log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 152 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 DAYS AFTER GIVING CLEAN CHIT TO 8 MLAs IN DEFECTION PETITION... >> See pg 3 Born blind, this court clerk overcomes all hurdles with help of NAB and her family IN SHORT >> Jobs-for-cash: Cops have free hand to arrest, says Sawant PANAJI: The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said that the investigation into the multi-crore jobs-forcash scam is on right track and that the police are given free hand to arrest each and everyone involved in the case. Sawant also said the Director General of Police (DGP) had not used the word ‘clean chit’ in the case, as claimed by the Opposition.  >> See pg 3 Demarcation at Velsao abruptly cancelled VASCO: The scheduled demarcation in Survey No 18/1 at Mollo, Pale, Velsao, was abruptly cancelled on Monday, sparking accusations of harassment and malpractice from villagers. The cancellation left residents frustrated and suspicious of the authorities’ intentions. >> See pg 3 Illegal Cunchelim houses get notices MAPUSA: Following the last week’s demolition of 31 illegal houses on comunidade land acquired by the government, the Administrator of Comunidade North Goa, Pandurang Gad has now issued show-cause notices to occupants of unauthorized structures on approximately 1.40 square kilometers of comunidade land. >> See pg 3 Speaker slams politics of defections in State THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI After disallowing two disqualification petitions against the eight MLAs, who jumped to BJP in 2022, the Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar strongly criticised such crossovers in a stern message to his own ruling party BJP stating that “those accepting the defectors need to understand the limitations of politics”. During a ‘Head On’ interview, Tawadkar also expressed complete displeasure at the manner in which Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the party State leadership ignored Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude’s public insult or disrespect to the Speaker’s chair. Tawadkar said that his verdict in the disqualification petitions were based on facts and as per law; but the increasing defection in the pol- TAWADKAR: BATTLE FOR RESPECT WEATHER >> to act, I had to speak to protect the dignity of that chair „„I have raised the issue with CM and party president and I am awaiting their action „„Those defecting and those accepting defectors should understand limitations in politics itics is not a good sign. “Those defecting and those accepting the defectors should understand limitations in politics,” he said. He also said that the petitioners in the disqualification matters are free to challenge his ver- dict in the Court. Responding to the questions pertaining to the on-going cold war between him and Gaude, Tawadkar said that there is nothing called ‘cold war’ but it is all about how one person is behaving in public. NEW LANDMARK: The Shree Dambab Circle, in honour of the city’s presiding deity, Lord Dambab, was inaugurated near the Ravindra Bhavan traffic junction Fatorda on Monday. (Report on pg 2)  Santosh Mirajkar Max: 34.4 C Min: 23.5 C Humidity: 80% TIDES Low: High: 06:58 01:23 18:53 12:01 MUMBAI The election campaign for the Maharashtra assembly polls ended on Monday, with the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance vying to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi WEB-BASED IT SYSTEM TO FACILITATE SEAMLESS ONLINE SHARING OF CRUCIAL DOCUMENTS THE GOAN I NETWORK JUSTICE IN THE FAST LANE „„IRAD aims to identify root causes of accidents, implement remedial measures and enhance overall road safety „„Project is a comprehensive IT solution that enables various agencies to input accident details „„System’s advanced analytics and real-time data synchronization would provide valuable insights to stakeholders and facilitate efficient coordination „„When cops register an accident, alerts will be sent to Transport and NHAI via email and SMS “I have faced enough humiliation in the way of various statements through the media and otherwise. I am not bothered about what Gaude speaks or says to me but he insults the Speaker’s chair which I cannot tolerate,” he said. “What is more hurtful is that he speaks in the presence of CM,” he said, referring to two instances. “If the CM is not able to handle his own Minister who is disrespecting the Speaker's chair and if the party is also not bothered to act, I had to speak to protect the dignity of that chair,” he said adding I have raised the issue with the Chief Minister and Party president and I am awaiting their action. He pointed out that many former Speakers and Ministers, who faced open humiliation, had to quit politics due to ignorance of the CM or party. PANAJI The ground-breaking initiative, launched in 2021, is further set to streamline the handling of road accident cases in Goa. The Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD), a web-based IT system developed by Chennai IITians, will soon integrate with the State’s courts. Currently, IRAD connects the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Public Works Department (PWD), Hospitals, Police Stations as well as Traffic and Transport Departments. By adding Courts to this network, the system will facilitate the seamless online sharing of crucial documents like hurt certificates, which will expedite the legal process for accident-related cases. “This integrated system will revolutionize accident response. A call to 112 helpline will activate a Fees to register exotic dog breeds likely to be slashed THE GOAN I NETWORK Dust settles on M’rashtra poll campaign, voting on Nov 20 PTI Courts gear up to fast-track accident cases with IRAD Dy Collectors, SDOs can now issue minority certificates „„I have faced enough humiliation through various statements in the media and elsewhere „„I am not bothered about what Gaude speaks… what hurts is that he speaks in the presence of CM „„If the CM is not able to handle his own minister who is disrespecting the Speaker's chair and if the party is also not bothered Two arrested for human trafficking PANAJI: Two locals including an employee with the Mormugao Port Trust have been arrested for illegally operating emigrants agency and trafficking 12 women to Muscat where they are subjected to sexual abuse and deprived of food and accommodation.  >> See pg 5 India plays out 1-1 draw with Malaysia  Pg14 (MVA) combine hoping for a strong comeback. Polling will be held in all the 288 assembly seats on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23. The campaign saw leaders like Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Priyan- ka Gandhi Vadra, and many Union ministers crisscrossing the state to garner votes. The BJP's use of slogans like “Batenge toh katenge” and “Ek hai toh safe hai” prompted Opposition to accuse the Mahayuti of polarising voters along religious lines. PANAJI The State government has designated the Deputy Collector or the Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) of each taluka as the competent authority responsible for issuing minority certificates. In a notification that was issued, Under Secretary Revenue (II) Sandeep Gawade said that as notified by the National Commission for Minorities under National Commission of Minorities Act 1992, Deputy Collector / Sub Divisional Officer of a taluka are appointed as a competent authority to issue minority certificate to the minority community, residing within the State. “The appointment is made with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders,” Gawade said. The Authority will carry out all functions and duties related to the issuance of the minority certificates in association with the provisions of the Act and any other relevant guidelines issued from time to time. coordinated response from 108 Ambulance services,” Medical Superintendent of the Goa Medical College and Hospital Rajesh Patil told The Goan. While PWD is meant for infrastructure changes postaccidents, if necessary; Traffic and Transport officials ensure their respective formalities. Now, the judiciary would be integrated for swift legal proceedings, strengthening of coordination, and immediate disposal of such cases. “The inclusion of Courts as the sixth pillar of IRAD will considerably improve the handling of medico-legal accident cases, particularly at the police station level. The latest inclusion will soon happen,” Patil added. Launched as part of the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways initiative, IRAD aims to identify the root causes of accidents, implement remedial measures and enhance overall road safety in Goa. >Continued on P5 DOG CENSUS TO START FROM NOVEMBER 20 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a move to appease pet owners, the Goa government is likely to reduce registration fee for pedigree or exotic dog breeds from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,000. The decision comes ahead of the State-wide dog census slated to commence on November 20-21. Government sources revealed to The Goan that Minister for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Nilkant Halankar, after receiving feedback from various quarters, deemed the initial fee of Rs 5,000 for exotic breeds to be excessive. As such, a fresh proposal for its reduction was put forth. On the other hand, the registration fee for local breeds will remain at Rs 100. “The file has been sent for approval. Until then, the department will begin with dog census,” the source said. As per the guidelines released by the government about two months ago, pet GOA’S PAW-SITIVE CHANGE „„After feedback, govt deems fee of Rs 5,000 for exotic breeds excessive „„Registration fees are likely to be reduced to Rs 1000 for pedigree or exotic dog breeds „„For local breeds, registration fees to remain at Rs 100 „„Registration for existing pets expected to remain open till December 31, 2024, failing which fee would be tenfold, as penalty „„FLASHBACK: Revised policy on street and pet dogs issued on September 6 mandates that if pets are being bred, owners must inform the authorities as selling newborn pups without registration will be considered illegal and punishable. dog owners are required to register their pets wherein exotic breeds would be charged Rs 5,000 and local breeds Rs 100. The registration for existing pets is also expected to remain open till December 31, 2024, failing which the fee would be tenfold, as a penalty. The upcoming dog census, which is expected to be completed in three months, will gather comprehensive data on the pet and stray dog population including breed types. The source said that a team of 100-150 enumerators will visit households to collect information. “They will personally visit each place in their >Continued on P5 400 industries take digital leap in Goa Delhi’s toxic air equals to smoking 27 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI s many as 400 industrial units have on-boarded Goa Industrial Development Corporation’s (IDC) newly launched one stop online e-governance platform – OPEN -- for enabling units to apply for various regulatory approvals. The portal also allows reverse integration for easier compliance towards ‘ease of doing businesses. Speaking to The Goan, IDC Chairman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said OPEN Portal is India’s first Digital Public Good (DPG) for Industry Governance, and with its launch, IDC has set a new standard in digital transformation. “With the launch of the A GOA IDC’s EASE OF DOING BIZ „„New portal will work as a common portal for providing all services and approvals like transfers, sub-lease, renewal of lease, etc with lesser number of documents „„Time limit to obtain technical clearance and construction permits reduced from 60 days to 15 days „„Time limit for completion order and occupancy certificate reduced by half „„From January 1, 2025, no offline applications to be accepted „„Portal will improve ease of doing business and also offer transparency and accountability OPEN Portal, Goa-IDC is taking a bold step towards simplifying and digitizing business processes and ensuring ease of doing business with privacy and high standards of best practices,” he said. When contacted, IDC Managing Director Pravimal Abhishek said the new online system had its soft launch on November 9, and till date 400 industrial units have already registered on the platform. Abhishek explained that the new online portal will work as a common portal for providing all the services and approvals like transfers, sub-lease, renewal of lease, etc with lesser number of documents. “We have set a time frame for each approval ensuring that the maximum limit is 15 days,” he said. The time limit to obtain technical clearance and construction permits has been reduced from 60 days to 15 days while for completion order and occupancy certificate has been reduced by half. “To get the benefit of these services, all the industries operating within the jurisdiction of IDC will have to register on >Continued on P5 cigarettes a day, doctors sound alarm PTI NEW DELHI Delhi's air quality took a turn for the worse on Monday, with areas like Dwarka, Mundka and Najafgarh recording a maximum AQI of 500 in the afternoon equaling to smoking 27 cigarettes a day. People complained of itchy and watery eyes as a dense layer of smog continued to envelop the capital. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 484, the worst this season, at 8 am on Monday. By 2 pm, the AQI worsened further and it was recorded at 491, according to Central Pol- lution Control Board (CPCB). Data from 37 out of 40 monitoring stations revealed that four stations Dwarka Sector 8, Najafgarh, Nehru Nagar and Mundka reported AQI levels at the maximum of 500, according to the SAMEER app, which provides hourly updates on the National AQI. With the AQI crossing 450, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas ordered the implementation of Graded Response Action Plan StageIV restrictions in Delhi-NCR. As the city's air quality is in the "severe plus" category, doctors have warned of health risks for all. "At this level of pollution, wearing an N95 mask is not an option but a necessity. Even healthy individuals can face respiratory illnesses and other health complications," said Dr Rajat Sharma, resident doctor of Community Medicine at UCMS & GTB Hospital. Ujjwal Parakh, senior consultant, Department of Chest Medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, emphasised that people need to be extremely cautious at this time due to the hazardous air quality.