log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY JULY 23, 2024 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 36 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 7 3 9 Teen’s death puts Smart City works in the spotlight again Legacy in ruins: Part of Dr Gomes’ neglected ancestral home collapses INDIA INFO NEET-UG row: SC asks IIT-D to set up expert team Radiant skin in your twenties PANAJI HAS WITNESSED 41 TREE FALLS THIS MONTH THE GOAN I NETWORK ASSEMBLY COVERAGE Oppn slams govt’s hasty NEP rollout; MLAs express concern over infra CM says, all is well, Goa is No 1 in NEP implementation House draws concern over shifting of South Goa housing board office to Porvorim House concerned over rising cases of tree collapse Oppn protests discriminatory treatment in Assembly, House adjourned Sunburn: Govt mum on early bird tickets, admits they applied without valid documents (See pgs 2 & 3) IN SHORT >> 35 kg smuggled gold seized at Goa airports, LS told PANAJI: Between April 2023 and June 2024, a total of nine cases involving 13.08 kg of smuggled gold were detected at Manohar International Airport, while twenty-four cases involving 22.33 kg of smuggled gold were reported at Dabolim International Airport, according to a written reply in the Lok Sabha. IMD lowers orange alert for July 25 PANAJI: With rainfall activity dwindling in several parts of the state IMD has downgraded the orange alert issued for July 25 to yellow alert. SC stays Kanwar Yatra order NEW DELHI: The SC ordered an interim stay on directives issued by UP and Uttarakhand asking eateries to display the names of their owners.  >> See pg 7 PANAJI The Smart City initiative has once again come under scrutiny after the death of teenager Arati Gond from Uttar Pradesh, who succumbed to head injuries when she came under a falling tree near Gracia de Orta garden around Sunday noon. While Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for her family, Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate raised concerns about whether the incident, along with two other recent tree falls near Panaji Church, could be linked to the ongoing Smart City activities. Officials from the Forest Department and the Corporation of City of Panaji have begun inspecting dangerous trees in Panaji, particularly where Smart City projects have been implemented. Panaji has wit- Panaji tree fall: Govt announces `4L compensation 15 trees posing danger around Church Square identified PANAJI: Fifteen trees around the Panaji Church Square were identified for trimming or cutting by the Forest Department and Corporation of the City of Panaji on Monday. While the process of identifying more dangerous trees around the vicinity is underway, this followed the government’s direction a day after UP-native Arati Gond died after a huge tree near Gracia de Orta Garden came crashing on her amid incessant rainfall. Speaking to The Goan, CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate said that more trees are being identified. “Forest and CCP officials identified 15 trees around the Panaji Church Square within just two hours. There will be more dangerous trees/ branches for trimming or removal,” he said. >> See pg 3 nessed 41 tree falls this month alone up to July 21. “I am deeply sorry for what happened yesterday,” Monserrate expressed grief at Gond's death as he interacted with reporters at the assembly complex on Monday. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the girl's family. I have instructed the CCP Commissioner to collaborate with forest officials to inspect trees at risk in Panaji, especially those affected by Smart City projects,” he added. Earlier, CM Sawant stated that directions are already Challenging time for traffic police using body cameras RESORT TO UMBRELLAS TO SHIELD DEVICES DEPT TO PROCURE WATERPROOF CAMERAS given to cut the dangerous trees. Sunday’s incident is the third tree collapse in the vicinity with earlier incidents fortunately not resulting in fatalities. In another recent incident, a large tree fell on a tourist taxi and scooter near Kamat Hotel injuring three occupants. Gond was on her bike crossing the road when a huge tree fell on her. She sustained serious head and body injuries. The fire and police officials, who rushed to the site, shifted her to the Goa Medical College where she succumbed later in the evening. Assagao saga: Pooja keeps date with SIT sleuths Pooja Sharma THE GOAN I NETWORK Traffic police with body cameras on duty. will not only curb incidents where traffic violators become abusive or manhandle police personnel but will also enhance transparency among the officers. The Goan had, in July and August 2023, exposed allegations of corruption such as the Gpay scam and the e-challan machines being logged in on multiple devices at different locations simultaneously. When asked if the initiative has brought changes among both enforcement officers and citizens, Gupta replied positively, stating, “They are exercising more caution in their behaviour and communication. They (traffic personnel and citizens) will refrain from indulging in wrongful activities. We sometimes come across complaints about rude behaviour by traffic staff. This will reduce as they will know their words and actions are being recorded in camera.” “The primary reason for introducing body-worn cameras >Continued on P5 Close to 900 tree felling incidents across Goa including in Altinho -- housing official residences of Chief Minister, ministers and bureaucrats -- have been reported this month. PANAJI After evading the Goa Police for nearly a month, Pooja Sharma -- accused in the Assagao house demolition case, finally appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch (CB) on Monday. Her appearance follows an order by the Bombay High Court at Goa, which granted her anticipatory bail on the condition that she reports to the Investigation Officer at 10 am on Monday. Sharma, accompanied by her lawyer, arrived at the CB office with her face covered by a dupatta, sunglasses and a mask.  >> See pg 3 Indian hockey goalkeeper Sreejesh to retire after Olympics 13 No plans from Goa for tiger reserve, MoEF informs LS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change told Parliament that they have not received any proposal from Goa to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger reserve. Replying to a question by South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes, the ministry said that so far no proposal has been received from the State of Goa. The Goa government has constantly resisted notifying the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding protected areas as a tiger reserve despite the documented presence of tigers. The State government has also challenged the Bombay High Court at Goa direction to set up a tiger reserve in the State and has spent Rs 90 lakh on two preliminary hearings in the SC so far. The then Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh had written to the Goa government back in 2011 asking Goa government has constantly resisted notifying the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding protected areas as a tiger reserve and has also challenged the Bombay High Court at Goa direction in the Supreme Court them to send a proposal to the Centre for the declaration of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve. The union minister said that the tiger is a resident animal in the State and not a transitory animal besides was also contiguous with the Dandeli tiger reserve in neighbouring Karnataka. However, the State government was reluctant to concur with such a decision. Similarly in 2020 the National Tiger Conservation Authority, recommended the setting up of a tiger sanctuary in Goa at the Mhadei Wildlife >Continued on P5 Postal jobs: Will Goans stand chance to stamp their place? 76 POSTS UP FOR GRABS; RECRUITMENT PROCESS BEGINS GUILHERME ALMEIDA THE GOAN I MARGAO THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The 75 body-worn cameras (BWCs) – a groundbreaking initiative to tackle corruption and misconduct – face a bizarre challenge: they cannot be used in the rain. The traffic officials have thus resorted to a temporary solution of using umbrellas to shield the devices. These cameras are being operated by around 120 officers of the Goa Traffic Cell, who function on a rotation basis throughout the day and are authorized to issue challans. Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Rahul Gupta stated that they will procure waterproof cameras to ensure continuous use. “There are plans to buy more BWCs. The primary drawback is that these cameras cannot be used in the rain. So, the possibility of purchasing waterproof cameras will be explored. Right now, these cameras are being used with umbrellas,” he said, speaking to The Goan. Caught in a series of allegations last year, these devices MAPUSA: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the family of Arti Gond, the 19-year-old who tragically lost her life in a tree fall accident. Speaking on the floor of the House, Sawant expressed condolences for Gond’s untimely death and assured that the State government would provide the financial support to her family. SPORTS Around 76 posts of Gramin Dak Sevak are up for grabs in the Goa division of the Department of Posts. Good news indeed as the Postal Department will be finally filling up the vacancies in the Goa division. But, will Goans stand a chance or will the jobs go to the youth in neighbouring Maharashtra or from the North Indian States? The Department of Posts has invited applications from the eligible candidates to fill the vacant posts of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) (Branch Postmaster (BPM)/Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPM)/ Dak Sevaks) in different offices of the Department of Posts. The applications are to be submitted online at https://indiapostgdsonline.gov.in Based on the notification, Senior Superintendent of Post office, Goa Division has issued a notice addressed to a number of offices, including the Sarpanchas/Secretaries of the village Panchayats, besides the President of the Devasthans or the Parish Priests of Churches informing them of JOB OPENINGS AT HAND „„Department of Posts has invited applications for Gramin Dak Sevaks, Branch Postmaster, Assistant Branch Postmaster, Dak Sevaks different offices „„Applications are to be submitted online at https://indiapostgdsonline.gov.in „„Sarpanchas/Secretaries of panchayats, Devasthans, Parish Priests notified of online recruitment process „„Online recruitment process has already started and the last date is August 5 the online recruitment process for the 76 vacant posts of Gramin Dak Sevaks under Goa Division. The online recruitment process has already started with effect from July 15 and the last date to apply and fill the online applications is August 5. While the recruitment process to fill up the vacancies may ring in good news, questions are being raised whether local Goan youth will be considered given the past experience that many posts were filled by candidates from Maharashtra and North India. A senior official of the department of posts informed that the online recruitment process, though an all India exercise, the jobs should go to the local youth given the bit- ter past experience that many a successful candidates from other States take a transfer to their native States after securing a job in the Goa division, causing staff shortage. The Goan understands that a proposal from the department of posts had gone to the Centre to give preference to the local youth while filing up vacancies in the Goa division to ensure that the successful candidates do not take transfers to their native States after their selection. GOACAN Coordinator Roland Martins has demanded that the Postal Department must assure the Goan candidates that they will not be discriminated. “There has >Continued on P5 Centre lifts ban on govt Economic Survey eyes 6.5-7% growth, pushes for Chinese FDI WHAT THE REPORT STATES… babus doing RSS work PTI PTI NEW DELHI The Centre on Monday lifted a long-standing ban on government employees participating in activities organized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The order stated, "It has been decided to remove the mention of Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh from the impugned OMS”. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh hailed the Centre's move, saying the decision would strengthen the country's democratic system. It also accused the earlier regimes of furthering their own political interests by imposing the ban in the past. The RSS accused earlier regimes of furthering their own political interests by imposing the ban in the past and said the decision would strengthen the country's democratic system There have been multiple instances of government barring its employees in the past from associating with the RSS. A day after a government order became public, RSS spokesperson Sunil Ambekar said in a statement, "The present decision of the government is appropriate and strengthens the democratic system of India." NEW DELHI he government's preBudget Economic Survey on Monday set a conservative growth forecast of 6.5 to 7 per cent for the current fiscal as it flagged the need for creating more jobs in the economy and backed more Chinese direct investments to boost exports. The report, which is authored by the chief economic adviser's office, favoured considering targeting inflation that excludes food, the prices of which are influenced more by supply than demand. It sounded a bell of caution on the soaring stock markets, saying retail investor participation has increased significantly and there are chances of speculations due to overcon- T „„Flags need for creating more jobs in the economy „„Favours considering targeting inflation that excludes food, the prices of which are influenced more by supply than demand „„Sounds bell of caution on soaring stock markets, saying retail investor participation has increased significantly „„Sees potential of 7 per cent-plus growth rate for the medium-term on a sustained basis if structural reforms are implemented „„Moots bridging the gap between education and employment „„Calls for expediting implementation of labour reforms to create a more conducive environment for job creation fidence and expectations of greater returns. The Survey, tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament, projected a 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent GDP growth rate in the current fiscal year that started in April. This is lower than the 8.2 per cent growth seen in the previous 2023-24 (April 2023 to March 2024) fiscal and below RBI''s 7.2 per cent estimate for the current fiscal. Budget today; Sitharaman to present it for record 7th time NEW DELHI: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the Union Budget 2024-25 on July 23, 2024. It will be a record seventh consecutive Budget presentation for Sitharaman. Previously, Morarji Desai presented the Union Budget for six times consecutively. Interestingly, Morarji Desai presented budgets for record 10 times followed by former Finance Minister P Chidambaram 9 times. The former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presented five consecutive budgets in a row between 1991 and 1995. Pranab Mukherjee also presented budgets for five times consecutively out of his 8 presentations. Commenting on the survey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The Economic Survey highlights the prevailing strengths of our economy and also showcases the outcomes of the various reforms our Government has brought. It also identifies areas for further growth and progress as we move towards building a Viksit Bharat”. “The Indian economy is on a strong wicket and stable footing, demonstrating resilience in the face of geopolitical challenges,” Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran wrote in the preface to the annual report card on the state of the economy. Nageswaran, however, hastened to add that fears of cheaper imports from countries with excess capacity could limit the formation of private capital. Acknowledging that this year's forecast was on the conservative side, and lower than market expectations, the Survey cited slower investment growth by the private sector as well as uncertain weather patterns as some of the reasons for caution.