log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY JUNE 12, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME IX, NO.356 Rainwater seepage: Govt resorts to tarpaulin sheets for Margao buildings 2 GOA Govt to seek extension in time to complete Taad-Maad road stretch 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Make up tips that will save you money Revocation certificates to be now accepted for OCI status  CENTRE ENDORSES EARLIER DECISION  APPLICANTS MUST CERTIFY OF NOT HOLDING PORTUGUESE PASSPORT FRAUDULENTLY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a recent development that could bring back relief to Goans who acquired Portuguese citizenship, the Central government has reverted to its previous decision to accept ‘revocation certificates’ instead of ‘surrender certificates.’ In the latest communique released through the Press Information Bureau, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated that the acceptance will be solely based on condition that these Goans have obtained Portuguese nationality as per the Portuguese Nationality Law. “The problems faced by Indian nationals from Goa, Daman, and Diu, who have acquired Portuguese nationality IN SHORT >> Justice Sonak transferred PANAJI: Justice Mahesh Sonak has been transferred to Bombay High Court. Justice M S Karnik has been appointed in place of him at the High Court of Bombay at Goa. Justice Sonak was elevated as Additional Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay in June 2013. Entertainment Zone at Patto planned PANAJI: Corporation of City of Panaji has announced plans to develop Entertainment Zone at Patto, Panaji. The zone will have low key entertainment events and performances to give opportunity to local talents, shops, restaurants, food street etc. Panaji Mayor Rohit Monserrate said. Vending zones to be set up across Panaji PANAJI: Corporation of City of Panaji Rohit Monserrate has said vending zones will be set up at several locations across the city to accommodate street vendors. Around 92 vendors who had been displaced will be accommodated first, he said adding that list of tentative locations for setting up vending zones would be sent to the Collector for approval. Malawi Dy President killed in plane crash  >> See pg 8 ‘Relief to Goan Portuguese passport holders in UK’ THE GOAN I NETWORK LONDON Welcoming the Indian government’s decision to allow passport revocation order as an alternative document to surrender certificate, for granting visa/exit permission on valid Portuguese passport/OCI card, a Goan lawyer in the UK said it would be a huge relief to many Portuguese passport holders in the UK as well as other countries. under the Portuguese Nationality Law, in obtaining Indian visas, exit permissions, or OCI cards have been considered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Joyce De Souza, a corporate lawyer for international banks and the Constituency of the Labour Party Women’s Officer in the Labour Party of Brent West Parliamentary Constituency in North West London, who had been closely following the matter said, “many people and Goans in the UK had approached us about this issue as they were worried and wanted to know how would they stay in Goa for a longer duration”. >> See pg 3 and with the approval of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it has been decided that a copy of the passport revocation order issued by Regional Passport Officers, instead of a surrender certificate, will now be accepted as an alternative document for granting visas or exit permissions on valid Portuguese passports or OCI cards,” the MHA stated. It further stated that the provision will be applicable, provided that the individual concerned certifies that they Universities can now offer admissions twice a year TWO ADMISSION CYCLES WILL BE JULY-AUG AND JAN-FEB FROM THIS ACADEMIC YEAR PTI NEW DELHI Indian universities and higher education institutions will now be allowed to offer admissions twice a year on lines of foreign universities with University Grants Commission giving a go ahead, UGC chief Jagadesh Kumar said. The two admission cycles will be July-August and January-February from the 2024-25 academic session. “If Indian universities can offer admission twice a year, it will benefit many students such as those who missed admission to a university in the July-August session due to a delay in the announcement of board results, health issues etc,” Kumar told PTI. “Biannual university admissions will help students maintain motivation since they do not have to wait one full year to be admitted if they miss admission in the current cycle. With biannual admissions in place, industries can also do their campus recruitment twice a year, improving employment opportunities for the graduates,” he added. The UGC chief explained that biannual admissions will also enable the higher education institutes to plan their Public disclosure by higher edu institutions a must, says UGC PANAJI: The University Grants Commission has issued a directive to heads of all higher education institutions to follow the “Guidelines on Public Self-Disclosure by Higher Education Institutions, 2024” in line with the principles outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The UGC cited that NEP 2020 emphasizes transparent self-disclosure as a fundamental principle to ensure these institutions are accountable to stakeholders by providing transparent access to relevant records.  >> See pg 3 resource distribution, such as faculty, labs, classrooms and services, more efficiently, resulting in a better functional flow within the university. “Universities worldwide already follow a biannual admission system. If Indian HEIs adopt the same cycle, our HEIs can enhance international collaborations and student exchanges. As a result, our global competitiveness will improve, and we will align with global educational standards,” Kumar said. have not obtained the Portuguese passport fraudulently. On April 4, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an Office Memorandum informing that the MHA had accepted revocation certificates as alternative documents instead of surrender certificates. However, the memorandum did not specify the date of the decision or the issuance of the MHA order. Less than a month later, on April 30, the MEA issued a corrigendum clarifying that the issue was still under consideration by the MHA, prompting severe criticism from the citizens and Opposition parties. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had then clarified that the corrigendum did not outrightly reject the >Continued on P5 11 14 SPORTS ICC T20 World Cup: Pakistan crushes Canada by 7 wickets North coastal clubs operating without Pollution Board nod Nearly a dozen clubs, bars & restaurants have no consent to operate, reveals RTI THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA After a recent order of the High Court of Bombay at Goa to seal 175 illegal commercial establishments along the Anjuna-Caisua coast, it has now come to light that several prominent clubs, bars and restaurants in North Goa’s coastal belt are operating without the required consent to operate from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB). These businesses are running without the mandatory GSPCB consent and face the risk of being sealed. Information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveals that at least a dozen clubs and bars and restaurants in the region do not hold valid GSPCB consent to operate. They include popular venues such as Sinq Night Club, Showbar, Cohiba, Soi in Candolim, Soro-The Village Pub, Sake in Assagao, Soho Fon- THIS IS NO MUSIC TO THE EARS „„Popular venues such as Sinq Night Club, Showbar, Cohiba, Soi in Candolim, Soro-The Village Pub, Sake in Assagao, Soho Fontainhas in Panaji, Shiori-Yakitori Bar in Siolim, Soi at Dona Paula, Noah Aone Restaurant in Vagator, and LPK Waterfront Club in Nerul do not hold valid GSPCB consent to operate tainhas in Panaji, Shiori-Yakitori Bar in Siolim, Soi at Dona Paula, Noah Aone Restaurant in Vagator, and LPK Waterfront Club in Nerul. The GSPCB data highlights that these establishments either have no consent or that there are no details available with the department, indicating that they operate without adhering to the environmental regulations and standards set by authorities. „„GSPCB data highlights that these establishments operate without adhering to environmental regulations and standards Local resident Atmaram Gadekar has lodged a complaint with the GSPCB and other relevant authorities, urging immediate action to ensure compliance with pollution control measures. “The lack of proper authorisation raises questions about the enforcement and monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with >Continued on P5 28 ministers in Modi govt face criminal cases: Poll rights body Exclude Lairai temple from mining area, CM tells Cos PTI TAKES STOCK OF AUCTIONED BLOCKS TO ENSURE SPEEDY RESUMPTION OF MINING ACTIVITIES NEW DELHI Twenty-eight ministers in the third Narendra Modi government have criminal cases against them with 19 of them facing serious charges such as attempted murder, crimes against women and hate speech, poll rights body Association of Democratic Reforms said. Among the ministers facing the most severe allegations, two have declared cases related to attempt to murder under Indian Penal Code section 307. They are Shantanu Thakur, minister of state for ports, shipping and waterways, and Sukanta Majumdar, minister of state for education and Development of North Eastern Region, the ADR said. The ADR report also highlighted that five ministers have cases related to crimes against women. They are Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Thakur, Majumdar, MoS for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism Suresh Gopi and Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram. Additionally, the ADR report identifies eight ministers with cases related to hate speech. A total of 28 out of 71 ministers (39 per cent) have declared criminal cases, it said. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday directed successful bidders of mineral blocks in Shirgao-Mayem -- Vedanta Ltd, Salgaoncar Shipping Pvt Ltd  and  Rajaram Bandekar Mines Pvt Ltd -- to exclude Shri Lairai Devi Temple and surrounding habitation from the lease-bound areas. During a review meeting at the Secretariat, Sawant also expressed confidence that three to four auctioned mines will be operational by October 2024. “Around 3-4 mines will be operational by Sept-Oct 2024,” the CMO said.  CMO said that directions have been issued to  the auction leaseholder of Shirgao to exclude the area of Shri Lairai Temple & habitation in and around the area. CM further took status of all the nine auctioned mining blocks to ensure speedy clearances and resumption of mining activities with all the auction holders and officers of Pollution Control Board, Environment Department, Forest Department etc present. In the meeting, also attended by Mines & Geology Director Narayan Gad  along The Shri Lairai temple at Shirgao. Govt moots lab for mineral analysis PANAJI: Ahead of recommencement of iron ore mining sector after a gap of over six years, the State government has proposed setting up a laboratory for mineral analysis. The lab will be equipped with advanced instruments procured through Central funds.  The Mines & Geology Department was under the scanner of environmentalists and Supreme Court for failing to have a dedicated equipped laboratory for analysis of all minerals.   >> See pg 3 with  other officials, CM also held discussions on several crucial topics  including  exploring the funding of mining leases through the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET). It was decided that GSI will assist in the preparation of geological reports for mineral blocks slated for upcoming auctions. Sawant further said that the government will hold a public hearing of over four leases by next month. “From next year, the mining operation of remaining auctioned leases will commence,” he said  speaking to the media.  After Velsao, dead fish found in Top EU position still a possibility for Antonio Costa rivulet near Cacora waste plant Former Goan-origin PM of Portugal again touted as candidate for EU Council presidency THE GOAN I NETWORK SANGUEM Large quantities of fish have been found dead in the rivulet passing near the Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) at Cacora-Curchorem, prompting locals to demand a probe by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB). According to sources, locals residing in the vicinity of the WTP at Cacora-Curchorem were surprised to find a large number of dead fish in the rivulet near the Waste Treatment Plant. While claiming it is for the first time that they have found Dead fish in a rivulet near the Waste Treatment Plant at Cacora-Curchorem. a large number of dead fish in the rivulet, locals are suspecting a possible link between the WTP and the dead fish in the river. A concerned citizen, Uday Deiker, informed that the GSPCB should conduct an immediate inquiry in the matter to ascertain the cause for the dead fish in the rivulet flowing near the WTP. Deikar claimed that he tried telephoning officials at the GSPCB but could not get connected. Incidentally, a similar incident occurred recently in Velsao where large quantities of dead fish had washed ashore and locals there suspected that chemicals released into the sea may have caused the fish to die. ALEXANDRE MONIZ BARBOSA THE GOAN I PANAJI A ntonio Costa’s political career could be far from over. Since resigning as prime minister of Portugal in November last, and handing over the reins of government to his successor in April this year, Costa’s name has again surfaced as a possible candidate for the post of president of the European Council, which falls vacant this November when the term of current incumbent Charles Michel ends. Elections to the European Parliament over the weekend have bolstered the chances of Costa, who is of Goan origin, making a bid for and winning the EU Council presidency. Reuters reporting on Monday stated, “The rise of euro-sceptic nationalist parties in this Sunday’s European Parliament election might complicate Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for a second term as president of the Commis- sion, though she remains the front-runner for the job”. That brings in Costa, as it is expected that the council presidency will likely go to the Socialists, and Costa, “is widely seen as a strong candidate”. What also gives Costa the edge is the support of the Portuguese government. Portuguese newspaper Publico, reporting on Tuesday said, “António Costa needed the support of the Portuguese government, without which he would not accept the candidacy. He has had it publicly since Sunday night. Luís Montenegro (Portugal PM) has taken advantage of all the contacts he makes in Brussels with his PPE partners to defend Costa’s candidacy”. Montenegro has been quoted as saying, “If Antonio Costa is a candidate for this position... the Portuguese government will not only support (him) but will do everything to ensure his candidacy is successful.” This is not the first time that the possibility of Costa making a bid for Brussels has emerged. The Goan had reported of this in June last year, before his sudden resignation as PM of Portugal, >Continued on P5