log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY MAY 28, 2024 GOA 1 held for offensive social media post MAPUSA: Mapusa police has arrested one person and is on the lookout for another accused in connection with offensive comments on social media in connection with a video which had gone viral regarding a protest in Bicholim. While police arrested Aryan Salgaonkar (29) of Aldona, they are on the lookout for the other suspect Edmond Fernandes.   >> See pg 2 Body of drowned Dhargal youth found BICHOLIM: The body of 17-year-old Deep Bagkar of Dhargal-Pernem was retrieved from the Tillari canal at Usap-Nanora on Monday morning. Bagkar got caught in the strong flow of the Tillari canal and his friends tried to rescue him but he got dragged away.  >> See pg 3 Man booked for carrying live ammo PERNEM: A passenger was booked for carrying live round at Mopa airport on Monday. During screening, security agencies detected one live round in the hand bag of the passenger and he could not produce a valid arms licence.  >> See pg 3 IPL racket busted at Agassaim, 11 held The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.341 GOA Illegal kiosk on Comunidade land sparks public outcry in Mapusa THE GOAN I NETWORK NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has sought extension of his interim bail by seven days from the Supreme Court to undergo a host of medical tests.  >> See pg 7 WEATHER >> Max: 30 C Min: 28 C Humidity: 76% TIDES Low: High: 07:58 21:08 01:18 15:20 INFO Causes of tooth pain in the morning and home remedies PANAJI The drowning of a youth in Bicholim’s abandoned quarry has once again thrown a spotlight on how several quarries have remained unfenced over the years while authorities turned a blind eye to ensure compliance with its order. The government has nevertheless expedited efforts to ensure bordering these dangerous areas for safety reasons. Highly placed sources revealed to The Goan that District Collectors will receive around Rs 75 lakh each from the Disaster Management fund to facilitate fencing activities. “A proposal is already submitted to the government for necessary funds and approval is expected within 2-3 days. The Public Works Department (PWD) is also directed to prepare detailed SAFETY FIRST: QUARRY FENCING „„District Collectors to receive around Rs 75 lakh each from the Disaster Management fund to facilitate fencing activities „„A proposal is already submitted to the government for necessary funds and approval is expected within 2-3 days „„The PWD is directed to prepare detailed estimates for the fencing project „„Around 30 or more pits have been identified in just one district as the project’s commencement will soon begin estimates for the fencing project. Meanwhile, the government has sanctioned the use of standard rates until the PWD report…” the source revealed. Around 30 or more pits have been identified in just one district as the project’s commencement will soon begin. “Each district will receive around Rs 75 lakh from the Disaster Management funds and if needed, funds from the District Mineral Foundation can also be utilised, for which Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has given his nod,” the source „„Instructions have also been given to identify and fence abandoned mining quarries added. Despite drowning incidents reported during the last monsoon season and several in the past too, many quarries have remained dangerously unfenced. Chief Minister Sawant has now assured that fencing IMD forecasts monsoon to hit Kerala in 5 days AGENCIES Driver, 2 others held in Verna bus tragedy Kejriwal seeks bail extension RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 SPORTS Rafael Nadal knocked out of French Open  EACH DISTRICT TO RECEIVE `75 LAKH FOR PROJECT  PRIORITY TO FENCE AREAS WHERE DROWNINGS OCCURRED  CM VOWS WORK TO BE COMPLETED IN 2 MONTHS PANAJI: The Crime Branch cracked down on yet another illegal betting racket at Agassaim on Sunday when the tournament’s final match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad was held. The sleuths arrested 11 persons for allegedly accepting bets and seized Rs 1.13 lakh along with electronic devices from their possession.  >> See pg 3 VASCO: Verna police on Monday arrested the bus driver and two others in connection with Saturday’s night tragedy at the Verna IDC when a company-operated bus crashed into temporary hutments, killing four labourers and injuring four others.   >> See pg 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline 3 11 2 9 LS polls counting: Day after drowning incidents, 4 Margao schools govt moves to fence quarries to remain closed Waste management: Under HC lens, Margao council seeks post-poll clarity IN SHORT >> Facebook.com/thegoan A FEW MOMENTS LATER...: The recently hotmixed road near Geeta Bakery, Panaji is being chipped off by labourers to locate the sewer lid on Monday. The hotmixing and re-digging at various places has been a major drawback of Smart City works.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Action against schools switching to English medium illegally: CM SAYS NO NEW ENGLISH SCHOOLS GIVEN PERMISSION THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has denied that any new English medium primary schools are given permission warning that Konkani medium schools, switching to English medium of instruction, will face action. PWD DIRECTED TO SUBMIT AUDIT REPORT ON KA LEAKAGE ISSUE >> See pg 3 “We will take action against Konkani medium schools imparting education in English. Government has not allowed any new English schools,” he said. Chief Minister also confirmed that schools will reopen on June 4 despite demands from the opposition parties to reschedule the date citing that counting day will cause inconvenience to government employees and teachers. NEW DELHI The Indian Meteorological Department stated that conditions are expected to become favourable for the onset of the Southwest Monsoon over Kerala during the next five days. The southwest monsoon, as predicted by IMD, is likely to hit Kerala on May 31, a day before the normal date of June 1. Kerala is currently witnessing pre-monsoon rains. Heatwave conditions to prevail in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh-Delhi, West Uttar Pradesh, West Madhya Pradesh till May 27-29. In 2023, rainfall over the country as a whole during monsoon season (June-September), was 94 per cent of its long-period average. The beginning of the southwest monsoon over the Indian mainland is marked by monsoon onset over Kerala and is an important indicator characterising the change from a hot and dry season to a rainy season. As the monsoon progresses northward, relief from scorching summer temperatures is experienced over the areas that it tends to cover. These rains are crucial to the Indian agriculture economy (especially for kharif crops). will be completed within 1-2 months. “Instructions have been given to identify and fence abandoned mining quarries,” he said, admitting the delay. Sawant also urged the locals and tourists to avoid these perilous quarries including waterfalls and other water bodies during the monsoon. “Parents and children do not attempt to swim. Usually, there’s an urge to get into the waters but it should be avoided especially during the monsoon. Government cannot deploy security everywhere,” he said adding, ‘the water force in canals is also too high; it is deep and powerful. Do not jump into canals either’. In light of recent cases, sources further disclosed that the government will prioritise fencing areas where drowning incidents have occurred, followed by other locations. THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO In view of the upcoming counting process for the election to the South Goa Parliamentary Constituency scheduled on June 4, South Goa Asvin Chandru, (IAS), who is also the South District Election Officer, has directed four Margao-based educational institutions to remain closed from June 3-5, to avoid traffic congestion on pre-counting and counting day. Counting of votes of the South Goa Lok Sabha constituency will be taken up at the Damodar College Complex, Comba on June 4. Sources in the know, however, said the district authorities should direct the Sewerage Infrastructure Development Corporation of Goa to cap the ongoing sewerage work in the city. For, all incoming four-wheeler traffic entering into the city via the Margao flyover has now been diverted via Khareband and Comba. It is feared that there may be chaos near the Comba railway crossing and outside the EASING TRAFFIC CONGESTION? The District Collector’s order closing the four city schools is issued since the counting centre at the Damodar College is flooded by supporters of rival parties and vehicles on counting day counting centre if the traffic diversion via Khareband is not discontinued by June 4. The District Collector’s order closing the four city schools is apparently issued since the counting centre at the Damodar College is flooded by supporters of rival parties and vehicles on counting day. Adding to the congestion around the counting centre is the Comba railway crossing. In fact, when the railway crossing is closed for traffic, vehicles take the adjoining Comba subway, whose approach road almost runs parallel to the Damodar College wall, causing traffic congestion. No respite from loud music along Calangute-Baga coast LOCALS, AUTHORITIES AT ODDS OVER NOISE PLAINTS THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The issue of loud music is not limited to the Anjuna-Vagator coastal belt but also heavily impacts the popular Candolim-Calangute-Baga coastline. Local residents find themselves resigned to enduring noise pollution as authorities remain largely unresponsive. Bollywood music dominates this stretch of the coastline, with nightclubs, restaurants, and beach shacks blasting tunes to the frustration of both local residents and some patrons. According to Calangute resident Ranjana Saudhagar, establishments, especially along Tito’s Lane, frequently exceed the stipulated noise curfew. “During the elections, they adhered to the 10 pm deadline. However, after May 7, most commercial units resumed playing loud music past 10 pm. Downtown, a nightclub in Calangute, has been playing music until 6 am,” stated Saudhagar, a member of the High Court Noise Monitoring Committee. Despite numerous complaints to the police and other authorities, efforts to control WHAT THEY SAID… During the elections, they adhered to the 10 pm deadline. However, after May 7, most commercial units resumed playing loud music past 10 pm. Downtown, a nightclub in Calangute, has been playing music until 6 am,” — Ranjana Saudhagar, Calangute resident For the last month, after 10 pm, the noise has decreased, likely due to the election code of conduct. But between 6 to 10 pm, the noise is terrible. It wasn’t this loud in previous years. Things are getting worse,” — Fr Shanon Pereira, Director of Baga Retreat House After 10 pm, there are fewer places playing loud music, but before 10 pm, the noise is unbearable on the beach. Everyone is pumping out 15,000 to 20,000 watts of music,” — John Lobo, a shack operator noise pollution have been futile. “Calangute Police have stopped picking up my phone calls. I have even complained to North Goa Magistrate Sneha Gitte (IAS) but to no avail,” Saudhagar lamented. The shacks on Baga beach are particularly notorious for their loud music, significantly disrupting local life. Surprisingly, John Lobo, a shack operator on Baga beach, revealed that he has been lodging complaints about the noise for 15 years without any success. “I have complained to the Collector, Deputy Collector, Police, Ministers, and even MLAs, but nothing has changed. With no solution in sight, I adopted the adage, ‘if you can’t beat them, join them,’ and started playing loud music in my shack too,” Lobo admitted. A recent trend has emerged in the Calangute-Baga area, where restaurants and shacks blast music from 6 pm to 10 >Continued on P5 Govt plans to construct 100 Why Goa-based pharmaceutical companies new bandharas by Dec 2025 are hiring manpower from outside State ENOUGH WATER TO MEET NEEDS UNTIL MID-JUNE: MIN THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In a strategic effort to tackle water scarcity for drinking and irrigation, the State government has announced plans to construct 100 additional bandharas (check dams) by December 2025. Despite this, the government assures that all existing dams in the State currently have sufficient raw water to meet supply needs until mid- June. Water Resources Minister, Subhash Shirodkar, emphasised that these new bandharas will alleviate water shortages during the summer months. “We are focused on enhancing the water storage capacity in the State,” stated Shirodkar. “Our aim is to conserve ponds, open wells, and springs. The government has already initiated the construc- tion of 100 new bandharas.” Currently, the State boasts 384 existing bandharas, and with the upcoming additions, this number will rise to 484 by the end of 2025. Incidentally, the government had last year assured to complete 100 new bandharas by May 2024. Meanwhile, Shirodkar assured the public that the water storage capacity in the >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI he State is embroiled in a heated debate as local companies are seeking candidates from outside Goa, prompting discussions on the availability of skilled labour and gender equality. Companies are expressing difficulty in finding suitable candidates locally, “forcing” them to look beyond the borders for talent. President of the Verna Industries Association Pradip Costa shed light on the challenges faced by companies, especially Pharmas in Goa T GENDER INEQUALITY & BRIDGING THE GAP „„There is abundant availability of employment for B-Pharm & M-Pharm candidates, particularly women but regulations have posed a major hurdle for companies that operate round the clock „„The State government has allowed women to work night shifts, albeit with strict conditions imposed on companies such as obtaining special permissions from the government „„These are scrutinised on a case-by-case basis making it a tedious task to efficiently carry out the operations „„There’s a significant gap between the number of fresh graduates as well as the availability of experienced candidates, and the industries’ requirements due to regulations preventing women from working night shifts without special permissions. “There is abundant avail- ability of employment for B-Pharm & M-Pharm candidates, particularly women but regulations have posed a major hurdle for companies that operate round the clock. The State government has indeed allowed women to work night shifts, albeit with strict conditions imposed on companies such as obtaining special permissions from the government. These are scrutinised on a case-by-case basis making it a tedious task to efficiently carry out the operations,” he claimed. Costa stressed the need for more flexible regulations to accommodate women in the workforce while ensuring their safety. A senior member of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Association echoed Costa’s concerns while observing the disparity between the annual >Continued on P5