log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY JULY 13, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 26 Cautious optimism among locals over ambitious Navelim-Polem NH project 2 GOA Min slams RTO’s lax enforcement, directs to restore public respect 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Beauty benefits of vitamin E oil 10 Gadkari moots performance audit ahead of 2027 polls SAYS ALL MINISTERS, MLAs, LEADERS SHOULD BE ASSESSED THE GOAN I NETWORK pages 6-7 Viva Goa Festival presents World Goa Day, Indo-Luso cultures Young Goans from across UK to attend convention in Swindon IN SHORT >> HC denies interim relief to Pooja PANAJI: The absconding accused in the Assagao house demolition, Pooja Sharma has challenged the dismissal of her anticipatory bail plea in the Bombay High Court at Goa. During the arguments scheduled on Friday afternoon, her lawyer Adv Surendra Desai sought interim relief from arrest, which was denied by Justice Bharat Deshpande.  >> See pg 3 25% surplus rain in Goa till date PANAJI: After an almost dry 24-hour spell, heavy rains lashed Goa on Friday. The IMD Goa recorded a 25 per cent surplus in seasonal rainfall so far. As on Friday morning, the State recorded over 65 inches of rainfall (1655 mm) exceeding the normal average of 1332.2 mm. PANAJI With a little over two years remaining for the next Assembly elections, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari suggested Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Goa unit to gauge public opinion on the State government’s performance in Goa. Speaking at the BJP Executive meeting in Taleigao on Friday, Gadkari urged party cadres to conduct surveys and engage with every constituency to strengthen the party’s organization to get another victory in the 2027 Assembly elections. “I have requested Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to conduct surveys and awareness programmes to assess people’s opinions on the government and party’s function- I have requested Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to conduct surveys and awareness programmes to assess people’s opinions on the government and party’s functioning. It is crucial to have an appropriate vision BJP to push govt to provide political reservation for Scheduled Tribes — Nitin Gadkari ing. It is crucial to have an appropriate vision. Performance audits of all ministers, MLAs, and party leaders must be conducted,” Gadkari said. After the two-hour-long meeting, Sawant supported the proposal confirming that the party will indeed conduct the survey and performance audits. “The central leaders provide guidance and sugges- tions during their visits. BJP will carry out the survey and audit the government’s performance including individual performance including myself as the CM. The report will be submitted to the party high command,” Sawant assured. During the executive meeting, Gadkari also spoke on environmental issues suggesting that many types of waste can ‘Smart’ mess: Rain takes toll on most city roads  FRESHLY TARRED ROADS WASHED OFF  INCOMPLETE PAVEMENTS A NIGHTMARE Activist Bakshi gets conditional bail MAPUSA: A Mapusa court on Friday granted conditional bail to citizen rights activist and actor Gaurav Bakshi, who was involved in an incident where he blocked the official vehicle of Fisheries Minister Nilkant Halarnkar. Maharashtra techie drowns in US WASHINGTON: A 26-yearold Indian IT professional from Maharashtra working in California drowned in the famous Glacier National Park in Montana while on vacation, according to park authorities. WEATHER >> Max: 30.1 C Min: 25 C Humidity: 98% TIDES Low: High: 08.51 22.26 03.28 15.28 An aerial view of the rainwater-filled potholes at the KTC bus stand in Panaji on Friday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI It’s more than just water-logging of the roads from the current, nearly week-long spell of intense and continuous rains that is causing much pain to both residents and daily visitors to the capital city. Several stretches of the city’s road network, including many which had been hurriedly relaid with a fresh car- pet of hot-mix following the completion of the ‘smart city’ are peeling off, leaving a trail of pot-holes much to the chagrin of vehicle users. In late May and early June, several stretches of the city’s roads were redone with a fresh layer of tarmac. One such stretch of road at Bhatulem -- from TB Hospital to the Portais Chapel -- has developed pot-holes in at least halfa-dozen locations, less than a month into the monsoon. This busy road poses hurdles and challenges to vehicle users. In the city, roads in the market area, along 18th June Road and also the MG Road are all ridden with potholes. Also at regular distances, these roads have humps and depressions where chamber manholes of the ‘smart city’ sewerage project are located making >Continued on P5 PANAJI: The State Executive Committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday resolved to urge the Goa government to provide political reservation to the Scheduled Tribes of Goa. “BJP is committed to providing the lawful political reservation to the ST community of Goa. This State Executive urges the Goa government to take necessary steps towards positive and prompt follow-up with the Government of India and take the issue to its logical conclusion,” the party resolved. The Committee had convened to celebrate and recognize the achievements of the BJP-led government in Goa, which has been in power since 2012.  SPORTS England wins by an innings and 114 runs against West Indies 14 DGP Singh shunted; Kumar to take over THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In an expected move, Director General of Goa Police Jaspal Singh has been transferred to Delhi just before the monAlok Kumar soon session of the Legislative Assembly. Alok Kumar, his batch-mate of  1996  AGMUT cadre will replace him as Goa’s new police chief. In the order dated July 12, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) transferred Singh without posting to Delhi while Kumar, currently serving as the IG for CISF is transferred to Goa ‘on repatriation from central deputation.’ The MHA’s order came three days before the assembly session, during which the Opposition legislators are likely to table the controversy surrounding the Assagao house demolition. Singh’s alleged involvement in protecting absconding accused Pooja Sharma is also expected to be raised during the discussion. Suspended Anjuna Police Suspension of DIG Koan revoked PANAJI: A day before DGP Singh’s transfer, the Minister of Home Affairs issued separate orders revoking the suspension of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) A Koan and transferring him to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Koan, suspended on August 16, 2023 for allegedly misbehaving with a woman at a nightclub in Baga, will however face the ongoing disciplinary inquiry against him. >> See pg 3 Inspector Prashal Desai’s statement to Chief Secretary Puneet Goel exposed DGP Singh’s pressure tactics to alter the case in Sharma’s  favour. Desai accused Singh of repeatedly calling him to “help them (Sharma and company)” and directing the Anjuna police to not stop the demolition. Desai had further alleged that the outgoing DGP was be converted into valuable resources. “Goa has the potential to become one of the five best and most beautiful cities in India. It is difficult but not impossible. We must focus on ethics, economy, ecology, and environment... Garbage and solid waste management are major concerns. No material or person is waste Bicholim locals put on alert as Anjunem dam nears capacity After rocking North, Sunburn festival now eyes South Goa THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The Water Resources Department has issued an alert to four villages in Bicholim, warning that water from the Anjunem Dam may soon exceed its maximum capacity due to continuous heavy rainfall over the past week. The department cautioned that the rising water level could force authorities to release excess water into nearby rivers. The water level in Anjunem Dam is nearing the critical 90 RL/meter mark, prompting concerns. “Impounding of water in the Anjunem Dam commenced from June 20. As of July 11, the water level has reached 86.95 meters. It is expected that the dam will fill up to 90.00 RL/meters within a few days, necessitating the release of excess water,” explained Shailesh Pokle, Executive Engineer, WRD. Pokle noted that excess water from the dam would be channeled through Costi Nadi and Valvanti River during low tides, potentially raising the water levels of these rivers. Residents of the four affected villages -- Keri, Morlem, Parye, and Karapur-Sarvan -- have been advised to exercise caution and take necessary precautions. The WRD has specifically urged people to be vigilant while washing clothes, bathing, or taking their cattle to the riverside. >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 PROMISES SURREAL UNDERWATER EXPERIENCE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Organisers of the controversial yet popular Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Festival -Sunburn -- on Friday opened up a new front for venue selection saying this year’s edition will be held at a venue in South Goa for three days from December 28. In a statement posted on its verifed @SunburnFestival handle on micro-blogging site ‘X’ the Sunburn organisers said: “This year, immerse yourself into ultimate blend of music and a surreal underwater experience in our stunning new South Goa home. From 28th to 30th December.” In the ‘X’ post, the organisers also announced the kick-off of ticket sales via the online booking portal “bookmyshow”. Leader of the Opposition, Yuri Alemao, expressed concern over the festival moving to South after seventeen years of being hosted in North and dodging controversies including some deaths of guests around the venue allegedly related to substance overdose. Alemao also took to ‘X’ to take a dig at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte for letting the controversial festival move to the South saying: “After converting North Goa into Drug and Crime Hub, @ BJP4Goa Govt. under @DrPramodPSawant & @TourismGoa Minister @RohanKhaunte are now setting their evil eye on South Goa.” Alemao went on to add that it was another attempt of taking revenge of Lok Sabha defeat by allowing @SunburnFestival in South Goa in 2024. Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), meanwhile, reacted positively to the news, saying it will boost tourism in South Goa and put it on the World music map. “Sunburn has significantly boosted tourism in Goa, helping the local economy and various businesses. As a world-class musical event, we expect Sunburn to do the same in South Goa. The festival will put South Goa on the world music map and stimulate business in sectors such as hotels, food and beverage, transport and more,” said Jack Sukhija Sunburn: From ‘goodbye’ Goa to ‘excited’ for South Goa! PANAJI: A day after the festival last year, CEO of Sunburn, Karan Singh, had publicly stated that it would never return to Goa. Now, Singh is singing a different tune, expressing excitement over the new venue in South Goa. “We are thrilled to start a new chapter of the festival in South Goa. Our goal is to elevate the experience each year, and we believe this new location will offer a unique and memorable event. We look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to enjoy the beauty and magic of South Goa with us,” Singh said. Centre to observe June 25 as Sun yet to shine on solar power plan for Panaji THE SOLAR POWER ROAD BLOCKED ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ THE GOAN I NETWORK CONG SAYS JUST A HEADLINE GRABBING EXERCISE PTI NEW DELHI The government has decided to observe June 25, the day the Emergency was declared in 1975, as ‘’Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’’ to commemorate the “massive contributions” of those who endured inhuman pains of the period, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday. While the Congress slammed the Centre’s move as yet another “headline grabbing exercise in hypocrisy” by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the top leadership of the BJP defended the decision, saying it will remind people of the Congress’’ “dictatorial mindset”. In a counter to the ‘’Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’’(Day of Murder of Constitution) declaration, the main opposition party also said “June 4 will go down in history as Modi Mukti Diwas”. The Lok Sabha election results, announced on June 4, saw the BJP with 240 seats falling short of the 272-ma- jority mark but the party-led NDA secured the mandate for a third straight term with 293 seats. Prime Minister Modi said commemoration of Emergency will serve as a reminder of what happened when the Constitution was trampled over. “It is also a day to pay homage to each and every person who suffered due to the excesses of the Emergency, as Congress unleashed dark phase of Indian history,” he said on ‘’X’’. „„Govt had announced that Panaji would be transformed by installing solar rooftops on all government buildings „„Project was slated for completion by March 2024, with an open tendering process to be initiated in the 2023 financial year „„Till date, no actual work MAPUSA he ambitious plan by the State government to equip all government buildings in Panaji with solar power by 2024 has encountered significant delays, falling short of the goals set by Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar. T This initiative, which was heralded as a major step towards making Panaji a solar city, has yet to see tangible progress on the ground. Last year, Dhavalikar announced in the Goa Legislative Assembly that the Ministry of Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA), has commenced to install solar equipment on public buildings in Panaji „„Govt had set a target of sourcing 150 MW of power through solar energy by 2030 „„An intermediate goal of generating at least 80 MW from renewable sources was also set aimed to transform Panaji by installing solar rooftops on all government buildings. The project was slated for completion by March 2024, with an open tendering pro- cess to be initiated in the 2023 financial year. Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco had actively sought details on this plan, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding the State’s strategy to achieve 100% renewable energy usage with Union government assistance. Despite these inquiries and the apparent progress on paper, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Sources within GEDA have confirmed that the initial steps for solarizing government buildings were indeed taken, including the issuance of tenders. A senior official disclosed that the bidding process was completed and evaluations were ongoing.  However, no actual work has commenced to install solar equipment on public >Continued on P5