log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 86 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Mumbai City FC takes on Mohun Bagan in ISL opener today Pg11 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Senior officers enjoy service extension after retirement GOVT CLAIMS ‘NO’ ELIGIBLE OFFICERS TO FILL UP POSTS THE GOAN I NETWORK page 6 Auto industry hits a bumpy road as unpredictable weather slows sales REVIEW: Hero Destini 125: A stylish upgrade for urban riders IN SHORT >> Govt rolls out NTPS for forest produce PANAJI: The State has rolled out National Transit Pass System in Goa to facilitate seamless transport of forest produce within and outside the State. “The Transit Pass/ No Objection Certificate shall be issued by a Forest Officer or a person duly authorized by him or by online National Transit Pass System electronically,” the notification stated.  >> See pg 3 Camurlim teachers granted bail PANAJI: The Children’s Court on Thursday granted conditional bail to the two private school teachers at Camurlim Sujal Gawade and Kanisha Gadekar in the assault case. They have been released on a surety of Rs 25,000 each besides compliance with other conditions. >> See pg 3 Sitaram Yechury breathes his last NEW DELHI: CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury died following a illness. He was 72. Yechury had been in a critical condition for the last few days and was on respiratory support. >> See pg 7 WEATHER >> Max: 30 C Min: 25 C Humidity: 95% TIDES Low: High: 12:51 ---07:26 17:03 PANAJI Despite a clear assurance not to encourage “service extensions”, the Pramod Sawantled government seems to be fond of retaining services of senior staffers, beyond their stipulated retirement justifying that “there are no eligible officers to fill up the posts”. Currently, as many as 13 senior officers are enjoying service extension beyond their superannuation. As per the data available from the Personnel Department, there are 13 staffers whose services are extended and the same are set to end in October, November, December and January, 2025, respectively. However, what is interesting to note is that, until now, the government or SERVICE EXTENSIONS: FACTS & FIGURES „„As per Personnel Dept data there are 13 staffers whose services are extended and the same are set to end in October, November, December and January, 2025 „„PWD accounts for maximum number of officers on service extension „„Chief Engineer Pramod Badami is currently enjoy- ing the third extended term „„Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik’s service extension is set to end on October 31 but dept says no eligible candidate available in the feeder grade for promotion GOVT’S TAKE: Services of these officers are extended in public interest and they have got vast knowledge and experience regarding important/ urgent/ time bound matters pertaining to their departments the concerned Ministry is yet to find their replacement. The Public Works Department (PWD) accounts for maximum number of four officers on service extension, including chief engineer Uttam Parsekar, who is on his second extension. As per information, the PWD has informed the government that there are no eligible officers at the lower rank to be promoted as Chief Engineer or to the post of Superintendent Engineer (Sanjay Bhakle- who is currently holding it with extension) or executive engineer (Div VIII) (Sadhana Shet- service extension). Datta Naik, Assistant engineer, whose service extension is set to end on December 31, will be replaced by his junior THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Over two years after allegations with documentary proof of financial fraud and irregularities by ex-Chief Executive Officer of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) Swayandipta Pal Chaudhari surfaced, the Anti-Corruption Branch has finally registered an offense against him. The FIR mentions that Chaudhari allegedly misappropriated government funds during his stint as MD/CEO IPSCDL from April 1, 2018 to September 30, 2020 which led to a massive loss of Rs 82.87 lakh to the State exchequer. Sources said that ACB will now seek his interrogation as a summons is soon to be served on him. As per complaints, which were also confirmed in a report by former MD IPSCDL Mamu Hage, Chaudhari siphoned off the huge sum and Ex-IPSCDL CEO withdrew excess salary, lied to Central govt: FIR  PANAJI: The FIR has accused the ex-CEO of the Smart City Mission Swayandipta Pal Chaudhari of manipulating board meeting minutes to draw excess salary and provide false reports to the Centre regarding the functioning of the IPSCDL. The complaint, filed by his successor and former North Goa Collector Mamu Hage alleged that Chaudhari incurred unauthorized expenditures for personal benefit and accessed internet banking facilities without approval. He is also charged with prematurely terminating the Altinho Green Project and appointing multiple consultants without necessity. >Continued on P5 failed to return even after his transfer amid allegations. Earlier in November 2022, Shailendra Velingkar sought recovery of Rs 31.84 lakh approx from the ex-CEO, which was paid even after his fixed term period of appointment at the IPSCDL, ended. “He fraudulently withdrew Rs 39.30 crore from various bank THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Just as the trend of extending services, assigning additional charges to government officials has increased with at least 85 civil service officers including seven IAS officers holding dual responsibility. The latest example is 2020IAS batch officer Yashaswini B, currently the Director of the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communication. She also holds the additional charge of Managing Director of Goa Information Development Corporation and more recently, Fisheries Director after the ouster of Shamila Monteiro at the backdrop of dengue and cholera outbreak at Cutbona jetty. Around 85 civil service officers hold additional responsibilities with the government SANJIT RODRIGUES, PRASAD LOLIENKAR TRANSFERRED OUT OF STATE >> See pg 3 citing ‘exigencies in work’ as the reason for this decision. Among the IAS officers, Arun Kumar Mishra (Secretary to the Government) serves as the Secretary (Environment) and holds the additional charge of Director of Census Operations/Director of Citizen Registration, Goa. Similarly, Sanjit Rodrigues, also a Secretary to the Government, is the Secretary (Civil Supplies) and holds additional responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. >Continued on P5 PANAJI: “Under Rule 5 of CCS (TS) Rules, the services of a temporary employee can be terminated by the government at any time by giving a month’s notice, or by payment of pay and allowances in lieu of notice as admissible on the date of termination. If the person is required to be relieved after giving notice but before the expiry of the period of notice, he will be paid pay and allowances for the unexpired period of notice.” sub-inspector on Banastarim bridge. Sources confirmed to The Goan that Adpaikar, often seen wearing a conspicuous gold chain, was deployed on night patrol duty from 8 pm on September 10 to 8 am on September 11. Although he completed his shift, the probationary cop failed to report back to his superiors and left >Continued on P5 2 Auction of 44 unused fishing boats at Cutbona, increasing fines for unused boats to Rs 1 lakh per month, establishing makeshift toilet blocks, and clearing structures along the jetty road are among the issues highlighted following CM Pramod Sawant’s visit to theaffected area. 3 Admission of Cholera cases from Cutbona fishing jetty in hospitals have come down in the last couple of days, but State Epidemiologist Dr Utkarsh Betodkar has warned it cannot be assumed the number of cases are coming down. >Continued on P5 >> Detailed coverage on Pg2 FESTIVE TENSION: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends 'Ganpati Poojan' at Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud's residence in New Delhi. A row erupted after several Opposition leaders and some SC lawyers reacted sharply even as BJP hit out at them calling their reactions ‘reckless’.  (See pg 7) Lodha Group’s ‘Conquer Goa’ advt stirs row, govt orders withdrawal THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Home Department has directed land developer ‘The House of Abhinandan Lodha Group’ to withdraw its controversial advertisement campaign titled “Delhi, Rulers of India, Now Conquer Goa.” The letter issued by Under Secretary Manesh Kedar to the company comes days after citizens demanded action against the advertisement. “The above statement in the advertisement is highly objectionable and obnoxious and has hurt the sentiments of Goan people. You are therefore directed to withdraw the above controversial advt and report compliance, failing which, appropriate action will be initiated against you and your agency,” the letter to the Manager in Goa stated. Remove Panaji-Mapusa hoardings in 2 weeks: HC THE GOAN I NETWORK What CCS rules say The deaths of five migrant fishing crew members have prompted government agencies to focus on Cutbona jetty. Following the cholera outbreak, efforts are underway to improve sanitation, hygiene, and address illegal activities at the jetty. accounts of IPSCDL and Amrut Mission as an authorized signatory despite his appointment term ended. A First Information Report under appropriate sections should be registered against him and he should be arrested,” Velingkar had said in his letter to the Suspended police caught in unauthorised absence row T PANAJI Barely a year into his induction in the ‘disciplined force,’ Rajat Adpaikar -- now under suspension -- is caught in a controversy of his own making. Riding high on his bullet bike without a helmet, Adpaikar was not just flouting basic traffic rules but was also allegedly flaunting his disregard for duty. The buckle number 9009 constable had left his workplace – Mormugao police station -- without permission from his superiors on the day when he had a bizarre clash with an assistant traffic >Continued on P5 7 IAS officers among 85 civil service officers hold additional charges FIR against ex-Smart City CUTBONA CRISIS CEO for embezzling `  2L 1 8 ACB to summon him for investigation AFTER HELMETLESS JOYRIDE & ASSAULT OF COP… THE GOAN I NETWORK Ramesh Madkaikar. In PWD, the extension period of seven engineers ended in July-August and the same are yet to be filled. The extension of services include that of executive engineers and superintendent engineers. While service extension of three engineers, attached to Water Resources Department, ended last month, the Chief Engineer Pramod Badami is currently enjoying the third extended term and the same is due to lapse on November 30. However, the department in its report has said that there are no eligible officers available for promotion as per Recruitment Rules, as on date. The Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik’s service extension is set to end on October 31 and Babus juggle with dual roles amid rise in workload PANAJI he Bombay High Court at Goa has directed authorities to remove illegal hoardings along National Highway 66 from Panaji to Mapusa and National Highway 4A from Merces Circle to the State border at Anmod/Mollem within two weeks. In its order to a suo motu writ petition dated September 4, the Division Bench of Justice M S Karnik and Valmiki Menezes directed one of the respondents to remove all hoardings on electricity poles along NH 66 from Merces Circle to Bambolim Cross and NH 4A from Merces Circle Old Goa via Kadamba Plateau. The respondent had given an undertaking to remove these hoardings within three weeks. HIGHWAY ACTION: WHAT HC SAID „„In the event these hoardings on both the National Highway 66 and the National Highway 4A, are not removed, MORTH shall have these hoardings immediately removed „„MORTH will present estimated cost for the removal of these hoardings to the court „„The Contractor is put on notice to deposit the estimated cost towards removal of these hoardings before this Court within a period of two weeks of the presentation of the estimate „„Director of Panchayats submitted Circular instructing all BDOs and Panchayats to enforce HC’s previous orders regarding illegal hoardings During the hearing on Thursday, Amicus Curiae and Senior Advocate Saresh Lotlikar submitted to the Bench similar hoardings along NH 66 from Panaji to Mapusa, which are within the line of sight. The respondent confirmed these hoardings were placed by its contractor and assured the Court to remove them within two weeks from the entire stretch of NH 66 from Panaji to the State border. The hoardings on NH 4A from Merces Circle to the State border at Anmod/Mollem will also be removed within the same timeframe. Failure to do so, the Court has directed the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to remove the hoardings and present the estimated cost, which will have to be borne by the concerned contractor. “In the event that these hoardings on both the National Highway 66 and the National Highway 4A, are not removed by the Respondent within the stipulated period, the MORTH shall have these hoardings immediately removed and present to this Court the estimated cost for the removal of these hoardings. The Contractor is put to notice to deposit the estimated cost towards removal of these hoardings before this Court within a period of two weeks of the presentation of the estimate,” the Bench stated. Further, the Director of Panchayats submitted a Circular dated September 4 instructing all the Block Development Officers and Panchayats to enforce HC’s previous orders regarding illegal hoardings and not permit any in their respective jurisdictions. Regarding other hoardings visible along NH, Adv Pravin Faldessai for MORTH assured that concerned officers have been instructed to remove these hoardings. A compliance report will be filed in Court within two weeks.