log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday MONDAY FEBRUARY 20, 2023 GOA Saxttikars keep date with Margao Carnival float parade Poor conditions at children’s shelter homes need attention >> See pg 3 IN SHORT >> Govt faces acid test on anti-coal cases MARGAO: The BJP-led ruling dispensation faces an acid test as the clock has started ticking for the government to take a stand on the application filed by the anti-coal activists before a Margao court for their discharge in the historic November 1-2, 2020 historic Chandor midnight protest case.  >> See pg 2 Mapusa merchants want laws amended MAPUSA: Coming under the scrutiny of the High Court on illegal transfer of shops/stalls in the Mapusa municipal market, the Mapusa Merchant’s Association unanimously resolved to approach Urban Development Minister, Viswajit Rane and Mapusa MLA, Joshua D’Souza and impress them to amend the laws to safeguard the interest of shop/stall owners in the State.  >> See pg 3 Locals want govt say on River Sal work MARGAO: The gram sabha of the village panchayat of Cavelossim on Sunday have resolved to take up with the government the construction of the break water facility at the mouth of river Sal on account of the massive sea erosion witnessed last month. >> See pg 2 Residents ready for garbage tax hike MAPUSA: Bardez villagers will have to cough up more money to pay for collection of waste as the gram sabha unanimously decided to increase garbage tax . After a lengthy discussion it was finally resolved to impose a garbage tax of Rs 600 per annum for individual houses and flats while Rs 1,200 per annum for rented rooms. Chain snatched from woman at Pomburpa PANAJI: An unidentified person on Sunday snatched a gold chain of a woman from Pomburpa. The accused is alleged to have come on a renta-bike. He later fled towards the jungle leaving the bike on the road. Porvorim police have booked an offence against an unidentified person. WEATHER >> Max: 32 C Min: 22 C Humidity: 85% TIDES Low: High: 04:56 16:56 10:36 23:42 Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday The Goan (Playstore) 12 pages PRICE ` 8 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO. 243 2 GOA MLA confident of Goa government winning Mhadei case in SC 3 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Guilty pleasure foods actually good for your health AFFIDAVIT IN HC SAYS WILL NOT GO AHEAD WITH PROJECT REAL ESTATE MAJOR’S AFFIDAVIT IN HC THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO In what is seen as a major victory for Carmonkars after a long drawn battle against the mega housing project, Mumbai-based Raheja Universal Pvt. Ltd has finally decided not to implement the group housing project in Carmona village. In fact, the real estate major has filed an affidavit in the High Court earlier this month categorically stating that it has taken an in-principle decision not to implement the group housing project in its property at Carmona. Raheja Universal further stated that it does not propose to undertake any activities based upon the permissions, including the technical clearance and the construction licenses. In fact, Raheja told the Court that it does not propose to even apply for any renewal of the technical clearance „„Raheja Universal has taken an in-principle decision not to implement the group housing project in its property at Carmona „„Does not propose to undertake any activities based on permissions, including technical clearance and construction licenses „„Will not apply for renewal of Technical Clearance Order dated 28.05.2015 as also Construction License dated 15.09.2015 The Raheja Universal property at Carmona. order and the construction licence dated 15.09.2015. After receiving the technical clearance order dated May 28, 2015, the Rajehas had obtained the construction license on September 15, 2015, which later got lapsed after the completion of the three year period on September 15, 2018. The Technical Clearance Order was issued to the Rahejas with the condition that the same shall be valid for three years from the date of issuance of Construction License, provided the Construction License is issued within the period of three years. The affidavit filed in the High Court in the Public Interest Litigation filed by the three petitioners, Carmona Village Social And Welfare Forum through Succorro Miranda, Joaozinho Da S F A Martins and Lenin Sebastiao D’Costa, clearly stated that the Rahejas have taken an in principle decision not to implement the project, namely group housing in the property. Locals oppose copter rides over heritage monuments It was further stated in the affidavit that the real estate developer will not apply for renewal of the Technical Clearance Order dated 28.05.2015 as also the Construction License dated 15.09.2015, as it does not wish to go ahead with the project. The petitioners had moved the High Court challenging the validity of certain amendments to The Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010. Further, the petitioners also T challenged certain permissions granted to respondent Raheja based on such amendments. The High Court has since disposed off the petition, but since the Court has not adjudicated on the issue of the constitutional validity/vires of the amendments, the Court has said the issue is left open. Petitioner in the High Court Socorro Miranda on Sunday announced the decision by >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO In a first fatal accident on the new Zuari bridge, a 61-yearold man lost his life while his wife was seriously injured after being hit by a car driven by a tourist on Sunday. Rosario D'Sousa from Benaulim died on the spot while his wife who was the pillion rider suffered serious injuries after a tourist who was driving rent-a-cab vehicle on new Zuari bridge dashed against the scooter which D'Souza was riding. The incident was reported on Sunday morning and Verna police have detained the accused driver of swift car. Speaking to The Goan, Verna PSI Sanket Talkar there was rise in the number of accidents and requested people to drive cautiously after three fatal accidents were reported in three consecutive days. "We also request people to give way to Ambulance on highways which may be carrying injured patients", Talkar said. PSI Talkar is carrying out OLD GOA The Old Goa locals have voiced their opposition to the helicopter rides over the world heritage monuments while expressing fears over the safety of the monuments in case any mishap occurs. Raising the issue at the Se Old Goa gram sabha, on Sunday, a local Glen Cabral informed that the safety of the world heritage monuments is being compromised by allowing the helicopter riders over them. “If any mishap occurs, it will endanger the monuments. Are we going to wait for that to happen?” Cabral questioned and urged the panchayat authorities to write to the company operating the heli-rides not to fly the helicopters over the monuments. “Also there is a need to declare the airspace around the monuments as a no-fly zone,” Cabral added and urged that the authorities concerned be sent a memorandum to this effect. He also questioned why P’yat to write to company OLD GOA: Sarpanch Sandra Gonsalves has told reporters that the panchayat would write to the company concerned and seek the documents on the basis of which the heli-rides are being operated. the permission from the panchayat was not sought while starting the heli-ride services. Cabral then urged the panchayat authorities to write to the company seeking explanation over not intimating the panchayat about the same. The issue of Mhadei was also raised with the locals unanimously resolving to oppose the approval of Karnataka’s DPR by the Centre. The panchayat authorities have been urged to send the resolution to all the authorities concerned citing opposition of Old Goa locals. Cabral also raised the issue of film shooting in Old Goa which inconveniences the locals and which is being done without informing the panchayat. “The ESG should intimate the local panchayat about any permission granted for film shooting and it should not be at the cost of inconvenience to the locals. Also, the revenue earned by ESG has to be shared with the panchayat,” Cabral demanded. Responding on the issue, sarpanch Gonsalves said that the panchayat would write to the ESG on the concerns raised by the locals. The issue of unauthorized fish and other businesses being undertaken near the overbridge was also raised with local Bernadette Fernandes stating that traffic problems occur in the area due to parking of vehicles on the road by the customers. >Continued on P5 MAJOR BLOW „„Buckingham Palace’s official Instagram handle, which shares updates on King Charles and the royal family’s official engagements, saw a dip in followers from 13 million to 12.9 million this week „„The official Instagram handle is currently followed by 12.9 million with 4,148 posts „„In the latest post, the palace informed that 12 newly commissioned pieces of music will be performed at the coronation London, displaying musical talent from across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. “A range of musical styles and performers blend tradition, heritage and ceremony with new musical voices of today, reflecting The King’s life- long love and support of music and the arts,” the post read. King Charles has personally “commissioned the new music and shaped and selected the musical programme for the Service, which will feature: a new Coronation Anthem by Andrew Lloyd Webber, a Coronation March by Patrick Doyle, a new commission for solo organ embracing musical themes from countries across the Commonwealth by Iain Farrington,” it informed. Paying a tribute to his late father, The Duke of Edinburgh, “Greek Orthodox music will also feature in the Service performed by the Byzantine Chant Ensemble.” The official logo for King Charles coronation, to feature in street parties, social media and souvenirs, has also been revealed by Buckingham Palace. It has been created by Sir Jony Ive, known for his innovative designs of Apple gadgets, including the iPhone. This is a more traditional image, with flowers forming the shape of the St Edward's The vehicles involved in the accident on the new Zuari bridge on Sunday. further investigation under the supervision of PI Diego Gracias and guidance of Mormugao DySP Salim Shaikh. Meanwhile, fatal motor vehicle accidents have seen a steady rise this year with 46 road accident deaths reported in Goa since January 1. A whopping 404 accidents have taken place in Goa just over one-and half month and 46 persons have succumbed. This amounts to nearly one death per day. Japanese tourist duping: Anjuna police file FIR THE GOAN I NETWORK Want airspace around monuments a no-fly zone THE GOAN I NETWORK 12 1st fatal mishap on new Zuari bridge, elderly man dies THE KING IS HERE! The following alleged accused persons were booked: Dhaval Kumar Odhavjibhai Sojitra (28) who resides in Arambol but native of Surat, Gujarat, Nidhin N S (32), Dilshad Najeeb M P (27), Ajin Joiy (20) all from Kerala, MAPUSA Days after a Japanese tourist complained in a tweet that he was allegedly assaulted and cheated by someone impersonating as cops in Goa, Anjuna Police on Sunday registered a case of robbery against unknown persons. The Japanese tourist Tatsuki Teramoto in his tweet said that some unknown persons impersonating as Police Officers restrained him and committed theft of his credit and debit cards, IPhone, Indian currency of Rs 30,000 and Japanese currency of 1,50,000 Yen. He further said that the accused persons used his credit and debit cards at various stores cheating him of Rs 10,000. Anjuna Police has registered an FIR under Sections 419, 392 R/w 34 IPC against unknown persons. North Goa SP, Nidhin Valsan (IPS) informed that initial investigation indicated that the accused who were involved in duping the Japanese tourist are from outside the State. “We have formed teams >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 A vendor delicately arranges mangoes at the Panaji market on Sunday. The mankurad variety of mangoes is being sold for around Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 a dozen.  Narayan Pissurlenkar In a first, police use kits to detect drug use, 7 booked THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA For the first time, Goa Police have registered cases against seven people on charges of consuming narcotics after using the spot drug detection kit against the persons who were moving on the Vagator beach British royal family suffers major popularity dip LONDON he British royal family suffered a major blow this week ahead of King Charles coronation in May as its popularity plummeted on social media. Buckingham Palace's official Instagram handle, which shares updates on King Charles and the royal family's official engagements, saw a dip in followers from 13 million to 12.9 million this week. The official Instagram handle is currently followed by 12.9 million with 4,148 posts. In the latest post, the palace informed that 12 newly commissioned pieces of music will be performed at the coronation of the King and the Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey Australia falls flat as India retains Border-Gavaskar Trophy Finally, Raheja backs out of housing project in Carmona AHEAD OF CORONATION OF KING CHARLES… AGENCIES 10 SPORTS crown used in the coronation. The floral design highlights the "optimism of spring" and reflects the King's love of nature, says Sir Jony. "The design was inspired by King Charles's love of the planet, nature, and his deep concern for the natural world," said the former Apple design guru, who is more usually associated with sleek tech designs of equipment such as iMacs and iPods. The logo, to be used for events over the coronation long weekend in May, features a rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock -- emblems from across the United Kingdom. It's in contrast to the very stark design of the new King Charles stamps revealed this week, which has no crown or decoration. late Saturday night. In a joint operation the Anti Narcotic Cell (ANC) police, Crime Branch and Anjuna Police during night patrolling on Vagator beach randomly conducted saliva tests with the help of SOTAKO machine against the seven persons which came positive. Citizens-police clash at Panaji float parade reaches DGP door THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Saturday's confrontation between the police and a group of citizens marching in silent protest in show of dissent against ongoing smart city works and other projects at the float parade venue has landed on the table of Director General of Police, Jaspal Singh, IPS, and could potentially escalate into a major row. It has also now come to light that another group of youngsters similarly staging a silent protest at a different location was physically confronted, threatened, their cell phones snatched and damaged by the men-in-uniform. At least two prominent Panaji-based lawyers -- Nigel Costa Frias and Ryan Menezes -- had sought to intervene on behalf of the protesters but to little avail and the cops had their way. They went on to detain at the Panaji police station for several hours one group of the dissenting citizens, including former CCP councillor Patricia Pinto. Sources said, the lawyers have escalated the issue and raised it before DGP Singh accusing his men of abusing powers, physically accosting peaceful citizens and violating human rights. Singh has reportedly called for a discussion on Monday. It may be recalled that on Saturday the group of citizens resorted to an innovative form of peaceful protest dressed in costumes, sporting posters and holding placards while they walked and mingled with the crowds at multiple locations along the Carnival float parade route in the capital city. They were accosted by a group of policemen who confiscated some of the posters, placards and a prop shaped as a coffin they carried to depict a mock funeral of Panaji city. 'Pity my City', 'Panjim deserves better' 'Smart Ways to Hell', 'Panjim our home, not your playground', 'Footbridge over troubled waters' were some of the graffiti-styled >Continued on P5