log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY OCTOBER 19, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 122 Instagram.com/thegoanonline India stages fightback against New Zealand  PG14 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Bhutani controversy takes Sancoale p’yat by storm P’YAT TO SEEK LEGAL OPINION ON REPLY TO ‘NOTICE’ THE GOAN I NETWORK page 6 Tiny Goan community in Daddi sustains faith for over 6 decades Goan Chaplaincy Centres in UK give warm send-off to outgoing Chaplain IN SHORT >> Youth electrocuted at Bicholim temple BICHOLIM: A youth got electrocuted on Thursday night while attempting to repair lights at a temple in Kulan-Karapur, Bicholim, during the Palkhi ceremony on the occasion of Purnima festival. Vaibhav Bhide (25) of Zolambe-Dodamarg was employed in the office at the temple and he was at work to repair the lights when he came in contact with live wires and fell down. Locals took him to the health centre where he was declared dead on arrival. 250 bikers booked for helmet-less rides PANAJI: In what may be a first, helmetless riders could face immediate license suspensions. Over 250 two-wheeler riders including college students have been booked for riding without helmets in the drive against traffic violations. >> See pg 5 Satyendar Jain gets bail after two years New Delhi: Former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain has been granted bail by a local court.  >> See pg 7 VASCO Chaos prevailed at the general body meeting of the Sancoale Panchayat on Friday, following the panchayat’s decision to seek legal opinion on the reply to the show-cause notice issued to Bhutani Infra. The absence of the Sarpanch in the 11-member panchayat and a heated exchange between ruling and opposition panch members led to an uproar, with residents and activists voicing their frustration over the delay in resolving the issue. The meeting, which began at about 10.30 am and chaired by Deputy Sarpanch Derick Vales, had an unusually large turnout of locals and activists from various parts of Goa, all eager to hear the Panchayat’s decision on the controversial THE DAY THAT WAS AT SANCOALE „„Large turnout of locals and activists from various parts of Goa gather at panchayat „„Bhutani issue placed under “any other” category and comes up for discussion last „„Residents and activists voice frustration over delay „„Absence of Sarpanch, heated exchange between ruling & opposition panch members leads to an uproar „„Later lengthy reply submitted by Bhutani read out „„Panch members say reply filled with legal jargon, making it difficult to comprehend „„It also reportedly included allegations of bribery, blackmail against some panch members Bhutani construction project. Although it was expected that the Bhutani issue would be prioritised, it was instead placed under the “any other” category and it came up for discussion last. After three-and-half hours of routine agenda discussions, the Bhutani issue was finally raised at around 2 pm, much to the dismay of those patiently awaiting a discussion on the topic. By then, only five panchas were present at the meeting. Tiger reserve: Goa under lens over pending forest claims STANDING PANEL URGES CENTRE TO ISSUE ADVISORY SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI While on one side Goa is battling an uphill task to settle close to thousand cases of rights and claims to declare Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) as Tiger Reserve, the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) has taken cognizance of several States including Goa for failing to demarcate and notify its protected areas pending settlement of rights under the Wildlife Protection Act. The Standing Committee has requested the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to issue an advisory to all States/Union Territories to settle all rights and claims and issue final notifications at the earliest. Goa -- having declared its first WLS, Bhagwan Mahavir, way back in 1969 -- is yet to demarcate its protected boundaries even five decades later. The protected areas of Mollem National Park, Mhadei Wild- KEY FACTS & FIGURES The panchayat began reading out the lengthy reply submitted by Bhutani Infra. According to panch members, the reply was filled with legal jargon, making it difficult to comprehend. Furthermore, it reportedly included allegations of bribery and blackmail against some panch members. “We are not experts in legal matters, and the language in the reply was complicated,” said Deputy Sarpanch Derick Vales. “That’s why we decided it would be best to seek legal advice from two advocates before taking any further steps.” However, opposition members and the public grew increasingly frustrated, demanding that the Panchayat revoke Bhutani’s construction license immediately. “They don’t have the nec- Revora assault: Setback for cops as HC grants bail to accused THE GOAN I NETWORK „„As per records from October 23, 2023 to July 30, 2024 only seven cases of claims have been disposed „„Mhadei has around 8,500 people residing within the sanctuary housing close to 25 villages „„Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary has a human population of around 4,500 „„Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary has 1200-odd people living within protected areas life Sanctuary and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary too don’t have demarcated boundaries till date. During its Standing Committee meeting held last week, the Inspector General of Forests, Forest Conservation Division pointed out that there are many sanctuaries and National Parks where such rights and claims have not been settled and final notifications have not been issued. The officer mentioned that the rights and claims are enquired into and settled dur- ing the process of notification of sanctuaries and National Parks. In yet another decision, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, who is also the chairman of the Standing Committee, pointed out that a proper Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) should be laid down for granting permissions to the religious institutions for temples or sacred caves or other religious monuments, located within the PANAJI In a setback for the police, the High Court of Bombay at Goa observed that the charge of attempted murder does not prima facie apply to one of the two accused in a May 2024 assault case. The Bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes noted that the medical evidence, in the form of a Hurt Certificate, indicated the injuries sustained by the victim were not serious. Thomas Fernandes, the second accused and currently in judicial custody, is alleged to have been involved in an altercation with Alistair Pulikal (32) at Mazilwado-Revora on May 12. The prime accused, Haden Fernandes was the first to be arrested for allegedly stabbing Pulikal in the head and chest. As per records submitted to the Court, the Hurt Certificate and chargesheet mentioned lacerations on the victim's forehead and upper chest. The complaint also alleged >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 essary clearances like environment clearance and NOC from the water department,” alleged Panch member Tulshidas Naik. The situation escalated when two opposition members threatened to quit the meeting to break the quorum, preventing the Panchayat from adopting a decision to seek legal opinion. Despite the tension, the ruling members declared the meeting over and left the venue, leaving residents and opposition members fuming. “We requested that this issue be taken up first so people could go home, but the meeting was stretched for hours. When the Bhutani issue finally came up, they chose to walk out rather than revoke the license,” said Naik. >Continued on P5 No summer holidays? Academic year may now begin from April THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Lakhs of school going children may no longer have 'summer holidays' from as early as next year. A proposal to commence the academic year in schools from April instead of traditionally from June is in an advanced stage of discussion among State level decision makers linked to the implementation of the new National Education Policy (NEP), knowledgeable sources told The Goan. "The State-level NEP committee has discussed it. There is still no unanimity but preparatory ground work to start the Academic year in April instead of June has begun," the source said. The final decision on the matter, however, will have to be taken by the State government at the highest level with the buck stopping at the table of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the education portfolio. Goa Board for Secondary Bhagirath Shetye confirmed that the proposal is under consideration and the Board is ready. He said all examinations will be over by April 1 next year, and that starting the next academic year in April should be manageable and Higher Secondary Education (GBS&HSE), Bhagirath Shetye, confirmed that the proposal is on the table and that the Board is already prepared. "This year the schedule is such that all examinations will be completed by April 1," Shetye said, adding that implementing an April start to the next academic year should not be a problem. "Since it is a major policy change, the final decision on it is for the State government to take," Shetye added. The logic behind the proposal, knowledgeable sources >Continued on P5 35 illegal structures razed in major Op at Karaswada SEVERAL STRUCTURES BELONG TO MMC DY CHIEF An unauthorised structure that was demolished at Karaswada, Mapusa on Friday.  Agnelo Pereira THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) on Friday demolished 35 illegal constructions at Karaswada junction, including several unauthorised structures owned by MMC Vice Chairperson Sushant DEMOLITION REVIVES OLD CONTROVERSY OVER POLITICAL INFLUENCE >> See pg 5 Harmalkar. The demolition drive was carried out by the civic body, in coordination with the Public Works Department (PWD) and other government departments, using heavy machinery. The operation commenced at around 11.30 am and continued into the evening. >Continued on P5 Formulate scheme for displaced Govt on mission to clear backlog in ST, SC job quota A NEW DAWN FOR SCs & STs meat vendors, HC directs CCP THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to frame a scheme for meat, chicken vendors within six weeks regarding the construction and maintenance of public markets and slaughterhouses, as well as the regulation of such facilities under the Corporation Act. While disposing of petitions through a common judgment, the Court also stated that the nine petitioners (affected vendors) cannot claim rehabilitation during the period till the new building is constructed. During the hearing, the Court was informed that CCP is required to accommodate 165 fish vendors, 35 fish cutters and 13 shellfish cleaners in a temporary shed to be built next to the building in question. The submissions also mentioned that the Corporation Act does not contain a specific provision for rehabilitation during the interim period. The Bench, comprising Justice M S Karnik and Justice Valmiki Menezes noted that although there is no separate provision in the Act for rehabilitation, the CCP remains obligated to construct and maintain public markets and slaughterhouses and regulate these under the Act. “We, therefore, find it appropriate that till the building is reconstructed, CCP needs to frame a scheme to ensure that the obligation cast on it is fulfilled in letter and spirit for the convenience of the public at large,” the Court stated. The nine petitioners had expressed their willingness to pay a fair rent determined by the CCP for rehabilitation, without insisting on the rent stipulated by their lease agreements. To this, the Court stated adding it was not possible to issue a blanket order mandating the petitioners’ >Continued on P5 PANAJI aking cognizance of huge pendency of backlog vacancies under reserved category across various departments, the State government is considering undertaking a special drive across 140-odd government and semi-government departments to ascertain the status of 12 per cent and 2 per cent job reservation for Schedule Tribes (ST) and Schedule Caste (SC). As per the information, there are more than 1100 backlog vacancies in various government departments, aided institutions and autonomous bodies, etc. In 2019-20, the State SC & ST Commission T „„Govt considering undertaking a special drive across 140 govt and semigovt depts to ascertain status of 12% and 2% job reservation for STs & SCs „„There are more than 1100 backlog vacancies in various depts, aided institutions and autonomous bodies „„In 2019-20, SC & ST Commission had sought a report on vacancy backlog under reserved category had sought a report from all the departments on the vacancy backlog under reserved category for ST, SC and also Other Backward Class (OBC). However, several departments failed to submit the report over non-compliance of the reservation. The government also observed that various departments, aided institutes and autonomous bodies have failed to maintain Post Based Roster regarding reservation. Speaking to The Goan, Min- „„Various depts, aided institutes and autonomous bodies failed to maintain Post Based Roster regarding reservation „„Commission recommends special drives to identify backlog vacancies within six months and take steps to fill them ister for Tribal Welfare Govind Gaude admitted that there is a backlog of vacancies as far as fulfilment of reservation for ST, SC and OBC is concerned. “We are considering conducting a special drive or survey to know the status of each reserved quota as notified by the government,” he said. Gaude said that the government is committed to ensure that all the vacancies are filled on priority. “We had issued necessary directions to the departments earlier, to see that the backlogs are cleared at the earliest. To see the status, we will have to take a special drive,” he said. The ST and SC Commission, in its latest report submitted to the government, pointed out that despite efforts made by the government to fill up the backlog vacancies, posts could not be filled due to non-availability of suitable candidates or not coming within the normal zone or >Continued on P5