GOA NEWS: GENERAL

[Sanny de Quepem]

GOA NEWS: GENERAL

Kundaim voter can now heave a sigh of relief

BY HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, NOV 2 — The lone voter in Kundaim polling booth, Hemant Fadte should
be a relieved man now. For, the Election Commission has ruled that his vote
should be taken up for counting only if the margin between the first and second
candidate after completion of counting of votes in all other polling stations,
is one. This means that Fadte’s vote would be taken up for counting only if the
margin between the two main candidates - Francisco Sardinha and Dr Wilfred
Mesquita - is one vote after completion of counting of votes in all other
polling stations. Given that the possibility of a one vote margin between
Sardinha and Mesquita appears remote, Fadte should hopefully be a relaxed man.
For, if the election authorities had to count his vote along with other votes,
his preference for the candidate would have been known, thus violating the
voting secrecy. The Election Commission dispatched its communiqué to the Chief
Electoral Officer, Goa after the Returning
Officer of Mormugao Lok Sabha Constituency, Mihir Vardhan today. Vardhan had
sought guidance from the Election Commission to the unusual situation in view
of the clear-cut provision in the Representation of People’s Act, dealing with
secrecy of voting. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3767&cid=26

Quepem ‘quack’ granted anticipatory bail

PANJIM, NOV 2 (HR) — The Bombay High Court at Goa on Friday
allowed the anticipatory bail application of a homeopathic doctor from Quepem
against whom local doctors has filed complaint alleging that he is a
quack. The Justice N A Britto granted
the application of Dr Peter Fernandes practicing in Quepem. His counsel Adv
Arun Bras de Sa submitted that doctors from petitioner’s area namely Dr Arun
Sankow, Dr Milagres Fernandes, Dr Umesh Netravalkar, Dr Deepak Dangui and Dr
Deepak Lotlikar, mischievously and malafidely in order to settle professional
score and professional rivalry had filed a false complaint against him with the
Disciplinary Committee of Goa Medical Council (GMC) stating that he was a quack
and had no professional degree to practice medicine. Petitioner however claimed to have First
Class Final Year Bachelors degree in Homeopathy, Medicines and Surgery (BHMS)
and he has also registered himself with the Goa Board of Indian system of
medicines and homeopath and also with Karnataka Board of Homeopathy System of
Medicines and the Maharashtra Council of Homeopathy.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3768&cid=26

Sanguem petrol pump closure causing hardship to
motorists

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

SANGUEM, NOV 2 — The sudden closure of the lone petrol pump at Sanguem town
due to lack of stocks has caused severe hardship to motorists in the area. Residents from in and around Sanguem are
puzzled over the non-availability of petrol in Sanguem, especially since petrol
pumps all over the State get regular stocks of petrol. The closure of the lone petrol pump in
Sanguem constituency has forced motorists to travel to Curchorem to fill fuel.

Disputing the ‘no-stocks’ claim, some locals alleged that the petrol pump was
allegedly sealed by authorities, after the pump owner failed to comply with
certain formalities. When some residents
confronted the owner over the abrupt closure of the pump, the pump owner
accused the residents of threatening him and warned them not visit the petrol
pump again. A resident, Dilesh Sambhari,
however, lodged a police complaint with the Sanguem Police Station, accusing
the petrol pump owner of threatening him with dire consequences. Another resident, Antonio Carvalho, urged
authorities to permanently close down the petrol pump and to issue fresh
permission to another individual to open a petrol pump in Sanguem. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3766&cid=26

NUSI
Wockhardt Hospital
commissioned at Cuncolim

BY HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, NOV 2 - A new 180-bedded super speciality hospital, NUSI Wockhardt
Hospital, was
commissioned at Panzorcone-Cuncolim on Friday, marking a new chapter in health
care in the State. NUSI Wockhardt
Hospital, Goa would offer comprehensive solutions in the super specialities of
brain & spine, bone & joints, and critical care including, Minimal
Access surgery & general surgery, Urology & Nephrology, medical &
surgical Oncology, Gynaecology, Pediatrics & Pediatric surgery, critical
care & emergency care, interventional Radiology, besides preventive health
care, backed by a team of eminent physicians, consultants and surgeons with an
appropriate back up of professional nursing and paramedic talent. The hospital was commissioned at the hands of
the General Secretary of Norwegian Seafarers Union, Jacqueline Smith, in the
presence of the General Secretary of National Union of Seafarers of India,
Abdulgani Y Sarang. On the occasion,
Sarang announced that a new wage agreement has been recently reached with the
ship owners, which would increase the wages of the seafarers. The new super speciality hospital includes a
high proportion of full-equipped patient centric ICU/SICU, four fully equipped
operation theatres of comparable international standards and has all the
required facilities such as Cardiac Cath lab, comprehensive diagnostic
facility, trauma care and dedicated cardiac ambulance. Jacqueline Smith, Capt
Guha, NUSI President Dr Shanti Patel also spoke. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3765&cid=26

Bicholim Shiv Sena to survey illegal gambling sites

BICHOLIM, NOV 2 (HC) – Authorities have failed to do it and
now, the Bicholim Block Shiv Sena has decided to survey all illegal gambling
sites in the taluka and force authorities to stop them.Bicholim Block Shiv Sena
President Anand Narvekar recently convened a meeting to discuss the adverse
effects of gambling activities in the taluka. It was later decided to prepare a
list of all the gambling sites and submit the details to the authorities, so
that action could be initiated to stop those sites. The Bicholim Block Shiv
Sena, however, warned that authorities would be forced to face the
consequences, if they failed to curb the menace.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3764&cid=26

CCP does U-turn, allows wholesale fish vendors to
continue business

BY HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, NOV 2 - Contradicting its own decision taken just a day before the
Corporation of the City of Panaji
on Friday allowed the wholesale fish vendors to continue their business
activities at the Panjim market even after 9 am. The CCP yesterday, in a joint meeting between
the wholesale and retail fish vendors, had decided to bar wholesalers from the
market after 9 am but that did not seem to have happened as this reporter, who
made three visits up to 12 noon, saw them continuing with the business. Worst still the business was carried out
right under the nose of CCP officials who turned a blind eye to the same. As decided the retail fish vendors did not
buy stocks from the wholesalers, however, there was no shortage of fish as the
retailers bought the same from Nerul and Margao wholesalers while a few got
their stock directly from the trawlers.

While a few got their stocks from Margao wholesalers a few is learnt to have
bought directly from the trawler owners.
When contacted the Corporation of the City o Panaji on Friday clarified
that the wholesale fish vendors were doing business as per their directives
beyond stipulated time. Speaking tot
Herald, CCP Market Committee Chairman Uday Madkaikar said that the CCP allowed
the wholesalers because the retailers boycotted them this morning.

The retailers bought the fish from Margao or the Nerul wholesalers while the
Dona Paula wholesalers were left stranded and hence we allowed them to continue
business until their stocks lasted, Madkaikar said. The wholesalers, who are alleged to have the
backing of Taleigao MLA, said they had no other alternative but to finish the
stocks. “The retailers did not buy our
fish and so we sold the stocks to cyclists and whatever remained we waited here
and sold ourselves to the customers,” said one wholesaler. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3762&cid=26

No sale of liquor in State today

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, NOV 2 — The Government has directed that all licensed premises for the
sale of liquor in Goa, shall be closed on
November 3, in
view of counting of votes for the bye-election to Lok Sabha for 2-Mormugao
Parliamentary constituency.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3761&cid=26

‘Daily wage workers were given break on disciplinary
grounds’

BY HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, NOV 2 — The Corporation of the City of Panaji Commissioner Elvis Gomes on Friday
said that the daily wage workers were given a break in service on disciplinary
grounds and not with any ulterior motives.
“The 20 workers who were given a break were delinquent and not
diligent,” Gomes said adding many of them were also noticed to be just signing
and leaving the duties and others were found to be showing laxity at work. The CCP employs about 410 daily wage workers
out of which 245 workers are with CCP for last 10 years while the second batch
has 125 workers, who are there for five years while the remaining 40 have
completed six months. On regularization
of these workers, the CCP commissioner replied whenever the vacancies exists
the daily wage workers are given first preference.

Asked about the CCP plans of giving break in service to a few daily wage
workers, Gomes said it will depend on the exigencies of work. “Employment of daily wage workers are as per
the exigencies and the load of work and if we feel we don’t have enough work we
will give them a break,” he said pointing out he has no plans to discontinue
service of workers who have completed 5 years or more. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3760&cid=26

Narrow escape for passengers as ferry hits barge in
River Mandovi

BY HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, NOV 2 – Large number of passengers traveling in a ferryboat - plying
from Panjim to Betim - had a narrow escape after it hit a barge in River
Mandovi during peak hours in the evening.
The mishap occurred at around 7 pm, when the ferry proceeding towards
Betim failed to notice the barge coming from the right side. The ore-laden
barge was proceeding to the port. “The
barge was also at its full speed and at one point it looked like it would hit
the ferry head on,” P N Pandey, an eyewitness said. The passengers had a
harrowing time with some even planning to jump from the ferry. Fortunately for
them, after the passengers shouted, the coxswain put the reverse gear and the
barge just hit the ferry and passed, he added. Passengers also complained that
the visibility is poor after sunset between ferry jetties.

At the time of the accident, besides nearly 100 passengers, 15 two-wheelers
were on board most of which fell off their stands with the impact of the barge
on the ferry, the eyewitness said. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3759&cid=26

HC grants temporary relief to industrialist Timblo

BY HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, NOV 2 — The Bombay High Court on Friday granted temporary relief to
industrialist Sarvesh Timblo in connection with the case of attempt to murder
of former Xelvona panch Mariano Mascarenhas.
Justice N A Britto granted Timblo’s anticipatory bail observing that his
arrest would depend on further interrogation sought by the police.

The police in their reply submitted that there is prima facie material, which
shows that accused was involved in an offence punishable with imprisonment for
life and his presence is required in police custody to interrogate him in
detail with respect to his role in the crime.

However, the High Court observed that in the present circumstances, the
application is anfractuous and dismissed it. The Court has asked police to give
48 hours notice to the accused to approach the High Court for anticipatory bail
in the event they wish to arrest him.

As per police version, Mariano in his statement before Executive Magistrate,
Quepem on April 21, 2006 had expressed his suspicion that Timblo and Rajesh
Dessai are responsible for the attack on his life.

The motive behind the attack was the dust pollution caused due to
transportation of iron ore for which Timblo had given contract to Rajesh, he
had said. Mariano has further alleged
that he had been threatened after Curchorem police arrested some employees of a
mining firm on January 26, 2006, for loading iron ore at night. Police in their application before the Court
submitted that they are yet to get call details of Mariano from the service
provider. Adv Nitin Sardessai appeared on behalf of the accused. BAIL GRANTED: The Bombay High Court today
granted anticipatory bail pleas of husband and wife duo charged for assault and
abuse.

The Court allowed the anticipatory bail pleas of Ivy Fernandes and husband,
Joao Fernandes of Calangute.

One Joseph Esteves had filed a police complaint against the accused alleging he
and his sister had been abused and assaulted by the accused. They had also been
threatened with dire consequence, he complained. Adv Arun Bras de Sa appeared
on behalf of the accused. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3756&cid=26

CM for amicable solution between news channels,
cable operators

BY HERALF REPORTER

PANJIM, NOV 2 – Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday called for an
amicable solution between the news channels operating in Goa
and the cable operators. The Chief
Minister has formed a committee consisting of Special Secretary Information and
the Director of Information to look into the matter. After giving a patient hearing to both the
groups the Chief Minister told media persons that he had called both the
parties for a meeting at his official residence today to find a solution. For about a month now the cable operators
have blacked out some of the local news channels with half-an-hour slots
demanding hike in the monthly retainership.

At the meeting, the news channel owners informed the CM that their total
earnings per month were Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh while the cable operators were
demanding Rs 3 to Rs 4 lakh from them.
“From where are we going to give them such huge amount,” said one news
channel owner. The cable operators on
the other hand contested that their demand was justified considering the hike
the broadcasters were asking from them every year. However, the CM maintained that at no cost
the news channels can be blocked by the cable operators and appointed the
committee to look into the matter. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3771&cid=26

Raia panel seeks CM’s intervention to stop road
alignment work

BY HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, NOV 2 - The Raia Villagers Action Committee has sought the
intervention of Chief Minister to explore the possibility of a road bye-pass
between Margao-Borim and immediately stop the ongoing road alignment work. The Committee has also requested PWD Minister
Churchill Alemao, Power Minister and Loutolim MLA Aleixo Sequeira and Curtorim
MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco to take up the issue of the bye-pass on a
priority basis and support the villagers of Raia and Camurlim in getting the
road diversion. The Chief Minister was
asked to issue necessary instructions to conduct a fresh survey and immediately
stop the ongoing road alignment work.
The Committee pointed out that road bye-passes have been built in the
various villages and towns across Goa in order
to avoid destruction of houses and other property and wondered why the
government did not consider a bye-pass in the case of Raia and Camurlim located
between Margao and Borim.

The Committee took exception to the highhanded action of the authorities in
razing down the houses and other structures along the Margao-Borim road for
road widening purpose. More structures coming within the government acquired
area are likely to be demolished after the election process is over. The committee felt that proper instructions
should have been issued before carrying out the demolition work so that the
villagers were given time to shift and save their belongings. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3769&cid=26

Milk
prices likely to be hiked

NT Staff Reporter

Panaji, Nov 2 The milk prices in the state are expected to be
hiked by Rs 1.50 to Rs 2, later this month, following the rise in the prices of
milk in Maharashtra. The chairman of Goa Dairy, Mr Madhav Sahakari
told ‘The Navhind Times’, today that Goa receives a major portion of its milk
requirement from Maharashtra, and therefore it is natural that the milk prices
in the state depend on those in Maharashtra.
“However, we are not going to hike the milk prices in the state without
undertaking an impact assessment,” he added.

Mr Sahakari also denied that the general body meeting of the Goa
Milk Producers Association scheduled to be held on November 14, would discuss
the possible milk price hike. “The subject comes under the purview of the board
of directors of the Goa Dairy and the BoD would discuss it at its meeting,” he
added. The Goa Dairy collects 45,000 litres of milk from the local milk
producers, while it imports another 1.20 lakh litres of milk from the
neighbouring states of Maharashtra and
Karnataka. The state has a daily requirement of 2 lakh litres of milk, which
substantially rises during the tourist season. Goa takes benefit of the locally
produced milk under the brands Goa Dairy, Nandini, Arogya and Bounce, while
imports brands like Mahananda, Warna, Gomata, Krishna, Mayur and Ambai. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=110312

Two
held for illegal blasting in Canacona

NT News Service

Canacona, Nov 2 The Canacona police arrested two persons today
evening and seized blasting materials along with ammonia powder at
Muthal-Sadolexem, Canacona. Acting on a
complaint by the residents of Muthal-Sadolexem, the police arrested the duo
namely Devyanandan Anthony, a resident of Dharwad and Parshuram Lamani, a
resident of Chennai along with their vehicles and blasting materials. According to locals, the illegal blasting was
going on for the last two months posing danger to their houses and many houses
had developed cracks due to it.

Reportedly getting fed-up of non-action by the authorities
concerned in-spite of repeated complaints, initially around thirty people of
the village marched to the site today evening, caught hold of the some persons
carrying out blasts red-handed and later handed them to the police. The police further said that they have seized
ammonia powder of around ten kilogram, gelatin sticks, blasting wires and two
loaded trucks belonging to a local panch.
It may be recalled that after receiving complaints from the Poinginium
deputy sarpanch and from the locals, the illegal blasting and cutting of stones
at different places in the Poinginium constituency was stopped some months back
but it restarted later. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11038

Flood-affected
people from Bicholim, Sanquelim yet to get compensation

NT News Service

Bicholim, Nov 2 The compensation cases of the flood-affected
people from Bicholim and Sanquelim area, which are pending with the government
till date have caused much agony in those areas.According to the sources, the
government so far sanctioned Rs 59 lakh to 678 flood affected people from
Bicholim and Sanquelim areas including Latambersem, Shirigaon, Surla,
Van-Mavalingem, Karapur-Sarvan and Piligaon village panchayats. The cheques were disbursed to 678 persons in
the month of October. It is learnt that 329 more cases which were processed by
Bicholim mamlatdar and forwarded to the government for further action are still
pending for approval. The people who suffered agriculture losses have not
received any compensation so far and their compensation cases are pending for
approval. In the meantime the
shop-owners and other residents of flood affected areas from Bicholim and
Sanquelim have demanded that the government should take steps on priority basis
for precautionary measures against the occurrence of flood every year. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11036

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GOA NEWS: GENERAL

Comba locals blacken Christian sect members

BY HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, NOV 3 - Two members of a Christian sect, believed
to be from the Jehovah’s Witness, were smeared with black oil paint at Comba
here on Saturday morning after locals suspected them of indulging in
conversion.

Margao police received complaints and cross complaints from the two members of
the sect and also from the locals, who were accused of assaulting the duo.

The police later arrested two persons for dacoity and assault against the two
members of the sect and stealing their mobile phones. The two members of the
sect were also arrested for hurting the religious sentiments of the other
community.

Margao PI Santosh Dessai informed that the male member of the sect was stripped
naked and smeared with the black oil paint. The female was let off with oil
paint on her face after being locked inside the house. The duo alleged they
were beaten up before being freed.

PI Dessai said the locals in a cross complaint, alleged that the duo tried to
hurt their religious sentiments by allegedly questioning the presence of a
picture of Lord in the house of one Prakash Faterpekar and the sacred thread
worn around their neck.

Late this evening, the two arrested parties moved for bail. A group of Hindu
activists were seen assembled in front of the Margao police station late
Saturday evening, demanding the release of the two locals from Comba.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3790&cid=26

Women groups march to Vasco PS Demand arrest of
woman’s husband

BY HERALD REPORTER

VASCO, NOV 3 - Outraged by the dowry-related harassment of
a handicapped woman, representatives of various women groups on Saturday
marched to the Vasco police station and demanded the immediate arrest of the
woman’s husband Harischandra alias Dinesh Ulhas Naik. Harischandra and his family have been accused
of demanding dowry from Vandana Mandrekar, his second wife, and allegedly
threatened to kill her.

Tara Kerkar, president of ‘Savera’ and ‘Mahilanchi Pragati’ along with other
representatives of Saili Mahila Mandal and Swastik Mahila Mandal went to the
police station and demanded an explanation for the delay in arresting the
accused. The women activists also
insisted that the accused should return the valuables of both the women whom he
had married.

“We will not tolerate any atrocity towards women. The accused, Harischandra,
married two women and kicked them out of his home. If such characters are left
scot-free, women will be taken for granted,” said Kerkar. The women activists alleged that the accused
boasted of political patronage and hence, the police had failed to arrest him
till date.

They warned that a large rally would be organized outside the police station,
if the police failed to nab the accused immediately. The NGOs and Mahila Mandals have convened a
meeting at New Vaddem on Sunday at 5 pm, to express their solidarity with both
victims and to chalk out their further course of action in the matter.

Later speaking to reporters, Vasco PI Sammy Tavares claimed that investigations
are in progress and that Investigation Officer Sanjay Dalvi had recorded about
12 statements of various people.
Refuting the allegations of the women activists that the police had been
biased towards the accused, PI Tavares said the accused would be dealt within
the framework of the law. Vandana
Mandrekar had a lodged complaint against Harischandra and seven of his family
members on October 31. Meanwhile, the
first wife of accused Harischandra has decided to lodge her complaint against
Harischandra for remarrying without obtaining a divorce from her. PSI Dalvi said the first wife has approached
the police in this regard that that, the complaint against Harischandra is yet
to be registered. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3789&cid=26

HC upholds Administrative Tribunal’s order
convicting Loliem panch

BY HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, NOV 3 - A panch of Loliem-Polem Village Panchayat
had to lose his panchayat membership for assaulting police constable and a
police driver on duty.

The Bombay High Court on Friday upheld the order passed by the Administrative
Tribunal in which election of Loliem-Polem panch Meghanath Bandekar was
set aide as he was convicted for a criminal offence. Rejecting the petition Justice R S
Mohite observed that “In my view, the conduct of the
petitioner involved in this case is more serious
so far as he assaulted the police constable
and the driver who were put on duty to maintain the law
and order.” Petitioner was
elected from Ward V of Loliem-Polem Village Panchayat in elections held in May
2005.

Sanjay Pinge who had also contested panchayat elections
from ward V and polled in 93 votes as against the
petitioner who got 154 votes had gone before Administrative
tribunal with a plea to set aside election of the petitioner. After the elections Pinge had
discovered that in March 2007, Bandekar was convicted and sentenced by
JMFC Canacona under Section 353 (assault of public servant on duty
) R/W 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with the co-accused one
Rajesh Naik. Both were sentenced for a day and fined Rs 2500
each, for assaulting police constable and police driver on duty during assembly
bye-election in 2005. Under Section 10
(e) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 — a person is disqualified
from contesting the election if he is convicted for an
offence involving moral turpitude.
According to Pinge’s counsel Adv Venkatesh Tamba, the
Administrative Tribunal found that petitioner was
indeed guilty of moral turpitude. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3788&cid=26

>From murder to matka, Dessai clan gets jhatka

HERALD CORRESPONDENT

CURCHOREM, NOV 3 - After losing the Assembly poll earlier
this year, former Curchorem legislator Ramrao Dessai and his family seem to
have run out of authority, patronage and luck.
While Ramrao’s one brother, Rajesh, was recently charged with murder and
attempt to kill, his other brother, Umesh, and six others were arrested on
Saturday on charges of gambling under Section 3 and 4 of the Prevention of
Gambling Act.

“Police received information that closed-door gambling activities were being
carried out in the bungalow of the Dessai family at Gaunwada-Xelvona,” said
Curchorem PI Nilesh Rane.

Police then obtained a search warrant from the court to raid the bungalow. On
Saturday, at about 4.00 pm, police received a tip-off that matka activities
were in progress at the Dessai bungalow. The police stormed into the bungalow
and arrested Umesh Dessai, Anton Faria, Caitan Fernandes, Suresh Vishnu Naik,
Soiru Velip, Rajendra G Gaonkar and Suraj Velip.Police also seized matka slips,
charts, a calculator, a register and cash amounting to Rs 17,000. Investigations
are in progress. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3787&cid=26

PORVORIM, NOV 3 — Where there is a
(political) will, there is a way - or a road to be more precise. A family was shocked to find a road
constructed in their property at Candolim without their knowledge or
permission. And in the coastal belt of
Candolim and Calangute, where law and procedure have been frequently replaced
by influence and might, the family’s quest for justice could be delayed, if not
denied, specially since their adversary happens to be the local sarpanch. Speaking to Herald, Vernon Rodrigues, said he
owned a small plot of land, measuring 176 sq mtrs, in Survey 139/1 at
Morod-Candolim.

“The property was purchased by my grandfather Mateus Sebastiao Rodrigues by
virtue of sale deed on September 28, 1925 and since then, it has been in our
possession,” Vernon
said.

On October 13, his daughter Vanessa had taken their surveyor to inspect their
property, when they were surprised to find a road being constructed in their
property. “Candolim Sarpanch Lawrence
Fernandes and three others supervised the construction of the road. He
(Fernandes) had brought five labourers, a road roller and two drivers to
construct the road,” Vanessa said. When
Vanessa asked the sarpanch to justify the work on their property, Fernandes
reportedly stated that a French woman owned the property and had given them
permission to construct the road, as it would benefit residents in the area. “I then informed the Sarpanch that the
French lady was the owner of the property by the side of our plot and that, the
road was being constructed on our property. I even volunteered to produce
documents to prove ownership of our property,” Vanessa said. Vanessa said she was willing to part with a
one-and-half metre at the periphery of their property and suggested that the
French lady donate the other 1.5
metre width of her property, so that the 3-metre road
could be constructed. The sarpanch then
called Vanessa to the panchayat office on October 15 at 10 am along with her
property documents.

“However on Sunday (October 14), we were shocked to find the sarpanch along
with the road roller and two drivers continuing with the construction work,”
said Vanessa. Added her father Vernon: “When objected to
their work, the sarpanch who had also brought around 8 goons along with him,
mercilessly assaulted my labourers who were engaged on the site. The sarpanch
also abused my daughters, threatened them with dire consequences.” Vernon
then went to the Calangute police station to lodge a complaint. “The police
initially refused to accept my complaint, but after much persuasion, registered
the complaint only three hours later,” he said.
When contacted, Sarpanch Lawrence Fernandes insisted that the property
belonged to a French national, who had given permission to construct the road.
He, however, declined to provide further details into the controversial
road. Vernon also filed an application for
temporary injunction in the Court of Civil Judge Junior Division at Mapusa on
October 19. In the meantime, the
sarpanch restarted the construction of the road on October 28 and got it tarred
the next day. “I lodged a complaint with
the Calangute police in this regard on October 29, but the police has not taken
any action on my complaint,” said Vanessa.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3792&cid=26

Develop creative knowledge, says Dhage

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, NOV 3— “Every parent today wishes their child to
be blessed with all good qualities and talents while the children are tensed up
as to what they can give their parents. But one should understand their failure
in exams is not the failure of life and should always try to develop creative
knowledge along with academic studies.”
This was the challenge posed by. Prabhakar Dhage, Editor of
Pudhari daily , Goa, towards the
students. He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Balotsav 2007 organized
by the Directorate of Art & Culture in collaboration with West Zone
Cultural Centre, Udaipur.
.

Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar, Vice Chairman of State Cultural Development Committee
and a Goan dramatist, presided over the entire ceremony. Director of Art & Culture, Prasad
Lolayekar and Assistant Director (Culture), Ashok Parab also accompanied the
guest on the dais. This festival is being held at Institute Menezes Braganza
Hall. Dhage, in his speech criticized
the current/ present examination system. He said that it is not right to
measure/judge the yearly study of a child in just three hours. On this note, he
also highlighted the examples of many, who even after having failed at the
school level have shown at national and international levels their own potential
and self confidence. To move ahead in
life, along with academic studies it is necessary to have an adventurous
nature, wide dreams, a spirit to fight for victory, positive approach,
leadership quality, self confidence and a balance between physical and mental
health and one should try developing these, qualities Bambolkar, said that creativity is present in
every one and it begins in the childhood. It is necessary to capture these
qualities and the Directorate of Art & Culture is working hard towards it.
Similarly, he also announced that the department is in spotting such students
and providing them scholarships. The
five dayfestival (Balotsav) has enroiled many students from Panjim and its
vicinity. Experts from Goa, Aril Samant
(music),. Vishwas Chari (drama) and those from Udaipur Yakub Multani
(bandhani),. Abdul Malik (kite making), and Ram Sahani (paper stencil craft)
will guide the students. . . .

Tirthana Verlekar (cultural organizer) welcomed the guests at the inauguration
ceremony, Savio Lourenco (cultural organizer) presented the vote of thanks
while Kranti Chari, cultural instructor compered the session.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3801&cid=26

Film creativity in Goa
receives impetus

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, NOV 3— Film creativity in Goa received an impetus
when the State government notified Goa Scheme of Financial Assistance for Films
in March 2006 with a two fold objective of encouraging production of quality celluloid,
as well as telefilms, short films and documentaries and to boost the image of
the State in the film world.

Under the scheme it is mandatory for registration of producers under rule 3 (d
) that the intending producer should be the resident of the state for 15 years
and in case of a partnership firm, a limited company or a society, should have
a registered office in the State. There is also a provision to have a majority
of partners / directors as Goans in case of partnership firm or a company registered
in the State. Forty one producers have been registered as on October 20, 2007
and registration numbers have been allotted to them under section 3 (f) . The
list of registered producers is displayed on the notice board of Department of
Information and Publicity and is also available on the department website www.goainformation .org

The scheme envisages grant of financial assistance upto 50 percent of the cost
of production subject to maximum of Rs. 20 lakhs for each film. This is highest
ever assistance paid by the government to any industry. It maintains a
provision - rule 2 (iv ) under which scheme is made applicable to all films
screened at the Goa State Film Festival 2005, thus making them eligible for production
assistance. Accordance with rule 2 (iv ) seven film which participated in Goa
state Film Festival were paid production assistance as per their eligibility .
They are Aleesha by Rajendra Talak Creations ( Rs. 20,00,000 ), Sood by Damodar
Arts Motion Film Production of Sanjeev Prabhudesai (Rs. 20,00,000); Kanteantlem
Ful by D’Costa Film Productions Arnald Costa ( Rs. 3.50 Lakhs ); It’s My Life
By Shri Shamsundar Productions of Sham Sunder Golatkar ( Rs. 3.50 Lakhs ); Ek
Dis - Shadows of Life , by Fantasy Films of Shri Amar Sawant( Rs. 1,00,0007-),
6 ) Kalzache Ghave by Konkani Machi Mogi, Sangem of Shri Teotonio D’Costa ( Rs.
1,00,000) and Ordem Chador by D’Mello Production of Augie D’Mello ( Rs.
1,00,000).

In the scheme, for release of first installment i.e 50% of
total amount of financial assistance is paid to supplier of raw stock directly
while for the release of second installment which amounts to maximum 40% of the
assistance is directly paid to studio / laboratory towards post production cost
and the final installment i.e remaining 10% is paid to producer after
production of Censor Board Certificate, statement of expenses incurred and
censor copy of the film in VCD or DVD to the Department of Information and
Publicity.

According to provision under rule 4(18) before the disbursement of 1st
installment the producer should submit details as to the sources from where the
balance 50% of the cost of the production of the film will be raised. Out of 21
films scripts approved, only six producers have submitted the requisites under
the scheme viz Rajendra Talak Creations, Prasad Gurav,. Jyoti Kunkolienkar,
Sudesh Lotlikar, s Vinsan Graphics,. Sharon Mazarello, Agustin D’Cruz and
Rohidas Shirodkar. In case of Shri Rajendra Talak Creations, the film is completed
and on approval the financial assistance due to the film has already been
released under the various provisions of the scheme.

The scheme also envisages grant of additional assistance under rule 4 ( 19 ).
Accordingly Sanjiv Prabhudesai from Margao was sanctioned Rs. 5,00,000 for
screening his film Sood for International Film Festival in 2004 while Arnald
Costa was paid Rs. 1 Lakh for screening his film in different places in the
State. The scheme has also a provision
to exempt all films made in Goa from
Entertainment Tax. As the exemption has to be given by Entertainment Tax
Commissioner, necessary proposal is being processed at his level. As regards,
making theatres available, the matter was discussed with theatre owners and
Government is awaiting formal communication from them for acceptance of
Government proposal to make available theatres for at least one week in each
city. The government has also allowed outdoor and indoor shooting of the film
by paying nominal charges of Rs. 1,000 per film.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3802&cid=26

Naik elected Navyuvak chief

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, NOV 3— At an annual general body meeting of Mapusa
Navyuvak Mandal Vishal Vaikhunt Naik was elected as president and Pankaj
Baburao Naik as secretary for the year 2007-08.
Other office bearers are – Vice President:. Anant Dharwadkar., Secretary
:. Pankaj B. Naik. Joint Secretary Jagdish Naik Treasurer :. Raju
Nadodkar. Joint Treasurer:. Deepak Chatim
Members:. Gautam Naik,. Nandu Salgoankar, Sanil Naik, Nilind Thali,
Ashok Vazarkar,. Sanju Naik and.Conrad Vaz,

Advisory committee :. Sandesh Naik, Ramnath Burye,. Cedric Vaz ,. Darshan
Naik,. Hemant Anvekar. At this meeting it was decided to organize 18th all Goa
Narkasur effigy competition, Childrens Day, Medical Camps in remote area, all
Goa Ghumat aarti competition, Marathi classical programmes, cooking
competitions, drawing competitions for childrens, etc. In the beginning.
Ramnath Burye welcomed.

http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3800&cid=26

HC
upholds tribunal order declaring election of Loliem-Polem panch void

NT Legal Correspondent

Panaji, Nov 3 The single judge of
the Bombay High Court, Mr Justice R S Mohite rejected the petition filed by Mr
Meghanath Bandekar and upheld the order passed by the administrative tribunal
declaring the election of the petitioner null and void for being convicted for
an offence of moral turpitude. The
administrative tribunal by an order dated September 3 declared the election of
Mr Bandekar null and void and set aside his election. Aggrieved by the order of
the tribunal the petitioner had approached the High Court.

Mr Sanjay Pinge had approached the
tribunal challenging the election of the petitioner from ward number 5 of
Loliem-Polem panchayat on the ground that Mr Bandekar was convicted for
assaulting a police constable and a driver under Section 353 read with Section
34 of the Indian Penal Code by judicial magistrate first class, Canacona. The petitioner had argued that the
administrative tribunal while deciding against him had erred in relying on the
ratio of the decision in Dr Shankar Ambhore’s case in as much as the assault
was on a professor in that case. However,
the court while dismissing the petition observed that the assault being on a
police constable and a police driver the offence is more serious as it was
assault on officers who are responsible for maintaining law and order.

Mr Bandekar during victory
celebrations after the by-elections had assaulted a police constable on duty
and a police driver by catching their collars and slapping and hitting them.

The JMFC had sentenced him to
undergo imprisonment till the rising of the Court and to pay Rs 2500 or in
default to undergo one-year simple imprisonment. Aggrieved by the order of the
JMFC, an appeal was filed before the sessions judge, however, the same was
dismissed.

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11045

Locals
march to Verna Estate to stop work on SEZ

NT News Service

Margao, Nov 3 Putting up a united
front against the permissions issued to set up special economic zones, people
from various parts of South Goa, including the sarpanchas and panchas, marched
to the Verna Industrial Estate, today morning and demanded that K Raheja Pvt
Ltd, a SEZ developer immediately stop work on the site.The agitating locals
shouted slogans and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the SEZs in Goa. They
also urged the government to institute a thorough inquiry into the allocation
of land for SEZs and have warned that they would come out on the streets if no
action is taken.

According to the convenor of the
‘People’s Movement Against SEZs,’ Mr Charles Fernandes, the SEZ was not
notified by the government. He also stated that since the Chief Minister had
publicly assured to review the SEZ policy, the concerned developer should have
stopped the work. The project manager of
K Raheja Pvt Ltd informed the agitated public gathered there that although the
SEZ had not been notified, they had got the required permissions from the Goa
Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) to sink the bore wells, tap ground
water and blast the hills. “We were shocked that the GIDC has usurped the
powers of the department of mines and industries, water resources and town and
country planning,” said Mr Charles Fernandes. He informed that there was no
board put up with the project details as required by the law.

‘People’s Movement Against SEZs’
has demanded a joint inspection of the site by the collector along with the
people and media. It has also demanded that all relevant documents be examined
to ensure transparency in the activity. A special magistrate present at the
site, today, took note of the borewell water being pumped into overflowing
tanks and the mass destruction of the hills, the convenor informed. He then
instructed the people to submit a memorandum to the collector giving all
relevant information.

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11041

IFFI
event management agency fails to satisfy prog committee

NT Staff Reporter

Panaji, Nov 3 The Times Innovative
Media Ltd, the event management agency for the International Film Festival of
India slated to open later this month, today failed to satisfy the members of
the programme committee of the governing council of the Entertainment Society
of Goa, during its presentation. The
programme committee, not content with the creative concepts of Times Innovative
Media Ltd, during its earlier presentation had asked the company to come out
with a revised presentation. Mr Sumeet Chatterji and Mr Sameer Khan made the
revised presentation before the programme committee, headed by its chairperson,
Mr Vishnu Wagh, earlier in the day. Among
those present on the occasion included the vice chairperson of the committee,
Mr Vishal Pai Cacode, Ms Anju Timblo, Mr Francis Martins, Mr Manguirish Pai
Raikar, Mr Tomazinho Cardozo, Mr Sunil Azgaonkar, Mr Shambhu Bandekar and the
general manager of the ESG, Mr Nikhil Desai.

The committee members were
unimpressed with the revised presentation and asked Times Innovative Media Ltd
to make a fresh presentation on November 7. A member of the programme committee informed
‘The Navhind Times’ that most of the members of the committee who attended
today’s presentation expressed dissatisfaction over the creative aspects of
stage decor chalked out for the Kala Academy as well as other concert venues,
the welcome arch, decorations at the Inox courtyard, designs of stalls at the
reception centres, etc.

“In fact, today’s presentation
only discussed the backdrop for the main stage,” the member informed, pointing
out, “The proposals about the mega concerts, which were put forward to the
programme committee by the Times Innovative Media Ltd, concerned huge amounts.”
“The committee members felt that there was no need to spend such exorbitant sum
on concerts, and that the committee itself could directly contact the local
cultural groups and hire them for performing in five urban as well as equal
number of rural centres,” the member stated.
“The members have now asked the representatives of the Times Innovative
Media Ltd to put all things in order once again and give another presentation
on November 7, during the scheduled meeting of the programme committee,” the
member noted.

The member said that the Brilliant
Entertainment Network, which was another bidder for the tender for event
management agency had scored over the Times Innovative Media Ltd, in terms of
the creative and visual aspects. “However, it lost to the Times Innovative
Media Ltd, in the area of financial bid,” the member added. The member, however, expressed confidence
that the things would soon fall in place, in spite of the time running out. It
was also informed that the programme committee members are working overtime to
ensure completion of the ongoing preparations for IFFI 2007, by November 20.

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11042

6
more Goans selected for Manchester

NT Sports Reporter

Margao, Nov 2 The Manchester
United Soccer Schools pilot talent search programme concluded at Nehru stadium,
Fatorda, here, today as the experts revealed the names of six more footballers
along with four Goan coaches who will travel to UK next summer to receive
further coaching from Manchester United Soccer Schools staff. The six players selected today are: Raymond
Rodrigues, 15, of Don Bosco High School, Panaji; Brandon Fernandes, 13, of
Loyola High School, Margao; John Pereira, 11, of Assumpta Convent High School,
Sarzora; Reagan Pereira, 13, of Don Bosco High School, Panaji; Daryl Endro, 13,
of Benthany Convent School, Areal and Cassius Cardozo, 15, of Loyola High
School, Margao.

The final selections were arrived
at after screening 4653 footballers over the last one week.

Among the local coaches, Paul Bast
(Ribandar), Mario Aguiar (Divar), Avinash Johnson Costa (Benaulim) and Shekar
Kerkar (Aldona) were selected to join the 12 footballers for Manchester. Their names were announced by Mr
Gavin Rhodes, senior coach educator.

The 12 Goan footballers selected will
interact with footballers from over 70 different nations in Manchester during the week-long residential
summer training sessions in 2008 making it an experience of a life time for
them.

The Manchester United Soccer
Schools intends to educate the selected Goan footballers so that they emerge
not only as better players but also as better people when they travel back to Goa to represent their state and nation. The nature of training will be similar to the
one imparted in Goa during the MUSS programme
although it will not be as intensive in nature.

The final coaching will cover all
attributes which will help children to become competent footballers as the
experts would want the trainees to enhance their mental and physical
preparedness while catering to their nutritional aspects as well. In Manchester,
the selected footballers will also be exposed to guidance from top coaches and
experts in football through seminars in order to keep them on their toes. Ways to make them successful in the future
will be identified during the residential training programme.

Meanwhile, speaking at the
valedictory function today, Mr Mandeep Bhatia COO - Mobile Services,
Maharashtra and Goa, Bharti Airtel said: “The success of the pilot project
reaffirms our belief that talent and enthusiasm in the field of soccer are a
plenty in India and
especially in Goa. We at Bharti Airtel are
proud of our association with the Goa Kick Off event and will continue our
efforts, in one way or the other, in promoting a rich sporting culture across
the country.” “To win their unique
prize, the boys had to complete the same intense series of challenges that the
boys selected yesterday also went through. They were judged on variety of
skills including ball control, awareness, speed, and technical skill. The day
involved work in small groups and then a number of competitive matches during
which they were continually assessed,” Mr Steve Jones added. Mr Dale Hobson
from Manchester,
Dr Susana de Sousa director of sports, Mr Savio Messias, GFA secretary were
present at the prize distribution function.

http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=110326