Latest news with #SubhashPhalDessai
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Goa freedom struggle animated series to begin production in Aug '25
Porvorim: An animated web series on Goa's historic freedom struggle will begin production in Aug 2025, said minister for archives and archaeology, Subhash Phal Dessai, in an unstarred long answer question (LAQ) on Monday at the monsoon assembly session. 'The primary objective behind the production is to create interest among the youth about the history of Goa's liberation,' Phal Dessai stated in his replies. The project will feature 26 episodes, each running for 10-12 minutes. The animated video production will offer viewers an engaging fusion of motion graphics, 2D, and 3D animation techniques. 'The telecast or public viewing of the web series will be approximately from Jan 26, 2026, onwards,' he said. Chief minister Pramod Sawant announced in his budget speech this year that an animated series on the Goa freedom struggle and the lives of its freedom fighters is expected to be released soon. In a separate LAQ, Phal Dessai said the directorate of archaeology's plans to digitise archival records from 1530 CE onwards. 'After digitisation, it will be easy for the research scholars to access and apply for the relevant records online,' he said. Besides primary sources, the department's library offers digitised secondary sources, such as rare books (1697-1960), Gazettes (1841 CE onwards), and books on legislation (1901-1961), and photocopies of relevant publications are provided. It has also published 25 research journals and 9 available seminar volumes. In 2023-24, two books, 'Saunsthanachya Itihasachin Sadhane' (Khand II) by the Transcriber of Records and 'Portuguese Hukumnama' by Ratnakar Desai, were released.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
No hold-up in paying benefits, says Phal Dessai
Porvorim: Despite legislators across party lines expressing concern over the delayed disbursal of benefits under the social welfare scheme, social welfare minister Subhash Phal Dessai said that there is no hold-up in payments to beneficiaries. 'We have zero pendency under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme. The pendency does not go beyond 20 days,' he said. Dessai said that 85% of the social welfare department's budget is spent on the DSSS. He said that he has spoken to the chief minister and the finance department to determine if beneficiaries can get the money directly into their bank accounts on a fixed day. 'Enhancement of benefits under the senior citizen scheme is under consideration. We are trying to provide direct benefit transfers to senior citizens, disabled persons, women, and widows,' Dessai said. He also said that the department has sought an additional Rs 20 crore in the supplementary budget for the Atal Asra scheme because the funds for this scheme have been exhausted. Meanwhile, chief minister Pramod Sawant said that a request for an increase in the monthly payment for persons with disabilities is under consideration.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chorao wants old ferries in addition to Ro-Ro vessels
The Chorao panchayat has asked the river navigation department (RND) to deploy two traditional ferries on the Ribandar-Chorao route during peak hours, alleging traffic chaos and delays due to the Ro-Ro vessels. Responding to the demand, RND minister Subhash Phal Dessai said that if locals officially oppose the Ro-Ro, govt is willing to replace it with the older six ferries, noting that no loss would be incurred as the Ro-Ro vessels are not govt-owned. 'If the people, sarpanch and MLA give us a representation saying that the Ro-Ro vessels cannot handle the load and they are not better than the earlier services, we can remove them from the route,' he said. Phal Dessai said that footfall on this route has increased by 30% since the launch and problems are arising as two-wheeler riders are crowding the ramp. The minister said that videos of the loose seats and dirty toilet onboard the Ro-Ro are being circulated to 'defame' the RND. 'Am I supposed to clean the toilet after every person entering? The toilets are for emergency use only. Also, bending the seats to show they are loose is an effort to malign us.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like My 4-year-old kidneys are failing, only you can help Donate For Health Donate Now Undo 'As much as we admire the benefits of Ro-Ros, these vessels are not enough during peak hours. The Ro-Ros operate from 7am to 9pm, so we have asked the RND to provide two traditional ferries from 7am to 9am and again in the afternoon and evening,' sarpanch Ramakant Priolkar told TOI . The panchayat's request comes after locals endured congestion during peak hours at the Chorao berth since the Ro-Ro service began last week. 'Teething issues are bound to happen in the initial few weeks; however, we anticipated that the RND may have learnt from their mistakes after the failure of the hybrid solar-electric ferry, which was discontinued after a few months,' a Chorao resident said.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Animation film to memorialise Cuncolim chieftains' valour
Margao: An upcoming animation film aimed at presenting Goa's authentic history to younger generations will feature significant episodes from the historic Cuncolim uprising, in which 16 chieftains staged the first rebellion against colonial rule, said social welfare minister Subhash Phal Dessai. Speaking at a function held to commemorate the day at Cuncolim, Phal Dessai urged youth to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of the 16 chieftains. He said that the Cuncolim uprising gained recognition at both state and national levels after the anti-colonial push was incorporated into textbooks for Class 9 and Class 11. Phal Dessai said that the chieftains of Cuncolim fought against the atrocities committed by the colonial rulers. Phal Dessai, who also holds the portfolio of archives and archaeology, said that govt is committed to preserving and conserving historical documents and land records of Goa. The digitisation of old land documents is currently under way. With this technology, manipulation of land records and land scams could be curbed in the state, he said. Nearly 10% of this digitisation work was completed, he said. Selected books will be made available in libraries to enhance students' understanding of history, he added. Opposition leader and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao said that govt sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for the revamp of the Chieftains' Memorial, with tenders already invited by the PWD. Statues of all 16 chieftains will be installed by July 15, 2026, he said.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Time of India
Two Ribandar-Chorao RoRo ferries from Mon
Panaji: The Ribandar-Chorao ferry route is set to see the launch of two new Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) ferries — named Dwarka and Gangotri — scheduled to be launched on July 14 at 11am. These ferries aim to enhance transportation efficiency between Ribandar and Chorao, catering to the growing vehicular and commuter traffic across the Mandovi river. The inauguration ceremony is expected to be attended by chief minister Pramod Sawant and river navigation minister Subhash Phal Dessai, among other dignitaries. To support the operation of the new ferries, the Ribandar-side ferry ramp has been upgraded with dedicated lanes: two rows for four-wheelers and one row for two-wheelers, streamlining the boarding and deboarding process. The layout has been designed to minimise congestion and reduce waiting time for vehicles during peak hours. According to officials, the ferry terminals have been constructed to handle up to 30 to 40 vehicles at a time, depending on the mix of two- and four-wheelers. State govt has notified the fares for the RoRo ferries, with cars, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers being charged Rs 30 per trip. Frequent users can opt for a monthly pass priced at Rs 900. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mi Piace Così | Quanto costa perdere peso? Mi Piace Così Undo Medium commercial vehicles and medium passenger vehicles will be charged Rs 100 per trip, with a monthly pass costing Rs 1,500. Heavy motor vehicles and heavy passenger vehicles weighing less than 10 tonnes will face a higher toll of Rs 400 per trip but can avail of a monthly pass for Rs 6,000. Cargo vehicles will be charged at Rs 50 per tonne. The free ride facility for local two-wheeler users and pedestrians will not extend to tourists using the ferries. Tourists riding rental bikes will have to pay Rs 100 per trip, while those in rental cars will be charged Rs 300 per trip. Tourists looking for a joyride on the ferries will be charged a nominal Rs 50 per trip.
