log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY AUGUST 14, 2024 GOA Happy Happy Happy Discover the freedom to Discover the freedom to grow your wealth! Happy Independence MAHABANK MAHABAN Happy K Independence Day Day Independence Day Fixed Fixed Day Deposits Deposits grow your wealth! Discover the freedom to grow the wealth! Discoveryourfreedom to Discover the freedom to grow your wealth! grow your wealth! M A the freedom to Discover H A B A N K EA R N growAyour IANTK R EST & IM H A B AN KE G H R EA R N HM AHEA B I N T E R EST & H I GH ER wealth! N EE N J OY F II NA N C I A L F R E E D O M N J OY F N A N C I REEDOM MAHABANK Fixed Fixed Deposits Fixed Deposits Fixed Deposits Deposits EA R E RR EA R N H I H E R II 7.10% OYHI IGAHN C AN FERR EESTMM % 7.10%OYNFFINGAN C IIANLTTFEEESTD& & % 7.15 EN N L E D O7.15 ENJ J E O 2 0.50% 777 Days 0.50% 0.50% 7.25% % 777 Days 777 Days E X T R A FO R S E N I O R C I T I Z E N S E X T R A FO R S E N I O R C I T I Z E N S 0.50% EXTRA FOR SENIOR CITIZENS >> pg 6 Mind App Consultancy: A gateway to personal & professional transformation IN SHORT >> BJP to summon Lobo over criticism PANAJI: MLA Michael Lobo’s public criticism over the withdrawal of bills in the legislative assembly has not gone well with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has decided to summon him. BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade expressed displeasure over Lobo’s decision to air his grievances publicly rather than addressing them internally.   >> See pg 3 Goa Tourism signs lease deed with IHCL PANAJI: Tourism department has signed a supplemental lease deed with Indian Hotels’ Company Limited, offering 3 lakh sq mts of land at Aguada for the development of the resort of international standards.  >> See pg 5 Govt mulls new dairy plant with Central aid PANAJI: A new plant of Goa Dairy with capacity to cater to its needs for the next 50 years will be set up with the help of Centre, CM Pramod Sawant said. Goa Dairy has registered profit for the first time after the government appointed an administrator to oversee its operations, claimed Sawant. Two laterite stone quarries raided PANAJI: Two laterite stone quarries operating from within Latambarcem Industrial Estate, Bicholim were raided by Mines Department officials. WEATHER >> Max: 31.8 C Min: 26 C Humidity: 87% TIDES Low: High: Rane gives DHS go ahead to operate Tuem hospital as sub-district facility 3 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Home remedies for dry skin around eyes State’s sewerage system lags, just 18% coverage OVER 70 PER CENT SEWAGE REMAINS UNTREATED 10.52 ---06.43 16.07 * T&C Apply * T&C Apply 666 Days 666 Days E X T R A FO R S E N I O R C I T I Z E N S 0.50% E X A FO R S N I O O I Z I T I 0.50% E X T RT R A FOR S EE N IR CRT ICE N S Z E N S * T&C Apply 400 Days 400 Days 7.15% 7.15% * T&C Apply 777 Days 777 Days 7.25% 777 Days 7.25% * T&C Apply 400 Days E N J OY F I N A N C I A% F R E E D O M 7.25 L 666 Days 7.25% 666 Days 400 Days 7.10% 7.10% GOA Instagram.com/thegoanonline * T&C Apply 400 Days 666 Days 00 Days 666 Days EARN HIGHER INTEREST & 7.10% EA R N FINANCIAL FREEDOM EST % ENJOY H I G H E R I N T E R7.15& % 7.10% 7.15 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 58 School kids wave ‘tirangas’ in celebration of I-Day, but freedom from road risk a far cry Happy Independence Independence Day Day Facebook.com/thegoan SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI The Goa government seems to have missed out as far as sewerage infrastructure development is concerned as it is evident from the fact that the State’s sewerage coverage is merely 18 per cent, much below the national average of 28 per cent. Moreover, more than 70 per cent of the total sewage generated by the State remains untreated, thus exposing possible extent of pollution due to direct discharge of raw sewage. According to the Public Works Department (PWD), the present sewer coverage is about 18 per cent in Goa, against the national average of 28 per cent. State’s progress on sewerage coverage is moving at snail pace- as in 2022, the coverage stood at 16 per cent. “Three major cities of Panaji, Vasco and Margao are already connected with the sewer network, with a total installed capacity of 93.45 million litres per day (MLD),” SEWERAGE: FACTS & FIGURES „„PWD data shows present sewer coverage is about 18 per cent in Goa, against the national average of 28 per cent „„State’s progress on sewerage coverage is moving at snail pace as in 2022, the coverage stood at 16% „„Panaji, Vasco, Margao already connected with the sewer network, with a total installed capacity of 93.45 MLD „„Despite over 200 MLD of waste generated, only 45 MLD is received at STP for treatment the department said. Interestingly, despite over 200 MLD of waste generated by the State, only 45 MLD is received at STP for treatment. The works of sewer lines are ongoing in the North coastal belt, Mapusa, Porvorim, Pon- da and Navelim. “With rapid rise in population, thrust of urbanisation and growth of tourism industry, treatment of sewage and disposal of waste water to avoid environmental degradation has become a vital task,” Security fears as ‘outsiders’ exploit fake Aadhaar cards OFFICIALS FACE UPHILL TASK AS SEVERAL CASES COME TO LIGHT DURING TENANT VERIFICATION DRIVES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In what could have serious implications for Goa’s security, the authorities have scant records of quite a few non-Indians residing in the State with fake documents. The escape of three Bangladeshi convicts Mohammad Havlader, Mohammad Hilal and Mohammad Marida, amidst escalating tensions in their homeland, has triggered concerns about the overall security, especially as they are still at large. A senior IPS officer, speaking to The Goan revealed that tenant verification drives have often uncovered numerous cases where persons resembling Indian nationals but actually from neighbouring countries were found holding Aadhaar cards with Indian addresses. Even when police suspect the authenticity of these identities, they face an uphill battle. “The cross-verification efforts are foiled because the Unique Identification Authority of India refuses to share de- the department said in the performance budget released. State has around eleven sewage treatment plants (STPs), nine are currently operational as per the norms laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). These are in Bambolim, Mormugao, Navelim, Ponda, Cortalim, Sanquelim, Porvorim and Santa Cruz. PWD officials stated that treated sewage is released in water bodies like sea, river, nullahs along with its uses for gardening and social forestry. An officer said that it is important that the State has in place a well planned and developed sewerage scheme. “Despite introducing various schemes, people are still hesitant or not interested at all in taking sewerage connections. This has become a major issue,” the official said. The department is contemplating adopting technologies like Sequential Batch Reactor, Membrane Bio- Rector, Natural Treatment System, Vacuum Sewerage System for laying sewer lines. 14 Ponting backs Australia to hand India 3-1 defeat in Border-Gawaskar trophy Goan hockey players still await Nat Games dues TA, DA, other allowances not yet paid ARMSTRONG VAZ THE GOAN I MARGAO Nine months after the curtains came down on the National Games 2023, Goan hockey players -- part of men’s and women’s team -- have still not been paid their dues. Both the teams, men and women, took part in the daycamp at Fatorda-Margao followed by a residential camp in Duler-Mapusa and thus were entitled to receive their TA, DA and other allowances. “As of now the boys and girls only received Rs 3500 of match fees. Camp and tournament allowances are yet to be sanctioned. Around Rs 20,000 to Rs 21,000 are yet to be paid,” said one of the players, who was part of the National Games, right from the selection process held on July 29 till the final game in November in Peddem-Mapusa. Fed up with the lack of response from officials, the Goan players last week approached SAG to inquire about their pending dues. The SAG officials have asked players to give a joint letter mentioning all details and also furnish their bank MONEY MATTERS „„Nine months after National Games 2023, Goan hockey players have yet to receive their full payments „„Both teams (men & women) participated in a day-camp at Fatorda-Margao and a residential camp in Duler-Mapusa, entitling them to TA, DA and other benefits „„The players have only received a partial payment of Rs 3500 as match fees, with additional allowances still unpaid accounts so that money can be transferred to their personal accounts. Incidentally, all Goa-based players, both men and women, are part of a WhatsApp that is following up on their dues. Secretary Farrel Furtado e Gracias is also part of the group along with Goa-based coaches who were part of National Games. However, a message posted on the group says, “this is to inform you that the boys had gone to SAG regarding allowance and people there have asked them to get a letter saying that the allowance should be given to us directly rather than giving it to the Associa- tion”. “You all just need to know that we too are a part of this. If tomorrow someone asks whether we have given any letter to the SAG then just be very sure about your answer,” the message adds. Like other sports, the Goan hockey team had imported a few players for both the men’s and women’s team. Goa had also brought in an outstation coach in the form of Verghese Kallikkadan John from Bangalore for the men’s team. The host lost all their matches in both the men’s and women’s section and finished >Continued on P5 Three more iron ore blocks up for grabs, govt invites bids THE GOAN I NETWORK „„Tenant verification drives reveal cases where individuals from neighboring countries hold Aadhaar cards with Indian addresses resembling Indian nationals „„UIDAI does not share details for investigative purposes, complicating efforts to verify authenticity of these identities „„Many tenants do not comply with verification „„During random checks, some individuals who appear to be from States like Bengal or Tamil Nadu are actually foreign nationals, but they present Aadhaar cards with Indian addresses „„Although Aadhaar cards do not confirm citizenship, their presence with an Indian address leads to an assumption that these individuals are Indian tails even if it is sought for the purpose of investigation,” the officer explained. “Many tenants don’t comply with the verification process. During random checks, some of them, who appear to be from States like Bengal or Tamil Nadu, are in fact foreign nationals. Yet, they show Aadhaar cards with Indian addresses, claiming they have arrived in Goa only a few days back. We have no choice but to take their word for it,” the officer added.  Although an Aadhaar card does not confirm citizenship, its presence coupled with an Indian address, often leads authorities to assume these individuals are Indian. “There’s no immediate way to verify on the spot whether these documents are genuine or fraudulently obtained,” he said. PANAJI After successfully e-auctioning nine mineral blocks since 2022, the Goa Government on Monday invited bids for three more iron ore blocks, located in North and South Goa.  These mineral blocks include Onda (Block X) in North and Curpem-Sulcorna (Block XI) and Codli iron ore block (Block XII) in South. The last date for submission of bids is October 4. Since December 2022, till date, State has e-auctioned nine mineral blocks of which only oneowned by Vedanta Limited in Bicholim has commenced operations.  As per the tender document, the Codli mineral block at Dharbandora, earlier owned by M/s Vedanta Limited and M/s Sociedade Timblo Irmaos Limited, is the largest mineral block with a total area of 377.08 hectares. A total of 33.98 ha of area is mineralised while 343.10 ha is a non-mineralised. The mine has got around 48.49 million metric tons of ore reserve and another 2.68 million metric tons of dump.  >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 TESTING TIME FOR MEN IN UNIFORM 11 SPORTS PATRIOTIC FERVOUR: The Har Ghar Tiranga bike rally winds its way along the streets of Panaji on Tuesday. The rally was organised as part of the Independence Day celebrations.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Moves afoot to raise capacity of proposed Bainguinim plant THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The tendering process for the long-pending solid-waste management plant at Bainguinim which faces opposition from local MLA, Rajesh Phaldesai, is expected to be hastened but may also see its technical parameters tweaked to increase capacity. The plant will be tendered by the Goa Waste Management Corporation on behalf of the Corporation of the City of Panaji but an official said the government may enhance its capacity from the earlier 250 tonnes per day so that waste from contiguous areas of Tiswadi can be taken care. This will be the second time that the plant is being ten- dered after an earlier attempt in 2022 had to be aborted as no qualified bidders had submitted any bids. Earlier this year, the Corporation had floated the tender inviting pre-qualification technical bids and three first had been found to be qualified. That process will not be >Continued on P5 Fresh fish makes comeback after Room rates zoom as Goa braces for I-Day weekend two-month ban, but at a price Goa competitive globally: Agoda ASHLEY DO ROSARIO THE GOAN I PANAJI W CLINTON D’SOUZA THE GOAN I PANAJI Following the conclusion of the annual two-month fishing ban, fresh fish has made a robust return to Goan markets. Despite the increased availability of fish, prices have risen, driven by high demand. This price surge comes at a time when many Hindus in Goa are observing the holy month of Shravan, during which they typically avoid non-vegetarian food, including fish, in preparation for the upcoming Ganesh festival. Alba Fernandes, a fish vendor at the Panjim market, Customers scout for their favourite fish at the Panaji market on Tuesday. acknowledged the price increase, attributing it to the weather conditions and the monsoon, which typically >Continued on P5 ith travellers to Goa expected to soar later this week with just a day (Friday) separating the Independence day holiday from the Saturday-Sunday weekend, reports suggest the hospitality industry is bracing up to cash-in on the rush, jacking up room rates by a cool 20-30 per cent. Stories abound online that hotel rates here have zoomed by up to 30 per cent, citing real booking data from travel sites. Comparatively, analysis of bookings on the same sites show that the spike in hotel room rates in other destinations for the upcoming I-Day and Raksha Bhandan weekend is a much lower 15 per cent. Independence Day is on Thursday and Raksha-Bandhan on Monday next. Travellers are expected to take the day off on Friday to make it a long five-day ‘staycation’ in Goa, said a hospitality professional working at a starred property in North Goa. “It’s but natural that prices PANAJI: Internationally, Goa finds a place in the list of most affordable destinations prepared by online hotel booking giant Agoda which used June 15 to July 7 real booking data to prepare it. In Agoda’s list, Goa sits in the company of destinations like Hat Yai in Thailand at the top for offering the most competitive room rates. Other destinations in this Agoda list with a Rs 5,000 average room tariff are Yogyakarta in Indonesia, Kuching in Malaysia, Siargao Island in the Philippines, Dalat in Vietnam, Narita in Japan, Taichung in Taiwan and Busan in South Korea. will shoot up temporarily. It’s a demand-supply argument,” the hotel executive who did not want to be identified said. As per data mined from popular online booking sites like Make My Trip, Yatra.com and Sky Scanner, an average hotel here costs upto Rs 3,000 per night. On Independence Day weekend however, rooms are being quoted at Rs 3,5004,000. The same I-Day weekend room tariff spike in Bengaluru and Mumbai, however, is just about Rs 400 as compared to the upwards of Rs 1,000 spike in Goa. ONLINE SEARCHES FOR HOMESTAYS BOOM: Homestay giant Airbnb, meanwhile has reported a whopping increase in searches for its stays compared to the same period last year -- an over 300% rise. Goa tops the list in these searches among domestic destinations, it said. >Continued on P5