log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY JULY 27, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 40 Instagram.com/thegoanonline PG12 Women’s T20 Asia Cup: India makes short work of Bangladesh in march to final RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 RING IT ON, PARIS EXPLODES! Govt to come out with job statistics of Goans MINISTER PLEDGES DATA WITHIN 3 MONTHS THE GOAN I NETWORK DAZZLING DISPLAY: page 6 Goans to flex muscles at global contest in London Unique style, fusion of diverse influences American singer Lady Gaga lit up the opening ceremony before the quadrennial event with her flawless performance on stage at the River Seine on Friday. Lady Gaga rendered Mon truc en plumes, the French classic, by Zizi Jeanmaire. PTI ASSEMBLY COVERAGE To beat PoP threat, Vijai suggests QR code for handmade Ganesh idols New ‘millet promotion’ budget head, but just Rs 3K provided MLAs urge better services at PDS fair-price shops Govt urged to boost funds for removal of hazardous trees No special courts but disposal of family disputes, divorce cases to be expedited Govt to bring law for unsafe govt and private buildings CM orders probe into Cipla workers’ deaths (See pgs 2 & 3 ) IN SHORT >> Sawant unveils solar scheme PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched a new scheme for installing solar power generating units meant for households who consume less than 400 units per month by which their own consumption will be provided for. >> See pg 2 Onus on demolition squad to raze illegal Sernabatim structures  >> See pg 3 PARIS The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games began with the ''Parade of the Nations'' here in which athletes from 205 countries sailed down the iconic Seine River on boats, marking a dreamy break from tradition despite rain threat- Arson attacks paralyse rail network before start PARIS: France's high-speed rail network was hit Friday with widespread and criminal acts of vandalism including arson attacks, paralyzing travel to Paris from across the rest of France and Europe, and thwarting Olympic athletes from travel, only hours before the grand opening ceremony of the Games. ening to play spoilsport. French President Emma- nuel Macron and International Olympic Committee head NEW DELHI he National Testing Agency (NTA) Friday declared the final results of controversy-ridden NEET-UG entrance exam, declaring that 17 candidates have shared the top rank, down from 61 in the revised results, while thousands of others have seen their marks and rankings change significantly. The number of qualifying candidates and the cut-off has also seen a marginal dip. The “re-revised” results have been released three days after the Supreme Court rejected multiple petitions demanding a NEET-UG 2024 retest because of alleged paper leaks and other malpractices. T  (See pg 13) „„Presently, we don’t have data of Goans and non-Goans employed in various industries in the State „„In the next three months, we will make data available „„Dept working proactively to maximize employment opportunities for Goans „„There is no obligation upon any employers to recruit any person through Employment Exchange sponsored list Commerce and the Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, is working proactively to maximize employment opportunities for Goans. Monserrate explained that companies with vacancies are required to inform the Labour Department, which then sponsors names to these companies. However, he noted, "There is no obligation upon any employers to recruit any person through the Employment Exchange sponsored list." Borkar criticized the current Employment Exchange Act for not mandating employers to hire through the employment exchange and called for urgent amendments to prioritize Goan youth in the private sector. "While our youth are struggling to find jobs, the current system fails to provide them >Continued on P5 Paradeep Phosphates to remove Nearly 2 decades later, GIDC to inquire into polluting pipeline at Velsao TRIUMPH FOR FISHERMEN AFTER 50 YEARS THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO In a historic victory for the Velsao fishing community, Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL) agreed to dismantle a pipeline that had been submerged in the sea for 50 years. This landmark decision came after intense advocacy by social workers Roquezinho D'Souza and Aliston Pinto, who recently brought the issue to the forefront. The submerged pipeline had long been a source of pollution and concern for the local fishermen, who rely on the sea for their livelihood. The presence of pollutants had significantly impacted the marine ecosystem, affecting fish population and, consequently, the income of the fishing community. D'Souza and Pinto highlighted the issue a few days ago, bringing it to the attention of Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas. Understanding the The Paradeep Phosphates Limited pipeline at Velsao. gravity of the situation, Vas took prompt action. He approached the Pollution Control Board and requested a comprehensive test of the seawater in the affected area. The subsequent report revealed alarming levels of ammonia in the seawater, directly linked to the pipeline. Armed with this evidence, Vas engaged in discussions with Paradeep Phosphates, urging them to take responsibility for the environmental damage and dismantle the pipeline. Paradeep Phosphates responded positively to the findings and agreed to remove the pipeline, marking a significant win for the Velsao fishermen. The dismantling process is set to begin immediately, with measures in place to ensure minimal disruption to the marine environment during the removal. D'Souza and Pinto expressed their gratitude to the Cortalim MLA for his swift and decisive action. They also thanked the local community and supporters who stood by them throughout this challenging period. "This victory is a testament to the power of collective action and unwavering >Continued on P5 NEET-UG results: Huge dip in top scorers PTI Thomas Bach were in attendance as French football legend Zinedine Zidane was shown sprinting down the streets of Paris with the Olympic flame in a pre-recorded video. A glitzy balloon in French colours was flown to mark the start of the opening ceremony along the River Seine. MAPUSA Labour Minister Anatasio (Babush) Monserrate announced on Friday that the government currently lacks data on the number of Goans employed in various industries within the State but committed to providing this information within three months. "Presently, we don’t have the data of Goans and nonGoans employed in various industries in the State. But in the next three months, we will make this data available," Monserrate stated, responding to a query from St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar during the Assembly session. Borkar had raised concerns about the rising unemployment rate among Goan youth compared to non-Goans residing and working in Goa. In response, Monserrate assured that the Department of Labour & Employment, in collaboration with the Directorate of Industries Trade and BABUSH: FRANK TALK TESTING TIME „„17 candidates shared the top rank, down from 61 in revised results „„Thousands of others have seen their marks and rankings change significantly „„Number of qualifying candidates and cut-off has also seen marginal dip „„Scores of at least 4,20,000 students, including 44 of the 61 who achieved perfect 720, decreased by five points after court invalidating the disputed marks they got for the Physics question The top court had, however, asked the NTA to revise the merit list in light of a controversial physics question which had two possible answers and the correct option was suggested by a three-member expert panel set up by the SC. It led to a complete reworking of NEET ranks and scores for all 2.3 million students. The scores of at least 4,20,000 students, including 44 of the 61 who achieved perfect 720, decreased by five points with the court invalidating the disputed marks they got for the Physics question. However, the exact impact on their rankings is not immediately clear. Exams were held on May 5 and results were announced on June 4. Doubts about sanctity of the exam arose when a total of 67 students scored a perfect 720, unprecedented in NTA's history. The number of candidates sharing the top rank came down to 61 after the NTA announced the revised results on July 1 after withdrawing grace marks awarded to six candidates to make up for loss of time some centres. appointment of officer STORMY DEBATE AFTER VIJAI EXPOSES ILLEGALITY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Though belated, the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has initiated an inquiry into allegations of illegal appointment and regularization of a law officer after the matter was raised in the Assembly this week. The GIDC has now also decided to obtain government approval for all regular posts for future vacancies. “The allegations are very serious. I have ordered a detailed inquiry. Appropriate action will be taken as per the facts and law,” GIDC Chairman Aleixo Lourenco said speaking to The Goan. GIDC illegally appointed a law officer way back in 2005 despite contravention of existing govt orders... —Vijai Sardesai In a heated discussion, Vijai Sardesai accused the GIDC of illegally appointing a law officer way back in 2005 despite contravention of existing government orders. The post was even regularised by the Corporation, allegedly by concealing information from the government and manipulating recruitment rules to >Continued on P5 Is Your House Gathering Dust in Goa? Generate INCOME on your vacant property with us. Wynrods Property Management is your one-stop solution in South Goa for your Real Estate needs. 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