log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY DECEMBER 2, 2024 GOA GDP data, auto sales among 8 key factors for markets this week IN SHORT >> Dhargal split over Sunburn Festival PERNEM: A major split over the Sunburn Festival proposed at Dhargal later this month was evident in the village on Sunday, with Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar and a number of villagers vehemently opposing the festival while ruling members of the panchayat and another group of villagers voicing their support to the festival.   >> See pg 2 MPA eyes cruise tourism boom VASCO: With at least 42 cruise ships scheduled to call at the port over the next seven months, the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) has anticipated a robust cruise tourism season. The port has also been offering various sops to make Goa a preferred destination for cruise ships.  >> See pg 3 26-yr-old held with drugs worth `4 lakh VASCO: Verna police arrested 26-year-old Rohan Bind for possessing 4.255 kg of ganja, valued at Rs 4.25 lakhs on Saturday. Acting on credible and specific information, the police carried out a narcotics raid at an open field in Old Mardol, Verna and arrested the accused.  >> See pg 3 Cyclone weakens, but paralyses life PONDYCHERRY: After making landfall near Puducherry on November 30, Cyclone Fengal weakened on Sunday, but torrential downpour under its influence paralysed the union territory, with the Army stepping in to evacuate stranded persons in inundated streets. Old-timers recalled such a fury of nature was not witnessed in this tiny UT for the last three decades.  >> See pg 7 Delhi continues to battle toxic air NEW DELHI: Delhi continued to grapple with toxic air as its air quality remained in the “very poor” category for the eighth consecutive day on Sunday. The AQI stood at 329 at 9 am. WEATHER >> Max: 32.6 C Min: 22.8 C Humidity: 86% The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO.165 Absence of cold storage unit in renovated wholesale fish market to impact fisherfolk >> pg 6 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA Intense debate at Velsao gram sabha over double tracking issue 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Role of regenerative medicine in managing type 1 & type 2 diabetes 9 Tivim fights back; villagers unite to halt Pvt university ACCUSE GOVT OF DESTROYING ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The tranquil village of Tivim erupted into a scene of defiance on Sunday as furious residents united to denounce a controversial project that would see a sprawling private university carve into the verdant hillsides of their homeland. Chanting slogans and brimming with determination, a large crowd gathered to demand an immediate halt to what they condemned as an assault on their environment, heritage and community welfare. Leading the charge was former MLA Kiran Kandolkar, who didn’t mince words in slamming the government’s alleged complicity in a scheme favouring private profit over public good. “This is not development; it’s devastation,” he declared, addressing the agitated crowd. A BATTLE FOR THE HILLS PEOPLE’S POWER: A gathering of villagers convened outside the Tivim panchayat, united in their opposition to the proposed private university project.  Agnelo Pereira Kandolkar accused the State of selling out Goa’s natural resources under the guise of progress. “First, they ruined our beaches. Then, they sold our rivers. Now, they want to destroy our hills. This university is just a mask for their true intentions – commercial exploitation. Don’t be surprised if it becomes a luxury hotel to- morrow,” he said. The protestors’ ire wasn’t limited to the government. The Tivim comunidade’s managing committee also came under fire for its role in approving a contentious 99-year lease of 2 lakh square meters of land to the Maharashtra Academy of Engineering & Educational Research (MAEER), Pune. Sanjivani’s shift to ethanol stuck as bidders shy away GOVT LIKELY TO KEEP PROJECT ON HOLD THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa government’s ambitious plan to redevelop the State’s lone sugar factory -- Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana (SSSK) -- as an ethanol manufacturing facility under a Public-Private Partnership  (PPP) model, has hit a roadblock, in absence of bidders. With no bidders coming forward, the government is considering keeping the project on hold for some time. The government, through its PPP department, had twice invited Request for Qualification (RFQ) bids. While the first RFQ was released in January, the second was in May, this year. However, not a single bidder showed interest. Speaking to The Goan, Agriculture Director Sandeep Fol Dessai said that “A RFQ was invited twice for redevelopment of SSSK into an ethanol manufacturing unit under public private partnership mode but no bidders came forward. We even issued a revised RFQ to attract bidders. But, no decision has been taken so far, to issue RFQ again”. However, sources at the Secretariat level confirmed GREEN ENERGY DREAMS TURN BITTER „„Govt had twice invited Request for Qualification bids „„First RFQ was in Jan and the second in May „„Not a single bidder showed interest „„Govt now considering keeping the project on hold „„Sanjivani located in Dharbandora village, is being run by an administrator in the absence of board of directors „„Facility has been shut since 2019. that the PPP department, following directions from the Chief Minister, has considering keeping the project on hold. “The department just cannot go on inviting RFQ to see no response. Will have to wait for some time,” sources said.   The government released the first tender in January, following heightened protests from sugarcane farmers. The state run enterprise located in Dharbandora village, is being run by an administrator in the absence of a board of directors. The facility has been shut since 2019. Sources informed that despite a proposal to  Sanjivani Sugarcane Producers Association, they failed to recommend any contractor for the manufacturing of ethanol. “We need to follow proper procedure to ensure transparency,” sources said. >Continued on P5 The lease, critics allege, was signed in secrecy, bypassing proper consultation with the locals. Villagers accused the committee of selling their heritage for a pittance and using defamatory notices to silence dissent. “These notices are nothing but tools of intimidation,” >Continued on P5 Air tickets may get costlier as oil firms raise prices of ATF PTI NEW DELHI Flight tickets are likely to get costlier with oil companies announcing a hike in aviation fuel prices. The cost of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has been hiked by Rs 1,318 per kilolitre, a month after it was raised by Rs 2,941.5 or 3.3%. The ATF prices are now Rs 91,856.84 per kilolitre in Delhi, Rs 94,551.63 in Kolkata, Rs 85,861.02 in Mumbai, and Rs 95,231.49 in Chennai. The revised rates have kicked in from today, dealing a major blow to the airlines. Fuel expenses are a key component that determines the cost of flight tickets. In fact, it is the second-largest cost incurred for operating flights after labour costs. Fuel costs squeeze profit margins for the airlines and leads to higher ticket costs. Oil companies had last raised ATF prices on November 1 after two rounds of monthly reduction by Rs 5,883 per kilolitre on October 1 and by Rs 4,495.5 on the first of September. The rates of commercial LPG have also been increased for the fifth time in a row. It is now costlier by Rs 16.5 per 19kg cylinder. Mapusa: The project site – a hillside rich in biodiversity and medicinal plants – has become a flashpoint for environmental concerns. Former sarpanch and current panchayat member, Shivdas Kambli passionately described the ecological significance of the area. “These hills are not just land; they’re life. They’ve survived mining, but a university will finish them. This is madness!” Kambli also criticized the government for ignoring the pressing need to regularize local homes on comunidade land, instead handing it over to outside interests. Congress block president Hemant Kambli amplified >Continued on P5 SPORTS Sindhu, Lakshya win singles titles at Syed Modi tourney 12 Cardinal Tagle arrives from Rome, to lead St Xavier’s feast Mass THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Cardinal Luis Antonio G Tagle, who will be the main celebrant at the high mass to celebrate the feast of St Francis Xavier on December 3 at Old Goa, arrived from Rome on Saturday. Tagle was received at the Mopa airport by Cardinal Felipe Neri Ferrao and Fr Nazareth, the Superior General of the Pilar Fathers. CCP Commissioner Clen Madeira, who has been appointed by the State Administration as ‘protocol officer’ for Tagle also welcomed the ecclesiastical leader at Mopa.   Tagle, who is from the Phillipines, is based at the Vatican where he officiates as Pro-Prefect of Dicastery for Evangelization. He was Archbishop of Manila from 2011 until he moved to Rome in 2020. Veneration of relics will continue on feast day too, says Fr Falcao PANAJI: Convenor of the Exposition Committee Fr Henry Falcao on Sunday debunked reports that the authorities will suspend veneration of the relics of St Francis Xavier on Monday and Tuesday (Dec 2 and 3) and said the veneration will continue unhindered from 7 am to 6 pm. Monday is the vespers and on Tuesday, the feast of St Francis Xavier will be celebrated with hourly masses in the specially erected pandal in the foreground of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, including the high mass at 10.30 am where Cardinal Luis Antonio G Tagle from the Vatican will be the main celebrant. Calling the reports of suspension of the veneration “rumours” Fr Falcao said, “the veneration will continue on December 2 and 3 as usual from 7 am to 6 pm.” Goa races against time, 27% Smart City projects pending 13 MAJOR PROJECTS AWAIT COMPLETION IN 4 MONTHS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With four months to go for the March 2025 deadline set by the Centre, the Goa government has still got around 27 per cent of the Smart City Mission work to be completed. Almost 13 major projects worth Rs 460 crore are on-going. Seven years after Panaji was selected to be developed as ‘Smart City’, the Union Ministry for Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) said that only 36 projects, at the cost of Rs 585.55 crore have been completed till November end. According to the information provided by the Minister for State for MoHUA   Manohar Lal Khattar, of the total 49 projects sanctioned to the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) under the Smart Cities Mission, only 36 minor projects are completed. Citizens are currently facing the brunt of ongoing smart city work due to haphazard digging of roads, which has been going on for more than a year now, leading to traffic jams, roadblocks, caving-in of the roads, etc. As per the Minister, the total THE SMART CITY SAGA „„Of the 49 projects sanctioned to IPSCDL, only 36 minor projects are completed „„Total cost of the project is around Rs 1,053 crore „„Centre and State together have released around Rs 823.50 crore of which, Rs 760 crore have been utilized as on last month „„Of the total Rs 823.50 cr, Centre’s share has been Rs 420 crore NIGHTMARE FOR RESIDENTS: Locals are currently facing the brunt of ongoing smart city work due to haphazard digging of roads, which has been going on for more than a year now, leading to traffic jams, roadblocks, caving-in of the roads cost of the projects is around Rs 1,053 crore of which the centre and State together have released around Rs 823.50 crore of which, Rs 760 crores have been utilized as on last month. Of the total Rs 823.50cr, the Centre’s share has been Rs 420 crore. In May 2016, when the city was picked up under the Mission, IPSCDL had outlined ambitious plans to pedestrianised the church square, WiFi hotspots and CCTV cameras, revitalize Mala lake (only undertaking flood mitigation measures through WRD), implement smart parking, and other projects- however, none have been implemented so far. The Minister in his reply said that  on the request received from various State/UT Governments, the period of Smart City Mission has been >Continued on P5 Mahayuti leaders spar amid Justice delayed! Court backlog hits 59,000 cases suspense over Maha CM No judges in 3 North Goa courts THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI MUMBAI Discordant voices emerged on Sunday from the Mahayuti even as the alliance continued to remain in the throes of government formation more than week after it swept the Maharashtra assembly polls. The Mahayuti, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, won 230 of the 288 seats in the state. The BJP led with 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena got 57 and NCP 41. All clear for Fadnavis? MUMBAI: The name of Devendra Fadnavis has been finalised as the new chief minister of Maharashtra who will be elected as the legislature party leader in a meeting to be held either on December 2 or 3, a senior BJP leader said on Sunday night. Shiv Sena MLA Gulabrao Patil on Sunday said the Eknath Shinde-led party would have won 90-100 seats in the November 20 assembly polls if Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party was not part of the Mahayuti. Pawar had joined the Shinde govt in July last year and was made deputy CM. "We contested only 85 seats. Without Ajitdada, we could have won 90-100 seats. Shinde never asked why Ajit Pawar-led NCP was inducted in his govt," Patil, a minister in the outgoing government, told a regional news channel. Hitting back, NCP spokesperson Amol Mitkari asked Patil to not shoot off his 'loose tongue' in this manner. PANAJI endency of cases in Goa's subordinate courts -- district courts and lower -- are mounting by the month with more cases being filed than those being disposed by the courts. As of date, the backlog in the lower courts in Goa have nearly breached the 59,000 mark and in signs that this pendency is unlikely to improve very soon, there have been more litigants filing fresh cases than those having their matters decided and disposed by judges. According to the National Judicial Data Grid, the lower courts in Goa have 58,982 cas- P PANAJI: There are no judges to preside in at least three lower courts in Panaji and for several weeks, in one case several months, lawyers and litigants are only getting dates for next hearings on a daily basis. Court sources said, there has been no judge to preside over the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (Court ‘D’) since January this year. Another court (Court E) is without a judge for six weeks and yet another (Court ‘C’) since the last six months. es pending. Of these, 26,695 are civil suits and the balance 32,287 are criminal matters. While these lower courts did dispose a significant 2,597 matters in November (739 civil suits and 1,858 criminal cases), the performance will not suffice to bring down the backlog as litigants are instituting fresh cases at a much higher rate. For instance in November, a much higher 3,086 suits -- 2,112 criminal and 974 civil -- came to be filed. Also, of the cases disposed 38% of the losing parties have contested the final judgements in higher courts. Meanwhile, of the pending cases, most (42%) expectedly are matters instituted in the last one year and 38% are from the previous two years (2022 and 2023). Interestingly, a significant 5 per-cent of the pending cases are more than 10 years old matters, including criminal matters. Senior citizens are parties involved in nearly 10,000 of the total 58,000-odd pending cases, including 8,923 civil suits. In 882 criminal matters, the accused involved are seniors. PENDENCY HIGHER IN NORTH GOA The pendency of cases in lower courts in the North Goa district is significantly higher than in courts in South Goa. Of the total 58,982 cases pending in Goa, as many as 42,016 (71%) are pending in courts in North Goa district.