log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2024 GOA PANAJI: The results of the Single Tier Computer Based Test (CBT), conducted by the Goa Staff Selection Commission (GSSC) were declared in a record time on Monday. The examination for eight different posts was held on Sunday, with a total 984 candidates answering it. This was the first exam conducted by GSSC ever since it issued advertisements to fill up various vacancies in December, last year. The Single Tier CBT was conducted for the post of Laboratory Technician, Technician, Assistant Sub Inspector (wireless operator), Librarian Grade I and II, LightHouse Keeper, Drawing Teacher in Secondary schools and Conservation Assistant. IN SHORT >> Restricted water to Bardez, Bicholim PANAJI: Water supply to entire Bardez Taluka and parts of Bicholim Taluka will be restricted on February 28 and 29 due to shut down of Assnora Water Treatment Plant for maintenance work. Bridge mishap: JC of accused extended The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 250 Despite High Court’s intervention, no progress on burial ground at Sonsodo GSSC declares CBT results in quick time Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA Soon, remote sensing, radar tech to manage Goa’s wetlands 3 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In what could be a big setback, Qatar Airways is all set to relocate its operations from Dabolim airport in South Goa to the newly inaugurated Manohar International Airport in North. The change is to take effect from June 20, 2024 As per sources, the airline’s daily direct flight schedule will continue, utilising a mix of Airbus 320 and Boeing 787 aircraft for this route. The decision aligns Qatar Airways with other carriers, including IndiGo and Oman Air, opting to be served by the Mopa International Airport. The new airport boasts State-of-the-art infrastructure and offers improved proximity to hotels and public transportation, enhancing the overall passenger experience. Having initiated its operations in Goa in 2009, Qatar GOVT FACES BRICKBATS FROM OPPN „„YURI ALEMAO: Leader of Opposition slammed the government for remaining a silent spectator and asked if it was part of larger conspiracy to convert Dabolim into Air Cargo Terminal for Aerial Coal Transportation. „„VIJAI SARDESAI: Goa Forward Party chief demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant must clarify why airlines are abandoning Dabolim despite his word to the people of Goa that he won’t allow it to happen. „„WARREN ALEMAO: The youth leader said government’s decision to permit Qatar Airways to relocate from Dabolim to Mopa is a grave error that will seal the fate of Dabolim airport and is a blatant disregard for the livelihoods of people of South Goa dependent on tourism (Reports on pg 2) Airways is transitioning from Dabolim to Mopa, aiming to provide superior services to passengers traveling to over 170 destinations in its net- work. It may be recalled that there was a hue and cry over airlines shifting operations to Mopa. Opposition parties Max: 34 C Min: 22 C Humidity: 78% TIDES Low: High: 06:37 18:30 00:24 12:33 Essential oils during pregnancy: Are they safe? had also raised apprehensions with regards to decline in number of flights Dabolim. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, had however, reassured that Dabolim airport will continue to be operational as a commercial airport and there were no moves to shut it down. He had however, admitted that some flights had shifted operations to Mopa, but there was no decline in the passenger footfall at Dabolim. Besides domestic-operated airlines like Indigo, Akasa Air, Vistara and Spicejet operating at Mopa, international destinations are being served by Air India, Oman Air, Indigo and Tui. With the ongoing Phase 3 Stage 1 expansion, the MIA aims to reach eight million passengers per annum and the works are expected to be completed before the winter schedule of 2024.  Portugal elections: Goans registered as Portuguese citizens can vote THE GOAN I NETWORK “The amount is given to the girl child only when she passes the 12th standard Board examination on three attempts or within two years of the first attempt whichever is earlier. The Fixed Deposit is released upon submission of prescribed release form along with 12th standard examination passing certificate and PANAJI As Goa still debates the Portuguese citizenship issue that led to the revocation of passports of quite a few Goans who obtained Portuguese nationality, those Goans who have also registered as electors in Portugal will get a chance to vote in the Portuguese general elections. A notice on the Embassy of Portugal website has announced that eligible voters can exercise their franchise on February  27, 28 and 29 in early voting for Portuguese nationals overseas. Portugal goes to the polls on March 10, following the sudden resignation of its Prime Minister Antonio Costa in November 2023 amid a corruption probe against him.  “This is a general election of the Portuguese Parliament ‘Assembleia de Republica.’ Several Goans who are registered as citizens will have the option to cast their vote starting tomorrow for three days in the office of the Consulate General of Portugal in Panaji or the Embassy of Portugal, Delhi,” an official said.  The option of postal ballots >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 PERNEM: Mandrem police have arrested a Russian for illegally staying in the State. According to Pernem SDPO Jivba Dalvi, Mandrem police found accused Stepanov Alexandrovich (30) staying illegally in Goa. WEATHER >> INFO TO BID ADIEU TO DABOLIM FROM JUNE 20 Russian arrested for staying illegally NEW DELHI: Renowned ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas, whose velvet smooth voice gave expression to the many colours of love, longing and heartache in songs such as “Chitthi Ayee Hai” and “Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein”, died on Monday. >> See pg 8 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Qatar Airways to shift operations to Mopa PANAJI: The trial court in Panaji has extended Ankit Triparty’s judicial custody by 10 days in connection to the Mandovi Bridge accident that occurred last Thursday. Triparty, charged with reckless and drunken driving, appeared before the court after his three-day judicial custody ended on Monday. Singer Pankaj Udhas no more Instagram.com/thegoanonline OPEN AND SHUT CASE: The excavated St Inez road remains totally shut due to Smart city works. With the deadline fast nearing, the pace of work has picked up pace lately.   Narayan Pissurlenkar Vidya Laxmi beneficiaries yet to claim over `  cr govt aid 2 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government has been caught in a tricky situation as around 950 girl students from the Scheduled Tribes community are yet to claim the financial benefit, which exceeds Rs 2.37 crore accumulated since 2011. This unclaimed sum pertains to the Directorate of Tribal Welfare’s ‘Vidya Laxmi’ Scheme, where Rs 25,000 is given as a Fixed Deposit into the bank accounts of eligible girl students upon passing Class X and enrolling in Class XI.  With this, the Directorate of Tribal Welfare holds this unclaimed amount of Rs 2,37,5000 approx, prompting it to release a list of the beneficiaries to claim the benefit.  9 SPORTS India claw back in Ranchi to complete a famous win against England 14 All eyes on Goa Police Bill; magisterial powers for SPs n Commissionerate system proposed n Bill likely to be sent to Law Dept for vetting THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In what could bring a major change into policing if the proposed Goa Police Bill is cleared by the government, the Superintendents of Police and other senior ranking officers will be empowered with magisterial powers. This will expand their role beyond existing duties. The draft Bill is most likely to be sent for legal vetting this week, and is expected to be tabled during the upcoming monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly. Sources said that the experts have largely incorporated the Delhi Police Act and Manual. “The draft has envisaged a Commissionerate system akin to some bigger states. If approved and passed in the Assembly, SP and other senior ranking officers will exercise the powers of a magistrate in addition to their duties,” reliable sources in the government told The Goan. KEY POINTS FROM THE DRAFT „„Aims at police modernization „„Has detailed jurisdiction, organization and distribution of police force in line with other States and Union Territories „„Aligns with guidelines from MHA „„Draws inputs from various police acts and manuals including those from Delhi and Mumbai „„Predominantly incorporates rules from Delhi Police It is also learnt that the Bill, which aims at police modernization, has detailed jurisdiction, organization and distribution of the police force in line with other states and union territories. The Bill has been missing deadlines as it has been drafted three times in the past 16 years. While it was expected to be discussed and passed during the Budget session of the Assembly held this month, it was postponed yet again. The reason, sources revealed, was because the Law Department had raised queries. The latest draft, prepared last year, aligns with guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and also draws inputs from various police acts and manuals including those from Delhi and Mumbai. It predominantly incorporates rules from the Delhi Police. The Bill had lapsed after the dissolution of the >Continued on P5 90% firms not disposing hazardous waste safely Defaulting industries likely to face Pollution Board’s wrath with closure notices THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Over 90 per cent of industries generating hazardous waste have failed to ensure safe treatment and disposal of their waste through State’s Common Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (CHWTSDF) at Pissurlem. Coming down heavily on these industries, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) might issue closer notices to such units for failing to adhere to government directions. In an immediate action, the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) has directed GSPCB not to grant or renew the consent to operate as well as authorization to all such industries that are yet to register with the government agency for safe disposal of hazardous waste. During the recently held meeting with regards to collection and disposal of hazardous waste, the GWMC informed that as of today there GOVT TO TIGHTEN SCREWS „„GSPCB asked not to grant or renew consent to operate to all such industries that are yet to register with CHWTSDF at Pissurlem „„As of today there are 377 major hazardous waste generating industries „„101 industries have are 377 major hazardous waste generating industries in the State, of which 101 industries have registered with the Goa Industries Environment Management Association (GIEMA) but only 30 have executed the BI-partite agreement with Ponda Envocare Limited -- that operates CHWTSDF -- for disposal of the hazardous waste. “It was decided in the past that all the hazardous waste registered with GIEMA but only 30 have executed the BI-partite agreement with Ponda Envocare Limited „„All hazardous waste generating industries need to register with GIEMA and dispose hazardous waste only at Pissurlem site generating industries will register with GIEMA and dispose their generated hazardous waste only at the Pissurlem site as per the guidelines,” GWMC member secretary Levinson Martins said. “It was also decided that if the industries are not registered GIEMA and do not deposit the waste at CHWTSDF to dispose it then the GSPCB >Continued on P5 Vasco, Sanvordem rail stations Indian to land on the moon by 2040: ISRO chairman to have stunning makeovers THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday laid the foundation stone for the revamping and modernising of the Vasco and Sanvordem railway stations at an estimated cost of Rs. 84 crores and Rs. 15.60 crores respectively. The prime minister laid the foundation stone/dedicated/ inaugurated the 554 Railway Stations under the Amrith Bharat Station Scheme and 1500 Road Over Bridges/Underpasses across the country including various railway projects worth Rs 1192.86 crore over South Western Railway (SWR) through video conferencing. Under the Amrit Bharat PANAJI he Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) envisions sustained lunar exploration, with hopes for an Indian landing on the moon by 2040. This was expressed by ISRO Chairman S Somanath during the inauguration of the 22nd National Space Science Symposium (NSSS 2024). The symposium, organized by Goa University in collaboration with ISRO, aims to bridge the gap between space science/technology and society. Somanath emphasised the global resurgence in moon exploration, citing renewed interest from nations like the United States and China. “All this must be well understood in the context of others doing it, because many other T THE GOAN I NETWORK The proposed design of the Vasco railway station after redevelopment. Station Scheme Phase-II, 34 stations across SWR i.e. 28 stations in Karnataka, 2 in Andhra Pradesh, 2 in Tamil Nadu and 2 in Goa are planned to be revamped and modernised at a combined cost of Rs. 801.95 crore. The revamped stations will undergo a stunning makeover >Continued on P5 Governor P S Shreedharan Pillai, ISRO chairman S Somnath, WRD Minister Subash Shirodkar and other dignitaries at the Science Symposium at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Bambolim on Monday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar nations are also going to the moon”, he said. He stressed the need for continuous experimentation and exploration before achieving a successful Indian moon landing. Plans for interplanetary missions, including the Venus Orbiter Mission and the Mars Lander, were discussed, along with efforts towards a lunar sample return mission for scientific studies. The symposium at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, inaugurated by Governor of Goa P S Sreedharan Pillai, commenced with the presence of WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar, former ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar, and Vice-Chancellor of Goa University Harilal Menon. The 5-day event includes exhibits by ISRO, Space on Wheels, poster sessions, and public lectures, fostering interaction between professionals, research students and public. NSSS 2024 is aligned with the upcoming National Science Day celebrations in Goa, offering various events to enhance scientific knowledge at all levels. The symposium, running until March 1, features scientific sessions, public lectures, plenary talks, outreach programs, exhibitions, student sessions, and posters, providing a comprehensive platform for scientific exchange. The event includes six parallel scientific sessions on diverse themes of space science and technology, with a dedicated students’ session to nurture young minds. Public lectures, plenary and interdisciplinary talks, and in- vited presentations by experts are expected to enrich the symposium experience. Poster sessions over four days will facilitate in-depth discussions for early-career researchers. Simultaneously, the threeday Science Fiesta 2024 at Goa Science Centre, inaugurated by Levinson J Martins, Director of the Department of Science, Technology & Waste Management, showcases the significant developments in science and technology. The exhibition, open to the public, highlights space science technology and milestones achieved by ISRO during the symposium. Industry participants associated with the National Space Science mission showcased innovative contributions, engaging students and the public in the exhibition and outreach events.