log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) Instagram.com/thegoanonline >P12 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 84 AIFF SUSPENDS DEFENDER ANWAR ALI FOR 4 MONTHS RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Eye on the sky: Goa charters may hit a high this season 10-12 ARRIVALS EXPECTED WEEKLY WITH NUMBER TO DOUBLE IN NOV; FOCUS ON NEW DESTINATIONS; STAKEHOLDERS HOPE FOR SMOOTHER VISA PROCESS THE GOAN I NETWORK >> pg 6 Studio Saree Speak: One-stop shop for all ‘saree’ solutions State records highest rainfall in over a century, 163 inches so far THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa is experiencing its wettest monsoon in over a century. The four-month season, which is yet to end, on Tuesday, recorded State’s highest-ever rainfall surpassing that of 2020. With 46.9 per cent surplus rains, the State, till date, has received 163 inches (4141.5mm) of rainfall thus breaking the 2020 record of 162 inches (4121mm) – which was considered as the highest. Before this, the year Goa got Liberated 1961 had recorded 160 inches of rain for the entire season. According to IMD, the monsoon currents have been very active over the State throughout the season so far and the trend is expected to continue for a few more days. The State is currently on Yellow Alert warning. Various factors have been attributed to the increasing rainfall activities, including a low-pressure belt formation in >Continued on P5 IN SHORT >> Shacks in North to be set up based on last year’s demarcations PANAJI:The demarcation of beach shacks in South Goa is halfway complete, but in North Goa where 259 shacks are to be set up, it has yet to begin. However, the Tourism Department has permitted operators to start erecting shacks based on last year’s demarcations.  >> See pg 3 One detained with live bullets at Mopa PERNEM: A youth from Dehradun-Uttrakhand was detained at Manohar International Airport at Mopa, on Tuesday after he was found carrying 6 live rounds in his baggage without any valid arms licence.  >> See pg 5 Push for AI to combat cybercrimes NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday urged cybersecurity agencies to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify the modus operandi of criminals duping people of their hard-earned money, spreading fake news and abusing women and children online. >> See pg 7 PANAJI Goa will witness the arrival of at least 10-12 charter flights weekly, a number that is set to double in November. As tourist season begins on October 2, this could be a much-needed resurgence for stakeholders with hopes pinned on increased international arrivals. While Russia and the UK will continue to lead in sending the highest number of tourists, a new spotlight is on Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Poland. Charter operators for these countries are expected to increase their flight frequency, with at least two flights per week scheduled to land in Goa from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. After a long hiatus owing to TOURISM REVIVAL: SURGE IN CHARTERS „„Goa will see 10-12 charter flights weekly, expected to double by November as the tourist season begins on October 2 „„Russia and the UK remain top sources of tourists, with new focus on Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Poland „„Russian charters, led by Azur Air, will ramp up from November 27, with 12 weekly flights „„TUI will operate four weekly flights from the United Kingdom starting November 3 „„Stakeholders express optimism for a strong season, driven by increased flight frequency and hopes for streamlined visa processes COVID-19 pandemic, Poland’s charters are also set to make a comeback. “It’s shaping up to be a strong season,” Chief Operating Officer at Sita Travels Ernest Dias said. “Charters from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Poland will operate just like scheduled flights. It will add to the steady stream of tourists from other nations that frequent Goa,” he added. Vice President (Operations) at Minar Group Abida Kumar echoed Dias’ optimism, adding that easing visa procedures could ensure a smooth and successful season for all stakeholders. “The visa process, if streamlined, could make the season truly seamless,” she expressed. The season’s start would be six flights per week from Moscow. Kazakhstan’s charters will begin on October 26, HIV cases among youth surge for first time in over a decade 25-35 AGE GROUP OVERTAKES 35-45 GROUP; UNPROTECTED SEX, DATING APPS LINKED TO RISE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI HIV has penetrated a younger population demographic in Goa over the last couple of years for the first time in 14 years, official data has revealed, worrying the hierarchy in the Health department. In 2023, for the first time in 14 years, HIV affected people in the 25-34 year age group the most. Previously, the 35 to 49 year age group was the most affected for 13 straight years between 2009 and 2022. Worse, the number of people infected with HIV in the 15 to 24 year age group is higher in 2023 than any of the 14 years between 2009 to 2022. Senior health officials said of the 260 found infected by HIV in 2023, 97 (37.3 per cent) were in the 25 to 34 year age group. The 35-49 year age group accounted for 85 (32.7 per cent) of the cases and 32 (12.3 per cent) were in the younger 15 to 24 year age group. What is worrying, the offi- DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT: THE CONCERN „„The 25-34 age group has the highest number of HIV infections in Goa, marking a significant shift „„In 2023, the number of HIV infections among the 15-24 age group is the highest recorded in the past 14 years „„Cases by age group: 25-34 years: 97 cases (37.3%); 35-49 years: 85 cases (32.7%); 15-24 years: cials said is that the 2023 statistic shows that nearly half of the number of people infected with HIV in Goa were young people 15 to 34 year-olds. In past years from 2009 to 2022, the most affected population demographic of the State were the middle-aged 35 to 49 year-olds, accounting for between 35 to 48 per cent of those affected in each of those 14 years. Officials said in percentage terms, the increase in HIV in- 32 cases (12.3%) „„Health officials identify unprotected sex as the leading cause of infections „„The rise is also linked to increased use of dating apps and social media cidence among the 25 to 34 year-olds is about 16.3 per cent in 2023. In the younger 15-24 year-olds the increase is over 6 per cent. In the middle-aged 35 to 49 years population demographic, incidence of HIV has in fact dropped by a significant 13.2 per cent. Officials cited ‘unprotected sex’ as the leading cause for HIV infection in Goa. >Continued on P5 Bengal docs defy SC order to rejoin work, reject govt’s offer for talks 1 Junior doctors in West Bengal are on a 32day protest, defying a Supreme Court order to resume work, demanding justice for a rape and murder victim from RG Kar Hospital The protestors are calling for the removal of the Kolkata police commissioner and several top health department officials The Supreme Court ordered the doctors to return to work by 5 pm on Tuesday, warning of potential adverse actions for continued abstention Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee invited the protesting doctors for a meeting to resolve the situation; however, the doctors found the invitation insulting, as it came from the health secretary, whose resignation they are seeking 2 3 4 >> See pg 7 109 junior scale officers promoted without inter-departmental exam THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI ver hundred-odd junior scale officers of Goa Civil Service, who had held or are holding the top position in various departments, were exempted from answering the inter-departmental exam during their promotion from feeder cadre or grade. The relaxation was granted to ensure smooth continuity of administrative functioning and considering that the promoted officers have already undergone training and departmental examination in feeder cadre. O EXEMPTION FOR SMOOTH FUNCTIONING? „„According to Rule 23, sub-Rule (4) of the Goa Civil Service Rules, 2016, junior scale officers over the age of 50 are exempt from passing departmental examinations „„The exemption aims to ensure smooth continuity of administrative functions, as these officers have already undergone training and departmental exams in their feeder cadre „„The exemption considers the long service of promoted officers in roles such as Mamlatdar, BDO, and Sales Tax Officer, along with prior training As per the information provided by the Personnel Department, 109 junior scale officers were granted the exemption. An officer explained that as per Rule 23 sub-Rule (4) of the Goa Civil Service Rules, 2016, a probationer Junior Scale Officer who has attained the age of fifty years is exempted from passing the departmental examinations. “From time to time, the government, as needed or considering the urgency, has relaxed the requirement of undergoing departmental examination as regards officers promoted from feeder grade,” the officer said. The various reasons taken into account by the government for granting relaxation includes the long years of service put in by the promoted officers in the feeder cadre of >Continued on P5 Uzbekistan on October 27 and British charters from November 3. The Russian influx will surge starting November 27, with Azur Air scheduled to fly at least 12 times per week until the end of April. Each of these flights has a capacity of around 235 passengers per flight. “Azur Air will bring in visitors from across Russia and nearby regions,” Kumar added. Senior Vice President at Concord Exotic Voyages Sheik Ismail revealed that his agency is ready to bring in tourists from Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The first flight arrives on October 2. “We are looking at 8-9 charters weekly with Russian charters alone >Continued on P5 28% GST on betting in casinos has impacted tourism footfalls: CM Says Goa should be given opportunity to represent case THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that the 28 per cent GST on full face value of bets in online gaming as well as casinos has affected the overall footfalls in Goa. Sawant who attended the GST council meeting in Delhi on Monday, said that there is a need for a rethink on this issue. “Overall footfall has been affected. People who were coming to Goa only to visit or play in casinos are now preferring to go to foreign countries including Sri Lanka,” he said. Sawant said the State should be given an opportunity to represent the case related to the levy of 28 per cent GST on betting in casinos. Meanwhile, Goa will host the next meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the real estate sector on September 24. Sawant heads the GoM and said the meeting will focus on government relief to the sector aimed at boosting growth. A year ago, Goa had officially lobbied to exempt casinos from the levy of 28 per cent GST on the total face value of bets during the discussions on the issue in the GST council. However, the demand was ignored as bigger States vetoed Goa’s official stance. ROAD CONTRACTORS TO BE BLACKLISTED Meanwhile, Sawant said road contractors who do not comply with the government’s directive to repair roads they had executed but damaged by rains will be blacklisted by the PWD. Panaji faces fresh meat shortage amid sealing of market stalls PANAJI: The capital city has been hit by an acute shortage or unavailability of fresh meat over the last six days ever since the nearly dozen stalls in the Panaji market building were sealed by the Corporation of the City of Panaji. Consumers of mutton and beef have been left with very few options to buy their supplies from. The stall located near the old Patto bridge is now the only shop where consumers can buy their fresh meat supplies from in the capital city.  >> See pg 3