log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY MARCH 20, 2024 GOA No Mission Salcete, BJP working on strategic gameplan THE G AN POLL-STIR Readers can VOTE on a wide range of issues @ TWITTER POLLS presented by your pollster, The Goan. TODAY’S POLL : Who will be the Congress candidate for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat? n Francisco Sardinha n Capt. Viriato Fernandes n Amit Patkar n None of the above To vote, follow The Goan on X (twitter) @thegoanonline Scan QR to vote YESTERDAY’S RESULTS: IN SHORT >> BJP likely to name its South Goa candidate today PANAJI: As the delay prolongs, BJP has refuted the party is consuming time to finalise their Lok Sabha candidate for South Goa. Replying to media at a press conference on Tuesday, BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade stated that the party’s focus is on the symbol rather than the candidate adding that “we will announce the candidate tomorrow (Wednesday),” he said.  Minor mineral rules: Govt notifies changes PANAJI: The government has notified the amendment to the Goa Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1985, as per which those involved in illegal extraction, transportation and storage of minor minerals would 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.  >> See pg 3 Petition in HC over Panaji dust pollution PANAJI: A group of residents have filed two petitions in the Bombay High Court at Goa, urging urgent directions to govt and IPSCDL to alleviate the inconvenience and dust pollution.  >> See pg 3 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 272 2 3 GOA NTR Jr’s shoot schedule in Goa sends fans in tizzy Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO A natural approach to combat hair loss 8 Clear illegal structures on beaches, HC fiat to govt n SIGNBOARDS TOO COME UNDER SCANNER n TOURISM DIRECTOR ASSURES TO TAKE ACTION WITHIN 2 MONTHS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Bombay High Court at Goa on Tuesday directed the Director of Tourism to act against illegal constructions and structures along the beaches of the State including sign boards and maintain a strict vigil in order that no new illegal structures come up in the future.  Hearing a petition filed concerning the setting up of illegal structures along the Calangute beach, the High Court took on record an assurance by the  Director of Tourism that illegal structures on the Calangute beach will be removed within a period of two months.  “There was a petition filed in connection with some illegal construction coming BEACH GOVERNANCE: HC OBSERVATIONS „„The beach belongs to the government and ultimately it belongs to the public „„Director of tourism will keep a strict vigil of any activity on the beach and all beaches in Goa „„Any illegal construction should not be allowed at all „„Director should take up on the beaches -- this was basically about Calangute beach. Some structures are removed by the Tourism Department, some are yet to be removed, the Tourism Department will take action in the next two months on this responsibility for any illegal encroachment including any signages erected on beaches and remove them swiftly „„Director will be responsible for keeping these beaches clean and free of encroachment  „„Illegal structures beaches should not get electricity, water connection  „„Director should take proper precautions so that such illegal constructions do not mushroom on beaches illegal construction on the beach,” Advocate General Devidas Pangam, said.  “The beach belongs to the government and ultimately it belongs to the public. The High Court has further directed that henceforth, the di- rector of tourism will keep a strict vigil of any type of activities on the beach and all the beaches in Goa. Particularly any illegal construction and those illegal constructions not to be allowed at all. And that is the direction to be  issued CAG nails IDC chairman, MD for buying high-end cars n Says Corp misused `  7. 64L of public funds 3 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The purchase of high-end vehicles by the Chairman and Managing Director of Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), in violation of the State government’s order, has come under the scanner of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) whose audit revealed misuse of public funds to the tune of Rs 37 lakhs. CAG in their audit observation, copy of which was forwarded to the Office of the Accountant General-Goa, has said “Goa IDC purchased a vehicle at a cost of Rs 32,23,557 for the use of Chairman when he was eligible for a vehicle costing up to 20 lakh, and a vehicle costing Rs 30,62,426 for use by the Managing Director, when he was eligible for a vehicle within the cost ceiling of 10 lakh in violation of the Government directions”. Independent MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco is the chairman while IAS Polumatla Abhishek is holding the charge as Managing Director. CAG pointed out that the KEY OBSERVATIONS FROM CAG AUDIT „„Goa IDC purchased a vehicle at a cost of Rs 32,23,557 for Chairman when he was eligible for a vehicle costing up to 20 lakh „„A vehicle costing Rs 30,62,426 was also purchased for MD when he was eligible for a vehicle costing Rs 10 lakh „„Misutilised Rs 32.86 lakh by purchase of two vehicles at costs above the ceiling limit „„IDC also purchased two Ciaz Delta Petrol vehicles costing 12,39,148 each which were above the ceiling limit of 10 Lakh „„Chairman regularly claims reimbursement of 400 liters of petrol/diesel per month even after purchase of Hybrid Vehicle with high mileage „„From May 2023 to Nov 2023, the Chairman claimed Rs 38,868 per month towards reimbursement State government via a office memorandum in January 2012, June 2017 and March 2020, had issued standing instructions regarding the type/ model of vehicles to be purchased by the Government Departments/ Corporations, Autonomous Bodies with a ceiling limit (inclusive of all taxes and any other charges) of 20 lakh for Chairperson of Government owned Corporation and 10 lakh for Managing Director. “Disregarding the above directions, Goa IDC purchased (13 September 2022) Toyota Innova Crysta ZX 7 MT vehicle for the official use by the Chairman of the Corporation at a cost of 30,62,426. As the cost was above the ceiling limit prescribed by the Government by 10,62,426, Goa IDC sought post facto approval >Continued on P5 by the High Court today,” Pangam added.  According to the Advocate General, the High Court has asked the director to take responsibility for any illegal encroachment including any signages, etc. which are erected on the beach and to have them be removed swiftly and quickly. “The orders will have to be implemented by the director for the purpose of keeping these beaches clean and free of encroachment,” the Advocate General said.  The High Court also issued incidental and supplementary directions to the authorities to ensure that whichever illegal structure has come up on the beach or the beaches in the State, should not get electricity connection, water connection.  SPORTS Virat Kohli dreams of doubling up RCB Trophy 13 Sawant assures to protect structures along the coast Considers law amendments for structures built prior to 1991 THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced plans for potential amendments to various State laws, including those concerning Town and Country Planning (TCP), tourism, panchayats, and Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMP), aimed at protecting houses and businesses in coastal areas, particularly those established prior to 1991. Sawant made these remarks during a Sankalp Patra Abhiyan meeting held at Bandir Waddo, Anjuna, emphasising the government’s commitment to preserving the interests of residents engaged in traditional occupations along the coast. He emphasised the urgency of finding a solution to safeguard coastal properties, highlighting recent discussions with Union Minister for Environment Bhupendra Ya- The announcement follows mounting concerns over illegal constructions in North Goa’s coastal belt, with the High Court recently issuing orders to seal approximately 175 structures dav regarding the necessity for regulatory relaxations. “The government will work tirelessly to ensure the protection of people engaged in traditional occupations along the coastal belt,” Sawant affirmed. The announcement follows mounting concerns over illegal constructions in North Goa’s coastal belt, with the High Court recently issuing orders to seal approximately 175 structures, including some belonging to local politicians, along the Anjuna-Vagator >Continued on P5 SC refuses stay on CAA, seeks Centre’s say in three weeks 1 The Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon refused to stay implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, or CAA. The court also gave the government three weeks -- till April 8 -- to respond to 237 petitions challenging the law that was notified last week, days before the Lok Sabha election. 2 In addition, the petitioners were given leave to approach if citizenship is granted to any individual before that date. lawyers Kapil Sibal and Indira Jaising both made that request, as Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta said, “I am not making any statement”. 3 Mehta had originally sought four weeks’ to respond. “We will have to file a detailed affidavit, on merits, to 237 petitions. 20 interim applications are already filed,” he said. >> See pg 7 THIS PHOTO SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS: A worker pours cement on top of the mud to lay the foundation for the drainage as part of the Smart City works in Panaji on Tuesday. CM pledges ban on loud music after 10 pm in Anjuna, Vagator THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In a bid to address the longstanding issue of incessant loud music plaguing the Anjuna-Vagator coastal belt, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has vowed to enforce strict measures to cease such disturbances after 10 pm, giving huge relief to locals who have been bombarded by the deafening SAWANT KI GUARANTEE music day and night. Sawant also said that police will be directed to take appropriate action against those playing loud music along the coastal belt beyond the stipulated time. “I don’t want to give false promises. There won’t be any loud music after 10 pm from today onwards. I will direct the Deputy Collector to completely stop music after 10 pm. The local residents should not suffer because of the menace,” Sawant said. Acknowledging the need for stringent enforcement, Sawant affirmed that the police would be directed to take >Continued on P5 Shocking stats: 14,000 consumers Govt seals mid-day meal deal with Akshaya Patra owe `  0 crore to electricity dept 1 FOOD FOR THOUGHT: THE PATRA WAY THE GOAN I NETWORK Bardez, Pernem defaulters get notices to settle bills THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Adopting a stern stance on outstanding electricity bills, the electricity department has put approximately 14,000 consumers in Bardez and Pernem talukas on notice to either pay the dues or face disconnection of electricity services. The total overdue amount from these consumers surpasses Rs 10 crore. The notice, issued by Executive Engineers of Division 6 and 17 of the Mapusa Executive Engineer of the Electricity Department, targets a diverse range of consumers, including small factories, commer- The 14,000 consumers are from Bardez and Pernem talukas and include including small factories, commercial establishments and residential households cial establishments, and residential households. Specifically, customers with outstanding amounts exceeding Rs 2,000 have been notified, constituting a collective outstanding amount of approximately Rs 10 crore. Subsequent to the recovery of this substantial sum, a subsequent notice will be dispatched to consumers with outstanding amounts exceeding Rs 1,000, urging them to clear their dues promptly to avoid disconnection of services. Executive Division 6 encompasses a wide area including Mapusa Municipal Council, Calangute, Candolim, Nerul, Reis-Magos, Saligao, Soccoro, Porvorim, Penha de France, Salvador do Mundo, Pilerne, Guirim, Arpora-Nagoa, Verla-Canca, Bastora, Ucassaim, Pomburpa, Ekoshim, Olaulim, Aldona, Carona, Calvim, Quitula and Corjuem villages. >Continued on P5 PANAJI oa government has finally signed a contract with the Bengaluru-based Akshaya Patra Foundation to commence supply of mid-day meals to around 5,000 students on a trial basis from the next academic year, provided they comply with all required permissions including license from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). The State government in August 2023 had finalised Akshaya Patra Foundation to supply mid-day meals in those schools, where currently no Self Help Groups (SGHs) are providing meals. Akshaya Patra is said to have been selected as an alternative to SHGs in case of G „„Akshaya Patra will have to provide a fixed meal menu and should not include refined flour or maida „„Vegetable idlis, vegetable pulao, chole chapatti, vegetarian korma and potato bhaji to be served „„To commence supply of mid-day meals to emergencies. Highly placed sources informed that the Directorate of Education, earlier this month, signed the agreement with the Akshays Patra Foundation. The Foundation has been granted four months time to set up a centralized facility in- around 5,000 students on a trial basis from next academic year „„Will have to comply with all required permissions including license from FDA „„Granted four months to set up a centralized facility including kitchen and to obtain all permissions cluding kitchen and to obtain all the requisite permissions. “The Foundation will have to obtain a FDA license for the supply of meals to students. The NOC from the Health Department is also mandatory, which will be provided after conducting the inspection. Once they obtain these permissions, the Foundation will have to approach the Education Department, who will then inspect the facility and other infrastructure, before giving the go-ahead,” sources said. Sources also said that the government will ask the Foundation to supply meals to around 5,000 students on a trial basis from the new academic year. “If the Foundation is ready with infrastructure and permissions then it can start the mid-day meals supply from June or latest by July,” sources said. Sources said that the department has identified certain schools where there were issues pertaining to the quality of the food. “We will start with those schools initially,” sources said.  Sources said that the Foundation will be paid in lines with SHGs and PTAs that is Rs 8 per student per day for 100gms of the meal at the pre-primary (of government and government-aided >Continued on P5