log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2024 KTC faces challenges as operations moved to makeshift bus stand Guj man dupes casino visitor of `  0 lakh 1 PANAJI: Panaji police have launched a search for a Gujarat-native, who impersonated a senior govt official and cheated a casino visitor of Rs 10 lakh. The accused impersonated the Deputy Collector in Ahmedabad and induced him into giving gaming chips to play in exchange for cash amount to the complainant. The accused has allegedly fled Goa and a police team is on the lookout for him.  22 Mamlatdars, Joint Mamlatdars shifted PANAJI: The State govt has issued order transferring 22 officials including Mamlatdars and Joint Mamlatdars with immediate effect. Anant Malik has been appointed as Mamlatdar Tiswadi, Dhiren Banavlikar as Mamlatdar, Bardez, Kaushik Dessai as Mamlatdar, Pernem, Laxmikant Dessai as Mamlatdar, Ponda among others. Suchana’s custody extended by 14 days PANAJI: The Children’s Court extended the judicial custody by 14 days to Suchana Seth, the Bengaluru AI start-up founder, who is charged with killing her four-year-old son at a Candolim. She had been in custody since January 8. Seth has so far not applied for bail with her lawyer in Goa stating that he has no instructions from her father. Flat catches fire in Vasco VASCO: It was a lucky escape for residents of a flat in Vasco after a huge fire broke out in the wee hours of Wednesday. Vasco Fire Station Incharge Dilip Bicholkar said the incident took place at around 1 am.  >> See pg 3 5 companies to start ops at TEC shortly PERNEM: IT Minister Rohan Khaunte has said four to five large companies will start operations at the Tuem Electronic City complex within the next six months.  >> See pg 3 Jharkhand CM quits, arrested by ED RANCHI: Enforcement Directorate arrested JMM leader Hemant Soren after over seven hours of questioning in an alleged land fraud case. Before his arrest, Soren tendered his resignation as Jharkhand chief minister to Governor. WEATHER >> Max: 33 C Min: 21 C Humidity: 87% TIDES Low: High: 09:10 20:40 02:42 15:44 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 224 GOA IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA Pay parking to be introduced in Ponda to resolve traffic congestion 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Should you exfoliate your back? 9 SPORTS Jay Shah appointed ACC president for third consecutive term 15 700 water tanks dumped at Sancoale n TANKS LYING UNUSED AT PWD YARD FOR OVER 10 YEARS Tanks may not be n WERE TO BE GIVEN TO ECONOMICALLY WEAKER SECTIONS useful now: MLA THE ‘TANK BANK’ SAGA VIKRAM NAYAK VASCO Visit the PWD yard at Sancoale and be prepared to find hundreds of new water tanks lying unused in the property. But what is even more surprising is that these tanks have been lying unused for over 10 years. This has prompted sharp reactions from social activists who have questioned the government over wastage of funds to purchase hundreds of new water tanks and keeping them unused, when instead they should have been in the homes of economically weaker sections of society or even in government institutions. A source from the PWD confirmed that about 700 tanks (500-litre capacity) were lying idle for over 10 years at the PWD’s Sancoale yard. “These tanks were purchased sometime around 2010 from the Goa Handicrafts Corporation to be distributed to „„Tanks purchased sometime around 2010 from Goa Handicrafts Corporation „„Around 1,000 were kept at PWD’s Sancoale yard „„Nearly 300 were subsequently given to other PWD divisions „„Tanks are of 500-litre capacity and are lying idle for over 10 years „„Presently, there are around 700 tanks at the yard „„Shortly after they were purchased, there was a complain about the scheme „„Tanks could not be distributed as there was an inquiry „„There was also a complaint registered with the Vigilance Dept „„ PWD yet to arrive at a conclusive decision Unused tanks at the PWD yard in Sancoale. ‘UNUSED TANKS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT TO BETTER USE’ >> See pg 5 economically weaker sections of society. There were around 1,000 tanks kept at the Sancoale yard, but around 300 of them were subsequently given to other PWD divisions. As of now, there are around 700 water tanks lying idle in the Sancoale PWD yard,” said the source. “Shortly after the tanks were purchased, there was a complain about the scheme. The tanks could not be distributed as there was an inquiry Soon, sand miners may have to apply for ECs themselves State plans to free itself of responsibilities of all procedures due to legal tangles THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Marred with legal fights over sand mining activities, the State government is now contemplating to do away with the responsibility of getting all the procedures done, including Environmental Clearance (EC), by itself, for sand miners. It is now most likely that applicants, seeking sand mining permits, themselves will have to apply individually with the Environment authorities for obtaining EC. Currently, as per the Goa Minor Mineral Concession (amendment) Rules 2022, District Collectors apply for ECs with  State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa-SEIAA) and allow villagers to apply for sand mining permissions not exceeding 1,000 cubic metres per year, by manual method only. “The ECs issued to the North Goa district collector for sand extraction in River Chapora are challenged before the National Green Tri- SAND MINING: WINDS OF CHANGE „„Govt contemplating to amend rules to absolve itself of all responsibilities regarding procedures „„Presently, District Collectors apply for ECs with Goa-SEIAA and allow villagers to apply for permissions not exceeding 1,000 cubic metres yearly „„As per MoEF rules, district level environment committee decides on ECs for 5 hectares of individual lease and 25 hectares in cluster „„For areas up to 50 hectares, State counterparts are responsible for ECs „„Ministry to step in to give clearances for areas above 50 hectares bunal (NGT). The green bench has asked the State not to go ahead with ECs pending outcome of the petition,” sources said. Sources said that the government is now trying to amend the rule, wherein the sand mining applicants themselves will have to obtain EC before seeking permit from the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG). “Only those with valid EC would be issued sand mining permits,” sources said. As per the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) rules, the district level environment committee decides on ECs for 5 hectares of individual lease and 25 hectares in cluster. For areas up to 50 hectares, their >Continued on P5 into the procurement of these tanks.” The source said the issue was later resolved following a Cabinet meeting and a new scheme was designed by taking ex-post facto approval. “There was also a complaint in the vigilance department regarding the procurement of these tanks but to our knowledge, the issue has been settled as the enquiry has been completed. However, the 700-odd tanks are still lying in the yard because the PWD has not arrived at a conclusive decision as yet.” “During the enquiry, all files were confiscated and if the issue is closed, the files will be returned along with THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO Admitting that the water tanks had been dumped at the Sancoale PWD yard several years ago, Cortalim MLA Anton Vas said they may not be of use now. “In fact, I had personally gone and inspected the place and realised that the water tanks which were purchased years ago are now contaminated and may not be of use,” said Vas. some instructions and only then can something be done about these tanks,” the source added. “We cannot do anything about those tanks till we receive instructions from our higher-ups,” said the source. The source went on to add that an enquiry was completed and the case was even put up for closure some months back. “I also realised during the inspection that rainwater had accumulated in the tanks causing breeding of mosquitoes. This is cause for concern because the tanks are occupying a very large area of the yard and mosquito breeding can spread dengue.” “I have already written to the PWD requesting them to immediately remove the tanks and to dispose them off, but they have not done that till now,” said Vas. According to media reports, the PWD during the tenure of then minister Churchill Alemao had purchased around 6,511 water tanks at a cost of Rs 1.45 crore. An FIR was later filed against Alemao and five officials of the department in connection with alleged irregularities in purchase of these >Continued on P5 CM preps up for Modi meet, to present 10-year report card THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday held meetings with bureaucrats across most government departments to draw the contours of a 10-year report card of major  achievements which he will present to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 6. Sawant also held a review meeting of all the departments which are involved with the preparations for the event where Modi will address at Fatorda. Sawant told media that the Fatorda event is being held under the ‘Vikasit Bharat, Vikasit Goem-2047’ banner. “A presentation of the major works undertaken by the double engine governments in last 10 years will be made before the PM,” Sawant said. Modi will be in Goa on February 6 to inaugurate the “India Energy Week” and will later address the rally in Fatorda. More than 35,000 attendees, 350 exhibitors, 400 speakers and over 4,000 delegates, from over 100 countries are expected to participate at the event to collaborate, discover new opportunities and strengthen partnerships. REGIONAL FLAIR: A troupe from Haryana presents a folk dance ‘Ghumar’ at the ongoing Lokutsav at Campal on Wednesday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Finance panel submits report, to be implemented from Apr THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The much awaited report of the Third State Finance Commission, expected to be tabled in the upcoming Budget session of the State Legislative Assembly, was on Wednesday submitted to the Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai. The five-year plan that will recommend various measures to make local governing bodies like panchayats, zilla panchayats and municipalities self-reliant will be implemented from April 2024 to 2029. Goa has been on the radar of Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) and XV Finance Commission for being able to constitute only three SFCs during the period 1999 to 2022, as against six due as per the provisions of the Constitution.  In fact, the  XV Finance Commission has already declared that no grants would be released after March 2024 to the States that fail to comply with the Constitutional provisions in respect of the SFC. The Third SFC Chairman retired IAS Daulat Hawaldar informed that the report is being submitted to the Goa Governor on Wednesday. “The report will now come up for >Continued on P5 Co-op societies to pay Smartphones get cheaper, import duty on spare parts slashed `  0K for share transfer 1 A DAY AHEAD OF INTERIM UNION BUDGET PTI NEW DELHI day ahead of the interim Union Budget, India has slashed the import duty on spare parts, like battery cover, lens and SIM socket, used in mobile phone manufacturing to 10 per cent, from 15 per cent. The duty cut is aimed at boosting local production and exports, as well as reducing prices in local markets. The finance ministry on January 30, notified the cut in duty on all goods for use in manufacture of cellular mobile phones to 10 per cent. The other components include battery cover, front, middle and back cover of phone, main lens, screw, SIM socket, or other mechanical items. A Govt to unveil interim Union Budget today NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi-led BJP government is set to release its interim Union Budget for 2024 on Thursday, ahead of the country’s highly anticipated general elections. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the pre-election Budget for the fiscal year. The interim Budget is seen as a stop-gap financial plan during an election year, aimed at meeting immediate financial needs Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a post on X said the duty rationalisation would strengthen the mobile phone manufacturing ecosystem through this measure. “Rationalization of customs before a new government is formed. The full-fledged Union Budget will only be released after the elections, which will take place between April and May. Typically, the interim Budget won’t include big and sweeping policy announcements. But this interim budget is still important, as it could shed light on the final Budget, since many analysts are expecting the ruling BJP to win this election. duties brings much-needed certainty and clarity for the industry,” Vaishnaw said. Industry experts hailed the move saying it is likely to reduce smartphone prices by 3-5 per cent. Counterpoint Research Senior Analyst Prachir Singh said, “this will benefit the OEMs in reducing the cost, which will, in turn, be passed on to the end customer in the near term. This move can help to drop smartphone prices by 3-5%, empowering the consumers and making the devices affordable, especially in the entry and budget segments”. Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said competitiveness and scale are critical to India’s transformation into a global hub for electronics manufacturing and exports and pivot into export-led manufacturing. “Reduction in certain input tariffs and rationalisation will help reduce costs and advance ease of doing business and catalyze export led manufacturing. We believe incentives, and not tariffs, are going to help build a global Electronics industry from India. Every global brand can and must make India its preferred and trusted manufacturing partner and hub,” Chandrasekhar said. Xiaomi India President Muralikrishnan B said that the import duty reduction in mechanics and other small parts is a welcome move and will help bridge the duty gap, which can provide a further fillip to local manufacturing of such components. “Over time, such moves will help accelerate domestic value addition and facilitate India’’s growth as an electronic manufacturing destination,” Muralikrishnan said. Industry body Indian Cellular and Electronics Association had urged the government to reduce duty on some components to cut cost of mobile phone production in the country. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government has brought in draft rules, wherein the Co-operative Societies will have to pay Rs 10,000 to the State from the premium amount collected from members during transfer of shares and occupancy rights of a plot of land, housing unit or commercial unit. DRAFT RULES NOTIFIED The Department of Co-operation has notified the draft Goa Co-operative Societies (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2024 and the same is kept open for public for a period of 15 days. As per the draft rules, the member seeking transfer will have to pay a fixed transfer fee of Rs 2000 and an amount of premium at the rate up to 2 per cent of the market value of the property to the society. Further, from the premium amount the society will have to pay Rs 10,000 to the government treasury. “If the society fails to deposit the amount in the government treasury, such amount shall be recovered by the Registrar from the society, along with interest at the rate of four per cent as arrears of land revenue,” stated the draft rules. “Any transfer of share or interest of the member approved by the society in contravention of these Rules shall be ab-initio null and void,” it said further.