log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY MARCH 2, 2024 GOA Goans upset as Qatar Airways to shift from Dabolim to Mopa Goan boy in US qualifies for Junior Olympics in swimming Scrapyards across Goa to be moved to designated areas PANAJI: Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate on Friday said government is contemplating relocating some 1,000-odd scrapyards from across the State to designated areas. He said, designated areas have already been identified while informing that only 269 scrapyards are registered with Goa State Pollution Control Board and the rest -nearly 800 -- operate illegally. He said, the land which is being identified by the Waste Management Corporation will be handed over to the Goa Industrial Development Corporation which will be responsible for building the requisite infrastructure for these scrapyards. He said, a committee is set up headed by GIDC chairman Aleixo Reginald Lourenco for it. IN SHORT >> Goa nets 18% growth in GST revenue PANAJI: At Rs 581 crore, Goa’s GST revenue collection for February, 2024 registered 18% hike as compared to that of February 2023 which was pegged at Rs 493 crore. The nationwide GST revenue collected for February 2024 is Rs 1,68,337 crore. No ban on low-grade iron ore exports PANAJI: In response to mounting pressure from smaller steelmakers urging for a halt in exports of lowgrade iron ore, N N Sinha, Secretary of India’s Steel Ministry, refuted claims of any contemplation on imposing a ban. >> See pg 5 Two arrested for peddling LSD blots PANAJI: The Anti Narcotics Cell has arrested two youth from Kerala for allegedly possessing and peddling high-end LSD blots valued at Rs 25 lakhs in Arambol.  >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: 34 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 75% TIDES Low: High: 08:37 20:32 01:43 15:26 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 254 2 MMC councillors tread cautiously, demand transparency on waste management page 6 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA Mapusa residents grapple with road chaos amid underground cabling 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Cucumber facial at home in three easy steps 9 SPORTS Kapil Dev backs BCCI’s decision to snub Ishan Kishan-Shreyas duo 14 clears Shripad Will Portugal shut door on Goans? BJPNorth, suspense for Embassy moots end to citizenship continues in South PORTUGAL GOVT TOLD TO STOP GRANTING CITIZENSHIP TO GOANS BORN BEFORE DEC 20, 1961 AS WELL AS THEIR DESCENDANTS END OF THE ROAD? THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Hot on the heels of India’s dual citizenship uproar, comes a double whammy for those aspiring to get Portuguese passports. If a proposal from the Embassy of Portugal in India is accepted, the Portuguese government could tighten its citizenship criteria – dashing the dreams of many. According to a Portuguese news website, the Embassy has sent a proposal to its government that Portugal put an end to the existing policy of granting citizenship to Goa residents born before December 20, 1961, as well as their descendants. While the exact reason is yet to be ascertained, the proposal is reportedly a move to improve bilateral relations between the two countries and resolve legal disputes about the ongoing dual citizenship. “The Portugal government must take a political decision regarding the continuation and duration of its process to grant citizenship,” an official said, adding that Portugal has not set any deadline to grant citizenship to citizens from former colonies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Officials in the Portuguese government also admit that the primary goal for most, if not all applicants, is to enter the European Union for employment opportunities in the wealthier regions of the continent. “Any person who acquires Portuguese citizenship has to mandatorily renounce their Indian citizenship. We are also aware that those holding dual nationality are facing challenges including revocation of their Indian passports, upon seeking to surrender their nationality,” the official said. As many as 1,968 Goan cit- No pain, no gain, Babush’s retort over smart city work n Assures to stick to May 31 deadline n Orders work sites to be totally sealed THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In the face of public anger over severe dust pollution and inconvenience caused by the ongoing smart city works, Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate on Friday uncharacteristically took cover of the ‘no gain without pain’ philosophical proverb. “If you want to see the rainbow, you must bear a little rain,” Monserrate said while speaking to the media on the sidelines of a visit to sites around the Saint Agnes Church in St Inez. Monserrate was being briefed of the work’s progress by Sanjit Rodrigues, IAS, who heads the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) as managing director and CEO.  Also part of the team inspecting the work alongwith Monserrate was the municipal engineer of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), Parsekar and other officials. Monserrate in his interac- izens holding Portuguese nationality have been removed from the State’s electoral roll since 2011. The website stated that improved relations with India could benefit Portugal, one of the countries most affected by the European debt crisis. The Goa government is facing mounting pressure to provide relief to several thousand Goans who have registered their births in Portugal. With many already facing revocation of their Indian Bomb explosion rattles popular Bengaluru cafe, 10 injured 1 A low intensity bomb blast at a popular café in Bengaluru on Friday left 10 people injured even as the police invoked the stringent UAPA provisions in the case. 2 Police suspect that an improvised explosive device fitted with a timer inside a bag could have exploded even as officials from the local unit of the National Investigation Agency arrived at the spot and conducted inquiry. Work being carried out on the St Inez stretch of road on Friday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar tion with media persons at one of the sites he inspected said citizens have been complaining of dust pollution which has caused some senior citizens to fall sick. “I know some shops are affected but you have to bear it because it’s just a matter of some more time,” Monserrate said, adding that he has issued instructions that sites  where work is being done should be sealed completely so execution is unhindered. The minister, who is part of the IPSCDL BoD and also represents Panaji, said that the progress of the work is satisfactory and it will all be completed by the May 31 deadline. 3 A statement issued by the city Police Commissioner’s office said 10 people -- hotel staff and customers -- were injured in the blast that occurred between 12.50 pm and 1 pm… the injured are undergoing treatment. >> See pg 8 „„1,968 Goan citizens holding Portuguese nationality have been removed from the State’s electoral roll since 2011 „„In 2012-2013, of around 2,200 locals who received Portuguese citizenship, 500 were government employees „„Goa govt is facing mounting pressure to provide relief to several thousand Goans who have registered their births in Portugal. citizenship, it has led to complications in obtaining visas and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status. >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As anticipated, the BJP’s Central Election Committee (CEC) has endorsed Shripad Naik’s candidature for the North Goa seat, a stronghold from where he has won five times consecutively. However, the suspense continues for the South Goa candidate, with the party’s State leadership supporting former Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar. The Parliamentary Board is expected to announce the first list of candidates for 17 States including Goa soon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the CEC meeting in Delhi, which lasted over five hours starting from 10.30 pm on Thursday. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade attended the meeting, where each candidate’s performance was evaluated and discussed. The decision over South Goa could be delayed as party sources indicated the name could be re- Phal Desai may head campaign in South Goa PANAJI: As the Central Election Committee postponed its decision regarding South Goa candidate, Goa’s election committee members Ministers Subhash Phal Desai and Subhash Shirodkar, and Datta Kholkar (Convenor) attended a meeting in Delhi. Sources indicate that Phal Desai might spearhead the campaign for BJP and its candidate in South Goa. leased in the second list. “The party is prioritizing winnability in South Goa, particularly with AAP aligning with Congress, which could pose slight competition for the BJP. During the last LS polls, AAP had no MLA in any of South Goa’s constituencies despite >Continued on P5 Govt unveils firm measures in bid to tackle solid waste n Introduces revised policy n Advocates complete ban on single-use plastics THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In a move to bolster waste management efforts across the State, the Goa government has introduced a revised Solid Waste Management (SWM) Policy, which aims at reorganising Goa into four clusters: Saligao (with Bicholim as a sub-cluster), Bainguinim, Cacora, and Verna. The policy, spanning 15 years from 2022 to 2037, places emphasis on waste prevention, reuse, recovery, and recycling while enhancing infrastructure and extending support to local bodies and authorised agencies. Under this policy, local self-governing bodies are empowered to enforce penalties and provide incentives. Spot fines can be imposed on individuals found littering, engaging in open burning, or failing to adhere to SWM Rules. Marshals equipped with handheld devices will monitor and penalise offenders promptly. To enforce the Goa Non-Bio- THE REVISED POLICY „„Local self-governing bodies empowered to enforce penalties, provide incentives „„Spot fines to be imposed on individuals found littering, engaging in open burning „„Marshals to be equipped with handheld devices to monitor, penalise offenders „„Flying squads for special enforcement drives „„Dry waste to be segregated into recyclable fractions for sale „„Wet waste to undergo treatment methods such as windrow composting degradable Garbage (Control) Act, 1996, the policy allows establishing of flying squads for special enforcement drives. Stringent regulations will be imposed regarding the size, type, and thickness of plastics to combat the plastic menace effectively. Moreover, the policy advocates for a complete ban on single-use plastics and substandard plastic carry bags. Dry waste will be segregat- ed into recyclable fractions for sale to authorized agencies, while non-recyclable RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) will be sent for co-processing in cement companies or disposed of through approved means. Wet waste will undergo various treatment methods such as windrow composting, biogas plants, drum composting, organic waste converters >Continued on P5 Don’t use religion to seek Goa’s leopard population declines by 10%: Report votes, EC warns parties R THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI NEW DELHI Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission on Friday asked parties and their leaders to refrain from seeking votes on the basis of caste, religion and language, and not insult the devotee-deity relation or make any suggestion of a divine censure. Temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras or any other place of worship should not be used for poll propaganda or electioneering, the commission said in its advisory to parties, warning their candidates and star campaigners they will face stern action, rather than just ‘’moral censure’’ as is the practice, for PANEL’S WORD OF ADVICE „„Temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras should not be used for poll propaganda or electioneering „„Candidates, star campaigners to face stern action rather than just ‘’moral censure’’ „„Parties must raise level of election campaign to issue-based debate any violation of Model Code of Conduct. The poll authority has issued advisories to parties in the past too, but the latest one comes ahead of the parliamentary elections. It said that the star campaigners and candidates who have received notices in past will face stern action if violations of model code are repeated. The advisory comes days before the model code is expected to come into effect with the likely announcement of the Lok Sabha and four state assembly polls later this month. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had recently emphasised that political parties should foster ethical and respectful discourse which inspire rather than divide, promote ideas instead of personal attacks. PANAJI ising human-animal conflict and rapid development of unmitigated linear infrastructure has led to leopard mortalities in Goa that has witnessed around 10 per cent decline in the big cat population in the four years2018-22. It is also interesting to note that approximately 26 per cent of the leopard population resides outside the Protected Areas of Goa, mainly could be because of dwindling prey base and habitat loss that needs investigation. The ‘Status of Leopards in India’ 2018-22 report was released by the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on Thursday, according to which in the Western Ghats, leopard CENTRAL DATA: FACTS & FIGURES „„Western Ghats’leopard population exhibits stability, but 65% leopards reside outside protected areas „„Goa Forest Dept sampled 5 sites using camera traps that yielded 219 photo-captures of 30 leopards „„Forest patches of Mhadei-Mollem is home to higher density of leopards compared to other parts of State „„In 2022, leopard population of the State estimated to be 77… in 2018, there were 86 leopards „„Increase in cases of leopards straying into human habitations around Loliem, Poinguinim, Cotigao, Gaondogrem, Sristhal etc population has exhibited a stability, but 65 per cent of leopards reside outside protected areas. As per the report, Goa has a forest cover of approximately 1,800 sq kms which is contiguous with Kali Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. The state forms a linkage between the forests of the northern and central Western Ghats. For the first time as a part of the All India Tiger Estimation exercise the Goa Forest Department sampled 5 sites using camera traps that yielded 219 photo-captures of 30 individual leopards. The continuous forest patches of Mhadei-Mollem harbour higher density of leopards compared to other parts of the State. “The leopard population of the State was estimated to be 77 (2022), from camera trap and covariate model, with approximately 26 per cent of the population residing outside the Protected Areas of Goa,” stated the report, prepared by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) of India. In 2018, there were total 86 leopards. The study reveals that there has been an increase in the cases of leopards straying into human habitations around the villages on the fringe of Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, that is, Loliem, Poinguinim, Cotigao, Gaondogrem, Sristhal, Agonda and Cola. “Leopard mortalities or an injury due to snaring is not uncommon as locals often put snares to capture wild pigs. Leopards also got killed by speeding trains and vehicles, an emerging threat to the wildlife of the state due to rapid development of unmitigated linear infrastructure,” NTCA said. “Leopards, sloth bears and gaurs often venture into cashew plantations which are in proximity to the forested landscapes, leading to increased instances of negative human-animal confrontations in residential areas. The recent increase in leopards straying >Continued on P5