log on to thegoan.net @thegoaneveryday THURSDAY AUGUST 3, 2023 GOA 13 pages PRICE ` 8 Will justice be meted out to electrocuted labourer? IN SHORT >> Goa to present strong case before SC in Nov: Minister on Mhadei PANAJI: Goa’s counsel before the Supreme Court of India dealing with the Mhadei imbroglio will present strong arguments whether related to the contempt plea against Karnataka or the very challenge of the tribunal’s award when the matter is expected to be taken up in November, WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar told the Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. >> See pg 3 HC directs demolition of structures in Quela PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa has directed the village panchayat of Quela to demolish a set of seven illegal structures put up by one Kashinath Dhavalikar alias Gaude for being without permissions. >> See pg 2 Man gets 10 years’ RI for rape charges PANAJI: The Children’s Court has sentenced a man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for an offence wherein he is charged with raping his underage niece.  >> See pg 5 Driver held in fatal hit-and-run case PANAJI: The Agassaim police have arrested a car driver in a fatal hit-and-run case reported on Monday. The driver, who was on the run, is identified as Govind Naik.   >> See pg 5 Trump indicted for plot to overturn 2020 polls WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has been indicted on four counts by a federal grand jury for plotting to overturn his 2020 election defeat, the third time this year the former US president has been criminally charged as he seeks to retake the White House in 2024.  >> See pg 8 WEATHER >> Max: 28 C Min: 26 C Humidity: 87% TIDES Low: High: 05:27 18:19 12:18 23:54 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 47 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 9 Govt outlines blueprint to clear co-op sector NPAs in 18 months Kabrastan: HC seeks timeline, govt has 2 options to build access route >> See PG 3 Facebook.com/thegoaneveryday GOA INFO Oppn uses CAG report to expose govt inaction over excise revenue leakage Why should you keep a sliced lemon next to your bed? n LENDING RATES TO BE CAPPED AT 13% n 100 % COMPUTERISATION n ASSURES STRICT AND PROMPT INSPECTIONS BY RCS AUDIT TEAMS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Pledging mission mode functioning of his Co-operation Department spearheaded by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, WRD and Co-operation Minister Subhash Shirodkar on Wednesday outlined an ambitious, multi-prong blueprint aimed at bringing down to near zero non-performing assets (NPAs) of the banks and quasi-banks (Credit Societies) in the State’s co-operative sector. Capping the lending rates of the Co-operative banks and credit societies at 13% by legislation, cent per cent computerisation of all the cooperative entities, strict vigil by the RCS’ officials on audit processes of each and every entity and the department shouldering or subsidising their auditing costs are some of the key measures that Shirodkar spelt out as part of the plan. „„The aggregate turnover of the entire co-operative sector in Goa is in the region of Rs 12,000 crore and it independently employs over 5,000 people „„Over 12,000 families engaged in economic activity related to traditional The Minister who was speaking in the Goa Legislative Assembly in response to the discussion on the demands for grants pertaining to the Co-operation Department which he oversees, said the aggregate turnover of the entire co-operative sector in Goa is in the region of Rs 12,000 crore and it independently employs over 5,000 people. “Over 12,000 families engaged in economic activity related to traditional livelihoods like dairying, agro-farming, MINISTER SPEAKS… livelihoods like dairying, agro-farming, cashew cashew (horticulture), fisheries among others are supported by the cooperative movement. They independently run their activity and earn their livelihood without coming to us (government) with the demand of jobs,” Shirodkar said, underscoring the contribution of the Co-operative sector to the State’s economy and gross domestic product. Admitting that there are a handful of societies that have gone rogue, Shirodkar called out the generalised debate GI tag for Mancurad, Bebinca, Agassaim brinjal, 7-sided okra 15 more items, mostly cooked, proposed for tag THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa’s Mancurad mango, Bebinca, Agassaim brinjal, and the seven-sided okra (saat-shiro bhendo) have bagged the coveted Geographical Indications (GI) tag. With these, the coastal State has now got GI tag for a total nine items while Goan Cashew (nut and apple) is awaiting nod from the GI Registry, Chennai. State has also prepared list of 15 more items including Fish Curry, Mix Pav Bhaji, Coconut Feni, Khatkhate (Mix Vegetable Stew), Bangdyachi Uddamethi (mackerel curry), Goan sausages, Kunbi saree, Korgut rice for the GI tag. The proposal would be sent shortly to the Registry. Speaking to The Goan, Director Science and Technology Levinson Martins said that the Goa’s Mancurad mango, Bebinca, Agassaim brinjal, and the seven-sided okra have got the GI tag as no objections were received by the GI Registry against the four items. “Hence it is deemed as registered and a GI certif- THE COVETED TAG „„The State has now got GI tag for a total of nine items with the inclusion of Mancurad mango, Bebinca, Agassaim brinjal, and the seven-sided okra (saat-shiro bhendo) In the pipeline „„State has also prepared list of 15 more items including Fish Curry, Mix Pav Bhaji, Coconut Feni, Khatkhate (Mix Vegetable Stew), Bangdyachi Uddamethi (mackerel curry), Goan sausages, Kunbi saree, Korgut rice for the GI tag „„The process is currently on to submit the proposal to the GI Registry, Chennai icate will be issued shortly,” he said. He said that the Department of Science and Technology is appointed as the Nodal Department to undertake GI registrations, for various Goan items/ produce such as agricultural, handicrafts, food items and handloom. The Goa State Council for Science and Technology works as facilitator for the said work. Martins said that the proposals were sent by the department along with the pro- ducers associations of the said item like All Goa Baker’s and Confectionery Association, All Goa Mango Growers Association and Agassaim Brinjal producers association. In the past, State’s popular Moira Banana, Harmal Chillies, Feni, Khola Chillies and Khajem had received the GI tag. Martin said that the department has prepared a list of 15 more items, mostly cooked items, for GI tag. He said that the process is currently on to submit the proposal. (horticulture), fisheries among others are supported by the co-operative movement „„They independently run their activity and earn their livelihood without coming to government with the demand of jobs that these entities are a failure and argued that there were several co-operative bodies which were functioning very efficiently and doing a good job. He especially mentioned the Goa Bagayatdar Sahakari Kharedi Vikri Saunstha Maryadit, Bardez Bazaar, Quepem Credit Society and the Shetkari Saunstha of Pernem among those co-operative entities that are beacons of the State’s co-operative movement. “I have set myself a goal to bring down to near zero the NPAs of all credit co-operative societies within the next one-and-a-half year or so. It is achievable,” Shirodkar said, adding that total digitisation of their functioning and strict vigilance of their auditing processes are pre-requisites. The minister said, the bill seeking to cap the lending interest rates at 13% is already introduced and before the House while highlighting the fact that these co-operative societies were the lifeline of small entrepreneurs and livelihood owners who are normally spurned and ignored by nationalised banks and the formal banking system. The idea of taking on the ‘NPA’ bull by its horn struck him after observing the fiscal prudence and timely auditing discipline of the TJS Bank, Shirodkar said, adding that although this entity has a >Continued on P5 SPORTS Hockey: India looks to fine-tune Asian Games preps in ACT 13 Cabinet nod for withdrawal of Bhumiputra Bill THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Almost a year after passing the controversial Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021 in the State Assembly, the Goa cabinet has approved the withdrawal of the Bill. The motion to withdraw the Bill will be tabled in the current session. The Bill that was hurriedly passed by the House in July 2021 was never notified following public outcry. The government had initially decided not to withdraw the Bill but allowed it to lapse. The Bhumiputra Bill had proposed to consider anyone who has lived in Goa for at least 30 years as a Bhumiputra (son of the soil) and allowed them to seek ownership rights to the small housing units in which they live. According to the proposed law, any person who is a resident of Goa for more than 30 years qualifies as a ‘bhumiputra’ and can apply for ownership of the house (up to a plinth area of 250 square WHAT THE BILL PROPOSED „„The Bhumiputra Bill had proposed to consider anyone who has lived in Goa for at least 30 years as a Bhumiputra (son of the soil) and allowed them to seek ownership rights to the small housing units in which they live metres) they have been living in even if the land on which it stands is owned by the government, a private person or commonly owned. Any structure built before April 1, 2019 qualified for ownership under this law. The government had said that the applicants would have to produce water and electricity bills in their name as proof. However, following a severe backlash from cross sections, the Chief Minister had announced that the government will reintroduce the Bill after incorporating public suggestions. Haryana violence: Arson, vandalism continues as govt seeks central forces 1 The Haryana government has sought four more companies of central forces as arson and vandalism continued in Gurugram and a Bajrang Dal activist died in hospital, taking the toll in the violence to six Five godowns were set ablaze and two meat shops ransacked in Gurugram district late Tuesday night On Wednesday, two jhuggis’ were torched and a tea shop vandalised. In another slum, some huts were ransacked The Supreme Court also weighed in on Wednesday, ordering enhanced deployment of security personnel in sensitive areas and a crackdown on hate speech 2 3 4 Detailed report on Pg8 STRATEGIC VISIT? Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi on his arrival at the Dabolim Airport on Wednesday night as part of a short visit to the State. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira, GPCC President Amit Patkar, other leaders and a large crowd of supporters greeted Gandhi at the airport. BA LLB admission row settled THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI After the merit list fiasco in the BA LLB admission, the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) has declared the new revised merit list for the academic year 2023-24 for admission at VM Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar and GR Kare College of Law, Margao. The BA LLB entrance test was marred with controversy over allegations of favoritism and rigging. G R Kare Law College ex Principal Saba D’Silva, currently stands suspended, was in the middle of allegations after students accused him of changing entrance exam norms for admissions to the BA LLB programme at the eleventh hour to favour his son. Based on the allegations, Goa University had initiated inquiry and found him guilty and fault in the entrance text. After initially deciding to conduct re-test, the Varsity opted to complete the admission process with the help of DHE following High Court directions. DHE in a notification issued on July 31 has said that the new merit list is prepared based on the criteria with 50 per cent weightage for XII >Continued on P5 Goa appeal ignored, 28% GST High-voltage drama at Bicholim police station on online gaming from Oct 1 between chain-snatcher and men-in-uniform FM agrees for review after 6 months of roll-out PTI NEW DELHI The GST Council on Wednesday decided to levy a 28 per cent GST on online gaming and casinos on the face value of bets at entry level, even though three states – Delhi, Goa and Sikkim – expressed dissent. The Centre will bring amendments to the Central GST law in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, following which states will pass the amendments in their respective assemblies to pave way for introduction of changes in law by October 1. HOW GST WILL APPLY „„The valuation may be done based on the amount paid or payable or deposited with the supplier by or on behalf of the player, excluding the amount entered into games bets out of winnings of previous games and bets and not on the total value of each bets placed „„Entry (level) whatever they pay to get chips and not what they pay in each game “The valuation may be done based on the amount paid or payable or deposited with the supplier by or on behalf of the player, excluding the amount entered into games bets out of winnings of previous games and bets and not on the total value of each bets placed. Entry (level) >Continued on P5 Accused manhandles cops and points gun at them during custodial probe THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI t was a high-voltage drama at the Bicholim police station when a chain-snatching accused, arrested just a day ago, showed unbelievable strength during custodial interrogation when he not only manhandled the men-in-khaki but also pointed a gun at them. The 24-year-old accused, Faizan Sayyad might have confessed to committing a series of thefts but could not keep his calm when some policemen allegedly assaulted him in custody. A reliable source told The I HOW IT ALL HAPPENED „„The 24-year-old accused could not keep his calm when some policemen allegedly assaulted him in custody „„The situation escalated further when a senior officer purportedly brandished his official revolver at Sayyad „„The accused managed to wrestle control and point the gun at the cop „„Somehow the policemen managed to bring him under control, averting what could have resulted in a law and order crisis within the very police station Goan that the situation escalated further when a senior officer purportedly brandished his official revolver at Sayyad. Although it’s unclear whether it was a real gun, the accused managed to wrestle control and point the gun at the cop. Somehow the policemen managed to bring him under control, averting what could have resulted in a law and order crisis within the very police station. CASES AGAINST SAYYAD „„Margao Town PS: FIR under section 20(b)(i) (B) NDPS Act (drug peddling); FIR u/s 379 IPC (theft) „„Maina-Curtorim PS: FIR u/s 356 (assault or criminal force in attempt to commit theft of property carried by a person), 379 IPC; FIR u/s 392 IPC (robbery); FIR u/s 356, 379 r/w 34 IPC; FIR u/s 356, 379 IPC „„Sanguem PS: FIR u/s 356, 379 IPC „„Curchorem PS: FIR u/s 356, 379 r/w 34 IPC „„Verna PS: FIR u/s 356, 379 r/w 34 IPC; FIR u/s 356, 379 r/w 34 JPC „„Fatorda PS: FIR u/s 379, 356 IPC He now faces a fresh First Information Report (FIR) registered under section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of IPC. More >Continued on P5