log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY APRIL 23, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO. 306 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 Centre’s OCI eligibility order ambiguous, people confused Strange trend in S Goa of defeated candidates getting elected to Lok Sabha GOA INFO Political parties vie for minority pie in Bardez Effective home remedies for melasma 9 SPORTS Rajasthan Royals continue winning momentum against Mumbai Indians 13 IN RUN UP TO LOK SABHA POLLS… Lohia Maidan off-limits for public gatherings PASSPORT AGENTS ALSO CLAIM THERE IS STILL NO CLARITY MARGAO CIVIC BODY CITES SHORT CIRCUIT AS REASON LETTERS SENT TO APPLICANTS DENYING PERMISSION THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The recent communication from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) may have brought relief to many Goans who feared losing their citizenship and becoming ineligible for OCI cards. However, there remains ambiguity surrounding the official memorandum issued by the MEA, particularly with several applicants currently in line for OCI status. The implementation date of the order is of utmost importance, which the official memorandum does not explicitly address. Several Portuguese passport agents too are unclear about it with some of them apprehensive whether the order will take effect immediately or retrospectively, adding to the overall uncertainty surrounding this matter. IN SHORT >> 16 candidates to vie for 2 LS seats in Goa PANAJI: The battle lines for the May 7 Lok Sabha election in the State have been finally been drawn. A total of 16 candidates – 8 in North and 8 in South -- remained in fray for the two Goa parliamentary seats after the process of withdrawal of nomination papers ended on Monday for the third phase. >> See pg 2 Flooding due to drain snags: Sanjit PANAJI: Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited CEO Sanjit Rodrigues has attributed the recent flooding of the 18th June Road in Panaji to drainage complications. >> See pg 3 MMC withdraws pay parking fee hike MAPUSA: Amidst mounting public pressure, the Mapusa Municipal Council has revoked its contentious decision to raise pay parking fees by a staggering 200 percent. The move, met with relief from local residents and consumers frequenting the town's primary parking lot and marks a significant backtrack by the council.  >> See pg 5 IPL betting racket busted, 9 arrested  >> See pg 5 Over 200 Indian passports revoked in 17 months PANAJI: Around 200 applicants seeking surrender certificates had their passports revoked over the past 17 months as they held Portuguese citizenship. The same period also saw over 1000 applicants issued surrender certificates amidst the November 30, 2022 circular, with officials citing their compliance with central guidelines. However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not answered to a crucial situation wherein numerous Goans have registered their births in Portugal for the benefit of their offspring, and do not intend to get either Portuguese passport or OCI status.  >> See pg 3 “We have been receiving numerous inquiries since the official memorandum was out, but there’s no clarity yet. We are being told to wait till the gazette notification is out,” Consultant Duarte Fernandes said. Sources said that the FRRO Mumbai could throw more light on the issue. Dated November 30, 2022, the MEA’s last circular caused widespread panic as it clearly stated that persons holding foreign nationality and attempting to renew their Indian passports would risk having them revoked under Section 10(3)(b) of the Passport Act of 1967. Since then, numerous applicants, unaware of the consequences, found their passports revoked when seeking renewal at passport offices. Instead of receiving a ‘surrender certificate,’ they were issued a ‘revocation certificate’ by the Regional Passport Office, making them ineligible for OCI cards. While the April 4 official memorandum brings some relief, it lacks complete clarity. The memorandum, which asserts that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has accepted “Revocation Certificates” as alternative documents instead of “Surrender Certificates,” does not specify the date of decision taken or issuance of the MHA order. On the contrary, the November 30, 2022, circular Chaos prevails over govt’s move to scrap HSS streams INQUIRIES POUR IN FROM PARENTS, TEACHERS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) and several secondary schools are facing a surge in inquiries from parents and teachers regarding the proposal to eliminate specifying streams while issuing Class XII results. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had last month announced that the State intends to do away with the current system at the higher secondary school (HSS) level, in line with the recommendations outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. However, with pending clarity owing to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the implementation for the upcoming academic year seems uncertain. The Goan has reliably learnt that there are apprehensions, especially from parents, surrounding the use of these certificates for students aspiring to pursue specific fields once the new rule is implemented. “We have been receiving inquiries from parents regarding the operational mechanisms post-issuance of the Class XII certificates under ANXIETY AND CONCERNS „„A school headmaster from Siolim says we have been receiving numerous inquiries from parents regarding operational mechanisms post-issuance of Class XII certificates under the new system „„Teachers too are unsure about how to categorise students based on subjects and marks after the results NO LOOKING BACK „„Govt does not want a delay in starting new system „„CBSE already slated to implement the change „„Goa Board wants to keep pace with national developments „„Students seeking admission to Class XI for the academic year 2024-25 will enjoy a broader array of subject combinations the proposed new system. The absence of stream designation could lead to confusion across all streams in their future education,” a school headmaster from Siolim said. Another headmaster from Curtorim revealed that teachers too are unsure about how to categorize students based on subjects and marks, after the results. “The only confirmation is that streams will continue allowing students to select subjects based on their chosen stream. However, it is the certificates alone that will no longer specify streams,” the headmaster said. A few HSS' have decided to conduct an awareness session for parents and teachers, but with the government yet to provide clarity, confusion prevails. The government, sources said, does not want a delay in starting the new system given that CBSE is already slated to implement the change. “The Goa Board wants to keep pace with the national developments and function >Continued on P6 prominently features on April 4 official memorandum in the very first paragraph. Furthermore, although the previous circular is annexed to the current official memorandum, the MHA order is conspicuously absent, leaving room for uncertainty. “To regulate the surrender cases of Indian passport by an erstwhile Indian citizen on account of the acquisition of foreign nationality, instructions were issued vide official memorandum No. VI/405/04/03/2021 dated November 30, 2022 (copy enclosed)…” the official memorandum states, while this is how it avoids the MHA order details, “…MHA has now decided to accept Revocation Certificate” as an alternative document in lieu of Surrender Certificate in case of Indian nationals hailing from erstwhile Portuguese territories in India….” BJP opens Lok Sabha account, wins Surat seat PTI NEW DELHI The BJP won its first seat in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, as its candidate Mukesh Dalal was on Monday declared elected from Surat, after the nomination of Congress candidate was rejected and other candidates withdrew from the fray. Dalal won uncontested after other candidates withdrew on Monday, the last day of withdrawal of papers. They included four Independents, three from smaller parties and Pyarelal Bharti of Bahujan Samaj Party. On Sunday, the nomination of Congress candidate Nilesh Kumbhani was rejected after a preliminary examination revealed inconsistencies in the signatures of proposers, an election official said. The nomination form of Suresh Padsala, the Congress'' “substitute” candidate from Surat, was also invalidated. “I declare that Mukeshkumar Chandrakant Dalal, sponsored by the BJP, has been duly elected to fill the seat in the House from Surat parliamentary constituency,” election officer Saurabh Pardhi told reporters, after handing over the certificate of election to Dalal. MARGAO Perhaps for the first time in Goa’s post-Liberation history, the historic Lohia Maidan at Margao, symbolising free speech and expression, since Dr Ram Manohar Lohia and Dr Juliao Menezes gave a call to Goans on June 18, 1946 to drive out the Portuguese regime, will be out of bounds for public meetings in the run up to the May 7 Lok Sabha poll. Reason: The Margao Municipal Council, the caretaker of the Maidan, and which regulates the use of the space for public programmes and functions, has come with an excuse saying it is in need of urgent civil and electrical maintenance work after a reported short circuit following the unseasonal showers on Saturday. The explanation advanced by the MMC, however, seemed not to have gone down well with the public, pointing out The refurbished Lohia Maidan. if there is indeed a short circuit, the MMC cannot deny the permission to use the Lohia Maidan since the organizers of public meeting manage power supply with the help of private power generators. The Congress party, besides the BJP and the Revolutionary Goans Party had made applications to the Margao Municipal Council to book the Maidan for their political meetings starting from this month-end. MMC Chief Officer Gaurish Sankhwalkar on Monday took everyone by surprise when he denied permission to an NGO to hold a meeting at the venue on April 25, before sending letters to the applicants, who had applied for permission to use the Lohia Maidan on behalf of the political parties, saying the request cannot be considered. In fact, in his letter to South Goa district Congress Committee vice-president Manuel D’Costa, the MMC Chief Officer, informed that the request to use the Lohia Maidan on May 1, 2 and 4 cannot be >Continued on P6 First shower, first ‘show’ at KA, ceiling collapses ART AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT NOT TO BLAME, PWD CARRIED OUT ALL WORKS, SAYS GAUDE SHOWER POWER: A part of the false ceiling that collapsed at Kala Academy.  Narayan Pissurlenkar THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Just a day after Panaji recorded the highest unseasonal rainfall, the recently renovated and already partially-operational Kala Academy faced infrastructural issues yet again as a portion of the false ceiling collapsed early Monday morning. Moreover, the Dinanath Mangeshkar Auditorium also WASTE OF PUBLIC FUNDS: CHARLES CORREA FOUNDATION >> See pg 5 suffered from leaks from the rooftop, a situation that once again raised questions about the overall quality of renovations overseen by the government. As the Opposition took no time to corner the govern- ment, BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade was prompt to reveal that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured an inquiry into the incident while Art & Culture Minister Govind Gaude put the onus on the PWD. “The PWD has been carrying out the works at Kala Academy and not the Art & Culture Department. It is for >Continued on P6 India second largest source 6.5 mn pilgrims expected for Exposition at Old Goa for new citizens in America BR MALVINO ALFONSO OCD THE GOAN I PANAJI OVER 65K BECAME US CITIZENS, SAYS REPORT PTI WASHINGTON As many as 65,960 Indians officially became US citizens, making India the second-largest source country for new citizens in America after Mexico, according to a latest Congressional report. An estimated 46 million foreign-born persons resided in the United States in 2022, approximately 14 per cent of the total US population of 333 million, according to American Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau. Of these, 24.5 million, about Individuals born in Mexico represented the largest number of naturalisations, followed by persons from India, Philippines, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic 53 per cent, reported their status as naturalised citizens. In its latest US Naturalisation Policy report, Congressional Research Service in the fiscal year 2022 said, 969,380 individuals became naturalised US citizens. Individuals born in Mexico represented the largest number of naturalisations, followed by persons from India, Philippines, Cuba. Based on the latest data, CRS said in 2022, as many as 128,878 Mexican nationals became American citizens. They were followed by Indians (65,960), Philippines (53,413), Cuba (46,913), Dominican Republic (34,525), Vietnam (33,246) and China (27.038). According to CRS as of 2023, 2,831,330 foreign born American nationals were from India, which is the second largest number after Mexico. Communication and Media, Sub-Committee for Liturgy, etc.” “The Theme of the Exposition aptly reminds us that we are called to be the messengers of the Good News. St Francis Xavier did his part to proclaim the Good News of Jesus; it is our turn now to do the same,” he said. A n estimated 6.5 million pilgrims and visitors are expected to attend the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa from November 21, 2024 till January 4, 2025. Stating this, Fr Henry Falcão, Convenor of the Committee formed for the Exposition by the Church and Director of St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre in Goa, said this estimate of 6.5 million pilgrims and visitors will be 1.5 million more than the approximately 5 million at the previous Exposition in 2014. SPIRITUAL EVENT Fr Falcão said the Exposition is a spiritual event and the focus of the Archdiocese of GOVT SUPPORT Goa and Daman is to use the occasion for the renewal of Christian life. “I wish to remind everyone that the Exposition is a spiritual event, one that should help all of us to renew our Christian faith and life,” said Fr Falcão. Fr Falcão said an Exposition Committee has been appointed by Archbishop of Goa and Daman Cardinal Ferrão, consisting of 15 members and headed by himself as the Convenor. “For efficiency and effectiveness, each member of the Exposition Committee has been assigned a responsibility. Accordingly, there are Sub-Committees headed by the members, such as the Sub-committee for Art Exhibition, Sub-Committee for When asked about the help provided by the State government, Fr Falcão said: “We need to understand that the Exposition is primarily a spiritual event and an event of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.” “But since millions of devotees visit Goa during the 45 days of the Exposition, the government steps in to help in infrastructure and other facilities in which the Church has no competence, such as security, roads, water supply, electricity, fire services, ambulances, etc.” “The Government has been supportive and helpful. There are Commissioners appointed by the Government, and the Exposition Committee works closely with them to ensure that the entire event is fruitful and memorable.” Fr Falcão said pilgrims who wish to visit Goa on the occasion of the Exposition can make their own arrangements for boarding and lodging. “Those who wish to contact the Committee for help can write to us at sfxexpo2024@gmail.com. Various pilgrim centres will accommodate pilgrims,” Fr Falcão added.