log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY AUGUST  31, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 73 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Lawyer’s suicide: FIR booked against lady PSI, constables SUICIDE NOTE HOLDS PSI ANUSHKA RESPONSIBLE THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO A day after noted city-based lawyer, Adv Jayant Prabhu ended his life at his Davorlim residence, the Margao police registered a case of abetment to commit suicide against a lady Police Sub-inspector and constables attached to the Margao police station. The action against the Lady PSI Anushka Parab and constables came after city-based lawyers along with Prabhu’s son Ashish demanded registration of FIR against the PSI and constables in connection with Adv Prabhu’s death. The lawyers, who called on Sub-divisional Police Officer, Margao DySP Santosh Desai insisted that the deceased lawyer in his suicide note has held the Lady PSI and consta- Margao police in a tight spot MARGAO: The Margao police seem to find themselves in a tight spot in Adv Jayant Prabhu’s suicidal death case. The police had last week registered a FIR against Adv Prabhu’s lawyer son in connection with the case of stalking and other offenses following a complaint lodged by a lady lawyer. Sub-divisional Police officer, DySP Santosh Desai informed that Margao police deputed the Lady PSI and the constables to the residence of Adv Prabhu on Wednesday night after the victim lawyer accompanied by a group of lawyers had come to the police station demanding the arrest of Adv Prabhu’s son in the stalking case. “Since they were insisting that the accused was at his residence and not in the IPHB, the police had gone to Adv Prabhu’s >Continued on P5 bles responsible for his suicide. Prabhu’s son Ashish further told the police that the family will not take possession of the mortal remains of the lawyer unless the police initiate action against the erring police officials. The lawyers led by Adv Amay Prabhudesai demanded to know why the Lady PSI and the constables went to Prabhu’s house late in the night in search of his son, against whom the Margao police had registered a FIR for allegedly stalking a city-lawyer. They insisted that the police very well knew that Prabhu’s lawyer son was admitted in IPHB for treatment. Pleas made by DySP Desai that the police would conduct an inquiry before registering the FIR found no takers. DySP Desai’s assurance to the protesting lawyers that he would discuss with Superintendent of police, South to institute an inquiry by a police officer from outside the Margao >Continued on P5 Over 1,500 queue up for pharma jobs at Verna n Engineers, BSc & MSc degree holders register n Job fair to continue today THE GOAN I NETWORK page 6 Portuguese Goans struggle to seek consular services in UK Goan singer makes waves at The Voice in Australia IN SHORT >> Nimbalkar is AICC incharge of Goa PANAJI: Dr Anjali Nimbalkar has been appointed as the new Secretary of AICC who will be incharge of Goa. The order appointing Dr Nimbalkar as incharge of Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu was issued by Congress president. Bicholim city to be under CCTV watch BICHOLIM: Bicholim city will be under CCTV surveillance from Saturday, as 37 CCTVs have been installed in various wards, markets and strategic places. The work to install 37 CCTV cameras in the city has been completed and will be inaugurated on Saturday.  >> See pg 3 KTCL employees defer Sept 6 strike PANAJI: Employees of the Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd announced that their strike which was scheduled to commence on September 6 stands withdrawn following the assurance by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that their demands would be met. VASCO Months after the backlash from politicians and  civil society over outstation recruitment drives for positions at facilities here, Goa’s booming pharmaceutical sector created a record of sorts by getting over 1500 job seekers to register on Friday, the day one of their two-day job fair at GIDC’s Verna Industrial Estate. As many as 1,550 job-seekers registered on Friday, Pramod Sulakhe, Joint Secretary of the Verna Industries  Association (VIA) told the media. The job fair attracted engineers, BSc and MSc degree holders, engineering diploma holders, Industrial Training Institute (ITI) trade certificate holders and bachelor and masters degree holders in pharmacy. Sulakhe who is also part of the Goa Pharmaceutical Man- Job seekers on the first day at Verna Industrial Estate on Friday. ufacturers Association said that plans were afoot to hold this job fairs every year. The job fair will continue on Saturday and the organisers expect to double the registrations. Sulakhe said, the job fair was mainly meant for ‘freshers’ and was organised by the pharma manufacturers association in collaboration with the Goa government’s labour and skill development departments besides VIA and GIDC. “We got a very good response. Preference is being given to local Goans. We got as many as 1,550 who registered,” Sulakhe said. All the candidates who registered have been interviewed by top management level officials of 15 pharmaceutical companies who participated in the fair.  Sulakhe said the Association will continue such efforts to ensure people get opportunities in the Pharmaceutical field and such job fairs will be >Continued on P5 Lekhara wins India’s first gold at 2024 Paralympics RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Govt will hold inquiry, assures law minister MARGAO: Law Minister Alexio Sequeira expressed confidence that the government will conduct an inquiry into the suicidal death of Adv Jayant Prabhu. Stating it’s sad to know that somebody has given up his life, Sequeira had told media earlier in the day that the govt will order a probe into the case. “Give the govt few days. It is a serious charge. It is to be ensured that the charge is genuine. The government will conduct an inquiry”, he added. Vistara to operate its last flight on November 11 as merger takes off PTI SINGAPORE The nearly 10-year-old Vistara will fly into the sunset on November 11 as part of the merger with Tata Groupowned Air India, with the deal moving closer to completion after the Indian government approved Singapore Airlines’ Rs 2,058.5-crore foreign direct investment in the Air India Group. The merger, announced in November 2022, will see Singapore Airlines snapping up a 25.1 per cent stake in the Air India Group, and will create one of the world’s largest airline groups. On Friday, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said the Indian government has approved its proposed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the enlarged Air India Group as part of the ongoing merger of Air India and Vistara. The approval marks a significant development towards the completion of the merger, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year, SIA said in a release. Govt tightens ‘leash’ on dog owners after Pit bull attack To hold owners accountable for their pets THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government has revised its approach to various State high courts temporarily staying the Centre’s proposed ban on 23 breeds of dangerous dogs. The State’s Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services has decided to introduce new directives that place the onus on dog owners to ensure the safety of people from their pets. Failure to comply would land them in legal trouble as they would be booked for criminal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This decision comes a day after a 7-year-old boy lost his life on being attacked by a Pit bull at a residence in Anjuna. A senior bureaucrat, speaking to The Goan stated that pet owners must be accountable for their pets. “We cannot afford more such attacks and unfortunately, due to certain developments in other states, our hands are tied. However, Pit bull attack: Owner arrested MAPUSA: Anjuna Police have arrested Abdul Kader Khwaja, the owner of a Pit bull, on charges of negligence following a tragic incident that led to the death of a seven-yearold boy in Anjuna.  >> See pg 3 the new directives will ensure that owners are held responsible for their pets, especially those that are uncontrollably ferocious. In case of any similar incident, the owner will be booked under the BNS Act,” he revealed. The government will soon issue a notification listing directives while also discussions are underway to bring registration of pet dogs under the department’s jurisdiction since the local bodies have allegedly shown negligence in enforcing existing rules. “As per the current Municipalities and Panchayat Acts, every dog owner is required to register their pets with the respective local body. However, these bodies have forgotten their duty to ensure compliance with registration rules,” the official added. The move to tighten regulations was also prompted by previous incidents when the Rottweiler attack on two minors in Taleigao and a pregnant woman being mauled by a pack of 10 dogs adopted by a villa owner in Vasco, were reported last year. The department had begun to identify certain breeds as particularly dangerous. It was further reinforced by a Central government order earlier this year, which banned 23 breeds of dogs, including Pit bull Terriers and Rottweilers – both commonly found in Goa. However, the implementation of this order has been temporarily halted after an order by the High Courts in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Delhi.  High Court puts five noisy Anjuna clubs on ‘notice’ Directs Pollution Board to monitor activities THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Bombay High Court at Goa issued show-cause notices to five commercial establishments in the Anjuna police station jurisdiction in view of numerous complaints about noise pollution, particularly regarding music played beyond the permissible limit of 10 pm. The Bench, comprising Justice M S Karnik and Justice Valmiki Menezes, named these establishments as respondent parties and directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board to monitor their activities. During the hearing on Friday which is when the order was expected, Anjuna police submitted to the Court list of 31 establishments reporting violation of sound norms of which over 10 calls against each of 15 establishments were made from July 1 to August 28 while others had fewer than 10. THE FIVE CLUBS (NUMBER OF PLAINTS) „„Diaz Pool Club & Bar, Anjuna (53) „„Noah Goa, Vagator (51) „„Thalassa, Vaddy-Siolim (26) „„Bar Hifi, Chapora (25) „„Raeeth, Ozrant (18)  The highest number of 53 noise pollution complaints was against Diaz Pool Club & Bar followed by Noah Goa in Ozrant, Vagator (51 complaints), Thalassa in Vaddy-Siolim (26 complaints), Bar Hifi in Chapora (25 complaints) and Raeeth in Ozrant (18 complaints).   The court also approved the government proposal for monitoring noise pollution and designating supervising authorities. Three patrolling teams from Anjuna police have been constituted and will be equipped with decibel meters to check for violations of permissible noise limits and unauthorized music after 10 pm. AG Pangam said that citizens can report violations directly to these teams on the mobile numbers that have been made public, and if no action is taken, matter can be escalated to the Sub-Divisional Police Officer. Surprise inspections will also be conducted as part of this initiative. This measure, Pangam further said, is in addition to the routine duties of  noise  pollution complaints handled at the local police station level.  The case has been adjourned to September 4. 35% docs feel unsafe Panaji’s e-bus service cruising in the fast lane FULL STEAM at night shifts: Study AHEAD THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI NEW DELHI An IMA study has revealed that one-third of its respondent doctors, majority of them being women, felt “unsafe” or “very unsafe” during their night shifts, so much so that some even felt the need to start carrying weapons for self-defence. A duty room was not available to 45 per cent of respondents during night shifts, found the online survey undertaken by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to evaluate safety concerns during night shifts among doctors in the backdrop of recent alleged rape and murder of a trainee wom- an doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. With 3,885 individual responses, it is the largest study from India on this topic, the IMA claimed. The survey findings, compiled by Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Chairman, Research Cell, Kerala State IMA, and his team, have been accepted for publication in IMA’s Kerala Medical Journal October 2024 issue. The respondents were from over 22 states with 85 per cent of them being under 35 years while 61 per cent were interns or postgraduate trainees. Women constituted 63 per cent, aligning with the gender ratio in some MBBS courses. PANAJI he intra-city e-bus service launched on July 1 in the capital city has been gaining steam rapidly and is inching towards a staggering 2 lakh users thus far. Operated by the Stateowned Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) the city bus transport is part of the capital's 'smart city' mission being executed by the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) whose officials in-charge of the service claimed that response from passengers has been encouraging.  In 45 days between July 1 and August 14, the e-buses had 1.2 lakh  passengers availing the service and officials T „„Between July 1 & August 14, e-buses had 1.2 lakh  passengers „„From August 16 officials estimate another 60,000 users added „„Inaugurated on July 1 with just six e-buses on three routes  „„Currently, 19 e-buses are in service on four routes indicated that the user graph is still headed north. Although the data for the two-week period from August 16 till Friday, is yet to be collated, officials estimated that another 60,000 users have been added bringing the tally Pg 14 closer to the 2 lakh mark. The e-bus service was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on July 1, with just six e-buses.  Currently, 19 e-buses have been pressed into service with another 23 e-buses ex- pected to be gradually added by September 30. Initially in the month of July, the service had clocked 68,603 passengers. Then in the first 15 days of August, meanwhile, the number of passengers had nearly touched the July figure. Thus far the 19 e-buses operating on four routes had collectively travelled 43,455 kms from July 1 to August 14 and the number of passengers using the service in a single day peaked on August 8 with 5,602 passengers using the service on that day. Currently, these e-bus services are operating from Panaji KTC Bus Stand to Altinho via the Church Square. On a second route the e-buses ply from Panaji Bus Station to Dona Paula along the DB Marg and further to Miramar and on the return trip take the Goa University road to GMC and back via St Cruz to the bus-stand. A third route is from the busstand to Taleigao via the DB Marg, Parade ground, Caculo Mall junction and onward.