log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY MARCH 12, 2024 GOA The Goan opens up a news and feature space titled “C.A.M.P.U.S.” for coverage of events and activities of educational institutions across Goa. Send in your press releases at editor@thegoan.net >> See pg 6 Electoral bonds: SC slams SBI, says disclose info on Tue NEW DELHI: Chastising the SBI, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered it to disclose the details of the electoral bonds encashed by political parties to the Election Commission by the close of the business hours on March 12 and warned the country's largest public sector lender that the court may proceed against it for “wilful disobedience” if it failed to comply with its directions and deadlines. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, while dismissing the State Bank of India's plea seeking extension of time till June 30 to disclose the details, also directed the EC to publish the information shared by the bank on its official website by 5 pm on March 15. >> See pg 7 IN SHORT >> PUC holds meet to examine CAG report PANAJI: The Public Undertaking Committee met on Monday to examine CAG report of almost seven years back on the Industries Dept. The PUC chaired by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has been examining observations from 2016-17 of this one department as the Committee has so far held just a few meetings. Other departments are yet to be taken up for scrutiny.  >> See pg 5 Young woman killed in Anjuna mishap MAPUSA: In a tragic incident, a 25-year-old woman was killed in a road mishap after she was dragged almost 100 metres after coming under the wheels of a moving car at Anjuna.  >> See pg 3 Burglars strike 3rd school in Mormugao VASCO: Spate of burglaries in schools continued in Mormugao as burglars struck a third school and decamped with Rs 50,000 from the Keshav Smruti school at Dabolim.  >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: 33 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 77% TIDES Low: High: 06:06 12:29 18:18 -------- The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.264 Sonsodo waste shed clean-up complete; MMC in dilemma over utilisation plan Your Notice Board in The Goan Facebook.com/thegoan 2 3 GOA Activist sees casino interest in road widening work in Siolim Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Homemade face masks for a party-ready skin PANAJI fter Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep pitch this January, the country’s new regional airline startup Fly91 -- headquartered at Manohar International Airport (MIA) Mopa -- is set to embark on its maiden journey to the increasingly sought-after island from Goa. Starting its operations with a symbolic flight on Tuesday, the 70-seater Fly91 claims to establish routes to various other regional destinations including Sindhudurg, Jalgaon, Nanded, etc besides Bangalore, Hyderabad, and beyond in the coming days. Speaking exclusively to The Goan, MD and CEO of Fly91 Manoj Chacko asserted A FC Goa secures ISL playoffs spot after thrilling 3-3 draw 12 Citizenship law becomes a reality CENTRE IMPLEMENTS CAA, NOTIFIES RULES MHA FORMS PANEL, LAYS DOWN SOPs FOR GRANTING CITIZENSHIP WHO CAN APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP PTI NEW DELHI The Centre on Monday implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, notifying the rules four years after the contentious law was passed by Parliament to fasttrack citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014. With the unveiling of the rules that came days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants -- Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians -- from the three countries. The rules come into force with immediate effect, according to a Gazette notification. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the mak- „„An individual of Indian origin seeking registration as citizen of India „„An individual married to a citizen of India, seeking registration as a citizen of India „„An application from a minor child of an Indian citizen seeking registration as a citizen of India ers of the Constitution. Official sources said CAA2019 is a law to give citizenship and will not take away citizenship of any Indian irrespective of their religion, adding it is only for those who have suffered persecution for years and have no other shelter in the world except India. Many misconceptions have been spread regarding the CAA, they said. The CAA secured Parliament's approval in December 2019 and subsequently got the President's assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it, with many opposition parties speaking out against the law calling it “discriminatory”. Over 100 people lost their lives during the anti-CAA protests or police action. “These rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in our nation. “With this notification, PM „„An individual whose parents are registered as citizens of India, seeking registration as a citizen of India „„An application from individual who or either of their parents was a citizen of Independent India „„An individual who is registered as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder Shri Narendra Modi Ji has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the makers of our Constitution to the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians living in those countries,” Minister Shah said on X. A Home Ministry spokesperson said the applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided. The law could not come into effect as rules had not been notified till now. West Bengal's Matua community celebrated the implementation of the citizenship law at the headquarters of the sect at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district, claiming it to be their second independence day. Matuas, originally from East Pakistan, are a weaker section of Hindus who migrated to India during the Partition and after the creation of Bangladesh. Oppn blasts Centre, says move to divide society, polarise polls PTI NEW DELHI Opposition parties on Monday slammed the Centre for notifying the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, alleging the BJP was trying to divide society and polarise the atmosphere ahead of general elections CONGRESS: Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the announcement is yet another attempt to “manage the headlines” after the Supreme Court's strictures on the electoral bonds issue. MAMATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata NEW DELHI: Calling the Citizenship Amendment Act a discriminatory law that goes against the constitutional values of equality and international human rights, Amnesty India said the legislation stands in violation of the right to equality. EXPERTS CRY FOUL, SAY SAFFRON PARTY HAD TRIED EXEMPTS CONSTRUCTION LICENSES FROM TCP, P’YAT; SIMILAR ‘POLL JUMLA’ IN 2001, 2017 & 2021 TO BE CONSIDERED AS PER BEACH SHACK POLICY IS THIS A POLL PLOY? THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The BJP-led State government’s fresh policy move to amend the Comunidade Code to regularise all unauthorised residential constructions done on their land up to 300 sq mts is dubbed as an “election jumla” ahead of the parliamentary polls 2024, by the comunidade and legal experts. The criticism has been made considering that a similar poll gimmick was tried by the saffron party while being in power in 2001, 2017 and in 2021. All this started way back in 2001 when (late) Manohar Parrikar took over the reins of the State and amended the Code of Comunidades to regularise these encroachments built before June 15, 2000 but in consent with the respective comunidade. Many comunidades did not consent and the matter was challenged in the High Court, which disallowed and set aside the amendment. When Parrikar-led BJP came back to power in 2012 „„In 2001 (late) Manohar Parrikar amended Code of Comunidades to regularise encroachments built before June 15, 2000 but in consent with comunidades „„Many comunidades objected, matter was challenged in HC, which disallowed and set aside the amendment „„In 2012 and 2017 Parrikar revived the efforts but failed again, coupled with his elevation to Union Cabinet as Defence Minister in 2014 „„In the second stint, his illness caused major hurdles „„Sawant-led govt made the first move in 2021, just before the State could go for polls in 2022, but it remained a mere announcement „„Presently, ahead of crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BJP has mooted as similar proposal and in 2017, he revived the efforts but failed due to constant opposition by comunidade bodies, coupled with Parrikar’s elevation to the Union Cabinet as Defence Minister in 2014. In the second stint, his illness caused major hurdles in this planning process. The incumbent Pramod Sawant-led government made the first move in 2021, just before the State could go for polls in 2022; however, it re- mained a mere announcement. Now, ahead of crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BJP is mooting a similar proposal. “This has nothing to do with the election. It is a long pending proposal. We have powers to amend the comunidade law anytime but we have to see that it stands in the court of law, if challenged. We are >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In what could give a major relief to some shacks and temporary structures along the beaches, which are currently under High Court scrutiny for operating illegally, the State Cabinet on Monday accorded its approval to promulgate an Ordinance thereby exempting such structures from obtaining construction licenses from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) and panchayat. The Cabinet approved ‘Goa Erection of Shacks/Temporary Structures on Public Beaches Regulation and Control Ordinance 2023’, the provisions of which will be made applicable to all shacks and temporary structures as well as those coming up in future. However, the structures will have to obtain necessary trade licenses for operating their businesses. The decision comes in the wake of a series of directions by the High Court with regards to sealing of illegal structures operating in the CRZ and No Development areas without obtaining re- WHY GOA! „„It’s a strategic decision… emotional ties too „„No operational disturbances „„Goa’s status as 8th busiest destination in the country with rapid growth „„Significance as a Vice Capital (of India) hosting numerous business meetings „„Primary gateway for international charters „„Serves as a strong catchment area for traffic - According to Manoj Chacko the airline’s commitment to responsible tourism. “Our inaugural flight is set for Lakshadweep and our commercial operations will begin shortly thereafter. We believe in expanding our network to not only attract tourists to Goa but also facilitate travel for Goans to travel to other destinations,” he said. The airline received the Air Operator Certificate from regulator DGCA exactly a week ago. Asked whether choosing Goa was a tactical decision or an emotional one considering that Chacko has completed his schooling here, the CEO quickly cited the former. “Choosing Goa is a strategic decision but of course, there are emotional ties. There are multiple factors driving my first choice including no operational disturbances, Goa’s status as the 8th busiest destination in the country with rapid growth, its significance as a Vice Capital (of India) hosting numerous business meetings, and that it is a primary gateway for international charters. Goa serves as a strong catchment area for traffic,” he elaborated. So will Fly91 also opt for Goa’s once-only international airport at Dabolim? Chacko’s pat reply was, “Not as of now, but we may not rule out expanding operations from Dabolim in the long run.” Selecting Mopa as its home base was not a spontaneous decision, as he claimed that MIA and his airlines go hand in hand. “MIA, Mopa is a Greenfield airport and we are the first Greenfield airline… the reason why we selected MIA is to align growth plans along with that of MIA. There are benefits to operating from MIA,” he said. KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM ORDINANCE „„Structures require permissions from department of tourism and environment „„Have to obtain requisite trade license to run their trade or business „„Exempted only from obtaining construction licenses as these are only temporary structures „„Ordinance does not cover any permanent structures quest permissions like construction license, CRZ clearance, trade license, consent to operate, etc. The Court has ordered sealing of 175 structures -- including temporary and permanent, in Anjuna -while another 160 structures in Arambol have been issued show cause notices. “These structures, which are granted approval under Beach Shack Policy, do not require construction license even now. But off late several problems have started to crop up in the absence of a statute to govern this,” said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant without referring to the on-going hearing before the High Court. Banerjee vowed to fiercely oppose the CAA if she found it to be discriminatory against groups of people living in India and if it curtailed their existing citizenship rights in any manner. KEJRIWAL: Strongly opposing the move, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said people will respond to it in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. KERALA CM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the CAA as a law that creates division along communal lines and said that it will not be implemented in the southern state. It violates right to equality: Amnesty BJP’s comunidade code move Ordinance to offset ruling dubbed as election gimmick against coastal structures Fly91 set to bring Lakshadweep closer to Goa VIBHA VERMA 9 SPORTS “These structures will now only require permissions from the department of tourism and environment. They will also have to obtain a trade license to run their trade or business. They are only exempted from obtaining construction licenses as these are only temporary structures,” Sawant added. “The Ordinance, however, does not cover any permanent structures,” he clarified. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that ordinance incorporates statutes to govern the erection, control and regulation of beach shacks and temporary structures erected on the beaches as per the Beach Shack policy. CABINET DECISIONS GOVT DEFERS DUMP POLICY AMENDMENT PANAJI: The Cabinet deferred a decision to amend the Goa Dump Handling Policy 2023 to allow e-auction of the ore lying on private lands. The cabinet is expected to meet again on March 15. As per the existing policy, notified in September 2023, those inventorised dumps situated on private properties, outside the lease area and depicted on mining plan, the erstwhile leaseholder are allowed to handle, within five years from the date the policy is notified, provided if the conversion fees are paid under Goa Land Revenue Code. Minor minerals: Penalty hiked Those involved in illegal extraction, transportation and storage of minor minerals would now be jailed for a period of two years with a penalty levied upto Rs five lakh with daily fine of Rs 50,000 in case of continuing offence. Govt jobs for freedom fighters The Cabinet decided to grant a one-year extension, till February 28, 2025 to the scheme for providing govt jobs to the freedom fighters’ children.  >> See pg 3