log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY MARCH 2, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) Instagram.com/thegoanonline 18 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 253 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 State bears the brunt of deportation delays n HOUSING FOREIGN CRIMINALS COSTS `  PER MONTH 15L VIBHA VERMA THE GOAN I PANAJI LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN: A massive crowd gathers to watch the dazzling floats at the Carnival parade in Panaji on Saturday. (More photos on page 11)  Narayan Pissurlenkar Carnival unleashes wave of colour THOUSANDS LINE UP TO WATCH COLOURFUL PARADE IN PANAJI THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The riot of music, dance, fun and frolic -- Carnival -- kicked off on Saturday with a colourful float parade  in the capital city with thousands, locals and tourists, lining up to watch on either side of the route along the DB Marg on Saturday. Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant along  with Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, CCP ON PAGE 2 Outrage over Bajrang Dal’s protest at Bhembre’s house MARGAO: Bajrang Dal’s late Friday evening protest at the residence of noted Konkani writer Adv Uday Bhembre sparked outrage and all round condemnation even as intellectuals, thinkers, politicians and the civil society expressed their solidarity with the eminent writer on Saturday. 4G rollout plan in villages jammed PANAJI: The Central government’s ambitious project for saturation of 4G mobile services through BSNL in uncovered villages, has hit a major roadblock in Goa due to non-availability of land for installation of towers and other necessary infrastructure, coupled with public opposition and high rent demand from private land owners. Water crisis hits Sattari, villages VALPOI: A number of villages in Sattari have been hit by water shortage since the last eight days on account of work at the Dabos Water Treatment plant. Officials are, however, confident that water supply will be restored by Monday. WEATHER >> Max: 36 C Min: 23 C Humidity: 58% TIDES Low: High: 06:20 18:28 00:06 12:36 Mayor Rohit Monserrate and other  dignitaries, including film star of Goan origin Varsha Usgaonkar, flagged off the float parade. One of the most vibrant of festivals which  for nearly three decades is being officially promoted by the State as a tourist attraction, Carnival has however come in for criticism from some quarters in recent years for extensive commercialisation and distinct lack of spontaneity in participation from the local population. This year, the traffic mayhem which usually clogged the capital city during the float parade in past years, was absent. Traffic cops were deployed at several vantage points in the city and brief vehicle jams were few and far in-between. Sawant, meanwhile, at the brief flagging off ceremony said that the government has been working to better tour- ism in Goa and festivals like Carnival help, attracting both Indian and foreign tourists. He said the float parade, in a way, showcases Goa’s culture and welcomed all who had  thronged to witness the celebration. Khaunte on his part said that the carnival float parade is reflective of the State’s famed communal harmony as well as its vibrancy. >Continued on P8 For months, Goa has been spending a whopping Rs 15 lakh every month to house foreign criminals -- awaiting deportation -- at the government-run detention centre in Mapusa. Despite authorities acknowledging the financial burden, the process of deportation has reportedly been sluggish.  Official records, available with The Goan, confirmed that while 17 foreign nationals are currently detained, only eight were deported in the past four months. Some of those sent back to their home countries, at the cost of the Indian government, were lodged at the facility prior to November 2024.   Among the 17 nationals -- lodged between November 2024 and February 2025, 12 are women inmates -- nine Ugan- FOREIGN INMATES LODGED AT MAPUSA DETENTION CENTRE „„In November 2024, six Ugandan nationals, one Nigerian, and one Russian were detained „„In December 2024, only one Ugandan was detained „„January 2025 saw the detention of two Russians, one Ugandan, one Lebanese, and one Tanzanian „„In February 2025, one Ugandan, one Tanzanian, and one Nigerian were detained „„The most recent detainee was Nigerian national Sopuruchi Nlewedim Moses, a drug convict in a 2020 case dans, two Tanzanians and one Russian, while the five men include two Nigerians, two Russians  and  one Lebanese national.  The most recent detainee was Nigerian national Sopuruchi Nlewedim Moses, a drug convict in a 2020 case. As he completed his four-year and six-month sentence period owing to the pendency of the trial, the court directed that he be lodged at the detention center until the appeal period after which the investigating officer and the FRRO must take the necessary steps to deport him.  It is further learnt that deportation formalities for a few are complete but they are stranded for reasons unknown. Sources revealed that the detention center’s monthly cost breakdown depicts worrying escalating expenses. Salaries for police personnel alone account for Rs 8 lakh and social welfare staff salaries stand at Rs 2 lakh. Additional costs for food, transport  and  other necessities push the expenditure to Rs 15 lakh approx per month.  Among the total 16 police personnel posted at the facility include police inspectors, sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors, head constables, police constables and guards. Meanwhile, the facility itself, originally a prison, is reportedly struggling with poor infrastructure and overcrowding. The Social Welfare Department, which oversees the facility, has been pushing for swift deportations to reduce the burden on taxpayers.