log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 18 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO.88 Instagram.com/thegoanonline BENGALURU FC EDGES PAST EAST BENGAL >P9 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 4 young lives lost in tragic Govt cracks whip on boat Mandrem, Nanora mishaps owners over sanitation Mandates toilets aboard vessels, list of crew  TWO SISTERS-IN-LAW KILLED IN MANDREM   TWO YOUTH KILLED IN NANORA-BICHOLIM THE GOAN I NETWORK MAGAZINE MAGAZ 11 Onam, a festival of unity, culture & tradition More Indians are holidaying abroad – where are they going and why? 12 Enhancing your eyelashes Key role of physiotherapy in managing, preventing low back pain 13 Blessed Basile Moreau: A man who adhered to Synodal principles Bail should be the rule and not the exception IN SHORT >> CM raises alarm over rise in cancer cases PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday expressed concern over rising cases of cancer and urged Goans to curtail unhealthy lifestyles. Sawant said almost 5% of people who turn up at cancer testing camps held in Goa were either being detected with cancer or suspected cases of the dreaded disease.  >> See pg 5 GPSC announces 36 vacancies PANAJI: The Goa Public Service Commission has advertised for 36 posts in various government departments. These include 21 posts of vice-principal, teachers training college/ headmasters, government high schools and viceprincipal government higher secondary schools. PERNEM/BICHOLIM Four people tragically lost their lives in separate accidents in Mandrem and Nanora on Saturday. Two sisters-in-law were killed while the sibling of one sister-in-law was in a serious condition following a road mishap near the Mandrem panchayat. The drivers of two vehicles were later arrested. The deceased have been identified as Priyanka Sandesh Kharbe (29) and her sister-in-law, Sanika Subhash Kharbe (19) from Askawadda-Mandrem, while Priyanka’s sister, Siddhi Shetkar, is in a critical condition. According to information, Priyanka, Sanika and Siddhi were travelling on a scooter to bring fish from the market. The ill-fated vehicles involved in the mishap at Nanora. About 200 metres before the fish market, a pickup was going from Mandrem towards Arambol, while a truck going towards Agarwada via Mandrem was in the opposite direction. Pernem SDPO Jivba Dalvi stated that the two-wheeler was behind a goods carrier pickup, when the driver suddenly applied brakes. The scooter hit the rear of the pickup and all three riders fell on the road, before being hit by the oncoming truck. While Priyanka and Sanika were killed, Siddhi was seriously injured and was rushed to the GMC hospital at Bambolim. The truck proceeded ahead before it was stopped by a crowd at Agarwada. Retd cops call for ‘reforms’ to rein in rogue policemen SAY ABSENCE OF POLICE ACT A MAJOR FACTOR THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The alleged misconduct of newly-recruited police constable Rajat Adpaikar has once again cast a negative impression about Goa Police as retired officers warned this incident is just the tip of the iceberg. Upset with the force’s recurrent public embarrassments, they referred to the absence of the long-pending Police Act as a major factor behind the frequent lapses. “I believe the recruitment and training processes must be reformed. Without these changes, we might continue to see personnel like Rajat Adpaikar and some others misuse the system,” retired Superintendent of Police Mahesh Gaonkar opined. Condemning the incident, Gaonkar stated that regardless of the circumstances, Adpaikar had no right to lay hands on a fellow officer in public. “If he (Adpaikar) felt wronged, he had proper channels to put EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN „„Recruitment and training processes must be reformed... without these changes, we might continue to see personnel like Rajat Adpaikar and some others who misuse the system „„Rogue officers should be dismissed following due procedure… errant cops should not find a place in the department „„If Goa Police Bill had been passed, we might have had a more disci- forth his grievances but this behaviour is completely unacceptable,” he stated. Retired SP Bossuet Silva echoed his former colleague’s sentiment asserting that such “rogue officers should be dismissed following due procedure.” Silva added that errant plined and efficient force today „„Most transfers, postings and even recruitments have heavy political influence... this must stop if we want to prevent future incidents of indiscipline and misconduct cops should not find a place in the department.  Adpaikar, under suspension, was caught allegedly manhandling a Traffic Assistant Sub Inspector on Banastarim Bridge after being >Continued on P5 Mandrem Police Inspector Sharif Jacques and a police team rushed to the spot and conducted a panchnama of the accident. SDPO Dalvi informed that the truck driver Kannappa Vantamuti of Belgaum and the pickup driver Dayanand Bandhkar of Arambol have been arrested and the vehicles have been seized. Police have registered an offence under Sections 281, 125(b), 105 and Sec 134(a) (b) of Motor Vehicle Act against two riders for causing death of two persons and critically injuring one. Mandrem PSI Kunal Naik is conducting further investigation under the guidance of Pernem SDPO Jivba Dalvi and supervision of SP North Akshat Kaushal. >Continued on P5 KOLKATA MURDER No headway in talks as doctors leave Mamata’s house in tears 1 The proposed talks to resolve the impasse between agitating junior doctors and the West Bengal government over the RG Kar issue fell through on Saturday after protestors, who had agreed to join the meeting based on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s appeal despite relenting on their live-streaming demand, were “unceremoniously” asked to leave the venue. An agitating doctor, speaking to reporters before leaving, said they had agreed to attend the meeting without live-streaming or video recording, as requested by Banerjee. “When we came here, we had demanded video recording or live-streaming of the talks. We were not allowed. Then the chief minister came out and appealed to us to join the talks.  >> See pg 8 2 3 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government has finally decided to crack down on fishing boat owners who fail to comply with hygiene regulations including mandatory installation of toilets on fishing vessels under the Merchant Shipping Act of 2014. A communiqué issued by the new Director of Fisheries Yashaswini B to all boat owners directs them to submit daily reports to the department regarding labourers on board. The decision comes after two meetings chaired by the Health Secretary. “In the wake of the recent resurgence of water borne disease and vector-borne disease among crew working at the jetties, and the subsequent decisions, the boat owners will have to immediately install 2 toilets on trawlers having 30 labourers while trawlers with 15 labourers should >> SEE PGS 2 & 3 Jetties in troubled waters across State Minister rebukes boat owners for poor upkeep Cleanliness outsourced to external agency at Malim Jetty install l toilet, before venturing into sea,” reads the order. In a separate order to Fisheries Officers at each major jetty, dept has asked them to inspect vessels for toilet installations and collect a list of crew members on board. “No passes are to be issued if toilets are not installed or if crew details are not submitted,” the order says. In addition, boat owners are required to provide safe Cutbona-like tragedy waiting to strike Kharewaddo Jetty? Chapora Jetty: Forgotten lifeline for fishermen, neglected by authorities Fisheries Dept were directed to monitor hygiene, traffic and related issues drinking water and ensure proper sanitation at jetties along with liquid soap at all water points. Boat owners are to provide a line list of labourers allowed in the sea that shall be shared on a daily basis. They are further asked to report cases of diarrhea, vomiting or fever among crew to Fisheries and Health Depts stating delays in reporting these symptoms could lead to complications. Law may be revised to widen scope of migrant screenings EXISTING HEALTH LAW PERMITS SCREENING OF MIGRANTS, ANTI-LARVAL MEASURES ONLY AT CONSTRUCTION SITES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Directorate of Health Services has moved a proposal before the law department seeking to amend the Goa Public Health Act to help it better tackle malaria, dengue and other diseases fueled by general hygiene and sanitation shortcomings. The proposed amendment seeks to further strengthen a provision in the Act which was introduced in the 1990s when malaria had become a huge threat to public health in Goa. The provision had empowered the health department to screen all migrant labourers at construction sites and issue them health cards for continuous monitoring.  It had also given powers to health officers to take penal action against labour contractors for poor living conditions at temporary housing provisions made at the construction sites itself.   WINDS OF CHANGE „„DHS seeks to extend its jurisdiction beyond construction sites where migrant labour is deployed in large numbers with the proposed amendment „„Health dept will have powers in other industrial areas and clusters where migrant labour operates „„Amendment will give health officers powers to screen workers in hotels, The amendment to this provision proposed now seeks to extend its jurisdiction beyond construction sites where migrant  labour is deployed in large numbers.  A senior DHS official said, the file proposing the amendment has already been moved to the law department which is working on it. on trawlers, daily wage earners or anywhere else  „„Amendment will also help health dept in routinely taking basic preventive action in situations like that at Cutbona jetty According to the DHS official, currently workers only at construction sites are screened. If the proposed amendment is approved, the health department will have powers in other industrial areas and clusters where migrant labour operates in >Continued on P5 IFFI rolls out fresh category to Two years on, Congress rallies against defections honour debutant filmmakers THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI MUMBAI The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday announced a new category to the International Film Festival of India that will celebrate the work of debutant filmmakers. The new category, called the best debut Indian film section, will be introduced in 55th edition of the festival, which is slated to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28. As part of the segment, a award will be handed out -- best debut director of Indian feature film, carrying a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a certificate. The best debut Indian film The new category, called the best debut Indian film section, will carry a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a certificate and will showcase a diverse range of narratives and cinematic styles from across the country section will showcase a range of narratives and cinematic styles from across the country, the ministry said. “These selections will highlight the creative vision and unique storytelling approaches of young filmmakers. This aims to provide a platform to the young talent, showcasing the work of new directors. “A maximum of 5 debut feature films showcasing the work of new directors who are contributing fresh perspectives and stories to Indian cinema shall be selected in accordance with the rules and regulations and shall be shown in the Best Debut Indian Film section,” it added. The new award, the best debut director of Indian feature film, aims to honour the creativity and potential of firsttime directors, acknowledging their contribution to the evolution of Indian cinema, the statement said. PANAJI wo years after it fell victim to the malaise of political defections, the Congress in Goa held protest in constituencies of the eight MLAs who ditched the party where top leaders including Leader of Opposition (LoP) Yuri Alemao, MLA Carlos Alvares-Ferreira and others denounced it as a “political and social crime” while attacking the BJP for promoting it. “Defection is a political and social crime and BJP is promoting it to usurp power,” Alemao said, at a protest in Calangute which is represented by Michael Lobo who led the eight MLAs to cross over to the saffron fold. CONGRESS DOORS CLOSED FOR DEFECTORS, VOWS PATKAR >> See pg 4 T Congress leaders and workers burn portraits of the seven defectors who had defected from the party on September 14, 2022.  Santosh Mirajkar Alemao was also critical of Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar for failing to adjudicate and dispose the disqualification petitions in 90 days as prescribed by the Supreme Court of India. “We condemn the BJP’s strategy of promoting defection,” Alemao said, adding that he was confident that the Goan people will show all the eight defecting MLAs the door at the 2027 assembly election. In Margao, Congress leaders and workers took a pledge to teach all the eight defectors a lesson in the 2027 Assembly election by defeating them. They cautioned people of Goa to beware of defectors, saying the eight are part of the nexus with mafias that promotes corruption, defection and sale of land. Effigies of the eight defectors were later burnt as they vowed to teach them a lesson in the coming election. Addressing media, MLA Altone D’Costa said he along with Yuri and MLA Carlos Alvares stayed back in the party because of certain principles. “I was given the Congress ticket in the 2022 Assembly and my principle demands that I should be grateful and loyal to the party. We have stayed back with the Congress because of the party’s ideology”, he added. South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes went hammer and thongs against Congturned-BJP Margao MLA Digambar Kamat saying the MLA betrayed the very party which had made him the Chief Minister to rule Goa for five years. Youth leader, Prabhav Naik also slammed Kamat for putting Madganvkars to shame by murdering democracy and the Constitution of India, saying his defection was only for self promotion.