log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline FRIDAY JANUARY 5, 2024 GOA UK woman died of injuries to spine, brain: Autopsy CANACONA: The UK woman who was found dead mysteriously in an isolated portion of the Church property at Agonda late Tuesday evening died from injuries after falling from a height. According to Canacona Police, the post-mortem conducted on the body of Emma Louise (45) on Thursday revealed that the death was caused due to damage to the cervical spine and an injury to the brain.  >> See pg 3 Docs told to complete registration with GMC PANAJI: Registered medical practitioners whose registrations with Goa Medical Council are overdue for renewal as on December 31, 2023 have been asked to renew the same within next fifteen days. Failure to renew overdue licences will result in removal of their names from register, the Council has warned. Cloudy skies, rain for next 2 days: IMD PANAJI: The meteorological department has forecast cloudy weather with localised rainfall over isolated places in the State for the next couple of days. On Wednesday night, some coastal parts of Salcete experienced unseasonal rain due to circulation in the Arabian Sea. Committee formed to stabilise prices PANAJI: The government has constituted a 10-member State Price Stabilisation Fund Management Committee for implementation of Central Sector Scheme ‘Price Stabilisation Fund-PSF’ in the State. The primary objective of PSC is to absorb and mitigate extreme price fluctuations in essential food commodities and selected goods to shield consumers from sudden price surges. 8 new Covid cases reported in Goa PANAJI: Goa recorded 8 new Covid cases even as 13 other infected persons recovered. The active Covid caseload of Goa now stands at 54. All the 8 patients are under home isolation. 252 samples were tested in last 24 hours. WEATHER >> Max: 32 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 88% TIDES Low: 11:41 High: 04:19 22:58 18:38 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.198 Concerns raised over Portuguese era papers stored in ‘dingy room’ at MMC IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoan 2 3 GOA Illegal structures in Anjuna to be examined by GCZMA, GSPCB Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Make these changes to your beauty routine and see the difference 9 SPORTS India beats South Africa inside two days to record shortest Test win Turbulent times for Dabolim airport, huge drop in flights DATA REVEALS DOWNTURN BEGAN FROM MARCH 2023 NUMBER OF FLIGHTS CONTINUE TO RISE AT MOPA AIRPORT VIBHA VERMA PANAJI The commissioning of the Manohar International Airport (MIA) at Mopa has led to a significant decline in overall flight movement and passenger traffic at Dabolim International Airport – till a year ago Goa’s sole airport. This is evidenced by a comparison of the month-wise data of flights and passengers for the years 2022 and 2023 at Dabolim. Except for the months of January and February 2023, flights dropped drastically from March 2023 onwards. The gap in number of flights is clearly visible in the accompanying chart. Official figures from the last calendar year reveal that Dabolim airport began ex- Percentage Rise and Fall in PERCENTAGE RISE AND FALL IN Domestic Flights at Dabolim DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AT DABOLIM 26.7 24.5 -8.9 -15.4 -14.8 -19.9 -25.1 periencing a downturn from March 2023 when the average domestic flights slipped by 15.4 per cent, and further dropped to a low of minus 26.8 per cent in November 2023 (see graph). Similarly, the percentage of domestic passenger movement initially saw a single-digit decline but later escalated to -18.9 -24.9 -25.7 -26.8 AAI RANKS MOPA AIRPORT AMONG TOP 15 AIRPORTS IN INDIA >> See pg 3 double-digit figures, ranging from 17 per cent to 20 per cent per month. In November 2023, just before Goa’s peak tourist Goa thirsts, runs short of nearly 80 mn litres daily DEVELOPMENT SEES DEMAND FOR TREATED WATER RISE TO 630 MLD PRESENT CAPACITY IS ONLY 550 MLD THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Rapid growth and development has spiked Goa's treated water needs beyond its capacity and data furnished by a top PWD official indicates that the State is short by nearly 80 mld (million litres per day). Currently, State's requirements are in the region of 630 mld of water but various water treatment plants collectively treat about 550 mld before it is supplied through PWD network. Further, if the current trends of growth and development continue, the daily treated water needs could rise further and accordingly the PWD has embarked on either setting up new plants or enhancing the capacities of existing ones to add an aggregate of 200 mld to its water treatment capacity. Increasing migration into the State and industrial growth have been identified as two main factors contributing to the rise in Goa's treated water demand annually. Currently, the State's de- SOLUTION IN SIGHT „„Four projects on which work has already begun include Tuem where a 30 mld plant is being built, Pilerne with 15 mld capacity, 6.5 mld at Siolim and at Selaulim „„Process to issue tenders for two more 25 mld capacity projects at Dhumashem and Morlem is already on and these projects are expected to be tendered by middle of the current year No more OTS, but disconnection PANAJI: The One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to incentivise consumers to pay their pending water bills which was introduced twice over the last two years will not be brought in again. Instead, the PWD has resorted to disconnecting supply to those homes and establishments where two consecutive bills have remained unpaid, even tweaking the rules to enable such strict action. The last OTS had raked in Rs 14.44 crore, over 80 per cent of the outstanding Rs 16.24 crore. mand is pegged at 630 mld of water but the aggregate quantum of water treated at the water treatment plants running across the State and supplied by the PWD through its pipeline network is approximately 550 mld. According to PWD Executive Engineer, Santosh Mhapne, four projects on which work has already begun include Tuem where a 30 mld plant is being built, Pilerne with 15 mld capacity, 6.5 mld at Siolim and augmentation of the plant at Selaulim with an additional capacity of 100 mld. Additionally, the process to issue tenders for two more 25 mld capacity projects at Dhumashem and Morlem is already on and these are expected to be tendered by mid this year, he added. January February March April May June July August September October November 2022 4129 3505 5459 4794 4833 4531 3983 4382 4388 4724 4766 2023 5467 4596 4854 4463 3966 3497 3470 3608 3366 3630 3509 Domestic and international flights at Dabolim. season, there was a substantial 32.4 per cent drop. Official comparative figures from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for December 2023 are yet to be compiled. As per tentative data, 3,470 Domestic Flights were recorded for this month, a drop from 5,220 in December 2022. While these statistics are in comparison with the corresponding months in 2022 until when Dabolim had its monopoly, the decline began with the commissioning of MIA and several airlines redirecting their aircraft to the much-hyped Greenfield airport at Mopa. International flights too commenced operations, starting July 2023. Although the initial figures were modest, there has been a consistent increase in the number of flights every month. In July, 10 international flights brought 1,951 passengers to Goa. By August, this figure surged by 200 per cent, >Continued on P5 14 Goa Board draws up workshop on Shivaji for senior teachers CIRCULAR STATES AIM TO UNDERSTAND HIS LIFE, LEADERSHIP, QUALITIES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) has organised a one-day workshop on “Life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj” for the heads of the secondary and higher secondary schools on January 6. The workshop is being organised in collaboration with the Vivekanand Kendra Kanyakumari, Goa branch. “The workshop is intended for Heads of the school or senior teachers with an objective to understand through the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj leadership, qualities promoting integrity, encouraging innovations and inclusive policies and maintaining strong commitment to the overall development of students,” the circular stated. Sources said that the workshop is not compulsory, however, the absence in the school to attend the workshop would be considered as in-service-t raining. Sources also said that those attending the programme would be issued a certificate at the end of the workshop. This workshop is the first of its kind that the Board is conducting. Panel formed to ensure no breach of POCSO Act by schools THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In view of the rise in sexual assaults on school students, the State government has constituted a High Level Inquiry Committee for enforcement of POCSO Act, 2012 across the schools. A 11-member committee headed by Director of Education will ensure that the provisions of POCSO Act are not violated by schools or educational institutions and to safeguard school going children. The committee, also includes Dy Superintendent of Police -- North & South -Dr Nandita D’Souza of Setu Foundation and Prachi Khandeparkar of Sangath. Last month, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) had issued fresh recommendations to the Directorate of Education for enforcement of POCSO Act, 2012 in educational institutions in the State. “The alarming rise in sexual assaults on children in Goa, within the premises of schools and no action or delayed action, being reported in schools, are distressing incidents that highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to tackle this issue,” GSCPCR had said. FINALLY, SMART WORK: A warning light placed at the pit dug up for Smart City work at Mala-Panaji on Thursday. Panjimites were up-in-arms after a youth lost his life when he landed in the pit in the wee hours of January 1.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Cloud over Sunburn EDM in Goa as top official resigns THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Managing Director and Chairman of Percept Harinder Singh has announced his exit from hosting the Sunburn Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival in the State. His decision, which was made public through social media, comes less than a week after the last event from December 28-30, 2023 ran into a series of controversies. While the reason for his sudden exit remains unknown, Singh claimed he “will never again be there.” “My last Sunburn Goa. Dec 2023. The journey ends. Have an endless number of people to thank. It’s been a lot of hard work, emotions… And a lot more that can’t be listed or will ever be known. Feels good that I could help make this happen over the years. And a bit sad that I will never again be there,” he posted. Singh’s supposed anger towards the government was evident when Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte refused permission to extend the festival till New Year’s Eve and to play music beyond 10 pm. Govt: Blood not for sale, only EC TWEAKS RULES FOR ALLOCATION OF SYMBOLS Now, unrecognised parties to furnish audited accounts processing fee can be charged PTI GUIDELINES ISSUED FOR HOSPITALS, BLOOD BANKS PTI NEW DELHI Hospitals and blood banks can now only charge processing fees for blood as the apex drug regulator has decided to do away with all other fees to check the practice of overcharging. In a communication to all States and UTs drugs controllers-cum- licensing authorities, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) stated that the decision was taken in view of the opinion that “blood is not for sale”. Referring to the 62nd meeting of the Drugs Consultative Committee held on September 26, 2023, the DCGI in the letter on December 26 said, “It was recommended with respect of agenda No. 18 of ATR point 3, for overcharging of blood, it was opined that blood is not for sale, it is only for supply and only processing cost may be charged by the blood centre.” The revised guidelines stipulate that only processing fees can be charged for blood or blood components which ranges between Rs 250 to 1,550 for blood or blood components. The DCGI has asked States and UT drug controllers to direct all blood centres under their jurisdiction to adhere to the revised guidelines. According to official sources, per unit of blood in case of no blood donation is priced between Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 by private hospitals. In cases of blood shortage or rare blood groups, the charges may go up higher. NEW DELHI he Election Commission of India on Thursday brought in new rules for allocation of symbols to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs), making it mandatory for them to furnish audited accounts of last three financial years, expenditure statements of last two elections, and the signature of the authorised office-bearer of the party along with the application form for symbols. RUPPs are either newly-registered parties or those which have not secured enough percentage of votes in the Assembly or general election to become a State party, or those that have never contested elections after being registered. T „„Registered Unrecognised Political Parties need to furnish audited accounts of last three financial years „„Should submit expenditure statements of last two elections „„Signature of authorised office-bearer of the party along with the application form for symbols to be attached „„Undertaking that they Common symbols are provided to RUPPs based upon an undertaking that they would put up “at least 5% of total candidates with regard to said Legislative Assembly election WINDS OF CHANGE would put up at least 5% of total candidates with regard to said Legislative Assembly election of a State „„Earlier RUPPs were giving these details of a State”. In order to ensure transparency, the EC had in 2014 given directions that RUPPs wanting to avail the benefits of having a common symbol have to sub- separately... Now these details are made part of the format of application for common symbol „„Annexure No. 3, which is a declaration that they have submitted the requisite reports, has been added to the application „„New rules to come into effect from January 11 this year mit the proof of having filed upto-date contribution reports, audited annual accounts, update of election expenditure statements, and their latest organisation details. “Earlier the RUPPs were giving these details separately. Now these details are being made part of the format of application for common symbol. Also, Annexure No. 3, which is a declaration that they have submitted the requisite reports, has been added to the application,” a senior EC official said. The new rules would come into effect from January 11 this year. The EC receives the applications from RUPPs in prescribed proforma for allotment of symbol under Provisions of Para 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968. In September 2022, the EC had de-listed 86 non-existent RUPPs and declared another 253 as ‘Inactive RUPPs’.