log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY MARCH 5, 2024 GOA Heritage structures in private properties PANAJI: The government’s proposed Heritage Policy will have schemes and provisions offering financial help, liberty and freedom to owners who have heritage structures within their private properties to ensure that they co-operate in getting the structures notified, Minister Subhash Phal Desai said on Monday. Landslide buries labourer at Canacona PANAJI: In a tragic incident, a labourer was buried under a pile of mud following landslide at the ongoing bandhara work site at Gaondongri, Canacona. The deceased is identified as a native of Jharkhand. Another worker was also severely injured in the incident which occurred on Sunday evening. Suchana to undergo fresh mental check PANAJI: The Children’s Court granted a plea for a re-examination of Suchana Seth’s mental health by the Mental Health Authority. Seth, accused of killing her four-year-old son during their vacation in Goa on January 8, is currently in judicial custody.  >> See pg 3 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 257 No end to Margao’s sewage woes; inspection finds nullahs choked IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA P’yats want Morjim-Mandrem ‘silent’ coast declared entertainment zone 3 THE GOAN I NETWORK Max: 31 C Min: 22 C Humidity: 75% TIDES Low: 11:45 ------High: 03:39 19:54 Herbal remedies to get rid of body tan quickly 9 SPORTS Pat Cummins to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad 14 ALL EYES ON CONG MOVE, THAKRE COMING ON MAR 6 THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO In an interesting development Congress Goa desk observer, Manikrao Thakre is visiting Goa on March 6 to have a meeting with party leaders, including MLAs and MP, besides party candidates who had contested the 2022 Assembly elections. The meeting assumes significance and comes ahead of the Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting tentatively scheduled in the national capital during the weekend. Sources informed that Thakre will have a meeting with the party leaders, including the three MLAs, MP ON PAGE 2 PANAJI: As BJP’s brainstorming session continued till late evening, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s wife Sulakshana Sawant’s name surfaced as one of the strong contenders for South Goa Lok Sabha seat. Sulakshana, also the BJP Mahila Morcha Prabhari said her works are recognised, courtesy the latest development. “It is for the Parliamentary Board to take a final call. Whatever is the decision, we all will work together to ensure BJP wins both the Lok Sabha seats,” she said. and Parliament. “The discussion for South Goa is ongoing… We had initially shortlisted five names of whom two voluntarily opted out. Subsequently, the party’s scrutiny committee forwarded the three names to the Central Election Com- mittee. Now that BJP has always supported 33 percent women reservation, the high command suggested we give probable women candidates for South Goa,” he said while addressing a press conference in the party headquarters on Monday. NO JOY RIDE THIS! A Maharashtra-registered vehicle seen on the Colva beach on Monday. The vehicle was detained by the police who fined the owner Rs 2000. (Report on pg 5)  Santosh Mirajkar Jilted lover splashes acid on 3 students in Mangaluru PTI MANGALURU Three female students suffered burn injuries after an acid attack by a youth at a government pre-university college in the taluka headquarters town of Kadaba in Dakshina Kannada district on Monday, police said. The youth has been identified as Abin Shibi (23) hailing from Nilambur in Malappu- ram district of Kerala. He is pursuing an MBA course at his native town, a police official said, adding, he has been arrested. The three students are in the 17-19 age-group, police said. The main victim, who was the actual target of the accused, also hailed from Kerala and had come to Mangaluru for her studies. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao con- demned the incident and also assured that stringent legal action would be taken against the perpetrator. During interrogation, Shibi told police that the main victim had spurned his amorous advances, and he took this “extreme step to show his disappointment in love.” The attacker told police officials he had targeted only the >Continued on P5 dropped. BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade, also present at the press briefing, said the process to finalise the names will take another 4-5 days. Meanwhile, the core committee earlier in the day met to discuss names of probable women candidates. Last week, BJP's Central Election Committee had endorsed Shripad Naik's candidature for the North Goa seat, a stronghold from where he has won five times consecutively. Naik's name was in the first list of 195 candidates for Lok Sabha seats from across the country which the BJP officially announced in Delhi. Voices against EVMs echo in Panaji, hundreds join protest AGENCIES CM’s wife Sulakshana a strong contender The party, he added, will look for winnable women candidates. “We have not shortlisted any names for now but winnability is the factor we are looking at. The names will be proposed to the scrutiny committee that will shortlist and forward the names to CEC for final decision,” he said. The CM emphasized that the final names would be decided after consultation with MLAs, State leaders, party workers, and other stakeholders. Reacting to reports that CEC rejected a few names from the initial list, Sawant clarified that Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar and former CM Digambar Kamat ‘did not show interest with the nominations’ owing to which their names were Peak demand for power to rise 7% this summer: CEA chairman PANAJI Amid speculations over the South Goa candidature for the Lok Sabha polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party made a strategic shift by announcing it would include women aspirants for the seat. While the shortlisting process is still not complete, three names -- Shefali Vaidhya, Suvarna Tendulkar and Vidhya Gaude have been doing the rounds. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated this would be the first time the party will recommend women for the parliamentary seat from Goa, adding that BJP has often supported 33 percent reservation for women in state Assemblies 103 turtle pits now at Agonda TRC WEATHER >> INFO NAMES OF SHEFALI VAIDHYA, SUVARNA TENDULKAR & VIDHYA GAUDE COME UP IN INITIAL DISCUSSIONS PANAJI: The Sessions Judge in North Goa has acquitted IRB constable Maheshrao Ananthu and his family in a dowry harassment case citing that the prosecution failed to prove any dowry demands. Anusha Anathu, Maheshrao's wife died by suicide around 18 months after their wedding on January 9, 2019. >> See pg 3 BJP leaders add ‘Modi ka Parivar’ to their social media handles after Lalu’s taunt  >> See pg 8 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 BJP veers around women in strategic shift for S Goa seat Dowry case: IRB cop, family acquitted CANACONA: The Agonda Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (TRC) is now home to 103 turtle nests, after 15 Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs at Agonda beach on Monday. The 15 turtles arrived right from the wee hours of Monday till Monday night. During day, a turtle came and laid 126 eggs at about 8.15 am, while another turtle arrived at one corner of the beach at about 5 pm and laid 10 eggs. Instagram.com/thegoanonline SEVERAL ACTIVISTS ARRESTED PETITION WITH ONE LAKH SIGNATURES SUBMITTED TO CEO NEW DELHI Peak power demand in the country is likely to rise 7 per cent year-on-year to 260 GW this summer, according to a senior official. The peak power demand during the summer of 2023 touched 243 GW against a projection of 229 GW. "We expect the peak power demand this year (in summers) at 260GW," Central Electricity Authority Chairman Ghanshyam Prasad told reporters on the sidelines of the Fourth Edition of Lineman Diwas in the capital. The power ministry had estimated the country's electricity demand to touch 229 GW during summers in 2023, but it did not reach the projected level in April-July due to unseasonal rainfall. Peak supply, however, touched a new high of 224.1 GW in June before dropping to 209.03 GW in July. Peak demand touched 238.82 GW in August 2023, while it was 243.27 GW in September, 222.16 GW in October, 204.77 GW in November, 213.79 GW in December 2023, and 222.73 GW in January 2024. Power consumption was affected in March, April, May and June last year due to widespread rainfall. BJP’s ‘woman candidate’ ploy catches Cong off guard New equation tricky poser for Cong and senior party leaders to take stock of the situation. Sources further informed that Thakre may also have an interaction with INDIA alliance partners later in the day. Khalap flying high, eyes North Goa ticket MAPUSA: Considered as the opposition Congress’ leading contender for the North Goa parliamentary seat, Ramakant Khalap emphasised the diminishing relevance of caste dynamics in the upcoming elections, stressing instead the importance of a candidate's capabilities.  >> See pg 5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a public outcry against Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Goa, concerned citizens gathered at Azad Maidan, Panaji under the banner "Goans Against EVMs." The protesters demanded a ban on EVMs, citing alleged faults and inaccuracies in the electoral machines. They expressed concerns over potential tampering, claiming that votes intended for one candidate could register for another. Following the demonstration at Azad Maidan, activists marched toward the Election Commission and the Chief Minister's residence. Police intervened, preventing them from reaching the CEO’s office in Altinho. Despite the temporary standoff, a delegation later met with the Election Commissioner. However, tensions escalated as Goa Police arrested several members, including Advocate Pratima Coutinho and Mansoor Sheikh. The arrests occurred during the march towards the CEO office. A section of the protesters at Azad Maidan, Panaji on Monday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar OPPN LEADERS STAND WITH PROTESTERS DEMANDING USE OF BALLOT PAPER >> See pg 3 Protestors argued that EVMs have inherent flaws and are prone to inaccuracies, fueling their demand for an alternative voting system. The arrests intensify the debate over EVM use in Indian elections. Activist Rama Kankonkar highlighted Goans' determination not to allow elections using EVMs and expressed confidence in demonstrating manipulation if provided with one machine. A petition with one lakh signatures was submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, demanding ballot papers for the upcoming election. While Goa's electorate exceeds 11 lakh, over one lakh voters oppose EVM use. A petition of one lakh signatures was handed over to the Chief Electoral Officer on this occasion demanding that this election be conducted through ballot papers without using EVMs. Another feather in Panaji’s cap, No immunity for MPs, MLAs in bribery cases: SC KEY SUPREME COURT OBSERVATIONS among top 18 to win CITIIS 2.0 PTI THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) on Monday said that the capital city has been selected as one of the top 18 winning cities amongst the 100 smart cities in the CITIIS 2.0 Challenge -- a national initiative to promote innovative and sustainable urban development. The second edition of the challenge, launched by Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri in November 2023 focuses on advancing climate action through a circular economy approach to integrated waste management. “Panaji Smart City's win- Panaji’s winning proposal drew inspiration from LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative championed by PM Narendra Modi, aiming to encourage sustainable practices in India and around the world to combat environmental degradation and climate change ning proposal for CITIIS 2.0 drew inspiration from the LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to encourage sustainable practices in India and around the world to combat environmental degradation and climate change. The proposal aims to position Panaji globally as a ‘Model Best-Practitioner’ in sustainable waste management with citizen participation,” reads a press statement issued by IPSCDL. The winning proposal, “Amchi Swachh Panaji prioritizes the well-being of 'Safai Saathis,' strengthens the gender and social inclusion approach that would pave the way for a resilient and equitable city, it further said. “This recognition validates our vision for a climate-resilient and sustainable Panaji, and we eagerly anticipate contributing to India's journey towards Net Zero Emission. IPSCDL will leverage this >Continued on P5 NEW DELHI Ps and MLAs taking bribe to vote or make a speech inside the legislature are not immune from prosecution, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday in a landmark verdict overturning its 1998 judgement, and said bribery and corruption by lawmakers “erode the foundation” of Indian Parliamentary democracy. Setting aside a five-judge constitution bench judgement of 1998 in the JMM bribery case, a larger bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud also said corruption and bribery by MPs and MLAs eat into probity in public life. In the JMM bribery case, the Supreme Court had, by a 3:2 majority, held that lawmakers have immunity against crimi- M „„MPs, MLAs cannot claim privilege to seek immunity from prosecution on a charge of bribery in connection with a vote or speech in the legislature „„Such a claim to immunity fails to fulfil the two-fold test that the claim is tethered to the collective functioning of the House and that it is necessary to the discharge of the essen- nal prosecution for any speech made and vote cast inside the House under Articles 105(2) and 194(2) of the Constitution, In a unanimous judgement on Monday, a seven-judge bench held that Articles 105 and 194 of the Constitution, which deal with the powers and tial duties of a legislator „„A member engaging in bribery commits a crime which is not essential to the casting of the vote or privileges of MPs and MLAs in Parliament and legislative assemblies, seek to sustain an environment in which debate and deliberation can take place within the legislature. “This purpose is destroyed when a member is induced to vote or speak in a certain the ability to decide on how the vote should be cast „„Corruption and bribery by members of the legislatures erode probity in public life „„Offence of bribery is ‘agnostic’ to performance of agreed action and crystallises on exchange of illegal gratification manner because of an act of bribery,” said the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna, M M Sundresh, P S Narasimha, J B Pardiwala, Sanjay Kumar and Manoj Misra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the verdict in a post on X. “SWAGATAM! A great judgment by the Hon'ble Supreme Court which will ensure clean politics and deepen people's faith in the system,” he said. In its 135-page verdict which was penned by the CJI, the bench said, “An individual member of the legislature cannot assert a claim of privilege to seek immunity under Articles 105 and 194 from prosecution on a charge of bribery in connection with a vote or speech in the legislature”. It said such a claim to immunity fails to fulfil the two-fold test that the claim is tethered to the collective functioning of the House and that it is necessary to the discharge of the essential duties of a legislator. The apex court said “Corruption and bribery by members of the legislatures erode probity in public life”.