log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY AUGUST 27, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 70 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Bandodkar Memorial Trophy: FC Goa faces Brisbane Roar test tonight  Pg13 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Govt refuses to shut GoaMiles counter; taximen hold ground n 5 DEMANDS ACCEPTED n TAXIMEN WANT ASSURANCES IN WRITING THE GOAN I NETWORK >> See pg 3 Overcoming locomotive disability, this head clerk takes progress in her stride Cops reshuffled, 10 PIs transferred PANAJI: In a major reshuffle, Goa Police transferred 10 police inspectors on Monday. PI Videsh Shirodkar attached to the GRP D Coy, will take over as the Valpoi Police Station, swapping positions with PI Rahul Naik, who will now assume Shirodkar’s outgoing posting. PI Sagun Sawant has been moved from Collem Police Station to DGP Reader at PHQ while PI Raghoba Kamat will replace Sawant at Collem. Colva PI Satish Padwalkar is back to Old Goa PS and PI Tushar Lotlikar attached to Ponda PS has been transferred to Crime Branch, Ribandar. PI Ditendra Naik will now head Margao Town PS. PI Ritesh Tari, currently with ACB/Vigilance will take over Colva PS. PI Tulsidas Naik is transferred from Margao to ACB/Vigilance and PI Vijaynath Kavlekar will move from Curchorem Traffic Cell to Ponda PS. IN SHORT >> Loliem youth hit by train, dies CANACONA: A youth was killed after he was struck by a moving train inside the Loliem tunnel on the Konkan Railway route in Canacona on Sunday.  >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: 29.6 C Min: 24.6 C Humidity: 92% TIDES Low: High: 10:22 23:18 05:38 15:45 PANAJI/PERNEM The State government on Monday accepted five demands of the agitating taxi operators, while refusing to shut the GoaMiles counter, operational at Manohar International Airport, Mopa. The taxi operators, however, have decided to continue their protest until their demands are met in writing. On Monday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant held a second round of meeting with the protesting taxime and accepted five out of six demands. Post meeting, Sawant said the taximen agreed to withdraw their protest.  Taxi operators from Pernem have been agitating 24x7 at Pernem for past 5 days.  “Their 6th demand is removal of GoaMiles counter. Government will not agree on 5 DEMANDS THAT WERE ACCEPTED BY GOVT „„Free taxi counter for local taximen at Mopa airport „„Roll back of hike in parking charges from Rs 200 to Rs 80 & arrival and pick up charges „„Stopping illegal practices at Mopa like private taxi, private rental service, rent a cab etc „„Keeping existing road to Mopa airport open for local this,” asserted Sawant.  “Starting GoaMiles cab aggregator in the state was a policy decision and they have been offering good and quality services. We have not invested anything in them, moreover they are paying GST to us,” Sawant asserted. The other demands that the commercial vehicles „„Green card for using government has agreed upon is taxi counter free of cost for local taxi owners at Mopa Airport, roll back of hike in parking charges from Rs 200 to Rs 80 and arrival pick up charges and providing them with a green card for using the link road, where toll is made applicable. Romeo Lane’s construction at Anjuna defies HC order Sparks outrage among locals, environmentalists DEFYING COURT ORDERS Romeo Lane, already under the scanner for multiple violations, has recently restarted construction right on the beach, encroaching further onto land owned by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC). Despite a court order demanding the removal of un- The taxi operators have vowed to continue their agitation in Pernem till they get in writing from the government five of their six demands which were agreed by CM. This decision was unanimously taken by the striking taxi operators on the fifth day of their protest in Pernem. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Amid major outrage over Kolkata doctor’s brutal rape and murder, Goa, became the first State to set up a Task Force for medical professionals welfare and safety at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC). The 27-member Task Force will be headed by GMC Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar with Heads of various Departments, Matrons, member of students council, women representative of Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD), Warden of Girls & Boys hostel among others.  Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said Goa is the first State to set up a Task Force on lines of SC verdict. He said the Task Force will deal with welfare and safety of doctors, residents, interns, nurses, students and other female staffers.  “The Task Force will hear all the grievances of the doctors and also recommend TASK FORCE DUTIES „„To deal with welfare & safety of doctors, residents, interns, nurses, students „„To hear grievances of doctors, recommend measures to govt „„To conduct audits on institutional safety & workshops for employees of medical establishments various measures to the government towards welfare and safety of doctors,” he said.  Rane said the Kolkata incident was horrifying and justice needs to be delivered to the victim and her family.  The Task Force will conduct quarterly audits on institutional safety measures and conduct workshops for all employees of medical establishments including doctors, nurses and helpers on handling grief and crisis. SNJPC proposals: Goa CS, others to appear in apex court today PTI NEW DELHI Chief Secretary of Goa is among those of 18 States and UTs that are scheduled to appear personally on Tuesday before the Supreme Court which has summoned them for non-implementation of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission’s recommendations on payment of pension arrears and retirement benefits to judicial officers. >> See pg 8 THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In blatant disregard for legal and environmental mandates, Romeo Lane, a controversial yet popular restaurant and club situated on the scenic Anjuna beach, has allegedly resumed construction activities despite an order of the High Court of Bombay at Goa mandating the demolition of encroaching structures. The latest developments have sparked outrage among local residents and environmentalists, raising serious concerns about the enforcement of the rule of law in Goa. the link road, where toll is applicable “Of the six demands we had put forth, five demands were accepted by the chief minister during our meeting with him. But we have not been given anything in writing as yet. We will continue this agitation until we get a written assurance on our demands,” said Chetan Kamat, leader of the taxi association. “We had demanded that the GoaMiles taxi counter should be removed from Mopa airport and the app-service be shut. However, the chief minister said since this is a matter of the entire State, it would be discussed later. We will discuss this matter with fellow taxi operators across the State.” Another leader of the taxi operators, Anand Gawas, said taxi operators from across the State had been supporting the protesting taxi operators from Mopa airport. Goa is first State to set up Task Force for medicos’ safety RECREATING MYTHOLOGY: Students of the Goa College of Art enact the scenes of birth of Lord Krishna, Kaliya Mardan, and Raas Leela on the occasion of Gokul Ashtami at Altinho on Monday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Romeo Lane’s construction work at Anjuna. authorised constructions, a new wooden structure has emerged, extending precariously into the sea. The construction activities, which have been ongoing for more than two weeks, have left the local community and activists astounded by the apparent disregard for the judiciary’s authority. Local resident Nilesh Phadte has taken the lead in voicing concerns, filing a formal complaint with various state authorities, including the Tourism Department, the Goa Coastal Zone Manage- ment Authority (GCZMA), and the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB). Phadte’s complaint, which calls for immediate action within 48 hours, highlights the authorities’ failure to enforce the court’s orders and accuses them of contempt for allowing the illegal construction to proceed unchecked. JOINT INSPECTION In response to the growing outcry, sources indicate that authorities concerned have >Continued on P5 Banastarim mishap: Palekar’s bail cancelled THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a major legal blow to AAP Goa President Amit Palekar, the Additional Sessions Court in Panaji has cancelled his bail in the Banastarim fatal accident case. The cancellation comes after the Crime Branch (CB) applied to the Court arguing that Palekar had violated the conditions of his bail by traveling abroad on four separate occasions. Palekar, charged with destroying the evidence, misleading investigation and harbouring the real offender, was granted bail last year. With the present order, his re-arrest is likely. During the hearing last Friday, Advocate Nitin Sardesai, representing Palekar contended that the allegations were politically motivated, pointing out that Palekar had been critical of the police in the past, which could have led to his current legal troubles. Sardesai further stated that Palekar obtained the necessary court permissions for his travels and that the bail order only required court approval for leaving India, without specifying countries.   Palekar, along with businessman Shripad Sinai Sawardekar, who was allegedly intoxicated and driving >Continued on P5 CB: Palekar absconding PANAJI: Shortly after the Additional Sessions Court revoked Amit Palekar ‘s bail, the Crime Branch team rushed to his house but he was not found there. Sources revealed to The Goan that Crime Branch officials have now launched a search within and outside Goa to locate the advocate-politician. Goa Board in wait & watch Anjuna-Vagator locals sing out against loud music mode on two exam format “A THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) opts for multiple board exam format -- the one that was adopted during Covid-19 pandemic period -- the Goa Board is awaiting response from other State Boards before taking a decision on adopting the Term I and Term II examination concept, in the interest of students.  From this academic year, CBSE will be going ahead with two exams for Class X & XII, however, the same is not mandatory.  Speaking to The Goan, Goa Goa Board is awaiting response from other State Boards before taking a decision on adopting the Term I and Term II examination concept — Bhagirath Shetye Board Chairman Bhagirath Shetye said that CBSE has gone back to two public exam format, however, we will wait to see the response of other State Boards before taking any decision. “Any decision to be taken will be in the interest of the students,” he said. In view of Covid-19 pandemic, the ‘Special Scheme of Assessment’ -- a significant overhaul of Board examination, under which the Class X and XII Board exams were held in two parts -- first term board examination in November and second term in March-April -- was introduced in 2021-22 academic term and was later extended to 2022-23.  In 2023-24, the Board, along with CBSE, decided to restore to the pre-pandemic single-exam format. >Continued on P5 MAPUSA mi soglim dhavun ailam, police-ank magunk aialam, mhaka saiba vat dakhoi, mhaka saiba jem podonam. Ya avazak lagon soglim ektai zaleaum (2) Yo re saiba, oi re saiba (2)…” The familiar strains of an age-old Goan dekhni echoed through the late Sunday evening air as the people of Anjuna and Vagator gathered once again to voice their frustrations. But this was no ordinary performance; it was a plea. The song, traditionally a joyful dance, was now a powerful vehicle for protest, with its lyrics cleverly adapted Anjuna-Vagator residents make their point at the police station. ECHOES OF RESISTANCE to reflect the ongoing struggle against the relentless blare of loud music that has plagued the area. THE FIFTH MARCH Late Sunday evening, a group of concerned residents, candles in hand, marched to the Anjuna Police Station. It was the fifth such demonstration, a continuation of their determined efforts to bring attention to the issue that has disrupted their lives for months. The iconic Dekhni, “Hanv Saiba Poltoddi Vetam” was transformed into a protest anthem. The original lyrics, which speak of a woman seeking the guidance of a sailor to cross a river, were replaced with lines that highlighted the community’s desperation for police intervention. The refrain, “Yo re saiba, oi re saiba,” resounded with a new urgency as the people demanded action. Despite the community’s repeated efforts, including a peaceful four-day march to the police station during the Independence Day weekend, the situation remains unresolved. The noise from parties and events continues to disrupt the tranquility of the region, affecting the lives of residents, many of whom are elderly or have young children. One of the protestors, a long-time resident of Anjuna, expressed her frustration: “We have approached the authorities multiple times, but nothing has changed. Our nights are sleepless, our peace is shattered. We are not against tourism or celebrations, but there has to be a balance.” FRUSTRATION AND DETERMINATION This gathering was not just a protest; it was a call to action, a reminder to the authorities that the community’s spirit remained unbroken despite repeated disturbances. A resident of Vagator, Jawish Moniz explained the essence of their gathering. “It’s obvious >Continued on P5