The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the closure of Sunburn Beach Club that started its operation in November last year at Vagator after the first wave of the pandemic had slackened. Sunburn announced its formal exit from the franchise deal it had signed with a brand for its club.
During the eight months of the brand license, the club was operational for less than seven days as during the rest of the license period; it remained closed under government order.
After several months of waiting, Sunburn finally exited the franchise deal through a notice dated July 21, 2021 said the press note. It will, however, continue its franchise deal with its partner in other cities.
Two shipping firms to start container feeder service at MPT
Two shipping firms have shown interest in operating container feeder services at the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT). A new container feeder service operated by Shreyas Shipping and Logistics is expected to start connecting MPT with Mundra Port, the largest private port of India, located on the north shores of the Gulf of Kutch.
Another container vessel operated by MSC Agency (India) has sought a tentative berthing slot at MPT, which will connect Goa with Colombo and Tuticorin. MV OEL Colombo, which is operated by MSC Agency (India) has approached MPT for a berthing slot with about 90 containers to be offloaded and around 70 containers to be shipped out. MPT announced substantial discounts for any new feeder operator with additional discounts for container vessels for three months for the seafood export season.
MPT has also waived off berthing charges for the first port of call of any feeder service which prompted MSC Agency (India) to show interest in operating its own vessel for import and export of containers.
S V Naik, former Goa Civil Services Officer, appointed liquidator for Madgaum Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd.
Arvind Khutkar, Registrar of Societies, issued an order appointing S V Naik, retired Goa Civil Services Officer, as a liquidator for the Madgaum Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd, Margao.
The bank’s license was cancelled by the Reserve Bank of India by an order dated July 27, following which, it stopped functioning with effect from the close of business on July 29. Naik has been directed to complete the liquidation proceedings under the Goa Co-operative Societies Act at the earliest.
Further, the appointment order said that the major claims are expected to be settled within 2-3 months. With the cancellation of the banking license and commencement of liquidation proceedings, the process of paying the 56,600 depositors of the former bank will commence as per the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) Act. On liquidation, every depositor will be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount of his/her deposits up to a monetary ceiling of `5 lakh from the DICGC.
Goa Assembly Passes Mining Corp Bill, Even As the Opposition Walks Out
The Goa Legislative Assembly, it its recent Monsoon Session, passed the Goa Mineral Development Corporation Bill, 2021, for the formation of a state-run corporation “to carry out mining operations in an orderly, scientific and ecological sustainable manner” in a bid to restart the industry that has been halted since 2018 when the Supreme Court cancelled the renewals of 88 mining leases.
The Bill was passed without any discussion amidst a walkout by the opposition parties.
“We were not allowed to put forth our views and discuss issues of importance to Goa. We did not wish to be part of this illegal act and hence, walked out of the House,” Goa Forward Party MLA of Fatorda Vijai Sardesai said.
The Mining Corporation, according to the Bill, will be headed by the Chief Minister as the ex-officio chairperson and will have on board secretaries of mines, finance and environment as its members.
The Mining Corporation will be empowered to obtain mining leases/grants and prospect licenses, etc. under the Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 1957, and carry out all mining operations.
In the case that ensued, the Supreme Court noted that Goa’s mining leases had expired and directed that fresh licenses be granted. The order was upheld in 2018 when the Apex Court cancelled all the leases that were renewed by the State Government and reiterated its earlier stance of granting fresh licenses.
The State Government had filed a review petition but it was dismissed recently.
Goa’s legacy mining leaseholders continue to claim rights to the leases that were initially granted as perpetual concessions by the Portuguese colonial administration.
Goa Foundation, an environmental NGO whose petitions resulted in the closure of Goa’s mining industry, in 2018 had suggested that setting up the corporation could be the quickest route to restart mining activity and bring relief to mining workers and truck operators who have been out of work since then.
