OHERALDO
Pg2 GOA, SATURDAY, 15 JANUARY, 2011
Evidence contradicts Ayala’s claim of Dudu’s innocence HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 14
While Ayala has been claiming that her brother David Driham alias Dudus is innocent, here are pictures showing him allegedly doing drugs with other international drug peddlers at a party. Herald has access to more pictures, which were clicked by an anonymous person who apparently was also partying at Dudu’s residence at Anjuna, little before he was arrested in 2010. The pictures as one can see has names of Dudu’s association who are allegedly known to be drug peddlers and booked by different police stations. The party pictures also show Dudu’s sister Ayala cheering with other group of attendees including Zarina (Dudu’s girlfriend), Elan (alleged drug dealer), Bakusha (booked in a drugs case by Manali police recently) and others. The pictures (yellow pointers in the pictures) also reveal on how these party men are doing drugs like preparing ‘charas’ and ‘ganja’ and ‘chillam stick’ and ‘rizla’ placed on a table. Dudu was arrested by Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) team with several kilograms of narcotics in his possession in Febraury 21, 2010.
Commercial tax dept e-service launched
GOA
Passion for motorcycles lands three students in Apna Ghar
Labourer killed under marbles at Sirvodem
motorcycles at isolated places allegedly out of fear of getting caught by the police or that their parents would doubt their claim. On Thursday, while the youth were on one of the stolen motorcycles, a traffic police allegedly stopped them and inquired for documents and the driving licence of the rider. The youth were however unable to give any suitable answers which made the cops doubt the integrity of the youth. After persistent questioning by the cops, the youth spilled the beans and allegedly informed the police of having stolen the motorcycle. On further questioning, the youth informed the cops of there being another two motor-
HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 14
HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 14
HERALD CORRESPONDENT SANGUEM, JAN 14
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today launched the e-service facilities of Department of Comm e r c i a l Ta xe s , To u r i s m Department and Directorate of Panchayats at Porvorim. The Commercial Taxes Department launched its 19 services online which include registration under VAT, CST, Entry tax, Entertainment tax, luxury tax, renewal of registration under VAT, payment of Taxes under VAT, CST, filling of returns under VAT, CST, COT, luxury, entertainment, entry, TDS. Chairman of commercial taxes Vallab Kamat said that training programmes for the dealers would be organized ward wise, wherein a proper training would be provided on how to make use of e-services. “People are free to approach us with their difficulties and suggestions,” he said. The Directorate of Panchayats also launched five services, which include application for issue of income certificate, residence certificate, copy of Birth certificate, copy of death certificate, search of Birth and Death Registration. Five services of tourism department also went online today.
They wanted to make merry, but ended up in jail and are presently cooling their heels at Apna Ghar in Merces. Three overenthusiastic Std 8 boys, who had a passion for riding motorcycles, allegedly stole three motorcycles with the sole intention of roaming and enjoying life. They had been doing this since the last 15 days until they were caught by police at Curchorem late Thursday evening. The youth are also reportedly learnt to have borrowed about Rs 10,000 from their parents to buy second-hand motorcycles. Sources informed that at night, the youth would keep the
cycles stolen by them. To avoid from being caught, the youth are also reported to have changed the number of one motorcycle, which they were frequenting with regularly. The two motorcycles were later allegedly traced at BarazanSanguem and were taken to the Curchorem Police station. Police sources informed that the stolen motorcycles are from Canacona, Rivona and Vasco. All three have been arrested under Section 379 IPC and being juveniles, they have been send to the Apna Ghar at Merces. Meanwhile, all the three youth have moved for bail before the Children’s Court, which is schedule to come for hearing on Saturday.
In a tragic incident, a 25-year old labourer died at Sirvodem here while unloading marble from a heavy vehicle. M a rg a o p o l ic e s a i d t h e labourer Vinod Kumar (27), a resident of Birla, Zuari Nagar died when he came under a marble slab while unloading the goods. The Margao police have registered a case of unnatural death. The police are investigating.
MORE GOA NEWS ON PAGE 7
Now, registration of mining machinery must HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 14
In a bid to curb illegal mining, the Transport Department has made the registration of mining machinery mandatory in the state. The decision was taken in a review meeting held on Thursday in which it was pointed out many such machineries are being used for illegal mining without registration. Transport Director Arun Desai said that machineries like JCB, shovels and others will now necessarily be registered with the department. He said that department has came
across many such machineries which are used for illegal mining’s but failed to do inquiry as the owners name remained undisclosed. Meanwhile, the meeting has also come up with a strong decision to chargsheet all those who fail to pay the compound fees within a fortnight of challans are issued. “The procedure gets a full stop once challans are issued…there is no follow up… people don’t turn up to pay the fined amount,” Desai said. Recently the department had kicked off a drive on October 1, 2010 to curb the ir-
regularities of erring drivers and conductors, in which they have till date issued 2890 challans by collecting Rs 22 lakhs as revenue. The enforcers found major violations in the states two major cities-Panjim and Margao. “The situation is going out of control everyday…the private bus owners have no control over the buses,” Desai said adding that rather then accusing the department the bus operators need to come out with some solution to improve the bus transport in the state.
Aires dares Khalap for debate on graft charges Illegal business angers The day Khalap was appointed as the Gandhi market vendors Chairman of the Goa HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 14
Reiterating his demand for resignation of Law commission chairman, social activist Aires Rodrigues has dared Ramakant Khalap for an open debate on the allegations levelled by former against the later. Addressing a press conference, Rodrigues said that Khalap has lost all the moral authority to continue in that chair, which is held in high esteem by the state. Challenging the former Union Minister for an open debate, Rodrigues has stated that he would quit the legal profession if Khalap could prove that any of the allegations made were false and baseless. Rodrigues said that every issue he has raised over the years was only after a thorough study and that every allegation against Khalap was backed by a docu-
Law Commission, there were three bank corruption related charge sheets pending against him.
-- Aires Rodrigues mentary proof. “Khalap may be the spokesman of the Congress Party but I have never been and will never be anyone’s mouth piece,” Rodrigues commented adding that he had no political ambitions. Rodrigues said that all State Law Commissions in the country are currently headed by retired Supreme Court or High Court Judges with senior legal luminaries
as members. Rodrigues further stated that the current Goa Law Commission is headed by Khalap, an active politician who is also a spokesman of the Congress party as well as Chairman of the Mapusa Urban Cooperative Bank of Goa, and that the expenditure of a whopping Rs 42,03,029 incurred by the Goa Government on the Goa Law Commission from April 2009 to Nov 2010 needs to be probed. He said that on January 20, 2009, the day Khalap was appointed as the Chairman of the Goa Law Commission, there were three bank corruption related charge sheets pending against him. The three charge-sheets were filed against Ramakant Khalap and others under Sections 409, 465, 418, 420 read with sections 109 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to the intention to defraud and causing loss of crores of
Another blow to police, told to pay beggar Rs 50,000 HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JAN 14
In what could be termed as another blow to Goa Police, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended the Goa Government to pay Rs 50000 as monitory relief to a disabled beggar who was dumped by Panjim Police Control Van (PPCV) in the garbage dump at Campal Parade Ground on June 2, 2009. The NHRC has also asked the government to take necessary steps to rehabilitate him and proof of payment and rehabilitation report be forwarded to the commission within six. The PPCV had picked up crippled 47-year-old Shelton Fernando Vaz Messier from the pavement near Panjim Municipal Market at the behest of some business man. The staff of PPCV had told the businessman that they were taking him to Mother Teresa’s House in the city for rehabilitation. However, he was dumped in the garbage dump at the Parade ground. Adv Joseph Vaz, a former President of YMCA filed a complaint to Director General of Police on next day, af ter the victim crawled into YMCA premises located near the garbage dump. In his following complaint to NHRC Adv Vaz alleged that po-
We consider the action taken by the State government against the erring police men for inhuman act as an acknowledgment that the policemen violated human rights, therefore, it is vicariously liable for actions committed by its servants. -- NHRC lice continued to neglect the victim after the matter was reported to them. The YMCA provided him much needed shelter and food for four days before he was transferred to Mother Teresa’s House in Quepem that provides shelter for destitutes. The victim claimed to be in Goa last thirty years and had also worked on a ship for some years but resorted to begging after he was crippled. In his complaint Adv Vaz alleged that DYSP Atmaram Deshpande had tried to wriggle out of the issue saying that the matter was minor even as the victim was dumped in the filth on the night of June 2, when it had rained twice during that night.
Inquiry conducted by IG Police later however found two policemen guilty -- Head Constable P Mhamal and driver RR Tamse were awarded penalty of censure and sounded warning under the Goa Police Subordinate (Services) Discipline and Appeal Rules, 1975. The complaint had prayed before NHRC that an independent inquiry be ordered by a body not connected with the Goa Police, compensation be paid by the government and the monies be ordered to recovered from individual police officers for inhuman acts. Goa Police submitted that in view of action taken against the erring staff of PCR van, compensation under section 18(a) (i) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 to the victim may not be recommended. The NHRC considered the action taken by the State government against the erring police men for inhuman act and its acknowledgment that the policemen violated human rights, and it is vicariously liable for actions committed by public servant. Therefore it recommended that the government through chief secretary should pay the compensation, rehabilitate the victim. It has also been asked to file compliance report latest by February 19.
rupees to the Mapusa Urban Cooperative Bank of Goa. Claiming that setting up of the International arbitration centre was beyond the mandate of the Goa Law Commission, Rodrigues has demanded that all the expenditure incurred on work that was not related to the Law Commission agenda should be recovered by the Goa Government from Khalap. Regarding the missing file, Rodrigues has stated that it needs to be explained as to how the file only re-surfaced the day the police complaint was filed against Khalap. Rodrigues has also alleged that the Goa Law Commission Chairman’s youngest son Ashwin Khalap had used his father’s position and political clout to construct on an agricultural tenanted land bearing survey no 158/8 belonging to the Comunidade of Assagao.
Calangute MLA denies deal on Cong ticket HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, JAN 14
Refuting the charge of former Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira, Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes has stated that there was no ticket agreement between Sequeira and himself. “Congress tickets are not decided at the panchayat level and no individual can decide on party tickets as the same is the prerogative of the Party High command,” stated Fernandes. Clarifying on the rift between Anthony Menezes and himself, Fernandes said Menezes had planned to contest the ensuing elections, thus betraying him. “I was instrumental in getting his spouse elected as Calangute ZP member,” Fernandes said. On the allegation of illegal activities in nightclubs run by him, Fernandes said he has CCTV footage of New Year parties in his clubs which is ready to air on local channels and called upon Menezes to do likewise. “However, there are number of young and old customers waiting with beer bottles in their hands and loitering in the Chapel shed and near the disco pub every night,” he said. Fernandes also claimed that the girls who were raided at a dance bar in Calangute were now dancing at a dance pub near the Chapel.
Hush. This is no gold rush. Dr Nandkumar Kamat, whose statements were misinterpreted as having discovered deposits of gold in Goa, making Goa truly suna pranta, says everyone made a mistake which was elementary. The gold he talked about was actually secondary. On January 3, Dr Kamat, a principal investigator of Goa University in mineral bio-technology, made a presentation about his pioneering discovery of secondary gold deposits in North Goa. The discovery was significant as it would throw light on the geological aspect of Goa, which is also called as `sunaparanta’ means Golden land. Dr Kamat said that this is the first report in Goa and Asia of bacterioform gold, an important geo-microbiological and scientific
breakthrough. Talking to Herald, Dr Kamat expressed unhappiness over the manner in which the media reacted to his “discovery”. “I was not talking about the gold mines which may or may not exist in Goa. What I was saying was that a particular gold formation is a result of bacterial action on a particular rock,” he explained. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that he will get report from the mines department on the issue of gold deposits. According to the Geological Survey of Indias report, primary gold mines may exist in Goa. “The GSI had mentioned about the primary gold whereas Dr Kamat discovery surrounds the availability of secondary gold formed by bacterial action. Both are complete
ALL THAT GLITTERS MAY NOT BE GOLD Kamat says l Secondary Gold concentration is 1 or 2 grams per metric tonne l Estimated gold deposits are between 3000 and 6000 MT Mining department feels l Mining of gold is not possible l You may get one gram gold for one tonne of soil l It’s not feasible to go 60 metres depth if it’s not commercially viable l The market value quoted by Dr Kamat may be off the mark
The Gandhi market vegetable and readymade garment vendors on Friday called on the Margao Municipal Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya and demanded action against illegal vendors doing brisk business along the roadsides. Led by former MMC Chairperson Rajendra Azgaonkar, the vendors pointed out to the chief Officer that illegal vendors have made their presence felt along the road sides across the city, affecting the business of the registered market ven-
dors. They said that they have been adversely hit by the sale of vegetables at the Kiosks run by the Goa Horticulure Corporation and maintained that permitting illegal vendors would spell a death knell for the legal vendors. The Chief Officer’s attention was drawn to the fact that most of the vegetable vendors in the Gandhi market are vegetable growers, adding that they would be hit the most if action is not forthcoming against the illegal vendors. The vendors made a pointed
reference to the large number of illegal vendors doing brisk business all along the Station Road right under the nose of the authorities and demanded action. After giving the vendors a patient hearing, Chief Officer Acharya promised immediate action against illegal vending in the city. Azgaonkar later told Herald that the delegation of Gandhi market vendors called on the MMC Chief Officer to draw his attention to the situation, affecting the livelihood of the genuine vendors.
CM pledges mining corridor for Pale HERALD CORRESPONDENT MAYEM, JAN 14
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Friday assured residents of Pale that he would create a separate mining corridor for ore transportation to solve their ongoing problem of dust pollution. Kamat was addressing the villagers of Pale constituency at a function at Navelim after inaugurating different development projects in Pale constituency. Speaker Pratapsingh Rane, MLA Pratap Gawas, Pale ZP member Laxmikant Parab, Sarpanch Pandhari Gawas, Sesa Goa Officer Mahesh Patil, G P Kamat and Mutte were present on the occasion. Speaking further, Kamat said a survey to create a separate mining corridor had already started. “The State government will take due efforts to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, which is existing since the last many decades. The government will work hard to uplift the poorer sections in society,” said Kamat. Kamat also lauded the efforts of Pratapsing Rane towards the development of Sattari taluka. He assured to take care of the local lands from going into the custody of non-Goans and foreigners, to preserve and maintain the natural heritage of Goa. Kamat called upon ML A Gawas to work hard to retain the stronghold of Congress. “The party is ever ready to
No Suna Pranta; It’s just secondary gold: Kamat SHWETA KAMAT PANJIM, JAN 14
HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JAN 14
different,” officials of the mines department stated. Interestingly, eleven mining companies have applied to mine primary gold, but the reality was different. “These applications have started coming since 2000. The latest application was in 2010 much before Dr Kamat disclosed his findings,” a senior mines and geology department official said. Moreover these applications are not only for gold. In reality, there has been no gold rush since all applications pre dated Dr Kamat’s ‘discovery’ The Secretary of the Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association Glen Kalavampara, who said that none of the members have shown active interest in mining gold. “We basically export iron ore,” he clarified.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat addresses the gathering at Navelim in the presence of Speaker Pratapsing Rane and MLA Pratap Gawas. Photo by Vishant Vaze
extend its invaluable co-operation in this regard,” he added. “The government will pass a new bill soon, according to which 26% share of the mining income will have to be utilized for the development of the mining-affected village,” he said and also called upon mine owners to extend their wholehearted co-operation in this regard. Speaking on the occasion,
Speaker Rane stated that a major share of mining income goes to the Central government, even as mining industry has stronghold in Goa. “ Time has come to have proper appropriation of income in which mining company like Sesa Goa will have to utilize its 50% income to uplift the mining-affected village,” said Rane. He assured to take due efforts
to provide more facilities to the people from the mining area. MLA Pratap Gawas demanded the government should make a provision of Rs 100 crore to develop Pale constituency, especially as mining revenue is being generated from these villages. On the occasion, 16 farmers from Pale were felicitated by Kamat. Earlier, Mahesh Patil welcomed the gathering. On the occasion, Chief Minister Kamat inspected the under construction Ravindra Bhavan Complex at Sanquelim, followed by inauguration of newly constructed roads and commencing of work of new bridges at Harvalem, Surla and Velguem. Kamat also laid the foundation stone for the upcoming sports complex at Navelim followed by commencement of road widening work at Velguem. He later inaugurated the newly formed Vividha Farmers Club at Navelim. Deputy Collector Narayan Gad, Mamlatdar Pramod Bhat, police officers, senior engineers, panch members and sarpanchas accompanied the chief minister.
Better mango, cashew yield likely this season HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JAN 14
Owners and auctioneers of mango trees and cashew plantations in Canacona taluka are likely to have a better produce this year, as heavy flowering has begun on these seasonal fruitbearing groves. If sources in the agriculture department are to be believed, it is only a matter of how the concerned farmers will market the produce and succeed in reaping the rich yields expected this year. “Thanks to the extended monsoon rains and chilly winter season, the flowering stage is excellent enough to give wide hopes of better days ahead for those farmers,” said a source from the agriculture department. “The flowering of mango trees is also observed as very fruitful this time and it is ex-
The flowering of mango trees and cashew plantations in Canacona taluka. Photo by Kathy Pereira
pected that both the seasonal fruits will further boost the depending farmers’ income for their livelihood.” In the past and specially the last season, people who had taken government cashew plots on auction by paying heavy amounts as well as people who
have taken on rent privately owned plantations complained of losses or earning only meager income of profits due to insignificant or low yields. However, agriculture sources sounded a word of caution saying: “We hope the weather will not play truant on the farmers." When asked what will be the estimated production this year in the taluka, especially cashew seeds, agriculture sources said: “We do not keep such records, as farmers tend to use the service counters of concerned societies to sell the produce.” “But given the widespread view, we too expect high yields of cashew and also mango produce this season.” “In almost all locations, one can hardly see cashew or mango tree leaves, but every such tree is covered with flowers, a good sign at this time,” said Claudio Alphonso.