log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY JULY 30, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 43 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 12 3 10 No Nat Wildlife Board Kala Academy was on ‘shaky nod given for Kalasa ground’ 7 years back: Gaude project, LS informed Sawant mulls Staff Selection Commission route for teachers GOA Vasco ups ante against Sunburn festival in South Goa SPORTS INFO India eyes series whitewash against Sri Lanka Tips to reduce hair damage if you use strengtheners often SAYS SCIENTIFIC CORRECTIONS WERE NEEDED IN 1990s AND EVEN CHARLES CORREA FOUNDATION HAD NO SOLUTION THE GOAN I NETWORK ASSEMBLY COVERAGE Opposition MLAs criticize govt for neglecting historical sites Paranormal activity? Mopa airport shuts down by 10.30 pm, says Sardesai GMR has sought time to develop green belt at Mopa: CM Oppn slams govt over costly revenue holiday for GMR Cycling Association of Goa inflated bills issue echoes in Assembly (See pg 2) PANAJI Amidst allegations of massive irregularities, corruption and substandard work at Kala Academy, Minister for Art & Culture Govind Gaude stated that stability issues had emerged as early as 2017. Responding to demands on Art & Culture, Gaude claimed that scientific corrections should have been made in the 1990s while alleging that even the Charles Correa Foundation could not provide a solution at that time. The House experienced a brief commotion over the minister’s unsatisfactory response with the Opposition demanding an audit. The Opposition legislators led by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai voiced concerns about questionable work at the iconic structure. “The reputation of the Art and Culture Department has been tarnished due to controversies surrounding the Kala Academy. I am concerned about the deplorable state of the Kala Academy, particularly the lack of adequate facilities for artists. It should undergo a comprehensive audit,” Sardesai demanded. Gaude described Kala Academy as a “Monument of Excellence” explaining that it was built on sand dunes. “It is a low-lying structure and the Dinanath Mangeshkar auditorium is situated just 2.5 metres from the high tide line. Scientific corrections should have been made in 1990, but even the Charles Correa Foundation could not provide solutions,” he alleged. The minister, supporting the re-strengthening of the structure, criticized the Opposition for comparing the structure to dance bars. “When you consider this structure as Library policy soon; over two lakh books to be digitised by March ’25 PANAJI: The Minister for Art & Culture Govind Gaude announced that the State will soon notify a new Library Policy. “There will be a library policy soon. It is currently in the final stage, and we will implement it once the Cabinet gives its approval. It will be a unique initiative in India’s library movement,” he stated while responding to demands related to the Art & Culture department. He also said that while 47,000 books have been digitised, the remaining 2 lakh books and pages will >Continued on P5 your mother, do not compare it with a dance bar and bedroom. It is a monument of excellence,” he asserted. Gaude also defended allegations of substandard work, attributing the recent water-logging issues to “certain media outlets with vested in- IN SHORT >> Rain-hit farmers to get aid before Chaturthi: CM Varsity Chancellor pushes for filling vacant posts PANAJI: The Goa University Chancellor P S Sreedharan Pillai has called for immediate filling up of numerous vacant posts as 85 posts are lying vacant, largely attributed to the mandatory requirements of Konkani and domicile for aspiring candidates. The varsity has managed to fill only 16 out of a total of 101 posts advertised over the last three years.  >> See pg 3 THE GOAN I NETWORK Extortion offence registered against 3 MARGAO: The Colva police has registered an offense of extortion against two women from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, besides an unknown taxi driver for allegedly extorting an amount of Rs 4000 for escort call girl services.  >> See pg 5 Centre forms panel to probe Delhi deaths NEW DELHI: The Centre has formed a panel to investigate the deaths of three students who died in the flooded basement of a coaching centre. (Related reports on pg 7) WEATHER >> Max: 30 C Min: 26.8 C Humidity: 97% terests spreading misleading information.” Gaude dismissed claims that the auditorium and other parts of the structure were compromised by rain. Alemao, however, accused Gaude of deflecting blame onto the Public Works Depart- BULLS EYE!: India’s Dhiraj Bommadevara in action during the archery men’s team quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics on Monday. (Report on pg 12) After arson attacks, vandalism hits telecom network in France PTI PARIS The French government says multiple telecommunications lines have been hit by acts of vandalism, affecting fiber lines and fixed and mobile phone lines as cities around France are hosting events for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The scale of the impact is unclear, as is whether it has affected any Olympic activ- ities. The vandalism came after arson attacks hit train networks around France on Friday, hours before the Olympics opening ceremony. Marina Ferrari, secretary of state in charge of digital affairs, posted on X that damage in several regions overnight Sunday to Monday affected telecommunications operators. She said that led to localized impact on access to fiber lines and fixed and mobile telephone lines. A French police official said at least six of France’s administrative departments were affected, which include the region around the Mediterranean city of Marseille, hosting Olympic soccer and sailing competitions. Telecom operators Bouygues and Free confirmed their services were affected. French media said lines operated by provider SFR also were hit. MAPUSA Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that traditional farmers growing seasonal vegetables and fruits, whose crops have been affected by torrential rains, will receive immediate compensation before Ganesh Chaturthi. “These farmers often cultivate on comunidade land or land owned by landlords and do not possess Krishi cards, making them ineligible for official compensation from the agriculture department. All such farmers who have suffered losses will be compensated through the CM Relief Fund,” Sawant stated. He informed the Assembly that Zonal Agriculture Officers (ZAOs) have been directed to conduct surveys to assess crop damage and facilitate the necessary compensation. Sawant also pledged that all farmers who have not yet received compensation for last year’s crop damage will be paid before the end of the monsoon session on August 7. Addressing future concerns, the Chief Minister mentioned the possibility of formulating an insurance >Continued on P5 ment while pointing out technical issues such as sound problems, leakages, and outdated equipment. “The slabs collapsed. Art & Culture seems to be pointing fingers at the PWD. Equipment is outdated,” Alemao said. The minister clarified that the department had provided a comprehensive list of necessary works when handing over Kala Academy to the PWD, assuring that all tasks were being monitored and none would be left incomplete. As Gaude concluded his reply with a poem, Alemao, still dissatisfied, demanded that the issue should not be seen as one of ego and sought specific answers to the problems highlighted. “There are issues with lighting, sound, microphones, and leakages. There are problems and more problems,” he said, calling for an IIT report and >Continued on P5 K’taka had sought 11 hectares for the irrigation project THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on Monday informed Lok Sabha that the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has not granted any approval so far on Karnataka’s application for the diversion of forest land for the construction of the Kalasa nala irrigation project in the Mhadei basin. In a question tabled by the South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, Union Minister said the application came up for the discussion before the Standing Committee of the NBWL during its 77th meeting held in January, this year. “However, no approval for this project has been given by the Board so far,” the Minister said. The proposal was for the use of around 11 hectares of forest land situated on the tiger corridor between Kali and Sahyadri tiger reserves. This is supposed to be for the con- struction of a diversion weir, jack well-cum-pump house, electrical substation, pipeline and power line at Kankumbi and other villages. The project is a part of the State government’s project for the construction of Kalasa Nala Diversion Scheme in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district. As reported earlier, the NBWL’s, headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s standing committee cited multiple reasons such as the matter pending before courts and non-receipt of approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority as the reasons. The Central Water Commission gave in-principle approval for the project in 2022 and the same was strongly opposed by Goa government before the Centre. The Supreme Court, that is hearing the several petitions filed by the three riparian States -- Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra, has listed the matter for next hearing in August. 13 survive canoe capsize amid solar shrimp hunt off Colva LOCALS, LIFEGUARDS RUSH TO THEIR RESCUE THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO Around 13 fishermen had a miraculous escape when their motorised canoe capsized in the choppy waters off Colva as the annual hunt for the prized solar shrimp began on Monday. The beleaguered fishermen were rescued by local fishermen, the lifeguards and the police. While the fishermen escaped unhurt, a lifeguard is believed to have sustained minor injuries during the rescue operations. In another incident, again at Colva, water entered into another motorized fishing canoe when the fishermen had venturing out in the sea for fishing, forcing them to return. Sources pointed out that the incident occurred after the motor of the fishing canoe stopped working when the country made vessel struggled to enter the choppy waters. After the fishermen screamed for help, the fishermen as well as the lifeguards on the shore responded to the cries and launched rescue operations. The ill-fated boat owned by The canoe that capsized off Colva beach on Monday.   Santosh Mirajkar Grayfans Fernandes was later pulled ashore by the locals and fishermen. Colva-based fishermen Thomas Rodrigues told The Goan that the fishermen kick-started the fishing season from Monday, but the rough condition of the sea came in the way of smooth navigation of the fishing vessels. “This is part of the year when the traditional fishermen venture out in the sea to net solar shrimps. This shrimp is available in the sea for a few days before it disappears. The fishing boat capsized after the motor failed. Luckily, all the fishermen onboard the ill-fated vessel escaped unhurt”, Thomas said. “When the fishermen were struggling in the choppy waters, the locals as well as the lifeguards all rushed to their rescue and safely brought them ashore. The ill-fated motorized canoe suffered some damage”, he added. Saying that the decision of the traditional fishermen to venture out in the sea is not illegal, Thomas said the traditional fishermen are allowed to venture out with motorized canoes and fishing nets as per the laid down specifications. Child abuse in schools on the Off the back! Bag-less days for students soon EDUCATION MINISTRY NOTIFIES GUIDELINES rise, teachers under scanner PTI THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Admitting an increase in child abuse cases in schools, the government has attributed these incidents to peer bullying, technological factors, family dysfunction, and cultural and societal influences. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in response to a question by MLA Aleixo Lourenco, outlined these factors as the probable causes. “The probable reasons for increased incidences of child abuse in schools could be peer bullying, technological factors, family dysfunction and The probable reasons for increased incidences of child abuse in schools could be peer bullying, technological factors, family dysfunction and cultural and societal factors — Pramod Sawant cultural and societal factors,” Sawant said. From November 2022 to August 2023, the State reported 4 cases of child abuse among which, in two cases the teachers remain suspended. A drawing teacher accused of misconduct and a PE teacher charged with sexual harassment -- both reported in March and August 2023 respectively -- are under suspension. In two other cases involving allegations of sexual harassment by an assistant teacher, disciplinary action is ongoing. Another substitute teacher, accused of corporal punishment, saw his tenure end two months after the complaint. To address these issues, he said, State is appointing counsellors to monitor abuse cases and provide a support system, along with four other measures to combat the problem. NEW DELHI he Union education ministry on Monday notified guidelines for implementation of bag-less days for classes 6-8 and making learning in schools more joyful, experiential and stress-free. The guidelines, developed by PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education, a unit of the National Council for Educational Research and Training were released on the fourth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. The NEP, 2020, had recommended that all students in classes 6-8 participate in a 10-day bag-less period. “The idea behind 10 bag- T „„Every student will take a fun course during classes 6-8 „„Hands-on experience for vocational craft such as carpentry, electric work, metal work etc „„Students to intern with local vocational experts such as carpenters, gardeners, potters, etc „„Ten bag-less days activities can be accommodated in any number of slots in an annual calendar „„All subject teachers to be involved... if necessary, indoor and outdoor activities may be clubbed in a day „„Visit and survey of vegetable markets; charity visits; survey and report writing on pet care among recommended activities less days is to make them an integral part of the teaching learning process rather than an add-on to the existing scheme of studies of education from classes 6-8. It will not only reduce the boundaries between the bookish knowledge and application of knowledge but also expose children to the skill requirements in the work areas, thus helping them to decide the future career path,” the guidelines stated. “Every student will take a fun course during classes 6-8 that gives a survey and handson experience of a sampling of important vocational craft such as carpentry, electric work, metal work, gardening, pottery making, etc, as decided by states and local communities and as mapped by local skilling needs,” they added. The ministry said all students would participate in the 10-day bag-less period sometime during classes 6-8 during which they would intern with local vocational experts such as carpenters, gardeners etc. “Ten bag-less days activities can be accommodated in any number of slots in an annual calendar. But it is advisable to keep two or three slots. While developing an annual work plan, all subject teachers may be involved,” the guidelines stated.