log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY JANUARY 13, 2025 >> pg 6 Hidden barrier to financial freedom: Are your KYC documents in order? IN SHORT >> CEE: No State-wide decision to remove overhead cables MAPUSA: After taking decisive action to address the issue of dangling overhead cables in the capital city, the Goa Electricity Department took a step back and said that there is no blanket decision to remove such cables across the State. According to Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes, the department’s recent action in Panaji was a localized measure. >> See pg 3 Kidnapped minor rescued within 6 hrs Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 206 MAPUSA: Former minister and veteran politician, Ashok Salgaonkar from Ganeshpuri, Mapusa, passed away on Sunday. He was 81. He had been receiving treatment at a hospital in Mapusa for the past few days.  >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: 31.6 C Min: 21.4 C Humidity: 88% TIDES Low: High: 04:31 09:31 16:21 23:40 School peon assaults students for playing on ground, arrested THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A 54-year-old school peon, Premanand Shankar Gaude, was arrested on charges of assaulting four minor children who were playing football on a school ground in Dharbandora on Sunday afternoon. In a complaint, the parents of the minor children stated that the incident took place between 1 pm and 1.30 pm when eight children had gone to play football on the playground located between two schools in Dharbandora. The school peon, Premanand Gaude, of Tamsodo-Dharbandora, who was present at the time, suddenly rushed to the playground and confronted the children. He allegedly began hurling stones at them and threatened them. While four children ran away, the four other children WHAT HAPPENED „„The incident occurred between 1 and 1:30 pm at a playground in Dharbandora, where eight children were playing „„Premanand Gaude, a school peon from Tamsodo-Dharbandora, suddenly began throwing stones at the children „„He also hit them with slippers, and threatening them SANGUEM: The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that 2,500 of the 10,000 applications received under the Forest Rights Act have been resolved, and the remaining 7,500 will be resolved in a few months. He urged people to bring to the government's attention the lands stuck in forest areas so that proper demarcation can be carried out. TRANSPORT FOR STUDENTS: To ensure that no student from underprivileged areas is deprived of education, transportation facilities will be arranged through the Education Department for students from Kajukotto and nearby villages to commute to schools. Jeeps will be provided for students to travel to schools or higher secondary institutions, the Chief Minister assured. have been destroyed today," said Sawant in stern words. Sawant was speaking after he laid the foundation for the road connecting Kajukatto Padi, Kiskond, Karla, and Kajuor villages in the Sanguem constituency. Present on this occasion were Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai, former MLA Vasudev Meng Gaonkar, district panchayat member Suresh Kepekar, local panchayat members, and a large number of villagers. These villages are getting a proper road for the first time since independence. Previously, villagers used unpaved roads for their daily commute. Sawant instructed the Forest Department officials not to harass the people living in forest areas and to reduce interference. He emphasized that these people use dried wood for fuel, do not cut live trees unnecessarily, and perform rituals if they must cut a tree. Some trees are worshipped as deities, and even their branches are not cut. The Chief Minister urged the Forest Department to cooperate with the villagers so that they would, in turn, support forest conservation. During this visit, the foundation for the road connecting Padi, Kiskond, Karla, Kajukotto, and Kajuor was laid by him. He stated that the road, costing approximately Rs 7.5 crores, will be completed within six months. Meanwhile, he inspected the parallel bridge at Bendwada and the construction of the new building for the Primary Tanavade signals shift, wants new face as BJP prez SANGUEM Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday asked Forest Department officials to cease interfering with the lives of tribal communities who regard trees as sacred. "The Forest Department did not come to plant trees or protect them in the forest. The tribal communities residing in the hill areas preserved the forest, which is why you have it today. The Forest Department should remember that the jungle and its wealth have been safeguarded for thousands of years by these tribal communities. If their ancestors had not protected the forests, the forest areas would 2,500 forest cases resolved, others in a few months, assures Sawant Goa way off mark in meeting central target on solar pumps THE GOAN I NETWORK The other projects include a 'ropeway' connecting Mormugao to Tiswadi taluka over the mouth of the Zuari river at Dona Paula, an elaborate water transport system to harness the inland waterways potential, the Convention PANAJI Amid growing demand within the saffron cadre to continue as the president, the BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Sunday said that he would like to see a new face taking over the reins of the party. Tanavade has completed the five-year term as party president. BJP has shortlisted a total seven names for the post, the announcement of which is expected by January 20. The names include that of Narendra Sawaikar, Damodar Naik, Chandrakant Kavlekar, Dayanand Sopte, Dayanand Mandrekar, Dilip Parulekar and Govind Parvatkar. However, some Ministers, MLAs and party workers are of the clear view that if BJP has to win 2027 polls, then Tanavade should continue in the chair. However, Tanavade has turned down the offer stating that he would like to see a new face taking over the charge. “A new face should get an opportunity to be the next BJP chief. Everyone should get the opportunity. Every hard core BJP worker is capable of taking the responsibility,” he told media persons responding to >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 Pipeline leaks for over a month Ex-minister Ashok Salgaonkar no more RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 SAYS THEY HAVE PROTECTED JUNGLE WEALTH FOR GENERATIONS THE GOAN I NETWORK PG12 Jemimah’s maiden ton sets up India’s big win over Ireland Don’t harass tribals in rural areas, CM tells forest dept BICHOLIM: In a swift move, Bicholim police on Sunday rescued a 17-year-old girl within six hours after she was kidnapped by unknown persons. Multiple teams were immediately formed to trace the missing girl, focusing their search on bus stands and railway stations.  >> See pg 5 MAPUSA: It has been over a month since a ruptured pipeline has been leaking water onto the main road in Mapusa, causing frustration among locals and commuters. Despite the leak being located on a busy road, the PWD (Water) appears oblivious to the problem.  >> See pg 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline TRADITION & DEVOTION: Devotees converge in Mapusa to pay respect to the deity as Bodgeshwar zatra kicked off on Sunday. Recognized as one of the largest zatras in the State, it attracts thousands of devotees every year.  Narayan Pissurlenkar 30 years on, State revives its ‘oceanarium’ dream THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI One of the projects Goa is hoping to get funds for in the Rs 3,600 crore 'special grants' it has pitched for with the 16th Finance Commission for the next five years is an Oceanarium, ironically junked some thirty years ago amidst political controversy. The project, expected to be a boon for the State's tourism sector, is among half a dozen such proposals pushed for in a concrete proposal the State government presented to the Commission on its recent visit last week. >Continued on P5 who remained on the ground and Gaude allegedly assaulted them and hit some of them with slippers. He also damaged the bicycles of two of the children. >Continued on P5 ONLY 90 OF TARGETED 900 PUMPS INSTALLED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Only 10 per cent of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Uthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme’s target of 900 solar pump installations by 2026 has been achieved by Goa as on date. The scheme, aimed at making the agriculture sector energy efficient, has seen installation of just 90 solar powered agricultural pump sets so far. The PM KUSUM scheme, launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in July 2019 has three components -to install grid-connected, ground-mounted, solar-power plants on barren, fallow, marshy or cultivable lands by individual farmers or solar power developers or local bodies. The second component is about installation of standalone solar pumps in off-grid areas and under third, solarisation of grid connected agriculture pumps. According to the information provided by the department of New and Renewable Energy, State has set a target installation of 900 solar pow- NO TAKERS FOR SOLAR DREAM „„State has set target 900 solar powered agri pump sets till March 2026 „„Till date, about 350 applications have been received „„As on date, just 90 pump sets are installed under the scheme „„PM KUSUM scheme was launched in July 2019 „„Data also shows that under Component A, Goa has set a target of 150 MW of power generation „„Two power purchase agreements have been executed for purchase of 4 MW of solar plants ered agricultural pump sets up to 7.5 horse power capacity till March 2026. Till date, about 350 applications have been received by Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) -- the nodal agency for implementing the scheme -- for installation of the pumps and work is in progress. As on date, 90 pump sets are installed under the scheme. The data also shows that under Component A, Goa has set a target of 150 MW of power generation and two power purchase agreements under the scheme have been execut- ed for purchase of 4 MW of solar plants which would be set up by farmers in their farms. Further, ground mounted solar plants of capacity 1.7MW have been installed so far. The Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy has approved solarisation of feeders for the State in lieu of individual solarisation of 11,000 of agricultural pumps. As per the energy consumption data of agricultural pumps, a cumulative capacity of 13.6 MWp is required to be installed to offset the units >Continued on P5 HMPV not new, take Faith, luxury beckons tourists as Kumbh Mela begins today MAHA KUMB’S MEGA OFFERINGS precautions: Experts PTI PTI NEW DELHI Amid growing concerns over the detection of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in India, health experts have emphasised the virus is not new, and advised people to stay calm and take basic precautions. HMPV, that causes upper respiratory infection, recently gained attention following an outbreak in China. While it can affect people of all age groups, experts said India has not witnessed any unusual surge in cases. “HMPV is not a new virus; it was first identified in 2001. KEY PRECAUTIONS „„Understand its symptoms, take necessary precautions „„Practice good hygiene such as washing hands frequently, wearing masks in crowded places The virus is an emerging health concern, but there's no reason to panic. Understanding its symptoms, taking necessary precautions, and adhering to testing protocols are critical to tackle it,” said Dr Aabid Amin Bhat. PRAYAGRAJ n ''Incredible India Pavillion'' showcasing cultural heritage and significance of the Kumbh Mela, luxury tents and enhanced air connectivity, the Ministry of Tourism is beckoning people to visit Prayagraj and explore the mega religious congregation that begins from Monday. Expected to host over 40 crore devotees from across the globe, this 45-day festival from January 13 to February 26 is also expected to draw a large number of tourists and cultural aficionados aiming to explore what is billed as one of the largest religious gatherings on earth. The government on Sunday A „„Ministry of Tourism has partnered with Alliance Air to enhance air connectivity to Prayagraj „„'Incredible India Pavillion' set up on sprawling 5000 sq ft space „„Pavilion to feature ''Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Poll'' „„Curated tour packages and luxury accommodation options available „„ITDC has set up 80 luxury accommodations at the tent city „„IRCTC providing luxury tents to accommodate pilgrims & tourists „„Dedicated toll-free Tourist Infoline operating in ten international languages set up said the Ministry of Tourism is set to make the Maha Kumbh this year a “landmark event” not only for spiritual gatherings, but also for global tourism. The ministry is rolling out several initiatives to celebrate this momentous occasion, aimed at boosting both domestic and international tourism with the Maha Kumbh -- held every 12 years -- set to showcase India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. “To ensure seamless travel for tourists attending the Maha Kumbh, the Ministry of Tourism has partnered with Alliance Air to enhance air connectivity to Prayagraj from multiple cities across India. This will facilitate easier access for domestic and international visitors, allowing them to reach the event with ease and convenience,” the ministry said in a statement. The ministry also shared a schedule of flights operating from multiple cities, including New Delhi, Kolkata, Jabalpur and Dehradun. The ministry also said it is “setting up an ''Incredible India Pavillion'', a sprawling 5000 sq ft space at Maha Kumbh”, which will facilitate the foreign tourists, scholars, researchers, photographers, journalists, expat community and Indian diaspora members among others. The pavillion will offer “an immersive experience” for visitors, showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and the significance of the Kumbh Mela. The pavilion will also feature the ''Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Poll'', allowing visitors to vote for their favourite tourism destinations in India, it said. Besides, the ministry has collaborated with key tourism stakeholders like Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation, IRCTC and ITDC to offer a range of “curated tour packages and luxury accommodation options”. The ITDC has set up 80 luxury accommodations at the tent city, Prayagraj, while the IRCTC is also providing luxury tents to accommodate the influx of pilgrims and tourists. These packages will be available in a digital brochure, which has been widely circulated to Indian Missions and India Tourism offices for greater amplification, the ministry said.