log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2024 page 6 Goans across globe hail their ‘Goencho Saib’ ‘Husband walked 30 kms barefoot from Benaulim to Old Goa to fulfil vow’ IN SHORT >> 2 big ticket tourism projects for Goa get okay from Centre PANAJI: Goa’s tourism sector is poised for a major boost as the Centre has sanctioned Rs 97.46 crore for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Ponda and Rs 90.74 crore for the proposed Town Square in Porvorim. These allocations are a part of Rs 3,295.76 crore allocated across 23 states under the SASCI scheme. >> See pg 3 `  00 cr fraud: Look 1 out notice issued PANAJI: The Economic Offenses Cell has issued a Look Out Circular against seven persons, accused of running a fake investment scam, to prevent them from fleeing the country. In the case that saw five directors of a real estate company booked in the scam, Myron Rodrigues and his wife Deepali Parab are alleged to have masterminded the fraud scheme.>> See pg 3 Mechanised broomer for Porvorim pollution MAPUSA: The severe dust pollution caused by ongoing construction work on the flyover along the Porvorim highway has prompted PWD to recommend procurement of a mechanised broomer and the implementation of regular water sprinkling to alleviate the issue. >> See pg 3 Central nod needed for more PDS items PANAJI: Officials of the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department who are in the process of working out the logistics of introducing more commodities into the public distribution system’s monthly quotas for ration card holding families have said that the proposal will require clearance from the Central govt. >> See pg 2 SC stays survey of Sambhal mosque NEW DELHI: Supreme Court directed a Sambhal trial court to temporarily halt proceedings in the case over the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid and its survey at Chandausi. Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 163 Instagram.com/thegoanonline World Chess C’ship: Gukesh holds off Liren in fourth round Pg15 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Cabinet reshuffle: Uneasy calm as Digambar, Aleixo play safe CM MUM; KAMAT SAYS NO IDEA; SEQUEIRA FEIGNS IGNORANCE THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO Will Power finally return to Margao after a gap of 12 years with speculation rife over the induction of Congress-turnedBJP MLA Digambar Kamat in the Pramod Sawant Cabinet? Will the proposed Cabinet rejig bring about a shift in power from Nuvem, the constituency represented by Congress-turned-BJP MLA and lone Salcete Minister Aleixo Sequeira to pave way for Kamat’s return? And, how would the BJP leadership justify any decision to axe Sequiera when such a move will reduce the number of Catholic representation in the Sawant Cabinet from the present three ministers to two, assuming that Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar and Kamat are inducted in the Cabinet. Even as speculations did It’s up to high command: Nilkanth MAPUSA: Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar has dismissed ongoing speculation about a Cabinet reshuffle in Goa, labelling reports as mere “gossip.” Halarnkar, whose name has reportedly been floated as a potential minister to be dropped from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s Cabinet, stated that the BJP functions in a specific manner and decisions are made solely by the party’s central leadership. “The final decision is always taken by the central leaders of the BJP and no one in Goa will be privy to it beforehand. When a decision is made, it will be implemented swiftly – within hours,” Halarnkar said. >> See pg 3 the rounds about an imminent Cabinet reshuffle before the year end, the key players were in Margao on Friday, but they all preferred to play safe, not giving any indications about the likely shift in power from Nuvem to Margao in minority Sweet relief: Govt may extend aid for sugarcane farmers SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI In what could give a major relief to over 700-odd sugarcane farmers -- whose livelihoods have been affected due to closure of  the  State’s lone sugar factory -- the Goa Government in all likelihood may extend the Special Assistance scheme to these farmers. The five-year compensation scheme, introduced in 2020, will end this year, with farmers, so far, getting benefits to the tune of Rs 40 crore. In lieu of the Dharbandora-based Sanjivani Sugar Factory’s closure in 2019, the government in 2020 notified a scheme “Special Assistance for Sugarcane Growers” in the State, for a period of five years. Speaking to The Goan, Agriculture Director Sandeep Fol Dessai said that so far no decision has been taken on granting extension to the scheme; however, he said that the department will have no objection if the government intends to extend it. “The final decision will be Salcete. Consider this: Sawant was in Margao on Friday with Kamat in tow to inaugurate Consumer Shopee exhibition at the BPS club. The Chief Minister neither replied in the affirmative nor ruled out Cabi- CM defends not relieving Sanjit, Lolayekar despite transfer orders THE GOAN I NETWORK taken by the Chief Minister. But, there is every possibility that the benefits would be extended,” he said. When contacted, Administrator of Sanjivani Rajesh Desai said the government, from 2020-21 till 2023-24, has paid around Rs 40 crore to close to 700 farmers, while this year’s compensation is under consideration. According to the information provided by the Administrator, in the first year -2020-21, total 731 farmers were paid compensation of Rs 11.83 crore, at a rate of Rs 3,000 per metric tonne. For the year PANAJI The State government is poised to get into a confrontation of sorts with the Centre’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) over its refusal to relieve two Goan Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers -- Sanjit Rodrigues and Prasad Lolayekar -- who were issued transfer orders out of the State. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant sees nothing wrong in his administration’s move to retain the two officers despite the MHA transfer orders. “What is wrong in it?,” Sawant responded when asked about his administration’s refusal to relieve the two officers on the sidelines of the inauguration of the new edifices at Goa Fire and Emergency Services headquarters. The chief minister, however, refused to get into the details or the reasons why his government is insistent on retaining the two officers, saying he will make a detailed comment on the matter at the appropriate time. >Continued on P9 >Continued on P9 So far no decision has been taken on granting extension to the scheme… the department will have no objection if the government intends to extend it — Sandeep Fol Dessai net reshuffle when questioned by media before returning to the State capital. Kamat too played down the question of his imminent Cabinet induction by saying he has no idea. He just laughed when his attention was drawn to reports that decks were cleared by BJP top leadership for his induction in the Cabinet. On the other hand, when The Goan called up Sequeira to comment on reports that he may face the axe, he was quick to reply that he has not been sounded by the Chief Minister on any such move. “I do not know anything of a Cabinet reshuffle or any move to drop me from the Cabinet”, he said. In fact, Sequeira went about his weekly Friday darbar at the South Goa district Collectorate. He had a crucial meeting with railway officials on how to resolve the land issues at Velsao affected by the double tracking project. What’s significant to note is that the Environment minister held the meeting with Railway officials at the instructions of the Chief Minister to bring about an amicable settlement of the issue. That Sequeira asserted that the demarcation of the land at Velsao will take place on December 20 and the issue resolve before the year end, has sent indications that he has received no hints of his imminent axe from the Cabinet. Both Sequeira and Kamat were part of the eight member Congress defectors who had quit the Congress in September 2022 to embrace the BJP. While Kamat had missed out the Cabinet bus, Sequeira was inducted in the Cabinet in November 2023, completing one year in office. MUMBAI A key Mahayuti meeting scheduled on Friday was put off and likely to take place on Sunday now as outgoing Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde headed to his native village, delaying government formation a week after poll results. The ruling alliance’s meeting was expected to be convened in Mumbai on Sunday, said sources in the Shiv Sena, which is headed by Shinde. BJP Leaders, the largest Mahayuti constituent, said they were awaiting arrival of central observers for the legislature party meeting. The swearing-in of the new government is likely next week, the sources said. Shinde, speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Thursday night, had said talks with Union Home Minister and sen- Asks CS to issue circular to set up internal committees in all offices to tackle sexual harassment THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday expressed his government’s commitment to put in place the Internal Committees in all government offices, besides aided educational institutions, private offices and factories to stop sexual harassment of women under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act. In fact, Sawant pointed out that he has instructed the Chief Secretary to immediately issue a circular insisting on setting up the Internal Committees not just in government offices, but even in aided educational institutions, besides private offices and factories coming under the ambit of the labour laws. “Not even a single government office, besides private offices and factories covered under the Labour Rules, will be left out from the purview of the Internal Com- WOMEN POWER: CM SHOWS THE WAY „„Not even a single govt office, besides private offices and factories covered under Labour Rules will be left out from purview of Internal Committees „„We realise about these panels only when there is an incident and then we set up the panel „„CS has been instructed to immediately issue a circular so that Internal mittees”, he said while addressing the day-long orientation programme organised by the Goa State Commission for Women on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, 2013 at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. “The POSH Act, 2013 stipulates compulsorily setting up of Internal Committees. We re- LOUIS RODRIGUES THE GOAN I BELAGAVI NEW YORK Several American universities have issued travel advisories for their international students as well as staff and urged them to return to the US before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in January next year amid concerns over travel bans that may be enacted by his administration. Trump will take the oath on January 20 and has announced that he will sign sev- PTI CM champions safer work environment for women Varsities in US urge foreign students to return quickly C eral executive orders on issues of economy and immigration on his first day as the 47th President of the United States. Amid concerns over the disruptions caused by travel bans during his first term as president, several top US universities are issuing travel advisories for their international students and faculty who may be travelling outside the country around Trump’s inauguration. According to data from the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cul- All eyes now on Sunday meeting Committees are set up within a month and half „„We need to create a work culture in the State… We insist on gender equality „„There are still instances of harassment at work places and in public places „„Just as we respect women at home it should be done at workplace and in public places alise about these panels only when there is an incident. And, then we set up the panel”, the CM said, while saying he has told the Chief Secretary to immediately issue the circular so that the Internal Committees are set up within >Continued on P9 ALL’S NOT WELL? „„Mahayuti meeting was scheduled to take place on Friday „„Shinde return to Mumbai and later leaves for his native village „„Ruling alliance’s meeting now expected to be convened in Mumbai on Sunday „„Swearing-in of the new government is expected to take place next week ior BJP leader Amit Shah on government formation were positive and the next round of discussions will be held in Mumbai on Friday. However, BJP sources maintained no gathering of Mahayuti leaders was scheduled for Friday. Karnataka CM meets Modi, pushes for Kalsa project PTI NEW DELHI Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi pointing out that the Kalsa Bhandura project has been delayed due to pending wildlife clearance and sought quick resolution of the issue. In the meeting in Parliament complex, Siddarmaiah pressed for several key interventions focusing on critical areas, including agriculture, water resources and urban infrastructure. “These lifeline initiatives have been delayed due to pending clearances. Karnataka deserves timely action for its water needs,” the representation said. The chief minister highlighted that NABARD has drastically cut the Short Term Agricultural Credit Limit for Karnataka from Rs 5,600 crore in 2023-24 to just Rs 2,340 crore in 2024-25 “I request you to look into this and direct Finance Ministry to rectify this situation so that farmers continue to receive soft agricultural loans,” Siddarmaiah said. Over 1000 pilgrims from Upper Ghats trek to Old Goa AHEAD OF TRUMP’S SWEARING-IN… PTI Maharashtra govt formation delayed, key meet put off tural Affairs, and the Institute of International Education, India and China made up over half (54 per cent) of all international students in the United States. But for the first time since 2009, India became the leading place of origin with 331,602 international students in the United States in 2023/2024, reflecting a 23 per cent increase from the prior year, surpassing China, according to data from the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange’’. ontinuing their spiritually rich tradition of paying tribute to ‘Goencho Saib’ through a walking pilgrimage, over 1,000 pilgrims from the Upper Ghats region left for Old Goa on Friday. Setting aside their busy and routine schedules behind, these pilgrims began their journey by road via different routes to reach Old Goa on December 2. This year being the year of Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier, the number of these pilgrims is expected to swell as many more are expected to join en route. Around 1,000 pilgrims from A group of pilgrims who left from Ajara on Friday morning.  Louis Rodrigues Khanapur, Belagavi, Gadhinglaj, Ichalkaranji, Belewadi, Ajara, Nesari, and the villages in the vicinity of the above places started their pilgrimage either Thursday evening or on Friday morning. Chanting hymns and with the Angvonn in their hearts leaving behind their sorrows, worries behind these pilgrims will be reaching via various routes. While some are reaching via the treacherous Ramghat to descend at Mulas in Sindhudurg district, others will be reaching Goa via Chorla. What is more interesting is that many of these pilgrims come from different ethnic backgrounds. This is the 43rd year of the spiritually popular Walking Pilgrimage that was started by the great Jesuit Swami Prabhudhar. “Goa is our ancestral land and ‘Goencho Saib’ is our intercessor through whom offer our Angovonn. The eternal bliss which we experience through this walking pilgrimage is beyond imagination. Along with many others I reach Nesari village and then join this pilgrimage which provides me abundant energy throughout the year,” Vincent Dias, President of Pune Konkani Kristha Sabha Vincent Dias who has been the part of these pilgrimage for many years, told The Goan. Many like Vincent come from Pune, Mumbai and other metros to join these pilgrimage. What is also noteworthy is the fact that many of these pilgrims are Gauncars of different Comunidades in Goa. What is also important is that many priests are also joining this walking pilgrimage. Fr Melvyn Paes, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Rosary Church, Ajara along with Fr Wilson Gonsalves left Ajara Friday morning. “About 150 pligrims from Ajara have left for Old Goa,” >Continued on P9