Staff Reporter

Panaji

In a petition related to felling of a tree at St Inez and translocation of another tree to the Campal ground, Advocate General Devidas Pangam submitted before the High Court that permission was granted to translocate one tree as it was coming in the way of a pipeline and one tree was allowed to be cut as it could pose danger to a residential building. He told the court that both the trees were marked and then the necessary action was taken.

The AG also told the court that the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) had applied before the authorities seeking permission to cut six trees to go ahead with the Smart City works, however, permission to cut four trees was rejected as those trees were found posing no danger, while permission was granted to translocate one tree and cut one tree.

He also submitted before the court that no trees were cut without permission and there was no intention to cut any tree in future without obtaining proper permission following the due law. Accordingly, the High Court disposed of the petition.

It may be recalled that a banyan tree was removed overnight by deploying two excavators and additional workforce under the heavy deployment of police and was taken to the Campal ground by a trailer for translocation.

The IPSCDL had said that the GSUDA, which is executing the works, is in possession of relevant permissions to cut a rain tree and translocate a banyan tree.

Both trees were posing “hindrances” to the ‘Smart Road’ project, the officials had said.

Staff Reporter

Panaji

With an aim of promoting nature conservation, the Directorate of Education (DoE) has decided to increase the number of fruit-bearing trees by sowing seeds at the hands of students from schools across the state.

Focusing on mango and jackfruit especially, the DoE has come out with an educational video by involving students of the Government High School at Dona Paula.

“It all starts with as simple as eating the fruits, washing the seeds and then storing them safely. And when the school reopens in the month of June or when the rain comes, the seeds are to be sown. This year we are focusing on mango and jackfruit,” said Paul Fernandes, state programme coordinator (media/PR), DoE. 

Director of Education Shailesh Sinai Zingde, in a circular, said, “We embrace the arrival of the summer season; we would like to remind you about the significance of consuming fruits during this time as well as the potential to create a positive impact on the environment by growing saplings from the seeds we normally throw out.”

He said to promote the value of nature conservation all students have to be encouraged to participate in growing saplings from fruit seeds this summer.

“By taking this small step, we can actively contribute to increasing the green cover of our surroundings,” he said.

The DoE has explained the step-wise process to be followed right from choosing the fruit to sowing the seeds and transplanting the seedlings.

It has urged the heads of all the government and aided primary, high schools and higher secondary schools along with teachers and parents to motivate and guide the students to take up the green initiative.

Staff Reporter

Vasco

Setting a fine example of communal harmony, a Christian singer from Sanvordem has earned a name for himself among the bhajan lovers.  Francis Anthony has been performing ‘Geet Ramayan’ (the Ramayana epic through songs) in Marathi at the Ram Mandir in Mestawada, Vasco for over three decades. 

A musician from Mestawada, late Gokuldas Chari, had introduced Anthony to the Ram temple around 30 years ago and thus started his journey of presentation of bhajans during the annual Ram Navami celebrations. 

Like every year, this Ram Navami also saw Anthony presenting divine songs at the temple, leaving many awestruck.  “It was a perfect demonstration of communal harmony, quite literally, in music,” said a devotee.

“I am from Sanvordem and would participate and win several singing competitions in Vasco. I would go and meet Chari at Mestawada. He was a musician in the famous Diamond Orchestra in those times and he used to invite me to join him in the orchestra. In his free time, Chari would go to temples to sing bhajans and I would accompany him as well. Since I love Marathi, I would also sing with him in the orchestra and also during his bhajan programmes at temples,”
said Anthony.

“One day, when his regular bhajan singer did not turn up at the rehearsal for the Ram Navami programme at Mestawada, Chari requested me to be the main singer. Having accompanied Chari at various bhajan programmes, I knew a few devotional songs and parts of Geet Ramayan. Chari, however, insisted I prepare for at least 5-6 devotional songs and sing it the next day for Ram Navami. He even arranged a room for me and got me several cassettes and I tried to get the songs right by rehearsing them the entire day. I finally sang all six songs in Marathi the next day at the Ram Mandir in Mestawada and people liked my performance,” Anthony said.

Over the course of time, Anthony said they had increased their repertoire and would sing as many as 30 songs for a show. 

However, as 30 songs would consume a lot of time somebody from their group suggested that they stick to around 15 songs of Geet Ramayan and restrict the programme to two hours.

Anthony lost his friend Gokuldas Chari to Covid, but he continues to perform at the Mestawada temple and even performs alongside a photograph
of  Chari.

Staff Reporter 

Panaji

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has issued advisories to all state and Union territory administrations regarding the prevention of potential groundwater contamination due to rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in urban areas. 

The move comes after the National Green Tribunal said that RWH systems could be a source of groundwater contamination if not implemented properly.

The NGT had directed the ministry to look into the issue urgently through a joint committee with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Urban Development. A committee was subsequently formed which visited selected RWH sites in Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.

Key findings of the committee include deficiencies in RWH implementation at certain places, with lack of attention to preventing contaminants from breaching the systems and eventually reaching groundwater reserves, especially where harvested water is used for artificial recharge. 

Goa has amended its existing policy on Rainwater Harvesting (Amendment) 2022 but it doesn’t mention the dos and don’ts on installation of system. But response was not positive.

The committee stressed adhering to the Bureau of Indian Standards Code IS 15797:2008 on implementation of rooftop RWH systems, which provides comprehensive guidelines.

It recommended avoiding RWH for artificial recharge in congested urban areas near sewage systems/landfills where contamination risks are high. Other major recommendations include promoting cluster-based RWH instead of individual household schemes in areas with small households, installing piezometers at large RWH sites for periodic monitoring, designing systems to bypass the first roof flush and prevent mixing with drain/road runoff, and using harvested water strictly for non-potable purposes unless treated.

The committee also suggested promoting concepts like Bengaluru’s RWH Theme Park for public guidance, geotagging all RWH sites for better monitoring visibility, preventing misuse of recharge tube wells for pumping, considering online filters to remove minor contaminants, strengthening District Jal Shakti Kendras and raising public awareness. Monthly random inspections by district administrations and corrective action were also recommended. The ministry has issued detailed dos and don’ts for planning, construction, maintenance and monitoring of RWH systems to safeguard groundwater quality. 

The dos include choosing the right recharge technique, locating RWH sites at safe distances from contamination sources, providing filters and bypasses for first flush, using dual pipe systems for non-potable use of harvested water, installing piezometers at large-scale RWH sites, and geo-tagging all locations.

Don’ts include avoiding recharge in shallow groundwater areas or near contamination sources like sewage systems, not allowing mixing of drain/road runoff, not locating near landfills/sewage systems, not recharging contaminated water, not diverting domestic wastewater to recharge pits, and not constructing recharge wells beyond the water level.

States have been advised to strictly follow these guidelines and approach CGWB regional offices for technical support if needed.  

With rapid urbanisation, rainwater harvesting is crucial for groundwater recharge. However, the NGT’s observations and the committee’s findings highlight the need for stringent implementation to prevent systems from becoming potential contamination sources, defeating their purpose. The advisories aim to facilitate sustainability and safety of urban RWH initiatives across India.

Margao: Bodies of two brothers in their 20s were found in a semi-decomposed state under mysterious circumstances in their flat in Aquem, Margao on Wednesday.

The incident came to light late on Wednesday evening after a 67-year old man Nazir Khan informed the Margao police of several failed attempts to contact the family.

Suspecting something amiss, he informed the police who rushed to the spot and entered the flat with the assistance of a team from the fire and emergency services.

They had to break open the door as no one answered the door bell. A forensic team rushed to the spot to carry out the investigation.

The mother of the boys was found on the bed in a semi-conscious state and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. “Ruksana Khan aged about 53 was rushed to the hospital”, an official said.

Police informed that body of the elder son Zubair Khan, aged 29 years, was found in sleeping position in the hall, while the body of younger son Afaan Khan (27) was found in the bedroom  suggesting that the death may have occurred due to starvation. The police suspect that they could have been going through some psychological issues.

Police informed that a case of unnatural death has been registered and the bodies have been preserved in district hospital morgue. The exact cause of death will be ascertained after the post-mortem. Further investigation is in progress.

Panaji: Seizures made by the enforcement agencies in the state since the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections came into force on March 16 amount to Rs 16.6 crore.

Polling for the parliamentary elections will be held in Goa during the third phase on May 7.

The state government on Wednesday said that as of April 22, the highest seizures have been made by the income tax department, which has collected Rs 7.6 crore of unaccounted cash and precious metal, followed by the excise department, which has apprehended 62,949 litres of liquor worth Rs 3.5 crore.

Seizures made by other agencies include commercial tax department’s confiscation of 1,39,909 items used as freebies and valued at Rs 1.4 crore. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized drugs valued at Rs 0.5 crore comprising methamphetamine (532 grams), cannabis 500 grams and ganja 10grams.

Goa police has seized cash, liquor, drugs, narcotics and freebie goods, all amounting to Rs 3.3 crore, while seizures of the Railway Protection Force are valued at Rs 0.008 crore.

Seven agencies are involved in election-related seizures in the state.

The model code of conduct imposes restrictions on the movement of cash, liquor, freebies, drugs, jewellery and any other item that may potentially influence the voters.

The cash-on-person restriction for individuals is Rs 50,000. In case of liquor, the excise department, this year, has stopped the carrying of liquor bottles across the borders until the mode code of conduct is in force.

Panaji: BJP state president and Rajya Sabha member Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Wednesday said Congress’ South Goa candidate, Viriato Fernandes, was a person of double standards and that it was not the first time he had shown disrespect to the country. Once earlier, he refused to allow the hoisting of the Indian flag on St Jacinto Island, alleged Tanavade.

Tanavade said the BJP has filed a complaint before the Election Commission of India, demanding prompt intervention in the matter of the comment made by Fernandes against the Constitution.

Controversy sparked on Monday following Fernandes’ statement that the Constitution, which was adopted a decade before Goa’s liberation, had no provision for dual citizenship and had been imposed on Goans.

“Fernandes’ views expressed in his campaign speech suggest that he has complete disregard for the Constitution, which is the very foundation of our nation’s democracy and sovereignty,” he said, adding that the Constitution is a sacred guiding light that defines the power of pluralism, sovereignty, brotherhood, and unity.

“The views expressed by Fernandes are unbecoming of a so-called “war veteran” and stink of an anti-national as well as a divisive mentality, which is detrimental to the democratic and social fabric of our nation,” he said.

Tanavade said that the speech violated the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha elections as it spewed hate against the Constitution.

“The Election Commission must give this some serious consideration. It is only fitting that the Election Commission of India strongly condemns this hate speech and withdraws Viriato Fernandes’ candidature.”

Mormugao MLA files plaint against Cong candidate over ‘Constitution’ statement

Margao: Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar on Wednesday lodged a complaint with Colva police against INDIA block Congress candidate for South Goa, Viriato Fernandes, for “disrespecting the Constitution” at a public meeting in Benaulim.

In the complaint lodged under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to the National Honour Act, 1971, Amonkar stated that, two days ago, Fernandes made certain statements that were intended to disregard and disrespect the Constitution.

“Fernandes at the public meeting has referred to his conversation with the then Congress president Rahul Gandhi on March 10, 2019, on the eve of the last Lok Sabha election, wherein he recollects having told Gandhi that when Goa got liberated on December 19, 1961, the Indian Constitution was forced upon Goa,” stated Amonkar.

Fernandes, he said, further stated that though the first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had stated that Goans would decide their own destiny somebody else decided Goans’ destiny.

Amonkar said that at the meeting, Fernandes said that the Constitution was implemented on January 26, 1950, and Goa was not part of India, and when Goa got liberated in 1961, the Constitution was forced upon its people.

Vasco: BJP South Goa Lok Sabha candidate Pallavi Dempo, who campaigned in the Cortalim constituency on Wednesday, held a corner meeting and visited the Birla market in Sancoale.

“We are happy to see the turnout in our constituency in support of Dempo. Women have come out in large numbers in support of our woman candidate,” said Cortalim MLA Antonio Vas. The Independent MLA is supporting Dempo for the Lok Sabha elections.

Deputy sarpanch of Sancoale, Girish Pillai, said, “We have Dempo with us today, and in a few days we will have Prime Minister Narendra Modi in our village campaigning for her. We are sure that we will have the highest number of votes from our Cortalim assembly constituency, including our Sancoale village.”

Stating that she was very happy to see the kind of support and love being showered on her by the people, she sought the people’s blessings.

Dempo participated in a corner meeting held at the Umiya Building in Cortalim, along with BJP Goa general secretary Narendra Sawaikar, ex-MLA Milind Naik, Girish Pillai, and party workers.

Panaji: Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, they say, is a lucky politician. In the 2022 assembly polls, when he contested on the BJP ticket, he won by a margin of 77 votes.

But he holds another important record, that too in the Lok Sabha elections.

In March 1998, nearly four years after he was defeated in Marcaim by present Union Minister Shripad Naik, who had contested on the ‘Lotus’ symbol as the MGP-BJP alliance candidate, Ravi contested the parliamentary election on the ‘Hand’ symbol. He won the poll in a very close contest.

Till date, that victory margin remains a record for the North Goa constituency.

The 1998 Lok Sabha elections saw him pitted against the BJP’s Pandurang Raut, a transport businessman. A former MGP legislator from Bicholim, Raut, had joined the BJP ahead of the 1998 parliamentary polls.

In a fiercely fought battle, Ravi got the better of Raut by just 417 in a triangular contest.

While Raut gave the Congress a scare, the result came as not much of a surprise to political analysts who had noted that the BJP was on the rise.

Former chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who was elected in the 1994 assembly elections, had been like a crusader against corruption. While being the Panaji MLA, he had contested the 1996 Lok Sabha elections and had mobilised the party cadre well.

In the 1998 LS poll, more than 43,000 votes were polled by the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), a party floated by Churchill Alemao. Despite Alemao campaigning heavily in North Goa, his candidate, Babuso Gaonkar, a former legislator, lost. At the time, Alemao was the South Goa MP and was at his peak. Yet he couldn’t retain his Lok Sabha seat.

Congress’ Francisco Sardinha contested the Lok Sabha elections in 1998, four years after he was defeated by UGDP’s Antonio Gauncar from Curtorim constituency.

The battle for the South Goa seat was another that was keenly contested. Sardinha crossed the one lakh mark and was closely followed by the BJP’s Ramakant Angle, who polled 92,240. Alemao secured 88,839 votes—a 30% share. With Salcete’s votes split mainly between Congress and the UGDP, Sardinha had to be content with a 7,850 margin victory.

But that was not the lowest victory margin in South Goa. As per statistics,

the lowest margin was recorded in the second parliamentary election post-Liberation in 1967.

In that year, Erasmo Sequeira, contesting for the United Goans (UG) party, polled 40% of the votes, securing 54,327 votes. MGP’s Sushil Kavalekar came very close, getting 51,775 votes. Rival of UG (Sequeira), UG (Furtado), fielded Armando Menezes, who got 17,497 votes. With this, Erasmo won by just 2,552 votes, the lowest recorded margin so far in South Goa.

The second-lowest winning margin for South Goa was seen in 1963, the first parliamentary election held in Goa post-Liberation. Contesting on the MGP ticket, Mukund Shinkre polled 49,798 votes against his nearest rival, A D Loyola Furtado of UG, who got 45,947 votes. Interestingly, Laura D’Souza, contesting on the Congress ticket, secured 23,253 votes, leaving Shinkre with a victory of 2,851 vote margin.

The second-lowest winning margin for the North Goa seat was in 1971. Purshottam Kakodkar of the Congress won the seat against his nearest rival, Madhav Talaulikar of the MGP, by 3,030 votes.

Mapusa: A 21-year-old worker died as a truck plunged from over the flyover along the national highway at Guirim and fell on the service road early Wednesday morning.

Four other workers, including the driver, have got injured.

Police said that the accident occurred at around 5.30 am on Wednesday when the truck was proceeding from Tivim towards Panaji to collect dry.

Police said that the truck driver Baniram Murmu (26), a resident of Jharkhand lost control over the vehicle which crossed the highway divider and hit the metal crash barrier on the side of the road. The impact was so strong that the truck broke through the metal crash barrier and plunged onto the service road.

A worker onboard the truck identified as Salman Hembrom, a native of Jharkhand died while Prameshal Marandi (21), Sobresh Marandi (18) and Buddiram Marandi (18), all residents of Tivim and natives of Jharkhand were injured. The trio was rushed to the district hospital and later discharged.

Mapusa police have booked the truck driver Murmu under sections 279, 337, 338, 304(A) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 192 of the Motor Vehicle’s Act and have arrested him.

Mapusa police are further investigating the case.