Dateline Goa: News as it happens

GFP vows to spread its wings in all 40 constituencies

The state executive meeting of the Goa Forward Party has resolved to extend its reach to all 40 constituencies in the State

GFP President Vijai Sardesai said the party will from committees in each constituency to take forward its goal.

The meeting was held at the 'Goenkar Ghor' in Margao where executive members of the party were present.

Vijai said party office bearers will go to the people and get to know their problems closely.

Car used in Usgao ATM theft found abandoned in Margao

The car used in the Usgao ATM theft case was found abandoned in Margao. Fatorda police found the car parked on the Margao bypass.

The car was stolen by the thieves from Usgao to transport the ATM. They later dumped the vehicle at Margao. Police are now on the lookout for the vehicle used in the other ATM theft case.

Guj man nabbed in cybercrime case

The Cybercrime Cell of Goa police has nabbed a 20-year-old man from Gujarat for allegedly duping South Goa resident to the tune of Rs 9 lakh via social media. The accused identified as Dilip Keshwala is a computer engineer and a resident of Ahmedabad.

SPORTS

FC Goa register first win in Durand Cup

FC Goa registered their first victory in the Durand Cup Football tournament on Friday on the strength of a goal scored by striker Muhammed Nemil in the eighth minute of the match.

They won the match 1-0 while repelling a tough challenge from the Indian Air Force team. In the previous match, FC Goa lost to Mohammedan Sporting 1-3 despite taking the lead in the first half.

FC Goa opened their account in the points table with a full three points on Friday. Their next match will be against Jamshedpur FC on August 26. This was the first match for the Indian Air Force team.

Nemil also scored the only goal against Mohammedan Sporting. His goal proved valuable again on Friday.

FC Goa made three changes to the team for the match against IAF.

CCP to distribute Ashtami stall forms afresh

CCP has started the distribution of forms for Ashtami stalls afresh, informed CCP Commissioner Agnelo Fenandes.

Making counter-allegation against vendors that they had indulged in irregularities, Fernandes said that 450 stalls to be set up on the Mandovi promenade will be now allocated in a systematic manner.

Fresh forms will be issued and money will be refunded to those who have already paid for the forms, he added.

Vendors had alleged of large-scale corruption and black marketing in distribution of the forms.

Arrested have named politicians in land grabbing scam: SIT

In what could be a revelation that would lead to more skeletons tumbling out, some Goan politicians have been named in the confessional statements by those arrested in the land-grabbing case.

This was revealed IGP Omvir Singh Bishnoi, who said the politicians involved face arrest once SIT gets solid evidence against them.

2 tourists threatened, beaten in Baga

Two tourists were threatened and seriously beaten up in Baga. Shocking information has come to light that one of them was been kidnapped. Calangute police have registered a case against two unknown persons in this matter. This incident took place at around 4.30 in the morning.

Goa first to introduce QR code billing for power, water bills: CM

Goa has become the first state in the country to introduce QR code billing for electricity and water consumers, informed CM Pramod Sawant today.

Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the QR code billing system for water bill payment today.

Goa is also the first state in the country to undertake revenue collection through smart water metering, Sawant added.

He was speaking at the Har Ghar Jal Utsav programme under Jal Jeevan Mission. CM informed that water in the state is tested through 14 national accreditation labs.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressed the event via a video message. He congratulated Goa for becoming the first Har Ghar Jal certified state where every household is connected to piped water.

Vasco SAG gymnasium to get facelift

Sports Authority of Goa gymnasium at Vasco which is in bad shape will soon get a facelift. The painting work of the gymnasium started on Friday.

Gymnasium instructor Mukesh Girap on Friday uploaded some photographs on a WhatsApp group that show the ongoing painting work of the gymnasium.

It may be recalled that in May, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Govind Gaude had inspected the Vasco SAG gymnasium along with other sports complexes. At that time, a leaking roof and damaged ceilings greeted the minister. He had then assured of immediately taking up the renovation work.

Change of guard at Mapusa council likely

Political rumblings are likely in the leadership of Mapusa Municipal Council after Ganesh Chaturthi. According to sources, the BJP leadership seems to be unhappy with the performance of the existing chairperson of the council, Shubhangi Vaingankar, and Vice-chairperson Chandrashekhar Benkar.

Illegal fish sale: Vasco fish vendors hit out at MMC

Vasco traditional fish vendors said they are feeling cheated as the Mormugao Municipal Council has failed to stop illegal fish vendors from doing business in the municipal jurisdiction.

The fisherwomen from the old Vasco fish market said MMC had assured them after they are shifted to the new temporary shed, the illegal non-Goan fish vendors will be barred from doing business illegally.

But contradictory to the given assurance, the MMC has remained a mute spectator to the illegal vendors carrying on their business on the roadside in Vasco, they charged.

The fish vendors said the MMC has also failed to provide proper sanitation and water supply to the new shed.

However, MMC chairperson Leo Rodrigues maintained that the MMC was continuously conducting drives to clear illegal vendors and will continue to do so.

NGT red flags Baina beach beautification work

The Baina beach beautification work is most likely to hit a roadblock as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has shown the “red flag” to any construction activity in the 100 meters High Tide Line which is a No Development Zone.

According to a reliable source from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority(GCZMA), NGT pointed out that it was incorrect on the part of GCZMA to grant permission to the Goa State Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) for construction activities in the 100 meters HTL which is an NDZ of Baina beach.

The source further informed that the GTDC has been ordered to raze all that is constructed in the NDZ of Baina beach by it and undertake restoration in the area within three months.

It may be recalled that two months ago Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar along with the Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and other authorities concerned had undertaken a joint inspection of the Baina beach area.

The main motto behind the works at Baina beach was to attract quality domestic and international tourists. There were plans to undertake proper illumination, benches, etc.

But the recent instruction from the NGT has raised a big question mark on the fate of the beautification works.

31 rescued from fishing trawler

31 crew members were rescued from a fishing trawler which had left from Betim and later ran aground at Miramar beach today. Traditional fishermen from Caranzalem played a crucial role in rescuing the crew. Efforts to re-float the trawler are underway.

Goa Shipyard employees' union gets first woman president

Poornima Sawant becomes the first woman president of the employees' union of Goa Shipyard. A new committee of the 'United Goa Shipyard Limited Employees Union' has been formed under the chairmanship of Poornima Sawant.

Further, the annual general body meeting of the newly formed committee was held on Thursday at the Sri Rashtraoli Jai Santoshi Mata Mandir auditorium in Nev Vaddem, Vasco. The meeting was addressed by Poornima Sawant. Advisor Captain Gerald Fernandes also shared his views. More than 200 employees attended the first general meeting of the union.

Rules of Conduct of Business of Assembly not notified: Lawyer

Adv Aires Rodrigues today revealed before the Secretary of Goa Legislature Secretariat Namrata Ulman who is also the designated First Appellate Authority under the Right to Information Act (RTI) that his research had shockingly revealed that the Rules of Conduct of Business of Goa Legislative Assembly were never officially notified as required by law and were therefore illegal.

Arguing his appeal against the order of the Public Information Officer (PIO) at the Legislature Secretariat Mohan Gaonkar declining to furnish the information sought by him, Adv Rodrigues further submitted that the shelter taken by the PIO under Rule 37(16) of the Rules of Conduct of Business of Goa Legislative Assembly was anyways untenable as that rule pertains to questions that can be asked in the Legislative Assembly.

Adv Rodrigues also sought stringent action and penalty including the dismissal from service of PIO Mohan Gaonkar for his sheer and utter ignorance of even the basic rules and regulations governing the very functioning of the Goa Legislative Assembly.

After hearing arguments advanced by Adv Rodrigues, the First Appellate Authority Namrata Ulman adjourned the matter to August 26 as PIO Mohan Gaonkar sought time to study the matter and make his submissions.