log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY OCTOBER 18, 2024 GOA @thegoanonline Ford shifts gears: Recharging Chennai plant for a global drive? REVIEW: Dacia Bigster gears up for India as the new Renault Duster IN SHORT >> SC upholds validity of Sec 6A of Citizenship Act NEW DELHI: In a significant judgement, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act which grants Indian citizenship to immigrants from Bangladesh who entered Assam before March 25, 1971.  >> See pg 8 Civil Services Board to decide on IPS postings PANAJI: More than a decade after the Supreme Court (SC) issued directions to all States; the Goa Government has constituted an independent Civil Services Board (CSB) to decide on the postings of the IPS officers.  >> See pg 3 New Exposition website launched PANAJI: A dedicated web portal for this year's decennial 'Exposition' of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier was launched on Thursday. The user-friendly portal will offer pilgrims comprehensive details about the Exposition, including about facilities for visiting pilgrims like accommodation, transport and other amenities.  >> See pg 3 60 days advance railway reservation BELAGAVI: The Ministry of Railways has announced a significant update regarding the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for train bookings. Effective from November 1, this year the time limit for advance reservations will be reduced from 120 days to 60 days.  >> See pg 7 CJI names Justice Khanna as successor NEW DELHI: CJI D Y Chandrachud has set in motion the process of appointment of his successor after he recommended the name of Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the senior-most judge after the outgoing CJI, to the Centre.  >> See pg 8 WEATHER >> Max: 28 C Min: 25 C Humidity: 85% TIDES Low: High: 05:21 11:20 17:40 --- The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 121 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 14 2 8 land acquisition Taxi operators under GST Centre capsnew Borim bridge process for radar, 263 get notices GCZMA probes illegal road, sandbags in Cavelossim’s no development zone page 6 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA NEWS Gov clears ordinance tweaking law on clinical establishments Shared info on Bishnoi gang, no action from Canada: MEA PANAJI Barely three months after Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho criticised tourist taxi operators for evading taxes and staying out of the GST system, the government has moved to action. Taxi operators across Goa have begun receiving GST notices – a planned move to bring this sector under the single tax regime. GST officials confirmed to The Goan that notices were issued to 263 tourist taxi operators with the entire traditional business now also falling under the radar of the Income Tax department. Several operators, now under the tax radar, have confirmed to The Goan receiving these notices and slammed the government of harassment for opposing cab aggregators entering the market. It is reliably learnt that those having four or more cabs are issued notices. President of the North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association Vasudev Arlekar has WHAT THE OPERATORS SAY… Many of our operators run their taxis on loans. We are being unfairly inconvenienced. Despite having no business, the government wants GST collection. Many of us have been in this industry for 2530 years, and this is how we are being rewarded,” —Vasudev Arlekar, North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association chief accused the government of targeting them with “revenge tactics” after several members of his association received official notices. “Many of our operators run their taxis on loans. We are being unfairly inconvenienced. Despite having no business, the government wants GST collection. Many of us have been in this industry for 25-30 years, and this is how we are being rewarded. The BJP is not the government of Goans,” he My earnings don’t exceed Rs 10 lakh per annum but the government wants proof. I have submitted all my documents. This is pure harassment for standing against cab aggregators and outsiders who are trying to steal our traditional business,” —Laxman Korgaonkar, Union leader condemned, speaking to The Goan. Taxi operators have hit out at what they call the government’s hypocrisy claiming that while it speaks of promoting local businesses, it is instead clamping down on local earnings. “How can the government preach about protecting local businesses when they are crushing our livelihoods and letting non-Goans destroy our heritage and environment?” one of the association mem- India crumbles to record low total as New Zealand takes charge in 1st Test NOTIFICATION DECLARES 3.40 LAKH SQ MTRS OF LAND VEST ABSOLUTELY WITH GOVT FREE FROM ALL ENCUMBRANCES ASSOCIATION DECRIES GOVT MOVE, CITES TARGET OF ‘REVENGE TACTICS’ FOR OPPOSING CAB AGGREGATORS THE GOAN I NETWORK SPORTS THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO Overruling all objections raised by farmers and other land owners, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highway has capped the land acquisition process for the new high level Borim Bridge, with a notification issued on Thursday declaring that the land in question admeasuring 3.40 lakh sq mtrs vest absolutely with the Central government free from all encumbrances. What’s interesting to note is that the government has issued the notification to cap the land acquisition process just five days before the petition filed by the beleaguered farmers and other land losers was scheduled to come up for hearing before the NGT on October 22. “In pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 3 (D) of the National Highways Act, the Central government hereby declares that on publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, the land specified in the said Schedule shall vest absolutely in the Central government, free from all encumbrances,” the notification stated. It was exactly a year ago bers said. Another union leader Laxman Korgaonkar alias Bappa confirmed receiving the notice while quickly adding he complied with it. “My earnings don’t exceed Rs 10 lakh per annum but the government wants proof. I have submitted all my documents,” he said, however expressing frustration adding, “This is pure harassment for standing against cab aggregators and outsiders who are trying to steal our traditional business.” Former general secretary of the taxi association Vinayak Nanoskar echoed these sentiments, accusing the government of collecting GST from even the poorest. “We will follow GST rules but how will the government prove our earnings? This is nothing but harassment. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is a puppet and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho is failing the stakeholders. This government will collapse if it doesn’t tackle the basic needs of locals,” he stated. >Continued on P7 THE NOTIFICATION „„In pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 3 (D) of the National Highways Act, the Central government hereby declares that on publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, the land specified in the said Schedule shall vest absolutely in the Central government, free from all encumbrances Disheartened Loutolim farmers now pin hopes on judiciary MARGAO: Government’s decision to cap the land acquisition process to acquire land admeasuring 3.4 lakh sq mtrs for the new high level Borim Bridge has left the beleaguered farmers of Loutolim disheartened as well as agitated. They, however, now pin their hopes on the judiciary, including the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High Court for justice to save the age-old khazan fields from destruction. >> See pg 2 on October 19, 2023 that the Government of India in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways by a notification declared its intention to acquire the land specified in the Schedule annexed to the said notification for land acquisition for construction of high level new Borim Bridge along with approaches across river Zuari along with bypass to Borim Bridge between Km. 4/00 to Km. 12/00 (Proposed Bypass Length = 5.73 Km) on NH-566 in the State of Goa. In response to the notification and publication, the Competent Authority was in receipt of various objections from persons interested in the land proposed for acquisition and the same have been considered by the Competent Authority before a report was submitted to the Central >Continued on P7 Tivim Comunidade’s 99-yr lease deal sparks outrage GAUNCARS ALLEGE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY ON PRIVATE UNIVERSITY PROJECT DECISION AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA The Tivim Comunidade's decision to enter a 99-year lease with Maharashtra Academy of Engineering & Educational Research's (MAEER) MIT Group to establish a multipurpose educational institute has drawn significant criticism, particularly concerning the process followed. Many gauncars are questioning the legitimacy of the decision, given that only 65 of over 1,000 registered members attended the Extraordinary General Body Meeting (EGBM) held on February 25, 2024. Despite the low turnout, the proposal was unanimously approved, raising concerns about the lack of broader community involvement in such a long-term and impactful decision. The limited participation and the magnitude of the Locals gear up for crucial gram sabha on Sun Textile Pvt.Ltd MAPUSA: The simmering opposition against the proposed private university in Tivim is set to reach a critical juncture as the village prepares for a pivotal gram sabha on Sunday. This gram sabha comes on the heels of mounting protests, as a significant section of the village’s population has voiced concerns over the long-term impact of leasing a large plot of comunidade land to MAEER’s MIT Group. >> See pg 3 agreement have sparked intense debate within the community, with some viewing the decision as unrepresentative and lacking transparency. Economic benefits highlighted The comunidade managing committee emphasised that leasing out this "barren, fallow and wasteland" to MAEER would provide a steady stream of revenue to ensure that the gauncars receive sufficient Jonos (community dividends). "This land yields no returns to the comunidade. Frequent squatters and encroachments only lead to conflicts and the erosion of our resources in fighting litigations," said Miguel Sequeira, President of the Tivim Comunidade, during the EGBM, the proceedings of which were sourced by The Goan through the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Sequeira further assured the members of MAEER’s credibility, citing their extensive experience in the field of education, with four universities and 68 institutions serving over 65,000 students * * >Continued on P7 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI oa is witnessing a revival in tourism after a disappointing business till last season. The State currently ranks among the top domestic destinations for Diwali despite not having a grand tradition of celebrating the festival compared to other states. Goa has already seen impressive charter arrivals in the opening week of the season this month. According to the digital travel platform Agoda, New Delhi tops the list of destinations searched by international travellers for Diwali followed by Goa. Mumbai spots third in the list with Chennai and pink city G DESTINATION GOA: TOURISM REVIVAL „„According to Agoda, Goa ranks second after New Delhi in international traveller searches for Diwali, ahead of Mumbai, Chennai, and Jaipur „„The State has already witnessed a strong start to the season with impressive charter flight arrivals „„Tourism stakeholders Jaipur rounding off the top five. Goa’s tourism stakeholders are optimistic that Diwali will shape up to be a promising season, particularly with the increasing domestic footfalls. “Diwali is a time for people to take long vacations. For people travelling from are optimistic about the Diwali season, citing improved air and road connectivity and a rise in domestic footfalls destinations like Mumbai and Bangalore, Goa is barely an hour away via air travel. With improved air and highway road connectivity, the number of visitors would rise,” Travel and Tourism Association of Goa President Jack Sukhija said, speaking to The Goan. He also pointed out that Goa's increasing dependence on domestic tourists, who are major saviours during the lull phase. Sukhija also went on to add that international arrivals are expected to rise in November, which will boost the overall footfall. The domestic travel sector pan-India has further recorded a major boost with a 23 per cent increase in accommodation searches. Compared to 2023, this year's Diwali season has seen a 17 per cent rise in searches for stays, and so also in Goa. The hotel industry is witnessing near-full occupancy, especially the four-star and five-star hotels/ resorts. President of the >Continued on P7 *T/C Apply Goa among top domestic destinations for Diwali