log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday TUESDAY MAY 17, 2022 12 pages PRICE ` 6 MMC eyes garbage suction machine MARGAO: In a fresh bid to address the garbage dark spots in the commercial capital, MLAs of Margao and Fatorda, Digambar Kamat and Vijai Sardesai along with Margao Municipal Chairperson Lyndon Pereira on Monday took time off to witness a demonstration of a garbage suction machine.  >> See pg 2 Tar ball menace back at Salcete beaches MARGAO: The tar ball menace have come to haunt Salcete beaches once again after the oily substance has been found washed ashore at several stretches of the coast line in the last two days.  >> See pg 2 Banda man held in Arambol murder PERNEM: A man from Banda-Maharashtra was traced after he used Google Pay to pay the guesthouse bill and arrested in connection with the murder of a 30-year-old woman at the guesthouse at Khalchawada-Arambol.   >> See pg 2 Gaude brushes aside KA renovation fears PANAJI: Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude made light of the concerns expressed by architects and experts over the renovation of Kala Academy.  >> See pg 3 LIC shares to list on bourses today NEW DELHI: The country’s largest insurer LIC will list its shares on the stock exchanges on Tuesday after witnessing a good response from domestic investors in the initial share sale, which fetched Rs 20,557 crore to the government. Price of Corbevax for 12-14 yrs slashed NEW DELHI: Hyderabad-based pharmaceuticals firm Biological E. Ltd (BE) said it has reduced the price of its Covid-19 vaccine Corbevax to Rs 250 from Rs 840 a dose, inclusive of GST, for private vaccination centres. Two quakes rattle Assam, Meghalaya GUWAHATI: Two earthquakes of 3.9 magnitude hit Meghalaya and Assam in less than 24 hours, officials said. The first quake, recorded at 9.47 pm on Sunday in Nongpoh Meghalaya while the second was in Nagaon of Assam. WEATHER >> Max: 34.1 C Min: 27.1 C Humidity: 89% TIDES Low: High: 05.08 17.48 12.11 23.04 The Goan (Playstore) PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VII, NO. 329 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 2 P’yat elections may be held after monsoons Distressed laboratory mice raise doubts over research IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday GOA 8 No fresh tender for bypass on stilts despite cost escalation GOA Plans on to make Goa the tourism capital of India: CM  GOVT CITES RECENT SC VERDICT ON RESERVATION  TO SEEK ADVICE FROM ATTORNEY GENERAL THE GOAN I NETWORK WHAT SC SAID ON RESERVATION PANAJI The State government has decided to seek legal advice from the Advocate General on whether panchayat elections can be postponed in the State, as the State Election Commission will need some time for reservation of wards as per the recent Supreme Court’s verdict on reservation. The Supreme Court in its recent directives had directed all States and State Election Commissions to follow the triple test on the reservation of seats. The triple test involves appointment of dedicated Commission, specifying the number of OBC candidates on the „„Had directed all States and SECs to follow triple test on reservation of seats „„Triple test involves appointment of dedicated Commission, specifying number of OBC candidates on basis of actual OBC population and ensuring total reservation quota does not exceed 50% „„No reservation for OBCs can be provisioned until the triple test exercise mentioned in a 2010 Constitution bench verdict is completed in all respects „„Term of existing panchayat bodies expire on June 19 basis of the actual OBC population in those particular wards and areas, and ensuring the total reservation quota does not exceed the 50% ceiling. “No reservation for OBCs can be provisioned until the triple test exercise mentioned in a 2010 Constitution bench verdict is completed in all respects,” the SC judgment delivered in petition related to local body polls in Madhya AFTER COURT-MANDATED SURVEY ENDS… ‘Shivling’ found at site near Varanasi mosque Pradesh on May 10 stated. The term of the existing panchayat bodies will expire on June 19 and the State government now plans to hold panchayat elections after the monsoon. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday chaired a meeting with Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, Chief Secretary P K Goel, Secretary (Panchayats) Sanjay Gihar and other officials to deliberate in the matter. “Our aim is to hold panchayat elections as soon as possible. There is an SC judgement on May 10 that we have to follow the triple test. Reservation of OBC wards has >Continued on P5 PANAJI he State government has made a provision of 14 days special leave for government employees to undergo Vipassana training and some have begun availing the training offered free of cost at the training centres of Goa Vipassana Trust (GVT). The Vipassana Trust claims these meditation techniques were rediscovered by Gautama Buddha over 2500 years ago and were taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills. The Trust claims that Buddha’s non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness of full liberation. T IPL: Delhi Capitals beat Punjab Kings to boost playoff hopes Supreme Court order applicable to only Castle Rock-Kulem section, says govt THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI PWD and Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral on Monday said that the work on the double-tracking project of the South Western Railway (SWR) on the sector between Kulem and Vasco will continue unhindered as the recent court ruling was applicable only to the Castle Rock to Kullen section of the railway line. Cabral made the statement emerging out of a meeting of the Goa government and the officials of the SWR held at the Tourism (Pariyatan) Bhavan at Patto in the capital city. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and also attended by Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel apart from officials of the SWR. Earlier last week, the Su- preme Court of India had junked the clearances granted by the National Board for Wild Life to the project following a report of its Central Empowered Committee (CEC) which had held that the double-tracking was “unnecessary”. The double tracking has evoked widespread opposition among various sections of Goans, including greens and youth who express concern that it cuts through protected forests in and around the Mollem National Park. Another concern is that the project is meant to facilitate a coal transportation corridor VARANASI A local court here directed the district administration to seal a spot in the Gyanvapi Masjid complex after counsels representing the Hindu petitioners said a Shivling was found Monday during a court-mandated videography survey. A mosque management committee spokesperson disputed the claim, telling a television channel that the object was part of a fountain. He said lawyers representing the mosque committee were not fully heard before the sealing order was announced. The Hindu side claimed that the Shivling was found close to the wazookhana -- a small reservoir used by Muslims to perform ritual ablutions before offering the namaz. The claimed finding on the last day of the survey reignited the mandir-masjid debate over the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri complex located close to the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple. Civil Judge (Senior Division) Ravi Kumar Diwakar issued directions on sealing an area of the mosque on an appeal by the lawyers representing the Hindu petitioners. PTI SC to hear Gyanvapi mosque plea today NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Tuesday the plea of the management of Gyanvapi mosque against the survey of the Gyanvapi-Shringar Gauri complex in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. As per the updated list of business of the apex court for Tuesday, a bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and P S Narasimha would be hearing the plea. On Friday last, the bench, however, had refused to pass any interim order of status quo against the ongoing survey of the religious complex on the plea of the Muslim side. Not ready to lose another mosque: Owaisi LUCKNOW: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said Muslims are not ready to lose another mosque after the Babri Masjid, on a day it was claimed in a Varanasi court that a Shivling was found in the Gyanvapi complex during a survey. Referring to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya three decades ago and a 1949 incident when idols of Hindu deities surfaced there, Owaisi asked Muslims to take a pledge that they won’t allow its repeat in Varanasi. Along with the counsels representing the mosque management committee, they had accompanied the team conducting the survey, headed by a court-appointed advocate commissioner. The judge directed the district magistrate, police commissioner and CRPF commandant in Varanasi to ensure the security of the sealed area. The local court is hearing a plea by a group of women seeking permission for daily prayers before the idols on the mosque’s outer walls. The survey was ordered during this hearing and was initially stalled by the mosque management, alleging the commissioner was biased. Monday’s survey of the mosque complex started at 8 am and ended around 10.15 am. HEALTHY LIVING: MIND & BODY „„Vipassana training has been introduced as an effective instrument for change and reform in government at all levels „„The ancient and scientific meditation technique of India, is non-sectarian and can be practised by all „„As per notification, all Group A, B officers, section officers in the Secretariat and superintendents outside secretariat and all Group C employees can avail benefit „„Training can be undertaken once in three years and six times during the entire service „„Employees need to get approval from sanctioning authority along with acceptance of nomination from Goa Vipassana Trust „„After completion of training, employees have to submit the certificate „„The circular says there are no fees for the training “Many people along with some government servants are taking benefit of the Vipassana training,” said a volunteer at Goa Vipassana Trust, while speaking on condition of anonymity. The volunteer, however, refused to disclose the number of government servants who attended the course thus far. “Only a month has passed since the government issued a memorandum to allow 14 days leave for the Vipassana course. The response from government employees is slowly picking up. It depends between Mormugao port and North Karnataka which hosts several power plants and steel mills. Also, the second track in villages like Velsao and Cansaulim comes close to and could potentially cause damage to several heritage homes. These villages are in the Kullem-Vasco sector and Cabral’s assertion that the work will continue despite the Supreme Court order could potentially stir up protests again. Meanwhile Cabral said, the meeting on Monday also discussed several railway infrastructure issues including the Mangor Hill underpass, raising height of other underpasses to ensure vehicles of the Fire Force and other heavy vehicles can pass through and building of more underpasses and overpasses. Wheat prices hit record high after India export ban  AUTHORITIES, POLICE ORDERED TO SEAL SPOT  MOSQUE COMMITTEE DISPUTES CLAIM PTI 12 Railways will continue track work on Kulem-Vasco route DONA PAULA CALLING! Work in progress to give Dona Paula jetty a new look. The jetty had been closed for over 2 years as it was declared unsafe for locals and tourists alike.  Narayan Pissurlenkar PARIS  Wheat prices surged to a new record high on Monday after India decided to ban exports of the commodity as a heatwave hit production. The price jumped to 435 euros ($453) per tonne as the European market opened. Global wheat prices have soared on supply fears since Russia’s February invasion of agricultural powerhouse Ukraine, which previously accounted for 12 percent of global exports. The spike, exacerbated by fertiliser shortages and poor harvests, has fuelled inflation globally and raised fears of famine and social unrest in poorer countries. India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer, said on Saturday that it was banning exports after its hottest March on record. Govt effects major bureaucratic shuffle THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government on Monday appointed Michael D’Souza, IAS, as Director Vigilance in a significant bureaucratic reshuffle in which transferred another IAS officer, Sanjiv Gadkar as Special Secretary (Home and Personnel). Both D’Souza and Gadkar Stressed out? Get 14 days’ leave for Vipassana! THE GOAN I NETWORK 3 SPORTS on the interest of the employees and availability of time.” On March 25, 2022, Under Secretary (Personnel II) Nathine Araujo had issued a notification that a 14-day special leave can be sanctioned once in three years and six times in the entire service to attend Vipassana course organised by the Goa Vipassana Trust, Porvorim. As per notification, all Group A, B officers, section officers in the Secretariat and superintendents outside secretariat and all Group C employees can avail the benefit of the Vipassana training once in three years and six times during the entire service. The government servant has to get approval from the leave >Continued on P5 will also continue to hold their current posting of Director of Training (GIPARD) and Secretary Goa Staff Selection Commission respectively. Several other Goa civil services officers were also shifted including Sashank Thakur who was secretary to the State Information Commission as Director of Rural Development with additional charge of Project Director (DRDA) North and South Goa. Ajay Gaude has been posted as the new Director of Sports and Youth Affairs with additional charge of Executive Director, Sports Authority of Goa. Venancio Furtado has been appointed managing director of Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) and he will continue to hold his current position as Inspector General of Prisons. Vishal Kundaikar will be the new Director of Settlement and Land Records in place of Johnson B Fernandes who has been shifted as Additional Collector-III, South Goa. Surendra Naik, who was Additional Collector-I, South Goa has been posted as Joint Director (Revenue) in place >Continued on P5 Monsoon hits Andamans 6 days ahead of schedule PTI NEW DELHI Southwest monsoon has advanced into the Andaman and Nicobar islands on Monday, India Meteorological Department said six days ahead of its schedule, signalling the start of four-month seasonal rains that are crucial to the largely agri-dependent economy. The Andaman and Nicobar islands and adjoining areas have been experiencing rainfall due to strengthening south-westerly winds in the lower tropospheric levels, the weather office said. “Conditions are favourable for further advance of south- Heavy rain forecast in Goa on May 20 PANAJI: The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy showers at isolated places in Goa on May 20. It said light rain and thundershowers along with lighting and gusting winds may also hit the State from May 16 to May 18 west monsoon into some more parts of south Bay of Bengal, entire Andaman Sea & Andaman Islands and some parts of east-central Bay of Bengal during next 2-3 days, the IMD said in a statement. The presence of cyclonic circulations over Lakshadweep and north Tamil Nadu coast are expected to bring fairly widespread rainfall with isolated thunderstorm/ lightning/gusty winds with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over Kerala, Coastal & South Interior Karnataka during the next five days, it said. The weather office said isolated heavy rainfall was expected over Tamil Nadu and over Lakshadweep over the next two days. It said isolated heavy falls are also likely over coastal & south interior Karnataka on Wednesday.