log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) Instagram.com/thegoanonline >P12 MONDAY DECEMBER 9, 2024 >> pg 7 IPOs, FII action and six other factors to decide D-Street’s course this week IN SHORT >> DHS unveils 100-day prog to combat TB PANAJI: The Directorate of Health Services on Sunday launched a special 100-day campaign in both North and South Goa Districts to tackle the tuberculosis threat. The 100-day intervention will be implemented through the Primary Health Centres and will target high-burden TB areas.   >> See pg 3 Flyarystan’s 1st flight lands at Dabolim VASCO: Goa Airport at Dabolim witnessed a moment of joy and celebration as it welcomed Flyarystan, the third seasonal international airline to operate in the State this winter. The airline’s inaugural flight from Astana, Kazakhstan, touched down on Saturday, bringing in 165 tourists eager to experience Goa's renowned hospitality and charm.  >> See pg 3 South comunidades elect committees PANAJI: Comunidades of Rivona, Balli, Colva, Cavelossim, Aquem, Chinchinim, and Majorda in South Goa have successfully elected their managing committees. However, due to a lack of quorum, the managing committees for the comunidades of Chandor and Sarzora remain unelected. >> See pg 2 Caretaker held for stealing gold, cash MAPUSA: Anjuna police have arrested a villa caretaker in connection with the theft of a gold ring and cash, valued at Rs 65,000. According to the complaint, the incident came to light when the caretaker entered the villa in Anjuna and stole the items. WEATHER >> Max: 33.2 C Min: 22.2 C Humidity: 92% TIDES Low: 11.23 High: 04.39 22.48 17.37 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO.172 Booster for mining, three blocks proposed for EC SEAC ASKS COMPANIES TO OBTAIN NECESSARY PERMISSIONS PANAJI The Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has recommended grant of Environmental Clearances (ECs) to three iron ore mineral blocks all located in North Goa. During its meeting held last month, the SEAC decided to recommend the mineral blocks -- Cudnem-Cormolem, Cudnem and Thivim & Pirna -for grant of EC before the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). Cudnem-Cormolem (Block VI) is owned by steel giant M/s JSW Steel Limited, while Cudnem Mineral Block (VII) belongs to M/s Vedanta Ltd. Odisha based M/s Kai International Pvt Ltd has won Thivim and Pirna mineral block (VIII). „„CUDNEM-CORMOLEM BLOCK: Belongs to M/s JSW Steel Limited and is located in Bicholim. The company has proposed production of 0.50 million tonnes of ore per annum, which spans around an area of 38.5143 ha „„CUDNEM BLOCK: Has an area 75.3004 ha and “After scrutinizing the documents submitted by the project proponents, the committee decided to recommend to the Authority (SEIAA) for grant of environmental clearance under provisions of EIA notification 2006,” reads the is located in Cudnem village in Bicholim and Sonus Vonvoliem and Onda village in Sattari. The bidder, Vedanta Limited, has proposed production of 0.5 MTPA of ore from the block „„THIVIM & PIRNA BLOCK: Kai International has proposed production of 0.33 MTPA of mineral ore from the total mining area of 72 ha located in Bardez minutes of the meeting. The SEAC said that the EC, does not tantamount to approvals/consent/permissions etc. required to be obtained under any other Act/Rule/ regulation. “The project proponent is under obligation to obtain approvals /clearances under any other Acts/ Regulations or Statutes, as applicable, to the project,” it said. Further maintaining “the prior EC is subject to the outcome of the Writ Petition 2022 regarding challenging the From beats to bikes: Anjuna grapples with noise dilemma INDIA BIKE WEEK TRANSFORMS QUIET VILLAGE LANES INTO SYMPHONY OF ROARING ENGINES AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA In the idyllic coastal village of Anjuna-Vagator, where palm trees sway to the rhythm of gentle sea breeze, tranquility has become a fleeting memory. For weeks, villagers had enjoyed an unusual respite from the usual cacophony of loud music, but this brief silence was shattered this extended weekend. The India Bike Week (IBW) roared into the coastal village, bringing with it an unrelenting surge of noise that seeped into every corner of the community. For residents, IBW was less of a celebration and more of an invasion. What began as a two-day festival for bike enthusiasts became an excuse for club owners and promoters to turn up the volume – both literally and figuratively.  From cliff side parties at Dynamo to the seaside Bangla ‘vlogger’ under scanner PANAJI Goa police  are investigating allegations of sexual harassment against a Bangladeshi ‘vlogger’, who is accused of shooting videos of Russian woman during his visit to the coastal State. An X user under the handle, ‘Hindutva Knight’ posted a video and tagged Goa police, North Goa SP, Tourism Dept and other authorities. The  X user highlighted videos posted by a vlogger of a Russian woman sunbathing. SEAC PAVES WAY FOR GREEN NOD THE GOAN I NETWORK VIDEOS OF RUSSIAN WOMAN THE GOAN I NETWORK AUS MAINTAINS ‘PINK’ SUPREMACY, LEVELS TEST SERIES AGAINST INDIA RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 The user alleged that the particular vlogger from Bangladesh sexually harassed foreign women. “This illegal  Bangladeshi vlogger  is sexually harassing foreign women in Goa. Kindly take appropriate action and deport this Kanglu,” the X user posted. Goa police promptly responded and said the cyber-crime police station was directed to inquire. During the probe, police came across the vlogger, posts, who had put a similar video of another woman around nine months ago. Laws on paper, silent in practice MAPUSA: Despite a robust set of noise pollution laws and the presence of monitoring systems by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), enforcement remained absent. Villagers watched helplessly as decibel levels soared unchecked. A GSPCB official had last week told this journalist that their sound monitoring units send real-time alerts to authorities when noise exceeds legal limits. However, over the weekend, these systems seemed either non-functional or conveniently ignored. Meanwhile, the local police appeared to turn a blind eye, leaving residents to fend for themselves. beats of Romeo Lane, trance music reverberated through the night, violating sound regulations and the peace of the villagers. SYMPHONY OF CHAOS As Friday night descended, a network of popular venues like Raeeth, House of Chapora and Nine Bar synchronized their playlists into a relentless rave that lasted until dawn. Others, like Thalassa, Summer House and Kiki, joined in, creating a wall of sound that drowned out any hope of sleep for the weary residents. For many, the crescendo of trance was more than just an auditory inconvenience – it was an assault on their way of life. >Continued on P5 Chaos in Syria, president flees after rebels take control 1 Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the country, bringing to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto control as his country was fragmented in a brutal civil war. Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire as rebels took control of Damascus, putting an end to the Assad family's rule but raising questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising. 2 3 >> See pg 7 constitutionality of the tender documents of Phase I auction of Goa mines and PIL WP 2029/2023 regarding challenging the state’s decision to go ahead with the auction of the mining block”. The Cudnem-Cormolem (VI) mineral block, belonging to M/s JSW Steel Limited is located in Bicholim taluka. The company has proposed the production of 0.50 million tonnes of ore per annum from the block, which spans around an area of 38.5143 ha. The Block VII Cudnem Mineral Block with area 75.3004 Ha Located in Cudnem Village in Bicholim and Sonus Vonvoliem and Onda village in Sattari Taluka. The successful bidder, Vedanta Limited has >Continued on P5 State set to chart new course with three waterways Shipping ministry finds three routes feasible for cargo & passengers THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Union Ministry for Ports, Shipping and Waterways is developing three national waterways in Goa, found viable for cargo and passenger movement. As per the information provided in Lok Sabha, the Ministry is developing NW 27 Cumbharjua River (Cortalim-Ferry to Sao Mathias Vidhan Parisad), NW 68 Mandovi River (Usgoan bridge to Arabian Sea) and NW 111 Zuari River (Sanvordem bridge to Mormugao Port) for the purpose of shipping and navigation. These waterways were found feasible for development based on the study and the detailed project report. These three national waterways are part of 26 waterways that are being developed at an SMOOTH SAILING „„The new routes are Cortalim-ferry to Sao Mathias, Usgoan bridge to Arabian Sea, Sanvordem bridge to Mormugao Port „„These are part of the 26 waterways that are being developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 650 cr estimated cost of around Rs 650 crore. The major components of the project are Fairway Development, Terminal Development and allied Infra. In the next phase, the Ministry has proposed to develop,  Chapora River (Bridge near Maneri village to Morjim, Arabian Sea), which will be put up for operation by 2030. Panjimites to face hazards of smart city work again ROADS DUG UP TO CONNECT SEWAGE NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The nightmare of roughing up through dust and navigating the dug up roads seems to have returned for residents and commuters in Panaji. Contractors and workers have begun digging trenches on roads in some central locations of the city to resume work on Smart City projects and complete residual work before the March 31, 2025 deadline. Trenches have been dug at least two four-arm junctions -at Vishal Supermart and Don Bosco -- in the heart of the city on Saturday and Sunday.  Officials at the site told The Goan that work to connect the newly laid network of sewerage chambers to the old sewage system is in progress. The work is expected to disrupt traffic in these areas, besides worsening the city’s already deteriorating AQI levels due to dust pollution.  At several other locations roadside  trenches have been A road dug up to connect sewerage pipes in Panaji. dug where contractors are working on redesigning footpaths and laying interlocking tiles.  Panaji residents have been facing the brunt of the construction work related to Smart City projects for the last three years. Earlier this week, a group of citizens held a protest in the city where several green activists raised concerns over haphazard implementation of the work without any regard to safety of citizens.  The group also highlighted the deaths of at least four citizens due to the alleged negligence of contractors and the dust pollution caused by the continuous digging of the roads which they alleged has harmed the health of several senior citizens residing in the city. Anti-Corruption Day: Govt officials hog limelight THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI s the world will mark International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, Goa’s struggle with corruption continues unabated. Over the past eight years, not less than 200 government officials have been booked on various corruption charges. That’s an average of 25 per year – indicating betrayal of public trust despite the government’s repeated slogan of “zero tolerance to corruption.”  From jobs-for-cash scams that preyed on hundreds of families’ life savings to land grab conspiracies executed with chilling precision, corruption has infected almost every A CO R R U P T I O N W O E S : A SI L E N T C R I SI S „„Nearly 25 govt officials have been booked every year for corruption „„Despite arrests and FIRs, accountability remains elusive „„Over the past eight years, only one official has been convicted while around 14 were acquitted and one case dismissed „„About 20 cases were closed as A Final or C Final government department. The latest case by the Anti-Corruption Branch of the reports „„Growing list of departments include police, IT, Education, Public Works, Panchayats and other government machinery „„Latest scandal is the jobs-for-cash scams that preyed on hundreds of innocent people LATEST ON THE BLOCK: Atul Wani, an officer in the Zonal Accounts Office, was caught red-handed on charges of allegedly accepting a bribe to clear pending bills. Pankaj Kumar of Income Tax Department’s Accounts Office reportedly demanded Rs 2 lakh bribe to process these bills. CBI reveals the depths of this decay: Atul Wani, an officer in the Zonal Accounts Office, was caught red-handed on charges of allegedly accepting a bribe to clear pending bills. The probe further revealed that Pankaj Kumar of the Income Tax Department’s Accounts Office reportedly demanded a Rs 2 lakh bribe to process these bills and that’s how Wani too came into the picture. This is just one among many, adding to a growing list that also includes State departments police, IT, Education, Public Works, Panchayats and other government machinery. Noted advocate Cleofato Coutinho criticized the pervasive corruption in the system, alleging it has peaked. “Corruption has reached an all-time high. Just because some are booked, it doesn’t mean the authorities or gov- ernment are genuinely fighting corruption.” He cited the notorious jobs-for-cash scam, which shattered the dreams of nearly 100 job aspirants, and the brazen land grab cases implicating quite a few government officials in collusion with fraudsters. “Why did so many people pay bribes? It’s because the system enabled it. Some managed to secure jobs, which served as incentives for those involved in the fraud. The entire system is corrupt. Corruption existed earlier but at a lower scale. Now, it’s all-encompassing,” Coutinho alleged. >Continued on P5