log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday THURSDAY JUNE 8, 2023 GOA 14 pages Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday The Goan (Playstore) PRICE ` 8 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME VIII, NO.351 Instagram.com/thegoaneveryday RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 Govt agencies among 15,845 defaulting power consumers GOA INFO Mopa airport highest revenue earning project for Goa: CM Dilapidated Margao bus shelter cuts sorry picture as rains loom What happens when you eat chia seeds with honey?  PWD SUB-DIVISIONS, CCP, MIRAMAR SPORTS COMPLEX HAVE ARREARS RUNNING INTO LAKHS  DEPT INITIATES DISCONNECTION PROCESS THE GOAN I NETWORK O F F I C I A L D ATA : O U T STA N D I N G I N L A K H S Rs 135,287 Executive Engineer (PHE pump house), at Nagali pump house Rs 162,842 EE Works Division iii (PHE), PWD at Caju bhatt in Curca Rs 3,29,229 EE WD-I (bldgs, PWD), Junta House Rs 1,05,471 EE WD iii Sewage Pump House Panaji Rs 2,35,684 Assistant PANAJI Amid power cuts creating havoc across many parts of Goa in the scorching heat, a baffling phenomenon has emerged wherein defaulting energy consumers including numerous government departments and their affiliated units are enjoying uninterrupted power supply by ignoring their mounting unpaid bills. As per the government’s very own record compiled till the first quarter of the year, the extent is surprising as some departments owe amounts that run into lakhs while quite a few have accumulated thousands of rupees in arrears. The disconnection process has already been set in motion, yet these default- ing offices remain untouched by the consequences. The irony of this situation is that many of these defaulters are units within the public works department and water resources, government educa- IN SHORT >> at Patto KTC Bus Stand (CCP) Rs 3,40,834 Pharmacy College (Laboratory) in Panaji Rs 3,76,146 Mahiti Ghar at Patto Rs 1,60,418 Sports Complex Miramar Rs 1,40,913 Goa Human Rights Commission IN FULL GEAR Light rain forecast in parts of State Engineer, Sub Campal s/s sub div 33kv/11kv Panaji Rs 1,99,744 The Corporation of City of Panaji Rs 5,34,170 Traffic Island tional institutions, civic bodies, excise department at its old location and a few taluka offices. “Despite issuing notices and allowing them a proper time to pay the pending bills, these institutions are themselves disregarding their financial obligations. If the government departments have such an attitude, what can we expect from the general public? There is no way we can PTI CB bust prostitution racket; 2 rescued Pope undergoes abdominal surgery ROME: Pope Francis underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall, the latest malady to befall the 86-year-old pontiff who had part of his colon removed two years ago. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: TIDES 34 C 29 C 77% Low: 07:25 20:34 High: 00:35 14:36 >Continued on P5 Wrestlers suspend protest till June 15 after govt assurance MAPUSA: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted light rain/thundershowers at a few places on Thursday and light to moderate rain very likely at many places on Friday and Saturday in the State.  >> See pg 3 PANAJI: The Crime Branch (CB) team on Wednesday busted a prostitution racket rescuing two women from Nepal and taking into custody three persons. Details shared by SP (CB) Nidhin Valsan revealed that the illicit trade was being carried out in a guest house at Nerul.   >> See pg 3 complain about other consumers,” lamented one of the officials in the department. While the Electricity Department is currently facing substantial outstanding payments from 15,845 defaulting consumers, various sub-divisions of PWD, the Corporation of City of Panaji, and Sports Complex at Miramar among others have pending bills running in lakhs. Official data reveals that CCP owes Rs 1,99,744, the Pharmacy College (Laboratory) in Panaji has an unsettled amount of Rs 3,40,834, Mahiti Ghar at Patto Rs 3,76,146, Sports Complex Miramar Rs 1,60,418, Goa Human Rights Commission Rs 1,40,913 and more. The process of With monsoon round the corner, shops in the Panaji market are flooded with umbrellas for sale, on Wednesday. Narayan Pissurlenkar Alert staff thwarts Colvale jail inmate’s bid to escape THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA A Colvale jail inmate’s bid to escape was thwarted on Wednesday afternoon after an alert jail staff noticed him scaling the inner wall of the prison. The inmate who has been identified as Pradeep Khalkho was brought to the jail two days ago by the railway police. The prisoner who was found to be mentally unsta- ESCAPE AT TEMPT! Jail officials informed that the incident happened at around 3 pm when the prisoner who was lodged on the first floor of the jail premises attempted to escape by jumping over the inner wall of the premises ble has been referred to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) at Bambolim. Jail officials informed that the incident happened at around 3 pm when the prisoner who was lodged on the first floor of the jail premises attempted to escape by >Continued on P5 NEW DELHI The protesting wrestlers on Wednesday agreed to suspend their agitation till June 15 after the government assured them of filing a chargesheet against outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by then and holding the elections to the sports body by end of the month. Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik met Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who invited them for a meeting to break the deadlock, three days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah met them and discussed their demands. After the meeting, which lasted over five hours, Malik and Punia told reporters that they have also been assured that the FIRs lodged against them will be withdrawn. The protesting wrestlers and many of their supporters were booked for violation of law and order on May 28 when they marched towards the new Parliament building without permission. “We were told that the police investigation (in the case against Singh) will be complete by June 15. Till then, we have been asked to wait and suspend the protest,” Malik said. However, both Malik and Punia asserted that their agitation is not over. 9 14 SPORTS WTC Final: Head, Smith punish India on Day 1 Govt withdraws VAT-based diesel subsidy for trawlers NOTIFICATION IS EFFECTIVE FROM NOV 30 LAST YEAR THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a move that could raise the heckles of the 1,000-plus strong trawler owner community, the State government has discontinued the VAT-based diesel subsidy to fishing trawlers with effect from November 30 last year. A notification conveying the approval of the State government to discontinue the subsidy was issued by Fisheries Director Dr Shamila Monteiro. Monteiro, who also doubles up as ex-officio joint secretary (fisheries) said the government’s decision to discontinue “The Goa Value Added Tax based subsidy on HSD Oil (diesel) consumed by Fishing Vessels Scheme was taken in November last. “This order is issued with the approval of the government, dated 8-11-2022,” Monteiro’s notification issued on May 23, said. The notification also said The Goa Value Added Tax based subsidy on HSD Oil (diesel) consumed by Fishing Vessels Scheme was taken in November last. This order is issued with the approval of the government, dated 8-112022,” — Dr Shamila Monteiro, Fisheries Director that the diesel subsidy is being discontinued retrospectively from November, the date the State government granted approval to the decision. Goa has 1,000-plus registered fishing trawlers and many of their owners claimed this VAT-based diesel subsidy to offset costs, which according to one estimate is nearly 60 per-cent of the entire fishing costs. The only conditions the trawler owners had to fulfil was to be a member of one of the many fishermen’s societies. The second made it mandatory that the diesel purchased should be from pumps run by the fishing co-operatives adjoining the fishing jetties or from pre-approved pumps. Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar however played down the issue saying it was a decision taken two years ago. There is also no reaction yet from most representatives of the trawler owners cooperatives. Their boats have currently dropped anchor at jetties and their operations are suspended owing to the 60day monsoon-cum-breeding season fishing ban on mechanised boats which came into force from June 1. Harshad Dhond, the allGoa Purseiners Association President, meanwhile said he was not aware of the withdrawal of the diesel subsidy but admitted that there was >Continued on P5 This school has tubelights, fans, electric water filter, but no power connection THE GOAN I NETWORK PONDA The Anganwadi at Bagwada behind the Betki-Khandola Panchayat Office has been equipped with lights, fans and even an electric water purifier. Problem is, the Anganwadi has no power supply since it was set up in 2017. This is the plight of over 20 children and 2 staff at the Anganwadi, who have been worst affected especially during the summer. According to sources, the Bagwada Anganwadi was constructed in 2007 for the benefit of children who were put up in a rented room at Bagwada. The children and staff were finally shifted to this new building only 10 years later. Since 2017, the Anganwadi has not been provided an electricity connection even though fans, lights and a water purifier has been installed in the premises. As a result, these electrical appliances have been lying without being put to any use. Initially, there were around 50 children at the Anganwadi but for the past three-four years an average of 35 kids go to the Anganwadi. Parents have been demand- (Top) The Anganwadi in Bagwada-Khandola does not have power supply since it was opened in 2017. (Down) Students at the Anganwadi in Bagwada-Khandola. ing that the government provide electricity connection to the Anganwadi. “Ever since the children were shifted to the new building, efforts to have an electricity connection were initiated but the connection was not sanctioned. The parents had requested local politicians to resolve the issue,” said a source. The source said parents had submitted a request to authorities in 2022 seeking electricity connection for the Anganwadi. “These children have had to >Continued on P5 Violence rocks Kolhapur Finally, struggle bears fruit as 1583 Cuncolim over posts on Tipu Sultan revolt finds a mention in Std XI history books A POLICE WIELD LATHIS TO DISPERSE PROTESTERS; INTERNET SHUT PTI KOLHAPUR Wielding lathis, police in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur on Wednesday dispersed hundreds of protesters after they pelted stones during a demonstration against the alleged use of Tipu Sultan’s image along with an objectionable audio message as social media status by a few locals, an official said. In view of the protest, internet services have been suspended till Thursday in Kolhapur, a senior police official said. SEC U R I T Y T I G H T E N E D While personnel from the SRPF have been deployed in the city in western Maharashtra, police have sought more cops from Satara. Prohibitory orders have been issued till June 19 banning the assembly of five or more persons While personnel from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been deployed in the city in western Maharashtra, police have sought more cops from Satara, he said. Prohibitory orders have been issued till June 19 banning the assembly of five or more persons, he said. As there was a possibility that a few groups of protesters may go to the neighbouring Sangli district, police are put on alert and prohibitory orders may be issued. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis wondered >Continued on P5 OVERJOYED CUNCOLKARS CLAIM… THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO n air of excitement pervades in the historic village of Cuncolim with the commencement of the new academic year, but for a different reason. The long-drawn struggle by Cuncolkars to include the historic 1583 Cuncolim revolt in the school history textbooks seemed to have been succeeded. For, it’s just a matter of days, locals say, that the history of the valiant fight of the Chieftains of Cuncolim against the Portuguese, considered by Cuncolkars as the country’s first war of Independence against colonial „„The Goa Board Chairman informed the delegation of Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Committee that the history books of Std XI with a Chapter on Cuncolim history has gone for printing „„The history books of Std XI will soon hit the stands in the next couple of days with the history of Cuncolim „„This is a proud moment for every Cuncolkar in particular and the people of Goa in general The Cuncolim Chieftains memorial rule, will finally find a mention in the history books of Std XI in the current academic year. A delegation of Cuncolim Chieftains Memorial Committee led by President Oscar Martins and Prof Vijaikukar Kopre Desai had called on Chairman of Goa Board, Bagirath Sheyte a day ago to congratulate him on the Board’s decision to include the Cuncolim history in the history books of Std XI this year. “When we called on the Goa Board Chairman, he told the delegation that the history books of Std XI with a Chapter on Cuncolim history has gone for printing. The history books of Std XI will soon hit the stands in the next couple of days with the history of Cuncolim. This is a proud moment for every Cuncolkar in particular and the people of Goa in general,” Martins said. He added: “The Std XI history books have gone for printing and we are all happy that the book contains a chapter on Cuncolim history. It will be just a matter of days before the Cuncolim history is taught to the students.” Cuncolim MLA and Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao echoed similar sentiments, saying he had raised the issue on the floor of the Assembly vis-à-vis the long-pending demand >Continued on P5