log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday WEDNESDAY JANUARY 13, 2021 Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday The Goan (Playstore) 8 pages PRICE ` 6 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VI, NO. 204 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 8 2 3 6 Scrap IIT project immediately, Rajnath in Goa, takes stock of Shripad Naik’s condition Vishwajit writes to Sawant Stressed out? Blame bad tech GOA MMC garbage workers in line for Covid vaccination GOA SPORTS Nurture our nature, culture for better future: Vice President India pace spearhead Bumrah ruled out of fourth Test against Australia  AYUSH MINISTER STABLE, 4 SURGERIES SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED  DOCTORS FROM AIIMS ROPED IN FOR TREATMENT WANTS ACTION AGAINST POLICEMEN FOR ASSAULTING PROTESTERS THE GOAN I NETWORK Anti-IIT sentiments echo across Sattari; 12 villages support stir PANAJI In what could be termed as a major victory for the anti-IIT protesters, Health Minister and Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday wrote to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urging him to scrap the proposed IIT project in Sattari immediately. U-turn over IIT project sheer political ploy >> See Edit pg 4 A large number of people from Saleli walk towards Melauli on Tuesday to join the agitating locals.  Uday Sawant In the letter that was circulating on social media, the health minister appealed to CM to make a public announcement so that peace could return in his constituency. “I need to side with the people... ultimately, I am the representative elected by them,” he said in his letter. “People’s views are changing and all those who had earlier supported the project are today against it,” he said. Claiming he was not taken into confidence on the massive police deployment at Melauli, he asked Sawant IN SHORT >> IMD predicts heavy rainfall in Kerala NEW DELHI: The National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry for the next 3 days. Retail inflation drops sharply to 4.59% NEW DELHI: Retail inflation fell sharply to 4.59 per cent in December, mainly due to declining food prices, government data showed on Tuesday. Retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index was 6.93 per cent in November. China, Pak potent threat: Army chief NEW DELHI: Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday said that Pakistan and China together form a “potent” threat, and the “threat of collusivity” cannot be wished away, ahead of the Army Day. FBI warns of armed protests in US >> See pg 7 WEATHER >> Max: 34 C Min: 23.4 C Humidity: 83% TIDES Low: High: 04.57 16.52 10.08 ----- to take action against the policemen who lathicharged the agitators who were protesting peacefully. He also requested the CM to withdraw all the police cases filed against the agitators. Stating that the reason for initiating the project in Sat- VALPOI: Sentiments against the proposed IIT project have now echoed across Sattari, with several villages now joining the ongoing agitation of locals in Shel-Melauli. Given the growing momentum against the controversial project with each passing day, ever since clashes erupted between police and protestors last week, a government team did not visit the site to conduct survey work, while police presence was noticeably less on Tuesday. But that did not stop locals from Shel-Melauli from continuing their protest against the IIT project near the Jalmi temple.  >> See pg 2 tari was to bring in lot of development and vibrancy and to make it educational hub, Rane said, “the plan was never to use police or to manhandle the agitators.” Coming out in full support of the protesters, Rane said, “I don’t want IIT in Sattari if the No option to choose from two vaccines, says Centre  TWO DOSES OF VACCINES TO HAVE A GAP OF 28 DAYS  VACCINE TO BE EFFECTIVE 14 DAYS AFTER 2ND DOSE PTI NEW DELHI The healthcare and frontline workers who will be inoculated in the first phase of the vaccination drive against Covid-19 starting Saturday will have no option to choose from the two vaccines that have been given emergency use approval, the union health ministry said on Tuesday. The government has approved two vaccines -- Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India, and Covaxin, which has been developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech together with the Indian Council of Medical Research. In a joint press conference by the health ministry, ICMR and the Niti Aayog, officials also clarified that the two doses of the vaccine will be administered 28 days apart, and the vaccine is expected to offer protection 14 days after the second dose is given. The recipients of the vaccine will get a message one day before they are to be administered the vaccine. Officials said that 1 crore registrations have already been completed for the vaccination drive on CO-Win app, the IT platform that has emerged as Covishield to be sold in private market for Rs 1,000 per dose NEW DELHI: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla on Tuesday said SII has offered the vaccine to the Government of India at a special price of Rs 200. He also said that once the SII gets the requisite permission, the vaccine will be made available in the private market at the cost Rs 1,000. Speaking to the select media persons at the SII facility, Poonawalla said the real challenge lies in taking the vaccine to the “common man, to the vulnerable groups of people and to healthcare workers”. the backbone of the massive programme set to be rolled out across the country on January 16. Vaccinations are set to begin on Saturday in an effort that authorities hope will see 30 crore high-risk people inoculated over the next six to eight months. The vaccine will first be given to 1 crore health care workers, followed by two crore frontline workers and 27 crore citizens over the age of 50 and people with co-morbidities. The government said it expects all states to keep ready all logistics ready for the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine from January 16. There will >Continued on P5 VACCINE DRIVE SET IN MOTION NEW DELHI: A massive pan-India inoculation drive against Covid-19 was set in process with more than 56 lakh doses of the Covishield vaccine leaving Pune for 13 cities across India on Tuesday, four days before the vaccinations are scheduled to begin on January 16. Four airlines will operate nine flights to transport 56.5 lakh doses of the vaccine from Pune to 13 cities across the country on Tuesday, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Twitter. people don’t want it. I promise that as long as I am your MLA, IIT will never be set up in Sattari”. The trouble started ever since police entered the villages, he said adding no project >Continued on P5 India presents 8-point agenda to UN on terror PTI NEW DELHI Calling for “no ifs and buts” in the fight against terrorism, India’s external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar on Tuesday gave an 8-point agenda at the United Nations security council for the “UN system to credibly address the menace of terrorism and ensure effective action” Speaking at a video conference meet on International cooperation in combating terrorism marking 20 years since the adoption of Resolution 1373 (2001), Jaishankar said “It is time that all nations walk the talk and commit their actions to the goal of zero tolerance for terrorism, we must not countenance double standards in this battle”. „„These are matters of life and death. We are concerned with laws „„We are concerned with lives and property of people affected by the agitation „„We are trying to solve H said Punjab farmers’ unions, declaring that they would amp up their protests across the country. “We think the government is bringing this committee through the Supreme Court. The committee is just a way of divert attention,” said Balbir THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO In a development that has raised many an eyebrow, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo on Tuesday was categorical in saying that he and Salcete lone Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues will not hesitate to take any decision to protect the interest of the people of Goa. the problem in the best way. One of the powers we have is to suspend the legislation „„We want to solve the problem and that’s why we are making the committee Singh Rajewal of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (R) told reporters at Singhu border outside Delhi, one of the sites where farmers have been protesting against the farm laws for over a month. The groups said even if the members of committee PANAJI Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday afternoon landed at INS Hansa and proceeded to Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim to enquire about the wellbeing of Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik. Naik’s vehicle met with a horrific accident on Monday near Hillur-Hosakambi village in Ankola taluka of Karnataka’s Uttar Kannada district. Singh visited Naik, who is presently out of danger and is recuperating at GMC’s Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), and later convened a review meeting with the team of doctors from GMC to oversee the line of treatment being offered to Naik. Speaking to reporters at GMC, Singh stated, “Naik is our sharp and dynamic colleague. When we heard about his road accident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called me and expressed anguish over the incident. He requested me to visit Naik personally. I have spoken with the team of doctors treating him. They have assured me that his condition is stable. I have discussed Naik’s condition with AIIMS Asserting that the duo will stand by the people of Goa to see that only good things happens in Goa in the interest of the people, Lobo said he and Filipe Neri are committed to protect Goa’s land and the people and will take any decision to protect the interest of the people. Speaking at the function PANAJI: Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik’s driver Suraj Naik has been booked by Ankola Police for rash and negligent driving and for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with the fatal accident on Monday night involving Naik’s white Toyota vehicle that resulted in the death of his wife, Vijaya, and his private secretary Deepak Gome. The driver has been booked under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code (Culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 279 of IPC (rash and negligent driving). The first Section is non-bailable and cognizable. Vijaya’s mortal remains brought to Goa PANAJI: The mortal remains of Union Minister Shripad Naik’s wife Vijaya Naik have been brought to Goa. According to sources, the date and time of the last rites are expected to be announced in due course of time by the family. director Dr Randeep Guleria. He has consulted with the doctors treating Naik at GMC. If proper treatment can be given to Naik at GMC, then he will be kept here. If the need arises, we can fly him to Delhi for medical care. But everything will depend on the doctors at GMC.” The Union Defence Minister applauded the prompt action taken by GMC doctors and prayed for Naik’s quick recovery. He then proceeded to pay a condolence visit to Naik’s family at their residence at Saper, Ribandar along with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. CM Sawant informed that Naik’s vitals are stable and that all four orthopaedic >Continued on P5 farm laws,” they said. On the Supreme Court’s advice on removing the elderly and women from the protest sites, Rajewal said: “Seniors don’t want to leave the protest site. No one will leave the >Continued on P5 ‘Coal, double-tracking protests genuine’ MARGAO: Terming the uprising against coal and coal transportation as “genuine”, Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo on Tuesday asserted that no project should be thrust down on the throats of the people of Goa, adding that he would convey to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that whatever is not in the interest of Goans should be either slowed down or stopped.  >> See pg 3 >Continued on P5 Ban on live birds to affect chicken supplies to Goa THE GOAN I NETWORK were replaced, they would not take part in discussions with committee. “It’s a good thing that the implementation of laws has been put on hold. It is a welcome decision but this was our right and we will accept nothing less than the repeal of Shripad’s driver booked by Ankola police SAYS NERI ALSO READY TO ‘SACRIFICE’ TO PROTECT INTEREST OF GOANS APEX COURT STAYS FARM LAWS NEW DELHI ours after the Supreme Court put on hold three controversial farm laws and set up a committee of experts to handle negotiations to end a huge agitation, protesting farmers welcomed one half of the order and rejected the other. Farmers’ groups this evening said they would not accept the committee, which they said included members who had favoured the centre’s laws. “We don’t accept this committee, all the members in this committee have been pro-government and these members have been justifying the laws,” THE GOAN I NETWORK Will back people come what may: Lobo Farmers reject SC committee, say it is pro-govt PTI Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and other officials at GMC on Tuesday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar BELAGAVI Poultry farmers from North Karnataka and Southern Maharashtra region will badly be hit by Goa imposing a ban entry of live poultry and other birds from neighbouring States, but the decision will also affect supplies to Goa and lead to a sharp rise in chicken prices. Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday evening had directed the state animal husbandry officials to impose a ban on entry of live poultry and other birds from Reacting to the decision, poultry farmers feel the Goa government should have first taken stock of the situation in Karnataka as the ban imposed is expected to affect the poultry industry which was limping back to normalcy Maharashtra and Karnataka. The precautionary measures were initiated by Goa after a meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard. Poultry farmers and industrialists have reacted sharply to the decision of the Goa government. They feel the Goa government should have first taken stock of the situation in Karnataka as the ban imposed is expected to affect the poultry industry which was limping back to normalcy in the region after the Covid lockdown had adversely hit poultry farmers. “Every day, about 15,000 birds are sent to Goa from Belagavi region alone. After incurring heavy losses >Continued on P5