log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY APRIL 15, 2025 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 297 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 CoP slams Centre for ignoring State’s authority on Pvt jetty Unsafe buildings back in spotlight as authorities brace for monsoon GOA INFO Follow fire safety norms, it’s not harassment but essential: CM Mistakes that make your skin age faster n SAYS IWAI’S NOD WAS WITHOUT STATE GOVT’S KNOWLEDGE n STATE TO FORM COMMITTEE HEADED BY CHIEF MINISTER VIBHA VERMA THE GOAN I PANAJI In a sharp escalation of tensions between the Centre and the State, the Captain of Ports (CoP) has lashed out at the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for approving a private jetty project at Malim without the State’s knowledge or consent.  The IWAI, a central body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Mumbai-based Marina India Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, paving the way for the construction of Rs 8 crore jetty meant for private yachts and river cruise vessels. However, the Ports Administration made it clear that the move violates a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two >> See pg 3 Unwavering spirit: This doctor’s journey inspires hope IN SHORT >> Choksi arrested in Belgium NEW DELHI: Absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi has been arrested by Belgium authorities following an extradition request by Indian probe agencies for his involvement in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB loan “fraud” case.  >> See pg 7 Actor Salman Khan gets fresh threat MUMBAI: The Mumbai traffic police got a message threatening actor Salman Khan and registered a case in this connection. In the message, the sender threatened to blow up the actor’s car. WEATHER >> Max: 34.4 C Min: 25.2 C Humidity: 70% TIDES Low: High: 05:53 18:19 12:36 23:39 THE FINE PRINT OF ARTICLE 3.2 IN THE MOU „„Govt of Goa will identify, propose development projects to be carried out in rivers and the same will be financed by IWAI „„IWAI will implement projects in rivers in consultation with Govt of Goa „„CoP will be totally free to independently carry out any infra development in the National Waterways utilizing own finances „„Right over waters of all rivers, river beds, river banks, existing infra and  riverine land will be vested with CoP Department „„Declaration of National Waterways does not restrict rights of State in any way and will not infringe upon their rights on minerals, water „„Authority to grant permission/NOC in and on the banks of national waterways will rest with CoP „„Before construction of any cross structures in or across these waterways, necessary clearance from IWAI will have to be taken governments. “We came to know through media reports that IWAI issued the NOC. We have not received any such proposal for a private jetty nor granted any approval. The Central government cannot intervene in our decision. Our MoU is very clear. We will not consider such proposals and not allow the jetty terminal to be built without government approval,” the Captain of Ports told The Goan. CoP clarified that the NOC granted by the IWAI from their portal is a general procedural clearance, which does not override State authority. “The NOC itself mentions that they  have to  follow up with the respective State government. The Mandovi River may be nationalized but jurisdiction rests with the Goa government,” he added. The five-year MoU was signed in June last year between the IWAI and the Goa Finally, axe to fall on 25 illegal houses at Tivim n STRUCTURES HOUSED AT ‘LALA KI BASTI’ n ALL ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE FOR DEMOLITION TODAY THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In what is being seen as a major step toward addressing unauthorised constructions in North Goa, the local administration is set to undertake the demolition of 25 illegal structures at ‘Lala ki Basti’ in Auchit-Vaddo, Tivim, on Tuesday. The long-delayed action is scheduled to begin at 9.30 am and comes after a renewed push from the judiciary to clamp down on encroachments and illegal structures. The demolition drive was initially planned for early March but was postponed, reportedly out of consideration for a religious festival observed by the minority community residing in the affected settlement. However, with the recent directive from the High Court of Bombay at Goa – issued in the wake of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against illegal constructions – authorities now appear deter- government. The department cited Article 3.2 of the agreement, which explicitly limits the IWAI’s role to permissions related to cross-structures like overhead bridges or underwater pipelines. “For all other purposes, the IWAI cannot grant NOC, and more importantly, no NOC is required from IWAI,” he said. The CoP further confirmed they  reached out directly to  the IWAI’s Chief Engineer to question why the clearance was issued without informing the State government. “We asked them why the NOC was granted without informing us. No one from the government or the CoP has approved anything,” he said. The State has meanwhile already formed a State Maritime Water Transport >Continued on P5 NO MASS DEMOLITION OF HOUSES, ASSURES GODINHO >> See pg 3 mined to move forward without further delay. Officials have reportedly made all necessary arrangements for the demolition, including the deployment of personnel for law and order maintenance and coordination with the Public Works Department and electricity department for necessary disconnections. The Administrator of Comu- >Continued on P5 Chennai Super Kings beats Lucknow Super Giants by 5 wickets 13 Fishermen up ante against private jetties, move NGT CLAIM TOURISM BEING OVER-EXPLOITED THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In a mounting standoff over unchecked tourism development along Goa’s northern coast, traditional fishermen from Ecoxim and Pomburpa have approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT), raising alarms over the impact of private jetties and luxury marine tourism on their fragile ecosystem and centuries-old way of life. At the heart of the dispute is the growing number of private jetties catering to boating and yachting activities, particularly at Penha de Franca in Britona. Local fishing communities say this expansion is threatening their livelihoods, eroding their access to fishing zones, and accelerating ecological degradation. Their fears intensified after a recent No Objection Certificate (NOC) was quietly granted by the central government to a Mumbai-based company for the construction of a private jetty in Malim. The proposed facility is intended to KEY POINTS OF PETITION „„Ask GCZM, CoP to submit comprehensive inventory of all jetties in CRZ areas „„Questions legality of setting up private and commercial jetties in CRZ areas „„Ask whether jetties in tidal-influenced water bodies are permissible under CRZ 2011 „„Declare all jetty constructions – other than those meant for fishing or fishery-related activities – as impermissible within CRZ areas „„Infrastructure poses a serious threat to marine ecology and undermines the livelihood of local fishing communities berth up to 16 luxury yachts and accommodate vessels up to 30 metres long. Promoted as a boost to river cruise tourism, the Malim jetty has drawn fierce opposition from local fishermen who view it as yet another example of tourism development encroaching on traditional fishing spaces. “For generations, our families have lived off these waters. If private jetties keep coming up, where will we go to fish?” said one of the petitioners. In their petition, the fish- ermen have asked the NGT to direct the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Captain of Ports to submit a comprehensive inventory of all jetties – public or private – constructed in CRZ areas. Their concern is not just the Malim jetty, but a pattern of encroachment by commercial entities into traditional coastal commons, often under the pretext of tourism development. The petition questions the >Continued on P5 Govt orders probe into glitch during show at KA 1 The State government has called for a detailed report into the alleged technical glitch faced during the performance of the Marathi drama ‘Purush’ in Kala Academy on Sunday even as the theatre group, which had travelled from Maharashtra, expressed visible frustration over the technical failure. 2 nidade (North), Pandurang Gad, had served demolition notices to the residents in February this year, instructing them to vacate the premises. ‘Lala ki Basti’ has long been a contentious issue in Tivim. The settlement, which is said to house more than 100 unauthorised structures, has been at the centre of heated debates over land rights and urban planning. There are widespread allegations that many of these constructions came up with the tacit approval – or at the 9 SPORTS The recently renovated Kala Academy came under strong criticism after a ticketed ‘Marathi’ play was disrupted mid-show. Calling it very unfortunate, Minister for Art and Culture Govind Gaude said he has sought a report from the Kala Academy’s Member Secretary. 3 A lighting malfunction interrupted the Marathi play Purush for approximately 15 minutes at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Auditorium, prompting lead actors Sharad Ponkshe and Spruha Joshi to apologise to the audience during the unexpected pause. >> See pg 3 AMBEDKAR’S ECHO: Youth take part in a rally to celebrate Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's 134th birth anniversary in Panaji on Monday. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the foundation stone for 'Ambedkar Bhavan' in Porvorim will be laid in next six months.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Operations of Blue Cab taxis suspended at Mopa airport GMR SAYS OPERATORS FAILED ON SECURITY CLEARANCES THE GOAN I NETWORK PERNEM Having been allotted a dedicated Blue  Cab  Prepaid Taxi counter at Mopa Airport for taxi operators from Pernem taluka a little over a year ago, local taximen have now been informed that Blue Cab taxi services have been suspended at Mopa airport from Tuesday. GMR Airports Limited (GAL) defended its decision to suspend Blue Cab taxi services on grounds that the Blue Cab operators had failed to obtain security clearances. In a letter to Sanjay Kambli, President of the Blue Cab Prepaid Taxi Association (BCPTA), the GMR Airports Ltd stated that under clauses of the licence agreement dated No- vember 23, 2023 between the Blue Cab Prepaid and GAL, the BCPTA had been required to obtain security clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. “In spite of our repeated requests and reminders to comply with the same, you have >Continued on P5 Rana had planned strikes like Now, eco-conscious chapters for Std 9, 10 students FOR A BETTER TOMORROW 26/11 in Delhi, reveals court THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI NEW DELHI A court here has noted that Mumbai terror attack mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana had identified New Delhi for attacks akin to the 26/11 strikes as part of a conspiracy that travelled beyond the geographical borders of India. Special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh noted in an order passed on April 10 that there was enough material produced by NIA to say that the allegations in the present case pertained to safety and security of the nation, a source said. “The material produced on record reflect that the conspiracy in question travels beyond the geographical borders of Questioned for 8-10 hours daily NEW DELHI: Mumbai terror attacks key mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana is being interrogated for eight to ten hours daily by the National Investigation Agency sleuths to unravel a larger conspiracy behind the dreaded strikes, official sources said on Monday. India and multiple targets in the form of various places in multiple cities in India, including the national capital, were sought to be identified,” the judge is believed to have noted in the 12-page order. Thus, to reach the root of the matter and to unearth the facts which are laid in the deep-rooted conspiracy, a sustained custodial interrogation (of Rana) is required, the judge said. “He needs to be confronted with witnesses and forensic and documentary evidence seized during the investigation, as well as material concerning the reconnaissance visits of accused and his accomplices,” judge is believed to have said in the order sending Rana to 18-day custody. This exercise indicates the necessity of custodial interrogation for which time is required, the judge said. PANAJI n a crucial step towards fostering environmental awareness and grooming the young minds towards becoming responsible citizens, the Goa government has introduced chapters like Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Waste Management into school curriculum for Class X from this academic year. Under Interdisciplinary Area (IDA) a new textbook with chapters like Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness, General Laws including the new criminal laws and Basics of Financial Literacy is being implemented for Class IX from this term as part of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The NEP 2020 was imple- I „„FOR CLASS X: Chapters like Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Waste Management to be introduced in school curriculum from this academic year „„FOR CLASS IX: Under Interdisciplinary Area a new textbook with chapters like Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness, General Laws including the new criminal laws and Basics of Financial Literacy is being implemented „„Disaster Risk Reduction and Management will be taught as a theory component as Scout and Guide NCC, JRC and Social Service would be considered as practical components during Semester I mented for Class IX from the last academic year while for Class X it has been done from this academic term. With NEP, both the grades have ten subjects each which are divided into- Scholastic subjects-Language 1, 2, 3, Social Science, Science and Mathematics and Skill-based subjects are Inter- disciplinary area, NSQF/Others, Art Education and Physical Education. The government had constituted a Textbook Development Committee under Secretary Education IAS Prasad Lolayekar for identifying IDA areas and chapters for inclusion in the curriculum. “The Grade 10 IDA textbook has been designed to focus exclusively on Environmental Education, with the goal of fostering a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between human actions and the natural world. Building upon the interdisciplinary foundation introduced in Grade 9, this textbook takes a focused yet holistic approach to environmental issues, integrating scientific, social, economic, and ethical perspectives. It aims to develop in students a sense of environmental stewardship and inspire them to be proactive in conserving resources,” the govt said. A senior official informed that NEP has placed a strong emphasis on inculcating knowledge pertaining to environmental concerns like sustainable development, cli- mate change, disaster, waste management, etc among students at a young age. “This curriculum, which offers lots of on-field activities, aims to empower students to understand their rights and responsibilities, manage resources responsibly, and be prepared for potential emergencies,” officials said. For Class IX, the chapter Disaster Risk Reduction and Management will be taught as a theory component as Scout and Guide NCC, JRC and Social Service would be considered as practical components during Semester I. Chapter on General Laws and Financial Literacy would be taught during the Second Semester. Under general laws, students would be made aware about the new criminal laws.