log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday TUESDAY MARCH 28, 2023 GOA Margao municipality gears up to decide Sonsodo roadmap today IN SHORT >> Blue taxi counter: Taximen hold protest PANAJI: Weary of promises from the government time and again, taxi operators from Pernem who were promised dedicated blue taxi counter at Mopa airport began their protest in Panaji and have given the government an ultimatum of 8 to 10 days to start the counter. The Sawant-led govt had promised this counter within a few days after the Mopa airport was inaugurated. Covid cases rise, 3 more land in hospital PANAJI: Covid hospitalisation rose on Monday with three more preferring to be admitted to the ward at GMC. The Directorate of Health Services said there were no patients discharged, thus raising the number of Covid-19 in-patients to 18. An additional 32 more persons contracted the virus in the 24-hour reporting period of Sunday-Monday. Sawant petitioned on bull trawling MARGAO: A resident of Colva Calvert Gonsalves has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Fisheries Minister Nilkhant Halarnkar and Fisheries officials to initiate action in stopping rampant bull trawling in the sea. >> See pg 2 Government extends Sankalp scheme PANAJI: The Sankalp Scheme for skill development department will be extended till March 2024, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said adding new courses will be introduced under the Scheme. The scheme provides short term skill training. Illegal liquor seized at Kankumbi, Anmod PANAJI: Excise department has seized a huge quantity of liquor at Anmod and Kankumbi. The value of seized liquor and truck was pegged to Rs 34 lakh. In a separate raid, Rs 78,000 worth liquor illegally smuggled in Maharashtra was seized at Kankumbi check post. AI Express launches Goa-Dubai flight PANAJI: Air India Express has announced the commencement of operations from Dabolim airport with the introduction of four weekly direct flights on the Goa-Dubai sector. WEATHER >> Max: 33 C Min: 20 C Humidity: 75% TIDES Low: High: 09:05 21:38 01:5 16:32 Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday 13 pages PRICE ` 8 2 The Goan (Playstore) PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO. 279 GOA Govt ally questions efficiency of skill training in fetching jobs 3 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 9 INFO Simple recipe to reduce belly fat quickly Govt allays fears on model shacks, to consult owners ASSURES TRADITIONAL GOENKARS WILL CONTINUE TO RUN SHACKS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte allayed apprehensions that the upcoming model shack project will give entry to non-Goans into the local business while assuring the Legislative Assembly that traditional beach shack operators won’t be replaced. “We have to differentiate between the regulated and the unregulated businesses… Traditional Goenkars will run these shacks. In one year of my trip from Pernem to Canacona, I observed and took feedback from shack owners based on which we conducted a study with the environmental experts. This will find a solution to our traditional shack owners’ problems,” Khaunte said in reply to a Calling Attention Motion raised by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar. The concept, which will No plans to privatise water sports: Minister MAPUSA: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Monday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that the government wanted to promote locals in water sports business and there were no plans to privatise water sports activities, as was rumoured in certain quarters. Khaunte also said that the presence of touts was the biggest headache and the government wanted to bring discipline in the business with the use of technology and >> See pg 3 encourage locals to run the water sports.  elevate into a policy ‘only’ after consultation with the concerned legislators and stakeholders, is also expected to get rid of the annual hassle to dismantle and set up new structures considering that this exercise adds to the economic burden on the shack owners. Khaunte maintained that currently no “Model Shack Policy” is in place. “A shack owner spends around Rs 35 lakh in three years to set up and then dismantle the same structure, as per the existing policy, every year. What is the harm in finding a solution to this? The policy will further ensure quality footfalls,” the minister added, reiterating that every aspect of the project will be discussed with the 2024 date to solar-power govt buildings in Panaji concerned individuals. On behalf of the local shack owners, Borkar had raised the Calling Attention apprehending that once implemented, the policy will take away their traditional business. “As per existing rules and regulations and an already existing policy, these shacks have traditionally been allotted to Persons of Goan Origin only, who have the experience of running the shacks by maintaining high standards. These shacks are one of the few tourism-related businesses that are still run by Goans and source of employment for the many unemployed youths of Goa. Hence the Government needs to take all the stakeholders into confidence and ensure that their livelihood is protected,” he said as the issue was supported by Vijai Sardesai and Venzy Viegas among other Opposition MLAs. During the discussion, Viegas suggested that the government should look at investing money for installing CCTVs and providing policing as well as ensuring uninterrupted water and electricity connection, and sewerage facilities at existing shacks instead of shelling out Rs 1 crore each on >Continued on P5 SPORTS Cristiano Ronaldo happy again with Portugal’s national team Almost all shacks in Candolim, Calangute without GSPCB nod HC seeks response from Tourism Dept, Pollution Board on action THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A report filed by the Goa Pollution Control Board before the Bombay High Court at Goa has revealed that along the Calangute-Candolim stretch 158 out of the 167 shacks have been operating without a consent to operate from the Pollution Board.  The report, that was compiled based on the directions of the High Court, was submitted before the Court earlier and the matter came up for hearing on Monday.  Earlier the High Court, hearing a petition filed by one Reuben Franco, found a host of illegalities by shack operators especially along the congested Calangute, Candolim beach stretch.  The Tourism Department had reported that about 23 bore wells were illegally dug and installed “mainly around shacks that the Department of Tourism has permitted.”  MAPUSA Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar on Monday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that all government buildings in the capital city of Panaji will be solar-powered by 2024. Dhavalikar also said the target of the government was to source 150 MW of power through solar energy by 2030. “All the government buildings in Panaji will be fixed with solar roof tops which will be completed by March 2024. We are planning to go for an open tendering process and the work will begin from this financial year,” Dhavalikar said, who is also the Minister for New and Renewable Energy. The Power Minister was responding to Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginald Lourenco who sought details of the State’s plan to achieve the goal of cent percent use of renewable energy with the assistance of the Union government. Dhavalikar informed that the State required around 540 MW of power during the day THE GOAN I NETWORK efficacy of the Budget section. Goa Forward Party’s (GFP) Vijai Sardesai, also said it reeks of inefficiency of the system to correctly estimate the budgetary requirements at the first instance. He said, these PANAJI Corporation of the City of Panaji Mayor Rohit Monserrate is expected to continue holding  the post for a third year and filed his nomination for the position on Monday. Monserrate, who is the son of Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate and Jennifer Monserrate, the husband-wife duo who represent Panaji and Taleigao constituencies, has remained the mayor since March 2021 following the elections to the capital’s civic body. The mayor and deputy mayor is elected every year. Meanwhile current Deputy Mayor, Sanjiv Naik, is also set to be re-elected for a second term. In the first year of the CCP’s current term, Vasant Agshikar, was the deputy mayor but he was replaced with Naik in March 2022. The CCP has jurisdiction over both Panaji and Taleigao, excluding the areas that come under the Taleigao panchayat. The Monserrates have a vicelike grip on the twin constituencies and had swept the CCP polls in 2021, with their panel winning 25 of the 30 seats.  >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 Touts are having free run in dept, claims Fatorda MLA MAPUSA: Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai charged that touts were having a free run in the department of the New and Renewable Energy as officials were demanding cheques for subsidy. However, Minister New and Renewable Energy Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar denied the allegation but assured to inquire into it and if need be take action.  >> See pg 3 which goes up to 700 MW during the peak hours between 6 to 11 pm. He said that the Ministry of Renewable Energy and GEDA has decided to make Panaji a solar city. “We will need to generate at least 80 MW of renewable energy power. To achieve this, we need the support of the people to adopt rooftop solar projects,” he said. The Power Minister also informed the House that the State government has an ambition to produce 150 MW of power through solar energy by 2030. Earlier, the Curtorim MLA said that new and better op- tions were available to draw solar energy other than fixing solar panels on the roof tops. “Now, new and better options are available where one can fix solar glass on the windows. Will the government tries to get the new options in the State,” Lourenco asked. Dhavalikar informed that the State government would definitely look forward to different options that were available in the market. It may be recalled that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had announced that Panaji would be a solar city and that its power requirement would be catered using solar energy within 2 years. The Department also assured the High Court that show cause notices will be issued to these 17 shacks requiring them to show cause as to why their operations should not be shut down and licences should not be revoked for prima facie breach. The High Court has sought responses from the State Tourism Department and the GSPCB as to what action they propose to take against the errant shack owners. Mayor’s post: Rohit set for a hat-trick SAINTS GO MARCHING! Govt sets eyes on 150 mw solar energy THE GOAN I NETWORK 13 The faithful participate in the procession of Saints from St Andrew’s Church, Goa-Velha on Monday. Locally known as ‘Santanchem Pursanv’, the Lenten procession draws a huge crowd every year. (Report and more pics on pg 3) Narayan Pissurlenkar Oppn censures govt for seeking supplementary grants again THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who on Monday presented an appropriation bill related to a third batch of supplementary demands, was questioned over the move with just a few days to go for the current fiscal to end. Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao pointed out that the government had just got the second batch of supplementary demands for grants in the winter session held in January and raised questions over the NEP based NCERT textbooks from next academic year Rahul asked to vacate official PTI NEW DELHI ew NCERT textbooks revised in accordance with the new National Education Policy (NEP) are likely to be introduced in schools from 2024-25 academic session, Education Ministry officials said on Monday. The textbooks will be developed in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). “The new textbooks are likely to be introduced from 202425 academic session. It is a tall task but we are aiming for that. The textbooks will be revised as per the new NCF, work on which is already going on. Developing textbooks is a laborious task,” a senior MoE official said. All the National Council of Educational Research and Training N FUTURE PERFECT „„Textbooks will be developed in accordance with National Curriculum Framework „„Textbooks developed as per revised NCF will also be available in digital format „„Schools, students will be able to download these textbooks „„An institutional framework will be developed to ensure that the textbooks are updated on a regular basis (NCERT) textbooks developed as per the revised NCF will also be available in digital format. “Since Covid has taught us that there is an appetite for digital learning, all the new textbooks will simultaneously be made available digitally so anybody can download them,” he added. Noting that textbooks should not be “static”, the official said an institutional framework will be developed to ensure that the textbooks are updated on a regular basis. The NEP 2020 envisages a “5+3+3+4” curriculum pedagogical structure. According to the new school education system outlined in NEP, children will spend five years in the foundational stage, three years each in the preparatory and middle stages, and four years in the secondary stage. The Centre had in 2020 started the process to revise school textbooks by appointing former Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Kasturirangan as the head of a 12-member steering committee responsible for developing a new National Curriculum Framework (NCF). The four NCFs being prepared are -- NCF for Early Childhood Care and Education (NCFECCE), NCF for School Education (NCFSE), NCF for Teacher Education (NCFTE), NCF for Adult Education (NCFAE). Detailing the process, the senior official said that all states and Union Territories have first prepared their State Curriculum Frameworks (SCFs) passing through the process of district level consultations, mobile app survey and development of position papers by the State Focus Groups in 25 areas or themes identified as per the NEP, 2020 including ECCE, Teacher Education and Adult Education. “These draft SCFs will provide inputs to the development of NCFs. States, UTs and autonomous organisations working under MoE, all will attempt this process to provide inputs for the NCFs. Recommendations of NEP, 2020 will be kept in view during the whole process. “Drawing insights from these position papers and draft SCFs, four NCFs are being prepared. Draft NCFs will be translated in 22 languages given in eighth schedule of the Constitution and shared with the states and UTs for their comments”, he added. bungalow in a month’s time PTI NEW DELHI Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was on Monday served a notice to vacate the government bungalow allotted to him by April 22 following his disqualification as a member of Lok Sabha after his conviction in a defamation case last week, official sources said. The Housing Committee of the Lok Sabha took the decision following which the secretariat of the House served the notice on the former Congress president, a Z-plus protectee who has been living in the 12, Tughlaq Lane bungalow since 2005. The development is likely to further escalate the political fight between the BJP and the The Housing Committee of the Lok Sabha took the decision following which a notice was issued to the former Congress president who had been living there since 2005 Congress and its allies who have targeted the government over the issue. A local court in Gujarat had convicted Gandhi in a criminal defamation case on March 23 and sentenced him to two years in jail. The two-year jail term triggered his disqualification as Lok Sabha member from the date of the verdict. Gandhi was granted bail to allow him to appeal to a higher court in a month. A senior official said an MP has to vacate the official bungalow within one month of losing his membership. Sources said Gandhi can write to the Housing Committee seeking an extension, and the panel can take a decision depending on the validity of the reasons cited by him. The committee has 11 members from different parties and is headed BJP MP C R Patil. The notification issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat was marked to various departments for necessary actions. Congress member Manickam Tagore, who is a member of the committee, hit out at the government over the decision and linked it to Gandhi’s trenchant criticism of its policies.