log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) SATURDAY DECEMBER 28, 2024 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 190 Page 6 ‘Touched by volunteers, impressed with arrangements at Old Goa’ ‘Stuck’ in Goa: Canadian Goan recalls lockdown challenges in new book IN SHORT >> Peak season raids net drugs worth ` 6.8L PANAJI: Separate raids by different arms of the Goa police at Mapusa and Saligao on Thursday-Friday netted a cache of narcotic drugs (ganja and charas) worth Rs 6.8 lakh, the police said. In the first instance, a team of the Crime Branch arrested Shyam Nandlal Chawan (22) at Mapusa and recovered some 4 kg of ganja worth Rs 4 lakh.  >> See pg 3 Road mishaps claim 15 lives in November PANAJI: Road accidents in Goa resulted in 15 fatalities in November. Of these, 10 victims were riding two-wheelers, while 4 were pedestrians. There were 241 accidents in total, with 15 being fatal and 18 resulting in serious injuries. Furthermore, 22 individuals suffered grievous injuries, while 86 others sustained minor injuries.  >> See pg 3 Lokotsav to showcase work of Goan artists PANAJI: Directorate of Art and Culture is organizing a special exhibition of paintings and display of sculptures by Goan artists and sculptors during the annual national level folk dance festival “Lokotsav 2025” from January 17 to 26 at Kala Academy. Entries are invited from Goans artists and sculptors on or before January 11, 2025. Pollution curbs revoked in Delhi NEW DELHI: Pollution curbs under GRAP-3 have been revoked in Delhi and the National Capital Region after air quality improved in the area following continuous rain since Friday morning. The AQI of Delhi is expected to remain in the ‘poor’ category for the next few days. WEATHER >> Max: 32.4 C Min: 23.4 C Humidity: 85% TIDES Low: High: 03:07 15:05 07:48 22:28 Instagram.com/thegoanonline India struggles after Jaiswal’s run-out on Day 2  Pg 13 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Boat tragedy exposes regulatory Sand mining permit deadline extended gaps in water sports operations due to low response OPERATORS IGNORE NOV 30 COMMITMENT TO QUEUE SYSTEM THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The boating accident  in Calangute on Wednesday, which led to the death of a tourist from Maharashtra, has once again brought to light the Tourism Department’s failure to streamline and regulate water sports operations in the State. Even after issuing the November 30 deadline to the water sports operators to file an affidavit affirming their commitment to the Queue System and adherence to operational protocols, the same has been ignored completely. Despite repeated attempts, Director Tourism IAS Suneel Anchipaka remained unavailable for comments, but highly placed sources confirmed that hardly a few water sports operators had submitted affidavits while majority had just Don’t renew license of vessel, CoP to write to government PANAJI: Stating that the ill-fated water sports boat that capsized along Calangute coast was overloaded with passengers, the Captain of Ports (CoP) has decided to write to the government not to renew the license of the vessel, pending police investigation. The CoP said that the 8.5-metre boat was overloaded well beyond its capacity of 10 passengers and that it also lacked life vests for children. Captain Octavio Rodrigues told The Goan that it has suspended passenger boat license for alleged negligence and the operator is directed to suspend the operations of the vessel.  >> See pg 3 ignored it. Sources said that the Tourism Department has failed to act against the water sports operators for defying the order, which was based on the directives of the Bombay High Court at Goa. “The affidavit aimed at strengthening the water sports sector by promoting fair practices and safety measures,” sources said. What is also interesting to note is that despite the activity being part of tourism, the Tourism Department claims Short circuit triggers blast in Priol, house destroyed Unused LPG cylinder explodes in house THE GOAN I NETWORK PONDA A house in Gaalwada, Priol, belonging to Sandesh Chari, was severely damaged following a fire caused by a short circuit. The incident occurred late Thursday night, resulting in an explosion of an LPG cylinder that was stored inside the house. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The fire, however, caused extensive damage, with losses estimated between Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, including gold ornaments, clothing, and household items. Sandesh Chari, who had been staying at his brother’s residence in Seemepain-Mangueshi for the past few days following his 14-yearold son’s surgery, was not at home when the fire broke out. On Thursday night, at around 11.30 pm, Chari’s wife and daughter locked the house and also went to Seemepain. Shortly afterward, a short circuit is believed to have triggered the The charred remains of Chari’s house. Apart from causing extensive damage to clothing, household items and gold ornaments, the blaze also completely destroyed the school books of Chari’s children fire, which led to the explosion of the unused gas cylinder. Upon hearing the loud explosion, neighbours rushed to the house and attempted to extinguish the flames. Sushil Morjakar, officer in charge of the Kundaim and Ponda fire brigade offices, along with his team, arrived promptly to control the fire. However, accessing the hilly location of the house posed significant challenges for the fire brigade. Despite their efforts, the fire caused severe damage to the house, with walls destroyed by the cylinder explosion. Sandesh Chari stated that the fire occurred when no one was home. The blaze not only destroyed household goods but also completely burned his children’s school books. “I have lost everything and am now homeless,” Chari lamented. that it has no authority to oversee the functioning of these vessels. “As per the Water Sports Policy, the entire activity needs to be regulated by the Department itself. They have to ensure that there is no overcharging or overloading and Queue System is maintained,” Captain of Ports Octavio Rodrigues told The Goan adding ‘the role of CoP is limited to issuing only fitness certificate’. “We ensure that NOC is issued to those vessels that are fit to ply and fix carrying capacity,” he said. In November, through a press statement issued, the Tourism Secretary and Director had said that the implementation of the Queue System and other reforms reflects our commitment to enhancing the tourism experience in Goa. The key decisions taken by the department included the mandatory implementation of a 100% Queue System by all water sports operators and stakeholders to ensure transparency and prevent the overcharging of tourists. Ticket rates and timings will be enforced across all operators, eliminating discrepancies between different zones. Additionally, unauthorized water sports operations are strictly prohibited, with stringent checks in place to ensure compliance with registration and licensing norms. The boat, carrying nearly 20 tourists, had capsized resulting in the death of Suryakant Pophalkar, a resident of Khed Ratnagiri. Five others, including a five-yearold boy, are undergoing treatment at GMC. The group had come to Goa for a Christmas vacation. Applications accepted up to Jan 10 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Following lack of response from the local community regarding sand mining permits, the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has extended the deadline for submitting online applications for sand extraction until January 10. In October, the DMG had called for applications from the local community for sand mining over a 30-day period. However, the department received only about 50 applications requesting permits for sand extraction in the River Mandovi and Zuari. The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) had deferred its decision on grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) for sand extraction in 12 zones across the Mandovi and Zuari rivers pending site verification. The Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) DMG had called for applications for sand mining over a 30-day period from October, but the department received only about 50 applications for sand extraction in River Mandovi and Zuari had recommended EC for  sand  mining  in seven zones in River Mandovi and five in Zuari. The department had said that almost 70 per cent of the licenses would be issued to traditional extractors with a cap on individuals to carry out 1000 cubic meters of sand mining per year as per the Goa Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules 2022 The activity would be restricted through manual method and use of mechanical equipment while >Continued on P5 Courts remand Suleman, wife to judicial custody for 14 days THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A court of the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) at Panaji on Friday remanded Suleman alias Siddique Khan, the infamous land grab case accused who caused a stir by escaping from the custody of Crime Branch before he was re-arrested from Kerala, to judicial custody for 14 days. Besides the land grab cases he is alleged to be involved in, Suleman is now also booked and is being investigated for the case booked by the Old Goa police in his escape from the custody of the Crime Branch at Ribandar. Earlier in the day, a Mapusa JMFC’s court had also remanded his wife Afsana alias Sarika Khan to 14 days in judicial custody also in a land grab case at Mapusa. Afsana is also a co-accused in the case booked by Old Goa police for assisting her husband in escaping from the custody of the Crime Branch. After several days on the run, he was re-arrested by Kerala police from where the Goa police took custody and brought him back. MUSICAL DELIGHT: Se Cathedral’s front façade lights up with a 3D projection as the Shillong Chamber Choir captivates a large audience with a two-hour performance in Old Goa on Friday. ( Report on pg 3)  Narayan Pissurlenkar PM, top politicos pay homage to Manmohan, funeral today PTI NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were among the top leaders who paid homage to former prime minister Manmohan Singh at his home here on Friday. The last rites of former prime minister Manmohan Singh will be conducted at 11:45 am Saturday at the Nigambodh Ghat crematorium with State honours, the Union Home Ministry said. Modi described Singh’s death as a big loss to the nation, asserting that his commitment to the people and the country’s development would always be respected. In a video message, Modi recalled Singh’s life journey after his family’s migration to India, leaving behind everything following Partition, as he noted that his numerous achievements since then were no mean feat. The Union Cabinet also condoled Singh’s passing and hailed him as an eminent statesman. New hand baggage rules for Despite progress, HIV/AIDS stats tell different story YOUTH VULNERABILITY: NEW CHALLENGES air travel from next month THE GOAN I NETWORK AGENCIES NEW DELHI In a bid to streamline air travel and tighten security measures, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has now brought into effect a new regulation that governs the carrying of hand luggage in flights. From next month onwards, in both domestic and international journeys, passengers will be restricted to carrying one cabin bag or handbag in the plane. This is part of the government’s efforts in managing the ever-increasing number of passengers at the THE NEW RULE „„Each passenger will be allowed to carry only one handbag or cabin bag weighing not more than 7 kg. The cabin bag size cannot be more than 55 cm in height, 40 cm in length, and 20 cm in width. airports and increasing operational efficiency. The new regulation will significantly facilitate passenger travel and airport operations by reducing traffic at security checkpoints. The BCAS and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have decided to implement stricter luggage regulations in order to facilitate passenger flow through airport terminals, given the steadily rising number of air travellers. According to the new rule, each passenger is allowed to carry only one handbag or cabin bag weighing not more than 7 kg. All other luggage should be checked in. The cabin bag size cannot be more than 55 cm in height, 40 cm in length, and 20 cm in width. This is to ensure uniformity in all airlines and to make security screening easier. PANAJI ven as Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Friday hailed the State’s HIV/ AIDS management programme citing the ‘milestone’ that Goa topped the charts on the NACO scorecard for the country in the April-June quarter this year, statistics for the year however have ominous signs including the heightened vulnerability of the younger population demographics for the first time in a decade. Taking to microblogging site ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Rane said: “Goa in 2024 set remarkable benchmarks in healthcare, earning the No. 1 spot on the NACO Scorecard E „„In 2023, number of HIV affected in 25-34 year age group was highest „„Number of teenagers and young adults infected with HIV (15-24 age group) was also highest in 2023 „„260 new HIV cases were detected in 2023 „„97 (37.3%) were from „„Almost half of total number of people infected with HIV (not yet full blown AIDS) in Goa are 15 to 34 year-olds 25-34 year age group „„Middle-aged 35-49 year group accounted for 85 (32.7%) „„Up to October, already 220 new HIV cases have been reported with younger population continuing to be most affected for AIDS/HIV management for April–June 2024.”  He added that it reflects the State’s commitment to excelling in key indicators such as HIV testing, maternal screening, STI/RTI reporting, HRG coverage and early infant diagnosis.  “With strengthened ICTCs, advanced ART centres and enhanced STI/RTI clinics at GMC, Goa has emerged as a leader in healthcare excellence,” Rane said in the post, adding that the momentum will be built on in 2025 with innovative strategies and initiatives. However, statistics from the Goa State Aids Control Society (GSACS) reveals disturbing trends including the disease penetrating a younger population demographic in the last couple of years for the first time in over a decade. In 2023, the number of HIV affected in the 25-34 year age group were the highest. Also, the number of teenagers and young adults infected with HIV (15 to 24 age group) was highest in 2023, greater than any of the previous 14 years.  In all 260 new HIV cases were detected in 2023, a 7 per-cent increase from the previous year and 32 (12.3 percent) were in the 15-24 year age group.  A much higher 97 (37.3 percent) were from the 25-34 >Continued on P5