log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY MAY 21, 2024 GOA Major power cut in Vasco on May 26 VASCO: Vasco city and its suburbs will witness a major power shutdown on May 26 for over 7 hours between 8.30 am and 4 pm on account of maintenance works. According to the information from a notice issued by the Sub Divisional Engineer, Electricity department, the works of maintenance will be carried out on 6 feeders.  >> See pg 5 KRC to venture into bike, car rentals MARGAO: The Konkan Railway has drawn up plan to tap the tourist footfall at the Margao railway station by venturing into bike and car rentals, besides pod hotels for the benefit of tourists. Presently, the transport requirement of tourists is met by tourist taxis and black and yellow taxis, besides rickshaws and motorcycle pilots. >> See pg 2 Tourists hurt as car topples at Mollem PONDA: Tourists sustained minor injuries after their car proceeding from Bangalore to Goa overturned in the ditch dug to lay power lines at Piklewadi-Mollem. According to police, the car went off the road and toppled on one side at Piklewadi. Workers of Verna company protest VASCO: Around 47 workers of a company based in Verna Industrial Estate agitated for the 50th day outside the company against their retrenchment. The company had retrenched 47 workers by sending WhatsApp messages and had credited an amount supposed to be their legal dues on the same night.  >> See pg 3 Lookout notice against robbers PANAJI: Colva police have issued lookout notice against the duo whose robbery attempt at Betalbatim bunglow on April 15 was captured on CCTV camera. The lookout notice is in connection with a robbery that occurred on April 22 at a house at Vaswaddo, Benaulim. Water supply to be restricted in Pernem PERNEM: Water supply will be restricted to entire Pernem taluka on Tuesday and Wednesday on account of a proposed power shutdown by the electricity department to carry out work at 33 KV Chandel-Pernem feeder. WEATHER >> Max: 34 C Min: 23.9 C Humidity: 79% TIDES Low: High: 03:19 15:44 10:12 20:59 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 Std XI admissions start amid stream confusion GOA How to get pink lips naturally at home SOME HSSs ADMITTING STUDENTS BASED ON STREAMS WHILE OTHERS HAVE ‘GROUPS’ AS CATEGORY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Class XI admissions have begun and classes are likely to commence in the second week of June. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding stream specifications since the Goa government has already decided to eliminate streams in Class XII results. While some higher secondary schools continue to take admissions based on streams for various obvious reasons, other schools have categorised the streams into Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3. “Some HSSs had already printed their prospectuses based on the existing system, where admissions specify streams. So also, the students and parents are yet to get accustomed to the new rule, so schools are simplifying it for their understanding,” said an UNCERTAIN TIMES AHEAD! „„Some HSSs have already printed prospectuses based on existing system where admissions specify streams „„Many other schools have categorised streams into Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 „„Schools outline prerequisites, eligibility for each stream and subjects offered „„Science stream subdivided into two branches: the non-medical stream (PCM) and medical stream (PCB) and also includes languages „„Many HSSs planning to generate stream-wise overall ranking list based on applications received official, in the know of the development. Other schools have quickly adopted the NEP 2020 system, categorizing streams into groups. “The groups are explained in brackets to indicate the corresponding streams for better understanding of students and parents seeking admissions,” the official added. The schools have outlined prerequisites and eligibility for each stream and the subjects offered. In many, the Science stream is subdivided into two branches: the non-medical stream (PCM) and the medical stream (PCB), and also includes languages. Goa to miss deadline on 2019 coastal plan again GOVT MAY GET CZMP 2011 MAPS IN 1:4000 SCALE BY MONTH-END; CZMP 2019 PROCESS TO START LATER SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI Alike CZMP 2011, Goa's finalization of the coastal zone management plan CZMP 2019 is heading towards a never-ending saga with State all set to miss its May 31 deadline to finalize the coastal plan. There has been a delay of almost five years since the CRZ notification 2019 was notified -- the Rules and Regulations of which are currently not applicable to Goa in the absence of the plan. Sources informed that Goa will write to Centre seeking further two to four months time to complete the entire exercise, including public consultation for CZMP 2019. State had in the past missed October 31, 2023 deadline set by the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA), following which the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) stopped granting permissions under CRZ 2011 for developmental projects in the State. CZMP 2019: THE ROAD AHEAD „„Chennai based agency to submit CZMP 2011 maps in 1:4000 scale „„Govt likely to receive these maps by end of this month „„Work on CZMP 2019 will begin only once CZMP 2011 maps are received „„State to inform Centre about delay due to non submission of correct CZMP 2011 „„FLASHBACK: The State of Goa had entrusted the task of preparation of CZMP 2011 to NCSCM that submitted the plan in 1:25000 scale. However in spite of making full payment to NCSCM in March 2023, they failed to provide correct CZMP 2011 plan in 1:4000 scale Sources said that by the end of this month, State government is likely to receive the CZMP 2011 maps in a 1:4000 scale, after which it will start preparing the CZMP 2019 for Goa. The maps would be received from Chennai based agency National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) that had ini- ALL EYES NOW ON REMAINING 2 PHASES PTI EC said. In the corresponding phase in 2019 polls, the turnout was registered at 64.16 per cent when 51 seats across seven states went to polls. According to the Election Commission, the voter turnout in the fourth phase stood at 69.16 per cent, 3.65 percentage points higher than the corresponding phase in the 2019 parliamentary elections. The updated voter turnout figures for the third phase of polling in Lok Sabha polls was 65.68 per cent. In the third phase of the 2019 elections, the turnout was 68.4 per cent. In the second phase of the 2024 elections, the turnout was recorded at 66.71 per cent as against the 69.64 per cent in the second phase of the 2019 polls. In the first phase of the ongoing general elections, a 66.14 per cent turnout was recorded. In the 2019 polls, the turnout in the first phase was 69.43 per cent. 9 INFO Newly paved Siolim-Sodiem link road dug up, locals outraged EC records 57% turnout in fifth phase of LS elections NEW DELHI The fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections registered a voter turnout of 57.47 per cent till 7.45 pm, the Election Commission said on Monday. With the end of polls in the fifth phase, voting has been completed in 25 states and Union Territories and 428 constituencies in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Two more phases -- on May 25 and June 1 -- are remaining now. A large number of voters were still in the queue at polling stations even at 6 pm, the The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 334 Fate of District Development Plan hangs in balance IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoan tially shown reluctance to provide the same. Sources said that State will inform Centre that the work on the new plan has been delayed due to non submission of correct CZMP 2011 on 1:4000 scale by NCSCM. “The State of Goa had >Continued on P5 Some HSSs plan to generate a stream-wise overall ranking list based on the applications received, with Mathematics Level 1 given priority in Science and Commerce. One of these HSSs claim that the merit list for admission to Std XI (Science) will be prepared based on marks scored in Mathematics (Level 1) and Science in Std X. In case of a tie, the candidate who scores higher in Mathematics will be ranked higher. The merit list for admission to Std XI (Arts) and Std XI (Commerce) will be prepared based on the aggregate marks scored by the candidates in Std X. However, for those opting for Maths/Banking as an optional subject in Commerce, admission will be based on the marks obtained in Mathematics (Level 1) in Std X. Showers bring relief from heat, Mormugao gets highest rainfall THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As pre-monsoon rains continue to bring relief from the scorching heat, Mormugao received the highest rainfall at 7 cm, although the maximum temperature reached around 34 degrees Celsius on Monday, about 1 degree higher than Panaji. The capital city received 5 cm of rainfall with inconvenience evident among the residents and commuters due to incomplete Smart City works. Valpoi and Margao recorded the third highest rainfall with 4 cm each, followed by Mapusa and Dabolim with 3 cm each, Canacona 2 cm, and Sanquelim, Ponda, Pernem, Sanguem, Quepem, and Ela (Old Goa) each with 1 cm. The heavy downpour also brought the minimum temp down to below 25 degrees. The State further experienced incidents of tree felling, with the Fire & Emergency Services handling at least 12 calls per day. On Monday, a tree fell on two govt vehicles parked near Shramshakti Bhavan at Patto, while another government vehicle parked in Taleigao was damaged by a fallen tree the previous day. SPORTS Liverpool confirm Dutchman Slot as Klopp’s successor 11 Pre-monsoon showers boost water level at Amthane dam CONCERNS REMAIN OVER WATER AT ANJUNEM, TILLARI, SELAULIM, PANCHWADI RESERVOIRS THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA While the pre-monsoon showers have brought some respite from the sweltering heat, the overall condition of the State's reservoirs remains a mixed bag. The recent showers have brought some relief with water level rising in a couple of dams, but concerns remain over the declining water levels in several key dams. POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT The most notable improvement has been observed in the Amthane reservoir. Just ten days ago, its water level stood at a concerning 33 percent. However, thanks to vigorous pre-monsoon showers over the past few days, the water level has surged to 70 percent. The Amthane dam is a crucial source of water for the Bardez, Pernem, and parts of the Bicholim taluka, making this increase particularly wel- File photo: Amthane dam come news for these regions. A senior official from the Water Resources Department (WRD) commented on this positive development, stating, "Bicholim has received a significant amount of rainfall recently, which has greatly contributed to raising the water level in the Amthane dam." ONGOING CONCERNS Despite the encouraging news from Amthane, other reservoirs have not fared as well. The Anjunem dam, which supplies water to Sattari and parts of Bicholim, has seen its water level drop further to 18 percent. Similarly, the minor reservoir at Panchwadi dam has experienced a decline, with levels now at 20 percent. The situation is also worrying for the Selaulim dam, a critical source of water for South Goa, including Margao, Vasco, Quepem, and Sanguem. Its water level has fallen to 29 percent, down from 34 percent recorded ten days ago. The Tillari dam's water level stands at 32 percent. In contrast, the Chapoli and Gaunem dams have maintained relatively stable levels, each holding steady at 47 percent. FUTURE OUTLOOK The WRD official acknowledged the mixed impact of the pre-monsoon showers, expressing particular concern about the Anjunem dam's low levels. However, he expressed hope that Sattari would receive more rainfall in the >Continued on P5 Iran president, foreign min killed in helicopter crash BODIES OF OTHER OFFICIALS ALSO FOUND AT SITE MOKHBER NAMED AS ACTING PRESIDENT PTI DUBAI Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and several other officials were found dead on Monday, hours after their helicopter crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of the country's northwest, state media reported. The crash comes as the Middle East remains unsettled by the Israel-Hamas war, during which Raisi, who was 63, under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched an unprecedented drone-andmissile attack on Israel just last month. During Raisi's term in office, Iran enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels, further escalating tensions with the West as Tehran also supplied bomb-carrying drones to Russia for its war in Ukraine and armed militia groups across the region. Meanwhile, Iran has faced years of mass protests against its Shiite theocracy over its ailing economy and women's rights making the moment The site where Iran president’s chopper crashed. India announces 1-day State mourning NEW DELHI: A one-day state mourning will be observed across India on Tuesday as a mark of respect for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash, the Union Home Ministry has announced. The national flag will be flown at half-mast on all buildings where it is regularly flown across India and there will be no official entertainment during the period of state mourning. that much more sensitive for Tehran and the future of the country. Khamenei hours later announced Iran's first vice president, Mohammad Mokhber, would serve as the country's acting president until elec- tions are held. State TV gave no immediate cause for the crash that occurred in Iran's East Azerbaijan province. Among the dead was Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, 60. Top medical body slams study on Covaxin safety AGENCIES NEW DELHI he Indian Council of Medical Research, or ICMR, has distanced itself from a follow-up study by two Banaras Hindu University professors that said nearly a third of 926 individuals who received the India-made Covaxin vaccine reported serious side-effects. The study claimed that around one per cent of respondents reported strokes and an autoimmune disorder called Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which causes weakness in nerves in the arms and legs. Conducted between January 2022 and August 2023, the study also said 50 per cent of the sample size complained of respiratory infections, and over 30 per cent reported T COVID STUDY: ICMR RETORT „„ICMR faulted the study for poor methodology and objected to it "acknowledging" the medical body „„Study had no control arm (of unvaccinated individuals) to compare rate of AESIs „„Reported side-effects could not be linked or attributed to being administered Covaxin as Covid-19 vaccination „„Study does not provide background rates of observed events in population, making it impossible to assess change in post-vaccination period „„Method of data collection also severely criticized assorted physical problems, ranging from skin and nervous system disorders to bone and muscle problems. Specifically, between adolescents and adults respondents the study claimed 10.5 per cent reported new-onset skin and subcutaneous disorders and 10.2 per cent claimed nervous system concerns. Among female respondents, 4.6 per cent claimed menstrual disorders. However, the ICMR faulted the study -- 'Long-Term Safety Analysis of BBVl52 Coronavirus Vaccine in Adolescents and Adults: Findings From a 1-Year Prospective Study in North India' published by Springer Nature -- for poor methodology, and objected to it "acknowledging" the medical body. ICMR Director-General Rajiv Bahl said the study had no control arm (of unvaccinated individuals) to compare rate of AESIs, or Adverse Events of Special Interest, and, therefore, the reported side-effects could not be linked or attributed to being administered Covaxin as Covid-19 vaccination. Continuing a long list of critical observations, the ICMR boss also declared the study does not provide background rates of observed events in the population, making it impossible to assess change in such incidences in the post-vaccination period. The method of data collection -- study participants were contacted via telephone a year after vaccination and their responses were recorded without confirming them via medical records or examination by doctors -- was also severely criticised. Dr Bahl stressed that the ICMR is not associated with the study claiming side-effects from the India-developed vaccine, and had not provided any support -- technical or financial -- to the study authors. "The authors are urged to rectify acknowledgment to ICMR and publish an erratum. Additionally, they are asked to address methodological concerns raised," ICMR chief said.