Goa unsafe, says bereaved dad
TNN
PANAJI: Remember retired headmaster BB Pradhan from Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh, who is forced to visit various offices to collect the ashes of his
son killed in America? Sometimes real life does imitate reel life. Dmitry Prosnyakov, a Russian, lost his son in 2007 and two years later he is in Goa to seek clues of why and how his son was murdered.
Unlike Pradhan who gets his son’s ashes, Prosnyakov has not been so lucky. On the contrary, his experience in the state has upset him enough to say that Goa is “not a safe place”. “As soon as I reach Russia I will write to the foreign affairs ministry stating that Goa is not a safe place. People in Russia need to know about it, so that young children like Anton don’t come to Goa in search of love and peace and get killed.”
His son Anton, a student of aeronautical engineering in Russia, had gone missing in November 2007. Anton had arrived in New Delhi from Russia on August 25, 2007 with his girlfriend Marina Pulina, 22. They travelled to Srinagar, Leh, Mumbai and arrived in Goa in October 2007. They stayed initially at Vagator and then moved to Chapora. With no news from their son for a long time, Anton’s parents complained to the Russian foreign affairs ministry that their son had been missing since November 2007. The decomposed body was found in the bushes at Vagator.
It took some 18 months to confirm that the dead body was that of their son. When DNA tests and super imposition tests confirmed the body as that of Anton, they tried to get the body, but were informed by the police that the body had been “cremated” even as the DNA report was awaited from Hyderabad. Finally, only Anton’s skull was sent recently to Russia.
Prosnyakov on Sunday visited the Hindu crematorium where his son was cremated. He broke down by the river Mandovi, where he was told his son’s ashes were immersed. “It was important for me to visit the place where my son was cremated”, he said.
12 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Monday, October 12, 2009
Govt wants 100 more shacks in North Goa
Govt wants 100 more shacks in North Goa
Preetu Nair, TNN
Calangute— and its neighbouring Candolim, that houses the “princess”, could just get more congested, if the tourism department’s proposal to
increase the number of shacks by 100 in the “open spaces” on these two beaches becomes areality.
In a letter to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) on Friday, the tourism department requested GCZMA to increase the number of shacks at Candolim and Calangute as “there is still open space available on these beaches”. The tourism department has sought 58 more shacks at Calangute and 42 more at Candolim. Interestingly, the request comes almost a week after GCZMA unanimously rejected the proposal to increase the number of beach shacks in the state.
GCZMA member secretary Michael D’Souza confirmed receiving the letter. “We have received a request from the tourism department requesting for more shacks at Calangute and Candolim. The matter is under examination,” D’Souza said.
Speaking to TOI, tourism director Swapnil Naik said, “We hope GCZMA considers our proposal as the coastal MLAs and shack owners welfare society believe there is scope for allotment of more shacks in Calangute and Candolim.”
12 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
Calangute— and its neighbouring Candolim, that houses the “princess”, could just get more congested, if the tourism department’s proposal to
increase the number of shacks by 100 in the “open spaces” on these two beaches becomes areality.
In a letter to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) on Friday, the tourism department requested GCZMA to increase the number of shacks at Candolim and Calangute as “there is still open space available on these beaches”. The tourism department has sought 58 more shacks at Calangute and 42 more at Candolim. Interestingly, the request comes almost a week after GCZMA unanimously rejected the proposal to increase the number of beach shacks in the state.
GCZMA member secretary Michael D’Souza confirmed receiving the letter. “We have received a request from the tourism department requesting for more shacks at Calangute and Candolim. The matter is under examination,” D’Souza said.
Speaking to TOI, tourism director Swapnil Naik said, “We hope GCZMA considers our proposal as the coastal MLAs and shack owners welfare society believe there is scope for allotment of more shacks in Calangute and Candolim.”
12 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Cops running up a sweat in punishment- Goa
Cops running up a sweat in punishment
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The thumping of footsteps on the ground at the state police headquarters in Panaji could sound strange and disconcerting and leave one wondering why a couple of cops with rifles in their hands are running around in the midday sun. Exercise hour? An anti-terror drill? Revelation of the real reason might leave you empathizing with the sweaty men in khaki or leave you smiling and saying, “Serves them right.”
These are policemen undergoing punishment after being caught bunking work or taking a quick nap while on duty. “The message is clear: Discipline is must and those who bunk or avoid duty will be punished,” says SP (North) Bosco George. Extra drill as punishment is nothing new, but it was followed only on paper. Those punished would get away lightly with the connivance of the duty master of their respective police stations.
“An erring personnel would attend drill for just 15 minutes or so and then disappear. But records would show he had completed his hour-long drill,” explained a senior official. Offences would often be repeated because of this lax attitude. Every month, on an average about 30 to 40 policemen are sent to the orderly room for bunking or indiscipline. In August, about 40 were sent to the orderly room, of whom some 25 were punished with extra drill.
The North Goa police felt some urgent steps had to be taken to curb increasing indiscipline in the force and introduced centralized extra drill. “It was felt that this would be more effective than having drills at the respective police stations. Strict enforcement of punishment will ensure policemen do not repeat their mistakes,” said George. An officer of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) was nominated to oversee the extra drill, which may vary from two days to a week. And senior officers claim it is already showing results. “Now there is fear and complaints have reduced. It’s fear of not just the punishment but also that of being noticed by others, including senior officials,” explained an official.
The punishment is generally awarded to cops who are absent at the roll call, patrol duty, night rounds, or those who avoid duty or indulge in indiscipline like reporting late or dozing during duty hours. Incidentally, while about 30 policemen face punishment every month, in 2009 about 400 policemen in North Goa were rewarded for good work. “Both reward and punishment are essential to instill discipline and loyalty in the force,” said George.
11 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: The thumping of footsteps on the ground at the state police headquarters in Panaji could sound strange and disconcerting and leave one wondering why a couple of cops with rifles in their hands are running around in the midday sun. Exercise hour? An anti-terror drill? Revelation of the real reason might leave you empathizing with the sweaty men in khaki or leave you smiling and saying, “Serves them right.”
These are policemen undergoing punishment after being caught bunking work or taking a quick nap while on duty. “The message is clear: Discipline is must and those who bunk or avoid duty will be punished,” says SP (North) Bosco George. Extra drill as punishment is nothing new, but it was followed only on paper. Those punished would get away lightly with the connivance of the duty master of their respective police stations.
“An erring personnel would attend drill for just 15 minutes or so and then disappear. But records would show he had completed his hour-long drill,” explained a senior official. Offences would often be repeated because of this lax attitude. Every month, on an average about 30 to 40 policemen are sent to the orderly room for bunking or indiscipline. In August, about 40 were sent to the orderly room, of whom some 25 were punished with extra drill.
The North Goa police felt some urgent steps had to be taken to curb increasing indiscipline in the force and introduced centralized extra drill. “It was felt that this would be more effective than having drills at the respective police stations. Strict enforcement of punishment will ensure policemen do not repeat their mistakes,” said George. An officer of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) was nominated to oversee the extra drill, which may vary from two days to a week. And senior officers claim it is already showing results. “Now there is fear and complaints have reduced. It’s fear of not just the punishment but also that of being noticed by others, including senior officials,” explained an official.
The punishment is generally awarded to cops who are absent at the roll call, patrol duty, night rounds, or those who avoid duty or indulge in indiscipline like reporting late or dozing during duty hours. Incidentally, while about 30 policemen face punishment every month, in 2009 about 400 policemen in North Goa were rewarded for good work. “Both reward and punishment are essential to instill discipline and loyalty in the force,” said George.
11 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, October 09, 2009
Nigerian held with cocaine worth Rs 25.80L
Nigerian held with cocaine worth Rs 25.80 Lakhs
TNN
PANAJI: Anti-narcotics cops in Goa on Thursday arrested a Nigerian with 860 grams of cocaine worth Rs 25.80 lakh in the Indian market.
A team led by PI Ashish Shirodkar intercepted the Nigerian, Friday Onyeacholem, near the Mapusa bus stand at 8.30am when he was on his way on foot from Mapusa to Arpora. He was carrying a handbag and started running on seeing the approaching cops.
The police team—also constables Mahadev Naik and Nagesh Parsekar— chased the Nigerian for about 90 metres before nabbing him. A search of his bag revealed a packet containing cocaine hidden among his clothes. He has been booked under the NDPS Act.
The Nigerian arrived in Mumbai on August 20, 2009. Police suspect he might have come to Goa with the narcotics on Thursday morning itself. With the tourist season beginning, drug traffic is picking up, said ANC sources.
9 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Anti-narcotics cops in Goa on Thursday arrested a Nigerian with 860 grams of cocaine worth Rs 25.80 lakh in the Indian market.
A team led by PI Ashish Shirodkar intercepted the Nigerian, Friday Onyeacholem, near the Mapusa bus stand at 8.30am when he was on his way on foot from Mapusa to Arpora. He was carrying a handbag and started running on seeing the approaching cops.
The police team—also constables Mahadev Naik and Nagesh Parsekar— chased the Nigerian for about 90 metres before nabbing him. A search of his bag revealed a packet containing cocaine hidden among his clothes. He has been booked under the NDPS Act.
The Nigerian arrived in Mumbai on August 20, 2009. Police suspect he might have come to Goa with the narcotics on Thursday morning itself. With the tourist season beginning, drug traffic is picking up, said ANC sources.
9 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
DHS declares water at BITS campus `fit for consumption'
DHS declares water at BITS campus `fit for consumption'
TNN
PANAJI: The directorate of health services (DHS) has declared the water at the Zuarinagar-based Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, Goa campus, as "fit for drinking". The institute recorded 47 cases of Hepatitis A in late September and has suspended classes ever since. "Classes will restart from October 12," institute PRO, R P Pradhan, told TOI on Thursday.
With the laboratory reports in hand, BITS authorities now feel that the students could have contracted the jaundice after consuming food from outside campus.
Following the news of students being sent home owing to the outbreak of the water-borne disease, the DHS collected water samples for chemical testing while the PWD conducted bacteriological examinations on the campus water. The latter department has found the campus water "free from coli and e-coli organisms", said sources, while the DHS has found "no contamination", officials said. The microbiological examination report is awaited, they added.
"Culture plates have been sent for microbiological examination and the report is awaited. But chemical tests on the samples collected from the institute have ruled out water contamination," said a health services' official.
The microbiological examination done by the institute in its campus, incidentally, has ruled out "any water contamination", said sources. In all 15 samples were tested at BITS.
Institute authorities said that they have also conducted a detailed survey of the campus and verified all pipelines to check for leakages. "We have so far found nothing," said BITS sources, adding that they have started chlorinating the water from the borewell as well.
"Those who work in the hostel mess kitchen have also been screened and everyone has been issued health cards," said sources.
Meanwhile, state health authorities advised remedial measures check water pipelines for contamination with sewage, check food, hygiene in the kitchen etc.
"At our end, we have taken all necessary steps. We have also decided to conduct microbiological examination of water samples every two months," said Pradhan.
9 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: The directorate of health services (DHS) has declared the water at the Zuarinagar-based Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, Goa campus, as "fit for drinking". The institute recorded 47 cases of Hepatitis A in late September and has suspended classes ever since. "Classes will restart from October 12," institute PRO, R P Pradhan, told TOI on Thursday.
With the laboratory reports in hand, BITS authorities now feel that the students could have contracted the jaundice after consuming food from outside campus.
Following the news of students being sent home owing to the outbreak of the water-borne disease, the DHS collected water samples for chemical testing while the PWD conducted bacteriological examinations on the campus water. The latter department has found the campus water "free from coli and e-coli organisms", said sources, while the DHS has found "no contamination", officials said. The microbiological examination report is awaited, they added.
"Culture plates have been sent for microbiological examination and the report is awaited. But chemical tests on the samples collected from the institute have ruled out water contamination," said a health services' official.
The microbiological examination done by the institute in its campus, incidentally, has ruled out "any water contamination", said sources. In all 15 samples were tested at BITS.
Institute authorities said that they have also conducted a detailed survey of the campus and verified all pipelines to check for leakages. "We have so far found nothing," said BITS sources, adding that they have started chlorinating the water from the borewell as well.
"Those who work in the hostel mess kitchen have also been screened and everyone has been issued health cards," said sources.
Meanwhile, state health authorities advised remedial measures check water pipelines for contamination with sewage, check food, hygiene in the kitchen etc.
"At our end, we have taken all necessary steps. We have also decided to conduct microbiological examination of water samples every two months," said Pradhan.
9 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
India, I cry-Remo learned about India from the Sardar-- Mr Bhattu
Airport Bomb Scare
By Remo Fernandes
Posted on 2008-08-10
Lately, whenever I have travelled out of Goa on a short overnight
trip, I have driven to the airport myself, parked my car at the
convenient pay-park just outside the airport gate, and walked to the
departure area, my trolley suitcase in tow.
But on July 28, I was going to shoot a music video, and I was carrying
a heavy suitcase filled with costumes and instruments. Since I had
already tele-checked in the day before, I decided to drive up to the
departure gate, quickly drop my heavy luggage at the counter, park my
car at the parking lot, and return leisurely on foot.
I temporarily parked my car in front of the departure gate (10 minutes
parking is officially allowed at this spot, the 'No Parking' sign
notwithstanding), walked to the departure gate, and the cop on duty
asked me for a photo ID.
Now I normally produce photo IDs when asked. But what is it that made
me react badly to this simple routine request on that particular
morning? Was it my ego that was hurt because the cop didn't know who I
was? Was it the fact that I hadn't slept enough the previous night?
Was it the sights I had seen on the way to the airport, of migrants
defecating on the highway edge on that pure Goan monsoon morning? Or
the massive constructions I had seen along the way, destroying yet
more rice fields and hills, built by migrant builders, using migrant
labour, for migrant buyers? Or was it the accumulated angst against
Goan ministers selling off Goa to the highest bidder, serving everyone
else's interests except Goa's and Goans'?
It must have been a combination of all of the above. We Goans are
going through extremely sad and stressful times at the moment. The
grief of seeing our beloved land die right before our eyes, watching
it being swept away from under our feet, every single day, one day at
a time, does take its toll on one's mind, heart and soul.
I'm not trying to justify myself. I know I was wrong in reacting the
way I did. But the fact is, on that particular morning, the Demon of
Anger took over me. 'Hanv konn to nokoi? Tum Konkani uloitai?' I asked
the cop on duty. "I don't speak Konkani," he said in Hindi. "Why not,
if you're posted in Goa? Aren't you here to serve Goa and Goans?"
By now a Jet Airways staffer noticed the altercation, and quickly came
and escorted me inside.
He then whisked me through the X-ray and check-in formalities, which
took about 5 minutes at the most -- there was absolutely no one at the
airport at 7.30 a.m., and Jet Airways had already printed my boarding
pass and kept it ready.
I walked out less than 6 minutes after I had walked in -- to find a
clamp around the front wheel of my car.
I learnt this had been ordered by a person from the Airport
Authorities of India [AAI], who sat in a glass cabin right next to
where I had had my little exchange with the policeman. I saw it as a
straight case of revenge for the argument of a few minutes before --
and whatever little patience I had left gave way.
I walked to the glass cabin peephole, saw a Sardar called Mr Bhattu
and his Keralite assistant inside, and demanded to know why my car
wheel had been clamped. The Sardar claimed it had been parked there
for longer than the officially allowed 10 minutes. I said, "No way, it
was not over six minutes. And how is a lone traveller who drives
himself to the airport supposed to check in with heavy luggage, if he
does not park the car for a few minutes outside the terminal?"
But the Sardar refused to listen, and my Goan blood boiled over again.
:"You're coming to my state and trying to harass me?" I asked. "There
is no 'this state and that state'! There is only one India!" he
stormed. "Yes, there is only one India, but when we are posted in
other states, we must show respect and courtesy to the locals, not
boss over them!" I stormed back. "Are you going to remove that clamp
or not?"
His assistant said that for this I would have to pay a parking fine. I
said, "No way am I going to bow down to your harassment, because this
is nothing but revenge and harassment! It is an illegal fine, because
I was not inside the airport for longer than six minutes! Do what you
like, I'm taking my car keys and going to Mumbai."
Source: http://www.navhindtimes.com/story.php?story=2008081041
By Remo Fernandes
Posted on 2008-08-10
Lately, whenever I have travelled out of Goa on a short overnight
trip, I have driven to the airport myself, parked my car at the
convenient pay-park just outside the airport gate, and walked to the
departure area, my trolley suitcase in tow.
But on July 28, I was going to shoot a music video, and I was carrying
a heavy suitcase filled with costumes and instruments. Since I had
already tele-checked in the day before, I decided to drive up to the
departure gate, quickly drop my heavy luggage at the counter, park my
car at the parking lot, and return leisurely on foot.
I temporarily parked my car in front of the departure gate (10 minutes
parking is officially allowed at this spot, the 'No Parking' sign
notwithstanding), walked to the departure gate, and the cop on duty
asked me for a photo ID.
Now I normally produce photo IDs when asked. But what is it that made
me react badly to this simple routine request on that particular
morning? Was it my ego that was hurt because the cop didn't know who I
was? Was it the fact that I hadn't slept enough the previous night?
Was it the sights I had seen on the way to the airport, of migrants
defecating on the highway edge on that pure Goan monsoon morning? Or
the massive constructions I had seen along the way, destroying yet
more rice fields and hills, built by migrant builders, using migrant
labour, for migrant buyers? Or was it the accumulated angst against
Goan ministers selling off Goa to the highest bidder, serving everyone
else's interests except Goa's and Goans'?
It must have been a combination of all of the above. We Goans are
going through extremely sad and stressful times at the moment. The
grief of seeing our beloved land die right before our eyes, watching
it being swept away from under our feet, every single day, one day at
a time, does take its toll on one's mind, heart and soul.
I'm not trying to justify myself. I know I was wrong in reacting the
way I did. But the fact is, on that particular morning, the Demon of
Anger took over me. 'Hanv konn to nokoi? Tum Konkani uloitai?' I asked
the cop on duty. "I don't speak Konkani," he said in Hindi. "Why not,
if you're posted in Goa? Aren't you here to serve Goa and Goans?"
By now a Jet Airways staffer noticed the altercation, and quickly came
and escorted me inside.
He then whisked me through the X-ray and check-in formalities, which
took about 5 minutes at the most -- there was absolutely no one at the
airport at 7.30 a.m., and Jet Airways had already printed my boarding
pass and kept it ready.
I walked out less than 6 minutes after I had walked in -- to find a
clamp around the front wheel of my car.
I learnt this had been ordered by a person from the Airport
Authorities of India [AAI], who sat in a glass cabin right next to
where I had had my little exchange with the policeman. I saw it as a
straight case of revenge for the argument of a few minutes before --
and whatever little patience I had left gave way.
I walked to the glass cabin peephole, saw a Sardar called Mr Bhattu
and his Keralite assistant inside, and demanded to know why my car
wheel had been clamped. The Sardar claimed it had been parked there
for longer than the officially allowed 10 minutes. I said, "No way, it
was not over six minutes. And how is a lone traveller who drives
himself to the airport supposed to check in with heavy luggage, if he
does not park the car for a few minutes outside the terminal?"
But the Sardar refused to listen, and my Goan blood boiled over again.
:"You're coming to my state and trying to harass me?" I asked. "There
is no 'this state and that state'! There is only one India!" he
stormed. "Yes, there is only one India, but when we are posted in
other states, we must show respect and courtesy to the locals, not
boss over them!" I stormed back. "Are you going to remove that clamp
or not?"
His assistant said that for this I would have to pay a parking fine. I
said, "No way am I going to bow down to your harassment, because this
is nothing but revenge and harassment! It is an illegal fine, because
I was not inside the airport for longer than six minutes! Do what you
like, I'm taking my car keys and going to Mumbai."
Source: http://www.navhindtimes.com/story.php?story=2008081041
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Russian coming to pay son last respects
Russian coming to pay son last respects
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: This tourist season, among the first Russians to land in Goa is likely to be a grieving father, coming to pay his last respects to the remains of his murdered son.
Anton Prosnyakov was found murdered in Vagator in November 2007. His father is expected to arrive in Goa on October 10, to pay his respects to his late son and to try and connect with the latter's last moments, said sources.
"The grieving father was unsure until now that the dead body found in Goa was of his son. Now that DNA tests have confirmed it was his son, the father is coming to pay his last respects to the child," said counsel for the Russian consulate in Mumbai Vikram Varma, who has been following up the case with the Anjuna police.
Anton had gone missing in November 2007. He had arrived in New Delhi from Russia on August 25, 2007 on a tourist visa along with his girlfriend Marina Pulina, 22. They travelled to Srinagar, Leh, Mumbai and arrived in Goa in October. They initially stayed at Vagator and then moved to Chapora. Receiving no news from their son for a long time, Anton's parents complained to the Russian federation's foreign affairs ministry that their son had been missing from November 2007 onwards.
Police had informed the that they suspected that two unknown bodies found in the bushes at White Rock shack, Vagator in November 2007 could be that of Anton and his girlfriend. Anton's parents had then sent their DNA reports to the Goa police to assist them in identifying the body of their son.
Some three months back DNA and super imposition tests confirmed that the decomposed body of the man found in the bushes at Vagator was of Anton. Once this was confirmed, the family sought the body so as to cremate it in Russia. However, the police were able to send just Anton's skull to his parents in Russia as the body had been cremated at the Panaji crematorium, as is done with all unclaimed bodies. The police had informed the Russian consulate that the body was identified only after the disposal of the remains.
"In homicide matters, where the face is rendered unrecognizable, we need to speed up our ability to identify through DNA testing. A time period of nearly two years just to identify a body is a trauma for the family and setback for the investigations," said Varma.
Anton's father intends to visit the sites where his son was murdered and later cremated. He may also meet local police to inquire into the investigations on the murder of his son. However, Varma added, "That depends on him."
5 October 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: This tourist season, among the first Russians to land in Goa is likely to be a grieving father, coming to pay his last respects to the remains of his murdered son.
Anton Prosnyakov was found murdered in Vagator in November 2007. His father is expected to arrive in Goa on October 10, to pay his respects to his late son and to try and connect with the latter's last moments, said sources.
"The grieving father was unsure until now that the dead body found in Goa was of his son. Now that DNA tests have confirmed it was his son, the father is coming to pay his last respects to the child," said counsel for the Russian consulate in Mumbai Vikram Varma, who has been following up the case with the Anjuna police.
Anton had gone missing in November 2007. He had arrived in New Delhi from Russia on August 25, 2007 on a tourist visa along with his girlfriend Marina Pulina, 22. They travelled to Srinagar, Leh, Mumbai and arrived in Goa in October. They initially stayed at Vagator and then moved to Chapora. Receiving no news from their son for a long time, Anton's parents complained to the Russian federation's foreign affairs ministry that their son had been missing from November 2007 onwards.
Police had informed the that they suspected that two unknown bodies found in the bushes at White Rock shack, Vagator in November 2007 could be that of Anton and his girlfriend. Anton's parents had then sent their DNA reports to the Goa police to assist them in identifying the body of their son.
Some three months back DNA and super imposition tests confirmed that the decomposed body of the man found in the bushes at Vagator was of Anton. Once this was confirmed, the family sought the body so as to cremate it in Russia. However, the police were able to send just Anton's skull to his parents in Russia as the body had been cremated at the Panaji crematorium, as is done with all unclaimed bodies. The police had informed the Russian consulate that the body was identified only after the disposal of the remains.
"In homicide matters, where the face is rendered unrecognizable, we need to speed up our ability to identify through DNA testing. A time period of nearly two years just to identify a body is a trauma for the family and setback for the investigations," said Varma.
Anton's father intends to visit the sites where his son was murdered and later cremated. He may also meet local police to inquire into the investigations on the murder of his son. However, Varma added, "That depends on him."
5 October 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Procedural delays keep minors at Apna Ghar
Procedural delays keep minors at Apna Ghar
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: If the police fail to file a chargesheet within 90 days of filing a first information report, a rapist or a murderer arrested and in judicial custody get bail “as a matter of right”. For a thief, this period is even less. Children in conflict with law in Goa, and lodged at an observation home, however, often remain confined in the home for months together.
This happens, despite the Juvenile Justice Act stating that the police shall complete investigations in a crime involving a minor at the earliest to ensure that the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) completes the inquiry “within 4 months”.
“Children’s rights are being constantly violated under the purview of the juvenile justice system. We have come across several cases which have been pending before the JJB since 2002. Often for petty offences an FIR is filed against a minor and they are lodged at Apna Ghar for months together. The law states that in any offence committed by a juvenile, the trial should get over in four months,” said child activist Emidio Pinto.
Confirming this, former JJB member Snehlata Bhatikar said, “This gross children’s right violation happens mainly due to the police delay in filing the chargesheet, witnesses and lawyers failing to turn up for the hearing and failure of the police and Apna Ghar authorities to serve witnesses with summons issued by the JJB.”
5 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: If the police fail to file a chargesheet within 90 days of filing a first information report, a rapist or a murderer arrested and in judicial custody get bail “as a matter of right”. For a thief, this period is even less. Children in conflict with law in Goa, and lodged at an observation home, however, often remain confined in the home for months together.
This happens, despite the Juvenile Justice Act stating that the police shall complete investigations in a crime involving a minor at the earliest to ensure that the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) completes the inquiry “within 4 months”.
“Children’s rights are being constantly violated under the purview of the juvenile justice system. We have come across several cases which have been pending before the JJB since 2002. Often for petty offences an FIR is filed against a minor and they are lodged at Apna Ghar for months together. The law states that in any offence committed by a juvenile, the trial should get over in four months,” said child activist Emidio Pinto.
Confirming this, former JJB member Snehlata Bhatikar said, “This gross children’s right violation happens mainly due to the police delay in filing the chargesheet, witnesses and lawyers failing to turn up for the hearing and failure of the police and Apna Ghar authorities to serve witnesses with summons issued by the JJB.”
5 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Saturday, October 03, 2009
CONTROL ROOM SETUP IN VIEW OF GOA FLOOD SITUATION
CONTROL ROOM SETUP IN VIEW OF FLOOD SITUATION
The Government has setup Control Rooms in view of flood situation at three places namely Collectorate South, Collectorate North and Secretariat, Porvorim.
The Control Room number of Collectorate North is 2426148, Control Room number of Collectorate South is 2714898 and Secretariat Control Room is 2419750/2415563 Fax 2419767.
The Government has setup Control Rooms in view of flood situation at three places namely Collectorate South, Collectorate North and Secretariat, Porvorim.
The Control Room number of Collectorate North is 2426148, Control Room number of Collectorate South is 2714898 and Secretariat Control Room is 2419750/2415563 Fax 2419767.
3 cops charged for missing evidence
3 cops charged for missing evidence
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With “muddemal” property going missing, the Vasco police on Thursday registered a case against three policemen. Muddemal property consists of items used in a crime and recovered from the accused, and attached under a panchnama in the presence of the accused.
The muddemal property in question is evidence in a murder case and its disappearance could severely dilute the prosecution’s case. SP South Allen D’Sa told TOI, “As soon as the SDPO (Vasco) brought the matter to my notice, I instructed them to register a case of forgery, cheating and criminal misappropriation against those concerns.”
2 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair, TNN
PANAJI: With “muddemal” property going missing, the Vasco police on Thursday registered a case against three policemen. Muddemal property consists of items used in a crime and recovered from the accused, and attached under a panchnama in the presence of the accused.
The muddemal property in question is evidence in a murder case and its disappearance could severely dilute the prosecution’s case. SP South Allen D’Sa told TOI, “As soon as the SDPO (Vasco) brought the matter to my notice, I instructed them to register a case of forgery, cheating and criminal misappropriation against those concerns.”
2 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Hotel can play music
Hotel can play music
TNN
PANAJI: A day after it refused to comment on the Indian Performing Right Society Limited's (IPRSL) announcement of a Delhi high court injunction against Marriott Resort, Goa with regards to playing of music in the starred hotel, V M Salgaocar & Brothers Pvt Ltd, the owners of the resort, released a press note on Thursday stating that the Delhi HC by its order on September 4, 2009 "has vacated the earlier order issued by the court restricting Marriott Resort from playing music".
A E Barretto, general manager (corporation law) and company secretary for V M Salgaocar, said in the note: "By virtue of the order passed by the Delhi HC on September 4, 2009, the injunction order of August 28, 2009, wherein the hotel was restrained from playing music, stands vacated and does not operate vis-a-vis the Goa Marriott Resort."
He added, "Goa Marriott Resort has contested the demands made by IPRSL with regards to the payment of licence fees on various grounds, inter alia, on the grounds that writ petitions are already pending before various courts challenging the right of IPRSL to collect license fees for the performance and communication of musical works."
2 October 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: A day after it refused to comment on the Indian Performing Right Society Limited's (IPRSL) announcement of a Delhi high court injunction against Marriott Resort, Goa with regards to playing of music in the starred hotel, V M Salgaocar & Brothers Pvt Ltd, the owners of the resort, released a press note on Thursday stating that the Delhi HC by its order on September 4, 2009 "has vacated the earlier order issued by the court restricting Marriott Resort from playing music".
A E Barretto, general manager (corporation law) and company secretary for V M Salgaocar, said in the note: "By virtue of the order passed by the Delhi HC on September 4, 2009, the injunction order of August 28, 2009, wherein the hotel was restrained from playing music, stands vacated and does not operate vis-a-vis the Goa Marriott Resort."
He added, "Goa Marriott Resort has contested the demands made by IPRSL with regards to the payment of licence fees on various grounds, inter alia, on the grounds that writ petitions are already pending before various courts challenging the right of IPRSL to collect license fees for the performance and communication of musical works."
2 October 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Delhi HC bars resort from playing music
Delhi HC bars resort from playing music
TNN
PANAJI: The Delhi high court on Monday temporarily stopped Goa Marriott Resort from playing music, live or recorded, until it renews its licence with the Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRSL), which is the copyright society for musical works registered with the government of India.
"We have an injunction from the Delhi high court against Marriott Resort, Goa, stating that they can't play music in the hotel, whether live or recorded, till they renew their license. They had a license till December 2005, but the hotel made regular payments only till December 30, 2003," said chief licencing manager of IPRSL G G Prasad.
When contacted, a spokesperson for Goa Marriott said, "We have contested the same in the court and therefore we can't comment."
IPRSL in its petition had alleged that the hotel was playing music without permission and without paying royalties, which amounts to infringement of the society's public performing rights. "Though we produced an invoice dated December 17, 2003 towards license fee for the year 2004 and an invoice dated December 17, 2004 towards the license fee for the year 2005, both remain unpaid," said Prasad.
The hotel in its reply to the Delhi HC to the petition filed by the IPRSL admitted payment of license fees to IPRSL till December 31, 2003, but said it was done under protest. They also stated having entered into separate agreements with various broadcasters to play their music.
The hotel also made reference to two writ petitions filed in the Delhi HC and the high court of Bombay at Goa by the Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI) and the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), questioning the right of the society to collect license fees for the performance and communication of musical works. Marriott said it is a member of both associations.
The Delhi HC observed that there is no mention of any order being passed by either court, restraining the society from collecting fees under the license agreement.
Marriott, however, is not the only hotel that provides multi-channel music, interactive television and live music to its guests without permission from the society, disclosed Prasad.
"In Goa, there are about 5,000 premises which play music, but only 500 have licenses from us for the year 2009. We have approached another 1,500 and asked them to obtain the license before playing music in their premises. Some of them are famous nightclubs in North Goa and we intend to initiate action against them," added Prasad.
IPRSL, is a society that has been assigned "performing rights", which includes the right of performing in public and the right to communicate the work directly to the public or by means of display or diffusion, regardless of whether anyone actually sees, hears or otherwise enjoys the work so made available, said Prasad.
Communication to public includes communication through satellite or cable or any means of simultaneous communication to more than one household or place of residence, including hotel and hostel rooms.
1 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: The Delhi high court on Monday temporarily stopped Goa Marriott Resort from playing music, live or recorded, until it renews its licence with the Indian Performing Right Society Limited (IPRSL), which is the copyright society for musical works registered with the government of India.
"We have an injunction from the Delhi high court against Marriott Resort, Goa, stating that they can't play music in the hotel, whether live or recorded, till they renew their license. They had a license till December 2005, but the hotel made regular payments only till December 30, 2003," said chief licencing manager of IPRSL G G Prasad.
When contacted, a spokesperson for Goa Marriott said, "We have contested the same in the court and therefore we can't comment."
IPRSL in its petition had alleged that the hotel was playing music without permission and without paying royalties, which amounts to infringement of the society's public performing rights. "Though we produced an invoice dated December 17, 2003 towards license fee for the year 2004 and an invoice dated December 17, 2004 towards the license fee for the year 2005, both remain unpaid," said Prasad.
The hotel in its reply to the Delhi HC to the petition filed by the IPRSL admitted payment of license fees to IPRSL till December 31, 2003, but said it was done under protest. They also stated having entered into separate agreements with various broadcasters to play their music.
The hotel also made reference to two writ petitions filed in the Delhi HC and the high court of Bombay at Goa by the Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI) and the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), questioning the right of the society to collect license fees for the performance and communication of musical works. Marriott said it is a member of both associations.
The Delhi HC observed that there is no mention of any order being passed by either court, restraining the society from collecting fees under the license agreement.
Marriott, however, is not the only hotel that provides multi-channel music, interactive television and live music to its guests without permission from the society, disclosed Prasad.
"In Goa, there are about 5,000 premises which play music, but only 500 have licenses from us for the year 2009. We have approached another 1,500 and asked them to obtain the license before playing music in their premises. Some of them are famous nightclubs in North Goa and we intend to initiate action against them," added Prasad.
IPRSL, is a society that has been assigned "performing rights", which includes the right of performing in public and the right to communicate the work directly to the public or by means of display or diffusion, regardless of whether anyone actually sees, hears or otherwise enjoys the work so made available, said Prasad.
Communication to public includes communication through satellite or cable or any means of simultaneous communication to more than one household or place of residence, including hotel and hostel rooms.
1 October 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Rules proposed to curb sale of drugs with abuse potential
Rules proposed to curb sale of drugs with abuse potential
TNN
PANAJI: In order to curb the sale of drugs having misuse or abuse potential, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed "prescription guideline" that allow chemists to deny such medication to doctors who approach them without a prescription or to those persons who provide SMS prescriptions.
The FDA has further proposed that for the safety and proper handling of prescriptions, drugs which have misuse or abuse potential should be written on a separate prescription and doctors will need to give due justification for large quantities of a particular drug prescribed.
Drugs with such potential include diazepam containing products such as Valium and Calmpose; alprazolam containing products such as Alprax, Restyl; zcodeine containing drugs such Corex; pentazocine containing drugs such as Fortwin injections; nitrazepam containing products such as Nitravet, Lorazepam and Larpose and several others.
"Do not prescribe or recommend drugs with misuse potential over the telephone or via SMS. Pharmacies are not authorized to dispense against such orders for such drugs and have the right to refuse to dispense. Also quantities prescribed for such types of drugs should be reasonable," the new guidelines state. The guidelines were circulated to the FDA's stakeholders at a meeting on September 23. Representatives of the Goa Medical Council, Indian Medical Association, Directorate of Health Services, Chemists and Druggists Association and Goa College of Pharmacy have been asked to provide feedback.
Meanwhile, the new guidelines warn that it is not a correct practice to write "self" on a prescription, instead of the patient's name while purchasing medicines directly from the wholesaler or pharmacy. "If a doctor visits a pharmacy and asks for a drug, the pharmacy is authorized to refuse to dispense the drug unless he is presented with a proper written order. The written order should indicate the doctor's qualifications and registration number. In any event the pharmacy is within its rights to refuse to honour a self prescription for scheduled drugs. The written order needs to be kept by the pharmacy for a minimum of two years," sources said.
They added, "If any doctor misuses his powers to indiscriminately prescribe large quantities for other than justified medical use, the medical council has the powers to deal with the doctor. Pharmacies are authorized to refuse to dispense such prescriptions if they suspect any misuse."
1 October 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: In order to curb the sale of drugs having misuse or abuse potential, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed "prescription guideline" that allow chemists to deny such medication to doctors who approach them without a prescription or to those persons who provide SMS prescriptions.
The FDA has further proposed that for the safety and proper handling of prescriptions, drugs which have misuse or abuse potential should be written on a separate prescription and doctors will need to give due justification for large quantities of a particular drug prescribed.
Drugs with such potential include diazepam containing products such as Valium and Calmpose; alprazolam containing products such as Alprax, Restyl; zcodeine containing drugs such Corex; pentazocine containing drugs such as Fortwin injections; nitrazepam containing products such as Nitravet, Lorazepam and Larpose and several others.
"Do not prescribe or recommend drugs with misuse potential over the telephone or via SMS. Pharmacies are not authorized to dispense against such orders for such drugs and have the right to refuse to dispense. Also quantities prescribed for such types of drugs should be reasonable," the new guidelines state. The guidelines were circulated to the FDA's stakeholders at a meeting on September 23. Representatives of the Goa Medical Council, Indian Medical Association, Directorate of Health Services, Chemists and Druggists Association and Goa College of Pharmacy have been asked to provide feedback.
Meanwhile, the new guidelines warn that it is not a correct practice to write "self" on a prescription, instead of the patient's name while purchasing medicines directly from the wholesaler or pharmacy. "If a doctor visits a pharmacy and asks for a drug, the pharmacy is authorized to refuse to dispense the drug unless he is presented with a proper written order. The written order should indicate the doctor's qualifications and registration number. In any event the pharmacy is within its rights to refuse to honour a self prescription for scheduled drugs. The written order needs to be kept by the pharmacy for a minimum of two years," sources said.
They added, "If any doctor misuses his powers to indiscriminately prescribe large quantities for other than justified medical use, the medical council has the powers to deal with the doctor. Pharmacies are authorized to refuse to dispense such prescriptions if they suspect any misuse."
1 October 2009,The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Goa's tourism minister Mickky arrested, released on bail
Goa's tourism minister Mickky arrested, released on bail
TNN
PANAJI: Tourism minister Francisco “Mickky” Pacheco was arrested by the crime branch on Tuesday in connection with a case of extortion and
criminal intimidation filed against him by the management of a casino in a South Goa hotel.
However, he was released 15 minutes later upon payment of a bail amount of Rs 5,000. The incident occurred on the night of May 31 and the crime branch registered the case on September 16. Crime branch sources said Pacheco arrived at their office in Dona Paula at 10am, was arrested at 11am and released on bail a quarter of an hour later.
September 30, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
TNN
PANAJI: Tourism minister Francisco “Mickky” Pacheco was arrested by the crime branch on Tuesday in connection with a case of extortion and
criminal intimidation filed against him by the management of a casino in a South Goa hotel.
However, he was released 15 minutes later upon payment of a bail amount of Rs 5,000. The incident occurred on the night of May 31 and the crime branch registered the case on September 16. Crime branch sources said Pacheco arrived at their office in Dona Paula at 10am, was arrested at 11am and released on bail a quarter of an hour later.
September 30, 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Corporation of City of Panaji clears bill, dead finally rest
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
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
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,
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