log on to thegoan.net THURSDAY JULY 11, 2024 @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 24 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Dramatic showdown in Monsoon Session on cards ‘UNITED’ OPPN LEGISLATORS ARE ARMED WITH CRUCIAL ISSUES TO CONFRONT GOVT THE GOAN I NETWORK >> See PG 5 Action pending against alleged illegal extension of Bagayatdar in Mapusa PANAJI A dramatic showdown this monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly is likely as Opposition legislators are ready with a long list of issues to challenge the government. Right from the prolonged delay in notifying a Tiger Reserve to demanding full investigation details of land grab cases and the controversial Assagao house demolition, etc; the Opposition will leave no stone unturned. Sources said the united Opposition will seek answers on various pressing issues with joint questions sent to the Legislative Assembly for the government to answer. KEY ISSUES ON AGENDA Tiger Reserve: Prolonged delay in notifying the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas as a Tiger Reserve Mhadei water dispute: Legislators may demand in-depth discussions and firm commitments from the government Oppn dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the recent PRAWAH inspection Assagao house demolition: Alleged cover-up and political interference in the demolition case High-ranking police officers’ involvement Land grab probe: Updates on the progress of investigations, chargesheets, and trials Potential demands for comprehensive reports on the status One of the foremost issues on the agenda is the delay in declaring the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas as a Tiger Reserve. Close to a year ago, on July 24, the Bombay High Court at Goa directed the Goa government to notify the sanctuary with- in three months. The State challenged this order before the Supreme Court, which, on September 25, 2023 refused to grant any interim stay but issued notices to the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), and the petitioner Goa Foundation. The government has been dragging its feet since then. The Mhadei water dispute is another issue as sources said the Opposition is unhappy with the government’s response to a recent inspec- No leave for govt employees PANAJI: The State government banned employees from availing leave during the legislative assembly session slated from July 15 to August 7. The government employees are however asked to remain present at their respective headquarters till August 9 to ensure smooth functioning of the session. “It is therefore enjoined upon all the leave sanctioning authorities that any kind of leave shall not be granted to the subordinate officers/officials during the Assembly Sessions. >Continued on P7 tion carried out by PRAWAH. “How could the Goa government send just three representatives when Karnataka had 25-30 officials during the crucial PRAWAH meeting? We are surprised that Goa government is taking this issue lightly although Karnataka is hell-bent on diverting Mhadei from Goa. Legislators might demand lengthy discussions and concrete assurances from the government to give justice to the State,” said the source. The alleged initial cover-up of the Assagao house demolition, political interfer- ence, and the involvement of high-ranking police officers will also be tabled during the 18-day-long Assembly session. “Full investigation details might be sought,” sources said, adding that updates on the progress of the land grab investigations including chargesheet and trial could also be sought. “Several other issues on the landslides, waterlogging, Smart City, airports are likely to be tabled,” the source revealed. As the session is set to commence on July 15, the Legislative Secretary has already received 648 starred and 1,940 unstarred questions. The last day for submissions is on Thursday. Pooja’s bail plea rejected, custodial probe ordered THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a setback for Pooja Sharma, the absconding accused in the Assagao house demolition case, the Sessions Court ordered her custodial interrogation while rejecting her anticipatory bail application on Wednesday. After four days of arguments by the applicant and the Crime Branch, Sessions Judge Irshad Agha ruled that the actions of accused persons – including others implicated in the case – have shaken public confidence. “An offence punishable for more than seven years is considered a serious offence, however, in the present case, the accused persons came with male and female bouncers and earth excavator. The accused persons took law in their hands. This act of the accused persons has shaken the confidence of the people at large,” the Court noted. Judge Agha further pointed out that although victim KEY COURT OBSERVATIONS Custodial interrogation is required The actions of accused have shaken public confidence Victim withdrew complaint but they have not recovered from the trauma Offence cannot be ignored Trauma will continue and may aggravate if granted bail Pradeep Agarwadekar withdrew his complaint, the severity of the case cannot be overlooked. “Such criminal acts are offences against the public at large. Even if Pradeep Agarwadekar has withdrawn >Continued on P7 CB to intensify search for Pooja PANAJI: The Crime Branch teams are likely to be dispatched to Mumbai again and Amritsar, where Pooja Sharma claimed to be residing last month, after the house demolition. Sources stated that new summons could be issued to Sharma although there are plans to arrest her without notice. “The Sessions Court has accepted our submission that her custodial interrogation is required. We will intensify our search for her,” a source said. It is however uncertain if Sharma will challenge the order in the High Court. Her counsel, Adv Surendra Desai on being asked about her whereabouts said she could be in Mumbai or elsewhere at present, depending on her schedule. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Amidst criticism regarding Goa’s thin representation at the PRAWAH meeting in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant defended the delegation stating the reports submitted are over the number of attendees. Addressing a press conference after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Sawant questioned whether Goa should have sent “clerks or (all) WRD officials” to match Karnataka’s numbers. “Our three-member team was strong, informative and knowledgeable,” he said responding to criticism by the Opposition about sending three officials as against Karnataka’s 30. WRD Chief Engineer Pra- mod Badami and Assistant Engineer Dilip Naik were two of the three senior officials who accompanied the Committee and represented Goa in Bengaluru. “The PRAWAH meeting was nevertheless scheduled in Bengaluru. We had 3-4 members, and so did Maharashtra. Would it help to send clerk and (all) WRD officials there,” the Chief Minister further questioned. The Chief Minister stressed that related reports submitted were more important than the number of attendees at the meeting. “How many sat for the meeting is not important but what reports are submitted to the inspecting officials are crucial. Goa has submitted several reports over a period >Continued on P7 cbc 37110/15/0001/2425 Reports matter, not numbers: Sawant on team at Mhadei meet
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