log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.233 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 Huge victory for Goa as NTCA denies nod for Kalasa project GOA MMC councillors to meet before giving nod to waste collection tender Furore in House over GMC asking patients to buy expensive implants INFO DIY body polishing scrubs to try at home TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY REJECTS KARNATAKA’S DEMAND TO DIVERT 26.96 HECTARES OF FOREST LAND THE GOAN I NETWORK BELAGAVI In what could be termed as a major setback to Karnataka and a huge victory for Goa in the Kalasa-Bhandura water diversion tangle, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has rejected the demand of Government of Karnataka for the diversion of 26.96 hectares of forest land for the implementation of the Kalasa-Bhandura water diversion project. This decision was taken during the 77th meeting of the permanent committee of the authority chaired by Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav on January 30. Earlier, in January, the NTCA had constituted an expert committee to conduct on-site inspection of the Kalasa-Bhandura water diversion project in the forested areas of page 7 Goa presented for 1st time at India tourism event in Dublin Goan Carnival to come alive in Melbourne IN SHORT >> SC notice to State on private forest PANAJI: A division bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Friday issued notice to the Goa government on an appeal filed by the Goa Foundation against the NGT judgment that upheld the reports of the State’s Forest Review Committee and its methodology adopted.  >> See pg 2 Two women killed in tragic mishaps PANAJI: Two women were killed after they were crushed under the rear wheels of a bus and a truck at Panaji and Porvorim. In the Panaji incident the woman was crushed when the bus was turning inside the main bus stand near Hanuman temple. In the Porvorim mishap, another woman was killed after a truck hit the scooter she was travelling on and came under the rear wheel >> See pg 5 DEAD END FOR KALASA-BHANDURA PROJECT? „„Karnataka had sought approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority to go ahead with the construction of the project „„Approval was sought from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the use of 26.96 hectares of forest land required for the project „„NTCA constituted an expert committee to conduct on-site inspection of KalasaBhandura water diversion project in the forested areas of Khanapur taluka in Belagavi on the tiger corridor and submitted a report „„Comprehensive discussion was held regarding the project's implementation and impact where NTCA later rejected the proposal Khanapur taluka in Belagavi district of Karnataka on the tiger corridor and had submitted a report. According to sources, a comprehensive discussion was held regarding the project's implementation and its impact during the meeting. This matter will now be taken up in the judicial process (Sab Judicata). As per Section Sancoale church row echoes in House, CM says ‘noted’ CORTALIM MLA SEEKS ACTION AGAINST ‘OUTSIDER’ FOR REPEATEDLY FOMENTING COMMUNAL TENSION THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Independent Cortalim MLA Anton Vas on Friday raised the issue of the controversy related to the Sancoale church during 'zero hour' in the State Legislative Assembly and demanded that stringent action be taken against an 'outsider' who was fomenting communal tension in the area. Vas noted that people of all communities have co-existed peacefully and with communal amity for centuries in Goa and there was no room for anyone to sow a communal divide. Without taking any names, Vas said, an 'outsider' was time and again entering the village and attempting to create communal tension and strict action must be taken against him. Vas said, it is a protected monument in the custody of the ASI and so there was no question of interfering with the site even as he demanded immediate action against the 'outsider' for fomenting com- munal tension in the village. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant however, did not reply to Vas' request but only rose to his feet to say he has "noted" what the Cortalim MLA has said. It may be recalled that some Hindu outfits are claiming that the Church of Our Lady of Health, of which only the frontispiece exists after the church got destroyed in a fire in the nineteenth century, was built in the place where a temple exists. The edifice is a protected monument and is in the custody of the Archaeological Survey of India but in Decem- ber 2020, a group of people for the first time descended at the site to demand that a Hindu place of worship be established there. The matter died down in the melee of the pandemic but in August last year, 10 people trespassed into the property and installed a 'Vijay Durga' idol and conducted a pooja in the wee hours of the night. However police intervened and took the idol in their custody. An FIR was also lodged in relation to the incident and several known and unknown persons were named, including one resident of Sancoale. 38 of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the permanent committee is empowered to make decisions on proposals submitted by the authority. The proposal was submitted by the Karnataka government to the National Tiger Conservation Authority for approval. The proposal also included the need for the approval of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the use of 26.96 hectares of forest land required for the project. The proposal was also submitted to the Ministry for approval. The project aims to provide drinking water to towns and villages around Hubballi-Dharwad. The proposal clarified that the project does not come under the purview of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification-2006, as clarified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2019. Govt constitutes House panel on common burial ground for all PANAJI The State government on Friday constituted a House Committee to establish and regulate a common crematorium or burial grounds for all sections of the society across all panchayats and municipal areas. The House Committee under Law Minister Alexio Sequeira has to submit its report in the next session of the Goa Legislative Assembly. The committee will deliberate on the need to bring in legislation on the matter. The Committee will be represented by one MLA each from all parties -- BJP, Congress, Goa Forward Party, Aam Aadmi Party, MGP and RGP and one Independent MLA. BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral and Independent MLA Chandrakant Shetye had moved a private member resolution demanding a common or dedicated site for crematorium grounds. Cabral recommended that the Government enact a Legislation, in a time-bound manner and in any case not >Continued on P5 Govt says no move to bring in ‘sunset clause’ PANAJI espite over 5,400 tenancy and mundkarial cases pending, the State government on Friday declined to introduce ‘sunset clause’ for its speedy disposal considering the past experience wherein it had to face backlash from the tenants and mundkars for putting a time frame to apply for tenancy or mundkarial declaration. Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate, however said that the government is considering various amendments to the Goa Agricultural Tenancy and Goa Mundkars (Protection and Eviction) Act, wherein it is being considered removing D MINISTER’S ASSURANCE IN HOUSE „„Govt considering various amendments to Tenancy Act „„Plans afoot to remove issuance of fresh notices in purchase cases „„Mamlatdars to be empowered to hear such cases as continuous process „„Govt serious in disposing all tenancy and mundkarial cases at the earliest and ensure rights the issuance of fresh notices in purchase cases and empowering Mamlatdars to hear are duly protected „„Presently, there are 2485 tenancy cases and 541 tenancy appeal cases pending while pending mundkarial cases are 2059 and appeal cases are 374 „„FLASHBACK: In the past Goa government had introduced a sunset clause, but had to face strong opposition from tenants and mundkars as they feared the same would restrict their rights. The amendments were introduced to the Act in 2014, but were withdrawn in 2015 such cases as a continuous process. “In the past Goa govern- ment had introduced a sunset clause, but had to face strong opposition from tenants and 15 ISL: FC Goa, Odisha FC share spoils in top-of-the-table clash Citizenship: Hope for Goans, CM to take up issue with Centre MEETING LIKELY ON FEBRUARY 17 OR 18 OPPOSITION LEADERS TOLD TO SHARE INPUTS TO DRAFT PROPOSAL THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday conceded the seriousness of dual citizenship issue and assured the Legislative Assembly that the State government will follow up with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) next weekend. His assurance came following demands from the Opposition to resolve the problem faced by Goans, where those who registered their birth in Portugal have had their Indian passports revoked. This has led to the denial of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status coupled with visa complications. “The issue is serious and also helpful for the citizens. This matter has already been flagged before the Ministry of Home Affairs and the MEA. I will take an appointment from the MEA for February 17 or 18, since I am in Delhi for two days,” he told the House during a discussion on a private member’s resolution on OCI and dual citizenship. The CM also urged the Opposition to share inputs in or- Minor kids of Portuguese passport holders to go State-less until 18? PANAJI: The controversy of forfeiting citizenship on acquiring the Portuguese Passport has taken another dimension with Indian officials refusing to renew passports of minor children of those who have attained Portuguese citizenship. Independent Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginald Lourenco raised the issue in the House during ‘zero hour’ citing the example of Brandon Vaz who had gone to the Indian Embassy in UK to renew his passport. Lourenco said, the boy who is from his Curtorim constituency, was told by officials at the embassy in UK that since his parents have obtained Portuguese passport he will have to come for renewal of his Indian passport only after attaining the age of 18. He sought the intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to help the boy get his passport renewed at the embassy in UK as he will go State-less otherwise. der to draft a proposal, which will be submitted to the MEA during this Delhi visit. Congress’ Aldona legislator Carlos Ferreira had tabled the resolution seeking immediate relief to the ongoing issue, in favour of the Goans. “… due to the peculiar circumstances by which Goa, Daman & Diu came to be liberated from Portugal and the consequent conferment of Indian citizenship on those erstwhile Portuguese nationals, the Government of India be requested to permit dual citizenship to those covered by the Goa, Daman & Diu Citizenship Order and who have since registered their births in Portugal by virtue of the Portuguese Nationality Law as in force and until >Continued on P5 VIVA CARNIVAL! THE GOAN I NETWORK DESPITE OVER 5,400 TENANCY, MUNDKAR CASES PENDING… THE GOAN I NETWORK 10 SPORTS mundkars as they feared the same would restrict their rights,” he said referring to the amendments introduced to the Act in 2014 and the same being withdrawn in 2015. “Government has no intention to introduce the sunset clause to the above Act based on past experience. However, the government endeavours to ensure that the disposal of cases are done on priority,” the Minister said assuring the House that the government is serious in disposing all tenancy and mundkarial cases at the earliest and ensure their rights are duly protected. Responding to the Private Members Resolution moved >Continued on P5 King Momo’s float at the Carnival parade in Porvorim. Hundreds of people witnessed the floats on Friday as a curtain raiser to the four-day festivities that will begin on Saturday. Govt takes Carnival route to promote Healthy Living TO ROLL OUT 3 FLOATS WITH 267 PERFORMERS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Carnival is fun and frolic but it can also impart a message. That’s what Health Minister Vishwajit Rane believes. While King Momo proclaims his decree of merriment on Saturday, the Directorate of Health will be sending out a message of Healthy Living through a float that will follow King Momo. Amidst the kaleidoscope of vibrant colours and pulsating energy at this annual festivity, look out for a float – well calling it that could be an understatement going by its sheer size – that the Directorate of Health has executed to convey health awareness to the Carnival revellers. Yes, this year, the department has taken to the streets with some captivating tableaux designed to showcase the Goa government’s commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle. There are three trailers Panaji gears up for Carnival today PANAJI: Goa is set to be under King Momo’s rule for the next four days as Carnival festivities kick off in Panaji from Saturday. Department of Tourism has chalked out the programme with the annual float parade scheduled to begin from the Patto bridge which will later culminate at the Campal ground. On February 11, the focus will shift to Margao where the parade will start from Holy Spirit Church to MMC square. On February 12, Vasco celebrations will begin from St Andrew’s gunction (Swatantra Path) to Joshi Chowk while on February 13, Mapusa will play host to the parade from Mapusa Court to the bus stand. Parades are also planned at Morjim and other places. >> See pg 5 and some other vehicles, with the trailers being showpieces of the float. Anchored by “Nature’s Bounty” and “Fitness Fusion” – themes for the first two trailers, the third one is a replica of the Super Specialty block. Renowned artist Francisco Martins who stands as a beacon of artistic prowess, marking five decades of dedication both in Goa and abroad, has lent his expertise to the government in crafting these floats. “It took one month (to prepare these floats)…. Each of these floats presents informative content for the spectators,” he said, speaking to The Goan. While “Nature’s Bounty” focuses on promoting healthy eating, “Fitness Fusion” combines tradition and modernity through the promotion of yoga and a diverse range of physical activities. The float will feature > Continued on P5