log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2024 CYBER TECH Protecting Personal info in the Digital >> See PG 7 Age Pomburpa spring: Once a thriving tourist spot now left in ruins IN SHORT >> Govt plans Bill for greater powers to CCP, municipalities PANAJI: Minister for Urban Development Vishwajit Rane during an event in Panaji on Wednesday announced the government plans to introduce a bill in the upcoming assembly session to grant more power to CCP and municipalities enabling them to function independently.   >> See pg 3 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO.106 SANITATION MANAGEMENT „„Officials directed to ensure complete sewer connections in areas with existing infrastructure „„Emphasis on speeding up sewerage connectivity in underutilised areas Works Department (PWD), Sewerage & Infrastructural Development Corporation of Goa Ltd (SIDCGL) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) were in attendance. The meeting was convened to review the status of ongoing sewerage schemes and assess the progress of projects aimed at expanding the State’s sewer network. The Chief Minister empha- „„Exploring vacuum sewerage technology for low-lying and challenging areas „„Exploring PPP for investment and efficiency in sewerage projects sised the need to accelerate the pace of sewerage connectivity, particularly in areas where the necessary infrastructure is already in place but remains underutilised. He stressed the importance of efficiency in utilising the State’s resources and called for swift action to ensure that all households and establishments in these regions are connected to the sewerage grid. WELCOME TO GOA: A group of tourists from Russia on their arrival at the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, on Wednesday morning. Tourism season takes off with arrival of two Russian charters 349 PASSENGERS ARRIVE IN 2 FLIGHTS AT MOPA THE GOAN I NETWORK TIDES PERNEM Goa’s tourism season officially kicked off with the arrival of two charter flights from Russia at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, on Wednesday morning. Low: 04:48 High: 10:51 17:08 11:34 PANAJI Following directions from the High Court, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) will approach the State government with a proposal to conduct road carrying capacity of the iron ore transportation routes across the State. During its recent Board meeting, GSPCB resolved to write to the government seeking permission to a scientific institution for conducting the road carrying capacity of each village route in the mining belt. The Board also intends to install air monitoring equipment along the routes to track the pollution level at the time of ore transportation. The Board has already moved a proposal to the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) for installation of automatic real time ambient air quality monitoring instruments across nine locations – Bicholim, Mayem, Assonora, Sanquelim, Honda, Amona, Velguem THE HC DIRECTIVES „„The GSPCB and DMG to evaluate the carrying capacity of each village route depending on its length „„The report must also compile information regarding the number of houses, small settlements, schools, institutions and population that persist along these routes particularly for low-lying areas where traditional sewerage systems may not be as effective. Vacuum sewerage technology is known for its ability to operate efficiently in areas with challenging geographical conditions and the government believes it could offer a sustainable solution for several regions in Goa. Another significant development discussed during the meeting was the potential implementation of new sewerage projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Sawant revealed that the State is exploring opportunities to collaborate with private entities to upgrade its sewerage infrastructure. Parents, Balli locals march to police station seeking justice The first Aeroflot flight arrived from Moscow with 210 passengers, followed by a second flight from Yekaterinburg carrying 139 passengers, scheduled for 9 am. The chartered tourists were given a warm welcome with folk dances depicting Indian culture presented at the airport. While welcoming the tourists, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said the State government has been providing all kinds of facilities >Continued on P5 PANAJI Amidst the escalating tension between two religious groups over Julus controversy in Canacona, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has advised people to refrain from unnecessarily dragging religious matters to police stations that could trigger communal tension. Speaking on the sidelines of a State-event to observe Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, Sawant also asked people to exercise restraint. “I have been constantly saying that religion should not be unnecessarily taken to the police station that can create communal tension,” he said. Earlier, the Chief Minister had said that permissions are granted or rejected for public processions, functions or events based on the prevailing situation and their impact on law and order. “Be it Julus or any other event, DGP and PIs take the right decision based on the situation and as per law,” he had said. St Estevam accident: 13-hr delay in notifying family raises questions in missing Gujarati youth’s case BASHUDEV & THE MISSING LINK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI s the search for missing youth Bashudev Bhandari continues without success, concerns are growing over the handling of the investigation, particularly the 13-hour delay in informing his family about the accident. Bhandari’s family, from Gujarat, however remains hopeful that the police will crack the case. Speaking to The Goan on Wednesday, his father, Narayan Bhandari stated that they have provided the name of a suspect to the police while indicating in the current circumstances they have no option but to have faith in the police. THE GOAN I NETWORK One of the key takeaways from the meeting was Sawant’s directive to ensure the mandatory GPS tagging of sewage tankers. This is part of a broader monitoring initiative aimed at improving the management of sewage tankers, enhancing accountability and preventing illegal dumping. The GPS system will track the movement of these tankers, ensuring they dispose of sewage at designated treatment facilities. In addition to reviewing ongoing projects, the government is exploring innovative technologies to address the unique challenges posed by Goa’s topography. Sawant mentioned that the government is considering adopting advanced methods such as vacuum technology, THE GOAN I NETWORK WEATHER >> Max: 29 C Min: 27 C Humidity: 80% GSPCB proposes road capacity study for ore transport routes Don’t drag religion to police stations, CM advises public MAPUSA In a significant move to upgrade the State’s sewerage infrastructure, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed relevant agencies and officials to develop a comprehensive action plan aimed at ensuring 100 per cent sewerage connections in areas where facilities have already been established. Sawant also asked officials to complete the mandatory GPS tagging of sewage tankers with sewerage facilities. The directive is part of the government’s broader effort to improve sanitation and waste management services across the State. During a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, officials from the Public MAPUSA: A sense of fear and unease has gripped the village of Tivim after a sudden leopard attack was captured on CCTV near a residential house in Cansa, just 300 metres from the site of the proposed private university.  >> See pg 3 GAZA: Eight Israeli soldiers have been killed in combat operations in Lebanon, the Israeli military said Wednesday, marking the first losses since its forces crossed the border to target Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed that three Israeli Merkava tanks were destroyed during Wednesday’s combat. >> See pg 8 BUMRAH REGAINS TOP SPOT IN ICC TEST BOWLING RANKINGS>P13 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 CM ORDERS MANDATORY GPS TAGGING OF SEWAGE TANKERS; VACUUM SEWERAGE TECH FOR CHALLENGING AREAS Leopard attack in Tivim sparks fear 8 Israeli soldiers killed in clashes Instagram.com/thegoanonline Govt pushes for 100% sewerage connections, infra upgradation THE GOAN I NETWORK >> See PG 3 Facebook.com/thegoan „„Bashudev Bhandari remains missing after an car accident on August 31 „„Bashudev’s family suspects girlfriend’s involvement, citing CCTV footage A “We have given the suspect’s name to the police. If Bashudev is not in the water, where is he? Who knows more about his whereabouts? We still hope that the police will find Bashudev. They are making efforts,” Narayan said, replying to a query whether the family would insist on thorough interrogation of the 22-year-old girlfriend. He was last seen with his girlfriend on August 31 night and went missing after their rental car plunged into the St Estevam river. Initially suspected to be a case of road rage, the girl told police she swam to safety and claimed that Bashudev also escaped. Two suspects from Hubli „„Bashudev was last seen with his girlfriend before their car plunged into the St Estevam river „„Family is staying in Goa, trusting police to resolve the case questioned thereafter also failed to give the police any lead. Bashudev’s family has raised suspicions about the girl – a student of management in Sanquelim – referring to CCTV footage showing Bashudev, the girl and two others allegedly drinking alcohol at a restaurant before the latenight outing. Narayan revealed about the police’s delayed communication, stating that his family was informed of the incident 13 hours after it occurred. “The police possibly got our number from one of his friends, who left Goa on the night of August 31,” he said. When asked about the possibility of approaching higher authorities, Narayan revealed that they already met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who expressed concern over the delay in search efforts. The father, claiming to stay back in Goa till “justice is met” added the family is still placing its trust in the police investigation. >Continued on P5 and Pale covering the areas, where the mineral blocks are auctioned. The transportation of e-auction ore is currently underway, while the fresh ore extraction is yet to commence. Of the total nine mineral blocks auctioned by the State, the mineral block at Bicholim has commenced its operation. The Bombay High Court at Goa in an order issued in July, >Continued on P5 DEMAND SUSPENSION OF HEADMISTRESS, TEACHER THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO Tension rent the air at the Cuncolim police station on Wednesday after the parents and residents of Balli marched to the police station to demand action in connection with the assault on a girl child by fellow students at a Cuncolim-based school. STUDENT ASSAULT CASE The protesters demanded the suspension of the headmistress and the class teacher for what they called as sheer neglect and negligence on their part in attending to the victim girl after the assault. They also demanded the suspension of the Lady PSI, attached to the Cuncolim police station for not investigating the case seriously. Given that the Cuncolim police took seven long days to register a Lady PSI transferred; women police station to probe case MARGAO: The Goa police on late Wednesday transferred Cuncolim Lady Police Sub Inspector Kavitha Rawat in connection with the school girl assault case. In another development, investigation in the child assault case has been transferred to the women police station. This decision was taken on late Wednesday after South Goa District Superintendent of Police Sunita Sawant rushed to the Cuncolim police station. It was only after the SP, South took these decisions that the protesters left the Cuncolim police station. >Continued on P5 FIR against the class teacher under the provision of the Goa Children’s Act, the protesters demanded the transfer of the case to the Crime Branch for investigations. The protesters descended on the NH66, disrupting traffic on the main road in front of the police station before Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Margao DySP Santosh Desai reached the spot and convinced them to disburse from the road. When the protesters descended at the Cuncolim police station on Wednesday evening, PI Diogo Gracias told them that the police have registered a FIR against the class teacher Lazima Fernandes >Continued on P5