log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) Instagram.com/thegoanonline PG18 SATURDAY AUGUST 17, 2024 18 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 60 Entertainment hub plan in Panaji gets all clear GCZMA CITES PROVISIONS OF CRZ NOTIFICATION THE GOAN I NETWORK page 7 Goans across globe unite at World Goa Day Viva Goa Festival celebrates WGD, Indo-Luso cultures in Canada IN SHORT >> 427 Selaulim Evacuees to get Class I status SANGUEM: As many as 427 Selaulim evacuees who have been awaiting their Class I status of agricultural and housing plots will finally get their issue resolved in the next few days. WRD has almost completed the procedural formalities to grant the Class I status to those who were allotted plots at the time of construction of Selaulim Dam. >> See pg 3 MMC nets `  .03 cr 1 from Saptah fair VASCO: The Mormugao Municipal Council has created a record of sorts and earned a staggering revenue of Rs 1.03 crore from the seven-day Saptah Fair. MMC Chairperson Girish Borker said it was for the first time that MMC had managed to earn highest revenue from the Saptah Fair.  >> See pg 3 Fiscal aid to sugar factory extended PANAJI: The State government has extended the Scheme “Financial assistance to Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd” for period up to September 30, 2024. The factory had stopped production since 2019. Russian held with `  .6 lakh worth ganja 1 PANAJI: A 42-year-old Russian national was held with drugs worth Rs 1.6 lakh at Marathawada, Mandrem by ANC Goa sleuths. PANAJI Despite the Expert Members raising a red flag to the Tourism department’s proposed Entertainment Hub at prime waterfront area Panaji Park-Mandovi Riviera- in the capital city, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has approved the project. The Expert Members, following a site inspection in March, had recommended that such “commercial projects, involving entertainment activities, cannot be allowed in the CRZ II area”. However, the GCZMA during its meeting held in July, approved the project stating that “as per the provisions of the CRZ notification, any structure towards the landward side of an existing authorised structure existing TURNAROUND? WHAT GCZMA HAD SAID „„GCZMA’s expert members had recommended that “the project being a commercial one, involving entertainment activities, does not require waterfront or foreshore facilities and hence this project is not allowed in a CRZ II area” „„Members had also observed that at the prior to 1991 is allowed and the authorised structure existing therein is that of the Directorate of Fisheries”. The Goan in its edition on June 21 had pointed out the various concerns raised by the proposed site there exist numerous permanent structures and that the legalities of these structures need to be verified „„GCZMA sought necessary documents like demolition plan for existing structures, NOC/Permissions with regards to the existing structures and other related documents Expert Members for the proposed project. The Goa Tourism Department has proposed a Entertainment Hub project on public private partnership model (PPP) at an area of T >Continued on PG8 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Doctors and medical students from Goa held a sit-in protest on Friday in the forecourt of the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim and will join a nation-wide 24-hour strike from outpatient department (OPD) services on Saturday to denounce the rape and murder of the doctor in the government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata last week. KOLKATA INCIDENT OPD services both at the GMC and other government facilities besides private hospitals could be disrupted on Saturday as over 1,000 doctors from Goa are expected to stay away as part of the nation-wide strike call given by the Indian Medical Association. According to IMA (Goa Branch) president Dr Sandesh Chodankar OPD services in private and government medical facilities will be shut down GMC students and doctors hold a sit-in protest at GMC on Friday. Narayan Pissurlenkar NATIONWIDE PROTESTS INTENSIFY; MEDICS SEEK JUSTICE FOR VICTIM, LAW TO PROTECT HEALTH WORKERS >> See pg 8 for 24 hours from 6 am on Saturday. Chodankar said the Goa unit of the association has urged all its members to abide by the directives of the national body to show unity and solidarity with the Kolkata horror victim. “It is not only about an incident of violence against a doctor, but a brutal attack on a woman on duty at a workplace which, if extrapolated in other sectors, demands a nationwide shutdown across all professions,” Dr Chodankar said. GMC Dean, Dr Shivanand Bandekar, meanwhile, said that emergency services will continue to operate without any disruption even as he expressed solidarity with the >Continued on PG8 ERRANT COPS TRANSFERRED, NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In the disciplined force that boasts zero tolerance to crimes of any sort, a disturbing case of sexual harassment has surfaced – another incident that could further embarrass the department. A recruit at the Police Training School (PTS), Valpoi has alleged that her superiors -two head constables including an instructor -- have been harassing and threatening her. Despite the gravity of the accusations, the department remained conspicuously silent; but as The Goan began its inquiry into the incidents, superiors swiftly moved to transfer the errant hawaldars, albeit without disciplinary action. Internal complaints, accessed by The Goan, reveal a troubling pattern of harassment and favouritism within the PTS revealing how the duo, one of whom remained TESTING TIME FOR MEN IN UNIFORM „„The first complaint dated August 6 accuses an ‘unauthorized outdoor instructor,’ Anil, of allegedly harassing a female recruit „„An extract from the complaint reads, “Anil has been harassing/molesting the lady recruit police constable through phone by sending/speaking abusive language, through messages, staring at her with wrong intentions… „„Another head constable, Sudan, also accused of indirectly threatening the recruit „„In a separate complaint dated August 12, Sudan “reported for duty at PTS Valpoi and was seen indirectly threatening the recruit over her previous complaint against Anil” at his position for over a decade, have been harassing the new lady recruit constable. The first complaint dated August 6 accused an ‘unauthorized outdoor instructor,’ Anil, of allegedly harassing the female recruit through abusive phone calls, inappropriate messages and offensive comments. “The unauthorized outdoor instructor Anil has been harassing/molesting the lady re- cruit police constable through phone by sending/speaking abusive language, through messages, staring at her with wrong intentions, passing vulgar/offensive comments… the victim has repeatedly requested him not to bother her but Anil continued doing the same,” reads an extract of the complaint, submitted to higher-ups on behalf of staff >Continued on PG8 Sawant may go in for changes before Ganesh Chaturthi PANAJI here's never a dull moment in Goa's politics. Days after the marathon 18-day monsoon session of the Goa legislative assembly ended, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is bracing up to effect a Cabinet reshuffle, the second in the current term. While he has not said anything on record about rejigging his team, Sawant has been talking with his close aides, including BJP State president and Rajya Sabha MP, Sadanand Shet Tanavade, about the exercise. The chief minister has also discussed the Cabinet reshuffle with the BJP central leaders 5500 square meters. The area, which was initially leased out to a private firm, was sealed and taken over in 2022, after its 27-year long lease period ended. The department has now proposed a commercial project in the heart of the city. In a fresh agreement signed on January 19, 2024, the department has already leased out the property to Riverfront Hospitality Pvt Ltd. The GCZMA’s Expert Members had recommended that “the project being a commercial one, involving entertainment activities, does not require waterfront or foreshore facilities and hence this project is not allowed in a CRZ II area”. The members also observed that at the proposed site there exist numerous permanent structures and that the Doctors to strike work today, State OPD services to be hit Sexual harassment charges hit Police Training School Cabinet rejig buzz gains momentum again THE GOAN I NETWORK We did not surrender, don’t know what future holds for me: Vinesh RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 WINDS OF CHANGE „„At least three ministers are expected to be replaced „„It is certain that Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar will be inducted into the Cabinet „„Digambar Kamat too may find place „„Mormugao MLA, Sankalp Amonkar also not holding any position at present after he refused to take charge as Bal Bhavan Chairperson „„Sawant also likely to effect major changes in portfolios allocated to his ministers during his recent visit to the national capital. "At least three ministers are expected to be replaced. There is no clarity who these three will be but it is certain that Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar will be inducted," a top BJP source told The Goan. Another name doing the rounds is that of former chief minister Digambar Kamat, who was among the eight Congress MLAs who switched over to the BJP, less than six months after the 2022 elections. Kamat is among those eight turncoats who has not been accommodated in the government like Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo. Environment Minister, Aleixo Sequeira, who was inducted into the Cabinet last year is only defector to make the cut. Mormugao MLA, Sankalp Amonkar, is also not holding any position after he refused to take charge of the position of Bal Bhavan Chairperson. Sawant may go in for the changes very soon and definitely before the Ganesh Chaturthi festival slated to begin on September 7. The move comes at a time when reports have emerged of serious discord >Continued on PG8 Release of Documentary film on the life of Sri Siddharoodha Mahaswamiji, a beacon of hope, compassion, and spiritual guidance. Our Partners