log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY JANUARY 15, 2024 GOA Calangute cops to seek extension of Suchana custody PANAJI: The Calangute police are expected to press for further custody of Suchana Seth, accused of murdering her four-year old son, before the Mapusa court on Monday, as she has not been cooperating with the investigation.  >> See pg 3 Water pipeline bursts, Bardez may go dry PANAJI: Water supply to most parts of Bardez is likely to be affected on January 15 after a major pipeline burst at Monte de Guirim on Sunday. The pipeline was damaged allegedly due to ongoing National Highway related digging work. Car rams into pole at Bambolim, 4 hurt PANAJI: Four persons were injured in rent-a-car self-accident near Fulancho Khuris, Bambolim. The mishap occurred after the driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a roadside electricity pole. The driver as well as 3 occupants have been shifted to GMC. Leopard trapped in cage at Bicholim PANAJI: A leopard was caught in cage trap set by forest officials at Dhabdhaba, Bicholim. The animal had caused panic in the area after it had killed a dog. The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.208 No drainage plan in sight as earthen embankment takes shape at Tolleaband IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoan 2 3 GOA Now, Bhomkars petition Prez, PM, Gadkari for justice in road widening issue Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Break free from lifestyle habits causing skin woes 9 Comunidades oppose move to legalise illegal houses  CONVENTION CALLS FOR TALKS BEFORE AMENDMENTS TO CODE OF COMUNIDADES  ALL RECORDS TO BE DIGITISED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The all important Comunidade convention held on Sunday at Dona Paula did not rise to the expectations of the Pramod Sawant government and cold-shouldered the move to legalise illegal houses on these age-old Gaunkari lands. Furthermore, the convention adopted a resolution which called for deliberations and recommendations to address illegal constructions and encroachments in comunidade lands and to prevent such illegalities in future. In another significant resolution, the convention called for pre-legislative consultation before any amendments are made to the Code of Comunidades in the Assembly. The convention, attended by two delegates specially designated by dozens of comunidades, was held under Sec 652 of Code of Comunidades. Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate who attended only the inaugural and then left said, the admin- PROTESTS HELD OUTSIDE VENUE PANAJI: Several prominent activists and others gathered outside the venue to protest against the authorities for not permitting them to attend the convention. Ramrao Wagh, Valmiki Naik, lawyer Gajendra Usgaonkar and prominent green Abhijeet Prabhudesai were among those who were seen protesting. Meanwhile, Rainbow Warriors, the organisation spearheaded by Prabhudesai issued a statement later which said the protests at the venue were held by various village groups to highlight that the convention was in contradiction to the spirit and nature of the comunidades of Goa and an attempt to rob village common lands. “The only aim of the government today is to rob comunidade lands at any cost, forcing the indigenous communities to fight back and struggle to stop this robbery and destruction,” the statement added. istrators of comunidades have powers to resolve and dispose complaints of encroachments in comunidades within a year. “Administrators have the authority to do this,” Monserrate said, adding that the comunidade institutions and the Code of Comunidades need to be reformed so as to benefit the community. The convention in its deliberations later adopted another resolution which resolved to digitise all comunidade records and the government was urged to appoint “full time” administrators. Administrators of comunidiades are civil servants appointed by the government but function independently. The entire administration, including the salaries of staff and the administrator are borne by the comunidades through annual ‘deramas’ paid by these age-old bodies. It also called for holding such conventions to be held once every three years, instead of five. In November last year, the State government had indicated that it will grant protection from demolition to homes built illegally in comunidade land after hundreds faced the axe from their respective comunidades’ managing committees in Canacona, Saligao and elsewhere. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said then that the comunidade bodies will be taken into confidence to bring about this protection to illegal houses even to the extent of amending the Code of Comunidades and the Land Revenue Code and argued that it was meant only for Goan homes and not to regularise any of the slums. Jacques says will examine minutes and forward to govt for action PANAJI: Revenue secretary Sandip Jacques, IAS, has said the minutes of the convention when finalised will be examined and wherever it is possible forwarded to the government for action. Jacques was speaking to the media at the venue of the convention. He however, refused to comment on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s proposal to grant protection from demolition to all the illegal houses of Goans facing action which did not find any support at the convention. “I will not comment on the Chief Minister’s proposal. But as far as this convention is concerned we will examine and definitely the government will act,” Jacques said. SPORTS Jaiswal, Dube fifties power India to easy win over Afghanistan 12 Internal roads to be widened to ease traffic THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Ahead of upcoming construction of an elevated corridor at Porvorim, the State government has decided to undertake internal road widening work for execution of traffic diversion. The project, estimated at Rs 35 crore, approved by the Cabinet will also include replacing old electricity poles and shifting of water pipelines, to evade damages, along the road stretches. PORVORIM FLYOVER The traffic department has already begun a week-long traffic diversion experiment for heavy vehicles entering Goa with non-essential items by diverting their movement via Banda-Sanquelim-Ponda road to minimise inconvenience to other commuters during the construction of the flyover. Sources informed that before implementing the traffic diversion plan, the government has decided to undertake various works including widening of internal roads, putting up signages, electricity poles, realignment of NEW TASK AT HAND „„Hot-mixed road from Damian de Goa to Chogm road, Guirim cross to Monte Guirim and near Saligao football ground „„Sewerage line along O Coqueiro junction, Porvorim tisk and Chogm road „„Traffic diversion signages at Calangute, Saligao, Aldona „„Shifting of water pipelines in Porvorim and other internal areas approaches, hot mixing, etc at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore. Sources said that the proposal has already got cabinet approval and that 15 works would be taken up on nomination basis while tenders would be floated for three other works. The works include new hotmixed road from Damian de Goa to Chogm road, Guirim cross to Monte Guirim and near Saligao football ground, Chogm road, new sewerage >Continued on P5 REMEMBERING A TRUE VISIONARY On his 102nd Birth Anniversary MODU TIMBLO January 15, 1922 - January 8, 1993 Modubab left an indelible footprint on society as he journeyed through life inspiring confidence with resilience.... The movement lives on. WHERE PEOPLE ARE OUR ENVIRONMENT