log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2024 page 6 UK Goan pilgrims to visit Old Goa for Exposition UK Goan recalls carrying Relics of SFX as ‘lifetime experience’ IN SHORT >> Cunchelim land scam: Third accused held MAPUSA: Mapusa Police arrested a third individual in connection with the Cunchelim land scam, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to three. The third accused, Ravi Chavan joins Ramesh Rao, an employee of MMC, and Shakil Sheikh, who were arrested earlier for their alleged involvement. >> See pg 3 Jobs-for-cash: Pooja gets bail PANAJI: Almost a month after her arrest in multiple jobsfor-cash cases and suicide abetment Pooja Naik alias Rupa Palkar has been granted conditional bail. She was earlier bailed in a separate FIR pertaining to the suicide of government employee Shridhar Satarkar, in which she was charged with abetment. >> See pg 2 Sawant launches IPSCDL’s Tree App PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the Tree App developed by Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited which will act as a platform for residents to engage in monitoring and nurturing the tree cover.  >> See pg 3 Suspected liquor smuggler arrested PANAJI: In a joint operation, the Goa and Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) Crime Branch teams arrested a suspected liquor smuggler Praful alias Pappu Yadav in Pernem on the intervening night of November 19-20.  >> See pg 3 M’rashtra, J’khand counting today >> See pg 9  WEATHER >> Max: 27 C Min: 26 C Humidity: 80% TIDES Low: High: 04:11 16:53 10:47 22:42 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 156 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Bumrah leads India’s fightback on opening day in Perth Pg15 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 `100 crore & counting! Govt spends big on Exposition INFRA INCLUDES ROADS, POWER, PILGRIM VILLAGE, AMENITIES SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI The State government has spent almost Rs 100 crore, so far, to raise infrastructure for the ongoing decennial Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier. Anticipating Rs 300 crore financial support from the Centre, the government had earmarked only Rs 10 crore for the event. Highly placed sources confirmed that the Public Works Department (PWD) -- the nodal agency for setting up infrastructure -- has spent Rs 100 crore on the event, with overall expenditure, expected to increase to Rs 150 crore. The Department has diverted its annual budgetary provision for creation of the infrastructure that involves road repair, electricity, temporary structures like Pilgrim village and other amenities. ON THE FLIP SIDE… Roads tarred at the parking venue near Old Goa recently. MONUMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE PUSH „„PWD given budget target of Rs 113 cr, Rs 100 cr spent „„Overall expenditure expected to increase to Rs 150 crore „„PWD diverts budgetary provision for creation of infra „„Road repair, electricity, temporary structures like Pilgrim village and other amenities set up Sources said that PWD was given budget target of Rs 113 crore, of which Rs 100 crores have already been spent so far. “The government was expecting around Rs 150-Rs 200 crore from Centre as special assistance for the event. How- US charges against Adani: Focus on extradition bid EXPERTS FEEL MAY IMPACT GROUP’S FUNDING PLANS PTI WASHINGTON With the US filing civil and criminal charges against billionaire Gautam Adani and seven others over a multi-million-dollar bribery scheme, a prominent attorney has said that the case could escalate significantly, potentially leading to arrest warrants and even extradition attempts. Adani, India's second-richest man, and seven others, including his nephew Sagar Adani, have been charged by the US Department of Justice with paying bribes to unidentified officials of state governments in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to buy expensive solar power, potentially earning more than USD 2 billion in profit over 20 years. Legal experts believe the bribery charges could significantly impact the Adani Group’s fundraising plans. Adani Group, however, denied the charges saying the allegations by US prosecutors are “baseless”. Chorus to arrest Adani grows louder NEW DELHI: The Opposition chorus demanding the arrest of billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, after he was charged in the US for alleged bribery and fraud, grew louder on Friday while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, an ally of the BJP-led government at the Centre, promised to act on the alleged irregularities. Stepping up the attack, Pradesh Congress Committee presidents across the country held press conferences to raise the demand for Adani’s arrest and launch an investigation against him, a day after Rahul Gandhi made the assertion. US Attorney Breon Peace has the right to get arrest warrants issued against Adani and seven others and serve them on the nations where they reside, Indian-American attorney Ravi Batra said. He further said, if that nation, as India does, has an extradition treaty then according to the contract between sovereign nations, the resident nation must turn over the person extradited by the United States. There is a process that the resident nation must comply with. Batra noted that ultimately, extradition occurs absent the rarest of circumstances, as in the case of former Chilean president Augusto Pinochet. The United Kingdom did not extradite him solely on humanitarian grounds. “It's hard to see Pinochet precedent apply to this case involving Adani and others,” he said. „„Centre releases Rs 140 cr to Goa under SASCI scheme „„This is in the form of a 50-year interest-free loan „„State expected to get another Rs 100 cr under the scheme ever, the Centre has already declined it,” sources said. On the contrary, Centre has released Rs 140 crore to the State under the 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment’ (SASCI), sources said while maintaining that this is being provided to the State government in the form of a 50-year interest-free loan. “State is expected to get Festive cheer: Sound ban relaxed for select days THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With festive season on, the State government has relaxed sound ban norms during the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the forthcoming Christmas week, allowing use of loudspeakers beyond 10 pm but till 12 midnight. In a press statement issued on Friday, the government has said that it has permitted the use of loudspeakers or public address systems during night hours between 10 pm to 12 midnight from November 21 to 26 and again from December 24 to 26 and on December 31, across the State. “However, the permission shall be granted only on a case-to-case basis, in response to a specific application made by the concerned Village Panchayat, Municipal Corporation / Municipal Council or an individual or any recognized entity in the State of Goa,” the government >Continued on P5 another Rs 100 crore this year under the scheme,” sources said. As per the information, since 2020-21, the State has received a whopping Rs 1,770 crore under the Scheme to boost the capital expenditure. Apart from this, Rs 350 crores was received as Special Assistance -- Rs 150 crore in 2021 and Rs 200 crore in 2023. The data reveals that under SASCI, the State received Rs 97.66 crore in 2020-21, which went up to Rs 111.04 crore in 2021-22. Centre sanctioned Rs 572.75 crore to Goa under interest-free loan in 2022-23 and more Rs 849.65 crore last year. The amount is to be spent on Capital investment projects in diverse sectors including health, education, irrigation, water supply, power, roads, bridges etc. Submarine, trawler collide off Goa; 2 missing, 11 saved MASSIVE RESCUE OP LAUNCHED THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO Two crew members were missing while 11 others were rescued after an Indian Naval submarine and a fishing vessel collided with each other about 70 nautical miles north-west of Goa. According to a Navy report, the incident took place while the Indian Naval unit was on transit along the West Coast. “An Indian fishing vessel Marthoma with a crew of 13 reportedly collided with an Indian Naval unit on Thursday about 70 nautical miles North-West of Goa. Search and rescue efforts were immediately launched by the Indian Navy with six ships and aircraft. Eleven crew members have been rescued during search and rescue efforts, while a search is underway to locate the remaining two members,” stated the Navy. The Navy informed that search and rescue efforts for remaining two is underway and is being coordinated with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai. "Additional assets, including from the Coast Guard, have been diverted to the area to augment the efforts," the Navy added. The Navy has ordered a high-level investigation into the incident. The spokesperson said additional assets, including from the Coast Guard, have been diverted to the area of the incident to augment the rescue efforts. Gas pipeline damaged in Zuarinagar, sparks panic POLICE SWING INTO ACTION, SECURE AREA THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO There was panic in Birla-Zuarinagar area after an Adani gas pipeline was damaged by workers of a contractor involved in naval works on Friday evening. Police went to the site and cordoned off the area, even as public was evacuated to ensure safety. The fire station was also alerted and authorities were at work to assess the damage and mitigate risks. Speaking to reporters, fire department official Prash ant Pirankar said they got a call from the headquarters about the gas leakage near Ayappa temple at Zuarinagar. “We immediately turned out to the area and noticed that the Adani Gas pipeline was cut. The Navy had engaged a contractor in the digging works, when workers damaged the Adani gas pipeline. When we reached, there was panic but the Adani officials had already arrived at the site along with Repair work in progress after the Adani gas pipeline was damaged at Zuarinagar on Friday. Naval officials,” said Pirankar. “As of now, the situation is under control and both sides of the road have been closed for traffic movement to avoid any dangers caused due to leaking gas. Works are being carried out as of now and the Adani officials have told us that they will completely shut down the gas pipeline and begin the works to repair the damaged pipeline”, he added. When contacted, a Vasco Fire Station officer said the gas leakage was contained at about 9.30 pm and the area was out of danger. “The gas pipeline was shut down for the day and work to repair the damage began immediately. People were later allowed to return to their homes, and the road was thrown open to traffic”, he said. Bardez to face 2-day People of other faiths share spiritual experiences at Old Goa cut in water supply VIBHA VERMA THE GOAN I PANAJI THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Residents of Bardez taluka, including Mapusa, will face restricted water supply on November 23 and 24 as the Public Works Department (PWD) undertakes urgent repairs on the main pipeline at Sangolda junction. Executive Engineer of the PWD water division, Neuriti Parsekar confirmed the planned disruption, explaining that a leak had developed at the joint of a 1,000 mm diameter water pipeline which requires immediate attention. "There is a leakage at the joint of the 1000 mm pipeline at Sangolda junction and it needs to be fixed on priority. Water supply to the entire Bardez taluka will be restricted on November 23 and 24," Parsekar stated. The leak was attributed to pressure exerted on the pipeline due to increased movement of vehicles on account of the ongoing work on the elevated corridor at the Sangolda junction. The pipeline will be shut down at 7 pm on Saturday and repair work will continue overnight. The PWD aims to complete the repairs by 8 am on >Continued on P5 T he Exposition of the Relics of St Francis Xavier has been witnessing a steady stream of visitors including Hindus and Muslims. But it’s just not during the decennial Exposition considering that for many, the Basilica of Bom Jesus offers a unique spiritual experience, transcending religious boundaries. Devotees have shared instances of solace, peace and a sense of spiritual connection they feel within the sacred walls of the Old Goa church. The Exposition has further intensified the spiritual draw of the Basilica and the See Cathedral, where the Relics are placed in a casket for public viewing. While primarily a Catholic pilgrimage, the 45-day-long event that began on Nov 21 has brought people to its historical and religious significance. For Yaqub Ali, a local businessman, the journey to Old Goa has been more than a religious ritual – it’s been a personal pilgrimage of peace and tranquility. With nearly four decades of visits behind him, Ali's connection to this UNESCO historic site intertwines with global friendships, heartfelt promises and moments of deep reflection. He credits the beginning of his visits to the influx of international guests he frequently hosts. “It’s been a tourist attraction for over 40 years as I have been taking my friends and relatives to this Church besides other places of interest. Some who take vows and cannot make it to Goa, request me to light candles, attend mass or even donate money on their behalf. I happily do it,” he said. With the Exposition underway, Ali prefers a quieter approach. “I usually visit the Church after the Feast on December 3 when the crowds are less. On the other days of the year, I come here at least twice a month,” Ali said. Pomburpha resident Govind Potekar carries on a family legacy recalling that as a child, the significance of the Saint was a mystery yet the joy of the visit was undeniable. “I am determined to witness the Exposition on its inaugural day and I ensure my presence each time. In fact, countless devotees from diverse faiths who revere the Saint come here without fail,” he added. Another visitor Suganda Volvoikar has been drawn to the Old Goa Church for years. Captured by the unique atmosphere and deep-rooted faith of Catholics, she describes the experience as a blend of spiritual reflection and cultural immersion. “We have a longstanding tradition of visiting the Church, lighting candles and enjoying the tranquility of the lawns across both the Church cam- puses. Usually not on the feast day on December 3, we make sure to visit in the days leading up to December 8 when most of the buzz shifts to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Panaji,” she said. Ali further revealed that his early years of visiting the Old Goa Church were often spent meditating on the sprawling lawns. “It’s a peaceful atmosphere, although the place is overcrowded in the present times,” he stated. “Religion doesn’t matter. If it makes you feel good, there’s nothing wrong with it,” he said, citing examples of how people from diverse backgrounds coexist harmoniously in Goa. >Continued on P5