log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY JULY 16, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 29 Sewage stink returns near MMC building as underground line issues resurface 3 GOA Guard has narrow escape as concrete pieces fall at MPA complex 5 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Galvanic facial and its benefits 8 Assembly erupts in chaos over remarks on Speaker TREASURY BENCHES CREATE RUCKUS, QUESTION HOUR WASHED OUT THE GOAN I NETWORK ASSEMBLY COVERAGE Sewerage stink catches govt off balance, CM assures action MLA calls for action on cables of telecom, internet operators Govt encouraging extortion in garb of ease of doing business: Vijai Oppn points to acute teacher shortage, exploitation of contractual teachers (See pg 2) IN SHORT >> Chapoli Dam flows from spillway CANACONA: The Chapoli Dam, lifeline of Canconcars, began to overflow from its spillway on Monday. Chapoli Dam attained its overall capacity of 38.75 RL (reduced level) after filling its storage capacity of 1127.21 Ham at 11.25 am, when the dam water began to spill over Spill-way at the northern-end of the Dam’s Reservoir. Last year, Chapoli dam began to overflow on the morning of July 27, while in 2022 it began to overflow on July 19. Ex-DGP: Assagao case affected me PANAJI: As Goa’s new Director General of Police Alok Kumar took charge on Monday, the outgoing DGP Jaspal Singh, whose transfer followed his alleged involvement in the Assagao house demolition to favour accused Pooja Sharma, admitted the incident affected him.   >> See pg 3 Pak govt moves to ban Imran’s party KARACHI: Pakistan’s Information Minister Atta Tarar announced on Monday that the government plans to file a case seeking to ban Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) party, Dawn reported. MAPUSA The monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly commenced on a tumultuous note as the treasury benches caused a ruckus, announcing their intention to move a breach of privilege motion against Congress MLA Altone D’Costa for allegedly insulting Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar. FIRST DAY FIRST SHOW The resulting chaos led to the adjournment of the House, wiping out the entire Question Hour. The Question Hour was set to address significant issues, including the New Education Policy (NEP), a hike in power tariffs, and flight operations at Dabolim and Mopa airports. However, these discussions were derailed by the uproar. Threat of being referred to Privilege panel falls flat PANAJI: The issue that saw ruckus on day one of the Assembly with not a single starred question discussed, fizzled soon thereafter. BJP’s Daji Salkar accused Congress’ Altone D’Costa of making disrespectful remarks against Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar. Even Chief Minister Pramod Sawant demanded an apology and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao retaliated, but despite the noise, the matter never reached the Privilege Committee of the Assembly.  Legislature sources confirmed to The Goan that the issues ended on the floor of the House.  “It was only mentioned and not tabled. The Speaker had to call it out and then send it to the Privilege Committee but none of this happened. Hence, the issue did not progress beyond a heated discussion,” sources said. The session began with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant making several announcements. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai then raised an objection to an interview given by the Education Secretary regarding the NEP, which was supposed to be discussed in the Assembly, threatening to move a breach of privilege motion. Govt avoided NEP scrutiny: Oppn MAPUSA: The Opposition on Monday accused the Goa government of orchestrating a planned disruption in the Legislative Assembly to avoid scrutiny over NEP. The government’s decision to move a privilege motion against Congress MLA Altone D’Costa was labelled a strategic ploy by Opposition leaders, who claimed it was designed to derail the Question Hour.  >> See pg 2 Vasco MLA Daji Salkar quickly escalated the situation by threatening a breach of privilege motion against Congress MLA Altone D’Costa for allegedly making disre- WASHINGTON ormer United States President Donald Trump has said he is “supposed to be dead” after the assassination attempt on him at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, calling the incident a “surreal experience.” In one of his first interviews since the incident, the 78-yearold former president told conservative US media that he felt that he had been saved “by luck or by God”. “I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” the former US president said, speaking to the New York Post while en route to Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention starting on Monday which will nominate him as the party’s F >Continued on P7 Argentina clinches record 16th Copa America title 12 Centre has cleared Rivona site for IIT, Sawant tells House But says it’s subject to proper connectivity & FAR relaxation THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that the Site Selection Committee of the Government of India has given its nod for the Rivona site for setting up IIT-Goa campus, provided the former ensures proper connectivity and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) relaxation. GREEN LIGHT FOR IIT “Committee has recommended that the proposed land is suitable for setting up of permanent campus of IIT-Goa, subject to the State government providing proper connectivity with approach roads, power and water supply, permitting change of land zone and relaxation of FAR,” Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said in response to a starred question tabled by Leader of Government will ensure that sufficient safeguards are adopted to minimize any adverse impact on environment and existing green cover at the time of granting approval — Pramod Sawant Opposition Yuri Alemao. Sawant, who also holds the Education portfolio, added that the Revenue Department is currently verifying the title documents for the identified land. “Government will ensure that sufficient safeguards are adopted to minimize any adverse impact on the Environment and existing green cover at the time of granting required project approval by the various statutory >Continued on P7 DSSS beneficiaries cry foul Onus on NEERI for GMR’s EC compliance: Govt over 3-mth pension delay THE GOAN I NETWORK Dept refutes, says pendency is just 1 month THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The release of pensions under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) has once again been delayed with senior citizens, disabled persons and widows awaiting their payments for three months. However, the department has refuted the allegation stating the pendency is only for one month. “We have cleared the payments up to May. The pending payments are only for June,”  official sources  told The Goan. Despite this claim, some beneficiaries confirmed they had not received their payments. “No payments are credited into the accounts of pensioners after April. There is a budgeted amount yet the pension doesn’t come on time. There are Supreme Court directions about making payments on the last day of the month, but why is it not being adhered to?” said one aggrieved pensioner.  The official, however, maintained that payments are usually released on the 10th A DISTRESSED VOICE „„No payments are credited into the accounts of pensioners after April. There is a budgeted amount yet the pension doesn’t come on time. There are Supreme Court directions about making payments on the last day of the month, but why is it not being adhered to? DEPARTMENT SAY „„Payments are usually released on the 10th of every month and files are regularly sent to the Finance Department for approval. “Funds are released as per availability. There is no delay as is being portrayed. The pending payments are only for June. of every month and files are regularly sent to the Finance Department for approval. “Funds are released as per availability. There is no delay as is being portrayed. The pending payments are only for June,” he reiterated. The State has around 1.38 lakh DSSS beneficiaries, receiving funds from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 depending on various categories. The department has, meanwhile, intensified its drive to identify bogus beneficiaries as field assistants are conducting surveys to remove those no longer eligible for the scheme. Around 1,500 ineligible persons have been identified till date, whose benefits are stopped and notices issued. “Many are in service but their parents avail of DSSS benefits. All those whose income is more than Rs 24,000 per annum are not eligible for this scheme. The identification of such people is ongoing. If they are removed from the scheme, we can include other eligible beneficiaries,” the official said. It is also learnt that some involved in the tourism business are still availing of the scheme. PANAJI The government has passed the buck of monitoring GMR’s environmental compliances to National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) the Nagpur headquartered institute operating under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.  In a response to a questioned raised by Aldona MLA KA inquiry panel met 7 times, but no report yet THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The three-member technical committee constituted to examine alleged corruption, irregularities and illegalities in the Kala Academy renovation, has held seven meetings since its new Chairman took charge but is yet to submit a report, despite a 60-day deadline. Replying to separate LAQs tabled by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and MLA Carlos Ferreira, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant did not provide reasons for the delay amid ongoing controversy >Continued on P7 I’m supposed to be dead, but I’m still here: Trump PTI spectful remarks about Speaker Tawadkar. The Leader of the Opposition, Yuri Alemao, challenged the motion, asserting the Opposition’s right to move a resolution. “How is this a breach of privilege? Nothing stops us from moving a resolution. Show me the rule,” Alemao demanded. Chief Minister Sawant then joined the fray, insisting that D’Costa should apologise to the Speaker for his remarks. Members of the treasury benches stood up, brandishing placards and demanding an apology from D’Costa, which further intensified the disorder. Unable to restore order, Speaker Tawadkar adjourned the House, resulting in the loss of the entire Question Hour. SPORTS SHOOTING AFTERMATH: TRUMP SPEAK „„The most incredible thing was that I happened to not only turn (my head) but to turn at the exact right time and in just the right amount „„The entire incident is a “surreal experience” „„The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle „„By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here „„A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen… they’re right and I didn’t die. Usually, you have to die to have an iconic picture candidate for the November 5 presidential election. “The most incredible thing was that I happened to not only turn (my head) but to turn at the exact right time and in just the right amount,” he said, adding that the bullet that grazed his ear could have easily killed him. “I’m supposed to be dead, I’m not supposed to be here,” he said. He called the entire incident a “surreal experience.” A spectator was killed in the attack, while two other people were seriously injured. The 20-year-old gunman, who also died, has been named as Thomas Matthew Crooks. Trump wore a white bandage that covered his right ear but his aides did not allow any photographs to be taken, said the Post. “The doctor at the hospital said he never saw anything like this, he called it a miracle,” Trump added. “By luck or by God, many people are saying it’s by God I’m still here.” Trump also addressed the photos of him raising his fist and saying “Fight!” as he had blood on his face. “A lot of people say it’s the most iconic photo they’ve ever seen,” Trump said. “They’re right and I didn’t die. Usually, you have to die to have an iconic picture.” Trump told the paper he wanted to keep speaking following the shooting but the Secret Service insisted he go to the hospital. “I just wanted to keep speaking, but I just got shot,” he said. Trump also said he appreciated the call he received from President Joe Biden, also expected to be his rival in the election, according to the Post, calling it “fine” and “very nice.” The paper reported that Trump suggested the campaign between him and Biden, a Democrat, could be more civil from now on. Adv Carlos Ferreira, who had asked for copies of audit/inspection reports of verification of the compliance of EC (Environmental Clearance) condition, the state government said that the Supreme Court had appointed NEERI “for overseeing of the compliance of the EC conditions”. The Supreme Court in its judgement dated January 16, 2020 had said it would be appropriate “to ensure the oversight of the project by a specialised body to ensure compliance with directions cumulatively issued by this Court” and went on to appoint NEERI only “to oversee compliance with directions cumulatively issued by this Court.” There are a total of 119 conditions that GMR has to comply with including conditions imposed by the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change, the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court that GMR has to comply with during the building and operation of the airport that deal with environmental mitigation measures.  Meanwhile, the government has provided links to GMR’s own half yearly compliance reports that they have submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate change, the latest being submitted in May.