GOA
OHERALDO
Pg2
GOA, FRIDAY, 15 APRIL, 2011
Tanker explosion in scrap yard at Fatorda leaves one dead
Deadline over, Khariwado locals to begin agitation HERALD REPORTER VASCO, APRIL 14
The ill-fated tanker in the scrapyard at Chandrawaddo that claimed the life of a labourer. Photo by Santosh Mirajkar HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14
In a tragic accident, a tanker explosion in a scrap yard at Chandrawaddo-Fatorda on Thursday morning left one person dead and two seriously injured. The incident occurred at around 9.20 am when the trio was engaged in dismantling the empty tanker for scrap with a gas cutter when the tank exploded. So powerful was the explosion that the deceased Bilhu Pawar (32), a native of Sangli, who was on the tanker, was flung onto the main road after the iron lid burst open due to gas formation inside the tank. Police said the trio was in the process in cutting open the tanker with a gas cutter without emptying the alcohol remnants inside the tank. “The tanker had three compartments and it appeared that the labourers did not empty the remnant before cutting the tanker body for scrap. The tanker exploded because of gas formation”, PI Desai said. He said the scrap yard owner Ammanullah has been told to produce documents regarding the scrap yard. This evening, the police registered a case of negligence against the persons running the unit.
Truck driver thrashed for assaulting local, Cavrem tense HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, APRIL 14
Tension flared up at Cavrem on Thursday, after a local and a truck driver were assaulted over the blocking of mining trucks by the locals on Wednesday evening. According to sources, some truck drivers and owners were irked that their trucks were blocked by residents on Wednesday evening and later detained by Quepem police. The truck drivers gathered at Cavrem on Thursday morning and confronted the villagers. In the ensuing melee, one truck driver, Mariano Oliveira, allegedly assaulted one Gokuldas Velip of Cavrem, who sustained injuries to his face. Irked with this, the angry villagers then allegedly assaulted Oliveira, causing him grievous injuries, who is presently admitted in a hospital. Quepem police led by PI Sudesh Narvekar along with his team rushed to the site and brought the situation under control. Sources informed that on Thursday evening, some truck owners/drivers from Ambaulim, with a grudge to take revenge on villagers for assaulting Oliveira, gathered near the Ambaulim Panchayat and targeted Cavrem villagers, who were proceeding towards Cavrem and vice versa. It is learnt that the truck drivers/owners who had gathered near Ambaulim Panchayat allegedly assaulted two villagers from Cavrem and Maina. The situation was tense in the area till late Thursday evening. When contacted, Quepem Police claimed that they have not received any complaint over the incident.
The incident brought to the fore once again the location of scrapyards in the urban areas and government’s failure to relocate them in the industrial zones as demanded by scrap dealers. Agitated local residents staying in the vicinity of the scrap yard demanded an end to the activities. When Margao Municipal Chief Officer, Prasanna Acharya came to the spot, the residents drew his attention to the nuisance created by the scrap yard, with even the paddy fields left polluted by the waste. Acharya assured the residents that action, if any, would be initiated against the scrap yards, as per law. Local MLA Damu Naik who rushed to the spot said it is high time the government moves fast and relocate the scrap yards in the trade zones. He said the activity cannot be allowed at the cost of the local residents or labourers, adding that the BJP government had closed down a scrap yard in the Housing Board during its regime. Replying to a question, Damu said the law is very clear that no scrap yard can operate in urban areas, adding that the government should expedite the issue of shifting the units ot the
industrial estaes. When asked who is to be blamed for the tragic incident, the MLA said it was for the Margao Municipal Council to take action against the scrap yards. “As per the government reply in the Assembly, around 381 applications from scrap yard deale r s a re p e n d i n g w i t h t h e government. Action ought to be taken expeditiously in the matter”, he demanded. General secretary of the All Goa Scrap Dealers Association Syed Abdul Aziz held the government responsible behind the incident. Aziz said the dealers have been after the government to solve the problem, but lamented that the government has been slow in addressing their long pending grievances of shifting the scrap yards to the industrial zones. “We have been fighting for our cause since 1999. Memorandums have been submitted to successive chief ministers since 1999, but in vain. The government was supposed to give us plots in the industrial areas within two months, but now it is nearly two years”, Aziz said, adding that the government has not initiated action against new scrap yards mushrooming across the state.
The Khariwado Affected People (KAP) is set to start its agitation from midnight, as the 48-hour ultimatum served to Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) chairman lapsed on Thursday. The KAP has decided to start the agitation at midnight on Thursday. About 250 trawlers from Vasco and an equal number of canoes from Vasco and Baina will join KAP in its agitation on Thursday midnight at Khariwado jetty. All the trawlers and fishcarrying vehicles have put on black flags as a show of protest. Khariwado and port area will wear a deserted look on Friday, as fish vendors have already closed down their business activities to express solidarity towards KAP’s movement and failure of MPT and State government to resolve the Khariwado issue and stop the demolition sword hanging on fishermen’s head. It may be recalled that two days ago, KAP had made a representation to MPT Chairman Mara Pandiyan to consider their plights and livelihood of fishermen, who are engaged in fishing activity. Since the demolition of 66 houses along Khariwado, fishermen are living in fear, as the sword of uncertainty is hanging on their heads. Fishermen are seen running from pillar to post to save their structures. When contacted, Goa Fishing Boat Owner Association President Simon Pereira refused to comment over the ultimatum served by KAP, but expressed anger over reluctant attitude of the State government and MPT to save fishermen’s structures. It appears that KAP’s agitation would be similar to the one on February 10 2008 when entire operations were shut down for nearly three days.
Tourism Minister vows to clean Colva beach of filth HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14
Filth, stench and foul odour greeted Tourism Minister, Nilkhant Halarnkar to world famous Colva beach on Thursday. Apparently moved by the sorry state of affairs at the beach, Halarnkar promised to undertake a clean up of the beach within the next two-three days. He, however, has no plan to tackle the contamination of the Colva creek, saying he would pursue the matter with the health department and CRZ. “I will write to the health and CRZ and personally follow up the matter”, he assured, saying that he would try his best to clean up the beach on a priority basis. Accompanied by PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Colva Panchayat officials and villagers, the Tourism Minster saw for himself the pathetic state of the beach, with contaminated waters forming a lagoon right on the shore, emanating foul odour. Valanka Alemao requested the Minister to sanction at least 10 mobile toilets to tackle sewage discharge in the creek. She further called for illumination of the Colva beach by requesting the Tourism Minister to repair the high mast lamp on a priority basis. Acting Colva Sarpanch Anthony Mama Fernandes submitted a memorandum to the Tourism Minister demanding an immediate stop to the discharge of sewage waste in the creek. He also requested the Tourism Minister for land to set up a health centre and take immediate action to repair and plastic the creek walls by plugging the outlet holes. PWD Minister said the situation is really bad and has gone worse in the last two years.
Heritage lovers on Thursday have cried foul over the demolition of a heritage house in the conservation zone along the Abade Faria road in the commercial capital. Historian and heritage lover Prajal Sakhardande has demanded to know how the Conversation Committee has granted the permissions to raze down the heritage house in the
n We condemn this action and protest against the demolition of the house --- Prajal Sakhardande conservation zone. He told newsmen here this evening that the Goa Heritage Group has strongly protested against the permission
‘Malaria workers’ meet CM, inquire on regularisation HERALD REPORTER PANJIM APRIL 14
A delegation of striking former contract employees of the Director of Health services, who go by the name ‘malaria workers’ met the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Thursday. They sought to know the progress of an assurance he had in the past given promising to regularise them. The aggrieved workers who have been on an indefinite fast since April 7, have been camping outside the office of the Directorate of Health Services for the past eight days come rain or shine demanding that they be regularised. The workers yesterday lay battered by the brief showers accompanied by thunder that lashed the city but their resolve has not been hit.
Childline Advisory Board holds review meet HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14
Tourism Minister, Nilkhant Halarnkar inspecting the contaminated Colva creek on Thursday. Photo by Santosh Mirajkar
Unveils plan to install changing rooms, toilets HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14
There’s good news in store for tourists and visitors to the beaches. I f To u r i s m M i n i s t e r Nilkhant Halarnkar is to be believed, the Tourism department is seriously toying with the idea of installing changing rooms and mobile toilets at the popular beaches along the coastal belt. Halarnkar, who visited the Colva beach on Thursday evening, said the Tourism de“Anyone landing in the creek would surely die of any disease if urgent steps are not taken to decontaminate the waters”, Alemao added. Meanwhile, the Tourism Minister accompanied by Churchill and Panchayat officials inspected the land acquired by the department for public utility purpose at Colva by displacing traditional fishermen.
partment has proposed to install the changing rooms and mobile toilets, adding that the department is taking the opinion of a consultant in that direction. “It is sad that there has been no planning since the beginning. Goa is a tourist destination, but there’s no changing room along the beach belt for the benefit of the tourists and visitors”, he said, making clear that it is the duty of the government to make available the changing rooms. Alemao drew attention of the Tourism Minister how the traditional fishermen were displaced from their area of operation and requested him to earmark a portion of the acquired land to carry on the traditional occupation. The Tourism Minister has asked for the documents to study the matter in detail before taking a decision.
Demolition of heritage house protested Cyclist killed HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14
The Goa Catholic Charismatic renewal trust presents ‘Thank you for the cross’ - an unique way of the cross featuring gospel band ‘Crosswinds’, on Thursday evening at Mary Immaculate Conception Church premises, in Panjim. Photo by Rozario Estibeiro
granted by the Conservation Committee to demolish the heritage structure. “We condemn this action and protest against the demolition of the house”, he said, adding that the heritage lovers will chalk out the future course of action. “We would not like to reveal our strategy, but certainly the heritage lovers would protest against the demolition”, he warned.
MARGAO (HR): A 65-year-old cyclist was killed in a road accident at Nuvem on Thursday. Maina Curtorim police said that the deceased Narayan Tukaram Tuemkar, a resident of Kirbhat-Nuvem was proceeding on his cycle when he was knocked down by a Maruti car. He was immediately shifted to Hospicio hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on this evening. The police are investigating.
The Childline Advisory Board on Wednesday held a meeting with various government departments and non-governmental organisations to bring up to date its functioning in the State. Secretary of Women and Child Development V P Rao chaired the meeting at the Secretariat, which was attended by various government authorities and local NGOs. Issues pertaining to Childline membership protection and promotion in the State, Integrated Child Protection Scheme and Childline membership in the committees under ICPS Scheme, issue of identity cards for Childline staff, child friendly network, display posters for protection of children from abuse at beaches and hotels and to facilitate free excess to treatment in government hospitals and Primary Health Centres, were discussed at length. “It’s a review meeting held twice a year on the activities of Childline,” Director of Women and Child Welfare Sanjiv Gadkar said.
Addressing media persons outside the official residence of the chief minister, Premdas Gaonkar revealed that the chief minister has convened a meeting on Monday and only then the government will take a decision. “We called on the chief minister and asked him why there has been no action forthcoming on his past assurance to regularise us. He instead once again gave us an assurance that the issue will be resolved. He asked us to be present for a meeting on Monday with all stakeholders,” he said. However despite the assurance from the CM they refused to withdraw the strike. They will again reconsider their decision after Monday’s meeting with CM. The workers have been de-
manding regularization of their service for over a year now their contracts with the government ended in June 2009. “On January 27 this year, the health minister promised to regularize our service within a month. However, there is no development on the issue,” said Gaonkar. The malaria workers used to function as surveillance workers, supervisors and field workers in the Directorate of Health Services. Some of them used to collect blood samples from suspected victims, collect the test reports and distribute antimalaria pills as required for every confirmed case of malaria and would return to the victims and hand out the medicines along with usage instructions. Most of them used to earn a salary of Rs 2000 a month.
In an initiative to avert any untoward incident like fire in the educational institutions, Goa Fire and Emergency Services has trained 1226 teachers in ‘basic fire safety and evacuation drill’, in the last fiscal year. Besides, 3343 candidates from Goa and outside have been trained in ‘general fire prevention and fire fighting course’ while 40 fire fighters from Arunachal Pradesh Fire Service are undergoing six months elementary course in genera fire fighting in Goa. Addressing a gathering to commemorate National Fire Service Day at its headquarters on Thursday, Director Fire and Emergency Services Ashok Menon said that the training would continue in three subdivisions this year as well. It may be recalled that Herald on November 2, 2010 was
HERALD REPROTER PANJIM, APRIL 14
John Fernandes, who was recently bailed out in the 2009 Russian rape case, has approached the Supreme Court challenging the suo moto notice issued to him by the High Court of Bombay at Goa. John has reportedly sought anticipator y bail from the Supreme Court in the application which will be heard on April 15, Friday. John’s counsel, Amit Palekar however said that they moved the Apex Court seeking clarification on its earlier order rejecting his bail. Interestingly, High Court’s show cause notice to John on his bail order will also be heard on Friday. The Division Bench on April 6 issued a notice on John asking him to show cause on why his bail should not be cancelled.
GSCW makes case for women police station in South HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, APRIL 14
Members of the Goa State Commission for Women on Thursday have called for a setting up of a women police station in South Goa on the lines of the police station in north Goa. Commission president Azilda Sapeco told newsmen after inspecting the police stations of Canacona, Cuncolim, Colva and Margao that there’s an urgent to appoint minimum one lady police officer at each of the police stations in Goa to handle issues affecting women. “We have inspected the police stations and taken into account the staff shortage and conditions of the cells for women. We would compile a report and recommend measures to the government to improve the conditions of the cells for women”, she added. Replying to a question, she said that examination of the Bicholim police station revealed that the cell was not in proper condition. “We immediately brought the pathetic situation to the notice of the authorities
Members of the Goa State Commission for women inspecting women cell of the Margao police station along with PI Santosh Desai. Photo by Santosh Mirajkar
and got it rectified. That’s the reason we have undertaken this exercise for a first hand information on the condition of the cells for women”, she added. Member Beema Naik said the Commission is ready to offer its assistance and help to amicably s o l v e p ro b l e m s a f f e c t i n g women. As far as criminal cases are concerned, we are ready to
Teachers given lessons in basic fire safety HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, APRIL 14
John challenges HC notice in SC
n This training will have multiple effects. The department wants that schools should be prepared in case of any emergencies --- Ashok Menon first to report that the training would be imparted to teachers who would train other colleagues and students. “This training will have multiple effects. The department wants that schools should be prepared in case of any emergencies,” Menon had said. During year 2010-11, the department has attended 1586 fire and 2456 non-fire incidents and saved property worth Rs 57 crores. The fire fighters have saved 121 human lives and 258 animal lives during the same period. To enhance the rescue ca-
pabilities of fire fighters, the department deputed three officers on a month long specialized training in UK on ‘Collapsed Search & Rescue and Medical First Responders Course’ while eight officers underwent intensified training in Disaster Management to Paramilitary Training Centres in Hyderabad and Madhya Pradesh. Menon said that the proposal for 13 months wages to its employees is under active consideration with the government and that modern fire station building at Curchorem would be ready in 18 months. A booklet ‘Guide for Fire Safety Precaution’ was released at the hands of chief guest Home Minister Ravi Naik in the presence of Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava. Fire fighters who performed exemplar y services during the last year were awarded medals.
go along with the police to solve disputes involving women. Replying to a question, she said the Margao lock up is facing staff constraints since the cell caters to both Margao and Maina Curtorim police stations. “The police stations require one lady police officer to handle cases affecting women”, she demanded.
BJP demands Babush’s ouster HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, APRIL 14
BJP activists on Wednesday staged a half-day ‘dharna’ near Chhatrapati Shivaji’s statue at old bus stand, Bicholim, to demand the dismissal of Atanasio Monseratte as education minister. BJP activists included Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, MLA Anant Shet, youth leader Dr Pramod Sawant, Satish Gaonkar, BMC Councilor Balu Birje, Adv Manohar Shirodkar, Bhagwan Harmalkar, Gokuldas Halmalkar, BJP General Secretary Govind Parvatkar, Shankar Chodankar, Premnath Mayekar, ZP member Shilpa Naik and others. Speaking on the occasion, Patnekar stated that the government has no right to rule the State as it has corrupt minister in its cabinet. MLA Shet and Govind Parvatkar stated that it is matter of shame for the Congress government, who is bent upon supporting a person like Monseratte who is walking in the city openly with a liquor bottle in his hand.