log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2022 GOA (See page 11) IN SHORT >> Modi coming on December 11 PANAJI: After the uncertainty, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant finally confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will indeed visit the State on December 11 to address the valedictory function of 9th World Ayurveda Congress but stayed mum on whether the Mopa International Airport will be inaugurated by him the same day.   >> See pg 5 Sleuths bust party drugs racket PANAJI: In a massive crackdown on cartels, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested a father-daughter duo for smuggling a cocktail of party drugs among ‘white’ tourists in the coastal State. Ambika, the 19-year-old Russian was caught with 50 pills of Ecstasy.  >> See pg 3 9 hurt as Margao bus overturns in Khanapur BELAGAVI: Nine persons were injured when a private minibus with about 35 passengers from Goa overturned in Khanapur taluka in the wee hours of Monday. According to reports, the private minibus was heading to Bailur in Khanapur taluka carrying 35 people for a wedding party.  >> See pg 5 25-year-old dies in hit and run case OLD GOA: A person was arrested for riding in rash and negligent manner and causing the death of a pillion rider in a hit and run case reported at Chimbel. Two brothers from Xirent-Chimbel were proceeding home on a scooter when it was hit by a Swift car near the IRB Camp, along the Kadamba bypass road.  >> See pg 3 Sridao youth held in drug raid PANAJI: The arrest of a 20-year-old from Siridao has ascertained the involvement of youth in drug trafficking and its availability in the interiors of the State. Crime Branch sleuths arrested Clismon Pires with flowering and fruiting tops of the cannabis plant, suspected to be Ganja on Sunday night.  >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: TIDES 32 C 25 C 92% Low: 09.00 20.40 High: 03.08 14.05 The Goan (Playstore) 14 pages PRICE ` 8 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO. 162 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 14 2 10 EV subsidy stopped, Spanish film ‘Electric Dreams’ but plans afoot for steals thunder at IFFI closing charging stations Margao is playing with fire; motorists face torrid time with smoke reducing visibility Germany holds Spain 1-1 to keep Cup hopes alive Kudus scores 2 as Ghana stuns South Korea Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday GOA Mormugao civic body to revoke occupancy NOC to new GSL building INFO Natural ways to remove hair from stomach permanently SPORTS Gaikwad hits world record seven sixes in 43-run over INCREDIBLE TALENT ENTHRALLING AUDIENCES, SAYS THAKUR THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI France may have been the country of focus at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) but when it ended on Monday evening with a glittering closing ceremony, it was Spain and Costa Rica too that walked away with the honours. The prestigious ‘Golden Peacock’ for the best film of the festival was clinched by the Spanish film ‘Tengo sueños eléctricos’ (I have electric dreams). While the film is Spanish, its director Valentina Maurel is a Costa Rican film maker. Other awards of IFFI 2022 which were announced and presented at the closing ceremony on Monday included Iranian Nader Saeivar, who bagged the Silver Peacock for the Best Director, for his film No End. The film’s lead actor IFFI ROLL OF HONOUR DETAILED COVERAGE ON PAGE 6 Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur along with Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L Murugan, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and others during the presentation of the Golden Peacock award at the concluding function of IFFI at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium, Taleigao on Monday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Vahid Mobasseri, also earned the ‘Silver peacock’ for the best actor (male). The ‘Silver Peacock’ for Best Actor (female) was won by Daniela Marín Navarro who was the lead actor of the Gold- Golden Peacock I Have Electric Dreams Silver Peacock No End Best Actor (male) Vahid Mobasseri (No End) Best Actor (female) Daniela Marín Navarro (I Have Electric Dreams) Special Jury Award When the Waves are Gone Best Debut Film Behind The Haystacks en Peacock winning Best Film ‘I Have Electric Dreams’. Filipino filmmaker Lav Diaz got the Special Jury Award for her film ‘When the Waves are Gone’ (Kapag wala nang mga alon) and the best debut feature film award was won Asimina Proedrou for ‘Behind The Haystacks’. Director, writer and cinematographer Praveen Pension scheme for seamen to be made permanent soon Jury chief slams inclusion of ‘Kashmir Files’ PANAJI: The inclusion of controversial Vivek Agnihotri film ‘Kashmir Files’ in the competitive section earned the ire of no less than the international jury at ‘IFFI 2023’. From the stage at the closing ceremony on Monday, the jury’s chief Nadav Lapid minced no words to express surprise at its inclusion and called it “vulgar” and a propaganda film. “I feel totally comfortable to share openly these feelings here with you on stage since the spirit of the festival can truly accept also a critical discussion, which is essential for art and for life,” Lapid, an Israeli film >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa became the first State in India to halt the subsidy for purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) from August 1 but nearly four months later the government is going ahead with its plan to set up charging points across the State. The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) will spend Rs 3.2 cr to build 40 EV charging stations across Goa under FAME II guidelines. It has floated a tender inviting Expression of Interest (EoI) for selection of the firm or individual entrepreneur for supply, installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the 40 charging stations. The EoIs have to be submitted  by those having experience in the field and present their plan on a Design, Built, Operate, Finance and Transfer (DBOFT) basis.  Earlier in August, Goa withdrew its subsidy scheme for EV buyers without giving any GEDA will spend Rs 3.2 crore to build nearly 40 EV charging stations across Goa under FAME II guidelines reasons. Central and FAME-II subsidies however continue to apply to EV buyers. “Government is pleased to announce to discontinue the scheme for ‘Promotion of Electric Vehicles in the State of Goa,” the public notice issued by the Department of New and Renewable Energy states. Although no reasons were given to abruptly stop the incentive scheme for EVs, government sources had indicated that the target set for EVs under the policy being met as being one of the reasons. Ball in MoEF&CC court to constitute new coastal body NRI COMMISSIONER CONFIRMS PROCESS HAS BEGUN THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In all probability, the pension scheme for retired seafarers and widows will soon be made permanent amid allegations of an acute shortage of funds for The Goa Welfare/ Pension Scheme for Seafarers. An amendment to the scheme is all that is needed.  Ahead of its deadline on November 30, the Pramod Sawant government renewed the scheme, albeit for six months, a decision that drew flak from the Opposition leaders who have been persistently demanding to give justice for the retired seafarers. The Goan contacted the Home Department and the Office of the NRI Commissioner that confirmed the Goa government has already begun the process.  “Government is in the process of making the scheme permanent,” NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar said.  Sources further stated that the government has begun the process of amending the Scheme, which is underway in close coordination with the Department of Planning & Statistics and Social Welfare.  “Once the amendment is achieved, the Scheme will be G O O D N E W S AT L A ST „„Govt has begun process of amending the Scheme in close coordination with Department of Planning & Statistics & Social Welfare „„Once the amendment is achieved, the Scheme will be made permanent „„Under the new system, a retired seafarer will avail his pension in a single transfer unlike the present system where the Office of NRI Commissioner and Social Welfare Department is involved „„A seafarer is eligible to avail Rs 2,500 monthly pension FLASHBACK: The government, just recently, extended the scheme by another six months. However, a reliable source said, the Scheme is left with the balance amount that cannot go beyond March 2023 made permanent. Under the new system, a retired seafarer will avail his pension in a single transfer unlike the present system where the Office of NRI Commissioner and Social Welfare Department is involved,” the source said.  A seafarer is eligible to avail Rs 2,500 monthly pension.  The Goan had earlier reported that the government allocated around Rs 3 crore to fund the pension scheme, out of which the government permitted to utilize Rs 1.5 crore. Since the fund was exhausted, the NRI office sent the file for sanction to utilize the balance amount of Rs 1.5 crore, although it could not disburse the pension for September-October as the file was caught in red-tapism. The government, just recently, extended the scheme by another six months. However, a reliable source said, the Scheme is left with the balance amount that cannot go beyond March 2023. “Since the present balance is not enough to disburse pension after the end of the current financial year, the government took a back seat to make the scheme permanent. But it is on the cards… new budget allocation will be >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The issue of reconstituting the crucial Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) is now pending before the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the State’s environment ministry has already dispatched its recommendation. “It is for the MoEF&CC to now accept the recommendation and issue the notification constituting the new GCZMA,” a senior official in the State environment ministry said. The crucial watchdog of  irregularities and violations of CRZ rules along Goa’s coast has overrun  its term which ended on October 31 and is technically without powers. It was headed by Environment Secretary Arun Kumar Mishra, IAS, and had Environment Director, Dashrath  Redkar as its member-secretary. Both Mishra and Redkar continue to hold the fort and discharge routine functions only. At least two judicial authorities -- National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Bombay High Court -- during the course of proceedings related to CRZ violations have recommended that  MoEF&CC constitute the GCZMA urgently. A similar situation had emerged back in 2016, where the GCZMA had overrun its term and was left without a legal mandate to function. BRAZIL QUALIFIES FOR ROUND OF 16 Yann Sommer of Switzerland makes a save against Thiago Silva of Brazil on Monday. Casemiro struck a beautiful goal to give Brazil a 1-0 lead in the 83rd minute. The Manchester United midfielder’s strike was enough for Brazil to edge Switzerland and qualify for the Round of 16. AS STATE GEARS UP TO TACKLE LED FISHING… HC asks Centre to decide on Goa’s request for 14 boats THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Ministry of Fisheries to take an early decision into a proposal of the State government requesting 14 patrol boats to combat LED fishing in the territorial borders. During the hearing into petitions seeking directions to the State and Central govern- ments to implement their orders prohibiting LED fishing, the High Court was informed about the Goa government’s latest move into curbing the menace. Advocate General Devidas Pangam informed the Bench that they have sent a proposal to the Ministry for allocating 14 patrol boats under the scheme of the Ministry of Fisheries of the Central Government to patrol the sea. The Court, while directing the Ministry to take an early decision, has adjourned the matter for further hearing on December 7. The State Government, Central Government, Directorate of Fishermen, Indian Coast Guard, Collectors and Superintendents of Police of North and South Goa, Superintendent of Coastal Security Police, and others are the defendants in the plea. Mother-son duo kill father; Hackers hold AIIMS Delhi to ransom in cyber attack chop body, store in fridge  DEMAND RS 200 CRORE IN CRYPTOCURRENCY  DATA OF 3-4 CRORE PATIENTS COMPROMISED PTI NEW DELHI In a chilling recall of the Walkar murder case, a woman killed her husband with the help of her son from a previous marriage, chopped the body into 10 pieces and kept them in a fridge before dumping them across east Delhi, police said on Monday. Anjan Das (45) was killed on May 30 this year by his wife Poonam and stepson Deepak, residents of Kalyanpuri, who were arrested from Delhi’s Pandav Nagar on Monday. According to police, the trigger for the grisly crime was Men with swords attack police van carrying Aaftab Poonawala >> See pg 7 the fact that Das had alleged ill intentions towards her stepdaughter and Deepak’s wife as well, and he was also sending Poonam’s earnings to his another wife and eight children in Bihar. Poonam worked as a domestic help in the area. In April, Poonam hatched a conspiracy to eliminate Das with the help of her son Deepak, police said, adding that the duo on May 30 served alcohol laced with sleeping pills to him. The mother-son stabbed Das with a dagger and a knife over neck, chest and abdomen, police said, adding that after the murder, the body was kept in the room. The blood got drained from the body by the next morning and they then started cutting it into 10 pieces and kept them in the fridge. The accused dumped his body parts over the next three to four days, police said. So far, police have found six body parts. The torso and forearms of the deceased are yet to be recovered. PTI NEW DELHI Hackers have allegedly demanded an estimated Rs 200 crore in cryptocurrency from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi as its server remained out of order for the sixth consecutive day, official sources said on Monday. It is feared that data of around 3-4 crore patients could have been compromised due to the breach detected Wednesday morning. Patient care services in emergency, outpatient, inpatient and laboratory wings are being managed manually as SLEUTHS SWING INTO ACTION „„Internet services blocked on computers at the hospital „„NIC team scanning, cleaning infection from other e-hospital servers located at AIIMS „„Four physical servers arranged for restoring e-hospital services have been scanned and prepared for databases, applications „„AIIMS network sanitisation is in progress the server remained down. The India Computer Emergency Response Team (CERTIN), Delhi Police and representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs are investigating the ransomware attack. A case of extortion and cyber terrorism was registered by the Intelligence Fusion and „„Antivirus solutions organised for servers and computers… installed on nearly 1,200 out of 5,000 computers „„Twenty of 50 servers have been scanned… activity going on 24x7 „„Full sanitisation of network likely to continue Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police on November 25. Official sources said internet services are blocked on computers at the hospital on the recommendations of the investigating agencies. The AIIMS server has stored data of several VIPs, including former PMs, ministers, bureaucrats and judges. “Hackers have allegedly demanded around Rs 200 crore in cryptocurrency,” one of the sources told PTI. Meanwhile, the NIC e-hospital database and application servers for e-hospital have been restored. The NIC team is scanning and cleaning infection from other e-hospital servers located at AIIMS which are required for delivery of hospital services, an official source said.