the their Air Traffic Controller on duty at that time.” Queries with the Navy drew a similar response. “It is the AAI who has to answer this. It is the AAI who had stipulated rules on no flights after sunset,” a navy official said.
16 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Narendra Modi arrived two hours late for his rally at Bicholim on Wednesday and apologized saying, “I was supposed to come by helicopter. But
they refused to take off stating that it was dark. Therefore, I had travel by road.”
Police sources said, “He got late in Maharashtra and as it was dark when he arrived in Goa, it was not advisable to move him in a helicopter from Dabolim to Bicholim.”
An AAI official said, “I think the Navy should be contacted about this as it was the their Air Traffic Controller on duty at that time.” Queries with the Navy drew a similar response. “It is the AAI who has to answer this. It is the AAI who had stipulated rules on no flights after sunset,” a navy official said.
16 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Chief Secretary's told to ensure that no info about voter support to political parties is collected
Told To Ensure That No Info About Voter Support To Political Parties Is Collected
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The Central home department has sent a circular to chief secretaries of all states and union territories asking them to ensure that the
state police and intelligence authorities don't collect data regarding electoral
support to political parties at the village level. The Election Commission has termed such activities of the police department as "extra jurisdictional".
Government sources said that the home secretary, government of India, had sent the circular almost a fortnight back to chief secretaries after the Election Commission objected to the "collection of data in respect of electoral support to political parties at the grassroots level, including the support commanded by anti-socials and mafia" during the elections by the state police and intelligence authorities.
Special home secretary Diwan Chand confirmed the receipt of the letter. "We have received a letter from the home secretary and it has been sent to the director general of police for necessary action." SP (Special branch) who is also the PRO, Atmaram V Deshpande, confirmed having received the circular. Saying that "it is an internal communication", he refused to comment any further.
The circular notes that the EC has observed that using the police and intelligence authorities to collect information from grassroots is a misuse of government machinery and "by no stretch can be treated as part of the duties and responsibilities of the police department".The circular also states that the EC has asked that necessary systems be put in place to ensure that "such extra-jurisdictional activities of the police department" are kept in check and don't occur.
Sources said that the EC had intimated the home ministry about certain communications in a particular state directing the police and intelligence authorities in that state to collect data in respect of electoral support to political parties at the grassroots level, including the support commanded by anti-socials and mafia. However, the name of the state which had issued such directions is not mentioned in the letter.
The submission of regular political inputs to the ruling party, due to which they have an edge over their political rivals, is common even in Goa. However government sources discarded such a possibility saying, "There is no direction from the state government to collect information about electoral support to political parties at grassroots."
9 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The Central home department has sent a circular to chief secretaries of all states and union territories asking them to ensure that the
state police and intelligence authorities don't collect data regarding electoral
support to political parties at the village level. The Election Commission has termed such activities of the police department as "extra jurisdictional".
Government sources said that the home secretary, government of India, had sent the circular almost a fortnight back to chief secretaries after the Election Commission objected to the "collection of data in respect of electoral support to political parties at the grassroots level, including the support commanded by anti-socials and mafia" during the elections by the state police and intelligence authorities.
Special home secretary Diwan Chand confirmed the receipt of the letter. "We have received a letter from the home secretary and it has been sent to the director general of police for necessary action." SP (Special branch) who is also the PRO, Atmaram V Deshpande, confirmed having received the circular. Saying that "it is an internal communication", he refused to comment any further.
The circular notes that the EC has observed that using the police and intelligence authorities to collect information from grassroots is a misuse of government machinery and "by no stretch can be treated as part of the duties and responsibilities of the police department".The circular also states that the EC has asked that necessary systems be put in place to ensure that "such extra-jurisdictional activities of the police department" are kept in check and don't occur.
Sources said that the EC had intimated the home ministry about certain communications in a particular state directing the police and intelligence authorities in that state to collect data in respect of electoral support to political parties at the grassroots level, including the support commanded by anti-socials and mafia. However, the name of the state which had issued such directions is not mentioned in the letter.
The submission of regular political inputs to the ruling party, due to which they have an edge over their political rivals, is common even in Goa. However government sources discarded such a possibility saying, "There is no direction from the state government to collect information about electoral support to political parties at grassroots."
9 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Casino vessel Leela not fit to move out of Mandovi: DGS
Casino vessel Leela not fit to move out of Mandovi: DGS
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: The Leela approached the high court opposing the state government's move to shift all casino vessels to Aguada Bay stating that it would
affect its commercial operations. It also said it had permission from the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to operate the vessel within the sheltered waters of the Mandovi. But now it appears there is more than meets the eye.
Replying to Leela's claim, DGS has filed an affidavit in the high court pointing out that the vessel has major technical deficiencies and cannot operate as a passenger vessel beyond sheltered waters.
"The owners of MV The Leela put up the vessel for certification as a class VII passenger vessel, the lowest class permissible. However, the vessel couldn't meet the requirements for even this class, as it didn't comply with many of the rule requirements," states the affidavit. It adds, "The Leela, in its present condition, can't operate as a passenger vessel beyond sheltered waters."
When contacted, all that a Leela Venture Ltd official said was, "We have taken permission from DGS to operate on river Mandovi as a class VII passenger vessel and we have been granted the same. This is also displayed on the vessel."
The situation is akin to a 15-year-old luxury bus with major technical deficiencies not meeting the required RTO fitness standards yet being granted permission on the bus operator's assurance that it will ply only within city limits.
The Leela was accorded the certification after exemptions were granted with regard to watertight doors, deadlights for scuttles/windows for emergency use, double bottom tanks, detachable sills to facilitate safe passenger entry and exit, and exemption for diesel engine driven emergency fire pump with hand cranking. All this was explained in a letter from DGS to Leela on June 18, 2008.
The affidavit also states, "The vessel has major technical deficiencies with reference to the applicable rule requirements. Due to this, its operation as a passenger vessel is restricted to within sheltered waters. In case they want to operate the vessel beyond sheltered waters of any port or river, they have to rectify the deficiencies and comply fully with the relevant rules applicable for a passenger vessel for the intended area and season of operation."
Refuting the casino vessel's claim that it had DGS's permission to operate within the sheltered waters of the Mandovi, DGS said that the owners had themselves requested exemption from various rule requirements for a class VII certification, stating that operation would be restricted to the sheltered waters of river Mandovi, within inland water limits, that it will operate in inshore areas where traffic restrictions are not applicable, that the vessel will not ferry passengers and that the vessel will not sail or cruise, but remain moored in the river, except for bunkering purposes at which time there will be no passengers on board. This, Leela had communicated to the DGS on June 9, 2008.
The status and exemptions were granted taking into consideration the area and nature of operation of the vessel under provisions of MS (Construction and Survey of Passenger Ships) Rules 1981.
Passenger ships in India are classified in seven classes, class I being the highest and permitted to undertake "international voyages" and class VII the lowest. Class VII passenger vessels can be engaged only on voyages during the "fair season" between ports in India and the aren't allowed further than 5 miles from land.
8 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: The Leela approached the high court opposing the state government's move to shift all casino vessels to Aguada Bay stating that it would
affect its commercial operations. It also said it had permission from the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to operate the vessel within the sheltered waters of the Mandovi. But now it appears there is more than meets the eye.
Replying to Leela's claim, DGS has filed an affidavit in the high court pointing out that the vessel has major technical deficiencies and cannot operate as a passenger vessel beyond sheltered waters.
"The owners of MV The Leela put up the vessel for certification as a class VII passenger vessel, the lowest class permissible. However, the vessel couldn't meet the requirements for even this class, as it didn't comply with many of the rule requirements," states the affidavit. It adds, "The Leela, in its present condition, can't operate as a passenger vessel beyond sheltered waters."
When contacted, all that a Leela Venture Ltd official said was, "We have taken permission from DGS to operate on river Mandovi as a class VII passenger vessel and we have been granted the same. This is also displayed on the vessel."
The situation is akin to a 15-year-old luxury bus with major technical deficiencies not meeting the required RTO fitness standards yet being granted permission on the bus operator's assurance that it will ply only within city limits.
The Leela was accorded the certification after exemptions were granted with regard to watertight doors, deadlights for scuttles/windows for emergency use, double bottom tanks, detachable sills to facilitate safe passenger entry and exit, and exemption for diesel engine driven emergency fire pump with hand cranking. All this was explained in a letter from DGS to Leela on June 18, 2008.
The affidavit also states, "The vessel has major technical deficiencies with reference to the applicable rule requirements. Due to this, its operation as a passenger vessel is restricted to within sheltered waters. In case they want to operate the vessel beyond sheltered waters of any port or river, they have to rectify the deficiencies and comply fully with the relevant rules applicable for a passenger vessel for the intended area and season of operation."
Refuting the casino vessel's claim that it had DGS's permission to operate within the sheltered waters of the Mandovi, DGS said that the owners had themselves requested exemption from various rule requirements for a class VII certification, stating that operation would be restricted to the sheltered waters of river Mandovi, within inland water limits, that it will operate in inshore areas where traffic restrictions are not applicable, that the vessel will not ferry passengers and that the vessel will not sail or cruise, but remain moored in the river, except for bunkering purposes at which time there will be no passengers on board. This, Leela had communicated to the DGS on June 9, 2008.
The status and exemptions were granted taking into consideration the area and nature of operation of the vessel under provisions of MS (Construction and Survey of Passenger Ships) Rules 1981.
Passenger ships in India are classified in seven classes, class I being the highest and permitted to undertake "international voyages" and class VII the lowest. Class VII passenger vessels can be engaged only on voyages during the "fair season" between ports in India and the aren't allowed further than 5 miles from land.
8 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, April 03, 2009
Policemen scurry for jobs in Gulf, on ships
Policemen scurry for jobs in Gulf, on ships
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: This is perhaps what they mean when they say ‘eat your cake and have it too’. The state police is witnessing an increasing trend of its
personnel, mostly constables, going on long sabbaticals, thanks to the state’s extraordinary leave scheme which gives government officials the opportunity to stay away from work for up to five years and take up employment elsewhere.
In 2008, 15 policemen were granted extraordinary leave - a huge jump from the earlier annual average of about five officers. Most of them took up jobs abroad or onboard ships.
Says SP (PRO) Atmaram Deshpande, “Many avail of the scheme as their police training and field experience gets them high paying jobs as security or vigilance officers on cruise liners or in Gulf countries.” Former SP Alex Rasquinha explains the reason behind the phenomenon, “Not only is a policeman’s salary low, but many, after a few years of service end up with a battered morale as only those with political influence get good postings. Salaries after the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations are better, but the feeling of not getting anywhere in the force is increasing.”
Records reveal that a majority of the policemen seeking such leave are constables. There are few cases of police sub-inspectors and a lone police inspector seeking extraordinary leave.
3 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: This is perhaps what they mean when they say ‘eat your cake and have it too’. The state police is witnessing an increasing trend of its
personnel, mostly constables, going on long sabbaticals, thanks to the state’s extraordinary leave scheme which gives government officials the opportunity to stay away from work for up to five years and take up employment elsewhere.
In 2008, 15 policemen were granted extraordinary leave - a huge jump from the earlier annual average of about five officers. Most of them took up jobs abroad or onboard ships.
Says SP (PRO) Atmaram Deshpande, “Many avail of the scheme as their police training and field experience gets them high paying jobs as security or vigilance officers on cruise liners or in Gulf countries.” Former SP Alex Rasquinha explains the reason behind the phenomenon, “Not only is a policeman’s salary low, but many, after a few years of service end up with a battered morale as only those with political influence get good postings. Salaries after the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations are better, but the feeling of not getting anywhere in the force is increasing.”
Records reveal that a majority of the policemen seeking such leave are constables. There are few cases of police sub-inspectors and a lone police inspector seeking extraordinary leave.
3 Apr 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Goa cops beat up partying tourists
Goa cops beat up partying tourists
TNN
PANAJI: British passport holder Bhairavi (name changed), visited a shack on Ozrant beach on Saturday night for some fun but returned home with
injuries and the feeling that Goa is an unsafe holiday destination.
She is among several tourists, domestic and foreign, allegedly beaten up by cops while attending a party. The incident took place when the police tried to stop the party—which they claim was being illegally held—resulting in a clash. “A group of police invaded the beach and indiscriminately beat tourists—children, men and women. Some people are still in hospital and in trauma,” said Bhairavi, who claimed that she too was manhandled by five policemen and a policewoman.
“Four policemen took hold of my arms, another pulled my hair and they tried to drag me away. I was very frightened,” said British passport holder Bhairavi (name changed), who claimed to be one of the victims.
“I kept shouting and pulling and after some minutes they let me go. This is the first time I have experienced something like this. Until now, whenever the police have stopped a party it has been politely but firmly, never with sticks and guns. The music gets stopped, but people can stay as long as they like.”
A French tourist, who didn’t wish to be named, said that at about 8 pm on Saturday, they were suddenly surrounded by policemen wielding sticks. “The policemen roughly dragged the DJ and two teenage Indian boys. At the same time they waved their sticks threateningly at us and shouted ‘Leave the beach or we will beat you’. They were hitting the tables and people with sticks, even as some tourists begged for mercy,” the French tourist said. He said there were about 20 policemen, while the tourists at the party were about 50.
“They were all holding lathis (sticks), about six of them had rifles and one had a pistol. The men with rifles were pointing them at tourists, at times right in the tourists’ faces,” said Bhairavi.
Speaking to TOI, SP (PRO) AV Deshpande refuted the allegations and said, “Police had to use mild force because the people at the party started pelting bottles at the Anjuna cops who had gone to stop an illegal party. As there was a riot like situation, the police had to yield to a mild lathi charge to disperse the unruly mob.” He added that four policemen were injured.
The police have arrested three foreigners, as well as shack owner Premnath Agarwadekar, for having an illegal party and playing loud music.
The police also suspect that two foreigners arrested for the attack on Anjuna police might be under the influence of drugs. “While one of the foreigners agreed to a blood and urine test to check for the presence of alcohol and drugs, two others refused the same. We suspect that they may be under the influence of drugs,” said police sources.
The police arrested Russian DJ Sergiy Semachev, 35, German national Wuhl Heinrich Aldysius, 60, and Swedish national Role Peter Gradin, 49. Aldysius who had agreed to the blood and urine test was found to be under the influence of alcohol.
Meanwhile, the Anjuna police have recommended the cancellation of the restaurant’s license to the tourism department for having an illegal dance party and playing loud music.
March 24,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: British passport holder Bhairavi (name changed), visited a shack on Ozrant beach on Saturday night for some fun but returned home with
injuries and the feeling that Goa is an unsafe holiday destination.
She is among several tourists, domestic and foreign, allegedly beaten up by cops while attending a party. The incident took place when the police tried to stop the party—which they claim was being illegally held—resulting in a clash. “A group of police invaded the beach and indiscriminately beat tourists—children, men and women. Some people are still in hospital and in trauma,” said Bhairavi, who claimed that she too was manhandled by five policemen and a policewoman.
“Four policemen took hold of my arms, another pulled my hair and they tried to drag me away. I was very frightened,” said British passport holder Bhairavi (name changed), who claimed to be one of the victims.
“I kept shouting and pulling and after some minutes they let me go. This is the first time I have experienced something like this. Until now, whenever the police have stopped a party it has been politely but firmly, never with sticks and guns. The music gets stopped, but people can stay as long as they like.”
A French tourist, who didn’t wish to be named, said that at about 8 pm on Saturday, they were suddenly surrounded by policemen wielding sticks. “The policemen roughly dragged the DJ and two teenage Indian boys. At the same time they waved their sticks threateningly at us and shouted ‘Leave the beach or we will beat you’. They were hitting the tables and people with sticks, even as some tourists begged for mercy,” the French tourist said. He said there were about 20 policemen, while the tourists at the party were about 50.
“They were all holding lathis (sticks), about six of them had rifles and one had a pistol. The men with rifles were pointing them at tourists, at times right in the tourists’ faces,” said Bhairavi.
Speaking to TOI, SP (PRO) AV Deshpande refuted the allegations and said, “Police had to use mild force because the people at the party started pelting bottles at the Anjuna cops who had gone to stop an illegal party. As there was a riot like situation, the police had to yield to a mild lathi charge to disperse the unruly mob.” He added that four policemen were injured.
The police have arrested three foreigners, as well as shack owner Premnath Agarwadekar, for having an illegal party and playing loud music.
The police also suspect that two foreigners arrested for the attack on Anjuna police might be under the influence of drugs. “While one of the foreigners agreed to a blood and urine test to check for the presence of alcohol and drugs, two others refused the same. We suspect that they may be under the influence of drugs,” said police sources.
The police arrested Russian DJ Sergiy Semachev, 35, German national Wuhl Heinrich Aldysius, 60, and Swedish national Role Peter Gradin, 49. Aldysius who had agreed to the blood and urine test was found to be under the influence of alcohol.
Meanwhile, the Anjuna police have recommended the cancellation of the restaurant’s license to the tourism department for having an illegal dance party and playing loud music.
March 24,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Ingo denied business visa to India
Ingo denied business visa to India
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Ingo's Saturday night market at Arpora, which is a popular hotspot among locals and tourists
alike, may soon become a thing of the past.
The brain behind the bazzar Ingo Grill was served a deportation order in 2006, but managed to stay in Goa till March 4, 2009, due to a pending court case. However, Grill has now been denied a business visa to India by the Consulate General of India in Munich as he has been "blacklisted" in India.
In response to Ingo's application on March 9, 2009, to the Consulate General of India in Munich for the grant of a business visa to India, the Indian Consulate replied, "The government of India has considered your case but it is not possible to issue a visa for the purpose mentioned". The reply was sent on March 12, 2009.
Speaking to TOI from Germany, Grill, who had left the state on March 4, 2009, for Germany, to renew his visa which expired on March 7, said, "I have been orally told that I am being denied a visa because I have been blacklisted by the Indian authorities. This is a conspiracy to keep me out and take over my business and property."
"Some kind of a trick is being played on me. I came to Goa on a business visa, invested in a business and a home and now I am being denied a visa without even being heard," he added.
Grill, a German national, first came to Goa in the 70s. He set up a company called Saturday Nite Bazaar Private Limited about 8 years ago to start the night market at Arpora, on the lines of the hippie flea markets that began in Anjuna back in the 60s. The Saturday night market slowly evolved into a vibrant bazaar famous for music, food and shopping.
Grill who along with his wife also purchased property in Calangute got on the wrong side of the law in 2006, and was served a notice under Section 3/2 C of the Deportation of Foreigners Act, which gives the government powers to deport a foreign national. He was ultimately served a deportation order on February 3, 2006, as he was "suspected to be involved in undesirable activities". But he could not be deported as he filed an appeal in the court against the order. The matter is still pending in the fast track court.
Grill said, "My family is in Goa and I am in Germany. I came to renew my visa and now I am stuck. I have invested all my life's savings in Goa. If I am denied entry into India, I will lose everything."
19 Mar 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Ingo's Saturday night market at Arpora, which is a popular hotspot among locals and tourists
alike, may soon become a thing of the past.
The brain behind the bazzar Ingo Grill was served a deportation order in 2006, but managed to stay in Goa till March 4, 2009, due to a pending court case. However, Grill has now been denied a business visa to India by the Consulate General of India in Munich as he has been "blacklisted" in India.
In response to Ingo's application on March 9, 2009, to the Consulate General of India in Munich for the grant of a business visa to India, the Indian Consulate replied, "The government of India has considered your case but it is not possible to issue a visa for the purpose mentioned". The reply was sent on March 12, 2009.
Speaking to TOI from Germany, Grill, who had left the state on March 4, 2009, for Germany, to renew his visa which expired on March 7, said, "I have been orally told that I am being denied a visa because I have been blacklisted by the Indian authorities. This is a conspiracy to keep me out and take over my business and property."
"Some kind of a trick is being played on me. I came to Goa on a business visa, invested in a business and a home and now I am being denied a visa without even being heard," he added.
Grill, a German national, first came to Goa in the 70s. He set up a company called Saturday Nite Bazaar Private Limited about 8 years ago to start the night market at Arpora, on the lines of the hippie flea markets that began in Anjuna back in the 60s. The Saturday night market slowly evolved into a vibrant bazaar famous for music, food and shopping.
Grill who along with his wife also purchased property in Calangute got on the wrong side of the law in 2006, and was served a notice under Section 3/2 C of the Deportation of Foreigners Act, which gives the government powers to deport a foreign national. He was ultimately served a deportation order on February 3, 2006, as he was "suspected to be involved in undesirable activities". But he could not be deported as he filed an appeal in the court against the order. The matter is still pending in the fast track court.
Grill said, "My family is in Goa and I am in Germany. I came to renew my visa and now I am stuck. I have invested all my life's savings in Goa. If I am denied entry into India, I will lose everything."
19 Mar 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Fiona seeks assurance from cops against arrest
Fiona seeks assurance from cops against arrest
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: With the Goa Children's Court refusing the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) request to issue a letter rogatory (LR), which is required to record the statement of Fiona Mackeown, mother of British teenager Scarlet Eden Keeling, in her home in UK, she is now contemplating coming to India to meet the CBI. However, she wants an assurance from the Goa police that she would not be arrested on her arrival in India.
"I am trying to find a way to speak to the CBI and have been emailing them but they have not answered yet," said Fiona in an email from her home in Devon, UK. Fully aware that the court's decision comes as a setback to the CBI, which is struggling to record Fiona's statement, which is crucial in investigating the death of Scarlett at Anjuna beach on February 18, 2008, Fiona is willing to take the risk. The central investigating agency had moved the application in the Goa Children's Court seeking permission to issue the letter, which would have roped in the Interpol in London to take Fiona's statement.
"I do think the Goa police could arrest me or take my passport to stop me leaving until they finished investigations and I would need some reassurance that this would not happen before I would fly to Mumbai to talk to the CBI," she said. The Goa police is inquiring into a complaint of neglect and failure to provide her daughter a safe environment, which ultimately led to the alleged rape and murder of the minor.
Fiona's counsel Vikram Varma said, "I will ask her to come to India as she wants to assist the CBI as well as the Goa police in its inquiry. But she needs to be assured in writing that the Goa police will not harass her and she will be able to return back to her country to look after her children."
He added, "It is too often in this country that complainants and witnesses are harassed to a point where they don't pursue the case to the advantage of the accused. I hope we can reverse such a probability in this matter."
Meanwhile, as the case drags on and Fiona's trip to India has been delayed, Scarlett awaits a decent burial, even after a year of her death. Infact, the organs have not even reached UK. "The organs are supposed to be collected by an undertaker from Mumbai. But there will be no burial until the investigations in India are over," she added.
17 Mar 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: With the Goa Children's Court refusing the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) request to issue a letter rogatory (LR), which is required to record the statement of Fiona Mackeown, mother of British teenager Scarlet Eden Keeling, in her home in UK, she is now contemplating coming to India to meet the CBI. However, she wants an assurance from the Goa police that she would not be arrested on her arrival in India.
"I am trying to find a way to speak to the CBI and have been emailing them but they have not answered yet," said Fiona in an email from her home in Devon, UK. Fully aware that the court's decision comes as a setback to the CBI, which is struggling to record Fiona's statement, which is crucial in investigating the death of Scarlett at Anjuna beach on February 18, 2008, Fiona is willing to take the risk. The central investigating agency had moved the application in the Goa Children's Court seeking permission to issue the letter, which would have roped in the Interpol in London to take Fiona's statement.
"I do think the Goa police could arrest me or take my passport to stop me leaving until they finished investigations and I would need some reassurance that this would not happen before I would fly to Mumbai to talk to the CBI," she said. The Goa police is inquiring into a complaint of neglect and failure to provide her daughter a safe environment, which ultimately led to the alleged rape and murder of the minor.
Fiona's counsel Vikram Varma said, "I will ask her to come to India as she wants to assist the CBI as well as the Goa police in its inquiry. But she needs to be assured in writing that the Goa police will not harass her and she will be able to return back to her country to look after her children."
He added, "It is too often in this country that complainants and witnesses are harassed to a point where they don't pursue the case to the advantage of the accused. I hope we can reverse such a probability in this matter."
Meanwhile, as the case drags on and Fiona's trip to India has been delayed, Scarlett awaits a decent burial, even after a year of her death. Infact, the organs have not even reached UK. "The organs are supposed to be collected by an undertaker from Mumbai. But there will be no burial until the investigations in India are over," she added.
17 Mar 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, March 16, 2009
Rape victim's father says she won't be safe at home
Rape victim's father says she won't be safe at home
TNN
PANAJI: The father of the minor girl, who was raped by a police constable and two of his friends for about three months, visited his daughter at
Apna Ghar on Sunday but refused to take her back home.
He said, "After I told Apna Ghar authorities that I was worried about my daughter's safety and life, they insisted that I take her back home. But I when I asked them to put it in writing, they refused."
The father said that Apna Ghar authorities insisted that he take his daughter home saying that she was fighting with everyone and beating up girls at Apna Ghar.
"When they said that I should take her home, I told them that I would have no option but to go to the police for help," the girl's father disclosed.
The dismayed father reiterated that his daughter was not safe with him at home as the accused were out on bail and had even threatened him.
The minor was allegedly raped by a 23-year-old police constable Shamba alias Dipak Jhalmi, attached to the Indian Reserve Battalion, and his accomplices. They were arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting the girl for over three months.
This incident has shocked and surprised several child activists. "When a parent can't protect a child and the child is in a vulnerable state, then it is the responsibility of the state to protect and provide a safe environment for the child. That's the reason Apna Ghar has been set up. When the father is expressing his inability to provide a safe environment for his daughter at home then it is the responsibility of the Child Welfare Committee members to ensure the safety of the girl," said Arun Pandey of Anyay Rahit Zindagi, an NGO.
Matthew Kurian of El Shaddai Charitable Trust said, "The Child Welfare committee should act positively and professionally, and work towards providing a child-friendly and healthy atmosphere at Apna Ghar. CWC has no right to force the child on the helpless parent."
Surprisingly, director of Children's Rights Goa, an NGO, Nishtha Desai, who is handling the girl's case, is strangely maintaining silence.
She first claimed that she was not aware of the matter. Later she said, "I don't want to comment. We work on several issues without speaking to the media."
16 March,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: The father of the minor girl, who was raped by a police constable and two of his friends for about three months, visited his daughter at
Apna Ghar on Sunday but refused to take her back home.
He said, "After I told Apna Ghar authorities that I was worried about my daughter's safety and life, they insisted that I take her back home. But I when I asked them to put it in writing, they refused."
The father said that Apna Ghar authorities insisted that he take his daughter home saying that she was fighting with everyone and beating up girls at Apna Ghar.
"When they said that I should take her home, I told them that I would have no option but to go to the police for help," the girl's father disclosed.
The dismayed father reiterated that his daughter was not safe with him at home as the accused were out on bail and had even threatened him.
The minor was allegedly raped by a 23-year-old police constable Shamba alias Dipak Jhalmi, attached to the Indian Reserve Battalion, and his accomplices. They were arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting the girl for over three months.
This incident has shocked and surprised several child activists. "When a parent can't protect a child and the child is in a vulnerable state, then it is the responsibility of the state to protect and provide a safe environment for the child. That's the reason Apna Ghar has been set up. When the father is expressing his inability to provide a safe environment for his daughter at home then it is the responsibility of the Child Welfare Committee members to ensure the safety of the girl," said Arun Pandey of Anyay Rahit Zindagi, an NGO.
Matthew Kurian of El Shaddai Charitable Trust said, "The Child Welfare committee should act positively and professionally, and work towards providing a child-friendly and healthy atmosphere at Apna Ghar. CWC has no right to force the child on the helpless parent."
Surprisingly, director of Children's Rights Goa, an NGO, Nishtha Desai, who is handling the girl's case, is strangely maintaining silence.
She first claimed that she was not aware of the matter. Later she said, "I don't want to comment. We work on several issues without speaking to the media."
16 March,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Father refuses to take home raped minor
Father refuses to take home raped minor
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: The father of a minor girl who was raped by a police constable and two of his friends for about three months has refused to take his
daughter back home from Apna Ghar stating he feared for her life.
Speaking to TOI, the minor’s father said that he had received a phone call from the government-run home for children in need of care and shelter on Saturday asking him to take his minor daughter back.
“They said she keeps fighting with everyone. But I am worried about my daughter’s safety and life as there is no one at home and the accused are out on bail,” said the father. Claiming that the accused “roam around the vicinity of our house till late night and have even threatened me”, the father said, “I will meet my daughter on Sunday but I won’t bring her home as I can’t ensure her safety. She is safer at the government home.”
The minor was allegedly raped by a 23-year-old police constable attached to the Indian Reserve Battalion and two of his friends. They were arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting the girl for over three months.
The incident came to light recently when the girl developed abdominal pain and was taken to a private doctor in Marcel, who referred her to the Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim, where it was found that she was pregnant. The girl underwent an abortion and was admitted to Apna Ghar. She was subsequently referred to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Bambolim, for almost two weeks for “violent behaviour”.
March 15, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair , TNN
PANAJI: The father of a minor girl who was raped by a police constable and two of his friends for about three months has refused to take his
daughter back home from Apna Ghar stating he feared for her life.
Speaking to TOI, the minor’s father said that he had received a phone call from the government-run home for children in need of care and shelter on Saturday asking him to take his minor daughter back.
“They said she keeps fighting with everyone. But I am worried about my daughter’s safety and life as there is no one at home and the accused are out on bail,” said the father. Claiming that the accused “roam around the vicinity of our house till late night and have even threatened me”, the father said, “I will meet my daughter on Sunday but I won’t bring her home as I can’t ensure her safety. She is safer at the government home.”
The minor was allegedly raped by a 23-year-old police constable attached to the Indian Reserve Battalion and two of his friends. They were arrested for allegedly sexually exploiting the girl for over three months.
The incident came to light recently when the girl developed abdominal pain and was taken to a private doctor in Marcel, who referred her to the Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim, where it was found that she was pregnant. The girl underwent an abortion and was admitted to Apna Ghar. She was subsequently referred to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, Bambolim, for almost two weeks for “violent behaviour”.
March 15, The Times of India, Goa edition
Polish hitman wanted for Germany killing held in Goa
Polish hitman wanted for Germany killing held in Goa
TNN
PANAJI: Crime branch sleuths on Saturday arrested a Polish contract killer in Chopdem, Pernem. He is wanted by the German police for killing a
businessman in that country in November last year and had been hiding in Goa since January.
According to police sources, Adam Pyotr Mancic was paid e25,000 to get rid of the businessman. On November 3, 2008 he shot the man in his head, heart and back and on November 20 landed in Mumbai on a flight from Berlin.
“We had information that Mancic, who is wanted by the Interpol, was hiding in Goa. We received the arrest warrant issued against him by a German court through the CBI and the warrant was executed by the crime branch. He will be handed over to the CBI soon,” said Atmaram Deshpande, SP (PRO).
Mancic, who is believed to be in his early thirties, has been constantly changing his base in Goa.
“Somewhere in January he came to Goa and first stayed in Arambol, then shifted to Canacona, later moved to Ashvem and a week ago shifted to Chopdem,” sources said.
The contract killer was picked up because the rival businessman who ordered the killing was arrested in Germany and spilled the beans, sources said.
March 15,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Crime branch sleuths on Saturday arrested a Polish contract killer in Chopdem, Pernem. He is wanted by the German police for killing a
businessman in that country in November last year and had been hiding in Goa since January.
According to police sources, Adam Pyotr Mancic was paid e25,000 to get rid of the businessman. On November 3, 2008 he shot the man in his head, heart and back and on November 20 landed in Mumbai on a flight from Berlin.
“We had information that Mancic, who is wanted by the Interpol, was hiding in Goa. We received the arrest warrant issued against him by a German court through the CBI and the warrant was executed by the crime branch. He will be handed over to the CBI soon,” said Atmaram Deshpande, SP (PRO).
Mancic, who is believed to be in his early thirties, has been constantly changing his base in Goa.
“Somewhere in January he came to Goa and first stayed in Arambol, then shifted to Canacona, later moved to Ashvem and a week ago shifted to Chopdem,” sources said.
The contract killer was picked up because the rival businessman who ordered the killing was arrested in Germany and spilled the beans, sources said.
March 15,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Andhra student dies in Goa
Andhra student dies in Goa
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: A 22-year-old engineering student from Hyderabad, Aditya Reddy, who was on a trip to Goa along with two of his friends died in a primary
health centre at Candolim.
The police suspect that it could be a case of drug overdose. However, the postmortem report is inconclusive and the victims viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis.
Police sources said Aditya Reddy, who is from an influential business and political family in AP, had come on a trip to Goa along with three friends on March 8. On Friday morning at about 8 am, Aditya started vomiting and his friend called for the ambulance. Aditya was shifted to PHC, Candolim, where he was declared brought dead. Later, the body was sent for post-mortem to GMC.
Police sources said that the post-mortem report stated the cause of death was due to severe pulmonary and cerebral edema. Forensic doctors said severe pulmonary and cerebral edema is majorly found in persons who have died due to drug overdose or asthma problem.
Though one of Aditya's family members owns a resort in North Goa, the friends preferred to stay in a rented room at Baga. While one of the friends left on Thursday morning, Aditya and his other friend were to leave on Friday. Police sources said, they would be out of the room most of the time and came back only late in the night. Even on Friday the two friends returned at around 12.30 am after a party.
However, Police suspect that the Aditya was in the habit of consuming drugs, as on reaching his rented room at Baga at about 8.30 am, the Calangute police found two empty syringe packets, chillums (to smoke hashish or ganja) and the room smelled of narcotic substance. However, the police said that they didnt find any narcotic drugs in the room.
Confirming that the post-mortem has been conducted, SP (PRO) Atmaram Deshpande said, The cause of death is not clear as the viscera is preserved for analysis. No foul play is suspected in the preliminary investigation.
14 March 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: A 22-year-old engineering student from Hyderabad, Aditya Reddy, who was on a trip to Goa along with two of his friends died in a primary
health centre at Candolim.
The police suspect that it could be a case of drug overdose. However, the postmortem report is inconclusive and the victims viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis.
Police sources said Aditya Reddy, who is from an influential business and political family in AP, had come on a trip to Goa along with three friends on March 8. On Friday morning at about 8 am, Aditya started vomiting and his friend called for the ambulance. Aditya was shifted to PHC, Candolim, where he was declared brought dead. Later, the body was sent for post-mortem to GMC.
Police sources said that the post-mortem report stated the cause of death was due to severe pulmonary and cerebral edema. Forensic doctors said severe pulmonary and cerebral edema is majorly found in persons who have died due to drug overdose or asthma problem.
Though one of Aditya's family members owns a resort in North Goa, the friends preferred to stay in a rented room at Baga. While one of the friends left on Thursday morning, Aditya and his other friend were to leave on Friday. Police sources said, they would be out of the room most of the time and came back only late in the night. Even on Friday the two friends returned at around 12.30 am after a party.
However, Police suspect that the Aditya was in the habit of consuming drugs, as on reaching his rented room at Baga at about 8.30 am, the Calangute police found two empty syringe packets, chillums (to smoke hashish or ganja) and the room smelled of narcotic substance. However, the police said that they didnt find any narcotic drugs in the room.
Confirming that the post-mortem has been conducted, SP (PRO) Atmaram Deshpande said, The cause of death is not clear as the viscera is preserved for analysis. No foul play is suspected in the preliminary investigation.
14 March 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Police send Fiona 2-page questionnaire
Police send Fiona 2-page questionnaire
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With British teenager Scarlett Keeling's mother Fiona Mackeown reluctant to come to Goa fearing arrest, the Goa police have sent her a
two-page questionnaire and also requested her to be present for an inquiry into a complaint of neglect and failure to provide her daughter a safe environment, which ultimately led to the alleged rape and murder of the minor.
The Goa police, in a letter to Fiona, have sought to know whether she was "aware that Scarlett used to consume drugs/liquor," whether she was "visiting night clubs along with your children," if she was aware that "Scarlett was in love with Julio Lobo" or "Lobo in love with Scarlett" and that "Julio and Scarlett were visiting nightclubs." Fiona is yet to reply to the questionnaire.
When TOI contacted Fiona through an email in Devon, UK, she said, "I did not know Scarlett was taking drugs and am certain that she was not taking drugs when we were in England. Scarlet told me that she had once tried cannabis but did not like it."
Recently, her former boyfriend Robert Clarke, with whom she had come to Goa along with her children, had claimed that Fiona was warned about Scarlett's drug dealing by one of her older sons.
"Most of his statements to the press were lies. I am starting to have doubts about Rob as a person. He told me shortly after I returned home that he was still in contact with people at Curlies. He also claimed to have seen scratches on Julio's arms and neck the day after Scarlett died. Why didn't he share with me or the police this information," she said.
The police have also asked Fiona about her ex-boyfriend Robert Clark and his profession, as well as Fiona's source of income. Police have also asked Fiona why she left Scarlett alone in Goa and left for Gokarna. They asked, "whether you had asked Scarlett to stay in Goa or she had stayed as per her own wish."
Responding to this, Fiona said that Scarlett didn't really refuse to leave Goa. "She expressed her wish to stay and work with Julio. After many long discussions we compromised and agreed that she could stay as long as she shared some of her time in India with us. Julio was a very good actor and played the part of a responsible caring adult very well."
The police have specifically asked Fiona whether she knew Julio before she came to India and whether she was aware that Julio was looking after the day-to-day expenditure of Scarlett. They have also asked about one teenager called Shanti and whether Shanti had damaged Julio's vehicle as Scarlet was moving with him.
March 14, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With British teenager Scarlett Keeling's mother Fiona Mackeown reluctant to come to Goa fearing arrest, the Goa police have sent her a
two-page questionnaire and also requested her to be present for an inquiry into a complaint of neglect and failure to provide her daughter a safe environment, which ultimately led to the alleged rape and murder of the minor.
The Goa police, in a letter to Fiona, have sought to know whether she was "aware that Scarlett used to consume drugs/liquor," whether she was "visiting night clubs along with your children," if she was aware that "Scarlett was in love with Julio Lobo" or "Lobo in love with Scarlett" and that "Julio and Scarlett were visiting nightclubs." Fiona is yet to reply to the questionnaire.
When TOI contacted Fiona through an email in Devon, UK, she said, "I did not know Scarlett was taking drugs and am certain that she was not taking drugs when we were in England. Scarlet told me that she had once tried cannabis but did not like it."
Recently, her former boyfriend Robert Clarke, with whom she had come to Goa along with her children, had claimed that Fiona was warned about Scarlett's drug dealing by one of her older sons.
"Most of his statements to the press were lies. I am starting to have doubts about Rob as a person. He told me shortly after I returned home that he was still in contact with people at Curlies. He also claimed to have seen scratches on Julio's arms and neck the day after Scarlett died. Why didn't he share with me or the police this information," she said.
The police have also asked Fiona about her ex-boyfriend Robert Clark and his profession, as well as Fiona's source of income. Police have also asked Fiona why she left Scarlett alone in Goa and left for Gokarna. They asked, "whether you had asked Scarlett to stay in Goa or she had stayed as per her own wish."
Responding to this, Fiona said that Scarlett didn't really refuse to leave Goa. "She expressed her wish to stay and work with Julio. After many long discussions we compromised and agreed that she could stay as long as she shared some of her time in India with us. Julio was a very good actor and played the part of a responsible caring adult very well."
The police have specifically asked Fiona whether she knew Julio before she came to India and whether she was aware that Julio was looking after the day-to-day expenditure of Scarlett. They have also asked about one teenager called Shanti and whether Shanti had damaged Julio's vehicle as Scarlet was moving with him.
March 14, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Most statutory rape cases fall flat in court
Most statutory rape cases fall flat in court
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Two months into the year and the police have already registered five cases of rape of minor girls. In four of the cases, the "victims"
told the police they had accompanied the men to the spots where the "rapes" took place.
Audrey Pinto from the NGO Children’s Rights Goa said, "Talking to the victims we found that the girls had consensual sex. However, the boys were arrested as sex with a minor even though consensual is an offence."
There were 14 cases of rape of minors in 2006 and 18 in 2008. Sources said about six cases were disposed of in the children’s court without a conviction as the victim had turned hostile or the victim’s mother (who in most cases is the complainant) submitted that the accused has consented to marry the victim at a future date.
Admitting that this is not rare, Auda Viegas of Bailancho Ekvott said, "Society needs to introspect on this issue and we need to amend the law according to the needs of the time, as most girls now mature by 16."
Matthew Kurian of El Shaddai Charitable Trust feels that the age of maturity is even lower. He said, "Girls are now sexually active by the age of 13 or 14. They want to explore and strive for attention and are often exploited in the name of love and affection."
Police sources said confusion prevails when the girls are aged between 16 and 18. "The Goa Children’s Act says any child below 18 is a minor, but under the Indian Penal Code, consensual sex with a person above the age of 16 is not rape," said police sources.
13 Mar 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Two months into the year and the police have already registered five cases of rape of minor girls. In four of the cases, the "victims"
told the police they had accompanied the men to the spots where the "rapes" took place.
Audrey Pinto from the NGO Children’s Rights Goa said, "Talking to the victims we found that the girls had consensual sex. However, the boys were arrested as sex with a minor even though consensual is an offence."
There were 14 cases of rape of minors in 2006 and 18 in 2008. Sources said about six cases were disposed of in the children’s court without a conviction as the victim had turned hostile or the victim’s mother (who in most cases is the complainant) submitted that the accused has consented to marry the victim at a future date.
Admitting that this is not rare, Auda Viegas of Bailancho Ekvott said, "Society needs to introspect on this issue and we need to amend the law according to the needs of the time, as most girls now mature by 16."
Matthew Kurian of El Shaddai Charitable Trust feels that the age of maturity is even lower. He said, "Girls are now sexually active by the age of 13 or 14. They want to explore and strive for attention and are often exploited in the name of love and affection."
Police sources said confusion prevails when the girls are aged between 16 and 18. "The Goa Children’s Act says any child below 18 is a minor, but under the Indian Penal Code, consensual sex with a person above the age of 16 is not rape," said police sources.
13 Mar 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
In rating, Goa schools fare poorly
In rating, Goa schools fare poorly
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: This is one report card that may not impress many. No one has achieved an A+ grade, very few made an A, while a majority attained B,
which means that the performance of those ranked is neither excellent nor good, but just satisfactory.
The grades awarded by Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana — Educational Quality Improvement Programme (BJS-EDUQIP), an NGO, for the Goa education department with an aim to improve the quality of education may be cause of concern to parents and educationists alike. The grading is also meant to help the department identify the strong and weak points of each school.
Only nine of the 307 high and higher secondary schools graded in the state got an A, while in the primary and middle sections just 28 made the mark. Goa has 1,266 primary schools, 71 middle schools, 374 high school and 79 higher secondary schools. However, about 243 schools governed by the Archdiocesan Board of Education didn’t participate in the grading system.
“The accreditation programme was designed and developed by including six main parameters — management/governance, infrastructure, administration, teachers, students and academics, besides 253 other parameters,” said BJS-EDUQIP manager Suhas Thakurdesai.
Education director Dr Celsa Pinto said, “We entered into a MoU with BJS-EDUQIP not just to detect the problem but to improve the situation in order to ensure that Goa has the country’s best education system within the next few years.”
20 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: This is one report card that may not impress many. No one has achieved an A+ grade, very few made an A, while a majority attained B,
which means that the performance of those ranked is neither excellent nor good, but just satisfactory.
The grades awarded by Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana — Educational Quality Improvement Programme (BJS-EDUQIP), an NGO, for the Goa education department with an aim to improve the quality of education may be cause of concern to parents and educationists alike. The grading is also meant to help the department identify the strong and weak points of each school.
Only nine of the 307 high and higher secondary schools graded in the state got an A, while in the primary and middle sections just 28 made the mark. Goa has 1,266 primary schools, 71 middle schools, 374 high school and 79 higher secondary schools. However, about 243 schools governed by the Archdiocesan Board of Education didn’t participate in the grading system.
“The accreditation programme was designed and developed by including six main parameters — management/governance, infrastructure, administration, teachers, students and academics, besides 253 other parameters,” said BJS-EDUQIP manager Suhas Thakurdesai.
Education director Dr Celsa Pinto said, “We entered into a MoU with BJS-EDUQIP not just to detect the problem but to improve the situation in order to ensure that Goa has the country’s best education system within the next few years.”
20 Feb 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Apna Ghar inmate turns violent
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
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
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
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