log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2025 GOA @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 300 HC directs mapping of sewerage coverage in Margao, sets May 8 deadline 2 GOA Water pipeline bursts at Dabolim, thousands of litres go down the drain 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Effective cures for sunburns, as revealed by dermatologists 11 SPORTS IPL: Mumbai Indians dominate Sunrisers with all-round show 14 on housie, Kala Academy turns to PWD Cops turn heatsummons organisers get for help on lighting glitches Section 179 of BNS invoked to issue notices MALFUNCTION WAS RESULT OF TECHNICAL FAULT: MINISTER LIGHTS, GLITCH, ACTION THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Conceding technical glitches, Kala Academy has approached the Public Works Department (PWD) to rectify the faults in the lighting system and upgrade the facility at the premier institution. Addressing a press conference to divulge the contents of the report sought after the lighting glitch that occurred during the performance of the Marathi drama Purush on Sunday, Minister for Art and Culture Govind Gaude said that prima facie, it appeared to be a technical error and not human error. “Kala Academy has communicated all the shortfalls in the existing lighting system to the PWD requesting them to rectify and upgrade the lighting system as per the requirements", he said. "PWD is already working page 6 Luxury on pause? India’s high-end spending hits the brakes REVIEW: Big, bold and clever: The new Skoda Kodiaq ups its game IN SHORT >> Bhandari leaders meet CM on census PANAJI: Leaders of the numerically strong and politically significant Bhandari community met with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at his official residence and pressed for a population census on caste basis. This is the second such meeting after these leaders had met Sawant back in October last year. The community's leadership has been seeking a population census citing that no such exercise was carried out since the last census in 2011.  >> See pg 3 Panaji’s digging woes continue PANAJI: With Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd having recently submitted to the HC that major works, save part of the 200-meter tail end of the Sewerage Project was completed, one thought the capital city would be free of road-digging, but no.   >> See pg 3 „„PWD requested to rectify, upgrade lighting system as per the requirements „„Existing lighting system to be upgraded in view of inputs given by stagecraft and lighting committee „„Alternate backup plan using more reliable tungsten filament lighting on it. The existing lighting system will be upgraded in view of the inputs given by the stagecraft and lighting committee and also the Task Force Committee,” the minister told media persons. The renovated Kala Academy came under strong criticism after the play was disrupted mid-show with Marathi actors and Opposi- tion leaders in Goa slamming the repeated glitches at the institution. The minister had then sought a report within 48 hours. Terming the incident “very unfortunate,” the minister clarified that the glitch was the result of a technical fault. He added that an alternate backup plan using a more reliable tungsten filament light- system proposed to avoid disruptions in future „„Present lighting system comprises LED lights manufactured by Canara „„These lights are connected in a looping circuit, which means that if even one unit in the series develops a fault, the entire circuit may malfunction ing system has been proposed to avoid such disruptions in the future. Gaude further explained that the lighting system installed at Dinanath Mangeshkar Kala Mandir comprises LED lights manufactured by Canara. These lights are connected in a looping circuit, which means that if even one unit in the series develops a fault, the entire circuit may malfunction. “The maintenance of the present lighting system is done by the contractor under the defect liability period under contract with the PWD. We understand that the service and maintenance is done by the contractor periodically,” he added. Water taxi project edges closer to reality in Goa  KOCHI TEAM LIKELY TO ARRIVE IN MAY FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY  GOVERNMENT APPOINTS NODAL OFFICER THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The long-awaited water taxi project (water metro transport system) will finally see some movement with a team from Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL)  expected to visit the State next month to conduct a feasibility study.   The experts will assess possible routes, infrastructure requirements and other logistical aspects to evaluate the viability of operating water taxis along Goa’s inland waterways. Officials stated that Goa has proposed four routes -- Panaji-Divar-Old Goa, Panaji-Chorao Island, Vasco-Margao-Cortalim and Calangute-Baga-Candolim while more routes would be added as and when required. The study will also pave the way for any further decisions on launching the service, as the project was announced over five years ago. “The KMRL team will examine river stretches and identify suitable locations for the project. The routes suggested by the State and other areas will be explored for the preliminary study,” sources told The Goan adding that the SMOOTH SAILING ON THE HORIZON „„KMRL team to examine river stretches „„Identify suitable locations for the project „„Routes suggested by State, other areas to be explored for preliminary study „„Project part of Central govt initiative to introduce water taxis in 18 locations across the country THE PROBABLE ROUTES „„Panaji-Divar-Old Goa, Panaji-Chorao Island, Vasco-Margao-Cortalim and Calangute-Baga-Candolim „„More routes expected to be added as and when required Goa government has appointed Director of the River Navigation Department (RND) Vikramsinh Raje Bhosale as the nodal officer to coordinate with the Kochi officials for the project. The visit is part of a larger Central government initiative to introduce water taxis in 18 locations across the country and KMRL is entrusted with preparing a preliminary report. “Decisions such as whether the boats will be solar-powered, their passenger capacity and operational models, etc will also depend on the find- ings of the study. This project is one of those areas to modernize transport and promote sustainable mobility solutions across Indian cities. Kochi’s water metro model is explored as a potential blueprint for similar initiatives elsewhere,” the source said.  While Goa proposed water taxi services between Panaji and Old Goa way back in 2019-20, the project resurfaced during a finance commission meeting, where the State reiterated its intent to move ahead with the idea under the Central scheme.   TICKETS TO TROUBLE THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO With a host of housie games scheduled across the South Goa district from Easter Day, the administration has further tightened the screws on the organizers of the banner housie in South Goa district. After pulling down banners advertising housie planned in several villages from April 20, the Goa police have invoked Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 to summon suspects involved in organizing housie in their respective police station jurisdiction. In fact, the police, in their notices, have sought explanation on the planned housie, issuing a warning that the person will be liable for arrest for giving unsatisfactory explanation. That’s not all. Notices issued by the police to the suspects are also forwarded to the office of the South Goa district Collector, Egna Cleetus, who has issued strict in- „„Police in their notices have sought explanation on the planned housie „„Suspects warned of arrest if explanation is unsatisfactory „„Notices issued to suspects also forwarded to office of South Goa district Collector „„Collector is in the know of advts issued by organisers over planned housie games from April 20 „„All officers instructed to crack a whip and book organisers under the Gambling Act Football clubs seek conditional relief from ON blanket ban on housie in South Goa PAGE Collector reaffirms crackdown on housie, 2 no exemption for football clubs yet structions to the deputy Collectors and Sub-divisional Magistrates to order a crackdown on the Housie games with a firm hand. Sources say the district Collector is in receipt of advertisements issued by organizers over planned housie games across the district, beginning from April 20. Based on the information, the Collector has instructed her subordinates to crack a whip against Housie in the district and book the organizers under the Gambling Act. A notice issued by the Verna police station under section 179 of the BNSS to a person stated that the police has >Continued on P8 Two Shiva Lingas SOLEMN RITUAL found in Sancoale, Archeology Dept initiates inquiry THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO Two Shiva Lingas were discovered in a Khazan water body at Sancoale on Wednesday morning, prompting swift action from the Archeology Department. According to reports, workers from a nearby service station had gone to the water body for defecation when they unexpectedly stumbled upon the Shiva Lingas submerged beneath the surface of the water. Curious, the labourers removed the stone artifacts and cleaned them before informing local residents about their unusual find. Startled by the discovery, the locals wasted no time in contacting the Archeology Department. Officials soon arrived at the site, examined the objects, and took the Shiva Lingas into their possession for further analysis. The department has now launched an investigation to determine the age, origin, and historical significance of the artifacts. This discovery has sparked local curiosity, as it could shed light on the region’s spiritual or cultural past, potentially connecting it to ancient religious practices or settlements. Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes performs the Washing of the Apostles' Feet during the Maundy Thursday service in the Chapel at Archbishop's Palace in Altinho.   Narayan Pissurlenkar DMG to demarcate buffer zones around e-auctioned ore blocks THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Amid demands from locals to exclude religious structures and houses from areas leased for iron ore mining, the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has started inspections to demarcate buffer zones around the e-auctioned mineral blocks, aiming to prevent DMG to carve-out mineral blocks from nine leases for auction  >> See pg 3 successful bidders from carrying out any excavation within the zone. DMG has already obtained an undertaking from Salgaoc- ar Shipping Pvt Ltd -- owner of Sirigao-Mayem Mineral block II -- stating that it will not undertake any excavation work within the buffer zone of 150 meters from the outer compound wall of Shree Lairai Devi temple and 50 meters from the last house located within the mineral block. >Continued on P8 3 months after abrupt transfer, Vice President fires ‘super parliament’ salvo at SC SP Sawant named ANC head Waqf case: Will not denotify PTI 50 POLICE INSPECTORS GET TRANSFER ORDERS  THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Superintendent of Police Sunita Sawant has been given charge of the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC), nearly three months after she was abruptly moved out of the South Goa district and posted to Police Headquarters through a wireless message. She replaces SP Tikam Singh Verma in the ANC, who has held dual charge since taking over South Goa from Sawant -- also holding the charge of Sports Unit in the department.  In a parallel development, the Goa Police transferred 50 police inspectors (PIs) in what has been termed a routine reshuffle.  Earlier this week, Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Nelson Albuquerque instructed the duty masters to report at 11 am on Thursday with a list of officers who had been transferred in previous years and officially relieved in accordance with orders.  Sources confirmed that the directive to relieve personnel who had not yet moved to their new postings has largely been followed. However, officials have maintained silence on Director General of Police Alok Kumar’s recent directions that transferred personnel would only be eligible to draw salaries from their new postings.  The issue came to a head last week when Goa Police issued a sweeping order relieving all officers and personnel transferred between 2020 and 2025. This followed revelations during a high-level meeting at Police >Continued on P8 NEW DELHI ice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday questioned the judiciary setting a timeline for the president to take decisions and act as a “super Parliament”, saying the Supreme Court cannot fire a “nuclear missile” at democratic forces. Dhankhar's strong words to the judiciary came during his speech to Rajya Sabha interns, days after the Supreme Court sought to fix a timeline for the president to grant assent to the bills reserved for her consideration by the governor. “So, we have judges who will legislate, who will perform executive functions, who will V properties, Centre assures SC NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday assured the Supreme Court that it will neither denotify waqf properties, including “waqf by user”, nor make any appointments to the central waqf council and boards till May 5. The assurance of solicitor general Tushar Mehta came when he informed a bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan that the waqf law was passed by Parliament with “due deliberations” and it should not be stayed without hearing the government.  >> See pg 7 act as super Parliament and absolutely have no accountability because the law of the land does not apply to them,” Dhankhar said. The vice president also described Article 142, which grants plenary powers to the Supreme Court, as a “nuclear missile against democratic forces available to the judiciary 24x7”. “Article 142 has become a nuclear missile against democratic forces (and) available to (the) judiciary 24x7,” he said. Article 142 gives SC the power to issue orders that ensure “complete justice” in any matter before it. This power is also known as the Supreme Court's “plenary power”. “There is a directive to the president by a recent judgment. Where are we heading? “What is happening in the country? We have to be extremely sensitive. It is not a question of someone filing a review or not. We never bargained for democracy for this day. President being called upon to decide in a time- bound manner, and if not, becomes law,” Dhankhar said. The vice president said his worries were at a “very highest level” and he had never thought in “my life” that he would have the occasion to see it. “(The) president takes an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Others, including ministers, the vice president, parliamentarians and judges take an oath to abide by the Constitution,” Dhankhar said. “We cannot have a situation where you direct the president of India and on what basis? The only right you have under the Constitution is to interpret the Constitution under Article 145(3). There it has to be five judges or more...,” he said.