log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY APRIL 15, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.298 Pallavi, Viriato complete round one of poll campaign in contrasting styles 2 GOA Clash of titans: High stakes battle on cards in North Goa 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO How to take care of brittle hair Israel weighs response after Iran fires missile barrage TEHRAN CLAIMS RETALIATION TO EARLIER ATTACK TEL AVIV SAYS 99% OF BARRAGE INTERCEPTED LEADERS FEAR MIDEAST WAR ESCALATION, URGE RESTRAINT ON PAGE 7 AGENCIES TEL AVIV Israel’s war cabinet met on Sunday afternoon to discuss possible responses to a massive overnight Iranian drone and missile attack, with US President Joe Biden urging restraint as the Middle East edged closer to full-blown regional war. Iran launched the attack, the first such strike from its own territory against the Jewish state, as retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike in Damascus earlier this month that killed several Iranian commanders. An Israeli person familiar with government deliberations said that the decision facing the five-person war cabinet, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was whether to “go big” against Iran or to respond in a more measured way. IN SHORT >> Thakare in Goa to iron out INDIA ‘irritants’ MARGAO: The Congress hopes to get rid of all “irritants” amongst the INDIA bloc partners as Congress observer for Goa Manikrao Thakare landed in the state on late Sunday evening. The Congress Observer is scheduled to have a meeting with the leaders of the Alliance partners on Monday evening. >> See pg 2 Liquor seized in Ponda, 1 held PONDA: Ponda police have seized liquor which was illegally being transported near the Upper Bazaar in Ponda on Saturday night. The seized liquor was later handed over to the officials of Ponda excise department for further investigation. >> See pg 5 Sarabjit’s killer shot dead in Pak NEW DELHI: Amir Sarfaraz Tamba, an accused in the murder of Sarabjit Singh -the Indian death row prisoner in Pakistan -- and a close associate of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit founder Hafiz Sayeed, was killed by unidentified gunmen in Lahore on Sunday. WEATHER >> Max: 31 C Min: 27 C Humidity: 72% Indian missions in Israel, Iran issue fresh advisories TEL AVIV/TEHRAN: The Indian diplomatic missions in Israel and Iran on Sunday issued fresh advisories for its nationals after Tehran launched an unprecedented drone and missile attack on the Jewish state, advising them to stay calm, adhere to safety protocols along with activating additional helpline numbers. Air India suspends Tel Aviv flights Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched towards Israel. Discussions were ongoing with all of the country’s key partners, especially the US administration, but the decision would ultimately be Israel’s, the person added. Biden had counselled Israel to take a measured approach. “The President has been clear. We don’t want to see this PANAJI Just over 27,000 of the nearly 2.27 lakh Goans registered under the State government’s universal health insurance scheme – Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (DDSSY) – claimed benefits in the 2023-24 financial year, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) said in statistics released by it. According to the DHS, the scheme cost the State government Rs 74.9 crore as payouts for treatment of the 21,670 registered cardholders who claimed benefits under the ballistic missiles at Israel beginning late on Saturday night and continuing over the course of several hours. Iranbacked militants in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen also fired rockets, drones and missiles at Israel. Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for Israel’s military, said Rehab Kannadigas displaced in Sangolda: K’taka CM to Sawant VOICES CONCERN OVER DEMOLITION OF HOUSES THE GOAN I NETWORK BELAGAVI Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday appealed to Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to make alternative arrangements and ensure adequate rehabilitation for the Kannadigas who have been displaced after 22 houses were demolished in Sangolda on Friday and Saturday. Voicing concern about the demolition of the houses of Kannadigas at Sangolda, Siddaramaiah shared his anguish on the social media X in this regard, after referring to a news alert in The Goan. “Deeply concerned by the demolition of homes belonging to Kannadigas in Sangolda, Goa. I appeal to the Chief Minister of Goa, @DrPramodPSawant, to cease further demolitions immediately until alternatives are provided and ensure all displaced individuals receive adequate rehabilitation. It’s crucial we uphold the dignity and stability of every affected family,” CM Siddaramaiah stated on X. Meanwhile, after reports in The Goan went viral, many Kannada leaders and organisations condemned the demolition of houses at Sangolda. Gurudev Narayankumar, a noted Kannada leader from DDSSY cost Goa `74 cr in FY 24 ̓ THE GOAN I NETWORK escalate,” said John Kirby, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, on NBC’s Meet the Press. “We’re not looking for a wider war with Iran.” Israeli officials said Iran had fired more than 300 projectiles, including 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 NEW DELHI: With the Middle East tensions flaring up, Air India has temporarily suspended its Tel Aviv flights and airlines have charted alternative flight paths to avoid the Iranian airspace. India presses for immediate de-escalation, return to path of diplomacy. >> More reports on pg 7 scheme. The DHS released the DDSSY statistics for the 202324 financial year, in which it said an additional 6,297 people have registered until March 31 this year. With these additional beneficiaries, the total number registered under the DDSSY insurance scheme has shot up to 2.33 lakh. Meanwhile, DHS has launched renewal of DDSSY cards, which expire annually on March 31, at the local DDSSY booths in each taluka where beneficiaries are required to produce their existing DDSSY card and their Aadhaar card. A screenshot of the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s message on X tagging The Goan tweet. Bengaluru, has condemned the demolitions and has urged both the Karnataka and Goa Chief Ministers and their cabinet colleagues to take up the rehabilitation of all the Kannadiga families. Kannada Border Development Authority member Ashok Chandargi, who has been coordinating with the Karnataka Chief Minister and the Kannadigas in Goa, said the Kannada organisations are waiting for Goa’s assurance of rehabilitating the displaced Kannadigas in Sangolda. “As CM Pramod Sawant has reportedly given an assurance on Saturday, that alternative arrangements will be made for displaced families, we have decided to wait and watch whether the displaced Kannadigas are rehabilitated,” Chandargi told The Goan. 99 per cent of the barrage had been intercepted. A girl was critically injured by shrapnel in the south of the country and an air force base suffered minor damage, but there were no other reports of serious impacts, he said. >Continued on P5 9 12 SPORTS Rohit’s ton in vain as CSK trumps MI 17 deaths, over 100 accidents in first two weeks of April TWO DEAD IN SUNDAY’S ACCIDENT AT BAMBOLIM THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A day after a birthday girl lost her life to an accident by a speeding truck driver on the wrong side of the road at Tivim, another fatal accident in Bambolim on Sunday resulted in two deaths. In an self accident on Sunday, a rider and pillion rider died on the spot near the Holy Cross Bambolim. These fatalities have added to the grim statistics as Goa has recorded over 100 accidents in just 14 days, from April 1 to 14, resulting in 17 deaths including youth. On the first day of this month itself, a young man, who, while taking his friends from Margao for a stroll in Panaji, met with the accident, that took his life and injured two others. The surge in accidents has also led to a rise in injuries, with fatalities reported in various locations from North to the South of Goa. The State government has in the recent past attempted Locals and paramedics attending to the injured persons at Maxem in Loliem-Canacona on April 8. to tighten the noose around the traffic violators while also increasing vigilance on the roads to ensure discipline among riders/ drivers. The authorities also initiated a campaign to identify and rectify black spots (accident-prone areas) across different regions, although the officials have failed to provide an update on this. Along with this, the prevalence of motorists flouting traffic regulations continues to remain a concern. Last month, the Transport Department had released a data wherein violations such as tinted glasses, failure to wear seat belts, unauthorised use of fancy number plates, illegal vehicle hiring, and other miscellaneous offences collectively amounted to 3,041 violations. The Transport and Traffic police also adopted a stricter >Continued on P5 24-year-old Indian CATCH OF THE DAY student shot dead in car in Canada PTI NEW DELHI A 24-year-old student from Haryana was shot dead by unknown miscreants inside an Audi car in Canada’s Vancouver, police said. The incident took place on April 12. In a statement, the Vancouver Police said they found Chirag Antil dead inside a car in the area after residents heard sounds of gunshots. So far, no arrests have been made and an investigation was on. Chirag Antil went to Vancouver from Sonipat in Haryana on a study visa in 2022 to pursue an MBA. He had obtained his degree and was working. His family appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for justice and to make arrangements for bringing his body back home for last rites. The victim’s brother, Ronit, said he spoke to Chirag Antil on the morning of April 12. He said his brother looked happy before he was shot dead. “We have continuously spoken over the phone with the policeman who gave us this news. But we were not told anything as to how this incident happened. We appeal to PM Modi and Jaishankar to ensure justice as soon as possible,” he added. Farmers of Ralloi Tollem sorting out the fresh water fish harvested from the lake on Sunday. >> See report on pg 2 Santosh Mirajkar Mumbai man detained at Mopa airport for carrying live cartridges THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA A Mumbai resident, identified as Gaurav Dalvi from Bandra, was apprehended at Manohar International Airport (MIA) after security personnel discovered six live cartridges concealed within his luggage during routine screening on Sunday afternoon. The incident unfolded at around 1 pm at Mopa Airport, where Dalvi was en route to Mumbai. According to authorities, the discovery prompted the immediate detention of Dalvi, HOW THE INCIDENT UNFOLDED At around 1 pm, at Mopa Airport, the incident unfolded when Dalvi was en route to Mumbai The discovery prompted the immediate detention of Dalvi, who lacked proper documentation permitting the transportation of live ammunition on an aircraft who lacked proper documentation permitting the transportation of live ammunition on an aircraft. A senior police official confirmed the presence of the cartridges in Dalvi’s possession. Subsequently, a case has been formally registered at the Mopa Airport Police Station in connection with the incident, as law enforcement officials continue their investigation into the matter. BJP rolls out manifesto; focus on development, welfare Reiterates commitment to one-nation-one-election, Uniform Civil Code implementation ‘MODI KI GUARANTEE’ PTI NEW DELHI rime Minister Narendra Modi made a pitch for electing a strong and stable government in an uncertain world beset by geopolitical tensions as the BJP on Sunday released its manifesto, prioritising development and welfare while shunning populist measures and contentious issues like the NRC. Named Modi ki Guarantee, the manifesto largely builds on the government’s existing welfare schemes targeted at different sections of society, while reiterating the P Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the release of BJP’s election manifesto ‘Sankalp Patra’ for the Lok Sabha polls, at the party headquarters in New Delhi. BJP’s commitment to roll out one-nation-one-election and Uniform Civil Code, two issues mentioned in its 2019 mani- festo too. The government has taken some concrete steps for their implementation. The BJP promised to include The Ayushman Bharat scheme to all senior citizens above 70 years Consideration of bullet trains across India, and expanding new age trains Strengthen the sports ecosystem, bid for hosting the Olympic Games in 2036 Measures for various segments include free ration schemes for the poor, housing schemes for the middle class, empowerment of rural women Promises support for farmers, affordable housing and sustainable urban development all senior citizens above the age of 70 years in the Ayushman Bharat’ scheme, which provides health insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh. It also spoke of considering bullet trains in north, south and east India and expand- ing new age trains like Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat. Promising to strengthen the sports ecosystem to make India a world leader in sports, the BJP manifesto – Sankalp Patra – said its government will facilitate the Indian Olympic Association to bid for hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. The party also promised to continue efforts to remove the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in a phased manner in the northeast states and leverage the region as a >Continued on P5
The new Goa, with a broader profile of people from different parts of India and the world, needs not just a strong local paper but a complete paper. The Goan on Saturday will connect to and be a viable and comprehensive read for locals, other Indians in Goa, NRI and foreigners. It will also be a bridge for Goans in other parts of India all over the world to their home land. The Goan is published by Goa's most reputed industrial houses.