log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY OCTOBER 14, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 117 Benaulim-Seraulim stretch of western bypass is finally nearing completion 2 GOA Woman succumbs to injuries after bison attack 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Are food dyes actually harmful? North Goa villages mobilise against Sunburn, big events RESIDENTS WANT GOVERNMENT TO STOP TVS MOTOSOL, BOLLYWOOD EVENTS, INDIA BIKE WEEK, RIDER MANIA THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Amid growing discontent, the popular Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival Sunburn is facing increased opposition in North Goa. After Camurlim village rejected a proposal to host the festival, speculations have emerged that it could be moved to Anjuna. However, a quiet but mounting resistance to mega musical events and rave parties is gaining momentum across the coastal belt. Led by local activists Desmond Alvares and Dr Inacio Fernandes, residents of several coastal villages have initiated a signature campaign, calling for a ban on events >> pg 7 Riya’s B-E-S-T money lesson: A guide to smart spending for teens IN SHORT >> Cyber sleuths crack fake CBI/ED scam PANAJI: The Cyber Crime Cell of Goa police cracked a major digital fraud case involving a fake CBI/ED scam and a FedEx scam after extensive investigation in Rajasthan and West Bengal, last week. Two cybercriminals were apprehended in the case.  >> See pg 3 No Konkani at BIS meeting PANAJI: Konkani may be the official language and the use of Marathi permitted for all official purposes in the State's Official Language Act, but neither of these languages featured as a medium of communication at a recent workshop held for manufacturers and traders in Panaji.  >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: 32 C Min: 25.7 C Humidity: 95% Anjuna comunidade to meet on mega events MAPUSA: As opposition mounts from residents of Anjuna and other North Goa villages against large-scale events in the region, the Anjuna comunidade has scheduled an Extraordinary General Body Meeting (EGBM) on October 27. The meeting will address several proposals, including applications to hold major events in the area. Among the key agenda items is a proposal from Spectrum Events to host ‘TVS Motosol 2024,’ an application from Tribevibe Entertainment for a Bollywood event and a request from Spark Creations to organize an Expo and music concert.  >> See pg 3 like Sunburn. The villagers argue that such festivals are harmful to Goa’s environment and cultural heritage. In a memorandum addressed to local authorities, they have appealed for an end to these events, citing concerns about drug use, environmental damage and the disruption of local traditions. THE FIGHT FOR GOAN CULTURE “Goa has a unique and vulnerable culture,” said Desmond Alvares, one of the key figures in the campaign. “We’ve seen our villages transform into hubs for big-ticket events like Sunburn, India Bike Week, and Rider Mania. These events do not respect our traditions or way of life. They coincide with our festive season and undermine our cultural ethos.” Alvares, like many others in the coastal belt, believes that mega music festivals threaten Goa's deeply rooted traditions. The memorandum highlights the fact that Goa's population is small, and its cultural fabric is easily disrupted by the influx of tourists drawn to these events, which are often fueled by drugs and excessive partying. 45 police vehicles could hit roadblock in Bardez  ACCOUNTS DEPT FAILS TO APPROVE FUEL BILLS PETROL PUMP OWNER TO STOP FUEL SUPPLY >Continued on P6 India women pushed to brink after loss to Australia 12 Zuari river contaminated by microplastics, reveals study BLAMES TOURISM, FISHING, SEWAGE DISCHARGE SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI Increasing tourism and fishing activities, raw sewage discharge and improper garbage disposal has led to creation of microplastic hotspots in the surface waters of the Zuari River, reveals a study by Goa University. A study “Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Zuari river, Goa” conducted by the University, has recommended a detailed report to assess the impact of microplastics on critical resources like seafood and salt pans (river is a source for traditional salt farming practices), as contamination could have serious implications for human health. “It was observed that Zuari River was contaminated by microplastics from diverse sources across its upstream and downstream regions. Key contributors to microplastic pollution in the river include untreated domestic sewage, KEY FINDINGS OF GU STUDY „„Key contributors include untreated domestic sewage, commercial fishing, tourism activities, ropes, jetties „„Smaller microplastics raise concerns as they pose higher risk of ingestion by aquatic organisms, facilitating entry into the food chain „„Presence of microplastics in Zuari River raises concerns for human health and aquatic life „„Microplastics can cause physical injuries, obstruct digestive systems, disrupt feeding and reproduction „„Highest concentration recorded at Siridao beach „„Other locations include Vaiguinim and Cacra beach „„Selaulim Dam has highest concentration in upstream region of Zuari river commercial fishing, tourism activities, ropes, jetties, and surface runoff from landbased plastic waste,” the study stated. “Smaller microplastics (0.3–1 mm) were most prevalent raising concerns as they pose a higher risk of ingestion by aquatic organisms, facilitating their entry into the food chain,” it said further. “While the level of contamination and associated risks is lower compared to other rivers, the presence of MPs in >Continued on P6 SFX Exposition app for online slots shot down THE GOAN I NETWORK ment,” said a source. “However this time, the DoA did not approve these bills and one officer has reportedly instructed that only diesel bills will be approved. These outstanding bills of about Rs 20 lakh are for a period of about 3-5 months.” “With the DoA not approving these fuel bills, the petrol pump owner has decided not to supply fuel to police vehicles of the Mapusa SDPO till the pending fuel bill is cleared and has reportedly informed the Mapusa SDPO not to send their vehicles for petrol and diesel supplies.” The source stated that if the >Continued on P6 >Continued on P6 File photo of a police vehicle at the Colvale police station. 150-200 kms per day. Diesel and petrol is supplied to all these vehicles of the Mapusa SDPO from the Burye Petrol Pump in Mapusa. Sources said the DoA reportedly did not approve of the fuel bills amounting to about Rs 20 lakh pertaining to vehicles from the Mapusa SDPO. “There had been an agreement between the police department and the petrol pump owner which had been in place for over 30 years. As part of this agreement, the petrol pump would provide diesel and petrol to the police vehicles in the Mapusa SDPO and would send the fuel bills to the DoA for approval and pay- The environmental impact of these mega-events is another key concern. Dr Inacio Fernandes, co-leader of the campaign, pointed out that Goa lies within the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot with a fragile ecosystem. “Even small changes can have a significant impact,” he said. “The ripple effect of these large-scale events is devastating. Our plants, animals, and local ecology are all at risk,” he added. Fernandes argues that tourism in Goa was once a sustainable industry, benefiting the local community. PANAJI A proposal for a dedicated 'app' to enable devotees to pre-book a time slot for veneration of the relics of St Francis Xavier during the decennial Exposition slated to begin from November 21 has been shot down after serious reservations expressed by representatives of Goa's Catholic Church that it could potentially blemish the "spirit of pilgrimage" of the devotees. "Yes. There was a proposal to have the app where people could do online booking for veneration. But we thought not to go for it. People come to pay their respects. To honour. To venerate. That is why we thought booking online may affect that spirit of pilgrimage," said Fr Henry Falcao, convenor of the Exposition Committee of the Goa Archdiocese. The Exposition, which is held once every ten years is this year expected to draw at least eight million devotees to venerate the relics of the sixteenth century Spanish saint, whose mortal remains are kept in a glass casket at the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa. "The eight million estimate is a calculated guess. It could be less or more. But we have to be prepared," Falcao said. THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Dozens of police vehicles in the Mapusa Sub-Division Police Office (SDPO) could come to a grinding halt, posing a major problem for police in law enforcement duties in virtually half of Bardez taluka. This is because, the Directorate of Accounts (DoA) has reportedly not approved fuel bills to the tune of nearly Rs 20 lakh and in response, the petrol pump owner has decided to stop supply of fuel to vehicles in the Mapusa SDPO. According to sources, there are 45 vehicles allotted to the Mapusa SDPO, which comprises the police stations of Mapusa, Anjuna, and Colvale, as well as the Police Traffic Cells of Mapusa and Anjuna. The vehicles allotted to the police Mapusa Police (12), Anjuna Police (8), Colvale Police (8), Mapusa Traffic Police Cell (8) and Anjuna Traffic Police Cell (8). Besides, there is one police bus allotted for the Mapusa police sub-division. Apart from three Scorpio jeeps, one Thar jeep and the bus which run on diesel, other police vehicles run on petrol. Most of these vehicles cover an approximate distance of IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT 8 SPORTS MOTHER DEAREST: Devotees take part in the annual procession of Our Lady of Fatima in Panjim on Sunday. The event commemorates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima-Portugal, earning her the title Our Lady of Fatima.  Narayan Pissurlenkar 3 veterinarians assaulted on Candolim beach at midnight THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Three veterinary doctors working in Goa were reportedly assaulted by a group of locals on Candolim beach around midnight on Saturday, leaving them with serious injuries. The doctors, who are non- TWO WORKERS FROM SHACK ARRESTED >> See pg 3 Goans but employed at an animal care centre in the State, claim they were subjected to a brutal attack that escalated from a simple verbal exchange. The incident came to light after the doctors contacted a local news channel to share their ordeal and express their dissatisfaction with the police's response. According to the doctors, the altercation occurred around 12.30 am early Saturday morning when >Continued on P6 Over 90,000 internship scheme IAS officer sheds light on role of p’yats in big projects IAS OFFICER’S TAKE slots up for grabs on PM portal BETALBATIM GRAM SABHA AGENCIES NEW DELHI More than 90,800 internship opportunities have reportedly been posted by 193 companies on the Prime Minister Internship Scheme portal. Major companies like Jubilant Foodworks, Maruti Suzuki India, Eicher Motors, Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Muthoot Finance, and Reliance are among those offering internships. The portal was opened on October 3 for companies to submit available opportunities. The scheme is aimed at enhancing the employability of young men and women entering the workforce. NIO announces 25 apprenticeship posts PANAJI: National Institute of Oceanography has announced walk-in interviews for 25 apprenticeship posts. Ten of these are technical apprenticeship opportunities offering monthly stipend of Rs 8,000 and 15 are graduate apprenticeship where the stipend offered in Rs 9,000 per month. Applicants can access internships through Aadhaarbased registration and tools such as bio-data generation on the portal. The scheme was announced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her July Budget amid the growing chorus over unemployment. Companies have often complained about the employability of those entering the workforce and the internship programme aims to bridge the skill gap and raise the prospect for employment. This is a pilot project and based on the learning the ministry of corporate affairs will finalise the scheme for Cabinet approval to widen the coverage. Candidates can register themselves on the portal: pminternship.mca.gov.in THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO n IAS officer presiding as the Salcete Block Development Officer on Sunday asserted that unless an Act is passed in the Goa Legislative Assembly highlighting the concerns of the people against mega housing projects, the panchayats will not be able to stop the housing projects as the local bodies are bound to function within the statutory powers of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act and the Constitution of India. The Salcete BDO further reminded the gram sabha A „„Policies on what your village should like lies with political people at legislature level „„Sarpanch cannot make the law… there are limited powers with the panchayat „„Unless the Act is passed in Goa Legisla- Pallavi Mishra ture that highlights your concern, panchayat cannot do anything „„Panchayat may pass a resolution, but it has to be enforced under the provision of law „„Unless Panchayat Raj Act is amended, panchayat will have no powers to stop the big projects members that the developers are very powerful people enjoying immense resources, adding that the panchayats are bound by the provision of the Act in force. BDO Pallavi Mishra, IAS fur- ther asserted that the public authorities are not enabled to take policy decisions on issues such as land and housing projects, adding “policies on what your village should like lies with the political people at the legislature level. The sarpanch cannot make the law”. “I agree with your concerns on mega housing projects and your concerns may be valid and important. But, there are limited powers with the panchayat. You know the legal functions of Goa. Unless the Act is passed in the Goa Legislature that highlights your concern, the panchayat cannot do anything. The panchayat is a body that can function under the Goa Panchayati Raj Act and under the Constitution. The panchayat may pass a resolution tomorrow, but it has to be enforced under the provision of law”, Salcete BDO Pallavi Mishra told the gram sabha members of Betalbatim on Sunday. When a gram sabha mem- ber sought to know whether the BDO wants the people to Betalbatim to allow projects in the village on the lines of Bhutani in Sancoale, the BDO said “I agree with your concerns. What I am trying to tell you is that the Panchayat enjoys limited powers. The legal function is very clear in Goa. Unless the Goa Panchayat Raj Act is amended by the Legislature, the panchayat will have no powers to stop the big projects”. The Betalbatim panchayat had called for a special gram sabha on Sunday to specifically discuss the issue of mega housing projects in the village and to insist that all construction files received by >Continued on P6