log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2023 GOA Fun, frolic mark Goan Carnival parade at London High Street Goan Carnival descends on Scottish soil The Goan Missionary Doctor in Meghalaya, ‘The Abode of Clouds’ IN SHORT >> Gov summons Budget session of Assembly PANAJI: Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai has issued an order summoning the Goa Legislative Assembly to meet on March 27 at 11.30 am for a five-day Budget session. The notification containing the Governor's order was issued by the Legislature Secretariat on Friday.  >> See pg 3 Russian in police custody dies in transit PANAJI: A Russian tourist, who was detained by the Pernem police for creating a ruckus, died en route to a magistrate's office in Porvorim on Friday. The police team was travelling in their official vehicle when he suddenly collapsed. >> See pg 3 Restricted water in Bardez, Bicholim MAPUSA: Bardez taluka and some parts of Bicholim taluka will get restricted water supply on February 27 and 28, on account of installation of the electricity transformer at the Assonora Water Purification project. According to a public notice issued by PWD, the 2.5 MVA transformer will be installed between 10 am and 6 pm. The Goan (Playstore) 13 pages PRICE ` 8 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO. 248 GOA Mhadei: K’taka minister says PRAWAH will help in getting share of water `  .55 lakh stolen 2 by cashier at Spa MAPUSA: The cashier of a spa in Calangute has been accused of illegally withdrawing Rs 2.55 lakh from the bank account of a spa in Gaurawada-Calangute. Calangute police have registered an offence against the cashier who a resident of Nagaland. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: TIDES 35 C 22 C 77% Low: 08:24 20:23 High: 01:51 15:00 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Chickweed: Health benefits, side effects and ways to use THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO After reportedly ordering an inquiry and shunting the personnel involved in the casino extortion case, the Goa police finally seemed to have taken a stand that there will be no inquiry unless a written complaint is filed by a complainant with the men-in-uniform. Leave along placing the erring ATS personnel under suspension, as demanded by the Opposition parties, Director General of Police Jaspal Singh went to the extent of saying that the police cannot take cognizance of allegations made in the air to order a probe and initiate action. In fact, the DGP pointed out that the police cannot record the statement of a “ghost” complainant. At an interaction with the media during his visit to the South Goa district Police headquarters here on Friday evening, the DGP said a law JASPAL SINGH: POINT BLANK „„Police cannot take cognizance of allegations made in the air to order a probe „„Police cannot go by generalities, will proceed only when there is a written complaint enforcing agency such as the Goa police cannot go by generalities, but will proceed only when there is a complainant who files a written complaint. In fact, the DGP insisted there ought to be a complaint lodged by someone for the police to inquire into the allegations. “In the absence of specific complaint, if some allegation is to be inquired and investigated, for that there is requirement of a complainant. Only he will prove the allegations. „„If some allegation is to be investigated, there has to be a complainant „„If one does not come with proper poof and without a complaint in writing, there cannot be any action LONDON rgan damage persisted in 59 per cent of long Covid patients a year after initial symptoms appeared, even in those not severely affected when first diagnosed with the SARSCoV-2 virus, according to a study. The research, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, focused on 536 long Covid patients who reported extreme breathlessness, cognitive dysfunction and poor health-related quality of life. Thirteen per cent were hospitalised when first diagnosed with Covid-19, while 32 per cent of people taking part in the study were healthcare O Magnificent Brook puts England in charge of New Zealand Test We cannot record the statement of a ghost complainant. There has to be a complaint in writing and there should be a complainant… Then only we can further proceed with the complaint”, he said. He also said, “so long as one does not come with a proper poof and they don’t give a complaint in writing, there cannot be any action. Anyone can make an allegation against anyone demanding money. But, the police do not go by the generalities”. Share info, we will crack whip against mini-casino gambling, assures top cop MARGAO: In another interesting development, the Director General of Police Jaspal Singh has told the media that if anyone is having intelligence that mini-casino gambling is going on in the commercial capital and its outskirts, they should share the intelligence with the police for action against the illegal gambling. Even as the district Police Chief, SP Abhishek Dania, maintained that the police had registered 10 offenses and had gone hard against mini-casinos, the DGP’s stand has thrown up a moot question – whether the men-in-uniform have no inbuilt mechanism in place to gather intelligence on the mini-casinos operating across the commercial capital. The DGP’s stand calling upon the citizens to share intelligence on illegal gambling has thrown up a moot question whether any citizen would dare complain against casino or any other gambling in their backyard when the activity is run by known history sheeters enjoying political patronage. SP, South Abhishek Dhani’s statement that the police have gone hard on mini-casino gambling may raise >Continued on P5 Forest Dept to act against parties close to turtle sites TESTING TIME! THE GOAN I NETWORK Candidates compete in the 50-meters swimming test for the post of Sub-Inspector (engine driver and master) at SAG swimming pool Campal-Panaji on Friday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Huge structure behind fort at Reis Magos cleared by Centre? THE GOAN I NETWORK PORVORIM Saligao MLA Kedar Naik has stated that a large structure coming up in close proximity of historic Reis Magos Fort at Verem is allegedly built by INS Mandovi. Speaking to reporters, Naik said people had been contacting him about the massive structure behind the iconic Reis Magos Fort, after photos of the structure had gone viral on social media. “On enquiry, it has been revealed that it is not private hotel or a residential building but it belongs to INS Mandovi. There is no permission either from the panchayat or the State government for this project”, he said The Saligao MLA also revealed that permission has been taken directly from Centre, as the area comes under the Defence Ministry. “We have been informed that the structure will be used as a Naval War College, but I will get more clarity on this project when I meet the incharge of the INS Mandovi”, he said. PANAJI In more efforts to protect turtle nesting sites at Morjim, the government on Friday asked the Forest Department to crack down on parties that are being held in close proximity to these sites. Cracking the whip, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane has issued strict instructions to the Forest Department to take stern action against those organizing parties close to Olive Ridley turtle nesting sites. “It has been brought to our attention that many parties are being held in Morjim close to the turtle nesting sites. One such party took place last night just 100 meters away from the site,” Rane said. “When it comes to environmental conservation and turtle nesting sites, there is a specific provision and a law under the Forest Conservation Act. The Forest Department and the PCCF have been directed to take appropriate action under the same”, he said. “We will also notify North Collector and officials who are bound by law to protect the environment and ensure that such incidents do not occur again and that no permissions are granted,” he said. 59% long Covid patients had organ damage: Study PTI SPORTS POINTS OUT THAT POLICE CANNOT RECORD ‘GHOST’ STATEMENTS Two laterite stone quarries raided MAPUSA: In a joint action, the Mamlatdar and mines department raided two laterite stone quarries at Camurlim in Bardez. The Colvale police have registered an offence against the owners of these quarries and seized the generator and other material. Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday 3 2 10 Extortion case: DGP plays safe, says no complaint, no inquiry Outstation motorists entering Goa to come under CCTV at border pages 6 & 7 Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday ‘India saved 3.4 mn lives through Covid vax’ NEW DELHI: India was able to save more than 3.4 million lives by undertaking a nationwide Covid-19 vaccination campaign at an unprecedented scale, a report by Stanford University said. The Covid vaccination campaign also yielded a positive economic impact by preventing a loss of USD 18.3 billion, the working paper by Stanford University and Institute for Competitiveness titled ''Healing the Economy: Estimating the Economic Impact on India's Vaccination and Related Issues'' released by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said. Mandaviya said much before Covid-19 was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization in January 2020, processes and structures to focus dedicatedly on various facets of the pandemic management were put in place. workers. Of the 536 patients, 331 (62 per cent) were identified with organ impairment six months after their initial diagnosis, the researchers said. These patients were followed up six months later with a 40-minute multi-organ MRI scan (Perspectum's CoverScan), analysed in Oxford, they said. The findings confirmed that 29 per cent of patients with long Covid had multi-organ impairment, with persistent symptoms and reduced function at six and 12 months. 59 per cent of long Covid patients had single organ impairment 12 months after initial diagnosis. “Symptoms were common at six and 12 months and associated with female gender, younger age and single organ impairment,” said senior study author Professor Amitava Banerjee from University College London, UK. The study reported a reduc- tion in symptoms between six and 12 months. “Several studies confirm persistence of symptoms in individuals with long Covid up to one year. We now add that three in five people with long Covid have impairment in at least one organ, and one in four have impairment in two or more organs, in some cases without symptoms, Banerjee said. “Impact on quality of life and time off work, particularly in healthcare workers, is a major concern for individuals, health systems and economies,” he said. Many healthcare workers in the study had no prior illness, but of 172 such participants, 19 were still symptomatic at follow-up and off work at a median of 180 days. 13 Soon, 75 locations across the State to have WiFi hotspots THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday virtually inaugurated the Senior Citizen Service Center and WiFi Hotspot at Pernem and said a total of 75 locations across villages will be equipped with WiFi connections. Sawant also unveiled free WiFi hotspots at 10 locations, in the presence of IT Minister Rohan Khaunte, Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye, Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar and others. Sawant congratulated Pernem MLA Praveen Arlekar and the citizens of Pernem for the WiFi-equipped new centre that promises accessible, and efficient services for the citizens of Pernem. “This is a step forward towards a more digitally empowered society by the Department of IT, Electronics & Communication, ITG and GEL. Goa Government is committed to bridge the digital divide and empower communities to access education, healthcare, and online marketplaces. A total of 75 loca- These hotspots will provide internet access to citizens at no cost and will be particularly beneficial for students, small businesses, and tourists,” —Pramod Sawant tions across villages will be equipped with WIFI connections,” said Sawant. These hotspots will provide internet access to citizens at no cost and will be particularly beneficial for students, small businesses, and tourists, Sawant said. Sawant also stated that, “this would undoubtedly help to bridge the gap between the government and the citizens by providing accessible and reliable services. So far, more than 5.5 lakh services have been delivered to the public for 35 unique departmental services, including revenue services, registration/renewals services of the Labour Department, etc and in the future many more useful services would be added. DISQUALIFICATION PLEA AGAINST 8 MLAS Don’t pass order until matter is decided, Speaker tells HC THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly has told the Bombay High Court at Goa, that being a constitutional authority, the High Court should refrain from passing orders or issuing directions concerning the pending disqualification petitions. In his reply filed before the Court, the Speaker has opposed any relief as sought by petitioner and former State Congress president Girish Chodankar, who has approached the High Court seeking directions to the Speaker to dispose of the disqualification petitions in three months. “The Speaker has taken a stand that such a direction can never be issued to a Speaker because the Speaker is a constitutional authority and the courts will not take up a case, before the Speaker does or passes any order. Till then the court should restrain itself from interfering inside the proceedings at the stage prior to the speaker taking any decision,” Advocate General Devidas Pangam, who represented the Speaker, before the High Court said. “So we are saying that as far as directions to dispose of the petition in a certain amount of time is not permissible or should not be given in the facts of this case,” the Advocate General said. The Advocate General also >Continued on P5