log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2023 GOA Konkani poetry takes centre stage in London Goan-origin priest marks sacerdotal golden jubilee in Nairobi IN SHORT >> Goa Media Tech Expo during IFFI PANAJI: Goa’s government’s department of Information Technology will be hosting the Goa Media Tech Expo 2023 from November 21 to 26 on the sidelines of this year’s edition of the International Film Festival of India. The Expo will spotlight the convergence of technology and the media and cinema sector.  >> See pg 5 GMR Goa Int’l Airport raises `  ,475 cr 2 PANAJI: GMR Goa International Airport Ltd, the group company of GMR which owns and operates the new Manohar International Airport at Mopa, earlier this week moved to raise Rs 2,475 crore through 20-year non-convertible debenture series.   >> See pg 5 Another gang of thieves busted The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 151 Goa has got bad image for crimes committed by outsiders: Tawadkar page 7 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA Govt notifies key roads in Mapusa as pay parking 3 MAPUSA: Calangute Police arrested two persons for stealing laptops and mobiles worth Rs 4 lakh from a villa in Calangute. The accused have been identified as Afchhar Ali and Mochhabar Ali both natives of West Bengal but presently residing in Calangute. WEATHER >> Max: 33 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 89% TIDES Low: High: 07:59 19:48 02:21 12:46 THE GOAN I NETWORK 10 14 PCB names Wahab Riaz as new chief selector ‘Professional tax’ likely be norm in State shortly Finance panel mulling proposal THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI ‘Professional Tax’ a levy on professionals operating in the jurisdiction of local bodies -civic bodies and panchayats -- could soon be a norm with the Goa State Finance Commission (GSFC) mulling such a move to shore up revenues for these constitutional local self-governing bodies. The compelling situation for the GSFC to propose such a ‘professional tax’ is the soaring expenditure of these local bodies but no corresponding increase in their revenue sources. Most of Goa’s local bodies, including Corporation of the City of Panaji but barring a few coastal panchayats, operate in the red and have to be financially hand-held by the State through grants. The proposal to levy ‘Professional Tax’ if it eventually materialises will affect professionals such as chartered ac- The proposal to levy ‘Professional Tax’ will affect professionals such as chartered accountants, lawyers, doctors, dentists, architects, engineers and several others who have offices or operate in the jurisdiction of these local bodies 20 to 28. Being an international event, foreign delegates, dignitaries, famous film personalities and VIPs will attend the festival. It will also attract a large number of tourists both at foreign and domestic”. “All visitors/delegates who will be visiting the venues of the film festival are asked to carry an Identity Card/ ID proof /delegate pass/invitation with them for access at the venues. They are however, advised not to carry baggage, handbags or any extra luggage during their visit inside the venues”. The advisory further states, “in case, any visitor/delegate comes to notice any suspicious object/article or any suspicious person or any suspicious activity in the venue premises or in the surrounding periphery of the venue, they shall immediately report to the nearest police station/ police out post or dial 100 /112, for prompt police action/ assistance”. The feast of St Francis Xavier will be celebrated at Bom Jesus Basilica at Old Goa on December 4 while the Novenas will commence from November 25. Hire taxis for tipsy tourists, cops tell restaurants, pubs ‘Checks needed for discipline, security, sanctity at Basilica’ PANAJI: Fr Patricio Fernandes, Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, said police officials had intimated him about the police advisory, to ensure greater safety and security of visitors/devotees and world heritage monuments. “I have been requesting for a long time enhanced checks and security at the Basilica to ensure discipline, security and sanctity in the premises,” said Fr Fernandes. “We have begun making announcements about this police advisory to congregations in Old Goa for darshan of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier, attend mass and religious ceremonies”. “All visitors/devotees attending the feast of St Francis Xavier in Old Goa must carry a valid Identity Card/ID proof the Basilica and through social media.” Fr Fernandes also informed that police authorities are expected to install scanners at the entrance to the Basilica. When contacted, Fr Rosario Oliveira, Parish Priest of Se Cathedral at Old Goa, said he was not aware of the police advisory, making it mandatory for devotees, pilgrims and visitors to carry ID proof with them for access in the churches at Old Goa during the Novena and Feast of St Francis Xavier. for access to the Churches”, the advisory states while urging all to follow safety norms. Another advisory has also been issued in view of the upcoming film festival. “The 54th edition of IFFI will be held from November THE GOAN I NETWORK HELL ON ROADS: Motorists bear the brunt of a dusty stretch of dug-up road at St Inez on Friday. Residents are facing the wrath of unending Smart City works with pollution showing a marked increase in the area.  Narayan Pissurlenkar MP polls: 76% turnout recorded PTI BHOPAL A voter turnout of nearly 76 per cent was recorded in assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh on Friday, a senior official said. The voting figure surpassed the 75 per cent recorded in 2018 and could increase further. Polling was held for all 230 constituencies in a single phase on Friday. Voting was approximately 76 per cent. We are waiting for some details before coming out with the final figure which will take some time, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan told PTI late at night. The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party and opposition Congress are locked in a direct fight. Modi says can trigger big crisis, stoke discontent NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday cautioned that deepfakes created by artificial intelligence can lead to a big crisis and stoke discontent in society, as he urged the media to raise awareness about its misuse and educate people. Addressing the media at BJP’s ‘’Diwali Milan’’ programme at the party’s headquarters, Modi said he recently saw a video of him performing garba even though he has not done so since school days. Even those who love him are forwarding the video, he said Complete care of skin: Tips that you must know SPORTS Dr Mathavaraj bags Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist award PANAJI In what could stoke resentment ahead of the feast of St Francis Xavier, the Goa Police has issued a security advisory asking visitors and devotees to carry necessary identification documents while also strongly advising against bringing handbags, luggage, or any extra items to churches during the feast. A similar advisory has also been issued for the upcoming International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The advisory issued by Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Nidhin Valsan for the feast states, “the department anticipates a large number of people/devotees from different parts of Goa and neighbouring States will pay a visit to Old Goa churches”. “The devotees will also visit Bom Jesus Basilica Church, Now, PM’s morphed garba deepfake video goes viral PTI INFO POLICE ISSUE SECURITY ADVISORY IN VIEW OF HUGE CROWD Pipeline damaged by JCB at Usgao 2 held for stealing laptops, mobiles RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Identity cards mandatory for devotees at St Xavier’s feast PANAJI: The North Goa Police have busted another gang of thieves, arresting three persons accused of stealing ornaments worth around Rs 4 lakh from a residence in Curca. Agassaim PI Vikram Naik said the three-member gang was arrested after rounding up 11 suspects.   >> See pg 3 PANAJI: Thousands of liters of water went down the drain at Par Usgao after a roadside water pipeline was damaged by JCB machine that was undertaking works in the area. Residents have raised a hue and cry with water supply in the area likely to be affected. Instagram.com/thegoanonline Modi said he recently saw a video of him performing garba even though he has not done so since school days. Even those who love him are forwarding the video, he said in a lighter vein. “In a diverse society like ours, deepfakes can cause a big crisis and even stoke the fire of discontent as people generally trust anything associated with the media in the same way anyone clad in ‘’gedua’’ (saffron) tends to get respect from others. “A new crisis is emerging due to deepfakes produced through artificial intelligence. There is a very big section of society which does not have a parallel verification system,” the prime minister told journalists at the programme where he aired views about a few things and sought their support to raise awareness. The prime minister noted that earlier a movie with some controversial comments would come and go, but now it goes on to become a big issue. Even screening of such films becomes difficult on the ground that they have disrespected someone, he said. The polling was marred by violence in a few places. An aide of a Congress candidate was killed after two groups clashed in Rajnagar, police said. Voting in naxalite-affected Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori districts ended at 3 PM while it continued till 6 PM in other parts of the state. Polling had begun at 7 AM across all 230 constituencies. PANAJI The first Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist award will be conferred on Dr Mathavaraj S of U R Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO. Dr Mathavaraj had designed the powered trajectory of Chandrayaan-3 that had successfully landed at the South Pole of the moon. There were 106 applicants of which 14 were shortlisted for the award which comprises of Rs 5 lakh and a citation. This is currently the highest cash prize in science and technology. The award will be presented on December 13, the birth anniversary of late chief minister Manohar Parrikar at Manohar Parrikar Vigyan Mahotsav at NIO, Dona Paula. Dr Anil Kakodkar who chaired the Expert Committee for selection of Yuva Scientist said, “happy to announce that the award has gone to the person who designed the powered decent trajectory of Chandrayaan-3 Mission that had successfully landed on the South Pole of the moon”. countants, lawyers, doctors, dentists, architects, engineers and several others who have offices or operate in the jurisdiction of these local bodies. The GSFC is headed by retired IAS officer Daulat Hawaldar, who served as the State’s finance secretary. This proposal for levying a professional tax was recently deliberated in a meeting between officials of Commission and members of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry where the latter suggested that instead of new taxes the focus should be on widening the tax base. n Owners urged to ensure guests don’t drive back home drunk n Bouncers warned against misbehaving THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Goa Police on Friday urged restaurant and pub owners to provide taxis to tourists/ guests who get intoxicated within their premises so that they don’t drive back home in inebriated condition. Taking into account recent attacks on tourists by bouncers and touts, police also cautioned the restaurant owners to avoid harassing tourists. “When tourists come to Goa for a holiday they like to have some fun. If any of these tourists are over drunk then the owners should provide them with taxis so that they don’t drive home intoxicated,” said Jivba Dalvi, SDPO Mapusa. Mapusa SDPO was interacting with restaurant owners and security agencies along the coastal belt at Anjuna Police Station. Anjuna PI Prashal Desai was also present. Continuing, Dalvi said nobody has a right to attack tourists who come to Goa because it’s a tourism State. “Nobody has a right to act tough on tourists and take Vagator accident: Lab report says driver was not drunk MAPUSA: The blood alcohol test of the driver who allegedly drove his SUV recklessly killing the resort owner in Vagator last week has come negative, indicating that he was not drunk when the accident happened. According to the biochemical analysis report conducted in the North Goa District hospital, the blood alcohol level of the accused driver Sachin Kurup is “nil”. The driver who is booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder was sent to 14 days judicial custody after spending four days in the police lockup. With the pathology report negating traces of any alcohol content the focus now shifts to find out whether the alleged accused was high on drugs.  >> See pg 3 them as hostages. Police will not tolerate bouncers who misbehave,” he said. Recently, two Indian tourists were beaten up by bouncers and security guards at the parking lot of a popular night spot in Siolim. The Mapusa SDPO has also informed the restaurant owners to verify the antecedents of the workers they hire during the peak tourism season. “Some of these outstation employees come to work at certain times only to commit theft. The restaurant owners should carry out proper police verification while hiring them,” he cautioned them. On complaints of tourists resorting to rough riding on roads, Dalvi assured the hotel owners that he will write to the local panchayat to erect adequate traffic signages. Authorities finally wake up to Sernabatim sand dune destruction Stop work order issued to hotel director, asked to furnish documents THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO The authorities seemed to have finally taken cognizance of the uproar at the Sernabatim beach belt, where activists and residents had complained of construction of retaining wall on the beach allegedly in violation of the CRZ regulations. In fact, the Sub-divisional Magistrate, Margao, deputy Collector, Uday Prabhudesai on Friday issued stop work order to the Director of a hotel project to forthwith stop all work at the site. That’s not all. Prabhudesai has directed the Director to appear before him with all relevant documents/permissions obtained from various authori- Official inspects Benaulim sand dune Development activity at Sernabatim beach. ties for the construction within 24 hours either in person or through duly appointed agent/pleader. The stop work order has directed the Mamlatdar of Salcete and the Police Inspector, Colva Police Station to imple- ment the order forthwith till further orders. The action against the hotel firm has come following a complaint lodged by the Secretary, Colva Civic & Consumer Forum, Judith Almeida, alleging that the firm MARGAO: Days after residents complained of destruction of sand dune at Benaulim beach, an official of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) inspected the site on Friday. The official has pointed out that a report will be compiled and submitted to GCZMA higher ups for further action. Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas along with Chairperson of Benaulim Bio-diversity Management Committee Charles D’Silva, besides BMC members accompanied the GCZMA official at the site.  >> See pg 2 was involved reconstructing/ erecting a retaining wall by destroying the sand dunes on western side of the property at Sernabatim village within CRZ norms and which activity is not in conformity with the guidelines of Coastal Regulation Zone Management Authority. “The talathi of Colva has reported that you are >Continued on P5