log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2024 GOA Lok Sabha elections: Women voters hold key in South Goa TODAY’S POLL : Can Goa stop Karnataka’s ongoing works on Mhadei diversion? n Yes n No n Can’t say To vote, follow The Goan on X (twitter) @thegoanonline 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 274 2 Scan QR to vote Will BJP overcome the Salcete hurdle in the Lok Sabha election? YES 34% NO 53.2% CAN’T SAY 12.8% IN SHORT >> No South Goa candidate in third list of BJP PANAJI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released its third list for the ensuing Lok Sabha election but there was no sign of the party’s candidate for South Goa seat. The third list contained names of former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union Minister L Murugan, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai and former union minister Pon Radhakrishnan. 3 Goan-origin judges made permanent PANAJI: Three Goan-origin Additional Judges of Bombay High Court, Bharat P Deshpande, Valmiki Menezes and Arun A Pedneker have been appointed as permanent judges by the President. A total of 11 additional judges have been promoted in the Bombay High Court. BJP got donations from big corporates NEW DELHI: The BJP, the biggest beneficiary of electoral bonds with donations worth over Rs 6,000 crore in the last four years of the scheme, got funds from several corporates and individuals, including Megha Engineering, Future Gaming, and Reliance-linked Qwik Supply.  >> See pg 7 WEATHER >> Max: 34 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 86% TIDES Low: High: 03:54 15:33 09:30 22:16 Caranzalem, Aivao fishermen warn govt against water sports activities 5 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Makeup hacks that can make your face look slimmer NEW DELHI Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday night in an excise policy-linked money laundering case, even as officials said he was taken to the directorate’s office. The arrest, the first of a sitting chief minister, came hours after the Delhi High Court refused to grant protection to the AAP national convenor from any coercive action by the agency. The 55-year-old leader’s arrest, amid campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, drew angry reactions from his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The party said Kejriwal “will continue as the chief minister of Delhi. If need be, he will run the government from jail.” The BJP though demanded that Kejriwal step down as chief minister on moral grounds. In a day of fast-paced developments, a 10-member ED WHAT LED TO KEJRIWAL’S ARREST NEW DELHI: Details of using hawala operators to transfer the proceeds to fund elections in Goa and of the hotel where the meetings happened, WhatsApp chats, and FaceTime calls purportedly between Arvind Kejriwal, his close associates, and those accused of taking kickbacks in connection with the alleged excise policy scam allegedly prompted the Enforcement Directorate’s late night action on Thursday. Kejriwal skipped nine summonses by the ED team led by an additional director reached his official residence on Flagstaff Road in Civil Lines in the national capital soon after the high court order and carried out searches. He was arrested more than two hours after the ED team arrived at his residence, officials said. Officials said the ED would produce the chief minister be- while two cases were filed under Indian Penal Code sections for not complying with them. That along with a host of evidence gathered by the directorate prompted the latest action it is learnt. The evidence, the letters of chief minister evading summonses by calling them “political” and “illegal” and the cases the agency filed against Kejriwal before the court also “emboldened” the directorate and “prepared the ground” for the sternest legal action. fore a court here on Friday and seek his custody for interrogation in the case. Kejriwal had skipped nine summonses issued by the agency for questioning in the case, the latest being for Thursday, March 21. He has called these summonses “illegal”. As the ED officials carried out their action inside, addi- Cashew production may see 50% decrease this season Agri director says climate change emerging as a serious threat to natural cycle of flowering PANAJI Climate change is emerging as a serious threat to cashew flowering in the State for the last three years, recording annual drop in production. Rise in temperature, erratic rainfall and absence of adequate cold climate has taken a toll on the fruit-setting process as farmers’ witness an average of 50 per cent drop in the flowering for the current season so far. The year 2022-23 reported 25,800 million tonnes cashew production, whereas 26,000 million tonnes of production was reported in 2021-22. The average yield in kilograms per hectare has also declined from 458kgs per ha to 453 kgs per ha in those two years. The final data of the current season 2023-24, will be available only by May end. Speaking to The Goan, Director Agriculture Nev- >Continued on P5 Govt hikes VAT on aviation fuel, likely to affect Ops at Dabolim THE GOAN I NETWORK sence of adequate cold spells during the winter months of December and January, coupled with erratic rains in November, have disrupted the natural cycle of flowering. “Normally, after the monsoon season, cashew and mango >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 „„Rise in temperature, erratic rainfall and absence of adequate cold climate has taken a toll on fruit-setting „„Early morning mist or dew reported at present has further damaged flowering of crops „„Absence of conducive conditions for pollination has also heightened vulnerability of fruit flowers to pests FACT FILE: The year 2022-23 reported 25,800 million tonnes cashew production, whereas 26,000 million tonnes of production was reported in 2021-22. The average yield in kilograms per hectare also declined from 458kgs per ha to 453 kgs per ha in those two years. il Alphonso said that erratic climate, reported in the last three years, has led to annual drop in cashew production. “This year too, on an average there is a 50 per cent drop in flowering. In some areas, the drop is above 60 per cent,” he said. Alphonso said that the ab- tional Delhi Police personnel and Rapid Action Force (RAF) and CRPF teams were deployed around the chief minister’s residence. The additional deployment was made as the ED sought extra security measures in anticipation of protests by AAP supporters, sources said. PANAJI In a major jolt to flight operators, the State government has hiked the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 8 per cent to 15 per cent per kilo-litre. The hiked VAT will come into force from April 1. The move is likely to further impact the operations of Dabolim International Airport, which is currently facing dearth of flights, with several operators like Qatar Airways, Oman Air shifting their base to Manohar International Airport, Mopa. Under Secretary Finance Pranab Bhat has issued a notification in this regard. According to the government, despite the hike, the VAT on ATF in Goa is the lowest across India. Last year, ahead of the commencement of Mopa airport, the government had slashed VAT on ATF from 18 per cent to 8 per cent per kilo-litre. According to information, while few flights opt to refuel CAUSE AND EFFECT THE GOAN I NETWORK LONG ARM OF THE LAW THE GOAN I NETWORK I SPORTS Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024 13 Goa plans contempt plea against K’taka over Mhadei work n State also to move PRAWAH for joint inspection of ongoing work n ED STORMS RESIDENCE AFTER HC REFUSES PROTECTION n HE IS FIRST SERVING CM TO BE ARRESTED n RAF, CRPF TEAMS DEPLOYED IN DELHI 3K fined in 22-day crackdown on traffic violations PANAJI n less than a month, Goa reported over 3,000 traffic violations with tinted glasses and fancy number plates accounting for up to 25 per cent of the total offenses. These statistics pertain specifically to the Transport Department for a period from February 16 to March 8, while the Traffic Police are concurrently conducting their own crackdowns on traffic violations. Transport Director Pravimal Abhishek has confirmed the data stating that their enforcement efforts will continue unhindered. “The department will continue to carry out such enforcement drives,” he said, 8 KEJRIWAL ARRESTED IN LIQUOR POLICY CASE PTI YESTERDAY’S RESULTS: GOA Instagram.com/thegoanonline „„Panaji & Margao RTA jurisdictions record highest number of violations „„Penalties were imposed on vehicles tinted glasses, for not wearing seat belts „„Unauthorized use of fancy number plates and speaking to The Goan on Thursday. These findings surfaced during a recent routine review meeting of the department higher-ups and officers from each Regional Transport Authority. Panaji and Margao RTA jurisdictions recorded the highest number of viola- illegal vehicle hiring also contributed to the number of violations „„Apart from these, other miscellaneous offenses constituted a total of 3,041 violations „„Statistics pertain specifically to the Transport Department for a period from February 16 to March 8 tions. “Penalties are levied on the violators,” official said.  Officials further disclosed to The Goan that tinted glasses, not wearing seat belts, unauthorized use of fancy number plates, illegal vehicle hiring, and various other miscellaneous offenses constitute a total of 3,041 violations. The authorities are on their toes after a spate of fatal accidents, primarily attributed to reckless and drunk driving. One particular accident that occurred on Mandovi Bridge is still fresh in the minds of the people wherein Odisha native Ankit Triparty, driving a rental car, collided head-on with biker Javed Sadekar. The impact was such that Sadekar was thrown into the river with his body recovered two days later. The accused was recently granted conditional bail. On February 27, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho chaired a high-level meeting to review the accident scenario in the State in which he directed the officers to crack down on vehicles, particularly renta-cars, found guilty of more than two serious offenses. These cars, he said, would be impounded. He had also directed the PWD to rectify 12 identified black spots before the LS election while adding that signage, road markings, and other measures will be taken up. ‘Arrest is to stop Kejriwal from campaigning’ PANAJI: Goa Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) president Amit Palekar on Thursday hit out at the BJP over the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate and said the action is meant to stop him from campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Oppn parties slam govt NEW DELHI: Soon after the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Opposition parties – Congress, TMC, NCP and other regional parties – slammed the government for targeting the AAP leader during elections saying it is wrong and unconstitutional and lowered the level of politics. 21 Readers can VOTE on a wide range of issues @ TWITTER POLLS presented by your pollster, The Goan. The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) ON THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As Karnataka recommences work at Kankumbi to divert the flow of monsoonal water towards the Kalasa project, in violation of the Supreme Court directions that it cannot undertake any work for Mhadei river water diversion without requisite permission, the Goa Government is likely to file a contempt plea against the riparian State. The State has also decided to file a complaint-cum-appeal before the Mhadei Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH) seeking its intervention and requesting for a joint inspection to ascertain the level of work undertaken by Karnataka. CH THE G AN POLL-STIR Facebook.com/thegoan @thegoanonline M AR Speaking to The Goan, Minister for Water Resources Department (WRD) Subhash Shirodkar said that the State will file a contempt plea against Karnataka in the Supreme Court, in consultation with the Advocate General. “This will be the third contempt petition against Karnataka. The Supreme Court had clearly said that Karnataka cannot go ahead with the work without obtaining all the permission. Even Karnataka had assured the Court it will not go ahead with work,” he said. Shirodkar said that as per Google imagery, at present there is no work on-going at the proposed site. “However, a team of WRD Mhadei cell >Continued on P5 Govt extends deadline for STs to avail scholarships Decision likely to court controversy over poll code AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA In a move that appears to court favour with the Scheduled Tribe (ST) student community, the State government has announced an extension of the timeline for the submission of applications under the “Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana” and merit-based awards for ST students until March 31. However, the decision has stirred controversy as it coincides with the imposition of the election code of conduct. According to a circular released by the Director of Tribal Welfare Dashrath Redkar, the deadline for submission of applications on the Chief Minister’s scholarship portal has been extended. The new deadline is March 31, with INO level verification due by April 10 and district level verification by April 20. The circular has urged institutes and colleges to inform students about the extended timeline for application sub- THE CIRCULAR THAT WAS ISSUED „„It urges institutes and colleges to inform students about extended timeline for submission of applications „„Nodal officers instructed not to wait until the last date to verify and send applications to the department „„Carries a stern warning, indicating that nodal officers will be held accountable if any eligible ST student misses out on availing scholarship benefits „„New deadline is March 31, with INO level verification due by April 10 and district level verification by April 20. WHAT THE SCHEME ENTAILS „„“Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana” is a financial assistance scheme administered by the Department of Tribal Welfare „„ST students can receive additional financial aid of up to Rs 15,000 as maintenance allowance, in addition to the post-matric scholarship benefits mission. Nodal officers have been instructed not to wait until the last date to verify and send applications to the department, but to do so on a daily basis. Additionally, the circular carries a stern warning, indicating that nodal officers will be held accountable if any eligible ST student misses out on availing the scholarship >Continued on P5 EC cracks whip, asks govt to stop ‘Viksit’ messages on WhatsApp PTI NEW DELHI The Election Commission Thursday directed the Centre to immediately stop delivering bulk WhatsApp messages to people under the “Viksit Bharat Sampark” initiative to highlight the government’s achievements. MODEL CODE VIOLATION The direction was issued to the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Info Tech. “The move is a part of a series of decisions taken by the The Commission said the move was a part of a series of decisions taken to ensure a level-playing field adding an “immediate” compliance report on the matter has been sought from the ministry Commission to ensure a level-playing field,” the Commission said. Asking the government to ensure there is “no further delivery” of the bulk WhatsApp messages to people, the Commission sought an “immediate” compliance report on the matter from the ministry. The ministry had informed the Commission that the messages along with a letter from PM were sent before the Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 16 with the announcement of Lok Sabha poll schedule. “... due to system architecture and network limitations it is possible that some letters have a delayed delivery,” the ministry said in a communication to the Commission. The poll authority had received several complaints that such messages highlighting the government’s initiatives were being delivered.