log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday MONDAY JANUARY 30, 2023 GOA Greens see red over cutting of 26 trees at Karmalghat Goa paying heavy price for widened roads, highways? >> See pg 3 IN SHORT >> Tolleaband going the Salpem lake way? MARGAO: Will the Tolleaband water body in Benaulim go the picturesque Salpem lake in Navelim way, where the western bypass was laid and commissioned sans stilts by constructing a huge earthen embankment?   >> See pg 2 Police arrest man wanted in Kolkata OLD GOA: The Old Goa police arrested an accused Greville Eric Henry wanted by the Howrah police, Kolkata, in connection with a cheating case. According to information available, Howrah PSI Sirshendo Golabari approached the Old Goa police station and provided information about the accused Henry, resident of Thane-Maharashtra who was wanted in a cheating case. BJP zeroes in on Priya as MMC chief MAPUSA: The BJP has cleared the name of a novice and reticent councilor of ward 10, Priya Mishal as the candidate of the ruling BJP group to the post of Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council ignoring a more charismatic Nutan Bicholkar, who is the councilor of ward 5. The election of the new chairperson is scheduled to be held on January 31.  >> See pg 6 Dust pollution issue rules gram sabha OLD GOA: The issue of dust pollution caused due to the underground power cabling work was discussed at the Azossim-Mandur gram sabha with locals demanding that water be sprinkled on the dug portion. Mini water plant at Assagao gets nod MAPUSA: Assagao locals gave a go ahead to construct a mini water filtration plant and a water tank which will help in reducing the complex issue of irregular supply of pipeline water. The villagers also decided to hike garbage tax for commercial units. WEATHER >> Max: 33 C Min: 20 C Humidity: 75% TIDES Low: High: 12:04 ---04:32 19:48 Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday 12 pages PRICE ` 8 3 The Goan (Playstore) PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO. 222 GOA Solar energy underutilised in State that enjoys 275 sunny days? 5 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 9 INFO Ways to use onion juice for hair growth Shah’s Mhadei statement triggers outrage in State n GRAM SABHAS SLAM UNION MINISTER n PROTESTS ON CARDS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The statement on Mhadei by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at a party rally in Belgavi on Saturday set the proverbial cat among the pigeons in Goa through Sunday. Shah’s comments propelled the vexed inter-State water sharing dispute with Karnataka to the discussion table at Gram Sabha meetings across North and South Goa and on the political stage Chief Minister Pramod Sawant continued to be the target with Opposition and civil society accusing him of betraying the State. In Mhadei heartland of Sattari, the Keri Gram sabha resolved to oppose Karnataka’s projects on the river while the Curti-Ponda and Korgao-Pernem panchayats condemned Shah’s Mhadei diversion comments. Assagao gram sabha also resolved not to allow diversion of Mhadei river and urged the Centre to withdraw the permission granted to the Karnataka government’s detailed project report on river Mhadei. Down South too, the Chicalim and  Camurlim  pancayats also had gram sabha resolutions opposing Mhadei diversion by Karnataka unanimously passed. While Camurlim village gram sabha demanded that the Goa government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant come DETAILED REPORTS ON PAGE 2 clear on the controversy, Chicalim gram sabha oppose the diversion of water from Mhadei with Sarpanch stating that the Mhadei was the lifeline of Goa.  The Sawant government, sandwiched as it is on the issue between the BJP’s electoral posturing in Karnataka and Goa’s own interests on Mhadei, has made the legal recourse in the Supreme Court its talking point.  Meanwhile the Save Mhadei Save Goa Front, which had organised a massive rally in Sanquelim on January 16, held a press conference where it threatened a mass protest movement over the diversion of Mhadei waters. Leaders slammed the statement of Shah and hinted that massive protests would be organized in the coming days. Speaking to reporters in Panaji, on Sunday, Front member Hrudaynath Shirodkar informed that in the next 15 days, the people themselves would organize protests as the BJP government has betrayed Goans on the Mhadei issue. “There is a strong possibility of Goans getting aggressive as we are receiving calls from various quarters of taking the movement forward in an aggressive mode. However, it will be the people who will take the movement forward from now on,” Shirodkar said. “We are getting calls of the need to close the borders but it is the people who are going to take the lead and we are going to extend support,” Shirodkar informed. When pointed out by the reporters that the people on their own would not hit the streets unless the Front, which has been leading the movement, gives such a call, Shirodkar informed that the Front has given a platform to the people and it is now up to the people to use the platform and take the movement forward. Bullet pierces through heart and lung PTI BHUBANESHWAR Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das died after battling bullet injuries for several hours after being shot by a policeman, Apollo Hospital officials said. A team of doctors operated on him after he was airlifted from Jharsugada to Bhubaneshwar, hospital officials said. Das, who was 60-years old, was shot through the heart at Brajrajnagar town around 1 pm when the minister was on his way to attend a programme in the district. On operating (it) was found that a single bullet had entered and exited the body, injuring the heart and left lung, and causing massive internal bleeding and injury. The injuries were repaired, and steps were taken to improve pumping of the heart. He was given urgent ICU care. But, despite best of efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries, the hospital said in a statement. In a statement, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik described Das as a “grass root person” and said he was “loved and respected by all, PTI P Djokovic wins Australian Open title to equal Nadal’s Slam record Modi, Patnaik shocked BHUBANESHWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed shock and condoled the death of Das and prayed for the departed soul. Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Saddened by Minister Naba Kishore Das moments the unfortunate before he was shot. demise of Minister in Odisha Government, Shri Naba Kishore Das Ji. Condolences to his family in this tragic hour. Om Shanti, Modi said in a tweet. In a statement, Patnaik, who was believed to be close to Das, said he is shocked and distressed. THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO  Goa Forward Party chief and Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sardesai and Curtorim Independent MLA Reginaldo Lourenco have called for an urgent meeting of House Committee on Mhadei to discuss Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on the dispute. Sardesai shot off a letter to WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar asking him to take cognisance of the emerging developments following Shah’s statement on Mhadei at the rally in Belagavi in Karnataka and summon Sawant before the committee to give his explanation. Sardesai in his letter requested Shirodkar to convene a meeting of the House Committee without any loss of time to get to the bottom of what he called as a sordid issue involving the Goa Chief Minister and his party, and also summon the Chief Minister before this cutting across parties and sections of people.” Das was shot by Assistant Sub-inspector of Police (ASI) Gopal Das, who is believed to be suffering from mental disorder. In a video footage in possession of PTI, Naba Kishore Das is seen bleeding from the chest with people trying to lift the injured minister, who seemed unconscious, and place him on the front seat of a car. Initially, he was taken to the Jharsuguda district headquarters hospital, the SDPO said. Das was airlifted to Bhubaneswar in an air ambulance and admitted to Apollo Hospital, Bhubaneswar. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar, Prateek Singh said a green corridor was set up in the state capital for ferrying the minister to the hospital from airport. India won their maiden ICC title in women’s cricket as the teenagers lifted the inaugural U-19 World Cup with an emphatic 7-wicket victory over England BOWLERS SHINE „„Pace sensation Titas Sadhu led bowling attack and leg-spinner Parshavi Chopra dished out a superlative performance „„Sadhu returned with impressive figures of 4-0-6-2 while Chopra too snapped two for 13 „„Chasing a target of 69, India reached the target in 14 overs losing only three wickets „„India’s rank in patent filling is seventh globally while it is fifth in trademark registration „„India’s patent registration has risen by 50% in the last five years „„Its ranking in the global innovation index has registration has risen by 50 per cent in the last five years, the prime minister said, noting its ranking in the global innovation index has surged to 40 from below 80 in 2015. “I am confident that India’s dream of techade will be fulfilled by its innovators and their patents,” he said. The premier Indian Institute of Science had 145 patents in 2022 which is a rare record, MODI’S MANN KI BAAT surged to 40 from below 80 in 2015 „„I am confident that India’s dream of techade will be fulfilled by its innovators and their patents „„Total number of wetlands in the country has increased to 75 from 26 in 2014. „„It is also a tribute to our age-old culture and tradition of living in harmony with nature „„These wetlands of India are also an example of our natural potential. Modi said. In the broadcast, he informed people that the total number of Ramsar sites, an international recognition for wetlands, in the country has increased to 75 from 26 in 2014. Lauding local communities, Modi said they deserve praise for preserving biodiversity. “It is also a tribute to our age-old culture and tradition of living in harmony with nature. These wetlands of India are also an example of our natural potential. Chilika Lake of Odisha is known to shelter more than 40 waterbird species. Kaibul-Lamjaa, Loktak, is considered to be the only natural habitat of the Swamp Deer,” he said. Touching on the subject of e-waste, the prime minister said if it is not disposed of ` 5 CRORE REWARD „„BCCI announced a whopping cash reward of Rs 5 crore for the entire India squad GERMANY WINS HOCKEY WORLD CUP G second-half to take a 3-2 lead. However, Belgium equallised in the dying embers of normal time from a penalty corner. In the penalty shootout, Germany eventually prevailed 5-4. (REPORTS ON pg 12) ermany on Sunday clinched their third men’s Hockey World Cup title after beating defending champions Belgium 5-4 in shootout in Bhubaneshwar. Trailing 0-2 at the break, Germany scored three goal in the properly, it can also harm the environment but if dealt with carefully, it can become a great force in the circular economy of recycling and reusing. Noting that a United Nations report said 50 million tonnes of e-waste is being generated every year across the world, Modi said if the weight of all the commercial planes built so far is combined, it will not equal the amount of e-waste being released. It is like every second 800 laptops are being thrown away, he said. Use of technologies and start-ups have made India a “global recycling hub”, Modi said, adding there is no dearth of start-ups that are doing innovative work in this direction. “Those working in the field of e-waste say that at present, only 15-17 per cent of e-waste is being recycled every year,” the prime minister said. In his address, Modi noted that this year’s Padma awards, described by him as “People’s Padma”, include a number of tribal people or those working for the community besides those who have strengthened the world of music. “Many awardees are those who always kept the country paramount, dedicating their lives to the principle of ‘’nation first’’. They never expected any reward for it. “The satisfaction of those they are working for is the biggest award for them. Our countrymen’s pride has risen by honouring such dedicated people,” he said. Lauding a book, ‘’India - The Mother of Democracy’’, the prime minister said Indians are also proud of the fact that their country is the “mother of democracy”. 11 Vijai, Reginaldo for urgent House committee meet Odisha minister shot by WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP: police, dies in hospital India makes history, defeat Eng India’s ‘techade’ dream will be fulfilled by innovators: PM NEW DELHI rime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said domestic patent filings have outscored the country’s foreign patent filings as he expressed confidence that India’s dream of “techade” -his call for Indian technologies to dominate the decade -- will be fulfilled on the strength of its innovators. This underscores the country’s increasing scientific capabilities, he said in the first episode of ‘’Mann ki Baat’’ in the New Year. Modi has in the past used “techade” to describe the decade being dominated by homegrown technologies. He said India’s rank in patent filling is seventh globally while it is fifth in trademark registration. India’s patent SPORTS House Committee. Lourenco on his part made a plea to the people to stop criticism and unite to protect Mhadei He said he will send his letter to the Chairman of the House Committee on Monday to convene a meeting of the Panel to discuss the issue. He also said everyone understands the intensity of the Mhadei and that no one is shying away from the issue. Calling for united efforts to win the war on Mhadei, the Independent MLA said Goa had already lost one battle on Mhadei over a decade ago and is fighting Karnataka in the second battle. “All I want to appeal to our people is not to criticize, but to unite to save Madhei and win the final war”, he said. Budget session: Govt calls for all-party meet PTI NEW DELHI The government has called an all-party meeting on Monday, a day ahead of the start of the Budget Session of Parliament. The customary meeting, called by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, is to be held at noon on January 30 in Parliament Annexe Building. During the meeting, the government is expected to seek cooperation from all parties for the smooth running of Parliament. Opposition parties are expected to raise matters of concern during the meeting and also highlight issues they plan to raise during the session. In the afternoon, a meeting of National Democratic Alliance floor leaders will also be held to strategise floor cooperation. The Budget Session will be held in two parts. The session will begin with President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. Economic Survey will be tabled after the President’s address. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on February 1. The Union Budget 2023-24 may be the last full budget before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Modi praises Goa for hosting Purple Fest THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Purple Fest organised by the Goa government earlier this month came in for praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ on Sunday lauding such campaigns which he said will be effective for ‘Accessible India’. Modi dedicated a full two and a half minutes of his Maan ki Baat to speak about the ‘purple fest’ where he said more than 50K participated.   He also spoke of the activities of the differently-abled participants of the fest including their excursion to the Miramar beach, bird watching and the various sports events.   “I have faith that such events will prove very effec- tive to realise our vision of accessible India,” Modi said. Meanwhile Chief Minister Pramod Sawant took to Twitter to acknowledge the special mention of the ‘Purple Fest’ by the Prime Minister in his Maan ki Baat. “Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji made a special mention in today’s #MannKiBaat about the unique #PurpleFest, India’s first inclusive programme organised by Goa Government at Panaji,” Sawant said while uploading the Maan Ki Baat clip on his twitter handle in a series of tweets.  “I thank Hon’ble PM for taking the unique festival to lengths and breadths of India,” Sawant said in another tweet.