Times of India | 2 days ago | 13-10-2022 | 10:13 am

PANAJI: Taking packets of ‘Goan’ cashew nuts for family, friends and colleagues back home is almost a ritual with every tourist who steps into Goa. Little do the unsuspecting tourists know that they are most likely purchasing cashew nuts from Benin, Ivory Coast or even Indonesia. These imported nuts may not even be processed in Goa, having come from units in Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. For some time now, cashew kernels have been imported to meet the growing demand, but it is the pandemic which has hit Goa’s heritage industry of cashew nut processing hard. Life hasn’t been the same for those associated with the business during and post Covid-19 times, prompting the state government to revive a scheme to resuscitate this industry, promising subsidy to units employing more than 60% Goans. ‘Goan’ cashew nuts have a new tag: Bought in Africa, sold in Goahttps://t.co/ytmf8jF1B6 https://t.co/5gPEVanGE3— TOI Goa (@TOIGoaNews) 1665634956000Less than a dozen cashew nut processing units are now surviving in Goa, and the industry may need more than just the gentle push of the subsidy to remain afloat. “In 2005, there were 40 processing units in Goa, but for the past 10 years or so, no new units have started. In fact, a number of existing units shut down,” said Rohit Zantye of the Goa Cashew Processors’ Association. “Some shifted across the border to Maharashtra because it is a big state and compliances are lax.” Around 12 years ago, almost 80% cashew nuts processed and sold in Goa were those derived from the crop locally. This scenario has changed drastically over the years. “Earlier, may be around 20-25% of cashew nuts sold in Goa were from outside the state. Today, almost 50% come from outside, including nuts imported from Ivory Coast, Benin, Indonesia. Under international trade treaties, the import business enjoys some benefits,” said another cashew nut processor Madhav Sahakari. “The nuts are then processed in other Indian states and sold in Goa because the state offers a good market as a large number of tourists come here,” said Sahakari. As per the state agriculture department, Goa produces approximately 20,000 tonne of raw cashew nuts, while the sale of processed cashew nuts in the state is an estimated 5,000 tonne. As per the processing units, around 18,000-20,000 tonne of raw cashew has to be processed to get 4,000-5,000 tonne of finished product, which is then sold after selecting only the fine quality nuts. However, the entire 20,000 tonne produced in the state is not processed or sold locally, as some of it is exported. To capture the local business, cashew nuts processed in some new states like Odisha and Gujarat have also begun coming into Goa for sale. For tourists, or even Goans who cannot do without their share of cashew nuts, the difference is hard to tell.“The imported cashew is bright white in colour and buyers get attracted to it. The Goan cashew nut, though good in taste, is off-white, but the customer doesn't understand this,” said Sitaram Gauns. Gauns has a cashew nut processing unit in Shiroli, Sattari, but with profits dwindling, is looking to shut shop. “There is tremendous competition now from the cashew nuts brought from outside. The imported cashew nuts can be sold cheaper. I am looking to shut my unit and get into another business. I have advised my friends also to not go into cashew nut processing. Almost 90% of small units in Goa have shut post-Covid,” he said. As against Rs 125 to Rs 130 per kg, cashew nuts from outside Goa can be procured for Rs 104 to Rs 110, and there are plenty from outside the state who have plunged into the business to make a quick buck. “Anybody is free to do business, but they should not falsely claim the nuts are from Goa. To make a quick buck, some sell substandard quality cashew nuts without any labelling or GST registration. The packets should be clearly labelled as not being from Goa,” said Zantye. Officials said the state government is in the process of obtaining a GI tag for the local cashew nut. Only after securing the tag will the government be able to crack down on those selling nuts procured from outside as Goan. The cashew saplings first came to India from Brazil through the Portuguese colonisers of Goa and the new crop was then introduced from here to the rest of India. Today, to meet the demand for cashew nuts in India, in addition to the production of 7 lakh tonnes within the country, 9 lakh tonnes of cashew nuts have to be imported. “The cashew nut processing industry has existed in Goa for at least 100 years and provides employment to women, who do not have any other skills. There are little over 10 processing units remaining in Goa. The Goa government’s subsidy scheme lapsed in 2008 and has just been revived,” said Zantye. Cashew nut processors estimate that if there is better regulation and labelling of non-Goan cashew nuts, the demand for the nuts within Goa can help sustain at least 40 processing units and provide gainful employment in rural areas. Tourists, too, can then take home something surely made in Goa.

While India is witnessing one of the wettest Octobers, with the country receiving 82.5 mm of rainfall during the first fortnight of the month, several states like Maharashtra, Goa and Andhra Pradesh have been hit by incessant rains in the last few days.Multiple reports of rain-related accidents and flooding have come in from various states and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that south Peninsular India is likely to witness isolated heavy rains for the next five days.Isolated Heavy rainfall spell likely to continue over south Peninsular India during next 5 days.For detailed Press Release, please visit: https://t.co/icbjn4DUVs— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) October 14, 2022In Mumbai, the withdrawal of monsoon is likely to get delayed by a few more days as rains continued to lash the city on Friday evening as well. Till 5.30 pm on Friday, IMD’s Santacruz observatory recorded 13.3 mm of rainfall. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) rainfall data showed that areas in eastern suburbs recorded rainfall above 50 mm.Meanwhile, eight incoming flights to Mumbai were diverted to various nearby airports due to heavy rains.Several parts of Pune witnessed traffic snarls after major roads in the city got waterlogged following intense rainfall on Friday afternoon. Shivajinagar — the worst-affected area — recorded 78.1 mm between 8.30 am and 8.30 pm (12 hours), with 74.3 mm between 4 pm and 5.30 pm (1.5 hours), said the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune. Other areas like Pashan, Magarpatta, Lavale and Chinchwad recorded 48.4 mm, 36.5 mm, 30.5 mm and 8.7 mm, respectively, between 8.30 am and 8.30 pm (12 hours).☔ Mumbai Rains | Heavy rainfall lashes Mumbai on Friday. The IMD has predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and light to moderate spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 30-40 kilometres per hour in the city.📸: (Express/Ganesh Shirsekar) pic.twitter.com/TrFZyTSFhp— Express Mumbai (@ie_mumbai) October 14, 2022Meanwhile, two persons died in a lightning strike in a hamlet in Bhiwandi in Thane district on Friday evening amid heavy rains, news agency PTI quoted an official as saying. Thane Municipal Corporation’s regional disaster management cell chief Avinash Sawant said the incident took place around 6 pm in Phulorepada in Chiradpada village.The level of the Manjara dam that provides water for irrigation to Latur and neighbouring areas in Maharashtra has reached almost 90 per cent of storage capacity, leading to officials stating on Friday that its gates may have to be opened if rains in the catchment areas continued.At least 40 tourists got stranded near Dudhsagar waterfall in South Goa after a small bridge on the Mandovi river got washed away due to a sudden rise in the water level following heavy rains. The were, however, rescued by the lifeguards appointed by the state government, officials said on Saturday.The incident occurred on Friday evening when incessant rains pounded the state. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant lauded the lifeguards for the rescue operation.Heavy #rainfall in #Valpoi today, normal life disrupted. #Goa #monsoon #rain #floods pic.twitter.com/fx9eDSFzt2— Herald Goa (@oheraldogoa) October 14, 2022“At least 40 tourists were stranded near Dudhsagar waterfall after a small bridge on the Mandovi river got washed away due to a sudden rise in the water level as a result of heavy rains. The tourists got stranded on the waterfall side,” a senior police official said.The flood situation in Assam continued to remain grim on Friday with heavy rains inundating more areas, an official bulletin said. Several areas in the state and the neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh received heavy downpours with the floodwaters inundating 11 districts. According to news agency PTI, the affected districts are Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Kokrajhar, Majuli, Nagaon, and Tinsukia, according to the bulletin issued by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA).The northeastern state is currently experiencing the third wave of flood due to heavy rain since Monday.The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level at Nematighat in Jorhat district and Tezpur, the bulletin said. Altogether 283 villages under 24 revenue circles have reported flooding.The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Bengaluru for October 15 and said the city will receive light to moderate rain till October 19. Some other parts of Karnataka may receive heavy rain. “Heavy rain likely to occur at isolated places in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts of coastal Karnataka; Belgavi, Kalburgi, Bagalkote, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Raichur and Koppal districts of north, interior Karnataka and Chamarajanagar; and Bangalore Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Chikkamagaluru, Mandya, Hassan, Kodagu, Ramanagara, Davangere and Tumkur districts of south interior Karnataka,” the IMD said in a statement on Friday.This is small stream which flows near my native joins river #Tungabhadra. Hardly we were seeing 2 time it will overflown above bridge in a year. But this year more than 10th time its happening you can imagine the amount of rainfall in this year#Karnatakarains #Mansoon2022 pic.twitter.com/g2o39hTHiy— ಸಂತೋಷ ಚೀಲೂರು.(Santhosha Cheelur) (@SanthoshCheelur) October 14, 2022Bengaluru received 66 mm of rainfall on Friday leading to waterlogging in Indiranagar, Mahadevapura and HSR Layout. A part of the road near the main gate of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) caved in because of the rain.Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Friday conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Gorakhpur and Maharajganj districts.#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Gorakhpur and Maharajganj districts today. pic.twitter.com/2Q5jY5JBnC— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 14, 2022Low-lying areas in Prayagraj district witnessed a flood-like situation after water levels in Ganga and Yamuna rivers rose exponentially.#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Heavy rains in Prayagraj cause a flood-like situation in the low-lying areas of district as water levels of Ganga, Yamuna rivers rise pic.twitter.com/YMo7hW7hvH— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 14, 2022Heavy rains in Prayagraj cause a flood-like situation in the low-lying areas of district as water levels of Ganga, Yamuna rivers riseMathura district in Uttar Pradesh received unexpected rains Friday, leading to heavy crop damage. “A continuous survey is being done in this regard and the officials have managed to complete the survey in about 80 per cent of villages. Compensation will be sought for farmers who suffered losses,” Mathura DM Pulkit Khare told ANI.Uttar Pradesh | Mathura district received unexpected rains, causing heavy damage to the crops. A continuous survey is being done in this regard; survey completed in about 80% of villages. Compensation will be sought for farmers who suffered losses: Mathura DM Pulkit Khare (14.10) pic.twitter.com/aSzMTGhcTr— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 14, 2022Meanwhile, the officials concerned have sounded the first flood alert at Prakasam Barrage in Andhra Pradesh after flood flow into the Krishna river touched 4.07 lakh cusecs, news agency ANI reported.Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh | The first flood warning issued at Prakasam Barrage after flood flow in Krishna river touched 4.07 lakh cusecs pic.twitter.com/S1eyyPabaH— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2022Madurai in Tamil Nadu also witnessed heavy rains on Friday night. Karaikudi and neighbouring areas in Sivagangai district also witnessed heavy downpour.#WATCH | Tamil Nadu’s Madurai witnessed heavy rain lashing several parts of the city pic.twitter.com/wb61mQVLxj— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2022However, after a fortnight’s delay, the Southwest monsoon Friday withdrew from the entire northwest India region. Between October 1 and 13, this region recorded 58.3 mm rain, which was 366 per cent above normal.October is the first post-monsoon month during which the southwest monsoon normally withdraws from the entire northwest and most parts of central India by the middle of the month giving way to dry conditions.However, rainfall trends during recent years, including 2022, point towards a ‘delayed’ monsoon withdrawal because of which rainfall activity continues over north and central regions until the third week of October.(With inputs from agencies)

PANAJI: The PWD has said that those using their domestic water connections for non-domestic purposes should get their category changed appropriately by October 31 or face action. The department has also asked all water consumers to pay their bills that are outstanding for more than two months, failing which their water supply will be disconnected. "It has come to the notice of PWD that consumers who are having water connections in the domestic category are using water for non-domestic purposes. All such consumers are advised to immediately approach the water supply sub-division concerned to change the water connection to appropriate category as per applicable notification issued by PWD on or before October 31," the PWD said. If the consumer does not make the change then PWD will initiate proceedings to change the water connection to the appropriate category, without any formal application from the consumer, the department said. "Consumers are requested to clear all outstanding water bill payments immediately to avoid delay payment charges and disconnection. All water connections with payments due for more than two months are liable for disconnection. Reconnection shall be affected only after payment of arrears and applicable reconnection charges. Reconnection of disconnected service connections can be availed only within a year from the date of disconnection," PWD stated in a public advisory. The water connection of all defaulting consumers will be disconnected immediately and notice and final bill will be issued by the department and action initiated as per applicable law, the advisory stated. PWD has said that consumers whose water connection has already been disconnected for non-payment of dues will also have to pay the outstanding amount within one year of disconnection of the supply.

VALPOI: Water resources minister Subhash Shirodkar said that the water resources department (WRD) is providing all assistance to farmers of the state as they are the backbone of the country. Admitting that for the past many years, farmers have been facing problems due to irregular water supply, he said that WRD provides water for agriculture and horticulture from the lift irrigation scheme and dam reservoirs. "From this year, we have given instructions to the authorities concerned that water should be made available till November 15 to farmers from all the dams," Shirodkar said. He added that action will be taken against the officer concerned if the problems of the farmers are not resolved. He said that efforts have been made to start the Charavane dam project, and if possible, the foundation for the project will be laid in April or May.

PANAJI: Voluntary organisations, Congress and Revolutionary Goans, on Friday, protested outside Paryatan Bhavan at Panaji to oppose the proposed jetty policy. The protesters sought tourism minister Rohan Khaunte's resignation for attempting to introduce the policy, which they said lacked clarity. The proposed jetty policy was thrown open for public suggestions and objections last month, and since then the tourism department has twice extended the last date to receive objections. While the policy has been in the making for several years, the draft was readied only recently, with the tourism minister being very clear that he wants a system in place to operate jetties under the domain of the tourism department. "The proposed jetty policy is not backed by a scientific study. It is vague and lacks clarity," said environmet activist Abhijit Prabhudesai. Opposition leader Yuri Alemao, who also joined the protest, said the proposed draft policy will be "disastrous for Goa's ecology," and that it should not be allowed in its present form. "We will oppose the policy which has been prepared without taking people into confidence. The tourism department is not equipped to draft such policies," he said. RG chief Manoj Parab said that people should oppose the policy. "I appeal to all to reject the policy, protest in your village, and do not allow the policy to be approved," Parab said.

VALPOI: Heavy rain lashed Sattari taluka on Friday. Roads were completely submerged and water entered several shops in the market area and houses, too. Not only were many vehicles seen stranded on the inundated roads, but government and private employees working in Valpoi and others areas were also left stuck in the town. With the road near the Valpoi community health centre going under water, several patients found it impossible to enter and exit the healthcare facility. Valpoi resident Imran Khan told TOI that he along with others rescued two children who were on their way for tuitions. "The children were confused and scared after seeing the high water level on the road. They started running in anxiety, but the water was above their waist level. We immediately rushed to their aid, brought them out of the water and brought them to safety on the side of the road," Khan said. Another resident said that a few passenger buses that were plying on a submerged stretch were damaged. In many places, passengers were seen pushing buses after their engines stalled. Several two-wheelers also met with the same fate on Sattari's inundated roads. Upset citizens told TOI that the waterlogging was a result of Valpoi Municipal Council's negligent attitude in executing pre-monsoon works. "If we complain to the council they tell us that the road is faulty," citizens said. A few hours after the flooding situation, council workers were seen clearing the drain pipes, which were choked. Vishal Salgaokar from Velus whose house was inundated told TOI: "Few electric equipment were damaged and cooking utensils washed away." The India Meteorological department (IMD) attributed the heavy rainfall to a circulation over east central Arabian Sea, off the coast of Karnataka. The circulation, the easterly winds in the mid troposphere and the increase in day time temperature is expected to bring in more moisture over Goa resulting in thunderstorms, the IMD said.

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