log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY APRIL 1, 2024 GOA THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Congress which is yet to pick its candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa found itself in a spot of bother as the anxiety over the delay has now spread from its own leaders and workers to its allies here from the INDIA block. On Sunday, leaders from INDIA bloc, except the Congress, held an impromptu meeting in Panaji and decided to write to the Congress’ Central leadership about their apprehension and displeasure on the delay. Leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Goa Forward Party (GFP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP- Sharad faction) and Shiv Sena-UBT participated in the discussions where sources said GPCC Chief Amit Patkar’s demeanour of staying incommunicado also came for criticism. The Congress initially had indicated that it would announce the names of its candidates for both the seats in one go as soon as rival BJP did so for its South Goa seat. IN SHORT >> Dept for PwDs to begin Ops today PANAJI: A separate, dedicated department for persons with disabilities (PwDs) carved out of the Directorate of Social Welfare is set to begin functioning at Porvorim from Monday.  >> See pg 3 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.284 GOA Liquor, cash seized amid election surveillance in Goa How to use pumice stone to heal dry and cracked feet Audit sought from MMC on vehicles lying idle in garage >> See pg 2 WEATHER >> Max: 33 C Min: 26 C Humidity: 86% TIDES Low: High: 08.39 02.10 21.03 15.56 SPORTS Bopanna rewrites own record with Miami Open doubles title CLUB OWNERS, RESTAURANTS TURN UP VOLUME BEYOND PERMISSIBLE DECIBEL LEVEL BETWEEN 6 TO 10 PM P O I N T S O F CO N CE R N THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Residents along the North Goa coastal belt, particularly in areas like Calangute, Candolim and Anjuna-Vagator, continue to grapple with the menace of loud music, despite assurances from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to curb the issue, citing concerns for students amidst ongoing board exams. While there has been a reduction in the nuisance of loud music after 10 pm, many establishments flout regulations by blasting music between 6 pm to 10 pm, well beyond the permissible decibel levels mandated by the Supreme Court. Reports suggest that certain restaurant and club owners employ deceptive tactics, such as abruptly lowering and then raising the volume mid-event, to circumvent restrictions on „„Calangute, Candolim, Anjuna-Vagator areas continue to grapple with menace of loud music „„Club owners employ deceptive tactics such as abruptly lowering and then raising the volume mid-event to circumvent restrictions „„Diaz, Raeeth, House of sound levels after 10 pm. Although some establishments have faced closure, a significant number persist in organizing parties and playing loud music, causing distress to nearby residents. “The situation is a little better as the noise created by loud music has reduced. But one reason for this is because many clubs/restaurants have been sealed and therefore the cacophony of loud music has gone down,” said Ravi Harmalkar, a resident of Anjuna. He lamented that notorious establishments like Diaz, Raeeth, House of Chapora, and Romeo Lane continue to operate with impunity, exacerbating noise pollution Chapora and Romeo Lane continue to operate with impunity „„Activists acknowledge decrease in volume, but attribute it to code of conduct „„Relentless loud noise continues from nearby shacks and commercial units at Baga concerns. Activists and residents, while acknowledging a decrease in volume, attribute it primarily to the code of conduct enforced during parliamentary elections. “So far so good. The blaring music after 10 pm seems to be under control. But this is basically because of the election Assault case: AIFF official freed on bail SPOT ON PTI VASCO: The two burglars who were nabbed by Vasco police on late Saturday night while they were in the process of breaking into the Our Lady of Candelaria School at Baina have been linked to all school burglaries in South Goa.  >> See pg 3 JALPAIGURI: Four persons were killed and at least 70 people injured as a storm wreaked havoc in parts of Jalpaiguri district in northern West Bengal on Sunday, officials said.  >> See pg 7 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO 2 burglars nabbed red handed at Baina 4 killed as storm wreaks havoc Instagram.com/thegoanonline 3 2 9 Assurances fail as loud music continues along coastal belt Modi name of game for local BJP leaders as they drum up support for saffron brigade Allies hold meet in Panaji, to write to Cong over delay in candidate pick Facebook.com/thegoan Heinrich Klaasen of Sunrisers Hyderabad is bowled by Rashid Khan of Gujarat Titans during their IPL match in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The Titans won the match by seven wickets.   >> Report on pg 12 More trouble for Congress; gets `1,745 cr tax notice PTI NEW DELHI In mounting trouble for the Congress, sources in the party said it has received fresh notices from the Income Tax department, raising a tax demand of Rs 1,745 crore for the assessment years 2014-15 to 2016-17. With this latest notice, the Income Tax department has raised a total demand of Rs 3,567 crore from the Congress. According to sources, the fresh tax notices relate to 2014-15 (Rs 663 crore), 201516 (around Rs 664 crore) and 2016-17 (around Rs 417 crore). The tax authorities have ended the tax exemption available to political parties and have taxed the party for the entire collections, they added. The Congress has also been taxed for “third-party entries” made in diaries seized from some of its leaders by probe agencies during raids, the sources said. The main Opposition party on Friday said that it has received notices from the I-T department, asking it to pay around Rs 1,823 crore. The tax authorities have already withdrawn Rs 135 crore from the party’s accounts for a tax demand relating to previous years. PANAJI All India Football Federation executive committee member Deepak Sharma, who was arrested for allegedly physically assaulting two women players, was released on bail on Sunday, an official said. Sharma was arrested by the Mapusa police on Saturday after two female players of Himachal Pradesh-based Khad FC filed a complaint against him. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Mapusa) Sandesh Chodankar told PTI that since the sections under which Sharma was booked were bailable, he was released after producing the surety. Chodankar said Sharma could not get the surety on Saturday due to which he was kept in police custody after being put through medical examination. Two footballers of Khad FC, taking part in the Indian Women’s Football (IWL) League second division in Goa, had alleged that club owner Sharma had barged into their room and physically assaulted them on the night of March 28. A group of players, however, had claimed that Sharma was innocent. Sharma is also the secretary-general of the Himachal Pradesh Football Association. code. The police have also become proactive and take prompt action against our complaints,” said Desmond D’Costa, a veteran activist against noise pollution along the Anjuna-Vagator coastline. However, despite assurances and regulatory measures, residents remain perturbed by the persistent disturbance caused by loud music, particularly during the evening hours. A resident of Anjuna, Jawish Moniz highlighted ongoing challenges, noting that while music after 10 pm has subdued, it continues to disrupt residents’ peace, particularly during peak evening hours. The Xavier Retreat House in Baga has been particularly affected due to the relentless noise emanating from nearby >Continued on P5 12 Night outing turns tragic for 3 friends, car crash claims 1 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A Saturday night outing for three friends from Margao turned tragic after a head-on collision between their car and tempo on the NH-66 highway close to the Miracles Cross shrine in Bambolim post midnight on Saturday-Sunday. Usman Khan (20) of Aquem-Margao who was on the wheel of the car proceeding to Panaji from Margao died in the crash. His two friends were injured and were admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Agassaim police who rushed to the spot on being informed by the Police Control Room, said that Usman, who along with his friends was heading to Panaji when he lost control near the CBI office in Bambolim and rammed his car into an oncoming tempo. The ‘108 ambulance’ also reached the spot and Usman and his two friends who were all injured in the crash were taken to the nearby Goa Medical College and Hospital Karmalghat road claims another life PANAJI: The killer Karmalghat road claimed yet another life on Sunday when Ratnakar Velip of Gaondongri, Canacona died in an accident between his two-wheeler and KTC bus. His wife was thrown off the bike due to the impact of the collision and sustained injuries. where Usman was declared dead. The other two friends suffered minor injuries and were discharged after treatment. Usman’s body has been handed over to his family after an autopsy was conducted on Sunday morning. Police constable Prashant Naik, attached to the Agassaim police conducted the panchnama and removed both the vehicles so as to free up the busy highway and a case of ‘unnatural’ death due to the accident has also been registered. Formidable Opposition can reshape Bardez poll story VOTER DISPLEASURE, BJP STRONGHOLDS FOCUS AREAS AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I PANAJI The political landscape in Bardez taluka of North Goa reveals intriguing dynamics visà-vis the Lok Sabha elections. With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holding sway over the taluka, the emergence of a formidable opponent from the opposition, particularly the Congress, could reshape the electoral narrative. In Bardez, BJP’s dominance is evident, with six out of seven existing MLAs hailing from the party. However, amidst this dominance, a significant shift occurred in 2019, marked by a notable decrease in BJP’s lead compared to the 2014 elections. This shift underscores a potential vulnerability that the opposition aims to exploit in the upcoming polls. With a substantial Christian community presence in Bardez, comprising three out of the total seven MLAs, the electoral strategy must cater to this demographic. The BJP, recognizing the importance of this community, will likely tailor its approach accordingly. The total voter count stands at 1,97,848, with an intriguing gender dynamic—1,01,890 fe- THE BARDEZ DYNAMICS „„BJP’s dominance evident with six out of seven existing MLAs hailing from the party „„In 2019, a significant shift occurred marked by notable decrease in BJP’s lead compared to 2014 elections „„Shift underscores potential vulnerability that Oppn aims to exploit in upcoming polls „„With a substantial Christian community presence in Bardez electoral strategy must cater to this demographic „„BJP, recognizing importance of this community, will likely tailor its approach accordingly „„Total voter count stands at 1,97,848, with an intriguing gender dynamic -- 1,01,890 female voters and 95,978 males „„New voters adds complexity to electoral calculus male voters and 95,978 male voters. The growing number of new voters adds complexity to the electoral calculus, suggesting the need for innovative outreach strategies. BJP has announced veteran candidate Shripad Naik for the sixth consecutive time, indicating the party’s confidence in his appeal to the electorate. Manoj Parab has been named as a candidate for Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) and has initiated his campaign in specific constit- uencies. However, the impact of his campaign has yet to be observed. However, the opposition, particularly the Congress, remains a wildcard, yet to unveil its candidate. The delay in Congress’s candidate announcement fuels anticipation among voters, hinting at a potentially impactful choice. Preceding the election code of conduct implementation, BJP focused on welfare programmes and doorstep >Continued on P5 Leaders pack a punch at INDIA bloc rally in Delhi, slam BJP Indians trapped as ‘cyber slaves’ in Cambodia LURED BY PROMISE OF GOOD JOBS… PTI NEW DELHI Top INDIA bloc leaders gathered at the Ramlila Maidan here on Sunday to express solidarity with arrested Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, and urged people to vote out the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls to “save democracy and the Constitution”. The leaders who were on the stage at the ‘’Loktantra Bachao’’ (save democracy) rally included Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former presidents Sonia and Rahul Gandhi; NCP’s Sharad AGENCIES KEJRIWAL’S 6 GUARANTEES „„No power cuts across the country „„Electricity for poor across the nation will be free „„Every village will have a good school „„Every village will have a mohalla clinic „„Farmers will get good minimum support price „„Delhi will get statehood Yadav, NC leader Farooq Abdullah, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray; Left leaders Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Dipankar Bhattacharya; Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav; RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and TMC’s Derek O’Brien. Kejriwal’s wife Sunita and Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren were also addressed the gathering, castigating the government over the arrest of their husbands in corruption cases. NEW DELHI housands of Indians have reportedly fallen victim to a vicious mafia ring in Cambodia and are allegedly being forced to indulge in cyber crimes against their will. According to media reports, at least 5,000 Indians are being held captive in Cambodia and are being forced to perpetrate cyber scams against Indians back home. India estimates this massive scam has siphoned off a whopping Rs 500 crore over the past six months. The sheer scale of this scam has prompted the two HOW THE INDIANS WERE SCAMMED T countries to initiate a joint operation and clamp down on this vicious mafia. “We have seen the media reports on Indian nationals stuck in Cambodia. Our Embassy in Cambodia has been promptly responding to complaints from Indian nationals who were lured with employment opportunities to „„New recruits were made to join companies that indulged in defrauding people „„Companies would take away passports, making it impossible to leave the country „„Were made to work 12 hours a day; pose as women with fake social media profiles and fake photos „„Men were given daily targets, and punishment for not meeting them „„Many would go without food and rest if they failed to meet their daily targets „„A “South Indian woman” would trap someone in the north to avoid raising any suspicion that country but were forced to undertake illegal cyber work,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Around 250 Indians have already been rescued from this scam and have been repatriated, the statement added. Media reports claim that individuals who were stranded in Cambodia were compelled to pose as law enforcement officers and extort money from people in India by telling them that suspicious items had been discovered in packages they had transported. Late last year, a senior govt employee filed a complaint claiming he had been cheated of over Rs 67 lakh, which alerted the authorities. On December 30, the Rourkela Police broke a cybercrime gang and detained 8 persons who were reportedly involved in smuggling people into Cambodia.