log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY JANUARY 30, 2024 GOA PANAJI: In a major reshuffle of AGMUT-cadre officers, three IPS officers and one IAS officer – posted in Goa - have been moved ahead of the Lok Sabha polls scheduled in April-May. Deputy Inspector General of Police Aslam Khan and Superintendents of Police Nidhin Valsan (North) and Abhishek Dhani (South) are relocated to Delhi while IAS Officer Ajit Roy is transferred to Mizoram, as per the Ministry of Home Affairs order issued on Monday. Meanwhile, IAS officers E Vallavan and Ankit Yadav will assume their new roles in Goa from Puducherry and Andaman & Nicobar, respectively, where they are currently posted and IPS officers Rohit Rajbir Singh and Rahul Gupta are transferred from Arunachal Pradesh to fill the vacancies in Goa. The officers are expected to be relieved on February 15. IN SHORT >> Film city: Clash on cards in Loliem CANACONA: Amid a controversy over two mega development projects proposed on eco-sensitive lands, two key meetings in Loliem-Polem village are set to clash on February 4.  >> See pg 3 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 222 GOA Mhadei: Goa may present study group’s findings in Supreme Court How to get tanned skin with olive oil for pale skin tone SAYS PARENTS SHOULD NOT MAKE REPORT CARDS OF CHILDREN AS VISITING CARDS PTI NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday cautioned parents against treating their children’s report cards as their own visiting card, while asserting that there should be no trust deficit between children and parents. Interacting with students, parents and teachers during his annual “Pariksha Pe Charcha” programme, the prime minister suggested that students should compete with themselves and not others and parents should never sow the seeds of competition and rivalry between siblings. “It is crucial to instill resilience in our children and help them cope with pressures... We cannot just switch off and the pressure is gone. One must become capable of bearing any kind of pressure. They should believe that pressure keeps on building and PARIKSHA PE CHARCHA: PM’S TOP MANTRAS „„Create ‘’no gadget zones’’ in houses „„Establish transparency between family members, share phone passcodes with them, no gadget during dinner „„There is nothing like the “right time”, do not wait for it „„Instill resilience in children to help them cope with pressures „„Student-teacher bond must be beyond syllabus & curriculum „„Make effective use of technology and mobile phones „„Never sow seeds of competition & rivalry between your children „„Teachers must not take their profession as a mere job „„Compete with yourself, not with your friend „„Don’t keep preparing until the last moment, approach exams with a relaxed mindset to avoid unwanted tension „„Students, families and teachers need to collectively address stress „„Doing well in exams is not a zero-sum game „„Friendship is not a transactional emotion, rejoice in the success of your friends too one has to prepare oneself,” he said. Prime Minister Modi suggested students to “always make friends who are more intelligent and work harder”. “You must be inspired by such friends. Don’t let the pressure of studies and examinations overpower you,” he said. Modi said that even though competition and challenges act as inspirations, competition must be healthy. “A lot of parents keep on giving examples of other chil- dren to their children. Parents should avoid doing these things... never sow the seeds of rivalry and competition among students,” he said. “We have also seen that those parents who have not been very successful in their After water, now snake found in KA auditorium PANAJI: The State government appointed committee under Minister Ravi Naik, has now set March end, as the new deadline to complete the State Agriculture policy. The committee held its meeting on Monday, wherein the “Focus Area” reports- the base for policy documentsubmitted by the five-sub committees, was discussed.   >> See pg 3 THE GOAN I NETWORK NGT junks plea of Colva resort Woman employees can nominate son, daughter for family pension >> See pg 7 WEATHER >> Max: 34 C Min: 21 C Humidity: 85% TIDES Low: High: 07:47 19:20 01:31 13:22 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO March deadline for Agriculture policy MARGAO: National Green Tribunal has dismissed an appeal filed by a beach resort at Colva against order passed by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority in 2022 for demolition of structures erected by the resort and to restore the land to its original position.  >> See pg 2 Instagram.com/thegoanonline 3 2 8 Trust deficit in families needs to be rectified: PM to parents Proposal for neighbourhood community hub at Monte Hill raises host of queries DIG, SPs among 4 top AGMUT cadre officers transferred Facebook.com/thegoan SPOILT FOR CHOICE: Foreigners take a look at trinkets at the ongoing Lokutsav at Campal on Monday. The annual event has been drawing thousands of visitors daily.   Narayan Pissurlenkar Govt woos industries to set up shop in State, doubles FAR THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In order to give a major push to investment in the industrial sector, the State government has announced to double the floor area ratio (FAR) across the industrial estates thereby promoting vertical growth. While the Chief Minister GOA TO SOON BE A GLOBAL INVESTORS’ HUB: CM >> See pg 5 Pramod Sawant told investors that this is the right time to invest in Goa, Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho spoke about providing more access to investors. Both were speak- ing while addressing the Invest Goa 2024 summit. “This is the right time to invest in Goa. Come here and invest. Your (investors) success will be our success. Your journey will be our journey. We are partners in progress committed to your every step. >Continued on P5 PANAJI A snake which made its way into the Dinanath Mangeshkar auditorium was rescued on Monday days after water seepage and accumulation on the auditorium’s carpeted floor last weekend had raised concerns over the quality of work of the recently renovated Kala Academy complex. The reptile was later handed over to the forest officials located next door to the Kala Academy complex. The renovation of the Kala Academy has been a controversial subject for the last couple of years with questions being raised over the work being contracted without a tender process besides other concerns including architectural and design changes. Art and Culture Minister, Govind Gaude meanwhile has been defending the renovation project but faced flak when the stage-roof of the open air auditorium collapsed last year when the work was still being executed. The government however explained the episode saying the open air auditorium did not form part of the renovation project. Gaude also explained that last week’s water leakage happened due to faulty fire hydrant pipeline during a trial. lives have nothing to say or want to tell the world about their successes and achievements, make the report card of their children their visiting card. “Whenever they meet someone, they will tell them the story of their children,” he said at the seventh episode of his outreach programme. The prime minister explained that the stress faced by students is of three types induced by peer pressure, by parents and self-induced. “At times, children take pressure on themselves that they are not performing up to the mark. I suggest that you should set small goals during preparation and gradually improve your performance, this way you will be completely ready before exams,” he said. “We have to make ourselves capable of facing any pressure. Students need to make themselves ready to go through any condition,” Modi said. SPORTS Sarfaraz called up as Rahul, Jadeja ruled out for second Test 14 Two Goa firms get closure notice over plastic waste rules CPCB also issues notice for environmental compensation THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a show cause notice for “closure of operations” to two business establishments  in Goa for failing to comply with Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016.  The CPCB has issued a show cause notice to total 688 entities across India including two in Goa for taking the following actions: closure operations of the unit and levying environmental compensation for non-compliance of the provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules.  The show cause notice is issued to Swanson Plastics (India) Pvt Ltd at Honda Sattari and GKB Vision Pvt Ltd at Pilerne Industrial Estate.  The environment compensation to be levied as per rule is Rs 5000 per tonne for non The show cause notice is issued to Swanson Plastics (India) Pvt Ltd at Honda Sattari and GKB Vision Pvt Ltd at Pilerne Industrial Estate and the environment compensation to be levied as per rule is Rs 5000 per tonne for non fulfillment of EPR target  fulfillment of EPR target.  The show cause notices are issued to producers, importers, Brand Owners, Plastic waste processors engaged in recycling and industrial composting units who failed to get themselves registered on the CPCB’s centralized Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) portal as notified by the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate >Continued on P5 Constable in trouble again; suspended, FIR registered Viral video shows him, others assaulting stall owner THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In less than a year of Head Constable Sameer Fadte’s transfer to Ponda police station amid inquiries into a series of complaints against him, Goa Police on Monday suspended and registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) over allegations of assaulting a fast-food stall owner at Marcel. A four-minute viral video showed Fadte accompanied by some of his colleagues and others, assaulting stall owner Viraj Mashelkar after a minor altercation. The assault landed the victim in the hospital with serious injuries.   The FIR registered under sections 504 (intentional insult with intention to provoke breach of the peace), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 506 (ii) (criminal intimidation), 143 (member of unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), and 452 (trespass) read with 149 (offense committed by member of unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code by Mardol Police, identifies Fadte, Akash Narvekar (Anti-Narcot- FADTE’S FACT FILE „„The Marcel incident has added to previous complaints against Fadte „„Long-pending departmental inquiry into the alleged submission of forged medical certificates for sick leaves also going on „„Police Sub Inspector attached to Mardol police station is now assigned the inquiry, despite the initial report „„Fadte was transferred to Ponda police station in February 2023 from Goa Reserve Police Coy, avoiding disciplinary action into the forgery allegation ics Cell), Mitesh Gaad (Indian Reserve Battalion); and Mohit Gaad and Supresh among others as the prime accused. The investigation will also probe the motive and whether the policemen were on duty.   This incident has added to previous complaints against Fadte besides a long-pending departmental inquiry into the alleged submission of forged medical certificates for sick leaves. Reliable sources have confirmed to The Goan that despite the inquiry’s completion confirming forgery by some policemen, one of these files – allegedly that of Fadte – circulated from GRP to police headquarters, South Goa Su- perintendent of Police, and finally at Mardol police station. “The findings confirm the offense and it is backed with evidence, which means an FIR ought to be filed. However, it’s been over a year and the report continues to move between offices. We’ve been informed that a Police Sub Inspector attached to Mardol police station is now assigned the inquiry, despite the initial report,” the source said. Fadte was transferred to Ponda police station in February 2023 from Goa Reserve Police (GRP) Coy, avoiding disciplinary action into the forgery allegation. >Continued on P5 SC bans practice of mentioning Nearly 12% decline in students at HSSCE this year STUDENT NUMBERS: FACTS & FIGURES litigants’ caste, religion in cases THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI NEW DELHI The practice of mentioning caste or religion of litigants in court cases must be shunned, the Supreme Court said while directing its registry and all other courts to stop it immediately. A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah directed high courts to ensure that caste or religion of a litigant does not appear in the memo of parties in any petition filed before HCs or subordinate courts under their jurisdiction. “We see no reason for mentioning the caste/religion of any litigant either before this Court or the courts below. Such a practice is to be shunned and must be ceased A two-judge bench deemed appropriate to pass a general order directing that henceforth the caste or religion of parties shall not be mentioned in the memo of parties forthwith. “It is therefore deemed appropriate to pass a general order directing that henceforth the caste or religion of parties shall not be mentioned in the memo of parties of a petition/ proceeding filed before this Court, irrespective of whether any such details have been furnished before the courts below,” the bench said. The top court passed the order while allowing a transfer petition in a marital dispute pending before a family court in Rajasthan. SC expressed surprise that the caste of both the husband and wife was mentioned in the memo of the parties. The counsel for the petitioner informed the court that if the memo of parties as filed before the courts below is changed in any manner, the Registry raises an objection, and in the present case, as the caste of both the parties was mentioned before the court below, he had no option but to mention their caste in the transfer petition. The top court directed that its order shall be brought to the notice of the members of the Bar as well as the Registry for immediate compliance. PANAJI sharp nearly 12 per cent decline in the number of students registering for this year’s Higher Secondary School Certificate examination (Class XII) conducted by the Goa Board has raised concerns. Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) chairman, Bhagirath Shetye said 17,498 students have registered for the exam which will be held in February-March this year. This is over 2,300 fewer than last year and there is a mismatch with the figures of successful candidates of the Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the Board two years ago. The reasons for the fall in numbers may have to be investigated a Board official said, A „„17,498 students have registered for HSSC exam which will be held in February-March this year „„This is over 2,300 fewer compared to last year „„This year girls outnumber boys by nearly 1000 „„Of the 17,498 students registered, 9213 are girl students while 8285 are boys LIKELY REASONS „„There could be multiple reasons including outmigration „„There is also possibil- ity of students opting for career oriented diploma courses including engineering diploma courses adding that the issue will be discussed with the Education Department. Among students registered for the HSSCE this year, girls outnumber boys by nearly 1000. Of the 17,498 students registered, 9213 are girl students while 8285 are boys, a reversal of the gender ratio last year. Meanwhile, a top Board official who did not want his identity disclosed said, the decline in the number of students taking the HSSC examination this year is a matter which will have to be seriously analysed. There could be multiple reasons including outmigra- at Polytechnic colleges as well as skill courses at the ITIs and private institutes tion, students opting for career oriented diploma courses including engineering diploma courses at Polytechnic colleges as well as skill courses at the ITIs and private institutes, the official added. However these factors will have to be probed, the official said, adding that it will have to be established whether dropping out of higher studies at the SSCE level is also a factor which would be of concern. As per the schedule announced by the Board, the HSSC examination will be conducted from February 28 to March 18. SCIENCE PREFERRED A majority of the students registered for the HSSCE this year have opted for the science stream.  According to the figures provided by the Board, this year the Science stream has 5,733 students registered to take the exam.  For the Commerce stream, 5191 students have registered while 4,144 have opted for the Arts stream.  The vocational branch has the lowest number of just 2,430 students.