log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY JULY 10, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 23 Six Assembly segments in Salcete ensured BJP’s defeat in LS polls: CM 2 GOA Tourist turmoil in Guirim: Drunken brawl erupts over music volume 7 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Rice mask: Remove body tan in seven days 10 Mhadei debate rages in Belagavi amidst claims of setback to Goa K’TAKA ORGANISATIONS APPEAL TO SAWANT TO COOPERATE THE GOAN I NETWORK >> pg 6 The Goan Pao: Merging entertainment with cultural and community impact IN SHORT >> Two arrested for kidnapping two minors at Tivim MAPUSA: Colvale police have arrested two youth in connection with the abduction of two minor girls from a children’s home in Tivim. The accused have been identified as Arbaaz Hayat Khan (20) of Shelpe-Dhuler and Sabir Rahathali Betgeri of Taleigao. Police have also seized the car which was allegedly used in the incident. K’taka’s fear exposed: CM THE GOAN I NETWORK BELAGAVI Discussions and deliberations have taken centre stage in Belagavi region, after the twoday visit of Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH). Members of various organisations have been claiming that the Goa government has suffered a major setback in the Mhadei water-sharing issue, amid discussions that the PRAWAH team has not found any violations by Karnataka government while implementing Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion project. Urging Goa CM Pramod Sawant to cooperate with Karnataka in implementing the Kalsa-Bhandura project, Ashok Chandargi, President, Belagavi District Kannada Organisations Action Committee, has stated that Goa has failed to prove the violations made by Karnataka government. “The Goa government has failed to prove its claim that Karnataka has commenced the implementation of Kalsa-Bhandura water diversion project illegally violating the Supreme Court order. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in his message on X on July 4 had claimed that Goa would uncover the truth before the PRAWAH members and also had emphasised that the inspection is crucial for Goa.” “I urge the Goa Chief Minister to give up the adamant stand on Kalsa Bhandura water diversion project and co-operate with Karnataka in the larger interest of people of both the States.” “However, PRAWAH and central authorities officially need to endorse that there is no violation by Karnataka government, which is likely to be done in the next few days when the inspection report is submitted,” Chandargi added. On Saturday, while PRAWAH members inspected the river’s stretch in Karnataka, a few individuals stopped Goa’s state-run Kadamba Transport Corporation bus in Belagavi in protest against Goa govt’s move to seek inspection. PANAJI A day after PRAWAH’s second meeting in Bengaluru and protests against the Goa government in Karnataka, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant claimed that these actions indicate that Goa is on the right track. “Protests in Karnataka against us and opposition to the inspection of the Mhadei river basin by PRAWAH itself show that Goa government is on the right track. Karnataka fears being exposed,” Sawant told reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday. During the PRAWAH meeting on Monday, Karnataka raised objections to conducting the site inspection despite the matter pending before the Supreme Court and the notification of the Mhadei Water Dispute Tribunal’s award. Sawant further stated that PRAWAH is an independent authority and that Goa ensured its officials accompanied the inspection team to show violations by Karnataka. “My officials accompanied them. I don’t understand why Karnataka is feeling threatened. PRAWAH is fair enough to conduct an inspection and submit a report,” Sawant said, reiterating that the burning and tearing of his photos by activists in Karnataka was out of fear. “We wanted the inspections to be held during the rains and it happened… We showed violations by Karnataka,” he added. BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade supported the government’s stance asserting that the government is serious about the issue. Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai however criticized the thin attendance by Goa compared to the 30 Karnataka officials at the Bengaluru meeting. “Goa had a team of only three officials against Karnataka’s 30. How much will they defend Goa in such a hostile environment? How will you save Mhadei for Goa,” he questioned. Sardesai also raised apprehensions about PRAWAH’s intention to give justice to Goa. The Bengaluru meeting also saw Karnataka objecting to Maharashtra’s proposed Virdi dam project arguing that if the Kalasa-Bandura project cannot proceed, then the Virdi project should not move ahead either. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking clearance of the Kalasa Banduri Drinking Water Project. Reacting to it, CM Sawant had said that the Centre will take Goa into confidence before taking any decision. SPORTS BCCI appoints Gautam Gambhir as Team India’s new head coach 12 Rain wrath inflicts severe damage to Goa’s power infra THE GOAN I NETWORK SHOCKING STATS MAPUSA The relentless downpour over the past three days has caused extensive damage to life and property in the State. Among the worst-hit sectors is the State’s electricity infrastructure, with more than 70 electricity poles reported damaged due to the severe weather conditions. Continuous rain has led to the uprooting of trees, many of which have fallen onto power lines, causing significant damage. In some instances, the fallen trees have brought down electricity poles, compounding the damage and disruption. “A total of more than 70 electricity poles have been damaged,” confirmed a senior engineer from the office of the Chief Electrical Engineer. “The estimated loss to the department is around Rs 40 to Rs 50 lakh.” The damage has been widespread across several regions. Approximately 15 electricity poles were damaged in the areas of Bicholim, Sanquelim, and Valpoi, while Pernem taluka reported damage to 12 poles. In the southern parts of the More than 70 electricity poles reported damaged across the State Estimated loss to the department is around Rs 40 to Rs 50 lakh Electricity poles were damaged in Bicholim, Sanquelim, Valpoi, Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, Porvorim and other areas state, Sanguem, Quepem, and Canacona saw 22 poles damaged. Additionally, 14 poles were found damaged in Porvorim. Despite the extensive damage, the electricity department has implemented measures to minimise the impact on consumers. “As soon as a calamity occurs, the department has protocols in place to restore supply by re-routing power through other transformers,” the senior engineer explained. “This ensures that consumers experience minimal disruption,” he added. Simultaneously, repair and restoration work is being >Continued on P7
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