log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2025 GOA Afflicted with haemophilia, this office assistant raises awareness on disorder IN SHORT >> Mhadei: SC may not hear case on Feb 6 PANAJI: In yet another setback for Goa, the Mhadei river diversion case is unlikely to be heard by the Supreme Court on February 6. Adding to the uncertainty, the crucial matter was not even listed in the supplementary cause list till Monday.  >> See pg 2 Police constable electrocuted at Mopa PANAJI: A 36-year-old constable attached to the Traffic Cell in Pernem got electrocuted on Monday. According to reports, Hemant Mandrekar, was watering the garden near his house in Mopa when he came into contact with live wire and got electrocuted. Vasco picnic turns tragic as teen drowns CANACONA: A picnic for a group from Vasco ended in tragedy when a 17-year-old boy drowned off Kakolam beach in Khola-Canacona. Canacona police said, Sagar Lamani of Mangor Hill along with a group of family members and friends had gone for a picnic. >> See pg 5 Turtle nest found on Calangute beach MAPUSA: In a rare and occurrence, an Olive Ridley sea turtle was spotted laying eggs on Calangute beach, a location usually bustling with tourists.  >> See pg 2 130 Mhadei trekkers seek regularisation VALPOI: About 130 trekkers at the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary have demanded regularisation in employment after claiming to have worked for the last 13 years with meagre wages and no security cover.  >> See pg 3 Govt ‘no’ to 70-90 hours work week NEW DELHI: The government on Monday told Parliament that it is not considering any proposal to increase the maximum working hours to 70 or 90 hours a week. Indian-American wins Grammy award NEW DELHI: Indian-American vocalist and entrepreneur Chandrika Tandon has won the Grammy award for the album ''Triveni'' in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category. The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 227 Eyes on govt’s next move as one-third of South comunidades fail to hold polls >> See pg 5 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA Relief for Bardez as Tillari canal repairs complete, water flow restored 3 PANAJI s registered cattle continue to roam unattended on the streets, creating a nuisance, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AHVS) has announced that it will begin strictly enforcing its five-month-old notification regarding the impounding of cattle. The department will also revoke subsidies granted to these cattle owners and impose fines as a deterrent. Taking serious cognizance of the growing menace of stray cattle, the government had, on A RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO How to transform thin hair into bouncy tresses 9 `15 lakh in traffic fines goes missing from police coffers   AUDIT UNCOVERS IRREGULARITY AT BICHOLIM   COP SUSPENDED   AUDIT ORDERED AT ALL POLICE STATIONS VIBHA VERMA THE GOAN I PANAJI In what appears to be another financial irregularity within Goa Police, an internal audit has uncovered brazen misappropriation of nearly Rs 15 lakh in traffic violation fines, vanishing straight from the coffers of Bicholim police station. The misdeed, exposing glaring lapses in financial accountability, has reportedly led to the cop's suspension pending inquiry and also prompted the department to go into damage control mode with an urgent audit ordered across all the police stations -- whether or not suspected of similar malpractice. Reliable police sources revealed to The Goan that a lady police personnel who, despite coming under suspicion, evaded accountability and managed to get a transfer to the Colvale Escort Cell. Sources said that a casual audit revealed the glaring mismatch between official bank deposit receipts and internal records with the Traffic police. THE `15 LAKH PUZZLE: WHAT HAPPENED „„A casual audit revealed glaring mismatch between official bank deposit receipts and internal records with traffic police „„As per protocol, challans collected in cash are supposed to be handed over to ‘dealing hand’ of the police station „„This ‘dealing hand’ is responsible for tallying the amount and ensuring proper bank deposits from time to time „„In this case, a lady personnel was the ‘dealing hand,’ and the funds mysteriously disappeared „„CASE IN POINT: In one instance, a cash deposit slip submitted to SP Traffic Headquarters showed a deposit of Rs 82,000, while an identical copy from the police station itself recorded a significantly higher amount of Rs 2.82 lakh In one instance, a cash deposit slip submitted to the SP Traffic Headquarters showed a deposit of Rs 82,000, while an identical copy from the police station itself recorded a significantly higher amount of Rs 2.82 lakh. This inconsistency raised red flags about the probable irregularity, prompting an inquiry. Sources further revealed to The Goan that the total alleged misappropriated amount for 2024 alone could go up to Rs 17 lakh. As per the protocol, the challans collected in cash are supposed to be handed to the ‘dealing hand’ of the police station, who is responsible for tallying the amount and ensuring proper bank deposits from time to time. “In this case, the lady personnel was the ‘dealing hand,’ and South Indian film producer found dead in Siolim THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA South Indian film producer K P Chowdary, also known as Sunkara Krishna Prasad Chowdary, was found dead in a rented flat at Oxel in Siolim. According to Anjuna police, the 44-year-old, a native of Telangana, died by suicide. Police stated that Chowdary had been living alone in a flat for the past 6-7 months. "According to initial reports, his friends grew worried when he did not respond to their calls and messages this morning. Concerned, they reached out to the flat owner, who went to check on him. Upon entering, he discovered Chowdary hanging and immediately informed the police," a police official said. Police refrained from disclosing any further details. Chowdary was notably one of the producers of the Rajinikanth-starrer Kabali, a Chowdary had been living alone in a flat for the past six to seven months. He moved to Goa with dreams of launching a club, hoping to script a new chapter in his life after being arrested in connection with a drug case, an incident that allegedly left him deeply distressed blockbuster hit. The producer’s life was one of cinematic highs and personal struggles. In 2023, he was arrested in connection with a drug case, an incident that allegedly left him deeply distressed. Seeking a fresh start, he moved to Goa with dreams of launching a club, hoping to script a new chapter in his life. However, sources suggest the venture did not meet expectations. Land grab cases: SIT sleuths file two chargesheets against Suleman THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Special Investigation Team (SIT-Land Grab) has filed two chargesheets against notorious criminal Suleman Siddique Khan, alleging his involvement in fraudulent land acquisitions in Mapusa and Curca. The chargesheets, containing 852 pages and 656 pages, were submitted before Judicial Magistrate First Class in Mapusa and Valpoi, which will now proceed with framing charges. In the first case, filed in 2020, Khan was booked by Mapusa police for allegedly forging documents to impersonate the rightful owners of land surveyed under Chalta No. 2 of PT Sheet No. 67 in Mapusa. He is accused of counterfeiting the official stamp of the Civil Registrar-cum-Sub-Registrar of Bardez and presenting these fake documents to transfer ownership rights. >Continued on P5 Cattle on roads: Govt cracks whip, bovines to be impounded, owners put on notice THE GOAN I NETWORK Instagram.com/thegoanonline DEPT MOO-VES INTO ACTION „„Dairy farmers availing Kamdhenu, Pashupalan schemes to be debarred „„Owners to be blacklisted from schemes if animals are found in public areas or on roads „„Animals to be immedi- ately impounded; fines to be imposed on owners as a deterrent „„Cattle accompanied by humans while on roads to be exempted „„Impounded cattle to be sent to gaushalas September 6, 2024, issued a notification warning that dairy farmers availing schemes such as Kamdhenu and Pashupalan would be debarred and blacklisted if any animals they purchase were found wandering in public areas or on roads. While no registered cattle have been officially identified as straying or left unattended, AHVS Director Nitin Naik stated they continue to receive complaints. “We have not found any registered cattle roaming unat- tended but complaints come in. Hence, we have decided to strictly enforce the notification, which includes revoking subsidies and imposing penalties on erring owners,” Naik told The Goan. The department is however yet to finalize the penalty amount. Naik highlighted that several thousand Goans are beneficiaries of these schemes dating back to 2012. The scheme directs that dairy farmers and the general public ensure their cattle are kept under stall-feeding practices or any other management system that prevents them from >Continued on P5 Inquiry ordered, report awaited: SP PANAJI: Superintendent of Police (North) Akshat Kaushal stated that an inquiry had already been ordered, assuring that appropriate action would be taken. “In this matter, the SDPO Bicholim was already instructed to submit a detailed inquiry report. It is expected shortly. If any shortcomings are found on the part of any personnel or officer, disciplinary action will be initiated,” he said while replying to The Goan. Meanwhile, sources said the issue came to light about a week ago when the Traffic Police found discrepancies in the collection of traffic challan fees and intimated the district police. Documents from the banks are also being verified, sources said, adding that misappropriation cannot be confirmed until the inquiry findings are submitted. It is also learnt that the personnel could face a FIR for the alleged offence. For now, she allegedly faces disciplinary action. the funds mysteriously disappeared,” the source said adding, “we have now expanded our probe to examine records from previous years at Bicholim PS. Moreover, other police stations are also being audited for challans where fines are handled in cash.” The Traffic Cell collaborates with police stations to manage violations such as drunken driving, over-speeding and helmetless riding among other motor vehicle offenses. All fines are either deposited in banks or recorded through digital transactions. With this fresh embarrassment, the Goa Police are likely to transition entirely to cashless challan payments for traffic fines starting the new financial year – a bid to thwart financial mismanagement and ensure greater oversight. SPORTS Akanksha Salunkhe wins second gold for Goa at National Games 11 Goa clears decks for sand mining across 12 zones ECs granted, GCZMA nod awaited THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Decks have been cleared for resumption of legal sand mining in the State as the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has granted prior Environmental Clearances (ECs) for sand extraction in 12 zones across River Mandovi and Zuari. The ECs, however, valid for a period of one year, are subject to the clearance from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA). In November, last year, the Authority had deferred decision on grant of ECs for sand extraction in these zones following errors in the District Survey Reports (DSR). The District Collectors and Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) were directed for proper determination of the zones. The SEIAA in a communication to DMG on Monday granted prior EC for proposed sand extraction under EIA notification in Zone 4,5,6,7,8,9 and 10 of River Mandovi and Zone 2,3,5,6 and 7 in River Zuari. “The EC is subject to the clearance being obtained from the GCZMA by the project proponent,” SEIAA said. It said that the EC is valid for a period of one year from NEW DIRECTIVES „„Geo-tagging of canoes, conducting study of the riverbank to assess erosion risks „„Surveying the bank to identify illegal activities „„Submitting compliance report every six months „„Sand extraction is limited to 1,000 cubic meters annually per permit „„Only manual methods permitted for extraction „„Mining operations from 6 am to 6 pm the date of the issuance of sand permit and is subject to revalidation based on replenishment study through the DSR. The Authority has directed the DMG to explore the possibility of limiting the number of permits per zone to approximately 5 to 7. The Authority has issued a series of directives to DMG, including ensuring geo-tagging of canoes, conducting a study >Continued on P5