log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY DECEMBER 19, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO.182 Instagram.com/thegoanonline ASHWIN RETIRES FROM >P14 INTERNATIONAL CRICKET RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 SALIM-SULAIMAN LIVE! THE ARENA AT NAGALLI HILLS GROUND 20 DEC // 8 PM - 10 PM >> See PG 5 18 years later, IT Habitat project still ‘rebooting’ CYBER TECH GSPCB gets tough on noise pollution along North coast OPERATING LICENCES OF THREE TOP CLUBS REVOKED; FOUR OTHERS TOLD TO STOP OPERATIONS FOR VIOLATING RULES THE GOAN I NETWORK Data Security: Welcome to the most complex digital threat landscape of our time >> See pg 8 IN SHORT >> KTCL’s smart card for cashless travel PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the Smart Transit Card by the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL), under the tagline ‘One Card, Many Destinations.’ The card aims to revolutionize public transport in Goa by enabling cashless travel across all KTCL buses, including the ‘Maji Bus’ services.  >> See pg 2 E-auction of iron ore dumps in Jan PANAJI: The e-auction of iron ore dumps, lying at various locations across State, will commence from January 22, 2025, with Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) issuing notice inviting tender (NIT). The dumps lying even on forest land and eco-sensitive areas would be e-auctioned in the first phase.   >> See pg 3 Anjuna water pipe damaged, supply hit MAPUSA: Residents of Zorwaddo, Vagator and Chapora in the AnjunaCaisua panchayat jurisdiction faced water supply disruptions after a key water pipeline was damaged during excavation work for underground power lines in Kumbharwada, Anjuna.   >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: 27 C Min: 22 C Humidity: 62% TIDES Low: 09:00 High: 02:59 20:26 14:11 MAPUSA In a decisive move to address noise pollution, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has intensified its crackdown on bars, restaurants, and clubs along the North Goa coastal belt. The areas of AnjunaVagator and Siolim, renowned for their vibrant nightlife, have come under scrutiny, with multiple establishments penalised for playing loud music beyond permissible hours. The GSPCB has revoked the operating licences of three establishments — M/s Thalassa (Siolim), M/s Noah (Anjuna), and M/s Diez (Anjuna) – citing violations of Section 31(A) POLLUTION BOARD’S WHIP „„Three establishments M/s Thalassa (Siolim), M/s Noah (Anjuna), and M/s Diez (Anjuna) - had their operating licences revoked for violations „„Four other venues - M/s Vista Mare (Anjuna), Dees (Siolim), Diana Buildwell (Anjuna), and Hilltop (Vagator) - issued closure orders and instructed to halt operations temporarily „„The establishments have been summoned to appear before the GSPCB on December 20 to present their case of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Additionally, four other venues – M/s Vista Mare (Anjuna), Dees (Siolim), Diana Buildwell (Anjuna), and Hilltop (Vagator) – have been issued closure orders and instructed to halt operations temporarily. Hill Top Bar & Restaurant in Vagator, a prominent venue, has faced significant criticism from the GSPCB. An inspection revealed that the establishment had installed an Online Noise Monitoring Station at an incorrect location without consulting the board. Arbitrary decision: HC on LDC posts cancellation in TCP dept DIRECTS GOVERNMENT TO RESUME RECRUITMENT PROCESS, COMPLETE IT WITHIN SIX MONTHS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa has allowed a petition filed by candidates selected for the Lower Division Clerk (LDC) posts in the Town and Country Planning Department, challenging the scrapping of the recruitment process. The posts were scrapped despite appointments being finalised for other posts also advertised on February 27, 2019. A Division Bench comprising Justice M S Karnik and Justice Nivedita Mehta termed the decision of the State as “arbitrary, illegal and bad in law.” “We have no hesitation in holding the decision of the respondents to cancel the recruitment process of LDCs, which is the subject matter of the present petition, as arbitrary, illegal, and bad in law. The Writ Petition is accordingly allowed,” the Court stated. The Court directed the State to resume the recruitment K E Y CO U RT O B SE R VAT I O N S „„No doubt the petitioners do not have a right to be appointed to the post or insist that the recruitment process must be completed only because they have passed the written test, however decision to cancel the process must be free from arbitrariness and discrimination „„There is absolutely no justification in the affidavit or the file notings as to why only 22 posts of LDCs from the very same advertisement are excluded when in respect of other posts advertised the respondents have gone ahead with the selection process and even issued appointments process for the LDC posts from the stage it was halted and ensure its logical conclusion in accordance with the rules within six months. The Bench also noted that while recruitment for other posts – Planning Assistants, Overseers, Draftsman Grade II, Junior Stenographers, and Multi-Tasking Staff – had been completed, the LDC recruitment was kept on hold due to the model code of conduct for the State Legislative Assembly elections. After the elections, the government decided to proceed with the recruitment process and appointments for other posts while cancelling the LDCs in 2023 directing to start the process afresh. “No doubt the petitioners do not have a right to be appointed to the post or insist that the recruitment process must be completed only because they have passed the written test, however decision to cancel the process must be free from arbitrariness and discrimination," the Court >Continued on P9 Rocked and rolled: Voices of concern over Bambolim stadium condition after concert CLINTON D’SOUZA THE GOAN I PANAJI B ryan Adams concert held at Bambolim Athletic Stadium has raised concerns among sports enthusiasts and local athletes about the impact on the venue’s condition. The concert, which took place on Tuesday evening, attracted over 11,000 spectators. While the event was a major success for music fans, it has left some worried about the long-term effects on the stadium, which is primarily used for sports like football and athletics. The next day, authorities The huge stage erected at Bambolim Athletic Stadium for the Bryan Adams concert.  Narayan Pissurlenkar took steps to clean up the stadium, clearing the garbage and tidying up the area. However, concerns about the stadium’s future condition remain. Bambolim Athletic Stadium is used by the FC Goa football team for their ISL matches, and local sports lovers are worried that the heavy crowd and setup for the concert could have damaged the field. The FC Goa team is currently practicing in Guirim, and this is believed to be due to concerns over the condition of the field after the concert. The stadium’s grass pitch, essential for sports like football, may have been affected by the concert's setup, which included large stages, sound systems, and a massive crowd. Sports fans fear that this damage could take time to repair, possibly >Continued on P9 Vagator resort manager booked twice in four days for violation MAPUSA: The manager of a five-star resort in Vagator has been booked twice within four days for violating noise pollution regulations by playing loud music during events, disturbing the surrounding locality. Anjuna Police registered the latest complaint against the manager of five-star resort, Hotel W Goa for playing music beyond permissible limits during the night of December 16-17. >Continued on P9 “Such improper installation of the station is resulting in the transmission of incorrect data regarding real-time noise levels recorded at your establishment,” said Shamila Monteiro, Member Secretary of the GSPCB. In a show-cause notice, the board has asked Hill Top to explain why its operations should not be permanently closed. It has also directed the establishment to cease playing outdoor music until the noise monitoring station is correctly installed. >Continued on P9 Offshore casinos get last extension till March 2027 CM says relocation after this period THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State cabinet on Wednesday granted offshore casino vessels an extension till March 2027 to continue operating in River Mandovi. However, this would be the final extension before relocating the vessels. Addressing a press conference after chairing a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the Cabinet has decided to further extend the permission to casinos till March 2027, to operate in River Mandovi, after which they will have to be relocated. The then BJP-led government had taken a policy decision in 2013 to relocate the offshore casinos from River Mandovi. However, the failure to identify an alternative site forced the government to grant them a series of extensions to continue in the river Assembly Winter Session from Feb 6 PANAJI: The winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly will commence from February 6, with Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai addressing the House on the first day. The Cabinet accorded approval for summoning of the session. During the session, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is also expected to table the State Budget 2025-26. since March, 2014. Sawant said that the State government has been renewing the extensions granted to the offshore casinos after every six months; but it was >Continued on P9