from Daijiworld's special correspondent

February 17, 2006

Department of Posts Goes for Diversification

Panaji: Cashew nuts from Ratnagiri and Goa and delicious Alfonso mango will find their place in Mumbai's 100-odd prestigious postal outlets with the Indian Postal department's Maharashtra circle deciding to promote these commodies along with various other items.

These outlets, which used to sell fast moving commodities like Hallmark cards will now diversify into wider commodities including Cashew nuts, Alfonso Mango, Mango pulp, Aloe Vera, Neelkamal, Dunkun tea and others.

"The sale of cashew nuts have started in December, last year and we are getting enormous response for it. With these additional activities Maharashtra circle expects to earn revenue of Rs 1 crore per month,'' stated K Noorjahan, chief postmaster general, Maharashtra circle.

The postal department has tied up with several cooperative societies in Konkan and Goa belt to procure cashew nuts while Mango pulp is supplied by an Ashram in Konkan, stated Col K C Mishra, post master general, Mumbai.

And in addition to these services, using post to meet the real needs of customers, the `prasad' from Mahalaxmi temple, Mumbai, Sri Sai Baba, Shirdi, Sabarimalai, Kerala, Siddhivinayak, Mumbai besides other prominent places.

According to Noorjahan, Maharashtra circle is the only circle in the entire country to make surplus. ``In 2003-04, we were revenue surplus by Rs 16 crores and 2004-05, Rs 40 crores. We target 40 per cent growth this year,'' she said.

Though the Maharashtra circle made Rs 36 lac revenue on the advertisement on mail vans, Noorjahan says that they are not getting enough response for the advertisements.

Poaching in Wildlife Sanctuaries

Panaji: Leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar on Thursday alleged large scale poaching in the wild life sanctuaries of Goa.

Speaking in the legislative assembly  he said that the forest department senior officials who fear transfer are not acting in the matter despite complaints.

Parrikar challenged that he can show to the house how wild bore meat is sold in Netravati wild life sanctuary. The leader of opposition also alleged that large scale cane

Under social forestry scheme, there is fraud, people are not given any information about the forestry,he said.

Recruitment Violations

Panaji : Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) legislator and public works department minister, Sudin Dhavlikar, was at the receiving end  in Goa legislative assembly on Thursday with the opposition benches grilling him over road tenders and recruitment issue.

"The recruitments for the post of engineers in public works department is in violation with all the rules including court verdict,'' fumed leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar participating in the discussion on the floor.

The opposition demanded scrapping of the recruitment process and file be placed before the house.

Dhavlikar, however, refused to table the file stating that nobody can force such an action.

Leader of opposition was joined by his other BJP colleagues in an attack against Dhavlikar who accused minister of his involvement in malpractices. They also pointed out that road tendering formalities are completed after works are completed leaving a way for corruption.

Dhavlikar denying any kind of mal-practice said that all the formalities were being done before work on roads are taken up. He also ruled out any violation of norms during recruitment process.