log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday WEDNESDAY MAY 10, 2023 GOA 14 pages PRICE ` 8 In last-ditch attempt, Benaulim p’yat knocks HC doors for bypass on stilts IN SHORT >> Sound permit: Now, applicants can pay online MARGAO: Taking cognisance of the hardships faced by citizens from South Goa to travel to Saligao to deposit money amounting to Rs 3,000 to obtain sound permission for outdoor events, including tiatr and weddings, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has sent a mail to the two district Collectors to ensure the applicants pay the money online and also send the application seeking permission to the Board by e-mail. GSPCB Member Secretary Dr Shamila Monteiro has said the applicants need not come to Saligao to deposit the amount of Rs 3,000. >> See pg 2 Associations blamed for failure to prepare teams for Nat Games PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday lamented that sports associations had failed to prepare teams for the National Games, despite being aware eight years ago that Goa would be hosting the National Games.  >> See pg 12 5 booked for land sale at Davorlim Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday 2 The Goan (Playstore) PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO. 322 GOA Mapusa bank to auction prime land in Taleigao belonging to ex-councillor 3 BHOPAL: At least 24 people were killed and more than 40 others injured when a speeding private bus packed with passengers plunged into a dry river bed after breaking through railings of a bridge in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone district on Tuesday morning.   >> See pg 7 WEATHER >> Max: 34 C Min: 28 C Humidity: 83% TIDES Low: High: 07:32 20:29 00:28 14:48 INFO Does afternoon nap cause weight gain? 9 SPORTS IPL: Mumbai chases down 200 in 6-wkt win against RCB 14 Traffic violations: Govt postpones e-challan system THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK EYES INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT; MEA CALLS FOR SUPPORT PANAJI The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said that the host of G20 Summit, India, has put forth an ambitious agenda for the Development Working Group (DWG) which aims to bring inclusive and sustainable development and accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) at the forefront. In his video address to the VIP delegates attending the 3rd G20 DWG meeting on Tuesday, MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi highlighted India’s ambitious agenda for the DWG while adding that outcome documents proposed by India including High-Level Principles (HLPs) for Data for Development, HLPs for LiFE and Action Plan on Accelerating Progress on SDGs will directly feed into Leaders’ level document and the Green Develop- SESSION HIGHLIGHTS „„Data for Development and HLPs on LiFE saw exhaustive and engaging discussions and negotiations for finalising the language of outcome documents that reflects the strong collective will of G20 to work together on the development agenda „„Satisfactory progress was achieved during the sessions in coming to a common understanding on a lot of issues ON PAGE 3 The delegates at the 3rd G20 DWG meeting on Tuesday, listen to the address of the MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi via video conferencing.  Narayan Pissurlenkar ment Pact that will be adopted at the Leaders’ summit in September. He urged the DWG to work towards consensus documents and requested support from all delegations. More than 80 delegates from G20 members, nine invitee countries, and various international and regional organisations participated in the meeting that will be held till May 11, 2023. The meeting is being co-chaired by India’s DWG Co-Chairs – MEA Joint Secretaries Nagaraj K Naidu and Eenam Gambhir. The sessions on Data for Development and HLPs on LiFE saw exhaustive and engaging discussions and negotiations for finalising the language of outcome documents that re- Food, fashion and art ‘Echo’(es) entrepreneurial spirit of women Art Hotel project exhibits rare cultural finds, crafts Minister stresses need for awareness PANAJI In a sudden reversal of decision, the government has postponed the implementation of the e-challan system, which was originally slated to commence from midnight on May 22. Addressing reporters outside the official residence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho emphasised the need for public awareness and education before the e-challan system is put into effect. “Until appropriate signages are in place alerting the commuters that they have reached the area monitored by the cameras, and people are adequately informed about the new system, its implementation will be postponed. I have told them (Transport Department) to issue advertisements only after that we can start implementation,” he said. Until appropriate signages are in place alerting the commuters that they have reached the area monitored by the cameras, and people are adequately informed about the new system, it won’t be implemented,” — Mauvin Godinho, Transport minister Transport officials on May 4 announced their plan to implement electronic monitoring of traffic violations at 13 significant locations in Panaji, Merces junction, Porvorim and Dona Paula from May 22 midnight. The Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) will automatically detect traffic offenses and issue flects the strong collective will of G20 to work together on the development agenda. Satisfactory progress was achieved during the sessions in coming to a common understanding on a lot of issues. An exhibition showcasing India’s women-led initiatives was inaugurated before the start of the formal meeting in the morning. The exhibi- tion is based on the theme of “ECHO” – Economy with safe climate and health leads to greater opportunities and was organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs. The exhibition was curated by the National Stage set for high-stakes Karnataka polls today Notice on stainless steel tanks for water tanker sparks debate PTI Depts asked to insist on conversion sanad 24 killed as bus falls from bridge in MP RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 India sets the ball rolling, places ambitious agenda before DWG MARGAO: The Margao police have booked five persons, including a Notary for allegedly selling a property of a businessman from Margao by forging documents. The complainant stated that the accused persons forged the documents of the two plots located at Davorlim village before selling them to the parties. MARGAO: In another attempt to stop illegal land conversions, the Revenue Department has issued a circular, instructing concerned departments and licensing authorities to insist on conversion sanad before issuing licences.  >> See pg 2 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday THE POOL EFFECT: Light pre-monsoon showers caused water-logging of road at Caranzalem on Tuesday, raising concerns that all is not well with the rain water drains.   Narayan Pissurlenkar Govt assures blue cab counter at Mopa airport in 2 weeks Taxi operators postpone strike amid assurances THE GOAN I NETWORK PERNEM Taxi operators agitating for a counter at the Manohar International Airport at Mopa since May 1 on Tuesday postponed their protest for two weeks, after Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho assured that the blue taxi stand issue would be resolved within two weeks. Briefing reporters in Pernem about the developments on Tuesday, Together for Mopa Airport Taxi Association leader Bhaskar Narulkar said the matter was discussed at a joint meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Godinho, local MLA Pravin Arlekar and a delegation of taxi operators. “It was decided after this joint discussion that the blue taxi stand issue would be issued within 15 days. In view of this assurance, the taxi operators who have been protesting since May 1 have decided to postpone their agitation for two weeks,” said Narulkar. “If the blue taxi stand is not made available within 15 days, >Continued on P5 BENGALURU After a high voltage campaign, it is now time for the mega battle of ballots in Karnataka, with the state all set to elect its representatives to the 224-member Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. With the stakes being high in this election, the major political parties in contention – the BJP, Congress and JD(S) – and their candidates have made a strong pitch seeking to boost their prospects at the hustings. The voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm. A total of 5,31,33,054 electors are eligible to cast their votes in 58,545 polling stations across the state, where 2,615 candidates are in the fray. Among the electors, 2,67,28,053 are male, 2,64,00,074 female and 4,927 “others”, while among the candidates 2,430 are male, 184 female and one from third gender. As many as 11,71,558 are young voters, while 5,71,281 are persons with disabilities (PWDs) and 12,15,920 are aged above 80. Around 4 lakh polling personnel are engaged in the poll process. >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 Health dept questioned over technical knowledge for certification THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Civic and Consumer forum – GOACAN has sought clarification from the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) on whether its officials have the technical knowledge to certify the stainless steel tanks on water tankers which are used in transportation of the potable water. The clarification, through a letter to the DHS Director Geeta Kakodkar, was sought in connection with a public awareness notice issued by the Water Resources Department (WRD) on May 9 stating the “Water tanker should have a stainless steel water tank and has to be certified by the Directorate of Health Services & Ground Water Officer.” GOACAN has asked the Director whether they have the technical know-how to certify these stainless steel water tanks and if so, which officials at the DHS will provide this certification. The query also seeks to know if this certification will also be done at the level of the Primary Health Centre, Urban Health Centre and Community Health Centre. “If such certification is being done by the Health Of- IN LETTER TO HEALTH DEPT… „„The NGO asks the Director whether they have the technical know-how to certify these stainless steel water tanks and if so, which officials at the DHS will provide this certification „„The NGO also seeks to know if this certification will also be done at the level of the Primary Health Centre, Urban Health Centre and Community Health Centre What the Act states… „„The Goa Ground Water Regulation Act 2002 and Rules 2003 under Rule 9(2) Form X points out a Declaration and Instructions which refers to the DHS issuing a No Objection Certificate on the suitability of the tanker for carrying potable water ficers without the necessary expertise or certification is not being done despite stated in the Ground Water Act 2002 & Rules 2003 then it would amount to deficiency of service under the Consumer Protection Act 2019,” GOACAN Co-ordinator Roland Martin said. The Goa Ground Water Regulation Act 2002 and Rules 2003 under Rule 9(2) Form X points out a Declaration and Instructions which refers to the DHS issuing a No Objection Certificate on the suitabil- ity of the tanker for carrying potable water. Moreover Rule 9(5) Form XI states that the licensee shall obtain a NOC from the DHS, every six months, on the suitability of the tanker for carrying potable water. GOACAN has thus requested the Director DHS to do the needful in the interest of consumers whose health and public safety are at risk due to the current improper use of water tankers in the State in supplying potable water to consumers. Former Pakistan PM Khan Brij Bhushan Singh and the Goa connection arrested in corruption case Army personnel whisk him away from court premises B POWER-BROKING! THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested by paramilitary Rangers on Tuesday while he was present at the Islamabad High Court for the hearing of a corruption case, a day after he took on the country’s powerful army for allegedly hatching a plot to kill him. The arrest of the 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician comes a day after the powerful army accused Khan of levelling baseless allegations against a senior officer of the spy agency ISI. Former Pakistan PM and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan being arrested by paramilitary Rangers from outside the Islamabad High Court, on Tuesday. The chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who travelled from Lahore to the federal capital Islamabad, was undergoing a biometric process at the court when the Rangers broke open the glass window and arrested him after beating lawyers and Khan’s security staff, according to senior party leader Shireen Mazari. >Continued on P5 PANAJI haratiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the controversial wrestling federation chief who is at the centre of the brewing storm over sexual harassment charges against him by champion women wrestlers has a ‘powerful’ Goa connection often used by his saffron party to cut deals and win over politicians from other parties. In last year’s Goa assembly elections the BJP high command, unsure of its outcome, had Singh on notice to stay in touch with winnable candidates from the other side, so they could be “netted” if required, a senior leader of the ruling party said. When the 2022 results were out, the need did not arise with the saffron party bagging 20 „„In 2017, when late Manohar Parrikar-led BJP was a long shot away from power at 14 seats and the rival Congress just three seats away from the half way mark it was Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who entered the frenzied power-broking ring and wrestled out a government for the saffron party „„Singh’s entry into the hard-ball negotiations managed to wean Vijai Sardesai who was then a vice president of the Wrestling federation, to the saffron party File photo of BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh (left) seen with late former CM Manohar Parrikar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Vijai Sardesai. seats leading to MLAs making a beeline on their own for a share of the power slice. But it wasn’t the case five years earlier when the late Manohar Parrikar-led BJP was a long shot away from power at 14 seats and the rival Congress just three seats away from the half way mark. But it was Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh who entered the frenzied power-broking ring and wrestled out a government for the saffron party, literally from the lap of foe Congress. Goa Foward Party (GFP) supremo Vijai Sardesai, whom the 2017 results had propelled him to a ‘kingmaker’ had reportedly sealed a deal with the Congress. But Singh’s entry into the hard-ball negotiations managed to wean Sardesai who was then a vice president of the Wrestling federation, to the saffron party. Sardesai and his GFP’s two other MLAs-elect then – Jayesh Salgaonkar and Vinoda Paliencar – helped the saffron party along with the MGP’s three and independents to swell from a strength of 13 to 21. The move had stunned all as the Sardesai-led nascent GFP’s very political USP and election campaign was based on an anti-BJP stance. The importance of the role played by Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in that stunning BJP coup of 2017 in Goa can be gauged by the celebratory photograph published by sections of the media with him, Sardesai, Manohar Parrikar and Nitin Gadkari in the frame.