log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY JANUARY 3, 2024 GOA PONDA: An employee of GMC hospital and his wife have been arrested on charges of duping a resident of Nagzar-Curti to the tune of Rs 10 lakh on the pretext of land deals, even as there are indications that several people may have also been duped to the tune of a few crores. According to police sources, Bhiva Gawas wanted to purchase some land and Vijaynath Kelurao Gawade and his wife, Vidisha, had collected Rs 10 lakh in cash to sell the land. When the couple was reluctant to show the land, Bhiva demanded a refund. The couple did not respond to his requests and Bhiva later filed a complaint with the Ponda police. Police arrested the couple and it has come to light that they may have allegedly duped a number of people. Sources said multiple complaints are expected be lodged against the couple. IN SHORT >> Sugarcane farmers on indefinite strike SANGUEM: Upset over the government’s failure to honour its promise of starting an Ethanol Plant at the Sanjivani Sugar Factory at Dharbandora, the Sugarcane Farmers Association of Goa began an indefinite strike at Dharbandora. The protesting farmers had demanded the immediate operation of either the Sanjivani factory or an Ethanol Plant.   >> See pg 3 Mala accident: Rights panel issues notice PANAJI: The Goa Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Managing Director of the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited and the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, taking suo motu cognizance of the accident at Mala that killed a youth.   >> See pg 3 Goa’s Covid caseload at 63, 7 new cases PANAJI: Seven new Covid cases were reported in Goa from the 274 samples that were tested in last 24 hours. With 4 recoveries, the active Covid caseload of Goa stands at 63. WEATHER >> Max: 33 C Min: 22 C Humidity: 87% TIDES Low: 09.59 High: 03.14 20.59 15.39 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.196 Meet exposes authorities on fire safety preparedness in Margao markets GMC employee, wife arrested for fake land deal Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA India Energy Week: GCZMA grants nod for helipad, jetty at Quitol 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Plant extracts for healthy skin: Benefits, uses and considerations Jail term, penalty for mishaps put on hold TRUCKERS CALL OFF STIR AFTER CENTRE’S ASSURANCE PTI NEW DELHI The countrywide truckers’ stir was called off late Tuesday after the Centre assured it would consult stakeholders before implementing a contentious law against hit-and-run. After long talks with the government, the All-India Motor Transport Congress called off the agitation. “We had a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives... the government wants to say that the new rule has not been implemented yet. We all want to say that before implementing Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita 106/2, we will have a discussion with All India Motor Transport Congress representatives and then only we will take a decision,” Union Home Truck drivers who had blocked the Agra-Delhi National Highway on Tuesday. Secretary Ajay Bhalla said. “The new laws have not been implemented. It will be implemented only after consultation with All India Transport Congress,” confirmed Bal Malkit, the chairman of the AIMTC’s core committee. AIMTC representatives had met Union Home Secretary to discuss the new law on hitand-run cases that proposes stringent up to 10 years jail term and Rs 7 lakh fine. Govt simplifies process for industries to set up shop  TWEAKS SINGLE WINDOW PROCESS FOR LAND ALLOTMENT  ANNOUNCES INDUSTRY STATUS TO LOGISTIC WAREHOUSES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a bid to promote new industrial investment, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced changes in government policies including simplifying the single window clearance process for land allotment and new investors. Sawant also announced to give industry status to logistic warehouses and Information Technology industries in the State. Ahead of the Budget session, scheduled next month, Sawant held a meeting with industry organizations including Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI), Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) and others. During the meeting, the industrial body hailed government’s new IDC Allotment, Transfer and Sub-Lease Regulations and for bringing in transparency. Industries minister Mauvin Godinho and Chairman of Goa Industries Development Corporation (IDC) Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco were also present. Addressing media, Sawant said that the policies have Industrial bodies directed to implement minimum wages PANAJI: Following complaints that some industries have not yet adopted the new Minimum Wage chart, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday has asked industry associations to ensure that the new wages are implemented with effect from the day notification was issued. The new wages came into force from August 2023. “Those industries who have not implemented the new Minimum wage notification will have to do it immediately,” he said. The minimum wages per day varies from Rs 407 per day to Rs 570 per day based on the skill set and type of sector. On an average, hike of Rs 100 has been introduced across categories. been amended to get more investment in the industrial sector in the State resulting in enhanced revenue and job opportunities. Sawant also said that the government will organize Invest Goa 2024 Summit on January 29 to attract investors, a move that was welcomed by industry players. “During the meeting it was decided to simplify the processes for investors with single window clearance for land allotment and construction of the industry. The transfer and sub-lease processes will also be liberalised as a part of ease of exit for business policy,” he said adding that the commercial plots for the industries would be made available through a simplified auction route. Reacting to the announcements, GCCI President Srinivas Dempo congratulated chief minister for showing visionary leadership in getting reforms that are unprecedented, not only in Goa but also in the rest of the country. Dempo said that Goa needs more investment, more jobs and more revenue generation. “There are certain caveats in Goa. Large industries are not welcomed because of unique topography,” he said. About 2,000 petrol pumps, mostly in western and northern India, ran out of fuel stocks due to the strike. While state-owned oil firms had topped up tanks at most petrol pumps across the country in anticipation of the truckers’’ strike, some petrol pumps in Rajasthan, MP, Maharashtra and Punjab ran out of stock due to heavy rush, industry officials said. There were concerns that essential supplies of vegetables, fruits and milk too might be affected if the three-day strike is extended. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, set to replace the Indian Penal Code, drivers who cause serious road accidents due to negligent driving and run away without informing authorities face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of Rs 7 lakh. 9 ENTIRE MONTH WITNESSED 264 MISHAPS & 19 DEATHS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The last fortnight of December 2023 -- that recorded vehicular congestion across Goa, particularly along the coastal belt in view of the surge in visitors -- recorded 133 accidents including eight fatalities. Despite the last calendar year’s overall accident rate, these 15 days from December 16 to 31, 2023 brought relief, showing a 17% decline in accidents and a 46.67% reduction in fatalities compared to the same period in 2022 during which 160 accidents and 15 fatalities were registered. In fact, the data shared by the Traffic Department further indicates that the entire month of December 2023 was slightly better than December 2022 when 284 accidents, including 21 fatal resulting in 22 deaths and 95 minor accidents were registered. In contrast, December 2023 witnessed 264 accidents, with 17 being fatal and 19 killed. A to- NEW DELHI ospitals cannot admit critically ill patients in the intensive care unit in case of refusal by them and their relatives, the Union Health Ministry has said in its recent guidelines on ICU admissions. The guidelines compiled by 24 experts further recommended that when no further treatment is possible or available in a disease or in terminally ill patients if the continuation of therapy is not going make an impact on the outcome, especially survival, then keeping in ICU is futile care. H „„When no further treatment is possible or available if the continuation of therapy is not going make an impact on the outcome, especially survival, then keeping in ICU is futile care „„Anyone with a living will or advanced directive against ICU care should not be admitted to ICU „„Low priority criteria in case of pandemic or disaster situation, where there is resource limitation, should be taken into account „„Criteria for admitting a patient to ICU should be based on organ failure and need for organ support „„Altered level of consciousness of recent onset, hemodynamic instability, need for respiratory support etc have been listed as criteria for ICU admission Further, anyone with a living will or advanced directive against ICU care should not be admitted to ICU. Besides, low priority criteria in case of pandemic or disaster situation, where there is resource limitation, should be taken into account for keeping a patient in the ICU. Criteria for admitting a patient to ICU should be FACTS & FIGURES „„In December 2022, 284 accidents, including 21 fatal resulting in 22 deaths and 95 minor accidents were registered „„December 2023 witnessed 264 accidents, with 17 being fatal and 19 killed „„A total of 78 minor accidents were also recorded last month „„Total number of those grievously injured were however on the higher side tal of 78 minor accidents were also recorded last month. As many as 1,200 policemen were posted along the coastal belt during the peak season to maintain law and order, and another 800-odd traffic staff to manage a huge flow of vehicular traffic given that lakhs of tourists arrived to celebrate Christmas and New Year. Even though the data shows a decline, the debate around Goa’s roads turning into a death trap continues given the condition of the roads at most places. While Smart City works allegedly killed two persons – one worker at St Inez and a youth in Mala, the analysis also shows that rash and negligent driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and helmetless riding are major causes of road accidents in the State. In a separate report shared by the Department of Information & Publicity, November 2023 saw 200 road accidents out of which 18 were fatal (North Goa – 08 and South Goa –10), 14 grievous (NG – 09 and SG –05), 36 minor accidents (NG – 13 and SG – 23) and 132 non - injury accidents (NG – 72 and SG – 60). The total number of persons who lost their lives in road accidents was 18. People exhorted to join ‘Goans for OCI’ MARGAO: A group of citizens under the banner of Goans for Goa has given a call to the people to join “Goans for OCI”, to express their solidarity with fellow Goans affected by what they termed as “unwarranted” revocation of the Indian passports, thus denying them the OCI status. Convenor of Goans for Goa Kennedy Afonso said the interactive session will take place on January 9 at Azad Maidan, Panjim at 10 am coinciding with the Pravasi Bharti Diwas commemorating the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa and the launching of OCI for overseas Indian citizens by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajyapee.  >> See pg 2 NO ROAD AHEAD: Motorists traverse a dug up stretch of road at St Inez on Tuesday. With unending woes, residents have cried foul over the slow pace of Smart City works.   Narayan Pissurlenkar Foreigner found dead, foul play suspected THE GOAN I NETWORK CANACONA A foreign national was found dead at Agonda beach late Tuesday evening even as locals suspected foul play in the death of the woman. According to sources, a few locals on an evening walk noticed something unusual lying at one corner of Agonda Church property towards the beachside. On closer look they were horrified to find the body of a woman. On receiving news of the incident, a police team rushed to the site and cordoned off the area. The woman was in her mid-thirties and was found with her back resting against the compound wall and some bloodstains could be seen in her eyes, mouth and on legs. A purse almost half open was seen on one side of the body. “The body did not appear to be decomposed and it seems the body had been lying there since early morning,” said a source. Locals suspected that going by the bloodstains and position of her legs, the wom- Union Health Ministry issues guidelines on admissions for intensive care CENTRE’S GUIDING PRINCIPLES ON CRITICAL PATIENTS Australian Women complete 3-0 whitewash against India Last fortnight of Dec records drop in accidents, fatalities Hospitals cannot admit patients in ICU if they or kin refuse PTI 14 SPORTS based on organ failure and need for organ support or in anticipation of deterioration in the medical condition, the guidelines stated. Altered level of consciousness of recent onset, hemodynamic instability, need for respiratory support etc have been listed as criteria for ICU admission. Patients who have experienced any major intraoperative complication like cardiovascular or respiratory instability or have undergone major surgery also feature among the criteria. “The following critically ill patients should not be admitted to ICU -- patient’s or next of kin’s informed refusal to be admitted in ICU, any disease with a treatment limitation plan, anyone with a living will or advanced directive against ICU care, terminally ill patients with a medical judgement of futility and low priority criteria in case of pandemic or disaster situation where there is resource limitation (e.g. bed, workforce, equipment),” the guidelines stated. Return of physiological aberrations to near normal or baseline status, reasonable resolution and stability of the acute illness that necessitated ICU admission, patient/family agreeing for ICU discharge for a treatment-limiting decision or palliative care have been mentioned in ICU discharge. an may have been murdered somewhere and the body dragged from the beachside and left in the corner of the property of the Church. Incidentally, the area where the body was found at an extreme corner of the property which is an isolated area as there is no beach access. When contacted, a police team led by LPSI Rifa Barretto at the site informed they were awaiting directions from their seniors. “Being a foreigner, we cannot take chances, and the body will be shifted either af- ter the visit by a forensic team or as per directions,” informed a policeman at the site. LPSI Barretto further informed it would take some time to shift the body, as pre-examination would be needed to be carried out. While people have suspected foul play, police have maintained that only a proper probe will confirm the nature and cause of death. Canacona police are yet to send the body for autopsy as they were awaiting the arrival of a forensic team. Investigations are on to identify the deceased.