log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday WEDNESDAY MAY 18, 2022 Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday 12 pages PRICE ` 6 Dark side of social media influencing The Goan (Playstore) PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VII, NO. 330 GOA 8 Battle to clean Colva creek of contamination still on 2 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 GOA Govt depts will have to vacate Baina Ravindra Bhavan: Gaude In FAR-reaching move, TCP to hike floor area for hotels TO DEVELOP KADAMBA PLATEAU AS PANAJI’S NEW SATELLITE TOWNSHIP THE GOAN I NETWORK KEY TCP BOARD DECISIONS PANAJI In major decisions which are set to alter the social and spatial landscape of the State, the Town & Country Planning Board on Tuesday decided to increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for hotels from 20% to 30% in rural areas and to 40% in urban areas, while also developing Kadamba plateau as a new satellite township of Panaji. “The board took a decision to revise FAR for hotels after processing applications with revised fees in slabs,” said TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane, who chaired the TCP board meet. “We also need to de-congest Panaji City. Kadamba Plateau is growing in that direction. In that area, we will be offering a 4 Floor Space Index (FSI)”, said Rane, while com- „„FAR for hotels to be increased from 20% to 30% in rural areas and to 40% in urban areas „„No project relaxation after commencement of construction „„To introduce a new fee structure for change of land use applications „„Board to float EoI to appoint consultants for Outline Development Plans and Regional Plan „„Board rejects request of Civil Aviation Dept to grant 20-km buffer area around Dabolim airport „„To install CCTV cameras in all TCP and PDA offices and strengthen Sections 16A and 16B of TCP Act menting on the development of Kadamba plateau. It may be recalled that the State government in 2015 had amended the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulation Act, 2010, for an additional FAR of 20 per cent for four and five starred hotels, which could be granted on the recommendations of a committee headed by the TCP secretary and with the approval of the Govern- IN SHORT >> Mancurado mango likely to get GI tag PANAJI: In what will be good news for those growing mangoes in the State, an “All Goa Mango Growers Association” has been set up to promote local mangoes and to bring Goa mango farmers under one banner. The association is also expected to get a GI tag for the famous Mancurado mango of Goa.  >> See pg 3 Hundreds of trees burnt at Mandrem PERNEM: Hundreds of trees are reported to have been destroyed in a fire on a hill at Mandrem. Mandrem MLA Jeet Arolkar visited the site and after taking stock of the situation, directed the police to lodge a complaint against the contractor concerned.   >> See pg 3 Govt eases curbs on wheat exports NEW DELHI: Relaxing norms, the government on Tuesday said it has decided to allow shipments of wheat consignments that were registered with the customs authority before the wheat export ban came into force on May 13. WEATHER >> Max: 34.2 C Min: 27.3C Humidity: 88% TIDES Low: High: 05.51 18.36 12.59 23.47 ment. Justifying the decision, the TCP minister said many starred hotels were involved in illegal constructions even after the government earlier had taken the decision to increase FAR to 20 percent for specific hotels. “Now, FAR relaxation will be given not only in the fivestar category but also in the four and a three-star category of hotels,” said Rane. “We are a tourism-oriented State and so, such relaxation is required,” he said. “All required notifications will be issued to implement the decision before the next TCP board meeting,” Rane said. In another decision, the TCP Board decided that there would be no project relaxation after commencement of the construction and to introduce a new fee structure for change Shivlings could be found in Goa too, claims Sudin of land use applications. The TCP board also decided to float an Expression of Interest to appoint consultants to finalise the new Outline Development Plans (ODP) and Regional Plan (RP). “We will take international consultants on board who will assist the Board in planning, to ensure that planning will not be in a haphazard manner,” said Rane. “Through the urban development ministry, we will assist every municipal council in creating a master plan,” he added. In another decision, the TCP board rejected the request of the Civil Aviation Department to grant a 20-km buffer area around Dabolim airport. The TCP Board also decided to install CCTV cameras in all TCP and PDA offices and to strengthen Sections 16A and 16B of the TCP Act. I SC ‘breather’ for illegal structures at Dabolim Notices issued to concerned authorities THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Supreme Court has ordered that status quo be maintained concerning illegal structures that have mushroomed around the airport at Dabolim that were set to be demolished under orders of the Bombay High Court at Goa. The Supreme Court bench of Justices L Nageshwara Rao, B R Gavai and A S Bopanna ordered the issue of notice to the relevant authorities. “Status quo, as on today, shall be maintained by the parties until further orders,” the Bench said while granting permission to file a special leave petition. The petitioners had earlier approached the Bombay High Court at Goa seeking that they be given time to regularise their structures. The petitioners admitted that they have put up illegal constructions, but they have ‘1 structure still faces demolition’ VASCO: Expressing relief over the stay granted by the Supreme Court on demolition of 44 structures near the Goa airport, residents in the area said one structure faces demolition as the owner had not filed a petition seeking a stay. “All 44 of us are relieved to have secured a SC stay, but it is sad that one structure in the neighbourhood is likely to face demolition,” said a resident. “The person lost his mental balance after the issue went to court and refused to seek a stay and neither does he have the money to go to the court.” “While a case was filed against the structures, we were not aware. When we approached the court, we were not allowed to be made party and a demolition order was issued by the HC. Finally, we had to approach SC and we managed to get relief,” the resident added. also applied for regularisation of such illegal constructions. Claiming protection under the “principles of natural justice and fair play” the applicants sought a chance to regularise their structures further claiming that regularisation can be PANAJI In a comment which may stoke a fresh round of controversy, Goa’s Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar on Tuesday hinted that sites where temples were demolished in Goa during the Portuguese regime, may also have Shivlings in the vicinity, just like the Shivling which was discovered in the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi recently. Speaking to reporters Dhavalikar also said that the Archaeological Society of India should specifically explore Goa to locate these Shivlings, even as the discovery of the Shivling at the Gyanvapi mosque has triggered a nationwide debate. “Archaeological Survey (of India) department has to work in that regard. I personally feel that there could be such ‘Shivlings’ at the sites, where the temples were demolished after 1510 century. Shivlings may be there somewhere in Goa and could be found definitely at such sites,” Dhavalikar told reporters here. Dhavalikar, who has been a strong votary of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s temple restoration initiative for which Protect Shivling site, but don’t stop namaz inside mosque: SC NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday passed an order that the Shivling area that was found inside the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi will be protected and Muslims’ right to prayer and religious observances should not be disturbed inside the mosque. A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and PS Narasimha heard the plea filed by Committee of Management Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Varanasi and said the apex court will hear parties on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Varanasi court-appointed Commission that carried out the videography survey of the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque complex has got two days to submit its report.  >> See pg 6 Rs 20 crore has been set aside in the State budget, also said that there was popular opinion backing the temple restoration initiative. “Chief Minister’s decision is final. Many want to rebuild such temples,” Dhavalikar said. The Goa government’s Department of Archives and Archaeology has already started an exercise to identify specific temples destroyed during the Portuguese era for sake of restoration. According to Minister for Archives and Archaeology Subhash Phaldesai, restoration would be carried out only in sites which are noncontroversial and at sites without active religious structures present on it currently. Legal challenge possible: Archbishop BELAGAVI: Church leaders in Karnataka said they would consider mounting a legal challenge to the Protection of Religious Freedom Bill, also known as Anti-Conversion Bill. “We have to see ways and means of finding resources to scrap the bill, including a legal route,” said Archbishop Machado, when asked what would be the Church’s position after the Karnataka government Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot gave his assent to the controversial anti-conversion ordinance. against any religion, but religious conversion by force or through inducement has no place under the legislation. Meanwhile, Archbishop of Bangalore Peter Machado who had given a memorandum to Governor Gehlot on Monday urging him not to give consent to the bill expressed sadness after the Governor consented the ordinance. “We are sad and anxious, however Christians are a peace-loving community and would not like to protest, but look out for a peaceful way to raise their concern,” Archbish- permitted even if the structures are in the funnel zone so long as some height restrictions are observed. The Bombay High Court, however, didn’t grant any >Continued on P5 Vasco police nab rape accused after 6,000 km chase WANTS ASI EXPERTS TO EXPLORE LOCATIONS THE GOAN I NETWORK 12 THE GOAN I NETWORK Rain clouds hover over the Atal Setu on Tuesday. IMD has forecast rain in the State for the next three days.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Met Dept sounds rain alert in Goa for next three days THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast rain in the State for the next three days. It said rain accompanied with lightning and winds gusting to 40kmph are likely for the next three days adding that heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places over Goa on May 19. Fishermen are requested  Governor gives assent  Church leaders, Christians call it sad day BELAGAVI n a development which has shocked Christians across Karnataka, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Tuesday has given his nod to the Protection of Religious Freedom Bill, also known as Anti-Conversion Bill. The development has come few days after the BJP government decided to take the ordinance route to introduce the contentious anti-conversion law in Karnataka. Reacting immediately, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said the step was taken to maintain peace and order in society. He said the law is not Wrestler Satender Malik gets life ban for assaulting referee RAIN ON THE HORIZON Anti-conversion Bill becomes law in Karnataka THE GOAN I NETWORK 5 SPORTS op Machado said. Bishop of Belgaum Derek Fernandes has termed the development as unfortunate and unnecessary. Earlier on Monday, a delegation of Christians on Monday had met the Karnataka Governor urging him not to sign the controversial anti-conversion ordinance. In his memorandum to Gehlot, Archbishop of Bangalore Peter Machado had claimed there are sufficient laws and court directives in place to monitor any aberration of the existing laws, hence the bill is not required. Referring to fundamental >Continued on P5 not to venture into regions of Kerala-Karnataka coasts on May 17 & 18 and Goa-South Maharashtra coast on May 19. Meanwhile, isolated places witnessed light showers across the State with the highest maximum temperature of 34.6°C being recorded at Mormugao. The department also said there may be a fall in maximum temperature by around 2°C during the subsequent three days. Weather warning has also been sounded for South Maharashtra-Goa coast. It said up to 75 km from the coast there may be squally weather with wind speed reaching 4050 km/hr gusting to 60 km/hr on May 19. IMD said beyond 75 km from the coast, squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 km/hr gusting to 60 km/hr is likely to prevail over southeast Arabian Sea, Maldives area and Gulf of Mannar. VASCO A 6,000-km chase across four states finally led Vasco police to arrest a youth from Bihar in connection with the rape of a minor girl in Vasco. On May 10, a complaint was registered at the Vasco Police Station regarding the sexual assault on a minor girl. “During the course of investigation, it was revealed that the accused, Manjit Kumar (21), had fled from Goa after the crime. Vital clues were drawn through the tenant verification and technical surveillance was mounted,” said a source. “The accused is a native of Kharsari-Bihar, but was on the run from Bihar. A Vasco police team comprising PSI Ganesh Matondkar, PC Gauresh Satardekar and PC Ganesh Gaunkar chased the accused from Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and finally detained him at Balussery in Kozhikode-Kerala after a 6,000-km chase by train.” “The accused person was brought to Goa by the Vasco police team for further investigation and has been placed under arrest under Sections 376 (iii) IPC, Section 8(2) of Goa Children’s Act and Sections 4 & 8 of POCSO Act. Vasco police is investigating the case under supervision of PI Kapil Nayak and PI Anand Shirodkar. Parties hit out at govt over delay in panchayat polls THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Revolutionary Goans (RG) have hit out at the State government’s decision to postpone panchayat elections in the State. RG Chief Manoj Parab accusing the State government is giving feeble excuses for the Supreme Court’s order on OBC reservation. “This order is not new and so, the government had the time and they should have done the necessary reservations and held elections on time,” said Parab. “The BJP knows the ground AG to offer advice today PANAJI: Advocate General Devidas Pangam has said he would give his legal opinion to the State government regarding the panchayat polls on Wednesday, since he has to get the latest order of the Supreme Court. reality and they know that the panels they will support are sure to lose badly. They now want to manipulate the polls and they are using migrant groups to form their panel, which we have seen recently, said Parab. “The BJP’s calculations and strategies have gone astray due to the RG factor and this is the reason they are postponing the elections,” he added. AAP Spokesperson Surel Tilve said the BJP did not want to hand over power to the Aam Aadmi. “They want to control these autonomous and constitutional institutions. They were well aware that the term of panchayats is expiring in June and yet, they have not prepared for elections,” said Tilve. >Continued on P5