Corporation of City of Panaji clears bill, dead finally rest
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: For the past two months, unclaimed bodies recovered within Panaji police station jurisdiction had been denied cremation at the St Inez Hindu crematorium.
The reason: CCP had failed to clear pending dues. The Corporation of the City of Panaji had not reimbursed the St Inez Hindu crematorium the money it had spent on procuring wood for the last rites.
“On receipt of a requisition slip we supply wood to the CCP to cremate the dead they bring. However, CCP has failed to clear a bill of Rs 10,000 pending for the last two months,” said Hindu crematorium committee president Avdhut Angle.
However, things changed on Friday evening once The Times of India approached CCP commissioner Elvis Gomes to find out what was happening. He cracked the whip and the funds came tumbling out. “The matter has been sorted out and I have given instructions to clear the dues,” said Gomes.
By Friday evening, with CCP clearing the pending bill, five of the nine bodies awaiting cremation were given their final rites.
A single body requires more than 50 kgs of wood for cremation, which works out to be about Rs 1,000 per body. Expressing satisfaction over the development, Angle said, “On Friday evening the CCP commissioner requested us to provide wood for cremation and also cleared the amount, so we allowed five persons to be cremated,” He added, “We had repeatedly gone to the CCP office, requesting them to clear the bills. Since it didn’t pay, we decided that enough was enough. We had no money to pay the private supplier for the wood and therefore decided that we won’t supply wood to CCP till it cleared the bills.”
With bodies lying uncremated, the Goa Medial College and Hospital morgue was getting overcrowded, forcing officials to keep bodies in an open room for short periods of time. On Thursday, four bodies were lying outside the morgue due to lack of space. The morgue is designed to accommodate 66 bodies. About 39 of those in the morgue are unidentified bodies from various places awaiting disposal. One of the bodies, that of a male, has been in the morgue since March 5, 2009.
26 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Jaundice shuts down BITS campus
Jaundice shuts down BITS campus
Preetu Nair, TNN 25 September 2009, 06:53am IST
PANAJI: The Goa campus of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, has been closed down till October 11 because of an outbreak of jaundice and students have been asked to vacate their hostels immediately. At 7 pm on Thursday, students were called to the institute’s auditorium and informed of the decision by professor in charge of students welfare B J C Babu.
The exact number of students affected is not known, but state health authorities put the figure at around 40, while college sources say it is 60. The BITS, Pilani, campus at Zuarinagar has about 14 hostels, which house around 2,400 students. “Students of two hostels AH-2 and AH-6 have been largely affected.” said sources. The institute’s public relation officer Dr R P Pradhan said holidays had been declared to prevent the spread of the disease. He put the number of affected at 30.
Health services director Dr Rajnanda Desai said, “We have met the BITS authorities and have advised them to check the water supply line for contamination. We also emphasized on the need to vaccinate the students for hepatitis.”
Sources said BITS authorities on Thursday contacted the railways and made arrangements for Tatkal tickets. “We have several students from Andhra Pradesh and there is just one train a week to that state. So, our college authorities requested the railways to reserve at least one compartment for BITS students,” said college sources.
25 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN 25 September 2009, 06:53am IST
PANAJI: The Goa campus of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, has been closed down till October 11 because of an outbreak of jaundice and students have been asked to vacate their hostels immediately. At 7 pm on Thursday, students were called to the institute’s auditorium and informed of the decision by professor in charge of students welfare B J C Babu.
The exact number of students affected is not known, but state health authorities put the figure at around 40, while college sources say it is 60. The BITS, Pilani, campus at Zuarinagar has about 14 hostels, which house around 2,400 students. “Students of two hostels AH-2 and AH-6 have been largely affected.” said sources. The institute’s public relation officer Dr R P Pradhan said holidays had been declared to prevent the spread of the disease. He put the number of affected at 30.
Health services director Dr Rajnanda Desai said, “We have met the BITS authorities and have advised them to check the water supply line for contamination. We also emphasized on the need to vaccinate the students for hepatitis.”
Sources said BITS authorities on Thursday contacted the railways and made arrangements for Tatkal tickets. “We have several students from Andhra Pradesh and there is just one train a week to that state. So, our college authorities requested the railways to reserve at least one compartment for BITS students,” said college sources.
25 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
No Tamiflu in Goa pharmacies yet
No Tamiflu in Goa pharmacies yet
TNN
PANAJI: Most chemists across India have begun selling the only antiviral drug known to be effective against the deadly H1N1 swine flu virus, oseltamivir (Tamiflu), against a prescription. However, the drug is still not available across the counter at Goan pharmacies. Pharmacists in Goa claim that this is because, "there is no demand and, therefore, no supply".
President of the chemists and druggists association of Goa Ratnadeep Kurtarkar said, "H1N1 is not a major problem in Goa. Also, the drug is easily available in government hospitals and the few selected private hospitals which have partnered with the state to treat H1N1. Till date, we have not got a single inquiry at counters for oseltamivir. Due to this, most chemists have not placed an order for the drug. Till there is no demand, there will be no supply."
However, local food and drug administration authorities (FDA) said, "The notification allowing pharmacies having a scheduled X license was issued just last week. It will take some time before the drug is available in pharmacies. The manufacturers will first have to confirm that the pharmacy that places an order has a scheduled X license.
India has already spent over Rs 70 crore on the purchase of Tamilfu, whose retail sale was banned till now. In Goa, it was available in designated government and private hospitals identified by the government for treating and quarantining H1N1 cases. Goa has seen 35 H1N1 cases and 3 deaths.
The FDA, Goa, has sent a list of 35 pharmacies in the state which have a license to sell scheduled X drugs to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. While Margao has the highest number of pharmacies with a license to sell scheduled X drugs, 12, Panaji and Mapusa have 6 each, Ponda has 4, and Porvorim, Canacona, Vasco, and Quepem have 1 chemist each. This list was sent on September 15.
In contrast, the directorate of health services has submitted a list of 26 chemists having a license to sell scheduled X drugs to the Central ministry of health and family welfare. This was sent almost a month back. "Though we have sent a list-which was provided to us by the FDA-to the Centre, we have not received any communication from them regarding the rules and regulations which need to be followed by chemists. Also, we don't know if pharmacies can directly place an order with manufacturers or it has to be done through government agencies," said a state health official on condition of anonymity.
Therefore, it doesn't come as a surprise that some of the chemists from the FDA's list of 35 are surprised at being included. "We had a scheduled X license in the past. But we didn't renew it nor do we intend to renew it in the future. The paperwork is a lot," said a chemist. Scheduled X drugs, as per the Drug and Cosmetic Rules, 1945, are controlled drugs such as sedatives and tranquilizers that can't be sold without prescription. While selling or distributing scheduled X drugs, they have to keep a record of its sale or distribution, maintain a separate record or register showing the name of the drug, batch number, name of manufacturer, date of transaction, quantity of drug received, name of the purchaser and the remaining quantity of drug at the end of a working day.
"Likewise, to buy Tamiflu, suspected patients will have to produce two copies of the prescription of a registered medical practitioner, of which one will be stamped and returned to the consumer while the other will be kept by us. This prescription has to be retained by us for at least 2 years," said a chemist. The sale of Tamiflu and Relenza will be monitored by the respective state drug controllers.
On the other hand, Kedar Jirage, who has license to stock schedule X drugs, said, "We were told a month ago that we will be able to sell the drug across the counter. We hope to get the stock soon."
25 September, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Most chemists across India have begun selling the only antiviral drug known to be effective against the deadly H1N1 swine flu virus, oseltamivir (Tamiflu), against a prescription. However, the drug is still not available across the counter at Goan pharmacies. Pharmacists in Goa claim that this is because, "there is no demand and, therefore, no supply".
President of the chemists and druggists association of Goa Ratnadeep Kurtarkar said, "H1N1 is not a major problem in Goa. Also, the drug is easily available in government hospitals and the few selected private hospitals which have partnered with the state to treat H1N1. Till date, we have not got a single inquiry at counters for oseltamivir. Due to this, most chemists have not placed an order for the drug. Till there is no demand, there will be no supply."
However, local food and drug administration authorities (FDA) said, "The notification allowing pharmacies having a scheduled X license was issued just last week. It will take some time before the drug is available in pharmacies. The manufacturers will first have to confirm that the pharmacy that places an order has a scheduled X license.
India has already spent over Rs 70 crore on the purchase of Tamilfu, whose retail sale was banned till now. In Goa, it was available in designated government and private hospitals identified by the government for treating and quarantining H1N1 cases. Goa has seen 35 H1N1 cases and 3 deaths.
The FDA, Goa, has sent a list of 35 pharmacies in the state which have a license to sell scheduled X drugs to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. While Margao has the highest number of pharmacies with a license to sell scheduled X drugs, 12, Panaji and Mapusa have 6 each, Ponda has 4, and Porvorim, Canacona, Vasco, and Quepem have 1 chemist each. This list was sent on September 15.
In contrast, the directorate of health services has submitted a list of 26 chemists having a license to sell scheduled X drugs to the Central ministry of health and family welfare. This was sent almost a month back. "Though we have sent a list-which was provided to us by the FDA-to the Centre, we have not received any communication from them regarding the rules and regulations which need to be followed by chemists. Also, we don't know if pharmacies can directly place an order with manufacturers or it has to be done through government agencies," said a state health official on condition of anonymity.
Therefore, it doesn't come as a surprise that some of the chemists from the FDA's list of 35 are surprised at being included. "We had a scheduled X license in the past. But we didn't renew it nor do we intend to renew it in the future. The paperwork is a lot," said a chemist. Scheduled X drugs, as per the Drug and Cosmetic Rules, 1945, are controlled drugs such as sedatives and tranquilizers that can't be sold without prescription. While selling or distributing scheduled X drugs, they have to keep a record of its sale or distribution, maintain a separate record or register showing the name of the drug, batch number, name of manufacturer, date of transaction, quantity of drug received, name of the purchaser and the remaining quantity of drug at the end of a working day.
"Likewise, to buy Tamiflu, suspected patients will have to produce two copies of the prescription of a registered medical practitioner, of which one will be stamped and returned to the consumer while the other will be kept by us. This prescription has to be retained by us for at least 2 years," said a chemist. The sale of Tamiflu and Relenza will be monitored by the respective state drug controllers.
On the other hand, Kedar Jirage, who has license to stock schedule X drugs, said, "We were told a month ago that we will be able to sell the drug across the counter. We hope to get the stock soon."
25 September, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Colon, rectum cancer No 1 killer in Goa
Colon, rectum cancer No 1 killer in Goa
TNN
PANAJI: Modern lifestyle changes, genetic alterations added with changing dietary habits are increasing the risk of cancer of the large intestine and rectum among urbanized Indians.
"People in India develop cancer of the large intestine or rectum 10 years earlier than people in Europe or USA. In other words, if a majority of the people in the USA or Europe are at a risk of developing cancer of the large intestine or rectum at the age of 60, then in India, they are at risk by the age of 50", said Dr Shailesh Shrikhande, gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreatic biliary surgeon at Tata memorial hospital, Mumbai.
Dr Shrikande was in Goa to attend the national congress of the Asian Federation of Coloproctology and Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons from September 25 to 27.
Even in Goa, cancer of the colon and rectum is considered to be the number one killer among cancers. "The reason for this is the eating habits of Goans. Just like Westerners, our diet is rich in red meat, cheese, butter etc," said Dr Shekhar Salkar, oncology surgeon in Goa.
Colorectal surgery deals with simple diseases like piles, fissure, fistula-in-ano to complex ones like constipation, incontinence, diverticular disease and the dreaded cancer of the colon, rectum and anus. Even as the doctors listed advances in the field, they warned people to beware of quacks who use unscientific methods while claiming to treat these ailments without surgery.
"Man suffers from piles once in his lifetime. But 70% of piles can be treated with medicine and only 30% require surgery. The common man needs to beware of quacks and come out of the mindset that these diseases can't be treated or that their treatment is painful," said surgeon Dr S Chivate.
25 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Modern lifestyle changes, genetic alterations added with changing dietary habits are increasing the risk of cancer of the large intestine and rectum among urbanized Indians.
"People in India develop cancer of the large intestine or rectum 10 years earlier than people in Europe or USA. In other words, if a majority of the people in the USA or Europe are at a risk of developing cancer of the large intestine or rectum at the age of 60, then in India, they are at risk by the age of 50", said Dr Shailesh Shrikhande, gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreatic biliary surgeon at Tata memorial hospital, Mumbai.
Dr Shrikande was in Goa to attend the national congress of the Asian Federation of Coloproctology and Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons from September 25 to 27.
Even in Goa, cancer of the colon and rectum is considered to be the number one killer among cancers. "The reason for this is the eating habits of Goans. Just like Westerners, our diet is rich in red meat, cheese, butter etc," said Dr Shekhar Salkar, oncology surgeon in Goa.
Colorectal surgery deals with simple diseases like piles, fissure, fistula-in-ano to complex ones like constipation, incontinence, diverticular disease and the dreaded cancer of the colon, rectum and anus. Even as the doctors listed advances in the field, they warned people to beware of quacks who use unscientific methods while claiming to treat these ailments without surgery.
"Man suffers from piles once in his lifetime. But 70% of piles can be treated with medicine and only 30% require surgery. The common man needs to beware of quacks and come out of the mindset that these diseases can't be treated or that their treatment is painful," said surgeon Dr S Chivate.
25 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Abandoned baby dies in GMC
Abandoned baby dies in GMC
TNN
PANAJI: A baby who was recently found wrapped in a gunny bag, abandoned by her parents at Old Goa, expired at Goa Medical College and hospital,
Bambolim, on early Thursday morning. She was admitted to the hospital on late Wednesday evening.
Incidentally, even as the police had booked a woman for abandoning the child and sent the minor to Apna Ghar, they failed to get a DNA test of the two, to establish if the woman is really the child's mother or she had falsely admitted to be the child's mother.
It may be recalled that some persons had found a two-day-old baby in a gunny bag on August 16. They had opened the bag, which was lying near a garage on hearing a child's cry. Later, the Old Goa police claimed that they had traced the mother to a 35-year-old woman from Karnataka who had come to Goa in search of a job and arrested her for abandoning the new born. She is now lodged at Aguada jail. Meanwhile, the police have sent a letter to the "mother" informing her about her daughter's death. The postmortem will be conducted on Friday in the mother's presence, said police sources.
25 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: A baby who was recently found wrapped in a gunny bag, abandoned by her parents at Old Goa, expired at Goa Medical College and hospital,
Bambolim, on early Thursday morning. She was admitted to the hospital on late Wednesday evening.
Incidentally, even as the police had booked a woman for abandoning the child and sent the minor to Apna Ghar, they failed to get a DNA test of the two, to establish if the woman is really the child's mother or she had falsely admitted to be the child's mother.
It may be recalled that some persons had found a two-day-old baby in a gunny bag on August 16. They had opened the bag, which was lying near a garage on hearing a child's cry. Later, the Old Goa police claimed that they had traced the mother to a 35-year-old woman from Karnataka who had come to Goa in search of a job and arrested her for abandoning the new born. She is now lodged at Aguada jail. Meanwhile, the police have sent a letter to the "mother" informing her about her daughter's death. The postmortem will be conducted on Friday in the mother's presence, said police sources.
25 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Traffic violators in Goa to get challans at home
Traffic violators in Goa to get challans at home
PREETU NAIR, TNN
PANAJI: If you are one of those who chat on the phone while driving and take pride in your skills in giving the traffic cops the slip, there is bad news for you. From now on, your thrill of avoiding a fine may just be momentary.
For, a notice of violation will be delivered at your residential address by the postman. Concerned about the increasing number of rule violations— fancy number plates, talking on the phone while driving, getting glasses tinted beyond the permissible limit, not wearing seat belts or helmets, and not having proper documents— the police have decided to enough is enough.
While two-wheelers breaking traffic laws will be challaned on the spot, owners of four-wheelers will get them by post. On noticing any violation, a gazetted police officer will write down a challan which will be sent to the traffic police, who will then issue a notice to the vehicle owner for violating the traffic rules, the North Goa police have decided. The reason for this, say cops, is to avoid traffic jams.
“In Goa, if a policeman stops a four-wheeler, it hurts the ego of the ‘so-called’ law abiding citizen, many of whom start dropping names to get away. To avoid this, we have decided not to stop four-wheelers,” said SP (north) Bosco George.
If you have fancy registration plates the design of which is in violation of the motor vehicle rules, you better take them off. Else, you might be flagged by the police on the road and asked to get rid of them. You may even receive a challan at home.
Last year, the number of people fined for talking on mobile phones while driving was 1,103, while in 2007 the number was only 477. Is it difficult to say whether more people are using their mobiles while driving or if enforcement has become stricter. The number of those booked for fancy number plates has now touched almost 100 a week.
The Times of India, Goa edition,24 September 2009,
PREETU NAIR, TNN
PANAJI: If you are one of those who chat on the phone while driving and take pride in your skills in giving the traffic cops the slip, there is bad news for you. From now on, your thrill of avoiding a fine may just be momentary.
For, a notice of violation will be delivered at your residential address by the postman. Concerned about the increasing number of rule violations— fancy number plates, talking on the phone while driving, getting glasses tinted beyond the permissible limit, not wearing seat belts or helmets, and not having proper documents— the police have decided to enough is enough.
While two-wheelers breaking traffic laws will be challaned on the spot, owners of four-wheelers will get them by post. On noticing any violation, a gazetted police officer will write down a challan which will be sent to the traffic police, who will then issue a notice to the vehicle owner for violating the traffic rules, the North Goa police have decided. The reason for this, say cops, is to avoid traffic jams.
“In Goa, if a policeman stops a four-wheeler, it hurts the ego of the ‘so-called’ law abiding citizen, many of whom start dropping names to get away. To avoid this, we have decided not to stop four-wheelers,” said SP (north) Bosco George.
If you have fancy registration plates the design of which is in violation of the motor vehicle rules, you better take them off. Else, you might be flagged by the police on the road and asked to get rid of them. You may even receive a challan at home.
Last year, the number of people fined for talking on mobile phones while driving was 1,103, while in 2007 the number was only 477. Is it difficult to say whether more people are using their mobiles while driving or if enforcement has become stricter. The number of those booked for fancy number plates has now touched almost 100 a week.
The Times of India, Goa edition,24 September 2009,
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
MPT to get new mechanized berth soon
MPT to get new mechanized berth soon
TNN
PANAJI: Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) expects to increase its coal handling capacity to nearly 11 million tonnes per annum once the mechanized coal
handling terminal develops at berth No. 7.
With indications that coal traffic through Mormugao port will increase, MPT, on Tuesday, signed the concession agreement with Adani Mormugao Port Terminal Limited, a newly incorporated special purpose vehicle to develop MPT's mechanized coal handling terminal at the 100 metre-long berth No. 7. The berth is currently being utilized for shipment of coastal cargo handled through barges.
"Indications are that coal traffic through Mormugao port will increase as the coal requirement of the region is expected to increase substantially. There will be a huge requirement of imported coal to be used in power plants. Already we have received inquiries from industries planning to set up mega thermal power plants on the west coast and hinterland regions of the country," said MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal.
The agreement would help the port facilitate supply of coal to mega thermal plants coming up along the western coast, especially the one in Kudagi, near Bijapur in Karnataka and another plant in the Sindhudurg region of Maharashtra. Coal is currently imported from South Africa, Indonesia and Australia.
At MPT, coal is handled at berths No. 5 and 6, which are multipurpose bulk cargo terminals which are already mechanized. The handling capacity of both the terminalsis five million tonnes per annum. Besides, over one million tonnes per annum of coal is manually handled at berths No. 10 and 11.
"With manual coal handling, MPT is able to handle only 8,000 to 10,000 tonnes as against 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes which can be handled through mechanized handling. Also there is the problem of coal pollution due to manual handling of coal at these berths which continues to be a source of serious concern for the citizens of Vasco", said Agarwal.
The construction of the new mechanized coal handling terminal is expected to start in 2010 and will be completed and commissioned for commercial operation by March 2013. The estimated project cost is Rs 252 crore. "More than 50% of the country's imports are energy resources (coal, petrol, etc). The coal terminal is being constructed to meet the country's increasing requirement of energy resources," said Rajeev Sinha, director, Adani Mormugao Port Terminal Pvt Ltd. India imports 40 to 45 million tonnes of coal per annum. This is expected to touch 100 million tonnes per annum by 2012-13.
The mechanized coal handling terminal will have a new 300 metre-long berth, in line with berths No. 6 and 8. This terminal will be fully mechanized with a capacityto handle 5 to 7 million tonnes of coal per annum. MPT will get a share revenue of 20% per annum.
23 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) expects to increase its coal handling capacity to nearly 11 million tonnes per annum once the mechanized coal
handling terminal develops at berth No. 7.
With indications that coal traffic through Mormugao port will increase, MPT, on Tuesday, signed the concession agreement with Adani Mormugao Port Terminal Limited, a newly incorporated special purpose vehicle to develop MPT's mechanized coal handling terminal at the 100 metre-long berth No. 7. The berth is currently being utilized for shipment of coastal cargo handled through barges.
"Indications are that coal traffic through Mormugao port will increase as the coal requirement of the region is expected to increase substantially. There will be a huge requirement of imported coal to be used in power plants. Already we have received inquiries from industries planning to set up mega thermal power plants on the west coast and hinterland regions of the country," said MPT chairman Praveen Agarwal.
The agreement would help the port facilitate supply of coal to mega thermal plants coming up along the western coast, especially the one in Kudagi, near Bijapur in Karnataka and another plant in the Sindhudurg region of Maharashtra. Coal is currently imported from South Africa, Indonesia and Australia.
At MPT, coal is handled at berths No. 5 and 6, which are multipurpose bulk cargo terminals which are already mechanized. The handling capacity of both the terminalsis five million tonnes per annum. Besides, over one million tonnes per annum of coal is manually handled at berths No. 10 and 11.
"With manual coal handling, MPT is able to handle only 8,000 to 10,000 tonnes as against 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes which can be handled through mechanized handling. Also there is the problem of coal pollution due to manual handling of coal at these berths which continues to be a source of serious concern for the citizens of Vasco", said Agarwal.
The construction of the new mechanized coal handling terminal is expected to start in 2010 and will be completed and commissioned for commercial operation by March 2013. The estimated project cost is Rs 252 crore. "More than 50% of the country's imports are energy resources (coal, petrol, etc). The coal terminal is being constructed to meet the country's increasing requirement of energy resources," said Rajeev Sinha, director, Adani Mormugao Port Terminal Pvt Ltd. India imports 40 to 45 million tonnes of coal per annum. This is expected to touch 100 million tonnes per annum by 2012-13.
The mechanized coal handling terminal will have a new 300 metre-long berth, in line with berths No. 6 and 8. This terminal will be fully mechanized with a capacityto handle 5 to 7 million tonnes of coal per annum. MPT will get a share revenue of 20% per annum.
23 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
MPT to develop cruise terminal
MPT to develop cruise terminal
TNN
PANAJI: Mormugao Port Trust is planning a world class cruise terminal to promote cruise tourism in Goa by attracting passenger ships and foreign
naval vessels to the state. “We are in the process of developing a large noncargo berth near the port’s breakwater to handle cruise traffic,” said MPT chairman Pravin Agarwal on Tuesday.
MPT also plans to attract navy ships from countries that opt for Goa as a destination for rest and recuperation. The 235-metre-wide and 450-metre-long berth will be built on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
“We will go for a PPP model in order to make a world class cruise terminal after creating the basic infrastructure. But we are yet to finalize on this,” he said.
Incidentally in 2005 MPT had constructed a cruise terminal but due to lack of requisite facilities failed to attract such ships. In 2008-09, MPT received 52 cruise ships with just about 20,000 passengers alighting. “Goa is a popular place, but we don’t have adequate facilities.
Also when these ships come, we dock them next to berths 11 and 12, which are the coal handling berths. The coal dust renders the port a less attractive destination for cruise vessels. Once we have regular facilities then we will come on the tourist cruise map,” he said.
The Times of India, Goa edition,23 September 2009,
TNN
PANAJI: Mormugao Port Trust is planning a world class cruise terminal to promote cruise tourism in Goa by attracting passenger ships and foreign
naval vessels to the state. “We are in the process of developing a large noncargo berth near the port’s breakwater to handle cruise traffic,” said MPT chairman Pravin Agarwal on Tuesday.
MPT also plans to attract navy ships from countries that opt for Goa as a destination for rest and recuperation. The 235-metre-wide and 450-metre-long berth will be built on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
“We will go for a PPP model in order to make a world class cruise terminal after creating the basic infrastructure. But we are yet to finalize on this,” he said.
Incidentally in 2005 MPT had constructed a cruise terminal but due to lack of requisite facilities failed to attract such ships. In 2008-09, MPT received 52 cruise ships with just about 20,000 passengers alighting. “Goa is a popular place, but we don’t have adequate facilities.
Also when these ships come, we dock them next to berths 11 and 12, which are the coal handling berths. The coal dust renders the port a less attractive destination for cruise vessels. Once we have regular facilities then we will come on the tourist cruise map,” he said.
The Times of India, Goa edition,23 September 2009,
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Couple from Hyderabad drowns at Goa beach
Couple from city drowns at Goa beach
TIMES NEWS NETWORK, The Times of India, Hyderabad edition
Panaji/Hyderabad:
A Hyderabad based couple drowned in Goa on Monday morning. An architect cum-interior designer, B Kameswara Sarma, 45, and his wife Jyotsna, 35, from Mathru Krupa Apartment, Anand Nagar Colony in Khairatabad, drowned when they went for a sea-side walk at Miramar beach in Goa.
Five families from Hyderabad consisting of 15 members, checked into Miramar Residency Hotel. They had planned for a tour of north and south Goa for that day and the next. However, the nearby Miramar beach took their fancy and the tourists could not resist an early morning walk by the seaside. It was around 7 am, and amidst laughter and chatter the group had reached the Caranzalem beach, when events took a tragic turn.
Eyewitnesses said that around 10 of the tourists decided to plunge into the water.
Narrating the incident, Panaji SI Vijay Chodankar said, “The spot where the mishap took place is an estuary (where the river Mandovi meets the Arabian sea). While the group was playing in the water, a huge wave sucked five of them deep into the water,” the SI said. Locals and municipal sweeper managed to pull them out from the sea.
The rescued persons were rushed to Goa Medical College, where Sarma and Jyotsna were declared brought dead. Among the rescued were Sarma’s six-year-old twins—Nikhil and Nisha— and their friend, Lakshmi Reddy.
The Times of India, Hyderabad edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK, The Times of India, Hyderabad edition
Panaji/Hyderabad:
A Hyderabad based couple drowned in Goa on Monday morning. An architect cum-interior designer, B Kameswara Sarma, 45, and his wife Jyotsna, 35, from Mathru Krupa Apartment, Anand Nagar Colony in Khairatabad, drowned when they went for a sea-side walk at Miramar beach in Goa.
Five families from Hyderabad consisting of 15 members, checked into Miramar Residency Hotel. They had planned for a tour of north and south Goa for that day and the next. However, the nearby Miramar beach took their fancy and the tourists could not resist an early morning walk by the seaside. It was around 7 am, and amidst laughter and chatter the group had reached the Caranzalem beach, when events took a tragic turn.
Eyewitnesses said that around 10 of the tourists decided to plunge into the water.
Narrating the incident, Panaji SI Vijay Chodankar said, “The spot where the mishap took place is an estuary (where the river Mandovi meets the Arabian sea). While the group was playing in the water, a huge wave sucked five of them deep into the water,” the SI said. Locals and municipal sweeper managed to pull them out from the sea.
The rescued persons were rushed to Goa Medical College, where Sarma and Jyotsna were declared brought dead. Among the rescued were Sarma’s six-year-old twins—Nikhil and Nisha— and their friend, Lakshmi Reddy.
The Times of India, Hyderabad edition
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Seafarer tag for offshore casino workers soon?
Seafarer tag for offshore casino workers soon?
TNN 19 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: Once India ratifies the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, even a person working at gaming tables in offshore casinos in the state will be
called a seafarer. At the moment, only those who work aboard ships are called seafarers.
"India is yet to endorse the convention. But once it ratifies the convention, then all those employed as entertainers, security personnel, attendants and even those at gaming tables will be called seafarers and get the benefits that are available to seafarers. This will include casinos, both, in the sea or in-land waterways," said Suresh Idani, trustee, International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare, at a press conference on Friday which was called to throw light on the 10th international four day symposium on maritime health in Goa.
So far, only six of the sea faring nations have endorsed the convention. The International Labour Organization's Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 provides comprehensive rights and protection at work for more than 1.2 million seafarers working worldwide. Under the new convention, even the 1,000 plus individuals who are employed or engaged in offshore casinos in the state will become seafarers.
It also aims at promoting quality shipping and creating conditions of fair competition for ship owners in an industry that handles 90% of the world's trade.
19 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN 19 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: Once India ratifies the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, even a person working at gaming tables in offshore casinos in the state will be
called a seafarer. At the moment, only those who work aboard ships are called seafarers.
"India is yet to endorse the convention. But once it ratifies the convention, then all those employed as entertainers, security personnel, attendants and even those at gaming tables will be called seafarers and get the benefits that are available to seafarers. This will include casinos, both, in the sea or in-land waterways," said Suresh Idani, trustee, International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare, at a press conference on Friday which was called to throw light on the 10th international four day symposium on maritime health in Goa.
So far, only six of the sea faring nations have endorsed the convention. The International Labour Organization's Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 provides comprehensive rights and protection at work for more than 1.2 million seafarers working worldwide. Under the new convention, even the 1,000 plus individuals who are employed or engaged in offshore casinos in the state will become seafarers.
It also aims at promoting quality shipping and creating conditions of fair competition for ship owners in an industry that handles 90% of the world's trade.
19 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, September 18, 2009
Cops book Mickky for extortion
Cops book Mickky for extortion
TNN
PANAJI: Nearly four months after Goa’s tourism minister was accused of threatening and intimidating the management of a South Goa casino, the crime branch on Wednesday registered an offence against Mickky Pacheco for criminal intimidation and extortion. When contacted, Pacheco said he was not aware of the development.
An offence was booked against Pacheco and 11 others under Section 452 (trespass after preparation to hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), Section 384 (extortion) and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
The incident had occurred on May 31 but the complaint was lodged with Colva police only on June 10. A month later, the case was handed over to the crime branch, which after a probe, sought the opinion opinion of the director of prosecution. It registered an offence against Mickky and 11 others on Wednesday.
18 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Nearly four months after Goa’s tourism minister was accused of threatening and intimidating the management of a South Goa casino, the crime branch on Wednesday registered an offence against Mickky Pacheco for criminal intimidation and extortion. When contacted, Pacheco said he was not aware of the development.
An offence was booked against Pacheco and 11 others under Section 452 (trespass after preparation to hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), Section 384 (extortion) and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
The incident had occurred on May 31 but the complaint was lodged with Colva police only on June 10. A month later, the case was handed over to the crime branch, which after a probe, sought the opinion opinion of the director of prosecution. It registered an offence against Mickky and 11 others on Wednesday.
18 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Police complaint against dog abusers
Police complaint against dog abusers
TNN
PANAJI: The police on Thursday registered a case against unknown persons under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for grievously injuring a
street dog at St Inez.
Blaming security guards of residential apartments for such acts, Angela Kazi of People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said this was the third such case that has come to their notice.
"The perpetrators of the crime use a sharp, thin metal ring with a long handle, which lies with the baiter. Food is placed inside the ring and when the dog goes to eat the food, the baiter pulls the ring, trapping the dog. When the dog tries to escape, it gets grievously injured," she said, adding, "The bleeding animal is often left to die."
Panaji police had earlier registered a case against a Caranzalem couple for injuring a street dog in a similar fashion. Police sources said that in one of the cases, the security guards informed them that they had acted on the instructions of flat owners. "It is difficult to catch the culprits as there is no evidence about who committed the act," said police.
Dr Sonia Chauhan, director, said, "Enforcement of laws is not happening in Goa. We rescue and treat the animal, keeping it till it is better, and then release it. But no action is taken against the perpetrators of the crime, even though in most cases a police complaint is registered." Veterinarian Sachin Bhosale added, "Such cruelty is banned. This is done to fatally injure the animal. Strict action should be taken against such persons. This will act as a deterrent."
18 September 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: The police on Thursday registered a case against unknown persons under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for grievously injuring a
street dog at St Inez.
Blaming security guards of residential apartments for such acts, Angela Kazi of People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) said this was the third such case that has come to their notice.
"The perpetrators of the crime use a sharp, thin metal ring with a long handle, which lies with the baiter. Food is placed inside the ring and when the dog goes to eat the food, the baiter pulls the ring, trapping the dog. When the dog tries to escape, it gets grievously injured," she said, adding, "The bleeding animal is often left to die."
Panaji police had earlier registered a case against a Caranzalem couple for injuring a street dog in a similar fashion. Police sources said that in one of the cases, the security guards informed them that they had acted on the instructions of flat owners. "It is difficult to catch the culprits as there is no evidence about who committed the act," said police.
Dr Sonia Chauhan, director, said, "Enforcement of laws is not happening in Goa. We rescue and treat the animal, keeping it till it is better, and then release it. But no action is taken against the perpetrators of the crime, even though in most cases a police complaint is registered." Veterinarian Sachin Bhosale added, "Such cruelty is banned. This is done to fatally injure the animal. Strict action should be taken against such persons. This will act as a deterrent."
18 September 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
6-year-old is state's first dengue casualty
6-year-old is state's first dengue casualty
TNN
PANAJI: Goa recorded its first dengue death when a six-year-old boy from Calangute succumbed to the disease at the Goa Medical College and
Hospital, Bambolim on Thursday morning.
Godfrey Fernandes was admitted to a private hospital in Mapusa on Tuesday with a history of fever, pain in the abdomen and vomiting. As the child's condition was critical, the hospital sent his blood samples for a rapid test which revealed that he was suffering from dengue. On Wednesday evening he was shifted to GMC. He died on Thursday morning.
Calling it a "clinical case of dengue", GMC doctors told TOI that the child's blood samples have been sent for the more reliable MAC Elisa test to confirm if the child was suffering from dengue or leptospirosis. "This test is more reliable than the rapid test," doctors revealed.
Deputy director of health services, Dr Deepak Kabadi, said, "Clinically, the child died of what is known as the dengue shock syndrome (complicated dengue fever). We have sent the blood samples for microbiological examination and the report is awaited. Once we get the report, then only will be able to call it a confirmed case of dengue death."
This year, 49 people tested positive for dengue in Goa. Private doctors in the city added, "This year, we have seen an increase of 10 to 15% in dengue cases."
Meanwhile, a 10-year-old boy from Tiswadi tested positive for H1N1. The child had no travel history and health authorities are trying to find out how he got infected. They have also done follow-up drives in the school where the child is studying and said that till date no other suspected case of H1N1 has been found in the school.
18 September 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Goa recorded its first dengue death when a six-year-old boy from Calangute succumbed to the disease at the Goa Medical College and
Hospital, Bambolim on Thursday morning.
Godfrey Fernandes was admitted to a private hospital in Mapusa on Tuesday with a history of fever, pain in the abdomen and vomiting. As the child's condition was critical, the hospital sent his blood samples for a rapid test which revealed that he was suffering from dengue. On Wednesday evening he was shifted to GMC. He died on Thursday morning.
Calling it a "clinical case of dengue", GMC doctors told TOI that the child's blood samples have been sent for the more reliable MAC Elisa test to confirm if the child was suffering from dengue or leptospirosis. "This test is more reliable than the rapid test," doctors revealed.
Deputy director of health services, Dr Deepak Kabadi, said, "Clinically, the child died of what is known as the dengue shock syndrome (complicated dengue fever). We have sent the blood samples for microbiological examination and the report is awaited. Once we get the report, then only will be able to call it a confirmed case of dengue death."
This year, 49 people tested positive for dengue in Goa. Private doctors in the city added, "This year, we have seen an increase of 10 to 15% in dengue cases."
Meanwhile, a 10-year-old boy from Tiswadi tested positive for H1N1. The child had no travel history and health authorities are trying to find out how he got infected. They have also done follow-up drives in the school where the child is studying and said that till date no other suspected case of H1N1 has been found in the school.
18 September 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Jails have a better menu than GMC for inmates
Jails have a better menu than GMC for inmates
Byline: Preetu Nair,16 September 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: The government has decided to increase the money spent on prisoners’ diet from Rs 35 to Rs 40 per person per day from October 1. The
amount is almost double the Rs 22 allotted per person per day for in-patients at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, for the last three years.
At present, there are 146 prisoners in Aguada central jail and 123 at Sada sub-jail. They are fed tea (without milk) with bread or poi for breakfast, a vegetarian or non-vegetarian lunch with fish curry or egg, evening black tea with biscuits and vegetarian dinner with chapatis. Every fortnight, they get chicken curry for lunch.
Accused held in police custody, too, have better provisions for meals. Panaji lock-up has provisions to feed each accused with lunch and dinner worth Rs 26 and breakfast worth Rs 12. At the Bicholim lockup, a prisoner can avail food worth Rs 30.
“All prisoners are given food as prescribed by the jail manual, which includes a proper diet of protein, fats, carbohydrates, calcium, iron and vitamins. Also, for sick prisoners who are not admitted to hospital, we have a facility for a special diet, which is in lieu of the regular diet to which the prisoner is otherwise eligible and which has to be recommended by a medical officer,” said ajail officer.
Said John Abreu Lobo, amicus curiae in a public interest litigation for better facilities in the state’s prisons, “To ensure that the quality of food served to prisoners is not affected, the amount allotted for prisoners’ food needs to be hiked, taking into account the high rate of inflation and rise in prices of food items.”
Byline: Preetu Nair,16 September 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
PANAJI: The government has decided to increase the money spent on prisoners’ diet from Rs 35 to Rs 40 per person per day from October 1. The
amount is almost double the Rs 22 allotted per person per day for in-patients at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim, for the last three years.
At present, there are 146 prisoners in Aguada central jail and 123 at Sada sub-jail. They are fed tea (without milk) with bread or poi for breakfast, a vegetarian or non-vegetarian lunch with fish curry or egg, evening black tea with biscuits and vegetarian dinner with chapatis. Every fortnight, they get chicken curry for lunch.
Accused held in police custody, too, have better provisions for meals. Panaji lock-up has provisions to feed each accused with lunch and dinner worth Rs 26 and breakfast worth Rs 12. At the Bicholim lockup, a prisoner can avail food worth Rs 30.
“All prisoners are given food as prescribed by the jail manual, which includes a proper diet of protein, fats, carbohydrates, calcium, iron and vitamins. Also, for sick prisoners who are not admitted to hospital, we have a facility for a special diet, which is in lieu of the regular diet to which the prisoner is otherwise eligible and which has to be recommended by a medical officer,” said ajail officer.
Said John Abreu Lobo, amicus curiae in a public interest litigation for better facilities in the state’s prisons, “To ensure that the quality of food served to prisoners is not affected, the amount allotted for prisoners’ food needs to be hiked, taking into account the high rate of inflation and rise in prices of food items.”
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
ACB discovers private business in govt office
ACB discovers private business in govt office
TNN
PANAJI: Officers of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) raided the office of the legal metrology department at Mapusa on Monday morning and found a private person operating from the department’s office.
ACB sleuths said that they had received complaints that a private person was checking Bardez taluka’s traders’ weights and measures and issuing receipts. He would charge anything between Rs 100 and Rs 500. The legal metrology department’s inspector would renew licenses only after traders acquired their receipts from this person. The department issues licenses to traders to use weights and measures in their shops and establishments. These weights and measures have to be checked and their licenses renewed every year. The license is renewed by the department’s inspector after a fee of Rs 100 is paid, said ACB sources.
ACB officials said preliminary inquiries revealed that the person—a representative from Lexprus Enterprises, a Duler-based firm—couldn’t produce any documents authorising him to operate from the department’s premises. Officials suspect that he was operating illegally in connivance with the local officials. Though the department does accord licenses to private players for maintenance and repair of weights and measures, they need to have a separate office and are not allowed to function in the department’s office, sources said, adding that it is the inspector who is authorised to issue clearance certificates. The ACB is investigating the role of three officers of the department, including the inspector and assistant inspector, as well as the role of the proprietor of the private firm.
15 September 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Officers of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) raided the office of the legal metrology department at Mapusa on Monday morning and found a private person operating from the department’s office.
ACB sleuths said that they had received complaints that a private person was checking Bardez taluka’s traders’ weights and measures and issuing receipts. He would charge anything between Rs 100 and Rs 500. The legal metrology department’s inspector would renew licenses only after traders acquired their receipts from this person. The department issues licenses to traders to use weights and measures in their shops and establishments. These weights and measures have to be checked and their licenses renewed every year. The license is renewed by the department’s inspector after a fee of Rs 100 is paid, said ACB sources.
ACB officials said preliminary inquiries revealed that the person—a representative from Lexprus Enterprises, a Duler-based firm—couldn’t produce any documents authorising him to operate from the department’s premises. Officials suspect that he was operating illegally in connivance with the local officials. Though the department does accord licenses to private players for maintenance and repair of weights and measures, they need to have a separate office and are not allowed to function in the department’s office, sources said, adding that it is the inspector who is authorised to issue clearance certificates. The ACB is investigating the role of three officers of the department, including the inspector and assistant inspector, as well as the role of the proprietor of the private firm.
15 September 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
'Asthma drug before cardiac surgery prevents renal failure'
'Asthma drug before cardiac surgery prevents renal failure'
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Aminophylline, a drug used to treat wheezing and other breathing difficulties such as asthma, if given to patients undergoing cardiac
surgery is an effective strategy to prevent post operative renal failure.
The effectiveness of aminophylline for prevention of renal impairment after cardiac surgery was evaluated on 138 patients undergoing cardiac surgery and it was found that patients who received preoperative aminophylline infusion had lower incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery, than those who didn't receive it.
Explaining that it is important to administer aminophylline before cardiac operation to prevent renal failure, Dr Amol Mahaldar, department of nephrology, Meenakshi mission hospital and research centre, Madurai said, "The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery remains high, despite improvements in surgical techniques and preoperative care, and is associated with an unacceptably high mortality. Aminophylline has shown to confer benefit in experimental and clinical acute renal failure (ARF) due to ischemia, contrast media and various nephrotoxic agents."
Sixty-three patients received aminophylline of 5 mg and a subsequent continuous infusion of 0.25 mg per hour for up to 72 hours, while 75 patients received usual post operative care (isotonic saline infusion). Serum creatinine concentrations were measured preoperatively and daily until day 5 after surgery, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a marker for kidney function and post-operative hourly urine output was recorded.
The results showed that those who received preoperative aminophylline infusion had lower incidence of AKI than those who didn't receive aminophylline infusion but had post operative care.
Dr Mahaldar presented the results of the study, "A Prospective Study of Intravenous Aminophylline for the prevention of Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery", at the just concluded silver jubilee conference of Indian Society of Nephrology West zone chapter and it won him the best paper award in the free paper section of the conference.
The paper notes that ARF, depending on the specific definition, occurs in up to 30% of all patients who undergo cardiac surgery. ARF that requires dialysis occurs in approximately 1%. "The development of kidney injury is associated with a high mortality, a more complicated hospital course, and a higher risk for infectious complications. Even minimal changes in serum creatinine that occur in the postoperative period are associated with a substantial decrease in survival," Dr Mahaldar said.
Also majority of patients develop ARF that requires dialysis and remain dialysis dependent, leading to significant long-term morbidity and mortality, he added.
15 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: Aminophylline, a drug used to treat wheezing and other breathing difficulties such as asthma, if given to patients undergoing cardiac
surgery is an effective strategy to prevent post operative renal failure.
The effectiveness of aminophylline for prevention of renal impairment after cardiac surgery was evaluated on 138 patients undergoing cardiac surgery and it was found that patients who received preoperative aminophylline infusion had lower incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery, than those who didn't receive it.
Explaining that it is important to administer aminophylline before cardiac operation to prevent renal failure, Dr Amol Mahaldar, department of nephrology, Meenakshi mission hospital and research centre, Madurai said, "The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery remains high, despite improvements in surgical techniques and preoperative care, and is associated with an unacceptably high mortality. Aminophylline has shown to confer benefit in experimental and clinical acute renal failure (ARF) due to ischemia, contrast media and various nephrotoxic agents."
Sixty-three patients received aminophylline of 5 mg and a subsequent continuous infusion of 0.25 mg per hour for up to 72 hours, while 75 patients received usual post operative care (isotonic saline infusion). Serum creatinine concentrations were measured preoperatively and daily until day 5 after surgery, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a marker for kidney function and post-operative hourly urine output was recorded.
The results showed that those who received preoperative aminophylline infusion had lower incidence of AKI than those who didn't receive aminophylline infusion but had post operative care.
Dr Mahaldar presented the results of the study, "A Prospective Study of Intravenous Aminophylline for the prevention of Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery", at the just concluded silver jubilee conference of Indian Society of Nephrology West zone chapter and it won him the best paper award in the free paper section of the conference.
The paper notes that ARF, depending on the specific definition, occurs in up to 30% of all patients who undergo cardiac surgery. ARF that requires dialysis occurs in approximately 1%. "The development of kidney injury is associated with a high mortality, a more complicated hospital course, and a higher risk for infectious complications. Even minimal changes in serum creatinine that occur in the postoperative period are associated with a substantial decrease in survival," Dr Mahaldar said.
Also majority of patients develop ARF that requires dialysis and remain dialysis dependent, leading to significant long-term morbidity and mortality, he added.
15 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Goa Medical College lab faces heavy pressure
GMC lab faces heavy pressure
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With the number of blood samples being sent to the Goa Medical College and Hospital’s microbiology department to be tested for
chikungunya touching almost 40 a day, the directorate of health services (DHS) has decided not to collect samples from places where an outbreak has already been recorded and to limit the number of blood samples sent from new places recording symptoms of the disease to 5%.
The decision was conveyed to all state health officers by DHS deputy director, National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme, Dr Deepak Kabadi on Wednesday at the department’s monthly meeting in Panaji. Sources said the decision was taken after GMC authorities, unable to deal with the large number of samples , requested the DHS not to send samples from places where an outbreak has already been recorded.
Dr Kabadi told TOI, “We have decided that once it is confirmed that there are cases of chikungunya in a particular locality we won’t send new blood samples from that area to GMC as this will only increase the load on the laboratory. In case of new areas, if the number of people showing chikungunya symptoms is small, samples of all of them will be sent for tests. However, if a large number of people show similar symptoms, 5% of the samples will be sent to GMC.”
The Times of India, Goa edition, 14 September 2009
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With the number of blood samples being sent to the Goa Medical College and Hospital’s microbiology department to be tested for
chikungunya touching almost 40 a day, the directorate of health services (DHS) has decided not to collect samples from places where an outbreak has already been recorded and to limit the number of blood samples sent from new places recording symptoms of the disease to 5%.
The decision was conveyed to all state health officers by DHS deputy director, National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme, Dr Deepak Kabadi on Wednesday at the department’s monthly meeting in Panaji. Sources said the decision was taken after GMC authorities, unable to deal with the large number of samples , requested the DHS not to send samples from places where an outbreak has already been recorded.
Dr Kabadi told TOI, “We have decided that once it is confirmed that there are cases of chikungunya in a particular locality we won’t send new blood samples from that area to GMC as this will only increase the load on the laboratory. In case of new areas, if the number of people showing chikungunya symptoms is small, samples of all of them will be sent for tests. However, if a large number of people show similar symptoms, 5% of the samples will be sent to GMC.”
The Times of India, Goa edition, 14 September 2009
GMC seeks MCI nod for MBBS seat increase
GMC seeks MCI nod for MBBS seat increase
TNN
PANAJI: Armed with temporary affiliation from the Goa University to increase the intake capacity for MBBS attheGoa Medical College and Hospital,
Bambolim, from 100 to 150 seats, GMC officials have sent a proposal to the Medical Council of India (MCI), seeking the monitoring body's nod for the increase in seats.
The government had initially proposed to increase the number of seats at GMC from 100 to 200 from the next academic year, however, new MCI guidelines do not allow for the numbers. "The maximum number of admissions in the MBBS course shall not exceed 150 annually," state the guidelines.
The decision to increase the seats at GMC was taken after the state government scrapped the proposal to have a private medical college. "We have had discussions regarding a private medical college (in Goa) and it was felt that there is no need for another medical college in the state. We will try to get MCI recognition for the Mapusa hospital to ensure that interns from GMC are posted there," health minister Vishwajit Rane had earlier announced.
Sources said that a similar pattern of posting interns would be followed at the Hospicio hospital in Margao. This, health department sources said, would solve the problem of staff shortage to some extent.
To get the MCI nod, however, GMC will have to provide additional equipment and facilities such as staff, space, funds, equipment and teaching beds for the increased number of seats.
Even GU, while granting temporary affiliation for the academic year 2010-2011, has put down a condition that the minimum requirement of faculty positions, as specified by MCI guidelines, should be appointed by GMC. Also, the number of clinical unitsneeded for 150 seats should be created as per MCI requirements, GU has said.
"At present, we are short of 30 doctors. We are working hard to meet this requirement. Besides, we have to increase the infrastructural facilities provided in the hospital, which also includes more number of clinical units," said a senior doctor at GMC. The staff shortage is mostly in PG clinical courses such as medicine, paediatrics and orthopaedics.
The government had initially proposed to increase the number of seats at GMC from 100 to 200 from the next academic year, however, new MCI guidelines state that the maximum number of admissions in the MBBS course shall not exceed 150 annually
14 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Armed with temporary affiliation from the Goa University to increase the intake capacity for MBBS attheGoa Medical College and Hospital,
Bambolim, from 100 to 150 seats, GMC officials have sent a proposal to the Medical Council of India (MCI), seeking the monitoring body's nod for the increase in seats.
The government had initially proposed to increase the number of seats at GMC from 100 to 200 from the next academic year, however, new MCI guidelines do not allow for the numbers. "The maximum number of admissions in the MBBS course shall not exceed 150 annually," state the guidelines.
The decision to increase the seats at GMC was taken after the state government scrapped the proposal to have a private medical college. "We have had discussions regarding a private medical college (in Goa) and it was felt that there is no need for another medical college in the state. We will try to get MCI recognition for the Mapusa hospital to ensure that interns from GMC are posted there," health minister Vishwajit Rane had earlier announced.
Sources said that a similar pattern of posting interns would be followed at the Hospicio hospital in Margao. This, health department sources said, would solve the problem of staff shortage to some extent.
To get the MCI nod, however, GMC will have to provide additional equipment and facilities such as staff, space, funds, equipment and teaching beds for the increased number of seats.
Even GU, while granting temporary affiliation for the academic year 2010-2011, has put down a condition that the minimum requirement of faculty positions, as specified by MCI guidelines, should be appointed by GMC. Also, the number of clinical unitsneeded for 150 seats should be created as per MCI requirements, GU has said.
"At present, we are short of 30 doctors. We are working hard to meet this requirement. Besides, we have to increase the infrastructural facilities provided in the hospital, which also includes more number of clinical units," said a senior doctor at GMC. The staff shortage is mostly in PG clinical courses such as medicine, paediatrics and orthopaedics.
The government had initially proposed to increase the number of seats at GMC from 100 to 200 from the next academic year, however, new MCI guidelines state that the maximum number of admissions in the MBBS course shall not exceed 150 annually
14 September 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tiger poaching case:Rajendra Kerkar faces social boycott in Keri
Tiger poaching case:Rajendra Kerkar faces social boycott in Keri
Preetu Nair, TNN
KERI: The irony couldn’t have been more stark. Outside the state, he is being awarded for his efforts in environment conservation.
In his own village, Rajendra Kerkar faces a social boycott. All because Kerkar—who with his street play ‘Do not kill the tiger’ created awareness in his village of Keri to preserve the country’s fast diminishing big cat population—exposed the killing of a tiger in the same village in TOI’s edition of April 13.
“From the time I exposed the tiger killing, the Majik community in Keri has been upset. They are constantly trying to provoke the rest of the village against me to ensure that I am socially and culturally boycotted in the village. I have also been getting threatening calls,” said Kerkar.
Until now, the environmental movement in Keri has been led by Kerkar, who was instrumental in getting the Mhadei area notified as a wildlife sanctuary. Now the very effort has made him a villain in the eyes of the 500-odd members of the Majik community, living close to the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
Kerkar reveals that his woes started from the time he wrote in TOI and subsequently to forest officials on April 15 alleging that a tiger had been killed in Keri near the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary in February 2009.
Immediately after this, on the night of April 18, Kerkar was called to a mello(meet) at Keri’s Kelbai temple and told that he had committed a grave crime by exposing the tiger’s killing.
28 August, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
KERI: The irony couldn’t have been more stark. Outside the state, he is being awarded for his efforts in environment conservation.
In his own village, Rajendra Kerkar faces a social boycott. All because Kerkar—who with his street play ‘Do not kill the tiger’ created awareness in his village of Keri to preserve the country’s fast diminishing big cat population—exposed the killing of a tiger in the same village in TOI’s edition of April 13.
“From the time I exposed the tiger killing, the Majik community in Keri has been upset. They are constantly trying to provoke the rest of the village against me to ensure that I am socially and culturally boycotted in the village. I have also been getting threatening calls,” said Kerkar.
Until now, the environmental movement in Keri has been led by Kerkar, who was instrumental in getting the Mhadei area notified as a wildlife sanctuary. Now the very effort has made him a villain in the eyes of the 500-odd members of the Majik community, living close to the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
Kerkar reveals that his woes started from the time he wrote in TOI and subsequently to forest officials on April 15 alleging that a tiger had been killed in Keri near the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary in February 2009.
Immediately after this, on the night of April 18, Kerkar was called to a mello(meet) at Keri’s Kelbai temple and told that he had committed a grave crime by exposing the tiger’s killing.
28 August, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Police case against probe officials
Police case against probe officials
TNN
PANAJI: Almost three months after a home guard at Panaji’s police headquarters lodged a complaint against forest personnel for wrongful confinement and causing grievous injury, Valpoi police on Wednesday registered a case against three forest officials.
Police have booked an offence under section 342 (wrongful confinement), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) read with sec 34 (common intention) of the IPC against assistant conservator of forests Anil Shetgaonkar, and range forest officers Paresh Parab and Tushidas Wadkar.
“We have registered the case and will be investigating strictly on merit,” said SP North Bosco George. Suryakant Majik in his complaint to the Valpoi police stated that he was beaten by the forest officials, which resulted in “grievous and serious” injuries. The complaint filed on May 27, notes that though he and his family had cooperated with the forest officials, they gave “animal like treatment” to him and his father.
“This act ...is illegal and inhuman and is punishable under the eyes of law” said Majik in his complaint. Majik was allegedly picked up by forest officials investigating the killing of a tiger at Keri village in February 2009, but police sources say that forest officials informed them that they had not arrested Majik.
This was in fact noted by the judicial magistrate first class, Valpoi, in an order dated May 23 on a bail application filed by Majik.
August 27,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Almost three months after a home guard at Panaji’s police headquarters lodged a complaint against forest personnel for wrongful confinement and causing grievous injury, Valpoi police on Wednesday registered a case against three forest officials.
Police have booked an offence under section 342 (wrongful confinement), 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) read with sec 34 (common intention) of the IPC against assistant conservator of forests Anil Shetgaonkar, and range forest officers Paresh Parab and Tushidas Wadkar.
“We have registered the case and will be investigating strictly on merit,” said SP North Bosco George. Suryakant Majik in his complaint to the Valpoi police stated that he was beaten by the forest officials, which resulted in “grievous and serious” injuries. The complaint filed on May 27, notes that though he and his family had cooperated with the forest officials, they gave “animal like treatment” to him and his father.
“This act ...is illegal and inhuman and is punishable under the eyes of law” said Majik in his complaint. Majik was allegedly picked up by forest officials investigating the killing of a tiger at Keri village in February 2009, but police sources say that forest officials informed them that they had not arrested Majik.
This was in fact noted by the judicial magistrate first class, Valpoi, in an order dated May 23 on a bail application filed by Majik.
August 27,2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
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