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GOA
GOA, SUNDAY, 13 JUNE, 2010
Crime Branch quizzes Viola in Nadia death case HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 12
The Goa Police Crime Branch on Saturday questioned Mickky Pacheco’s close friend Viola in the Nadia Torrado death case. Viola arrived at Crime Branch on Saturday morning and was being quizzed by investigating officer till evening. She was given a one-hour lunch break though. Viola’s lawyer Yatish Naik later speaking to reporters here said that she was not allowed to be accompanied by her counsel. “We had made an application that a lawyer be allowed to accompany her, which was refused by Crime Branch,” her lawyer Yatish Naik told reporters outside Crime Branch office. Police sources told Herald that Viola was quizzed on the relation between Nadia and the former minister. Pacheco has been on the run after tendering his resignation
Viola a close friend of former Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco arrives at the Crime Branch at Dona Paula on Saturday. Photo by Rozario Estibeiro
a day after he was questioned by the police in the case. Meanwhile, sources in the police said Pacheco had met Nadia for two days before she allegedly consumed poison on May 15. “There are several contradic-
tions in the statements given by Nadia's family and Pacheco during the questioning,” sources stated. According to Crime Branch, the ex-minister had met Nadia on May 13 and 14. It is also probing whether the 46-year-
old lawmaker was present at her house when she took rat poison. Crime Branch has also found that Nadia's mother was not in her house when her daughter took the extreme step, a claim denied by Sonia.
Aires terms Lyndon’s appointment as GTDC vice-president ‘illegal’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 12
Noted social activist Adv Aires Rodrigues termed appointment of Lyndon Monteiro as vice president of Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) as ‘illegal.’ “The appointment was done in complete violation of law,” Rodrigues said. While briefing the media, Rodrigues informed that Section 274(1) (d) of the Companies Act mandates that a person shall not be appointed director of a company, if he/she has been convicted by a court of any offence involving moral turpitude and sentenced in respect thereof to imprisonment for not less than six months and a period of five years has not elapsed from the date of expiry of
the sentence. “The said law was not followed, while appointing Monteiro, who was convicted and sentenced to 15-month imprisonment in case of frauduary, as a vice president of GTDC,” he alleged. Rodrigues confirmed that in 2002, Monteiro was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment by a Margao Court in six cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for issuing six bounced cheques of Rs 6 lakh to a Vasco-based businessman Rudradevan Ellath. “In view of the sentence imposed by the Court, Monteiro was not allegeable for the said post,” he maintained. Rodrigues demanded that all the expenditure incurred on Monteiro by the GTDC
be recovered from him and that he be prosecuted in accordance with law. Rodrigues further said that as per the Companies Act if the director is appointed in contravention of law, then he is liable to refund to the corporation the entire amount received and perks or enjoyed by him at the cost of the corporation. “The violation of law also leads to imprisonment upto 3 years and also fine of Rs 500 for every day of default,” he added. Monteiro, also officer on special duty (OSD) to former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco, is been declared as a co-accused in Nadia Torrado’s mysterious death case. The anticipatory bail plea of Monteiro will be heard on June 14 in the High Court.
Major projects will soon see light of day in Margao: CM HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 12
Saying that he has not neglected Margao after assuming the post of Chief Minister three years ago, Digambar Kamat on Saturday said that many a major projects would soon see light of the day in the Commercial Capital. Addressing Margao block Congress workers on the occasion of the completion of three years as Chief Minister of Goa, Kamat said that Margao’s development is on the right track and people would soon wonder whether there’s anything left to be developed in the city. He said actual work of the state-of-the-art inter-state bus stand will begin 2-3 month’s time, while the government would tender work on the sewerage scheme for the southern part of the city within two months. Kamat said the District Col-
lectorate building would be inaugurated in the next 4-5 months, adding that work is in full swing of the district hospital and the hospital will see the light of the day within the next two years. On the power front, the Chief Minister said the balance work of underground cabling will be taken up in the city in the areas of Khareband and Comba in the next two months at a cost of Rs 70 crore. “After assuming the Chief Minister’s post, I had to look after entire Goa. But, I have ensured that neither Margao nor the Congress workers were neglected during the last three years”, he added. The Chief Minister called upon the workers to gear up for the ensuing Municipal polls, saying the workers should ensure that party backed candidates
St Anthony, the popular saint By Dr Jose de Sousa
Come June 13 and the feast of the glorious St Anthony is celebrated all over the world, particularly in Portugal where he is a popular saint and in Goa, people throng the sanctuaries in a testimony of strong faith of the people in the saint. Festivities are held on a grand scale in Siolim where he is the patron saint. In Salcete, the festivities are held at Deussua, a hamlet of Chinchinim village, where a Chapel of St Anthony stands for the last four centuries. Anguished people who have lost something, frightened ones who have been robbed, lonely ones needing a partner to settle in life and so on… all roads lead to St Anthony sanctuaries for his intervention. In 1752, a Portuguese nobleman Dom Joao Antonio de Malo, who had lost his eyesight, was being taken by a machila (palanquin) from Agassaim to Ribandar. When his bearers needed rest at Goa Velha below the Pilar hillock, they made a
stop beneath a mango tree and told the nobleman that a statue of St Anthony was placed in a niche carved at a wayside log of a coconut tree at Goa Velha. Immediately the nobleman prayed to St Anthony, “You are known as the Saint of miracles, you are here in the open, in the sun and rain; if you restore my eyesight, I will build a beautiful chapel to keep your statue in”. On the return journey, Dom Joao again was lowered at the same place and there the miracle is reported to have occurred. And Dom Joao could see the statue of the saint. When the nobleman was back home, without any help he climbed the steps of the palace. As his wife could not believe, he came out in the veranda and counted the vessels he could see in the bay. Fa i t h f u l t o t h e v o w, h e brought the copies of best altars from Portugal, built the Chapel and placed the life size statute of St Anthony, which still exists in the Chapel at Goa Velha.
are elected for the progress and development of the town. Saying his government has accorded top most priority for the upliftment of women, Kamat said the woman mahila mandals have been further strengthened in the city during the last three years to make women independent. He outlined the various schemes formulated by the government during the last three years, especially the Indira Bal Rath Yojana for the benefit of the students belonging to the ST Community. He said the scheme will now be extended to students of the OBC community from the current academic year. GPCC President Subhash Shirodkar, Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho and others leaders spoke on the occasion.
Scholarship for toddy-tapper MARGAO (HR): The All Goa Toddy Tappers’ Association President Gaspar Afonso has instituted a scholarship to the top ranking student of the toddy-tapping community of Goa. Students securing 50% and above marks in March SSC exam of Goa Board may produce certified copy of the mark sheets to the village toddy-tappers leaders by June 15 for the purpose of scrutiny. The top ranking student thereafter will be selected for the scholarship, stated the Association President Gaspar Afonso.
Valpoi yet to take up pre-monsoon works HERALD CORRSEPONDENT VALPOI, JUNE 12
Pre-monsoon works, including digging of roads and cleaning of drains, are yet to be completed in many parts of Valpoi town. Speaking to Herald, sources said the Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) had asked the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) to complete the pre-monsoon work before the onset of monsoon. Incidentally, the GSIDC has undertaken a project in Valpoi and the road-widening work is going on since the last one year. The trenches dug near the Valpoi JMFC court opposite Unity High School to widen the road have been filled with rain water, thereby posing a threat to students, motorists and pedestrians. A passenger bus had recently skidded off the road at the spot same, but fortunately no one was injured. A week ago, a rider was also injured when his scooter skidded off the road at same place. Parents, teachers, students and locals have requested authorities to complete the work soon or at least to barricade the dug portion of the road to avoid further mishaps.
BMC approves Rs 8.84 cr city development plan HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, JUNE 12
The Bicholim Muncipal Council (BMC) on Friday approved a city development plan to the tune of Rs 8.84 crore. At the BMC meeting, it was decided to beautify the city with the help of the funds provided by the central government. It was decided to have a railing on both sides of the road from Shantadurga High School to the KTC bus stand. Besides, it was also decided to have a better drainage system and to maintain and construct gutters to avoid floods in the city. BMC Chairman Satish Gaonkar told Herald that the garbage treatment plant was being managed by a company from Pune for a year. “The contract has ended and the locals have got the expertise to handle the plant. From this year, we will look after the plant which would save us about Rs 6 lakh,” said Gaonkar.
Gas pipeline to be ready by mid-2012: Union minister HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 12
The Union Petroleum Secretary S Sundareshan on Saturday stated that the gas pipeline would be ready by mid-2012. “The work of laying of 175km pipeline in Goa by tapping the Dabhol-Bangalore network at Gokak in Karnataka is taken up by GAIL at a cost of Rs 400 cr and would be completed by mid-2012”, said the Union secretary while addressing a press conference here on Saturday. The estimated cost of the entire network of the Dabhol-Bangalore pipeline, including a spur line to Goa, is Rs 4,543.43 crore. The spur line to Goa will originate from Gokak and end at Zuari Industries passing through Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa. The length of the pipeline in Goa is 36 km. The pipeline will pass through the talukas of Bicholim, Ponda and Mormugao. “On completion the pipeline will supply gas to existing companies and also new gas based industries,” Sundareshan said.
Asked whether the gas can also be used for domestic purpose, he said, “The Petroleum and Natural Gas regulatory Board will list the cities which will be supplied gas in which Goan cities also have to be included.” Thereafter, he continued, the private companies will have to place their bids and start supply of domestic gas.
Sundareshan said that the industrial requirement of gas in Goa is to the tune of four million cubic metres a day. The MoPNG secretary said that GAIL will be charging the companies to provide the gas at their doorstep through the pipeline. He said such a facility will provide impetus to the gas-based industries in Goa.
Says 14 per cent rise in petrol consumption HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JUNE 12
Goa has seen an increase of 14 per cent in the consumption of petrol, a senior petroleum official said here on Saturday. S Sundareshan, secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that while there is increase of 14 per cent in petrol consumption there is increase of six to seven per cent rise in diesel consumption. Also, he said, there is an increase of 10 per cent per annum in the consumption of LPG. “With four lakh LPG connections we have covered the entire Goan population with the LPG connections,” he said. “There is adequate supply of fuel to the state,” the secretary said. He said Goa is one of the few states where the people do not have to wait for new LPG connection or a refill.
Cops deployed at Mapusa market, bus stand to monitor law and order HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JUNE 12
Mapusa Police has deployed two police teams at the Mapusa Municipal Market and Kadamba bus stand to monitor the law and order in these two places. The presence of police teams, which comprises two policemen equipped with a wireless set, was necessitated due to the growing thefts in the market area. A year ago, a daylight theft had occurred in the Mapusa market, where property worth Rs 1.7 lakh, including cash of Rs 92,000, was stolen from the drawer belonging to a lottery seller. Since then, shopkeepers have been demanding the deployment of police at the market. Speaking to Herald, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares said the police teams will be deployed at Mapusa Market round the clock and at the Kadamba bus stand till 9 pm. “The presence of police teams at these two vital places will act as a deterrent to antisocial elements and help prevent thefts and crimes. Shopkeepers and the public
Police deployed at the Kadamba bus stand in Mapusa.
will be able to approach the police in case of any need,” said DySP Tavares. Meanwhile, Vibhag Pramukh of Shiv Sena (Bardez) Philip D’Souza has thanked Mapusa police for providing police teams at Mapusa Municipal market and at Kadamba
Bus stand. He has suggested that the police should seek a room or kiosk from Municipal authorities or Kadamba Transport Corporation to enable the police on duty to discharge their duties effectively.
Upset Fatorda MLA questions MMC CO over Sonsodo inspection view of the ensuing monsoons and the future plans chalked out A visibly upset Fatorda MLA by the Company at the site. Damu Naik on Saturday quesDuring the interaction, the tioned the Margao Municipal MMC Councillors said that Chief Officer for keeping him in garbage from a Betalbatim rethe dark over the recent inspec- sort finds its way at the Sonsodo tion of the Sonsodo dump yard. site. Councilor Raju Shirodkar The MLA repointed out that minded the Chief the truck-load of O f f i c e r Y B The MLA reminded waste from the Tawde that he is the Chief Officer Y resort is first a member of the dumped in the House Commit- B Tawde that he is Municipal bins tee constituted a member of the near the Metrot o s o l v e t h e House Committee pole area and garbage issue later collected and demanded constituted to and disposed off to know why he solve the garbage by the Margao w a s n o t i n - issue and deMunicipal vehiformed about cles. the Sonsodo in- manded to know Replying to a spection. why he was not in- question, Naik Accompanied expressed his b y t h e B J P - formed about the satisfaction over backed Coun- Sonsodo inspecthe precautioncilors Narayan tion. ary work carried Fondekar and out at Sonsodo, Raju Shirodkar, but suggested the MLA inspected the site and that the agency collect water interacted with Fomento Chief samples of drinking wells adExecutive Officer Shridhar joining the dumping site during Kamat. the monsoons. Kamat explained him the varHe asked the MMC CO to enious precautionary measures sure that work at the site is montaken at the dumping site in itored by the Civic body on a HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JUNE 12
Photo by Anil Shankhwalker
daily basis and demanded that the Civic body take the concerned councilors into confidence on the issue. The Fatorda MLA reminded the Chief Officer that there should not be any encroachment on private property adjoining the dumping site and called for expediting the land acquisition process to acquire additional land for the waste dumping.
Man found dead near Nagorcem railway quarters HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JUNE 12
A man believed to be in his forties was found dead near the Railway quarters at Nagorcem– Canacona on Saturday morning. According to Canacona police, the deceased, suspected to be a non-Goan, was found dead near the railway quarters, which is in close vicinity of Konkan Railway Station at Canacona. The body is preserved at the GMC mortuary in Bambolim and further investigation is in progress under the supervision of Canacona PI Raju Raut Dessai.
‘Goa Niwas’ in Delhi portrays Goan ethos HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JUNE 12
The new Goa Niwas which is constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 17 crore in the total area of 4195 sq meters at Plot No. 1 4 , B ir T iken d r a jit Ma rg, Chanakyapuri in New Delhi portrays the Goan ethos. The Goa Niwas was throws open by Member of Parliament and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday in the presence of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Speaker Pratapsing Rane, Home Minister Ravi Naik, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Transport Minister Ramkrishna Dhavlikar, Revenue Minister Jose Phillip D’Souza, Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Education Minister Antanasio (Babush) Monserate, Health Minister V i s h w a j e e t Ra n e , D e p u t y Speaker Mauvin Godinho, MPs Francisco Sardinha, Rajiv Shukla and Shantaram Naik, MLAs Pandurang Madkaikar, Chairperson of Law Commission Ramakant Khalap, In-charge of Goa desk, B K Hariprasad, former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro, President of GPCC(I) Subhash Shirodkar, and other dignitaries from Goa.
Parishioners to seek legal recourse over Curchorem church irregularities HERALD CORRESPONDENT CURCHOREM, JUNE 11
A group of parishioners have threatened to seek legal recourse in connection with alleged irregularities at the Guardian Angel Church at Curchorem. Refuting claims of those parishioners supporting the Parish Priest Fr Ligorinho D'Costa, the group has stated that legal notices will be issued to the entire Fabrica Committee in connection with the alleged Rs 30 lakh lottery scam. Speaking to Herald, the Guardian Angel Church Parish Pastoral Council Moderator Desmond Cardozo and Paixao Pereira said the parish priest had stated that 50,000 lotteries were printed, all sold and that Rs 50 lakh had been collected. “A bill for printing of 80,000 lotteries was discovered in the accounts, but the priest clarified that only 50,000 lotteries were printed,” said Cardozo. “The New Age Printers at Verna said
60,000 lotteries were ordered and printed. However, the parish priest took 25,000 lotteries and rejected 35,000 others as advertisements were not printed as desired.” “An additional 20,000 lotteries were printed at the request of the parish priest, who later wanted another 5,000 lotteries. As the printers were unable to do so, 840 sheets (5040 lotteries) from the rejected lot were taken by the parish priest.” “Thus, 80,000 lotteries were actually printed. On enquiries, we were told that the printers had burnt the balance 30,000 lotteries, allegedly rejected by the parish priest.” “We want to know who authorized them to burn the lotteries, for which they have received payment for printing, thus becoming the property of the church? Why were 840 sheets of lotteries, rejected in July 2009, taken back by the parish priest in December 2009,”
asked Cardozo. Commenting on the purchase of chandeliers for the church, Cardozo said the accounts for 2009-10 revealed an invoice/bill for Rs 1,95,694 towards purchase of eight chandeliers. “These were never seen in the church, nor were parishioners informed of such purchase. No entry about these chandeliers was made in the Inventory Register updated till March 2010. The parish priest claims that the chandeliers are in ‘safe custody’ and will be entered in the Inventory Register, before he leaves the parish,” said Cardozo. Reacting to another controversy about the prayer room, the PPC Moderator said the prayer room was constructed and blessed by the archbishop in 2000-01 as an Oratory. “The parish priest did announce that the Prayer Room would be kept closed for some time due to ongoing construction work and we never objected
to this. But we never expected that the sacred prayer room would be converted into a cement godown.” “Why was the office, opposite the prayer room, also not closed during the construction work? Even if required, as is done on all construction sites, a temporary godown could have been constructed to protect the cement from possible rains,” argued Cardozo. Commenting on the appointment of the Fabrica Committee, Cardozo stated that the parish priest conducted the process by holding elections by secret ballot. “The winners, except one who got maximum votes, were not recommended by the parish priest. The list, including a woman who got only 2 votes, were recommended by the parish priest and appointed by the diocese. Why were elections conducted by secret ballot if the priest did not want to honour the elections,” asked Cardozo.
Disputing claims of the former attorney Gabriel Fernandes that the devotees had increased due to the influence of the parish priest, Cardozo informed that Curchorem has grown over the years and this has led to an increase in parishioners and catechism students. “This is a progressive trend and has nothing to do with the parish priest,” he said. Cardozo also claimed that church authorities did little to resolve the differences between the two groups. While admitting that the parish priest has done a lot of development by way of construction work, Cardozo, however, insisted that the priority of a priest is to build hearts and not structures. They expressed regret that the priest had stopped the 80-year-old procession linking Curchorem and Sanvordem towns and had refused to offer prayers at the graves of the dead.