OHERALDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900

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HOW THE RUPEE COMES

HOW THE RUPEE GOES

Babu Azgaonkar Sudhin Dhavalikar Aleixo Sequeira Dayanand Mandrekar Pandhurang Madkaikar Jose Philip DSouza

Taxationl Water tariff increased for largescale users. Upto use of 25m3the rate is unchanged at Rs 2.5per m3.

l VAT on tobacco products includingcigar and cigarettes increasedfrom 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent.

l Infrastructure tax on purchase/construction of independent bun-galow houses in gated communi-ties or housing complexes andflats in apartments. Bungalowsabove Rs 1 crore will pay 1 percent tax and above Rs 2 crore willpay 2 per cent of cost.

l Tax on purchase of new luxurycars. Rs 10-20 lakh cars Rs10,000; Rs 20-40 lakh Rs 30,000;Rs 40-60 lakh Rs 50,000; Rs 60lakh and above Rs 1 lakh.

l Excise duty on liquor includingbeer increased.

l Licence fees for late night barsand restaurants hiked.

l 2 per cent increase on VAT in avi-ation spirit, aviation turbine fuel,high speed diesel, oil, light dieseloil, motor/ spirit/ petrol. This willfetch government additional Rs100 crore.

l Road tax for vehicles enhancedby one per cent for individual aswell as companies and institutions.

l Co-operative housing societies tobe covered under 2 per cent slabto rationalise stamp duty on con-veyance of immovable property.

l Cargo related charges at portshiked.

l Rate of composition fee increasedfrom 4 per cent to 5 per cent forhotel restaurants, eating house refreshment room, boarding es-tablishment serving food and non-alcoholic beverages other thanstarred category of hotels.

l The composition fee for shacksallotted by Tourism department isincreased to Rs 10,000 perannum.

l Tax on screening of tickets ratio-

nalised. Tickets upto Rs 50 willbe exempted from entertainmenttax. Tickets exceeding Rs 50 shallattract levy of 25 per cent.

Educationl Edunet scheme to be replacedwith Laptop 11 scheme. Laptopsto be provided to Std XI studentswith effect from the year 2010-11,this will benefit students who an-swered Std XI exams this year.Rs 46 crore provision made.

l Smart class to be taken underpilot project. 100 schools and 25higher secondary schools wouldbe covered. Smart class is latestteaching technique with the helpof digital technology. (Provision ofRs 2 crore made).

l Goa Institute of Open Schoolingto be set up for school drop outs.

l Rs 2.8 crore for upgradation ofinfrastructure in Goa Board ofSecondary and Higher Secondary.Additional grant of Rs 25 lakh perannum for the board for contingent

BUDGET DOES A POLL VAULTl Schemes aplenty l Goodies for Education & Tourisml Big relief for Health, Social Welfare & Mining-affected

WHAT GOES UPPetrol, diesel Water tariff for largescale usersBungalows pricesCigarettes, LiquorLuxury carsFees for late nightbarsRoad taxShack fee

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

The declining sex ratio is amajor cause for concern forthe State government, accord-ing to Chief Minister Digam-bar Kamat.

Announcing a series ofschemes for girls, Kamat saidthat the sex ratio had dippedto an all time low of 1000:961and needed a multi-prongedcorrective strategy to resolvethe crisis early.

In view of the above, hesaid the government is in-centivising the mother withfinancial assistance of Rs5,000 immediately on the de-livery of a girl child providedit is not her third child.

Further, he said, under thechief minister girl child secu-rity scheme once a girl childis born a fixed deposit of Rs25,000 will be automaticallyopened in her name to bewithdrawn after attaining theage of 18 years.

He further said that underthe new scheme girl childrenwould also be given freeschool uniforms, text booksand educational aid as furtherincentives.

Financial assistance underthe Kanyadaan scheme willbe increased to Rs 25,000from existing Rs 15,000.

A provision of Rs 56 croreis made for all above schemes,Kamat said.

Kanya dhaan!With an eye on Assembly elections slated for next year, ChiefMinister Digambar Kamat on Thursday presented a populist Statebudget for 2011-12. The please-all budget, which saw series of

schemes and incentives offered, has projected total estimated

receipts and total gross expenditure for the year 2011-12 placed at

Rs 6698.31 crore and Rs 8022.19 crore respectively. Team Herald

highlights the key budget proposals.

expenditure.l 100 per cent grant-in-aid for in-stitutions in technical education.

l Grade pay under Part B of VIthPay Commission to be made ap-plicable to various categories ofschool education teachers witheffect from July 1, 2011.

l Scholarships for students to takeup higher education in science.The scheme is also open to sci-ence teachers.

l One time grant of Rs 2 lakh toscience laboratories and collegesand Rs 50,000 for higher second-ary schools.

l Research and technology park atGoa University.

l Dayanand Bandodkar Scheme for

financial assistance to orphans foreducation upto post graduation.

l Free higher education upto un-dergraduates and post graduatedegree for SC/ST students.

l Golden Jubilee Best ScienceAward to encourage Goans in fieldof science.

Tourisml Helicopter services to be set upto promote tourism in state. Rs75 lakh to be utilised for construc-

tion of heliports/helipads.l Commencing sunset cruising fromPanjim to Cortalim.

l River Cruise in River Sal andbeautifying both its banks andconstructing leisure fishing points.

l Financial assistance through EDCfor residents to construct self con-tained rooms for tourist stay.

l Beautification of Baina beach tobe taken up. Rs 50 lakh provisionfor the purpose.

Fishingl Respite for tradition fishermen withincrease in subsidies on kerosenefrom present Rs 18,000 to Rs30,000, on outboard motors fromRs 20,000 to Rs 40,000, on pur-chasing nets from Rs 8000 to Rs20,000. (Provision of Rs 750 lakh)

l Budgetary provision for the re-maining compensation of Rs50,000 to be paid to the kin of thefishermen who died in CyclonePhyan.

Miningl Rs 500 crore to be spent in themining affected areas in the nexttwo years. To begin with a budg-etary provision of Rs 100 croremade this year.

O N PA G E 2l Kamat assures to modify

Gomant Bal Rath.l GCCI describes budget

development-oriented.l Parrikar says it lacks

any substance.l Budget points to deficit.

ITS A GROWTH-ORIENTED BUDGET, SAYS CM...BUT SOME GIVE IT A SLEEP Photos by Rozario Estibeiro

GOAOHERALD

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Pg 2GOA, FRIDAY, 18 MARCH, 2011

AgRicuLTuRE

nOne time grant of Rs 80,000 per hectare to be provided to Self Help Groups for cultivation of vegetables to encourage them in agriculture. Grant will include expenses towards seed, fertiliser, water pumps, pipeline, fencing etc. (provision of Rs 200 lakh)

n Subsidy rates on farm equipments to be unified at 75% of the cost of the implements. (Provision of Rs 750 lakh).

n Support price for coconut increased from existing Rs 5 to Rs 6. Seventy-five per cent subsidy on fungicides at source to arecanut growers subject to maximum of Rs 8000. (Provision of Rs 150 lakh)

n 90 per cent subsidy under solar power battery fencing scheme to be extended to general category farmers.

n 75 per cent subsidy on digging of wells. Maximum of Rs 1 lakh to be considered.

n Three chief ministers awards Krishi Ratna (Rs 2 lakh), Krishi Vibhushan (Rs 1 lakh) and Krishi Bhushan (Rs 50,000) for farmers in agriculture and horticulture along with citation. (Provision of Rs 350 lakh)n In addition to 50 per cent subsidy from Central

Government for construction of green houses and poly houses for cultivation of vegetables and flowers, the State will provide 40 per cent additional subsidy. (Provision of Rs 75 lakh). Subsidy on bio gas plant to be increased to 90 per cent.

TRibAL wELfARE

n Grant of Rs 5 crore each to SC/OBC Corporation, ST development Corporation

n Provision for Dhangar community increased to Rs 1.5 crore.

infRAsTRucTuRE DEvELOPmEnT

n MoU signed with GAIL for gas-based power plant in Goa of minimum generation of 250 mw of power.

n Electric Perimeter Security fencing with integrated surveillance at key official buildings and premises. In first phase, assembly and secretariat complex to be covered.

n Bridge on Terekhol River to be constructed.n Vehicular bridge at Rua de Ourem and Patto Plaza for

alternate route to Panjim city.n Swimming pools in Mormugao and Canacona taluka.n New police station buildings at Mapusa and Bicholim.n Chapora Fort to be renovated.n Construction of Haj house to benefit people going to Haj.n MLAs to get Rs 50 lakh for development works in their

respective constituencies.

sOLiD wAsTE mAnAgEmEnT

n Grant to village panchayats for rural garbage disposal scheme increased to Rs 50,000.

n Incentives to educational institutions for setting up plastic and other related products collection centres.

n MoU to be signed with Baba Atomic Research Centre for transfer of the state-of-the-art technology for treatment of garbage, preservation of fruits and food grains.

n Awards for cleanliness and hygiene of Rs 10 lakh for village panchayats and municipalities.

ART cuLTuRE

n Fellowships for writers in memory of late Ravindra Kelekar and late Manoharai Sardessai.

n Rs 25 lakh grants each to NGOs working for children, old, sick and disabled. Rs 25 crore provision made and will be covered with increase in VAT on diesel and petrol.n Rs 20 crore and Rs 30 crore provision for village

panchayats and municipalities including CCP for creation of basic amenities and other developmental projects.

n Rs 30 lakh for upgradation of Hanuman Natyagraha in Mapusa and Rs 50 lakh for re-construction of Damodar Vidhyabhavan, Margao.

n Grants for colleges to conduct lectures of eminent personalities.

n Institutions promoting Sanskrit to get financial support.

A Goa Legislative Assembly complex staffer carries the top half of the Chief Ministers chair whichbroke during the session on Thursday. Photo by Sachin Ambadoskar

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

The budget presented by ChiefMinister Digambar Kamat mayappear as populist, he how-ever claimed that is it is not onlygrowth oriented but also inclu-sive.

Addressing a press conferenceafter presenting the budget on

Thursday here, the chief minis-ter, said interest of all sectors education, agriculture, social,industry is reflected in thebudget. It is inclusive andgrowth-oriented.

The plan outlay has been con-siderably increased since 2009-10from Rs 710 crore to Rs 3129 croreand this has been exclusive of con-tribution of planning commission.

He also claimed that his gov-ernment has managed toachieve average growth rate of26 per cent.

While he said that whereverpossible tax has been imposed,essential items such as LPG gashas been excluded.

Talking about societal initia-tives of the budget, Kamat said,there has been provision to set-up home for people suffering

from Alzheimers. The numberof people su f fer ing f romAlzheimer is quite big, he said.

Main thrust of the budget hasbeen on societal schemes. Mo-torcycle pilots and anganwadiworkers are taken care of in thisbudget.

The chief minister further saidthere has been clear budget out-lay for each scheme that hasbeen mentioned in the budget.

He also that scheme to un-employment allowance to youthwill be linked to educationalqualification.

As regards to provisionmade to mitigate problems inthe mining areas, the chiefminister said, the villages pan-chayats of respective areas willhave a say on what needs tobe done.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

This budget is without any sub-stance, is how OppositionLeader Manohar Parrikar com-mented on the budget pre-sented by Chie f Min is terDigambar Kamat on Thursday.

Addressing a press conferencepost budget, Opposition Leadersaid budget doesnt have anysubstance and it is also notgrowth-oriented.

While Kamat may claim thathis budget is development-ori-ented, Parrikar said the loan li-ability of the government hasrisen three times.

He said total fiscal deficitwhich was Rs 2100 in February2005 has increased to Rs 6800crore in February 2011, indicat-ing that the government hasmiserably failed in fiscal man-agement.

Rubbishing the governmentsclaim growth in agriculture tothe tune of .4 per cent to GSDP,he pointed out that in the lastfour years agriculture has de-

clined by 25 per cent. The cur-rent growth only means that thegovernment has succeeded inarresting the decline and it can-not be termed as growth in agri-culture, Parrikar said.

Agriculture schemes are aneye-wash and politically moti-vated, he added.

Referring to the budget pro-vision for unemployed by wayof unemployment subsistenceallowance of maximum Rs 1,200to Rs 3,000, Parrikar said, it hasno meaning because firstly, theamount offered is meagre andsecondly its not linked to any

training scheme.Its like giving chocolates,

he said further pointing out thatthis measure will not help to re-move unemployment in any way.

The Opposition Leader thoughapplauded the chief minister forgiving a thought to increasing girlchild ratio; he however said thescheme is not adequate to addressthe problem.

Criticism the government onits taxation measures, he saidthe government is directionlessin this area. The governmentsthrust is on collecting revenuethrough mining gambling, lot-tery, and it can prove disas-trous, he warned.

The metal prices have startedfluctuating post tsunami inJapan. Goas economy may beaffected if mining export re-duces consequent to fluctuationin the international share marketpost calamity in Japan.

The Oppos i t ion Leadersummed up the budget asgoody goody but lacking ongrowth aspect.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Describing the budget as de-velopment-oriented, GCCI vicepresident Manguirish PaiRaikar has congratulated ChiefMinister Digambar Kamat forsparing the common man withadditional tax burden whilemaking the rich and affluentcontribute a little more for thedevelopment of the States in-frastructure.

Announcement of 250 mw gas-based power plant, besides ex-tension of Industrial Policy andthe move to involve the industryassociations for devising andstreamlining various schemes isalso a good move, Raikar said.

The chamber however ex-pected that the Governmentcould have formed the IndustrialDevelopment Board, given thefact that there is very little in-dustrial investment coming intoGoa.

The chamber felt the miningsector which is already over-burdened with central taxes

and royalty fees has been putunder additional burden byhiking the air and water con-sent fees, cargo charges forbulk minerals, increase instamp duty on mining leases,infrastructure tax etc.

The chamber however com-plimented the finance ministerfor taking some really innovativeinitiatives in the education sec-tor and special focus given toagriculture with various schemesand subsidies announced to re-versal of decline in agriculturalgrowth in the State.

The dole to unemployedgraduates has also been wel-comed with a suggestion thatthere should be proper moni-toring of this scheme.

Former GCCI president NitinKunkolienkar has also applaudedthe government for a goodbudget presentation and echoedthe same opinion.

The budget is an outstand-ing and a well-balanced budge.CM has looked after all the fac-tors from healthy to unhealthy

sector, old to young includingnewly born, environment, etc.However there is no mentionabout last years plan and im-plementation but the wholebudget is fantastic, he said.

Helicopter tourism is a goodidea and it will generate morerevenue in the State. Sunset cruisefrom Panjim to Cortalim is also agood idea but there is a need toconstruct Cortalim Jetty, headded.

TTAG former president RalphDSouza said that rationalizationof luxury taxes is in the rightdirection. The governmentshould develop Baina beach forcruise anchorage, yacht club andfor sea walk. It should also lookat three government projectsthat have been approved forhomestays, river tourism andmarinas, he further said.

The Goa Small Industries As-sociation said that steps to pro-vide common affluent plantsand small captive plants in in-dustrial estates are welcomingsteps.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

According to the budget esti-mates for 2011-12, the revenuedeficit is Rs 172.03 crore andfiscal deficit is Rs 707.28 crore.

The plan and non-plan budgetestimates of the total gross ex-penditure are placed at Rs3129.61 crore and 4892.58crore.

The major head of expendi-tures under non-plan aresalaries, pension charges, inter-est payment, repayment of debtand grant-in-aid.

On the plan side, the majorheads of expenditure includessalaries, grant-in-aid, majorworks other capital expenditureand other charges.

Of the total receipts, share oftax revenue would be Rs 3156crore and non-tax revenuewould be Rs 2262.74 crore.

The grant-in-aid from Central

government is estimated at Rs449.90 crore.

As per revised estimate for2010-11 a revenue surplus of Rs325.49 crore is achieved asagainst revenue deficit of Rs127.20 crore during 2009-10(actual).

Fiscal deficit is at Rs 690.27crore as against Rs 1242.03 croreduring 2009-10 (actual).

The debt to GSDP ratio hasbeen 29.62.

While the State economygrew at 13.03 per cent in 2009-10 as against 9.46 per cent in2008-09, the chief minister ex-pects the Gross State DomesticProduct (GSDP) to grow at 14to 15 per cent.

He further says, I am hope-ful that the economy will notlook back and achieve a re-spectable growth of 15 percent during the next fiscal year2011-12.

budGeT sniPPeTs Budget is inclusive, growth-oriented: CM

Parrikar says it lacks substance

GCCI describes budget as development-oriented

HERALD REPORTERPANJIM, MARCH 17

Public Works Department (PWD)Minister Churchill Alemao wasat the receiving end once againover the alleged tank distribu-tion scam, which was raised onthe floor of the House.

BJP legis lators inc ludingManohar Parrikar and DamodarNaik put Alemao on the mat dur-ing the Question Hour. The legis-lators demanded formation of acommittee headed by chief sec-retary, in participation with fi-nance secretary, to probe theentire scam.

Alemao in his reply to Naikclaimed that the governmenthas already notified the schemeto distribute water tanks.

The scheme has been for-mulated by PWD to providewater tanks at the requiredplaces depending on the needof the consumers, the replyreads.

The Opposition benches,however, asked him to presentthe notification of the schemeon the floor of the House.

The minister sought time tilltomorrow to place the papersnotifying the scheme.

In a written reply tabled on thefloor of the House, Alemao said

that ex-post facto approval forthe expenditure for the distribu-tion of water tanks and pumpswas granted by the Cabinet.

However, Cabinet directedthe department to prepare aproper scheme with criteria forimplementation of the samehenceforth, the reply reads.

Parrikar questioned the wordhenceforth in the reply statingthat the distribution of the tanksdone in past stand to be illegal.

The Leader of Opposition al-leged that some of the tankswere purchased at the inflatedrates and bills for the contrac-tors were even paid.

Fatorda MLA Damodar Naik,who had even raised the issueduring last session, said thatthere was huge gap in the mar-ket rates and the quotations bythe department.

Alemaos reply on the floorreads that 4000 tanks are pro-vided at the required places de-pending on the need of theconsumer prior to the formationof scheme.

After the scheme was formu-lated, total 124 tanks were pro-vided to the consumers, he saidadding that for the current fi-nancial year, Rs 48.05 lakh wasspent.

Oppn puts Churchillon the mat

TanK disTRibuTion sCam

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Facing severe criticism on the floor of the House,Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today assuredto modify Gomant Bal Rath scheme providingthe buses for the educational institutions onthe need basis.

Kamat said that the government schools,which were left out from the scheme would becovered and also scheme would be extended tothe schools, where there is a need.

He said that in rural places like Sattari, someprovisions would be made so that the busescould be provided to the needy school students.

The scheme is being implemented by SocialWelfare Department and till date around 142buses are distributed to various institutions,which is having 20 percent OBC students studyingin it.

We will make sure that all the schools, in-cluding government schools are covered irre-spective of OBC, ST and SC, Kamat assured onthe floor of the House.

BJP legislator Laxmikant Parsekar, raising theissue during Question Hour on the floor of theHouse, said that an eligibility criterion of 20percent students from OBC category is injusticefor the rest of the classes.

He said that the scheme should be im-plemented considering Economic BackwardClass (EBC) as criteria and not the OBC, STor SC.

Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar saidthat the non-inclusion of scheme for governmentschools will result in the reduction of admissionsin these schools from next academic year on-wards.

He said that students belonging to poor strataof society usually go to the government schools,which are kept away from the purview of thescheme. This is against the provisions of con-stitution of India, he claimed.

The small kids dont understand your casteand creed criteria. Those studying in govern-ment schools will ask their parents to getthem admission in aided schools so that theydont have to walk empty stomach to theschool, Parrikar said striking an emotionalchord on the issue.

Speaker Pratapsing Rane too joined the debateand insisted that the scheme should also be im-plemented for the poor students in the WesternGhats.

There are so many Maratha students whoare poor. But they cant enjoy the benefit of thisscheme. The minister should make some provi-sion for these schools, Rane, who runs a schoolin his constituency, said.

He said that the schools find it difficult to getOBC students. What justice are you doing es-pecially when you talk of all inclusive develop-ment, the Speaker questioned.

Social Welfare Minister Ramakrishna Dhavlikarinitially said that the good schools were notgiving admission for the OBC students.

Responding to the questions, Kamat appealedthe school managements to pay properly for thebus drivers and conductors.

We are paying Rs 10,000 as a salary for thedrivers, Rs 5,000 for the conductors and Rs50,000 is given for the maintenance of the ve-hicle, Kamat said adding that there are somecomplaints that the management was not payingthe full salary.

Kamat assures to modify Gomant bal Rath scheme

Gaming panelto govern

casinooperations

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Chief Minister Digambar Kamatsaid in his budget speech thatthe Casino operations in Goawill now be governed by a spe-cial regulation and a gamingcommission.

Kamat said that both thesteps were being undertaken atthe behest of the union financeministry which had conducteda detailed study in this regard.

A committee under DirectorFinancial Intelligence Unit, Min-istry of Finance has examinedthe issue in great detail, Kamatsaid adding the committee hasrecommended a comprehensivelegislation and setting up of anautonomous gaming commis-sion to regulate the casinos inthe State, Kamat said.

The chief minister said the com-mittee has also recommended theuse of standardised software tocalibrate the gaming machines.

I propose to introduce theserecommendations after examininginternational best practices in thisfinancial year, Kamat said, addingthat the casinos were alreadybrought under the purview of thePrevention of Money LaunderingAct to keep tabs on money laun-dering activities there.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Even as the Opposition benchesclaimed the fraud to the tuneof Rs 240 crore in HSRP contract,Transport Minister RamakrishnaDhavlikar said that he wouldseek legal opinion in filing crim-inal charges against the com-pany which had bagged thetender.

If government does notfile a criminal case in nextten days then I will person-ally file it in HSRP tenderallocation by March 30,Leader o f Oppos i t ionManohar Parrikar said.

The BJP leader raising theissue during the QuestionHour, questioned why theState Government was not ini-tiating criminal complaintagainst Shimnit Utsch PrivateLimited, which had bagged the

HSRP contract.He said that if the contract

had to be executed to its fullterm, State would have lostRs 240 crores as an extraamount from the entire Rs 400crore deals inked with thecompany.

Parrikar said that the trans-port minister was not workingwith the hundred percent con-victions which stop him fromfiling the criminal case againstthe firm.

He pointed out that the in-quiry done under chairmanshipof Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivas-tava had unearthed that thefootnote on 51 per cent extrapremium on the plates wasadded later on.

The note was put after thebid was opened. This is a con-spiracy done by the officialagainst the people of the State

to inflate the prices, the Leaderof Opposition added.

Parrikar alleged that by notinitiating criminal investigation,Transport Department is tryingto protect the mole in the Stateadministration.

Dhavlikar, however, took thedefence that since the HSRP ter-mination contract is alreadychallenged before the HighCourt; the State has given a sec-ond thought for the criminalcase.

Upon persistent debate, theminister said that he will seeklegal opinion in the next daysover the issue.

The State government on Jan-uary 25 had served the termi-nation notice to Shimnit Utschtaking in account all the irreg-ularities pointed out by the gov-ernment appointed SrivastavaCommittee.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Keeping in mind the forthcom-ing State assembly election,Chief Minister Digambar Kamatfor the first time presented areport card of his Governmentsfinancial functioning in the lastfiscal year 2011-12.

In his Action Taken Report Budget Announcement pre-sented on the floor of the Houseon Thursday, Kamat said that heis committed to promote trans-parency and accountability inits functioning.

The Budget Announcementcovers subjects ranging fromprice rise, agriculture, IT, edu-cation, power, tourism and oth-ers covering a total of 108subjects. It covers most depart-ments which have direct inter-action with the government.

Highlighting on the Food Pro-cessing Industry, the cataloguementions that Goa Governmenthas set up a Task Force Com-

mittee on Food Processing andestablished a roadmap as wellas it is tapping central funds toboost this sector.

It further states that the entireamount of Rs 10 lakh under theCentrally Sponsored Scheme hasbeen utilised to further developagriculture, horticulture, floricul-ture, pisciculture and dairy in theState. Moving to another sector,the Government claims to havecompleted modalities to set upa bio-tech incubator in the State.For this, Goa University hassigned the MoU with the Direc-torate of Industries Trade &Commerce and Goa Small In-dustries Association.

I announce the setting up ofa Goa IT Knowledge Centre atVerna to provide incubation fa-cilities in the IT sector. I havemade adequate budgetary allo-cation provisions in this regard,he said in the 29-page catalog.

Highlighting issues in tourismsector, the Government has de-

cided to shift the proposed Con-vention Centre from Dona Paulato an alternate site in the hinter-land on PPP basis, following op-position from the people. Thiswould also help in developing hin-terland tourism, he said.

Similarly, in consonance withthe draft Regional Plan 2021 theGovernment has proposed toconstruct bridges at Gaundalim-Cumbharjua, Sanguem Parallel

Bridge, Calvim-Aldona and SavoiVerem-Tixem, basically to openup Goas hinterland for eco-nomic activity.

While tender has been issuedin some of the proposed projects,the Government is examining theproposals of other areas.

Giving a sigh of relief to allmovie buffs, the Governmenthas slashed entertainment taxon screening of films in cinema

theatre and multiplexes. Whereas tax on cable con-

nections has been raised toRs 15 from Rs 10 per con-nection per month, and forDish TV and DTH, the amounthas been increased to Rs 30from Rs 25 per connectionper month.

Scribes to gethigher pension

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

In an attempt to facilitate jour-nalists and news correspondentsfunctioning from rural areas, theGovernment is in the processof completing a well equippedmedia facilitation centre at eachtaluka headquarters through theIT department.

Besides, it has already en-hanced pension for journalistsfrom Rs 2000 to Rs 4000 permonth, notification of which hasbeen published and imple-mented.

Cm presents report card of Govts financial functioning

assembly session

Sudin to seek legal opinion to filecriminal charges against Shimnit

Budget points to deficit

GOAOHERALD

OPg3

GOA, FRIDAY, 18 MARCH, 2011

NIAs Hyderabad unit to handle Margao blast case MARGAO, MARCH 17 (HR): The Margao bomb blast case will nowbe handled by the Hyderabad-unit of the National InvestigationAgency. Sources in the know said the case has been handed overto the Hyderabad unit of the NIA and officers of the investigationagency has already come down to Goa on the eve of the hearingof the case scheduled in the South Goa Sessions Court on Friday.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

State governments ambitiousGoa Bazaar project conceivedto provide platform for ruralproducts has hit a rock bottom,six years after its announce-ment, due to its tardy imple-mentation, CAG report reads.

The Goa Bazaar did not ma-terialise even after a lapse ofsix years despite the availabilityof funds, due to tardy imple-mentation and transfer of amajor portion of the land, thereport of Comptroller and Au-ditor General (CAG) reads.

This resulted in blocking offunds of Rs 3.68 crore and idleinvestment of Rs 1.27 crore onland acquisition, the reportstated adding that non-comple-tion of the project resulted in

denying the anticipated market-ing support and infrastructureto the beneficiaries.

The State government inMarch 2003 decided to set up aGoa Bazaar in Panjim as a spe-cial project under the Swarn-jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana(SGSY) scheme.

The aim of the bazaar was toprovide marketing support,training and infrastructure fa-cilities for rural products madeby self employed persons andself help groups.

Accordingly, the administra-tive approval for acquisition ofland measuring 40,839 sq mtsfor the project was granted inOctober 2003.

The Central Ministry of RuralDevelopment approved the proj-ect in February 2004 at an esti-

mated cost of Rs 9.82 crore tobe funded by the Centre andState in the ratio of 75:25 andto be completed by 2005.

Audit scrutiny revealed thatthough Goa State InfrastructureDevelopment Corporation(GSIDC) was entrusted with thework of executing the projectin October 2004, the State Gov-ernment subsequently decidedto execute it through DistrictRural Development Agency(DRDA) in July 2005.

The governments decisionto change the executing agencyresulted in delay in implemen-tation of the project, the reportrevealed.

The State Government hasalso received criticism from theCentral Government for thepoor progress in the implemen-

Several pregnant women were given sub-standard tablets: CaG

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Several hundred pregnant womenin the state were given sub-stan-dard tablets, which were with-drawn after a delay of almost11months, CAG report reads.

A total of 5.29 lakh sub-stan-dard Iron Folic Acid capsuleswere distributed to pregnantwomen due to inefficient qualitycontrol mechanism, the Comp-troller and Auditor General(CAG) report reads.

The report has observed thatthough 5.29 lakh sub-standardcapsules were utilized by thehealth units, only 1.43 lakh werereturned to Director of HealthService (DHS).

The DHS deputy director inOctober 2010 confirmed thatthe capsules were utilised bythe health centre.

As per the report, the StateHealth Society (SHS) had pro-cured medicines worth Rs 2.15crore under various schemes ofNational Rural Health Mission(NRHM) during the period 2005-10.

The quality of the medicinesprocured was checked by theDirectorate of Food and DrugAdministration (FDA). However,

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

The Comptroller Auditor Gen-eral (CAG) report tabled on thefloor of the House on Thursdayhas claimed major scam in Pub-lic Distribution System (PDS)by including 3,342 ration cardholders in the below povertyline category although they hadhigher income limit.

In spite of 3,342 card holdersin six talukas declaring their in-come to be more than Rs 11,000per annum, the Civil Suppliesand Consumer Affairs Depart-ment recognised them as belowpoverty line for grant of benefitsunder Targeted Public Distribu-tion System (TPDS), the reportreads.The report further addsthat, this lapse by department

caused diversion of 2,807.28MT of rice valuing Rs 1.73 croreto 3,342 ineligible families dur-ing 2008-09 and 2009-10.

The six talukas includeBardez (1,239), Quepem (882),Ponda (547), Tiswadi (511), Sal-cete (135) and Mormugao (28).

As per the report, the de-partment director in 2008 ad-mitted that the ration cardswere renewed irrespective ofthe income declared by the ap-plicants in the application form.The CAG report, quoting thedepartment secretary says,The ration cards of the cardholders who had declared in-come above the income limitwould be cancelled.

The issue of ration cards toBPL families under TDOS was

done in 1997 by the State Gov-ernment. As per the scheme, thecards were issued all those fam-ilies having income below Rs11,000 per annum. As per thestatistics, the department tilldate has issued 27,425 BPLration cards.

The report has also pointedout departments failure tocompare the list of beneficiar-ies under the AnnapurnaScheme, which has inclusionof 78 ineligible beneficiaries infive talukas.

Similarly, the shortfall inidentification of beneficiariesunder the Antyodaya Anna Yo-jana, deprived 1,186 familiesfrom the benefit of the schemeduring the period from 2005-10.

...claims major scam in PDS

Goa Bazaar project hits rock bottom

it was found that the qualitychecking was not conducted byFDA.

FDA, later collected sam-ples on 10 occasions during2009-10 and the result in-dicted that 30 percent of thesamples checked were of sub-standard quality. The FDA

furnished the test report aftera delay of 11 months and itsubsequently suggested de-struction of these tablets,the report stated.

By that time a major quan-tity of medicines had alreadybeen distributed to field healthunits and had been consumed

by the patients, the reportadded.

The distribution of sub-stan-dard medicines reflected inad-equa te qua l i t y con t ro lmechanism and inefficient mon-itoring of procurement and dis-t r i bu t ion , C AG repor tcommented.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

The Comptroller Auditor Gen-eral (CAG) report tabled on thefloor of the house on Thursdayrevealed that the state expen-diture has increased by almost93 percent during last five years.

As per the report, the totalexpenditure of the state in-creased from Rs 2,778 crore in2005-06 to Rs 5,348 crore in2009-10. Moreover, the total ex-penditure during the currentyear itself went up by Rs 997crore over the previous year.

Of the total expenditure, rev-enue expenditure was at Rs4,227 crore, capital expenditureat Rs 1,984 crore and loan andadvances amounted to Rs 37crore.

The revenue and capital ex-penditure increased by 23 per-cent and 21 percent respectivelyover the previous year, the re-port reads.

The report claims that the de-velopment expenditure, whichincludes expenditure on socialand economic services ac-counted for 70.70 percent in2009-10 as against 71.48 per-cent in 2008-09.

The plan as well as non-planrevenue expenditure showedconsistent increase over the lastfive years, the report reads.

The CAG report claimed thatNon-Plan Revenue Expenditure(NPRE) during the period 2006-10, exceeded the Twelfth Fi-nance Commissions (TFC)normative projection.

As per TFC, the NPRE for theperiod 2006-10 would be Rs6,163 crore, however, it wentas high as Rs 10,492 crore.

Meanwhile, the arrears of rev-enue as on 31 March 2010 inrespect of some principal headsof revenue amounted to Rs389.52 crores.

The principal heads of rev-enue includes commercial taxes,sate excise, taxes on vehicles,water tax and charges, agricul-ture, river navigation, tourismand other government bodies.

However, the report says thatduring last five years, the arrearsof revenue have been decreasedby 8.4 percent.

Efforts need to be steppedto recover the revenue arrears,the report commented.

tation of the project and non-utilization of funds.

In October 2010, as per theChief Ministers instructions, thePWD was asked to prepare re-vised drawings and was pro-posed to complete the projectby December 2011.

report reveals increase in State expenditure by 93% in last 5 yrs

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

The sudden withdrawal of thepolice protection given to shifttraditional Pernem market to anew place figured in the statelegislative assembly today dur-ing Zero Hour.

Pernem legislator DayanandSopte alleged that local mam-latdar pulled out the police pro-tection given for the shifting ofthe market after he received acall from deputy collector.

Sopte said that Pernem Mu-nicipal Council through a reso-lution adopted on February 10decided to shift the market asit was causing inconvenience.The municipality had evenserved notice to the vendors.

The market, which is situ-ated on the main road createstraffic problem. All the main gov-ernment offices are based onthis road. Hence the resolutionwas passed by council to shiftthe market, Sopte said on thefloor of the House.

The BJP legislator said thatthe order providing police pro-tection was issued on Wednes-day, March 16 evening but itwas withdrawn this morninghalting the entire shiftingprocess. Since early morning,all the vendors had shifted theiritems on the new place as de-

cided, but sudden withdrawalof police protection createdchaos, he said.

Sopte was supported by Con-gress legislator DayanandNarvekar on the floor of the1house questioning the wisdombehind stopping the shiftingprocess.

Narvekar sought to knowwhich powerful person was in-fluencing the deputy collector.

Urban Development MinisterJoaquim Alemao responding toSopte said that the decision toshift the market should beadopted unanimously.

But when pointed out thatthe local civic body has alreadytaken the resolution to shift themarket, Alemao stated that hewould personally visit the mar-ket by next week and see. Ihave no idea about the shifting.Will personal inspect the sitenext week, he said.

Alemao stated that the esti-mates for the construction ofnew market are being under-taken.There were heated argu-ments for some time whenPanchayat Minister Manohar(Babu) Asgaonkar, representingDhargalim constituency, triedto intervene and speak.

Sopte said, Babu has nobusiness to interfere in every-thing.

Withdrawal of policeprotection echoes in House

Faulty lift delays rane for Session

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Goa Legislative Assembly speaker was apparently disturbed afterfaulty lift of the assembly complex delayed his arrival for thesession on Thursday.

None of the lifts in the assembly complex are working. If thiscontinues then I will be always late for the sessions. Public WorksDepartment (PWD) should look after the maintenance of these fa-cilities, Speaker, Pratapsing Rane said just as the morning sessionstarted.

The lifts in Girgao (Mumbai) are working for last 100 years.Here a lift does not exist for more than eight years, he pointedout.

Rane urged Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to provide some fi-nancial package towards the maintenance and development ofthe assembly complex.

Supporting him, the Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikarpointed out the unhygienic conditions prevailing in the toilets ofthe complex.

NCP leaders mine figures in illegal list

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

A mine owned by a senior Na-tionalist Congress Party (NCP)leader is amongst 17 mineswhich have been termed illegalby State Forest Department.

As per the reply given by theForest Minister Filip Nery Ro-drigues to the state LegislativeAssembly, the department hasalready filed complaint againstthe manager of the mine, whichis owned by Prafulla Hede, NCPsstate coordinator.

Ramratan Vaidya, a miningmanager at Hedes mine locatedin Collem, near the Bhagwan Ma-havir Wildlife Sanctuary, had al-ready been booked in course ofthe enquiry conducted by the For-est Department, the reply reads.

The State Mines and GeologyDepartment has already bookedNCPs national secretary JitendraDeshprabhu for illegal mine atPernem. The department hasinitiated procedure to recoverthe penalty of Rs 1.7 crore fromthe leader.

Apart from this; the depart-ment has also identified fivemines operated by companiesowned by Vedanta Resources asillegal.

Three separate complaintswere filed against officials ofDempo Mining Corporation andSesa Goa Ltd for illegal miningin forest areas in Bicholim andSanguem, the reply reads.

traditional Pernem market

Pg4 GOAGOA, FRIDAY, 18 MARCH, 2011

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March 18

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TIdES

UPCOMING EVENTS

Horse racePANJIM (HND): 400 years ago, Goa was a traditional port for

spices and horses during the time of Taladi. The Portuguese,French and British came to Goa with their ships to trade inspices and horses. Now, for the first time, a horse race will beheld in Goa on the beach, near Leonoras Beach shack on March18 from 9 am onwards.

AAs group anniversary PANJIM (HND): Members of Alcoholics Anonymous, Panjim

Chapter, will celebrate 32nd group anniversary on March 18 atA V Hall, Don Bosco HS, Panjim, at 5.30 pm. A public awarenessprogramme on Alcoholism-a-disease and Alcoholics Anonymous- way out will be organised. AA is a free fellowship which helpspeople suffering from sickness of alcoholism.

Learn to grow organic veggies PANJIM (HND): A workshop on Planting an Organic Summer

Kitchen Garden will be conducted by Miguel Braganza andGreen Essentials on March 19 at the International Centre Goa,Dona Paula, from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Participants with get de-tailed, first-hand practical experience, along with tips to ensureprotection from pests and obtain better yields. The workshopwill also have seed exchange and sale of organic and localseeds.

As only 25 seats are available, prior registration is compulsoryfor which call Karan Manral on 8087000708/2451360 or ArjunHaldankar on 9765404391. Fee of Rs 300 per participant willbe charged.

Moira forums meetPANJIM (HND): The Moira Civic and Consumer Forum (MCCF)

will hold its monthly meeting on March 19 at the residence ofBenedict and Perpect Maciel Pirazona at 4 pm.

The meeting will celebrate World Consumers Day by focussingon the grievance redressal mechanism of various serviceproviders within the public sector and state government issuesrelated to civic amenities will also be taken up.

Gade festivalBICHOLIM (HC): The famous three-night Gade festival, con-

sidered to be a game of hide-and-seek between the Gade andDevchar, will be celebrated at Sal-Bicholim from March 20.

The Gade festival is celebrated annually with great fervourin Sal. Thousands of people visit the village to witness the rareevent.

The village is slowly taking a festive look with the templeand houses being decorated and the panchayat has stressedupon cleanliness of the village.

The three-day festival will commence on Sunday night andend on Tuesday. It is said that after the festival, people fromSal do not have to fear of ghosts throughout the year as theyare tied up by Gade.

Chorao forums meetPANJIM (HND): The Chorao Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF)

will hold its monthly meeting on March 20 at St BartholomewsHS, Chorao, at 4.30 pm.

Apart form issues related to civic amenities, consumer rightsand redressal system, shortage of water on the island, WorldWater Day and role of Village Water and Sanitation Committee,will also be discussed.

Death anniversaryPANJIM (HND): On the occasion of death anniversary of

Pranachyarya Dada Vaidya, a renowned physician, a programmewill be organised on March 20 at his residence, The VaidyaNiwas at Karmalem, Keri, from 5 pm to 7.30 pm. There will bea talk on the poetic contribution of Dada Vaidya by Prof KrishnajiKulkarni; screening of short film on Dada Vaidya; musical pres-entation of Dadas poems by Karuna Gaonkar and group; pres-entation of some selected poems of Dada Vaidya.

Invitee poets Ramesh Veluskar, Ashok Borkar alias Pushpagraj,Sanjiv Verenkar, Uday Mhambrey, Swapna Dhupkar, Nilba Khan-dekar, Nutan Sakhardande, Laxman Krishna Pitre and SangeetaAbhyankar will also present their poems.

Cerebral palsy workshop PANJIM (HND): Hanne Marit Bjorgaas, a child and adolescent

psychiatrist working in the Department of Child Neurology atStavanger University, Norway, will deliver an interesting per-spective on The Needs of Persons With Cerebral Palsy onMarch 22 at Siddharth Bandodkar Bhavan Charitable Trust Ma-halasa Hall, above Axis Bank, near Mahalaxmi Temple, from 2pm to 4 pm.

Disha Charitable Trust and Sangath are instrumental in or-ganising this short workshop which is open for parents of dis-abled children and special educators. Those interested shouldregister by March 18 with Disha Charitable Trust office or call2231028.

Animal auctions PANJIM (HND): Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary

Services department at Government Livestock Farm Dhat-Mollem, will auction 22 surplus and uneconomical animals(Murrah) (male and female), Red Sindhi (male and female). AtFodder Seed Production Farm Kalay, Sanguem, 16 BreedingBulls (Gir, Cross Bred Sahiwal, Murrah and Red Sindhi) will beauctioned. The auction at Mollem will be held on March 25,from 11 am to 1 pm and at Kalay, Sanguem, on the same dayfrom 3.30 pm to 5 pm. Farmers may inspect the animals on anyworking day during working hours.

IMA seminarCURCHOREM (HC): Curchorem, Quepem, Sanguem, Ponda

and Margao branches of Indian Medical Association (IMA) incollaboration with MEC, Goa Medical College will organize sec-ond joint South Goa IMA Seminar at Hotel Nanutel, Margao,on March 26 at 7.30 pm.

Dr Aniruddha K Purohit, HOD Neurosurgery of Nizams In-stitute Hyderabad, will speak on Science of Laughter and Yoga,while SETHU Director Dr Nandita DSouza will speak on HealthProblems of Adolescents.

For registration, interested doctors may contact Dr JagdishKakodkar (President of IMA, C&S) or Dr Vinayak Buvaji or Dr.Purnima Usgaonkar (IMA President, Ponda) or Dr Jorson Fer-nandes (IMA President, Margao) or Dr Rajdatt Timble or DrSuraj Prabhudesai.

Restricted water supply PANJIM (HND): There will be restricted water supply to entire

Pernem taluka on March 18 due to burning of one power trans-former of 500 KVA (240 HP pumping) at Chandel water treatmentplant on March 17.

Bardez and parts of Bicholim will also receive restrictedwater supply on March 18 due to less raw water supply fromTillari canal at Assonora water treatment plant on March 17.Efforts are being made to pump raw water from other sourceand maintain the supply. Inconvenience caused to the consumersis regretted.

Shopping festival in Mapusa

PANJIM (HND): for the first time, Big Discount shoppingfestival has come to Mapusa for the benefit of Bardez customers.There are different types of product like imported jewellery,Lotus world furniture, wooden sofa sets, Crystal furniture,Kenya handicraft, electronics, melamine crockery sets, Prestigecooker, Onxy stones from Karachi & Pakistan, Prince plastics,home & office furniture, solar water heater, garden furniture,ladies fashion garments, imported watches, home appliances,toys, shower curtains, door mats, antique wall clocks, ironfurniture, gas stoves, herbal products, etc.

This exhibition is good for people who are crazy for shopping,they can shop non-stop between 10.30 am to 9 pm and will beopen till March 22.

Tributes paid to Bhausaheb

Home Minister Ravi Naik hands away the prize to a winner. Photo by Amresh Parab

MARCEL (HC): Rich tributes were paid to former chief ministerof Goa Bhausaheb Bandodkar on his 100th birth anniversary atFarmagudi-Ponda.

Home Minister Ravi Naik and Transport Minister Sudin Dhav-likar along with Priol MLA Deepak Dhavlikar and members ofPonda Municipal Council (PMC) and panchayats from Marcaimand Ponda constituencies offered floral tributes to the formerchief minister.

The birth centenary was observed separately by the Dhavlikarand Ravi groups.

The Dhavlikar group led by Transport Minister Sudin Dhavlikarpaid floral tributes, followed by Home Minister Ravi Naik.

Prizes to the race winners organised by JCI-Ponda to com-memorate Bahusaheb birth anniversary were distributed byHome Minster Ravi Naik.

Incidentally, Home Minister who was then president of theJCI-Ponda in 1984 had organised running race to commemorateBahusahebs birth anniversary.

Being a visionary, Bahusaheb was also keen in sports andthat is why in 1984, when I was the JCI-Ponda president, Istarted running race of youth. I hope the JCI-Ponda will continueorganising such sports event, said Naik.

I also feel sports events should be organised in memory ofBahusaheb Bandodkar on this day in the State, added thehome minister.

Cross cultural synergies meetPANJIM (HNB): A Cross Cultural Synergies - Don Bosco

College International Meet, was recently organised at DonBosco Oratory, Panjim.

The meet commenced with a reading from the Holy Quran. Students from various countries like Afghanistan, Yemen and

Eritrea gave performances depicting their culture, cuisine andinformation of their country. The Afghanistan students alsoperformed a dance called Atan, a patriot group song and afashion show.

The meet was attended by Prof Dr Rodrigues (special advisorfor foreign students at the Goa University), Fr Wilfred Fernandes(administrator of Don Bosco College) and Dr Marie Raj (Principalof Don Bosco College).

Blood donation organisedMAYEM (HC): Government College of Arts, Commerce and

Science, Sanquelim, in association with Goa Medical Collegerecently organised blood donation camp.

About 90 delegates of National Social Service (NSS) donatedtheir blood in the blood donation programme. The camp wasinaugurated by Acting Principal Lucy James.

GMC Hospital Dr Vijayrao Desai, Shashikant Bhonsle, JosePaul, Jyotsna Thakur, Teja Halarnkar, Sandeep Chodankar, Digam-bar Narvekar, NSS Officer Raghudas Tari, Shakil Aga, Dr NormaMenezes, Kundan Gawas and others were present on the oc-casion.

Parishioners Evening heldCALANGUTE (HC): Parishioners of Nagoa-Arpora-Baga recently

organised a Parishioners Evening to exchange love and improvethe bond of fellowship among the families.

A cultural programme along with a host of items to generategoodwill among the families was organised to mark the occa-sion.

A solo singer kept the audience on their toes, while somedanced to the music. The kids were entertained with games,etc. The members of other communities too joined the parish-ioners in celebrating the occasion.

Among them were former Nagoa-Arpora sarpanch SalimSayyed accompanied by his spouse and others.

The idea came from the Parish Youth and Parishioners whothought of having a Parishioners Evening for the families andwe supported the idea, said Parish Priest Fr Simao Rodrigues.

HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, MARCH 17

Welcoming Chief MinisterDigambar Kamats move to allotRs 50 lakh to develop Bainabeach, Mormugao MLA MilindNaik has, however, raised con-cerns on the development ofthe beach in view of MPTs pro-posed four-lane highway.

We welcome governmentsproposal, as something is allot-ted to the development of thebeach after a long wait. How-ever, Rs 50 lakh seems to bepeanuts considering the lengthand present status of the beach,which requires a comprehensiveplan for the overall developmentof the beach, stated Naik.

Government should seri-ously think of saving the beachfrom the destruction caused tothe beach with an embankmentconstructed along the proposedfour-lane highway by MPT, al-leged Naik.

He further alleged that MPTis making an all out move togain control over the beacheven cultural function organizedon the beach is objected by theMPT.

He urged the people to savethe beach and also requestedthe State government to givesome serious thought to savethe beach from destruction.

Nearly 1.5 kms Baina beachstretch has been occupied byslum dwellers, fishermen at

few places and use it to answernatures cal l , whi le smal lstretch of the beach at cen-trally located area near Ravin-dra Bhavan i s on ly c leanportion, which is widely usedby the visitors.

It may be recalled that formerMLA Karl Vaz and then MMCchief officer Elvis Gomes hadasked the Aquatic Water Sportsto start its water sports activityabout five years back, which hadyielded some results.

Now tourists gradually maketheir way towards the beach forwater sports and island trips,but due to unavailability of foodand liquor joints, tourists areforced to leave the beach im-mediately after water sports ac-tivities.

MPT had issued show causenotices to Mormugao MunicipalCouncil (MMC) for conductingBaina Beach festival that had

triggered uproar in the councillast year.

Interestingly, MMC had mademany efforts to beauty thebeach, but its plans merely re-mained on paper.

We had made an effort, butdue to lack of follow-up, thingsdid not move in the right direc-tion, claimed Councilor CarlosAlmeida.

Almeida thanked DeputySpeaker and Cortalim MLA Mau-vin Godinho for taking an ini-tiative to make a budgetaryprovision for the developmentof Baina beach.

The council had asked God-inho to take up developmentproposal of Baina beach withthe government, and he assuredthat the State governmentwould make a provision for thebeach development which hasreflected in todays budget, hesaid.

MLA sees MPT as obstacle todevelopment of Baina beach

Baina beach. Photo by M Prabhav

Scrap stolen from WRD storeroom

at ShristhalHERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, MARCH 17

Unused material worth Rs 7,500belonging to Water Resources De-partment was stolen from thestoreroom of the department atShristhal-Canacona on Tuesdaynight.

In his police complaint, WRDStore Supervisor Mahadev Gawdestated that some miscreants brokeinto the WRD storeroom byforcibly opening its shutters some-time between Tuesday night andWednesday morning and de-camped with unused materialworth of scrap importance.

According to police, the scrapmaterial weighs about 500 kgsand apparently has a cost valueof Rs 7,500.

Canacona Police registeredhave an offence under Section379 IPC for the theft of govern-ment property is investigating thecase under the supervision ofCanacona PI Raju Raut Dessai.

Forest officials inquire about

monkey attackHERALD CORRESPONDENT

BICHOLIM, MARCH 17

Forest officials on Thursday vis-ited Vathadev-Bicholim and en-quired about the monkey attackon a woman that occurred onTuesday.

It may be recalled that a 52-year-old woman had escapedfrom a possible attack of a mon-key at Vathadev. The monkeytried to attack one Suman Man-jrekar while she was working inthe Kulagar. The forest depart-ment officials visited the areaand took stock of the situation.They have informed the villagersto contact them in case if themonkey is sighted again.

Kerala native found dead

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, MARCH 17

A 70-year-old native of Keralawas found dead at his residenceat Shristhal-Canacona on Thurs-day evening.

According to Canacona Police,Murali Nayar was staying alonein his residence.

Police informed that eventhough no foul play was sus-pected, the body has been sentat Hospicio in Margao for a postmortem.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MAYEM, MARCH 17

Members at the Bicholim PHCHospital committee meetinghave demanded a full-time gy-naecologist at the hospital.

The meeting was recentlyconvened under the guidanceof its Chairperson VidhyaParab. Health Officer GirishPednekar, Bicholim MunicipalCouncil (BMC) Vice Chairmanand hospital committee mem-ber Shashikant Naik, CajetanVaz, Kr ishna Ghadi , RayuSawant, Vighnesh Gaonkar,Prakash Fogeri and SureshGaonkar attended the meet-ing.

Speaking at the meeting, Vazdemanded a full-time gynae-cologist at the hospital, as

women patients visiting thehospital have to face acutehardships due to the non-avail-ability of the doctor, wheneverthey visit for check up.

T h e m e m b e r s a l s o d e -manded that Dr Vikas Naik beposted as full-time doctor.

Dr Pednekar informed aboutgovernments approval to startfour sub-health centres at Bor-dem, Sarvan, Kholpewadi-Saland Kharpal in Bicholim talukaat the earliest.

The members also deliber-ated on the problem of sanita-tion faced by the villagers inBicholim market and adulter-ation into food items includingfruits for which they demandedstringent action against thesanitary inspector holding him

responsible for it.Vaz suggested that remedial

measures be taken for main-taining and retaining old waterwells in Bicholim.

The members demandedthat Dr Pednekar who is alsoholding additional charge asthe health officer of Sanque-lim PHC should be relievedfrom the additional duty andshould be posted as the fulltime health officer of BicholimPHC.

Dr Girish Pednekar informedthat new hospital at Bicholimonce commissioned would pro-vide all facilities to the peopleof Bicholim and surroundingareas, the construction ofwhich is likely to be completedby December end.

Full-time gynaecologist demanded at Bicholim PHC

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

BELGAUM, MARCH 17

Belgaum Police has sought thecustody of Sameer Shaikh, whowas arrested by Ponda Policelast month in connection withrobbery, chain snatching andother crimes.

Shaikh is also wanted by Bel-gaum Police for the similar of-f ences he had a l l eged l ycommitted in Belgaum.

Addressing a press confer-ence, SP Sandeep Patil said Bel-

gaum Police has already placeda plea in the Goa Court for thecustody of Shaikh who alongwith a woman was residing atAshoknagar area here about acouple of months ago.

Belgaum Police suspects thathe is involved in some incidentsof chain snatching and robberywhich took place last year.

We will be given Shaikhscustody soon after interrogationby the Goa Police is over, DySPGM Desur told Herald.

Meanwhile, Belgaum Policein a joint operation busted achain snatching and gold rob-bery racket and have arrestedsix persons from Sangli districtin Maharashtra and otherplaces.

Gold and silver ornamentsand a vehicle, with an estimatedvalue of about Rs 20 lakh havebeen recovered, SP SandeepPatil told reporters.

The accused have been sentto the judicial custody.

Belgaum cops seek custody of accused arrested in Goa

SP Sandeep Patil, Additional SP S H Gangareddy and police officials with the recovered jewellery items

Students urged to venture out

of state for better career

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

The principal of Damodar Col-lege of Commerce and Econom-ics, Margao, Dr I Bhanu Murthyhas urged students to ventureout of the State to brighten theircareer prospects.

In the competitive world,students should constantly up-grade themselves in terms ofknowledge and skills, Murthysaid during the annual prize dis-tribution function of Dnyanpras-sarka Mandal s col lege atMapusa, Murthy.

He also advised to return backto serve the State after gainingexperience.

The students should shedtheir laid back attitude to reapthe success and hone their skillsby either joining companies orlearning at centers outside theState. Many companies are will-ing to set up their units in Goa,if they get the experienced workforce here, he stated.

Cadet Rohan Sethi and CadetJatin Sharma were felicitated atthe hand of the chief guest,Murthy.

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Explain to the students in sim-ple words what they are aboutto do at every main point in asession, demonstrate the exer-cise slowly and with perfectform, get the students to imitatethe exercise by mirroring andcopying so that they can feelthe exercise and get them topractice a few times, stated DrJorson Fernandes at the CentralCouncil of Homoeopathy work-shop for lecturers of various ho-moeopathic colleges in India inNew Delhi.

Dwelling on the EDIP (explain,demonstrate, imitate, practice)principle, Dr Jorson, Chairmanand Surgeon Examiner of St JohnAmbulance Association, Goa,emphasised that the thought

process should be always keptsimple, trying not to talk anddemonstrate at the same timeso that one can concentrate onthe movement.

A good rule of thumb to pres-ent a topic is to provide infor-mation using as many of the fivesenses as possible. At the veryleast, one should see, hear and

touch the new skill. The popular teaching mantra

for modeling is: I do, we do,you do. It is necessary to showhow to do something by mod-eling the skill first.

The trainees were assessedin buzz groups as they per-formed in groups.

Dr Jorson said that by adapt-ing the EDIP principle it is pos-sible to cut down the amountof worry or time needed totouch or manipulate the clientin order for them to get themaximum result from whateveris trying to be achieved.

By adapting the EDIP prin-ciple, it will ensure better train-ing all round and further gaintrust with a new client or en-hance relationships with existingclients, Dr Jorson pointed out.

Dr Jorson lays emphasis on EDIP principle

Dr Jorson Fernandes at the workshop organised by Central Councilof Homoeopathy for lecturers of various homoeopathic colleges inIndia, in New Delhi.

Pg 5GOA GOA, FRIDAY, 18 MARCH, 2011

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HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 17

Appointed as a nodal officer todecontaminate the Comba drink-ing wells, Dr Srikant Mutnuri, As-sistant Professor, BiologicalSciences, BITS Pilani on Thursdaycommenced the task of cleaningthe wells via aeration.

Deputy Collector Johnson Fer-nandes said the affected wellswill be cleaned through theprocess of aeration as the pres-ence of oil and grease has beenruled out in the wells.

Asked whether the ongoingprocess would act as a foolproofto clean up the wells in question,

Johnson said this is a trial anderror method. Aeration is thefirst method. If it fails to producethe results, then we will resortto shock chlorination to decon-taminate the wells.

The team used a water pumpto aerate the well water in theabsence of a blower, Johnsonsaid, while ruling the recurrenceof iron content in the well.

Dr Mutnuri said the aerationmethod would help dissolve ironcontent and kill the iron bacteriaresponsible for contaminatingthe well water.

Examination of the watersamples has revealed no pres-

ence of oil and grease in thewell. Aeration should help treatthe water, he added.

The process of aeration is asimple one. Aeration will helpkill the iron bacteria. The wateris being aerated and allow it tosettle down. If this fails, thanshock chlorination will be re-sorted, he added.

Dr Mutnuri was appointedthe nodal officer after he con-cluded that scum seen on topof well waters in Comba areawas not due to any petroleumproducts, but was on accountof iron bacteria and iron contentin water.

Officials commence aeration process to clean Comba wells

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 17

Things appear to have finallystarted moving at garbagedumping site at Sonsodo.

More than a month after theMargao Municipal Councilsigned the concession agree-ment with Fomento, work re-lating to the segregation of thewaste has commenced at theyard in right earnest.

The Margao Municipal Coun-cil, if Chief Officer PrasannaAcharya is to be believed, hasalso appointed Ahmedabad-based consultant, P U Asnani onWednesday to oversee the on-going operations, including con-struction of waste treatmentplant at Sonsodo.

Acharya along with FomentoCEO Sridhar Kamat inspectedthe Sonsodo site on Thursday

evening to take stock of the sit-uation and the working of thetrommel. The MMC Chief Officerexpressed his satisfaction workis progressing in complete har-mony between the two agen-cies.

When newsmen questionedover the time scheduled for theconstruction of the treatmentat the site, Acharya said Weare presently completing theformalities and seeking a nodfrom various agencies, includingForests, TCP, Collector etc forthe construction of the plant.We will definitely see some pos-itive action at the yard by nextmonth.

Fomento CEO Sridhar Kamatsaid the trommel has beenstarted on a trial basis and ex-uded confidence that the exist-ing waste will be tackled within

a fortnight.Replying to a question, Kamat

said work on actual constructionof the plant would commenceonly upon receiving approvalsfrom various government agen-cies.

He, however, hastened to addthat the company would showsome results on the ground be-fore the onset of monsoons.The trommel in operation hasa capacity to treat 30 tonnes ofwaste per hour. We are in a po-sition to segregate 250-300tonnes of waste per day, Kamatadded.

G i v ing de ta i l s on thegarbage treatment plant,Kamat said the plant wouldcover major portion of the ex-isting dump yard and designedas per MSW Rules. The plantwould be of the size of a foot-ball field. It will be totally cov-ered from all side to take careof the bird menace and helpwaste treatment round theyear. The proposed plant is de-signed to treatment 75 metrictones of waste per day and isone of the best and state-of-the state plant, he added.

Incidentally, Kamat said Fo-mento has taken up the workat Sonsodo as part of its cor-porate social responsibilitythough a small plant of lessthan 300 tons may not be sus-tainable. We have not enteredSonsodo with a profit motivein mind. It is all part of ourcorporate social responsibil-ity, he asserted.

Waste segregation begins at Sonsodo

Fomento CEO Sridhar Kamat discussing with MMC Chief OfficerPrasanna Acharya at the Sonsodo waste dumping site.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

The High Court of Bombay atGoa on Thursday pulled up theCentral Government for delayingin passing orders on transferringthe police-drug mafia nexuscases to the Central Bureau ofInvestigation (CBI).

The division bench compris-ing of Justices S C Dharmad-hikari and F M Reis sharplycriticised the Centre, sayingWhy dont you send a team andask to take over the case? Whatmore you require when the State(Goa Government) has given itsconsent?

The Court on February 22 haddirected the Government ofIndia to be a party respondedin the case.

The bench has specificallyasked the Centre to make a state-ment on when they will complywith the Delhi Police Act and tosubmit its reply to the HighCourt by Tuesday, March 22.

The division bench is hearinga petition filed by the National

Students Union of India (NSUI)Goa Unit seeking a CBI probeinto the policemen-politician-drug mafia nexus case in theState.

In the petition, NSUI GoaChief Sunil Kawathankar de-manded that the case be handedover to the Central investigationagency as the conduct of thepolice officers probing it wasdoubtful.

When the matter came up forhearing, NSUI legal representa-tive Surendra Desai reiteratedthat the case probe be moni-tored by the High Court.

The policemen who investi-gated the police-drug mafianexus cases are themselves ac-cused of being hand-in-glovesin the drugs nexus in Goa, hesaid.

Raising concern that Goascoastal belt was turning intodrug addicts, Desai told theCourt that there is a judicialfinding confirming nexus.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivas-tava had addressed the two let-

ters to the Union Home Ministryon January 21 and 31, respec-tively entrusting CBI to take overthe investigations.

However, the notification ac-cording consent to transfer thecases came only on February 16,2011.

While in one case seven po-licemen were suspended, ar-rested and released for havingclose links with Israeli drug lordYaniv Benaim alias Atala, the sec-ond case involved spy cam ex-pose where in po l i ce subinspector Sunil Gudlar wasshown negotiating with two for-eign women over the sale ofdrugs.

NSUI had also requested tohand over Dudu case to the CBI,which has not been consideredby the State till date.

Reac t ing to a l l t h i s ,Kawathankar said that the StateGovernment is trying to protectthemselves by repeatedly sayingthat Dudu case has beenchargesheeted in order to avoidCBI investigation in the matter.

Police-drug nexus: HC pulls up Centre for delaying CBI probe

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Two of the three accused in-volved in the kidnapping at-t e m p t o f a b u s i n e s s m a nsurrendered before the policeo n T h u r s d a y. P r a b h a ka rNeru lkar a l i as Sagar andAvinash Naik were eventuallyarrested.

The third accused is how-ever absconding. 52-year-oldAnup Sinha managed to escapefrom his kidnappers by jump-ing off the moving car in whichhe was being kidnapped onWednesday afternoon.

Deputy Superintendent ofPolice Deu Benaulikar told re-porters that the accused at-tempted to kidnap the Delhibusinessman in a fit of ragebecause of the property dis-pute.

But the accused-men saidthat Anup and they are goodfriends and they were headingfor lunch in Anups car onWednesday when he jumpedoff the car.

Benaulikar said that the pre-

2 accused in businessmanskidnapping bid surrender

liminary investigation revealedit was a property dispute whichinvolved transaction of Rs 25-lakh. The investigation is un-derway.

Anup, who is undergoingtreatment for hand fracture

and head injuries at Goa Med-ical College and Hospital, Bam-bolim had filed a complaintthat the accused men assaultedhim with fist blows, snatchedhis car keys and attempted toabduct him in his car.

Govt told toappoint PIO

at AGs officeHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Goa State Information Commis-sion in an order on Thursday di-rected the State Government toappoint a Public Information Of-ficer at Advocate Generals officeto answer queries from citizensunder RTI Act.

GSIC commissioner MotilalKenny further directed ChiefSecretary Sanjay Srivastava thatunder section 4 of the RTI, allinformation pertaining AGs of-ficial working are uploaded onGovernments website.

The direction follows a peti-tion by lawyer activist Aires Ro-drigues against AG SubodhKantak for his failure to complywith the provisions of the RTI.

In his petition before the Com-mission, Rodrigues had statedthat though the RTI act was en-acted to promote transparencyand accountability, the AG didnot comply with the provisionsof the Act for over five years.

With the present order, thecommission has hence ruled thatAG is the public authority andthat he comes within thepurview of the RTI. Rodrigues,in his petition had also statedthat the AG is a public authorityhis being a constitutional postand even enjoying cabinet status.

60 moreroutes will

make KTCL economical

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

The Kadamba Transport Corpo-ration Limited (KTCL) will re-quire an additional 60 routesand 53 buses to make its func-tioning economical, TransportMinister Ramkrishna Dhavlikarsaid on the floor of the house.

Dhavlikar in his reply has saidthat the current routes are un-economical. Some routes op-erated by the corporation ontrial basis are also found uneco-nomical. The survey and studyof routes is in progress, thereply reads.

The KTCL currently runs witha fleet of 403 buses of which306 runs on intra- state routeswhile 97 on inter-state routes.

The department has recentlyprocured five low floor busesunder the Jawaharlal Nehru Na-tional Urban Renewal Mission(JNNURM). While 15 more busesare lying idle in a private depot,due to non-availability of funds.

CM revises tourism cess levied in last

budget sessionHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 17

Chief Minister Digambar Kamatwhile rationalising the luxurytaxes on room accommodationhas reconsidered the tourismcess levied in the last budgetsession.

In his budget speech, Kamatsaid, the hotels charging Rs 300per day will be exempted fromluxury tax.

Rooms between Rs 300 to Rs1500 will pay 5 % tax, betweenRs 1500 to Rs 3,000 will pay 8%, between Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000will pay 10 per cent while roomsexceeding Rs 5,000 will pay 12per cent.

Luxury tax on accommoda-tion for commercial purposeswill be charged at 5 %.

Give them better salariesRamesh Naik, Margao

I am an ex student of an English mediumschool. It is very sad to note that the man-agement of most unaided recognised Eng-lish medium schools blindfold parents andhike the fee structure at frequent intervals,with an invalid excuse to pay the teachers.But in reality, they are filling their ownpockets. Some of these teachers with loadsof experience are paid a paltry salary with-out any benefit of provident fund, gratuityor other allowances.

As the start of the academic year 2011is fast approaching, it is high time that par-ents demand that school managements en-sure better remuneration to teachers whostrive so hard to make our children bettercitizens of this country.

Ensuring road safetyMichael Vaz, Merces

The accident that recently occurred on theMiramar-Dona Paula road wherein a 36-year-old woman walking by the side of theroad, lost her life when a car went off theroad, and then rammed against her, is yetanother grim reminder of an appalling fatalaccident.

Simply imposing signboards on speedlimits will not suffice the purpose. Strictimplementation is more important. Instal-lation of CCTVs at a number of points, andtheir strict monitoring, coupled with strin-gent fines should be enforced to preventfatal accidents.

Love the languageJonas Correia, Aldona

Many Goans are still undecided about thescript to be adopted for Konkani. BesidesRoman and Devnagri, Konkani is also writ-ten in Tulu, Kannad, Malayalam, and Gujaratiscripts by Goans settled in other states.

What is important is our love for thelanguage and the willingness to speak itat all times. A fine example is Sonia Gandhiwho speaks chaste Hindi, though it isscripted in Roman for her speeches. Sochoose your own script but speak the lan-guage which is vital for Goan survival.

Rachol-Shiroda bridgeTulsidas Malkarnekar, Margao

Important colleges such as homeopathy,information technology, catering etc., arelocated in Shiroda which is now a fast de-veloping city. Also, thousands of devoteesvisit the deity on no moon day festival andoffer prayers. Many come to Margao foroffice/college and other business work.The route via Rachol by crossing the ferryis shorter, and time saving, but only forthose having their own vehicles. The sick,aged and senior citizens have to take thelong route.

A bridge to connect Rachol-Shiroda isthe only way to bring these two placescloser and alleviate the day-to-day problemsfaced by the common man. It will serve asa connecting link and alternative route toconnect North-South areas in case of an

emergency. It is felt that the present PWDMinister will come to our rescue and relieveus from our hardships.

Soul searching neededAntonio Zito Godinho, Panjim

It is sad that a group PINC (Panajites for achange) was a loser all the way in the re-cently held CCP elections. They had to eatthe humble pie everywhere as they couldnot secure a single candidates victory. BJPscandidates of course, won because of theirpolitical affiliation. Surendra and Ruth Fur-tado won as in the previous elections ontheir own merits. So, what is the bravadoall about? Earlier, when Dr Oscar came toMargao during the elections, sadly, all thecandidates he backed as ex-Goa BachaoAbhyan Convenor lost. Some soul searchingmay be called for.

Off to a bad startAires Rodrigues, Ribandar

That Panjims new Mayor and Deputy Mayorwere selected at a meeting in Taleigao out-side the jurisdiction of Corporation of Cityof Panaji, is a very bad start by the newteam. It is very important that the CCP isnot remote controlled by MLAs. The Mayorand the 29 Corporators with its full au-thority and control, should seek the advice

and guidance of current and former MLAsand also former corporators amongst oth-ers. But the current corporators have tobe in command. They should also take thepublic into confidence in all they do, ratherthan dance to the tunes of the MLAs.

Panjim CCP elections Arwin Mesquita, UAE

On the positive side, I appreciate the effortsof all concerned and voters involved in re-ducing the potential winning margin of theMonserrate panel, at the recently held CCPelections. On the negative side, for thosewho have voted for the latter panel, I holdmy head in disgust as to how people witha corrupt conscience, no values and selfishmotives have voted for known anti-Goansand their associates; who not only concre-tised a beautiful village, but also have amajor hand in the current rapid destructionof our beautiful state. Nevertheless, fortrue Goans, the fight for Goa and its issuesmust carry on.

Advice to doctorsMathew De Silva, Porvorim

This has reference to the call made by somedoctors from Panjim with regard to CCPelections. I do not know why these doctorsare interested in a certain panel, when they

were in power a few years back for a fullterm, and did nothing. Doctors should ded-icate their time and lives to taking care ofpeoples health and saving lives. For thispurpose, these doctors must upgrade theirmedical knowledge which by now, has be-come rusty and outdated, by attendingmedical seminars in the US/Europe to servepatients better. I would advise these doctorsnot to dabble in politics, since it does notfit into their scheme of things.

Babush panel triumphsJerry Fernandes, Saligao

I would like to congratulate the Taleigaostrongman, Babush Monserrate for his vic-tory at the recently concluded CCP elec-tions.

After having won by a slender majority,the citizens of Fontainhas and other areascan now live in peace for another five years.

I just hope that he leaves his most con-troversial past behind, sticks to his words,gets going and carries on some genuineall-round development, with an open mindfor the betterment of Panjim, in the yearsto come. So, heres wishing him all thevery best.

A victory well deservedNoel D, Reis Magos

In the recently concluded CCP elections, itwas winning that mattered since it was awell deserved victory for the panel floatedby Babush. He has emerged as a saviourand it is hoped that he does somethingfor the betterment of Panjim.

Inept UN Secretary-GeneralDiogo Furtado, Utorda

We have read news about Somali piratescapturing an Indian ship and detaining thecrew of 11 Indians and 17 others. Hijackingwas done on high seas in olden times,when there was no control over the nationsof the world. But we now have the UN,who has the Secretary-General to look afterthe affairs of the nations of the world. Ifthe nations affairs are not efficiently han-dled by him, he should resign and pavethe way for others to perform to everyonesexpectations.

Dont blame MLAsD S Fernandes, Cuncolim

This is with reference to the letter Goans-Wake up now by Shaikh Zameer (Herald,15 March).

MLAs are not to be blamed for all this,instead they are here to improve the de-velopment in the state. Hats off to them.

At the meeting of experts convened by theSEARO of the WHO on 15 and 16 February2011, there were numerous presentations

and in depth discussions, based on which, conclu-sions and recommendations were drawn up.

Conclusions:-1. Strengthening doctor-patient relationship should

be considered an important element of Health SystemsStrengthening. This will lead to improvement in qualityof care, efficiency and effectiveness of the health system.It is not merely a question of economics. Native Amer-ican Indians have had free health care for nearly a cen-tury; the NHS in the UK has been in existence sincethe 40s. Yet, both systems have failed the target pop-ulation. Thailand has free health care for malaria; yetonly 50 per cent return for follow-up care. It requiresattention to several issues, such as medical education,enforcement of medical ethics, patient education andempowerment, laying down an appropriate legal frame-work, reducing overcrowding at hospitals, and har-monising the functioning of medical councils, healthservices, universities and social welfare services.

2. There have been several developments thathave contributed to the strained doctor-patient re-lationship. These are:- the commercialisation ofmedical practice, the unhealthy influence of thepharmaceutical industry, the emergence of for profithospitals, the ingress of private (as well as public)health insurance, inadequate health literacy and thenon-holistic approach of the medical system.

3. Health care users have numerous expectations: good standards, accessibility, non-discrimination,transparency, accountability and information.

4. Application of principles of PHC to strengthenHealth Systems at all levels will contribute to im-proved doctor-patient relationship. This includesappropriate investment, encouraging self care, op-timising health care by task shifting, and strength-ening the institution of the family doctor.

5. Medical Councils need to shift their focus fromregulating doctors to protecting patients.

6. There is a strong need to improve the methodsof teaching/learning and assessing of medical ethics,medical etiquette and communication skills amongmedical students. Appropriate attitudes and skillsin verbal and written communication should be de-veloped. The need for professionalism should beencouraged. Modern teaching/learning methodsshould be used e.g., small group teaching, prob-lem-based learning, parables, case scenarios, etc.Communication takes place at an emotional plane, a

cultural plane and an intellectual plane. Patients aremore concerned and affected by the doctors interper-sonal skills rather than their medical competence.Therefore, communication must take place in a languageand manner that the patient understands. This reflectsa demand for more humanistic care. Doctors interruptthe patients opening statement after an average of 18seconds. Psychiatric problems are missed in 50 percent cases and psycho-social concerns ignored. Thisprecipitates uncertainty, lack of information/explanation,and little attention to patients views on management;aggravating anxiety and dissatisfaction. Commerciali-sation of medical education, with poor monitoring isa major road block to implementing remedial programsin medical schools.

7. It is necessary for the health system to engagewith and maintain a good relationship and dialoguewith the media to partner in improving health literacy,and to encourage fair and balanced reporting of healthissues. This will bring expectations from the healthcare system and its providers to more realistic levels.

8. Health care is increasingly becoming an area ofconflict. It is getting more commercialised, technologyintensive and therefore more costly. The commercialinterests of industry and insurance companies impactdoctor-patient relationships and therefore need to beaddressed, and disconnected.

9. There is evidence to indicate that social, cultural,economic and ethnic factors influence doctor-patientrelationships. We practice medicine of western originand instruct our students on medical ethics of westernorientation, whilst treating a patient populationthat is predominantly Asian in ethos and culturallyheterogeneous. To overcome barriers, health systemscan consider innovations like mobile health service,interpreters in hospitals and longer OPD hours.

10. In the era of a growing consumer protection en-vironment, trust needs to be built between doctorsand patients. It is important to realise that both patientsand doctors have rights and responsibilities. Patientcomplaint redressal mechanisms need to be introducedat point of service delivery; if necessary, with exit in-terviews. Always bearing in mind that expressed dis-satisfaction is only the tip of the iceberg, as only 4%complain.

11. Patients expect to be treated with dignity andrespect for their time. A large proportion of disputesbetween doctors and patients are the consequence ofhealth system failures rather than the incompetenceof the doctor.

12. Health facilities must develop a charter of servicesfor patients and use effective communication to famil-iarise users with their rights and responsibilities.

Recommendations:-1. In the context of strengthening doctor-patient

relationship, Member states should:a) Acknowledge that health is a fundamental right

and that everyone has a right to receive basic healthservices appropriate to his needs and cultural beliefs.b) Revisit medical curricula to strengthen teaching/learn-ing using appropriate methods and assessments ofprofessional ethics and communications skills in medicalschools and institutions providing post-graduate edu-cation. c) Institutionalise CMEs on socio-cultural aspectsof medical practice. d) Work towards improving patienteducation and empowerment through various meas-ures including:

-Harmonise and strengthen the collaboration be-tween medical councils, medical schools and medical as-sociations to reorient their roles to focus on patientprotection and building of a culture that promotes car-ing, compassionate, and respectful doctor- patient

interaction.- Repetitive exposure to these concepts should

be planned to achieve these goals.- Role models should be part of this culture.

e) Develop/strengthen and widely disseminatepatients charter. f) Establish grievance redressalmechanisms at point of service. g) Establish forumsfor sharing of experiences/perspectives betweenpatients and doctors. h) Establish a legal frameworkthat supports a good Doctor-Patient Relationship.i) Engage the media to convey appropriate and un-biased health care information and health-servicesin user-friendly language. j) Continue their effortsfor Health Systems Strengthening based on PHC byfocusing on:-

-Appropriate allocations for primary health care.-Strengthening community education and em-

powerment with emphasis on promoting self care.-Work towards promoting development and in-

creased utilisation of family doctors.-Rationalise utilisation of services of doctors.

Examine feasibility of and implement task-shiftingfor optimal utilisation of doctors services.

-Strengthen referral system.k) Revisit the regulatory framework to strengthen

regulation of influence of industry on medical profes-sion. l) Work with medical councils to regularly reviewand update the code of ethics for medical practitionersso as to keep it abreast with current social