SURaJ NaNDReKaR

Panjim, Feb 5: The Goa

Government has flouted all

rules, including observations

made by the Finance De-

partment, to award a con-

tract to a power developer

for setting up power project

in Chattisgarh, where the

State has been allotted a coal

block by the central Govern-

ment.

The ostensible objective

was to access power pro-

duced by the developer to

augment the States power

reserves.

The Centre in 2001 had

communicated to all States

informing that State Gov-

ernment Undertakings are

allowed to do mining of cok-

ing and non-coking coal or

lignite reserves, anywhere in

country subject to certain

conditions.

While till 2001 to 2007 no

Government acted on the

communication, in 2008 the

Digambar Kamat Govern-

ment appointed Goa Indus-

trial Development

Corporation (GIDC) as the

nodal agency for implement-

ing the scheme.

The Corporation there-

after invited Expression of

Interest seeking proposals to

shortlist a power developer

for setting up power projects.

However, at this point of

time the Corporation had no

mandate to undertake min-

ing activity and it sought an

amendment to the object

clause of the Corporation to

>Continued on pg 11

The Voice oF Goa - - Since 1900

inside

Art in the open

Garbage solution

Panjim I February 6, 2011 I Postal Reg. No. Goa 101 I Price Rs. 3.00 I Air Surcharge Rs 2 I Pages 16+10

Goa can be the happiest State in theworld: MashelkaraSHWIN TOmBaT

Goa should be the happiest

State in the world by 2035;

where every Goan will do

well, there is harmony, pristine nature,

and development without destruc-

tion, eminent scientist Dr R A

Mashelkar said in the inaugural lecture

of the D D Kosmabi Festival of Ideas at

Kala Academy, Panjim, on Saturday.

Pointing out that innovation and

knowledge will drive the present cen-

tury, he said Goa owing to its small

size, high human development in-

dices, education and widespread

knowledge of English is best suited

to be a knowledge economy.

Describing himself as a dangerous

optimist, Dr Mashelkar cited his own

background of a boy coming from

a poor family that struggled to make

ends meet, and was unable to afford

even school fees, studying under a

street lamp, and then going on to be-

come a prestigious Fellow of the Royal

Society in Britain as an example of

Making the Impossible, Possible; the

subject of his talk.

He said India had gained three free-

doms over the past 60-odd years. The

first was political freedom in 1947, fol-

lowed by economic freedom (the free-

dom to compete) in 1991, when then

Finance Minister Manmohan Singh

opened up the economy. The third,

>Continued on pg 11

bRITISh OFFIcIAlS cAllED zARDARINUmbSkUll >> P12

worldTRINAmOOl mAy bAck cONg ON jPc DEmAND >> P11

indiahAyDEN IS ThE bIggEST chIckEN-hEARTED: bhAjjI >> P16

sports

sunday

weekend

visit us at: www.oheraldo.in

P8

Sumedha excels at Fest

P9

P4

It is not the size of thebudget but the size of theidea that matters.

When Satyam (truth) losesits meaning, when Adarsh(ideal) loses its meaning; weneed to do something about it.

Making the impossible possi-ble is a thing of the mind.I only think of the future, be-

cause that is where I amgoing to spend the rest of mylife.

The I in India should standfor innovation, not for inhibi-tion or imitation.

When 1.2 billion Indians getup each morning and say:My India, what an India thatwill be!.

RAM-ayana: Quotes of R A Mashelkar

Team HeRaLD

Margao, Feb 5: Three days

after they clashed in the As-

sembly in the just concluded

Session over the alleged

water tank distribution scam

in the PWD, the tremors of

the fierce battle between the

BJP led by Manohar Par-

rikar-Damu Naik duo and

PWD Minister, Churchill

Alemao-Vijay Sardessai

combine were strongly felt in

Fatorda on Saturday.

While the PWD Minister

dared Parrikar to hold an

Opinion Poll to seek the

pulse of Goans on the func-

tioning of the PWD during

his tenure, the Leader of the

Opposition said a Commis-

sion of Inquiry to probe into

works executed by the PWD

bill wise pertaining to just

one year would nail the

PWD Minister.

Both the PWD Minister

and the Opposition leader

were in Borda-Fatorda on

Saturday attending different

functions in and around the

Multipurpose school com-

plex.

Alemao took the platform

at a sports meet held for the

deaf and dumb at the Multi-

purpose grounds challeng-

ing the BJP to prove the

charges of corruption.

Alemao thundered: I

swear by my family that I

have not pocketed even one

rupee from the distribution

of water tanks to the com-

mon man and the downtrod-

den.

The people of Goa are

aware of my achievements

during my tenure as PWD

Minister. I am confident that

an Opinion Poll would give

me a clean chit and expose

the BJPs baseless propa-

ganda, Alemao asserted.

Thats not all. The PWD

Minister publicly declared

that he would soon descend

in Fatorda to drum up sup-

port for his close aide and

GPCC General Secretary

Vijay Sardessai in the run up

to the coming Assembly

polls.

Saturday afternoon saw

>Continued on pg 11

FATORDA ERUPTS IN WAR OF WORDSBJP duo, Churchill clash

Doha, Feb 5: Ending months

of uncertainty, the ICC today

banned former Pakistan

captain Salman Butt for 10

years and sanctioned seven

and five years of ineligibility

for pace duo of Mohammad

Asif and Mohammad Aamer

after finding the three crick-

eters guilty of spot-fixing.

In its verdict, the ICC im-

posed 10 years ban on Butt

with five years of suspended

sentence, Asif a seven-year

sanction with two years sus-

pended, while Aamer was

banned for five years.

The Tribunal found that

the charges under Article

2.1.1 of the Code that (re-

spectively) Asif agreed to

bowl and did bowl a deliber-

ate no ball in the Lords Test

match played between Pak-

istan and England from 26 to

29 August 2010, Aamer

agreed to bowl and did bowl

two deliberate no balls in the

>Continued on pg 11

Tainted Pak trio stumpedICC imposes lengthy sanctions afterfinding them guilty of spot-fixing

Govt signs power project MoU bypassing financial normsFinance Dept lists irregularities in awarding contract forpower plant in Chattisgarh to supply power to Goa

HERALD EXCLUSIVE

POWERFUL OMISSIONSFinance Departments observations

n MoU signed without Cabinet approval

n Contract signed even before coal block wasawarded to the State

n Benchmark for financial parameters not known

n Fixed only 10% of production by the power devel-oper as the requirement with no guarantee of get-ting balance reserves

STANDING TALL: Eminent scientist Dr R A Mashelkar delivering the inaugural lecture ofthe D D Kosmabi Festival of Ideas at Kala Academy, on Saturday.

Aamer, Asif and Salman.

Top Navy man sacked in sex scandalNew Delhi, Feb 5: A senior

Navy officer has been sacked

for having sexual relations

with a Russian woman in

Moscow as head of the In-

dian team overseeing the

refit of aircraft carrier Admi-

ral Gorshkov there.

Commodore Sukhjinder

Singh was posted in Moscow

between 2005 to 2007 as the

Indian warship production

superintendent to oversee

Gorshkovs refit when he de-

veloped illicit relationship

with the woman. PTI

Cairo, Feb 5: Embattled

President Hosni Mubaraks

powerful son Gamal and top

leaders of ruling party today

quit their posts, but their

conciliatory gesture drew a

blank amid mounting pres-

sure from protestors de-

manding the immediate

ouster of the Egyptian leader.

The six-member steering

committee of the National

Democratic Party, including

secretary-general Safwat el-

Sharif, stepped down in a

move to calm down protests

against Mubarak.

Hossam Badrawi, who is

reputed to have good rela-

tions with opposition figures,

has been appointed as the

NDP secretary general.

Earlier reports had said

the President had also quit

the National Democratic

Party, but the state TV did

not name the president and

announced that members of

the top decision-making

committee had resigned

from their posts.

The top executive of the

ruling National Democratic

Party, which includes the

presidents son Gamal

Mubarak who is head of the

powerful policies committee,

resigned from ruling party,

state television said.

The members of the ex-

ecutive committee resigned

from their posts, it said.

Gamal, a member of the

Steering Committee, has

been seen as being groomed

by his father to succeed him

as president.

Omar Suleiman, the Vice

President promised last

week that Gamal would not

run for president in elections

due in September.

Uncertainty and tension

gripped Egypt with interna-

tional clamour growing on

beleaguered President to

hand over power immedi-

ately. PTI

Mubaraks son, top aides quit

Sachin Ambadoskar

2 www.oheraldo.in

goa On January 22, some Nigerians and locals of Arpora and Calangute clashed with each other at a restaurant in Calangute.

Eminent scientist and formerPresident of India Dr A P JAbdul Kalam will speak on Imagination leads to Creativity at 5 pm today.

SNAPSHOT

Batim teen dies in cortalim mishap

A teenager from Gavekarwada-Batim in Tiswadi

died in a road mishap along the NH-17A road near

the Cortalim junction on Friday night.

According to Verna police, Sunny D'Sa (19) was

found dead along the roadside by a police patrol

jeep. A Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle (GA-07-D-9702) was

found in the bushes by the roadside.

It is learnt that the deceased had gone to meet

some friends near the Shantadurga temple at San-

caole and was retuning home when he met with an

accident.

Verna police has registered a case of unnatural

death and is investigating the case.

Ktaka woman found dead at Headland sadaA 45-year-old woman hailing from Bagalkot-Kar-

nataka was found dead at the Japanese Garden at

Headland Sada, Mormugao on Saturday morning.

According to Mormugao police, the body of Kamla

Nagappa Kadlimatti, who was presently residing at

Jetty- Mormugao, was found hanging from a tree

with saree. The reason behind the death is unclear

and police has sent the body for an autopsy.

Human skeletal remains dumped at colvaIn a shocking incident, the skeletal remains of an

unknown person were found dumped in a gunny

bag at Fourth Ward, Colva on late Saturday evening.

Colva police led by PI Tushar Vernekar rushed to the

spot upon receiving a news from local activists and

immediately requisitioned the services of a police

dog to assist in the investigations.

PI Vernekar told Herald from the spot that the skele-

tal remains were found in the gunny bag recovered

from a low lying field. He said the human body was

fully decomposed and only the skeletal remains

have been found in the bag. He said the skeletal re-

mains will be dispatched to the Hospicio hospital for

further investigations. The recovery of the remains

sent shock waves in the locality, with locals saying

the body of the human being might have been

dumped long ago as evident by the extent of de-

composition.

The Colva police are investigating.

Goa I Sunday 6, February 2011

cORRiDORs Of POwER

They have been arriv-

ing in the State

mainly for education

or vacation, but a growing

number of Nigerians have

ended up in a room of a dif-

ferent kind the police

lockup.

Having grappled with

Kashmiri traders, Russians

and Israelis over the past

two decades, residents along

the Calangute-Anjuna

coastal belt are now con-

fronted with a new set of vis-

itors, the Nigerian

community, and the interac-

tion has not always been

pleasant.

The growing animosity

among the locals towards

the African tourists was ex-

posed on January 22, when

some Nigerians and locals of

Arpora and Calangute

clashed with each other at a

restaurant in Calangute.

Despite this decline in

hospitality, Nigerians are

keen to stay in the State, so

much so that many are will-

ing to risk overstaying in the

country without valid docu-

ments or, worse still, with

forged visas.

The desire of many of

these Nigerians to remain in

Goa despite the risks has led

many locals to question their

main intentions of visiting

Over staying, drug trafficking, visa problems. Nigerians in Goa seem to be more in trou-ble than out of it. Thomas Fernandes investigates

Nigerians: NOT QUITE WELCOME

YEAR 1

February 18, 2009

It was one year since Scarlet died and the case

was still hopping between different sections of

Goa Police. The tale of desperate attempts to

destroy evidence and change in investigating

officers loomed large over this sensational

case that could have unmasked the drug

lobby in the state.

If not for a pair of chappals and undergar-

ment that was left behind little away from An-

junas high tide line, the case would never

have been so much controversial.

A year ago her mother had undergarment

and pair of chappals, behind the bushes at

Luis Shack which raised the suspicion that

there was some activity preceding the death.

The mother walked with evidence to

Calangute Police Station where Police Sub In-

spector Nerlon Albuquerque did not heed to

her requests.

It was only thereafter that the case was full

blown into controversy with the Indian lawyer

Vikram Varma coming to the rescue of British

mother. The investigation was of the case was

shoddy because police did not bother to col-

lect proper evidences. There were also at-

tempts to push the case under mat so that

image of tourist friendly Goa police is not shat-

tered.

Exposure of her diaries and subsequent

claims of she being sex addict and drug addict

was used to let the alleged accused go scot-

free.

Police threw rule book to the wind and

there was all possible attempts to hide things

from the media.

But what happened at the end is actually a

saga of shame for khakhi. During the first year

of investigation two locals Samson DSouza

and Placido Carvalho are arrested for drug-

ging, raping and leaving the teenager to die on

the beach.YEAR 2

February 18, 2010

Two years had passed and the trial was yet

to begin in the case. The case was handed

over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),

which still working on the tattered pieces of

evidences collected by Goa Police.

The superficial investigation and the time

gap had stalled the case. CBI officials got close

to filing the chargesheet, but the real issue of

drug trade flourishing on the coastal belt had

been left untouched.

Her body was dispatched to UK after con-

ducting two postmortems. Indian authorities

went to the extend of holding back her organs.

The British government castigated the gov-

ernment included the Chief Secretary.

All eyes were on the chargesheet and trial,

which would begin in Goa Childrens Court.

Two accused were already out on the bail.

The police had already filed a provisional

chargesheet. The CBI had to work to work

based on this provisional chargesheet.

February 18, 2011

Three years have passed. The chargesheet

has been filed. The CBI is investigating au-

thority and counsel representing CBI has quit

the assignment sighting inordinate delay in

the trial.

S R Rivonkar, a lawyer, who repre-

sented the central agency till 15 wit-

nesses were examined now feels that

there has been frequent change in the

judges and also there are obstructions

from the defence counsel. Rivonkar had

predicted that the trial in the case would

be end by December 2010 but things did

not work out. The dragging of the case

forced Rivonkar to quit.

Back in UK, the coroner is still working

on Scarlets corpse. Fiona has claimed that

the coroner has told her that he is having

evidences which are more and even con-

tradictory to what CBI has presented in

the Court.

The trial has reached a stage where all the

policemen who saw Scarlets corpse on the

beach, Fiona and crucial witness Murli Sagar

stands testified. The cross examination has

also happened.

Curlies, a shack which shot in news after

her death, still remains a hotspot and was

even featured in a cover story of a national

news magazine as a regular place to pick up

drugs.

DEAD BUT NOT BURIED

February 18 will mark the third anniversary of British teenager Scarlet Keelings death. Her body still lies in possession of a British coro-

ner, not buried. Her case too is far from being even close to completion. Vibha Verma looks at each of these years at a time to remind us

of how our justice system has stopped her mother from knowing who her daughters killers were

Starting this week Suraj Nandrekar will do a weekly round-up ofpolitical developments in the state called Corridors of Power.His first is a look-back on the just concluded winter session ofthe assembly

A naram winter session when garam was

promised.

All the talks of the garam Winter Ses-

sion of the assembly have turned out to be

damp squib as the Digambar Kamat gov-

ernment having yet another smooth sailing

in the 5-day assembly session, which con-

cluded yesterday, with not much coming in

from the Opposition.

Agreed, the Opposition did grill the gov-

ernment on several fronts including corrup-

tion in Public Works Department,

privatisation of Mapusa Hospital and to cer-

tain extent on illegal mining.

But there were several other burning is-

sues which could have been taken up on pri-

ority. The BJP has always been talking

about the law and order situation and one

expected them to go all out against the gov-

ernment. But what have they done in the as-

sembly on this front?

Agreed again, the home minister robbed

the opposition of any chance on grilling him

on the drugs issue by making an announce-

ment that the case has already been handed

over to the Central Bureau of Investigation

(CBI).

But the other issues like the increasing

police brutality by every passing day, the

Cipriano custodial death is one such many

cases which go unnoticed. Besides, there

are temple thefts, murders and rapes on

regular intervals besides the much bigger

police-politicians drugs nexus.

But the Opposition failed to highlight the issue.

What was more shocking was the BJP

leaders did not even react to the allegations

made by Naik. Just before the assembly ses-

sion the Home Minister Ravi Naik had

made a scathing attack against the Opposi-

tion Leader Manohar Parrikar that the

drugs trade flourished under him and he

had links with drug dealer called Roy Fer-

nandes and one Vaingankar.

If one may recall the proceeding in the as-

sembly, none of the BJP leaders spoke on

the issue at large there may have been some

passing statement but none taken up seri-

ously.

Parrikar too reacted very late on the alle-

gations when one expected him to take the

House by storm.

The BJP could have at least made an at-

tempt by moving an adjournment motion

over the developments on Home front

For many, the opposition to the govern-

ment came from within the ruling party

Aldona legislator Dayanand Narvekar and

to some extent Mauvin Godinho.

A jilted Narvekar, who was unceremoni-

ously dropped as finance minister to make

way for Babush Monserrate in 2008, took

the government head one on several issues

be it Home, mining, education etc.

Besides, he surprised one an all when he

moved an adjournment motion. He was

later pacified by the colleagues following,

which he withdrew the motion.

But Mauvins assurance to corner the

home minister in the assembly fell flat and

he hardly raised the issue of any significance

apart from the Special Status to Goa.

Although Mauvin did not say much him-

self he made one statement which could

hurt the opposition badly.

Participating in the discussion on the

Governors address Mauvin said I dont

know why the opposition is keeping quite

on several burning issuesmay be some of

their works are also being done by the gov-

ernment.

For chief minister Kamat, this session was

business as usual - making several assur-

ances in the House, which all know will

never be kept up by him or his government.

All in all it was a smooth sailing for

Kamat, who had put gag orders on his leg-

islators on speaking against the govern-

ment.

the State.

On January 27, two Nigeri-

ans were arrested in separate

cases in connection with pos-

sessing drugs worth a com-

bined Rs 34.5 lakh, revealing

the darker side of the Niger-

ian involvement in the drug

trade.

Herald then dug into its

archives and pulled out some

surprising statistics (see

chart). In Bardez taluka

alone, 43 Nigerians were ar-

rested in 44 cases within

barely 16 months (October

2009 and January this year)

in the police stations at

Calangute, Anjuna and Ma-

pusa, as well as by the Anti

Narcotics Cell. One Nigerian

was arrested twice, once each

by the ANC and by the

Calangute police.

Of those 44 cases, most

were booked by Calangute

police (23) and Anjuna police

(13), followed by Mapusa po-

lice (4), Porvorim police (2)

and ANC (2).

A majority of these cases

pertained to overstaying in

the country (31), followed by

drugs trafficking (9),

forged/fake visa (3) and es-

cape from custody (1).

Incidentally, 19 of these

cases were booked in a single

month (April 2009), while

nine cases were registered in

October 2009.

The Calangute police had

booked all nine cases in Octo-

ber 2009. At that time, the po-

lice had suspected a fake Visa

racket involving the Nigeri-

ans, where the accused after

scanning the Visa, had cut

and paste it on the passport

to legalise the stay in the

country.

The frequency of arrests

involving Nigerians was such

that 25 of these 44 cases were

booked by the police within a

period of barely four months

(March 2010 and June 2010).

I have arrested most of

the Nigerians either involved

in illegal drugs activity or

unauthorized stay in India.

Somehow, it makes me be-

lieve that they are more inter-

ested in the drug trade than

their studies or other legiti-

mate activity, said Anjuna

Police Inspector Manjunath

Dessai, who is also presently

heading the Calangute police

station.

The frequent brush with

the law enforcement agen-

cies has also led to a decline

in public sympathy for the

Nigerian community.

A resident of Parra, who

incidentally, is a friend of a

Nigerian, said: Most of these

Nigerians are in Goa only to

sell drugs and nothing else.

They are not here either to

study or on holidays as

tourists, but most are profes-

sional drug peddlers.

Anjuna Sarpanch Lavino

Rebello also believes that

most Nigerians are directly

or indirectly involved in the

drug trade.

I feel most of the Nigeri-

ans are directly or indirectly

involved in the drug trade.

However, I blame our own

Goans for renting out their

apartments or rooms to the

Nigerians, I am willing to lead

a campaign to drive away

those Nigerians indulging in

the drug trade, Rebello

added.

On the other hand, not all

are willing to malign the en-

tire Nigerian community as

drug pedlars. But even those

who believe that the Nigeri-

ans are being unfairly treated

would admit that authorities

need to keep a closer check

on their activities.

Says Calangute MLA Ag-

nelo Fernandes: We should

not crucify or harass each

and every Nigerian for sake

of others as there are a few

thorough gentlemen. How-

ever, the police should keep a

check on their activities as

they are the ones who are ca-

pable of saying who is in-

volved in drug trade, etc. We

should be extra cautious

while blaming the Nigeri-

ans.

When contacted, none of

the Nigerians were willing to

comment on reasons behind

the many arrests involving

the Nigerian community in

recent times.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 5: A day after Chief Secretary

Sanjay Srivastavas confidential letter to the

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleged

suspended Police Sub Inspector Sunil Gudlar

of stealing drugs from the Anti-Narcotics Cell

(ANC) malkhana, senior police officers

claimed that the godown was empty.

The total quantity of drugs in the godown

was sent for forensic tests at Central Forensic

Science Laboratory at Hyderabad after Crime

Branch officials conducted panchanama in

March-April 2010. How one can blame any po-

lice official, a senior officer said on condition

of anonymity.

Gudlar case: Sr cops claim godown was empty

3 www.oheraldo.in

goa When Satyam (truth) loses itsmeaning, when Adarsh (ideal) loses its meaning; we need to do something about it. R A Mashelkar

Candidates are selected afterextensive consultationprocess, which is on in 5wards where they would beannounced on Tuesday.

Manohar Parrikar

Goa I Sunday 6, February 2011

HeRaLD RePoRTeR

PANJIM, FEB 5: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-

supported panel was unveiled today which

will contest the forthcoming Corporation of

the City of Panaji (CCP) elections under the

leadership of Ashok Naik, who is projected as

a Mayor candidate.

Leader of Opposition and Panjim legislator

Manohar Parrikar announced the candidates

for 25 out of 30 wards while rest names would

be finalised and disclosed on Tuesday. The list

does not include names for Ward Nos 18, 20,

21, 26 and 30.

The panel Panaji First Council for Clean

Governance is full of surprises with hardly

three faces repeated.

Parrikar claimed that few corporators

opted out while reservations of certain wards

made them to have fresh faces.

Addressing a convention of BJP workers at

Gomant Maratha hall in Panjim, Parrikar said

that the candidates are selected after exten-

sive consultation process. He said that the

consultation is on in five wards where the can-

didates would be announced on Tuesday.

Rupesh Halarnkar, Vaidehi Naik and Diksha

Mayenkar are the repeat faces in the panel.

Vaidehi Naik, who got elected from ward num-

ber 12 last time, will be locking horns with the

male candidates as her ward was not reserved.

When we sat for the consultation in ward

number 12, everyone suggested Vaidehis

name, Parrikar said while introducing her

during the convention.

Former Cortalim legislator Matanhy Sal-

danha, who supported then Parrikar-led gov-

ernment, has also come in support of BJP-led

panel this time. Saldanha was personally

present for the convention and was seated

amongst the candidates and BJP leaders on

the dais.

Parrikar said that Ashok Naik has been

projected as Mayor candidate because he had

provided clean and efficient governance dur-

ing his last tenure.

Addressing the gathering, Naik said that

Panjim deserves better and residents of this

place know it.

We have an unyielding desire to improve

the lives of the average Panjim resident, no

matter how difficult the fight may be, Ashok

Naik said adding that clean governance,

transparency at all levels; honesty will be our

hall marks.

He said that like minded, honest citizens

have come together to offer a fresh chance to

partner with every Panjim resident. We are

not governed by ulterior sense of accomplish-

ment or an outside agency to further own

goals, Naik said.

I HAVE BEEN TRANSPARENT

Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, is a bit of a maverick in the pre-set ways of government functioning. Faced with a strong attackfrom his own party strongman Dayanand Narvekar for alleged ir-regularities in the PP model adopted for the North Goa district hos-pital, the Junior Rane says he has been completely transparent.But has distanced himself from the controversy, in an interviewwith Sujay Gupta

Herald: Lets get to the

point straight away. Why

wasnt the request for Qual-

ification for the north Goa

district hospital vetted by

the Finance and the Law

departments?

Vishwajeet rane: The file

was brought to me. It is clear

that the RFQ was only an Ex-

pression of Interest. When it

reaches the RFP (Request)

stage the finance and law de-

partment comes. Anyway

since the RFQ stands lapsed

because of there was only one

party, it will begin all over

again but Im directly out of

it. The finance and law secre-

taries and director PPP will

handle it and I have been

briefed that a committee con-

sisting of them will float an

RFP which will cut down the

time of processing.

Herald: But dayanand

narvekar and others have

accused you of doing privati-

sation under the garb of

PPP

rane: Let me explain. I am

talking of a model of cross sub-

sidy. The Asilo Hospital is cur-

rently subsidised by the

government. The same sub-

sidy will be available for the

North Goa district hospital for

190 beds. The rest of the beds

will be for high specialty treat-

ment for paying patients. With

high quality health care at

their doorstep referral cases

will not go out of the state. The

revenue earned from this high

specialty care will be used by

the private player to take care

of their operations.

Herald: But why isnt

there enough confidence in

the PPP model?

rane: I have been trans-

parent. The entire process

has been and will be clear to

all. I have decided to do the

best for health care and am

proud of the fact that facili-

ties in GMC are state-of-the-

art. In the PPP model, we

will give opportunities to

doctors of Goan origin to re-

turn to their home land and

practice. Our local doctors,

whom are second t none will

be able to interact with the

best from outside who will

work here.

Herald: What is so special

about novo nortis that you

have been backing them?

rane: They are not just a

company which makes in-

sulin. They have an education

and training programme

which will train aganwadi

workers so that administering

of insulin becomes easy. De-

tection and treatment will en-

sure that cases of diabetes

come down.

Herald: Getting to poli-

tics, are you a Congressman

or are you your own man.

Will the seven constituen-

cies under your belt be de-

livered to the Congress from

your side?

rane: I have taken per-

missions fro the high com-

mand to work in these areas.

The high command moni-

tors my progress. I keep the

Chief Minister informed. I

have got permission to work

in Siolim by the high com-

mand. I am a party man and

always.

I report only to the Congress high command and keep the CM informed

Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar has taken to the streets to op-pose what he calls the privatisation of the district hospital at Ma-pusa. In a no holds barred opposition to the project Narvekar tellsFranky Gracias that the project is a scam.

Public will riot over PPP

I am in opposition in my own party. Willdecide on new political direction

Herald: You have been

adamant in stopping the

PPP initiative for the dis-

trict hospital in Mapusa.

dayanand narvekar: I am not

going to compromise at any level

as far as PPP in Goas health sec-

tor is concerned. It is a foremost

constitutional obligation of the

Government to provide health

and education to its people.

Herald: How will you stop

the Health Minister?

narvekar: The public will stop

the private people from entering

the hospital. Mark my words there

will be a riot if a move is made in

this regard. Most of the people

from Bardez are agitated and will

not take things lying down. Thou-

sands will come and squat on the

streets because this is a big scam.

Herald: You stated during

the Winter session the

Health Minister has already

struck a deal with Fortis for

the privatisation. Can you

elaborate?

narvekar: I dont want to

comment on this. I will speak

at the right time.

Herald: What is the gene-

sis of your whole agitation

against PPP? Why dont you

want a model private hospi-

tal to come up?

narvekar: Here the interest

is only money. In 2007 Vishwa-

jeet Rane asked for the portfolio.

Today major chunk of employ-

ees in the States health sector

are from Sattari, Valpoi and

Sanquelim. The 108 Emergency

Service is in bad shape as the

ambulances have become old.

Herald: recently you

have been raising a lot of is-

sues of corruption. the fact

is you are also part of this

Government, which is fac-

ing several corruption

charges.

narvekar: In 35 years of my

political career there has

never been a vigilance inquiry

against me nor an income tax

raid. I have never heard of

concrete criticism against me,

but there have been passing

remarks. I am virtually in op-

position because the Congress

party has treated me shabbily

in the last three years.

Herald: there are talks

and rumours you are float-

ing a new party.

narvekar: (Doesnt deny the

same and laughs). In the last three

years of my political career I have

been sidelined by my party. I kept a

low profile. In spite of that my call for

the Mapusa meeting to oppose PPP

was enormous and the same sur-

prised me. Now I will call for a con-

vention in South Goa in April as I

have supporters even in the South.

After the response to this convention

things will be known and a new di-

rection may emerge.

Ashok to lead BJP-backed panel for CCP polls

Wards Candidates

1 Natty Po

2 Nelson Francis Cabral

3 Gloria Po

4 Prabhakar Dongrikar

5 Sheetal Dattaprasad Naik

6 Anant (Raju) Sinai Gaitonde

7 Shweta Rahul Lotlikar

8 Durga Keluskar

9 Sudin Kamat

10 Maya Joshi

11 Manoj Patil

12 Vaidehi Naik

13 Bharati Borkar (Heble)

14 Ashok Naik

15 Shekhar Degvekar

16 Neena Silimkhan

17 Nilesh Khandeparkar

19 Vianna Da Cruz

22 Maya Talkar

23 Shailesh Ugadekar

24 Diksha Mayenkar

25 Shubhada Dhond

27 Shubham Chodankar

28 Nivedita Chopdekar

29 Rupesh Halarnkar

aND THe BJP NoMINeeS aRe

face-off

4 www.oheraldo.in

goanorth

Do not throw garbage in the forest as it isobserved that some people take forgranted that the forest is a site for dump-ing garbage or waste.

Dr Kumar

On the one hand, the ministerclaims he is encouraging agriculturewith new schemes, but on the otherhe is helping the mining lobby to de-stroy it. Activist

Goa I Sunday 6, February 2011

SAMIR UMARYE

BICHOLIM, FEB 5: A lit-

tle known village in Bicholim

taluka has been fighting a

lone battle against a mining

company since the past four

years, in a desperate bid to

save the village from immi-

nent destruction.

Residents of Vathadev-Bi-

cholim are up in arms

against a proposed mine in

the village, but their resolute

opposition against their

enemy is now being put to

the test by politicians and

money power.

It may be recalled that the

news of the proposed mine

at Vathadev first hit the

taluka in December 2006.

This had sparked off strong

opposition among villagers

as well as from residents of

Bicholim taluka.

On January 18, 2007, a

public hearing was con-

vened at Sanquelim and lo-

cals attended it in large

number shouting anti-min-

ing slogans. This forced au-

thorities to postpone the

hearing on "technical

grounds".

Mine representatives

were unable to submit the

required documents and so

the hearing was postponed

to March 24.

On the proposed day, the

hearing was held in the vil-

lage and taking into consid-

eration strong opposition to

the project, a police force

was deployed at the site.

The public hearing proved

historic, as people attended

in large numbers and all

voiced their opposition to the

proposed project.

An assurance was given to

the public that their say

would be communicated to

the government and the

project would be stalled if it

is against public interest.

But surprisingly without

considering the public hear-

ing, the mining lobby got the

required sanctions from the

Central government.

In the meantime, the lo-

cals formed Vathadev Na-

grik Kruti Samiti and

continued with the protest.

Incidentally, workers from

a company also participated

in one of the rallies as the

mining company had pro-

posed shifting of the com-

pany to another location.

Since then, the company

has tried several means to

woo the villagers. Money

power was used to split the

villagers and some even suc-

cumbed to these techniques

of the company.

Now after about four

years, the controversy has

again raised its ugly head.

The matter came to light

when the locals noticed that

the company had started

cutting down some rare

trees and clearing the area.

To add to this, the com-

pany also built a concrete

shed and is slowly in a

process of getting heavy ma-

chinery at the proposed site.

When this correspondent

went to the site, there were

three earth-moving vehicles

stationed at the site with two

security guards posted

round the clock.

The matter is still in the

court and the mining com-

pany has started with its

work, which is against the

law, environmentalist

Ramesh Gawas told Herald.

The NOC that the mining

company had taken from the

Pollution Control Board has

also expired and the work is

still going on in full swing,

added Gawas.

The Tillari canal passes

through the area and con-

struction work is very close

to the canal. Huge piles of

mud have been dumped

near the canal, which could

pose a major problem for the

canal, he said.

The trees cleared by the

mining were some of the

rare trees and as per the

rule, they cannot cut such

age-old trees, which are im-

portant for the ecosystem,

added Gawas.

According to the locals, a

minister is supporting the

mining company.

On the one hand, the

minister claims he is encour-

aging agriculture with new

schemes, but on the other he

is helping the mining lobby

to destroy it, alleged

Vathadev Nagrik Kruti

Samiti President Pramod

Umarye.

If the mine comes up in

the area, wells in the area

would not only dry, but it

would directly affect the Bi-

cholim river as the proposed

mine is close to the river.

The Kulagars, which are

extended to about 1 lakh sq

mtrs, would be the first to

feel the heat of this mine.

The Tilari canal also passes

through the proposed min-

ing area, due to which it

would also be severely af-

fected.

In 2009, the government

had spent about Rs 9 crore

for de-silting the Bicholim

river and all this would be

gross waste of public funds if

mining comes up at

Vathadev. This is because

during the monsoon, water

along with the silt would di-

rectly flow into the Bicholim

river.

Despite this, the govern-

ment has turned a nelsons

eye towards the issue. The

mining company has suc-

ceeded in getting the re-

quired sanctions from the

Central government.

But all hopes are not lost

for the protesting villagers of

Vathadev as the mining

company is yet to get an

NOC from the District col-

lector, who is also the chair-

man of the Disaster

Management.

Bicholim village fighting lone battle against mining

Machinery and construction activity at the proposed mining site at Vathadev-Bicholim.

Photo by Samir Umarye

ANIL SHANKHWALKER

PORVORIM, FEB 5: While many pan-

chayats and municipal councils in the State

face various obstacles in attempts to manage

garbage, the Penha-de-Franca Panchayat

seems to have found some solution to the

garbage problem.

The Penha-de-Franca Panchayat was

forced to resolve the garbage problem in the

village, after a bitter experience with its

neighbouring panchayat.

The Serula Communidade had earlier

granted permission to the Penha-de-Franca

Panchayat to dump its garbage on the So-

corro plateau a few years ago for a fee of Rs

5,000 per month.

However, the Socorro Panchayat raised an

objection to the dumping of garbage by

Penha-de-Franca Panchayat on the Socorro

plateau and even lodged a complaint with

Mapusa Police in this regard.

The Penha-de-Franca Panchayat was

forced to find an alternate site to dump the

garbage.

Since the garbage problem is getting se-

vere day-by-day, the Penha-de-Franca Pan-

chayat decided to take some steps to tackle

garbage problem in a scientific way, particu-

larly of wards on Porvorim Plateau.

Speaking to Herald, Sarpanch Eknath

Narvekar said most of the garbage is gener-

ated in Wards 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, which are lo-

cated on the Porvorim Plateau.

Therefore, the panchayat decided to en-

trust the job of garbage collection and its

treatment scientifically to Lila Trust. Accord-

ingly, after the discussions with Lila Trust,

the panchayat constructed five vermin-com-

posting pits in Ward 8 in 2009 by spending Rs

5.78 lakh, informed the sarpanch.

As per the contract, the contractor collects

and disposes off the garbage from the entire

Penha-de-France area thrice a week and is

paid Rs 50,000 per month for the services.

Lila Trust set up the Green Shed for Sus-

tainable Solid Waste Management in one of

the corners of the garden at Porvorim and in-

stalled its machinery for conversion of

biodegradable garbage into manure, he

added.

Lila Trust started collecting wet garbage

from houses in Ward 8 and dumped organic

waste into these pits to convert it into ma-

nure. Every household is being charged a

nominal fee of Re 1 for this service rendered

by the panchayat, said Narvekar.

Since the pilot project became successful,

Aldona MLA Dayanand Narveker asked the

panchayat to prepare a project under Rural

Disposal Garbage schemes 2005 and 2007 of

the State Government for collection and dis-

posal of garbage of 14 wards, which includes

seven wards of Penha-de-Franca, three

wards of Salvador-do-Mundo and four wards

of Socorro Panchayat.

All these wards fall on Porvorim Plateau.

The project report is in final stages and once

it is ready, it will be submitted to the govern-

ment for approval through Aldona MLA

Narvekar, added Narvekar.

The contract of garbage treatment col-

lected from these 14 wards will be entrusted

to Fomento. The panchayat has already ear-

marked an area of abut 3,500 sq mtrs to set

up a Green Shed for the installation of the re-

quired machinery for the treatment of

garbage by Fomento, he said.

Lila Digital and Environmental Solutions

Pvt Ltd Director Pradeep Sarmokadam

stated that Lila Trust initially took up the

pilot project of garbage treatment of Ward 8

of Penha-de-Franca.

The staff employed by us collected

garbage from 500 houses by visiting house-

to-house everyday. The wet garbage was

dumped in the pits of the area and the re-

maining garbage was brought to the Green

shed, said Sarmokadam.

In the Green Shed, our staff segregated

the biodegradable garbage and the remain-

ing garbage is being sent for recycling.

Biodegradable garbage is converted into bio-

organic fertilizer, which is rich in biological

micro flora which enhances the soil fertility,

explained Sarmokadam.

Sarmokadam further said after completion of

one year, the project was taken over by Fomento

from Lila Trust and the former appointed Lila

Digital and Environmental Solutions Pvt Ltd as

its operators and managers.

Since this pilot project has become suc-

cessful, Aldona MLA Narveker has directed

Penha-de-Franca panchayat to prepare a de-

tailed project report under Rural Garbage

scheme for the treatment of garbage of 14

wards, he said.

This project if approved by the govern-

ment and entrusted to us, we propose to treat

garbage of 14 wards by both ways, bio-com-

posting and methanation processes, to en-

sure complete success, said Sarmokadam.

Penha De-Franca resolves garbage woes

Workers treat garbage at Penha-de-Franca village. Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

ASHRAF KHAN

VALPOI, FEB 5: The Valpoi Mu-

nicipal Council (VMC) is down in the

dumps for want of a dump, or at least

one that is acceptable to the public.

The VMC has been hit by various

obstacles in its quest to set up a

garbage dumping site in the munic-

ipality. All dumping sites identified

by VMC from time to time have been

futile, as residents have opposed

these sites for varied reasons.

The VMC is desperate to address

the issue as 2 tonnes of garbage is

generated in Valpoi each day, while

about 4 tonnes is generated on the

Valpoi Bazaar day every Tuesday.

The latest site at Ward 7, which has

been identified by VMC after acquir-

ing a large portion of government

land, has also proved controversial.

Fearing that the proposed site may

create a situation similar to that of

the infamous Sonsoddo plant at

Margao, residents have decided to

oppose the proposed garbage treat-

ment plant tooth and nail.

The villagers have claimed that

they have been getting overwhelm-

ing support from various NGOs to

oppose the proposed garbage treat-

ment plant.

As soon as VMC indicated its in-

tention to set up a garbage treatment

plant in Ward 7 (Sayyad Nagar and

surrounding areas), residents on

those areas were quick to raise their

objection.

About 80 families residing at

Sayyad Nagar dashed off a memo-

randum to Sattari Mamlatdar Satish

Dessai, complaining that the entire

area would be affected if a project is

set up in the area.

The aggrieved residents also ar-

gued that existing wells in the village

will be polluted, as the proposed

plant is few metres away from their

residential area.

They pointed out that the Kabras-

taan (burial ground) is located a few

metres from the proposed site as well

as the government hospital, which is

coming up adjacent to the Commu-

nity Health Centre, Valpoi.

Villagers regularly conduct meet-

ings to prepare themselves to oppose

the project for once and all. While are

not opposed to the project in

essence, they are unhappy that the

VMC is planning garbage dumping

sites close to residential areas.

Left with little option, the VMC de-

cided to use a pit to dump garbage

collected from all 10 wards.

This, too, was met with sever op-

position as residents complained

that the site is just 200 metres from

the residential areas. They also

stated that VMC garbage trucks

were using the village road, posing a

threat to other motorists.

Residents then blocked garbage

trucks from entering residential

areas, forcing the VMC to stop

dumping garbage at the pit.

When contacted, Ward 7 Council-

lor Faimida Khan, who is inciden-

tally vice-chairperson of VMC, told

Herald that she is backing the people

of her ward and will also oppose the

project. People have elected me as

their representative and naturally I

have to be with them, informed

Faimida.

When contacted, VMC Chairper-

son Umesh Gulelkar pointed out

that VMC was earlier dumping

garbage at Rede-Ghat in the past.

"But the area fell under the Mauxi

Panchayat and the Mauxi Panchayat

objected to this activity. As such, the

VMC stopped dumping garbage

there," Gulelkar said.

"The garbage was then dumped in

a private property at Nanus. How-

ever, this was also stopped when vil-

lagers strongly opposed the move by

stopping garbage trucks."

"With no option left, we started

dumping garbage in the municipal

council-owned area behind the

council building. But unfortunately,

this site is also presently overflowing

with garbage and now, we cannot

dump more garbage there, said

Gulelkar. Gulelkar admitted that a

large portion of government land has

been acquired by VMC in Ward 7 to

set up a garbage treatment plant.

"The access road to the site needs

to be constructed through land be-

longing to the Forest department.

The VMC is now awaiting an NOC

from the forest department."

"Since it is a long procedure to ob-

tain an NOC from the forest depart-

ment, we have temporarily dug a pit

in the acquired land to dump the

garbage."

"But we were forced to stop dump-

ing garbage there after residents op-

posed the site and stopped garbage

trucks from using the village road,

admitted Gulelkar.

Gulelkar informed that the VMC

is working hard to find a solution to

the problem.

VMC has stopped collecting

garbage these days for want of a suit-

able site, said the chairperson.

Valpoi down in dumps for want of a dump site

Forest is not a sitefor dumping garbage

ASHRAF KHAN

VALPOI, FEB 5: They may be op-

posing garbage dumping sites, but

Additional Principal Chief Conserva-

tor of Forests Dr Shashi Kumar IFS

has warned people not to dump

garbage or waste in the forest.

"Do not throw garbage in the forest

as it is observed that some people

take for granted that the forest is a

site for dumping garbage or waste,"

remarked Dr Kumar.

Addressing the recent convocation

ceremony of the 30th batch of forest

guards at Valpoi Forest Training

School at Valpoi, Dr Kumar asked

forest officials to keep an eye on

garbage-dumping activities in the

forest areas.

"Forest officials should strictly

monitor the situation where such

practice is being carried out by some

people," he said.

He also advised the public to take

care of the environment in their

areas.

"Use pollution-free materials such

as jute or paper bags instead of poly-

thene or plastic bags. Do not harm

the environment and do not indulge

in such activities which give rise to

global warming," said Dr Kumar.

Residents of Ward 7 VMC submit a memorandum to Sattari Mamlatdar Satish Dessai. Photo by Ashraf Khan

goa

5 www.herald-goa.com

Goa I Sunday 6, February 2011

PI Siddhant Shirodkar is selectively leakingthe case information to selected media sothat Jayeshs name is maligned and I wantthe inspector transferred from the presentplace of posting.

VHPs Konkan region joint secy

For 2011 census, special efforts are madefor gender sensitization of data. In the col-umn of gender, along with male and fe-male, there will be yet another columnspecifying other sex, for those who are nei-ther male nor female. - A K Wasnik

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6+A 5+'A J&KE! *E!?!"3 6DL 85&,9 (' !?!(-!/-&

This is a deep rooted predica-

ment that has resurfaced

again. A predicament that I

thought I had left behind in

Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya

Pradesh and Bihar, different and inter-

esting parking spots in my journalistic

journey. Ive always had problems with

them and since most of them were

Chief Ministers or Governors (during

Presidents rule) who doubled as Home

Ministers, my discomfort only doubled.

Simply put, Ive scarcely been at

Home with them. All of them, with chill-

ing consistency continue to act against

the powerless, or worse still give free li-

cence to their governments and police

to run a system of the powerful against

the powerless.

Not only has Home Minister Ravi

Naik has lived up to his counterparts in

other parts of the country but has sur-

passed them to an extent which is chill-

ing and fearful. Looking back,

Sunderlal Patwa (CM and Home Min-

ister Madhya Pradesh in 1992), KV Kr-

ishna Rao, Governor of Jammu and

Kashmir in 1994/95 and Mulayam

Singh Yadav (who wasnt the chief Min-

ister between 1995 and 1997 but ruled

the government by proxy with Gover-

nor Romesh Bhandari doing his bid-

ding openly), have at time tacitly done

nothing when human rights violations

have started in the face. And yet when

anyone dared to fight back, double

doses of pressure and threats followed.

In 1994, on a cold dark evening in So-

pore, a Kashmiri mother told me grue-

some stories of how the armed soldiers

had repeatedly come to their village

and beat men and raped young girls.

Such was their fear that they embraced

militants with open arms and made

them lie next to their teenaged daugh-

ters to protect them from uniformed

rapists. When a group of journalists

wrote a series of stories, we suddenly

found that taxi drivers refused to carry

us, hotels refused to let us in and we

were told in very clear terms to leave

Kashmir.

Sunderlal Patwaa BJP CM, was

more subtle but effective. His director

General of Police KPS Rathore, an RSS

man who wore a police uniform of the

same colour, , came down heavily when

journalists of national dailies posted in

Bhopal wrote how the state police stood

and watched as members of the Sangh

Parivaar ran amuck in minority areas

of old Bhopal after the Babri Masjid

demolitions. From open threats of harm

to phone calls and letters to our editors

in Delhi and Calcutta, we saw and

heard it all.

In UP though, these niceties were

avoided. A well known carpet manufac-

turer in Bhadoi, near Varanasi had

burnt alive a minor child worker in his

carpet factory. I happened to be in

Bhadoi on a different assignment and

got onto this story and did a series on

the incident for my paper The Tele-

graph. A month later the police arrived

at my Lucknow home with an arrest

warrant. The charge? Not responding

to three consecutive summons for an

appearance in the criminal defamation

case filed by the carpet manufacturer.

There was an unusual flurry of activity

to whisk me away to the Additional Dis-

trict and Sessions Judges court in

Varanasi so that the carpet manufac-

turer could begin his quest for justice

for being defamed by a lowly reporter

who had penetrated his citadel of crime.

I avoided the immediate arrest but did

have to land in the Varanasi. Promptly

upon landing I received calls on my

hotel room number from the District

magistrate and SP to compromise,

for my own good. I did not and man-

aged to get bail because of the interven-

tion of the higher judiciary. Two people

who were shocked and unhappy at this

unfortunate development were the

carper manufacturer and Mulayam

Singh Yadav who wanted to teach this

Bengali in bhaiya land, a lesson.

But you know what? So many years

later I can still look back and pass these

incidents as an offshoot of compulsions

of politicians. Governor Krishna Rao

had no time to address human rights vi-

olations of the army when militants

were kidnapping, capturing and killing

at every bend on the hills, Sunderlal

Patwa was merely being nationalistic

because his parivaar had pulled down

the masjid and cleansed Ayodhya and

Mulayam Singh Yadav and Romesh

Bandari were merely being good

friends to a man who generously

funded the Samajwadi party coffers.

But what compulsions does Ravi

Naik have? Why is he compelled to ini-

tiate another inquiry by the SIT on the

Cipriano custodial death case when he

knows that the SDM and the Dy SP

probing the case are sure of procedural

and gross human rights violations of the

Panjim police. He described Cipriano as

a chronic alcoholic with a heavy men-

tal disorder and a dangerous and fu-

rious person. He has nothing to prove

all of this but if that if these characteris-

tics are a license to kill, then he should

tell his police to give the same treatment

to people in his force who fit the above

description. And mind you, there are

many.

Why is he compelled to let a man

called Gudlar roam free when the very

same SIT has sufficient grounds to file

a case because he stole drugs from the

ANC godown? What compulsions does

Ravi Naik have to be dodgy about

whether the girlfriend and sister of

drug don Dudu met him with CDs of

their sting operation against Gudlar. He

kept shut when the women went to

town saying they showed the CDs to

Ravi Naik first. When asked a week ago,

he denied seeing the CDs. He even

asked in a sudden bout of memory

lapse- who Zarina (Dudus girlfriend)

and Ayla (his sister were).

Our Home Minister has no real com-

pulsions to do all this. We hope. And

therein lies the fear. When a man with

no compulsions engages with the pow-

erful to disengage the weak, alarm bells

should ring. It is Goas tragedy that it is

not sufficiently alarmed.

opinion6 www.oheraldo.in

Why is Ravi Naik compelled to let a mancalled Gudlar roam free, when the verysame SIT has sufficient grounds to file acase because he stole drugs from theANC godown? Sujay Gupta

Lisbon is Panjim enhanced. Itis also, the possibility of whatPanjim and Goa can be, if wecan get our act together

Jason Keith Fernandes

WEEKENDEDIT

Vol. No CXI No. 37 I Goa I Sunday 6, February 2011

PEOPLESEDIT

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reflect the views of the Herald editor, publisher, and/or owners.

For letter to the edi tor contact us at mai l@herald -goa.com

Churchill shouldstop insulting theOpinion Poll

SuJay Gupta

Manohar Parrikar today visited Margao and summarily

rejected Churchill Alemaos proposal to have an opinion

poll on corruption in the PWD. Both developments

happened within two hours of each other. Churchill playing to the

galleries, wanted to go to the people for a verdict to be passed if he

is corrupt. Parrikar meanwhile wanted a detailed commission of

inquiry. While the first is laughable, the second isnt practical. Ask-

ing Churchills people who he has showered largesse to tell if he is

corrupt is to ask children if their regular candy supplier is a good

man. While there has been no inquiry or hard proof to nail the

PWD minister, Churchill is no Ceasars wife. The general buzz of

huge kickbacks on every PWD contract, the presence of a young

social worker, as the official collection agent of the minister,

the free hand that Churchill has given to this social worker so

much so that no contract is signed without a call from her, is get-

ting stronger.

Winds blowing from Varca tell a tale on a daily basis. The latest

being that money is charged even from people in the constituency

for jobs of meter readers in the department . In a private gather-

ing last week one senior minister from South Goa was telling an-

other minister from a neighbouring constituency You are

making so much money. Even if you give me 25% of what you

make, Ill live like a king for the rest of my life

Hence, to trivialize the issue of corruption in the PWD and call-

ing for an opinion poll to settle the issue is huge insult to one of

the finest and honourable exercises undertaken by every true

Goan to determine his or her future. Goans voted for an inde-

pendent identity based on their culture and language. It retained

in uniqueness through an overwhelming exercise of a franchise

which to this day every living Goan who went through that won-

derful experience remembers fondly.

Does Churchill Alemao even know and respect the Late Shabu

Desai, one of the heroes of the opinion poll whose statue was only

now unveiled at the old bus stand ?

Does Churchill follow the principles of Jack de Sequeira, who

believed that as trustees and not owners of this beautiful land, it is

the moral duty of every Goan to preserve and pass on the land

and identity that ancestors cultivated, to our children? Jack Se-

queira did not live to see that day when the identity of Goas polity

would be tainted with wide spread corruption. Lucky him.

Hence to even casually talk about an Opinion poll to determine

corruption will be treated with the contempt it deserves.

Manohar Parrikar did speak of a commission of inquiry to de-

termine corruption. This isnt practical because how will a com-

mission of inquiry go. And to what extent will it go to. This is a

cancer growth of huge proportions. At every desk on every gov-

ernment department there is a stench of corruption from the po-

lice to the secretariat and to the constituencies. Land for projects

is allotted on who pays the most and not according to what the

land is allotted for. We are not missing just a point. We are missing

the whole context. Our very core has been corrupted and its be-

come a part of our lives. This isnt about inquiries and investiga-

tions any more. Its about us.

Why dont I understandthe Home Minister

FLY ON THE WALL

To be a Goan in Lisbon is to be in

a relationship, caught between

two rather different kinds of

nostalgia, or more appropriately,

saudades. The first is a nostalgia, a ter-

ribly bitter-sweet longing for Goa that

has been left behind. The names of

streets, the colour of buildings, the

faades of some these buildings, trees,

even the names of most people here,

constantly remind you of Goa. Here in

Lisbon lie the final resting places of peo-

ple you grew up with on a first name

basis; Afonso de Albuquerque, Vasco da

Gama, Amalia. Lisbon, you could some-

times say, bears the imprint of Goa. For

me personally, as someone who grew

up in Panjim, Lisbon is Panjim en-

hanced. It is also on many fronts, the

possibility of what Panjim and Goa can

be, if we in Goa can get our act together.

This possibility is not the mere aping

of Lisbon however, for there is much to

be critiqued and improved on in Lis-

bon. This is where we come to the sec-

ond kind of nostalgia, a longing for the

old. This nostalgia is a dead-end. There

is no future in mourning for the Goan

pre-1961 past. This history is either ex-

tremely problematic to claim, or it was

in fact the history of a small set of Goan

families who have access to Lisbon and

its metropolitan elite. The Goan living

in Lisbon in 2010 does not necessarily

need to rely on this past to forge a con-

temporary relationship with the city;

the present moment gives one enough

and more opportunities to do so.

It is precisely this present moment

that could allow us to reinvent the Goan

We need to look beyond the chapters of

history celebrated by these small select

Goan families and look at the manner

in which the silent members of Goan

society reinvent this relationship. Such

an exploration would allow us to move

away from the problematic colonial and

nationalist articulations of our relation-

ship, and shift toward a more cosmo-

politan relationship based on mutual

respect and sharing.

This look of a Goan living in Lisbon

(and in extension, Portugal) is not based

solely on Goan emotions and experi-

ences. On the contrary, this look at Lis-

bon is also based on the recognition of

the fact that the contemporary Goan is

also a South-Asian. To be South- Asian

is to recognize that not only is the con-

temporary Goan born as an Indian cit-

izen, but is engaged with a larger sub-

continental politics. This truly

sub-continental lens, freed from the

shackles of restrictive nationalism, pro-

vides the Goan with an enhanced vision

from which to examine and introspect

on the Lisbon experience. To fail to do

so would otherwise lead us to fall back

into the narrow ruts of the nostalgic

longing for the Estado da India under

the Estado Novo. As I stressed before,

this experience is too limited to provide

support for a reinvention of a new Goan

relationship with both Portugal and the

world. In deed a relooking our relation-

ship with Portugal will also impact on

the manner in which we relook our re-

lationship with the people we share the

subcontinent and the country with.

But perhaps the reinvention of a re-

lationship is beyond the capacity of a

tiny column. My offerings here will seek

to diary the manner in which a contem-

porary Goan negotiates life in our for-

mer metropole. Who knows what will

come out of this exploration?

Jason Keith Fernandes is currently engaged in

doctoral research at ICSTE's Dept of Anthropol-

ogy in Lisbon. When not agonising over the

state of his dissertation, Jason offers unsolicited

opinons on law, culture and identity politics. He

also desperately misses Goa.

LETTERS FROM PORTUGAL

Circa 2011- A Goenkar in Lisboa

JaSon keith

FernanDeSWith a new look comes new elements little differences

aimed at brightening up the weekend. Apart from the

special stories, in depth analysis on pertinent news of the

week gone by and exciting visuals from Goa, India and the world,

Herald Weekend has more in store for you

Every weekend, the team takes a closer look at Goa from a few

different angles, with interviews, special focus features and high-

lighting people who have and who could make a difference. There

will be human interest stories of a different kind, people who inno-

vate, create and progress without any outside help. Every Sunday,

Herald will look at issues plaguing Goa, street food worth writing

about, departmental woes that you readers have and a little bit of

culture when we can

As Goas peoples paper we have realized that apart from the peo-

ple within Goa, there is an avid readership due to the multitude of

Goans across the world. In this day, when email ids can take a back-

seat due to the faster and more interactive communication channels

set up via social networks, we thought it would only be fair to set up

a network of our own.

We will now carry opinions, excerpts of discussions and will also

be able to get feedback and report due to our facebook page, which

is the new portal of the new Goa. Apart from our stellar team of re-

porters, we now have the eyes and ears of the entire state to work

with. Keep in touch, post, refute and more, do what you love doing

communicate. Let us work together to better this state that we call

home. Let us be the change we want to see, in the words of one of

the worlds famous freedom fighter. Viva!

FinD uS on Facebook Facebook.com/heralDweekenD

Friends, Goans, netizens Lend us your posts

Stephen DiaS

The Republic Day parade wit-

nessed huge black smoke

emanating from the Campal

ground. Among those present, was

Dr Simon DSousa, Pollution Con-

trol Board Chairman who was sit-

ting close to the Governor of Goa, Dr

S S Siddu.

Apparently, CCP workers were

burning garbage to clean up the

area, although burning of plastic is

illegal. This was the sorry state of af-

fairs even during the Republic Day.

When I visited the Pollution Con-

trol Board to enquire about this and

during my brief discussions with the

Dr DSousa, who was my colleague

at NIO, I learned that he has been

doing his best to curb pollution in

Goa but the concerned authorities

are a bit reluctant to act promptly. In

fact, he mentioned a certain Ambe,

CCP engineer who was asked to

come and deal with stench around

his office, which has still not been

dealt with, even after an official inti-

mation to the municipality.

Dr Joe DSousa, who is a consult-

ant with the CCP, later told me that

that garbage mismanagement has

become a business and solutions are

discarded by those in power with

vested interests. Elvis Gomes and

Mayor Carolina Po have been ignor-

ing his official letters about the same.

In another incident, I noticed

smelly drains near Hindu Pharmacy

due to the dumping of garbage by

some hotels around and even

though the CCP is aware of it, no ac-

tion is taken.

The overall situation in Panjim

and other parts in Goa is alarming

but our Governor has been portray-

ing a rosy picture about the state of

affairs while addressing the legisla-

tive assembly. It is ridiculous, that

the Governor is oblivious to the

rapes, crimes, drug menace, police

suspensions, garbage and pollution,

especially in mining areas. Is the

Governor blind or not bothered

about Goas affairs?

It is amusing to read in a national

daily, based in Goa, that the CCPs

Chak a Chak campaign run by the

CCP engineer Ambe is a huge suc-

cess. Are reporters from Goa doing

their home work before reporting or

are they working from their desks

and not from the field? Panjim today

is stinking and our Panjim MLA

Manohar Parrikar and Babush

Monseratte are hoping that their re-

spective panel of aspiring corpora-

tors would come to power in the

CCP elections to later clean up the

city!

My appeal to them would be to

pull up their socks and address the

grave problems affecting Panjimites.

Panjim Is Choking

FACEBOOK

The overall situation

in Panjim and other

parts in Goa is alarm-

ing but our Governor

has been portraying

a rosy picture about

the state of affairs

while addressing the

legislative assembly.

It is ridiculous, that

the Governor is

oblivious to the

rapes, crimes, drug

menace, police sus-

pensions, garbage

and pollution

7 www.oheraldo.in

goaEminent Goan artists should be honouredand new talent should be encouraged tocarry on the tradition.

--- Eduardo Faleiro

The government had promised in ameeting, where I was present once,that there would be a master plan forOld Goa. But till today, the MasterPlan is not yet implemented.

--- Fr Savio Baretto

Goa I Sunday 6 , February 2011

We are Goas leading Honda Two Wheeler Dealerwith branches at Nuvem,Ponda,Vasco & Margao.We are on look out for smart, result oriented individuals for the below mentioned posts.

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Interested Candidates, Walk in for Interviewwith your Resume on Tuesday 8th February 2011

at 10 a.m. at below mentioned Address

Salary will commensurate as per Qualification & Experience. PF & ESI as per rules.

SALES MANAGER - NuvemCandidate should be a Graduate

hould possess a smart personalityalong with good verbal written communication skills.

.

having at least 2 yrs experiencein Similar field. S & pleasing

& Should be Computer Literate & able to handle Sales Section independently

For all above posts Candidate Should possess a Valid Driving License

SALES EXECUTIVE - Nuvem -(5 Nos)Candidate should be Graduate having experience in Sales Field. Should possess a Smart & pleasing personality along with good verbal communication. Should be ComputerLiterate.

STORES EXECUTIVE - Nuvem, Ponda & Vasco-(2 Nos)

WALK

IN

INTERVIEW

RECEPTIONISTS - Nuvem (1 No)thCandidate Should be XII /Graduate having smart & pleasing

personality along with fluency in speaking English & otherlocal Languages.

We offer a dynamic & challenging career, very interesting work environment, highest salary in Goa, opportunity to travel overseas and a chance to DOUBLE your salary within 1 year.

1) General Manager-1 No (General Management Exp. in service/hospitality Industry) (Rs.30-50K)

2) Technical Manager 2 Nos. (Dip. in Electronics / IT Hardware, must have experience in supervising 20 + technicians) (Rs.20K)

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All Candidates MUST be self-motivated, dynamic & passionate about their job & MUST have proven track record. For the right candidate this is the opportunity of a lifetime!

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APPOiNTmENTS

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HERALD NEWS DESK

Panjim, Feb 5: Commissioner

for NRI Affairs, Eduardo

Faleiro has stressed the need

for preservation and promo-

tion of all music and art forms

of Goa. He said eminent

Goan artists should be hon-

oured and new talent should

be encouraged to carry on

the tradition.

Faleiro was speaking as the

chief guest after inaugurating

the 7th All Goa Mando Festi-

val organised by Tourism

Airline Management Educa-

tion (TAME) in association

with Department of Art and

Culture and supported by

Tiatr Academy of Goa, at

Ravindra Bhavan, Margao

recently.

Faleiro congratulated

TAME for holding the

Mando Festival in Margao for

the last seven years and said

that although Mando cannot

Faleiro calls for preservation of music and art forms

Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Eduardo Faleiro inaugurates 7th

All Goa Mando Festival at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Also

present are Director of TAME, Francis Braz, Jose Marie daSilva

and others.

strictly be classified as a tra-

ditional folk song, it has been

part of cultural repertoire of

Goa for a long time. The lyri-

cal and musical content of

Dekhni, Dalpod, Fugdi,

Dhalo, is definitely Goan, he

added.

Faleiro felicitated Jose

Marria DaSilva, recipient of

Mando Award for his contri-

bution to Mando lyrics and

songs. Pervez Gomes re-

leased the souvenir on the oc-

casion.

Director of TAME Francis

Braz also spoke on the occa-

sion. Bismark Torcato pro-

posed the vote of thanks.

Faleiro also witnessed the

Mando performances by the

participants.

Grace Church feast todayHERALD NEWS DESK

Panjim, Feb 5: Our Lady of

Grace Church, which was

originally known as Capela

de Batalhao of Portuguese

1st Infantry Regiment, is cel-

ebrating on Sunday, Febru-

ary 6 the Feast of her

Patroness, Nossa Senhora

de Graca (Our Lady of

Grace).

People from all walks of life

from Margao, in particular

and from South Goa, in gen-

eral, step every day in Grace

Church in search of divinity,

more especially on the feast

day to join and take part in all

day divine festivities.

The Grace Church has cel-

ebrated its Golden Jubilee in

May 2009 on a grand scale.

This year marks the com-

memoration of 200th Mass

celebrated in praise of Our

Lady of Grace, ever since the

first mass was solemnized on

May 3, 1812, on the feast day

of Santa Cruz (Feast of Holy

Cross), 199 years ago.

From the construction of

that Chapel of Batalhao on

January 6 1812 till the pres-

ent Church built in modern

lines and inaugurated on

January 1, 1977 and upto

now, a vanguard of valiant

priests worked saliently to

propagate the devotion to

Our Lady of Grace.

Its first Chaplain Padre

Jose Caetano Lourenco, who

built the attached residence

to the Chaplain, the eclectic

visionary Fr Tony Gomes, the

sagacious cropper Fr Joao

Lopes (both strong pillars),

their hard work successors,

Fr Bossuet Menezes, Fr Lino

Monteiro, Fr Joao Pedro Fer-

nandes and present day pas-

tor Fr Cleto Pereira, a good

administrator and meticu-

lous disciplinarian, in hard

work trinity with Fr Jaime

Couto and Fr Derick Fernan-

des, all worked ceaselessly

and continue the task in the

vineyard of God.

Situated on the elevated

Grace Estate, the Church

square is an oasis of spiritu-

ality, inviting an introspec-

tion of present and past: Ave

Gratia Plena, Hail Full of

grace, Nossa Senhora de

Graca.

Speaker tellsGovt: Takenote of cableTV cutters HERALD REPORTER

Panjim, Feb 5: Speaker Prat-

apsing Rane on Friday told

the Government to take seri-

ous note of rising incidents of

cutting of cables of local news

channels in various parts of

the State during assembly

sessions. He also asked the

chief minister to intervene.

Cable connections were

found to be cut in some parts

of the State during this Ses-

sion of Goa Assembly.

Nonperforming ministers

are put in spot due to live

telecast of the proceedings.

The Opposition MLAs be-

lieve some ministers in the

government who are not too

happy with people seeing

them criticized in the House,

have hand in this business so

that people are not in a posi-

tion to watch the sessions live.

Canacona, Feb 5: A 76-year-

old man from Poinguinim

has been reported missing

from his house since Thurs-

day morning.

According to Canacona

Police, a missing complaint

has been filed stating that one

Poinguinim resident missing

Hari Yeshwant Prab-

hugaonkar of Mahalwada-

Poinguinim has gone missing

since Thursday morning.

Police further informed

that one Ajay Narcinva Prab-

hugaonkar has filed the miss-

ing report on Friday.

Old Goapanel to holddharna todayHERALD CORRESPONDENT

Old Goa, Feb 5: In an effort to

save heritage sites and its

surroundings areas at Old

Goa from anti-social ele-

ments, an organization

known as 'Save Old Goa' will

organise a peaceful demon-

stration at the Gandhi Circle

at Old Goa on Sunday morn-

ing at 10 am.

The meeting has been con-

vened to protest against all

destructive activities at the

around the World Heritage

sites in and around Old Goa.

Speaking to Herald, Rec-

tor of Basilica of Bom Jesus

Fr Savio Baretto said: "The

meeting has been organised

by the Old Goa Action Com-

mittee because we can see a

rampant increase of builders

grabbing all areas around

Old Goa and are trying to

make Old Goa a concrete

jungle.

The government had

promised in a meeting,

where I was present once,

that there would be a master

plan for Old Goa. But till

today, the Master Plan is not

yet implemented, he said.

8 www.oheraldo.in

The movement is still in a nascent stageand needs to grow further. For that, we doneed funds to set up a mobile library thatwill be able to get to the deeper regions inGoa, --- Diviya Kapur

Iain Mills, who is showcasinghis work at the Artjuna Art Fairhas worked with legendaryphotographer David Bailey forthe better part of a decade

Goa I Sunday 6, February 2011

WASTEMANAGEMENT

Imagine going for a

Sunday dip in the

river near your house

or even down by the

beach and finding

plastic bags and old beer

bottles floating by. Picture

yourself walking through the