log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2023 GOA 13 pages Shigmo festival to kick off on March 8 MAPUSA: The traditional Shigmo festival will begin from March 8 in Ponda and will cover 17 other places in the State in a span of 14 days, even as the Shigmotsav committees have been requested to ensure that the float parade ends by 10 pm to avoid going against the High Court directions on sound restrictions.  >> See pg 3 HC reserves verdict on Arolkar’s plea PANAJI: The Panjim bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday reserved its judgement on the petition filed by Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar. The FIR was lodged on the basis of a complaint filed by one Rawloo Khalap with the Special Investigation Team at Crime Branch accusing the MLA of being involved in an attempt to grab land.   >> See pg 3 Goa IRB jawans in Meghalaya for polls PANAJI: Three companies comprising of 216 personnel from the Indian Reserve Battalion in Goa have been deployed to maintain law and order at Meghalaya assembly elections. In a tweet Director General of Police Jaspal Singh posted pictures of the Jawans manning the election booths in Meghalaya. Students have lucky escape as tree crashes SANGUEM: Students attending tuition classes at Cotto-Sanguem had lucky escape after a huge roadside tree came crashing down while they were about to cross the road late Monday evening.  >> See pg 3 Turtle site: Morjim hotel may face action PANAJI: A hotel in Morjim -- Ms UKIYO Beach Resort -- could come under punitive fire from multiple government agencies for allegedly holding parties and activity which disturbs a nearby Olive Ridley turtle nesting site.   >> See pg 3 15 more days for work on Sonsodo dump MARGAO: With the February 28 time-frame to complete work on remediation of Sonsodo legacy dump ending on Tuesday, Goa Waste Management Corporation said it will take the agency another 10-15 days to complete the work on the Sonsodo legacy dump.  >> See pg 2 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: TIDES 36 C 21 C 74% Low: 11.02 23.35 High: 03.21 19.07 The Goan (Playstore) PRICE ` 8 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO.251 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 13 2 9 Two matka bookies Railways can develop infra on freed after cops fail its land in forest areas: Centre to nail them in court MMC asks SGPDA to deposit Rs 1.12 cr, threatens to stop clearing waste IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday GOA Minister tenders apology to Shripad for invite gaffe Record-breaker Williamson bats New Zealand back into 2nd Test How to use vanilla extract for skin care CLARIFIES THAT IT DOES NOT NEED PERMISSION FROM GOVT PTI NEW DELHI The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has clarified that the railways does not need to seek permission to develop infrastructure on its land in forest areas, after its contradictory orders on the issue created confusion in many States. Quoting an order dated March 10 last year, the ministry has stated that the Forest (Conservation) Act will not be applicable on railway-owned land for execution or maintaining of railway works. This paves the way for the national transporter to execute infrastructure projects even in sensitive forest areas without seeking permission from the Centre. “It has been brought to the notice of the ministry that in some States/UTs there is RAILWAYS TO CHUG ALONG „„Forest Act will not be applicable on railway-owned land for execution or maintaining of railway works „„In some States/UTs there is ambiguity regarding interpretation of the term ‘RoW’ „„RoW mentioned in guidelines...may be understood as area falling within limits of railwayowned land for execution or maintaining of railway works „„Ministry also clarified that railways need not obtain permission from central govt under Section 2 of FCA FLASHBACK: In 2019, data showed as many as 25 developmental projects in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh had been delayed ambiguity regarding interpretation of the term “RoW”, mentioned in the guidelines dated 10.03.2022. Several States have asked the railway to explain the term “RoW”. “The matter was examined in the ministry and it is clarified that RoW mentioned in the guidelines...may be understood as the area falling within the limits of railway owned land for execution or maintaining of railway works,” the ministry has said in a letter to the additional chief secretaries and principal secretaries of forests of all states and Union territories on February 22. The confusion of the State governments is understanda- ble with “contrarian orders” being issued by the ministry since 2016 on the issue, it stated. In November 2016, the ministry said that if conversion of metre gauge to broad gauge lines is allowed within forest land in the right of way (RoW) of the railway line, which is already under non-forest use before October 25, 1980, then the Forest Conservation Act may not be applicable. However, if additional land beyond the existing alignment of metre gauge railway track is required for any non-forestry activities, then FCA clearance would be required. However, a year later in December 2017, it said that even “forest land” owned by the railways is “forest” and cannot be used for anything else without the consent of the >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa Police’s claim of apprehending matka bookies “red-handed” has come under question after a Judicial Magistrate First Class discharged two gamblers for want of sufficient evidence and independent witnesses. Gousmohaddin Alue and Aginath Sasve, both of who were arrested in separate raids for allegedly running gambling dens near a housing board market and ferry wharf in Bardez, in 2021 and 2022 respectively have been given the benefit of doubt. Senior Judge Shilpa Pandit sought to know why the Investigating Officers (IO) at Porvorim and Colvale police stations did not record the statement of independent witnesses when there was an opportunity during the raid. “The IO has not recorded the statements (of) any other witness… not examined any member of the public pres- Exit polls predict wins for BJP in Tripura, Nagaland AGENCIES STAR POWER: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with officials and players at the inaugural of World Table Tennis event at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium on Monday.  (Report on pg 12) more than 30 years, is likely to get only 15 seats -- the Congress, its unexpected ally for this election, unlikely to add anything to the tally. The Left-Congress combine, however, doubted the exit polls and Congress leader Sudip Roy Burman said, the BJP will end up in single digits. People have voted against the lawlessness prevailing in the State and it was a revenge vote against the party in power, he said. However, the ETG- Times Now poll indicated that BJP would remain the largest party but with a substantial drawdown from its earlier tally of 36 to just 24 seats, while Left-Congress would get 21 seats with Tipra Motha snatching 14 seats in the tribal areas. The ZeeNews-Matrize exit poll, on similar lines, predicted BJP and its ally would win 29-36 seats in Tripura, while the Left-Congress would get between 13-21 seats, and Tipra Motha Party would get between 11-16. Subrata Chakraborty, the chief spokesperson of the BJP in Tripura, claimed, “We will come back with a thumping two-thirds majority, given all the hard work that we have done in the last five years.” Former militant-turned-Tipra Motha President Bijoy Kumar Hrangkhwal had earlier told news agency before the elections that in case of as hung house his party would consider supporting any party which conceded or furthered its demand for a separate Tipraland state. THE GOAN I NETWORK ‘Hawai chappal-wearing people should be able to travel in Hawai Jahaj’ P Belagavi for the love, affection and faith they have shown in me and Chief Minister Bommai. I assure you that your love and blessing will be returned with interest by developing the city,” said PM Modi. In his 30-minute speech, PM Modi strongly criticized the Congress party for doing injustice to Karnataka and SHIVAMOGGA: “Hawai chappal-wearing common citizens should be able to travel in Hawai Jahaj (aircraft). I am seeing it happening,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday as he highlighted that India’s aviation market is growing rapidly. Speaking at a public meeting after inaugurating the Shivamogga airport, he said India will need thousands of aircraft in the near future, and the days of Made-in-India passenger aircraft are not far. Highlighting the Air India of today, the Prime Minister said it is recognised as the potential of a new India where the airline is soaring to the heights of success. also highlighted about the enhanced railway budget for Karnataka and funds allotted to various sectors. During the programme, the Prime Minister dedicated the redeveloped Belagavi Railway Station and doubling of the 109-km railway track between Londa and Ghataprabha to the ent at the spot… not recorded statement of any independent witnesses from the said place. If at all there were many members of the public, then one fails to understand why the complainant (IO) did not record statements of any such member. When the complainant had an opportunity to record the statement of independent witnesses, it was for him to do so,” the Judge observed while giving the >Continued on P5 PTI  MEGHALAYA TO WITNESS HUNG ASSEMBLY   COUNTING OF VOTES TO BE TAKEN UP ON MARCH 2 GUWAHATI The BJP will hugely expand its footprint in the northeast, posting victory in Tripura and Nagaland and winning a bigger share of seats in Meghalaya where the trends show a hung Assembly, exit polls have predicted. An aggregate of exit polls showed the BJP’s alliance government will come to power in Nagaland with ally NDPP, and win at least seven seats in Meghalaya -- up from two. Its performance in Tripura, though, could be lackluster compared to 2018, when it single-handedly crossed the majority mark. Exit polls also indicate the Congress could be heading for its biggest setback in the northeast, winning only one seat in Nagaland, and six in Meghalaya, where it was the single-largest party last time. Exit polls, though, can often get it wrong. The counting of votes for all three States will take place on Thursday. An aggregate of four exit polls indicate that the BJP may get 32 seats -- barely above the majority mark of 31 -- in the 60-seat Tripura assembly. The Left, which ruled the state for The IO has not recorded the statements (of) any other witness… not examined any member of the public present at the spot… not recorded statement of any independent witnesses from the said place — Judge Shilpa Pandit Excise policy case: Sisodia sent to 5-day CBI custody Match-fixing: Club members quizzed, statements recorded THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Crime Branch (CB) sleuths recorded statements of the members of Guardian Angel SC and Velsao Sports and Cultural Club, on Monday, in connection with allegations of match-fixing. The officials including the coach of both teams appeared before the investigation officers, who are exclusively assigned to inquire into a complaint filed by Goa Football Association (GFA). The players of both teams are also soon to be summoned for in- Modi woos Belagavi with promise of a new high BELAGAVI rime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday assured the people of Belagavi that the double engine government at the State and Centre would take the region to new heights of development by implementing various farmer and citizen-oriented development schemes. He was addressing a huge public meeting at Malini grounds here, after he arrived in Belagavi to launch several projects. “Though we are implementing the startups these days, the first startup was launched in Belagavi about a 100 years ago by industrialist Baburao,” said Modi. “I thank the people of SPORTS INFO nation. He launched the Jal Jeevan Mission projects worth Rs 2,240 crore for Belagavi region, while the 13th installment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi of over Rs 16,000 crore was sent to the accounts of about 80 lakh farmers at the press of a button. Modi accused the Congress of disrespecting Karnataka and its leaders, while alleging that Kharge was insulted by the party during its plenary session in Chhattisgarh. He said Kharge was insulted and disrespected by the party, in favour of a “family”, apparently referring to the Nehru-Gandhi family, despite the Congress president’’s seniority and age. >Continued on P5 terrogation. “The members of both the football clubs have denied allegations. We will however conduct a thorough inquiry and corroborate their deposition with evidence before us. If there is a cognizable offense, a First Information Report will be registered,” Superintendent of Police (CB) Nidhin Valsan told The Goan. GFA President Caetano Fernandes had last week submitted reports to the CB suspecting high-level fixing during the three matches played between January 4 and January 11, 2023. The games included Calangute Association versus Velsao SCC on January 4, Panaji Footballers versus Guardian Angel on January 8 and Guardian Angel versus Dempo SC on January 11. These matches were redflagged by a London-based sportsradar agency citing suspected fixing patterns. “The reports clearly suspected betting because the two clubs were on the losing side. The games were tracked by the agency that raised a red flag and submitted reports,” Fernandes said, minutes after >Continued on P5 NEW DELHI A court here on Monday sent Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to five-day CBI remand in the excise policy case to allow the agency to get “genuine and legitimate” answers to questions being put to him for “a proper and fair investigation”. Special judge M K Nagpal passed the order on a CBI plea, which produced the AAP leader before the court amid heavy security in and outside the Rouse Avenue Courts premises a day after arresting him. The agency had sought his five-day custodial interrogation. The judge said that though the accused had joined the investigation of this case on two earlier occasions, it has also been observed that he has failed to provide satisfactory answers to most of the questions put to him during his examination and interrogation. Thus, he has failed to legitimately explain the incriminating evidence which has allegedly surfaced against him during the investigation conducted so far. It is true that he cannot be expected to make self-incriminating statements, but the interests of justice and of a fair investigation require him to come up with some legitimate answers, the judge said. Fire breaks out at garbage site near Dabolim airport, 3 hurt THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO Three workers were injured in a major fire at the garbage segregation site near Dabolim Airport on Monday morning. All three workers have been shifted to a hospital. Sources said sparks at the baling and compression machines used after segregation of garbage had led to a minor blast and a subsequent fire at the site. The fire grew into an inferno as the waste plastic, empty perfume bottles and dry waste caught fire and fire tenders were called at site. The fire was so huge that five fire tenders were used to Firefighters battling the flames at the garbage segregation site near Dabolim Airport on Monday. douse the fire, including a fire tender from the neighbouring Naval area, even as thick clouds of smoke were visible from far away. While officials at the Da- bolim Airport did not comment, it is learnt from sources that the airport will conduct an enquiry into the incident. >Continued on P5