IMPLEMENT TRANSFERS FIRST , TALKS LATER CM TELLS DGP

PANJIM: Chief minister Digambar Kamat met DGP Aditya Arya twice on Thursday, making it clear that the police first need to implement the transfer orders of the superintendents of police and later grievances raised by the DGP may be heard, said sources.

POLLING FOR RS SEAT BEGINS TODAY

PANJIM: Polling for the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Goa began Friday morning. Congress' Shantaram Naik is contesting against BJP's Damodar Naik for the seat.

AUTOPSY REVEALS KARWAR NATIVE DIED OF A MASSIVE HEART ATTACKE

PONDA: Manoj Revonkar died of a massive heart attack, states the autopsy report of the man who collapsed and expired, after a finance company called in police alleging he had taken a loan by pledging fake gold.

TWO NON GOANS ARRESTED FOR PROCURING A GIRL FROM BHOPAL FOR PROSTITUTION

PANJIM: Two persons were arrested by Calangute police for procuring and bringing a girl from Bhopal to Goa for the purpose of prostitution.  The victim was brought to Goa early this week by the two accused persons Johny Tyagi, 27, and Manoj Chaudhary alias Vicky, 28. While Tyagi was arrested on Wednesday, Chaudhary was arrested on Thursday.

MAHARASHTRA DEMANDS GOA GIVE JOBS TO TILLARI AFFECTED PERSONS OF MAHARASHTRA

PANJIM: Maharashtra has once again demanded that Goa should either give jobs to the 600-odd project affected persons (PAP) of the Tillari irrigation project or pay monetary compensation through a one-time settlement as per the agreement signed in 1990 between the two states.

DGP ADITYA ARYA NEEDS TO BE COMPLIMENTED FOR STANDING UP TO THE HOME MINISTER by Nisser Dias

This fortnight has been frenzied by the ongoing tug-of-war between the Home minister Ravi Naik and Director-General of the Police Aditya Arya over the transfer order issued by the minister without his knowledge. It is for the first time that a top cop has stood up to the Home minister and stalled the orders. For this act of the DGP he should be awarded a bravery medal by the people of the state for curbing political interference in the functioning of the police department.

FROM ALTINHO, THE ROAD TO EUROPE BY Keith Xavier de Herédia, Divar

When the Portuguese left Goa in 1961, they could not just leave behind a legacy of susegad, siestas and sorpotel thanks to the cheap tactics applied by Indian Republic to invade Antigo Estado da India to which Portuguese did not have the forces required to take on the Invasion. What could a minor force of 3,995 Army, 200 Navy, 1 aviso, 3 patrol boats do against a force of 45,000 infantry, Light Aircraft Carrier, 2 Cruisers, 1 destroyer, 8 frigates, 4 Minesweepers, 20 Canberras, 6 Vampires, 6 Toofanis, 6 Hunters, 4 Mysteres not much I suppose.

JMFC CLOSES PROSECUTION EVIDENCE IN 2004 RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE

PANJIM: Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai today directed that the Prosecution evidence in the 2004 Ribandar Church case be closed.  The JMFC in her order today stated that she would now proceed with recording the statement of the accused under section 313 of the Criminal procedure code on July 26th.

GOVT FIRM ON THE TRANSFER ORDER OF THE SPs

PANJIM: In an apparent show of its authority, the government by a letter dispatched on Wednesday directed the state Director-General of Police, Dr Aditya Arya to implement its order effecting transfer of nine officials in the rank of the superintendent of police, issued last week.

GOA, GOANS, GONE ? By Peter Noronha, Fatorda

1) Bengalis have fallen in love with Goa

2) Rajasthanis feel happy about Goa's development

3) Kannadigas are proud of their contribution to Goa

MAHANAND NAIK AWARDED LIFE SENTENCE

PANJIM: A local court has sentenced serial killer Mahanand Naik to life imprisonment in connection with the murder of Vasanti Gawde, who was believed to be his first victim. Additional District and Sessions Court yesterday convicted Mahanand for life and also imposed a fine of Rs 1.3 lakh, which will be given to the family of the victim.

EXTREME MISBEHAVIOUR NOR LESS ATTENDANCE: STUDENTS CANNOT BE EXPELLED

PANJIM: Neither extreme misbehaviour nor a shortfall in attendance will result in expulsion or detention, if students are in a classified age-group, say latest instructions issued by the education director to headmasters under the no-fail policy. School heads had sought to know if a child who has "no attendance" can be promoted.

MINING TRUCKS ORDERED TO STOP PLYING THROUGH DHARBANDORA

MARGAO: In what could come as a welcome relief to the locals of Dharbandora, sub-divisional magistrate of Salcette Johnson Fernandes has instructed mining companies operating in that area to stop mining transportation through the village until the monsoons come to a close.

MINING COMPANIES HAVE NO INTEREST IN ROAD PROJECTS

PANJIM: The Goa government has found itself in a piquant situation after its ambitious mining corridor projects in the state failed to garner any interest from mining firms, which were expected to share the cost.  Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, in the state Budget for the 2011-12 financial year, had earmarked Rs 500 crore for the mining corridors, which would be dedicated for transport of minerals from the thickly inhabited areas of the mining belt to port facilities.

PEACOCK INVASION CAUSES SNAKE MENACE by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai

During my younger days we had a lot of toddy tapers in our village and their distilleries consumed a lot of wood to keep the fire burning, in distilling coconut fenni. Mostly the women of the backward class, from Betul us to roam the forests in our area and collect the dead wood and sell it to the toddy tapers, while their men worked in the fields and properties. It took a lot of wood to sustain the good number of toddy tapers and their tedious profession.

GOAN OCCUPATION 1961 AND IRAQ LIBERATION 2003 BY Agnelo Gomes, Combakar

Goa was Invaded and Bombarded during Invasion by Indian military in 1961 destroying Dabolim Airport, Emissora de Goa (radio station of Goa), Government buildings, Bridges, etc and raised Indian flag on Goan territory. Deceived the United Nations and the world community calling that was the Liberation. An aggression uncalled by Goans of the soil.

JMFC TO DECIDE ON JULY 22nd HOW TO PROCEED WITH RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE

PANJIM: Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai will on July 22nd decide how to proceed with the 2004 Ribandar Church case.  Former Parish Priest of Ribandar Father Newton Rodrigues who is the complainant has failed to remain present in Court despite being summoned and a warrant of arrest issued against him.

VILLAGERS OF ARROSIM-CANSAULIM-CUELIM-VELSAO DEMAND PI JIVBA DALVI’S DISMISSAL

VASCO: The villagers of Arossim and Cansaulim under the banner of Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim-Velsao Villagers Forum, on Wednesday, demanded immediate dismissal of the then Verna PI, Jivba Dalvi and police sub-inspector, Mr Sushant Gawas from the services for the dereliction of duty.

GLOBAL GOANS AND THEIR SUPPORT TO GOA by A. Veronica Fernandes, Kuwait

I am an Indian citizen not by my own choice but by force imposed on me by the Government of India on 19th December 1961 and thru this force Government of India stationed in New Delhi forced Indian citizenship on me.

GOA’S ENVIRONMENT MINISTER DEFENDS FROG POACHING

PANJIM: Much to the dismay of the environmentalists, Goa Environment Minister Aleixo Sequiera today defended frog-killing in the state, terming it as a `habit'. Sequeira, addressing a convention of youths on environment at Dona Paula near here, said "frogs have been eaten in the state for (the past) several years".

BLACK MONEY HOLDERS INVEST IN REAL ESTATE

PANJIM: Goa's real estate boom is not driven by "people who love the land", but by speculative investment of black money in the state, environmentalist Madhav Gadgil said Wednesday.  Speaking at the concluding session of a workshop on environment here, Gadgil, the man behind India's "People Biodiversity Register", also said that a huge influx of black money in Goa in form of real estate investments was severely crunching land resources in one of India's smallest states.

EC ISSUES NOTICES TO VALANKA ALEMAO AND JITESH KAMAT

MARGAO: The elections to the executive committee of the state Youth Congress is turning out to be quite an eventful affair with two contestants - the frontrunner for the president's post, Valanka Alemao, and another candidate Jitesh Kamat - being slapped notices by the election commission of the Indian Youth Congress.

AGAÇAIM POLICE REGISTER A CASE AGAINST TWO PERSONS FOR ORGANISING BULLFIGHTS

PANJIM: Bullfights continue to resurface in the state despite the ban. The Agaçaim police on Monday morning registered a case against two persons for organising a bullfight.  The police said that on July 18, between 6am and 7am, Rosario Mascarenhas from Taleigao and Dunjao from Goa Velha organized a bullfight at an open public place in Siridao but escaped from the scene with their bulls.

CUNCOLIM POLICE ARREST TWO MORE INVOLVED IN GANG RAPE

MARGAO: The Cuncolim police on Tuesday arrested two more persons in connection with the alleged gang rape of a Cuncolim woman last week.  The police disclosed the names of the arrested as Gangesh Pagi, 26, and Ramakant Velip, 26, both from Cola, near Betul.

RAIL TRACKS WORK WILL BE COMPLETED BY 21ST JULY: KONKAN RAILWAY

PANJIM: The restoration work on rail tracks between Ratnagiri and Nivsar in the Konkan region, which has been affected due to landslides, will be completed on July 21, the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited said Tuesday.

HIGH COURT TO HEAR ON 16TH AUGUST GOA GOVERNOR’S PLEA AGAINST RTI

PANJIM: The Bombay High Court at Goa has directed that the hearing on Goa Raj Bhavan’s petition against the RTI Act will continue on August 16th. With Dr. S.S.Sidhu being the only Governor to challenge the RTI Act, the issue whether the Governor is a “Public Authority” is being raised before a High Court for the first time.

WAR OF NERVES BETWEEN DGP ADITYA ARYA AND HOME MINISTER RAVI NAIK

PANJIM: The war of nerves between the Director-General of Police, Dr Aditya Arya and the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik could be a thing of the past if the balance between IPS cadre and state police officers is restored.

ZUARI BRIDGE ABOUT TO EXPIRE: NEW BRIDGE REQUIRED

PANJIM: Expressing apprehension on the condition of the Zuari bridge, some authoritative sources said the lifespan of the bridge is set to expire in three years. And if construction of a new bridge begins tomorrow it would take a minimum of five years to complete.

EC SERVES NOTICE TO VALANKA ALEMAO

PANJIM: The Election Commission (Youth Congress elections) has served a notice to Valanka Alemao, the daughter of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao for using her father’s position to influence voters for the youth Congress elections.

MOI CIRCULAR WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM THIS YEAR

PANJIM: The advocate general (AG), Subodh Kantak, on Monday informed the high court of Bombay at Goa that the state government would implement the medium of instruction (MoI) circular from this academic year.

HIGH COURT DIRECTS A S TO FILE AFFIDAVIT WHY THE OFFICES OF THE PRESIDENT OF INDA, GOVERNOR AND SPEAKER NOT FALL WITHIN RTI

PANJIM: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Monday directed the additional solicitor general of India, Vivek Tankha, to file an affidavit explaining how the offices of the president of India, governor and speaker do not fall within the scope of 'public authority' as defined under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.

DOG DAY AFTERNOON ( AND MORNING AND NIGHT ) by Dr. Oscar Rebello, Goa

Dr. Rosario Menezes, the ever smiling effervescent and genial pediatrician from Vasco has been screaming hoarse about the dangers of Rabies in Goa, for years now. Mostly his advice has been ignored or at times, even ridiculed by the motley bunch of vociferous ‘animal lovers’.

DR. OSCAR REBELLO'S REACTION ON DOG MENACE IN PANJIM by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes

Humans are God’s or nature’s prime creation, depending on what we believe, that is in God or in nature, and I have absolutely no doubt that any one of us, including Dr. Oscar and Dr Anjali for that matter, would not think twice of saving a human if it came to a definite choice between saving a human or an animal, not because we all hate animals but because we value human life more than any other form of life on this earth. Am I not right?

THE GRAND GOVERNMENTAL SHRUG by Joaquim Correia-Afonso, Benaulim.

The print media of Goa had highlighted how the late Alban Couto’s work, even two years after his death in June 2009, has received only “a grand governmental shrug”.  The late IAS officer was the first Development Commissioner of Goa. Later he served as advisor to the governor during President’s rule and was also advisor to the Goa government. Before and after his stint in Goa, he served in Bihar, Delhi, Chennai and even in London, in the Commonwealth Secretariat. Lately, he had been appointed Chairman of the Goa State Finance Commission.

FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES FAILS TO APPEAR IN COURT: JMFC TO DECIDE FUTURE COURSE ON JULY 21ST

PANJIM: Former Parish Priest of Ribandar Father Newton Rodrigues today failed to appear before Panaji Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai as was directed by the Court while giving him a last opportunity. JMFC Faldessai will now decide on Friday 21st July how to proceed with the case.

HEAVY RUSH FOR FREE TANKS IN CANACONA – Niz Goenkar Reporter in Canacona

CANACONA: After announcement at the churches in Canacona about the free tanks a heavy rush was observed to get free tanks at chaudi town

DIGAMBAR’S NEW LOVE FOR TECHNOLOGY by Willie Menino Severes, Majorda (Dubai)

In 2010, Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat demanded to put a ban on social networking sites Facebook and Orkut. Today, it is nice to see the same CM using the technology of video conferencing to listen to the grievances of the aam admi.

GOA SWINDON DAY: CLARIFICATION AND STAND OF MR. SANTANA SOUSA AND HIS COMMITTEE MEMBERS

SWINDON: On 17th July 2011 Niz Goenkar was invited for a press briefing by Mr Santana Sousa and his team in order to clarify their stand on the cancellation of the GOA DAY that was supposed to be held on 16th of July 2011 at the County Ground, Swindon. Below is the clarification given by Mr. Santana Souza on the issue.

ATHELETICS COACH FROM UTTAR PRADESH ARRESTED FOR RAPING A 15 YEAR OLD MINOR

PANJIM: Goa Police have arrested an athletics coach from Uttar Pradesh for raping a 15-year-old kho-kho player at a hotel on Colva beach.  According to police, the victim is a class XI student from government college near Bijnor in UP. The incident happened last week, which came to light after the girl sought help of a local waiter to approach the police.

GOVT PROTECTS THE KILLERS OF BALI TRIBALS: UTAA

PANJIM: Tribal leaders on Monday accused the government of protecting the killers of two tribal activists, who lost their lives during the Bali violence on May 25.  "Two of our people died. While the perpetrators are out free, our people are in jail. Only one has been arrested," United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) leader and BJP MLA, Mr Ramesh Tawadkar told media during a daylong symbolic dharna at Azad Maidan to protest against the government apathy towards tribals.

TRIBAL LEADERS ACCUSE CM KAMAT OF BEING ANTI–TRIBAL

PANJIM: Tribal leaders here Monday accused Chief Minister Digambar Kamat of being "anti-tribal" and protecting the killers of two tribal activists during a May rally this year.  Speaking to reporters during a day-long tribal protest here, convenor of the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA), Prakash Velip, said that Kamat's disinterest in tribal welfare affairs was obvious as no judicial enquiry was in sight into the killing of two tribal activists during an agitation at Balli, some 50 km from here, May 25.

NIZ GOENKAR: A SITE DEDICATED TO GOA AND GOANS by Nisser Dias

At the very onset I would like to congratulate Menino Fernandes and his NIZ GOENKAR team for hosting, update and administer a very bold website dedicated to liberate Goa and Goans from the shackles of our own doing.

HC DIRECTS ADDITIONAL SOLICITOR GENERAL TO FILE AFFIDAVIT IN GOVERNOR’S PLEA AGAINST RTI

A Division Bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa comprising of Justice S. A. Bobde and Justice F.M.Reis today directed the Additional Solicitor General of India Mr. Vivek Tankha to file an affidavit to the effect that the President of India, Governor and the Speaker do not have any executive powers or duties to comply with.

ITS RAINING CATS AND DONGS IN CANACONA! by NG Reporter, Canacona

CANACONA: Rain has played havoc in canacona affecting schools, business and most government offices. Most parts of Canacona remained submerged in water for last week.The only people with a smile were the farming community.

TWO PERSONS DETAINED IN CONNECTION WITH GANG RAPE

PANJIM: Two people were detained for questioning early Monday and the police are on the lookout for four others who allegedly gang raped a 32-year-old widow in Goa.

COLLEAGUE MURDERED FOR TICKLING

PANJIM: Narayan Biswas had to pay with his life after he tried to tickle his friend and colleague Neerapan Sunil Mandal at Mapusa on Friday night.  Biswas, who was residing at Karaswadda, Mapusa, was allegedly murdered by Mandal, who shared a room with him. Mapusa police have registered a murder case and arrested Mandal. Both were construction workers and staying in a room close to the construction site.

WOMAN FROM NUVEM GANG RAPED AT CUNCOLIM

MARGAO: A 30-year old widow from Nuvem was allegedly gang-raped by at least six persons at Cuncolim on Saturday.  Cuncolim police registered an offence on Sunday against unknown persons and have taken into custody a suspect for interrogation, police sources said.

WILL FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES APPEAR IN COURT?

PANJIM: With Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai having given a last opportunity to the Prosecution to produce Father Newton Rodrigues in Court on 19th July at 10 am it will have to be seen whether the former Parish Priest of Ribandar now appears in Court.

NOW ADDITIONAL SOLICITOR GENERAL TO DEFEND GOA GOVERNOR AGAINST RTI

PANJIM: Additional Solicitor General of India Mr. Vivek Tankha arrived in Goa this evening to defend Governor of Goa Dr. S.S.Sidhu before the Bombay High Court at Goa on Monday 18th July in his case against the RTI Act. Mr. Tankha is one of the 14 current Additional Solicitor Generals in the country.

A WOMAN GANG RAPED AT BETUL ON SATURDAY NIGHT

MARGAO: In a shocking incident, a 32-year old widow has complained of gang rape by a group of six persons at Betul Saturday night.  The woman, who made her appearance at the Cuncolim police station on Sunday evening, was later referred to medical examination. It is learnt that the woman was subjected to medical examination and the police were awaiting medical report for further investigations.

KRCL CLEARS THEMSELVES OF FALSE JOB PROMISERS

PANJIM: Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) on Sunday said that unscrupulous elements were promising jobs in the corporation for the land-losers and innocent jobseekers and that it has not planned any recruitment.

JULY 25 RESULTS WILL SILENCE DETRACTORS: VALANKA YOUTH CONGRESS ELECTIONS

MARGAO: Exuding confidence that her detractors would be silenced when the results are out on July 25, PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao’s daughter Valanka has said the question before the Youth Congress members is not whose daughter is contesting the YC polls, but of a youth who has come forward to strengthen the organization.

WHEN WILL THE CCP GET ITS ACT TOGETHER? by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

The Corporation of City of Panaji Act provides for the nomination of five Corporators having special knowledge or experience in municipal administration, engineering, architecture, heritage etc. It was definitely not the intent of the Act to load the CCP with political stooges but to have aboard, people with expertise to contribute to the welfare and betterment of the City.

GOA DAY CANCELLED: SADDEST DAY FOR ALL GOANS IN SWINDON AND ELSEWHERE IN UK.

SWINDON: This is a day that brings all the Goans together in their thousands as they visit the venue where the famous Swindon Goa day is celebrated, with grandeur and pomp. Goans from other European countries,especially from Paris (France), Portugal etc come all the way to have fun that day in Swindon.

HIGH COURT TO HEAR ON 18TH JULY GOA GOVERNOR’S PLEA AGAINST RTI

PANJIM: The Goa Raj Bhavan’s petition against the Right to Information Act will come up for hearing on Monday 18th July before a Division bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa comprising of Justice S. A. Bobde and Justice F.M.Reis.

NATIVE OF WEST BENGAL ARRESTED FOR MURDERING HIS COLLEAGUE AT CARASWADDO

MAPUSA: A case of murder has been registered at the Mapusa police station against a construction worker from West Bengal for allegedly murdering his colleague Narayan Biswas in Caraswaddo, Mapusa Friday night.

GOVT TO RECONSIDER SP TRANSFERS SINCE OBJECTED BY DGP

PANJIM: The government will on Monday examine the transfers of a few superintendents of police (SPs) after it received a letter from director general of police (DGP) Aditya Arya objecting to the transfers, chief secretary Sanjay Srivastava said.

BJP DEMANDS THE ARREST OF ROY NAIK SON OF HOME MINISTER RAVI NAIK

PANJIM: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday demanded the arrest of Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik’s son, Roy, for his alleged links with the drug mafia in the state.  Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investigating the drug-nexus case, should arrest Roy, as he stands accused in the case.

ALL OF GOA’S CHURCHES TO FOLLOW DRESS CODE

PANJIM: After Goa's oldest church, other churches in the state could soon follow suit and impose a rigid dress code for tourists visiting their premises.  Fr Francisco Caldeira, a spokesperson for the Goa Archibishop, told a news agency that the example set by Goa's 450-year-old church, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, in setting up a dress code was the way to go.

SUB-REGISTRAR OF PERNEM ENQUIRED FOR ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION

PANJIM: Law secretary Pramod Kamat has initiated an inquiry into allegations of corruption against the sub-registrar of Pernem taluka and sought an explanation from her.  Kamat confirmed this, but said the matter has not yet been referred to the vigilance department. A law department source said that in the past, the department has several complaints of misconduct against the lady sub-registrar at Pernem.

HEAVY RAINS LASH GOA WITH GUSTY WINDS SINCE TWO DAYS

PANJIM: Incessant rainfall accompanied by gusty winds, over the last two days, caused floods and wreaked havoc by uprooting trees, damaging houses and disrupting power supply across the state.  In Bicholim, the market area and the locality around the Shantadurga high school were submerged with losses estimated at Rs 3 lakh. The school authority also announced a holiday for its pupils in view of their safety. Traffic in the town was blocked for almost three hours.

AGITATON IN MELWYN GOMES CASE CONTINUES: ULTIMATUM SERVED TO GOA POLICE

VELSAO: The case of deceased Melwyn Gomes is not sealed and buried, thanks tot he family members and agitating villagers of Arossim, Cansaulim and other villages have served a 72- hour deadline on the IGP to bring the culprits to book or threatened to come on the streets and intensify the agitation.

TIATRIST STOP FOOLING US - WEARING KAXTTI! by Ramesh Naik, Pajifond – Margao

Hats of, to Willie Severes (Majorda - Dubai), for pointing out a very wrong practice followed by our tiatrist in his open letter to Shri Tomazinho Cardozo (president of tiatr academy). His letter was recently published in Niz Goenkar web site.

FRANCISCO SARDINHA WANTS SON’S VICTORY FROM CURTORIM

CURTORIM: This is probably the last election for Goans if they seal their fate for worse by themselves. More and more reveleations by the greedy politicians are exposed every day. The greed for slice of Goa's wealth is tempting for the corrupt politicians of Goa.

JMFC GIVES PROSECUTION LAST OPPORTUNITY TO PRODUCE FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES

PANJIM: Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai today as a last opportunity directed the Prosecution to produce Father Newton Rodrigues before the Court on 19th July at 10 am.

MP SARDINHA FURIOUS WITH THE CHIEF MINISTER OVER FUNCTION ATTENDANCE ISSUE

MARGAO: South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha on Thursday made known in public his displeasure at the organizers having started the UID function at Ravindra Bhavan in Margao in his absence. He was particularly peeved as the chief minister had already addressed the gathering when Sardinha entered the venue.

CM STILL TRIES TO PROTECT RAVI NAIK’S SON ROY NAIK

PANJIM: Chief Minister Digambar Kamat Friday offered no comments on the alleged link of home minister Ravi Naik’s son, Roy in the drug nexus claiming that it is for CBI to investigate. The CM is still trying to protect Roy Naik.

GOVT SAYS GOA POLICE MUST IMPLEMENT THE SP TRANSFER ORDERS: DG ADITYA ARYA DEFIANT

PANJIM: Even as the Director General of Police Aditya Arya’s request to ‘rethink on the transfers of the superintendents of police’ is under consideration, State government has said that Goa police should implement the present order.

DIGAMBAR KAMAT’S ONLINE VIDEO CONFERENCING A FLOP

PANJIM: Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat's attempt to hear grievances of public online through video conferencing evoked a lukewarm response in North Goa with very few people turning up.  Kamat was online this morning from North district collectorate, connected to various mamlatdar offices to attend the grievances of the citizens.

SATARI VILLAGERS OPPOSE THE GOVT IDEA OF DECLARING THEIR AREAS AS TIGER RESERVE

VALPOI: The villagers of Charavne, Hivrem, Thane, Codal, Nanora, Nagargao, Maloli, Murmune and Paikul in Satari taluka, residing in the Madei Wildlife Sanctuary area bordering the Karnataka state are vehemently opposed to the idea of declaring the area as a tiger reserve as it will put additional restrictions in their daily life and lead to their rehabilitation.

PARTNER IN CRIME OF MICHAEL FERNANDES CAUGHT AT PORVORIM

PANJIM: Notorious gangster Michael Fernandes’ accomplice Balley D’Costa has been arrested by the North Goa police on Friday. Sources said D’Costa, 22, of Morpilla, Quepem, was absconding for the last one and half year. He was arrested through a trap laid near Old Porvorim market.

CM SAYS NO SPECIFIC ALERT ISSUED IN THE STATE CONTRARY TO THE GOA POLICE CLAIM

PANJIM: Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat Friday said no specific 'alert' has been issued in the state following the latest serial blasts in Mumbai. "We are always on alert. Goa is an international tourist destination so we cannot take chance. Whether something happens in the neighbouring state or not, Goa has to be on alert," Kamat told reporters here.

KAMAT, SHIRODKAR IN TROUBLE FOR SUPPORTING VALANKA

MARGAO: In a development that would put party leaders in a fix, some of the contestants for the Youth Congress polls have complained to party election officials about the interference of party heavyweights in support of Valanka Alemao.

CHOTA RAJAN’S SHARP SHOOTER IS GONE, THE LANDLADY FACES HARASSMENT FROM PERNEM POLICE

ARAMBOL: Maria Mascarenhas is as far removed from the world of sharpshooters and gangsters, as the Goa police is from the truth. This seventy- year- old has been living in her village of Arambol for years used to a life of routine with the regular village feast the only excitement in her social calendar.

WAS GOA GOVERNOR IN DOUBT OVER THE COMPETENCY OF ADVOCATE GENERAL SUBODH KANTAK?

PANJIM: Information obtained by Adv Aires Rodrigues under the Right to Information Act has revealed that it was Goa Governor Dr. S.S.Sidhu’s desire and decision that Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam should appear before the High Court in the petitions filed by Goa Raj Bhavan against the Right to Information Act.

USELESS SECURITY ALERTS BY GOA POLICE by Willie Menino Severes, Majorda (Dubai)

In view of the unfortunate and sad Mumbai serial blasts that occurred on Wednesday, Goa has been put on terror alert, informed the Superintendent of Police, Special branch, Mr Atmaram Deshpande.He said that an alert has been sounded at all border check posts, coastal police stations and other vital installations as a precautionary and security measure.

LUCKY FARMHOUSE NAMES ROY NAIK SON OF RAVI NAIK IN THE POLICE DRUG-NEXUS CASE BEFORE SWEDISH POLICE

PANJIM: Lucky Farmhouse, a prime witness in the drug peddler-policemen nexus case, on Wednesday said she has given a detailed deposition before the Swedish police in which she has named Goa Home Minister's son Roy Naik.

THE CODE OF CONDUCT MUST BE ENFORCED NOT JUST HUNG ON THE WALL by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai

I am sure many of us when young, were much impressed by the intrigue and the escapades of Robin Hood and wanted to emulate him, even though he was barred and outlawed by the then selfish and self centered Prince John who ruled in the absence of his elder brother King Richard the Lion Hearted of England. Robin Hood use to rob the rich and help the poor. Robin Hood was our childhood hero.

PARRIKAR SMACKS OF PIMP’S MENTALITY by Rupert Coutinho, Dubai

Parrikar’s assurance to settle the issue of regularising the houses at Indira Nagar in Chimbel is cheap, disgraceful and is a mind of frustration of a desperate and disillusioned CM-in-waiting.  Can Goans accept that their land be taken away and given free of cost to outsiders?

GOA GOVERNOR’S PLEA AGAINST RTI ADJOURNED TO 18th JULY

A Division bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa comprising of Justice S. A. Bobde and Justice F.M.Reis today adjourned to 18th July the hearing on Goa Raj Bhavan’s petition against the Right to Information Act. The Raj Bhavan’s petition will be heard after the High Court completes the hearing on the petition pertaining to the privatization of the Mapusa District hospital.

GOA VOTES II: VOTING PILGRIMAGE TOURS TO NASIK/VALANKANI by Emediavoices, Goa

There is no restricted term or age level for your ministers and even the morgues are not welcoming them for everlasting storage. The candidates possess no law and order qualification yet they are offered Goan blood honorary degrees by the universities or colleges from accident victims or blood banks.

RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE: JMFC SUMMONS CRIME BRANCH INCHARGE

PANJIM: Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai today directed that summons be issued to the incharge of Crime Branch Police Station to appear before her on 16th July at 10 am in connection with the 2004 Ribandar Church case. Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgaonkar is the current incharge at the Crime Branch

JEETENDRA DESHPRABHU DROPPED FROM STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BY NCP

PANJIM: Acting tough on indiscipline in the party, the Nationalist Congress party (NCP) high command on Wednesday dropped the party's national secretary Jitendra Deshprabhu as a permanent invitee from the state executive committee.

GOAN! DON’T ALLOW STATE POLITICS TO BE A FAMILY AFFAIR by Nisser Dias

Benaulim MLA and former Tourism minister Mickky Pacheco last week spelt out his plans for the forth coming assembly election slated for 2012. His disclosure of fielding candidates in all the 40 constituencies did not really come as a surprise, because it is an open secret that the present lot of MLAs, especially those of the India’s oldest political party Congress and others affiliated to it (coalition MLAs) have plans to get their family members into the political scenario.

LADY POLICE IN HER COMPLAIN NAMED DySP SHAMBA SAWANT AS THE MAIN CULPRIT IN MOLESTING HER AND CHANDRAKANT SALGAONCAR ALSO MENTIONED.

PANJIM: In her complain, the Lady Constable has named DySP Shamba Sawant as the main culprit. It has been learnt from a relative of the LPC (who requested not to use his name) that Shamba Sawant sent her lewd messages on the mobile and was pressing her for sex. He was assisted by Chandrakant Salgaoncar in his quest of the molestation of the LPC.

GOAN WOMAN WAS KILLED FOR REFUSING SEX BY SIKKIM YOUTH

PANJIM: A day after 42-year-old Poornima Pednekar was murdered at the Panjim KTC bus stand, it has now come to light that the accused, Rohan Gurung, 26, killed her because he was upset with the victim for resisting his moves to have sex with her, the police said.

EIGHT SP’S OF GOA POLICE RESHUFFLED IN WAKE OF “POLICE CRIMES”

PANJIM: The Goa government today reshuffled eight officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) in a major exercise. IPS officer Vijay Singh will head the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC), which had no full time officer heading it, after the instances of nexus between policemen and drug peddlers came to the light in the recent past.

GOA GOVERNMENT ASKS KARNATAKA TO LIFT BAN ON SUPPLY OF IRON ORE ACROSS ITS BORDERS

PANJIM: Goa government has asked neighbouring Karnataka to lift the ban on supply of iron ore across its borders, after industrial units in various parts of the coastal state faced a severe shortage of the mineral.  State Industries Secretary of Goa T M Balakrishnan has written a letter to his counterpart in Karnataka urging him to lift the ban in force from June 15 this year.

DIGGU GOES HI-TECH, MEETS PEOPLE VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE

MARGAO: After inaugurating the wonder air-conditioned toilets for the public to sit at ease and enjoy cooling, this is the next wonder to ease the people from travelling distance to meet the CM. See the Chief Minister in a relaxing mood in the photo.

PANJIM POLICE SEEK DoP’S OPINION AS JMFC REFUSED TO GIVE A COPY OF DYING DECLARATION TO THEM

PANJIM: With the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) refusing to provide a copy of crime branch constable Chandru Gawas' dying declaration, the Panjim police have now sought the director of prosecution's (DoP) opinion in the matter.

GOA GOVERNOR’S PLEA AGAINST RTI: ADJOURNED TO 14TH JULY

PANJIM: A Division bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa comprising of Justice S. A. Bobde and Justice F.M.Reis today adjourned to tomorrow 14th July the hearing on Goa Raj Bhavan’s petition against the Right to Information Act. When the matter came up for hearing today Advocate General Subodh Kantak submitted before the Court that he was not ready to argue the matter today and sought that the matter be heard tomorrow.

BANAVLEKARANCHO EKVOTT LAUNCHED

MARGAO: Dr. Hubert will now be visible in his new avatar as the leading figure of “ Banavlekarancho Ekvott – an informal group of people that will meet regularly on the first and third Sunday of every month. Dr. Hubert is presently the Chairman of Benaulim Community Centre.

BJP WINS SANTA CRUZ, WE WILL WORK TO LEGALISE CHIMBEL HOUSES: PARRIKAR TELLS MIGRANTS by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai

Parrikar tells migrants of Chimbel, if they elect BJP candidate from Santa Cruz at the next election within three months he will get their illegal dwellings legalized. An ideal situation, a smart ass boy telling his pregnant friend even though he is not the father, that if her father can give him a good paying job he’ll merry her and that too even before the bulge is visible.

PI JIVBA DALVI AND PSI SUSHANT GAWAS SUSPENDED IN MELVYN GOMES MURDER CASE

PANJIM: The police department suspended Police Inspector Jivba Dalvi and Police Sub Inspector Shushant Gawas for serious lapses in handing the foul play death of 29-year-old Melvyn Gomes.  Dalvi who was transferred to the PHQ following the uprising by the locals and was instrumental in disposing off the evidence surrounding the mysterious death of Melvyn under mysterious circumstances.

GOA CHURCH TO BAN INDECENTLY DRESSED VISITORS INSIDE THE CHURCHES

PANJIM: After temples in Goa, it's now the turn of a church to focus on scantily clad tourists. The 16th century Basilica of Bom Jesus will provide shawls to "indecently" dressed visitors when the tourist season begins in a couple of months.

EXTORTIONIST COP SUSPENDED BY SOUTH GOA SP ALLEN D’SA

MARGAO: South Goa SP Allen D'Sa on Monday placed PSI Prasanna Bhagat of the Cuncolim police station under suspension pending a departmental inquiry against him for bribery. The suspension is based on a report submitted by DySP Umesh Gaonkar and PI Nelson Albuquerque into the allegations of bribery against Bhagat.

CRIME BRANCH SEEKS NON-BAILABLE WARRANT AGAINST FORMER RIBANDAR PARISH PRIEST FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES

PANJIM: Goa Police’s Crime Branch today asked Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai to issue a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Father Newton Rodrigues, the former Parish Priest of Ribandar and now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada. JMFC Faldessai will pass orders on 14th July on this request made by the Crime Branch.

PRASANNA BHAGAT A POLICE SUB INSPECTOR BOOKED FOR EXTORTION

PANJIM: A police sub inspector here has been booked for extortion and corruption for allegedly demanding bribe from the parents of a group of youths whose friend drowned in the sea during a picnic, a senior police official said on Tuesday. One youth had drowned off the Cabo da Rama beach, 80 kms south of Panjim, while another is still missing since Sunday.

PANJIM POLICE ARREST MURDERER, A NATIVE OF SIKKIM

PANJIM: Panjim police arrested a youth from Sikkim, who worked as a waiter in the coastal belt, for allegedly killing a 42-year-old woman near the city bus stand.   The accused was caught by the police on Monday as per the statement given by a security guard, who had seen both the victim and and the accused together, at the bus stand on Sunday night, Deputy Superintendent of Police Deukumar Banaulikar.

BRITISH NATIONAL CAUGHT WITH NARCOTIC WORTH RUPEES 55,000.

PANJIM: British national Allan Baimbridge, 45, a resident of Kumarwado, Anjuna, was arrested by the Anjuna police on Monday for possession of 555 gram of narcotic drugs.  According to the Anjuna police, Baimbridge, who was arrested near the Anjuna village panchayat, was nabbed with charas valued at 55,000.

COURAGEOUS LADY PC: APPEARS BEFORE SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMMITTEE

PANJIM: The courageous lady constable, who alleged sexual harassment by her senior colleague at Crime Branch, appeared before the sexual harassment committee on Monday morning.  Inquiry officer and Deputy Superintendent of Police Rina Torcato recorded her statement for more than an hour in the office of a senior officer at Panjim police headquarters.

SO FAR NO BREAK IN MELVYN GOMES MURDER CASE

CANSAULIM: After a great "hullah-bullah" by the villagers of Arrosim it is nearing a month that no conclusion has reached into the murder of Melvyn Gomes. In the wave of the heat, disgraced PI Jivba Dalvi was shunted out of the Verna Police Station and since the police yet to make a headway in the case, the family members are yet to accept the body of the deceased.

SOLICITOR GENERAL OF INDIA GOPAL SUBRAMANIAM TO DEFEND GOA GOVERNOR’S PLEA AGAINST RTI

PANJIM: Beleaguered Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam will on July 13th defend the Governor of Goa in his legal battle against Right to Information Act before the Bombay High Court at Goa. Adv. Aires Rodrigues will argue his case opposing the Governor’s claim for immunity from the RTI Act.

JIVBA DALVI HAS TO PAY A FINE OF RS 2500 FOR DELAYING TO FILE AN APPEAL IN MAHANAND NAIK ACQUITTAL

PANJIM : The high court of Bombay at Goa on Monday directed police inspector (PI) Jivba Dalvi to pay Rs 2,500 for delaying filing a criminal appeal against the acquittal of alleged serial killer Mahanand Naik by a Margao court.

GOD HAS ALWAYS STOOD BY ME SAYS CHURCHILL (Courtesy Herald)

What makes Churchill Brothers hold together successfully for so many years, as a family team much against the run, wherein big corporate owned clubs in the country spend crores of rupees each year, to stay afloat. The rumor mill for example has it that Dempo Sports Club itself spent around Rs. 17 crore last season.

CUNCOLIM POLICE STATION UNDER SCANNER FOR BRIBE ACCEPTING

MARGAO: PSI Prasanna Bhagat of the Cuncolim police station has come under the scanner following a complaint lodged by Jason Goes' family members that Bhagat had asked for 10,000 for releasing him from the clutches of the police.  Jason was a part of the 11-member team of college students that had gone to Cabo de Rama beach on Friday which turned tragic after two of the students met a watery grave.

GEORGINA DEPOSES BEFORE DySP BOSSUET SILVA IN CIPRIANO MURDER CASE

PANJIM: Cipriano Fernandes's friend, Georgina Nunes, appeared before DySP Bossuet Silva, who is inquiring into the death of Cipriano in police custody and said that she had identified three police officers who had encircled Cipriano, who was picked up by the Panjim police from his aunt's residence in Porvorim on the evening of January 7.

GOA CRIME BRANCH ISSUES FRESH SUMMONS TO DESHPRABHU

PANJIM: The crime branch of Goa Police on Monday issued fresh summons to a leader of the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in connection with a multi-crore bauxite mining scandal, officials said.  The summons follows a first information report (FIR) filed by the crime branch in May on the direction of a trial court against NCP leader Jeetendra Deshprabhu, party member Gitesh Naik as well as state mines director Arvind Lolienkar.

ANJUNA POLICE RECOVER STOLEN GOODS WORTH 5 LAKH

MAPUSA: Anjuna police have recovered goods worth 5 lakh that were stolen from a night club and sold to a person in Mapusa. Tajinder Singh Chhatwa had complained to the police that between June 19 and June 22, two persons committed theft of furniture, sound system, kitchen items, crockery items and other articles from Octopus club, Anjuna, all worth 7 lakh.

PONDA POLICE ARREST THREE HIGHWAY ROBBERS ON SUNDAY: ALL ROBBERS NON GOANS

PONDA: In a case of swift reaction, Ponda police nabbed three persons hours after a highway robbery early Sunday morning. Police acted after truck cleaner Amresh Chavan, a native of Bagalkot-Karnataka, approached the police station at 1.40 am, and lodged a complaint that four persons waylaid his truck on the national highway to Belgaum-Karnataka.

TWO YOUNGSTERS DROWN AT CABO-DE-RAMA by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai

As usual news papers bring us good, bad, ugly and shattering news and pictures. This case of drowning at Cabo-de-Rama is shattering indeed, what must be the state of the parents and the family members of the dead children ? My deepest sympathies and condolences to the parents and the loved ones.

ANJUNA COPS CAUGHT ON CAMERA OF A MOVIE DIRECTOR ACCEPTING BRIBE

PANJIM: Even before its release, Sakeel S Saifee, writer and director of movie ‘ Anjunaa Beach’ is wanted man for Goa Police, who are looking out for a controversial footage possessed by him.  Saifee’s interview with a local newspaper which claimed that he has the footage of ‘ Anjuna police accepting bribe to let the shooting happen,’ things have started rolling in the police department.

RTI APPEAL AGAINST DIRECTOR OF PROSECUTION: ORDER RESERVED

PANJIM: Law Secretary of Goa Mr. Pramod Kamat exercising his powers as the First Appellate Authority under the RTI Act today reserved his order on the RTI appeal filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues against the Director of Prosecution Mrs. Shobha Dhumaskar. The Law Secretary today heard arguments advanced by Adv. Aires Rodrigues and Mrs. Shobha Dhumaskar

CUNCOLIM COP ACCUSED OF DEMANDING BRIBE

CUNCOLIM: A police officer attached to the Cuncolim police station is alleged to have made demands for money or else frame the innocent into cases where he will not easily come out. It is being notified to the senior police officer at district level for enquiry and action against the extortionist cop. It is a case of one of the survivors of the Cabo de Rama picnic tragedy.

2004 RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE: CROSS EXAMINATION OF PI BRAZ MENEZES TO CONTINUE ON 12TH JULY

PANJIM: The cross examination of Police Inspector Braz Menezes in the 2004 Ribandar Church case will resume on July 12th at 10 am before Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai. Mr. Braz Menezes has already faced over an hour of cross examination by Adv. Aires Rodrigues.

ARE WE GOANS A WORTHY ELECTORATE? by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai

The first general elections in Goa were held in December 1963, where the MGP won a slim majority over the United Goans, but with the support of independents the MGP led by the wealthy mine owner Dayanand Bandodkar ruled Goa for a full term. This was the first time Goans tasted the freedom to vote their own government. Goans were ecstatic !

SOMETHING OUR ADVOCATE GENERAL SHOULD LEARN FROM THE SOLICITOR GENERAL by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam has rightly resigned on being slighted by the Government on not being consulted in the appointment of a private lawyer to appear in the 2G scam case. By resigning he has upheld the dignity of that high constitutional post he holds as the second highest ranking Law officer of the country.

NCP SETS OUT TO FOOL GOANS AS ELECTIONS NEAR: BLUFF OF GETTING SCHEMES TO FARMERS

PANJIM: As elections near Goan politicians pretend to do something for the people a trick they have been using to lure voters and then forget all the promises made.  The state Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president, Mr Surendra Sirsat and the state Revenue Minister, Mr Jose Philip D’Souza left for the national capital Sunday to meet the Union Agriculture Minister to get schemes for local farmers, NCP office bearers said on Sunday.

NEW THREAT TO GOAN PROPERTIES: BAHRAIN BASED S.I.R.E. SIGNS AGREEMENT TO TWO GOAN PROPERTIES DEVELOPMENT

MANAMA: Goa to get another real estate developer soon.  After Raheja it is Prajit Kumar.  Bahrain-based Star International Real Estate has signed an agreement to be the exclusive agent for two property developments in Goa, India, which offer excellent potential returns on investment.

GOA ARCHBISHOP NEEDS TO PRACTICE WHAT HE PREACHES by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

Goa Archbishop Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao’s recent call for zero tolerance to child sexual abuse is laudable. But he needs to explain his own inaction in the 2004 Ribandar case where the then Parish Priest of Ribandar Father Newton Rodrigues was allegedly involved in the molestation of a 13 year old parishioner just before midnight mass.

BIRTH OF A NEW NATION - SOUTH SUDAN BY Victor

Today a new nation is born the Republic OF South Sudan. Congrats and best wishes to proud Sudanese Do our Goans hearts yearn for the same?  Do we want the same? To live free there is nothing like it.... There are certain demands to be met

GOA POLICE BUSY COMMITTING CRIMES AS MUMBAI GANGSTER RELAXES AT ARAMBOL FOR 57 DAYS

ARAMBOL: Taking full stock of the Goa Police that they cannot detect crime or criminals, gangsters from Mumbai took the full advantage of staying in Goa for 57 days until Mumbai Police on Thursday got the air, came to Goa and arrested them,. By then, Goa Police were in deep suumber or busy sorting out caes against themselves.

VERNA POLICE FAIL TO MAKE A BREAK THROUGH IN THE MURDER OF IVONE PAES

VERNA: Verna police have failed to make any headway into the murder probe of Ivone Paes, 72 hours after the incident. Police are yet to make a breakthrough in the case as the evidence is not so strong to lead to some trail.

MORE ESCAPES FROM APNA GHAR AT MERCES: TWO MINORS CAUGHT ONE AT LARGE

PANJIM: Three minor boys escaped from the state-run home, Apna Ghar, Merces, on Friday evening. Two of them were later caught by police and handed over to the home authorities. One minor is still missing. 

LAW SECRETARY TO HEAR ON 11TH JULY RTI APPEAL AGAINST DIRECTOR OF PROSECUTION

PANJIM: Goa’s Law Secretary Mr. Pramod Kamat exercising his powers as the First Appellate Authority under the RTI Act will on July 11th hear the appeal under the RTI Act filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues against the Director of Prosecution Mrs. Shobha Dhumaskar.

ANJUNA POLICE ARREST 4 PIMPS AND RESCUE NEPALI GIRLS HIRED FOR CSW

PANJIM: The Anjuna police arrested four persons for hiring Nepali nightclub 'dancing girls' for commercial sex work (CSW). The girls were rescued and sent to the state protective home. The raid was conducted by the police when they received information that a sex racket was going on in the area.

GUDLAR’S CASE REGISTERED BY CBI MAKING IT A THIRD.

PANJIM: Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered the third police-drug mafia case involving police sub inspector Sunil Gudlar.   CBI’s Joint Director and Special Inspector General of Police Rishiraj Singh said that Goa CBI has been asked to take over Gudlar’s case by Delhi headquarters in a communiqué on Friday evening.

THE NEW MOI POLICY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED NEXT WEEK BY THE GOVERNMENT

PANJIM: The new medium of instruction (MoI) policy that provides government grants to English medium primary schools will be implemented next week. This was decided at a meeting on Friday between chief minister Digambar Kamat, education minister Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate and members of the monitoring committee for implementing the policy. The meeting deliberated on the queries raised by the committee.

GOA IS BECOMING A CHILD SEX TRADE HUB AFTER THAILAND CRACKDOWN

PANJIM: Goa is becoming a child sex trade hub after Thailand's crackdown on its thriving child abuse industry, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao said on Saturday.  "Till recently, Thailand was considered to be the capital of the child sex tourism industry in this part of the world. It is now known how the Thai government, pushed by international child protection organizations, cracked down on the industry in that country," Ferrao said.

CBI REQUESTS GOA GOVT FOR CONSENT TO SETUP UP SPECIAL COURTS TO TRY CASES INVESTIGATED BY THEM

PANJIM: The CBI has requested Goa government to give its consent for setting up special courts to exclusively try the cases being investigated by the agency.  CBI's Joint Director Rishiraj Singh told reporters here today that a formal request had been made to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who had assured to give approval for special courts soon.

SWAPNIL NAIK AND NILKANTH HALARNKAR – THE JOKE OF GOA TOURISM by Willie Menino Severes, Majorda (Dubai)

In a bid to promote cross-regional tourism and learn lessons in renewable energy, a Goa Tourism delegation will visit the Spanish town of Navarre, the birthplace of the Goa's patron saint St. Francis Xavier.

WHEN THE CM VIOLATES THE LAW by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

Every time Chief Minister Digambar Kamat launches a Bal Rath bus for the school children he is violating the law. To be at the steering wheel of that bus one needs to have a Light Professional driving licence which Mr. Digambar Kamat does not hold.

SENSELESS REMARK by Firoz Khan (E-mail)

Controversy over the MoI is seen happening from unwanted quarters. Unfortunately, declaring bandhs and disrupting routine work is taking its toll on the innocence of our future generation. I would like to appeal to the true lovers of Konkani language to dissuade from getting used by parties that have a political agenda and communal mind. Reason it out on how to safeguard Konkani language and how to develop it for higher studies.

JOKE OF THE SEASON: CM TO ATTEND PUBLIC GRIEVANCES VIA VIDDO CONFERENCING

PANJIM: Come Tuesday, and Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat will attend to public grievances from South Goa via video conferencing as part of egovernance. Is this really true of is it a joke of the season as the CM is used to cracking such jokes.

CHURCHILL ASKS NAVELIM VOTERS TO GIVE HIM A WIN AGAIN IN THE ASSEMBLY

MARGAO: PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao has asked the people of Navelim constituency to give him a thumping majority in the Assembly elections. As the election campaigns begin, the politicians will now change themselves into beggars, begging for votes or rather bargaining the purchase the votes.

MICKKY PACHECO: “I AM GOING TO FORM THE NEXT GOVERNMENT”

MARGAO: Saying that he has already shortlisted 33 candidates for the coming assembly polls, former tourism minister, Mickky Pacheco has exuded confidence that he would form the next government and has vowed to provide a clean and corruption- free government to the people of Goa.

GOA WILL BE DOOMED AS SEX TOURISM WILL ENTER THE STATE: ARCHBISHOP EXPRESSES CONCERN

PANJIM: Expressing concern over the grave threat posed by child sex tourism, archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao has called for comprehensive legislation and a strong mechanism that will forcefully declare zero tolerance for child sexual abuse.

MOI IMPLEMENTATION IN TWO DAYS (Courtesy Herald) by Vicente E. Do Rego

Shame on BBSM, now time for them to go into hiding
Demand for English - 90%
Konkani- 4%
Marathi-6%

NCP CROOKS FIGHTING AMONG THEMSELVES

PANJIM: The feud within Goa NCP on Thursday hit another low, with a senior functionary calling a colleague 'an associate of Tiger Memon', a wanted accused in 1993 Mumbai blast case.   Party's national secretary, Jitendra Deshprabhu, alleged that state NCP's senior vice president, Suresh Parulekar, was linked to Tiger Memon, and hence he should not have been given a position in the organisation.

COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST DIRECTOR OF PROSECUTION FOR ILLEGALLY GIVING LEGAL OPINION TO POLICE OFFICERS

PANJIM: A complaint has been filed with the Chief Secretary of Goa Mr. Sanjay Srivastava drawing his attention that the Director of Prosecution, Public Prosecutors and Assistant Public Prosecutors have been giving legal opinion and advice to the Police Officers investigating cases without any authority to do so.

EXPENSIVE TOURISM: GOA TOURISM TO UNDERTAKE A RUPEES 20 MILLION TV ADVERTISING IN AROUND 150 COUNTRIES

PANJIM: Goa tourism will undertake a Rs.20 million TV advertising blitz in around 150 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia to lure foreign tourists to Goa's beaches, a top tourism official said Thursday. State Tourism Director Swapnil Naik said the advertising blitz would reach out to over 60 million viewers across Europe, Africa and South East Asia.

MMC: FIGHTS AFTER RETURNING FROM SPENDING TOUR?

MARGAO: The ruling Margao Municipal Council was on Thursday hit by a fresh round of dissensions with agitated Councillors complaining to Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat over the style of functioning of Chairperson Sushila Naik.

GOA TOURISM TO TOUCH DOWN GOA IN CHOPPERS, HOT AIR BALLOONS AND SEA PLANES

PANJIM: If the tourism department has its way, you would soon be able to touch down in Goa on a seaplane and then whiz around the beach paradise in a helicopter or hover above the beaches in hot air balloons.

GOONDA RAJ STILL EXISTS IN GOA by Nisser Dias

The recent assault on the junior engineer (JE) attached to the Electricity department by two youth both allegedly related to PWD minister and Navelim MLA Churchill Alemao are an indication of things to come in the near future if constituents cast their ballot to such representatives.

POLICE PORJEK? by Joel Moraes, Cuncolim

Police in Goa has always turned out to be the remote controlled dolls by the politicians in Power. The total negligence and failure of the Goa Police with regard to the Atala drug dealing case confirms the stand of Goa Police. The involvement of some Police Officers in drug dealing confirms where our one time peaceful state stands as far as law is concerned.

ROHIT MONSERRATE ACQUITTED BY COURT FROM THE CHARGES OF RAPING A GERMAN MINOR GIRL

PANJIM: The Goa Children's Court has acquitted Rohit, son of state Education Minister Atanasio Monserratte, from the charges of raping a German minor girl. Rohit was arrested in November 2008 for allegedly raping a 14-year-old German girl and also sending her lewd messages.

ROBBERS MURDER WIFE, SERIOUSLY INJURE HUSBAND IN AN ASSAULT WHILST ATTEMPTING ROBBERY

VASCO: An elderly couple -- Mr Maximiano Paes (75) and Ms Ivone Filomena Paes (70) -- were gruesomely assaulted by suspected robbers leaving the wife dead and the husband seriously injured at Alto Dabolim.  The police have rounded up 15 labourers working at a nearby construction site in connection with the case.

GOA TOURISM KEEN TO PROMOTE TOURISM WITH MADRID

PANJIM: More than 400 years after saint Francis Xavier spread Christianity in Goa after sailing from present day Spain, the Goa Tourism is keen to promote tourism with Madrid.  Tourism officials spoke of initiating ties with the Spanish state of Navarra, the birthplace of the saint, in a bid to promote cross-regional tourism.

RUSSIAN AND ISRAELI DRUG MAFIOSI IN GOA MANUFACTURE AND EXPORT DRUGS TO THE US

RUSSIAN AND ISRAELI DRUG MAFIOSI IN GOA MANUFACTURE AND EXPORT DRUGS TO THE US

PANJIM: Israeli and Russian drug mafiosi based in Goa manufacture and export synthetic drugs like Ecstacy to the US, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said Wednesday.  Avinash Bhosale, general secretary of the NCP, a ruling coalition partner in the Goa government, said the state government was not doing enough to curb peddling of drugs to both tourists and youngsters.

GOVT’S MECHANISIATION SCHEMES REMAIN OUT OF BOUND FOR SEVERAL FARMERS

PANJIM: Goa government's mechanisation schemes in agriculture sector has remained out of bound for several farmers, who are relying heavily on the conventional methods and the rain God for a good crop.  With the onset of monsoon, the government authorities claim that they are working overtime for lend helping hand for the farmers, who take on to the fields.

SUPREME COURT SAYS STATE THE BIGGEST LAND GRABBER

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the authorities for taking advantage of the "colonial law" on land acquisition to divest farmers of their prime agricultural land benefiting the rich and paying "pittiance" to common men.

SEND THOSE UNWORTHY JUDGES PACKING by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

Judge Anuja Prabhudesai had a long battle against injustice and now justice still seems to elude another outstanding Judge Desmond D’Costa. While these honest and sincere judges have been unnecessarily penalized, no action has yet been taken against North Goa District Judge Nutan Sardesai despite there being documented evidence of her having heard cases of her former employer in rank violation of judicial propriety.

MOI DECISION COMPLETELY COMMUNAL CLAIMS BBSM by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai

The MOI issue should have been dead and buried by now, but alas for the tortured souls of our “pro mergerists” and the Marathi protagonists, the dead won’t remain dead no more nor will they be let to rest in peace.

THEY NEED TO REJECT THEM ALL by Jose Maria Miranda

Goa is perhaps the only State in India which has witnessed, in recent years, so much of turmoil, protests and opposition to plans and projects either promoted by the Government or taken up by builders and developers, actively supported by the politicians.

MAN ESCAPES DEATH FROM A BEAR ATTACK AT CANACONA

CANACONA: A shepherd, Suresh Gaonkar, from Nadkem-Canacona was injured after he was attacked by a bear at Nadkem forest on Monday evening.  Canacona range forest officer Vilas Gauns said when Gaonkar was grazing cattle between Keri and Nadkem he noticed a bear approaching, shouted for help, and climbed a small tree nearby.

CMC FIRMLY OPPOSES TO TURN KONKO ISLAND INTO A TOURIST SPOT

CANACONA: The Canacona Municipal Council (CMC), at its monthly meeting held recently, decided to oppose a proposal to turn Konko island at Palolem, Canacona, into a tourist spot.  Chairperson Ramakant Naik Gaonkar said that they received a letter from the tourism department suggesting plans to develop Konko island into an eco-tourist spot in order to attract tourist, as thousands of tourists visit Palolem beach every year.

SUICIDE ATTEMPT BY A 21 YEAR OLD GIRL SEEKING A LUXURIOUS LIFE

PANJIM: A 21-year-old girl attempted suicide by consuming poison after mixing it in milk on Monday night. She felt that her family members didn't give her enough attention. She was also upset with her financial status and aspired to live a luxurious life.

COMPLAINT AGAINST ADVOCATE GENERAL SUBODH KANTAK: BALL NOW IN CM’S COURT

PANJIM: The file pertaining to the complaint of professional misconduct by Goa’s controversial Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak has now been sent to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat. Under Secretary Law Mr. N.P. Signapurkar has informed Adv. Aires Rodrigues under the Right to Information act that the complaint against Advocate General Subodh Kantak which was received from the Bombay High Court on 29th October last year has been now processed and sent to the Chief Minister.

AS SOLICITOR GENERAL OF INDIA BUSY IN SUPREME COURT THE HIGH COURT ADJOURNS TO 13TH JULY GOA GOVERNOR’S PLEA AGAINST RTI

PANJIM: A Division bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa comprising of Justice S. A. Bobde and Justice F.M.Reis today adjourned to 13th July the petition filed by Goa’s Raj Bhavan against the Right to Information Act.

NATIONALISE MINING AND EXPOSE BLACK MONEY OF THE MINERS by Michael Britto

Dear Goans, It is well know fact that Dempos ....and other Maha evils alliance of Maha evil Dayanand Bandodkar had made bid with Indian Govt to give mining lease to his selected maha evils friends and families.

CAR BELONGING TO THE RELATIVE OF CHURCHILL ALEMAO ATTACHED BY COLVA POLICE

PANJIM: A vehicle belonging to a family member of Public Works Department ( PWD) minister Churchill Alemao was involved in rash and negligent driving, endangering of human life at Colva.   The black Honda CRV has been attached by the Colva police.

SOIRIGOTH: YURI ALEMAO TO CONTEST ELECTIONS ON NCP TICKET

PANJIM: The next assembly elections could see another Alemao – Mr Yuri Alemao, the son of the Urban Development Minister, Mr Joaquim Alemao – contesting in the Sanguem constituency on a Nationalist Congress Party ticket, sources informed.

CHURCHILL RULES OUT BIAS TOWARDS PEOPLE IN SELECTING BPL PEOPLE

MARGAO: The RDA Minister, Mr Churchill Alemao, on Wednesday, said that over 70,000 people have been brought under the below poverty line (BPL) list and ruled out bias towards people from constituencies represented by the opposition.

PROPOSAL TO INCREASE BUS FARES BY 15 PERCENT

PANJIM: The transport department has sent a proposal to the state government seeking 15 per cent or 2 hikes in bus fares. The department has cited rise in input costs to seek the proposed hike, officials informed on Wednesday.

EXCISE DEPARTMENT ISSUES SHOW CAUSE NOTICE VEHICLE OWNER CAUGHT WITH ILLICIT LIQUOR

PANJIM: Excise Department on Wednesday served a show cause notice to Mazid Mohammad, whose vehicle was caught with illicit liquor worth Rs 2.63 lakh at Polem check post last week.  Mohammad, a resident of Puttur in Karnataka, under whose name the seized vehicle has been registered, is directed to remain physically present before Goa Excise Commissioner P S Reddy.

ACE FOOTBALLER OF GOA ‘ANDREW’ LEAVES THIS WORLD

VASCO: A legend of the bygone years, of the early and late 60’s and 70’s, top charted football player of Vasco sports club passed away peacefully at the age 69. Andrew kept his name on the football scene for a decade. He was the team mate of the stalwarts like Domnic, Bernardo, Catao, Arvinder Singh, Sudhir, George Ambrose, Raymond etc.

FORMER GOA CHIEF MINISTER PRATAPSINGH RANE TO BE SUMMONED IN RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE TRIAL

PANJIM: Former Chief Minister Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsingh Singh is to be summoned in the 2004 Ribandar Church case trial against Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 others.  Adv. Aires Rodrigues today moved an application before the Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai seeking to summon and examine Mr. Pratapsingh Rane as a defence witness.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER ARRESTED AT DABOLIM AIRPORT WHILST ATTEMPTING TO BOARD FLIGHT WITH A GUN

PANJIM: Vasco Police arrested a software engineer at the Dabolim airport on charges of attempting to board a Bangalore-bound flight with a gun and six cartridges. Raghunath Reddy (31) and his cousin were in Goa on a holiday. He was to proceed yesterday to Bangalore, while his cousin was to go to Hyderabad. At the Dabolim airport, at the time of baggage screening, CISF personnel traced a pistol and six bullets in Reddy’s baggage.

COURT DISMISSES FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES ‘S APPLICATION: ISSUES FRESH WARRANT OF ARREST AGAINT HIM

PANJIM: Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai today dismissed the application filed by former Parish Priest of Ribandar and now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada by which he had sought to withdraw the complaint that was filed by him in 2004 against Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents. The Court today also directed that a fresh warrant of arrest be issued against Fr. Newton Rodrigues to be executed against him by the Crime Branch

OMAN FLIGHTS TO LAND AT DABOLIM AN EASE TO GOANS IN OMAN

PANJIM: Goa's Dabolim International Airport has been earmarked as an additional port of call for commercial planes from Oman, Goa's commissioner for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) affairs Eduardo Faleiro said Tuesday.

HOLOGRAMS ON LIQUOR BOTTLES SOON IN GOA

PANJIM: In a bid to certify the originality of liquor, the Excise Department in Goa has decided to soon introduce holograms on the liquor bottles manufactured in the state.  Such a measure is being put in place to ensure that tourists are not sold spurious or adulterated liquor in the state, Excise Commissioner P S Reddy said.

ACTIVISTS CALL ENGLISH MOI AIDED IS A VIOLATION OF INDIAN CONSITUTION

PANJIM: Activists on Tuesday criticised Goa government's move to make English a medium of instruction in state-aided primary schools, calling it a "blatant violation of the Indian Constitution."  "The cabinet resolution on May 25, which gave MOI status to English, was moved bypassing the Cabinet Secretary and despite the objections raised by the Education Secretary," said Arvind Bhatikar, former IAS officer and leader of Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM).

DOCTOR OSCAR REBELLO! GOA NEEDS YOU by Nisser Dias

Last week the people of Goa or rather the niz Goenkar woke up to a rude shock, no it was not a dream; infact I pinched myself to make sure that I was not dreaming while reading the morning newspaper. The simple caption said, Dr. Oscar Rebello resigns from Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA), it was a jolt to me even though I had expected it long time back and I was gasping for breath.

HIGH COURT TO HEAR ON 6TH JULY GOA GOVERNOR’S PLEA AGAINST RTI

PANJIM: A Division bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa comprising of Justice S. A. Bobde and Justice F.M.Reis will on 6th July hear the petition filed by Goa’s Raj Bhavan against the Right to Information Act. Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam will argue the petition on behalf the Governor of Goa.

THE NEXT P.M. – IS INDIA READY? by Joaquim Correia-Afonso

Why are some Congressmen crying hoarse about Rahul Gandhi? Or ravishing Rahul being the best person to lead the country as the next Prime Minister? In a country of a billion plus, would not one expect India’s oldest and largest political party to give the nation a choice of at least half a dozen potential candidates?

CALL TO CLEAN GOA AFTER GANGES IS THROUGH

AHMEDABAD: A place is judged by its hygiene level for its cool quotient. Nature has given Goa scenic spots in abundance, the waters, a lush green land, serene views, et al. The Portuguese left behind some very cute buildings. But we have not been able to handle it over a period of time. We have wasted an opportunity. Blame it on ourselves, or blame it on tourists, the state's ugly patches come up now and then as you drive through some of the most picturesque spots.

NCP OPPOSES ILLEGAL MINING AND WILL NOT PROTECT ANYONE INVOLVED IN SUCH ACTIVITY

PANJIM: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), at state as well as national level, was strongly opposed to illegal mining and would not protect anyone involved in the same, top leaders said on Monday.  NCP state unit president Prof Surendra Sirsat and central observer, Ms Bharti Chavan, said that they were opposed to illegal mining and would not support any person who was involved in illegal mining.

NCP TO SUMMON ILLEGAL MINER OF ITS OWN PARTY JEETENDRA DESHPRABHU

PANJIM: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will summon the party's national secretary Jeetendra Deshprabhu who has been indicted by the Goa government for large scale illegal mining.  State party president Surendra Sirsat asserted that the NCP was against illegal mining. "We will summon him to know about the illegal mining allegations," Sirsat said, in the presence of NCP central observer Bharati Chawan.

COPS FILE A CASE AGAINST LUCAS D’SILVA OF BETALBATIM FOR ATTEMPTING MURDER

MARGAO: A case was filed against Lucas D’Silva, a resident of Betalbhatim, for the attempted murder of Thomas Pereira, a resident of Majorda, on Sunday night at Betalbhatim. Police sub-inspector of Colva police station, Mr Anand Shirodker, informed on Monday, that an offence has been registered under section 307 of IPC, and that previous enmity is suspected in the case.

THE MENACE OF "RESERVATIONS" IN EVERY FIELD IS A BREACH OF DEMOCRACY by Menino Fernandes

In a Democracy everybody is considered as equal, treated equally and jobs are given based on merit. Then in Indian democracy why is the system based on inequality still going on thereby causing harm to the real educationists. Based on this I do not think that the BBSM should fight against grants to English MOI schools.

WHAT’S GOING WRONG AT THE CENTRE? by Joaquim Correia-Afonso, Benaulim.

What seems to be ailing the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and its government at the Centre? Dr. Manmohan Singh is an able administrator and economist and I have great regard for him. Who doesn’t anyway? During his first term as Prime Minister (UPA – 1) he steered through all the opposition from within and from without, with dexterity. He got the better of the Left, specially with regard to the nuclear programme.

RTI: LAW SECRETARY ISSUES NOTICE TO DIRECTOR OF PROSECUTION

PANJIM: Goa’s Law Secretary Mr. Pramod Kamat exercising his powers as First Appellate Authority under the RTI Act has today issued notice to the Director of Prosecution Mrs. Shobha Dhumaskar directing her to appear before him on 11th July in connection with an appeal under the RTI Act filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues.

INTERSTATE GANG SUSPECTED IN THE 43 LAKH COPER CABLE THEFT

PONDA: Ponda police suspect that an inter-state gang could be behind the Rs 43 lakh copper cable wire theft at Cundaim's Terracom company.  They have brought the two accused, who were nabbed in Daman and Thane, to Goa on Sunday morning.

JMFC TO PRONOUNCE ON JULY 5TH ORDER ON FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES' APPLICATION

PANJIM: Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai will on July 5th at 10 am pronounce her order on the application filed by former Parish Priest of Ribandar and now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada seeking to withdraw the complaint that was filed by him in 2004 against Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents. Adv. Aires Rodrigues has strongly opposed Father Newton Rodrigues’s application.

THREATS BY POLICE OFFICERS AND PROTECTION ALSO BY POLICE TO SJM MARIA MASCARENHAS

PANJIM: Special Judicial Magistrate (SJM) Maria Mascarenhas has been provided with two armed lady police constables after her complaint to Director General of Police Aditya Arya of being threatened by a person on behalf of crime branch inspector Pravinkumar Vast.

DEFENSE IN BRITISH TEEN SCARLET MURDER CASE OPPOSES APPOINTMENT OF JUDGE

PANJIM: In yet another hindrance in the murder trial of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling, a defense counsel has opposed that the new President of Goa Children’s Court has no powers to carry out the trial.  In his application, legal counsel Jos Peter D’Souza representing Placido Carvalho, one of the two accused in the case, said that Judge Paul Sherin Gerturde has no powers to carry out the trial as she is an Assistant Sessions Judge. 

CRIME BRANCH FORWARDS CUDDEGAL MINE DISASTER COMPLAINT TO SP SOUTH

PANJIM: Crime branch has forwarded a complaint filed by three social activists against a mining company, for negligence that led to the death of three workers in a mine at Cuddegal in Sanguem taluka, to the SP (South) to take necessary action as per law.

CHANDRAKANT SALGAONCAR THE DIRTIEST SCOUNDREL OF GOA’S POLICE DEPARTMENT by Menino Fernandes

Goa Police department needs a clean up. The clean up should begin with the top level and come down to the lower level. It is the home ministry that should be doing this job of cleaning up the department of some dirt and garbage in the form of some of its most dirty officers. Among all is the king of the dirtiest officers and he is none other than the current DySP Chandrakant Salgaoncar a real “Baddva” in the police department to spoil the image of the department.

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE (AGAIN!) by Dr. Oscar Rebello

Let us clarify crystal clear positions in our current language imbroglio.

1) Uday Bhembre; Arvind Bhatikar; Prashant; Pundalik & Hema Naik; N. Shivdas and many other stalwarts in the BBSM movement specially the youth brigade I know well, are the finest, secular and principled individuals in Goan society.

JOIN GOA INSTITUTE OF CRIME….by Dalia

As usual, on sighting the bright morning light, the next thing I do every day is scanning the morning newspapers to read the usual news with a little or added pinch of salt. As usual, most of the pages of the Goa dailies are filled with advertisements or life size banners with self inserted greetings by the politicians in the names of crumb eaters some of whom does not even know that their names appeared wishing the local criminal in print.

GOA POLICE AND CRIME BRANCH – CORRUPT BROTHERS IN ARMS by Willie Menino Severes, Majorda (Dubai)

Constable Chandru Gawde, a driver to a senior crime branch officer had his own plans in life, but was cut short due to the harassment by corrupt officers he was working with. Desperation lead him to take this drastic step. In his dying declaration Chandru has reportedly named a few senior officers for harassing him.

RTI REVEALS FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES HAD PINCHED MINOR GIRL’S BREAST

PANJIM: The then Parish Priest of Ribandar Fr. Newton Rodrigues and now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada had allegedly just before 2003 Christmas midnight mass pinched the breast of his 13 year old parishioner.

BRITISH TEEN SCARLET KEELINGS CASE: DEFENCE SAYS CURRENT JUDGE HAS NO POWERS TO HOLD THE TRIAL

PANJIM: Defence counsel in British teenager Scarlet Eden Keeling case has moved an application before a court here stating that the current judge holding the trial has no powers to do so.  Jose Peter D'Souza, a counsel representing Placido Carvalho, one of the two accused in Scarlet case, has said that Judge Paul Sherin Gerturde, who is hearing the case, has no powers to do so.

NO CONNECTION BETWEEN MOI AND RS ELECTIONS: NCP

PANJIM: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Saturday said that its opposition to Goa government's decision making English one of the Mediums of Instruction (MOI), apart from Marathi and Konkani, in schools would not have any bearing on party's stand regarding coming Rajya Sabha polls.

NO PROBLEM, GO AHEAD…………by Dalia

This episode has no timing, no season and no shame. The actors here are the richest in the World with no limit to their ill-gotten wealth. The story goes thus:  Kingambor, the local dirty guy from next door suddenly turns out to be a little politician of the neighbourhood. Finding nobody as dirty as him, he tries his luck at the Municipal Council elections which favoured him with his white lies and dirty tricks. Slowly, he made his way to the Zoo of Porvorim, defects from party to party.

AG SUBODH KANTAK’S 15 CRORE DEFAMATION CASE AGAINST AIRES ADJOURNED TO 28TH JULY

PANJIM: Panjim Civil Judge Senior Division Mrs. Kshama M. Joshi today adjourned to 28th July the 15 crore defamation case filed by Goa’s controversial Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak against Adv. Aires Rodrigues.

GREAT THINGS BEGIN TO HAPPEN WHEN GOOD PEOPLE COME TOGETHER by Hubert Gomes

Great things begin to happen when good people come together for a "common good". Thanks to your additions (to this Group), the number of Goa Speaks Members has crossed 2200. Please feel free to ADD your friends to make this Group SMARTER and "more exciting"!

GOA LAW COMMISSION TO PROPOSE BAN ON SALE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND TO NON GOANS

PANJIM: The Goa law commission has decided to propose a ban on sale of agricultural land to non-Goans in a bid to boost farming activities in the state. The commission plans to submit a report to the government on the same.

AN HONEST SJM MARIA REFUSES THE REQUEST OF THE POLICE OFFICER TO RECORDTO STATEMENT OF COUSIN OF CHANDRU GAWAS

PANJIM: The special judicial magistrate (SJM), Ms Maria Mascarenhas, on Friday, spurned the request of the police officer to record the statement of Ms Kalpita Gawas, cousin of the deceased, Chandru Gawas.  Ms Mascarenhas said, "I first want clarification from the police about the allegations made against me that I am related to a politician and only then I would record the statement otherwise not.’’

SJM MARIA PROVIDED WITH POLICE PROTECTION AS PI PRAVINKUMAR VAST SENDS GOONDAS TO THREATEN HER

PANJIM: The police have provided security to special judicial magistrate (SJM) Maria Mascarenhas-who recorded crime branch constable Chandru Gawas' dying declaration-after she complained to director general of police (DGP) Aditya Arya that she was "threatened" by a person on behalf of crime branch PI Pravinkumar Vast and his goondas.

ENTERTAINMENT SOCIO-TEA OF GOA by Willie Menino Severs, Majorda (Dubai)

A Movie titled "Anjuna Beach" based on the real life of British teenager Scarlet Keeling (whose semi-nude body was found on the beach in 2008) was shot in Goa without permission of Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG).

NCP LEGISLATOR’S COMPLAINT WILL BE ENTERTAINED BY COPS

PANJIM: A Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator's complaint, accusing three Crime Branch officers of abetting the suicide of a constable, will be examined, the Goa Police Thursday said.  Confirming Benaulim legislator Mickky Pacheco's complaint, Director General of police (DGP) Aditya Arya said: "We are looking into the complaint. The Goa Police have lost one of our family and we are going to get to the bottom of the matter."

UGDP DEMANDS ARREST OF THE THREE COPS OF CRIME BRANCH

MARGAO: The United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) has demanded immediate arrest of crime branch DySP Chandrakant Salgaonkar, PI Sunita Sawant and PI Pravinkumar Vast, and their interrogations in judicial custody, in the case pertaining to the death of police constable Chandru Gawas. Addressing mediapersons on Thursday.

WE SUPPORT DEMAND FOR CAMPAL SOCCER GROUND by A. Veronica Fenandes, Kuwait

I was extremely glad to know that a movement has been started in Panjim Goa under the skippership of well known Goan Doctor Rufino Monteiro, Panjim Corporator Surendra Furtado, Joaquim Teles, Sandeep Hoble, Hillary Fernandes, Manoj Patil, Anju Albuquerque & Angha Warlikar and supported by well known yester years gigantic footballers to force the Goa Government to rebuild this once famous Campal soccer Stadium.

GOA’S BEACHES ARE VERY UNSAFE FOR BATHING, TOURISTS PLEASE BEWARE

PANJIM: Here's a note of caution for tourists who head to Goa annually for a bit of sun and a splash in the sea, marine scientists have said the waters off the state's coast contain alarmingly high levels of coliform bacteria caused by the release of untreated sewage.

PI JIVBA DALVI IS A CANCER TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT by Nisser Dias

PI Jivba Dalvi is a cancer to the police department. Demand for his dismissal is very much justified. Villagers of Cansaulim-Arrossim-Cuelim displayed unusual unity when they raised their voice in unison and demanded the dismissal of police inspector Jivba Dalvi’s dismissal from service for his alleged cover-up act in registering a case of murder.

MEETING OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN GOING TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN PONDA AREA

PONDA: Please find enclosed photographs of the meeting mentioned above, at the Savitri Hall, Ponda, beginning 8.30 am on the 30th of July 2011, organized by FO.R.C.E... It is estimated that over 2000 parents were present : the crowd overflowed the hall, people were crowded in corridors and verandahs around the hall; and yet another busload arrived (after having a puncture) towards the end of the meeting.

GOA POLICE IN DIRE STRAITS by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

In recent years the Goa police have been in dire straits. The chaos has further compounded ever since Mr. Ravi Naik took over as Home Minister four years ago. Ministers and MLA’s are virtually running the police stations. With some policemen stooping to be as low as slaves of the politicians, the political interference in the working of the police cannot get any worse.

HEARING ON 2ND JULY

PANJIM: The 15 crore defamation case filed by Goa’s controversial Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak against Adv. Aires Rodrigues will come up for hearing before Panjim Civil Judge Senior Division Mrs. Kshama M. Joshi on July 2nd.