log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY JANUARY 13, 2024 GOA GOA Vancouver presents scholarships, community service award to Goans Origins of the Goan Institute in Zanzibar-2 Siolim pastor, wife move court over their externment THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Pastor Domnic D’Souza and his wife, Joan of Five Pillars Church in Siolim, both of whom are booked in a series of offenses for allegedly carrying out religious conversion and black magic, have filed a petition in the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging externment proceedings initiated against them by North Goa Collector. Domnic appeared before the Collector on Friday evening in response to the summons. While the next hearing is scheduled for January 19, Domnic’s counsel said this was his client’s first appearance.  >> See pg 5 WEATHER >> Max: 33 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 88% TIDES Low: High: 06:11 00:25 18:01 11:28 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 206 Minister takes up onus of restoring South Goa Collectorate building’s lost glory page 7 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA More denominations of relatives now exempt from gift deed fees 6 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Chin Blackheads? Your guide to clear, glowing skin 10 Central power rules tweaked, booster for private entities NO ‘LICENSES’ NEEDED FOR SETTING UP CAPTIVE PLANTS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In notable reforms to aid greater involvement of private firms in the power sector, the Centre invoked powers under the Electricity Act, 2003, to introduce a couple of fresh provisions in the Electricity Rules, 2005, to do away with the need of a licence for setting up and operating dedicated transmission lines. The notification of the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2024 were published in the Central Gazette on Wednesday (January 10, 2024) and effective immediately. The amendment introduces two new rules, one of which provides for establishment, operation and maintenance of dedicated transmission lines.  Accordingly, power generating companies, those setting up captive generating plants, energy storage systems or consumers with a load of at least 25 MW for inter-State transmission system and 10 MW for intra-State transmission systems will be exempt from obtaining licenses under the Act. There is however a condition imposed WHAT THE NEW RULES STATE… „„A generating company or a person setting up a captive generating plant or an Energy Storage System or a consumer having load of not less than 25 MW in case of Inter State Transmission System and 10 MW in case of Intra-State on these entities for ensuring minimum standards for the transmission infrastructure. The second rule relates to ‘Open Access Charges’ which Transmission System shall not be required to obtain license under the Act for a dedicated transmission line to connect to the grid, if the regulations, technical standards, guidelines and procedures issued under the provisions of the covers wheeling charges, charges for use of government transmission utility networks and additional surcharges for open access consumers.  Act are complied „„The second rule relates to ‘Open Access Charges’ which covers wheeling charges, charges for use of government transmission utility networks and additional surcharges for open access consumers.  These new rules also define the formula for calculating wheeling charges. The changes in the rules are aimed at streamlining pro- SPORTS India begins AFC Asian Cup campaign against Australia today 15 Longest sea bridge opened, Goa now closer to Mumbai Travel time from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai will be just 20 minutes PTI The changes in the rules are aimed at streamlining processes and encourage the participation of private entities in the power sector, especially transmission of power besides ensuring a fair and transparent tariff structure cesses and  encourage the participation of private entities in the power sector, especially transmission of power besides ensuring a fair and transparent tariff structure.  The Tamnar project in Goa, basically a power transmission facility, could be a major beneficiary of these latest amendments through the Central Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2024.  A top official of the promoters of the Tamnar project, said they are aware of the changes in rules and their policy team is still analysing how these changes will affect their ongoing projects here and elsewhere. NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the country’s longest sea bridge ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu’ which connects south Mumbai with the satellite city of Navi Mumbai, and said the completion of the Rs 17,840 crore project was the reflection of a changed India. The sea bridge now brings Raigad, Pune and Goa closer to Mumbai. The 21.8 kilometre Atal Setu inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday will save time and fuel as well as reduce congestion and pollution but will be “under-utilised” unless public transport buses ply on it, transport activists said. Traffic police said the sea bridge would be thrown open for motorists from Saturday. PM inaugurated the Rs 17,840 crore Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu which will cut distance between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai from some hours to 15-20 minutes, in the process boosting devel- FAST FACTS „„Total length of the sea bridge is 21.8 kilometre long, including a 16.5 portion over sea „„Completed at a cost of Rs 17,840 crore „„Will reduce distance from metropolis to Navi Mumbai International opment in the region, which houses a mega port and also an upcoming airport. The Atal Setu, which is the longest bridge and sea bridge in the country, is 21.8 kilometre long, including a 16.5 portion over sea, and will reduce the distance from the metropolis to the Navi Mumbai International Airport and also cut travel time to major areas like Pune.