Goa Issues Advisory for the Monsoon Months of June to September

  

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,June 3- The southwest monsoon is likely to hit Goa’s coast within the next couple of days according to the India meteorological department(IMD). Also, with the entry of the monsoons in Goa the fishing ban has come into effect on June 1 and end on July 31st  as it isn't safe for trawlers to venture into the seas during the monsoon. 

Drishti's, lifeguard service which patrols Goa's beaches has advised people and tourists to take safety and precautionary measures while venturing on beaches of Goa.

Because of the impending monsoons and current weather conditions, red flags have been posted across all beaches under Drishti's supervision, indicating that these are strictly no-swim zones.

"Pre-monsoon showers have already hit Goa," said Navin Awasthi, Operations Head, Drishti Marine. He went on to say, “Light showers have been seen along the coast in recent days. We have placed red flags at all of the beaches to indicate that the area is not suitable for swimming. Even wading into the water is not advised. Our team of lifeguards stationed along the coast is keeping an eye on the weather. The team has been trained to perform rescues even in bad weather."

Drishti advises visitors to avoid rocky areas, cliffs, and hills along the shoreline. During the monsoon season, these are considered perilous due to their slippery nature. The wave height, intensity, and frequencies of the waves in the sea too are extremely high, making it easy to get pulled into the ferocious sea. River bathing, including water sports, is prohibited. Drishti Marine monitors sea conditions and weather conditions on a daily basis. 

#ListenToYourLifesaver: Safety tips for the monsoons by Drishti, Goa’s lifesaver agency:

• We advise visitors not to venture onto the beach. Even wading into the waters is not advisable. 

• Wear a mask and maintain social distancing at all times.

• Those visiting the beach should keep a minimum 10 metres away from the waterline and listen to the instructions given by the lifesavers.

• Keep a very close eye on children while on the beach and do not allow children to venture into the waters unattended, no matter how shallow it may be .

• Stay alert as lifesavers while patrolling make announcements to alarm and educate people via the Public Address System put up on the jeeps.

• It is not suitable to head out to the beach or venture into the water during lightning and thunder because lightning can pose a danger. 

• Do not get onto the rocks during low tide because the rocks get a lot more slippery and mossy during the monsoon season.

• It is not advisable to swim or to engage in any water sports activities at the beach during the monsoons from June to September because even though the sea may seem calm, a sudden large wave can sneak up on you and pull you into deep waters without warnings. 

•  If under the influence of alcohol make sure you do not venture into the water. 

• Always read and obey the safety signs found at the main entrance of the beach(eom)

Konkan Railway Gears for Monsoon-2022

Prakash Kamat

Panaji, June 2-Just ahead of monsoons when Konkan region is known to receive heavy rainfall, Konkan Railway completed the planned safety works on its 740km route and now gears up for the onset of monsoon season. 

Special attention has been given to catch water drain cleaning and inspection of cuttings. The large-scale geo-safety works executed along the railway line in the last few years have significantly reduced the incidences of boulder fall and soil slip, thus ensuring safe running of trains. No major disruption to train services have occured on account of boulder fall during monsoons in the last nine years,says a spokesperson of the Konkan Railways.

Konkan Railway will conduct Monsoon Patrolling as per the prescribed guidelines  to ensure safe running of trains. About 846 personnel will patrol the Konkan Railway route during the monsoon. Identified vulnerable locations will be patrolled round the clock, Stationary Watchmen will be deployed for 24 hours and speed restrictions will be imposed at these locations. BRN mounted excavators have been kept ready at nominated points for quick movement in case of any emergency.

Instructions have also been issued to loco pilots to run the trains at a reduced speed of 40 kmph in case of heavy rainfall when visibility is limited. Self-propelled ARMVs (Accident Relief Medical Van), with provision of Operation Theater and emergency medical aid are kept ready at Ratnagiri and Verna.  The ART (Accident Relief Train) is also kept ready at Verna.

Mobile phones have been provided to all safety category staff to contact the control office / station in an emergency. Both Loco Pilots and Guards of trains have been provided with Walkie-talkie sets as well as every station on Konkan Railway is equipped with a 25 Watt VHF base station. This enables wireless communication between the train crew as well as train crew and Station Master. Emergency Communication (EMC) sockets have been provided at a distance of average 1 Km along the Konkan Railway route that enables the Patrolmen, Watchmen, Loco Pilots, Guard and other field maintenance staff to contact Station Master and control office during any emergency situations. Satellite phone communication has been provided in ARMV (Accident Relief Medical Van) for emergency contact. All main signal aspects on Konkan Railway are now replaced with LEDs for improving signal visibility.

Self-recording rain gauges have been installed at 9 stations viz. Mangaon, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Vilwade, Kanakavali, Madgaon, Karwar, Bhatkal & Udupi which will record the rainfall in the region and alert Officials in case of increased rainfall. Flood warning systems for bridges have been provided at 3 locations viz. Kali river (between Mangaon & Veer), Savitri river (between Veer & Sape Wamane), Vashishti river (between Chiplun & Kamathe) and will alert Officials in case water flow reaches above danger Level. Anemometers have been installed at 04 locations viz. Panval viaduct (between Ratnagiri & Nivasar), Mandovi bridge (between Thivim & Karmali ), Zuari bridge ( Karmali & Verna) and Sharavati bridge (between Honnavar & Manki) to monitor the wind velocity. 

Control rooms at Belapur, Ratnagiri and Madgaon, will work 24 x 7 during monsoon period for ensuring safe running of trains. Monsoon Time Table will come into effect from 10th June, 2022 upto 31st Oct, 2022. Passengers may check train status online during monsoon by visiting www.konkanrailway.com or using KRCL App by downloading from Google Play Store or by dialing 139.

Konkan Railway aims to ensure safe travel for its passengers in the coming monsoon with the measures taken above,says the spokesperson on Thursday.(eom)

Prostitution(CSA) has been decriminalised by the Supreme Court,to protect the victims

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,May 27- As regards the Supreme Court ruling in the Criminal Appeal No (S) 135/2010, Budhadev Karmaskar Vs The State of Bengal & ORS on 19/05/2022, there appears to be a big misunderstanding regarding the order/directions/observations of the Supreme Court,says Arun Pandey, Director, Arz (anti sex trafficking NGO).

"Supreme Court has not legalised prostitution but decriminalised prostitution”. 

The decriminalization of sex work is the removal of criminal penalties for sex work. 

Decriminalization is distinct from legalization.

The Supreme Court has not legalised commercial sexual activity, but instead decriminalised commercial sexual activity for the women in commercial sexual activity. 

In-fact the Supreme Court has reiterated what is already laid down in the special law, 

Immoral Traffic Prevention, 1956 & IPC. ITPA & IPC, provides for action against those iinvolved in commercialisation of sexual activity and involved in recruiting, selling, buying aandsurviving on the earnings of women in prostitution. 

The special law does not provide for prosecution of women involved in commercial sexual activity.

Apex Court has talked about Arrest & long- term detention at protective home of adult women in prostitution. 

Arrest Vs Rescue:

In large number cases in India the women in Prostitution are arrested and not rescued by police. 

The Supreme Court has rightly ordered that, women in prostitution should not be criminally prosecuted for being prostitution. Because the experience has shown that criminal prosecution of women in prostitution leads to their further dependence on their exploiter and leading to becoming “bonded sex slaves”.

Mr. Pandey further says that the present Supreme Court direction/order does not prevent the police to rescue the women in prostitution under sec 15 of ITPA and lodging them in protective home. 

Short term Stay Vs. Long term incarceration at Protective Home/Shelter Home:

In large number of cases in India post rescue of women from prostitution proper inquiry is not conducted and women continues to languish at protective for years. 

The Apex court has rightly stated that an adult person should not be kept at the protective home/shelter home for 2 -3 years only because she wishes to continue in prostitution or her relatives are unfit to take the custody. A long term forced stay at protective home/shelter home is noting but a forced incarceration. 

The women in prostitution requires community-based rehabilitation which includes psychosocial services and livelihood alternative. Rehabilitation can’t be forced on a woman only because she is in prostitution.

The apex court order has only reiterated that the women in prostitution should not be illtreated and victimised by the law enforcement agencies.

The apex court order no where STOPS the police to act against the pimps, brothel keepers, clients and those surviving on the earnings of women in prostitution.

"The apex court has rightly said, what we at Arz, NGO has been advocating,that the girls and women in prostitution should be rescued and not arrested," reiterates Mr. Pandey.

After rescue they should be admitted at the protective home and an inquiry should be conducted in a victim- friendly manner and post inquiry if the victims want rehabilitation, she should be provided non shelter based rehabilitation and in case she wishes to go back to prostitution she should be allowed.

In Goa, generally the recent direction of the Apex Court is already being followed.

1. Girls in prostitution are rescued and not arrested.

2. After rescue the girls are admitted at the protective home for safe custody and protection.

3. The magistrate conducts an inquiry in a victim friendly manner (It is only in Goa that the magistrate visits the protective home along with 5 social workers and conducts an inquiry for her release and rehabilitation).

4. The rescued victims are generally at the protective home for 20 to 3O days. 

5. Only those victims are for longer period who are foreign nationals and their documentation for return is pending with their embassy or those from India who needs to be escorted to their home state.

6. In Goa if the victims are from Goa, all of them are offered alternative livelihood by Arz, NGO. 

7. Sex workers are being issued Aadhar card and Voting Card.

Goa is a destination State and the girls and women are trafficked from different States and countries to Goa for commercial sexual exploitation. The law enforcement agencies should study the judgement properly and should not misunderstand that prostitution has been legalised. The police should continue rescue, Department of Women and Child Development should provide proper services to the rescued victim at the protective home and the magistrate should in time bound period,(withing 21 days) pass final order, to enable the release of the girls from protective home,says Mr. Pandey.(eom)

GUJ urges Goa government to notify ‘Goa Journalists Welfare Bill’:Condemns stripping of journalists in MP & chaining of a journalist in Odisha

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,April 8-The Goa Union of Journalists(GUJ),body of working journalists has appealed to the State government to fast-track the introduction and notification of the 'Goa Journalist Welfare Bill' which will provide protection to journalists from violence while on duty.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in his 2020 budget speech had announced the legislation 'Goa Journalist Welfare Bill' to protect on-duty Goan journalists from violence.

Goa Union of Journalists’ executive committee had earlier submitted the draft of the much-needed 'Goa State Journalists Protection Act' to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The Chief Minister has been consistently updated on the Journalists Protection Acts in other states on account of an increase in the number of crimes against journalists.

According to Goa Director, Information and Publicity, Dipak Bandekar, technical queries raised by the Police and Law department had delayed the implementation process. All technical queries have been addressed now and the 'Goa Journalist Welfare Bill' will be soon introduced and passed in the coming session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.    

Meanwhile, GUJ strongly condemned the ugly incidents of journalists along with YouTubers and theatre artists being arrested and stripped down to their inner wears inside the Kotwali police station in Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh.

According to the local YouTube journalist Kanishk Tewari, he and his camera person were arrested while covering the protest against the arrest of theatre artist Neeraj Kumar for making alleged indecent remarks against BJP’s Kedarnath Shukla and his son Kedar Shukla.

According to the Free Press Journal, journalists were kept in the lock-up for nearly 18 hours, severely beaten and asked to remove their clothes. To further humiliate the group, police clicked photos of journalists, artists and activists and posted them on social media.

In another incident in Odisha’s Balasore district, police chained a journalist’s leg to a hospital bed, following a case of assault.

Local journalist Loknath Delai has,however, refuted the charges stating that his reporting on corruption involving police led to his arrest.  

"These cowardly acts by the law enforcing authorities in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are highly condemnable. They are an attack on the freedom of the press which cannot be treated lightly,"said Goa Union of Journalists in a statement released in Panaji on Friday.(eom)

PWD lodges complaint with State Disability Commissioner about inaccessible Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukhrjee Stadium near Panaji

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,March 26- A complaint has been lodged by a person with disabilities(PwD) with Goa State Disability Commissioner against Director,Sports Aurhority Goa(SAG) under Sections 3, 30, 92, of the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016 for lack accessibility of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao, Tiswadi Goa, causing discrimination to the Persons with Disabilities.

The applicant Mr. Vishant S. Nagvekar(50),a person with 89% disability, has submitted that the state-of-the-art structure of the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, situated at Taleigao Tiswadi Goa, hosts several sporting events, celebration, exhibitions, events of national and international fame and importance, seminars, inaugural ceremonies, inaugural ceremonies, including swearing ceremony of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa and election related events, etc.

While the ramps are installed at this government premises, however, the same are defective and the required gradient, are handrails or grab bars are missing or not provisioned thereby causing harassment and discrimination and as such it violates the section 3 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  Hence the Persons with Disabilities are denied access to the aforesaid stadium and, therefore, unable to attend any event, celebration, etc., organised at this prestigious premises owned and controlled by the SAG. 

He has complained that the Persons with disabilities often face societal barriers and evoke negative perceptions and discrimination in the society.  As a result of the stigma associated with disability, persons with disabilities are generally excluded from education, employment and community life,which deprives them of opportunities essential to their social development, health and well-being. Sport and inclusion in all the activities can help reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with disability which can also resort to transform community attitudes about persons with disabilities by highlighting their skills and reducing the tendency to see the disability instead of the person.  Through inclusion the persons without disabilities interact with persons with disabilities in a positive context forcing them to reshape assumptions about what persons with disabilities can and cannot do.

He has noted that the inclusion can change the person with disability in an equally profound way by empowering persons with disabilities to realize their full potential and advocate for changes in society.  Through inclusion and full participation, persons with disabilities acquire vital social skills, develop independence, and become empowered to act as agents of change.  Inclusion and active participation is also well-suited to reducing dependence and developing greater independence by helping persons with disabilities to become physically and mentally stronger.

He said that due to inaccessibility of the Stadium the Persons with Disabilities are deprived from full and active participation in any events organized including sports events and practice at this venue.

He has further brought to the notice of the State Disability Commissioner that the lift has been installed at this premises.However, the same have been left un-operational and therefore the access of the Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizen have been excluded, debarred and deprived.  Further, due to non functioning of the lift / elevator the staff / employees of SAG, and visitors with disabilities, para players, etc., are not able to access upper floor of the Stadium and the office of the State government-owned SAG.

The relevant extract of the said above section is reproduced here under for ready reference:

3. Equality and non-discrimination..

(1)  The appropriate Government shall ensure that the persons with disabilities enjoy the right to equality, life with dignity and respect for his or her integrity equally with others.

(2)  The appropriate Government shall take steps to utilise the capacity of persons with disabilities by providing appropriate environment.

(3)  No person with disability shall be discriminated on the ground of disability, unless it is shown that the impugned act or omission is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

(4)  No person shall be deprived of his or her personal liberty only on the ground of disability.

(5)  The appropriate Government shall take necessary steps to ensure reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.

The complainant points out that the section 30 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 provides for sporting activities especially to the Persons with Disabilities, which the SAG and Goa government and failed to adhere and provide basic facilities to the Persons with Disabilities not only at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, but also at all the other Indoor Stadium at various places in the State.

The extract of the provisions referred hereinabove is reproduced below for ready reference:

30. Sporting activities.. (1) The appropriate Government shall take measures to ensure effective participation in sporting activities of the persons with disabilities.

(2)  The sports authorities shall accord due recognition to the right of persons with disabilities to participate in sports and shall make due provisions for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in their schemes and programmes for the promotion and development of sporting talents.

(3)  Without prejudice to the provisions contained in sub-sections (1) and (2), The appropriate Government and the sports authorities shall take measures to,

(a)  Restructure courses and programmes to  ensure  access, inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in all sporting activities;

(b) Redesign and support infrastructure facilities of all sporting activities for persons with disabilities;

(c)  Develop technology to enhance potential, talent, capacity and ability in sporting  activities  of all the persons with disabilities;

(d)  Provide multi-sensory essentials and features  in all sporting activities to ensure effective participation  of  all persons with disabilities;

(e)  Allocate funds for development of state of art sport facilities for training of persons with disabilities;

(f) Promote and organise disability specific sporting  events for persons with disabilities and also facilitate awards to the winners and other participants of  such sporting events.

 Whereas the provision of accessibility at public places / premises has been mandated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.  The 05 years time period have been granted under the Act, 2016 for providing accessibility to the old building.  However, the authorities have failed to adhere to the appropriate sections of the Act, 2016 and rectify the faulty gradient of the ramps till date,stated the complaint. 

In view of the above, the applicant has demanded that 

(a)The faulty gradient of the ramps at the Stadium may be rectified in accordance with the law in force at the earliest.

(b) The handrails / grab bars and tactile guides for visual impaired may be installed wherever required at the Stadium.

(c) The toilet / washrooms may be fitted with wider door for wheelchair accessibility and anti skid flooring, grab bars in accordance with the law in force.

(d) That all the Stadiums under the control of the Respondents may be made accessibility to the Persons with Disabilities.(eom)

Goa Govt Advisory on heatwave

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,March 25- Goa Government's Revenue Department has said that as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast on the seasonal outlook for the warmer temperature from March – May, 2022, the State of Goa will be facing an extreme hot weather conditions and rise in maximum temperature above of the normal maximum temperature and minimum temperature above of the normal minimum temperature with corresponding Red Colour Code, for safety tips for Heat waves the following mitigation should be taken.

It has advised people to listen to All India Radio, watch TV, read news papers for local weather forecast to know if a heat wave is on the way. Drink sufficient water and as often as possible, even if not thirsty. Wear light weight, light coloured, loose and porous cotton clothes. Use protective goggles, umbrella/hat, shoes or chappals while going out in the sun. Carry water with you while travelling. If you work outside, use a hat or an umbrella and also use a damp cloth on your head, neck, face and limbs. Use ORS, coconut water, homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), lemon water, buttermilk, etc. which helps to re-hydrate the body. Open doors and windows to ventilate the cooking area adequately. Visit a doctor immediately, if you feel faint or ill. Keep animals in shade and give them plenty of water to drink. Keep some drinking water for birds in small pots on the roof/balcony. Keep your home cool, use curtains, shutters or sunshade and open windows at night. Use fans, damp clothing and take bath in cold water frequently. Provide cool drinking water near the workplace. Caution workers to avoid direct sunlight. Schedule strenuous jobs at cooler times of the day. Increase the frequency and length of rest breaks for outdoor activities. Give additional attention to the pregnant women and others with a medical condition.

The don’ts - do not leave children or pets in parked vehicles. Avoid going out in the sun, especially between 12.00 noon and 3.00 pm. Avoid wearing dark, heavy or tight clothing. Avoid strenuous activities when the outside temperature is high. Avoid cooking during peak hours. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks, which dehydrates the body. Avoid high-protein food.(eom)

Act against Govt College for using debarred&offensive languge for Persons with Disability in admission form, UGC urged

                             Vishant Nagvenkar

Prakash Kamat

Panaji, March 20,2022- In a complaint addressed to the Vice Chancellor of Goa University with copies to Goa State Disability Commissioner, University Grants Commission and other government authorities, Mr. Vishant Nagvenkar, a post graduate student and an officer of Goa government has demanded that strict action be taken against college authorities for using debarred and offensive expressions about persons with disability(PswD) in its admission form.

The Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sanquelim Goa, have failed to adhere to the Circulars issued by the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa, Panaji Goa and also by the Government of India and, therefore, have violated the provisions of the aforesaid Act in letter and spirit and have used the abbreviation “PH” on its admission form which denotes / elaborates as “Physically Handicapped”. Perhaps such barred / banned expression are used in all the Admission Form of the Government as well as Private Institutions which needs to be curtailed and restricted.

"The Institutions which should have been imparting wisdom, ideas and correct knowledge to the generations to come, however, the past generation have already learned the wrong expression and the same have been using openly thereby violating the provisions of the afore referred Acts and also the Constitution of India," lamented the complainant.

The act of using banned and barred expression appears to be purposeful and intentional to lower the dignity, degrade, disgrace, stigmatize, stagnate, condemn the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities  in order to detriment, demoralize, defame, dishonour and humiliate to "prove that they are useless, burden, ineffective, inefficient and worthless to the society," said the complainant and asserted that the ignorance of the Law cannot be an excuse to commit offense. 

The Institutions have been imparting wrong and faulty knowledge or expression to the young students and if the same is not rectified immediately the same shall continue for next generations because these faulty expression and vocabulary addressing the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities which have been used by the learned employees of the Goa University and their subordinates Institutions for past several years after enactment of the Persons with Disability Act in the year 1995. 

The Goa University should have taken the cognisance of the aforesaid Circular which was issued in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which the India is party and signatory.

Considering the aforesaid facts, the Vice Chancellor may kindly request all the authorities above and institutions, especially the Law Colleges using a wrong, banned, barred, offensive expression which is against the Constitution of India to rectify all the forms, documents, signage and all such documents, correspondence teaching material, Power Point Presentation, etc., immediately where such barred / offensive expressions or abbreviations are used.  And to begin with I  kindly request you to change or rectify the Admission Forms used for the PGDAS course for which the applicant is enrolled.

I may further also request you to initiate a disciplinary action against the erroring officer / official who is instrumental in using a offensive of barred expression / abbreviation addressing the Persons with Disabilities so that such act of offending Persons with Benchmark Disabilities is not repeated in future.  This will pass a strong message amongst the masses to restrict any offensive act against the Persons with Disabilities.

It is further humbly suggested to cancel the doctorate, PhD, degree MPhil of those who have submission there research / papers / documentation on the Persons with Disabilities using a barred expression “Handicapped” or “Handicap” and also in future bar the use of banned expression in any reports / submission / research and ensure using of expression “Persons with Disabilities” or “Persons with Benchmark Disabilities” or any other expression permitted as per Law, demands the complainant.(eom).