log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY MARCH 13, 2024 GOA HC cancels bail of 2 history sheeters PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa has cancelled the bail granted to history sheeters Tarzan Parsekar and Sagar Patil on grounds of having violated the conditions of bail and came to the North Goa and assaulted a man and his minor son.   >> See pg 2 Archbishop’s offices closed today PANAJI: The offices at the Archbishop’s House at Altinho-Panaji shall remain closed on March 13, in view of the commemoration of the day of election of Pope Francis, states a note issued by the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media. One held for mobile theft PANAJI: Panaji police have arrested a 26-year-old Karnataka-native, Kabeer for stealing mobile phones from different locations. The police zeroed in on the thief while investigating a complaint by a Kerala-based make-up artist Prasad K K early Tuesday morning.  >> See pg 3 Youth dies in Shigao mishap The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 265 Satisfied with Sonsodo progress, HC disposes of long-running petition IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoan 2 3 GOA Civic body to shut down all 9 scrapyards in Canacona PTI NEW DELHI The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday launched a portal for people eligible to apply for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, an official spokesperson said. The move came a day after the government notified rules for implementation of the CAA 2019. “The Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 under the CAA-2019 have been notified. A new portal has been launched, persons eligible under CAA-2019 can apply for citizenship on this portal indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in,” the spokesperson said. A mobile app ‘CAA-2019’ will also be launched shortly to facilitate applications through mobile app. The Centre on Monday implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, noti- Continue to enjoy equal rights as Hindus: Centre to Indian Muslims NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday asserted that Indian Muslims need not worry as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) will not impact their citizenship and has nothing to do with the community which enjoys equal rights as their Hindu counterparts. >> See pg 7 Petition in Supreme Court seeks stay on implementation of CAA NEW DELHI: An application was filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday seeking a direction to the Centre to stay the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2024 till the pendency of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 before the apex court.  >> See pg 7 fying the rules four years after the law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan Max: 29 C Min: 24 C Humidity: 67% TIDES Low: High: 07:17 01:02 19:29 13:50 Simple natural remedies to treat chronic indigestion who came to India before December 31, 2014. With the unveiling of the rules, 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. Applicants for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 (CAA) can submit any of nine documents, including valid or expired passport, ID cards and land tenancy records, to prove he or she is a national of Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan. The applicants can also submit any of 20 documents like copy of visa and immigration stamp on arrival in India, certificate issued by an elected member of any rural >Continued on P5 SBI submits data on electoral bonds to ECI, details on website by Mar 15 PTI NEW DELHI: A domestically made fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed on Tuesday in the western state of Rajasthan, the first such incident since the jet was inducted nearly eight years ago. The pilot ejected safely, the air force said in a statement. Tuesday’s crash breaks the jet’s safety record since its first test flight more than two decades ago, an air force officer said.  >> See pg 8 WEATHER >> INFO CENTRE TO ALSO LAUNCH MOBILE APP ‘CAA-2019’ TO FACILITATE APPLICATIONS Tejas aircraft crashes; pilot ejects safely NEW DELHI: In a sea-air coordinated operation, narcotics worth Rs 480 crore were seized from a Pakistani boat with six crew in the Arabian Sea near Porbandar by a multi-agency team led by the Indian Coast Guard, the defence ministry said on Tuesday. RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 New portal for seeking citizenship under CAA PONDA: A youth football player from Collem died on the spot after his motorcycle rammed into a roadside electricity pole near Miriam Farm in Shigao-Collem on Tuesday evening. >> See pg 3 Pak boat with drugs worth `  80 cr held 4 Instagram.com/thegoanonline THE BREAKING OF FAST: Muslim brethren break fast at Jama Masjid, Panaji, on the first day of Ramadan on Tuesday. The holy month which lasts for 29 to 30 days, is a period of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Nearly 300 mining trucks get reimbursement of green tax THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Close to 300 tipper trucks, indulged in iron ore mining activities; have been reimbursed with Green Tax and Fitness test fees, amounting to over Rs 59 crore, collected towards re-registration of their 15-year old vehicle. The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in the budget 2024-25 has announced to extend the scheme, which was notified in February 2023 for a period of one year. Under the scheme, the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has received 700 applications of which sanction orders with regards to 300 tipper trucks has been issued. Since September 2023, till date, the DMG has issued four >Continued on P5 NEW DELHI State Bank of India (SBI) on Tuesday evening submitted to the Election Commission the details of entities which had purchased the now-scrapped electoral bonds and political parties which received them, as it complied with the Supreme Court order to furnish information. The Supreme Court on Monday ordered SBI to disclose the details of electoral bonds to the Election Commission by close of business hours on March 12. As per the order, the Election Commission will have to publish the details shared by the bank on its official website by 5 pm on March 15. “In compliance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s directions to the SBI, contained in its order dated Feb 15 & March 11, 2024 (in the matter of WPC NO.880 of 2017), data on electoral bonds has been supplied by the State Bank of India to the Election Commission of India, today, March 12, 2024,” Election Commission said in a post on X. According to sources, SBI has complied with the orders of the SC and submitted the details of the electoral bonds. 9 15 SPORTS Pant declared fit for IPL, set to return as DC captain Another setback for Dabolim, SpiceJet stops operations Last flight was in Oct last year: Airport Dir THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO In yet another blow to the Goa International Airport at Dabolim, the SpiceJet has stopped operations from the Dabolim Airport. Goa International Airport Director Dhananjaya Rao, however, said it had been six months that the SpiceJet had stopped operating from the Goa Airport. “SpiceJet has closed down operations and they last operated from this airport probably in October last year. Since then, they are not operating from here and it is their business decision,” said Rao. “By October end last year, they were operating only about one or two flights per day and they finally stopped operating from here and they are not operating now,” said Rao. SpiceJet is among the growing number of airlines switching operations from Dabolim airport to Mopa airport. As far as international SWITCHING TO MOPA „„SpiceJet is among the growing number of airlines switching operations from Dabolim airport to Mopa airport „„As far as international flights are concerned, Oman Air and Air India have already shifted operations to Mopa airport, while Qatar Airways will do so with effect from June 20 ‘Misconception that Dabolim airport is costly to operate’ VASCO: Goa International Airport Director Dhananjaya Rao refuted claims that airlines find Dabolim Airport costlier to operate. “There is a lot of misconception, with even some news articles stating that Dabolim Airport is costlier to operate, which is absolutely wrong. Wrong messages and false information are being spread that is damaging the Dabolim Airport’s prospects. In fact, the UDF charges and the operating costs at Dabolim Airport is lower as compared to other airports,” said Rao. “I am not a political person, but Dabolim Airport will continue to grow and operational facilities will continue to improve. This airport has a very good potential. We have good operations and also a very good schedule of flights operating at Goa Airport.” flights are concerned, Oman Air and Air India have already shifted operations to Mopa airport, while Qatar Airways will do so with effect from June 20. Termite-weakened roof poses threat to Saligao govt school n Pre-primary students shifted to balcony for their safety n School also doubles up as polling station THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The safety of children attending the government primary school in Saligao has been compromised as a severe termite attack has weakened the wooden rafters of the roof. With the threat of collapse looming, some pre-primary students have been relocated to the balcony of the premises for their safety. The school complex, although grand from the outside, faces significant concerns within its premises. Comprising two separate blocks, one section is secured with aluminium roofing sheets, while the larger block, accommodating an anganwadi and pre-primary children along with a post office, has a tiled roof, which has become a cause for alarm. Currently, the school caters to a total of 73 students, with the larger block housing the anganwadi and pre-primary sections, and the other block dedicated to primary classes from I to IV. Parents have expressed apprehensions regarding the SAFETY AT RISK Pre-primary kids sit on desks lined up in the balcony of the government primary school in Saligao.  Agnelo Pereira deteriorating condition of the roof, emphasising the urgent need for replacement of weakened rafters. Despite notifying both the teachers concerned and the education department, no pre-emptive measures have been taken yet. “A lot of wooden rafters have weakened due to the ter- „„The larger block, accommodating an anganwadi and pre-primary children along with a post office, has a tiled roof, which has become a cause for alarm „„Despite notifying both the teachers concerned and the education department, no pre-emptive measures have been taken yet „„The school premises, which also serves as a polling station during elections, faces additional challenges such as water leakage during rainy seasons mite attack, posing a threat to the safety of our children. We urge the authorities to take immediate action before any unfortunate incident occurs,” voiced a concerned parent. Furthermore, the school premises, which also serves as a polling station during >Continued on P5 Goa poll machinery changes Apna Ghar faces allegations of drug presence, violence CAUSE OF CONCERN gear ahead of LS elections THE GOAN I NETWORK 2 CRPF companies arrive, 10 more likely THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The election and law-and-order machinery here in Goa is in the process of changing gear ahead of the Lok Sabha elections which reports say is likely to be announced by the Election Commission of India this week or early next week. Chief Electoral Officer Ramesh Verma, IAS, held a series of meetings on Monday with most officials of the State administration who will be in the line of duty manning the election process for the two Lok Sabha seats of North and Rejig of bureaucrats likely PANAJI: The State administration may soon effect a reshuffle of bureaucrats in key positions in the administration, especially the two district Collectorates, Revenue department and also the police to comply with ECI guidelines of posting such officials outside of their home districts. South Goa. When contacted, Verna said these meetings are held regularly and most officials attended it in the virtual mode off-site. >Continued on P5 GOA, MAHA, K’TAKA POLICE MEET TO DISCUSS STEPS TO CURB ILLEGAL SMUGGLING >> See pg 3 PANAJI hile escape attempts may have seemingly reduced, the internal conflict at the State-run Apna Ghar continues unchecked. Whether among the inmates or confrontations with the staff, the turmoil has been giving officials a headache and what’s added to their woes is the alleged presence of narcotics. How these substances are allegedly smuggled into the facility remains a mystery until a formal inquiry is ordered that could shed light on the clandestine channels of supply. The Goan has received credible information that inmate boys, if not all, placed under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Justice Board and W „„Inmate boys placed under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Justice Board and housed in Apna Ghar, allegedly have direct access to the banned substance „„Members conducting routine hearings have found themselves at the receiving end of such aggressiveness „„This very year, over half a dozen violent clashes have already been officially reported to the concerned including the local police „„Sources have also confirmed that in minimum three incidents, attacks on some staff led to their hospitalisation housed in Apna Ghar, allegedly have direct access to the banned substance. This alarming expose prompted the staff to send an official communication to the higher authorities, seeking urgent intervention. Moreover, members conducting routine hearings have found themselves at the receiving end of such aggressiveness. This very year, over half a dozen violent clashes have already been officially reported to the concerned including the local police. Sources have also confirmed that in minimum three incidents, attacks on some staff led to their hospitalisation. “It has come to the knowledge that a recent episode of violent altercation transpired within the institution on January 10, 2024. Furthermore, reports suggest a disturbing trend of drug proliferation and consumption among the juveniles under the care of the Juvenile Justice Board at Apna Ghar,” an official disclosed to The Goan. Sources said while all the concerned officials are purportedly in the know of the prevailing issue, barely any action is taken. Not the staff alone, but a woman advocate was recently threatened by one of the inmates, of dire consequences. “The concerned officials recommended the inmate’s assessment at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour but that isn’t helping, because until the lives of the staff are in danger. Such inmates should be admitted for proper mental treatment,” the source revealed, adding the staff are demanding immediate intervention from the Department of Women & Child Development or police protection. Whether the violent incidents are a result of the presence of banned substances should also be probed, a staff demanded.