log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) Instagram.com/thegoanonline Pg 14 FRIDAY DECEMBER 27, 2024 page 6 Road ahead for Tata Motors: Navigating patchy landscape REVIEW: 2025 Toyota Camry: Perfect Japanese samurai IN SHORT >> Briton found dead in Palolem resort CANACONA: A Briton, Andrew William Wyatt (57), was found dead in his Palolem beach resort room after his landlord, concerned for his absence, checked on him. Wyatt was unresponsive and declared dead at the Community Health Centre, Canacona. Police sent the body to the South Goa District Hospital for medico-legal formalities. The British Embassy and relatives of the deceased have been notified. SFX veneration to end at 5 pm today PANAJI: In view of the soulful performance by the Shillong Chamber Choir for the Exposition, the veneration of relics of St Francis Xavier will be closed early at 5pm for the public on Friday, December 27.  >> See pg 3 GKA can now issue Konk certificates PANAJI: The government has nominated Goa Konkani Akademi as the only competent authority for issuing Konkani knowledge certificate for the purpose of Central government recruitment.   >> See pg 3 Calangute boat mishap: 2 held PANAJI: Panaji coastal police arrested the operators of water sports boat, which capsized off calangute coast yesterday that resulted into death of one tourist from Maharashtra. Police arrested boat operators Dharappa Zirali (42) and Ibrahim Saab (34) in connection with the case.  >> See pg 3 Traffic chaos near Canacona beaches CANACONA: The New Year may still be five days away, but that has not stopped hordes of tourists from flocking to the beaches in Canacona. Tourists have been travelling in vehicles and have clogged the narrow streets right from Khola beach up to Polem. >> See pg 3 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 189 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Brain behind economic reforms, Manmohan leaves his footprint CENTRE DECLARES 7-DAY MOURNING FOR FORMER PM PTI NEW DELHI Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, the architect of India’s economic reforms, died here on Thursday night. He was 92. Singh’s death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, where he was admitted in the Emergency ward around 8.30 pm in a critical condition. The Union government declared a seven-day national mourning in honour of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, officials said. They said the Cabinet will meet at 11 am on Friday to pay tributes to him. Singh’s last rites will be conducted with full state honours, the officials adding “all government programs scheduled tomorrow are to be cancelled”. India has lost a distinguished leader: PM NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to former prime minister Manmohan Singh. In a post on X, he said “India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders, Dr Manmohan Singh Ji. Rising from humble origins, he rose to become a respected economist. He served in various government positions as well, including as Finance Minister, leaving a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years”. End of an era: 1932 - 2024 TRIBUTES POUR IN „„Played important role in governance of country: Amit Shah „„I have lost a mentor and guide: Rahul Gandhi „„Lifted crores out of poverty: Kharge „„A uniquely dignified gentleman: Priyanka Gandhi „„Country has lost a great economist: Sharad Pawar „„Will miss his affection’: Mamata Banerjee An AIIMS bulletin said “he was treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home” on December 26. “Resuscitative measures BJP hits jackpot of over `  ,600 cr in donations 2 Cong got just ` 281 crore, reveals EC data THE POLITICAL CASH FLOW PTI NEW DELHI The ruling BJP received contributions of over Rs 2,604.74 crore during 2023-24 while the Opposition Congress got Rs 281.38 crore in its kitty, according to contribution reports of the two parties put in public domain by the Election Commission (EC). The donations listed in the reports were received till March 31, 2024 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP had declared donations worth over Rs 740 crore ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, while the Congress had claimed to have received over Rs 146 crore in 2018-19. During 2023-24, while the BJP received over Rs 723 crore worth of donations from Prudent Electoral Trust, it also got over Rs 127 crore from Triumph Electoral Trust and over Rs 17 lakh from Einzigartig Electoral Trust. The Congress got over Rs „„BJP received over Rs 723 cr worth of donations from Prudent Electoral Trust, it also got over Rs 127 cr from Triumph Electoral Trust „„Cong got over Rs 150 cr from Prudent Electoral Trust, which was the sole trust donor to the party „„Cong received multiple donations of Rs 1.38 lakh including those from top leaders -- Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K C Venugopal and Digvijaya Singh „„Contributions declared by BJP and Cong do not include donations received through electoral bonds „„AAP received contributions of over Rs 11.06 crore during the fiscal 150 crore from the Prudent Electoral Trust, which was the sole trust donor to the party. Interestingly, the Congress received multiple donations of Rs 1.38 lakh including those from top leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K C Venugopal and Digvijaya Singh, among others. Multiple donations were made to the Congress under the heading “Happy Birthday to our leader--JKB”. The contributions declared by the BJP and the Congress do not include the donations received through electoral bonds as these have to be declared in the party’s annual audit reports and not contribution statements. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is also a recognised national party, received contributions of over Rs 11.06 crore during the fiscal. MANMOHAN SINGH: INDIA’S REFORM MAN AND POLITICIAN WITH A DIFFERENCE  >> See pg 7 were started immediately at home. He was brought to medical emergency at AIIMS Delhi at 8.06 pm. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 pm,” said the bulletin. Singh, who was prime min- Rehabilitated Vasco locals to get titles of ownership THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a major move, the State government has decided to transfer the ownership titles in the name rehabilitated individuals from Sada, Vasco and other locations. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday chaired the 98th Board meeting of the Goa Rehabilitation Board during which the decision was also taken to rope in a public private partnership (PPP) model for future rehabilitation projects. Sawant took to X to inform various decisions taken during the meeting. In a key decision, the Board approved transferring ownership titles to rehabilitated individuals in Sada, Vasco and other locations. “Government to adopt PPP model for future rehabilitation projects, with three identified projects to be fasttracked,” he said. The Board also approved >Continued on P5 Heritage policy: New lease of life for historic homes THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI he draft Goa State Heritage Policy 2025- the implementation of which is expected from the next financial year -- has proposed provision for financial assistance and technical support to private heritage homes to aid their maintenance and to promote adaptive reuse of these properties for heritage tourism. The policy speaks about more than 200 historic, archaeological and heritage locations, over hundred private and Government buildings having historic and heritage value apart from laying focus on preserving tangible assets. A 15-member monitoring committee for drafting Heritage Policy led by Dr Pandurang T Konstas pyrotechnics on debut, Bumrah riposte light up MCG BOOST TO GOA’S TIMELESS TREASURES „„Policy promotes adaptive reuse of heritage properties for cultural tourism and educational initiatives „„Identifies more than 200 historic, archaeological and heritage locations „„Checklist prepared of more than 100 private and govt buildings having historic and heritage value „„Considers 46 distinct, authentic folk forms of Goa „„Acknowledges 61 accredited local ageold traditional occupations thus ensuring a holistic approach „„Underscores integrated strategy for conservation, focusing on tangible assets such as historical monuments, religious landmarks „„Proposes sustainable tourism measures, including eco-friendly heritage trails and cultural festivals Phaldessai on Thursday handed over 172 pages policy document- the first-ever state-level heritage policy in India, to the Minister for Archives and Archaeology Subhash Phal Dessai. The policy drafting process had begun way back in November 2023. “A significant feature of the policy is the emphasis on legislative reforms, conservation guidelines and private heritage homes, with provisions for financial assistance, technical support, and recognition programs to aid in their maintenance. It also promotes the adaptive reuse of these properties for sustainable purposes such as cultural tourism and educational initiatives, ensuring the preservation of their historical and cultural value,” stated the press release. The policy has laid focus on 14 core areas and has identified more than 200 historic, archaeological and heritage locations, prepared a checklist of more than 100 private and Government buildings having historic and heritage value, considered 46 distinct, authentic folk forms of Goa and acknowledged 61 accredited local age old  traditional occupations thus ensuring a holistic approach. “The policy underscores an integrated strategy for conservation, focusing on tangible assets such as historical monuments, religious landmarks, and traditional village architecture, as well as intangible heritage, including festivals, traditional crafts, and oral traditions,” the statement mentions. >Continued on P5 ister for two terms in the Congress-led UPA government from 2004 to 2014, had been in poor health for the last few months. He is survived by wife Gurcharan Singh and three daughters. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her mother Sonia Gandhi reached the hospital as soon as the news of his hospitalisation became known. Suleman’s quizzing hits a pause as he undergoes surgery THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The interrogation of notorious criminal Suleman Siddiqui Khan was temporarily stalled on Wednesday after he was admitted to Goa Medical College and Hospital for a minor surgical procedure. Suleman, who was arrested after a nine-day operation spanning eight locations across three states, was discharged from the hospital within 24 hours. His questioning is expected to resume on Friday, as he was allowed to rest after his discharge on Thursday. Sources revealed that the accused developed a minor boil, allegedly caused by hair-pulling, which required medical attention. He was kept under observation before being discharged. The Old Goa police admitted that Suleman was taken to the hospital but refrained from sharing details about his condition or treatment. Suleman had developed a minor boil, allegedly caused by hair-pulling, which required medical attention. He was kept under observation before being discharged After his discharge, Suleman was taken back to the Panaji police station lock-up under heavy security with a head constable, three constables stationed outside the lock-up; and CCTV surveillance to also keep a close watch of his movement in custody. Meanwhile, the Old Goa police have added another section under the Arms Act against Suleman and Hazrat Ali as sources stated that ex-constable Amit Naik revealed to the police that the former had threatened him at gunpoint after reaching Hubli. Suleman later fled alone, eventually being detained and arrested in Kerala. SC okays over 30% interest on credit card dues NEW DELHI: Banks can charge over 30 per cent on credit card dues from customers after the Supreme Court set aside a 16-year-old National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission verdict, which held charging excessive interest rates amounted to an unfair trade practice. A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Satish Chandra Sharma said NCDRC’s observations that the rate of interest in excess of 30 per cent per annum was an unfair trade practice was “illegal” and an interference with the clear, unambiguous delegation of Reserve Bank of India’s powers. In the opinion of the apex court, banks had in no manner made any misrepresentation to deceive the credit card holders and the pre-conditions of “deceptive practice” and unfair method were manifestly absent.