log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY JULY 18, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 31 Bypass blues: Is Sal flood control going round in circles? 3 INDIA Kannadiga reservation bill put on hold after facing backlash 7 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 8 INFO Supplements you should avoid at any cost! Next, Air Arabia set to shift Ops from Dabolim to Mopa n MAJOR FLIGHT BOOKING APPS SHOW FLIGHTS FROM MOPA IN NOV n MOVE RAISES CONCERNS AMONG STAKEHOLDERS, SPARKS DEBATE THE GOAN I NETWORK ASSEMBLY COVERAGE Builders, consumers involved in water theft, tougher action will be taken: CM Opposition grills Khaunte over lifeguard failures Pledge, sensitisation to curb corruption in govt depts New veterinary hospital in Bicholim to be fast-tracked (See pg 2) IN SHORT >> 2 die in separate road mishaps PANAJI: A motorcyclist lost his life after being knocked down by a truck on Virdi bridge while another rider died on the spot after he was run over by a truck near Government Primary School, Piliem-Dharbandora on Wednesday.  >> See pg 3 Teen killed in house collapse at Fatorda MARGAO: A house collapse on early Wednesday claimed the life of an 18-year-old boy, Kartik Chauhan, a native of Uttar Pradesh, at Talsan Zor, Fatorda. His father escaped with minor injuries in the incident, which has brought to the fore the mushrooming of structures leased out to tenants on rent.  >> See pg 3 6 held for illegal sand mining PERNEM: Mopa Airport Police Station has taken action against illegal sand mining with the arrest of six individuals under various sections of the law. According to reports, a FIR was filed under relevant sections of the Goa Daman & Diu Minor Mineral Concession Rule 1985, following a complaint on Tuesday at Tarir, Ozarim-Pernem.  >> See pg 5 VASCO All is not well for the Goa International Airport at Dabolim, as Air Arabia, currently operating from Dabolim airport, is likely to shift its operations to Mopa from November 2024. According to highly placed sources, Air Arabia could be the sixth international airline to move its base from Dabolim Airport to Mopa. Previously, Air India, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Aeroflot, and TUI chartered flights have shifted operations from Dabolim to Mopa, raising concerns among the stakeholders of Dabolim airport, including taxi operators, shack owners, and others. The issue has sparked debates on multiple occasions, with the Opposition grilling the ruling party. Chief Minis- One of the flight booking apps showing Air Arabia operations from Mopa airport in November this year. ter Pramod Sawant, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho have assured that Dabolim Airport will continue its operations. The government has con- sistently maintained that Dabolim airport has already begun significant infrastructure development to meet the rising air traffic demands. They have also stated that the Central government has assured 7 months on, temple memorial plans remain a faint memory No headway on locating site or translating records on temples THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Seven months after the Committee of Experts submitted a comprehensive list of recommendations to the government on temples destroyed during Portuguese rule, the State government has neither identified a site for a temple memorial nor progressed on translating crucial records that could shed more light on the destroyed temples. Archaeology Minister Subhash Phal Dessai stated that the department is in the process of finding a suitable site for the memorial but did not provide a reason for the delay. The Committee, established in January 2023 and granted an extension till December 2023, submitted an interim report during this period and a final report at the end of its tenure. The recommendations mentioned that since many temples and deities existing in Goa before Portuguese rule were destroyed, a temple memorial (Smarak-Devalaya) be KEY RECOMMENDATIONS „„Construct a temple memorial (Smarak-Devalaya) in the erstwhile Old Conquests region (modern Salcete, Bardez, and Tiswadi) to honour the temples and deities destroyed during Portuguese rule „„Setting up a museum to exclusively showcase Goa’s ancient temple heritage „„Identified six crucial books for translation into English to provide primary evidence of temple destruction „„Formulating schemes for minor and major research projects on the temples of Goa BOOKS FOR TRANSLATION „„Oriente Conquistado a Jesus Chisto Pelos Padres Da Companha de Jesus da Provinciade Goa „„Monumenta Historica Societatislesu: Documenta Indica „„Documentacao Para A Historia Das Missoes do Padroado Portuges do Oriente „„Tombo das rendas de Salcete, Ilhas e Bardes „„Tombo Geral por Francisco Paes „„Foral de Salcete, Ilhas and Bardez constructed in the erstwhile Old Conquests region, which includes modern Salcete, Bardez and Tiswadi – areas that suffered significant temple destruction. “Keeping in mind the large number of temples and deities which existed in Goa during the pre-Portuguese period, which was destroyed by Portuguese at the behest >Continued on P5 them that the South Goa airport will never close down. However, the Opposition argues that Dabolim could soon die a slow death, becoming a ghost airport or being taken over by the defence sector. Despite these assurances, the number of flights arriving at Dabolim Airport has significantly declined since the Manohar International Airport at Mopa commenced operations. According to sources, Air Arabia could soon shift its operations to Mopa. A highly placed source indicated that this move might start by November this year. “If we check major flight booking apps, Air Arabia flights are shown from Mopa from November. The Air Arabia flight used to depart from Dabolim airport at around 4 am, but the direct flight from Mopa Airport is scheduled for 2:15 in the afternoon. This information is available on major websites used by people to book their tickets,” the source said. A source at the Goa International Airport neither confirmed nor denied this information when contacted by The Goan. “As of now, the Airport Director of Goa International Airport has been transferred, so we cannot comment on this question. However, I can say that it is the airline operator’s decision, and they can use the option if they feel it is necessary in the future,” said the source. A taxi operator at Dabolim Airport mentioned that the news had already been circulating among their groups. “We are literally struggling >Continued on P5 PANAJI/MAPUSA Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that the government will introduce a comprehensive policy to address the stray dog menace within three months. DOG ATTACK This announcement followed concerns expressed by both ruling and Opposition legislators about the increasing incidents of stray dog bites, particularly along the State’s beaches. “We will take the Opposition into confidence and within the next three months, we „„Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai proposed a three-pronged solution: sterilisation of stray dogs, appointment of NGOs to manage the situation, and the introduction of helpline numbers for prompt reporting and assistance „„Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas said he has collaborated with World Veterinary Services and Mission Rabies to tackle the issue and has urged to set a deadline for all panchayats to establish animal birth control committee by August 31 „„Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar described packs of dogs roaming in public spaces such as markets, hospitals, streets, and beaches, causing distress will make a policy decision to tackle the strays,” Sawant declared, responding to the urgency voiced by the legis- lators. Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar brought the issue to the House’s attention, highlighting the growing population of stray dogs as a significant concern for both residents and tourists. 12 Candolim murder: Car dash camera leads to arrest of accused SP says it was premeditated, initial inquiry reveals robbery as motive THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Goa Police have arrested a suspect in the murder of Arnoldo Soares, a senior citizen from Candolim, thanks to crucial evidence captured by a dash camera in the victim’s car. The footage, which recorded the alleged accused using the car to escape, played a pivotal role in identifying and apprehending the suspect. The police used the dash camera footage to identify Arvind Raju Pawar, also known as Parshu, a 20-yearold originally from Karnataka but residing in Orda, Candolim. Technical surveillance, including tracking the accused’s mobile phone, further aided the investigation. During a press conference at Calangute Police Station, Akshat Kaushal, Superintendent of Police for North Goa, provided an update on the case. SP KAUSHAL SPEAKS „„Initial inquiries suggest robbery as a motive, but we are exploring all possibilities „„Money was a motive, but we cannot say it was the sole motive „„We found certain things at the scene that suggest it was a premeditated crime, but it is still early to say anything with certainty “Initial inquiries suggest robbery as a motive, but we are exploring all possibilities. Money was a motive, but we cannot say it was the sole motive. We are examining the crime from all angles,” Kaushal stated. Kaushal indicated that the crime appeared to be premeditated. “We found certain >Continued on P5 PTI NEW DELHI The CBSE is in a dilemma over scheduling the two rounds of board examinations as recommended in the new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) its options being January-February, March-April and June. Another option the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is exploring is a semester system involving biannual exams. Currently, the board exams for Classes 10 and 12 are conducted in February-March. According to officials, consultations are on and no decision has been made yet. DIVINE REVERENCE: A devotee seeking the blessings at Vitthal Rakhumai temple, Fontainhas Mala, Panaji, on Ashadhi Ekadashi, on Wednesday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar 30 schools switch to Axis Bank, but salary disbursal to continue in existing banks THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI After the circular clarifying that opening Axis Bank accounts is optional for schools and institutions, those who already opened new accounts with the private bank may continue to receive payments for its staff in their existing bank accounts. A highly placed source revealed to The Goan that around 30 or slightly fewer schools and institutions opened accounts with the Axis Bank after the Education Department issued a circular on June 28 directing manda- Ruling, Opposition legislators raise concern over increasing incidents of stray dog bites WHAT THE LEGISLATORS SAID… FC Goa signs Dejan Dražic on two-year agreement CBSE in dilemma over scheduling exams twice a year CM assures stray dog control policy within 3 months THE GOAN I NETWORK SPORTS Amonkar described packs of dogs roaming in public spaces such as markets, hospitals, streets, and beaches, causing distress. He cited specific incidents involving a Russian tourist, a Bollywood actor, and even lifeguards being bitten by stray dogs on the beaches. Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai admitted the severity of the problem, emphasising the need for immediate action in the interest of tourism and public safety. Sardesai proposed a three-pronged solution: sterilisation of stray dogs, appointment of NGOs to manage the situation, and the introduction of helpline numbers for prompt reporting and assistance. Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas shared that his constituency, particularly Colva beach, has been heavily affected by stray dog bites. He has collaborated with World Veterinary Services (WVS) and Mission Rabies (MR) to tackle the issue. Viegas pointed out that only one out of seven panchayats in his constituency had formed a local animal birth control committee. He urged the Panchayat Minister to set a deadline for all panchayats to establish such committees by August 31. Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar attributed the rise in stray dog >Continued on P5 tory accounts with this bank. “About 30 or less schools/ institutions opened accounts with Axis Bank after the June 28 circular. However, they might not get staff salaries in the new bank accounts unless every school/institution is on board,” the source explained. Unlike the system for government employees wherein salaries are credited directly into their accounts, the protocol for teaching and non-teaching staff is different. The source stated that the department releases grants to the Accounts Department, which then disburses funds to the respective school/institution management before reaching the staff. “There were allegations that teachers were not being paid on time, one of the probable reasons that prompted the government to direct switching to new bank accounts,” the source said, clarifying that no final decision to >Continued on P5