log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2024 GOA Fire-fighting infrastructure not yet in place at MMC markets IN SHORT >> Demolition squad plays truant at Sangolda PORVORIM: The Administrator of Comunidades, North Zone could not carry out the demolitions of 22 structures on Comunidade property in Survey 81/1 at Sangolda, as directed by the high court, as the Demolition Squad did not report at the site on Tuesday morning.   >> See pg 3 Action sought against animal waste dump MARGAO: The village panchayat of Chinchinim has knocked the doors of the Cuncolim police to stop the nuisance created by the dumping of animal waste in the panchayat jurisdiction.   >> See pg 2 Tourist driver held for flinging bottles PORVORIM: A 32-year-old tourist driver from Jaipur-Rajasthan was arrested on Tuesday on charges of throwing beer bottles on a road, thereby causing nuisance in a public place. Two get bail in drugs case PANAJI: The NDPS Court in Mapusa has granted bail to two locals, Raju Salgaonkar and Michael Fernandes in connection with alleged possession and peddling of drugs in the coastal belt. CAA rules likely before LS poll code NEW DELHI: The rules for the implementation of the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA) for fast-tracking citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are likely to be issued before the Model Code of Conduct for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections comes into effect.   >> See pg 8 4 IAF pilots named for Gaganyaan mission NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the names of four IAF pilots who are undergoing training for the country’s maiden human space flight mission ‘Gaganyaan’. The pilots are – Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander S Shukla.  >> See pg 8 WEATHER >> Max: 31 C Min: 24 C Humidity: 66% TIDES Low: High: 07:28 19:23 01:23 13:46 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 251 2 GOA HC directs criminal action over quarrying violations in Sanguem 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO What causes kidney failure and how it can be treated Shami set to miss IPL 2024 after undergoing ankle surgery Mid-day meal: Govt all set to sign pact with Akshay Patra FIRM TO SUPPLY MEALS TO 5,000 STUDENTS ON TRIAL BASIS FROM NEW ACADEMIC YEAR AKSHAY PATRA: THE WAY FORWARD THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa government is all set to sign a contract with the Bengaluru-based Akshay Patra Foundation to commence supply of mid-day meal to around 5,000 students on a trial basis from the next academic year onwards. The contract is expected to be signed shortly. The State government in August 2023 finalised Akshay Patra Foundation to supply mid-day meal in those schools, where currently no SGHs are providing meal. Akshay Patra is set to have been selected as an alternative to SHGs in case of emergencies. Highly placed sources informed that the Directorate of Education in a communication to Akshay Patra Foundation has approved signing of contract by next month. Sources said that the foundation had asked for six-month time to set up the kitchen and other infrastructure. „„The Directorate of Education in a communication to Akshay Patra Foundation has approved signing of contract by next month „„On a trial basis, the government will ask the Foundation to supply meals to around 5,000 students from the new academic year onwards „„Certain schools have been identified, where there were issues pertaining to the quality of the food. Supply to these schools will be started initially „„The foundation had asked for six-month time to set up the kitchen and other infrastructure Sources said that on a trial basis, the government will ask the Foundation to supply meals to around 5,000 students from the new academic year onwards. “There are certain schools identified by us, where there were issues pertaining to the quality of the food. We will start with those schools initially,” sources said adding, ‘several school heads have approached the department expressing their willingness to take Akshay Patra onboard for supply of mid-day meal to their students’. Last year in August, the Directorate of Education had renewed a one-year contract with 98 SHGs >Continued on P5 Govt slams brakes on rented cars with speed governors Transport dept seeks action taken report by March 11 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As the upward trend in accidents has yet again sparked a debate over road safety and traffic discipline, the Transport Department has decided that speed governors are mandatory for both – tourist taxis and rent-a-cars. An order, issued by Director P Pravimal Abhishek (IAS) has directed the Assistant Directors of Transport (ADTs) to inspect these vehicles with a special focus on rent-a-cars to ensure proper installation and functioning of these devices. The decision to include the rental cars comes against the backdrop of its rising involvement in accidents, with the recent two cases claiming the lives of three locals at Arambol and Mandovi Bridge in just a week. Citing Rule 118 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the order states, “… every transport vehicle shall be equipped or fitted with a ‘speed governor’ having maximum pre-set speeds for different categories as specified in the Rule…All ADTs are instructed to carry out comprehensive inspections of trans- PANAJI: The Union Education Ministry has released its entire share of Rs 4 crore to Goa under the PM Poshan Scheme (midday meal), however pending submission of the bills from a large number of Self-Help Groups (SHG), the payment has not been released. DoE has sent reminders to the SHG directing them to submit the bills, which are pending for more than six to seven months. “Despite directions to submit the bills on 5th of every subsequent month, there is prolonged delay in submissions of the bills,” sources said adding that the pending dues could be around Rs 80 lakh. “The department has kept sanction orders ready for those SHGs who have submitted the bills. However, the amount, released by Centre, is yet to receive in their kitty,” sources said adding ‘the funds were released by Centre a week back and it takes time till State releases to our accounts’. Sources said that as against the Central ratio of 60:40, Goa is the only State that pumps in more money on 50:50 basis. GMR in touch with Centre to divert Dabolim flights: Mauvin THE GOAN I NETWORK With this, Abhishek has asked the ADTs to submit an action taken report on or before March 11, which will be reviewed on March 12. The action taken report is sought by March 11, 2024, and reviewed the following day. The State has been PANAJI Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has come down heavily on the GMR, accusing them of using pressure tactics at the Centre to redirect flights from Dabolim airport to the Manohar International Airport (MIA), Mopa. Without any hesitation, the minister warned the GMR to stop its “unethical ways” of operations while assuring the State that “Dabolim is here to stay.” “I am specifically saying that GMR is pressurising certain people at different levels, even the Centre level, to divert flights to MIA so that they continue their operations. They want to indirectly kill Dabolim which I won’t allow it to happen at any cost. Dabolim is here to stay,” he said. The minister was replying to media queries about apprehensions surrounding the continued operations of Dabolim airport after Qatar Airways announced shifting to MIA. Godinho asserted that the development won’t affect Dabolim. “It will not shut Dabolim. I won’t allow it to >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 PWD to rectify measures at 12 black spots; install AI cams at 91 locations PANAJI: Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has directed the Public Works Department to begin rectification measures at 12 identified black spots prior to the announcement of the code of conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Godinho also assured to expedite the installation of AI cameras at 91 designated locations to capture violations and issue fines to the respective vehicle owners.  >> See pg 3 Vehicle to be impounded after more than 2 serious offences, warns Mauvin PANAJI: Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has issued a stern warning to owners of rent-a-cars, particularly, about facing impoundment if they are booked for more than two serious offences. The warning comes in the wake of a series of traffic violations, often leading to accidents. >> See pg 3 port vehicles, to ensure the installation and functionality of speed governors is in compliance with the aforesaid Rule.” The ADTs are also asked to ascertain whether these devices are installed as well as operating at the time of renewal or issuance of fitness certificates of such vehicles. Payments to SHGs pending due to non-submission of bills: Edu Dept If PWD hadn’t to ignore proposal on lane dividers, the Mandovi tragedy could have been averted THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI ad the delineators (plastic lane dividers) been installed on the Mandovi bridges, the accident that claimed the life of a casino employee last week could have been prevented. Reliable sources told The Goan, that the Public Works Department (PWD) has allegedly delayed action on the proposal, for reasons best known to its officials concerned. “We are awaiting a response from them regarding several long-pending proposals, including the fixing of delineators on the Mandovi bridges,” the official said. This is even as the rectification of black spots is being taken up 9 SPORTS PWD CAUGHT ON THE WRONG SIDE? „„The proposal for installation of delineators was made prior to the accident on the Mandovi bridge „„A senior officer says, the dividers could have been securely fixed without compromising the asphalt on the bridge „„Several drivers do not adhere to the road surface markings, which makes the presence of such barriers on the roads all the more necessary H but the works are being taken up at a slow pace. While the PWD is now at the receiving end, it is also learnt that this delineators’ proposal was made prior to the accident on the bridge. Amid apprehensions that nailing or using other methods to permanently fix these dividers might damage the road surface on the bridge, the senior officer said, these can be securely fixed without compromising the asphalt. “PWD has the expertise to ensure the permanent fixing of these dividers does not affect the asphalt,” he said, explaining that Traffic Cell’s previous attempt to divide the lane using plastic cones failed because it could not withstand strong winds and were easily dislodged by passing vehicles. Moreover, several drivers do not adhere to the road surface markings, which makes the presence of such barriers on the roads all the more necessary. Last Thursday’s accident sent shockwaves to the State when a recklessly driven renta-car crossed his lane into oncoming traffic on the Mand- ovi Bridge, and collided with the bike. With the impact, the rider Javed Sadekar was flung into the river and his body was found on Saturday. Accused Odisha tourist Ankit Triparty is in judicial custody. The Traffic Department, sources said, has also come across several instances of ‘not driving in the proper lane’, particularly on busy streets. Congress shortlists names for South, North LS seats PANAJI: Names of sitting MP Francisco Sardinha and former Union Minister Ramakant Khalap are amongst other candidates shortlisted by the Congress Screening Committee for the two Lok Sabha seats - South and North Goa respectively. The names include that of sitting MP Francisco Sardinha, ex-GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar and Capt Viriato Fernandes for South Goa and former Union Minister Ramakant Khalap and General Secretary Vijai Bhike for North Goa. Sources said that the final decision will be taken by the CEC, which is expected to meet next month.   >> See pg 2 14 Over 17K students to answer HSSC exam from today THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A total of 17,987 students are set to answer the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) examination 2024 slated to commence from Wednesday. The examination, to be conducted by the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) will be held across 20 centres till March 18. Goa Board chairman Bhagirath Shetye said that a total of 17,987 students that include 9,437 girls and 8,550 boys will answer the examination this year.  >> See pg 3 SSC exam from April 1 PANAJI: The Goa Board will conduct the secondary school certificate (SSC) examination from April 1, with a total 19,192 students registering to answer it. According to the Board, total 9,620 girls and 9,572 boys have registered to answer the examination that will conclude on April 23.