log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday SATURDAY APRIL 1, 2023 GOA 13 pages PRICE ` 8 Water sports operators cry foul over validity of registration certificate page 6 Goan Crazy Party to unite related cultures of Goa, Portugal, Brazil 17 Goan teams compete for Inter-Village Cup in Dubai IN SHORT >> Law to end widow discrimination soon PANAJI: A law to end customs and practices discriminatory to widows in Goa will be brought in the next (monsoon) session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Women and Child Minister Vishwajit Rane said. He also said, he will hold consultations with Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao and others to draft a proper legislation to do away with this humiliating practice.  >> See pg 3 Covid +ve cases rise, count crosses 500 PANAJI: Covid positive cases are continuing to give anxious moments to authorities even as 120 people tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours. The active Covid caseload in the State has now crossed the 500 mark. The Health Department bulletin said there were 55 recoveries, 5 had been hospitalised while 4 had been discharged. Restrictions on heavy vehicles in Panaji PANAJI: Amid reckless ‘Smart City’ works and recurring incidents of road cave-ins under the weight of heavy vehicles, North Goa Collector has banned the movement of such vehicles on 18 June Road between 10 pm and 7 am. >> See pg 3 Mapusa to get traffic signals at 5 spots MAPUSA: The Mapusa Municipal Council has selected five spots to install traffic signals in Mapusa city and an agreement has been signed with an agency Om Sai Creations to instal these traffic signals.  >> See pg 3 SP Bossuet gets six months’ extension PANAJI: The government on Friday extended the service of SP Bossuet Silva for six months. The officer, currently heading the Traffic Department, superannuated on March 31, 2023. WEATHER >> Max: 32 C Min: 22 C Humidity: 74% TIDES Low: High: 02:15 06:01 13:24 21:13 Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday 2 The Goan (Playstore) PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO. 283 GOA Hotels must check criminal background of staff, register with labour dept: CM 3 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Five home remedies using curry leaves for hair care 9 SPORTS IPL: Gujarat Titans edges CSK in thrilling opening match 13 Ruckus as agri land transfer bill cleared n GOVT DUMPS REQUEST FOR SELECT COMMITTEE n OPPOSITION FURIOUS, SAYS WILL LEAD TO LARGE-SCALE DIVERSION OF LAND OPPOSITION POINTS OF CONTENTION THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The controversial bill sponsored by the government seeking to restrict transfer of agricultural land to non-agriculturists, but also provides for Collectors to make exceptions and permit transfer to individuals or industrial undertakings intending to take up agriculture was passed by a voice-vote in the Goa legislative assembly on Friday amid a ruckus raised by the Opposition which trooped to the well of the House and raised slogans. The Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agriculture Land Bill, 2023, piloted by Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, was passed by a voice vote clause by clause even as the entire Opposition rushed to the well of the House shouting slogans over the government’s refusal to accede to their demand to refer it to a select committee. Opposition MLAs, including Vijai Sardesai, Carlos Alvares Ferreira, Venzy Viegas, „„Provision which permits Collector to allow transfer of agri land to a person other than an agriculturists does not specify any rules or methodology for Collector to follow to grant the transfer „„Most agri land belongs to comunidades and cannot be sold but this bill and some provisions in it will open floodgates for sale of agri land to cash rich industrialists „„Will promote culture of posh ‘farmhouses’ and bring in North Indian culture into Goa on a mass Cruz Silva and Viresh Borkar raised objections over multiple aspects of the legislation and generally opined that it would only lead to large scale diversion of agriculture land to the ownership of industrialists and other individuals who scale „„Will enable backdoor sale of agricultural land in Goa and pose a threat to character of Goa CM ALLAYS FEARS „„Law is intended to preserve agricultural land at all costs  „„Refutes allegations are non-agriculturists. Some of them argued that it would promote the culture of posh ‘farmhouses’ and bring in the North Indian culture into Goa on a mass scale. “It will be an invitation for building farmhouses to the Chandor stir: Govt opposes plea of anti-coal activists n Says it’s unfounded, devoid of merit & deserves to be dismissed n Next hearing on April 26 rich and famous,” opined Carlos Alvares Ferreira. Fereira also argued that the provision which permits the Collector to allow transfer of agriculture land to a person other than an agriculturists does not specify any rules or >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In another land related legislation, The Goa Legislative Diploma No 2070 dated 15-41961 (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to amend the Code of Comunidades was also passed by 28 votes in favour and seven votes against after the Opposition pressed for a division. It legislation makes changes in the Code of Comunidades which gives powers to the government to dismiss managing committees of the age old Communidade bodies which are accused of working “against the interest” of the Communidade among several other matters. The government also passed several other bills. The Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2023: The Bill seeks to amend Section 9 of the Goa Municipalities Act for devolving powers of de- limitation to the State Election Commission so that elections to the Municipal Councils are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner. The Bill seeks to amend section 184 of the said Act so as to curtail delay in obtaining permission for construction of building and to promote ease of doing business. The Goa Town & Country Planning (2nd Amendment) Bill, 2023: The amendment aims to prevent misuse of exemptions from obtaining certificates of sanction or no objection for sub-division in cases of inheritance, resulting in sub-division of land into multiple plots without following sub-division standards and provisions of the statutory plan. The Goa Highways Bill, 2023: The Goa Highway Act, 1974 which had turned defunct is revived through the >Continued on P5 Govt to penalise lethargic babus for delay in timely services THE GOAN I NETWORK er there is prima facie case against the accused or not, and meticulous consideration of evidence is not warranted. “Chargesheet came to be filed against the accused under Sections 143, 145, 341 r/w 149 of IPC. At this stage, what the Court could at the most look into is whether a prima facie case is made out against the accused. This Court has already done that after which cognizance was taken and >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 The historic 2020 Chandor midnight protest. (File photo) deserve to be dismissed. The prosecution made a plea before the Court that Section 239 of the CrPC lays down procedure for trial of warrant cases by Magistrate instituted on Police Report. “That section 245 of CrPC lays down procedure for trial of Warrant cases by Magistrate instituted otherwise then on Police Report”, the reply stated. The Public prosecutor submitted that at the time of framing of substance of accusation what one has to see is wheth- „„Powers given to collectors to permit transfer of land to non-agriculturists and industrial/commercial undertakings is only for the purpose of practicing agriculture PANAJI The State government is likely to amend The Goa (Right to Citizens to Time-Bound Delivery of Public Services) Act, 2013 which will impose a fine on government officers for failing to deliver service within the prescribed time frame. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on Friday, assured the House to table the amendment in the ensuing monsoon session of the assembly. His assurance came after Quepem legislator Altone D’Costa moved a private members resolution recommending a provision to ensure guaranteed delivery of public services and accountability within the specified time limit to all citizens. “We need guaranteed delivery of services because several citizens have been facing hardship despite the Act in place. It takes months to get online certificates. The government should ensure accountability and prompt remedy for denial of services,” the MLA demanded during the discussion which was THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO In a major development in the historic 2020 Chandor midnight agitation against the three linear projects, the prosecution representing the Goa government has opposed the applications filed by the anti-coal activists for discharge in the case instituted by the Goa police. When the matter came up for hearing before Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao on Friday, the Public prosecutor filed a reply before the Court, praying for the dismissal of the applications filed for discharge. Arguments on the applications filed by the activists accused in the case and the reply filed by the prosecution will now come up for hearing in the Court on April 26. In its reply, the prosecution representing the government pointed out that the applications for discharge filed by the social activists are unfounded and devoid of any merit and made by legislators that change in land-use will be permitted by utilising sections of legislation methodology for the Collector to follow to grant the transfer. He also claimed that a section which reads “if the land is required for purpose of agriculture by industrial or commercial undertaking in connection with any industrial or commercial operations carried on by such undertaking” will permit change of land use. Sardesai, a former agriculture minister, said this bill appeared to be designed to enable backdoor sale of agricultural land in Goa. He also said, the legislation will pose a threat to the character of Goa. Viegas said, most agricultural land belonged to comunidades and cannot be sold but this bill and some provisions in it will open the floodgates for sale of agricultural land to cash rich industrialists and also destroy the agrarian nature of a majority of the State’s land resources. Conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural Comunidade bill: Govt gets powers to dismiss managing committees PASSION FOR CHRIST: Youth of Panjim depict the ‘ordeal’ of Jesus as he journeyed to Mount Calvary during the Santos Passos at Altinho, Panaji on Friday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar 20,000 jobs in govt, private sector in 2 yrs, assures CM THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said his government is committed to generate 20,000 jobs in the next two years in both government and private sector. Responding to severe critic from the Opposition citing NITI Ayog statistics on unemployment, Sawant said multiple government departments and agencies are engaged in a serious exercise to do away with the gap between the skill sets required by industry and those possessed by the unemployed human resource of the State. Sawant said, there are num- ber of opportunities in Goa and the large-scale outmigration trend can be reversed by a change in mindset towards white and blue collared jobs. “Tourism is the primary economic engine. Goans will have to now think of skilling themselves to pick up jobs >Continued on P5 Trump indicted in Oppn chokes govt on polluting units, minister cites revenue hush money probe Deviya also slams pollution THE GOAN I NETWORK First US ex-prez charged with crime PTI NEW YORK Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury over hush money payments made to a porn star during his 2016 campaign, making him the first former US president to face a criminal charge and upending his bid to retake the White House in 2024. The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has been pursuing the investigation, confirmed that it had contacted Trump’s lawyers on Thursday evening to “coordinate his surrender” on unspecified charges. “This evening we contacted Trump’s attorney to coordinate his surrender to the Manhattan DA’s office for arraignment on a Supreme Court indictment, which remains under seal. Guidance will be provided when the arraignment date is selected,” a spokesperson for District Attorney Bragg said. The New York Times newspaper, quoting five people with knowledge of the matter, reported that the grand jury on Thursday voted to indict 76-year-old Trump, a Republican, for his role in paying money to porn star Stormy Daniels in an attempt to buy her silence over an alleged affair. PANAJI he united Opposition on Friday launched a scathing attack on the government over its reluctance to shut polluting units at Cuncolim Industrial Estate, but Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho’s skepticism was evident as he claimed that these units are looked at as a source of revenue for the State.  Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, who moved the Calling Attention motion, conveyed to the House that Cuncolim residents are upset over government’s inaction into illegalities, irregularities, pollution and encroachments by most of the units in the Cuncolim IDC.  “The pollution is causing serious health hazards, T at Honda, Pissurlem units PANAJI: Amid discussion over the menace at Cuncolim IDC, ruling legislator Deviya Rane too pointed out a similar situation at Honda and Pissurlem while urging the government to regulate the activities.  “Massive illegalities are reported in Honda IDC. We have learnt that around 200 rooms are built on campus which is illegal. Whereas at Pissurlem, the local panchayat was shocked to know that a unit that had caught fire was actually manufacturing some other material than recorded in government documents. It needs to be stopped,” she said.  air and water pollution. Government has failed to control these illegalities and in absence of a nodal agency to coordinate with various departments, these activities are continuing unabated,” he said, demanding a House Committee to investigate the matter and enforce strict measures to curb the menace.  Alemao also charged the government with inspecting the IDC only after he tabled the issue in the previous session of the legislative assembly. The inspecting officers confirmed his allegations that around 300-400 workers are living in structures illegally built on campus and GOVT TO BRING NON-POLLUTING INDUSTRIES IN QUITOL: GODINHO >> See pg 3 raised concerns over the rising pollution.  “There are several industries and furnaces operating without environmental clearance. The situation worsens in the evening and the entire Cuncolim people face the wrath,” the LoP added. In a polite hint at a protest, he further said “the people of Cuncolim are handling the situation with a lot of patience but since they are revolutionary-minded, delayed action can result in a law & order situation in Cuncolim.”  To this, the minister claimed that the government is taking proactive measures. There was however no commitment to shut down the polluting industries in the entire statement. “This is a main source of revenue…We will undertake all the required anti-pollution measures. I accept the fact that there is scope for improvement in preventive measures by the government but it should be understood that the matter involves various departments. A coordinated effort is needed,” he replied. Godinho asked the legislator to not expect immediate results.   MLA Altone D’Costa, who joined the motion, hit back at the minister arguing that the health of the people should not be compromised for the sake of revenue. He too demanded the government shut down the highly polluting industries.