log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 GOA Govt has measures in place to protect environment: CM Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 85 3 INFO What are the best exercises to sleep better? 8 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 NEWS West Bengal govt dismisses junior doctors’ preconditions for talks 9 SPORTS Asian Hockey: Raj Kumar nets hat-trick as India routs Malaysia, enters semis 14 GOVT DROPS ANCHOR AT CUTBONA CM directs boat owners to pay `5L relief to cholera victims’ families YOU READ IT FIRST IN THE GOAN >> See PG 3 No sign of ‘Convention Centre’ at Dona Paula any time soon IN SHORT >> Three sale deeds go missing from Bardez sub-registrar’s office MAPUSA: Three sale deeds have been reported to be missing from the Bardez Sub-Registrar’s office in Mapusa. The three documents stolen pertain to sale-deed filed between May and June. As soon as the sale deeds were reported missing, Sub-Registrar Rishik Naik lodged a complaint with the Mapusa police.  >> See pg 3 Govt finally updates Coastal Plan 2011 PANAJI: Almost two years after it was notified, the Goa government has finally updated its Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2011 based on 1:4,000 scale and the same would now be forwarded to the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for fresh approval and re-notification.   >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: 28 C Min: 26 C Humidity: 83% TIDES Low: High: 10:15 23:07 06:31 14:19 ON PAGE 2 er 3 rd 6t h S ep te m b S ep te m b er The Goan explores the cyberworld and technology space with a special offering titled CYBER-TECH, every Thursday. Turn on to Page 7 for an introduction to Cybersecurity and more. MARGAO Acting tough over the deaths of the migrant fishing crew members, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday directed the boat owners to compensate the kin of the five workers by paying relief amounting to Rs 5 lakh, warning that boat owners will be mandated to pay a whopping compensation amounting to Rs 25 lakh in the event of further deaths of workers at the fishing jetties. He said the government would also pay compensation of Rs 5 lakh to each of the workers who fell victim to cholera at the Cutbona fishing jetty and the fish landing centre at Mobor. Sending a message loud and clear that the government means business, the Chief Minister virtually served an eight-day deadline on the boat owners to compensate the kin or risk suspension of their 2nd THE GOAN I NETWORK er CYBER TECH  OPERATORS GET 8 DAYS TO PAY OR RISK SUSPENSION OF LICENCE  TOLD TO PAY `25 LAKH COMPENSATION FOR ANY FUTURE DEATHS S ep te m b in the outbreak of cholera. Don’t allow them to venture out in the sea if they don’t pay the compensation within eight days. Let the fishing vessels remain anchored at the fishing jetty,” he said. A no-nonsense Chief Minister said the boat owner, the manager of the fishing vessel will be held responsible for the death of workers employed as crew on the fishing vessels. “Henceforth, cases will be filed against the boat owners and their managers if such cases recur at the jetties. They have to provide compulsory kits aboard the vessels. When three of the five deceased were brought dead at the hospital, this shows they did not receive treatment from the employers,” he said, while directing the officials to amend the rules mandating Police booked, suspended for assault on traffic cop on duty Cabinet approves `5L health cover for citizens of 70 yrs and above fishing licence, which would stop the vessels from venturing out in the sea. To ensure that the boat owners comply with his direction to pay compensation, the Chief Minister said the boat owners should submit to him the proof that they have paid compensation in the account of the kin of the deceased workers. “Suspend the licence of the fishing vessels owned by the boat owners whose workers have died POLICEMAN’S FAMILY TOO FACES CHARGES FOR ASSISTING IN INCIDENT; COUNTER COMPLAINTS FILED THE GOAN I NETWORK PONDA A policeman attached to the Mormugao police station and his family have been booked for charges of assaulting a Traffic Cell ASI at Banastarim on Wednesday. The accused policeman, Rajat Adpaikar, was later placed under suspension in this connection. Adpaikar has made a counter allegation that the Traffic Cell ASI Vivek Phadte had first assaulted him. The incident took place when ASI Vivek Phadte of the Traffic Police Cell was on duty at Banastarim. Phadte stopped Rajat Adpaikar for allegedly riding a motorcycle without a helmet, lane cutting, and having a fancy number plate, in violation of the Motor Vehicle Act. Phadte claimed that when he was issuing a challan, Adapikar allegedly began assaulting him. He further alleged that family members >Continued on P5 PTI „„The altercation began when ASI Phadte stopped Adpaikar for traffic violations, including riding without a helmet, lane cutting, and using a fancy number plate „„Adpaikar’s family, traveling in a car nearby, allegedly joined in the assault on ASI Phadte „„Adpaikar accused ASI Phadte of slapping him first, with a video of the incident going viral on social media „„ASI Phadte was treated at Goa Medical College and later discharged „„Both Phadte and Adpaikar filed counter complaints against each other at the Mardol police station of Adpaikar, who were incidentally travelling in a car, stopped at the site and they also started assaulting him. On the other hand, Adpaikar defended himself by recording the video indicating that he was first slapped by Phadte. The video later went viral on social media. Phadte was later taken to Goa Medical College Hospital for treatment and was later discharged. Both Phadte and Adpaikar are reported to have filed counter complaints against each other at the Mardol police station. When Mardol Police Inspector Yogesh Sawant conducted investigation, it was revealed that Adpaikar is also a policeman. Acting on a complaint filed by ASI Phadte, Mardol police NEW DELHI The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved health coverage to all persons aged 70 years and above under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana irrespective of their income, benefiting around six crore senior citizens, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The Rs 5 lakh free health insurance cover would benefit senior citizens of around 4.5 crore families. Eligible beneficiaries would be issued a new distinct card under the scheme, the government said. “Senior citizens of the age 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover up to Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves (which they do not have to share with the other members of the family who are below the age of 70 years). “All other senior citizens of the age 70 years and above will get a cover up to Rs 5 lakh per year on a family basis,” an >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 HOW THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE… CM directs officials to clear up Cutbona jetty of scrap vessels, encroachments and dumped items Collector instructed to replace censor toilets with bio-toilets Collector prohibits usage of fishing trawlers or jetty premises as accommodation Boat owners voice reservations over `25 lakh compensation Locals up in arms over CM’S orders to clear structures along jetty road Monteiro shunted out as Fisheries dir amid Cutbona mess IAS officer Yashaswini takes over charge THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In a surprising administrative shuffle, Shamila Monteiro has been removed from her position as Director of Fisheries, with IAS officer Yashaswini B taking over the charge. The decision was formalised through an order issued by the Under Secretary Personnel, relieving Monteiro of her duties. However, she will continue to serve as the Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board. Monteiro’s replacement comes in the wake of a serious health crisis at Cutbona jetty, where an alleged outbreak of cholera has led to the deaths of five labourers, while over 160 individuals have been infected with dengue and cholera. The incident has placed intense scrutiny on the State’s Health and Fisheries administration, raising questions about the handling of sanitation and public health at the jetty. Monteiro has been no stranger to controversy during her time as Director of Fisheries. She was at the centre of the ongoing LED fishing controversy, with members of the fishing community accusing her of favouritism toward fishers using LED lights – a practice banned due to its harmful impact on marine life. The fishing community had strongly criticised the department for allegedly allowing the illegal practice to continue under Monteiro’s leadership. This is not the first time Monteiro has faced administrative consequences. In 2017, she was transferred following allegations of irregularities in the distribution of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards to fishermen. These cards are essential for regulating fishing activities, and the controversy surrounding their distribution led to widespread criticism of the Fisheries department at the time. GSPCB orders closure of 120 commercial units in Arambol ESTABLISHMENTS TO FACE LEGAL ACTION IF FOUND OPERATING WITHOUT CONSENT TO OPERATE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a major crackdown against establishments operating without Consent to Operate along the coastal belts, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has issued closure notice to over 120 commercial units, found operating illegally along Arambol beach stretch. Last month, the Board had issued similar notices to 27 units that included eleven in Anjuna, nine in Vagator, four in Assagao and one each at Chapora, Ozrant and Siolim. Before that, last year, 26 units along Anjuna-Caisua village were served with closure notices. The closure directions have been issued under Section 31(A) of the Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act 1981, wherein the Board has warned to initiate stringent legal action, without further notice, if the units are not closed or shut until the Consent to SAFEGUARD COASTAL ENVIRONMENT „„The GSPCB issued closure notices to over 120 commercial units operating illegally along the Arambol beach stretch without a valid ‘Consent to Operate’ „„The closure orders were issued under Section 31(A) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, for violation of the Act’s provisions, with a warning of legal action if units do not comply „„The closure notices targeted hotels, cafes, restaurants, cottages, stores, and other commercial units operating in the coastal area without consent „„The GSPCB’s actions are in line with court directives to prevent unregulated commercial activities and to safeguard the coastal environment Operate is granted. The notices are issued to hotels, cafes, restaurants, cottages, stores, etc. The Board has been initiating action in compliance with the direc- tions of the Bombay High Court at Goa, who had taken suo-moto cognizance of commercial structures operating >Continued on P5 GMC gets okay for additional Sun refuses to shine on Panaji’s solar city plan SOLAR CITY: TRANSFORMATION DELAYED? MBBS, MD postgraduate seats THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Students aspiring for prestigious MBBS or post-graduate MD seats at the Goa Medical College will breathe a tad easier as the institution will now add 20 more undergraduate and 18 MD postgraduate seats with the National Medical Commission (NMC) giving its nod for the increased intake from the current 2024-25 academic year. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced the development via his official handle on micro-blogging site ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) saying, the NMC has sanctioned the expansion of several postgraduate MD/MS courses at GMC. “Goa Medical College has received approval from the National Medical Commission to increase MBBS seats from existing 180 to 200 from the academic year 2024-2025. In addition, approval has also been granted to increase the postgraduate MD/MS seats across several specialties, including Radiodiagnosis, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pharmacology, and Paediatrics,” Rane said in his post on ‘X’. “This expansion shows our commitment to foster medical talent and address the growing demand for skilled professionals. Approval of seat increases in various postgraduate MD/MS courses, including Radiodiagnosis, General >Continued on P5 PANAJI n the works for nearly a decade concurrent with Panaji’s ‘smart city’ aspirations, the proposal to convert the capital into a ‘solar city’ is refusing to get kick-started for reasons unknown. Sources in the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), which functions under the ambit of the Department of New and Renewable Energy, said no timeline can be set for when the solar panels and allied equipment will begin adorning the nearly 75 government edifices and properties already identified for the purpose as of now. I „„The initiative to transform Panaji into a ‘solar city’ has been in development for nearly a decade, coinciding with the city’s smart city goals „„There is no clear timeline for the implementation of the solar project, with reasons for the delay remaining unclear „„The first phase aims to install solar power units with a total capacity of 13 megawatts across nearly 75 identified government buildings „„Notable buildings for solar installation include Udyog Bhavan, EDC headquarters, Kala Academy, Goa Medical College, and the Panaji Bus Stand, among others An official who requested anonymity said, phase one of the proposal to transform Panaji into a solar city involves installing solar power units with an aggregate capacity of 13 megawatts but no decision has been taken as to when to start the physical implementation. Some of the buildings identified include Udyog Bhavan, EDC headquarters, Kala Academy, Goa College of Music, the Sports Complex at Campal, Directorate of Health Services, Junta House, Goa Dental College, the new building of For- est Department at Altinho, Goa Medical College at Bambolim, Fire Services headquarters, Bal Bhavan, Panaji Bus-stand and the multi-level parking edifice at Patto. The plan is backed by the Centre which has appointed Deutsche Gesellchaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbelt (GIZ) as the consultant to provide technical guidance to Goa for the project. The official said, GIZ has already prepared a detailed plan to transform Panaji into a 100% RE City (Solar City) and a potential to produce up to 20 MW of solar energy has been identified – on residential >Continued on P5