log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday WEDNESDAY MAY 11, 2022 12 pages PRICE ` 6 Unvaxxed children at risk: Dr Borkar PANAJI: State Immunologist Dr Rajendra Borkar has warned by chance if the 4th wave of Covid strikes the state, children are likely to be affected the most as they are not fully vaccinated as yet. IPB single-window service is on again PANAJI: The Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (IPB) said its online single-window application service, which which was freezeed due to the poll code of conduct, is functional again. TCP, Forest squads to check violations PANAJI: Goa govt has taken a decision to integrate the squads of Town and Country Planning and Forest Department to monitor all aspects like hill-cutting, tree cutting and felling, informed TCP and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane. Bureaucrats get new postings PANAJI: With the new ministers settled in their respective portfolios, the Government on Tuesday issued transfer orders allocating new secretaries to various departments. >> See pg 3 Archdiocese effects transfers of priests The Goan (Playstore) PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VII, NO. 323 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 2 12 3 SC GREEN FLAG FOR ALTERNATE COAL ROUTE A tale of two stories IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday 8 GOA MMC admin continues to suffer in absence of CO ■ MAINTAINS REQUIREMENT OF COAL CAN BE MET BY UTILISING THE KRISHNAPATNAM PORT ■ FINDS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR DOUBLE-TRACKING, HOLDS CURRENT STUDIES INADEQUATE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Supreme Court, while red-flagging the double-tracking project through the Molem wildlife sanctuary, pointed to the CEC’s recommendations on “alternate routes for transportation of coal were available.” The apex court maintained, “We are in agreement with the CEC that the requirement of coal can be met by utilising the Krishnapatnam port which is a viable alternative for transportation of coal. The said suggestion would also prevent the degradation of the Western Ghats,” it asserted. The Railway authorities have not adequately justified the destruction of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats for an additional railway line, the court said in its order. The apex court also cited the lack of a “detailed study and analysis of the impact of the proposed project on the biodiversity and ecological system of the protected areas under wildlife sanctuary.” “The Ministry of Railways or RVNL have failed to provide any substantial basis for the requirement of doubling the railway line by addressing the impact which it would have on the habitat and the damage that it would cause to the environment,” the court bench of Justices L Nageshwara Rao, B R Gavai and Aniruddha Bose said in their judgement. “In view of the difficult terrain having sharp curves and gradient as high as 1:37 for the proposed project, any further construction would invite a great disaster in the sensitive areas of Western Ghats as well,” the court said. Crucially, despite protestations by the government that there would be no hiking the coal handling at the Mormugao port, the railway authorities, in arguments before the Supreme Court, justified the project claiming that “there is a likelihood that the requirement of coal and other raw materials would be doubled in the future and the proposed project is very much essential for the transportation of said goods.” They pointed to a parliamentary clarification dated 02.02.2022 and a letter of the Villagers want water bodies, damaged sluice gates restored MARGAO: While the Supreme Court verdict on double-tracking has brought relief, Chandor and Guirdolim residents want to know when will the authorities restore the water bodies and sluice gates damaged and devastated while laying the tracks.  >> See pg 2 ON PAGE 2 Chandor locals see red over 4 tracks MARGAO: Even as the controversial double-tracking is back on the centre stage following Supreme Court’s verdict, villagers of Chandor and Guirdolim questioned Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd’s four tracks in the village. RVNL general manager, Project, D C Sahoo, however, said the railways has laid only two tracks and claimed the remaining two tracks are loop lines. He went on to say that loop lines are laid at any railway station and that Chandor was not an exception.  >> See pg 2 Ministry of Power, Government of India, to argue that there is no likelihood of a shift from a coal-based economy. The court, while stating that a comprehensive study was necessary before the project can be undertaken said Shoot those resorting to rioting: Sri Lanka TIDES Low: High: 1.21/12:35 06.46/19.26 that its orders will not “preclude the RVNL to carry out a detailed analysis on the impact of the proposed project on the biodiversity and ecology of the protected areas under the wildlife sanctuary as indicated hereinabove and then submit a fresh proposal to the Standing Committee of NBWL which shall be consid- THE GOAN I NETWORK CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said strictest punishment will be given to those who attacked the Intelligence Wing headquarters of Punjab Police in Mohali.  >> See pg 6 Max: 34.5 C Min: 28.2 C Humidity: 93% Shripad urged to speak up for Goa AAP says scrap entire project Panaji market was flooded with the king of fruits on Tuesday. The supply of mangoes has seen a steady rise thus bringing down the prices in some of the markets across the State.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Agri Min reiterates fuel-for-water idea THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik reiterated his outlandish demand of exporting water from Goa to the Gulf countries in exchange for fuel. Naik, on Tuesday, also said that in future the world will face shortage of water and stressed the need of conserving water by building dams. “If we can store water in Goa by building dams, we can send the water to other parts of the country and even export it to foreign countries. Arabs need water. We can tell them, take this water and give us oil,” Naik said. The Agriculture Minister ered in accordance with law.” This, the court said, was because current studies were inadequate to allow the project to go ahead. “It is necessary that there should be a detailed study and analysis of the impact of the proposed project on the biodiversity and ecological system of the protected areas under wildlife sanctuary. A detailed study undertaken by NTCA on the viability of the project for the Goa part is essential in view of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary being an important tiger corridor. The impact of the increase of section capacity by 2.5 times than by doubling the railway line in comparison to the single line along with increased mobility on wildlife problems in terms of sound pollution, vibrations etc. has not been taken into account by the Standing Committee of NBWL while recommending the project,” the SC said. “Assessment of the impact which the project would have on the environment, especially in the protected area and wildlife sanctuary taking into account all the major factors such as the impact on the habitat, species, climate, temperature etc. caused due to felling of trees (not only for the laying of railway tracks but also for the secondary works such as setting up machinery, disposal of waste, and putting in place various mitigation measures etc.), movement of trains, human-wildlife interactions would have to be strictly undertaken before the project is considered by the NBWL,” the Supreme Court said. “There is also no credible supporting data for the projections that are given by RVNL relating to the traffic between Karnataka and Goa project for the period 2022-2023 and 2030-2031 and there is no explanation regarding the projected traffic for the next 4-5 years which is required for the completion of the construction of the project. Such data, projections and speculations will have to be supported by an independent and credible source before undertaking any kind of construction activity in the Western Ghats which are the world’s eight hotspots of biological diversity,” the Court said. SEC notifies delimitation of village panchayat wards ‘AAM’ AADMI’S FAVOURITE Punjab attack: Mann vows strict action WEATHER >> Titans beat Super Giants by 62 runs to seal play-off berth Preference to set up IIT in Sanguem taluka: CM PANAJI: The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has effected transfers of its clergy for the next pastoral year beginning June 2022. Most of the transfers will be effective from June 1.  >> See pg 5 COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence on Tuesday ordered the Army, the Air Force and the Navy personnel to open fire on anyone looting public property or causing harm to others amidst violent protests in the island nation over the unprecedented economic crisis.  >> See pg 7 SPORTS GOA was speaking at a function in Ponda where WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar and senior department officials were also present. Continuing, Naik said that in times to come water will be as precious as gold and diamond. He also said that in future the entire world will face wa- ter shortage which will lead to fights. “The demand for water will rise significantly. There will be fights in the world for water and so we should work to conserve rainwater,” the agriculture minister said. He further said the State >Continued on P5 PANAJI The State Election Commission (SEC) has notified the delimitation of 186 village panchayat areas into wards for ensuing general elections of village panchayats and will soon notify the reservation of seats at the panchayat level. The State government had entrusted the task to delimit each panchayat area into wards and reserve seats in every panchayat to the SEC in consultation with the government. The notification has been made public through an official gazette dated April 25. The Mamlatdars and Joint Mamlatdars, who were appointed as the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Awal Karkuns and Head Clerks as Asst. Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), have completed the task. The delimitation has been done considering factors such as population or proportionate number of voters in each ward of the panchayat. Also, the contiguity and natural boundaries are considered while delimiting wards. Complying with rules, the DELIMITATION, RESERVATION PROCESS DONE TRANSPARENTLY, SAYS MAUVIN VASCO: Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho said the delimitation process has been transparent, but at the same time went on to assert it may not satisfy all people 100 per cent. Godinho said, “The process is very transparent but we must realise that whatever best delimitation and reservation is done, we cannot everyone. I must, however, compliment from what I saw in the files, the State Election Commission has done a good job with the involvement of Mamlatdars, Joint Mamlatdars and others concerned.” “We have 191 panchayats, but we will have elections for 189 panchayats because two panchayats had gone to the court some time ago and hence we cannot hold their elections at the same time as others.” “After the delimitation is over, the next step is the reservation of wards which has already started. The SEC has applied the right criteria and in consultation with us, it will be given finality. Elections were due by June 4, but that looks difficult and maybe we may have to advance the elections by a week or ten days which we will do,” said Godinho. delimitation process is done in such a way that voters of a particular area are kept together to ensure that members of a single household are in the same ward. The wards division as per rule should be in such a way that the distance to the polling booth should be within 2 kilometres. The EROs and AEROs have prepared the draft and the draft delimitation had been kept for public suggestion and objections from February 24 to March 4. The panchayat elections have to be conducted before June 19. Soon, liquor delivery to homes SC asks Centre to keep sedition law in abeyance will become a reality in Delhi Wants its complete review and response on protecting interests of citizens AGENCIES NEW DELHI Home delivery of liquor in the national capital is likely to see the light of day soon, as a group of ministers (GoM) of the Delhi government has given the go-ahead to it, officials said on Tuesday. The GoM has also viewed that there should not be any restriction on the rate of discounting by the retail liquor vends as long as the market operates in a healthy manner. Delhi government in view of crowds outside retail vends and some reported malpractices, recently capped the discount on liquor to 25 per cent. The proposals of home delivery and other recommen- ON A HIGH dations of the GoM, regarding the Excise Police 2022-23 being framed, will be put before the Delhi Cabinet for its approval, the officials said. “....The group of ministers recommended that home delivery of liquor sourced from retail liquor vends in Delhi may be allowed,” said an official document citing meeting of the GoM last month. The GoM considered that home delivery could be an ap- propriate alternative to ensure liquor supply during pandemic or emergency situation induced lockdowns, besides ensuring equitable distribution of liquor, checking spurious liquor consumption and inter-state smuggling. The home delivery may be done by empanelled intermediaries who will collect the liquor from respective retail vend and deliver it to respective localities through ordering by the chosen empanelled agency to do home delivery, the Excise department has proposed. Excise department will frame detail terms and references for the grant of L-13 licence after approval of the home delivery proposal by the PTI NEW DELHI he Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Centre’s response on protecting citizens’ interests by putting at abeyance the lodging of sedition cases till re-examination of the colonial era penal law. The apex court agreed that the re-look of the provision be left to the Centre which has filed an affidavit in this regard. It, however, expressed concern over the continuous abuse of the provision and even suggested that guidelines may be issued to stop the abuse or a decision to keep the law at abeyance till the exercise of re-look of the law is completed. T GIVE YOUR SAY TODAY: COURT „„The court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to apprise the stand of the Centre on Wednesday when it may pass some orders „„Referring to the possible ”misuse’ of the provision, the court said even the attorney general had said as to how the law was invoked even for chanting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ and asked the Centre to come up with some response The top court, which was to decide whether a three or five-judge bench should hear the batch of pleas challenging the validity of the sedition law, took note of the fresh stand of the government that it wanted to “re-examine and reconsider” it. Quoting the Centre’s recent affidavit, which referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s views on issues like the shedding of ”colonial baggage”, protection of civil liberties, and respect of human rights, a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said, ”What we feel is that the State has said they want to do something… We should not be unreasonable.” The bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Hima Kohli, said, ”Our specific query is on two issues. One is about the pending cases and the second is, how the government will take care of future cases till the reconsideration. These are two issues. Nothing else.” It asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to apprise the stand of the Centre on Wednesday when it may pass some orders. Referring to the possible ”misuse’ of the provision, the bench said even the attorney general had said as to how the law was invoked even for chanting ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ and asked the Centre to come up with some response. ”We are making it very clear. We want instructions. We will give you time till tomorrow. Our specific queries are: one about pending cases and the second, as to how the government will take care of future cases...” said the bench. The law officer said the filing of FIR and the investigation are done by the states and the Centre has no role in them and there are constitutional courts for granting remedies against any misuse of the provision based on the facts of each case. “We cannot ask everyone to go attend the courts and be in jail for months. When the government itself has shown concerns about misuse then how will you protect them? We have to balance.,” the bench said.