log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2024 GOA Polluter pays: Colva resort told to deposit Rs 63 lakh by GSPCB page 6 4 Goans commended for outstanding presentation at HCI events in London Goans celebrate Carnival in Delhi IN SHORT >> Whale vomit worth over `5 crore seized at Margao MARGAO: In a major haul, the Konkan Railway police on Friday seized whale vomit (Ambergris) valued at around Rs 5.60 crore. Police nabbed two persons after they were tipped off that the duo would be visiting Margao railway station to take a train to Kerala. After a search, they were allegedly found in possession of a suspected prohibited substance known as whale vomit (Ambergris).  >> See pg 2 Mishap snuffs out lives of two youth MARGAO: A tragic road accident at Curtorim snuffed out the lives of two youngsters, both close friends, aged 20, from Sanvordem on Friday noon. Incidentally, the driver of the ill-fated truck involved in the accident happened to be the uncle of the one of the deceased. >> See pg 2 Probe ordered into liquor racket PANAJI: The Chief Wildlife Warden on Friday ordered an inquiry into Rs 9.74 lakh liquor racket that was busted by Canacona police in the Tirval forest areas at Poinguinim, around 500 mtrs away from Karnataka border.   >> See pg 3 SAG employee arrested for rape PANAJI: The Mopa police arrested the Sports Authority of Goa employee, accused of raping and threatening a high school student. The 42-yearold, employed as a grounds man at SAG, was on the run since the registration of the offense. >> See pg 3 Russia Oppn leader found dead in prison MOSCOW: Alexei Navalny, the fiercest foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin who crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests, died in prison Friday, Russia's prison agency said. He was 47  >> See pg 8 WEATHER >> Max: 35 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 86% TIDES Low: High: 10:42  03:23 22:48 18:20 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.240 2 GOA IPSCDL blames encroachments, Mayor says don't make excuses for work delay 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Fashion and styling tips for plus size women 9 SPORTS Ben Duckett’s fiery hundred deflates Indian spirits Tawadkar declines BJP offer, pulls out of Lok Sabha fray SAYS WANTS TO CONTINUE WORK AT ‘GRASS ROOT’ LEVEL THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI After Digambar Kamat, Canacona MLA and Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar has declined BJP’s offer to contest the South Goa Lok Sabha seat as he wants to continue his work at “grass root” level. However, the tribal leader said that he will adhere to high command “wish”, if they chose him. After contesting against BJP in 2017 Assembly elections following denial of ticket, Tawadkar had rejoined BJP ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls. He was then offered a party ticket in 2022 State Assembly polls from Canacona. The saffron party has now shortlisted Tawadkar’s „„It is very obvious that my name is under discussion for the ticket „„This is all because of my hard work and ground work that I have done IN TAWADKAR’S OWN WORDS… name as one of the probable candidates for South Goa seat, along with four others including another tribal leader Chandrakant Kavlekar. “It is very obvious that my name is under discussion for the ticket. This is all because over the years for tribal people „„I have told the party that for now, I am not ready for MP’s position „„I want to continue my work as MLA for my people „„I have lots of my hard work and ground work that I have done over the years for tribal people, in the field of education, culture, social sector…I have been in touch with workers and people,” Tawadkar said. “But, I have told the party that for now, I am not ready Setback for DySP probables, govt ends direct recruitment 28 VACANCIES WERE TO BE FILLED UP; GPSC CANCELS PROCESS, ISSUES NOTICE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI After a hiatus of 25 years, the long-awaited vacancies for Deputy Superintendents of Police in Goa were cancelled on Friday even as 62 candidates had reached the third level of the recruitment process. The public notice, issued by the Goa Public Service Commission, announced putting an end to the direct recruitment process that began over six months when the advertisement was issued in August 2023. This was followed by pre-screening and screening examinations held in October and November 2023 respectively. The announcement follows the Goa government's two-month-old decision to stop the recruitment and submission in the High Court of Bombay at Goa that it was changing the recruitment rules wherein these vacancies would be filled up through the revised rules. “The GPSC is in receipt of communication dated November 24, 2023 and December 12, 2023 from Under Secretary (Personnel-II) Personnel Department, Government of Goa informing that the gov- THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS „„GPSC had on August 25, 2023 advertised 28 posts -- 14 unreserved category, 8 OBC, 4 ST and 2for EWS „„Unlike Junior Scale Officers age limit for DySPs was 30 years in the unreserved category „„All candidates had to undergo and pass physical fitness test „„2,500 aspirants had applied for the positions „„90 cleared the pre-screening of whom 62 passed the second round GPSC’s PUBLIC NOTICE The GPSC is in receipt of communication dated November 24, 2023 and December 12, 2023 that the government has taken a decision to stop recruitment process for posts of Junior Scale Officer (DySPs). In view of the communication received, the recruitment process is cancelled ernment has taken a decision to stop the recruitment process for the post of Junior Scale Officer (Deputy Superintendent of Police). In view of the communication received, the recruitment process initiated by GPSC is hereby cancelled,” the notice states. This development coincides with the voluntary retirement of GPSC Chairman Jose Manuel Noronha, raising questions about the underlying reasons behind the abrupt termination of the recruitment process. The GPSC on August 25 advertised the 28 posts, of which, 14 were in the unreserved category, eight for OBC, four for ST, and two for EWS. Unlike Junior Scale Officers in the Goa Civil Service, the age limit for DySPs was 30 years in the unreserved category while all candidates had to undergo and pass the >Continued on P5 of work to be completed at the grass root level… like Shram Dham, Swayampurna Goem projects „„Even after this, if my party wants me to contest… then as a loyal worker, I will abide „„I have told my party that I want to complete my term as MLA for my people for MP’s position. I want to continue my work as MLA for my people. I have lots of work to be completed at the grass root level,” he said adding ‘I want to complete projects like Shram Dham, Swayampurna Goem”. State govt notifies Ponda, Margao ODPs THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Notwithstanding the public opposition, the State government on Wednesday notified the Outline Development Plan (ODP) 2031 of Margao planning area along with Ponda. The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board during its 196th meeting held on February 13, under chairmanship of the Minister Vishwajit Rane approved ODP 2031 of Margao and Ponda and the same were notified by the department within 24 hours. “The said ODPs-2031 of Margao and Ponda shall be subject to provisions of “The Goa Land Development & Building Construction Regulation 2010” as amended from time to time,” Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik said. In case of both -- Margao and Ponda -- the draft ODP prepared in 2021 was kept on hold by the government in April 2022, as it decided to rope in consultants in the planning process. The Government and TCP directed the South Goa Planning and Development Authority to draft a fresh plan in consultation with consultants or experts. Both plans are available for inspection at SGPDA office. Objections were raised by citizens with regards to draft Margao ODP requesting SGPDA not to forward the plan for government approval as the plan is riddled with flaws. “Even after this, if my party wants me to contest… if they feel that I can win… the party needs me at the Centre… then as a loyal worker, I will abide by their wish. But I have told my party that I want to complete my term as MLA for my people,” he added. Tawadkar also said that he is not interested to be a Minister in the State Cabinet and he wants to continue in the Speaker’s chair for the entire term. BJP State unit has submitted five names -- Tawadkar, Digambar Kamat, Chandrakant Kavlekar, Narendra Sawaikar and Damu Naik -to BJP’s parliamentary board for final decision. BJP is expected to declare party candidates once the poll dates are announced. 14 Panel cites worrying trend of NRIs, OCIs marrying Indians SUGGESTS COMPREHENSIVE LAW PTI NEW DELHI Describing as a ‘worrisome trend’ the ‘rising’ cases of fraudulent marriages between NRIs and Indian citizens, the Law Commission has recommended a comprehensive law to deal with the situation and compulsory registration of such alliances. While presenting the report “Law on Matrimonial Issues Relating to Non-Resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India” to the law ministry, panel chairman Justice (Retd) Ritu Raj Awasthi said the Commission is of the opinion that proposed legislation should be comprehensive to cater to all facets involving marriages of NRIs as well as foreign citizens of Indian origin with that of Indian citizens. “The rising occurrence of fraudulent marriages involving NRIs marrying Indian Several reports highlight an increasing pattern where these marriages turn out to be deceptive, putting Indian spouses, especially women, in precarious situations,” — Justice Awasthi partners is a worrisome trend. Several reports highlight an increasing pattern where these marriages turn out to be deceptive, putting Indian spouses, especially women, in precarious situations,” Justice Awasthi said. Such a legislation, the panel said, should be made applicable not only to the NRIs but also to those individuals who come within the definition of ''Overseas Citizens of India'' (OCIs) as laid down in the Citizenship Act, 1955. Drop ESA tag for 40 villages in Goa, CM petitions Centre SEEKS NOD TO CORRECT DISCREPANCIES IN CZMP 2011 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa delegation led by the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday urged the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to drop 40 villages from being categorised as Ecologically (Eco) Sensitive Areas (ESAs) and has sought permission to correct the discrepancies in the coastal zone management plan (CZMP) 2011, which is currently in force. Sawant along with State Environment Minister Alexio Sequeira met Union Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav. “The agenda encompassed discussions pertaining to several crucial matters including regulation of Sand Mining activities, the draft notification concerning the Western Ghats, and rectifications to CZMP 2011,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a press statement issued post meeting. “I thank Minister Bhupendra Yadav ji for his wholehearted support in jointly addressing issues pertaining to development and progress of Goa,” CMO added. When contacted, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira ST RESERVATION: STATE ASKS CENTRE TO CONSTITUTE DELIMITATION COMMISSION PANAJI: Goa government on Friday called on Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjuna Munda demanding constitution of Delimitation Commission for reserving Assembly seats for scheduled tribes in the State. The delegation led by the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, included Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar, Tribal Minister Govind Gaude and ST leaders including former Minister Prakash Velip. “Submitted a memorandum demanding the Constitution of Delimitation Commission for determining the seats to be reserved for ST in the Goa Legislative Assembly,” the CMO said. During the recently concluded Budget session, Chief Minister had assured to give political reservation to ST in the 2027 polls. He said that based on 2011 census, STs can get three to four seats reserved. Last year, the Centre had declined Goa’s proposal to grant political reservation to STs in 2027 assembly polls stating that the next delimitation exercise and the readjustment of seats, would be done after the new Delimitation Commission is constituted based on the census taken after 2026. said that officials from the Union Ministry will hold follow up meetings with the State authorities on the issues raised. “There are certain issues pertaining to CZMP 2011. We need to address that and for that we have sought permission from the Ministry,” he said. The Minister said that the plan is already notified by the Ministry and is currently in force and to undertake any corrections, we need their permission. The government had earlier pointed out discrepancies in the demarcation of high tide lines and dimensions of the plots. Sources informed that the Ministry has directed the State government to raise the concerns with the Chennai based agency -- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) – that had >Continued on P5 Court junks petitions seeking ST 11 houses in Funnel Zone at Dabolim partially razed VOICES OF DISSENT status for Dhangar community THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI MUMBAI The Bombay High Court on Friday dismissed a bunch of petitions seeking the Scheduled Tribes (ST) status for the Dhangar (shepherd) community in Maharashtra. The community wrongly got listed as ‘Dhangar’ instead of ‘Dhangad’ due to a typographical error and excluded from the ST category as a result, the petitioners claimed. A bench of Justices Gautam S Patel and Kamal R Khata, however, held the petitioners could not establish that the ''Dhangad'' community did not exist separately in the erstwhile state of Bombay when it PETITIONERS’ CLAIM „„The community wrongly got listed as ‘Dhangar’ instead of ‘Dhangad’ due to a typographical error and excluded from the ST category as a result „„HC held that the petitioners could not establish that ‘'Dhangad' community did not exist separately in the erstwhile state of Bombay was mentioned in a Presidential Order issued in 1950. The Presidential Order and subsequent Government Order of 1956 included ‘Dhangad' community in ST category, but not Dhangars. Dhangars in the State has been agitating for reservation benefits under the ST quota. The issue was whether the community known as ''Dhangar'' was indistinguishable from ‘Dhangad', HC said. The PO was based on Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution and such Articles are special provisions allowing affirmative action for certain communities to get reservation and other advantages, the HC said. VASCO he Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) on Friday partially demolished 11 houses in the Airport Funnel Zone at Dabolim on basis of height restrictions in the area. Upset over the partial demolitions, residents said the area had over 1,000 residents and insisted that authorities must not subject the people to such harassment. "Authorities were silent all these days and they have now arrived after our houses have been constructed. We have all valid permissions and the while PM Narendra Modi has announced the building of houses, no one is here to support people whose houses T Some of the partially demolished structures along the Funnel Zone in Dabolim on Friday. Vikram Nayak are facing the axe. We have decided that we will not vote for any political party in the future because they are of no use to us at the times of our needs," said an unhappy resident. "This is a private land and we have a sale deed for the plot and we also have mutation for the land we purchased. We have all valid permissions and these houses have been here for 15 years. Why have these authorities been silent all this while? Authorities must demolish the „„Why were authorities silent all these days… we have all valid permissions „„We have decided that we will not vote for any political party in the future because they are of no use to us at the times of our needs „„This is private land and we have a sale deed for the plot… we also have mutation for the land we purchased houses of those people who sold us their land.” The resident said they had pledged their gold and even taken loans to build their houses. “Secondly, the lamp posts in the area are at a greater height than our houses, so will they not affect the movement of flights?” “We feel we are being targetted and there is something fishy here because we have such a huge mountain here and why are they looking at our houses which are much lower than the lamp posts and the mountains in this area?” “Authorities must compensate us and pay us for the price of the land and the house at present rates and we will leave the area and move out," said the resident. When contacted, MPDA Member Secretary Sanjay >Continued on P5