NIZ GOENKAR

IMPLEMENT TRANFERS FIRST , TALKS LATER CM TELLS DGP

2011-07-22T14:25:00.003+01:00

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.

Arya first met the CM at 10.30am at Kamat's Margao residence, where discussions lasted a few minutes. He later met the CM at the latter's Secretariat office in the presence of the chief secretary. Last week, the DGP, unhappy with the manner in which the government issued the transfer orders, asked the government to reconsider the same. He also gave oral instructions to the SPs to continue with their present posting till further orders from him.

The DGP's letter to the government pointed out that though Vijay Singh is the senior-most SP in the Goa police force, he has been posted as SP (anti-narcotics cell) and assistant commandant of IRB. Also, non-cadre officers have been posted at CID South and North, which are cadre posts. Finally, while some officers who have completed three years in office have not been transferred, others who have not finished two years of posting, essential under Supreme Court orders, have been transferred due to political considerations. – TNN

POLLING FOR RS SEAT BEGINS TODAY

2011-07-22T14:24:00.002+01:00

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.

As the polling began at State Legislative Assembly complex this morning, Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho was the first voter to exercise his franchise. He was followed by Power Minister Aleixo Sequiera and Congress legislator, Reginaldo Lourenco.

The 40-seat Legislative Assembly comprises 20 Congress members, 14 BJP, 3 Nationalist Congress Party, two Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and an independent legislator. – PTI

AUTOPSY REVEALS KARWAR NATIVE DIED OF A MASSIVE HEART ATTACKE

2011-07-22T14:23:00.002+01:00

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.

On Wednesday morning, Revonkar went to Manappuram Finance office to pay interest on the loan of Rs 75,000 that he had taken from the company's office in Ponda. He had taken another gold loan amounting to Rs2 lakh from the Margao office of Manappuram Finance.

The company alleged that Revonkar had taken a loan by pledging fake gold at Ponda and Margao and called Ponda police. When the police reached the office, the authorities also stated that Revonkar had given a false residential address, claiming to be a resident of Margao, and sought to register a case against him.

Watching the developments, Revonkar, who was seated in a chair collapsed. He was immediately taken to the PHC, where he was declared brought dead. Police have registered the case as an unnatural death. "The autopsy report states that he died of a massive heart attack. Revonkar's body has been handed over to his family, who have taken it to his native village in Karwar, to perform the final rites," a police official said. Police sources added that no complaint has been lodged by the finance company in the case, as of yet. – TNN

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

2011-07-22T14:22:00.001+01:00

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.
Police said that on Tuesday at 3.30pm, near a holiday home at Calangute, Tyagi came with the 25-year-old girl in a Innova car. Police learnt that the girl was procured by the two accused for the purpose of prostitution. Both accused have been booked under the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act. – TNN

MAHARASHTRA DEMANDS GOA GIVE JOBS TO TILLARI AFFECTED PERSONS OF MAHARASHTRA

2011-07-22T14:17:00.002+01:00

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.
Making a strong pitch on Thursday, Maharashtra's water resources minister Sunil Tatkare urged his Goan counterpart Felipe Neri Rodrigues to honour the agreement at the earliest either by giving the jobs or through a one-time-settlement with the PAPs.
Tatkare made the demand at the third interstate Tillari irrigation project control board meeting at the government Secretariat, Porvorim, on Thursday. The water resources secretaries, directors and other high ranking officials from both sides were also present.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Tatkare said that according to "clause 9 on page 10" of the agreement, Goa is supposed to rehabilitate the PAPs according to the Maharashtra Rehabilitation Act, 1976, by giving them government jobs. If Goa cannot offer jobs, then the state may follow the one-time-settlement method of compensating the PAPs that is adopted by Maharashtra in its various other projects, he added.
Responding to media queries, Rodrigues said that he has not given any assurances. He said that he has asked Maharashtra to submit a detailed proposal on the one-time-settlement, which he will put before his government for consideration.
Rodrigues said that Goa does not have any specific law on the rehabilitation of PAPs though it has some policies for PAPs. He said that as and when job opportunities come up, the PAPs settled in Goa can apply for the jobs and then it is his duty to give them the jobs.
When asked, Tatakare said he was not setting any deadline for the Goa government to comply with the agreement, but wanted the issue resolved at the earliest. When told that Goa is already struggling with unemployment and that Goans go to Maharashtra for jobs, Tatkare said Goa's "committment is on record". Though he understood the limitations of Goa, the state should work to satisfy the PAPs through a time-bound programme, he said.
Tatkare last made the demand during his last visit to Goa on January 17 this year. According to the agreement, Goa's share of the water and costs for the project is 73.3%. Presently, there are about 631 PAPs seeking jobs from Goa.
About 11 villages in Maharashtra were affected by the Tillari Irrigation project comprising 1236 families. The project cost is 1,612 crore of which common works between Maharashtra and Goa totalled 658 crore. The 73.30% of Goa's share amounts to 482.31 crore. of which Goa needs to pay a balance amount of 20 crore. Though initially scheduled to be completed in 2012, problems delayed the project. It is now 99% complete and will be fully completed by June 2013, Tatkare said – TNN

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

2011-07-22T09:20:00.003+01:00

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.

Just last week I had mentioned in my column that the Goa police department is highly politicized. I can emphatically say that I was not thinking aloud, but was only revealing the truth – something that our elected representatives do not want to digest. But issuing transfer orders and that too for senior police officers like the superintendents of police was like stretching the intrusion to the limits at the same time undermining the prerogative and authority of Director General of the Police.

Home minister by virtue of portfolio becomes the chief of the police force but that does not give him the right to directly interfere in the functioning of the department. He has all right to make suggestions and recommendation to improve the functioning and administration of the police department but in no way can be dictate terms to the police chief when it comes to investigations, transfers and other functioning of the police department simply because it would set a precedent for other politicians who would later bag the Home portfolio to keep the police under their thumb. Ideally police functioning should be as far as possible independent of political influence and meddling.

Our politicians use the men-in-uniform as their own army. To site some examples Home minister Ravi Naik’s son Roy has been accused of being the don of drug trade in the state. His name has been mentioned in the murder Scarlett Keeling, Lucky Farmhouse girlfriend of drug peddler Atala has allegedly recorded him boasting about his links with Roy and also alleged named him recently in her statement to the CBI. But just because he is Home minister’s son, police are yet to arrest him or even interrogate him.

And can we forget Manohar Parrikar’s regime as the Home minister, he used the police through the former speaker Vishwas Satarkar to bodily evict elected representative Filipe Neri Rodrigues from the house in the bid to defeat the no-confidence motion moved against him and remain in power. There are many such incidents wherein politicians have used the cops as their personnel fiefdom.

Secondly if Home minister is given the freedom to effect transfer of the officers, cabinet colleagues and other elected representatives will request cops owing allegiance to them be either be posted in their constituency or be given lucrative postings. At the same time any cop who is not dancing to the tune of the politicians will also get a kick and a rogue cop who functions as per the whims and fancies of politicians even though he is inefficient will be awarded. Don’t we know about a police officer involved in the Miramar sex scandal but successive government rewarded him with promotions. Thus the stand taken by DGP Aditya Arya needs to be applauded by the common man.

Politicians also play a dubious role during the recruitment process. Lakhs of rupees are collected from candidates to get them enrolled in the police force. But the height was during Manohar Parrikar’s regime as chief minister and also Home minister. It is alleged that he recruited the maximum percentage of police personnel from the majority community. Of course he had planned his escape route very well, when media questioned him, his reply was that minority community candidates did not apply. However his act was exposed when High Court observed that the selection of PSIs during his tenure as illegal and presently the case is before the Supreme court.

It has been a trend in Goa – whichever government comes to power they want to totally possess the police force and the motive is simple, harass that section of the press which does not toe the government line, make it difficult for the opposition parties to function, make life miserable for government officers who refuse to bend rules to accommodate nepotism and corruption. This gives rise to lethargy in policing due to the close contact of politicians and cops.

In the present case it is not that the some of the SPs whose transfers have been affected did not approach the Home minister, they must have for plum postings. But since times memorial, strengths, of police officers especially from the rank of police inspector to DySP and SP has never been assessed. Infact if any DySP or SP is showing signs of efficiency and intelligence he is immediately transferred to a cell or an area that does not demand any intelligence. For example SP Bosco George and SP Atmaram Deshpande are the only two direct recruits from PI to DySP and now SPs who have made a difference wherever they were posted. But the government in its wisdom shunts them to areas like the public relation office (PRO) or as security incharge of the Governor. These two officers are good, efficient policemen but their capabilities are not being used simply because they are not yes men.

The intention of the DGP Aditya Arya seems to be very sincere. He wants to eradicate if not curb political interference in police functioning and that is the reason he has refused to implement the transfer order of the Home minister Ravi Naik. That itself is a jolt to the political class and so he is not going to be a favourite police chief. And given our politicians apathy towards good officer, we will have to wait and see how long DGP Arya remains in office in Goa before Goa government recommends his transfer to the Centre.

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

2011-07-22T09:19:00.002+01:00

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.

On December 19, 1961, Antigo Estado da India didn’t cease to be a part of Portugal as it was considered India’s illegal occupation of the Portuguese state. The Portuguese didn’t abandon their people as all born in Antigo Estado da India were Portuguese citizens therefore they were given the right to apply for Portuguese nationality and passport. As a matter of fact the citizens of the former Antigo Estado da India should have been able to claim citizenship until 1975 but due to pressure to establish its diplomatic relations with India, Portugal had to backdate the recognition of Indian sovereignty over Goa to 1961.

Today the descendants of the citizens of Antigo Estado da India are in desperately trying to attain their Portuguese citizenship mostly to migrate to the United Kingdom & not to Portugal or any other European state as the majority of them can only speak English. They do not look up to Portugal for the culture that they have received from her that makes them unique in the entire Indian sub-continent. How can one make their future without any knowledge of their past? The people of the former Antigo Estado da India only want citizenship as it gives them the opportunity to travel across the world without hassles as the Portuguese passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 181 countries and territories, including all countries in the European Union. Portugal joined the European Union in 1986 & Portuguese is an official language of the European Union.

The people of the former Antigo Estado da India are desperate for their Portuguese citizenship as they know that there is nothing much that India can offer them as it has only been taking from the former Antigo Estado da India. Moreover only people born In the former Antigo Estado da India can call Portugal their motherland for the generations that were born after 1961 Portugal is their Fatherland but that should have actually commenced from those born after 1975 as it was only recognized in that year. Antigo Estado da India was an integral part of Portugal.

Yes today people from these places aren’t interested in Portugal although it may be their Father or Motherland not because it can’t offer jobs but because they can’t communicate in Portuguese. Today they run to learn English as they know that that is the language that can help them work any place in the Anglo-sphere (places where English is widely spoken). It is the same in any place in India, if you can’t speak the local language you wouldn’t be able to work there that’s the main reason why many people from British India are flooding into other western countries as success in India is Measured by power in ways of political or economic. Corruption is so high that the Indian’s are trying to flee their motherland in search for a better life.

The people of the former Antigo Estado da India have the best of all which was & still is envied by people of the rest of their country. The people of Portuguese India have a difference in mindset when compared to any part of India. We are much relaxed in our way of life as we don’t carry the burdens of the world on our head. The reasons why people of the former Antigo Estado da India go in search of a better life are well understood but they don’t really leave their roots they always stay connected. The Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) status isn’t good enough for the people of the former Antigo Estado da India as it really doesn’t help them. It is to keep a track of Indians holding another nationality.

It is true that the European Union has reportedly pressured the Portuguese government to pull the plug on the passport facility, to the people of the former Antigo Estado da India but Portugal will stand by as much as she can it is for us to decide if we wish to stand with her since we crave so much from her. She has kept the door to Europe open to us.

Be good children and honor her.

Viva Portugal! Viva Antigo Estado da India!

JMFC CLOSES PROSECUTION EVIDENCE IN 2004 RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE

2011-07-22T09:18:00.000+01:00

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.

Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code empowers the court to examine the accused for the purpose of enabling the accused personally to explain any circumstances appearing in the evidence against them and about the case.

After this Adv. Aires Rodrigues will commence examining his seven defence witnesses which include Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao and former Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsingh Rane.

The JMFC in her order today further stated that Father Newton Rodrigues was fully aware of the proceedings of the case and has failed to remain present in Court despite being served summons and even a warrant of arrest issued against him.

Crime Branch Police Inspector Mrs. Sunita Sawant as directed by the JMFC today remained present in Court and sought that a non-bailable warrant of arrest be issued against Father Newton Rodrigues, the former Parish Priest of Ribandar and now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada. Inspector Sawant told the Court that a non- bailable warrant was required as the immigration authorities and the consulates overseas through the Interpol can only execute a non-bailable warrant.

It was on Fr. Newton Rodrigues’s complaint that Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents were charge sheeted for trespassing into the church corridor and disturbing a meeting of the Parish Pastoral committee.

The government has over the last seven years been aggressively pursuing this case against Adv. Aires Rodrigues with the State having even challenged before the Sessions Court and later in the High Court the earlier acquittal of Adv. Aires Rodrigues in this same case by even appointing a Special Public Prosecutor in the High Court to handle the case against Adv. Rodrigues.

In 2004 Adv. Aires Rodrigues was leading an agitation demanding action against Father . Newton Rodrigues for having allegedly molested a 13 year old girl from Ribandar. While Adv. Aires Rodrigues and others were charge sheeted for confronting Father Newton Rodrigues, the case filed against Father Newton Rodrigues by the mother of the 13 year old girl who was allegedly molested by Fr. Newton Rodrigues was closed after then Governor of Goa Mr. S.C Jamir reportedly intervened to save Father Newton Rodrigues from being charge sheeted.

GOVT FIRM ON THE TRANSFER ORDER OF THE SPs

2011-07-21T22:50:00.002+01:00

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.

The government turned down the request of the DGP for making changes in the transfer order and directed the state police chief to implement it at earliest, without making any change. The DGP had desired changes in the transfer order.

Though the order of transfer of senior police officials was issued on July 13 it was not implemented as the DGP, who had gone on leave, had asked officials not to assume their new places of posting till he returned to the state and sorted out the matter with the government.

Dr Arya said on Thursday evening that he was yet to see the letter sent to him by the government but has heard about it. He said that if the government wanted that its order should be implemented the way it was issued than he would abide by the government decision. “We will implement the order as desired by the government,” he said adding that the officials would be directed accordingly to take up their new places of posting.

The government had by the order posted Mr Vijay Singh, IPS, who was awaiting posting, as SP of anti-narcotics cell, while Mr Arvind Gawas SP (traffic), was given the full-time charge of the post of SP (North), a post he was handling in addition to his own duties.

Similarly, Mr Shekhar Prabhudessai, principal, Police Training School, Valpoi, who was also handling the charge of special branch and wireless was posted as SP (headquarters), in place of Mr Vishram Borkar, who was shifted as SP PTS, Valpoi. Mr Tony Fernandes SP, (immigration/security) was posted as SP (coastal security) in place of Mr Omprakash Kurtarkar, who was made SP (Konkan Railway/tourist police).

The government had also effected transfer of Mr Jose Allen Fred De Sa, SP (South), and posted him as SP (immigration and security), while Mr Vaman Tari SP (tourist police/Konkan Railway) was made SP (South). Mr Atmaram Deshpande (SP SB/wireless) has been posted SP (traffic).

GOA, GOANS, GONE ? By Peter Noronha, Fatorda

2011-07-21T18:20:00.000+01:00

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

The Daily has also made clear that we have in Goa 2.5 lakhs of Neo-Goans or one fifth of our Goan population.

The questions I have are:-

How come Bengalis are in love with Goa whilst Goa is not in love with them?
Did Rajasthanis develop Goa or did they and others swindle Goa
What contributions to Goa are Kannadigas proud of other than swindling our Goa for their own benefit and calling it contributions?

I don't believe anybody in today's world will come to help anyone other than themselves in their own interests, as in the case of all 3 of the above (besides many others) so-called lovers, developers and contributors. If anything, they make over 70% (lot more than one fifth of our total Goan population) and we Goans merely 30%. How many lakhs of Goan lovers/developers/contributors live in the above 3 states?

Other than bribery/corruption, on what grounds they have been Government employees whilst the sons and daughters of Goa itself are forced to go abroad to make their living if only because they are unable to shell our 6 to 8 lakhs of rupees bribes to our Government for a job?

Of course, partly it is our own politicians responsible for what's going on in our Goa. I don't believe all the above Neo-Goans or others are here without their support, e.g., they bring them to Goa; given them ration cards together with the Voting Rights.

Goans are now slowly waking up for their deep slumber and are not going to condone the damn nuisance that has been going on ever since the so-called liberation of Goa-thanks to the so-called liberators, some of whom are living in Portugal-how disgraceful can it get?

It is about time we have a new Government - preferably BJP - so that Goans can enact laws to save their Goa from disappearance by these most unwelcome and unwanted so-called NOT only Neo but Neo-Goans as well.

Regardless of cast or creed, Goans should be left to themselves not forgetting the fact that, most of the Non-Goans are in Goa if only to rob Goans wholesale if only for greed of rich getting richer by making poor Goans poorer.

I am a niz Goenkar and a senior citizen of India. Being a veteran of World War II, I have served the British Military Police in Colaba, Bombay, and also worked for 20 years in Tanzania and Kenya and other 36 years in the U.S.A. I now live in Goa mainly to protect our place of birth from the non-Goans, so help us God.

MAHANAND NAIK AWARDED LIFE SENTENCE

2011-07-21T16:26:00.002+01:00

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.

40-year-old Mahanand had killed Vasanti on September 11, 1995, by luring her to an isolated place at Bethora village, 35 kilometres away from here. She was strangulated to death using a dupatta by the killer, who robbed off all her gold ornaments.

Mahanand, who used to drive an auto-rickshaw, was seen by Vasanti's cousin, travelling with her in Ponda city. Police stated that in 1995, Mahanand was picked up as a suspect in Vasanti's case but was later let off giving him benefit of doubt.

The serial killer since then has killed 16 women during 1995-2009 when he was finally arrested for raping his wife's friend. The court convicted Naik for abduction, robbery, murder and destroying evidence and fined him for Rs 1.3 lakh. This was his second conviction as he is already undergoing life imprisonment in a similar murder case. – PTI

EXTREME MISBEHAVIOUR NOR LESS ATTENDANCE: STUDENTS CANNOT BE EXPELLED

2011-07-21T16:25:00.002+01:00

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.

Directorate of Education (DoE) responded that even a child having less than 75% attendance, which was the previous minimum requirement, should be sent to the next higher class appropriate to his age as per criteria provided by DoE. As per the criteria, a child between the ages of five-and-half and six-and-half years should be placed in Class I, a child in the age group of six-and-half to seven-and-half should be admitted to Class II and so on. The criteria specifies the class in which a child should be placed up to the age of thirteenand-half, which is Class VIII.

Headmasters had also sought to know if an absolutely undisciplined child who breaks schools rules should be retained and what sanctions were available to the institution in the eventuality of such a student attacking a teacher. DoE, without providing explanations, bluntly told the schools that such a student has to be retained.

Asenior DoE official said, "If a child is really troublesome then the complaint should be taken to the children's court which monitors such cases. The teachers and parents of the victim student will have to make a strong case. The court will then suggest counselling and other measures. A school cannot expel a student with the RTE coming into force as the school's action can be challenged in court."

Without fear of expulsion, school heads believe there could be a crisis-like situation and have placed such fears on the education director's desk. "If there are no sanctions and the right to keep other students free from harm, there will be pandemonium. The rules will have no value," the association said in their representation.

MINING TRUCKS ORDERED TO STOP PLYING THROUGH DHARBANDORA

2011-07-21T16:24:00.000+01:00

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.

Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the traffic regulatory committee on Wednesday, South Goa district magistrate Sandeep Jacques said that the decision was taken in view of the protests made by the Dharbandora residents who have been complaining about the threats posed by mining trucks, especially to the lives of school-going children.

"A review was also taken of the land acquisition process for widening the existing roads with a view to ease the problem of mining traffic congestion there. Instructions have been given to the concerned authorities to expedite the work," Jacques told reporters.

Taking note of the failure of certain agencies in restoring the roads at various places in Margao, after having dug them up for various works, the concerned authorities were instructed to restore the roads in a time bound manner. Action will be taken against those failing to complete the work in the given time frame, Jacques said.

PWD, fire services and local bodies were directed to ensure timely trimming or cutting of trees that are dangerously protruding along the highways, it was informed.

Taking note of the bottlenecks regularly witnessed near the Holy Spirit church and Presentation convent high school, it was decided to take up the matter with the parish priest and the school authorities with a view to thrashing out a solution to ease the bottlenecks, Jacques said.

As part of preparations for the inaugural function of the international film festival of India (Iffi) to be held in Margao later this year, Jacques said that the Margao municipal council (MMC) has been directed to effect removal of the hutments near the Osia complex so as to facilitate adequate traffic flow arrangements, it was informed.

MMC was also asked to carry out filling of certain low lying areas so that they could be used for parking purposes. Taking note of the couple of fatal accidents that took place at Raia recently, it was decided to undertake re-designing of the stretch of the road, sources said.

MINING COMPANIES HAVE NO INTEREST IN ROAD PROJECTS

2011-07-21T16:22:00.002+01:00

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.

State-run Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation has already signed an agreement with Niraj Cement Structurals Limited to construct the first phase of the mining corridor, costing Rs 65.76 crore.

However, though work for one stretch of mining corridor in South Goa has been tendered, it seems as though mining firms have developed cold feet about participating in the initiative, as the state government's attempts to bring in more participants have not been successful.

As per the minutes of the recent meeting of the Steering Committee on Mining Corridors held on July 13, Mines Secretary S Kumarswamy informed the Chief Minister that no one has come forward to share the project cost.

Kamat, in his Budget speech, had claimed that the corridors would be built on a cost-sharing basis, as the roads would be exclusively used by trucks transporting ore from the mining sites to the jetties, from where they would be loaded on to big ships.

The Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA), an organisation of ore exporters, has indicated that their support for these corridors may come with a rider.

GMOEA president Shivanand Salgaoncar told the Chief Minister during a meeting that the government has to ensure that renewals and other pending environmental issues are looked into earnestly.

Salgaoncar was not available for comment after the meeting. Goa has 105 mining sites, of which 90 are operational, tapping 45 million metric tonnes of ore annually. The mining corridors were planned after a string of agitations by locals, who complained that the trucks were creating pollution in their localities.

The state government, which has to address several issues in order to get the mining corridors operational, has asked the mining firms that will be using this road to deposit Rs 10 crore each as an advance toward their contribution to the project. – PTI

PEACOCK INVASION CAUSES SNAKE MENACE by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes, Dubai

2011-07-21T09:28:00.000+01:00

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.

About twelve years ago all of a sudden there was a huge shortage of wood, the people who supplied it had stopped venturing into the forests, there were different stories in circulations, the most common was that they, heard sounds of babies crying or rather wailing but could not see any humans, they thought they were ghosts crying and so they had stopped collecting wood but a few weeks later they realized that it was not the ghosts who were crying but Peacocks.

Untill those days Peacocks were never seen in our area, I only remember seeing one Peacock, that too on the slopes of Karmal Ghat walking a few feet away from the road with its full blown tail, it was the first time I had ever seen a Peacock in its full glory and majesty in it’s natural habitat on my way to Canacona from Margao some years before this incident. I was so amazed that I stopped my bike on the side of the road and watched it, till it disappeared in the bushes and beyond my sight.

Today Peacocks in our area and even around our village is a common site. These beautiful creatures are mostly ground birds, they can fly but they prefer to walk. To a farmer they are a pest, their destroy their crops, the population of Peacocks in our area has multiplied at a very rapid pace, you’ll find them all over the fields and plains hunting for food and their favourite dish is, guess what ? Snakes, they seem to have a knack for finding snakes out of nowhere.

Since the arrival of these magnificent birds in large numbers, even in our backyards, the damned snakes are trying to find shelter in our sheds and gardens away from the preying eyes of the Peacocks, in the last couple of years the number of snakes killed in our village is far greater than the years prior to the Peacock invasion.

I was in Goa on a three week holiday at the end of April and guess what ? Had to kill four poisonous snakes in my compound including one cobra, my daughter who had come to spend 10 days at my place with her two year old son went back after just five days, after the third snake was killed because her son use to run around the compound every time he was let out. Her husband nearly lost his life from a snake bite at Navelim last August.

Now because of the fear of Peacocks, snakes have made our village their hideout. Few week earlier a “Nagin” was seen in the middle of our village as soon as our people went after it, it went up a coconut tree, it was late in the evening so people kept watch till it was dark, then the early next morning someone climbed the coconut tree, lighting fire to a cloth soaked in kerosene tied to a long stick, seeing the fire the “Nagin” jumped from the crown of the coconut tree on to the ground where the people were waiting for it and killed it.

This weird situation has got our people worried and jumpy; we have fought politicians and goons alike with unity and determination and were never scared of anything or anyone until this unusual situation. It is indeed true that the snake population has decreased on the outskirts but they are hiding in our village now. In Margao and Panjim it’s the stray dogs spreading a reign of terror and in our village it’s the snakes, how do we get rid of this snake menace caused by the Peacock invasion before someone succumbs to it?

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

2011-07-21T09:24:00.000+01:00

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.

Followed by Invasion of Goa looting, pillaging, and mass rapes of Goan women by Indian military.

In Contrast the United Sates of America and Britain liberated Iraq from a ruthless tyrant against the wishes of the United Nations, Iraq was liberated and Iraqi flag was raised. Coalition Army of the United States and Britain did not pillage and raped Iraqi women unlike Indian military.

United Nations now is an inefficient world body made out of Nations that refuse human rights and allow occupy other nations of Goa, Daman, Diu, Tibet to Invaders like India, China, Libya, France, Russia, etc. Millions of dollars are robbed by the nations of the UN's, for example in Somalia. United Nations has lost its charm unless it practices the law and order forcing rogue nations of India and China to liberate the occupied territories and follow transparent Democracies.

Iraqi people looted Government buildings and museums. Goan people were civilized and respected the Invading Indian Army although discontent with the Invasion.

Democracy in Goa installed that people could vote, only later allowing politicians to rob Goan assets, setting a new regime of looting by Indian IAS Babus and Goan rogue Politicians. No checks and balances allowed on ruling politicians. Followed by exodus of Goans leaving for Diaspora, letting in influx of Non-Goans across the borders to settle.

Thousands of Goan Youth are now unemployed, in the occupied territory of Goa since 1961, where people are afraid to speak up against the Indian regime controlled by Indian Governor, Indian Administrators and Indian Police force along with corrupt local Government.

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

2011-07-21T09:23:00.000+01:00

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.

The Crime Branch has now asked the JMFC 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. A non- bailable warrant has been sought as the immigration authorities and the consulates overseas can only execute a non-bailable warrant. The police will also intimate all airports and check posts across the country that Father Newton Rodrigues be arrested. The Crime Branch will also seek the help of the Interpol to bring Father Newton Rodrigues to Goa.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues has also through an application before the JMFC sought that he be allowed to begin examining his witnesses and that Father Newton Rodrigues could be examined as and when the Police arrest and produce him in court. Adv. Aires Rodrigues will examine seven defence witnesses which include Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao and former Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsingh Rane.

In 2004 Adv. Aires Rodrigues was leading an agitation demanding action against Fr. Newton Rodrigues for having allegedly molested a 13 year old girl from Ribandar. While Adv. Aires Rodrigues and others were charge sheeted for confronting Fr. Newton Rodrigues, the case filed against Fr. Newton Rodrigues by the mother of the 13 year old girl who was allegedly molested by Fr. Newton Rodrigues was closed after then Governor of Goa Mr. S.C Jamir reportedly intervened to save Fr. Newton Rodrigues from being charge sheeted.

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

2011-07-20T23:28:00.000+01:00

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.

They also sought dismissal of Dr Poojari, who had conducted the first autopsy on the deceased Melvyn Gomes, for misguiding the people and the government authorities over the cause of the death. Body of Melvyn Gomes was found in a mysterious condition near a water tank at a construction of site of a hotel based at Utorda. The villagers have also demanded the arrest of hotel officials.

Since the police department has failed to take action against some of the police officials and the doctor attached to Hospicio Hospital, Margao, within 72 hours of handing over a representation to the inspector general of police, Ms S Sundari Nanda, the agitated villagers decided to intensify their agitation, on Wednesday.

Now, the villagers have given a 7-day deadline to the director general of police, Dr Aditya Arya to act against the police officials, doctor and the hotel management.

As part of their agitation, the villagers blocked the road leading to prominent hotels like Park Hyatt and Heritage Village Club at Arossim early Wednesday morning by using logs of coconut trees, stones and traffic barricades, affecting the flow of vehicles entering and exiting from the hotels.

A coconut tree was cut at Arossim; the tree while being cut collapsed on a high tension overhead wires and consequently damaged a cross on the chapel.

Another coconut tree was also cut at Velsao; as the tree fell on the ground it damaged an electricity pole and snapped high tension overhead wires. The power supply to the villages from Velsao to Arossim was disrupted for the whole of the day.

A massive rally was organised, which began from Arossim and moved to Cansaulim. Thousands of people, including women in large numbers, participated in the rally. As a part of the protest, the villagers of Velsao, Cansaulim, Arossim observed bandh, which disrupted the transport, and business activity.

About 250 personnel of Goa police and Rapid Action Force of Central Reserve Police Force were deputed at various spots in Arossim and Cansaulim to prevent any untoward incident.

The deputy superintendent of police, Vasco, Mr Mahesh Gaonkar, Verna PI, Mr Rajan Nigalye, Vasco PI, Mr Braz Menezes and Mormugao PI, Mr Rahul Parab along with Mormugao mamlatdar, Mr Rajesh Ajgaonkar were camping.

A protest meeting was held at Cansaulim which was attended by former Tourism Minister and Benaulim MLA, Mr Francisco alias Mickky Pacheco, Mr Lyndon Monteiro, zilla panchayat, member, Ms Nelly Rodrigues, Fr Eremito Rebello, Fr Kevin Rodrigues, Fr Freddy, the wife of the deceased, Ms Reiza Gomes, Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim sarpanch, Mr Minguel D’Costa, Ms Maria Sequeira, Dr Marconi, Majorda sarpanch, Ms Visitation D’Silva, Ms Sara Gonsalves, Mr Simon Gomes, Mr Minguel and others.

While addressing the villagers, Mr Pacheco said that the police officials should conduct fair investigation into the death of Melvyn Gomes and demanded that the police officials who have neglected their duties at the time of the investigation should be immediately dismissed.

Fr Eremito Rebello alleged that the police department has miserably failed to investigate the case thoroughly. He also demanded that the police officials, doctor and hotel officials should be arrested.

Dr Marconi alleged that Melvyn could have died due to the torture meted out by the hotel management. Fr Kevin Rodrigues called upon the villagers not to politicise the issue of Melvyn’s death. "It is a joint movement of the people launched to seek justice for the Melvyn’s family members," he added.

On behalf of the protesters, Mr Pacheco requested the police officials at the site to call in director general of police, Dr Aditya Arya in order to seek explanation from him over the investigation of Melvyn’s death, as the time given by the villagers through a representation had lapsed.

Mr Pacheco then talked to Dr Arya, on his mobile, but he refused to come down to Cansaulim and called the agitators to his office in the evening. This resulted in commotion, but then the agitators finally agreed to visit the office of the DGP in Panjim. – NT

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

2011-07-20T22:27:00.000+01:00

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.

I have not opted for Indian citizenship, it was imposed on me from New Delhi by the Indian Government headed by Nehru the premier of India when my beloved Goa, when my virgin Goa, when my greenery filled Goa, when my naturally beautiful Goa, when my innocent Goa was forcibly invaded by the mighty Millitary power of Indian Government.

Though geographically Goa falls in Indian subcontinent but politically it was not, politically it was a separate political entity being the overseas territory of Portugal. Indian Government has forcibly by using military force invaded Goa and annexed it to Indian jurisdiction. Though it was invaded but Supreme Court of India in its landmark judgement on Goa’s case said that "Goa on 19th December 1961 was conquered by India'’. The word liberation is missing in the Supreme Court judgement. Hence, legally and officially Goa was not liberated but conquered.

Though I was a Portuguese citizen legally yet I did not want to be under a colonial power Portugal. Portugese were strangers to rule over Goa, they too forcibly conquered my Goa and as such they had to leave Goa either voluntarily or forcibly and this was our decision, only we Goans were to take this decision and not by the Delhi Babus under the crook Defence Minister of India Krishna Menon. On 19th December 1961 Indian Government under Nehru Robbed my beautiful Goa from Portugal and annexed it to India making greater Bharat which is filled with all the corrupt practices unknown to Goa earlier.

Given a choice I would be the first person to secede from greater India because this India is swallowing my Goa not territorially but culturally, linguistically, economically, traditionally, historically and in all respects. When Goa became a part of India politically, my Goa started losing its identidy.

To stop further eradication of Goa’s original characteristics and to put an end to the approaches of Maharastra from totally swallowing Goa, we had to fight for separate statehood for Goa, at least something is better than nothing. If Maharastra had to sallow Goa we would lose our identity by losing our Konkani language to Marathi thereby losing our beautiful folklore, folk tales, folk songs, culture, tradition and everything we have unique in us which is based on Konkani.

The Konknni people from Maharastra by being Maharastrian have lost almost everything of their own; their language, culture, tradition, folklore to Marathi, some of the patriotic Konknni people associating in my Konkani movement in Kuwait are showing their regret and sorrow for losing their Konknni culture to Marathi where there is no choice for them. They are now become slaves of Maharastra and Marathi culture which is foreign to them. .

Hence the imperative need of having separate statehood for Goa came. To save Goa from getting liquidated and wholly swallowed by Maharastra which was also the wish of Nehru and Delhi, we the Kuwaitkars initiated from Kuwait strong movement to help our fellow Goans in Goa financially to move forward in organising Konkani movement in Goa.

When we started this movement in Kuwait 3 decades back our counterparts in the West were silent and till today for the cause of Goa they are still silent. Having Goan Associations and organsing annual functions and get-together will not help Goan causes in Goa. At the moment what is required in Goa is to take possession of Goan lands and properties by Goans. Outsiders are coming to Goa and purchasing Goan properties while we are selling our land to anyone.

The Western Goans with Western Passports are losing Goa for themselves. The coming generation born and brought up in the West will entirely lose Goa for them and unfortunately they will not be interested in Goa either. West settled and working there Goans are in much better position to puchase Goan land but instead many of them are selling their ancestral land and houses to non-Goans and hugging Portuguese, British and other Western Passports. And yet they take pride in being Goans. I am ashamed of their Goanness.

Orgnising Goan conventions without doing anythig concrete to save Goa from getting Goa degoanised is foolish. Organising seminars and conventions by the Goans permanently settled in the West will not solve Goa's problem. Goa Government and Goan politicians will not care for any shouts from Goans settled any part of the globe. And by the way, what is the capacity and love of West settled Goans to rescue Goa from the chaotic conditions Goa is undergoing now?

When the soul of Goa - Konkani - was burning the West settled Goans were silent. It is not enough to organise Goan functions to mark the Fest of Goycho Saib and to join all in the Club Hall to eat Goan Sorpotel and dance the whole day. What Kuwait Goans among all the exptriate Goans have done for the cause of Goa none can do and never be able to do.

What is the show and pomp of having GLOBAL Goan gatherings and Conventions when we do nothing concrete to protect Goa in Goa? Goa Government in Goa manned by all the "Rostad" persons are sucking the blood of Goans, they are corrupting the whole system in Goa, they are acting against the interest of genuine and true Goans. Goa Government is anti-Goan, promoting all round corruption.

This Government and its machinery will do nothing for the good of Goa and Goans. Only shameless expatriate Goans will shamelessly entertain the Goa Government personnel. These expatriate Goans have no right to talk for Goa because they did nothing for Goa when Goa and Konkani needed their help and currently too they are doing nothing to protect Goa and its unique identity.

Recently in the West one scheduled Goan function was cancelled because of dispute between the two factions. This is our Goan Christian tradition and we maintained it even in the West because it is said in Konkani "Gaum assa thuim Marvott assa". "Goykar Christao assa thuim duspott astach".

GOA’S ENVIRONMENT MINISTER DEFENDS FROG POACHING

2011-07-20T22:25:00.002+01:00

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".

"It is a habit that has been going on. I agree that it is against the law," the minister said, evoking angry reactions from the gathering of around 100 participants, who urged Sequiera to respect the country's wildlife laws. "Don't treat wildlife-related crimes (as) pettier than the general crimes," one of the participants told the minister during the interaction.

Poaching frogs is banned under wildlife protection act, as the species have been classified as protected. Frogs is a delicacy in the monsoon in Goa. They are termed `jumping chicken' and served at various restaurants in coastal belt, especially South Goa.

The minister was interacting with youths at the concluding session of convention on 'Environment and Development', organised by Centre for Environment Education, and Goa Golden Jubilee Development Council. Sequeira conceded that he had asked the forest department officials, at times, "to release the accused nabbed for frog poaching on bail". "What is the use of keeping him in a lock-up when the offence is bailable," he said.

BLACK MONEY HOLDERS INVEST IN REAL ESTATE

2011-07-20T22:24:00.002+01:00

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.

This did not bode well for Goa's future, he said. "The land pressure in Goa is because of speculative investment of black money-driven real estate projects. It is happening all over India too," Gadgil said.

Noting that Goa is a "phenomenally beautiful state", he said that unfortunately, it was not "people who love the land" who were looking at buying land here. "Most of the real estate investments in Goa are in the form of second homes. Goa needs to do something about this," he said.

Even as real estate prices hit the roof here, mega housing projects, cropping up across the countryside, have faced stiff resistance in Goa from civil society groups who have objected to the real estate lobby converting Goa purely into a market for investment oriented second homes.

Public resentment towards real estate intensive projects had also forced the Goa government to cancel seven special economic zone (SEZ) projects in 2008, several of which were promoted by real estate companies.

EC ISSUES NOTICES TO VALANKA ALEMAO AND JITESH KAMAT

2011-07-20T10:48:00.002+01:00

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.

While Valanka, daughter of PWD minister Churchill Alemao, has been issued a notice asking her to show cause why she shouldn't be debarred from contesting the elections following charges of her seeking political support for her candidature, including that of chief minister Digambar Kamat, the show cause notice to Jitesh is for airing his complaints to the press.

While Jitesh said that he was yet to go through the notice, as he was away, sources close to Valanka said that she has already posted a reply to the show cause notice. Sources said that the junior Alemao has denied charges of her having sought political patronage for her candidature, while declaring that the chief minister has pledged support to her "on his own".

However, the PWD minister, apparently agitated over the show cause notice slapped on his daughter, vented his frustration at the outgoing chief of the state Youth Congress, Sankalp Amonkar. Amonkar said that Alemao called him up and abused him. He said that the PWD minister even threatened him with a view to pressurize him to support his daughter's candidature.

Alemao, when contacted, flatly denied that he ever made any call to Amonkar. "What's the need for me to contact Sankalp? Valanka is contesting the elections on her own strength. Even the accusations of Valanka seeking political support are all lies. I have not asked any politician, even (state Congress chief) Subhash Shirodkar to support Valanka. This is all false," Alemao said.

AGAÇAIM POLICE REGISTER A CASE AGAINST TWO PERSONS FOR ORGANISING BULLFIGHTS

2011-07-20T10:47:00.000+01:00

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.

Police said that the duo brought bulls and organized the bullfight by sending and SMS to the people in the village. "Around 50 people gathered for the bullfight, which lasted for few minutes," the police said.

Presently, animal fights are in contravention of Section 11 (1) (m) (ii) and Section 11 (1) (n) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.

CUNCOLIM POLICE ARREST TWO MORE INVOLVED IN GANG RAPE

2011-07-20T10:44:00.000+01:00

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.

The police had earlier arrested three persons and are on the lookout for the sixth accused. Police sources said that the victim was a resident of Cuncolim and that the six accused took turns in raping her after she was confined in a room at Betul.

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

2011-07-20T10:42:00.002+01:00

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.

Several trains have been cancelled or are being diverted due to the landslides. Senior Public Relations Manager of KRCL, Baban Ghatge said that even though 25 poclains and 150 labourers have been deployed for the restoration work, torrential rains have created hurdles in approaching the affected site. "Despite the rains, we are carrying out the restoration work on a war-footing. In such adverse circumstances, we expect the work to be completed by the evening on July 21," Ghatge said.

Railway tracks between Ratnagiri and Nivsar were affected due to two landslides on July 17 and 18, owing to torrential rains in Konkan region.

Ghatge said though the work of removing the mud and slush from the track was undertaken after the first landslide, due to the tremendous pressure of the rubble, a major portion of the retaining wall suddenly gave away at about 4 pm on July 18 making things further difficult. "These natural calamities have badly hampered the train services on Konkan Railway Route since then," he said. – PTI

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

2011-07-20T09:59:00.000+01:00

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.

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

The Additional Solicitor General Mr. Vivek Tankha while appearing on behalf of Goa Raj Bhavan had argued before the High Court that the President of India, Governor, Speaker and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court & High Courts do not come within the purview of the Right to Information Act.

The stand taken by the Additional Solicitor General is despite the Rashtrapati Bhavan, all other Raj Bhavans, the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the Supreme Court and High Courts all complying with the RTI Act and none of them having yet thrown a legal challenge that they are not a “Public Authority”.

Special Secretary to the Goa Governor Dr. N. Radhakrishnan in his petition before the High Court has challenged the 31st March order of the Goa State Information Commission which had directed the Goa Raj Bhavan to furnish Adv. Aires Rodrigues the information sought by him under the Right to Information Act.

The Goa Raj Bhavan has in its petition contended that the Governor not being a “Public Authority” does not come within the purview of the RTI Act. The Raj Bhavan has also further contended that the Goa State Information Commission has not been properly constituted as the Goa State Chief Information Commissioner could not have heard matters in the absence of another Information Commissioner.

The State Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Motilal Keny in his order had ruled that the Goa Governor was a “Public Authority” and does come within the ambit of the Right to Information Act.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues’s complaint against Goa Governor Dr. S. S. Sidhu follows the stand taken by the Goa Raj Bhavan that the Governor was not a public authority and did not come within the purview of the RTI Act.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues had sought from Goa Raj Bhavan under the RTI Act details of action taken by the Governor on his complaints against the Advocate General of Goa Mr. Subodh Kantak. Adv. Rodrigues had also sought copies of noting sheets and correspondence pertaining to the processing of his complaints against the Advocate General.

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

2011-07-19T23:08:00.003+01:00

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.

It is learnt that the relations between the two got strained after an IPS cadre officer was made to work under a state police officer. The posting was seen as a demotion, causing the DGP to intervene.

The state has eight IPS cadre posts -- DGP, IGP, two DIG posts, SP (North and South) and SP-CID and SP-traffic training. Sources revealed that trouble started when IPS officer, Mr Vijay Singh was asked to work as deputy commandant of Home Guard under SP, Mr D K Sawant, a state-level officer. Although the state government retains the right to determine postings, the general rule is that IPS officer are granted cadre posting.

However, in reality the home ministry prefers to have its own officers in sensitive posts, especially SP (North and South). It may be recalled that SP, Mr Bosco George, who was holding the post of SP, North and was replaced by Mr Arvind Gawas even though an IPS cadre officer was waiting in the queue. With the exception of Mr I D Shukla who served as SP South, the post has been held by a local police officer.

It may also be recalled that Mr Veenu Bansal, an IPS officer, was posted as head of the anti-narcotics cell even though it was not a cadre posting. Although this posting created a flutter in the IPS ranks, it did not upset relations with the Home Minister as the then DGP, Mr Bhim Sain Bassi declined to take a stand on the issue.

The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat is arriving from New Delhi on Wednesday. He is expected to hold a meeting with the DGP and the Home Minister to resolve the issue.

ZUARI BRIDGE ABOUT TO EXPIRE: NEW BRIDGE REQUIRED

2011-07-19T22:13:00.001+01:00

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.

But the problem in Goa is that to have good bridges lasting for years is difficult to come up like the western countries. The contractors must first bribe the ministers to get contract specially the crook Chief minister of Goa Digambar Kamat and the biggest thief of Goa PWD minister the illiterate Churchill Alemao with ten percent commission to Valanka Alemao.

A senior technical official stated that work on the new bridge should have begun long ago. But the file on the proposed new bridge has been lying with the PAC of the assembly. The indecision of the government on process for land acquisition for the NH-17 expansion project, which entails construction of the new bridge, also makes the matter worse.

Nevertheless the detailed project reports are complete and contract has been awarded. A state-of-the-art cable bridge is supposed to come up on the Zuari river. As of now, the Centre has refused to release any funds for bridge maintenance except for minor patchwork, probably fed up with the inordinate delay caused by the state government.

But PWD officials said the condition of the bridge is being monitored continuously and every three months checking and testing is done. NHAI experts also have done checking of the bridge. "All investigations have been done. We appointed a consultant when the first report came out. The bridge was tested by him. He was satisfied with condition of the bridge, but said that heavy vehicles cannot ply on it. So we stopped heavy vehicles from plying on it," a senior PWD official said seeking to alleviate fears on safety of the bridge.

He, however, admitted that a new bridge was a necessity and insisted that the government was going ahead with the proposal on a priority basis.

Government officials claimed that except for differences on the toll issue most of the problems have been sorted out. Stating that they would insist that the construction of the new bridge be completed within the timeframe of three years, the officials said, "We will try to expedite the matter. The Chief Minister and the PWD Minister are after it."

Rubbishing the government claim that it has been trying to push the central government on the construction of the new bridge within three years, some officials asked whether any bridge can be built within three years.

"God willing, the construction should take five years from the time it starts. We are already too late. We should have started a couple of years back. If the state government is facing problems with other areas or the Centre is not agreeing to its demands then the work should be taken up by the state itself," some engineers felt. They recalled the hardships caused by the collapse of Mandovi bridge and long ferry queues before the Zuari was built.

EC SERVES NOTICE TO VALANKA ALEMAO

2011-07-19T21:49:00.000+01:00

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.

It has been learnt that Valanka has been personally using her father’s position to threaten the voters to vote for her by force. She has been threatening the voters if they do now vote for her then the consequences will be dire.

In the meantime it has also been learnt that Churchill Alemao has sent his goondas out to threaten the voters and to force them to vote for valanka. At the same time he has promised a huge amount of money if they vote for Valanka.

Valanka is vying for the top post along with GPYC former vice-president Pratima Coutinho. The elections are scheduled for July 23 and 24.

Prakash Joshi, Chief Election officer - Youth Congress Election Commission also served notices to another candidate Jitesh Kamat for his outbursts against returning officers. In the notice to Valanka, the CEO has asked her to reply as to why she should not be debarred from contesting Youth Congress elections.

The charges against Valanka are

• That she has used her father’s position to influence voters.

• Valanka has taken support of the chief minister, party president and the legislators to win elections.

• Had a meeting with politicians, against rules, at a starred hotel in Margao.

It is reliably learnt that the CEO’s action has come in wake of complaint filed by Jitesh Kamat, who had also mailed a CC to Rahul Gandhi. The CEO has also served notices to Jitesh for his outbursts against the LROs and the ZRO (returning officers).

He has been asked to reply as to why he should also not be debarred from contesting elections. Mr Joshi when contacted confirmed the notices were served but refused to elaborate further. “I can only say we have served the notice but I will be able to comment only tomorrow on the issue after I receive the replies,” he said.

On the deadline for replies, he said, “Still there is time I cannot say now.” Zonal Returning officer Sumit Khanna, however, refused to comment on the matter so did GPCC president Subash Shirodkar, who only said “you ask Valanka, I am not her PA to know this.” Efforts to contact Valanka for her comments on the issue proved futile. Jitesh on the other hand claimed he has not received any notice yet.

MOI CIRCULAR WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM THIS YEAR

2011-07-19T21:47:00.000+01:00

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.

On July 12, the high court had directed the state government to take a decision within a week's time on whether the recent cabinet decision on the MoI would be implemented in a phased manner from this academic year onwards or from the next year. On May 25, the cabinet had taken a decision to release grants also to English medium primary schools, along with the Konkani and Marathi medium schools.

When the matter came up for hearing before a division bench comprising Justice S A Bobde and Justice F M Reis, the AG said that the government wants to implement the cabinet decision in a phased manner from this academic year onwards. He sought a day's time to file an affidavit bringing on record the government's decision. The AG also assured the court that the government would not implement the MoI circular until the next date of hearing.

Subsequently, the court directed the government to file the affidavit on July 19.

The petition was filed by educationist Pandurang Nadkarni and others challenging the cabinet decision for providing grants to English medium primary schools in the state. The petitioners have also questioned a circular issued by the department of education (DoE) for implementing the cabinet decision. According to the petitioners, the DoE has issued the circular in violation of the Rules of Business made in accordance with Article 166 of the Constitution of India.

The government had earlier pointed out to the court that the cabinet took the decision after receiving several representations from parents belonging to the economically backward classes, who could not afford to send their children to English medium primary schools.

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

2011-07-19T21:44:00.002+01:00

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.

While arguing on a petition filed by N Radhakrishnan, special secretary to Goa governor S S Sidhu, Tankha questioned the order passed by the Goa state information commission, which held that the governor's office was a public authority.

The commission had passed the order on a plea filed by activist Aires Rodrigues under the RTI Act. The RTI Act states that an applicant has the right to access information which is held by or under the control of any public authority.

Tankha contended, "The 'public authority', as defined under Section 2 (h) (a) of the RTI Act, does not include the offices of the president of India, governor, speaker, chief justice of the Supreme Court as well as the high courts." "The office of the governor does not come within the administrative domain, as it does not have any administrative functions. It's not a ministry," he held. At this point, a division bench comprising Justices S Bobde and F M Reis directed the additional solicitor general to submit an affidavit explaining how the offices are not public authority as defined under the Act.

The court also asked how the offices cannot be said to have any executive powers and duties to comply with. Earlier, Rodrigues, an advocate, argued that even the president of India has complied with the provisions of the RTI Act. "S S Sidhu is the only governor in the country who has not complied with the RTI Act, by claiming that he is not a 'public authority'," Rodrigues alleged.

He prayed that the petition should be disposed of as soon as possible as the RTI Act has remained "grounded" for the last three years as far as the governor's office is concerned. Rodrigues had sought information under RTI from the governor's office about details of the action taken against state advocate general Subodh Kantak on complaints filed by him.

WHILE GOA IS IN CHAOS, GOVERNMENT TO PARTY IN LONDON by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

2011-07-19T14:25:00.003+01:00

Goa is reeling under a host of serious issues due to a government that has become dysfunctional and apathetic to the people’s concerns. The Aam Aadmi is raging with fury and disgruntled. Almost every decision taken by this government over the last four years has either been kept on hold by the government if not stayed and quashed by the Courts.

In the background of this grim reality the Government is co-hosting a two day Global Goans Convention in London beginning July 22nd. Today every overseas Goan is aware of the happenings in his motherland. We have had enough of conventions. The time for mere talk has long past. We need some concrete action to salvage what remain of this once beautiful Goa. What purpose will it serve deliberating on Goan issues overseas. The nitty gritty issues are known to all and have to be resolved here. But the Government does not have the will or spine to act and pull Goa out of the woods.

The London bound Goan entourage led by Commissioner for NRI Affairs Mr. Eduardo Faleiro including musicians, singers and folk dancers will do what they have been doing best over the last five years. This time only the destination has changed. Earlier it was at Kuwait, Toronto, Qatar and Lisbon. This year the eating, drinking and making merry at the cost of the State exchequer will be at London.

Mr. Chief Minister, how does your government have the audacity to be celebrating in London when the atmosphere in Goa is of gloom and doom? The law and order situation is alarming. About the maladies due to the illegal mining and the other glaring illegalities of your Government, the less said the better. Corruption under your government is at its very peak having overtaken the Himalayas. It is an irony that after 50 years of Liberation Goa has to gear up to be freed again.

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

2011-07-19T13:03:00.000+01:00

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’.

And now, predictably, the chickens or shall we say the dogs have come home to roost.

The number of dog bite cases in our little state has increased so dramatically, that it almost certainly competes with the number of mining leases the Digambar Kamat government dishes out every month. If you do not die of mining pollution, there is a good chance you may die of rabies, in style.

I understand the morally sound and very persuasive arguments put forth by the sincere champions of animal rights and acknowledge the difficulty work put in by two of the most celebrated activists I know, the graceful and elegant Normal Alvares and Angela Kazi. Killing or torturing any form of life is perverse.

However, it is very evidently seems, the strategy is not working on the ground. The dogs are ferociously multiplying. The dogs are ferociously running around, the dogs are ferociously biting and many of the dogs are ferociously rabid.

So, from the human prism, I seek answers to a few of my very serious doubts.

1. How can anyone in our cities be sure that the confirmed rabid dogs have not bitten other stray animals, thus potentially delivering a rabies ‘dog’ – demic on our hands? Surely, strays do not have a complaint register, do they?

2. What if your child, unsupervised, gets licked by a rabid dog playing on the beach? often, kids also do not have a complaint register. Hence, if your child develops and dies of an encephalitis ( a brain infection), the virus could very well be a rabies virus and your pediatrician may be in the dark about it.

3. Any standard textbook mentions that Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) must be given as standard prophylaxis for preventing rabies. RIG is expensive and almost never available in government hospitals. Hence, the standard rabies vaccine may not provide you 100 per cent cover. It is almost akin to using a ruptured condom and then taking yours bets on the pregnancy. Good luck mate!

4. Why is it that despite a great degree of love and compassion for animals in the western world, you never see strays frisking around as tourist attractions on the streets of Paris, London or New York. The only sophisticated stray currently running around there appears to be Rupert Murdoch and they are planning to assassinate him as well.

5. What if a red light minister or sarkari babu gets bitten by a stray dog, when apparently haggling for free fish at the market? Will we then see tangible, concreter action to rid the market of strays? Hell hath no fury like a minister bitten, but not shy.

6. Why is it that despite allegedly successful sterilization campaigns, the stray population multiplies faster than the Indian Mujaheedin?

7. Do we as doctors, consider rabies as a possible differential diagnosis in flaccid paralysis patients (weakness of lower limbs, upper limbs and face ) which ultimately kills. Rabies may not always present itself in its archetypal violent, aggressive neurological manifestation .

8. What is our strict enforcement of vaccination programmes for domesticated animals? Does anyone keep a log? Is there a fine on owners for non compliance? Did we know that even cat bites can lead to rabies? These creatures with ‘green eyes’ always cleverly escape public scrutiny.

9. Do I, as a tax paying or non tax paying citizen, have the inalienable human right to walk the streets of my town freely and fearlessly, not having to look over my shoulder as to when that crazy adorable son of a **** is going to bite my pants off or should is surrender that right to this nebulous and dangerous animal love?

10. Who pays compensation and costs of health care in case of rabies or should I even die in penury for this worthy cause. Statistics say that every dog bite leads to a negligible number of fatal rabies, but what if I am the fortunate one called to sacrifice my life? Am I prepared to be the hero? Has anyone even asked my permission if I was to be that hero? Has a memorial been erected to rabies victims in our country?

Let me confess. I abhor dogs!!Period ! Yeah, yeah! I know familiarargument goes, a dog is a man’s best friend and they have fluffy ears and they are loyal and all that jazz. But they also bite unprovoked.

I still recall fondly how, when on a home visit to see a patient, the domestic dog thought my tibia was fair game and sunk his bloody teeth into my leg. I had to take my shots, got paid a measly fee for my house call and had to endure the jolly guffaw of the pot-bellied owner when boomed,”Oh, Figo does that to only people he likes,” Heavens, what does he do to guys he hates?

So okay, maybe do not shoot them, torture them or position them. We all want our place in heaven after all. THE STRAYS MUST NECESSARILY GET OFF OUR STREETS and the animal lovers must show us the way, work out the solution. Now and pronto!

We, as Goans, have enough amount of misery inflicted on us by animals in our political arena. We do not need any further suffering of the whimsical, salivating teeth of our friendly, neighbor hood super dogs.

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

2011-07-19T12:59:00.002+01:00

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?

Now going back to Dr Oscar Rebello, I, more than any one else understand why he is being, once bitten twice shy of dogs. Most of us love dogs but at the same time fear them the most. As for me I would prefer tackling a snake than a dog any given day. Whenever I visit people, before I get off my bike or out of my car, I make sure that there are no dogs moving in the yard or compound, I have a phobia for other people’s dogs and especially stray dogs, the bigger the dog the more scared and terrified I am, even though I have always had a dog in my house, and it sure wasn’t for any social status, though there may be some who do it, like my dog is bigger and more ferocious than yours, the same like my house is bigger and better than yours, having said this, I would like to bring to the notice of Dr. Anjali, the reasons for the fear psychosis of being bitten by a dog.

If any dog growls, at any of us, it is enough to affect the smooth blood flow in our body and drench us in sweat and set our bones and joints rattling. I doubt any of us would be calm in a situation, where we have an unknown dog small or big with it’s mouth open, saliva dripping, displaying it’s canines in all it’s glory and making that dreaded sound “grrrrrr grrrrrr grrrrrr”. A sight like that could dry up anyone’s blood.

There are also some dogs that are dangerous enough, without ever displaying their emotions, they are the ones who will shake their tails till you are well within the range and than snap at you without any provocations, I would call them the smiling assassins. A dog bite is a dog bite no matter what, be it a pet or a stray and Dr. Anjali or anyone else should not be telling us that, fatality is a rarity even in a rabid dog bite. The affect of a dog bite is more mental, psychological and emotional rather than physical which makes it still worse.

I wonder how many rabid persons Dr. Anjali has seen or treated and that too in the latter stages. I have seen just one and that has blown my hackles to kingdom come. It’s a shattering image, once seen will never ever be forgotten, that every time you see a stray dog, it will come to the fore and shake you up to the core, I did have nightmares for the first few months and still have occasionally. People have seen and lot more have heard of the extreme effects of a rabid dog bite, and since it’s mostly impossible to tell if a dog is rabid or not, the fear psychosis and rightly so.

Would Dr. Anjali like to be a person who would like to follow the age old adage “prevention is better than cure”? Or let it happen to any one, if you survive you are lucky if not who cares, but dogs should not and must not, at any cost be targeted, isn’t this hypocrisy ?

There is one spot in the heart of Margao on the four road junction near Fatima Convent and the Police Station, with six schools and a college in that vicinity, can you imagine, only the number of children that go through that junction in a day ? With plenty of stray dogs there, it’s a disaster just waiting to happen. At night and early morning they chase bikes and cars, isn’t that scary? Would you risk your own children being bitten by stray dogs, rabid or not, I surely wouldn’t, and if it happened I would surely go on a shooting spree.

I know Dr. Anjali is fighting for a lot of social and environmental causes and admire her for it but her argument to justify that death is rare from rabid dog bite is both absurd and ridiculous. A dog bite especially from strays or pets that mix with other dogs should be prevented rather than looked to be treated; this should be our philosophy, if we are wise enough we should not be taking even a 1% chance that could prove fatal for any person loosing his or her precious life+ Vaccinations, sterilizations and medications are secondary which have to follow but the prime and primary objective should be the wellbeing of our fellow humans.

I don’t think even Dr. Anjali and her animal lovers would say otherwise. The preserve of human life should be our priority and to do that if animals especially strays have to become collateral damage, so be it. I too love animals and hope the endangered become populous at the earliest, but if they become a threat to human life they should go, and there should be no two ways about it. The sooner we understand it the better it will be.

I would like to ask Dr. Anjali, why humans who carry deadly infectious diseases are quarantined? If humans can be quarantined to safeguard other humans, why shouldn’t it be applied to dogs who carry deadly infectious diseases or even do away with them as preventive measures ? Isn’t our life worth more than a dog’s or is it?

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

2011-07-19T12:58:00.000+01:00

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.

Couto always maintained an active interest in issues related to Goa, and had put forward many proposals and recommendations for implementation of projects for the benefit of Goa and Goans.

According to the media, Couto, while on a holiday in 2004, having come to know, that officials of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) were in Delhi, approached them and convinced the officials to visit Goa. After two years of discussions, at his own home, which was made to serve as his office, he managed, in 2007, a proposal to bring to Goa an over Rs. 1000 crore JICA project to augment and modernize water supply and set up sewerage systems. Government delayed this initiative for which Couto toiled tirelessly and It is only recently that the state has launched five of the over 20 packages included in the project.

While in Macau on official work, in 2006, Couto had submitted a proposal to set up biodegradable waste management facilities in two main cities – Panaji and Vasco. This being a project that would benefit the people, the “government for the people” promptly rejected it. And we have still not solved the problem of waste management. Apparently, land acquisition for waste “disposal” is more profitable, therefore the proposal for waste “management” was promptly shot down.

As Chairman of the second Goa State Finance Commission, Couto submitted the report in December 2007. The recommendations included functions and responsibilities of Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies as mandated under Articles 243G and 243W of the Constitution and the devolution of financial powers.

You all must have noticed that anything to do with increase or devolution of administrative and financial powers to the local self-government bodies, or with grass-roots governance, is taboo to our legislators, who want to retain the power in their hands and keep the local bodies under their thumb. The fact that the report has not yet been tabled in the Legislative Assembly, therefore, comes as no surprise. After so many years, it is more likely that government will term it as irrelevant now.

These same legislators are likely to come to our door just before the next elections due next year, if not earlier, seeking our votes to perpetuate their political circus and increase family representation in the Legislature. With proposals for pro-people projects being given “a grand governmental shrug”, it is high time we the people give the perpetual vote seekers “a grand people’s shrug”.

The print media of Goa had highlighted how, the late Alban Couto, who passed away a little over two years ago, had put forward many proposals and recommendations for implementation of projects for the benefit of Goa and Goans, but the same received only “a grand governmental shrug”.

The IAS officer always maintained an active interest in issues related to Goa, right up to his death in June 2009.

He 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

2011-07-19T12:43:00.002+01:00

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.

The Crime Branch has asked the JMFC 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.

A non- bailable warrant has been sought as the immigration authorities and the consulates overseas can only execute a non-bailable warrant. The police will also intimate all airports and check posts across the country that Father Newton Rodrigues be arrested. The Crime Branch will also seek the help of the Interpol to bring Father Newton Rodrigues to Goa.

Father Newton Rodrigues the former Parish Priest of Ribandar and now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada has failed to remain present in Court despite being summoned and even a warrant of arrest issued against him.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues today moved an application before the JMFC that to expedite the proceedings he be allowed to begin examining his witnesses and that Father Newton Rodrigues could be examined as and when the Police arrest and produce him in court. Adv. Aires Rodrigues will examine seven defence witnesses which include Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao and former Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsingh Rane.

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

2011-07-19T10:06:00.002+01:00

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

Braving the heavy rains Canconkars were seen standing in long serpentine ques as early as eight in the morning to get stamp papers at the local stamp paper vender at Chaudi, After geting the paper all had to run to Mr. Isidor Fernande's(a strong contender for congress ticket) office to pint an affidavit and there after to submit to BDO office to get a free 500/300 Lts tank.

And you thought that you got the tank then you are mistaken, At BDO office the concerned people tell you to get an income certificate from panchyat and water connection bill and resubmit the file.

People were so much troubled that there was not even drinking water for the people in the ques. All were found complaining that it was not worth the trouble. when the tank itself cost not more then Rs. two thousand.

The business community especial hardware shop owners were heard grumbling that one day this government will give every thing free including the undergarments and they will have to starve to death for want of any business.

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

2011-07-19T08:54:00.000+01:00

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.

It is understood that he will be attending to the grievances of the people of South Goa every Tuesday, from the South Goa District Office which will be connected to all municipalities and panchayats in South Goa through the internet, and every Friday for the people of North Goa from the North Goa District Office.

However this week his online interaction has been cancelled, as he is in Delhi and will not able to reach on time.

Why can't Digambar Kamat use the facility of video conferencing to interact with his advisors in Delhi? Our politico Babu's should stop wasting Goan taxpayer’s hard earned money, to make unnecessary trips to Delhi.

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

2011-07-18T23:00:00.003+01:00

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.

Alongwith Santana were present chairman Mr Floriano D’Sa, Vice chairman Mr. Socorro Pinheiro, Treasurer Mr. Miguel Da Cunha. Only The General Secretary Mr. Abel Nunes as absent. Santana briefed NG starting with his clarifications on the recent incident of Goa Day Cancellation. According to Santana an emergency meeting took place and they discussed about the Goa Day event, which he said was illegally organised by the committee headed by president Mr. Jacinto Souza.

Santana said that he had no intention of stopping the Goa Day. However he said that the procedures by the organisers were not followed and were incomplete and that is the reason why the Borough Council of Swindon cancelled the event.

Santana disclosed to NG the email that appeared previously on NG in the preceding article, wherein it was mentioned to stop the event, was indeed written by him to Mr. James Holland and to enquire about the Goa day.

Mr James Holland told Santana that he had submitted the forms for the noise pollution. Santana was on his work when James called him. Santana told us the he replied to him that he was not involved in the organising committee to which James asked Santana how many committees were in existence among them.

Santana told NG that he informed James that the committee run by him was the legally elected committed on 16th March 2011 and that he was the president of the same. James then asked Santana to forward to him the names of the legal committee.

Santana told NG that people are accusing him of blocking the Goa Day and got it cancelled using his influence which is false and baseless. He further reiterated that he and his committee are not against the Goa Day and will never be against it even in future or even any other function organised by the Goans.

Mr Floriano D’Sa the Chairman spoke and said that in the past the current organisers of Goa Day had organised many events but they had never obstructed or objected that. “We never ever objected them in anything they organised” said Floriano.

Santana said that the current organisers had not informed the neighbours about the event as the law requires them to do and that is the main reason for the event to be cancelled. Santana said “if they had completed the formalities then neither we nor anybody could stop the event”

Stressing on the accusation by the other committee and the people that Santana misappropriated £6000, he said “I say that if they prove that if I have pocketed even .60 pence, I hereby declare that I shall never never again occupy any post in the organization all my life”

Mrs Cimilda Sousa another member of the GSA said “why has the council not recognised them and allowed them to go ahead with the event? If they were right on their side, Council would not stop them on Santana’s email”

Floriano debated that, Jacinto used the wrong dates when addressing the crowd on Saturday. He said that Jacinto said the date on the email was 13th July whereas the actual date on Santana’s email was 14th July When NG asked Floriano whether what was spoken was right or wrong, he replied ”Do you think so?”.

When asked about the election of the new committee under Mr. Jacinto Sousa, Santana said that what they have done is not in the constitution of GSA just to elect a board committee like that. Floriano said that as long as the old committee does not step down, How can new committee take over “which I have not seen anywhere in my life and am seeing here in Swindon for the first time” he said.

Over all they showed NG the minutes of the meeting that took place on 3rd July 2011 to discuss on the issue of Goa Day. Of that below are just three points of the minutes.

IN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING:

They had discussed the phone call of Mr. Ian Pickering of Croft Centre where the event was supposed to he held, saying that it would not be nice to have two Goa Days on the same venue, as this may hinder the holding of the event in future.

Ian had arranged a meeting with both the committees and had informed Mr. Anthony Fernandes and kept a message. However no one responded for four days and as such Ian had to postpone the meeting.

The minutes also say that General Secretary Mr. Abel Nunes inquired whether the event of Goa Day on 16th July 2001 can be stopped. According to Santana and the others present there Abel's was only an enquiry and not a suggestion or pressure to stop or block the event.
NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: Mr. Abel Nunes contacted NG and informed that the above information is incorrect and that he never inquired if the Goa Day could be stopped. Abel said "This is a conspiracy against me, I have never said these words anywhere at all. I never enquired about stopping the Goa Day." He further stated that this is being done to create confusion among people and to malign him.

Below are the copies of two documents presented to NG by Mr. Santana Souza:

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

2011-07-18T21:44:00.002+01:00

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.

Colva police stated that Amit Ragi, an athletics coach from UP sexually abused the girl, whom he had brought to Goa under the pretext of selection for national kho-kho. The coach and the victim came to Margao on July 7 and later checked in at a hotel near Colva beach and he allegedly raped her next day, they said.

Police stated that after the incident, the victim sought help of a hotel waiter, who assisted her to reach the police. The coach was arrested under Section 366 and 376 of IPC and sent to judicial custody. Teacher of the victim came to Goa from Bijnor after she got to know about the incident. She sought the custody of the girl, which was refused by the police.

President of 'Bailancho Ekvott' Auda Viegas, who assisted police in getting the statement, said that the girl was sent back with the police escort. "She is now safe with her parents," Viegas said adding that Colva police responded quickly after the initial complaint, which resulted in speedy rescue of the girl. – PTI

GOVT PROTECTS THE KILLERS OF BALI TRIBALS: UTAA

2011-07-18T21:42:00.002+01:00

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.

UTAA convenor, Mr Prakash Velip said that the Crime Branch instead of getting to the bottom of the case were more interested in harassing their men and were regularly issuing summons and making them sit for hours at their office.

The activists also agued that neither the chief minister nor any other minister was interested in the welfare of the tribals, pointing out that till date the judicial enquiry in the Bali killings had still not started. "Where is the judicial enquiry which the chief minister promised? Are there no retired judges available? The killers of Mangesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip are still at large," Mr Velip told media. "The government has not done anything till date, besides harassing our people. But we will not be cowed down. Our agitation will continue," he added.

After the violence, the chief minister had assured the tribal leaders of a judicial enquiry into the incident and the case was transferred to the Crime Branch.

Tribal leaders, who have been demanding implementation of reservation for tribals in government jobs and other tribal rights, claimed that nothing is being done in this direction. "The government is just promising things. The coordination committee meeting that it had promised has still not happened. Our money is still not being spent for our development. These are all excuses," Mr Velip charged.

TRIBAL LEADERS ACCUSE CM KAMAT OF BEING ANTI–TRIBAL

2011-07-18T21:41:00.002+01:00

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.

"Where is the judicial enquiry which the chief minister promised? Are there no retired judges available? The killers of Mangesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip (both tribal activists) are still at large. The chief minister is anti-tribal," Velip told reporters at the Azad Maidan here.

Days after the violence, Kamat had assured the tribal leaders of a judicial enquiry into the incident. The case was also transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation.

The tribal leaders, who have been demanding implementation of reservation for tribals in government jobs and other tribal rights, have also said that Crime Branch officers were more interested in harassing tribal activists and threatening them rather than probing the killings.

"Those who killed Mangesh and Dilip are still at large. Only one person has been arrested. They were young boys who were attacked and thrown into fire, where they were charred to death. It cannot have been done by one person," tribal activist and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Ramesh Tawadkar said. – IANS

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

2011-07-18T10:00:00.000+01:00

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.

Be it mining – legal and illegal that is harming own brethren, destroying our environment and the natural beauty of a paradise on this earth called Goa. Rampant construction at the cost of our green hills, swaying palms, flowing fields, cascading springs and lakes, heritage structures and monuments and not forgetting our 104 km long coastal stretch. Acquisition of tracts of land belonging to people and the communidade for projects that are not really required for a small state like Goa. Communal division of Goan polity, politicization of police department, corruption at every level of governance, all this has been exposed on NIZ GOENKAR site.

More importantly Menino and his team dedicate a lot of time on the comments of Goan bloggers so as to give them importance. The comments of Goans be it in Goa or the diaspora Goans are so palpable that one can feel their anger against the present day government. Furthermore NIZ GOENKAR site is a window to all the diaspora Goans as it keeps them updated about the happenings and events in the mother state on a daily basis which even our popular dailies fail to do.

Kudos to Menino and his team for not only updating the site on regular basis, but dedicating themselves to cause and that is to maintain Goenkarponn and at the same time educate people of Goa to bring about a change in governance. To elect a government that will work for Goa and Goans and not a government made up of self-centered, communal politicians.

Through hard work, dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm NIZ GOENKAR team has made the government, police, politicians and politicians –in-waiting to sit up and take notice and be wary of the team because Menino and co, have stood up to the pressures of the police and politicians.

All the best in your new venture and I earnestly hope that NIZ GOENKAR site will bring about the required change.

Nisser Dias

(Journalist)

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

2011-07-18T09:36:00.002+01:00

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.

The High Court direction came after the Additional Solicitor General Mr. Vivek Tankha while appearing on behalf of Goa Raj Bhavan today argued that the President of India, Governor, Speaker and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court & High Courts do not come within the purview of the Right to Information Act.

While making it clear that the Court does not intend to keep this petition pending the Division Bench stated that it would fix the next date of hearing soon.

Pleading that the petition against the RTI Act filed by Goa Raj Bhavan be disposed as soon as possible, Adv. Aires Rodrigues drew the attention of the Court that the RTI Act had been grounded for the last three years in the State as far as the Governor of Goa is concerned.

Submitting to the Court that even the President of India was complying with the RTI Act, Adv. Aires Rodrigues told the Court that Dr. S.S.Sidhu is India’s only Governor to have taken a stand that he is not a “Public Authority” and has refused to comply with the RTI Act.

Special Secretary to the Governor Dr. N. Radhakrishnan in his petition before the High Court has challenged the 31st March order of the Goa State Information commission which had directed the Raj Bhavan to furnish Adv. Aires Rodrigues the information sought by him under the Right to Information Act.

The Goa Raj Bhavan has in its petition contended that the Governor not being a “Public Authority” does not come within the purview of the RTI Act. The Raj Bhavan has also further contended that the Goa State Information Commission has not been properly constituted and that the State Chief Information Commissioner could not have heard matters in the absence of another Information Commissioner.

The State Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Motilal Keny in his order had ruled that the Goa Governor was a “Public Authority” and does come within the ambit of the Right to Information Act.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues’s complaint against Goa Governor Dr. Sidhu follows the stand taken by the Goa Raj Bhavan that the Governor was not a public authority and did not come within the purview of the RTI Act.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues had sought from Goa Raj Bhavan under the RTI Act details of action taken on his complaints to the Governor of Goa against the Advocate General of Goa Mr. Subodh Kantak. Adv. Rodrigues had also sought copies of noting sheets and correspondence pertaining to the processing of his complaints against the Advocate General.

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

2011-07-18T09:35:00.000+01:00

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.

The figures provided by the irrigation department which measures the rainfall in Canacona in their observatory located in front of the Mamlatdar office at Chaudi Canacona were as follows.

last week recorded a downpour of total 21 inches of rainfall in Canacona,and till now Canacona has recorded a rainfall of 85 inches. However the seasonal total rainfall should be average 120 inches. The farmers have just finished transplanting the rice crop and expect a bumper crop this year.

TWO PERSONS DETAINED IN CONNECTION WITH GANG RAPE

2011-07-18T09:10:00.000+01:00

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.

The woman, a domestic help, said in her complaint that she was on her way to home from work late Sunday when she was picked up from Cuncolim. She was taken to a house in Cabo De Rama, a south Goa village about 50 km from here, and then allegedly gang raped.

"We have sent her for medical examination. Two people she has identified have been detained. We are looking out for the others," Deputy Superintendent of Police Umesh Gaonkar told a news agency. – IANS

COLLEAGUE MURDERED FOR TICKLING

2011-07-18T09:09:00.000+01:00

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.

Elaborating on the incident, police said that Biswas was in the habit of tickling Mandal for fun. He also used to pinch him. "Mandal used to find it irritating and often warned Biswas to behave himself, but to no avail," said sources. On Friday, after having some drinks in the room, they began poking fun at each other. Later, while Mandal was cutting vegetables, Biswas entered the kitchen and tried to tickle Mandal, who warned him to behave himself.

When Biswas didn't stop, an angry Mandal suddenly, flashed his knife at his colleague and according to the police, slit his neck. When Biswas was taken to Asilo hospital , he was declared "brought dead".

WOMAN FROM NUVEM GANG RAPED AT CUNCOLIM

2011-07-18T09:08:00.002+01:00

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.

Police sources said that one of the six accused was known to the victim. He allegedly invited the lady to Cuncolim on Saturday and when the unsuspecting victim went to meet him as he suggested, she was taken to a room where he, along with five others allegedly raped her. Based on a complaint lodged by the victim, Cuncolim police booked an offence against unknown accused and are conducting further investigations.

WILL FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES APPEAR IN COURT?

2011-07-18T09:06:00.002+01:00

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.

If Fr. Newton Rodrigues fails to remain present on July 19th the Court could close the prosecution evidence and allow Adv. Aires Rodrigues to lead his evidence. Adv. Aires Rodrigues will be examining seven defence witnesses which include Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao and former Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsingh Rane. The other option the Court has is to stop the proceedings of the case and pass a judgment acquitting Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 others.

The Prosecution has now faced a series of setbacks with the manner in which the witnesses including the Investigating officers have deposed. Old Goa Police Sub Inspector Mr. Hanshakutti who had initially investigated the case has told the Court that he did not even read Fr. Newton Rodrigues’s complaint and registered the case against Adv. Aires Rodrigues on the instructions of his superiors.

Inspector Braz Menezes who later investigated the case at the Crime Branch conceded that though he was the Investigating officer all the directions in the case were being issued by his Superiors. Inspector Menezes also conceded that then Chief Minister Mr. Pratapsingh Rane had on 4th February 2005 directed that the charge sheet against Adv. Aires Rodrigues be filed.

Crime Branch Police Sub Inspector Vinayak Mahale who later took over the investigation and filed the charge sheet against Adv. Rodrigues conceded in Court that he did no investigation in the case and that all he did for over two years was discuss the case with his superiors. He has also deposed in Court that it took him three months to xeroz the copies of the charge sheet.

NOW ADDITIONAL SOLICITOR GENERAL TO DEFEND GOA GOVERNOR AGAINST RTI

2011-07-17T23:06:00.002+01:00

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.

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

Mr. Gopal Subramaniam who was scheduled to defend Governor Sidhu before the High Court, cancelled his visit to Goa last week following his resignation as the Solicitor General of India.

The Goa Raj Bhavan has in its petition contended that the Governor not being a “Public Authority” does not come within the purview of the RTI Act. The Raj Bhavan has also further contended that the Goa State Information Commission has not been properly constituted and that the State Chief Information Commissioner could not have heard matters in the absence of another Information Commissioner.

The State Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Motilal Keny in his order had ruled that the Goa Governor was a “Public Authority” and does come within the ambit of the Right to Information Act.

With even the President of India complying with the RTI Act, Dr. S.S.Sidhu is India’s only Governor to have taken a stand that he is not a “Public Authority” and has refused to comply with the RTI Act.

A WOMAN GANG RAPED AT BETUL ON SATURDAY NIGHT

2011-07-17T23:04:00.002+01:00

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.

Police sources informed that the woman has complained to the police that she was given a lift by a known person, whose name was provided as Sunil. Instead of dropping her at her residence at Molorem-Cabo de Rama, she was taken to Betul by force in a room and allegedly raped. Her trauma and ordeal did not end, as five other persons effected entry into the room and allegedly raped her. The accused are believed to have fled from the scene of offense, leaving the woman to take shelter in the house of a woman. Today, she narrated the incident to her brother, after which the brother intimated the police of the gory incident.

The woman, who has been eking a living by working as a domestic help, has given the name of three persons to the police. Later in the evening, police detained two and are on the look out for the other accused.

The police are investigating whether the accused, who had given a lift to the woman, had called the other accused persons to commit the offense. The police are investigating.

Meanwhile, the Cuncolim police has registered a case of kidnapping in connection with the missing girl from Cuncolim. Police said the girl (15) and an 18-year old boy from Calconda had gone missing over a fortnight ago. The police have registered a case of kidnapping against the boy. The police are investigating

KRCL CLEARS THEMSELVES OF FALSE JOB PROMISERS

2011-07-17T23:03:00.004+01:00

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.

"Some unscrupulous elements are reported to be involved in misguiding the innocent jobseekers and land-losers, assuring them jobs in the corporation," KRCL’s Chief Public Relations Officer Siddheshwar Telugu said in a press note.

The corporation which had acquired huge tracts of land to lay the rail tracks has an employment policy for those who have given their land for the project.

Telugu said that some anti-social elements made false claims about getting jobs to land losers and the corporation has not authorised any person for recruitment. The corporation has appealed to people not to pay any heed to the unauthorised agents making false promises of offering jobs in KRCL. – PTI

JULY 25 RESULTS WILL SILENCE DETRACTORS: VALANKA YOUTH CONGRESS ELECTIONS

2011-07-17T09:57:00.001+01:00

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.
“Here is not the question whose daughter you are or what. Here is about a youth, who has come forward. The Youth Congress members will answer all your questions on July 25 when the results are out”, she said, when newsmen asked her about the controversy surrounding the Youth Congress polls with party heavyweights throwing their lot behind her.
Saying this is the first time a youth Congress president will be elected and not selected, Valanka said this is the first time that Rahul Gandhi has asked all states to motivate youngsters and enroll as many members as possible. “ As per Rahul’s call, I have enrolled many members not just in Navelim and Benaulim, but across Goa. The youth have shown their trust and faith in me. They are a motivate lot”, she said.
Asked whether she thinks her ticket for the Benaulim Assembly constituency will be confirmed if she becomes the Youth Congress president, Valanak shot back “ I am just working to build the organization. I believe in Rahul’s organization. I have enrolled many members, including women. All these questions will be answered on July 25”. When it was pointed out to her that she would contest the polls on the NCP banner if denied a ticket by the Congress, Here is not the question whose daughter you are or what. Here is about a youth, who has come forward.
Congress, Valanka said, “Iam hearing this for the first time. Ever since I joined politics in 2007, I am with the Congress. Nobody would tell that Valanka has thought about any other party. I am contesting the YC polls and my votes will answer your question”. When her attention was drawn to complaints lodged by contestants against lobbying by party leaders in support of her candidature, she said “here I am running short of time for campaigning, while others are complaining. Those who say they are in the party for 12- 15 years, will know where they stand in the elections”. - SR
NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: "Baap ek numbari, Bethi 10 numbari" as the saying in Hindi goes is true to this article. Beware, this daughter could be worst than the father. She is alleged to be expert in extortion, she never practised as a lawyer but is alleged to be an expert in manipulating and extorting. One of the NG can confirm that she throttled one builder until he/she submitted to her demand.

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

2011-07-17T09:55:00.000+01:00

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.

Mrs. Patricia Pinto has rightly been co-opted to help ease the city’s garbage crisis. To fill the other fours slots the CCP could first seek the help of a knowledgeable Town planner. The second nomination could be someone who could contribute with plans for easing the current chaotic traffic and parking woes.

A person with knowledge of horticulture could also be taken aboard to upgrade the city’s parks, gardens and ensure an increase in Panaji’s green cover. The fourth person who could be nominated is someone who would find a solution to the alarming stray dog menace and also enhance the city’s sanitation while curbing the increasing health hazards. If the CCP Act had provided for a sixth nomination it would definitely have to be a retired detective with expertise in criminal investigation who could monitor and curb the corruption at the CCP.

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

2011-07-16T23:30:00.003+01:00

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.

GSA President Jacinto explaining Goans why Goa Day was
Cancelled

But this year is a very sad day as the Goa day was cancelled by the Swindon Borough Council with a last minute notice to the committee members of GSA who were the organisers of the event.

But the main reason for the cancellation of the event is one single email from a fellow Goan who recently had declared himself as the leader of Goan Community in Swindon, in which it is claimed that he is the legal authority of the GSA with a request to the Swindon Borough Council to stop the event as he had not given any permission to the current organisers to organise the event.

The man is none other than Mr. Santana Souza, a native of Goa Velha in Goa, who by force is trying to hold on to the reins of GSA. The current committee which was lawfully elected in October 2010 consists of President: Mr. Jacinto Sousa, Vice President: Ms Sheela D’Costa, Chairman: Mr Anthony Fernandes, General Secretary: Mr Hilario Do Rego and Treasurer: Mr. Nascito Francisco Fernandes.

Mr Abel Nunes clarifiying his stand to the Goans
over his name featuring in the email of Santana

However inspite of the new committee in active role, Mr Santana claims that he and his ex-co-committee members are the legal Committee and not the current committee.

According to the current president of GSA Mr Jacinto who spoke to Niz Goenkar, Mr. Santana is not ready to step down even as he has been asked by the members. He continues to defy the new committee and that is what he showed by creating a rift among the Goans and causing the cancellation of the yearly Goa Day.

Mr Jacinto further stated that they had initiated the legal procedures for the event and obtained the necessary licence from the Borough Council of Swindon. On 6th June 2011, the Borough Council had issued a licence to the committee consisting of Mr. Jacinto and others mentioned above. Preparations for the event were in full swing. Stalls were allotted to the Goans who setup food items etc every year. Those who had booked the stalls prepared themselves spending lot of money to get the items ready for the event.

On 13th of July the Borough Council summoned Mr. Jacinto and his co-committee members for discussions about the event and to ensure that the rules and regulations have been followed.

GSA Vice President Ms Sheila D'Costa next to her the child
artist Chloe in purple.

On 14th they were again summoned for a chat with the fire security officer and were given the safety details list. They were briefed about the noise pollution etc.

However on 15th i.e. just one day before the all set event, the council called them in again and told them that the event has to be cancelled as all the procedures were not done in accordance with the rules and regulations, they were asked to sign the event cancellation letter. All the pleadings went deaf.

However the Borough Council asked them to organise the event at a later date about four weeks from now. They also promised to help them do the legal procedures and to provide them a fresh licence.

Goans gathered to find a solution

This morning Mr. Jacinto received a letter by post which turned to be a copy of an email by Mr. Santana Souza , addressed to Mr. James Holland stating that he is the authority of the GSA along with Mr. Abel Nunes, Floriano D’SA and Mr. Miguel da Cunha. At the ending part of the email Mr. Santana has mentioned ‘As the president of GSA I DON’T AUTHORISE the event to go ahead on the 16th July without them completing ALL THE FOMALITIES.’ (FOMALITIES is as spelled in the email) This email brought to light that Mr. Santana was instrumental in the great event being cancelled.

The organisers and the stall takers are the ones that suffered the greater loss at the cost of this selfish man Santana Souza said one Goan in the crowd, at the County Ground where Goans gathered today to find a solution and the cause behind the cancellation of the Goa day.

Niz Goenkar interviewed Mr. Abel Nunes the ex-Secretary of the so called committee run by Mr. Santana, who had this to say:
NG: What do you say on this Mr Abel
ABEL: I have no objection for the Goa day whatsoever and I have done nothing to stop the event.

NG: Mr. Abel, your name features on this email, whereby it shows that you are involved in the cancellation of the Goa day. Is that correct?

ABEL: No I do not know anything about the email and I am not involved in this at all.

NG: Then how come your name features on the email by Santana? Can you shed some light on it?

ABEL: This has been done without my permission. I was not even consulted on this by Santana.

NG: So you say that this is done without your knowledge?

ABEL: Absolutely I am not aware of any such thing. Mr. Santana has not even consulted me.

NG: Who do you think that your name appearing on the email of Santan?

ABEL: I was very very angry as I have nothing to do with it. I did not even know about this.

NG: Thank you Mr. Abel.

We interviewed two little children of age 6 and 8 about the cancellation of Goa day. Little Miss Chloe and Little Master Valanko the two little children who had practiced hard some dances to be performed were totally dejected and heartbroken. When asked by NG how she felt about the cancellation of Goa day, Chloe said that she was upset. We felt that she was gloomy with sadness. She said that she had practiced a lot and was to perform some dances with Valanko. NG then asked master Valanko his feelings; he said he is very sad that he could not perform due to the sudden suspension of the event. We felt the boy too was very gloomy. All this was caused by just one person who tried to and tries to portray himself as the leader of the Goans when he is not.

Below is the copy of the email of Santana which was received through post by the president of GSA Mr. Jacinto Sousa.

A meeting has been called of all the Goans in Swindon on 23rd July 2011, Saturday at 11 AM to deal with the problem and to have a fresh go for organising the GOA DAY at a later day.

The copy of the email of Santana

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

2011-07-16T22:55:00.000+01:00

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.

The petition could not be heard last week as Advocate General Subodh Kantak had sought time while submitting that he was not ready with his arguments.

Mr. Gopal Subramaniam who was scheduled to defend Governor Sidhu before the High Court, cancelled his visit to Goa following his tendering of resignation as Solicitor General of India.

Meanwhile efforts are still on to get Mr. Gopal Subramaniam to appear on behalf of Raj Bhavan as Governor Sidhu is known to be a personal friend of the former Solicitor General

The Goa Raj Bhavan has in its petition contended that the Governor not being a “Public Authority” does not come within the purview of the RTI Act. The Raj Bhavan has also further contended that the Goa State Information Commission has not been properly constituted and that the State Chief Information Commissioner could not have heard matters in the absence of another Information Commissioner.

The State Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Motilal Keny in his order had ruled that the Goa Governor was a “Public Authority” and does come within the ambit of the Right to Information Act.

NATIVE OF WEST BENGAL ARRESTED FOR MURDERING HIS COLLEAGUE AT CARASWADDO

2011-07-16T22:25:00.001+01:00

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.

The Mapusa police have arrested Neerapan Sunil Mandal on a murder charge. The police, however, said that Narayan and Mandal were roommates staying near the construction site at Karaswadda. After having some drinks in the room, they began poking fun at each other before Mandal began cutting some vegetables in the kitchen.

All of a sudden, he flashed his knife at his colleague and according to the police, it slit his neck. Narayan collapsed within minutes bleeding profusely. Mandal panicked and raised an alarm. When Narayan was taken to Asilo, he was declared "brought dead". - TNN

GOVT TO RECONSIDER SP TRANSFERS SINCE OBJECTED BY DGP

2011-07-16T22:24:00.002+01:00

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.

Srivastava said that he has received the letter from the DGP requesting that the transfer of SPs should be reconsidered. "I have gone through the letter sent by the DGP. We will examine the views expressed by the DGP on Monday and then we will take a decision," Srivastava said.

The DGP, while going on leave, had orally instructed the SPs to stay at their present postings, till he returns on July 30. – TNN

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

2011-07-16T22:23:00.002+01:00

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.

BJP’s demand comes after an interview given by Swedish Model, Lucky Farmhouse on Thursday, in which, she said that Roy was giving drugs to her former boyfriend Atala (alias Yaniv Benaim).

Parrikar said that Lucky, who is the prime witness in the drug-nexus case, should be questioned immediately by the CBI, so that Roy's role becomes clear. BJP also demanded that CBI should investigate Goa Crime Branch officers for their connivance at the Israeli drug lord involved in the drug nexus case.

"CBI should take into custody Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Salgaoncar and Police Inspector Pravinkumar Vast, who arranged bail to Atala," Parrikar said. Seven policemen were arrested after Lucky had shot video clips of Atala bragging about his links with the officers. – PTI

ALL OF GOA’S CHURCHES TO FOLLOW DRESS CODE

2011-07-16T22:22:00.000+01:00

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.

"It is true that other churches like the Se Cathedral will follow suit. The church will take all this into account," Caldeira said. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is part of several churches, including the Se Cathedral, both located in the former Portuguese city of Goa, today called Old Goa. Thousands of tourists flock to these churches every day as part of guided tours that often include trips to the local beaches in the vicinity.

Last week, the Basilica officials said indecently dressed tourists who came to the church premises would be asked to wear shawls provided by the church authorities in order to cover themselves up. Goa has more than 100 churches.

In June, the 450-year-old Mahalsa Narayani temple in Ponda, 30 km from here, banned the entry of foreigners after they were found 'inappropriately dressed' or even kissing inside the temple. Another popular temple at Mangueshi, near Ponda, has also imposed dress restrictions on people visiting the temple premises for 'propriety' reasons. – IANS

SUB-REGISTRAR OF PERNEM ENQUIRED FOR ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION

2011-07-16T22:21:00.000+01:00

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.

The trigger for the inquiry is a written complaint by a Mumbai-based Goan against the sub-registrar. In a complaint to the chief secretary and the state registrar, a copy of which has been forwarded to the chief minister, J M D'Silva has alleged that the lady sub-registrar first refused to give him a date for registering his property documents, but did the job after he paid her a bribe.

D'Silva has urged the government to investigate the matter, warning that if he does not receive a favourable response then he will forward his complaint to social activist Anna Hazare and the media, and also file a writ petition in the high court.

The complainant has explained that he and his cousins had arrived at a settlement regarding their ancestral house in Tembwado, Morjim, and accordingly, his cousins agreed to sell the land occupied by him. For this, he was required to execute two sale deeds which had to be registered before the sub-registrar at Pernem.

D'Silva approached the sub-registrar on May 9, along with his wife, who is a lawyer. D'Silva has alleged that the sub-registrar said the documents could not be registered till June 15, as her "diary was full". She advised the couple come again in June. To the Mumbai couple's pleas, she expressed helplessness and advised them to see a local lawyer. Someone outside her cabin also suggested a particular lawyer's name.

When the D'Silva's approached the local lawyer, he told them that the sub-registrar was very corrupt and they would have to "shell out an exorbitant sum" to get their work done. The complaint states that after the local lawyer telephoned the sub-registrar, she registered the documents on May 12, "with the connivance of the local advocate after receiving substantial amount through him".

"This said female is also rude and arrogant with villagers. If this sub-registrar behaves with Mumbai advocates in this way, then I fail to understand what will be her conduct with the aam admi of Goa," D'Silva has also stated in his complaint.

HEAVY RAINS LASH GOA WITH GUSTY WINDS SINCE TWO DAYS

2011-07-16T22:18:00.002+01:00

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.

The flooding was caused by torrential rains in the ghat region, which led to a rise in the water level in the rivers. Bicholim mamlatdar Pramod Bhat, deputy collector Narayan Gad and water resources officials visited the flood affected area. "The time has now come to make a detailed enquiry about cause of floods in Bicholim," said mamlatdar Bhat. "The water level at Anjunem dam has not crossed the danger mark till date. If it reaches the mark, water from the dam will have to be released leading to a possibility of a flood," he added.

Villages in Ponda taluka also witnessed uprooting trees damaging property, with losses estimated at 1.25 lakh. Fire personnel at Pernem had a busy day at work, clearing trees that fell across roads in Mandrem, Pernem town and Morjim.

Mandrem also did not have regular power supply at several places during the last four days, with department officials blaming the delay in restoration to shortage of staff.

Cansaulim village in Marmugao witnessed many areas inundated with knee-high water levels. The localities around the sports complex, panchayat ghar, electricity department and telephone exchange were the most affected.

The flooding brought life in most parts of the village to a standstill. Students of St Thomas higher secondary school faced inconvenience while trying to leave the premises after class. Verna in Salcete saw a tree falling onto the houses of Agnus Colaco and Rita da Silva. The total loss estimated was 30,000. – TNN

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

2011-07-16T09:06:00.001+01:00

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.

“The agitation seeking justice for Melvyn will not fizzle out till justice is given to the family members. If this attitude of the police continues, the same will not be tolerated”, warned the agitating villagers in a memorandum submitted to the IGP on Friday.

A copy of the memorandum was served on Margao Sub- Divisional Police Officer, DySP Umesh Gaonkar, who had conducted an inquiry into Melvyn’s death, maintaining that Melvyn was murdered at his work place at the construction site on June 15.

The villagers maintained that the suspension of PI Jivba Dalvi shows that concerned police officers were well informed or involved in the case. Seeking to know why the police officers are destroying evidence and protecting the culprits, the villagers demanded that immediate cognizance be taken of all facts placed before the police authorities. “ We demanded the arrest of the culprits; justice given to our brother Melvyn and the concerned police officers terminated of their services to protect our state and country from danger within the police department”, the memorandum said.

“ We strongly believe that if the police want, they can close the case with pride by bringing the guilty to their due punishment and holding the employer responsible and compensating the family of the death of their only bread winner”, the memo further added.

While thanking the IGP for placing PI Dalvi under suspension, the memorandum said that PI Dalvi is aware of the murderer and can lead the department to the truth.

The memorandum has been signed by Reiza Gomes, besides the family and villagers of Arossim, Cansaulim- Cuelim, Majorda, Utorda, Betalbatim, Velsao and Verna.

NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: NG commends the efforts of every Niz Goenkar supporting this noble cause of bringing the culprits to see justice met. Niz Goenkar also convey our support to the family of Melwyn, villagers and supporters of the cause. Suspension of PI Dalvis itself is not enough, he should be dismissed from service for destroying evidence and put behind bars. This is not the first time Dalvi is suspended, he will come back again through the back door, after a while. NG demands nothing but putting P I Dalvi behind bars or else he will ensure that witnesses, evidence is done away completely.

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

2011-07-16T08:50:00.000+01:00

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.

Here is another Tiatrist who is fooling us.

“Mothers Day” – a tiatr By Milagres de Chandor is running all over Goa. Being a true lover of tiatr I too was carried away by the crowd to the auditorium recently.

Milagres advertises, that in his tiatr, the audience will see a man wearing a “Kaxtti” on stage, and that he shows an ‘amazing bungalow’ on the stage.

In his drama the ‘Kaxtti’ scene followed by a black out does not even last for 7 seconds. Also the bungalow set is designed with one entry at the side, which does not even look like it’s a bungalow.

It may be recalled that Shri. C. D. Silva has done many roles on stage wearing kaxtti. He has also done a full-length tiatr wearing Kaxtti. Late. Prem Kumar’s hit tiatr “Vauradi” (1978) also had talented cast wearing Kaxtti. Tiatr’s shown for KA tiatr competion’s mostly has cast who have acted many times wearing a Kaxtti. A one-act play (“Mateicho valor” -1995) by Jose Fernandes of Majorda also displays the writer wearing kaxtti for 25 min on stage. So how can Milagres proclaim that he shows cast wearing Kaxtti on stage and just for 7 seconds, When this has been already done in past for a way longer duration?

Also it may be recalled the Shri Samuel Carvalho also has shown an excellent bungalow set in one of his tiatr (Purtugez Goykar) recently. So how can Milagres say it’s amazing, when the audience has already seen amazing bungalow sets on the stage before?

Are Tiatrist taking all of us for granted? Is Tiatr not for Aam Admi? Or is it money-making racket nowadays?

I would strongly recommend, Millagres to stop advertising in this manner and in future make a study before advertising. Also to go and watch what other directors are showing in their Tiatr’s. So that you are also on the same page as others and not left way back in the race.

Also I would suggest that the ‘Tiatr Academy’ and all Tiatr related associations, should put a stop on such type of advertisements which are published with a wrong message, as it also hurts the feelings of other Directors and their Fans, who have also done this before.

And for your kind information Milagres, Revolving stage and Sliding stage are already done by Late Rosario Rodrigues and Roseferns. It should not be for your next “Fathers Day”.

Is this why you call yourself “Kings Father”? Matxe chint re papia!

FRANCISCO SARDINHA WANTS SON’S VICTORY FROM CURTORIM

2011-07-16T08:40:00.000+01:00

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.

With the kin of some heavyweight politicians seeking claim to party tickets in the forthcoming assembly elections, the political scenario is likely to sizzle in the days to come, particularly in South Goa. While PWD minister Churchill Alemao's daughter Valanka and urban development minister Joaquim Alemao's son Yuri, have already been projected as probable candidates, the latest to join the ranks of Gen Next political wannabes is Shalom Sardinha, son of South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha.

Shalom confirmed that he was "more than keen" in contesting the assembly elections from Curtorim on a Congress party ticket. Senior Sardinha was defeated in the last assembly elections by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco who contested on SAVE GOA party that later shaved the dreams of the electorate.

"I am already a GPCC (Goa Pradesh Congress committee) member and I have been doing a lot of social work in my constituency for a long time along with my father. I am confident of winning the seat for the Congress party," Shalom said.

Quite candid in disclosing his plans, Shalom said that he already has a support base of almost 35% of the electorate, and is now working on garnering support of at least 16% more voters to enable him an easy win.

Asked to elaborate on the kind of social work he has been doing that makes him confident of posting a good show in the elections, Shalom, who has an engineering background said that his focus of interest was on education.

"Along with some of my friends, I have been trying to upgrade the level of education in Curtorim. We are in the process of hand picking 4-5 students and training them to come up to a particular level of education. We will be expanding our activities in other constituencies too. Promoting sports also tops our agenda, in addition to health," Shalom said.

Asked what would be his next move if the Congress party denies him a ticket, junior Sardinha said he was yet to chart out his plan B.

With the incumbent Congress MLA Aleixio Reginaldo Lourenco aspiring to seek another term and ZP member Domnick Gaonkar also in the race for a Congress party ticket, it now appears that the Congress leadership will have a tough time deciding on its candidate for the Curtorim assembly seat.

NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: This was reported by NG in one of it's article a month ago that Sardinha Sr. was promoting his son Shalom to be the next MLA from Curtorim. However, the foxy Sardinha was on a low profile making his grounds before declaring his intentions.

Goans, be aware, politics in Goa is going to be the family business of a few corrupt families like it was highlighted in Nissers article on NG, few days ago . See Link http://nizgoenkar.blogspot.com/2011/07/goan-dont-allow-state-politics-to-be.html. The list is unending, It is reliably learnt that one more of Silveira's brother is going to try his luck in the neighbouring constituency. Where are we heading to? Do we need these dynastic rulers? Are we willing to ruin what is left of Goa? Goans should think and decide, seal your idea in a ballot box against these looters of Goa. Retire these redundant, greedy politicians forever.

JMFC GIVES PROSECUTION LAST OPPORTUNITY TO PRODUCE FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES

2011-07-16T08:30:00.000+01:00

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.

The Crime Branch officials as directed remained present in Court today and gave details as to why a non-bailable warrant against Father Newton Rodrigues was required. The JMFC directed the Assistant Public Prosecutor Mrs. Tema Narvekar to furnish some further clarifications on the modalities of ensuring that Fr. Newton Rodrigues remains present in Court.

Father Newton Rodrigues the former Parish Priest of Ribandar and now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada has failed to remain present in Court despite summons and even a warrant of arrest issued against him.

If Fr. Newton Rodrigues fails to remain present on July 19th the Court could close the prosecution evidence and allow Adv. Aires Rodrigues to begin with his evidence. Adv. Aires Rodrigues will be examining seven defence witnesses which include Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao and former Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsingh Rane.

The other option the Court has is to stop the proceedings of the case and pass a judgment acquitting Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 others.

In 2004 Adv. Aires Rodrigues was leading an agitation demanding action against Fr. Newton Rodrigues for having allegedly molested a 13 year old girl from Ribandar. While Adv. Aires Rodrigues and others were charge sheeted for confronting Fr. Newton Rodrigues, the case filed against Fr.Newton Rodrigues by the mother of the 13 year old girl who was allegedly molested by Fr. Newton Rodrigues was closed after then Governor of Goa Mr. S.C Jamir reportedly intervened to save Fr. Newton Rodrigues from being charge sheeted.

MP SARDINHA FURIOUS WITH THE CHIEF MINISTER OVER FUNCTION ATTENDANCE ISSUE

2011-07-15T22:32:00.003+01:00

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.

Apparently, it was a communication gap that enraged Sardinha, but he made known his ire to the CM there and then. " I, as the MP for South Goa, can wait for the CM, but the CM should not wait for others. I should have been informed of any change in the programme so that I could have been here on time. Because I always reach on time-that's the way I always function," an annoyed Sardinha said

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

2011-07-15T22:31:00.003+01:00

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.

“There are so many things happening on the internet. I am not in the know nor do I keep on surfing,” Kamat told reporters reacting to the Swedish model, Lucky Farmhouse deposition before Sweden police naming Roy Naik’s involvement in drugs. “I have nothing to comment. The case is with CBI and let them investigate it,” Kamat added.

Chief Minister was talking to reporters soon after his interaction with North Goa Mamlatdars via video conference. Farmhouse, a key witness in police-drug nexus cases in Goa, has claimed that she had deposed to police in Sweden and in her deposition, she has named Roy Naik.

The case, which was handed over to CBI after High Court directives has said that Lucky will be called for deposition and whoever she names will be interrogated.

When asked about Goa being on high alert after Mumbai blast, Kamat said that being an international tourist destination, the state is always on alert. Kamat said that there are often inputs coming in from various intelligence agencies on terror. “We consider those inputs in our preparedness,” he added.
NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: The statement denying knowledge of facts by the Chief Minister shows his complete arrogance towards the public in opening up the facts of the case. It is like a case of one thief protecting another thief. The CM knows it all, why is he hiding the facts? If he is not in full knowledge of what is happening in particular cases involving high profile criminals, what else can we expect to know from this dumb CM about the welfare of the state?

Simply hiding his comrades in crime will not stop the public from knowing that his administration is the biggest corrupt establishment in Goa.

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

2011-07-15T22:30:00.000+01:00

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.

“The letter of request has been forwarded to the government. There is no decision taken so far…the department should however implement the government’s order,” said sources.

If the department delays implementing the order, sources said, it might have to face the wrath from the State government. Secretariat sources said the police chief requested certain changes in the transfer order. The letter reportedly requests to withdraw an additional charge of assistant commander (Indian Reserve Battalion) given to IPS officer Vijay Singh, who is also heading the anti narcotics cell.

Besides, DGP also expressed anxiousness over additional charges given to SP Shekhar Prabhudesai who is asked to handle two heavy divisions - police headquarters and Police Training Centre at Valpoi and Wireless section.

DIGAMBAR KAMAT’S ONLINE VIDEO CONFERENCING A FLOP

2011-07-15T22:27:00.002+01:00

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.

The CM was accompanied by district collector Mihir Vardhan and other head of departments. But the response from the public was very less. "Word is yet to spread about the initiative. Once people come to know that chief minister is available online, they will start attending," Kamat told PTI after video-conferencing with all taluka offices.

He said that such hearings would be held in each district every fortnight. For the video conferencing today, the grievances regarding the public distribution system (PDS), pending mutation cases, rejection of online applications were aired to the CM.

Kamat said he will ask respective collectors to get the action taken report after the hearings."I can't hold such hearings frequently as officers require time to comply the directions given during video conferencing," the CM said.

He said some of the chronic cases in which action is delayed as long as 30 years came to fore during the hearing. "I came across a land dispute case which has been dragging for over three decades. I have asked deputy collector to decide on the case within a fortnight," Kamat said.

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

2011-07-15T22:26:00.000+01:00

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.

Even those staying nearer to Valpoi, the capital of the taluka, are opposed to the idea on the ground that even their daily life could be affected as the area in which they reside could be brought under the buffer zone, which was mandatory and could restrict their activities.

People feel that in case the area was declared as a tiger reserve it would necessitate large scale rehabilitation/relocation of thousands of people and that the government would have to incur huge expenditure in the process. Besides, finding appropriate area for relocating the people and building houses and area for cultivation could pose a problem.

The people in various villages of Satari said that they have learnt of the area being proposed as a tiger reserve through news reports but have not heard about it officially nor had anyone from the government approached them to ascertain their views.

Given the resentment and the anger, it is quite evident that the government is likely to meet stiff opposition from the locals of Satari if it decides to go ahead with the proposal for declaring the area as a tiger reserve. There are hundreds of houses in the area, most of which are built of laterite stones and concrete in which thousands of people live. These places can be described as villages because of their remote location but their outlook has changed as the mud houses or thatched sheds that were seen earlier have almost disappeared and have been replaced with concrete structures. They have very good connectivity in the form of hot-mixed roads.

Besides, the villagers have raised plantations, farms etc over the years and they fetch good income for the villagers, which has made them prosperous prompting them to lead a very good lifestyle. Almost every household has a vehicle (two-wheeler or a four wheeler).

The villagers feel that the government by declaring the area as wildlife sanctuary had put many hurdles in their daily life. They feel that declaring the area as tiger reserve would put further restrictions on their day-to-day activities which could deprive them of their livelihood. All the villagers were unanimous in opposition to the tiger reserve.

"Those who are proposing to declare the area as a tiger reserve are not aware of the hardships we have been facing ever since it was declared as a sanctuary more than a decade ago," informed a group of villagers in one voice in Charavne. They said that it was easy for anyone to advocate location of such areas in the backyard of others.

Ever since the area was declared as Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, the villagers said that their activities, including farming, have been affected. Besides, the wild animals (bison and wild boars) have been playing havoc and eating away the farm produce, they said.

All those (numbering around 12) sitting in a tea stall near the bus stop at Charavne said that they would oppose the move tooth and nail as and when a hearing was held by the government officials to ascertain their views. Similar views were expressed by the villagers of Hivrem, Codal, Nanora, Paikul, Murmune, etc.

They were critical of the wildlife activists for "imposing" their views on the people of the area by seeking to declare the area as a tiger reserve. "The activists have blocked the move for a dam which could have helped us in irrigating our fields and also supply us drinking water, especially in summer when we face acute water shortage and now they want to declare the areas as tiger reserve and drive us out of our birth place," they said.

PARTNER IN CRIME OF MICHAEL FERNANDES CAUGHT AT PORVORIM

2011-07-15T22:22:00.000+01:00

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.

“He had fled to Mumbai and came to Goa couple of days ago. On Friday, while he was on his way to meet one of his friends, the police team netted him,” said sources.

The historysheeter is wanted by Old Goa, Maina Curtorim and Quepem police stations in connection with cases of theft, robbery, chain snatching, property fraud, and other offences.

He has been handed over to Old Goa police station. North Goa police’s local intelligence team comprising head constable Santosh Vengurlekar, constable Vinay Shrivasava and Porvorim police were tracking him for the past few days before laying a trap.

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

2011-07-15T10:56:00.000+01:00

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.

Few hours after Mumbai blasts, Goa police had claimed that the state was on red alert. Police had intensified its presence at crowded places like bus stands, railway stations and markets. All the vehicles entering and leaving the state were also thoroughly checked. – PTI

KAMAT, SHIRODKAR IN TROUBLE FOR SUPPORTING VALANKA

2011-07-15T09:23:00.003+01:00

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.

Sources in the know said that the contestants have made a representation to the election officials seeking to know how party leaders, including Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat and GPCC president Subhash Shirodkar could involve themselves in the campaign in favour of Valanka’s candidature.

They pointed out that the ensuing elections to the Executive Committee will not be free and fair with heavyweights interfering in the elections. They felt that the ongoing process should be instead scrapped and the favourite candidate of the heavyweights declared elected if there’s no mechanism in place to keep the Ministers and MLAs out of the election campaign.

The petition made to the YC election officials comes against the backdrop of the meeting held at a city- based hotel here early this week and attended by Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat, GPCC president Subhash Shirodkar, PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, Panchayat Minister, Babu Azgaonkar, MLA Mauvin Godinho and GPCC general secretary to discuss the youth congress polls and to drum up support for Valanka’s candidature.

NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: The Ring Master of this political circus Churchill Alemao has started with his tricks to sabotage the political process. He is famous for his dirty tricks in sabotaging, extorting and using the process of hijacking causes and projects. The contestants of the Youth Congress have been grumbling not for the love of Goans. They should also point to the corruption in Congress and the government run by corrupt, incompetent Digambar Kamat. – SR

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

2011-07-15T09:22:00.000+01:00

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.

Today the Pernem police is threatening to put her behind bars for seven years for shielding a gangster. Exactly a week ago, her simple world got rudely embroiled with Mumbai’s dreaded gangland when the Mumbai Crime Branch swooped down on Goa and arrested, Maria’s “ tenant”, Sheikh Umaid- ur- Rehman Ishrat Hussain, one of gangster Chota Rajan sharpshooters.

Hussain, one of Chota Rajan’s trusted “ killers”, was involved in the murder of the driver cum body guard of Dawood’s brother Iqbal Kaskar in Mumbai. He fled immediately and moved to Arambol with his wife to escape the heat. Neither Arambol nor Maria were in the know of the Mumbai killing or the killer.

She probably still doesn’t but is being constantly harassed and mentally tortured. Pernem police which has belatedly woken up to realise that a wanted gangster was living right under their noses for over a month, have turned their frustration on Maria.

It is learnt that a police sub inspector posted at Arambol outpost has been threatening the elderly woman to push her behind bars for seven years for allowing the ‘ tourists’ stay in the house without completing mandatory formalities of registering the presence of her tenants.

One of the locals near the Panchayat office at Arambol remarked “ The PSI screamed at her and said ‘ the media is making a tamasha’. You can call the media and not the police?” When local Press visited her in the interiors of Arambol, Maria reluctantly spoke, still in shock. She said that the police forced her to go and deposit the belongings of the gangster and his wife to the police station. Locals too confirmed that the police conducted no panchanama of the items. “ Mobile chargers, suitcases, bags, a mixer grinder, an iron and every small material belonging to the gangster’s family is with the Pernem police. On Sunday at about 1 am, we hired a taxi and deposited it at the police station,” said sources.

Moreover, the copy of the panchanama report made at the police station also does not have any signature of the witnesses. “ We were asked to come the next day to sign on the panchanama copy. We went to the police station and they asked us to come next time as they are busy in bandobast.

But till date there is no intimation from them,” said a neighbour. “ The Pernem police had come a day after the Mumbai Crime Branch’s raid. But they did not take interest.

It was only on Sunday, they forced the woman to deposit all the belongings at the police station,” said the source. Maria Mascarenhas, admits not to have taken the group of five ( Umaid, his wife and three others) seriously as they portrayed themselves as tourists from Mumbai.

“ They were not foreigners. The manner in which they came we took pity. The married woman ( gangster’s wife) said she is on medication and feeling better in the Goa environment,” said Mascarenhas.

The rooms, located on the first floor of the main house at the tourist place were rented out at Rs 20,000 for one month and the gangster’s family would purchase all the home materials every day except for the cylinder and gas stove, which was provided by the land lady.

For Maria, life, at least for some time now, may not be the same again. For no fault of hers except that she missed out on something that so many landlords in Goa do. – SR

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

2011-07-15T09:20:00.002+01:00

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.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues had sought from the Law Department file notings and correspondence leading to the appointment of Solicitor General of India to appear for the Goa Raj Bhavan before the High Court.

Interestingly as the Raj Bhavan is not complying with the RTI Act, Adv. Rodrigues sought information pertaining to the Raj Bhavan’s decision to appoint Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam from the Law department.

The file notings reveal that Secretary to the Goa Governor Mr. Rajeev Verma in a note to Law Secretary Pramod Kamat on 30th May 2011 stated that Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam may be requested to defend the RTI case before the High Court as Goa Governor Dr. S.S.Sidhu was concerned that the case needed to be defended appropriately.

The notings also reveal that Governor Sidhu on 27th May 2011 had a meeting with Advocate General Subodh Kantak, Adv. Carlos Ferreira and Adv. Mahesh Sonak where it was decided that Solicitor General Mr. Gopal Subramaniam should appear before the Bombay High Court at Goa on behalf of Raj Bhavan.

The notings further reveal that Advocate General Subodh Kantak on 1st June 2011 gave his written consent to Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam appearing on behalf Raj Bhavan.

The Law Secretary Mr. Pramod Kamat after getting the approval of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on 13th June 2011 wrote to Union Ministry of Law and Justice on 5th July 2011 to issue necessary orders authorizing Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam to appear on behalf of the Goa Governor before the Panjim Bench of the Bombay High Court as a Special case.

The Law Secretary in his letter without specifying the amount says that the necessary fees towards Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam’s appearance will be borne by the Government of Goa. The letter however is silent on who would bear the travel, lodging and boarding expenses that would have been incurred by the Solicitor General.

Meanwhile the file notings show that the Law Department moved swiftly on 13th July and issued a corrigendum allowing the Solicitor General of Goa to appear on behalf of the Special Secretary to the Governor.

This follows Adv. Aires Rodrigues drawing the attention of the High Court that the Goa Government notification appointing Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam was to solely appear on behalf of the Governor of Goa and that the Governor was not a party before the High Court as the petition was filed by his Special Secretary.

Reacting to the information furnished to him under RTI, Adv. Aires Rodrigues has today stated that it was very clear that the Governor of Goa was not confident that Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak could defend the Raj Bhavan’s case appropriately.

Adv. Rodrigues has expressed the hope that at least now the Government should realize the need to ensure in public interest, India’s highest paid Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak is replaced by an honest, knowledgeable and competent Advocate General.

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

2011-07-14T21:49:00.000+01:00

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.

This is a common scenario that happens in Goa whenever there are bomb blasts in Mumbai and other parts of the country. The home ministry seems to wake from a deep sleep to ensure high level security during these times. But, what about other days? What about criminals who have already entered into the state and are entering on daily basis and the police are not even aware of it? What is the use of useless security alerts when are our "levtte" politicians are patronizing these criminals in the state for their selfish benefits?

With Goa as a major tourist destination, our efficient home ministry and police force should check on the rampage influx of criminals in the state, before Goa becomes the next Mumbai of the country.

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

2011-07-14T21:47:00.002+01:00

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.

In an exclusive interview, Farmhouse said she was interrogated by Swedish police twice, the last being in December 2010. "They also searched my home and took one of my computers and a camera," she said, adding that they could not find anything in them. "I gave them the name of Roy Naik, son of Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik, in the statement. I told them how many times he came to Atala's house for business," she said.

Lucky had spilled beans on her boyfriend Yaniv Benaim alias Atala's links with policemen in Goa after catching him on camera confessing of how some policemen supply him drugs.

The model, who has shifted to Sweden after the expose, said it was Roy Naik who gave drugs to Atala in the parked car in Calangute, which is there in the video clips, which she had shot. "These same drugs were sold by Atala from his 'Atala Coffeshop' in Anjuna," she said.

The Israeli drug lord, who now stands arrested in Peru after jumping bail in Goa, was running a cyber cafe in Anjuna. Farmhouse said she is ready to cooperate with the CBI, which recently took over the case, if they contact her.

Farmhouse, who broke her relations with Atala much before his arrest in Goa, said that she spoke to him in December last year. "I spoke to Atala in December last time. He was in Israel staying with his sister and phoned me from her house. I don't have any feelings for him anymore," she said.

Seven policemen were arrested last year after video tapes, in which Atala was shown bragging about his links with the policemen, were exposed. The role of Goa Home Minister's son, Roy Naik, was also under the scanner after the expose.

CBI, after taking over the case, recently said that they will question anyone whosoever is required for investigation. "We will question everyone including politicians, if their role is found in the drug nexus," CBI Joint Director Rishiraj Singh had said. – PTI

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

2011-07-14T21:45:00.002+01:00

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.

In contrast what should we call our police in Goa who actually should have been our heroes but somehow end up robbing even the loved ones, of the dead and the survivors of a tragedy ? Pathetic and gruesome ! In the days of the Wild West shooting people in the back and robbing the dead was considered to be the worst crimes, which were unacceptable in society even then, but today our very own protectors and the adjudicators of the law do the despicable.

I am sure the tragedy at Cabo-de-Rama last week, must have rocked many a minds, swelled many eyes and shattered many a hearts, tragic as it indeed was our police could only think of how to induce pecuniary benefits, instead of consoling and easing the pain of the loved ones of the unfortunate dead and the horrified surviving friends, it was torture and anguish that they were put through by our greedy and corrupt police. Just because many of the police had to pay huge amounts to get into their uniforms, does it justify asking for bribes form the grieving and the anguished ? Were the Authorities bribed to fleece the unfortunate ? Homes, families and neighbourhoods are shattered, life will never be the same for these surviving children and the parents of the dead and all that our police can think of is money ? Disgusting and repulsive indeed !

I request the Authorities in the police and the home department, to infuse and implement the code of conduct that hangs on the wall of every police station and the Law machinery, let it not be a show piece for the visitors to read but for the inmates to apply and follow, and the motto “to protect and to serve the land and its people by upholding the law with honesty and dignity” be the weapon of goodwill. If our police can be our heroes why would we need a Robin Hood ? Only then can we “Dil khol ke bol Satyameva Jayate” !

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

2011-07-14T21:44:00.002+01:00

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?

These acts are more worst than even the prostitution and murders. The areas will only be another breeding ground for slums, thrash and crimes to flourish in the social environment. Parrikar knows how to change the rules of the game and has been the master of it which is now taken as a precedent and a useful guidance by some of his successors vis a vis the Navelim farmers protesting against rehabilitation of migrants on their agricultural lands with another anti-Goan from Varca calling the shots.

Parrikar’s image is waning and with the rise of Axis of Evil and some lunatics from Bedxellolem Bharatiyancho Saunstha, his cosmetic image of Good Politician and God Governance has been unmasked and exposed. An old octogenarian is a PM- in-Waiting at the Rape Capital of the world but everyone knows for sure that the day will never come and RSS will have to write a chapter in their Ideological History glorifying an ex-dy-PM who remained forever-in-waiting.

Ethnic Goas too will be blessed immensely if they keep Parrikar forever as the CM-in-Waiting & as a chapter to remember for he could not change and prevent the takeover of Goan land by outsiders despite having ruled comfortably for over 4 years.

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

2011-07-14T21:43:00.000+01:00

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.

The Goa Raj Bhavan has in its petition contended that the Governor not being a “Public Authority” does not come within the purview of the RTI Act. The Raj Bhavan has also further contended that the Goa State Information Commission has not been properly constituted and that the State Chief Information Commissioner could not have heard matters in the absence of another Information Commissioner.

The State Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Motilal Keny in his order had ruled that the Goa Governor was a “Public Authority” and does come within the ambit of the Right to Information Act.

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

2011-07-14T21:41:00.002+01:00

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.

In some parts of Goa, they have imported Ghantis for the votes and their ration cards are submitted in hours and in days the Ghantis appear on the voting lists. Is there any one in real control of Goa or Sonia Mata?

The Governor is abandoned on the island of Black Sea; the CM’s lips are stitched upto the throat like the barrao tonsils of the pig. The Election Commissioner is the finger print of the fools. The police are acting like goondas and the rowdies manage the streets of Goa. The famous freedom fighter Karmali railway station has become a Fatorda Ghanti stadium and the beautiful lake adjoining it is turned into a shit Old Goa gutter.

Remember Goans: your corrupt politicians will be jobless if they losses or you have to sacrifice the job for them for next 5 years. Ultimately he pays you for a one minute vote and you have to repay them their chair. You pay lakhs of rupees to acquire a public servant job and to the bosses you pay 500 rupees slice of your shit. Democratic country, bureaucratic state, evil or narcotic governance has failed to address the real suffering of Goan people.

Yes the politicians and their cronies take a direct flight from Goa to Middle East to reclaim their election booties and haftas from Goan Sheikhs. Indirect flight losses central command blessing and Goa custom route is the namaste solution for their safe loot. Blog to say! Your Politicians are bxxxxxxs. Their mothers would have cursed their acts if they were alive today for giving births to demons.

And the licking dogs of Congress are given the promise of a bone “If you returns me the corrupt chair again so shall you polish and shine my foot or future” If I win so shall you and you will be given a free pilgrimage tour to Baba Mandir in Nasik (Hindus) or Valanka tour (Christians).Sounds miracles for Modkoikar or Churchill constituency Goans. We speak facts and not lie.

RIBANDAR CHURCH CASE: JMFC SUMMONS CRIME BRANCH INCHARGE

2011-07-14T21:38:00.000+01:00

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

The JMFC has sought clarification as to how the Crime Branch intends to execute the warrant of arrest against the former Parish Priest of Ribandar who is now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada.

The Crime Branch had asked the JMFC to issue a non- bailable warrant against Father Newton Rodrigues as the immigration authorities and the consulates overseas can only execute a non-bailable warrant. The police intend to also intimate all airports and check posts across the country and to also seek the help of the Interpol to arrest Father Newton Rodrigues and bring him to Goa.

The warrant of arrest against the former Parish Priest of Ribandar Father Newton Rodrigues who is now in Canada is for not being present in court despite being summoned. It was on Fr. Newton Rodrigues’s complaint that Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents were charge sheeted for trespassing into the church corridor and disturbing a Parish Pastoral committee meeting.

Father Newton Rodrigues is the last prosecution witness that remains to be examined after which Adv. Aires Rodrigues will commence examining his seven defence witnesses which include Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao and former Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsingh Rane.

JEETENDRA DESHPRABHU DROPPED FROM STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE BY NCP

2011-07-14T21:34:00.002+01:00

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.

Senior vice-president Ulhas Naik and vice-president Trajano D' Mello also don't figure in the re-constituted executive committee.

Goa NCP desk in-charge Bharati Chavan announced the new executive committee. "This committee is constituted after taking all party workers into confidence to strengthen the state unit," said Chavan.

Speaking to media persons, NCP state president Surendra Sirsat said "The NCP high command has dropped Jitendra Deshprabhu, Trajano D'Mello, Ulhas Naik and minority cell in-charge Salim Sheikh from the executive committee."

This disciplinary action is initiated against Deshprabhu after he made allegations against Chavan and Sirsat. Earlier, executive committee had demanded the dismissal of Deshprabhu from the party. "Now Deshprabhu should not interfere in state affairs," said Sirsat.

Sirsat also said that in-charge of Goa NCP state affairs Praful Patel had sent a letter to Deshprabhu to keep in mind party discipline before making any statement to the media.

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

2011-07-14T07:37:00.000+01:00

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.

Goans have been bemoaning the level of corruption in the present day government led by the beleaguered chief minister Digambar Kamat, who has given a ‘carte blanc’ to his ministers to loot, rob and plunder the Goa’s exchequer and rape Goa of its natural beauty through illegal mining and blatant construction with the blessing of the ministers by cutting hills, sand dunes and filling low lying areas.

With such malpractices and illegal activities almost all the ministers in the Kamat led coalition government have amassed wealth to sustain their generation to come but are still not satisfied, so much so that they want to bring in their children and spouses not only to amass ill-gotten wealth, but also to hold the government to ransom when either a police complaint or criminal case is ought to be registered against them for their illegal activities.

Infact PWD minister and Navelim MLA Churchill Alemao has used such tactics during this tenure when he threatened to topple the government if Mickky Pacheco was inducted in the ministry by dropping Revenue minister Jose Philip D’souza and a second time was when Education minister Babush Monserrate was caught at the Bombay airport with huge amounts of currency Indian as well as foreign.

Nobody will forget that Churchill Alemao not only strong-armed his way into Kamat led government using toppling bid, but at the same time unseated Sudin Dhavlikar from the ministry and bagged the plum PWD portfolio with which he is alleged to have amassed huge wealth. Now he wants to introduce his daughter Valanka Alemao into the state politics. Joaquim Alemao wants to introduce his son Yuri Alemao. God forbid if four members of a family are given the mandate by the people of the state, there will be no end to ransom games of Churchill Alemao, till his will is done. Lest we forget Churchill was the first legislator to start toppling trend in Goa way back in 1991 and that too during his very first stint in the assembly. He toppled Pratapsing Rane to become the chief minister of 19 days and then handed the reins to Dr. Proto Barbosa.

Whether Congress party gives ticket to all the four members of a family is to be seen. At the last hustings Joaquim Alemao bagged the Congress ticket, while Churchill had got elected on Save Goa party. History is going to repeat itself this time too and he knows it well. PWD minister has his office in Varca, however there is no Congress party flag nor the picture of the president of the party Sonia Gandhi decorating it. Of course Valanka has recently pictured with Rahul Gandhi but those are for the attics. Besides introducing his family members, he is likely to bank-roll some other candidates in the state who will later owe allegiance to him.

Unlike Churchill, Benaulim MLA Mickky Pacheco has not been discreet and loud mouth that he is has disclosed his plans. The former minister has not been in power for almost two years, it would be amusing to observe how he finances forty candidates in the state. Ironically for the last more than two years he was grooming a candidate for Benaulim constituency, however the person backed out after Pacheco alleged told him to keep Rs. Four crores ready for elections expenses. Mickky too has introduced his partner Viola for Cortalim constituency. But is yet to be seen whether the government scuttles his plans by reserving the constituency for Schedule Tribe community.

Likewise Health minister Viswajit Rane is alleged to be grooming his wife to replace his father’s seat in case Pratapsing Rane was nominated for Rajya Sabha. However with renomination of Shantaram Naik, we will have to wait and watch the developments. Education minister Babush Monseratte has already announced that he would be contesting the next assembly election against Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar in the Panjim constituency. Jennifer Monseratte wife of Babush is likely to contest from Taleigao.

Then we have Home minister Ravi Naik backing his son Roy Naik to contest in Mayem assembly constituency. Roy has a colourful background as in recent times he has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Then we have Subhash Narvekar brother of Dayanand Narvekar who is trying his luck again. Revenue minister Jose Philip D’souza’s brother Pascoal D’souza is contemplating to jump in the fray. Two Dhavlikar brothers are already in the scene.

This is the scenario as of now, as time draws closer there will surely be some other developments. But the question before us today is, should we allow these handful of self centered political families to rule 15 lakh population. Till recently some handful of families had raped Goa of its mining reserves, but today some politicians have got a share in it through either machinery being deployed in the mines or transportation or illegal mining and even robbing mine ore and selling it.

The current politicians have made bureaucrats IPS as well GPS their puppets one can easily imagine what they will do when they have numbers in terms of family members to support them in their evil designs. Jobs are dished out not on merit basis but the basis of who can shell out the price tag on the designated position.

The police department is totally politicized; the men in uniform conduct investigation as per the whims and fancies of politicians. At the moment the police are not protecting those who pay their wages, but those who pay their bribes.

At the moment Digambar Kamat led government is not functioning as a government should but as per the dictum of the ministers. What will happen when we have family members as legislators. Will they not demand that all of them be made ministers and then demand lucrative portfolios.

Coming election they will dish out biryani, chicken, alcohol and Rs 500 to vote for them but in turn they will reap crores of rupees for the next five years. Fellow Goans! The upcoming state assembly elections are very crucial to Goa and Goans. If we cast our ballot in favour of these political families we are surely doomed. If there are any Goans worth their salt, spread the message to vote against those who are introducing their kith and kin to hold Goa ransom and destroy it to oblivion.

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

2011-07-13T20:28:00.001+01:00

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.

The lady constable came to the SP’s cabin and gave in writing about the sexual abuse by her superior police officer of a DySP Shamba Sawant.

The LPC has deposed before the enquiry officer DySP Rina Torcato about both these men’s involvement and Shamba Sawant being the main culprit. She also has implicated Chandrakant Salgaoncar who is an expert in womanizing.

According to one Lady Police Constable and a Lady Head Constable (names withheld at the request of the personnel) Chandrakant Salgaoncar they are very much frightened even to pass in front of Chandrakant Salgaoncar who is ready to pounce on them at the first opportunity he gets. But they added that Shamba Sawant has now turned into another menace to the Ladies in uniform.

This has been going on traditionally in the police department from the Police Training School where they undergo training till they retire, the officers of the higher level (Not IPS) the GPS (Goa Police Service) like Chandrakant Salgaoncar and quite a few more including ex-Police Officer Ramesh Lotlikar are very notorious to force the LPCs to submit to their sexual desires.

Though the case is in the hands of a good and honest police officer, DySP Rina Torcato, it is totally doubtful that political pressure will not come from politicians specially Ravi Naik who may be out to save his pet Salgaoncar and Shamba Sawant.

DySP Rina Torcato is a gentle and sincere Lady Officer who is sure to give the right and correct reports. But will the Director General of Police honestly discharge his duty is to be seen. The lower level police officers never have support against the higher level officers even if they are right. This has been happening in the past and the present. The current DG, who has been named as General Dyer by the Bali people, will not render a proper justice to the LPC (Lady Police Constable).

It is also a shame that a man brought up the hard way by his mother who sells fish even today at the Valpoi Market, should behave in such a fashion and break his own marital cords. The other fellow is a known master of this field.

This is a triangle and in this triangle both the culprits have good and strong relations with Digambar Kamat and Ravi Naik and as such the Lady Constable must not expect much from either the chief Minister or the Home Minister.

GOAN WOMAN WAS KILLED FOR REFUSING SEX BY SIKKIM YOUTH

2011-07-13T20:27:00.000+01:00

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.

Gurung, a resident of Sikkim, was arrested for murdering Poornima during the wee hours of Monday. The Panjim police have registered the case under Section 302 of the IPC (murder). "Pednekar objected to being sexually abused by the accused and when he forced himself on the victim, she shouted out for help. Angry with this, he pushed her head to the ground and suffocated her to death," said a police officer.

The accused was arrested by the police after a watchman working at the bus stand called the Panjim police station Monday morning and informed them that a lady was lying motionless behind the bus stand's public toilet. The watchman informed the police that she was with a man and they were kissing each other.

The watchman also told the police that he had later seen the accused with the woman, when she was screaming for help. "Then as the woman fell unconscious, the accused escaped," the police added only to be caught later.

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

2011-07-13T20:26:00.000+01:00

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.

A Personnel department official stated that the exercise has also taken care of the additional charges being given to various SPs, including Arvind Gawas, who was given charge of departments of North Goa district and Traffic. Another SP, Atmaram Deshpande, who recently hit the controversy due to his statements against tribals, is shunted to Traffic cell.

Deshpande was heading Special Branch (SB) which looks after intelligence gathering in the state. On May 25, several thousand tribals had held demonstrations at Balli village. The agitation turned violent killing two tribal leaders

Deshpande, who headed SB, refused to accept that the incident occurred due to intelligence failure and instead claimed that the 'tribals were drunk'.

SP Allan D'Sa is shifted from South Goa district to Immigration (Airport) and is replaced by recently promoted SP Waman Tari, who was an Assistant Commandant of India Reserve Battalion, and also headed Tourist wing of police.

The charge of Coastal police stations was taken out from SP Omprakash Kudtarkar and handed over to SP Tony Fernandes, who hitherto headed Immigration (Airport) and Security divisions

SP Shekhar Prabhudesai is transferred from Police Training School, Valpoi, to Headquarters and Special Branch and Vishram Borkar from the headquarters to Police Training School. – PTI

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

2011-07-13T20:24:00.002+01:00

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.

Six industrial units, dealing with production of sponge iron and pig iron, may face closure as they have run out of the high-grade ore that was previously supplied from Bellary, Chitradurga, Sandur and Hospet regions of Karnataka.

"If the ban continues beyond next week, it will lead to closure of these units on account of the halt in supply of raw materials, which may further lead to the loss of employment for a number of people," Balakrishnan said in the letter.

Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has also been constantly lobbying on behalf of these units to get the ban lifted. GCCI Chairman Manguirish Pai Raiker stated that the Goa government is in the process of sorting out the issue.

All the six units transport sponge and pig iron to various industries in Karnataka as they are essential raw materials for manufacturing steel. Raiker said that Karnataka's ban will hit back on them, as their own steel industries will face shortage of sponge and pig iron. – PTI

DIGGU GOES HI-TECH, MEETS PEOPLE VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE

2011-07-13T07:40:00.003+01:00

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.

The Chief Minister reached out to his aam admi thorough a khaas ( special) technology- video conferencing. In a matter of an hour, the CM traversed though Mormugao, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona from his room at South Goa collectorate, speaking to mamlatdars and the common man on his TV monitor.

The CM officially launched his public darbar in South Goa on Tuesday. Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava and district Collector, Sandeep Jacques, were present when the Chief Minister heard public grievances and sought to know how best to streamline the administration at the taluka level.

After the hour long exercise, the Chief Minister told the district Collector Sandeep Jacques to maintain a note of the grievances raised by the people, promising to undertake a weekly review with the officials.

Chief Minister was right there. He spent some time interacting with employees and people at the Salcette mamlatdar’s office, asking questions and listening to grievances. He promised to implement the concept in North Goa from Friday. Complaints received from the public would be reviewed on a weekly basis to ensure efficacy. He later told reporters that officials of PWD water supply, roads, electricity will also be called at the Mamlatdar offices to ensure that the exercise is more meaningful.

However, interaction with the Canacona mamalatdar not take on the line until failed power supply was resumed at Canacona. – SR

NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: This is a political gimmick by the CM to fool the people on a daily basis. First, he should install camera in his own office and broadcast it to the people to show how dirty he is, the secret deals done of corruption are to be revealed on the monitor? He should also install cameras under the tables of each government officer to check how much money has changed hands. Also in the offices of Sr. police officers and see how the people are suffering on a daily basis.

If the video conferencing can bring him closer to people and avoid meeting them face to face, why not stop trips to Delhi to take opinions of Sonia and the congress babus on how to run Goan affairs? Why not connect them via video conferencing? Whose money is he spending on these trips? Not the Goan exchequer?

Digambar, being in Goa, you don’t have time to visit the districts to see the people in reality suffering your administration, is it fun for you to sit in your air-conditioned cabin and watch people’s faces without even knowing if the person talking to you has a pair of slippers on his or her feet? This question should be raised in every NIZ GOENKAR’s mind. What a JOKE otherwise.

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

2011-07-13T07:39:00.002+01:00

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.

Based on the DoP's opinion, the police would file an application for a copy of the dying declaration before the district sessions court, sources said.

The JMFC rejected the police's request as the special judicial magistrate (SJM) who recorded the dying declaration had objected to it being handed over to the Panjim police inspector (PI). "The SJM had objected to the Panjim PI investigating the case as he is also in charge of the Dona Paula outpost, which is housed in the crime branch building, where the victim allegedly consumed poison. Therefore, the SJM felt that the PI could be biased towards crime branch officials and the dying declaration should be given to an officer of the rank of DySP or above," sources said.

Even as there is speculation as to who are the officials named by Gawas in his dying declaration, the crime branch has submitted a report to the DIG claiming that Gawas must have committed suicide for personal reasons. Gawas, 33, consumed poison on June 25 while on duty. He died on June 28 and his family members blamed crime branch officials, and alleged that PI Praveenkumar Vast had denied Gawas leave for his wedding. The police then registered a case of abetment to suicide against Vast. – SR

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

2011-07-13T07:38:00.003+01:00

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.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues today drew the attention of the Court that Advocate General Subodh Kantak had at the last two hearings misled the Court that the Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam was going to appear in the matter.

Drawing the attention of the Court that the Government notification appointing Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam was to solely appear on behalf of the Governor of Goa, Adv. Rodrigues pointed out to the Court that the Governor of Goa was not a party to the petition and that it was the Public Information Officer at the Goa Raj Bhavan that had filed the petition against the RTI Act.

Meanwhile, as the beleaguered Solicitor General of India Mr. Gopal Subramaniam who was scheduled to arrive by the Kingfisher Flight IT 131 via Mumbai this morning cancelled his visit to Goa, the Raj Bhaavn will now be represented by Advocate Mahesh Sonak in the case against Adv. Aires Rodrigues while Advocate General Subodh Kantak will defend the Raj Bhavan in another petition that was filed after denying information under RTI in 2008 to the Leader of Opposition Mr. Manohar Parrikar.

Special Secretary to the Governor Dr. N. Radhakrishnan has challenged the 31st March order of the Goa State Information commission which had directed the Raj Bhavan to furnish Adv. Aires Rodrigues the information sought by him under the Right to Information Act.

The Goa Raj Bhavan has in its petition contended that the Governor not being a “Public Authority” does not come within the purview of the RTI Act. The Raj Bhavan has also further contended that the Goa State Information Commission has not been properly constituted and that the State Chief Information Commissioner could not have heard matters in the absence of another Information Commissioner.

The State Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Motilal Keny in his order had ruled that the Goa Governor was a “Public Authority” and does come within the ambit of the Right to Information Act.

BANAVLEKARANCHO EKVOTT LAUNCHED

2011-07-13T07:37:00.002+01:00

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.

“ We will discuss and take action on various issues that concern our land and community”, Dr Gomes said, adding “ When politicians want to rule Goa by dividing its people on various issues, ‘ Banavlekarancho Ekvott’ is a sincere attempt to unite the people of Goa. Anybody who is seriously concerned about Goa and wishes to assist us in ushering a non- corrupt, eco- friendly, sustainable development in Benaulim constituency, is welcome to join our Ekvott”. Meanwhile, at an impressive gathering at Benaulim Community Centre, prominent social activists and politicians came together to discuss ways and means to fight corruption in Goa.

“ All the elected members should know the basic laws and technical opinions should be sought from the concerned professionals before taking important decisions and granting licenses”, said Agnelo Fernandes, former Sarpanch of Cana- Benaulim. – SR

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

2011-07-12T20:35:00.001+01:00

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.

So that the illegitimate become legitimate, if not, let it remain illegitimate but assures the girl that he’ll fight anyone and everyone who wants to outcast the child, because of it’s illegitimate stature, a bastard. How very ingenious and convenient, isn’t it ?

We have always been complaining about the black coats, turning white into black and black into white in courts without even a dent in their conscience or souls. Now it’s the turn of our politicians to do the same. Our erstwhile CM and present leader of the opposition too is ready to take on the High Court if it orders demolition of the illegal dwellings.

Parrikar has vowed to fight to the end to legalize the illegal dwellings of migrants on Chimbel hill. Down south we have the CM who is trying to legalize illegal migrant dwellings at Kharebandh and Monti dongor, then we have the big man from Varca supporting Rahejas the mega builder, an outsider, trying to legalize their illegalities, then we have the deputy speaker and MLA of Cortalim trying to legalize the mega project of an outsider at Cansaulim. It’s indeed reassuring to note that there are some people in the Goa Assembly, for whatever reasons, are ready to fight to save the dwellings of people whoever they may be.

But I am a very confused soul at the moment, people in coastal Goa have been having nightmares because of the implementation of the CRZ ordinance, some of the dwellings have been demolished, even Khariwada at Vasco was not spared. But a leading miner’s star hotel was saved by an overnight ordinance, so the cause of confusion is, why are coastal Goans not even getting any sympathy from our very own elected politicians, leave alone ordinances to save our dwellings ?

But for the migrants and the rich and the affluent our politicians go out of the way and put even their political careers at stake, challenging the High Court and even the Supreme Court’s orders and directives. Agar unlog ka khoon, khoon hai, hamara khoon kya panni hai ?

Our humble dwellings may not be the biggest, the best or even legal but they are our dream homes, for the migrants their shanties, for the bigwigs their condominiums and for us coastal Goans our small houses, they are the result of our hard work and sweat. If there are rules, they should be for all in equal measures and if there is sympathy, that too, should be for all in equal measures.

There should not be one set of rules for the rich and the affluent to save their illegal structures, or another set of rules to legalize the illegal structures of migrants and one set of rules only for coastal Goans, whose hearts have so truly bled, bereft of support from our very own elected politicians.

There are a good number of votes along the entire Goan coast, are there any takers, or are our votes not as good as the votes of Indira Nagar at Chimbel or Monti dongor in Margao ? Goans it’s time to ponder and give a befitting answer!

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

2011-07-12T20:32:00.000+01:00

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.

Dalvi personally went to the scene of offence and made sure that there was no evidence left that would lead to the murderers.

Gawas, who was also on the scene offence with Dalvi in his incriminating and criminal act of disappearing the evidence has also been placed under suspension pending departmental enquiry.

Arrosim residents have been demanding Dalvi’s dismissal for his complicity in handling the case by ignoring glaring evidences that showed Gomes was murdered including serious injuries on his body.

The residents backed by Benaulim legislator Francisco Pacheco had threatened to agitate if the police department failed to book culprits. They have even met the Director General of Police Aditya Arya to dismiss the PI for attempting to hush up the case.

It has also been rumoured that Dalvi has been given about 5 lakh to dispose off the evidence and to term the case as an accidental drowning or and U.D. Gomes, a supervisor working at an under construction site at Arrosim was found dead under mysterious circumstances in an open septic tank on June 15.

GOA CHURCH TO BAN INDECENTLY DRESSED VISITORS INSIDE THE CHURCHES

2011-07-12T20:30:00.001+01:00

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.

Fr Savio Barretto, the rector of the 16th century Basilica located in Old Goa, 10 km from here, said a special panel would be appointed to keep tabs on tourists coming in to take a look at the Unesco-recognised World Heritage Site. "The panel of specially appointed officials will screen them and provide shawls if the clothing is inappropriate. The shawls of course are to be returned after the visit," Barretto told us. "The dress code is not just for tourists, but for everyone who comes here, including pilgrims," he said.

Barretto said the dress code would apply from September. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is part of several churches, including the Se Cathedral, both located in the former Portuguese city of Goa, today called Old Goa. Thousands of tourists flock to these churches everyday, as part of guided tours that often include trips to the local beaches in the vicinity.

Last month, the 450-year-old Mahalsa Narayani temple in Ponda, 30 km from here, had banned the entry of foreigners after they were found 'inappropriately dressed' or even kissing inside the temple.

Another popular temple at Mangueshi, near Ponda, has also imposed dress restrictions on people visiting the temple premises for 'propriety' reasons.

In fact, a rightwing organisation, GMDSM Tuesday said the ban on improperly dressed tourists should apply to all temples. "The action taken to maintain the holiness of the temple is ideal for all temples," said Jayesh Thali, convenor of the Mahasangh.

"Tourists enter the temple in very short dresses and their behaviour too is objectionable. They enter the temple wearing garlands around their neck and then the same garland is offered to the deity," Thali told us. "This amounts to dishonour of dharma Temples are not meant for tourists, they are meant for devotees of the deity. It is ideal to have some restrictions on the tourists to maintain the sanctity of the temple," he said. - SR

EXTORTIONIST COP SUSPENDED BY SOUTH GOA SP ALLEN D’SA

2011-07-12T20:28:00.002+01:00

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.

The family of Jason Goes had in a written complaint to DySP Gaonkar alleged that Bhagat had demanded 10,000 for "releasing" Goes from the clutches of the police. Jason was a part of the 11-member team of college students that had gone to Cabo da Rama beach on Friday which turned tragic after two of the students met a watery grave.

Goes' family had complained that Goes was summoned to the Cuncolim police station for two consecutive days where PSI Bhagat held Jason responsible for the deaths of the two youth and threatened to put him into the police lockup. When Jason pleaded innocence and asked to be set free, Bhagat allegedly demanded a sum of 10,000 for his "release".

Further more the car of the suspended PSI has been attached, following the identification by the victims’ parents. The car was used by the disgraced PSI to go to the spot to demand bribe.

On Monday, Cuncolim PI Nelson Albuquerque submitted his report about the incident to DySP Gaonkar who then placed the details before SP Allen D'Sa who subsequently ordered Bhagat's suspension. D'Sa told reporters that a departmental inquiry would soon be initiated against Bhagat. Sources said that Bhagat has courted controversy a number of times for his alleged misdeeds even while serving at other police stations.

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

2011-07-12T20:27:00.002+01:00

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.

The Crime branch today returned the earlier bailable warrant of arrest that was issued and sought a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Father Newton Rodrigues.

A non- bailable warrant has been sought as the immigration authorities and the consulates overseas can only execute a non-bailable warrant. The police will now also intimate all airports and check posts across the country that Father Newton Rodrigues be arrested. The Crime Branch will also seek the help of the Interpol to bring Father Newton Rodrigues to Goa.

Meanwhile the cross examination was today completed of Police Inspector Braz Menezes in the 2004 Ribandar Church case before Panjim Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai. Inspector Braz Menezes while at the Crime Branch had investigated the case against Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 others. Inspector Braz Menezes was today cross examined by Adv. Aires Rodrigues for over two hours.

Inspector Menezes today conceded that Auda Viegas in her statement to the police in 2004 had stated that the former Parish Priest of Ribandar Fr. Newton Rodrigues had told her that he had infact molested the 13 year old Ribandar girl. Inspector Menezes stated that Auda Viegas in her statement had also stated that Fr Newton Rodrigues had told her that while he was playing with the girl’s pendant that his hand slipped into her breast.

Inspector Menezes told the Court that Auda Viegas in her statement had further stated that when she went to meet the minor girl and her mother they were in tears and had confirmed the alleged molestation by Father Newton Rodrigues.

The Court was further informed by Inspector Menezes that Auda Viegas had also stated that after meeting Father Newton Rodrigues on 16th August 2004 she left the Church along with Aires Rodrigues and others and that there was no untoward incident in the church corridor as was alleged by Father Newton Rodrigues.

Now Father Newton Rodrigues is the last prosecution witness that remains to be examined after which Adv. Aires Rodrigues will commence examining his seven defence witnesses which include Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao and former Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsingh Rane.

PRASANNA BHAGAT A POLICE SUB INSPECTOR BOOKED FOR EXTORTION

2011-07-12T20:25:00.002+01:00

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.

Sub-Inspector Prasanna Bhagat had demanded Rs 25,000 each from the parents of the surviving youths, threatening them to file an attempt to murder case against their children. Deputy Superintendent of Police Umesh Gaonkar stated that the case of extortion and corruption has been filed against Bhagat, who is currently under suspension.

Parents of one of the youths told investigating officer Inspector Nelson Albuquerque that they had paid Rs 25,000 to Bhagat after he constantly threatened them. The parents had sought the help of state panchayat minister Manohar Asgaonkar about Bhagat's demand. Asgaonkar reportedly spoke to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat over the issue. – PTI

PANJIM POLICE ARREST MURDERER, A NATIVE OF SIKKIM

2011-07-12T20:24:00.000+01:00

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.

The woman was found dead, few hours after she was seen with the 26-year-old Rohan Gurung, who hails from Gangtok, Sikkim, SP Banaulikar said. The verification whether the lady was raped before being killed on Sunday is on, he said. The investigations have not been able to ascertain the motive of the murder and the case would be clear once the post-mortem report is available, Banaulikar said. – PTI