log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY AUGUST 6, 2024 GOA Bail applications filed after July 1 will have to be under BNSS: HC Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 50 3 GOA DHS confirms water tested unfit for consumption in Agonda, Khola 5 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Blue zone foods to eat for longevity TCP bill seeking to evade court scrutiny withdrawn CABINET, BJP CORE COMMITTEE TOO SUPPORTED WITHDRAWAL THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Minister for Town & Country Planning Vishwajit Rane has withdrawn the Goa Town and Country Planning (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2024, tabled last week to protect land conversions from any sort of judicial scrutiny. The withdrawal, tabled on Monday, came two days after objections from the BJP Core Committee and backlash from environmentalists. The Bill proposed an amendment to Section 19 of the original TCP Act to ensure that Outline Development Plans (ODPs) remained valid even if their respective planning areas were withdrawn. Another amendment sought to finalise development permissions granted by the TCP department, limiting the powers of other State authorities to MAHABANK GOLD LOAN Attractive Interest Rate No Prepayment Charges www.bankofmaharashtra.in * T&C Apply SCAN TO APPLY Repayment Tenure Upto 24 Months Bill was introduced by Law Department, not me: Rane PANAJI: Town & Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane clarified that the amendment in The Goa Town & Country (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposed that land conversions would be exempted from judicial scrutiny, was introduced by the Law Department, not by him. Replying to demands of the TCP department, Rane claimed that he needed to clarify the misconception that the government was being dictatorial. “The validation clause in the TCP Bill was not proposed by me. It was suggested by the Law Department, and hence, it had to be included,” he explained. Rane later announced that the Bill has been withdrawn to protect investment sentiments and ensure that people’s investments are not adversely affected. “We have withdrawn it, but we need to find a solution through discussion,” he added. challenge these permissions under its laws. Moreover, the validation clause aimed to validate all permissions, zoning and conversion reports issued by the TCP department or other statutory authorities under the Candolim-Calangute and Arpora-Nagoa-Parra ODPs, many of which are currently sub-judice before the Bombay „„The Goa Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2024 „„The Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2024 „„The City of Panaji Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2024 High Court at Goa. The amendment also sought to bar courts from entertaining any suits or proceedings challenging such approvals, which was one of the reasons the environmentalists and NGOs demanded its withdrawal to save Goa from Wayanad like destruction. This prompted the BJP Core Committee, led by Goa desk in-charge Ashish Sood, to discuss the issue on Saturday during which nearly all the members supported the Bill’s withdrawal. The Cabinet on Monday too supported the withdrawal. Besides this controversial Bill, Rane -- also holding Health and Urban Development portfolios -- withdrew the Goa Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the City of Panaji Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, hours before it came up for discussion and passage. Earlier during the discussion on demands, MLA Venzy Viegas alleged the government was hell-bent to convert >Continued on P5 Follow us @mahabank IN SHORT >> Axe effect: Baga Club demolished MAPUSA: A demolition squad razed the three-storeyed Club Tao in Khobrawada Baga, following directives from a District Fast Track Court. On July 28, 2023, the Calangute Panchayat had issued a demolition order to the club, after revoking its business license, as the club was accused of running illegal business with illegal expansion. >> See pg 5 3 milch buffaloes electrocuted CANACONA: Three milch buffaloes were electrocuted while grazing when a live electricity wire snapped in an abandoned field behind the petrol pump at Gulem in Canacona.  >> See pg 5 PTI NEW DELHI Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to provide reservation to Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the Goa Legislative Assembly. As of now, the ST community has no seats reserved in the State's Assembly. The bill is titled Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024 and will empower census commissioner to notify population of STs. According to the Bill, the population of the Scheduled Tribes has increased considerably in Goa as per 2011 census vis-a-vis 2001 census figures. It noted that a “peculiar situation” has arisen in the state, wherein the population of the STs there vis-a-vis the population of SCs is considerably higher -- as per the Primary Census Abstract, 2011 for Goa. The total population was 14,58,545; the population of SCs was 25,449 and the population of STs was 1,49,275. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Minister for Town & Country Planning Vishwajit Rane remained non-committal on the Regional Plan urging the legislators to understand and deliberate on the issue. Several legislators demanded to restrict land purchases by outsiders which has escalated land rates and reduce property prices, while discussing TCP portfolio. “The question is whether to have a Regional Plan or not. Here governments have gone on the Regional Plan. I making clear… when you appoint a consultant, they go on their technology like broad roads, etc which doesn’t fit our definition of the State and then it becomes a problem. We have to understand, sit down and deliberate what is needed for Goa,” he said, refusing to give a clear reply to demands for new RP in Goa. The minister further assured the House that all the points raised by the MLAs TCP a controversial portfolio: Rane PANAJI: Under heavy criticism over zoning changes and land conversions, TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane acknowledged the sensitivity of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department, likening it to walking a tightrope. “TCP is a controversial portfolio. I have not become a minister to betray Goans. The department has to be handled sensitively. Sometimes there could be errors... We have to be watchful while working,” he said. Rane responded to concerns about the conversion of 1.40 crore square meters of land raised by the MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, by clarifying it took place before his tenure as TCP minister. He further stated that there was no intention to affect any NDS (No Development Slopes) or fields, adding that the government is committed to the new amendment under Section 39A, which has been introduced with public objections and suggestions. Rane also criticized certain social media users for misusing the platform to tarnish reputations, claiming that the platform was being used to spread misinformation. have been noted down each of which will be addressed. During the discussion, GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai insisted on the need for the Regional Plan, arguing that its absence has led to unplanned development. “There has to be a Regional Plan. He (Rane) may not like it, but he has to implement it. Start with taluka-wise Plans,” he added. AAP MLA Venzy Veigas also advocated for the Plan stressing the importance of public consultation and confidence. >Continued on P5 Bangla in turmoil, PM flees country, lands in India INTERIM GOVT TO TAKE OVER: ARMY CHANGES “But no seats are reserved for STs and they are unable to avail the constitutional benefit of reservation...” As there is no power with the EC to determine the number of seats for SCs and STs in any State, the bill was being brought to provide for enabling provisions. 12 SAYS QUESTION IS TO HAVE IT OR NOT DEMOGRAPHIC „„Bill will empower census commissioner to notify the population of STs in Goa „„According to the Bill, population of STs has increased considerably in Goa as per 2011 census vis-a-vis 2001 census figures „„EC will now amend Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008, to make way for ST reservation in the 40-member Assembly FC Goa begins Durand Cup campaign with thrilling 4-3 win Vishwajit’s reply on RP keeps Oppn guessing Bill for ST quota in Goa Assembly introduced in LS LET THE POWER OF GOLD FULFILL YOUR NEEDS! Finance upto ₹100 lakh OTHER BILLS WITHDRAWN 9 SPORTS PTI FIELD DAY: Transplantation of paddy seedlings being undertaken at a field in Taleigao on Monday. With slight respite in the intensity of rainfall, farming activity has gained momentum across the State.  Narayan Pissurlenkar SC slams coaching centres, says they are like ‘death chambers’ PTI NEW DELHI Coaching centres have become “death chambers” and are playing with the lives of students, the Supreme Court said on Monday as it issued notices to the Centre and the Delhi government on three IAS aspirants drowning in the basement of an institute here. Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan said the incident was an eye-opener for all. On July 27, three civil services aspirants drowned in the basement library of Rau's IAS Study Circle in the Old Rajinder Nagar area after it was flooded following heavy rain. “This is horrible. If need be, we will close down coaching centres. For the time being, the coaching should go online, unless there is meticulous compliance of safety norms. “These places have become death chambers. Coaching centres are playing with lives of aspirants who have come from different parts of the country with dreams and are working hard,” the bench said. DHAKA With Bangladesh descending into chaos, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina surreptitiously fled the country in a military aircraft and landed in India on Monday while the army stepped in to fill the power vacuum, ending one uncertain chapter and opening another in the nation's restive history. As the news of Hasina's departure spread, hundreds broke into her residence, vandalising and looting the interiors, providing dramatic expression to the anti-government protests that killed more than 100 people in the last two days. At the centre of people's anger is the Hasina government's quota system reserving 30 per cent jobs for families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation war. With volatile crowds taking to the streets -- some clambering on Hasina's father and Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's statue and CHAOS AFTERMATH „„Hasina likely to take refuge in UK „„Protestors loot PM Hasina's home, smash Mujib statue „„Hasina unlikely to make political comeback, says son „„India suspends train services with Bangladesh „„Dhaka's Indira Gandhi cultural centre attacked smashing it with hammers in a lasting image underscoring the fickleness of history -- Army chief General Waqaruz-Zaman announced that the 76-year-old prime minister has resigned. An interim government will be taking over, he said in a televised address amid feverish speculation about where Hasina was headed. Soon, govt primary schools to get One year later, justice stuck in the slow lane JUSTICE DELAYED: THE STATUS SO FAR housekeeping, security personnel BANASTARIM THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Monday that the State government will soon formulate a policy to ensure the provision of housekeeping staff and security guards in all government primary schools across Goa. This initiative aims to enhance the safety and hygiene standards in these educational institutions. During the legislative assembly session, Sawant disclosed that the schemes under the new policy have already been submitted for financial approval. “We will formulate a scheme to provide housekeeping CM PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR LOCAL SHGS IN MIDDAY MEAL SCHEME >> See pg 2 staff and security guards to all government primary schools. The government will announce the scheme by August end,” he said. This announcement came in response to concerns raised by Mayem MLA Premendra Shet about the need for housekeeping and security personnel at the newly renovated Green school building of Shri Vithal Rakhumai Sarkari Prathamik Shala in Vithalapur, Karapur. The school, which boasts 32 rooms and 21 toilets, currently has an enrolment of 234 primary students and 70 preprimary students. CM Sawant acknowledged that there has been no provision for appointing housekeeping and security staff in government primary schools until now. “The headmaster of the school had powers to hire a local hand to do housekeeping duty in the school,” he stated. He noted that the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of the Green School had taken proactive steps by installing CCTV cameras in the renovated premises. The Chief Minister informed the House that a file proposing >Continued on P5 MERC MISHAP THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI he Mercedes Benz, speeding recklessly at Banastarim, mowed down three innocent lives and left three others critically injured. The case was swiftly transferred to the Crime Branch (CB) following accusations of bias against the Mardol police. However, this prompt action has not translated into results as one year later the nine-member team -- dismantled due to subsequent transfers -- is yet to file a chargesheet. Initially, the delay was attributed to forensic reports and after that, the election code T „„The initial delay was attributed to forensic reports and after that the election code of conduct „„Presently, the delay is attributed to “final touches” being added to investigation documents „„Sleuths likely to file chargesheet in two weeks „„Water-tight case against of conduct was the excuse. Now, sources revealed that the delay is attributed to the “final touches” being added to the investigation documents. “The chargesheet is likely in two weeks. A water-tight case against the accused persons is being prepared, hence the the accused is being prepared „„Paresh, Amit Palekar and Ganesh Lamani are delay,” the source stated. The Mercedes Benz GA07-K-7311 driven by the inebriated businessman Shripad Sinai Sawardekar aka Paresh on August 6, 2023 evening led to on-the-spot deaths and injuries. Sources further said that likely to face charges „„Crime Branch has confirmed Paresh was driving at the time of the accident, not his wife Meghna „„FLASHBACK: The Mercedes Benz, speeding recklessly at Banastarim, snuffed out three innocent lives and left three others critically injured Paresh, AAP President Amit Palekar and substitute driver Ganesh Lamani will face the charges. The CB confirmed Paresh was driving during the accident, not his wife Meghna. Evidence includes blood samples from the SUV’s airbags and analyses of call and message data. Paresh was arrested eight hours after the accident amid allegations of a police cover-up due to the couple's influential status. The case saw the transfer of Mardol Police Inspector Mohan Gaude. Palekar was also arrested for allegedly attempting to mislead the police by planting Lamani as a dummy driver. Both were released on bail the same day. Initially, the CB cited pending reports from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Pune and the State FSL in Verna as reasons for delay in completing the investigation. Sources had earlier told The Goan that the chargesheet, though ready, awaits review by >Continued on P5