@thegoanonline WEDNESDAY JANUARY 31, 2024 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 223 PWD opens Sirvodem STP doors for slurry from bio-methanation plant IN SHORT >> Over 50,000 expected for PM’s Margao meet PANAJI: In what is indirectly viewed as the show of strength and launch of Lok Sabha poll campaign in Goa, the State is expecting a turnout exceeding 50,000 for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting in Margao, PM is visiting Goa to inaugurate the India Energy Week 2024, at Betul on February 6 after which he will address the rally at 1:30 pm at KTC Bus Stand, Margao.  DDSSY to be tweaked for cancer care PANAJI: The State is contemplating to make its medical insurance scheme – DDSSY -more effective as far as cancer treatment is concerned, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Tuesday while also announcing that anti-cancer medicine-PHESGO  would be provided free of cost to patients at GMC from February 4. >> See pg 3 Man booked for forcing kids to beg MAPUSA: A man was booked by Mapusa police for allegedly forcing his two minor children to beg at the bus stand on Monday at 8.30 pm. The father also allegedly abused and assaulted the Childline activist Myra Fernandes who tried to intervene and rescue the children. `  0L stolen from 1 company locker MAPUSA: Colvale police has booked a supervisor on charges of stealing Rs 10.02 lakh from the company locker in the Tivim Industrial Estate on Sunday night. The accused, Bibek Kaldar from West Bengal, had been working as supervisor since the past six months.  >> See pg 5 15 PFI workers get death sentence ALLAPHUZA: A Kerala court on Tuesday sentenced to death 15 people associated with the now-banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) in connection with the murder of BJP OBC wing leader Ranjith Sreenivasan in this district in 2021, the special prosecutor of the case said here. Imran Khan gets 10 years in jail LAHORE: A Pakistani court sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan to 10 years in jail after finding him guilty of violating the nation’s Official Secrets Act. WEATHER >> Max: 34 C Min: 21 C Humidity: 86% TIDES Low: High: 08:19 19:50 01:52 14:07 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 2 GOA HC asks Comunidade administrator to dispose show cause notice 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Planning to bleach your hair? Things to look out Govt set to log into IT Habitat project again n 3 LOCATIONS SHORTLISTED n FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat, an ambitious project proposed at Dona Paula, which was stalled following a massive protest, is all set for revival almost after 18 years. The State government has shortlisted around two-three locations for its revival, as a Convention Centre is coming up at the old Dona Paula site. The dream project of then Congress led government was inaugurated by Congress President, Sonia Gandhi in 2006. Thereafter, due to violent protests, work was stopped in December 2007. Altogether 2,85,296 sq mt of land at the Dona Paula plateau was earmarked for the IT Habitat and around 18 plots were allotted. Speaking to The Goan, Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho said that the government has already initiated a process to revive the IT Habitat pro- IT HABITAT: THE PROJECT THAT WAS „„Project was formally inaugurated by Congress President, Sonia Gandhi in 2006 „„Thereafter, due to violent protests, work was stopped in December 2007 „„Altogether 2,85,296 sq mt of land at the Dona Paula plateau was earmarked for the IT Habitat and around 18 plots were allotted „„In 2015, BJP-led government mooted a plan to relocate the project on Kadamba plateau „„The project was plagued by land scam allegations as well as opposition from locals „„Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate and his family was at the forefront of the protest ject. “Ultimately IT is an industry and while encouraging all types of eco-friendly industries, we are going to make a pitch for the IT industry to set up shops in Goa. For that purpose, it is important that we have an IT Habitat,” he said. Godinho said that two- three places are under consideration of the government and a required feasibility study is being undertaken. “At Dona Paula, the government has already proposed a Convention Centre. So, we have to go to a new place,” he said adding ‘whatever happened (violent Loliem sarpanch cancels Sunday’s Gram Sabha Gram Sabha was clashing with Comunidade meet, new date to be announced later THE GOAN I NETWORK >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 ON Officer, Canacona. There had been an uproar among many residents after both important meetings in the village would coincide. Suspecting a “hidden agenda” to hold both key meetings simultaneously in village, many had demanded the postponement of Gram Sabha. The aggrieved residents and Comunidade components had reportedly met the Loliem-Polem sarpanch and secretary on Monday, and had Alert Std 4 girl foils kidnap bid, bites hand of kidnapper even apprised the Canacona BDO to highlight the issue and to demand a postponement of the Gram Sabha, but to no avail. When a report highlighting the issue appeared in The Goan on Tuesday and went viral on social media, the sarpanch issued a notice later in the day to cancel the Gram Sabha on Sunday. The Loliem - Polem THE GOAN I NETWORK CANACONA The controversy over the Loliem Gram Sabha and the Loliem-Polem Comunidade meetings scheduled on the same day and virtually the same time on Sunday has been finally resolved, after the Loliem-Polem sarpanch on Tuesday cancelled the Gram Sabha scheduled for February 4. Following a report in The Goan highlighting that the Loliem Gram Sabha would clash with the Loliem-Polem Comunidade meet, Loliem-Polem Sarpanch Nisha Chari issued a public notice on Tuesday, cancelling the Gram Sabha meeting of Loliem-Polem panchayat fixed on February 4 at 10 am. “The next date of the Gram Sabha will be declared shortly,” stated the notice signed by Sarpanch, which was put up on the panchayat notice-board for information of public/Gram Sabha members. A copy of the notice has also been forwarded to the Block Development protest) is a thing of the past and we need to work to promote IT sector’. In 2015, the BJP led government mooted a plan to relocate the project to 4.5 lakh sq m of government land near the electricity department’s sub-station on Kadamba plateau, within the precincts of Chimbel village. However, that did not take shape. The project, for which foundation was laid with much fanfare, was plagued by land scam allegations as well as opposition from localsPanaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate and his family was at the forefront of the protest, which took ugly violent turn later. The government enacted the Goa Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat – Cancellation/ Abolition and Regulation of Allotment of Plots Act and cancelled the allotted plots, and refunded around Rs 140 crore to the companies which were allotted plots in 2006-07. VALPOI A primary schoolgirl’s quick action and presence of mind foiled an attempt by unknown persons to abduct her at Ravana in Keri-Sattari on Monday morning. Details of the incident came to light on Tuesday after the girl’s parents filed a police complaint with the Keri police outpost. The parents informed police that their daughter, a student of Std 4, had gone to school on Monday at 8 am. Sometime later, the girl went to her house, which is located in the area, to collect her tiffin. As the girl was returning to school with her tiffin, a car with a dark-tinted glass stopped near her. One person handed her a chocolate, then suddenly grabbed her hand and tried to pull her inside the car. The girl displayed quick action and presence of mind by biting at the person’s hand and he let go of the girl. At the same time, a woman riding a scooter happened to reach the site and sensed something unusual. Y GOA Facebook.com/thegoan DA log on to thegoan.net TUE S 9 MELBOURNE oa has been ranked among the Top 10 destinations by Tripadvisor, one of the world’s largest travel platforms, for carnival celebrations in the world, but the Capital City of Panaji finds itself surprisingly omitted in Tripadvisor’s list of prominent cities hosting the Carnival in the State. Instead, there are only references to Carnival celebrations in Margao and Vasco, and as a result, tourists could be unaware that the biggest Carnival parade is traditionally hosted in Panaji. „„Venice (Italy) „„Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) „„Port of Spain (Trinidad & Tobago) „„New Orleans, Louisiana (US) „„Sydney (Australia) „„ Viareggio (Italy) „„Recife and Olinda (Brazil) „„Mobile, Alabama (US) „„Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain) „„Goa G The omission of Panaji could prove costly to the Tourism Department in its efforts to promote Goa as a major tourism destination during Carnival. Some have even suggested that the ongoing Panaji Smart City works may have deterred Tripadvisor from recommending Panaji as a destination for the Carnival celebration. Tripadvisor, which is globally considered as the leading source of information for travellers across the world, has rated Goa as the 10th best destination for Carnival celebrations. In its section on the 14 best Carnival destinations across the world, Tripadvisor states, “Lively float parades, fancy costumes, and street parties that get you grooving for days. The best Carnivals in the world are back, and we’ve rounded up 14 of the biggest celebrations that are worth travelling for.” The 10 best Carnival destinations ranked by Tripadvisor are Venice (Italy), Rio de 15 Orders Directorate of Panchayats to initiate action THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Bombay High Court on Monday directed the Directorate of Panchayats to initiate action against Arambol Sarpanch Bernardo Fernandes under Section 210 A of the Panchayati Raj Act.  The Section provides that a member of a panchayat shall, after an opportunity is afforded for hearing him, be removable from his office as a member by an order passed by the Director for persistent remiss in the discharge of his duties or if such member acts detrimental to the interest of the panchayat or misuses or abuses the powers or exercises powers which are not expressly vested in him by or under this Act or rules or bylaws framed thereunder. The member so removed shall not be eligible for reelection for a period not exceeding five years as the Director may specify in his order. “From the material that has been placed on record by the panchayat itself in its affidavit and reports, we think that prima facie case has been made out to direct the Direc- KEY HC OBSERVATIONS „„From the material that has been placed on record, we think that prima facie case has been made out to direct the Director of Panchayats to consider action „„Director of Panchayat must consider issuing a show cause notice to Bernard Fernandes and grant Bernand full opportunity of hearing „„This exercise must be undertaken and completed expeditiously by giving full opportunity to Bernard Fernandes for his defence „„Bernard and Avelino confirm that these are the structures of their brothers, sisters-in-law, mother, uncle, etc... „„If this is correct, then this discloses an extremely shocking state of affairs in this ward tor of Panchayats to consider action under Section 210-A of the Panchayat Raj Act. The Director of Panchayat must, therefore, consider issuing a show cause notice to Bernard Fernandes and grant Bernand full opportunity of hearing in the context of the provisions of Section 210-A of the Panchayat Raj Act. This exercise must be undertaken and completed expeditiously by giving full opportunity to Mr Bernard Fernandes for his defence,” the High Court said.  The move came after the High Court was informed that out of the 61 structures referred to in the panchayat report/affidavit Fernandes, who resigned as sarpanch, >Continued on P5 FROM MARCEL TO DODAMARG: COPS IN SPOTLIGHT Drunk PI, friends create ruckus at Dodamarg n Detained for unruly behaviour, let off after apology n No inquiry in Goa THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Call it a coincidence. On the same Sunday evening when Head Constable Samir Fadte and his accomplices created a ruckus at Marcel, around 30 km away at Goa’s border in Dodamarg, another policeman – this one being a Police Inspector – was detained for his unruly behaviour at the residence of his ‘panch friend.’ The PI, earlier posted at Pernem police station, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he and 3-4 others accompanying him on a brief day-out incited an altercation with the panch’s family and staff. “The PI had visited his friend’s residence in a personal capacity. The panch was away as he was attending an event as a chief guest,” revealed a witness to the incident to The Goan. “The PI grew impatient and kept honking outside the res- Panaji missing, travel platform Tripadvisor highlights Carnival parades only in Margao, Vasco THE TOP 10 U-19 World Cup: Musheer, bowlers help India steamroll New Zealand HC: Arambol sarpanch, kin to blame for 33 illegal structures Goa makes it to world’s Carnival Top-10 list FRANKEY FERNANDES SPORTS Janeiro (Brazil), Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), New Orleans, Louisiana (United States), Sydney (Australia), Viareggio (Italy), Recife and Olinda (Brazil), Mobile, Alabama (United States), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain) and Goa. In its reference to Goa, Tripadvisor describes the annual Goa Carnival as one of the few Carnivals in Asia and introduced to Goa by the Portuguese. “Taking place in cities like Margao and Vasco, the parades here have a distinct local essence with traditional music and folk dances incorporated >Continued on P5 ACTION IN DODAMARG „„PI and 3-4 other visit friend’s (panch) residence at Dodamarg „„Panch was not at home as he was attending an event „„PI grows impatient, keeps honking outside residence „„On being confronted PI bragged about his status, abuses them „„Locals slap PI and his inebriated friends.... taken to police station „„Dodamarg police register non-cognizable offense „„Released later after apologizing to panch’s family ON PAGE 3 Marcel assault: 7 arrested, get bail within hours Suspended cop was on leave idence. On being confronted by others who were present there, the PI bragged about status as a “PI of Goa Police”, hurled filthy  abuses at them in Konkani and threatened to put them in jail.” This, the source added, angered the Dodamarg residents who allegedly slapped the PI and his inebriated friends. The matter escalated into a bitter confrontation between the two parties and eventually reached the local police station. Sources further revealed that the Dodamarg police registered a non-cognizable >Continued on P5