ILLEGAL SHACKS DEMOLISHED IN BARDEZ

Tourism department officials demolished six shacks illegally erected on tourism land on the beaches of Calangute, Candolim and Nerul. Confirming the demolitions, tourism director Swapnil Naik said his staff had identified the illegal shacks around 10 days ago. The illegal shacks were erected without obtaining any NOCs and licenses from tourism department. The department mobilised the demolition squad of the deputy collector North Goa and demolished five shacks on the Calangute-Candolim beach stretch and one shack in Nerul. The demolitions were done under police protection. When asked if the department will file any charges against the owners of the illegal shacks, Naik said no charges will be filed but the shack policy has a provision whereby these offenders can be barred from applying for shacks in the future. The tourism department had also demolished eight shacks and vending stalls on the beaches of Keri and Arambol in Pernem taluka .

SARPANCH, SECRETARY SUMMONED IN ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION CASE

While illegal constructions have been coming up in the State despite of rules and regulations in place, one such construction in Chandor-Cavorim village in Salcete taluka has landed authorities in trouble as issue was brought before the High Court.A Division Bench comprising of Justices Naresh H Patil and N A Britto had summoned Deputy Director of Panchayats, South Goa and the BDO, Salcete to the Court over illegal construction When the matter came up for hearing the Court raised the question as to how an illegal construction done without any prior permissions, could be regularised. “Anybody can construct anywhere and then seek legalisation,” remarked Justice Patil.However, Adv Rodrigues explained that under Village Panchayat Building Regulations there is a provision to legalise an illegal structure if permissible in law. Offending structure is not regularised if not permitted under the law. Also, penalty is imposed on the applicant, he said.He also pointed out that one of the circumstances that led to passing of the order was that panchayat had passed resolution to regularise the structure.However, counsel for the petitioner Adv Galileo Teles told the Court that the provision under VPBR is not applicable in this case as the person who has carried out illegal construction has not made an application for legalisation of the structure. The Division Bench also asked government advocate why panchayat was not heard by the deputy director before passing the Court. The Court directed that notices be issued to the sarpanch, the secretary to remain present on the next date of hearing.

POLICE RAID LOUTOLIM VILLAGE PANCHAYAT

The Maina Curtorim Police raided the office of the village Panchayat of Loutolim in connection with the alleged fake Regional Plan 2021 submitted to the Town and Country Planning department.A police team made their presence felt at the panchayat ghar o and verified the documents submitted by the Panchayat to the police and the original documents lying in the Panchayat office.Maina Curtorim Police station incharge, PI Sidhant Shirodkar informed that the police recorded the statements of the panchayat secretary and other staff and have verified the outward register.Replying to a question, PI Shirodkar informed that the investigations into the case is currently on, adding that the police today verified certain original documents and recorded the statements of the staff.Further investigations are on.

12 SHACKS RAZED AT KERI AND ARAMBOL

The tourism department on Tuesday demolished 12 shacks which were operating without the necessary permit at Keri and Arambol beaches.According to reports, authorities demolished 11 shacks at Keri beach . Incidentally, one of the shacks reportedly belonged to Rama Harji, husband of Keri-Terekhol Sarpanch Rima Harji. The other shacks were owned by Mahesh Talkar, Gulabo Talkar, Sandeep Talkar, Yogesh Talkar, Raja Mathkar, anant Gaonkar, Data Devji, Kishor Devji, Dattaram Kalangutkar and Amar Talkar.Later, tourism authorities demolished one shack at Arambol beach. The shacks were demolished under police protection.

BENAULIM VILLAGERS WANT RESERVATION FOR GULF RETURNEES

The plight of thousands of Goans working in the Gulf countries who are facing the impact of ‘World Recession’, which could render them jobless seemed to have stirred Benaulim villagers to move a resolution in its gram sabha . During the gram sabha, it was resolved that 90 percent jobs in the village’s starred hotels and the hotel industry should be utilised for Goans, particularly those returning to the home state from the Gulf countries. Majority of the gram sabha members opined that help could be sought to sort out any differences existing between the members of the gram sabha and the elected representatives in the interest of the village, and added that the local MLA, Mr Francisco Pacheco, panchayat minister, director of panchayat and the collector could be approached to settle the problems faced by the villagers. Their opinion was largely accepted at the adjourned meeting of the panchayat, which for various reasons saw turmoil in several gram sabhas in the past.A special meeting was sought to be held in this regard and a resolution was adopted in this respect too. The marathon gram sabha finally concluded after witnessing eight consecutive adjournments, which is a record of sort in the history of the gram sabha of the panchayats held anywhere in the state and these adjournments took over a period of around three months.The meeting which was chaired by the deputy sarpanch, Mr Stanley Fernandes in the absence of sarpanch, Ms Carmeline Fernandes, who sources disclosed, has reported to be sick, took stock of the grievances of the villagers and came in for appreciation for the concern of the villagers’ problems.One of the hotly debated issues was regarding the adamant attitude of the hoteliers to recruit locals and after good discussion on the subject a five-member committee was formed to keep a check on hotels that fail to employ the locals.The issue of the ‘Dando football ground’ also figured wherein it was felt that not enough steps were taken by the panchayat body to take possession of this ground. But when the deputy sarpanch promised that this issue would be settled, calm prevailed and the gram sabha reposed faith in the words of the chairperson who announced that a sum of Rs 35 lakh have been budgeted for the development of this football ground.Another issue that figured as usual was regarding the mega housing projects wherein a demand was made that erring builders should be taken to task.Meanwhile, confusion prevailed at the gram sabha of the Raia panchayat that was held on Sunday to discuss the draft regional plan, 2021.There were differences of opinion regarding the draft regional plan prepared by the village committee and the one prepared by the panchayat body.The sarpanch, Mr Savio Gomes came in for lot of criticism from the gram sabha members for allegedly stifling the voice and the will of the villagers and for his decision to scrap the draft regional plan prepared by the village level regional plan committee.This announcement of scrapping the regional plan of the village level committee was made after the sarpanch gave just two options --- either to accept the plan or reject it and then announced that the regional plan has been rejected. It was disclosed that a fresh regional plan would be drawn taking into consideration, suggestions and objections from the villagers. The fresh regional plan would be displayed at the village panchayat once it is ready and this would be done in a short period of time, it was disclosed.

KHOLA IN PERPLEXED STATE WITH 19 STRUCTURES MARKED FOR DEMOLITION

With the South Goa demolition squad all set to demolish 74 structures in Poinguinim and Loliem-Polem villages , Khola residents have been left in a perplexed situation with 19 marked CRZ illegal structures.The South Goa demolition squad is all set to raze down 40 CRZ-related structures on Poinguinim village coast, mainly in Talpona and Galgibaga areas.The Loliem-Polem panchayat area with 34 marked structures is next on the list of demolition squad from January 18.However, the demolitions of CRZ-related structures, which even though already served with demolition orders at Agonda (30) and Khola (19), dates are yet to be fixed, but expected shortly after the demolitions at two southern coastal panchayat areas.“Some identified structures responding to the demolition orders have already demolished structures themselves and accordingly filed a reply to the panchayat with photographic proof,” Agonda Sarpanch Jovi Fernandes told Herald.“We have not arrived at any figure, but when a date is fixed, demolitions of only the remaining CRZ structures will be taken up,” said Fernandes, replying as to how many of the identified CRZ structures have themselves demolished illegal CRZ structures.However, residents in Khola are still not ready to accept the demolitions of CRZ-related structures of even a single of the identified 19 structures in any form.Speaking to Herald, Khola Bachao Abhiyan President Precopio Fernandes said: “Presently, what is happening in the rest of the coastal villages in the State is unacceptable to us. We will not allow such demolitions of a single structure in our village.”Says Romato D’Costa, a local, “Most of the 19 structures said to be identified by the Khola panchayat belongs to ST community people and I wonder how the government is going to take care of the affected people.”One Ambrosio Cardozo, was also sceptical of the government doing nothing on the issue and is visibly bent in saying that government is determined to uproot niz-goenkar’ from their own State.“With none in actual taking up the salvage operations to save people’ residences from imminent danger of CRZ-related demolitions, what we as senior residents of the State are supposed to do in such circumstances is not known,” asked Cardozo, who don’t see any hope for the young generation of the State to live in peace in future in their own State.KBA President said: “We don’t give empty warnings, but if at all government fails to protect all our 19 marked CRZ structures in the village and dares to touch even a single structure, the government may have to fight with its own people who will not lag behind to wage a war for their survival.”

STRUCTURES IN CALANGUTE CRZ TO GO

At least 40 structures within the CRZ-I area of Calangute have been finalized for demolition, according to a recent order of the North Goa deputy collector. According to sources, the revenue authorities have fixed January 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 and 14 as the days for the demolition drive in Calangute. The deputy collector has already sanctioned the demolition squad to carry out the exercise. The North Goa SP has been asked to provide a police force and the PWD to provide labour. Likewise, the electricity department has been requested to disconnect electricity supply to the structures to be demolished. The 40 structures in Calangute are part of the 344 structures finalized for demolition by the North Goa deputy collector in the villages of Arambol, Morjim, Anjuna and Calangute. On December 1, 2009, the deputy collector had finalized the demolition of the 344 structures in North Goa after these were identified by the respective panchayats through their affidavits in the high court. The deputy collector’s order is in compliance with the directions of the high court of Bombay at Goa to work out an eight-week time schedule to carry out demolitions of the illegal structures built in violation of the CRZ notification. Razing of illegal structures in Pernem taluka has already begun with the demolition squad levelling several illegalities in CRZ-I in Morjim on January 4 and more demolitions in the village fixed for coming days.

DEMOLITIONS IN CALANGUTE STAYED

The demolition drive against CRZ violations along the Calangute coastline that began ended abruptly with most affected residents obtaining stay orders from the directorate of panchayats. The Calangute panchayat had identified 40 structures as illegal. Of these eight were demolished and two were removed by their owners themselves accounting for 10 structures. The demolition squad demolished just one structure at Baga when the Calangute panchayat secretary S Prabhu made a written submission to the Bardez block development officer, Shivprasad Naik, that the remainder of the affected owners had obtained relief from the authorities. Of the remaining 29 affected parties, some obtained stay orders from the additional director of panchayats. The latter also referred many cases back to the Calangute village panchayat with directions to look at the cases afresh, and some matters are pending before the directorate of panchayats. In view of the submission made by the VP secretary, Naik said that there will be no more demolitions in Calangute. "When the panchayat wants, we will provide the demolition squad. I will submit my report to the deputy collector Bardez and together, we will submit a report to the deputy collector, demolition squad, North Goa," Naik said.

LOCALS OPPOSE LAND ACQUISITION AT SIRVODEM

Government’s plan to acquire three lakh-odd square meters of land adjoining the Sewerage treatment plant at Sirvodem-Navelim has come under stiff opposition from affected farmers and locals.At a meeting held at Sirvodem, the farmers vowed to oppose the government plan tooth and nail.Former Margao Municipal Chairperson Johnson Fernandes questioned the government’s logic behind huge agricultural land for the sewerage project. He pointed out that the STP at Sirvodem had been a nuisance for the local people for want of proper maintenance.Johnson expressed his full support to the agitation by the farmers and locals and urged the people to unitedly oppose the proposal.The farmers pointed out that even Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has made it very clear that the state governments should not acquire cultivable fields for the purpose of industrialization and urbanization. “How can the government acquire the agricultural fields when the farmers are cultivating the same”, they asked.George Barretto, Jose Paul Coutinho and others also spoke at the meeting. It has been resolved to lodge strong objections before the district Collector opposing the acquisition of their fields.

MINES DEPARTMENT PROCESSING 800 REQUESTS,GREEN SEES RED

The state mines department is currently processing 800-odd applications for permissions to carry out prospecting of iron ore and bauxite and also for renewal of Portuguese era leases. Environmentalists and anti-mining activists, however, feel it is time the state limited mining to sustainable levels. The continuous demand for Goa’s low grade ore has spurred holders of decades-old leases to dust their licenses and seek their renewal or purchase rights from others. Inquiries with the department reveal that 400-odd requests have been received for renewal of leases, many of which had not been operated for almost four decades. There are also some 400 fresh applications for prospecting purposes, especially in the talukas of Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona. As of now, 80 to 100-odd leases are in operation. Admitting that 400-odd new applications have been received for prospecting, a source in the mines department said, "These may take a long time and it depends on the government’s policy." Environmentalists, however, aren’t too pleased with the development. Goa Foundation’s Claude Alvares said, "Goa is already suffering and burning from mining for the last 20 years, especially during the last few years. It is important to assess the damage already caused. If the government is committed in protecting Goa’s environment and water bodies, then it should do so." Many feel that the government should determine the area and number of leases to be operated at any given time. Environmentalist Ramesh Gawas said, "Earlier, leases were granted to operate only manually in thinly populated areas, but now machinery can destroy a landscape within a few days, and the fallouts are irreversible for denser habitations." Agrees Yogita Mehra of TERI, the energy research institute in Goa. "It would be a good idea to consider some kind of ceiling on how much land, given Goa’s small size and fragile eco system, can be dedicated for mining in a sustainable manner," Mehra said.

MAINTAIN ECOLOGICAL BALANCE,ARCHBISHOP TELLS LEADERS

Stating that any development should be guided by love, the Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao has called upon the state authorities and others concerned to give urgent attention to the ecological balance and sustainable development, which, he said, was so much in need of.
Addressing an august gathering of the dignitaries including the Governor, Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu, the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, his wife, Ms Asha Kamat, cabinet ministers, senior government officers, clergy and others to mark the Christmas celebrations; the Archbishop said that the state legislators and politicians sometimes give an ear to the aspirations of the people, as platforms were offered to these to make their voices heard. “We also see them paying attention to the ecological balance and sustainable development, which this land was so much in need of,” he said even as he drew attention of one and all to the dwindling agricultural land, desertification of the farming space, erosion of beaches, which he added were some of ecological problems which have, by and large, merited the attention of the state leaders. He, however, said that that was not enough and that there were many other issues that needed attention. He said that there were perspectives that we needed to take into consideration as we look towards sustainable development in the state. Quoting the Pope he said one of the values that needed to be taken care of was that the development of people depended, above all, on a recognition that the human race was a single family working together in true communion, not simply a group of subjects who happen to live side by side. He said that the Church has consistently proclaimed and defended this universal value throughout its history. Archbishop Ferrao expressed a fervent hope that “any development or promotion of the human person be guided by love” and assured that the government would always have the most frank collaboration on the part of the Church in Goa, as far as it was allowed by the situations and, above all, by what it believed.Stating that there was widespread environment destruction, he said that there was widespread anxiety about environment degradation and called upon political leaders to show the will to slow down the degradation.

LOUTLIM VILLAGERS FILE COMPLAINT WITH POLICE

Making good on their promise of filing a complaint on the ‘mysterious’ draft regional plan submitted to the Town and Country planning department, the villagers of Loutolim filed a complaint with the Maina Curtorim police station. This plan was apparently submitted without the consent of the gram sabha and the panchayat body, The villagers, in the complaint filed at the Maina Curtorim police station, have asked for an investigation into an alleged fraud in this draft RP 2021 for Loutolim village submitted to the chief town planner.
The complaint addressed to the police inspector says that a fake plan, with an alleged illegal forwarding letter bearing a allegedly fake outward number using a panchayat seal, sarpanch seal and with the signature of the sarpanch dated July 15, 2009, has been submitted to the chief town planner.According to information, this matter was raised at the body meeting dated December 30, 2009 and in the gram sabha meeting on January 3 where the sarpanch had apparently said that his signature was forged on the forwarding letter as well as on the plan. Also the complaint says that the sarpanch and the secretary had informed the gram sabha that the panchayat had not officially submitted the said forwarding letter and it was not appearing on the outward register of the panchayat.Pointing out that as this was a very serious criminal offence and needed to be investigated as per the provisions of the law as “somebody has either made wrongful use of the panchayat letter head, panchayat seal, sarpanch seal and above all forged the signature of the sarpanch or has prepared a duplicate letterhead, panchayat seal and sarpanch seal.”The complaint also said that “it is pertinent to bring to your notice that the village level committee for Loutolim village selected by the gram sabha has prepared, approved and submitted the proposed draft regional plan to the taluka level technical team on 15/4/2009 after following all due procedures laid by the government.”The complaint also says that the present plan submitted is quite different from the one earlier submitted by the “Village Level Committee and it is necessary to interrogate the persons who will benefit from the changes made in the fake plan submitted.”The complaint also says that though the sarpanch and the secretary are aware of this illegality we fail to understand why they have not yet registered an offence.It may be recalled that the Loutolim gram sabha on Sunday was dominated by the issue of a ‘mysterious’ draft regional plan being submitted to the TCP with some gram sabha members alleging “dilly dallying” on part of the panchayat. The sarpanch, Mr Jose Fernandes, speaking to media after the gram sabha had said that he would ask for certified copies and then would take action.However, a gram sabha member and member of the Village Development Committee, Mr Franky Monteiro had told media after the meeting that they (on behalf of the VDC) would be filing a complaint to the police on this issue.“We will surely file a FIR, whether the panchayat files one or not. The fir will be filed on behalf of the VDC,” he said. “We need accountability. We need to know who is behind this.”

RAHEJAS' PLOT GETS CARMONA VP NOD

Plans submitted by the Mumbai-based real estate developer, Rahejas for sub-division of plots at Carmona got the stamp of approval from the village panchayat.Days after the Town and Country Planning Department issue provisional NOC to the real estate developer, the Carmona Panchayat body on Wednesday approved the proposal for the sub-division of plots. At the panchayat meeting held , the members approved the sub division plan submitted by Rahejas as per the NOC granted by the Town and Country Planning department.The meeting was attended by six members and chaired by Sarpanch Estaquio D’Costa. Panch Orlando da Silva, who had been opposing the Raheja project, was conspicuous by his absence as he put absence of leave and put up a note strongly opposing the project on grounds that the project is against the wishes of the people. He further said the Panchayat has approved the project when an inquiry instituted by the Deputy Director of Panchayat is pending.Sarpanch D’Costa said that while granting the approval, the Panchayat has made it quite clear that the existing 5-meter road will remain as it is, adding that not a single compound wall or structure would be demolished.When his attention was drawn to the plan show the approach road as 10 meters, the Sarpanch said the Panchayat had in the past approved plans for private bungalows even when the road is hardly five meters. “When these plans were approved, there was no objections received from Orlando and others”, Sarpanch said.The TCP had last week granted provisional NOC to the Mumbai based real estate developer with a condition that the Panchayat should look into other requirements.The approval was opposed by ward member Orlando, who contended that the 10-meter wide road show by Raheja is not existing on the ground. It was Orlando’s contention that the existing approach road to the property is hardly four meters and wondered how the TCP could issue provisional NOC to the project.

ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION DEMOLISHED AT SIRSAIM

An illegal construction belonging to a hotel, located near the Tivim railway station was demolished in the presence of a strong police force and senior government officials.
According to the information available, the panchayat of Sirsaim had after receiving complains from the railway officials, taken a serious note of this construction and accordingly after conducting an enquiry and site inspection had submitted a report to the mamlatdar of Bardez, who in turn, had forwarded the same to seek approval from the deputy collector. Finally, after the necessary approval was obtained, the demolition squad demolished the illegal construction of the hotel. Also present were joint mamlatdar of Bardez, Ms Meghana Shetgaonkar, Sirsaim sarpanch, Ms Diksha Khanolkar, and Mr Bandekar from the BDO office. The demolition was carried out peacefully. Incidentally the railway station falls in the jurisdiction of the Sirsaim village panchayat, but ironically it has been named as Tivim railway station.

MULTY LAYERED CAR PARKING IN PANJIM

The multi-layered car parking, which was planned near the St Monica Jetty, behind Animal Husbandry building and which was meant to ease the growing parking problem has hit a roadblock as the area is said to be under institutional zone and the construction coverage is less, prompting the department to rethink on their plans.The state tourism department had drawn up a plan for integrated development of infrastructure for heritage and hinterland tourism in Goa and the multi layered parking was the part of the plan. However, according to the Director of Tourism Swapnil Naik, the project of multi layered parking is yet to get the green signal from the Planning and Development Authority.“The PDA has informed us that the area where the building is planned falls under institutional zone where only 33 per cent of coverage is permitted,” Naik told Herald. Having only 33 pc of area for construction will not serve our purpose as it will accommodate only 150 vehicles, which we already can accommodate without carrying out any construction, he said.“Hence we have asked the PDA for the change of zone,” he stated. The six-storied parking facility could solve the Parking woes near the Santa Monica jetty which is overcrowded in the evening.Each floor of the six-storied parking building, planned by department would accommodate 54 cars, Naik stated adding the building would also house ticket counters, food courts, rest rooms and other facilities on the ground floor. Meanwhile, while the PDA has halted the multi-layered parking project, it has approved three other tourism related projects.The Department of Tourism, through project consultant Lotus Environment, had proposed development of Panjim hub with development of Finger-shaped jetty to accommodate ships and a ship-shaped building, tourism information plaza designed to facilitate easy access of information to tourists, a Paryatan Bhavan' and an amphitheatre. “The PDA has approved the construction of Paryatan Bhavan, Finger-shaped jetty to accommodate ships and a ship-shaped building and the underpass below the new Patto bridges,” said Swapnil Naik.The director further said that the entire tourism department building will now be demolished for the construction of Paryatan Bhavan. He said that the tenders for the above works would be floated soon after the NOCs are obtained from various departments.“The project Cell of the GTDC is working on it in association with the consultants and once they get all documents we will start the tendering,” he said.The Central government has sanctioned Rs 43 crore for the above projects which also includes integrated circuit development for cultural heritage and backwater tourism

CALANGUTE,BENAULIM UNDER CRZ HAMMER

one of the biggest demolition drives in recent times, authorities razed 12 illegal structures—eight along Calangute’s Baga beach and four at Benaulim beach—within the CRZ area, with the demolitions scheduled to continue for several days. Police posses at both place kept the peace. Deputy collector Sanjiv Desai who led the South Goa demolition squad informed that while three structures—a residential house and two store rooms—were completely razed at Benaulim, the demolition of a hotel had to be abandoned halfway after the owners managed to secure a stay order from the additional director of panchayats. “Some 13 structures had been identified for demolition in Benaulim, out of which owners of nine structures obtained stay orders from the authorities. We were thus left with the task of demolishing only four structures ,” Desai told TOI. Benaulim sarpanch Carmelina Fernandes was also present during the operation. In Calangute the demolition squad moved into action around 11 am with labourers manually tearing down a shed-like structure belonging to and adjoining a popular Baga restaurant. The next demolition, a few metres away, was done by the JCB excavator, which ripped apart the front porch of another restaurant while puzzled foreigners in swimsuits mingled with locals to watch the spectacle. The eight demolished structures belonged to five different owners and included a garage, two storerooms-cum-offices, one big wooden structure and one storeroom-cumtoilet. All the structures were identified as “illegal” by the Calangute panchayat in compliance with the high court order. Accordingly, Bardez deputy collector D Redkar, Bardez block development officer S Naik and other revenue officials took the help of Calangute sarpanch Laxman Palienkar and panchayat secretary Subodh Prabhu in identifying the illegal structures. The structures have been termed illegal because they were built within the 0-200 metres no-development zone after 1991 when the CRZ notification came into force. The Calangute panchayat had initially identified around 40 illegal structures within CRZ limits of the Calangute coastline, but Redkar who supervised the demolitions till midday, told TOI that the panchayat had not given him the exact number of structures to be demolished. Redkar said that according to the statement of the panchayat secretary, about 14 Calangute residents had appealed to the Supreme Court and many others had approached the panchayats director. Some of these residents were seen clutching notices from the panchayat director directing them to remain present for a personal hearing on January 11. “That is not a stay order. A notice for personal hearing and a stay order are two different things. We have to follow the law,” Redkar said. With demolitions not possible after sunset, Naik said the operation at Calangute will resume next morning.

PLEA FILED CHALLENGING PERMISSION GRANTED TO DABOLIM PROJECT IN HIGH COURT

Though Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) and Save Our Slopes (SOS) through their collective effort have succeeded in getting the Chief Town Planner to issue stop hill-cutting instructions to the DLF project at Dabolim, a writ petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the permissions granted to the company.Goa Foundation and Edwin Mascarenhas, resident of Chicalim who obtained information under RTI filed a Public Interest Litigation in the High Court challenging the permissions on Wednesday.Following the instructions issued by chief town planner, hill cutting has been stopped as demanded by GBA and SOS, convenors of the two organisations Dr Sabina Martins and Audhut Naik respectively said at a press conference here. GBA treasurer Anand Madgavkar, joint secretary Miguel Braganza, members Dr Oscar Rebello and Aravind Bhatikar were also present.Naik explained that several corner meetings and public meetings were held in the villages of Chicalim, Dabolim, Sancoale and Cortalim jointly by SOS and GBA with the participation of other village level groups. A delegation of GBA and SOS which repeatedly called on the CTP had objected to the Town and Country Planning Department giving hill cutting permissions under Section 17-A of the Goa TCP Act, 1975 [as amended] despite the gradient of slope being more than 25%.As a consequence of the protest, the stop work instructions was given and a committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Deputy Town Planner Mr Bandodkar with a technical representatives of the SOS-GBA to physically verify the gradient of the hill slope which was not done before giving permissions.The joint technical team went for inspection and preliminary reports given by our surveyor stated that the property is thickly forested making it difficult to calculate slopes, Martins said adding that in the areas where trees were cut, the slopes were of more than 30%.The GBA and SOS have demanded that the hill cutting permissions be withdrawn in writing immediately. In the meantime, the Dabolim villagers are keeping a strict watch on the property to see that no hill cutting and tree felling takes place, Naik said.GBA declared that it would continue to challenge the “illegal permissions” given by various authorities for the project. The DLF project at Dabolim has got exemption from the conversion sanad on grounds that the area is shown under settlement in the ODP of Marmugao, even though the whole area has been shown as No Development Zone in the RP-21, Martins said.The project proposals were apparently kept pending with Mormugao PDA for more than three months without any examination of the proposal, thereby allowing it to be interpreted as “deemed permission” by the applicants, Saravati Builders/DLF, she added. GBA and SOS have demanded that the government take corrective action to revoke all permissions which has resulted in loss of revenue as well as set in motion the irreversible destruction of eco zones

DRUGS TRADE THRIVING IN GOA

With apologies to Vasco Da Gama, welcome to the tourist paradise that's now facing a drug-laced foreign invasion, fatal and much worse than the Portuguese invasion. With Goa becoming a haven of drugs, rave and sex, its beaches have become a major market for foreign narcotics dealers. While Russians have taken over the drug business in Morjim and Arambol beaches in Pernem, Israelis run the show at Vagator. The Scotts trade in Calangute and Baga, while the Nigerians and Kenyans dominate Candolim. Many of the Goans themselves are not too far behind. In the once hippie heartland of Anjuna, local boys are the main narco dealers. In 2005, the International Narcotics Control Board, India, had released a list of 248 major drug peddlers in the country, 90% of whom operate in North Goa. A year later, Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes raised the issue of drug sale and also presented a list of drug dealers in the assembly. But everyone is "untouchable" in this sordid nexus between the peddlers, police and locals. Fernandes said drug abuse is high here. "I fear that soon the international drug lords will fight to gain dominance on Goa's turf," he said. However, home minister Ravi Naik maintains that his uniformed men ensure that there is no drug abuse in Goa. Investigations reveal that every tourist season popular drugs like cocaine, MDMA and ecstasy tablets are imported and sold at trance or rave parties in Goa. This year alone, approximately 500 kg of cocaine has been smuggled in to Goa by Nigerians and sold to locals by Kenyans. One gram of cocaine costs Rs 3,000 to 4,500. An ecstasy tablet ranges between Rs 400 and 1,000 and a gram of pink and white powder of MDMA costs anything between Rs 1,000 to 4,000, depending on whether it's tourist season or not. The Israelis mainly deal in LSD, which costs about Rs 400 per drop. The drug business runs so deep that it involves not just dealers and runners (employed at shacks and on boats to carry drugs), but also 'hiders' and a 'Mr Fixer'. "While the 'hider' hides the drugs for the dealer, 'Mr Fixer' coordinates the trade and ensures that the business goes on peacefully. While the former gets Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh a month, 'Mr Fixer' gets a commission on every matter he sorts out," explained a rave party organizer. A shack owner in Anjuna said that cops protect the trade as they too earn a cut. Interestingly, top police officials admit there are some in the force who are complicit in the drug racket, but say they are helpless to deal with it. "Every cop and local knows who the drug dealers are. Yet Goa police's Anti-Narcotics Cell seem to go after the drug abusers rather than the drug dealers," said Fernandes.

SURVEY CONDUCTED ON DABOLIM HILL

A committee constituted by the Chief Town Planner (CTP) along with a surveyor nominated by Save Our Slopes (SOS) and Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) undertook a joint survey of the slopes of a controversial mega housing project at the Alto-Dabolim hill.Following demands of the SOS and GBA for a physical verification of the gradient of slopes of the controversial housing project, the CTP appointed a committee headed by Deputy Town Planner Prakash Bandodkar to undertake a joint survey along with a surveyor appointed by the SOS and GBA.“The TCP surveyor and a surveyor appointed by the SOS and GBA have inspected the gradient levels at the site,” Bandodkar told Herald.“This is because the SOS and GBA have complained that the developer has violated the planning norms and have claimed that the slope at the site is beyond the permissible limit of 25 per cent gradient,” he said.“We have not carried out a detailed survey, but have only inspected the highest and lowest levels of the slope, to verify the gradient levels. We will calculate the gradient and if it is within the permissible limit of 25 per cent, then it will be assumed that the developer is within the planning norms,” Bandodkar added.Speaking to Herald, SOS Secretary Edwin Mascarenhas said they had completed the survey of a major portion of the site. The survey will be completed by soon,” he informed.

3 STRUCTURES RAZED AT CHICALIM

Chicalim panchayat demolished three encroached structures on the communidade land behind Cottage Hospital, Chicalim.The three structures were demolished following an order from Chicalim Communidade.“Despite communidade having demarcated its area by building a fencing wall, the residents have encroached into communidade land by extending their houses,” said Chicalim Sarpanch Raul D’Costa.He further said that they demolished three extended structures , while a toilet would be demolished soon.Communidade Attorney Ashok Sancoalkar said demolition drive was possible with cooperation from the Chicalim panchayat. “The structures which were razed down were given on rent by the encroachers,” said Sancoalkar.Panch Seby D’Souza and Ligorio Monteiro, personal assistant of Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho, were present. A police team led by PSI S L Kambli was present during the demolition.

MAJORDA LOCALS TRAIN GUNS ON SARPANCH OVER CRZ ISSUE

At the gram sabha of the Majorda village panchayat held , sarpanch Visitation D'Silva came in the line of heavy fire from villagers. They accused her of shielding influential starred hotel owners from having to face the axe of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) demolition squad. Agitated gram sabha members accused D'Silva of being biased in identifying the illegal structures and charged her with "protecting the interests of the hoteliers while acting against the welfare of the poor." D'Silva tried to calm frayed tempers by explaining that many structures, including some starred hotels, had approached the court and thus no action could be taken against cases which were sub-judice. The explanation, however, failed to convince the infuriated members present at the meeting. The villagers further quizzed the panchayat body for failing to take any measures to recover the huge arrears of house tax of a starred hotel, which, incidentally has amounted to over Rs 6 lakhs. The sarpanch then assured the gram sabha that appropriate action would be taken and the recovery would be effected within the span of the next six months. The gram sabha members of the Majorda village panchayat further expressed their disapproval over the failure of the panchayat body in taking any steps to identify a site for garbage disposal. They demanded that necessary steps be taken in this regard immediately. Voicing their concern over the misuse of open spaces in the village, the gram sabha adopted a resolution demanding that the village panchayat take all steps necessary to protect open spaces.

LACK OF TRANSPARANCY OVER DEVELOPMENT WORK AT CHIMBEL

A discussion on lack of transparency over development and housing projects at Chimbel, a nearly decades-old stalemate over a village school and playground project, deforestation of a large tract of forest land on a hill near the military camp, and pollution of cultivable paddy fields kicked up some dust at the gram sabha . In the gram sabha meeting chaired by sarpanch Chandrakant Kunkolkar, villagers bemoaned the pending status of the twin high school buildings and playground projects and asked the sarpanch to look for alternation options. Kunkolkar explained that the matter was sub judice and cannot be taken up for discussion. But, villagers, especially members of Chimbel Manch led by president Rumaldo Carvalho, suggested that panchayat consider an alternative option as the issue has been debated for three decades. However, panchayat authroties cut short the discussion citing legal implications. This irked the villagers. The village school is being run in a community hall with partitions drawn up to make class rooms. For some time, classes were being conducted in a private house. Similarly, the playground for the locals, for which a foundation stone had been laid by then chief minister, Pratapsing Rane, was also incomplete. A legal dispute over the ownership of land (alleged to be comunidade owned by given on lease) in which the school and playground are to come up have resulted in a stalemate for several years. Sources said a work order has been issued to construct the playground at Chimbel almost a year back when Lok Sabha elections had been announced. But, when members raised the issue at an ordinary gram sabha, the sarpanch said that nothing could be done due to election code of conduct. "No further process has been done after that," the source said. A market complex was also proposed for the village. The approval was granted to several housing projects. Out of 11 wards, at least three wards, which are reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates also generated some heat. "We should be taken into confidence when approvals are given to any big projects," a member said, expressing fears over the demographic changes in a ST-dominated locality. One particular project envisaging the construction of 70 flats is under construction in one ward reserved for STs. The sarpanch has also been elected from one of these wards, a source said. Another vexing problem in the village - the flow of sewage and drain water from the upper reaches of Chimbel hill into the cultivable fields - was also taken up. Villagers complained about the problems in cultivating their paddy fields. However, not much discussion took place as the sarpanch ended the meeting, despite a demand by members to allow time to cover some more issues. The sarpanch explained that enough opportunity had been given to raise issues. He subsequently walked out of the gram sabha. Chimbel Manch vice president, Gurudas Shirodkar, Govind Shirodkar, Mohan Kunkolkar and some other villagers raised issues at the gram sabha, but sources said that some unruly elements created a ruckus and often heckled members trying to make a point over some pressing issue.

HIGH COURT CURBS ON NEW COASTAL STRUCTURES

Irked by the inaction on the part of coastal panchayats to tackle garbage menace, the High Court of Bombay at Goa directed the local bodies along the coastal belt not to issue any fresh Occupancy Certificate (OC) to new construction projects having more than “five family units” until they fully comply with the court’s earlier directives on setting up of garbage disposal facilities.The court however, clarified that the panchayats could issue OC if the developer makes sufficient arrangements to take care of the garbage in the project by constructing garbage disposal and composting facilities. The Division Bench of Justice N A Britto and Justice U D Salvi observed that “no facilities worth their name have been put in place. Garbage can be seen everywhere. This can only result in health hazards to the community at large.”The court expressed disappointment over the inaction of the panchayats to put up garbage collection, segregation and disposal facilities. The Bench also noted that “although the panchayats are quick in sanctioning large construction projects, they are very slow in putting in place garbage disposal facilities. Large projects are bound to produce large waste which has to be collected, segregated and disposed. Waste disposal sites have not been put in place for the last 7 years.”The Court has also issued show cause notices to Cansaulim, Majorda, Betalbatim, Naqueri-Betul, Fatorpa, Cavellossim, Anjuna, Colva, Morjim, Paliem, Arambol, Mandrem, Chicalim, Sancoale, Chicolna-Bogmalo and Calangute panchayats as to why the Rs 25,000 deposited by them with the court should not be forfeited for not complying with the courts directions.The bench passed the directions during the hearing of a suo motu writ petition questioning the garbage disposal system in the State. During the hearing, Senior Counsel A N S Nadkarni appearing for GSPCB said that none of the panchayats had been sincere in tackling the garbage menace. That they have not complied to the court’s directions is evident from the inspection report.The Bench has further directed the panchayats to comply with the directives at least by the next date of hearing – which is four weeks from now — failing which the court would take appropriate action including contempt proceedings against the panchayats.The Court had on February 18, 2009 passed an order directing the coastal panchayats to collect, segregate and dispose off the garbage by building composting units. The Court had also directed the panchayats to collect the plastic waste for recycling.On June 23, 2009, the court had directed the coastal panchayats to deposit Rs 25,000 each for showing their bona fides in dealing with the “serious garbage issue” after an inspection report of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) pointed out that they had not complied with the directives.Later, on November 25, 2009, the court had asked the GSPCB to carry out a fresh inspection of the garbage disposal sites of the 26 coastal panchayats in the State for verifying whether the court’s earlier directions were being violated. Accordingly, the GSPCB had on December 17, 2009 filed an inspection report before the court.

YOUNGEST GBA MEMBER SEEKS RAHUL GANDHI'S INTERVENTION TO SAVE GOA

The youngest member of Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) Aaron Pereira sought the intervention of MP Rahul Gandhi to save Goa from destruction which is going on through reckless mining, land acquisitions with hidden agendas, playing with land – the scarce resources of Goa. “I have faith in your vision, I beg you not to abandon Goa to thoughtless policies, surely encouraging discontent and naxalism. The people will be with you if you help stop illegal mining and disempowerment through Government gazetted land-grab in the name of public interest” Aaron said in his letter he handed over to Gandhi during the latter’s interaction with the students in the Goa University campus, Taleigao. He said as a young Goan he is desperately helpless and frustrated to see the accelerated lawlessness and plunder Goa’s land is going through, with rampant mining and mindless land acquisitions with little public interest at heart. “I have seen successive Governments arbitrarily acquiring land and promising employment, with little or no thought behind them, housing projects disguised as SEZs, five star resorts disguised as Food Parks …. And what of the IT park? How do we trust this when the first heavily advertised building was a super mall in the shape of a ship?” Aaron asked. Elaborating further, he said that just as our beaches prove to be our lifeline in terms of fishing and tourism, there’s another secret to our well being - the richly forested Western Ghats. Passing through the spine of Goa, he pointed out that they are part of the top twelve bio-diverse hotspots in the world, and are responsible for fresh water springs, crucial to the well being of people. New species and medicinal plants are being discovered regularly in these regions. “If Goan people are known for being peaceful, it’s because they have lived in harmony with everything that nature provides”, the letter says.However this world hotspot is being destroyed at an alarming rate, with it people and secrets locked in plants that we are yet to find uses for, Aaron said.Giving an example, he said like Switzerland has kept its beauty, leveraging chocolate, banking and natural beauty as its industry, why can’t Goa make an industry in export of medicinal plants unique to the Ghats, of Feni, of managed forestation in denuded areas that serve the Indian plywood industry and increase green cover at one stroke.Why can’t Goa be the jewel in India’s crown, a successful experiment in a small place, brought about by the will of a forward thinking Government? he asked.If you help swing policy for equitable distribution, making Goa a rich and sustainable state you will be forever etched in our memory as the politician who did the right thing

NON GOAN GETS 5 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR POSESSION OF FAKE NOTES

The Margao district and sessions court sentenced one Mohamed Saifulla Sheikh, to undergo five years simple imprisonment and pay a fine of Rs 5,000 on charges of possessing counterfeit currency notes. The court had held him guilty under Section 489C of the IPC (possessing counterfeit currency notes). However, he was acquitted from the charges under Section 489A (counterfeiting currency notes) and 489B (using as genuine counterfeit currency notes). According to the prosecution, Vasco police had arrested Sheikh and his accomplice, a minor, with fake currency with a face value of Rs 3 lakh on September 5, 2008. The accused were taken into custody following a complaint lodged by a medical store owner near Vasco railway station who alleged that fake notes were exchanged by one of the accused at his store. Police suspected that the notes were printed in Pakistan and smuggled to India through West Bengal.

20 GRAMS OF COCAINE WORTH Rs 1 LAKH SEIZED IN CALANGUTE IN GOA

Anti-narcotic cell personnel have seized 20 grams of cocaine worth Rs 1 lakh from a local drug peddler in Calangute. During interrogation the peddler exposed a bigger racket involving a Nigerian, who the police allege is a dealer in narcotic drugs. Police said that Abhijit Mandrekar, 20, from Calangute was arrested for selling drugs . Police said that during interrogation, Mandrekar revealed that he had purchased drugs from a Nigerian dealer, whom he could easily recognise. The police had reached Nagao road when the Nigerian crossed them on scooter and Mandrekar recognised him. ANC cops chased the Nigerian Sam alias Nwabuwanne Nwachukwu but he gave cops the slip.

NON GOAN MAN GETS 2 YEARS IMPRISONMENT IN COUNTERFEIT NOTES CASE

Assistant sessions court, Panaji sentenced Dulal alias Babu Rai, a native of West Bengal, to rigorous imprisonment for two years on charges of possessing counterfeit currency notes with face value of Rs. 1.89 lakh at Ponda in 2008. The prosecution had alleged that following a tip off , the police had conducted a personal search of the accused on October 10, 2008 and found him in possession of 278 currency notes of 500 denomination with face value of Rs 1.39 lakh. Subsequently, the next day, the police conducted a raid in his room and seized 100 counterfeit notes of 500 denominations with face value of Rs 50,000 and also attached genuine notes of Rs 20,000. During the hearing of the case, a witness also deposed and alleged that the accused had offered to sell him fake notes with face value of Rs 50,000 in exchange for cash of Rs 10,000. Police inspector Manjunath Dessai submitted the evidence against the accused before the court. The public prosecutor, Pratima Vernekar, argued that the accused had committed a serious offence by trying to sell the fake notes. She also sought an order from the court to forfeit the genuine currency notes of Rs 20,000, attached from the accused, in favour of the government. Assistant sessions judge, Irshad Aga, held that there is ample evidence on record to show that the accused intended to use the fake currency notes. "Recovery of so many notes from his personal search and from his residence are circumstances which comply to infer that the accused intended to use the said notes as genuine". the judge observed. While convicting and sentencing him under section 489C of Indian Peanl Code , the judge ordered forfeiture of the genuine notes worth Rs 20,000 in favour of the government while holding that offences pertaining to fake currency notes are on the rise and "such offences are to be dealt with a heavy hand".

HOLD GSPCB HEARING SERIOUSLY : DELHI HIGH COURT TELLS UNION MINISTRY OF ENVIROMENT & FOREST

The Goa State Pollution Control Coard’s six simultaneous public hearings on five different mines at Sanguem in 2007, has led the Delhi high court to ask the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) to take corrective steps and hold the hearings in seriousness. NGO Utkarsh Mandal had approached the court and sought the quashing of an order issued by the MoEF in 2007 granting environment clearance to Panduranga Timblo Industries (PTI) for renewal of its mining lease at Rivona. During the hearing the scheduling of public hearings by GPSCB in respect of five mines (including that of PTI) on January 31, 2007 at 11 am at Vithal Devasthan at Sanguem came under the court’s scrutiny. While setting aside the order passed by MoEF granting the environmental clearance to PTI, a division bench comprising chief justice Ajit Prakash Shah and justice S Murlidhar observed, “We find from the notice of the public hearing in the present case that as many as six public hearings were scheduled in regard to the projects (including PTI) by GPSCB on the same date and time and at the same venue.” The court also noted that it is a matter of concern that the requirement of public hearing under the EIA notification has been taken so lightly by the MoEF. “We expect the MoEF to immediately issue necessary instructions in this regard so that public hearings in terms of the EIA (environment impact assessment) notification dated 14th September 2006 take place with the seriousness which they deserve.”

NEPALI MAN ARRESTED WITH 3 KG OF CHARAS AT THIVIM JUNCTION IN GOA

A Nepali national was arrested with 2.92 kg of charas at Thivim . Anti narcotic cops arrested Motilal Bahadur, 20, with 2.92 kg of charas worth Rs 2.92 lakh near Thivim junction. He has been remanded to 7 days police custody.

HOTEL CHAINS MAKING A BEELINE FOR GOA

The credit squeeze and worldwide economic slowdown appear to have not affected Goa's hotel industry. The hospitality sector, in fact, is going through a sort of boom with project proposals for at least eight five-star hotels and resorts under various stages of completion. Seven of these have been registered with the department of tourism over the last few months. Sources say that strengthening of Goa as a major tourist destination has induced global hospitality majors like Grand Hyatt, Hilton and Shangri La to acquire properties in Goa. Also Attila Hotels and Oberoi Hotels and Resorts coastline. Thirty-six new hotel and guesthouse projects have been registered with the tourism department over the last six months. "More than 30 new hotel and guesthouse projects have come up in Goa. They are registered with the tourism department. Another eight five and five-star deluxe hotels are in the pipeline. "This shows that tourism in Goa is on an upward trend and the economic slowdown that is happening at present is a temporary phenomenon," Lyndon Monteiro, vice-chairman, Goa Tourism development corporation (GTDC) said.

GOA GOVT DEMOLISH RUSSIAN OWNED HOTEL IN MORJIM

Goa government has demolished a portion of a hotel owned by Russian nationals in the state for violating CRZ law. The construction at Goa's Morjim beach had gathered much political debate in the Legislative Assembly with state environment minister Aleixo Sequeira conceding his inability to demolish the construction due to "non-cooperation by district administration." Certain structures in the resort, owned by True Axis company, were violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) law and were ordered to be demolished by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA). The firm comprising of two Russians - Rashid Valiulin and Ana Litvinova - on its Board of Directors (BoD), received demolition notice from GCZMA a year back. But the notice remained unexecuted forcing the district collector to issue another notice in December, last year, which resulted in the demolition of controversial structures. Officials said that the issue had attained serious proportion as, despite being termed illegal by the state authorities and minister assuring the demolition on the floor of the House, certain political interference had managed to stall the demolition. The district administration brought down the construction on 3 january 2009.

MOVE A FOOT AGAIN TO RAZE ILLEGAL RUSSIAN MORJIM ASSETS

The office of the North Goa district collector has issued ademolition order against an illegal construction of True Axis Resorts Private Limited, Morjim, a company owned by Russians. In an order issued on December 21, 2009, the additional collector II, North Goa, has directed the deputy collector and mamlatdar of Pernem “to be physically present at the site on January 4, 2010, at 9.30am sharp to effectively carry out the demolition and to meet any untoward incident which may create a law and order problem”. The order also directs that a joint inspection of the illegal construction be carried out at least 48 hours before the scheduled time for demolition by the deputy collector Pernem and representative of the PWD to clearly identify and mark the illegal construction to be demolished. Following the above demolition order, the deputy collector, Panaji, who is also in charge of the demolition squad has issued another order making available the demolition squad for the scheduled demolition on January 4, 2010. The illegal construction comprising a compound wall and pucca structure is within CRZ limits in survey number 119/3-A Tembwada, Morjim. Incidentally, the property is also under the scrutiny of the Enforcement Directorate, which suspects that some Indian companies that bought large plots in the state could have acted as fronts for Russians acquiring land in violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, or Fema.

RUSSIAN ILLEGALITY IN MORJIM DEMOLISHED

Illegal constructions belonging to Russian company True Axis private limited within CRZ limits at Tembwada, Morjim, were finally razed by the authorities after over a year after the demolition order was first issued by the Goa coastal zone management authority (GCZMA). The demolition squad mobilized by the north Goa deputy collector also brought down three other illegal structures belonging to locals against which demolition orders were passed by the Morjim panchayat. The demolition was supervised by Pernem mamlatdar Bhushan Savaikar, who was accompanied by a 40-strong police force. T he North Goa district collectorate had issued fresh demolition orders against the illegal compound wall and pucca structure belonging to True Axis on December 21, 2009. The earlier order of the GCZMA dated December 18, 2008 had been returned by the collectorate. Reportedly, “political interference” resulted in the collectorate indulging in hair-splitting and effectively delaying the demolition by a year. The GCZMA order was addressed to True Axis director Francis Xavier de Souza. The additional collector had written back saying that de Souza was no longer a director and that Rashid Valiulin and Ana Litvinova were now directors of True Axis. GCZMA countered by saying that if one director leaves, it does not mean that action against the company should stop. The matter was also debated in the legislative assembly on December 18, 2009 with opposition leader Manohar Parrikar alleging inaction against True Axis and environment minister Aleixo Sequeira apologizing and assuring action against the illegality. The demolition squad comprising a JCB and PWD labourers, razed the illegalities. Sources said the Russian structures comprised a room of about 20 square metres and a 250 metre-long, two-metre high compound wall of laterite stones. Besides being in the CRZ area, sources said that a two-metre high compound walls is illegal. The room was used as a store-room.

GOA GOVT TO CRACK DOWN ON SUBLETTING OF BEACH SHACKS TO FOREIGNERS

In a move that could help prevent subletting of the shacks to the foreigners, the tourism department has decided to crack the whip and take strict actions against those shack owners who hire foreigners as managers without an employment visa.
The tourism director, Mr Swapnil Naik told The Navhind Times that this move would help not only in curbing the illegalities in subletting of the shacks but also many others associated with them. He also said that many people who have been getting licences for operating shacks on the beaches have been hoodwinking the law by camouflaging their illegal action of subletting by informing the tourism department officials that the foreigners have been hired as managers.“From now onwards they would not be able to deceive us using this trick,” he said adding that it is unlikely that any foreigner would come to the state on an employment visa for running the shacks.The tourism director also said that his officials would crack down on those putting more beach beds than the permitted number, even he went on to add that those found flouting the rules and conditions of the shacks could risk cancellation of their licences if they were found to be disobeying them.Mr Naik informed that the department would start a drive to demolish the illegal shacks on the beaches across the state beginning December 23. He said that demolition squad has been summoned for carrying out demolitions of over half a dozen illegal shacks, which would face action first.The officials of the tourism department have found out that these shacks were erected even before the lots for distribution of the shacks were drawn and despite being told to remove them their owners have preferred to risk demolition. The tourism director also said that no illegal shack would be allowed to operate and if any illegality was brought to his notice, he would promptly take action.Meanwhile, an illegal shack constructed in front of the lifeguard tower outside Taj Exotica at Benaulim has been causing obstruction to the lifeguards of the Surf Life Saving Goa, engaged in live saving. According to a press note issued by the SLSG, the shack was erected even before the licences for the shacks were granted by the tourism department and repeated requests to the owners of the shacks to re-locate it, so as not to impair the operational efficacy of the lifeguards at the tower, have not been heeded. On the contrary, the shacks owners have asked SLSG to remove its tower, if they wanted a better vantage point. The towers serve as central command and control points for the beaches and are critical for successful operation to be run in life saving.SLSG has approached the authorities concerned regarding the constraints imposed due to the location of the shack, which might impact safety, leading to a possible serious or even fatal accident.Aware of their responsibility to the administration, SLSG has unilaterally decided to augment the existing manpower/equipment from its own resources so as to minimise the risk to life of beach users imposed by the adverse location of the shack and posted additional two lifeguards and a jet ski was being positioned at the location so as to cover the area obstructed by the shack.

EASE CRZ NORMS FOR GOA : GOA GOVT TELLS GOVT OF INDIA

The state government recently requested the ministry of environment and forests to bring about a Goa-specific amendment to the CRZ notification to save houses of traditional inhabitants. Alternatively, if an amendment to the CRZ notification 1991 is not possible, then the MoEF should consider a one-time exemption to the said structures with conditions that no developmental activity be undertaken in NDZ areas by regulating the activity to be considered in the 200-500 metre zone, the state has requested. These are the notings in the state government’s “explanatory memorandum” regarding the effect of the CRZ notification 1991 and the orders of the high court in the matter on the traditional inhabitants along the coastal belt of Goa. The government’s memorandum notes that the people from Goa’s coastal belt are currently faced with an imminent threat to their traditional dwelling units following the direction of the high court of Bombay at Goa in respect of the implementation of the CRZ notification of 1991. “As many as 2,500 structures within 0-200 metres of the high tide line, 4,553 structures within 200-500 metres and 2,272 structures in the NDZ area of major tidal rivers are coming within the purview of the directives of the high court,” the memorandum observes, adding that “the existing rules do not provide any relief to these structures and there is an urgent need to amend the CRZ notification 1991 to protect the dwelling units of the traditional inhabitants of the coastal belt specific to the state of Goa”

GBA REQUESTS GOA GOVERNER NOT TO GRANT ASSENT TO GOA PANCHAYAT AMENDMENT BILL 2009

A delegation of Goa Bachao Abhiyan called upon the Governor today to impress upon him not to grant assent to the Goa Panchayat Amendment Bill 2009, as it takes away the powers of the Panchayat and vests in the panchayat Secretary. GBA handed over a memorandum detailing its opposition to the said Bill.The Governor told the GBA delegation that he had not yet recieved the Bill and when it does come to him, he will give value to GBA suggestions. He also stated that he received several such letters on this subject.The delegation also brought to the notice of the Governor that the Annual plans were made by the Government officials instead of the Panchayats. As per the 73rd and 74th amendment of the Constitution, the plans had to be made by the panchayat and municipal bodies.The Governor informed the delegation that he had closely worked with Panchayati Raj institutions and was instrumental in making the first District plan of Uttar Pradesh by involving the panchayats in the making of village plans. He assured the delegation that he would take steps to ensure that the development takes place in the State with people’s participation.The GBA delegation comprised of Arvind Bhaticar, Fr Maverik, Soter D’Souza, Miguel Braganza and Sabina Martins. GBA will meet next week to chalk out the future course of action.

ILLEGAL BUS SHELTERS COME UNDER RADAR OF GOA DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

The `illegal' bus shelters erected at various places in the city have come under the radar of the district administration which has now issued instructions to the Margao municipal council (MMC) to take stern action against these structures. The MMC is likely to issue a notice to the Mumbai-based advertising agency responsible for erecting the bus shelters to demolish the structures on its own immediately, failing which the MMC would take possession of the structures. Confirming the move, MMC chief officer Prasanna Acharya said that the agency failed to obtain the approval of the committee headed by the district collector before erecting the bus shelters. "The MMC had given the NOC to the agency for erecting the bus shelters early this year, based on a resolution adopted by the council in December last year. The NOC had, however, specified that the approval was subject to obtaining the necessary permissions from other government agencies. As the advertising agency, apparently failed to do so, we will take action against them," Acharya told TOI. The MMC, it is learnt, had identified some 16 bus stops in the city for providing shelters, based on the proposal submitted by the advertising agency, which stood to derive financial benefits by allowing the bus shelters to be used for outdoor advertising. Already some 5-6 bus shelters had been erected in various places, it is learnt.

ORLIM AND BELABAI RESIDENTS OBJECT TO FIELD FILLING

The residents of Orulem and Belabai have raised objection over the alleged field filling carried out by a person in the land belonging to the communidade of Mormugao. Even as the people in the vicinity have claimed that the filling of the field is carried out illegally by a person, with the help of some workers, the same person has claimed that he has the relevant documentation to prove that the field is owned by him. He has also claimed that the chief town planner has granted him permission to develop the area, for the purpose of constructing a farmhouse and agricultural godown, on the condition that effective drainage would be maintained after filling up the area.
The former attorney of the communidade of Mormugao, Mr Ronny Colaco, alleged that the filling of the field is done illegally by dumping stones and boulders without prior permission by a lessee of the land.Mr Colaco informed that the houses located close to the field would suffer heavily during rainy season. “As the field gets flooded, the water enters into the houses nearby, making the life of the people residing in the vicinity miserable,” stated Mr Colaco.He pointed out that the open field in question is for the rainwater to gush down during the monsoons and if the mouth of the field is blocked by any means, it will affect the people and the houses nearby.Mr Colaco also said that the houses located close to the said field are existing for over 60 years and the government should see the interest of the common man, and thereby stop the person from filling the field.When contacted the ward councillor, Mr Manish Arolkar, informed that the people have lodged an oral complaint with the Vasco police station over the alleged filling of the field.“Being the councillor of the ward, I am having a responsibility to protect the houses of the people from any damage, whether it is natural or manmade,” stated Mr Arolkar.He informed that the locals earlier used the field for paddy cultivation and filling carried out by some person is a criminal offence under the law.He also called upon the person filling the field to produce the relevant documentation to the people and stop the illegal dumping of stones in the field.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO LAND LAWS FYAYED : GXE , A FARMERS ORGANISATION IN GOA

Proposed amendments to the Goa, Daman and Diu Agriculture Tenancy Act, 1964, the Land Revenue Code 1968 and the Goa Land Use (regulation) Act 1991 have come under fire from the farmers community in the state, who alleged that it will sound the death knell of agriculture due to bending of rules for large-scale conversion of agricultural land, resulting in displacement of cultivators and socio-economic problems. Though the bills have not yet been introduced in the Goa assembly, they were notified for eliciting public opinion. Goenchea Xetkareancho Ekvott (GXE), a farmers organization, has demanded that the government "reconsider the bills and remove all substantive changes" that tend to dilute or lift existing restrictions on land use in the eco-sensitive zones within Goa. "The passing of these amendments shall allow construction on lands which are not permissible for non-agricultural use under the existing law, threatening the very character of our state and survival of future generations," Dilip Hegde, GXE president said. Explains Abhijeet Prabhudesai, a GXE member, "As per Section 32 of Goa Land Revenue Code, no agricultural land can be used for non-agricultural purpose without obtaining conversion sanad from the collector, but incorporating section 32A means the collector can grant the conversion sanad if any land is shown in settlement, notwithstanding anything contained in Section 32, just on payment of conversion fees." Another amendment to the Goa Land Use (regulation) Act 1991 seeks to remove restrictions on the use of land which is vested in a tenant while the third amendment to Goa Daman and Diu Agricultural Tenancy Act 1964 seeks to provide powers to the mamlatdar to give sanction for non-agricultural purpose on tenanted land. "This will result in huge and irreversible damage to the environment," GXE said.

REVOKE AMENDMENTS TO PANCHAYATI ACT ,REITERATES GBA

The Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) has reiterated its demand to revoke the amendment to the Panchayati Raj Act which gives the panchayat secretary powers to bypass the elected panchayat.
The controversial Bill was passed by the Legislative Assembly and returned by the Governor in response to the objections raised by the people recently.The GBA wants the Government to pay heed to the demands of the people to appoint an Ombudsman to settle disputes related to the panchayat. The system has been working efficiently in Kerala under the Panchayati Raj Act, according to the GBA.
“In a democracy, there is no place for a bureaucrat over a democratically elected body. Only the judiciary can decide over matters concerning the elected members,” Sabina Martins, convener of GBA, said.
The GBA has found faults with the report of the Goa Law Commission which has suggested the Directorate of Panchayats as the first appellate authority and the Panchayat Tribunal as the second appellate authority to resolve the controversy over the Bill.
This suggestion was deficient as it had not referred to the Model Panchayat and Gram Swaraj Act which had been circulated to State Governments by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, which had proposed the concept of Ombudsman to settle disputes arising in panchayat affairs, the GBA said.
“Instead of looking holistically at the Act ,the Law Commission has made selective recommendation to make the Directorate of Panchayats as the first appellate authority and the Panchayat Tribunal as the second appellate authority, which the Government proposes to introduce in the Assembly this week,” said the GBA convener.
The GBA states that the Law Commission should work towards incorporating all the powers given to the panchayats under the 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Constitution at the earliest instead of divesting the powers of the elected bodies.

'DONT SUPRESS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION'

'Don't suppress freedom of expression'
While a controversial audio-CD has once again brought out in the public domain the issue of freedom of artistic expression and the people's violent reaction to it, prominent citizens from a cross section of society feel censorship will make art meaningless, but point out that artistes and people have to exercise self-restraint in creating works of art or reacting to stray cases of misuse of free expression. Stating that freedom of expression is guaranteed in the Constitution of India, various personalities felt that an artist or his work is a mirror to the society and it should reflect its image without fear or favour, but without hurting the people's sentiments. Literary critic Kiran Budkuley urges self restraint by every creative artist, be it a writer or sculptor, and says they should not have vested interest to settle scores. "There are two important issues, the artist's conscience and the society's sense of propriety. What is required is a healthy balance between art and this expression and the society and its response to it," she said, adding that law enforcing authorities have to be simultaneously vigilant and sensitive. Verna-based businessman Irineu Gonsalves, who claims to have listened to the controversial audio CD, blames the key players on both sides. "The content is derogatory and may affect people's faith in religion. If somebody is doing wrong, there are forums to deal with the issue," he said. But he condemned the violence as a reaction. "The stoning of Calvert Gonsalves' house is not good for Goa. What could have been localized at the village level has been blown out of proportions," he said. Satish Sonak, a lawyer, echoed similar views. "Laws are available to handle the issue. Why should people usurp the court's jurisdiction and take law in their own hands?" he questioned. Conceding that their grievances may be genuine, he added that a mob should not decide what is right or wrong. Most are against imposition of censorship to curb misuse of freedom of expression. Says Premanand Lotlikar, a Colva-based tiatrist, "Tiatr has served as a mirror of Goan society. If censorship is brought in to gag tiatrists, one useful platform which highlights aam admi's reaction to different issues in society will be closed." However, he said that the recent incident should not be linked to the tiatr world. "Tiatrist have never crossed the limits, and he (Calvert Gonsalves) is not a tiatrist, though he may have engaged tiatrists to sing for his audio project." Pointing out that there are laws to tackle offenders, Tomazinho Cardozo, president of Tiatr Academy Goa, said, "Freedom of expression should not be suppressed, but all citizens have rights as well as duties to observe. You can criticize a political or social leader's functioning, but not rake up his personal life." While pointing out that writers, painters, filmmakers and other artistes source material from the society around them, Sahitya Akademy award winning writer and social activist N Shivdas, said, "A writer is the product of the society and none can prevent him from exposing reality. If the artist's work is false and defamatory, then people have a right to agitate."

DEMOLITION OF 154 CRZ VIOLATION STRUCTURES POSTPONED

Keeping in mind the festivities during the season and the deployment of police force at various places, the district administration has postponed the demolition of the 154 structures along the South Goa coastal belt that are in violation of CRZ norms and finalized for demolition, as per a high court order. The court, in a suo moto writ petition on November 24, had directed the deputy collectors of the two districts to call a meeting of sarpanchas and secretaries and draw up a time frame to demolish the structures where the orders have attained finality. Deputy collector Sanjeev Dessai had conducted a meeting involving 10 panchayats and also fixed a time frame for demolition and informed the court. However, the the administration has now decided to initiate the demolition tentatively next week. The court has asked the deputy collectors to provide assistance for the demolition and stated, "Needless to observe that complete details of the structures to be demolished will be provided by the sarpanch/secretary of the concerned village panchayat to the said deputy collector and both shall assist him at the time of demolition by remaining present at the site.'' Dessai said a total of 154 structures would be demolished and his office shall assist in the demolition by providing a demolition squad as required. Wherever the panchayat has given an assurance that it would undertake the demolition, a report will be sought by the deputy collector's office as it has to file a reply before the court by the end of January, when the deadline for the demolition ends. In cases where any party has gone in appeal, a stay order from the concerned authority would have to be provided to avoid the axe. Merely going in appeal is not enough, Dessai observed.

DEMOLITION OF 23 CRZ VIOLATED STRUCTURES DEFFERED

The court ordered demolition of 23 structures allegedly violating the Coastal Regulation Zone, at Velsao fixed were deferred, informed officials. A large crowd also gathered in front of the Velsao-Pale panchayat building, apparently agitated over the presence of the demolition squad.
The collector, South, Mr G P Naik told media, “The demolitions were deferred as the sarpanch gave us a written undertaking as well as filed an affidavit promising to file a compliance report.” He also expressed confidence that all other structures would be demolished by due date “unless somebody challenges the order before a competent authority.” The High Court had issued an order asking for a certain number of structures to be demolished within 8 weeks of its order, dated November 24. The order also wanted schedules for the demolitions of structures in South Goa to be finalised by the deputy collector, South and sarpanchas and secretaries of coastal villages.The Velsao-Pale, sarpanch, Ms D’Souza, said that the panchayat decided to ask for postponement of the demolition of all 23 structures, in view of the annual Three Kings feast, that will be celebrated on January 6.The undertaking given by sarpanch, Ms D’Souza and secretary stated that they will submit a compliance report on January 12.“As Catholic and non-Catholic brethren from all over the state and villagers of Pale participate in the feast, the demolition drive, right before the feast, would anger the villagers,” Ms D’Souza said, informing that the villagers were agitated over the scheduled demolition of the 23 structures. Ms D’Souza also said villagers had gathered in large number in front of Velsao-Pale panchayat building to protest the demolition on Tuesday, and it would have been a very difficult task to face the crowdThe demolition squad led by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Margao, Mr Sanjeev Dessai and including deputy collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mormugao, Mr Levinson Martins, Mormugao mamlatdar, Mr Pundalik Khorjuvenkar, block development officer, Mormugao, Mr P T Mulgaonkar PWD, police, heavy machinery, electricity department, and other government officials were present at the Velsao-Pale panchayat.

CMC YET TO ACT AGAINST MORE TAHN 30 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT PALOLEM BEACH IN CANACONA

More than thirty illegal temporary structures have been erected at Palolem beach at Canacona, in violation of the CRZ rules and regulation. Surprisingly the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC), is not taking any action against these structures or against those who have constructed them.
Mr D Pagui, former vice-chairperson of CMC from Palolem, said that fishermen from Palolem have also protested against construction of wooden footbridge, across the rivulet in Palolem. Due to this illegal footbridge across the rivulet at Palolem-Devabhag, the business of the fishing community is severally affected and they are facing hardships, as access to the fishing areas is curtailed.According to sources, the footbridge has been allegedly erected by a shack owner, to bolster his business, by luring the tourist on the other side of the rivulet. The fishermen, whose canoes cannot cross to the other side of the rivulet due to this blockade, have protested against the construction. Mr Premanand Pagui an affected fisherman, speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’ said that they have brought the matter to the notice of CMC chairperson and councillors, but despite a month having lapsed, no action has been taken to demolish the illegal bridge. The chief officer of the CMC, Mr Naik expressed shock over the construction of the footbridge and said that he was totally unaware and nobody had approached him with grievances pertaining to the matter. He said that he will carry out a site inspection, along with market inspector and the concerned engineer soon. According to sources in CMC, occupancy certificates for buildings, which are incomplete, have been issued without any legality and that the chief officer is intending to take to task the person in-charge. If sources are to be believed, most tourism activities in the taluka thrive on illegal utilisation of facilities, ranging from water supply to electricity.The CMC office record shows just a few tent and huts, but the ground reality is that there are so many illegal structures in place. The CMC is losing revenue in this regard. According to citizens here, the famous tourism belt of CMC, which has the prime beach of Palolem, besides other beaches at Colomb, Patnem and Rajbhag-Tarir are losing their charm and beauty due to illegal activities. Palolem is one of the most beautiful beaches in South Goa and caters to the low-budget foreign tourists who flock here. Several illegal tourism-related constructions have come up here, that are destroying the natural beauty of the area and also making tourism more commercialised.

12 ROAD ACCIDENTS DAILY, ONE FATALITY EVERY 29 HOURS IN GOA

Goa unveiled the road safety week on new year’s day with a grim reminder that in 2009 Goan roads witnessed on an average 12 accidents per day and one fatality every 29 hours. But authorities derived small consolation from the fact that the total number of accidents and fatalities reduced marginally as compared to 2008. The superintendent of police (traffic) Arvind Gawas told TOI that there were 4,164 accidents and 310 fatalities on Goa’s roads from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. For the corresponding period in 2008, there were 318 fatalities and 4,178 accidents on Goan roads. “This means fatalities decreased by eight and accidents reduced by 14 in 2009 as compared to last year. This is despite the fact that there was an increase of 70,000 vehicles on Goan roads in 2009,” said Gawas. There were 322 road fatalities in 2007. He said that preliminary statistics for 2009 showed that two-wheelers accounted for 37% of the accidents followed by cars (30%). Motorcyclists accounted for 57% of fatalities. Most of the victims belonged to the productive age of 20 to 35. The highest number of accidents (36%) were on national highways and 70% of the mishaps were due to driver’s fault. Straight roads accounted for 67% of the accidents and the maximum accidents occurred between 6pm and 7pm. Most accidents occurred in the month of December and the maximum accidents were reported on Mondays. The highest number of accidents were in the Verna area and the highest number of fatalities occured in the Ponda area. On its part, the Goa traffic police identified 100 accident-prone zones and moved proposals for their improvement to PWD and other civic bodies. The traffic police also educated 5,507 drivers and 11,926 students on road safety in 2009. Traffic police also undertook strict enforcement of traffic laws and booked 2,60,911 traffic violators last year. This is 13,456 more violators booked then the 2,47,455 violators booked in 2008.

GOA BLAST : MALGONDA PATIL LINKED TO TWO MORE HINDU ORGANISATIONS

Goa home ministry has said that Malgonda Patil, prime accused in the Margao blast, was also a managing trustee of two more Hindu organizations besides his association with Sanatan Sanstha. The names of these two Hindu organisations -- Dharma Prachar Sabha and Hindu Dharma Prathisthan -- had surfaced publicly for the first time since October 16, when a blast triggered panic in the commercial town of Margao in South Goa. The record furnished on the floor of the House during the ongoing state Legislative Assembly session has confirmed Patil's links to these two institutions. Patil (28), a native of Sangli in Maharashtra, till date was known only for his links with Sanatan Sanstha, a right-wing Hindu organisation operating from Ramnathi village of Goa. Patil died when the bomb he had planned to plant triggered prematurely. Yogesh Patil (29), a Goan native, also died in the blast, which occurred on Diwali eve and was a part of larger conspiracy to trigger serial explosions in the state. Home minister Ravi Naik in a statement in the floor of the House said that gelatin sticks, detonators and timer circuits were used to set off the explosion. He said that immediately after the blast, chief minister Digamber Kamat, alongwith Fatorda constituency Legislator Damodar Naik, visited the spot.

DRUG OVERDOSE AT MUSIC FEST KILLS DELHI GIRL IN GOA

A 23-year-old girl, Meha Bahuguna, last seen partying at the Sunburn festival at Candolim is suspected to have died of a drug overdose . The Delhi girl, employed in the hospitality sector in Bangalore, was brought to a city hospital in a critical condition from the festival . Police sources said that according to friends, Meha had last consumed ‘angel dust’, a hallucinatory drug, at the festival, after which she felt uneasy. “She was immediately taken by her friends to a hospital in Calangute from where she was shifted to another in Panaji in a critical condition. She expired the next day,” the sources said. The girl is said to have had easy access to drugs at the party and police, despite having specific information that narcotics were being sold openly at the venue, had failed to act. Top police officials informed TOI that a report submitted to the DIG on Monday clearly stated that narcotics were available at the festival venue. “The report said that drugs are being sold openly to partygoers through stalls selling clothes put up at the venue. It said that stall owners were indulging in peddling. Based on this report, the DIG had alerted the anti-narcotics cell and asked for its men to be posted at the venue,” said sources. However, ANC personnel claimed they were clueless about any sale of drugs at the festival. Local event partner of the festival Lyndon Alves denied any drugs were sold at the venue and hinted that the girl might have comsumed it elsewhere. “The girl entered the festival venue at 4.30pm and she was taken out at 6.30pm. We hear that she had taken drugs four hours before she was admitted. She has definitely not had drugs at the festival.” He claimed that the girl had walked in sick and within minutes of her arrival at the venue, she had to be taken to an ambulance for first aid. After this, she resumed partying, he added. “We have guards and CCTVs. Everyone entering the party was frisked for drugs. There were also policemen on duty. Despite these precautions if someone does bring in drugs we are helpless,” said Alves.

GOA IS INDIA'S DRUGS AND CRIMINAL CAPITAL SAYS BJP LEADER MANOHAR PARRIKAR

Weeks after Tourism Minister Mickky Pachecho called Goa the "rape capital" of India, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manohar Parrikar described the state as "a capital for drugs and criminals". The former chief minister, who is leader of opposition, said the law and order situation in the state has "completely deteriorated", citing a Bangalore girl's death from drug overdose at the Sunburn Music Festival in the last week of December. "There were direct orders from the Director General of Police's office to raid the Sunburn party venue in Candolim where drugs were flowing openly. But his orders were bypassed by his subordinates on the instructions of Home Minister Ravi Naik," Parrikar alleged. "If the DGP is worth his salt, he should order an enquiry to find out which officer bypassed his orders," he said at a press conference here, and accused the home minister and several other police officers of involvement in ensuring that drugs were openly sold at the Sunburn party. "A young girl has died of drug overdose. The DGP should take action against those responsible for allowing drugs at Sunburn, or he will end up being like another Rathore (referring to former Haryana police chief S.P.S. Rathore who was convicted for molesting 15-year-old Ruchika Girhotra)," Parrikar said. The death of 23-year-old Meha Bahuguna of drug overdose while dancing at the Sunburn Music Festival and subsequent efforts by the authorities to cover up the incident has sparked a debate in the state on whether such high-power entertainment events should be permitted at all. Billed as Asia's biggest music festival, Sunburn Goa 2009 was in the news for the wrong reasons ranging from traffic chaos in the coastal tourism hub of Calangute-Candolim and the drug-overdose related death.

3 NON GOANS HELD GUILTY OF MURDER OF A GOAN

Additional District and Sessions Judge P V Kamat held guilty three accused-Krishna Yadav, Shamshad Answari and Amjat Answari-all residents of Chadrawaddo Fatorda for causing the death of one Paul Fernandes, 56, in 2008. According to the police, the deceased was returning home from work on his scooter when he spotted the three accused standing in front of his house. After some heated arguments between the three and the deceased, the three accused started beating Fernandes. Children of the deceased who tried to save their father were stopped from doing so by the three. During the fight Yadav picked up a stone to hit Fernandes who collapsed and died. Sentencing in the case will be held on December 30. The three accused have been booked under Section 323 of IPC by Margao town police and a case of murder was registered against them. After conducting investigations, the charge-sheet was filed in the court and charges framed against them under Section 304 of IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).

CALANGUTE SHACK OWNERS COMPLAIN OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ALONG COAST

Although the dust has settled with regards to allocation and setting up of shacks along the coastline, the shack owners, in a new development, have complained that the Tourism Department has till date not shown interest in helping the genuine shack owners.
The shack owners have further claimed that by now almost half the tourist season has gone by and yet the Tourism Department has not taken a clear stand on the shacks on the beach. Mr Manuel Cardozo, the president of the Traditional Shack Owners Association informed, “A lot of illegal shacks have come up on the Calangute-Candolim coastline, and the Tourism Department is not taking any action over these shacks. Secondly the area on which we have to put up our shacks, is still not demarcated and given to us. Under these circumstances, how can we go ahead with our work of erecting shacks?” He blamed the tourism department for total failure on this front. Significantly, Mr Cardozo claimed that around 190 shacks were to come up on the entire Calangute-Candolim coastline, but added that in the absence of demarcation of land and illegal shacks being put up, the genuine shack owners were suffering. Director of Tourism, Mr Swapnil Naik on the other hand claimed that demarcation of land for setting up shacks on Calangute beach had been completed; however, he said that the exercise was now being carried out at Camotim vaddo and Escrivao vaddo in Candolim. He said, “Except in these two places, the demarcation could not be done earlier for some reasons, the exercise is already conducted in other places. However, we are presently in the process of demarcation in the two above places.” He also added that the concerned shack owners are being informed about the demarcation. Speaking about illegal shacks on these beaches, Mr Naik said that the necessary equipment and manpower is being sought, and illegal shacks will be demolished on December 23. Meanwhile, with Christmas and New Year fast approaching, tourists are beginning to flock to the Calangute and Vagator beaches. A big rush of tourists is being witnessed on these beaches in the evenings and the lifeguards are on their toes taking all necessary precautions to prevent drowning accidents.

ACTIVIST TELL GOA GOVERNMENT TO REPEAL SEZ ACT,2005

Once again activists have reiterated their demand to repeal the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 in a bid to halt the unprecedented land and resource grab in the country, at a meeting to present the people’s audit on SEZs on Sunday. Incidentally, Goa is the fifth state where the people’s audit is being conducted. Speaking on the occasion, activist Medha Patkar said, “It is time to review and decide the way forward. SEZs are the worst version of a development paradigm that the government is pushing forward. There will be a country within a country, state within a state, all under the control of the development commissioner. They will get many things as a priority and privilege, which includes not just land, but also electricity and water. This will most affect those living in the hinterland.” She alleged that the Central government is now trying to make amendments in the Land Acquisition Act, which would enable the government to acquire land for private purposes. At present, land can be acquired by government only for public purposes. The people’s audit is a process wherein the affected people, who defined and succeeded in a movement, come forward as the core of the audit process. Speaking on the impact of SEZs, Fr Maverick Fernandes of the Council for Social Justice and Peace said, “Planning is so crucial to Goa. We have approximately 80,000 hectares of non-agricultural land for urbanization and industrialization in Goa. According to experts, in the next 10 to 20 years Goa will lose around 30,000 hectares due to the rise in sea level. Hence, selling or leasing large tracts of land in the form of SEZs without planning for the future, with the state constraints in mind is suicidal.” He said that SEZs would have further depleted the already depleting water level in Goa in order to provide huge amounts of water at the cost of the needs of the citizens. The monsoons are the main source of recharging groundwater but the government has not taken any measures to stop the 80% run off. The supply of electricity is insufficient and hence irregular, he added. Fr Maverick said, “It was suggested that the SEZs would meet the problem of unemployment in the state. Ground analysis provides an altogether different picture because the SEZ, being autonomous, under the control of industrialists, thousands of unemployed youth would hardly be found qualified and competent for such employment. So, SEZs in Goa wouldn’t have solved unemployment.” Even the Verna residents agree with this. “The government claims that in SEZs 80% employment will be given to the locals. But in the already existing industrial estate in Verna, where almost one lakh people are employed, not even 2,000 are locals”, they alleged during the meeting. Fr Maverick added that SEZs would have given rise to slums in the state, as “the projected housing facilities within the SEZs would have catered to the top and middle level employees and those engaged in peripheral activities would have had to manage themselves in slums around the zones.” Director of the Centre for Panchayati Raj, Soter D’Souza, said, “Unfortunately, while the focus of communities gets drawn towards opposing SEZs, mining, industrial estates etc, the violations of the constitutional rights of the Panchayati Raj institutions often gets dragged in only so far as a means to justify the struggle and nothing more. But, larger issues faced by the gram sabhas seem to be no one’s concern. The larger role that panchayati raj institutions are actually required to partake in the planning and implementation of development projects post the 73rd constitutional amendment, gets very tactfully sidetracked and ignored.” “The SEZ issue is just one among the many symptoms arising from laws inconsistent with the 73rd constitutional amendment. All laws existing prior to the 73rd amendment were to be made consistent with the amendment within a period of one year. But, laws like the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968; the Goa Industrial Development Act, 965, the Mines Act, 1952 or Mines and Mineral Act, 1957, Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1975 and the Land Acquisition Act 1987 continue to be applied in the very same pre-1992 fashion. Even the recent acts like Health Act are contrary to the 73rd amendment”, he added.