OheRaLDOThe Voice of Goa Since 1900

heRaLD RePORTeRVASCO, FEB 22

In a dramatic escape, an under-trial, Michael Fernandes fromAgassaim, jumped off a EscortCell bus loaded with policemenand fled in a motorcycle at thebusy Chicalim junction on Tues-day evening.Fernandes (25) has been accusedof 22 cases of thefts, robberiesand dacoities in Goa and Maha-rashtra.The escape not only suggeststhat it was a well planned move,it also exposes the lax securityprovided in escorting undertrialsto courts and hospitals. According to Vasco police, Fer-nandes jumped off the SwarajMazda bus (GA-01-G-2037) nearthe crowded Chicalim junctionat about 5.45 pm, while the buswas retuning to Sada jail.

Fernandes fled on a Yamaha mo-torcycle (GA-07-H-1429), whichwas reportedly stationed at thejunction.The plot seemed well planned,as Fernandes was aware that thebus would slow down at theChicalim junction at about 5.45pm, due to peak hour traffic.Police further informed thatwhile one motorcycle rider waswaiting at the Chicalim junction,another motorcycle rider, wasconstantly trailing the escortbus from Cortalim, alerting theircounterparts.As soon as the escort bus sloweddown at the Chicalim junction,Fernandes jumped off the busand fled on the motorcycle to-wards Panjim.According to jail authorities, theaccused was transferred fromMapusa judicial custody to SadaSub Jail on December 24, 2010.Sources in the Vasco Escort Cellinformed that Fernandes alongwith five other undertrials wereto be taken to court. Some werescheduled to attend the courtin Panjim, while Fernandes wastaken to Mapusa.Sources informed that one un-dertrial was provided with twopolice escorts, thereby suggest-ing nearly a dozen policemenwere present in the bus when

World: 65 killed in New Zealand

quake, hundreds trapped Pg 11

Sports: Afridi vows Cup

for Pakistan Pg 16

Visit us at:www.oheraldo.in panjim, wednesday, FeBRUaRy 23, 2011 postal Reg. no. Goa 101 pRiCe Rs. 3.00 (air surcharge Rs 2.00) pages 16+4

Goas Heartbeat: I shouldnt have

acted in 3 Idiots Aamir Pg 4

Better be despised fortoo anxious apprehen-

sions, than ruined by tooconfident security.

Edmund Burke

heRaLD RePORTeRVASCO, FEB 22

He may have been an undertrialat the Sada Sub-Jail, but thatdoes not stop him from savour-ing ice cream at a parlour inthe port town and that too,with police security.

In a shocking expose, a VascoEscort Cell team, entrusted toescort prisoners or undertrialsto court or hospitals, wascaught escorting an undertrial

at Sada Sub-Jail to an ice-creamparlour in the port town onMonday night.

The undertrial allegedlycaught in the act is BaleshDesai, accused in the murderof Samir Mapari. Incidentally,Balesh is the cousin of formerCurchorem legislator RamaraoDessai.

Balesh along with the otheraccused, Rajesh Desai and threeothers, were arrested on

charges of murdering Samir Ma-pari at a farm house in Soliem-Cacora on October 31, 2007.

In a joint sting operation byHerald and a TV Channel atabout 11 pm on Monday, Baleshwas caught on camera enjoyingice cream at an ice-cream par-lour along with Vasco EscortCell Police Constable SurajGaonkar (PC 5673).

Two of Gaonkars colleagues Pradip P Patil (PC 5259) and

bus vehicle (GA-01-G-2029)driver Shivananad Budhanoor(PC 5447) were seen waitingoutside the ice cream parlournear Goa Shipyard Limited atVaddem-Vasco.

And it did not take a complexplan for an undertrial to getinto an ice cream parlour. Allthat Balesh needed to do wasto report uneasiness andheadache at around 10 pm inthe jail.

That was enough for thejailor to summon an escort staffalong with vehicle, as there wasa medical emergency in thejail. (Related report on pg 3)

The escort staff along witha vehicle reached the jail within15 minutes, even faster than a108 ambulance would havetaken to reach an accident site.

At about 10.25 pm, the ac-cused, Dessai along with twopolice constables and the escort

vehicle left for the Chicalim Cot-tage Hospital, which is about4 kms from the jail.

After a medical examination,the escort vehicle along withthe accused left the hospitalwithin 15 minutes.

With the official work nowover, it was time for some un-official outing.

Unaware that two reporterson a motorcycle were trailingthe escort vehicle right from

Chicalim, the escort vehiclestopped at an ice-cream parlourat about 10.55 pm.

Balesh and Gaonkar, alightedfrom the vehicle and proceededstraight to the parlour. They or-dered for two cups of pineappleice cream and a parcel of threeice cream cups.

To make sure he would notbe caught in the act, Baleshquickly surveyed the premises

Cops escort jailbird to ice cream parlour

The undertrial Balesh Dessai (grey shirt) along with Vasco Escort Cell Police Constable Suraj Gaonkar (white shirt) at an ice cream parlour near Goa Shipyard Limited, Vasco, on Monday night. Photos by M Prabhav

NCP mulls pulling rug under Kamats feet

PTI AHMEDABAD, FEB 22

Upholding the theory of criminalconspiracy, a Special Court todayconvicted 31 persons and ac-quitted 63 others, including keyaccused Maulvi Hussain Umarji,in the Godhra train carnage thatkilled 59 kar sewaks and trig-gered a mayhem in Gujarat thatclaimed over 1,200 lives, mainlyMuslims, nine years ago.

After a less than two-year trialconducted inside the SabarmatiCentral Jail here, Special JudgeP R Patel accepted the conspiracytheory that contrasts the findingof a commission of enquiry ap-pointed by former Railway Min-ister Lalu Prasad which had heldthat the burning of coach S-6 ofthe Sabarmati Express on Feb-ruary 27, 2002 was accidental.

The quantum of punishmentwould be announced on Febru-ary 25 after hearing the 31 con-victed under various sections of

the Indian Penal Code (IPC) like302 (murder), 307 (attempt tomurder) and 120-B (criminal con-spiracy).

Copies of the judgement werenot given to the media whichgot gist of the order from coun-sels of both the prosecution andthe defence.

Todays judgement immedi-ately sparked a war of wordsbetween Congress and theBharatiya Janata Party(BJP) whichis ruling Gujarat and whoseChief Minister Narendra Modi

earned a lot of flak over thelarge-scale violence.

The former Central Bureau ofInvestigation (CBI) chief, whoheads the special investigatingteam (SIT) that took over inves-tigation into Godhra incidentand other cases of post-Godhrariots, expressed satisfaction overthe judgement.

Maintaining that the SITwould try to get justice in theother cases too, he hinted atchallenging the acquittal in thetrain case in a higher court.

31 convicted in Godhratrain burning case

heRaLD RePORTeRPANJIM, FEB 22

The Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) is toying with the idea ofwithdrawing support to theDigambar Kamat ministry anda final decision in this regardcould be taken tomorrow, Be-nau l im leg is la tor Mickk yPacheco said today.

Pacheco , who met NCPsupremo Sharad Pawar in Delhi

today, told Herald in a tele-phonic conversation that theNCP will take a final view to-morrow on whether to continuesupport to the Congress led gov-ernment after the chief ministerdeclined to accept their demandfor dropping two ministers ofthe Sharad Pawar-led party.

Pawar is agreeable to with-drawing support to the Kamatgovernment but a final decision

wi l l be taken tomorrow,Pacheco said in a telephonicconversation.

Giving details of the meeting,Pacheco said, the meeting wasfruitful and things are movingin the right direction.

Things are working in theright direction. We have beenasked to stay back in Delhi foranother round of talks tomor-row, he said, adding that NCP

General Secretary Praful Patelwill also take part in the meetingtomorrow.

Pacheco said some importantdecisions on the future of thepartys Goa unit and its role inthe State government wouldalso be taken in the meeting.

NCPs national leaders includ-ing A P Sangma and NiveditaMane were present for todaysmeeting.

Aamir Khan

ShweTa KamaTPANJIM, FEB 22

The indigenously made Dopplerradar planned to be installed inGoa might miss its date withthis years monsoon too.

The Indian Metrological De-partment (IMD) in Delhi is stillprocessing the proposal for theBharat Electronics Limited (BEL)radar for Goa after the Chinese-made radar was shifted out ofstate for security reasons.

IMD, Goa In-Charge K V Singhsaid that officials in Delhi arestill working on the proposalfor the purchase of a radar forthe State.

He, however, said that thebuilding at Altinho, where theradar would be installed, willbe ready by Apr i l , 2011 .Singh said that the work hasbeen executed by Central PublicWorks Department (CPWD).

Its been more than two yearsnow since the department isworking on modifying the build-ing. Since the announcement byChief Minister Digambar Kamatover installation of radar in Goa,in 2009, the department hasbeen grappling with licencingissues.

In the beginning, the depart-ment took almost a year to se-

lect a place for installation ofthe device and later decided toinstall it in the DWR building atAltinho, which needed modifi-cation.

As against 9 by 9 meters, thenew building was modified to15 by 15 meters as the antennaof the new radar is large.

By that time, the Chinesemade radar was ferried to Goavia Mumbai in April 2010.

The department soon man-aged to get permission from theState public works and fire de-partments as well as from NorthGoa Planning and DevelopmentAuthority (NGPDA) to install thegadget.

However, the Corporation ofthe City of Panaji, which wassupposed to give the construc-tion licence, sat on the file formore than two months. The filewas released only after the issueof delay in installing the radarwas raised in the legislative as-semblys winter session in De-cember 2009. Later, Kamatassured that the radar would beinstalled by June, 2010. How-ever, the department has failedto complete the pending con-struction work.

The department received a

Doppler radar may miss monsoon date again

Indians in Libyato be evacuated

by air, seaPTI

NEW DELHI, FEB 22

India decided to evacuate itsnationals from strife-torn Libyanumbering about 18,000 and isfinalising arrangements to bringthem back home by air and sea.

Arrangements for air and seaevacuation of our nationals fromLibya are being finalised, For-eign Secretary Nirupama Raosaid, as the crackdown againstanti-government protests inLibya turned bloodier.

Rao, along with other top of-ficials from other ministries con-cerned, held a meeting to workout the logistics of the evacua-tion process which has alreadygot a nod from the political lead-ership, sources told PTI.

Undertrial jumps off police vehicle,escapes on bike

Accused Michael Fernandes.

PM decides toform JPC on

2G scamPTI

NEW DELHI, FEB 22

Prime Minister Manmohan Singhtoday announcing the decisionto set up a joint parliamentarycommittee (JPC) into the 2Gspectrum scam but the opposi-tion said it lacked grace as itwas being blamed for paralyzingthe winter session of parliament.

Bowing to the opposition de-mand, Singh announced in boththe houses of parliament thatthe government had taken thedecision to form JPC as the coun-try could ill afford disruptionof the budget session.

Singh said a formal motionfor constitution of the joint par-liamentary committee would bemoved soon.

Our government believedthat as all effective steps werebeing taken, we might havebeen able to persuade the op-position not to insist on a JPC.We could not succeed in spiteof our sincere efforts, he saidin an identical statement in bothLok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

IN BRIEFTalks with rebels:12 Maoists freed 12 Maoists including hardcorerebel leader Sriramalu Srini-vasalu were today released onbail as talks for safe return ofabducted Malkangiri districtcollector and an engineer ap-peared to reach a decisivestage after another top NaxalGanti Prasadam joined the ne-gotiation process. (PTI).

Pirates kill 4US hostagesFour Americans taken hostageby Somali pirates off EastAfrica were shot and killed bytheir captors today, the US mil-itary said, marking the firsttime US citizens have beenkilled in a wave of pirate at-tacks plaguing the Gulf ofAden and the Indian Ocean. USnaval forces, who were trailingthe Americans captured yachtwith four warships, quicklyboarded the vessel after hear-ing the gunfire and tried toprovide lifesaving care to theAmericans, but they died oftheir wounds. (PTI)

3 killed inpolice firing A cop was suspended and 25arrested after an irate mob seta police station on fire inBihars Kaimur district even aspolice opened fire on the pro-testers injuring three of them,official sources said. Duringtheir stir against the yester-days murder of trader SunilJaiswal, said to be the fourthsuch incident in Mohania inthe past fortnight, the mobvented their ire on Mohaniapolice station by setting it onfire and burning 10 vehicles,including a police jeep. (PTI)

(Continued on page 10)

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GOAOHERALD

O

Pg 2GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

Krishna Gopal Shrivastava created a Guinness World Record by pulling a vessel with his teeth at Patto Jetty, Panjim on Tuesday. Photo by Sachin Ambdoskar

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

Education Ministrys panel formed to investigatethe fake birth certificate issue of Goa Cricket As-sociation President Dayanand Narvekars son,Ganeshraj, has submitted its interim report tothe government.

Sources stated that the panel headed by thenEducation Secretary P Acharya has said that thedepartment cannot take action against Ganeshrajas police are already investigating into the matter.

Education Director, Celsa Pinto was not availablefor comments. Her office said that madam willnot speak to the media as there is Election Codeof Conduct.

The State Government in the first week of Jan-uary had formed the panel headed by Acharyawith three others including education director,members from the Goa Board of Secondary andHigher Secondary Education on it.

The committees mandate was to checkwhether Ganeshraj got the admission by forgedcertificate and also to check whether he enjoyedundue benefit in academic with forged certificates.Former GCA executive member Dr Shekhar Salkarhad filed the complaint against Ganeshraj withMapusa police and also with the Education De-partment citing that he had forged his birth cer-tificates to get admission in school and also to

play under 15 cricket tourneys.Reacting to the Education Departments interim

report, Dr Salkar said that Education Departmentofficials have no guts to act against Narvekars po-litical might. If Goa University can take actionagainst the professors responsible for MBBSmarks scam then why action cant be taken inthis matter? In case of MBBS scam, there is aparallel case with Old Goa police but still uni-versity had its own inquiry and came out withthe report, he added.

Mapusa police had registered a case againstGaneshraj, his father Dayanand Narvekar, motherSushma and others under Sections 465 (forgery),468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471(using as genuine a forged document) of IPC.

Dr Salkar had alleged that Narvekar registeredhis sons birth at two places - Pilerne and Mapusa.

The birth certificate issued by the Pilerne Pan-chayat states that Ganesh Raj Dayanand Narvekarwas born on February 28, 1993, the birth regis-tration was done in November 1994, and a livebirth report was attached by Chodankar nursinghome stating that Ganesh Raj was born at thehospital.

Another birth certificate was registered in Jan-uary 1995, with the Mapusa Municipality, underGanesh Raj Dayanand Narvekar, and showing thedate of birth as February 28, 1993.

Panel submits report to govt on Ganeshrajs fake certificate

Dr Ramani

honoured with

Hungarian

postal stamp

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, FEB 22

Recognising Dr Premanand S Ra-manis work for the past 22years, Hungarys postal serviceshas honoured the Mumbai-based Goan neuro-spinal sur-geon with a postage stamp.

BASS membership: Dr P S Ra-mani delivered a special lectureon the developments of NeuroSpinal Surgery in India at annualconference of British Associationof Spinal Surgeons (BASS) in Ed-inburgh recently. Dr P S Ramaniwas felicitated by the PresidentDr Douglas Wardlaw and con-ferred honorary membership.Dr Ramani was also presentedwith neck tie of the Association.A special Scottish dress was pre-sented to Dr Ramani.

Cinematography workshop HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

The Entertainment Society ofGoa (ESG) has organised a day-long workshop on cinematog-raphy at Maquinez Palace onFebruary 26.

The workshop based on thetheme What is Your ShootingFormat will feature differentshooting formats on digital vis--vis to film. The workshop willalso feature the output of digitalmedia as well as film media onfilm prints. The entry is free andis on first come first serve basis.

Battle For Panjim -- WarD 11

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

The convention centre proposed next to INOX mul-tiplex has become a CCP election issue for the wardnumber 11, which is having BJP backed candidate,Babush panel aspirant and journalist Ashley doRosario, contesting as an independent locking horns.

The recent move of the State government tohave a mini-convention centre in the space meantfor INOX parking has snowballed into electionissue during the campaigning here.

If I get through, I will put my foot down andoppose convention centre. We have lot of otherpriorities other than building convention centrewhich will add to the congestion, BJP-backedManoj Patil told Herald.

Besides Patil and Rosario, Babush PanelsSadanand Thakur, who is sitting legislator, is alsovying for the ward again.

The ward covers areas of Campal parade groundtill old secretariat, covering Kala Academy, ChildrenPark, market, ferry point and other areas.

The locals here feel that the third phase ofPanjim municipal market is incomplete, whichneeds to be taken up on priority. CCP has utterlyfailed to maintain the market. There is unhygieniccondition everywhere. The market portrays sorryface of Panjim, said Patil.

Sitting corporator Thakur when contacted re-fused to talk saying I cant talk now will seesome other day.

A local and social activist Patricia Pinto saidthat convention centre next to Inox will spelldoom for the locality. INOX parking is the onlydecent and spacious lot in the city. It providesrelief for the traffic congestion during events likeIFFI. If that space is also occupied then it willadd to the traffic chaos of the city.

Pinto said that there has been no regulationin the ward, which is a conservation zone. Lookat the tourist buses messily parked in the area.Its a situation of discomfort and chaos, she said.The houses being old structures are low flooredand hence any disturbance affects them straight-way.

She added that allowing shootings here addto the garbage woes and disturb the locals, whohave inhabited here for ages.

Pinto, a former CCP corporator, said that theirfrequent pleas to sort out issues faced by wardhave fell on the deaf ears of the officials. Notbeing able to help from their city fathers, theCampal locals association itself has put up theproposal and got it passed from the Public WorksDepartment to lay underground cables and hotmixing of roads.

Proposed convention centre now a CCP poll issue

Two CCPnominations

cancelled HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

Out of total 154 nomination pa-pers submitted by the aspirantsfor the mayor and corporatorsposts in the forthcoming Cor-poration of City of Panjim elec-tions, two nominations werecancelled after scrutiny on Mon-day.

Returning Officer and Sub Di-visional Magistrate (SDM) SabajiShetye, who scrutinised the pa-pers, said that nominations ofDurga Chari contesting fromWard No 22 and Ashwin iChopdekar contesting Ward No28 have been rejected.

While nomination of Durga -who seems to be a dummy can-didate - was rejected as shefailed to produce the caste cer-tificate, Ashwinis nominationwas rejected because she hasnot attained 21 years of age,which is mandatory to contestelection.

The scrutiny will continueeven on Wednesday. The Mu-nicipal Corporation election willbe held on March 13.

While dates for filing nomi-nation was from February 14 to21 (excluding February 20 Sun-day), scrutiny of nominationson February 22 and 23, the lastdate for withdrawing nomina-tions is fixed on February 25.

Election Commission will re-lease the list of contesting can-didates with their respectivesymbols on February 26.

More than 13,000 Panjim vot-ers will be going for polls onMarch 13 from 8 am to 5 pm.

Counting of votes will bedone at Government PharmacyCollege at Panjim and the resultsare expected on the same day.

BJP and Taleigao MLA Atana-sio Monserrates panel will becontesting all 30 wards whereasNCP a week ago announced tocontest 15 of 30 wards. Severalindependent candidates havealso filed their nominations.

The INOX parking space. Photo by Sachin Ambdoskar

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, FEB 22

The Tourism Department wason Tuesday preoccupied withthe ensuing Carnival festivities,while an inspection conductedby the Goa State Pollution Con-trol Board of Colvas storm waterdrains revealed discharge ofwaste waters by erring estab-lishments.

Crying foul over the sorrystate of affairs, with the con-cerned departments involved ina blame game, Colva Civic andConsumer Forum secretary Ju-dith Almeida said the NGO hasno option than to knock thedoors of the judiciary to put astop to the rampant dischargeof sewage and waste water inthe storm water drains, creekand water bodies.

The inspection began thismorning, but the activists soonrealised that the tourism officialswere conspicuous by their ab-sence. When Almeida called upsenior tourism official PamelaMascarenhas over her absenceat Colva, she told the formerthat the officials were busy withthe arrangements for the ensu-ing carnival festivities.

Colva acting sarpanch An-thony Fernandes and secretaryAllaudin represented the villagepanchayat.

The brief before the GSPCB

officials was simple: To open upthe slabs of the storm waterdrains and ascertain the extentof discharge of sewage andkitchen water into the waterchannel.

Judith pointed out that thesituation has virtually gone frombad to worse, with no actionforthcoming from the concernedauthorities. While the hoteliershad maintained that they havecomplied with the guidelinesset by the GSPCB, the activistsdemanded to know the sourceof the waste water flowing intothe underground drains.

At one point during the in-spection, the team spotted twounderground pipes from a hoteldischarging waste into the drain.In another instance, sewage wa-ters from a restaurant found itsway into a creek. The GSPCBteam noticed some cooking ac-tivity right near the Sulabh toiletblock, indicating the hygienicconditions prevailing in andaround the place.

We are totally unsatisfiedwith the action taken by the au-thorities on the water pollutionsince the last one year. The onlyoption now left for the NGO isto file a writ petition in the HighCourt, Almeida said, addingwe doubt whether anythingworthwhile will come out of thisexercise.

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, FEB 22

Simmering discontentment is brewing amongstsenior Congress leaders from Fatorda over theirneglect by the party leaders on party matters inthe constituency.

These leaders are particularly sore that evenChief Minister, Digambar Kamat and newly-ap-pointed Goa Pradesh Congress Committee Pres-ident Subhash Shirodkar have virtually ignoredtheir presence in Fatorda Constituency, while ac-cording importance to Vijay Sardessai.

A case in point was the recent party functionheld in Fatorda to welcome BJP mahila workersled by Shubada Naik into the party fold. The ChiefMinister and the GPCC president along with PWDMinister, Churchill Alemao along with Sardessaiwere present in strength for the function, whileprominent senior leaders were conspicuous bytheir absence.

Sources in the party said that party vice-pres-idents Luis Alex Cardozo and M K Sheikh werenot invited, so was the case with former YouthCongress President Girish Chodankar.

Goa Pradesh Congress Mahila Chief, MonicaDias, who hails from Fatorda, was also conspicuousby her absence. While Sardessai had telephonicallyinformed Monica about the function, sourcessaid the Mahila Chief was never taken into con-

fidence by Sardessai or the Congress leadershipthough the function was intended to welcomewomen into the party fold.

Incidentally, the Sardessai camp has sought todefend the omission of the senior Congress lead-ers from Fatorda by saying that the function waspertaining to women and was not block levelCongress convention.

Sources in the know said the senior leadersincluding former Minister, Luis Alex Cardozo havenot taken lightly the way party leaders are beingsidelined vis--vis party affairs in Fatorda. It islearnt that some of these leaders have decidedto officially lodge their strong protest with partyleaders, including the Chief Minister, GPCC pres-ident and party high command.

Interestingly, the Fatorda Block Congress washit by dissensions in the run up to the 2007 As-sembly polls as most of the senior Congress lead-ers had opposed nomination of Vijay Sardessaifor the party ticket.

With Sardessai literally running the show inFatorda with the blessing of the Chief Minister,the GPCC president and the Alemao brothers, itremains to be seen how the party leadershipdeals with the discontentment amongst seniorcongress leaders in the constituency before thesimmering discontentment bursts into the openas was in 2007.

Now, Goa to host

Gold AwardsHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

After the International Film Fes-tival of India (IFFI), even smallscreen stars will make their pres-ence in Goa with State beingconsidered as a venue for IndianTelefilms coveted Gold Awards.

The organizers of the awardshave approached EntertainmentSociety of Goa (ESG) to co-part-ner in hosting these annualawards which has been heldsince last three years.

The awards instituted byWhite Leaf Entertainment andMaverick Productions PrivateLimited are an annual eventwhich has been held in cities ofMauritius, Dubai and Mumbairespectively for last three years.

ESGs Chief Executive OfficerManoj Srivastava confirming theproposal from the organiserssaid that it is still in the discus-sion state.

Goa has been hosting IFFI2004 and since then the desti-nation has been looked uponas a place to host similar events.

ESG sources stated that Filmand Television Producers Guildhad approached the State tohost Apsara awards. But the dealdid not get through reportedlyas ESG was ready to give infra-structure while organiserswanted some funding from theState too. Guild had proposedthat Goa should be permanentvenue for the event.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

Transport Department has started the process offorming bids for the fresh high security registrationplates (HSRP) tenders deleting controversialclauses.

Sources from the Transport Department statedthat the fresh tender document has omitted con-tentious clause of compulsory operation in fivecountries.

Apart from this, there are few other clauseswhich are been canceled by the department. Thefresh bid document would be submitted to theState Government in next two days, sourcessaid.

Sources said that the department has identifiedaround 18 indigenous vendors, who can be eligiblefor the bidding.

The State Government on January 27 had ter-minated controversial HSRP contract with M/SShimnit Utsch Private Limited after governmentappointed committee sighted various irregularitiesin the contract.

The termination notice issued to the com-

pany mentioned that a company has donesome changes in its Board of Directors (BoDs)without intimating the State Government.The Government also stated that the com-pany in its financial bidding had figured thata premium of 48 percent would be chargedon plates.

The government while terminating the contractalso stressed on the Apex Court order, whichstated that the rates quoted by the companycould be scaled down using Indian technologyto Rs 469.

The contract, which received strong oppositionfrom sections of society, was also terminated tak-ing into account public interest.

Shimnit Utsch has now moved High Court,challenging the Governments decision of termi-nating the agreement for installation of HSRP inGoa. In their petition before the Court, the com-pany has said that the government decision toterminate the contract was due to public pres-sure.

The court has directed government to file replyby February 25.

Bid formation for fresh HSRP tenders begins

Colva copsturn up late for bullfight

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, FEB 22

Colva police as usual reachedlate at the venue of a bullfightvenue at the road junction lead-ing to Sernabatim on Tuesday,while two buffaloes lockedhorns, leaving one badly injuredat the end of the big fight.

The bullfight began at around9 am, but the men-in-uniformwere nowhere to be seen. Evenwhen a police vehicle came closeto the venue, the bullfight con-tinued, with the buffaloes liter-ally come close to the road.

The police are believed to haveintervened only after the fightcame to an end, and seized theinjured buffalo, which was latertaken to the Colva Police Station.

The police late arrested andreleased on bail one Aslam Bep-pari, believed to be owner ofthe injured buffalo. The policehave registered a case under thePrevention of Cruelty to AnimalsAct against Beppari and oneMario.

Till late this evening, the in-jured buffalo was still found tiednear the police station and thepolice said the animal will bereleased upon orders from thecourt.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

Goa State Horticulture Corpo-ration (GSHC) is facing problemof poor quality of vegetablesforcing its wholesaler to takeback the products.

The Corporation received sev-eral complaints in the last twodays that the vegetables sup-plied at its Porvorim carts werenot of good quality.

The complaints were only re-garding lady fingers and potatoes.The Sangli wholesaler who hasbeen awarded a fresh contract tosupply vegetables at Corporations18 outlets in Porvorim had to takeback the products.

They are new and not awareabout the vegetable quality wesell at our outlets. The qualitythey supplied to us was not upto the standards of Belgaum veg-etables, Corporations Manag-ing Director Orlando Rodriguestold Herald.

Apart from wholesalers inother parts of Maharashtra, theCorporation has tie ups withfew farmers in Sangli who aresupplying their wholesale pro-duce here.

As per the contract, thewholesaler has ensured to rec-tify the fault and supply qualityvegetables from Wednesday on-wards.

Earlier, the Corporations sub-sidised vegetable scheme hadfeared to hit a rock bottom aftertraders raised red flags in Bel-gaum. A brief violence, commo-t ion and fa i led ta lks le f tCorporation in bad taste.

But suddenly, a group of farm-ers in Belgaum came forwardto help out the sagging scheme.The Corporation at the sametime re-routed its supply fromplaced like Chikmangalore,Nashik, Kolhapur and otherparts of Maharashtra.

The immense support by thefarmers helped the GHSC to saveits ambitious subsidised veg-etable scheme from derailing.

Belgaum farmers have sup-ported unconditionally and inreturn GHDC has reciprocatedby paying them handsomemoney for their products. Thesupply is now without any mid-dlemen and commission agentswho escalated the prices of veg-gies.

Poor quality forcesGSHC to return

veggies to wholesaler

Minor nabbed with 30 stolen

cell phones HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, FEB 22

In a major breakthrough in thespate of thefts in the Commer-cial Capital, the Margao policenabbed a minor boy and recov-ered around 30 cell phonesstolen from a electronic shoplast month.

The 17 - yea r boy f romSanguem, who is a native ofJharkhand, was nabbed after po-lice investigations revealed thathe had lif ted away 40 cellphones from City Electronicsshop located on the StationRoad, Margao.

The police has so far recov-ered 30 mobiles and are hopefulof effecting 100 per cent recov-ery, informed Margao PI San-tosh Dessai.

He said the boy, studying ina school at Rivona, was nabbedafter the cell phone users in-formed that they had purchasedthe sets from him. While liftingaway the phones, the boy hadleft behind the boxes. But, wemaintained a track on a basison the phone number, whichyielded results, PI Desai added.

The minor boy has been sentto Apna Ghar.

The incident had occurred onJanuary 27.

Discontentment brewing up amongst Fatorda Cong leaders

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, FEB 22

After a series of ST conventionsin Curtorim constituency organ-ized in association with localMLA Reginaldo Lourenco, Raiavillage is now bracing up to hosta convention of non-ST peoplefrom the village on February 27at 3.30 pm.

Organised by the Raia Vil-lagers Association with the back-ing of ML A Lourenco, theconvention will be attendedamongst others by Chief Minis-ter, Digambar Kamat, PWD Min-ister Churchill Alemao, besidesa host of government officials.

Briefing newsmen, the Cur-torim MLA said the conventionis aimed at bringing aboutawareness amongst the non-STpopulation, including the OBCson the various governmentschemes meant for the generalcategory. There will be one ses-sion totally dedicated to theschemes meant for the peoplein general, he added.

Rep l y ing to a ques t ion ,Lourenco said that he was ap-proached by the Raia Villagers As-sociation for his support inorganizing the convention for thenon-ST population. I was instru-mental in organizing three ST con-vention during the last threeyears. When the Association ap-proached me for the non-ST con-vention to help in popularizing

Raia to host convention of non-STs on Feb 27

the schemes for the general cat-egory, I immediately agreed tothe proposal, he said.

Admitting there are a largenumber of poor amongst the gen-eral category, the MLA said it ishis responsibility to take variousgovernment schemes to the doorsteps of the deserving people.

Raia Sarpanch and Convenorof Raia Villagers Association SavioGomes said the people had ques-tioned them as to why there areno government schemes for thegeneral category.

GSPCB inspection reveals...

Waste water discharge into Colvas storm drains

GOAOHERALD

OPg3

GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

SURAJ NANDREKAR

PANJIM, FEB 22

The delay in notifying the Regional Plan 2021 iscosting the State dearly as industries are forcedto move out of Goa due to non-availability ofland for industrial purpose.

Goas noted industrialist Atul Pai Kane, formerpresident of the Goa Small Industries Association,who has a small unit in Tuem industrial estate,had applied for additional plot for extension ofhis unit but the inability of the Goa IndustriesDevelopment Corporation (GIDC) has forced himto set up a unit in Banda, Maharashtra, about 25kms from Pernem.

The GIDC board meeting, held on Tuesday, wasdominated by the issue. The members felt thatsetting up a unit at Banda also meant that around200 persons from that area got employment.

This is a major issue when the unemploymentis such high in Goa the industrial units are movingout of the State only due to the inability of theGIDC to provide land for industrial units, said aboard member, who did not want to be named.

This is just one example of Atul Pai Kane thereare several other industrialists who are planningto move out. If this happens then what would bethe future of Goan youth vis--vis employment?he asked.

He further added that the corporation just does

not have any land for allotment to any industries.When this reporter met the GIDC chairman

Babu Kavlekar for his comments on the issue, hesaid the GIDC is trying its best to acquire landfor industries.

We have moved several proposals to the Townand Country Planning (TCP) Department long agobut they havent given us clearance, Kavlekarsaid adding when we asked TCP for the reasonthe reply was the Regional Plan hasnt been no-tified and hence they cannot clear the propos-als.

The chairman said there are several proposalsfor acquiring additional land for industrial estatesrecommended by the local MLAs at Pilerne, Tuem,Dhargal, Cumbharjua, Carambolim and Latam-barcem.

Kavlekar added the board meeting decidedthat the issue should be taken up with the chiefminister at the earliest.

I will meet Chief Minister Digambar Kamatand take up the issue on priority, he said.

The board members have demanded that theRP for industrial talukas should be notified onpriority, Kavlekar said.

The members opined that the TCP shouldclear the proposals of the areas where the indus-tries are really needed and can provide employ-ment to the youth, he explained.

RP 2021 delay forcing industries out of Goa

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

Contrary to its earlier claims,Goa Government on Mondaysaid that notification to handover the cases of police-drugmafia nexus to the Central Bu-reau of Investigation (CBI) wasactually issued on February 16,2011.

Under Secretary (Home) Vish-wanath Dangi, in the affidavitfiled before the High Court ofBombay at Goa said that Stategovernment had issued notifi-cation according consent to CBIon February 16, 2011.

The State Government hasissued notification dated Feb-ruary 16, 2011 according con-sent to the extension of powersand jurisdiction of the membersof the Delhi Special Police Es-tablishment to the whole of theState of Goa for the investiga-tion into the crime registeredwith Crime Branch, the affidavitreads.

Whereas, the government

POLICE-DRUG MAFIA NEXUS

Notification to hand over cases to CBI issued on Feb 16: Govt

had claimed of having requestedthe Centre to conduct separateinvestigation through the CBIinto the alleged drug trade-po-lice nexus cases in a formal com-munication to the Union HomeMinistry in January.

NSUI legal representativeSurendra Desai pleaded thecourt to monitor the investiga-tion into the nexus cases.

While in one case seven police-men were suspended, arrested andreleased for having close links withIsraeli drug lord Yaniv Benaim aliasAtala, the second case involved spycam expose wherein police sub in-spector Sunil Gudlar was shown ne-gotiating with two foreign womenover the sale of drugs.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Shri-vastava had addressed the twoletters to the Union Home Min-istry on January 21 and 31, re-spectively entrusting CBI to takeover the investigations.

However, the notification ac-cording consent to transfer the

cases came only on February 16,2011.

Advocate General SubodhKantak requested the divisionbench to keep the case hearingpending till the Centre is madea respondent to this case.

The area of investigation iswide enough that even a sup-plementary chargesheet can befiled in the case (referring to Is-raeli drug lord David Drihamalias Dudus case, chargesheetof which is filed in the NDPSCourt), he added.

NSUI in its petition had alsorequested to hand over Duducase to the CBI, which has notbeen considered by the Statetill date.

The matter is fixed for nexthearing on March 10.

PAC to tighten noose around overloaded mining trucks

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

Goa Legislative Assemblys Pub-lic Accounts Committee (PAC)has decided to tighten noosearound the overloaded miningtrucks by asking the Transportand Police Departments to getback on the i r toes f romWednesday onwards.

PACs meeting held on Tues-day at Porvorim asked theTransport Department to startfining the trucks which are over-loading while Police Depart-ment have been asked toprovide police protection.

The commi t tee l ed byManohar Parrikar has said, po-lice inspector will be supervis-ing the security cover given tothe transport officials on theirdrive against overloading.

The high level committee hassuggested various short andlong term measures that couldbe implemented to curb thehuge quantity of minerals beingexported without paying royaltyand also menace on the roaddue to transportation mess.

Parrikar said that ComptrollerAuditor General (CAG) in its re-port of 2005-06 had pointedout that there is huge royalty

pilferage on the exports of theore.

The PAC meeting, which wasattended by officials frommines, transport and districtadministration, has asked theconcern departments to getback to it by Friday listing shortterm measures they have takento curb overloading of miningtrucks.

The residents of Sanguemand Cavrem, affected by miningtruck movement, were alsopresent for the meeting.

Parrikar said that the Statewill list out permanent meas-ures by May, this year. In themeantime, the departmentshave enough powers to curbthe overloading, he added.

Parrikar also suggested thatthe NOC from Mines Depart-ment should be made manda-tory for the mining trucks. Itwas also felt that a proper leg-islation should be broughtwherein, the lease holdershould be held responsible forany violation by the contractor.

Current mess is because ofthe constant competition be-tween the mining contractors,he said.

The district administration

has also been asked to ensurethat there is sufficient gap be-tween two trucks. Three trucksper two minutes should be al-lowed.

This was special recom-mendation in case of thosetrucks plying from Redi in Ma-harashtra to Amona, he saidadding that district administra-tion officials are also asked todiscuss the problem faced bythe locals here.

The meeting also recom-mended that the trucks shouldrun at a speed of 20 kilometresper hour in the thickly popu-lated localities. The PAC hasalso said that all the miningtruck drivers should be regis-tered with the Mines Depart-ment so that their antecedentsare known.

Also, those driving thetrucks without valid licencewould be identified, Parrikarsaid.

Last week, talking to re-porters Transport Director ArunDesai had agreed that the over-loading has been a majorheadache for the department.

Each truck is supposed notto carry more than 10.5 tonnesore.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

Snubbed by Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Transport De-partment on Tuesday issued notices to the mining firms asking toabide by the High Court directives on overloading of the trucks.

Talking to reporters, Transport Director Arun Desai said thatshort term measures as directed by the High Court through WritPetition in 2009 have been served to the mining companies andtruck operators.

If we dont find any reasonable change within 48 hours, the depart-ment will go very strong to implement all the provisions of CentralMotor Vehicles Act, Desai said adding that violations of the regulationswill be reported to the High Court as contempt of court.

The court had said that if any truck engaged in the trans-portation of ore is found violating any of the measures threetimes in a year, the permit of the truck will be suspended.

As per the regulations for the mineral ore transportation in theState of Goa, the court has ordered, that the trucks loaded at dis-patched point shall carry ore only to the extent of permitted capacitythat is 10.5 tonnes for six wheelers. The mining companies havebeen directed to have their own weighbridges at the point of loadingitself and no truck bearing ore would be permitted to the leave thepremises unless its weight is measured, it adds.

The trucks are also been directed to move in a staggered mannerwith minimum of one minute gap per dispatch. The directions arealso been issued restricting overtaking of one ore carrying truck byother truck carrying minerals. The speed limit has been also regulatedto 30 kms in inhibited areas while 50 kms at other places.

There shall be a gap of minimum 100 mts maintained betweentwo trucks plying on road carrying mineral ore, the measuresreads adding that the time limit of the transportation shall bestrictly maintained between 8.00am to 6.pm with one hour gap.

The departments flying squad has booked 500 trucks sinceJanuary 2011 for overloading. The truck operators are beenfined Rs 2,000 for the first extra one tone while Rs 1000 for therest per tonnes.

Transport Dept issues notices to mining firms

Govt tocompensate

farmers HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

Agriculture Department hasdecided to pay compensa-tion of Rs 15,000 per acrefor the farmers affected dueto natural calamities in theState.

For this, Goa Government hasalready sanctioned a corpus ofRs 2.13 crore under the FarmersAssistance Fund.

Agriculture Director, SatishTendulkar told Herald that thedistressed farmers are asked tocontact their respective ZonalAgriculture Officers (ZAO) tocomplete formalities for com-pensation.

The process has alreadystartedfarmers are ad-vised to contact the ZAO intheir respective areas, hesaid.

The relief scheme will firstgive financial assistance to farm-ers affected by natural calamitiesin March 2008 and gradually itwill cover farmers who suffereddue to unseasoned rainfall inOctober 2009 and November2010.

Sirsaim locals

block Mrashtra

mining trucks HERALD CORRESPONDENT

PORVORIM, FEB 22

Tension prevailed at Sirsaim onTuesday, after residents blockedmining trucks from Maharash-tra.

The agitated residents re-sorted to a road-blockade ag-itation near the near petrolpump in the morning, caus-ing a traffic jam along theroad.

Bardez Deputy CollectorDashrath Redkar, MamlatdarGaurish Shankhwalker and Ma-pusa Police Inspector RajeshKumar rushed to the site tobring the situation under con-trol.

Deputy Collector Redkar re-quested the agitated villagersto withdraw their road block-ade agitation, as it createdproblem for the general pub-lic.

HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, FEB 22

A Police Escort Cell team may have been caught oncamera escorting an undertrial to an ice-cream parlour,but the head of the Escort Cell insists that Cell teamsare prohibited from taking undertrials to unauthorisedplaces.

There are strict instructions that Police Escort Cellteams should not take prisoners or undertrials to anyother place, while they are being taken to court or fora medical checkup, said DySP N C Raikar of the EscortCell.

When told that an undertrial, Balesh Dessai, wascaught along with a Police Escort Cell team at an ice-cream parlour, DySP Raikar said: Such things are cer-tainly not permitted as there are possibilities that the

accused can take advantage of the situation and escapefrom custody.

Whenever prisoners were taken to court for a hear-ing or for a medical checkup, prisoners are not allowedto visit or even halt at any other place, said DySPRaikar.

It is, however, difficult to monitor minutely eachand every act of the Vasco Escort Cell since the policeinspector and DySP are based in the Panjim Headquar-ters, he added.

DySP Raikar, however, assured to look into the alle-gations that a Vasco Escort Cell team was caught es-corting an undertrial at Sada Sub-Jail to an ice-creamparlour in the port town on Monday night.

Earlier, Vasco Escort Cell In-charge PSI Gurudas Dessaiconfirmed that police constables, Suraj Gaonkar and

Pradip Patil, and escort vehicle driver Shivananad Bud-hanoor were on night duty as they had taken the ac-cused, Balesh Dessai, to the Chicalim Cottage Hospitalfor a checkup.

Police personnel are present on duty at the VascoEscort Cell round-the-clock to meet with an emergencyin the jail as often prisoners need to be escorted for amedical emergency, said PSI Gurudas Dessai.

Without court orders, prisoners or undertrials arenot even allowed to talk to people when they are takento court or for a medical examination, he said.

However, police sources disclosed to Herald that in-fluential undertrials have often visited family membersand have even dined in restaurants, whenever theywere taken to the court or for a medical check up withhelp of the Escort Cell.

Prisoners are not allowed to visit or halt at any place: DySP

KTCL yet topay GIDC loan

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 22

The Kadamba Transport Corpo-ration Ltd (KTCL), which is cur-rently incurring losses, is givingthe Goa Industrial DevelopmentCorporation (GIDC) a run fortheir money.

According to the officials inthe GIDC, the corporation onthe directions of the State Gov-ernment had granted a loan ofRs 10 cr to the KTCL in 2006.

However, even five years laterthe KTCL has failed to returneven a single rupee back, offi-cials said.

The total amount payable ason date is Rs 12.5 cr with inter-est, the officials said.

When contacted the GIDCchairman Babu Kavlekar admit-ted the loan was indeed grantedto KTCL which has failed to re-turn it back.

We will take up this issuewith the government as we hadgranted loan only on its direc-tions he stated.

KTCL Managing Director Ve-nancio Furtado on the otherhand expressed his helplessnessin clearing the dues.

Currently I cannot make anystatement on the issue. I willtake up the issue with the gov-ernment and try to get somefunds to clear the amount, hesaid.

Pg4 GOAGOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

SHORT TAKES

OHERALD

O

POWER SHUTDOWNFEBRUARY 24

PANAJI: From 9 am to 2 pm. Areas affected are Gomantak Bhavan,Salgaokar building, Radha Krishna building, Saawni building, San-jeevani building, Janaki building, Swati building, Vihar building,Madhuban building, St Inez Church, St Inez bandh and surroundingareas.

Restricted water supplyPANJIM (HND): There will be restricted water supply to

entire Bardez and part of Bicholim taluka on February 24as shutdown is planned at Assonora Water Works for re-placing 2.5 MVA transformer and VCB panel. The departmentregrets the inconvenience that may be caused to the con-sumers.

Pavan Sirohi, chairman Panjim branch of MBAI receives awardfor meritorious services to the MES Builders Association ofIndia at the hands of Bharat Bhasin, all India President MBA-I,at the 37th annual day function held at New Delhi recently.

Wedyn excels in Spelling BeeWedyn Noronha displays his trophy and certificate that he won

at the 3rd international championship of MaRRS InternationalSpelling Bee Competition 2009-10.

PANJIM (HND): Wedyn Noronha, a muti-talented 12 yearold, resident of Gharse Tower, Panjim, did his parents Savitaand Erlick Noronha, both PWD Engineers, proud by baggingthe 7th place in the 3rd international championship ofMaRRS International Spelling Bee Competition 2009-10,held recently at Nexus International School, Malaysia. Stu-dents from Asian countries of India, Malaysia, UAE, Singa-pore, Korea, China, Pakistan and Phillipines had participatedin this event.

Earlier, Wedyn had won the first, third and eighth ranks inthe North Goa District Interschool Championship, State Cham-pionship and National Championship of MaRRS InternationalSpelling Bee Competition 2009-10, respectively.

Wedyn was also the first runner-up in the HDFC Life SpellingBee- India Spells 2011, held earlier this month at Kala Academy,Panjim.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Phorum jewellery expoPANJIM (HND): As winter gives

way to summer, Phorum Jewelswelcomes this bright season withyet another exhibition of the finestgold and diamond studded jew-ellery.

The glittering collection ofnecklaces, rings, bracelets, ear-rings in intricate designs embel-lished with mesmerizing preciousstones and diamonds, will light up Panjim on February 23and 24, at Hotel Mandovis Rampon hall. The exhibitions willbe open from 11 am to 8 pm.

CM to handover busesPANJIM (HND): Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will handover

19 mini buses to the institutions at a function to be held inRavindra Bhavan, Margao on February 23. Buses will be deliv-ered under scheme titled Indira Bal Rath launched by thegovernment with the objective of providing transport facilitiesto the children of the scheduled tribe communities residingin remote areas of the State. Buses will be handed over inpresence of Minister for Tribal Welfare, Filipe Neri Rodrigues.

DOST program at XaviersPANJIM (HND): Developing Opportunities for Special Teens

(DOST) is an inclusion programme for specially-abled teensto develop social skills conducted by TIES (Towards InclusionEverywhere in Society) - a society of parents of childrenwith special needs, with support from Sangath. InclusionSaturdays - the socialisation sessions were held at St XaviersCollege, Mapusa in the academic year 2010-2011 as part ofthe programme. An open day event to showcase this programwill be held on February 26 at St Xaviers College Hall (en-trance from gate 3), from 10 am to 11.30 am. This event isopen to all.

CRG stages Aami FuluyamPANJIM (HND): Childrens Rights in Goa (CRG) is staging a

play titled Aami Fuluyam to be performed by children fromits child activity centers at Dinanath Mangeshakar Kala Mandir,Kala Academy on March 7 at 5 pm.

Aami Fuluyam is a Konkani adaptation of Oscar WildesThe Selfish Giant. Tickets are available at Magsons Supercenter,Campal and at the office of CRG, Mapusa. Contact numbers:9822983336 / 2263838.

IIE presentationPANJIM (HND): The Institution of Engineers (IIE), Goa State

Centre, in association with Electrical Department, GovernmentPolytechnic, Altinho-Panjim, will arrange a presentation Latesttrends in electrical safety in industries on February 25 at au-ditorium of Govt Polytechnic, Altinho-Panjim, from 2 pm to 5pm.

Dilip Sahakari, BE, MIE, Electrical Consultant; M Durairaj,M Tech, MIE, Advisor to MD, Salgaocar Group of Companies;Prof Sunita Sail, ME Prof and HoD, Government Polytechnic,will give presentations on the subject.

For further information call Dilip Sahakari on 9822164782or Institution office on 2434686.

Corporate quizPANJIM (HND): Goa Institute of Management (GIM) in asso-

ciation with TATA Motors will hold the 11th edition of itsannual corporate quiz WIZBIZ, on February 26 at its new,state-of-the art campus in Sanquelim. The quiz will be con-ducted by one of Indias leading quizmasters, Avinash Mudaliar.A total of Rs 1,20,000 will be given out as prizes at the event.

With the aim of increasing the industry-institute interaction,the quiz is organized every year by MECCA, the marketingclub at GIM. The event brings together members of the cor-porate world from diverse industries for an evening of fierceintellectual competition. It also provides the audience withan evening high on learning and enjoyment. To know moreabout WIZBIZ 20XI, visit www.wizbiz.co.in.

IGNOU program postponed PANJIM (HND): On account of unavoidable circumstances,

IGNOU Study centre 0802 at Dhempe College of Arts and Sci-ence will remain closed on February 27. The induction pro-gramme for under-graduate students scheduled for February27 has been postponed to March 6 at 11 am.

NCBCs public hearing PANJIM (HND): The National Commission for Backward

Classes (NCBC) will hold a public hearing on February 24 atSeminary hall, Secretariat, Porvorim, at 10 am to examine re-quests for inclusion of any class of citizens as backward classin the central list of backward classes and hear complaints.

Castes/communities in respect of which public hearing isto be held are Teli (including Christian Teli), Shimpi (includingChristian Shimpi), Christian Renders, Komarpant, Thakar, Sa-tarkar, Chari/Mesta, Nadaf, Pinjar, Mansoori and Quraishi,Kasab, Kasai.

The associations, organisations and/or individuals of theabove mentioned castes/sub-castes/communities may appearbefore the bench of the commission and furnish all relevantinformation and express their views.

Bro Anils retreatPANJIM (HND): Bro Anil of Salvation Ministry will conduct

a retreat on March 3 at Emerald Lawns, Parra, from 10 am to5.30 pm. The service will stress on the word of God, healing,deliverance, word of knowledge and prophecies. For furtherinformation, call 9226387098/9763553575. Free transportcan be availed by calling 9823055659.

Salvation Ministry services can be watched on Rophe TVdaily from 7 am to 7.30 am and 6 pm to 6.30 pm and on Sat-urdays from 9.30 pm to 10 pm.

The Gram Sabha is a meeting ofall adults who live in the areacovered by a Panchayat. Anyonewho is at least 18 years of age andhas registered as a voter is a defacto member of the Gram Sabha.The members of a Gram Sabha electa Sarpanch, who becomes the Pan-chayat President.

In a village, the Panchayat is di-vided into Wards, which are smallerareas to facilitate easier administra-tion. Each Ward elects a representa-tive known as the Ward Member.These Ward Members, led by theSarpanch, form the Gram Pan-chayat. Each Gram Panchayat re-mains in office for a period of fiveyears, and presides over the GramSabha meetings.

Each Gram Panchayat has a Secre-tary, who is not an elected officialbut is appointed by the government.

The Secretary is responsible for call-ing the meeting of the Gram Sabha, and maintaining records of theproceedings.The Gram Sabha is the key factor inensuring the Gram Panchayat car-ries out its function responsibly,since the decisions are laid bare infront of the people they directly af-fect. The Gram Sabha prevents thePanchayat from misusing funds orfavoring certain people. It plays animportant role in keeping an eye onthe elected representatives, and inmaking them responsible to the per-sons who elected them.

The Gram Panchayat wouldbe responsible for the follow-ing heads:

The construction andmaintenance of water re-

sources, roads, drainage,school buildings and othercommon property resources.

Levying and collectinglocal taxes.

Executing governmentschemes related to generat-

ing employment in the village.

The Gram Sabha would re-ceive its funds for operationfrom the following sources:

Collection of taxes onhouses, market places etc.

Government schemesfunds received through var-

ious departments

Donations for communityworks.

A Little About Civics

1

2

3

1

2

3

What is the Gram Sabha?

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, FEB 22

The Indian Academy of Cytolo-gists in collaboration with theEuropean Federation of CytologySocieties and the InternationalAcademy of Cytology organisedan international conference inpathology at the Goa MedicalCollege auditorium recently.

The faculty were Dr Jerzy Kli-janienko, professor and head ofpathology, Curie Institute, Paris,France; Dr Fernando Schmitt,professor and head and medicaldirector at the Institute of Pathol-ogy and Immunology of PortoUniversity, Porto-Portugal; DrAileen Wee, professor and headof pathology, Yong Loo Lin Schoolof Medicine, National Universityof Singapore, Singapore; Dr ArunChitale, professor and head ofsurgical pathology, Bombay Hos-pital Institute of Medical Sciencesand Dr K M Mohandas, Director,Centre for Cancer Epidemiology,Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbaiand Head of the Department ofDigestive Diseases and ClinicalNutrition, Tata Memorial HospitalMumbai.

The conference was chairedand coordinated by Dr R G Wise-man Pinto. There were also 34Oral Proferred paper presenta-tions and 28 poster presentations.

The prize winners in the oralpaper consultant category wereDr K Suseela, head of pathology,Indo-American Cancer Institute,Hyderabad; Dr Akhil Bansal, lec-turer in pathology, J N MedicalCollege, Sawangi-Nagpur and DrK K Prasad, professor and headof gastrointestinal pathology, PostGraduate Institute of Medical Ed-ucation and Research Chandigarh.

In the oral paper post gradu-ate category, the prize winnerswere Dr S Rehman, post gradu-ate student J N Medical College,

Aligarh Muslim University; DrNisha Sehrawat, post graduatestudent, R D Gardi Medical Col-lege-Ujjain and Dr Umang Patel,post graduate student, C U ShahMedical College, Surendrana-gar-Gujarat.

In the poster category for con-sultants the prizes were won byDr M Suresh, Assistant Professor,Sri Ramachandra UniversityPorur-Chennai, Dr R Chaudhary,Associate Professor, SanjayGandhi Postgraduate Institute ofMedical Sciences Lucknow andDr M P Misra, Professor of Pathol-ogy, J K Cancer Institute, MedicalCollege-Kanpur.

In the post graduate postercategory the prizes were wonby Dr A Waghmare, post gradu-ate student, B J Medical College-Pune; Dr Ankita Jaiswal, postgraduate student, B R D MedicalCollege-Gorakhpur and Dr PurtiAgarwal, post graduate student,B J Medical College, Pune.

Dr Mohammad Zillur Rehman,Associate Professor and headpathology department, Chit-tagong Medical College, Chit-tagong-Bangladesh; Dr HananAlshamlan, Consultant Patholo-gist, Qatar; Dr Anju Pradhan, As-sistant Professor in pathology,B P Koirala Institute of HealthSciences, Dharan-Nepal; DrKhalil M Baba, professor andhead of pathology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sci-ences -S r inaga r ; D r Ra jeNijhawan, professor of cytologyand gynaecological pathology,Postgraduate Institute of Med-ical Education and Research-Chandigarh and Dr N J Trivedi,former professor and head ofpathology, M P Shah MedicalCollege-Jamnagar and Dr S CChawla, head of laboratory serv-ices, Apollo Hospital-Bilaspurwere given special awards.

GMC hosts international conference in pathology

Dr Jerzy Klijanienko, from Curie Institute Paris inaugurating theconference. Also seen are Dr R GWiseman Pinto, Dr Aileen Wee,Singapore and Dr Fernando Schmitt, Portugal.

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, FEB 22

Dr Ashwin Porwal, a renownedprocto-surgeon from Pune, nowa visiting surgeon at Apollo Vic-tor Hospital is among the fewIndian surgeons to be selectedfor a new surgical procedurecalled Stapled Trans Anal RectalResection (STARR).

This procedure was invented

by the Austrian surgeon Dr Longo,for treatment of patients withpiles and worse forms of consti-pation such as obstructed defe-cation which is more prevalentin women, but usually remainsundiagnosed and untreated.

Minimally Invasive Procedurefor Hemorrhoids (MIPH) pilesassures minimum pain and dis-comfort for the patient. The hos-

pitalization period is just oneday. It also assures quick recov-ery, enabling the patient to re-turn back to normal work onthe third day after getting dis-charged from the hospital.

Dr Ashwin Porwal is the firstsurgeon in Maharashtra to per-form STARR surgery for consti-pa t ion and i s p re sen t l yperforming the maximum num-

bers of MIPH surgery for pilesin the country.

He operated upon three pa-tients for piles with the MIPHsurgical technique at Apollo Vic-tor Hospital in the last week ofJanuary. These patients are verysatisfied with the surgical out-come. Dr Ashwin Porwals visitsApollo Victor Hospital on fourthFriday of every month.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CORTALIM, FEB 22

Verna Police Inspector Jivba Dalvirecently inaugurated the officeof Kerala Samajan at Thana inCortalim. On the occasion, theSamajan in association with the

Cortalim Primary Health Centrecarried out a mosquito repellantspray in the worst affected areasof the village. Cortalim PHC Med-ical Officer Dr Mariano Godinhoand the community memberswere also present.

Kerala Samajan opens office in Cortalim

HERALD NEWS BUREAU

PANJIM, FEB 22

In view of the ever-changing face of mediaand innumerable opportunities available tostudents today, the School of Media Studiesof St Xaviers College, Mapusa, organiseda one-day regional seminar on The Chang-ing Face of Media: Growth and Opportuni-ties on Saturday.

Geno Foundation Executive Director SagarSalgaonkar was the chief guest for the sem-inar.

In his address, College Principal Fr Walterde Sa laid emphasis on the need to maintaina balance between positive and negativeaspects of the media since, like anythingelse, it has two sides to it.

Media communication is indeed a greatgift of god to humanity, but one must utilizethese powerful audio-visual means effec-tively for the welfare of humanity andgrowth of the country, he said.

Misusing the powers of the media forpersonal gains or malicious intent can dis-

rupt the stability of society and can alsodestroy communal harmony, causing greatharm to individuals and groups alike, headded.

Sagar Salgaonkar said today, media isplaying an important role in how it shapesthe future of India.

India is the youngest market in the worldand hence it is up to the youth to interpretdata and channel it appropriately, said Sal-gaonkar.

The chief guest released the souvenir ofthe seminar on the occasion.

The seminar comprised three sessions,the first session witnessed a number of em-inent resource persons expressing theirviews on a diverse range of topics.

Raju Naik, Editor of Lokmat, spoke ofthe changes in media. Dr Fr Richard Regoof St Aloysius College, Mangalore, talkedabout Community Radio as an alternativemedia, that is far more accessible and af-fordable.

Oystein Krogsrud, a Norwegian journalist,

analyzed how new media is empoweringthe public sphere.

Israeli journalist, Aimee Ginsberg, spokeabout the ethical responsibility of a jour-nalist.

The theme for the second session wasMedia Scenario in Goa Post Liberationto Date, where a number of speakers, in-cluding Frederico Noronha, shared theiropinions with the students.

In the third session, journalists and re-source persons like Alex Braganza (CEO,Broadway Advertising), Prasad Pankar (Fash-ion photographer) and Rishad DCruz (film-maker from Cavendish College of MediaEducation, London) enlightened the studentson the variety and versatility of career optionsavailable today in the fields of photography,journalism, PR, radio and advertising.

The seminar was a result of the joint ef-forts of the Department of Journalism andthe Department of Mass Communicationand Videography. Lecturer Nitin Volvoikarproposed the vote of thanks.

Emphasis laid on balancing positive, negative aspects of media

Minimal invasive surgery for piles

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MAYEM, FEB 22

Home Minister Ravi Naik hasstated that the State has evolvedas a unique destination fortourists all over the world interms of Goas vibrant cultureand people.

Naik was speaking after in-augurating the Sarvan Lokotsav2011 at Sarvan-Bicholim. Themega cultural event was organ-ized jointly by ShyampurushDevasthan, Sarvan Friends Cir-cle, Shyampurush Cultural Or-ganization and Sarvan Library.

Speaking further, Naik saidpeople in Goa belonging to dif-

ferent caste, creed and religionhave attracted others due totheir hospitable nature.

Goa has a unique cultural

heritage, rich and lively and itis known for several folk festivalsand performances. People frommany castes mingle to providethe unique social representationof Goa, added Naik.

MLA Anant Shet also spokeon the occasion. District YouthCoordinator of Nehru YuvaKendra Kalidas Ghatwal, KudneZP member Fondu Sawant,Karapur Sarvan Sarpanch San-tosh Talkar, Shyampurush Dev-asthan President ShekharSawant, Sarvan Friends CirclePresident Dattaram Sawant,Sar van L ibrar y Pres ident

Umakant Sawant, Shyampu-rush Cultural OrganizationPresident Pundalik Sawant, ex-sarpanch Rayu Sawant, ex-deputy sarpanch DevanandSawant, Deshmukh Sawant andGovind Gunaji Sawant HighSchool Headmistress Mal Al-vares were present on the oc-casion.

Earlier, Home Minister RaviNaik inaugurated the newly con-structed Club House of SarvanFriends Circle at Sarvan.

Shyam Gaonkar compered thefunction, while Sunil Sawantproposed the vote of thanks.

States culture, people attract tourists: Ravin Goa has a unique

cultural heritage, richand lively and it isknown for several folkfestivals andperformances. Peoplefrom many castesmingle to provide theunique socialrepresentation of Goa.

--- Ravi Naik

Pg 5GOA GOA, WEDNESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY, 2011

OHE

RALD

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HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, FEB 22

With families in Canacona townfacing extreme difficulty inprocuring firewood for crema-tions, the Canacona MunicipalCouncil (CMC) could soon playthe role of an undertaker.

At the CMC meeting on Tues-day, some councillors expressedconcern as several families inthe town were finding it difficultto cremate their dear ones dueto acute shortage of firewoodin the area.

Bhagatwada Councillor AjayBhagat reminded the officialsthat eight years ago, CMC usedto stock sufficient firewood tomeet the eventuality. He re-quested for resuming such apractice.

Councilors requested the civicbody to make provision for cre-mation grounds in each of the10 wards to ease difficultiesfaced by the people in distressdue to death in their families.

The councillors also asked thecouncil to finance the funeralsof their individual ward mem-bers in case of financial difficul-ties of needy people.

Taking up the agenda further,the council decided to regularizehouse tax, go for re-tenderingof municipal shops and erectionof Shivajis statue at Chaudi.

Chaudi Councilor HemantGracias asked the council to stopissuing licenses for new kiosks

in Chaudi. He also asked thechief officer to take necessaryaction to remove all the illegalkiosks in the locality.

Councilors also called forf loating a new tender forfeast/exhibitions and separateit from the purview of municipalsopo collector.

CMC also discussed the issueof raising construction licensefee from Rs 5,950 to Rs 9,000as per objections raised by theCentral Audit party.

Council was also asked toissue notice for recovery of Rs6 lakh towards tax arrears froma starred hotel in the taluka andhighlighted the need to collectslab-wise house taxes.

The administration agreed toachieve the target within amonths time with the help ofexisting staff only.

CMC has unanimously de-cided to oppose governmentsmove to take over Konko islandoff Palolem beach, which thetourism department has report-edly eyed to develop an eco-tourism project.

The councilors also gave acall to do away with scrap yardswithin the municipal limits assuch activities tend to cause dis-turbances for the residents.

Interestingly, a calling atten-tion remark by Palolem Coun-cilor Simon Rebello to initiatesuitable action to stop lamanisillegal activities was abandoned

midway and that too withoutany decision.

The councilors were informedthat CMC is fighting 34 litigationcases, of which 12 are filed bythe civic body itself in variouscourts including AdministrativeTribunal over illegal construc-tions and other matters, while22 cases are filed by other liti-gants against CMC.

Council was informed that animmediate ex-chairperson has

filed a case against a sittingcouncilor against whom he lostthe last polls from his ward andthe ex-chairperson has madeCMC also a party to the case.

The meeting was chaired byCMC Chairperson RatnakarDhuri. Deputy ChairpersonSandesh Gaonkar and most ofthe councilors were present. COPereria, municipal engineerSuhas Dessai and staff Santu rep-resented the administrative side.

CMC urged to aid people facing hardship in cremating dead

Parking fee collector may soon be out of job

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, FEB 22

When the Parking Fee collec-tor allegedly began levying ex-orbitant fees at a parking lotin Palolem-Canacona, little didhe realize that one of the ag-grieved motorists would bethe chief officer of CanaconaMunicipal Council (CMC).

Unhappy with the ParkingFee collector for overchargingmotorists for using the park-ing lot, the CMC is now plan-ning to scrap the tenderprocess for collection of feesat the parking lot.

Instead, the CMC plans toengage its own personnel tocollect the fees.

The issue came to the fore

at a CMC meeting on Tuesday,when Ward 10 CouncillorJayashri Pagi displayed parkingreceipts to prove that the Park-ing Fee collector had collectedRs 50-100 instead of Rs 20-30from vehicle owners at aPalolem parking lot.

Incidentally, CMC Chief Of-f icer L S Periera backedPalolem councillor by sayingthat he himself had been avictim of the Parking Fee col-lectors exorbitant fees, whenhe had visited Palolem in hisprivate vehicle.

I was billed Rs 50 for mycar, while another Maharash-tra-registered car was issueda receipt for Rs 100, statedPereira.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

BICHOLIM, FEB 22

People from Sanquelim haveexpressed their support to themunicipal council in its agita-tion against the chief officer.

The people at the publicmeeting have also opposed themove of the MLA and the chiefofficer to have Aprant Maandin on the Bodke ground.

It may be recalled that San-quelim Municipal Council(SMC) Chairman Anand Naikhad accused Chief OfficerBhanudas Naik of pending billsof about Rs 1.40 lakh. The chiefofficer was also in the newsfor granting permission forAprant Maand on the Bodkeground even though there wasanother application for theMarch 4 event by a local sportsclub.

A public meeting was calledby the Eagle Sports Club onthe KTC bus stand Sanquelimwhich was attended by severalprominent persons from San-quelim. Some of the prominentamong those who attendedthe meeting included formerMLA Vishnu Rama Naik, formerSanquelim sarpanch Pravin Ble-gan, ex-chairman of SMC Vi-

jaykumar Verekar, ex-councillorSunita Verekar and some othercouncil members.

During the meeting, SMCChairman Anand Naik high-lighted in detail the currentstatus of the council and saiddue to the high headed deci-sions of the chief officer, theyare facing problems.

He also accused the MLA ofsupporting the chief officerand so the transfer file is stillpending.

We have already demandedwith Chief Minister DigambarKamat the transfer of the chiefofficer and the file is pending,as Pale MLA Pratap Gawas hasasked to hold the transferorder, alleged Naik.

Im holding this chair andam accountable to the people,but because of the chief officerall the works are left pendingsince the last six months,claimed Naik.

We are answerable to thepeople, but we cannot do any-thing without the approval ofthe chief officer as total ad-ministration of the SMC is han-dled by him, stated Naik.

Naik further alleged that thethe chief officer does not fall

in the cadre and is given theposition based on politicalpressure.

We will go on hunger strikeif our demands are not met,warned the chairman. The peo-ple strongly supported thechairman in case if they areplanning to go on an agitationagainst the chief officer.

Speaking on the occasion,ex-MLA Vishun Rama Naik andothers demanded that Bodkeground be reserved for theplayers.

They strongly opposed themove of the MLA of givingthe ground to set up AprantMaand exh ib i t ion . Theyclaimed that the exhibitionshould be organized on an al-ternate ground and shouldnot be held on the Bodkeground.

Some speakers also statedthat during a meeting withSMC, Speaker PratapsinghRane had suggested an alter-nate ground for setting upAprant Maand and that sug-gestion should be followed.

They suggested that the ex-hibition could be organized atVithalapur or the SanquelimGovernment College ground.

GIDC urged to repair

Sanquelim market road

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

BICHOLIM, FEB 22

Sanquelim Municipal Council(SMC) and the people from San-quelim have strongly requestedthe Goa Industrial DevelopmentCorporation (GIDC) to repair themarket road within a month.

According to reports, the en-tire road in the Sanquelim mar-ket has been dug for layingpipelines of the sewage treat-ment plant. The work is beingundertaken by GIDC and sincethe last over two months, thework is left pending.

The entire stretch of the mar-ket is dug, causing hindrance tothe people, especially the busi-nessmen and the shop owners.

The work is going on sincelast several months and the mar-ket road is dug and gutters areleft open posing great hardshipto the public, said Vikas Pangam,a businessman from Sanquelim.

Due to this, there is an ad-verse effect on our business andthe promises made by the SMChave fallen flat, added Pangam.

When contacted, SMC Chair-man Anand Naik said they havestrongly demanded the GIDC tocomplete the work by March 5.

We are aware that the busi-nessmen from the market areaare having problem because ofthis. We have asked the GIDCto complete the work by thefirst week of March, said Naik.

SMCs agitation against CO gets backing from people

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

MAYEM, FEB 22

Stressing on the need to makeIndia a superpower, North GoaMP Shripad Naik has called uponthe youth to shoulder the re-sponsibility of the nation by set-ting aside evil feelings, therebyhelping the society wholeheart-edly.

He was addressing the gath-ering during the annual prizedistribution and inaugurationof computerization with LCDprojector at Shri ShantadurgaHigh School Bicholim on Tues-day.

Naik while highlighting thework of Shri Shantadurga HighSchool declared financial assis-tance of Rs 25 lakh to the schoolfrom the MP Fund for various

Youth urged to shoulder nations responsibilitycauses.

On the occasion, meritoriousstudents were distributed schol-arships and awards.

Bicholim MLA Rajesh Pat-nekar, Sadashiv Walaulikar, Arun

Salkar, Gurudas Zantye, PTAPresident Arun Naik, former PTApresident Vishant Vaze, HMSuresh Ghatwal and GaneshJoshi were present on the occa-sion.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CALANGUTE, FEB 22

Condemning the governmentsplans to set up eco-friendlyhotel as part of a PPP project atBaga, speakers at a meeting onSunday evening warned the Stategovernment not to play with thesentiments of the people.

The speakers termed the PPPas a Public Private Partnershipof Politicians to sell Goa for aprice.

The leaders called upon vil-lagers to remain united and notto allow ministers or MLAs tosell their land to land sharks.

Addressing the gathering, Al-dona MLA Dayanand Narvekarwas critical of Health MinisterVishwajeet Rane, Tourism Min-ister Nilkant Halarnkar and GoaTourism Department Corpora-tion Chairman and MLA ShyamSatardekar of their alleged in-tention to amass huge wealthunder the PPPs, which he hasfailed to understand what it ac-tually means.

Chief Minister DigambarKamat has been saying for thelast three and half years I haveto study the matter whenever

objections are raised by the peo-ple on various projects affectingGoa and Goans, said Narvekar.

Narvekar also divulged gov-ernments plans in selling theMayem Lake, Kesarval Springs,among others, under the PPPmodel.

On the proposed Baga PPPproject, Narvekar requested vil-lagers of Calangute-Baga to re-

main united and never give uptheir prime land under the guiseof PPP.

Narvekar regretted that hehad to share the platformagainst his own Congress gov-ernment due to the arrogant at-titude of the first-time ministersand MLAs.

In his address, Saldanha crit-icized the Congress governmentfor its desires to finish Goa asfast as possible by selling landto outsiders.

We should now be alert cit-izens of Goa and never rely onthe utterances of our MLAs whoare out to destroy Goa at aprice, said Saldanha.

PPP is nothing but a fastmoney making racket throughhefty commissions for the min-isters and MLAs and other offi-cials, charged Saldanha.

Siolim MLA Dayanand Man-drekar and Mapusa MLA AdvFrancisco DSouza urged the vil-lagers to remain vigilant andnever allow their land to be soldto non-Goans for petty gainsand extended their full supportin their stir to preserve theirland.

Eco-hotel on PPP model termed a ploy to sell land

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, FEB 22

The lone Goan sailor ThomasPereira on board the ship M VSinin which was hijacked off thecoast of Oman along with 22crew members, including nineIndians, is safe, according to acommunication received by MPShantaram Naik.

Naik who has been in touchwith Director General Of Ship-ping's Office, Mumbai regardingthe fate of sailor Pereira andother Indians, received a com-munication through fax fromCaptain Harish Khatri, DeputyDirector General of Shippingthat, as per the information re-ceived on February 21, the crewof the vessel have been allowedto speak to their families andare reported to be safe.

Naik who is presently in NewDelhi, contacted the wife of thesailor in Margao to confirmwhether she had received a callfrom her husband and found,that in fact, she received a callto inform her that he was fine.

Naik said that he also met GK Vasan, Union Minister of Ship-ping, who assured him that theDirectorate General of Shippingis monitoring the situationthrough Indian Navy and theowners of the Company.

Naik further said that D G

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CANACONA, FEB 22

Even as Chief Minister DigambarKamat has allotted and inaugu-rated a new ambulance in therecent past, fear looms largethat the two existing ambu-lances of Canacona CommunityHealth Centre (CHC) will bepushed to a parking lot, makingit even harder for patients.

According to Canacona HealthWelfare Committee (CHWC)President Diogo Da Silva andother members who take regularrounds of CHC Canacona, thechief minister inaugurated thenew ambulance in January.

He claimed that this ambu-lance was left unused until hemet Health Officer Dr Vinod onMonday.

The new ambulance, whichwas kept lying unutilized sinceits inauguration, was finallybrought on the road for shiftingpatients to Margao on Tuesday,after I met the health officer onMonday, informed Da Silva.

But unfortunately, this seemsto be at the cost of existing one,pushing it to the parking lot dueto non-availability of drivers,regretted Da Silva.

Da Silva further said when heapproached CHC health officer,he was informed that of theavailable three drivers, one isutilised to drive official jeep, an-other for field visits and thethird for ambulance.

Interestingly, when this cor-respondent visited CHC in theabsence of health officer andcontrary to what Da Silva said, asource informed that CHC in facthas five drivers and not three.

Source further informed that

including the newly allotted am-bulance, there are three workingambulances, but all includingthe new one are poorly main-tained and managed by thehealth authorities at Chaudi.

Besides, three more non-working ambulances lying in thebarracks have already gathereddust and rust, providing thesorry state of ineffective man-agement, added the source.

The services of a cleaner-cum-washer are hardly utilizedto maintain cleanliness of thesevehicles, while the concernedmakes merry loitering aroundand hardly attends any work,charged the source further.

To prove the point, the sourcefurther pointed out to thepitiable status of two stationedambulances where vomit marksare still visible on window glasspane of the new ambulance.

The new ambulance was al-legedly brought out only for onetrip on Tuesday and thereafterstationed back at the spot.

The petrol quota gets ex-

hausted within days of com-mencement of a month and theambulances are pulled back tothe parking lot, making the pa-tients most sufferers, while attimes, EMRIs 108 ambulance isoften requisitioned for shiftingpatients to Margao, informedthe source.

Sources further informed thatinstead of the new ambulancebecoming an additional advan-tage to the needy patients, it islikely to push one more workingambulance to parking barracks,as one working ambulance is al-ready in dormant stage alongwith three more non-workingambulances dotting the CHCsparking lots.

Locals alleged that notwith-standing fund crunch for dieseland maintenances, few driversare mostly lethargic in takingbehind the wheels of ambu-lances claiming these vehiclesare old and needs repairs,thereby compelling working ve-hicles to turn into parking lotsto rust and gather dust.

Ambulances at Canacona CHC gather dust in parking lot!

Ambulances parked behind Canacona Community Health Centre. Photo by Kathy Pereira

Goan sailor aboardhijacked ship issafe: Shantaram

Shipping, Mumbai got the in-formation that the vessel ownedby M/s Irano Hind Shipping Com-pany Ltd, of Teheran, Iran, lostcontrol with their vessel sincethe day of hijacking. The vesselwas en route from Fujaira toSingapore loaded with approx-imately 52000 metric tones ofiron ore.

Hbad-Kolhapur trains to run for four days

weeklyHERALD CORRESPONDENT

BELGAUM, FEB 22

The South Central Railway(SCR) has decided to run WeekSpecial Express Trains for fourdays in a week between Hy-derabad 07143 and Kolhapur07144.

The special train servicecommenced on February 17from Hyderabad and the lasttrain will leave Kolhapur onMarch 31. This train is conven-ient for Goans intending totravel Hyderabad as they canconveniently board the trainat Londa.

According to a press release,enroute the train will departHyderabad at 11.30 pm everyTuesday, Wednesday, Saturdayand Sunday. Enroute the trainwill run via Guntakal, Bellary,Hospet, Hubli, Dharwad, Londa(Wednesday - 4.28 pm), Bel-gaum - 5.30 pm and reach viaMiraj to Kolhapur at 10.45 pm.

In its return journey, thetrain leaves Kolhapur everyThursday, Friday, Monday andTuesday at 7.30 am. En routethe train will run via Belgaum(11.23 am), Londa, Dharwad,Hubli, Hospet, Bellary, Gun-takal reaching Hyderabad at 4am next day.

The last train in this servicewill leave Hyderabad on March30, while the last train fromKolhapur will leave on March31.

Narvekar requestedvillagers of Calangute-Baga to remain unitedand never give up theirprime land under theguise of PPP.

Vasco float paradeAdelmo Fernandes, Vasco

The population of Vasco has grown by leapsand bounds. During Carnival, Swatantrapath is teeming with floats and surgingcrowds, leading to a minor stampede. Itwould be in the fitness of things if the floatparade is diverted to F L Gomes road, andSwatantra Path is kept open to traffic. Thiswill make movement of carnival floats mucheasier.

There is also ample space on this roadfor crowds to stand and watch the floats.It will also solve the parking problem forvehicles, as most of them can be parkedalong Swatantra Path.

Harmful plastic bags Mahesh Kapasi, New Delhi

Plastic carry bags are very harmful. Yet, all

kinds of commodities are sold in them.Hot tea is and food is packed in plasticbags. Magazines are sealed in plastic en-velops. Oil, shampoo, conditioner, washingsoap, gutkha and paan masala are all soldin plastic sachets. Ready-to-eat items aresold in plastic bags

It is necessary to put a blanket ban onthe manufacture of plastic bags. Peopleshould be dissuaded from using them.

Then and NowWillie Severes, Majorda

It was shocking to read that a newly formedcommittee headed by freedom fighter Fla-viano Dias has demanded that roads withPortuguese names should be renamed afternational heroes and freedom fighters. Rightnow, Goa is facing issues such as mining,mega housing projects, garbage, trafficchaos on the streets, bribes, drug lords;the list goes on Our greedy and corruptpoliticians are responsible for this mess.

Flaviano should look at what is ahead,not at the past. Tackling these vital issues,rather then changing street names. Thatis the mark of a true freedom fighter. Thatis what Goans need from you.

Overcautious news media?Govind Kharangate, Sydney

It is about time the Goan news media takessome of the blame for the evils plaguingour Goan society. We just have not seenenough investigative journalism that canexpose the truth, be it bribery or a scam,mega or small. On the other hand, I ambemused to find ministers being quotedfor vital issues like: How school is a step-ping stone of our career, (Arent parentsqualified enough to tell us that?) and howX number of councillors from Y party filedfor candidature in Z election. Do we reallyneed that kind of news? Some of theMarathi newspapers have really been amajor disappointment in this regard.

Shouldnt the