log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2024 >> See pg 3 Forced to tiptoe, this amiable clerk has managed to take life in cautious stride IN SHORT >> Bids for convention centre a third time PANAJI: The State government is likely to call for fresh bids to construct the 5000-seater world-class International Convention Centre, at Dona Paula, after the first two bids failed to take shape. “Twice the tender was issued for the project but we could not go ahead with it… now a fresh tender will be issued,” the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said.  >> See pg 5 Calangute wakes up to more assaults PANAJI: Barely 20 days after a violent clash between armed bouncers and two youths at Tito's Lane, three assaults in a single night have once again raised concerns over law and order in the tourist frequented Calangute belt.  >> See pg 3 Disqualification plea dismissal challenged PANAJI: Dominic Noronha has moved the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar's order dismissing the petition that sought disqualification of turncoat MLAs. The petition was filed before the vacation bench which will come up for admission soon. Liquor worth `  .4 L 7 seized near Belagavi BELAGAVI: As election fever catches Maharashtra, excise authorities have intensified their vigilance against the illicit liquor trade and seized huge stocks of Goa liquor worth Rs 7.4 lakh stocked at a house at Parle village near Chandgad about 40 kms from Belagavi.  >> See pg 5 36 killed as bus falls into gorge in U’khand UTTARAKHAND: A packed beyond capacity bus carrying passengers returning to work after Diwali fell into a deep gorge in Uttarakhand's Almora district on Monday, killing at least 36 of the about 60 people on board. Twenty-four people were injured, four of them critically, when the bus was on its way from Pauri to Ramnagar.  >> See pg 7 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 138 Instagram.com/thegoanonline HARRIS, TRUMP MAKE FINAL PUSH TO SECURE VOTES WASHINGTON The US will on Tuesday vote to elect its 47th President in a fierce race between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic leader Kamala Harris that is set to go down in history as one of the tightest fights for the White House in decades. As the countdown for election day began, former President Trump raked up the bitter memories of 2020 election and said he “shouldn't have left” the White House, triggering apprehensions that he was preparing ground to not accept the outcome of November 5 voting if he loses. “I shouldn't have left. I mean, honestly, because...we did so well,” the former President said at a rally in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Following the election that brought Joe Biden to power, 7 swing States that hold the key NEW YORK: It's an open secret that the path to the White House often goes through the battleground states, or swing states, in every US presidential election. These states can vote either Republican or Democrat and are considered the most crucial in deciding the next president of America. In 2024, there are seven states that could swing either way on November 5: the Rust Belt trio of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and the Sun Belt quartet of Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina. Both the candidates—former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris—spent a bulk of their ad money and campaign efforts with a focus on these seven states. Trump alleged fraud in the voting process and challenged the outcome in courts which rejected his claims. In her closing remarks in the key battleground state of Michigan, Harris said she would be a president for all Americans and spoke about the need to turn the page on “hate and division” while Trump continued his tirade against his Democratic rival. “It is going to be one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime and we have momentum on our side, can you feel it,” Vice President Harris Goa on a high, emerges as 2nd richest State in India REPORT REVEALS PER CAPITA INCOME DOUBLED IN 5 DECADES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa is India’s second richest State, after Sikkim, measured in terms of per capita income, which has doubled in the last five decades. However, the coastal State’s contribution in terms of national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has dropped from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent during the period. A report by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, released last month, highlights that Goa has excelled in per capita income terms, with its relative per capita income doubling since 1970-71. In 2022-23, the per capita income of Goa was nearly three times the national average and with this it is second, in terms of per capita income after Sikkim. “Goa's relative per capita income has nearly doubled, rising from 144 per cent in 197071 to 290 per cent in 2023- 24. Sikkim, which had a per capita income of just 93 per cent of the national average in 1990- BEYOND SUN, SEA AND SAND „„Per capita income of Goa nearly three times the national average „„Goa's relative per capita income rose from 144% in 1970-71 to 290% in 2023- 24 „„Sikkim, which had a per capita income of just 93% of national average 91, surged to 319 per cent by 2023-24. They are now India’s richest states measured in terms of per capita incomes,” the study revealed. However, State share to national GDP has declined from 0.5 per cent to 0.3 per cent. Goa started contributing to nation- said in her rally in Michigan. Harris also touched upon the war in Gaza in comments seen as an attempt to reach out to the Arab American voters in the state. “This year has been difficult, given the scale of death and destruction in Gaza and given the civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon,” she said, adding “It is devastating.” More than 75 million Americans have already cast their votes as of Sunday, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab which tracks early and mail-in voting across the US. In the overall campaign, Harris has been projecting the election as the one to protect the country's fundamental freedoms, safeguard constitutional values and ensure women's rights, while Trump has been promising to rebuild the economy and rid the US of illegal immigrants. IFFI: No movie screening at KA this time too THE GOAN I NETWORK al GDP from the 80s with initial 0..3 per cent contribution that jumped to 0.5 per cent in the successive years. The report highlights that the western and southern regions of India have performed PANAJI More than a year after it was thrown open for public after being closed for almost threeyears for renovation work, the Kala Academy, for the second year in a row, will not host any film screenings for the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which commences on November 20. Last year too, no films were screened at the venue, which was one of the added attraction of the festival, since 2004. Addressing a press conference after a review meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that Kala academy auditorium will be used for master-classes and the movie screening will take place in the parking area of the venue. He said that it is decided not to have film screening at Kala Academy, this festival. The nine-day film festival will be held from November 20-28, with the State government expecting to spend nearly Rs 26 crore to organize the festival. "With inflation, the cost keeps increasing each >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 in 1990-91, surged to 319% by 2023-24 „„Both these States are now India’s richest measured in terms of per capita incomes THE FLIP SIDE „„Goa’s share to national GDP has declined from 0.5% to 0.3% „„Goa started contributing to national GDP from 80s with initial 0.3% contribution that jumped to 0.5% in successive years  (According to EAC report) A month on, tourism season struggles to take flight AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA T he early arrival of beach shacks along Goa’s famed shores, set up as early as October, was meant to give the tourism season a strong start. However, the anticipated footfall remains underwhelming, leaving local business owners and tourism stakeholders disappointed. While the arrival of chartered flights, especially from Russia, brought a glimmer of hope, the overall response so far has been far from satisfactory. For a brief period during the Diwali weekend, Goa did see a rise in visitors. However, local business owners describe the season as Empty chairs in a Calangute shack. starting on a “sombre note.” Despite the current challenges, there is a sense of optimism on the horizon. A number of exciting events are scheduled in the coming weeks, which could help boost visitor numbers and significantly improve the situa- tion for local businesses. HOTELIERS SKEPTICAL The arrival of chartered flights in October initially raised hopes for an influx of foreign tourists, but hoteliers remain skeptical about the actual number of international guests. Serafino Cotta, former president of the Small and Medium Hotels Association, noted that the number of English charter flights has stagnated in recent years, showing no signs of growth. Currently, Goa receives about four charter flights per week, totalling around 16 flights a month, which amounts to approximately 80 flights over the five-month tourist season. “This figure is far too low,” Cotta stated, highlighting that the hotel room inventory has significantly increased over the years. He also mentioned that there have been very few charter arrivals from Russia, attributing this trend to the ongoing India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha announces retirement RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 US goes to polls today; close contest on cards PTI PG14 conflict with Ukraine. “October was exceptionally poor in terms of business,” he added. Despite these challenges, Cotta remains hopeful that an increase in Indian tourists could help fill the gap left by the decline in foreign visitors. TOURIST QUALITY Adding to the discontent is the nature of some of the tourists visiting Goa. Local tourism operators and shack owners have voiced concerns over the “quality” of tourists this season. “It’s not just about the numbers. Many tourists coming in are not spending much, and unfortunately, some are >Continued on P5 2 masterminds nabbed in jobs-for-cash fraud GOLD WORTH `9 LAKH, 3 VEHICLES SEIZED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Days after the arrest of Pooja Naik in a jobs-for-cash case and the reported suicide of government employee Shridhar Satarkar, Goa police on Monday arrested two masterminds Priya Yadav and Deepashri Sawant alias Gawas for orchestrating the scam. Yadav, who was arrested by Bicholim police, was subsequently remanded to seven days of police custody whereas Sawant – who also remained hiding and had a look out notice against her – was arrested by the Ponda police. The Bicholim police seized around 116 grams of gold, valued at Rs 9 lakh approx along with three vehicles from Yadav’s possession. Her arrest followed a complaint lodged by Laxmi Dalawai, a resident of Bicholim and native of Kar- Constable Venji suspended, bank accounts frozen PANAJI: Constable Rohan Venji has been suspended and served a notice to appear before the police for interrogation. His two bank accounts have been frozen. nataka, on August 22 wherein she alleged that between July 2023 and June 20, 2024, Yadav and accomplice Rohan Rajendra Venji duped her and several others of Rs 20.70 lakh. The accused reportedly promised government railway jobs in return for a whopping cash. The Bicholim police had thereafter registered a case against the pair under Section 420 for cheating read with Section 34 for common intention, under the Indian Penal Code. North Goa Superintendent of Police Akshat Kaushal stated that during the investigation, the team found that Yadav had allegedly mortgaged gold ornaments taken from locals and victims to secure gold loans. The recovered gold weighed around 116 grams. “Investigation revealed that accused lady Priya Yadav had duped many residents of Bicholim to the tune of more than Rs 1 crore on the pretext of giving job/shops in Railways,” he said. The investigation also revealed she had no personal bank accounts or vehicles registered in her name, which the police suggest could have been an attempt to evade detection. Kaushal stated that Yadav went into hiding after registering the FIR and remained elusive for nearly two months. A Bicholim > Continued on P5 Two lady constables linked to policeman’s suicide arrested THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Days after constable Prathamesh Gawade pleaded for justice in a video he recorded reportedly before jumping off the Zuari Bridge, Crime Branch (CB) on Monday arrested two lady constables Priti Chavan and Tanishka Chavan. The two, one of whom was allegedly his girlfriend, were arrested after a day-long questioning at the Crime Branch office in Ribandar. Akash Chavan, also named by Gawade in his final video as responsible The lady constables, one of whom was reportedly Gawade's girlfriend, were arrested following a day of interrogation at the Crime Branch office in Ribandar. Akash Chavan, whom Gawade identified in his final video as being responsible for his death, is also expected to be arrested soon for his death, is likely to be arrested too. The CB registered an FIR against the three after the case was transferred from the local police station. Gawade, the 22-year-old cop posted at Vasco railway police station, had accused the two LPCs and Akash of “mental torture and harassment” in a 2.18-second video, initially overlooked by the department. In the video, he began by apologising for his decision to take such an extreme step. Gawade claimed that the >Continued on P5