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.