GOACOM DAILY NEWS CLIPPINGS 12 February 2004 UGDP THROWS HAT IN LS ELECTION RING: The United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) on Wednesday (Feb 11) has officially decided to contest both the North and South Goa seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. This decision by the party presidium assumes significance given that it has been announced on the eve of the visit to Goa by central Congress leaders on Thursday. The party, however, said it would consider any proposal that may come from other political parties for an alliance, sending indications that the party's doors are still open for talks. "The UGDP presidium has today resolved to contest both the seats. The party would shortly work out details", informed party leader, Radharao Gracias while addressing a press conference after the presidium meeting. (H)
TOURISM BOOM IN MANDREM FORESEEN: The village of Mandrem will be turned into a popular tourist destination in the next few years, said Mandrem Sarpanch Vishwanath Shirodkar and explained that his panchayat with the help of the department of Tourism has taken up projects like beautification of the village and creation of necessary infrastructure. Shirodkar told reporters that he had asked the government to provide parking space, approach road, life-guard stand, toilets, tap water facility and such other basic amenities to promote tourism in Mandrem where thousands of tourists flock to enjoy the bewitching beauty of sea, sun and sand despite the lack of basic amenities. Highlighting the garbage problem as 'serious', the sarpanch said he would seek help from experts in this field, to keep the village clean and habitable. He has also asked for a lifeguard stand on Mandrem beach for the convenience of lifeguards. Mandrem beach is perhaps the safest beach in Goa. (GT) GOVT TO REGISTER STAMP VENDORS: The North Goa collectorate has issued an order to stamp paper vendors in the State to get themselves registered with the additional collector who is the licensing authority for such vendors. The collectorate, which has taken this step with the backdrop of the exposure of the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam masterminded by Abdul Karim Telgi, has given a time limit of one week for the local stamp paper vendors to register themselves. (NT) DISQUALIFICATION PETITION HEARING: The disqualification petitions filed by the Nationalist Congress Party against two Bharatiya Janata Party legislators is scheduled to be heard before the Supreme Court tomorrow (13 Feb). The petitions were filed by the NCP on behalf of former ministers Chandrakant Chodankar and Jose Philip D'Souza. They had contended that during 30 May 2002 Assembly elections, Chodankar's opponent and BJP candidate Dayanand Mandrekar was the chairman of the Goa, Daman and Diu Khadi Village Industries Board while Rajendra Arlekar, who wrested the Vasco seat, was the chairman of the Goa SC and OBC Finance and Development Corporation. (GT) "MHAPSA FEST": The stage is set for the first "Mhapsa Fest" to be held at Feira Alta, Mapusa, from 13 to 15 February. The three-day programme will be inaugurated at 6 pm tomorrow (13 Feb), followed by a live brass band performance, Rangoli contest, magic shows by Reggie and Augustine, a violin recital by nine-year-old Dwain and Bernard Pinto. HOAX BOMB CALL: Panic-stricken visitors and sellers suddenly had to flee from the weekly flea market in Anjuna on Wednesday morning, after claims that a bomb was planted in the area. The call, however, turned out to be a hoax. (H) GOA BAZAAR AT MERCES: Goa Bazaar, a much bigger showcase than Delhi Haat for handicrafts from all over the country, with all requisite infrastructure for storage, parking and accommodation will be set up at Merces. The government has already initiated a process to acquire 40,000 sq mts of land off the national highway on the outskirts of Panaji for the Rs.10-crore project, to be pursued with 75 per cent funding from the Central government. (GT) CM ASSURES SOPS FOR BAINA SEX WORKERS: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday (Feb 11) assured that the government would rehabilitate sex workers in the Baina red-light area by providing them with shelter and suitable employment. "No one can forcefully remove the commercial sex workers out of the State," insisted Parrikar, while on a visit to the Baina red-light area at about 11.50 a.m. on Wednesday. The Chief Minister has, however, insisted that the beneficiaries would have to abandon prostitution, if they are to avail of these sops. During his visit, Parrikar listened to the grievances of sex workers for more than half an hour at the Andhra Galli. Referring to the eviction of commercial sex workers, which is due in April, Parrikar admitted that most of the sex workers need some kind of assistance, based on which they can earn something for their family. (H) GOAN FILM WINS FIRST PRIZE: The controversy-ridden MIFF-2004 threw up a welcome surprise on the closing day, in Mumbai, with the Goan entry, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar's "Seaside Story" bagging the first prize from 75 entries in the national competitive section for best fiction film under 75 minutes. The "Seaside Story" was awarded the prize consisting of a 24-carat gold conch and a cash award of Rs.1.5 lakh. (H) GOA GAINING FAME AS BIRDWATCHERS' HAVEN: Goa is fast gaining the reputation of a bird watcher's paradise for ornithologists and birdwatchers both within India, Europe and other parts of the world. German author Heinz Lainer, describes the white-naped woodpecker as "possibly an extremely rare resident", with the status "unclear" sighted at the Mayem lake in 2000. Also, the red-wattled lapwing is a "very common, conspicuous and widespread breeding resident from the coast to the base of the western Ghats; also found on the crest of the Ghats," says Lainer in his book Birds of Goa. The first edition of Birds of Goa authored by Lainer, has been published by the Goa Foundation this year. (Sharon Sequeira in Herald) BETALBATIM VP SARPANCH QUITS: The Sarpanch of Betalbatim Village Panchayat, Inacio Fernandes has quit office. His resignation letter, which was tendered on January 31 last, has been accepted by the Director of Panchayats, P M Borkar. The Deputy Sarpanch, Cedric will officiate as the sarpanch till the vacant post is filled-up. (H) "JAL YATRA": A few nature enthusiasts will sample water at random from ponds and other sources. Some will show how check dams are erected. Others will take part in trench digging contest and skits and plays. Around 60 cyclists will pedal to various parts of Canacona taluka on a two-day Jal Yatra to create mass awareness about the importance of safe drinking water. Carrying flags, placards and banners with slogans, the participants will be flagged off from Chavdi on 14 February at 3.30 pm. (GT) S P O R T S MAHINDRA ZOOM PAST DHOFAR: Ten-man Mahindra United carved an inspiring 2-1 victory over Dhofar FC, Oman, to gather three valuable points in their AFC Cup football tournament, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday. The visitors despite not having the service of five players-doing national duty-were skillful in the first half while Mahindra played the containing game. (H) COACH BOOTH THANKS GOANS: The fir thing that Mahindra United's English coach David Booth did after his team posted an impressive 2-1 win over Dhofar Club (Oman) was to thank Goan football enthusiasts for what he said was "whole-hearted support". (H) D E A T H 11 Feb: Ponda: MARIA TERESA COELHO: wife of late Victor, mother of Oscar, Mario/Joann, Cora/Allan Abreu, Vera/Dr Agnelo Coutinho. 11 Feb: Curtorim-Maina: JOSE FERNANDES: husband of Rita Joaquina, father of Savio Gabriel (Bahrain)/Conny, Ruby/Francis. Chinchinim: JOHN LOPES: Husband of Livina, father of Mackwill and Maclene. G O A W E A T H E R Temp: 21.7 degC (71.1 degF) at 8.00 am today in Assagao. Max Temp: 32.1 deg C; Min Temp: 19.2 deg C; Humidity: 73% (Official figures for yesterday) Weather: A cool morning in Goa today. Courtesy: H=Herald; NT=The Navhind Times; GT=Gomantak Times JOEL D'SOUZA, Assagao-Goa-India. 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