log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 14 pages GOA Parking project: Waste dumped on PDA ground 20 yrs ago comes to haunt PWD Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday The Goan (Playstore) PRICE ` 8 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO. 80 2 GOA Phogat murder case: Police custody of main accused extended 3 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Chocolate peel off face mask for an instant glow State has no power to raze illegal CRZ structures: NGT TRIBUNAL SAYS DISTRICT PANELS ALSO HAVE NO AUTHORITY KEY NGT OBSERVATIONS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a major setback to the Goa government, the Special Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed that neither the State nor the District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) can order the demolition of a Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violating structure. The order on the validity of delegation of power to issue demolition orders under section 5 of the Environmental Protection Act came in response to a petition that was filed by activist Kashinath Shetye. The petitioner, in his argument before the five-member Bench headed by Adarsh Kumar Goel, submitted that the powers delegated by the Min- IN SHORT >> Farmers face-off with officials at IIT site SANGUEM: Agitated over frequent statements by Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai and recent statement by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that the government is firm on the IIT project in Sanguem, a group of farmers on Tuesday confronted survey officials undertaking demarcation process at the proposed IIT site in Cotarli-Sanguem.   >> See pg 3 Land grab: Accused held in second case PANAJI: Rajkumar Maithi, one of the masterminds of the land fraud, was on Monday arrested in a second case registered against him by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Goa Police.   >> See pg 3 Govt to appoint 7 more Kisan Mitras PANAJI: The government has issued an advertisement to recruit 7 Kisan Mitras on contract basis. The Kisan Mitras are expected to provide farmers with info regarding various government services, schemes and subsidies. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: TIDES 31 C 25 C 90% Low: 01.30 High: 08.58 14.40 19.54 „„Goa govt in exercise of the powers conferred under Sec 6 (c) of the CRZ Notification 2011, constituted North Goa DLCMC under the Chairmanship of the District Magistrate (North) „„Order shows that District Committee has been empowered not only to assist State/GCZMA but also to pass order under Sec 5 of EP Act which can be exercised only by the State or GCZMA „„NGT observed impugned order is unsustainable. Under Sec 23 of the EP Act, 1986, delegation is permissible only by the Central Government „„State delegated power to issue orders under Sec 5 which power cannot be further delegated „„Para 6 (c) of Notification states to delegate powers to the District Committee to assist State/CZMA and not the power under Sec 5 istry of Environment and Forests, and the National Coastal Zone Management Authority to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority cannot be further delegated to any agency. Ironically, the State government was not represented by any counsel till the verdict was delivered on Tuesday. In its findings, the NGT observed that a government order empowering DLMC to assist the State and the GCZMA as well as to pass orders under section 5 of the Act, is unsustainable. “Under section 23 of the EP Act, delegation is permissible only by the Central Government… It is thus clear that power under section 5 to give directions can be issued only by the Central Government or delegated only by the Central Government and not by the State of Goa,” reads the order adding, “The State Government has been delegated power to issue orders under Section 5 which Soon, `1000 fine for not wearing rear seatbelts! NEW DELHI The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Tuesday approved Bharat Biotech’s intranasal Covid vaccine for restricted emergency use in those aged above 18 years. “Big Boost to India’s Fight Against Covid! Bharat Biotech’s ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S COVID-19 (Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored) recombinant nasal vaccine approved by @CDSCO_INDIA_INF for primary immunization against Covid in 18+ age group for restricted use in emergency situation,” Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Asia Cup: India loses to Sri Lanka, stare at elimination NEW DELHI  Those sitting in the back of a car and not wearing a seat belt will be fined Rs 1000, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Tuesday, two days after Cyrus Mistry died in a car crash near Mumbai. Mistry, former Tata Sons Chairman, was sitting in the back seat and was not wearing a seat belt as his speeding Mercedes crashed into a divider in the Palghar district of Maharashtra on Sunday. “Already, it’s mandatory to wear seat belt at the rear seat but people are not following it. There will be a siren if the people at the rear seat don’t wear belts like for the front seats. And if they don’t wear belts, there will be a fine,” said Gadkari, adding government will release a notification in the next three days detailing the penalty involved. He said, “previously there was a penalty for not wearing seatbelt for the driver and co-passenger only, but we have updated the law to include rear seat passengers.” Taking fines is not the motive but spreading awareness is, he said on the compulsory use of seat belts for those sitting in the back. He said by 2024 the goal is to reduce the road fatalities by 50 per cent. ADVANTAGES „„Likely to block both infection, transmission „„Non-invasive & needle-free „„Easy to administer „„Eliminates needle-associated risks „„Suits children & adults tweeted. He said this step will further strengthen “our collective fight” against the pandemic. India has harnessed its science, research and development (R&D), and human re- 14 Goan-origin Suella Braverman appointed UK Home Secretary QUEEN APPOINTS TRUSS AS BRITAIN’S NEW PM PTI LONDON Suella Braverman, the Conservative Party member of Parliament for Fareham in south-east England, was on Tuesday appointed as the UK’s new Home Secretary, succeeding fellow Indian-origin colleague Priti Patel. The 42-year-old barrister, who until now served as the Attorney General in the Boris Johnson led government, was among the first contenders to throw her hat in the ring to replace Johnson as Tory leader and Prime Minister. Earlier, Conservative Party leader Liz Truss was formally appointed as Britain’s new Prime Minister by Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the third female premier of the country. Braverman was named as the Home Secretary by newly-appointed Prime Minister Liz Truss. “I want to embed the opportunities of Brexit and tidy Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Conservative Party leader Liz Truss after she travelled to the 96-year-old monarch’s Balmoral Castle residence in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on Tuesday. Goans in UK congratulate Suella on her appointment as Home Secretary >> See pg 3 up the outstanding issues and cut taxes, said Braverman, a prominent member of the pro-Brexit wing of the Conservatives who wants a clear break from Europe, including taking the UK out of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). She referenced her personal migrant story as the London-born daughter of Hindu Tamil mother Uma and Goan-origin father Christie Fernandes, who migrated to the UK from Mauritius and Kenya respectively in the 1960s. They loved Britain. It gave them hope. It gave them >Continued on P5 Change of guard at Colvale jail soon TRADITION COMES ALIVE! SECURITY APPARATUS AT THE JAIL WILL BE HANDLED BY GOA POLICE, SAYS CM AGENCIES THE GOAN I NETWORK Already, it’s mandatory to wear seat belt at the rear seat but people are not following it. There will be a siren if the people at the rear seat don’t wear belts… the government will come out with a notification in the next three days — Nitin Gadkari Answering a direct question on what the fine for not wearing a rear belt would be, the minister said, “the minimum fine is Rs 1,000." Asked whether enforcement will be problematic since State governments have a say in the matter, the minister said, “No. I don’t think so. They always support us.” “There are cameras and anywhere people who aren’t following can be caught easily,” said Gadkari. Asked if compulsory installation of airbags in the back seat will drive up the cost, the Minister underscored that saving lives is vital. India’s first nasal Covid vaccine gets all clear PTI power cannot be further delegated, in view of well-known principle “delegatus non potest delegare”… Accordingly, we allow this application and direct that impugned order to the extent it enables the DLMC to pass an order under Section 5 will be void and inoperative but all other powers within the scope in Para (6) (of the Coastal sone notification 2011) can be exercised by the DLC.” The petitioner had challenged the Goa government’s order dated September 7, 2017 purportedly issued under Para 6 (c) of the CRZ Notification, 2011 wherein it inter alia delegated power to issue orders under Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act to District level committees, without having any such powers to sub-delegate orders. 9 SPORTS sources in the fight against Covid under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, he said. “With the science-driven approach & Sabka Prayas, we will defeat Covid,” Mandaviya also said. Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) completed clinical trials of the nasal vaccine with about 4,000 volunteers and there is no side effect or adverse reaction reported so far, company sources had said. In August, it said its Covid intranasal vaccine (BBV154) has proven to be safe, well-tolerated, and immunogenic in subjects in controlled clinical trials phase -3. A traditional float sails along the bank of Cumbarjua canal on Tuesday. As per traditions, the Cumbarjua Sangodd is celebrated on the 7th day of Ganesh immersion. (Report & more photos on Pg 3)  Narayan Pissurlenkar Consider better pension for those retired prematurely: HC to govt THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Bombay High Court at Goa has ordered the State government to consider the claims of a fresh set of government employees -- mainly teachers -- who were prematurely retired by the State government, to ascertain whether they met the qualifying criteria as previous petitioners who were granted an enhanced pension as if they had retired at the age of 60. Hearing a petition filed by the All Goa Government Pensioners Association and the All Goa Prematurely Retired Government Employees, among others, the High Court ruled that while the petitioners failed to specify whether they qualified, the government could be directed to ex- amine the individual claims. “There is substance in (government’s) contention about the absence of particulars and the vagueness in the reliefs applied. However, at the same time, it does appear that several Government employees, entitled to continue in service until they attain the age of 60 years, were retired at the age >Continued on P5 PANAJI Unhappy over the Colvale Jail’s overall functioning and lack of facilities, the State government has decided on a major overhaul with Goa Police to handle its security apparatus. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant conducted a surprise inspection of the Central Jail only to find that certain recreational centres were ill-functioning. The visit that also comes at the backdrop of illegalities reported from the prison saw the CM pulling up the senior jail officials. “We have decided to hand over the security management of the jail to the police department. In the past, Civil Service officers were appointed as Inspector General of Prison. Now, we will have a Superintendent of Police level officer to take over as IG Prison,” the CM said. While the SP rank officer will handle the overall functioning with an emphasis on security, Deputy Superintendent of Police and Police Inspector rank officers will be subordinating him at this facility. With this, the government has proposed to have Administrative Reforms in the Prisons Department. In the past, Civil Service officers were appointed as Inspector General of Prison. Now, we will have a Superintendent of Police level officer to take over as IG Prison — Pramod Sawant The CM also interacted with the inmates who narrated their ordeal while in jail. Sources said the Prisons officials including the superiors were unaware about the visit. Sawant said key focus will be on better overall control, health facilities to inmates and enhanced training facilities for inmates as well as staff. On the jail premises small scale industries in which the inmates are engaged will also be revamped with addition of activities like dairy, he said. Sawant also expressed displeasure over the lack of continuous training to the jail guards. Drastic rise in crimes, offences against senior citizens THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI n a State where the law enforcement agency claims to have in place various measures for senior citizens’ safety, offenses against older adults saw an increase by 62 percent last year. Of 50 cases, four citizens were hacked to death. The brutal double murder of Minguel Miranda and his mother-in-law Caterina Pinto in Fatorda were among the two cases of murder registered in 2021.  The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for the last calendar year reveals the State reported 50 cases of ‘crime against senior citizens,’ a considerable increase from 31 cases reported in 2020 I NCRB STATISTICS SAY IT ALL „„Last year State reported 50 cases of ‘crime against senior citizens,’ an increase from 31 cases in 2020 and 40 cases in preceding year „„Cases relate to criminal trespass, forgery, grievous and simple injuries, cheating, kidnap, etc  „„In all these cases there has been zero conviction while four cases have ended up in acquittal  „„State has one of the highest pendency of cases @ 97.8% „„Of 50 cases reported last year, 28 pending investigation, 21 chargesheeted and one case was ‘abated’ „„In all, 182 cases are pending trial of which 30 were charge-sheeted in 2021 and 40 cases in the preceding year. These cases also constitute criminal trespass, forgery, grievous and simple injuries, cheating, kidnap, etc.  Zero conviction has also been a cause of concern for Goa where the proportion of senior citizens is highest in the country. The State also has one of the highest pendency of cases.  Data indicates that while the pendency percentage is at 97.8, the small State has reported zero convictions in 2021 and 2020 whereas four cases have ended up in acquittal.  The police have admitted that in four other cases, the investigation team disposed off the FIRs owing to either insufficient evidence or untraceable suspects, or lack of clues, despite the facts of these cases being true.   Out of 50 cases reported last year, 28 are pending investigation, 21 are charge-sheeted and one case was ‘abated’ during the probe.  In all, 182 cases are pending trial of which 30 were charge-sheeted in 2021 which included FIRs of the previous year.  The State police have repeatedly claimed that they have set up a system to ensure that senior citizens, living without a family, are safe. The State police also maintain a record of such elderly with the help of a survey by the beat police, who are also assigned the task to visit these elders regularly.