log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY JANUARY 6, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.199 Instagram.com/thegoanonline PG15 India eves crush Aussies with ease to win by 9 wickets RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Modi Sarkar ki Guarantee Government of India CBC 22201/13/0099/2324 Startup ecosystem giving strength to New India Scan for more information Over 1 lakh startups and 100+ unicorns creating employment and self employment opportunities Hamara Sankalp Viksit Bharat pages 6 & 7 GCA hailed for celebrating Goan culture in Aberdeen New Goan GM at Adagio, Ibis in Doha Origins of the Goan Institute in Zanzibar - 1 IN SHORT >> 51 business outlets at Arambol to be sealed from Jan 8 PANAJI: Following directions from the High Court, the State authorities on Friday issued closure notices to 51 illegal establishments, operating without required consent, at Girkarwado, Arambol. The establishments are scheduled to be sealed on Monday, January 8 onwards. A joint team of GSPCB, GCZMA and Mamlatdar along with local panchayat secretary issued closure notices in the presence of police force.  >> See pg 3 Over 10K forest rights cases pending PANAJI: As the lack of co-operation from the forest dwellers delayed settling Forest Right Claims, the State government has now set a March 31 deadline to dispose off all 10,136 pending cases. SC who is monitoring the matter, has granted time till March 31 for States to dispose claims.  >> See pg 3 DABOLIM AIRPORT FLYING INTO UNCERTAIN FUTURE CHARTER BIZ DROPPED BY NEARLY 50% IN DEC 2023 THESE STATISTICS SAY IT ALL VIBHA VERMA PANAJI A substantial decline in activity at Dabolim International Airport has become a cause for concern, particularly amid uncertainties about its sustained viability with the commissioning of Manohar International Airport (MIA) at Mopa. The issue now is even more alarming as charter flights operating from Dabolim dropped by nearly 50 per cent in December 2023 – the month synonym with the peak tourist season. While the main reason is being attributed to the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict, the slump at Dabolim has also been linked to a shift in airline preferences towards MIA. Chief Operating Officer at Sita Travels Ernest Dias has conceded the current scenario stating that with two airports „„Number of charters dropped to 38 in December 2023 from 75 in December 2022 „„This in turn led to a decline in footfalls with merely 14,239 passengers landing at Dabolim in December 2023 as against 29,048 in the last in operation, it is evident that flight allocations are divided. “The decline in international flights is firstly due to the ongoing wars, and secondly high-pricing. So also, airlines are getting inclined towards MIA,” he said, speaking to The Goan. Figures available with The corresponding month December 2023 „„Count of international passengers decreased from 58,653 in December 2022 to 40,930 in December 2023 „„Slump at Dabolim has also been linked to a shift in airline preferences towards MIA „„Number of flights also decreased from 366 in December 2022 to 257 in Goan indicate that the number of charters dropped to 38 in December 2023 from 75 in December 2022. This in turn led to a decline in footfalls with merely 14,239 passengers landing at GOI in December 2023 as against 29,048 in the last corresponding month. Overall, the count of in- 1 Indian Navy's elite marine commandos rescued all 21 crew members including 15 Indians from a ship after boarding it from a warship in a swift operation in the Arabian Sea after around five to six armed pirates attempted to hijack the vessel. PANAJI: The Bomb Disposal Squad of Goa Police conducted a thorough search of the National Museum of Customs and GST, which was triggered by an email warning of a blast. The Museum officials rushed to the Panaji police with a formal complaint on Friday morning.  >> See pg 3 MAPUSA: A 40-year-old man escaped from the custody of Mumbai police at Baga. Rajesh Nagidas Parekh escaped when Mumbai police had brought him to Baga for an inquiry.  >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> TIDES Low: 12:33 High: 05:00 CAGED AT LAST: A leopard which had been sighted in different parts of Borim was finally trapped by the Forest Department on Friday. The leopard was to be subsequently taken to the Bondla Zoo. Narayan Pissurlenkar Govt to deny occupancy if big projects lack medical facilities THE GOAN I NETWORK Max: 33 C Min: 24 C Humidity: 87% -----19:58 ternational passengers decreased from 58,653 in December 2022 to 40,930 in December 2023, alongside a decrease in flights from 366 to 257 during the respective period. A prominent Russian charter operator, requesting anonymity, also cited dual air- 15 INDIANS AMONG 21 CREW RESCUED FROM HIJACKED SHIP OFF SOMALIA Hoax bomb call at Customs museum Accused flees from police custody „„Charter operators also cite dual airports as a factor in decline of charters at Dabolim PANAJI Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday said occupancy certificates will not be issued to large residential construction projects if they do not have in place facilities such as Advanced Paramedics and automated external defibrillator (AED) on their property. Rane who also holds the Town and Country Planning (TCP) portfolio said, a notifi- cation to this effect will be issued by the Health as well as TCP departments. He said, the government is also contemplating altering the criteria to give occupancy >Continued on P5 2 The Navy deployed a warship, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I, helicopters and MQ9B Predator drones to assist the vessel MV Lila Norfolk after it sent a message on the UK Maritime Trade Operations portal, saying unknown armed personnel had boarded it. 3 Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said frontline warship INS Chennai intercepted the cargo vessel at 3:15 pm and that MARCOs commandos “sanitised” it.  >> See pg 9 ports as a factor in the decline of charters at Dabolim, while quickly adding that the season, by and large, has so far been disappointing. “The charter season is a flop. Goa hasn't received the expected number of charters, and despite initial Kazakhstan charters, it has ceased. Charters from Uzbekistan are yet to arrive. Only TUI is performing well,” he said. Another charter operator, who hasn’t got the business this season, added that airplanes cannot fly over Russia due to the war, and airspace closures in other countries like Iraq and Iran have led to lengthy routes, which have deterred charter tourists from going on an international vacation. "As a result, charters have decreased due to the lack of demand from visitors. I haven't handled a single charter this time," he added. >Continued on P5 NEW DELHI ormer Goa governor Satya Pal Malik on Friday said his hunch is that the BJP will remain in power till the EVMs in current form are used in the elections and called for counting of the VVPAT slips. Malik, who is known for being critical of the BJP government, in a conversation with Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on the latter's YouTube show ''Dil Se'', said the Opposition should make a big issue on the use of the EVMs in the polls and alleged that the EC was not looking into the matter as it was “under pressure”. The remarks come at a time when several Opposition leaders have voiced doubts about the integrity of functioning of the Electronic Voting Machines F SATYA PAL MALIK: THE PRESSING ISSUE „„My hunch is that till this machine system goes away, BJP cannot be removed from power „„Opposition should make a big issue on the use of the EVMs in the polls „„EVMs could be manipulated, many people have done it… I have seen a man do it „„When we are suspicious (EVMs) and demanded that the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips be handed over to the voters, who could drop it in a separate box. According to the Election Commission, mandatory verification of printed VVPAT slips of of it why can’t EC get polls done with the ballot paper? „„VVPAT slips should be handed over and put in the ballot boxes which can then be counted „„Election Commission was not looking into the matter as it was ‘under pressure’ „„FLASHBACK: Several Opposition leaders have voiced doubts about the integrity of functioning of EVMs and demanded that VVPAT slips be handed over to voters, who could drop it in a separate box five randomly selected polling stations of each assembly constituency or each assembly segment is done in case of the election to the House of the People before declaring the results. To Sibal's question on concerns about the BJP bagging the number of seats it predicts for itself, Malik said, “I want to tell you my hunch is that till this machine system goes away, the BJP cannot be removed from power. Opposition should seriously take action on this issue.” With Sibal pointing out that EC asking those raising doubts how the EVMs could be manipulated, Malik said many people have done it and claimed that he had seen a man do it. “That demand of the EC is wrong. When we are suspicious of it and there is a doubt. So, why don't you get polls done with the ballot paper?” Malik asked the poll body. Sibal said the right to vote is the basis of democracy and it is unconstitutional if a machine decides the mandate. “If I have a doubt and I want to know whether my vote has been cast to the desired person or not, it is my constitutional right to know. The EC does not agree to this and the court also does not agree to this,” the former Congress THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A youth from Kerala, who arrived with two friends to celebrate New Year in Goa and was last seen partying at a beachside event in Vagator, has been found dead allegedly under suspicious circumstances. It is however uncertain whether Sanjay Santosh drowned or he was a victim of any untoward incident. Four days after his disappearance, the body was found on January 4 within the jurisdiction of the Pernem police station. Sources said that the trio checked in at a guest house near Vagator and was last seen together at the party. They realised Santosh was missing only the next day in the evening. "Two of the friends returned to the guest house after the party. They claim they realised Santosh was missing after they woke up the next afternoon-evening. A missing person's complaint was filed at the Anjuna police station," the source revealed. It is also unclear wheth- Four days after his disappearance, the body was found on January 4 within the jurisdiction of the Pernem police station. It is however uncertain whether Sanjay Santosh drowned or he was a victim of any untoward incident er the victim and his friends were intoxicated, although the Pernem police are inquiring after the family of the deceased suspected murder. The grieving family also obtained CCTV footage showing Santosh dancing on the stage during the DJ party. "A post-mortem revealed chest injuries. The family has filed a murder case alleging physical assault. The father claims that security personnel beat his son to death and dumped the body in the sea for dancing on the DJ stage," a police official said. The family, meanwhile, left for their hometown in Kochi with the body to perform final rites. Sources said the family and all those connected with the case might be called again. New traffic plan when Porvorim flyover work takes off, says CM ASSERTS HEAVY VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED AT BANDA IN MAHARASHTRA & SENT VIA ASSONORA THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The traffic management plan for when the work begins for the elevated corridor at Porvorim, is ready, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said while responding to a query from a citizen on his monthly "Hello Goenkar" phone-in programme telecast live on the Panaji Doordarshan channel. The plan includes diverting heavy vehicles at Banda in Maharashtra itself and directed to an alternative route via Assonora. The Mapusa to Panaji section of the national highway will be a 'no go' zone for heavy vehicles, he said. Sawant also said, that roads will be widened on the sides wherever possible to resolve the traffic congestion which is bound to take place when the execution of the elevated cor- BJP will be in power as long as EVMs are used: Ex-Goa Gov PTI Kerala youth found dead after partying on New Year’s eve leader said. “I can't say that there has been manipulation but if people have a doubt then what is the harm (in counting the VVPATs),” Sibal added. Both agreed that VVPAT slips should be handed over and put in the ballot boxes which can then be counted. Asked why the EC was not acting on the concerns raised over the EVMs, Malik alleged that the poll body was “under pressure” and suggested that the Opposition should make a big issue about this. To Sibal's query about the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, Malik said it needs to get its act together and not focus on small issues such as Bihar CM and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar's bid for becoming the convenor of the alliance. Meet on ‘Smart City’ issues on Jan 10 PANAJI: Amidst the growing voices of discontent over the hardships and hazards faced due to the ongoing Smart City work in the capital city, days after Ribandar youth Ayush Halarnkar died plunging into a pit dug at Mala with his bike, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that the government has convened a meeting to discuss issues related to Smart City Project on January 10. The meeting will be attended with all department heads connected with the work besides CCP Mayor and officials of the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited.  >> See pg 3 ridor commences. In the 'Hello Goenkar' programme, Sawant answers questions posed by callers. The foundation stone for the elevated corridor at Porvorim was laid recently by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and once the work begins within the next month or two, it could lead to traffic snarls of the kind witnessed on the Panaji-Margao and Panaji-Vasco routes during the construction of the eight-lane Zuari bridge and the connecting flyovers. Sawant said, the Betim-Panaji ferry route will also be put to optimum use during >Continued on P5