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After meeting dead-end, CBI closes Aarushi case

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.

—Edward Gibbon

IN BRIEF Parliament attack case convict freed Shaukat Hussain Guru, a Kashmiri convict in the 2001 Parliament Attack case, was released from Tihar Jail here on Wednesday, a year ahead of his 10-year sentence because of remission. He is a cousin of another Kashmiri Afzal Guru sentenced to death in the case and awaiting the President’s decision on his clemency petition. — (HC)

After setting a target of 303, the Indian bowlers put up a disciplined show to dismiss the hosts for 215 in 72.3 overs about an hour after the lunch break to win the second Test by 87-runs.

PTI GHAZIABAD (UP) DEC 29

BOWLERS ‘RISE UP’

S Sreesanth (3/45), Zaheer Khan (3/53) and Harbhajan Singh (2/70) were the pick of the bowlers.

DHONI EQUALS RECORD 2ND TRIUMPH IN SA With this win, Dhoni equalled Azharuddin’s winning record as captain and said the results show that he has a good side.

It was India’s second Test triumph in SA. The 123-run victory in the first Test at Johannesburg in 2006 was their first Test win on SA soil.

The CBI today filed a closure report in the Aarushi double murder case before a court on the grounds there was no available evidence at the crime scene to pursue the probe, meeting a dead-end in the case that shook the country over two years back.

After a detailed two-and-ahalf year probe marked by botched up investigations, the CBI said it found it impossible to reach any plausible conclusion because of lack of concrete forensic evidence at the crime scene to nail the culprits and decided to close the case.

The designated court will fix the date for taking cognizance of the closure report filed by the CBI. If accepted, the three suspects — Raj Kumar, Vijay Mandal and Krishna — will be

set free. They are out on bail now.

The Talwar family have decided to file an appeal against the closure report.

The CBI move sparked outrage among Aarushi’s parents— a dentist couple—and her family.

“I am completely shocked.

We tried everything. We underwent all tests so that there is

no scope for any speculation and despite this filing of closure report by CBI is shocking,” Aarushi’s mother Nupur said.

Aarushi’s father Rajesh Talwar said he is completely devastated and wondered what prompted CBI to close the case.

When asked whether the family will file an appeal in the case, their lawyer Rebbecca John said “Of course. We will.”

Fourteen -year-old Aarushi Talwar was murdered in the intervening night of May 15-16 in 2008 along with their domestic help Hemraj, whose body lay on the terrace.

Forensic experts involved in the case said that crucial evidence was destroyed allegedly by the probe agency and accused the CBI of a cover-up.

(Continued on page 2)

New visa rules keep Europeans off Goa HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 29

It’s not the European snowfall but the new visa rules which have prevented European travellers from spending long holidays in Goa at a time when the tourism season is at its peak.

The fresh visa regime has created flutters in the Goa tourism industry as it fears a drop in tourist arrivals. The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) said that the fresh visa regulations, which restrict vacationers from staying for more than three-months, will affect

the arrival of European visitors to the coastal State.

“The new visa regime is impacting Goa’s unique selling proportion. Our repeated visitors from Europe, especially from Russian and Britain are declining,” TTAG spokesperson Ralph D’Souza said.

The industry has recorded a drop of seven percent of visitors from Europe this year due to the new restricted visa policies.

“The new visa means that a traveler cannot stay for more than three months. He has to go back to his country and go through a cooling period of two months before getting his visa back to India,” he stated.

Out of four-lakh foreign tourists, Europeans throng Goa

in large numbers to escape the winter season back at their hometowns. TTAG has nonetheless taken up the issue with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna who has assured to review the case.

The tourism industry has got

The new visa means that a traveler cannot stay for more than 3 months. He has to go back to his country and go through a cooling period of 2 months before getting his visa back to India.

quite a satisfactory amount of tourists from Europe who have already made their headway to Goa due to snowfall in Europe.

The figure of chartered flights has crossed 750-mark this season and there are no cancellations. The Tourism Department meanwhile is slowly shifting from foreign tourists to the domestic crowd, as they are also equally high spenders.

“The beaches are flooded with tourists and season is at its peak. There is a considerable increase in the number of tourists as compared to last year…while the number of flights is full on one side, many tourists are also driving down to Goa in their own vehicles,” said Director Swapnil Naik.

EC mulls treating use of paid news as corruption PTI THIRUVANATHAPURAM, DEC 29

The Election Commission is exploring the legal options to treat the ‘paid news’ practice by candidates during polls as corruption under the People’s Representatives Act, Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi said.

Such practices were unethical and amounted to deceiving the people. The move would enable the EC to have a bearing on the election petitions filed by candidates’, Quraishi told reporters after a meeting with top officials of the State on the preparedness for the assembly elections due early next year.

“We are also examining the possibility of criminal proceedings against candidates indulging in such practice”, Quraishi said responding to a question.

So far 86 cases of paid news have been identified, he said adding the power of EC was confined to candidates only and not on media. “We are examining what action could be initiated on this”, he said.

(Continued on page 2)

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Uneasy calm prevails at Moti Dongor HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 29

An uneasy calm prevailed atop the migrant inhabited Moti Dongor locality of the commercial capital throughout Wednesday after Tuesday’s clashes and attacks on women, even as the Margao police charged the assailants for the offence of attempt to murder.

The police have so far arrested four accused persons for attempt to murder and are maintaining a close vigil atop the hillock anticipating retaliation from the rival group.

Victim Maqbool is still convalescing at Hospicio hospital and his supporters and residents have demanded the immediate arrest of accused Bashir Sheikh, the accused in the swords seizure case. The Margao police are on the look out of the remaining accused, including Bashir.

Margao PI Santosh Desai said the police have registered a serious offense of attempt to murder against the eight accused persons.

“The police has checked a number of places to nab the accused persons. We are maintaining a close watch on their movements, who are believed to be moving together”, he said.

Police deployed at Moti Dongor on Wednesday to maintain law and order atop the hillock.

Immediate cause of the flare up The police has attributed the flare up on Moti Dongor to an incident that occurred on Monday when accused Ameen from the Bashir group was manhandled by the rival group.

PI Santosh Desai said that the Maqbool group accused Ameen for allegedly spreading

defamatory news about a woman in the locality. Incensed over the incident, the Maqbool group along with women questioned Ameen and the matter later reached the police station after he complained of assaults.

PI Desai said the two groups were brought to the police sta-

tion and they both decided to compromise on the matter.

“The matter had ended at the police station on Monday evening. However, Ameen along with Bashir and others attacked Maqbool and others in retaliation for the assault on Monday”, PI Desai added.

Photo by Santosh Mirajkar

Elders pushed to background The diktat of the elders – the first settlers on the hillock around three decades ago – no longer runs large amongst the youth atop the hillock, so it seems.

At one time, elders such as Tara, Maulla and others were deciding on issues affecting the inhabitants, whether political or otherwise. One of the first settlers on the hillock, Tara says

Church would be happy to collaborate in promoting peace, justice: Archbishop

the inhabitants had never fought amongst themselves over the last three decades, adding that the violence and rivalry would only give the locality a bad name.

Sources said that Maulla was once a force to reckon with amongst the minority community, but now youth such as Jalil, Bashir, Maqbool and others have their own pockets of influence on the hillock.

If a woman was burgled of her bag containing valuables worth over Rs seven lakh at a nuptial ceremony in a Church here on Tuesday evening, another woman became the victim of thieves while on an early morning jog around the Margao municipal garden – just a stone’s throw away from the Margao police headquarters — on Wednesday.

Seventy-year old Sangeeta Mohan Redkar was relieved of her gold and other ornaments valued Rs 10 lakhs by miscreants posing as police personnel while she was jogging around the municipal garden on early Wednesday morning.

The incident occurred on early Wednesday morning when Redkar was on her routine early morning jog around the Municipal garden. Police said miscreants posing as policemen approached her while she was as usual jogging around the garden and advised her that it is

Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao on Wednesday said the Church in Goa would be happy to collaborate in the building of a society that promotes dignity of the human person, religious freedom and cultural harmony as well as peace and justice for everyone.

He was delivering his address at the annual civic reception at the Archbishop's House on the occasion of Christmas.

Those present on the occasion included Governor Shivinder Singh Sidhu, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, ministers and MLAs, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, Archbishop Raul Gonsalves, members of the judiciary, central and state administration,defence personnel, consular authorities, church leaders and superiors of religious congregations.

"Whenever Catholics gather for their Sunday Mass, they pray specifically for those who govern our land and state as well as for all those who, in some way or the other, share in that responsibility, in a greater or lesser degree. I pledge the continued support of our prayer for each one of you," said Archbishop Ferrao.

"The Church in Goa will be only too glad to offer her collaboration in the building of a society that sincerely and gen-

nThe Church in Goa will be only too glad to offer her collaboration in the building of a society that sincerely and genuinely promotes the dignity of the human person, religious freedom and cultural harmony as well as peace and justice for everyone.

-- Archbishop-Patriarch munal riots and pogroms, mostly politically motivated, is only one aspect of this sad deterioration of cherished human and democratic values," said the archbishop.

Speaking on the issue of religious freedom, Archbishop Ferrao said the Church teaches that the right to religious freedom is rooted in the very dignity of the human person.

"However, in spite of its high ideals, hailed also by the great religions of our land, religious freedom has become very brittle nowadays."

"Both in our country and in our own state, meetings and even large conventions take place sometimes with the sole aim of disturbing the inter-religious peace and harmony existing amidst our citizens."

"It is as if some people will not be at peace until peace is disturbed. Can we, responsible citizens, and particularly those entrusted with governance, allow that such programmes are executed, in blatant defiance to the spirit of our Constitution,"

asked Archbishop Ferrao.

The archbishop also quoted from Pope Benedict's message to convey that the world has been witnessing cases of persecution, discrimination, acts of violence and intolerance based on religion.

Archbishop Ferrao recalled Pope Benedict's Message for the World Day of Peace: "We must bear in mind that minorities do not represent a threat to the identity of the majority, but rather an opportunity for dialogue and mutual cultural enrichment."

"Defending minorities is the ideal way to consolidate the spirit of good will, openness and reciprocity which can ensure the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in all areas and regions of the world."

Earlier, the programme began with a prayer dance and reading of the Gospel. After the archbishop's address, carols were sung by the Rachol Seminary choir, conducted by Fr Romeo Monteiro.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 29

Bitter rivalry between friendsturned-foes amidst signs of political realignment and attempts to establish leadership atop the hillock seems to have brought warring groups in the open at migrant inhabited Moti Dongor.

In fact, the Maqbool and Bashir groups have been at loggerheads with each other since the municipal polls and were involved in a spate of assaults since then. While the Bashir group had supported the cousin brother of Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat, the Maqbool group had thrown their weight behind Iqbal.

Sources in the know said that Maqbool was once a close friend of Bashir’s bother Jalil before the swords seizure case created fissures in their relationship. It is not out of place to mention here that both Maqbool and Jalil have built posh bungalows next to each other at Moti Dongor.

While reports attributed business rivalry between the two groups, as possible reasons for the standoff between them, the two camps has dismissed all such reports.

Maqbool told Herald from

the Hospital bed that Bashir has been trying to establish his foothold on Moti Dongor by indulging in dadagiri. “The residents are opposed to Bashir’s dadagiri because of his antecedents. I have landed in trouble in the swords case because of Bashir. That’s the time I severed my ties with Jalil as well”, he said.

“I never had any link with Bashir. My friendship was with Jalil. Now, both the brothers are against me because I have exposed Bashir’s criminal activities”, Maqbool added.

Maqbool is into business, owing two buses, a saloon, besides a rickshaw and denied that he has interests in any mining activities.

He admitted that the two brothers could not digest the fact that I and my group supported Iqbal in the Municipal polls against Laxmikant Kamat, cousin brother of the Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat.

On the other hand, Bashir’s brother Jalil says the rivalry between the two groups has only intensified during and after the Municipal polls.

“What is happening atop the Moti Dongor is the fall out of the elections”, he said.

Police under scanner

The Margao police has come under the scanner as both the groups have charged the men-in-uniform for not initiating action on time against anti-social elements.

Maqbool said that repeated police inaction to crack a whip has only emboldened Bashir to unleash a reign of terror on Moti Dongor.

This group, which had supported a candidate against the

cousin brother of the Chief Minister, feels that the police have not acted promptly to nip the trouble in the bud.

On the other hand, the rival group also feels that the police did not act sternly against the anti-socials for damaging twowheelers owned by members of the Bashir group When contacted, Margao PI San-

tosh Desai said that the police can initiate action only as per the law and not beyond. “We have acted on complaints received from the two groups by registering cases, which are under investigations”, he said, and declined to comment on the general perception that the police fear is no more felt atop the hillock due to the patronage enjoyed by one group.

not safe to wear precious ornaments when burglaries on the rise in the state. They advised her to remove the ornaments and keep them safely on her person.

An unsuspecting Sangeeta is believed to have paid heed to their advise, only to find the miscreants again approaching her after some time and advising her to put her ornaments in a plastic container.

Police said the victim woman did exactly what was advised by the miscreants under the guise of police personnel, but was handed over a container which did not contain her ornaments.

It was only later realisation dawned that the miscreants who approached her were not police personnel but thieves who took advantage of the situation.

Three finger rings, besides six gold bangles, and a precious necklace, all worth around Rs 10 lakhs was stolen from the victim woman.

The Margao police has registered a case of theft against un-

known miscreants. Incidentally, the Margao police, put on the backfoot over the spate of thefts in the commercial capital, maintained secrecy over the incident, and it was only later in the evening that the daring theft was confirmed by Margao police sub divisional officer, Deputy Superintendent Umesh Gaonkar.

PORVORIM CORRESPONDENT ADDS:Two thieves posing as po-

licemen hoodwinked a housemaid from Mapusa and decamped with gold ornaments worth Rs 10,300.

According to Mapusa police, the incident took place as Sushila Naik, a housemaid at Gausawado-Mapusa, was proceeding to her residence at Altinho on completion of work in the af ternoon. When she reached near the Civil court, two men in civil dress stopped her and claimed to be "policemen".

They mentioned that thefts and murders over gold ornaments are on rise in the town and said it was dangerous to move in the town wearing gold ornaments.

They advised her to keep her ornaments in her bag and offered her a piece of paper to enclose the gold ornaments.

The housemaid accepted their suggestion in good faith and removed the gold ornaments, worth Rs 10,300, from her body and put them in the piece of the paper. One 'policeman' took those ornaments on the pretext of tying it properly, while his accomplice kept the woman busy in conversation.

The 'policeman' who had taken the gold ornaments exchanged the same with some fake silver ornaments and handed over the paper to the woman. they then advised her to open the paper only on reaching home.

The woman, however, opened the paper after travelling for some distance and was shocked to find that her gold ornaments had been replaced with fake silver ornaments. She then lodged a complaint at the Mapusa police station.

Police Sub Inspector Dhawasker is investigating the case.

FROM PAGE 1

Governor S S Sidhu, lighting the lamp at the annual civic reception at the Archbishop's House on the occasion of Christmas. Also present is Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat among others.

uinely promotes the dignity of the human person, religious freedom and cultural harmony as well as peace and justice for everyone," he said.

Commenting on the essence of Christmas, Archbishop Ferrao said it can never be a purely cultural or social event.

"Christmas is fundamentally a Christ-related event.

It is an event which has marked profoundly the course of our human history and has brought about a growing realization of the need to promote the oneness of humankind."

Archbishop Ferrao claimed that there are "vast opportunities for people to sit at a common table and discuss matters of common interest, which work for the common welfare of the human community."

"Unfortunately, these very structures of participation run the risk of becoming tools in the hands of a few to wield their power over the community of nations and of national and state communities, instead of being genuine community empowering instruments."

"They then become institutions that ignore and silence minorities and invest power and legitimacy on a few who dictate terms of governance, sometimes to the point of unsettling the very process of participation.

The growing number of com-

The seedy side of Moti Dongor

Fake cops on the prowl, steal valuables in Margao, Mapusa HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 29

HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, DEC 29

PI Desai visited the Hospicio hospital on Wednesday noon and assured injured Maqbool that the police would not spare accused Bashir. Maqbool said the residents are angry that the police have been turning a blind eye to complaints made against Bashir and demanded action. “If the police are sincere, they should immediately arrest Bashir and the remaining three persons”, he demanded.

Not ruling out retaliation from the Maqbool group, the police have continued their presence on the hillock on the second day today. “The police is deployed as a precautionary measure. The day passed off peacefully”, remarked PI Desai.

He said the accused arrested in the case Lalsaab Basha, Anwar Shaikh and Nabisaab have been remanded to six days police custody for further investigations, while the fourth accused, a minor, has been sent to the Apna Ghar.

Sources in the know said the police authorities are kept the district administration headed by district Collector, G P Naik informed about the tension and violence on Moti Dongor.

Collector Naik told Herald that the repeated violence and tension is not a healthy sign in the locality and said that the authorities would crack a whip against all anti-social activities on the hillock.

GOA

Aarushi case closed

“They had sent us some blood stained bedsheets from the bed of the victims. Using that and the blood of the parents of the Aarushi, we were able to establish that the blood stains were indeed that of the girl...

“We were also sent some slides which were the vaginal swabs taken from the victim to check whether there was sexual assault. What came out was surprising that they were not of the victim. That has been a very clear swapped that has taken place and that was something we had communicated to CBI. That indicated that there was some interest in ensuring that evidence has been tampered with,” said Dr J Gowrishankar, Director, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad.

The forensic expert also raised doubts over the investigations handled first by Uttar Pradesh Police before handing it over to CBI. The Uttar Pradesh Police which started investigations in the murder of teenaged daughter of dentist couple — Rajesh and Nupur Talwar — suspected domestic help Hemraj for the killing and dispatched a team to Nepal to nab him.

But these claims fell flat as

an acquaintance of Talwars found a trail of blood on the terrace next day where Hemraj’s body was found lying in dried blood.

The shoddy probe by the police evoked sharp media frenzy and triggered demands for a CBI probe as the State police levelled allegations of honour killing against the father and arrested him for the murder of his daughter Aarushi and domestic Hemraj.

The Centre which was reluctant to hand over probe to the CBI gave its nod after a fortnight and investigations started under Joint Director Arun Kumar on June 1, 2008.

Immediately, a 25-member team with senior forensic officials was rushed to Jalwayu Vihar residence which was the crime scene.

The CBI arrested the domestic help of Talwar’s compounder Krishna, domestic help of their neighbour Mandal and Rajkumar, the domestic help of Durranis— friends of Talwars.

All the five suspects including the parents of Aarushi were subjected to detailed questioning, narco-analysis, brain mapping and lie detector test but the agency could not find any lead which could help them in con-

cluding the case.

On July 11, 2008, the CBI claimed that there was not even a shred of evidence to suggest that the murder was committed by the parents and subsequently, the father was released on bail after remaining in jail for 57 days.

EC mulls treating ...

Stating that money power has become a very serious problem in Indian democracy, Quraishi said expenditure monitoring committees would strictly watch the expenses of candidates.

All candidates would have to open a special bank account for election expenses, he said.

The new election expenditure monitoring mechanism adopted by EC during the recent Bihar polls was a success and would be emulated in future polls, he said.

Monitoring would be done in cooperation with officials of the Revenue Intelligence and Income Tax departments, he said.

On the modifications and improvements to be carried out on electronic voting machines, he said EC would consider the EC’s technical committee recommendations on the matter.

All political parties in the country only wanted improvement on the present EVMs and nobody wanted to go back to the old system of ballot boxes, he said. EC would have to look into all aspects of recommen-

dations before deciding whether modified EVMs should be used in the next assembly polls due in five states, he said.

On the election preparedness in the State, he said arrangements were on track. At present electoral roll revision process was progressing in a satisfactory manner. The focus of EC was to enroll all youths as voters, he said.

The photo identity cards of new young voters would be given at a special function to be held next month, he added.

Deputy Election Commissioner Alok Shukla and Chief Electoral Officer Nalini Netto were also present at the press meet. Quraishi said the number of polling stations in the State would be increased. The maximum number of voters in a single booth would be restricted to 1200 from the present 1500.

During the election year suomoto deletion of names from the voters list by officials would be not allowed to check motivated removal of names from voters list, he said.

OHERALDO

GOA Bandora gets new sarpanch MARCEL (HC): Ramchandra Naik was on Wednesday elected unopposed as sarpanch of Bandora. All 11 panchayat members were present at the meeting and unanimously decided to elect Naik as the sarpanch. Naik is the fifth sarpanch during the current tenure of the panchayat, the others being Dinesh Naik, Sukhanand Gaude, Prabhakar Gaude and Damodar Naik.

Pg3 GOA, THURSDAY, 30 DECEMBER, 2010

MMC to decide on modalities of Bag with ornaments lifted from reception hall payments to Fomento for Sonsodo HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 29

When the draft concession agreement is finally placed before the Margao Municipal Councilors in the new year, the City Fathers will have to decide one important question – whether to pay Rs 7.31 crore to Fomento at one time or pay Rs 12-odd crore over the next 25 years.

For, the legal counsels engaged by the Civic body have approved the Net Present Value (NPV) concept of computing the payments towards the work done by the company engaged to treat waste at the Sonsodo dump yard.

Sources in the know said the NPV finds a mention in the draft concession agreement which has been dispatched to Fomento as well a s t h e M a rg a o M u n i c i p a l Council for approval.

Fomento has already communicated to the civic body that the total cost of treatment of the waste at Sonsodo would

work out around Rs 12-odd crore over the next 25 years.

When contacted, Margao Municipal Chief Officer Prasanna Acharya admitted that the Net Present Value is part of the draft Concession agreement since it forms part and parcel of the tender document.

But, when asked whether the Civic body would be duty bound to pay Rs 12-odd crore to Fomento as per the Net Present value concept, Acharya shot back “Not necessarily. The Council can decide whether to clear the entire amount of Rs 7.31 crore at one time or Rs 12-odd crore over the span of 25 years”.

He said this question will have to be decided by the City Fathers as and when the draft concession agreement is placed before the Council for ratification.

Meanwhile, Acharya said the MMC would call for a meeting to discuss the draft concession agreement once the draft is approved by the Board of Directors

of Fomento group.

“We are awaiting for the nod from Fomento first so that the same can be deliberated in detail at the Civic body”, he said.

Meanwhile, sources in the Margao Municipal Council informed that the NPV would be in contrary to the acceptable letter issued by the Civic body to Foment, wherein the Municipality stated that the Civic body has accepted the offer from Fomento to treat the waste at Sonsodo for Rs 7.31 crore for 25 years.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 29

Another instance of lifting of bag containing gold ornaments and cash has come to light – this time from a wedding reception hall at the Housing Board, Davorlim.

Maina Curtorim police said complainant Leela Prasad was attending a wedding reception at Maruti Temple, Housing Board on Tuesday afternoon. At around 1.30 pm, she is reported to have left her purse with gold ornaments, cash, a mobile and a camera on the chair and headed towards the toilet.

After returning back to her

seat, she found the purse missing from the chair and efforts to get back the valuables proved futile.

The police has registered a case of theft against unknown persons and are investigating the case.

In a similar case on Tuesday, a group of migrant minors fled with a bag containing gold ornamnets, cash and two mobiles during the nuptial ceremony in the Holy Spirit Church, Margao.

The value of the stolen gold ornaments was estimated to be between Rs 4 lakh to 7 lakh.

CM meets striking truck owners HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 29

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday in a meeting with truck owners said he would talk to mine owners to find a solution to the demand raised by them to increase the freight rate for transporting mineral ore.

Pressing for a hike the truckers the All Goa Truck Owners Association has given a strike call from December 27. Till late evening today the truckers were indecisive on whether to call off the strike.

When contacted to know the outcome of the decision of the meeting with the CM today morning, President of South Goa Progressive Truck Owners Association Prakash Raut Desai said there has been no message till late evening he had not received any positive assurance on the hike from the CM. When questioned to know their demand, Desai said Fomento was the only company paying the truckers operating on their mines a rate of Rs 11.27 per tonne per kilometre which is acceptable. No other company was offering this rate, he stated.

He stated the truckers want something decent like the rate being offered by Fomento. “If we are given something like this we will call off our strike. Today all trucks operating on the mines of Fomento were operational,” he added.

He said the truckers were expecting to get a fair freight rate from the mine owners as well as the contractors. “We assure there will be no flouting of any rules like overloading. “We respect the court ruling of not carrying ore beyond the weight limit 10.2 tonne. There is no intention to cause pollution and cause inconvenience to the general public arousing out of ore spillage,” he observed.

Awards in the field of Konkani music HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, DEC 29

Clown Entertainers, a Goan nonresident cum resident organization will give away awards for outstanding performance in the field of Konkani music.

Peter Fernandes stated that the awards will be judged by non-biased professionals purely on merit, adding that an audience vote will make the selection process air tight.

Those eligible are music audio and video CDs released from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010. The awards will be given to various categories, including best male and female singer, best child artist, best music mixing, best lyrics, best music composition, best album cover, best gospel song, best comedy song etc.

Entry forms are available at all leading music stores in the state. Entries should be posted to PO Box 170, Margao by January 20 2011 along with lyrics and 10 CDs.

This Festive season gift an amazing new Nokia

Qwerty

Entertainment

OHERALDO

GOA

Pg 4

GOA, THURSDAY, 30 DECEMBER, 2010

s h o rt ta k e s Cheques disbursed to Mayem locals

Govt making every effort to save environment: Rane HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, DEC 29

Mayem MLA Anant Shet distributes cheques to the villagers.

Photo by Vishant Vaze

MAYEM(HC): Mayem MLA Anant Shet has appealed to mine owners to protect natural heritage at the time of expanding its working area, even as mining industry plays a major role in the development of State’s economy.

He was addressing the gathering during the distribution of cheques to the villagers on behalf of Sesa Goa Mining Company to purchase agricultural equipments for the farmers of Water Shed Management, Mayem unit, at Mahamaya Library, Mayem.

Zonal Agricultural Officer Pradeep Malik, Sesa Mining Officer Ritesh Sinha, Water Shed Management President Sakharam Pednekar, member Vishwas Chodankar and farmers were present on the occasion.

In his speech, ZAO Malik gave detailed break-up of developing farming. Ritesh Sinha also spoke on the occasion.

Students play music for the aged

PANJIM (HND): The inmates of the home for the aged St John of God at Old Goa, enjoyed live music played by young students of Fabiola Lopes e Fernandes, recently. They especially enjoyed the Konkani melodies like ‘Don Kallzam’, ‘gupit mog’, ‘undir mhojea mama’, ‘sodanch axeun’ and sang Christmas carols. Fabiola organises this programme for the old every year and trains her students not only to play music, but also to love and respect the old.

POWER LINE WARNING GUIRIM: Newly erected 200KVA Transformer centre at Sorvem Guirim along with associated 11KV HT/LT line has been charged recently. Public is cautioned to keep away from the equipment and associated lines.

If Speaker Pratapsing Rane is to be believed, the state government is taking various measures to protect the coast, as trends of increasing sea-level has been observed over the years threatening the ecological imbalance.

Rane was speaking at the 88th foundation day of Shri Mallikarjun High School of Centro Promoter Da Instrucao, Char-Rasta

tourists, as there are quite a significant number of directionally challenged people.

Maptor is a great new concept designed by Jin-Sun Park and Seon-keun Park which aims to make GPS navigation practical and convenient. Instead of a bulky GPS device, Maptor is contained within a miniature, lipstick-like gadget that proves handy for just about everyone.

It’s a combination map and projector that can project the appropriate map onto any surface, your hand, T-shirt, floor or walls.

Maptor has an on-board GPS that provides a “you are here” arrow pointing to your current location, solving at least one major problem for most

The device is small and light, and made of environmentally friendly materials and as easy to carry as a penlight. The Bluetooth capable Maptor can download maps without cables and project them almost anywhere with the ability to zoom in or enlarge the entire map.

Only a concept for now, it’s certainly a novel approach to figuring out where you’re going. Although it may seem to have missed the boat by a few years, the idea may seem to be good for those who do not want to combine all daily productivity into their cell phone and still want the GPS functionality.

School and eminent personalities in their own right.

Director of MASTEK Ltd and ex-student of the institution Datta Fal Desai was the chief speaker on the occasion.

Earlier, Chairman of Centro Promoter de Instrucao Vikas V Desai welcomed the gathering and called upon the students to derive inspiration from the many personalities who were present on the occasion for a bright future.

Work on new road begins at Dharbandora HERALD CORRESPONDENT SANGUEM, DEC 29

Sanvordem Zilla Panchayat member Rashmi Lambor recently inaugurated the construction work of a new road along with a drainage system at Dayanand Nagar Pilye ward of Dharbandora.

The road which extends about 150 metres will be constructed by the government at a cost of Rs 7 lakh and the work has been undertaken by Amey Kossambe.

Before getting elected as ZP member, Lambor had assured to get the road constructed.

Sanvordem Zilla Panchayat member Rashmi Lambor inaugurates the construction work of a road at Darbandora.

Photo by Alfred Fernandes

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 29

The citizens of Cuncolim have constituted a Shabu B Desai memorial committee to build permanent statue of Freedom fighter Shabu B Desai, one of the main architects of the Opinion Poll 1967.

The statue would be erected at the old bus stand, opposite Cuncolim Post office, Salcette, and unveiled on January 19.

Late Shabu B Desai, hero of Opinion Poll 1967 whose innovative idea swayed the public opinion against merger of Goa with Maharashtra hence in the opinion polls people overwhelmingly voted for retaining Goa’s separate identity.

This unique idea of Shri Shabu Desai was a big success in getting sizeable votes against the merger during opinion polls.

The committee has appealed to all the people of Cuncolim in particular and the Goans in general, to donate generously towards this great cause. The donors may deposit their contribution directly in the savings bank account no 2335101053971 with Canara Bank, Cuncolim Branch or contact the Secretary of Shabu B Desai memorial committee, Shripad Desai on 9850178847, Moti Desai on 9822486262 or Prajyot Desai on 9822986273.

Belgaum cops to monitor inflow of Goan liquor HERALD CORRESPONDENT BELGAUM, DEC 29

Belgaum district police has taken up stringent measures to check the inflow of Goan liquor in Belgaum.

This is in connection with the elections to Zilla Panchayat (ZP) and Taluka Panchayat (TP) in Belgaum district along with other districts on December 31 and the Karnataka government's ban on sale of liquor on that day.

The district police has set up 21 check posts at strategic places bordering Goa and Maharashtra.

According to Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil, special check posts have been set up at Kankumbi along the Chorla Road, Ramnagar (Londa) along the Belgaum-Panaji National Highway 4 A, Bachi along the Belgaum-Vengurla Road as well as Uchagaon and other strategic

points connecting Belgaum to Goa and Maharashtra.

This is being done as the interstate illicit liquor lobby which gets active during the elections in Karnataka is allegedly more active this time as the demand for liquor has doubled up not only due to elections but also due to the ban on sale of liquor on December 31, the new year eve.

Meanwhile, the police is also geared up to face elections as a large police force comprising 10 DySP's, 21 CPI's, 109 PSI's, 212 ASI's will be assisting the Belgaum police during this elections.

About 5000 strong police force will be supervising the free and fair elections that have become a prestige issue for all the major political parties including the ruling BJP, the Congress and the Janata Dal.

upcoming events Tiatr ‘Voir Sokol’ at Panjim

‘1000 smiles of Goa’ Meet held to discuss expo inaugurated Republic Day celebrations

PANJIM (HND): Tourism Minister Nilakanth Halarnkar inaugurated ‘1000 smiles of Goa’, a unique exhibition of portraits at the Maquinez Palace, Art Gallery, Panjim recently. The exhibition will be open till December 30.

The project is an attempt to capture and showcase 1000 unique smiling people of Goa. The concept, which is based on 10 teams, 10 hours, 10 photographers and 10 locations, had a group of ten photographers moving in almost all parts of the State like Panjim, Margao,

Understanding Technology

Maptor for the Tourist

(Canacona) after felicitating taluka's sons-of-the-soil and exstudents of the institution.

"The state government is making every effort to save the environment and has taken various measures in this regards," said Rane.

Rane felicitated Dr Jiblo Gaonkar, Retired Wing Cmdr M D Desai, Dr Pramod Kinnerkar, Dr Chandrakant Nagarsenkar and Dr Pratap S Dessai, all exstudents of Shri Mallikarjun

Statue of Shabu B Desai to be unveiled at Cuncolim

Mapusa, Vasco, Ponda, Canacona, Sanquelim, Colva and Old Goa. Tourism Minister Halarnkar complemented the organisers for their hard efforts in this unique project and capturing different characters and smiling faces of Goa. Photographer Prasad Pankar welcomed the gathering while Superintendent of Police, Atmaram Deshpande, proposed the vote of thanks.

The organisers have asked the people to visit the exhibition.

Sony’s Music Unlimited

When it comes to purchasing music online, the top name that most people think of is: iTunes. Maybe a few still purchase albums from Amazon, but iTunes is certainly the top online music retailer.

Sony might just want to tip the balance of power in their favor with the launch of “Music Unlimited powered

by Qriocity”, which is a new, cloud-based, digital music service that offers music lovers access at any time to millions of songs from major labels such as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Music.

Independent labels are not forgotten either, so you can probably indulge in a range of eclectic music if you wish.

The “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” catalogue will initially offer around

half a dozen million songs, and this will not just stop there as it will continue to expand over time. With this service, you are able to play music any time on a wide variety of Internet-connected Sony devices, where among them include Sony’s 2010 models of network-enabled BRAVIA TV, Blu-ray Disc player, Blu-ray Disc Home Theater system, PlayStation 3, VAIO and other personal computers. In due time, it will also be available across a wide range of Sony’s portable devices, playing nice with Androidpowered mobile devices and other portable devices too.

“Music Unlimited powered

by Qriocity” will at first be available in the U.K. and Ireland, while this service will expand to Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, New Zealand and US sometime next year.

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 29

Collector of South Goa, G P Naik, reviewed the preparedness for the forthcoming District Level Republic Day function to be celebrated in Margao at a meeting held with the officials of various government department including freedom fighters and principals of educational institutions.

The meeting, held in the chamber of the Collector, discussed various issues and arrangements to be made for the function to be held at open sports complex of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao on January 26, at 8.45 am.

Issues such as conduct of rehearsals for march past, cultural programme, erection of shamiana, seating and traffic arrangements, medical facilities, installation of CCTV, illumination of Government buildings

such as ollectorate, Municipality and District Police Headquarters and electricity among other issues were discussed at the meeting.

About 1,000 students drawn from 24 school of South Goa will participate in the march past, cultural programmes physical display and national integration songs, the rehearsals for which will be conducted on January 22 and 24.

Some Government servants will also be honoured for their contribution in different fields on the Republic Day. The Samrat Club of Margao will sponsor prizes for best march past and Collectorate of South Goa will sponsor prizes for best cultural programmes.

The Collector has sought the co-operation of the concerned officials to make the Republic Day celebration a grand success.

CM to inaugurate Yuva Mahotsav HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 29

The 16th Yuva Mahotsav, organised by Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Margao, in association with the Rotaract club of Ponda will be inaugurated on January 15 at late Ravindra Kelekar Nagar, Khandepar, Ponda, by Chief minister Digambar Kamat at 10 am in the presence of President of the welcome committee, Home Minister Ravi Naik.

Before the formal inauguration, a procession of local cultural troupes and participating groups along with the dignitaries will take place. It will culminate at the main pandal with the past chief coordinator of the Mahotsav handing over the Mahotsav flame to the new chief coordinator of the Mahotsav.

The two-day extravaganza will feature several competitions and a participation of over 4000 youth all over Goa. Over 40 colleges and groups are expected to participate in the same This year, 14 competitions will be organised that include Lokmand (folk dance), Mime, Trio, solo singing, Konkani pop,

Quiz, Sahityangan, elocution, monologue, Rangoli, Street play, Thode amche thode tumche (scene enacting), Mustayaki (best couple of Yuva Mahotsav) and Shooting (short film using cell phone). The themes of all these competitions have been decided based on the current issues and matters of concern.

Keeping in mind the ongoing 50 years of Goa’s Liberation, the elocution competition will see youth express their thoughts on the topic ‘Vision 2050’.

The Mahotsav will also feature the interviews of two role models, whose names will be announced shortly. This year, the post of President of the working committee has been bestowed upon Adv Surel Tilve, a youth who is active in the Konkani field for last several years.

The Mahotsav is the biggest youth festival of the state and has been growing every year..

The Mahotsav attempts to unite the youth of the state under one roof and several social issues have found their voice through this Mahotsav.

One time settlement scheme for power defaulters HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, DEC 29

Contact Us:

Comments or queries? Bouquets or brickbats? Talk to us!

Email Junior Herald at junior@herald-goa.com or join our Facebook fan page. Our readers are invited to rave, rant, chat or even contribute. No message will go unanswered!

All the defaulting consumers under the categories, namely LIG, Domestic, Agriculture, Small Commercial, LTP (Motive Power) whose installations have been temporarily disconnected/permanently disconnected/under RRC as on March 31, 2010 for nonpayment of outstanding arrears and accumulated outstanding arrears upto Rs100,000 under the jurisdiction of the Electricity department, Sub-Division 1, Pernem, may avail the one time settlement scheme as declared by the government.

The scheme has been extended upto March 31, 2011, and no further applications will be accepted and benefit given after that date.

Defaulting consumers may collect the prescribed forms from the office or the sub-divisional engineer, Electricity department, Sub Div-1, Pernem and submit the same to this office along with Demand draft of Rs100 in favour of Chief Electrical Engineer.

PANJIM (HND): Youth of Alto Guimaraes will stage Tiatr ‘Voir Sokol’ by Comedian Ambe at Lyceum Ground, Panjim on December 30 at 7 pm. Entry is free.

Forefront to perform in Bangalore PANJIM (HND): ‘Forefront’ Goa's popular band will play live at the New Years party at Bangalore’s prestigious club ‘The Bangalore Club.’ the band will be performing at the club for the 3rd consecutive year. The event will be attended by over 2000 people. Forefront, known for its high energy levels on stage and its ability to deliver top class entertainment, has been giving concerts in other parts of the country and abroad, says a press release.

Personality development course PANJIM (HND): A 5-day course on ‘Integrated Personality Development’ will be organise by the Institute of Personality Development and conducted by Hon Director Prof Agnel Crasto, on January 10, from 10 am to 12 noon, at the Institute, Pinto Chambers, Block A, 2nd floor, Menezes Braganza Road, Panjim. The course will deal with fear, frustration, inferior feelings, worries, stress, anger, art of concentration, reading, remembering, public speaking and removing tensions of all types. Those interested may call Prof Agnel Crasto on 2435838 or 9420818302.

Portuguese language courses PANJIM (HND): Centro de Língua Portuguesa / Instituto Camões will offer intensive courses on Portuguese Language and Culture from January 10. The courses offered are Basic Portuguese Language, level A1 (40 hours), Basic Portuguese Language, level A2 (40 hours), Elementary Portuguese Language, level B1 & level B2 (80 hours). The courses will be held on Monday to Friday from 6 pm to 8 pm. These courses will be held at the premises of CLP/ Instituto Camões, Agva House, 9/32 Dr Dada Vaidya, Panjim. For further information call the office on ph 6647737/2422237 or by email clpicgoa @yahoo.com.

‘Crystal Ball’ at Margao PANJIM(HND): Crystal Ball, New Year Eve dance in South Goa, is all set to dazzle its patrons with some innovative entertainment items at the MCC Grounds, Margao. This 13th edition of New Year’s eve dance, organised by Multidimensions will feature some of Goa's best bands like Pure Magic, and Band Wagon, apart from a dazzling fireworks display and more. A 12 feet tall effigy of a man representing multifaceted evil will be set on fire so that 2011 can start with a fresh beginning. There will be some lively compering by Julio D’Silva, Avito Fernandes and Sandra D'Cunha. To keep those going who are not on the dance floor, the organisers have arranged acts like clowns, jugglers, mascots, serenaders, and lovely hostesses to welcome and escort the revellers to their tables.

A special dancing floor made of wood will be illuminated with amazing light effects.

The proceeds of this dance will go to MAAST, a registered NGO, founded to carry out AIDS awareness activities.

‘Novo Dis Udetana’ at Nachinola

PANJIM(HND): Comedian Domnic’s tiatr ‘Novo Dis Udetana’ will be staged at Nachinola on January 1 at 7 pm on the occasion of the feast of Bom Jesus, Nachinola. Fr Venencio Fonseca, Parish Priest of Nachinola will be the chief guest for the event. There will be Housie and lucky entrance prizes.

Tickets are prized at a nominal rate of Rs 100 and Rs 60.

For details contact Ivan Dias on 9881611723 and William Fernandes on 9552995168.

New Year Magic at Kesarval

PANJIM(HND): Hype Entertainment will organize its traditional New Year ’s Eve dance ‘The New Years Golden Magic’ at the Kesarval Garden Retreat on December 31 from 9.30 pm onwards. The best combination of Goa’s topmost bands Lynx, Lace with Lawry and Aqua Strings will be in attendance. The event will be hosted by Stanley Reis and Celbert Dias. There will also be a fire works display to bring in the New Year. This event is supported by Kingfisher premium, Black Dog and McDowell’s Signature. For details, contact 9822971391.

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GOA, THURSDAY, 30 DECEMBER, 2010

Jaitapur nuke plant on earthquake zone: Report PTI MUMBAI, DEC 29

An impact assessment report by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) here has come down heavily on the proposed nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra stating that the project will have a "huge negative impact on social and environment development ”as it is sitting on a high to moderate severity earthquake zone.

The TISS findings in 'Perception Matter- People's Report-Social Impact Assessment of Jaitapur Madban Nuclear Power Plant' also suggested that the government subverted facts and called the fertile agricultural land as “barren.”

The report compiled by a TISS social scientist Mahesh Kamble highlighted the people's demand for more transparency from the government on the project and

also their concern about building nuclear power plants on earthquake Zone-IV. It also indicated that the project - which requires about 968 hectares of land spread over five villages – will have a huge negative impact on the social as well as environmental development of not just these villages and the surrounding areas, but also on the Konkan region in general.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) has planned to build at least six units of 1560 mw each power plants at the site in collaboration with French nuclear energy major Areva.

Last month, the Union Environment and Forest Ministry gave a conditional go-ahead to the plant. However, it is facing staunch opposition from locals who fear environmental degradation in the fragile Konkan area.

Meanwhile, NPCIL clarified that the Jaitapur site is in ZoneIII and not in Zone-IV. Actually, the Jaitapur nuclear power project site selection has been done keeping ample safety margins, it said.

"The code set by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for site selection for setting up of nuclear power plant (NPP) prescribes that there should not be any active geological fault within 5-km radius from the proposed site of NPP,” NPCIL spokesperson N Nagaich said.

Extensive studies carried out by various government institutions/organisations, specialising on these studies, have found no active geological fault up to 30km radius from the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power project site, thus validating that the site is not earthquake-prone, Nagaich said.

Gujjar agitation: Protesters vacate two rail tracks PTI JAIPUR, DEC 29

Apparently under public pressure, the agitating Gujjars today vacated two rail tracks, easing movement of trains, even as the stalemate over their demand for quota in Rajasthan government jobs continued.

The protesters vacated the Jaipur-Delhi and Jaipur-Kota rail tracks in Dausa and Tonk districts respectively.

However, they continued to block Delhi-Mumbai rail route at Pilukapura in Bharatpur for the 10th day.

"Soon after the restoration of Jaipur-Delhi route in Bandikui, the movement of trains resumed bringing back 34 trains on proper track," North-Western Railway spokesperson Lalit Bohra said, adding that the KotaJaipur route will also be restored soon.

However, at least 15 trains are still diverted and a few others are cancelled due to the ag-

itation.

Meanwhile, the deadlock between the Gujjars and the government continued with differences emerging among the agitators on resumption of talks with the government.

Roop Singh, a close aide of Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla, said the Gujjars had decided to send a delegation of eight leaders to meet the officials in Bayana town but the plan was withdrawn later in the day.

"We are not prepared to resume talks as of now. The talks were scheduled for the day but it was withdrawn and no talks would take place today. What happens tomorrow is anybody's guess," he told PTI. "Yesterday also, Bainsla was ready to send a delegation to hold talks at Jaipur but our community people did not agree to this," he said.

Another Gujjar leader Harprasad said, "Several rounds of talks have taken place in the

past and so what is the need to hold fresh talks? We want reservation and the government should decide on this."

According to Western-Central Railways, 45 trains are diverted,

14 cancelled and 9 partially cancelled due to the Gujjar agitation.

No talks between the government and agitators have taken place since Sunday when the state Energy Minister Jitendra

Singh, also a Gujjar, met the protesters at Pilukapura, the epicentre of the agitation, nearly 11km from Bayana in Bharatpur district but failed to achieve a breakthrough.

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O HERALD O

It’s all about the land!

Vol No CX No: 327 Goa, Thursday, 30 December, 2010

T

Stop this gang war

he violence that rocked the Monte area of Margao – better known as ‘Moti Dongor’ – on Tuesday evening left more than 10 persons injured, including women and children. It also triggered tension and panic in a locality known to be a communal tinderbox. One Maqbool was attacked by a 10-member gang led by one Bashir, one of the main accused in the Margao swords seizure case. The assailants unleashed a reign of terror, sparing neither women nor children. Six persons had to be hospitalised, but there were many more assaulted.

Both the main protagonists in the situation – Bashir and Maqbool – are local politicians in the area. Bashir is allegedly a known supporter of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who is the MLA for Margao. He had apparently supported Laxmikant Kamat, the CM’s cousin, in the recent municipal elections. Maqbool, on the other hand, is believed to have thrown his weight behind another candidate, Iqbal, and opposed the CM’s cousin.

It appears, however, that not so long ago, both were together. For, both Bashir and Maqbool are among the accused in the notorious swords seizure case in Margao. Somewhere along the way, however, there seems to have been a falling out. Police said that the latest incident is a fallout of the ongoing rivalry between two groups. But it is not the first incident of its kind; just the most serious till now. Since the municipal polls, the rivals have already clashed on two or three occasions.

This is exactly how gang warfare starts, when a group of goons splits in two over division of the spoils of their activity, or over political issues. Initial clashes are usually minor, but escalate with frightening speed. As each group seeks revenge for the transgressions of the other, soon, the weapons of choice rapidly move up the destructive ladder. If firm action is not taken right now to stop this rivalry, before one knows it, these gangsters will be going after each other; first with swords, then with countrymade pistols and, not too much later, with the latest firearms. Along the way, they will terrorise the public and spread the tentacles of their crime network wider and wider.

That has been the experience of Mumbai and other big cities in the ’80s and ’90s. Do we want Goa to go down the same road?

Notwithstanding that one of the factions in this conflict is allegedly close to the CM, Margao police must move swiftly to not only book the culprits in the present attack, but register chapter proceedings against both sides for disturbing law and order, and get them externed from the South Goa district if possible. Otherwise, they will go on to make Margao a living hell for its citizens.

‘Who is’ primer

D

eeply disappointed at not being sworn in as a minister, Benaulim MLA Francisco alias Mickky Pacheco is believed to have asked in anguish: “Who is B K Hariprasad?” He was referring to the Congress High Command observer ruling out his immediate induction into the cabinet.

Mr Hariprasad is the representative of the Congress High Command in charge of Goa. And, in case Mr Pacheco doesn’t realise it, the Congress is the senior partner in the coalition government that rules Goa. Last but not least, as Goa Congress President Subhash Shirodkar said after he and Chief Minister Digambar Kamat met eight of the 10 dissident Congress legislators at the CM’s residence, the Congress can afford to drop its alliance partner – the NCP – if push comes to shove. Does that answer his question?

I

This refers to the letter ‘Choices before RC believers’ by Paul Rodricks (Herald, 24 Dec).

The Bible is not to be quoted selectively.

Mary did call Jesus her Saviour because that is what he was to her. A little later, Mary said, “…from now on, all generations will call me Blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me…” (Luke 1:48 - 49).

When Mary appeared in Lourdes, she introduced herself as ‘The Immaculate Conception’. This is exactly what the Catholic Church meant by the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception in stating that Mary was preserved from the stain of Original Sin from the moment of her conception.

That is the only way she could be the Mother of Jesus, for no sin can stain Him.

The Government has declared Colva as VP1, whereas the People have clearly asked for VP2. This must be corrected immediately to reflect the true aspirations of the people of Colva.

A memorandum against the Civil Judge of the District of Ilhas was submitted to the Minister of Navy.

Miraculous cures

All the periodicals from the Capital city are incessantly reporting about the miraculous cures attributed to St Francis Xavier.

Portugues Liner sunk

Some few days back, the Portuguese Liner belonging to ‘Empresa Nacional de Navegacao’ sunk at the coast of Cabo (South Africa) with 9 passengers feared dead.

St Francis exposition

With all the solemn majesty, concluded at Old Goa the exposition of the Holy Relics of venerable St Francis Xavier for which the offices of Herald were closed as the mark of respect.

– then the designation of areas as ESZ is largely meaningless if they overlap with any other designation. The Final RP also says that zone changes approved, conversions sanctioned, and licenses issued in the Eco Sensitive zones will hold good.

Take that along with the note that says over 8000 individual requests have been incorporated and it makes for worrying news. Individual requests were the route that the Land Mafia took the last time around. Nowhere is a list of changes and conversions made available. So we might have large swathes marked Eco Sensitive – with huge areas within them already converted.

Forest areas are sacrosanct under the ESZI designation. But over 21 per cent of mining operations fall in forest areas. So if the ESZ zones are to be taken seriously, then the mining operations would have to be shut down. The Draft RP recommended that all mining within 1 km of water bodies should be phased out in 3 years, and mining in other forest areas in 5 years. This recommendation has gone entirely missing from the Final RP. So is the land in your village safe? Depends. If it is marked VP2. If it doesn’t fall in ODP, Non PDA ODP, Eco Tourism, Micro Industrial areas. If

make New Year resolutions; or if anyone succeeds in keeping promises made to oneself longer than mid-January.

Your New Year’s resolutions need some oomph! We have seen the light of the world. It shone in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago and it continues to shine in our midst.

If there is a sense of hopelessness among some believing people, it is because of an abysmal ignorance of God’s design for mankind.

What we need is a new passion, a new fire, not only for abstract words like truth, justice, peace, but for the living God and for his creation and creatures. A new passion to heal all feelings and alienation, a passion to begin in our families the hard work of healing, to unite to bind, to comfort those closest to us.

The failings of human consciousness, deprived of its divine dimension, have been a determining factor in all the major dastardly happenings in the world. Evil has made its home in the individual human heart before it entered a political system. When external rights are completely unrestricted, why should one make an inner effort to restrain oneself from ignoble acts?

The prophet of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, offered a peace prescription we dare not refuse.

Auld Lang Syne can make you pine and whine, shine or malign.

Letters to the Editor

Letter of the Day

Do not demoralise Santa Claus

lena Gomez is a good role model for youth and I only hope she continues to be so.

Chastity is a virtue seldom practiced by youth these days, so it is refreshing to see a popular figure uphold this holy virtue voluntarily as she does. Offering chastity instead of contraception should be the societal norm.

Cajetan Peter D’Souza, Mumbai

Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo

Birth certificate(s)!

It has been observed that many people make the old man of the year, which is later burnt by people symbolising the end of the previous year, and they use the Santa Claus mask for the old man thus demoralising the Santa, who is also known as St Nicholas whose feast is celebrated on December 6, is associated to Christmas and referred as Christmas Father. Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th century Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity. In Europe, he is still portrayed as a bearded bishop in canonical robes.

Saint Nicholas became revered by many as the patron saint of seamen, merchants, archers, children, pharmacists, lawyers, pawnbrokers, prisoners, and the city of Amsterdam and of Russia. By making St Nicholas or Santa Claus the old man, people are demoralising the Saint who did his best to reach out to people. We request all people to kindly stop demoralising Santa Claus by using his mask as the old man of the year.

Marcos Alemao, by email

Viva ‘Herald’!

Agnelo P Furtado, Chinchinim In circa a century of its existence, Herald has stood strong and proud like a Goan heritage monument displaying its IndoLuso editorial lineage. Its columns have carried the weight of Goan ethos and culture without bending; its columns have withstood the brunt of political thunderstorms, only to have seasoned and matured and stood the test of time.

Political hardliners and ideologues tried to muzzle it, but with tenacity, it gnawed at the political leather to bark back and become the proverbial resilient pariah Goan watchdog. Its dogfights have resisted hostile financial buyouts.

Herald pioneered a path breaking form of journalism in Goa to give prominence

to ‘Vox Populi’ letters and sentiments, which would have not been published by rival newspapers as politically ‘risque’; dailies suspected to be ‘Samanas’(His Masters Voices) of Government agencies.

Thumbs up to Raul, the new Gladiator in the arena! May your pen be mightier than the political sword! Goans, united we stand, divided we crawl.

Saviour of Goa

By Marc de Souza

That is because opening the door to the New Year often lets in a flood of auld memories – good and bad, invited and uninvited.

Once, Christmas toys lasted till the next generation. Once, friendship lasted a lifetime and families were always together for holidays and maybe even Sunday lunches and dinners. Now, everybody keeps moving away – out of town, out of touch. But that is the way life is today and we cannot magically turn back the clock.

So, best we can do is to reach out and touch by telephone and mail, love and prayers. And should old acquaintances be forgotten, we can remind ourselves that shiny and new can be nice, but not always better.

Maybe in this New Year, we should resolve to hold on tighter to those old tried and true morals and values, husbands and wives, friends and others – for Auld Lang Syne.

With the media bombarding us with bad news, it is hard to focus on the good news and the many blessings that abound in our world. But focus we must, so we can gain the strength to continue the good fight. If we but look and appreciate the wonders God made, we can rejoice with awe as we pray for help with the awful. What a great New Year it would be! Happy New Year!

A call for an alliance The request for an alliance by the Editorin-Chief Raul Fernandes in his front page article ‘If we do not stop the rot now, we are damned’ (Herald, 26 Dec) reminds us of Dr Jack de Sequeira who gave a wake up call to unite and fight against the forces working to drag Goa into Maharastra. We did show our strength and unity. Four decades later, we hear a similar call by the same daily Herald for an alliance to save and protect Goa. It’s now or never situation today and if we do not heed, we will wither into oblivion.

We have realised it too late that the freedom we gained has been misused by vested interests in the name of progress and development of Goa and all those but a few who say they fought for liberation and are enjoying the benefits are a mock of the era. Given the present prevailing condition in Goa, are we willing for a change? Only time will tell.

some individual request had not already been taken into account for large scale conversion. If it doesn’t fall in a Growth Hub. If it is not near a mining lease. Far too many ifs for comfort. Far too many loopholes. And yes – plenty of space for far too many hidden agendas. It’s time to hold someone responsible.

The Chairman of the Draft Committee that created the Draft Regional Plan 2021 was Digambar Kamat. The Chairman of the SLC that changed it was Digambar Kamat. The Minister for the TCP Department is Digambar Kamat. In his various avatars he is wholly and solely responsible at the end of the day for the Regional Plan. So let us call on him to act.

Let us stop calling this a ‘people’s plan’. When, without explanation, CM yanks out a choice he gave the people over their land, then it is not a people’s plan. How something that was part of the much touted participative process was allowed to vanish from the final plan?

As Chairman of the SLC our CM should clarify the various new designations that have been put into the plan. Protective clauses and checks and balances need to be added so these new designations don’t become vehicles for hidden agendas.

The new additions should be removed if one cannot adequately ensure that they will not become a tool for the rape of Goa. As Minister for TCP he should clarify for us where the jurisdiction of the RP2021 extends.

Does it hold when it overlaps with other designations? And if not – why not? A planning document that does not have a cohesive jurisdiction is a hollow one.

As Chairman of the Draft Committee he should clarify the status of the ESZ’s. Are they going to be over ridden by a dozen other imperatives?

Why has mining been let off the hook in the Final Plan?

Lastly, as Chairman of the SLC he should explain to us how he allowed it to so far overstep its mandate. The SLC was supposed to merely finalise the plan based on the inputs that had come in.

Instead it introduced sweeping changes – completely subverting the participative role of the people and the spirit of the draft RP. Mr CM, you owe us an explanation on all fronts.

And you owe us action. We desperately need laws in place to protect the land. Now is the time to salvage the Final RP2021.

Hurrah for the New Year!

M

Arwin Mesquita, UAE

Memorandum submitted

have been yanked out from the RP. ‘Eco Tourism’ areas will fall under ‘special rules’ – and villages from the south have pointed out that these areas have already been acquired by five star hotels.

The ‘special rules’ will be framed by the government – and you and I will have no say over the use of this land.

Micro Industrial Zones will have their own ‘unique laws’, not the land laws that otherwise apply in Goa. This was exactly the proposal for the SEZ’s that Goa battled and threw out. So this land will again go out of the control of not just the common man, but of the general laws of the land.

No one seems to know what land laws the Zone plan and Non PDA ODP areas will follow.

These are not detailed in the Final RP. Let’s take a look at the one designation in the Draft RP2011 that every one hailed – the concept of Eco Sensitive Zones (ESZI and II). Large swathes of Goa were put under the protection of these Zones. These zones still exist in the Final Draft – but we are not told if they will apply in any of the areas that have other designations slapped on them. We already know that ESZ zones do not apply in ODP areas. If that logic is extended

y family cheers its coming as they say so long to the old one. It is a fresh start, the turning of a new leaf, the beginning of something better. When the old year dies at the stroke of midnight on December 31 and the New Year stands before us pristine, clean and filled with hope, who can remain unmoved by the prospect of good to come!

Sometimes, the grace that New Year brings is short lived. It lasts from the last stroke of 12 on the clock until however long it takes you, no matter your first resolution. The New Year’s grace, once squandered, is irrecoverable. It is no good telling yourself: “I will try again when the holidays are over”, because you will not try again. On New Year’s day you try to see what the twelve months will bring. You are tempted to believe that you are given a moment of grace that could make a difference. Without the hope of grace, what else is there but fear!

This is the time when New Year’s resolutions fills us with a new determination to live right, to lose weight, quit smoking or drinking or nagging or procrasting or whatever bad habits keep us chained, and concentrate instead on developing positive habits that will make ourselves and those around us happy.

Happy that is the key word here. I do not know if people still

Bernard Simoes, Dona Paula

30 December 1910

REGIONAL PLAN

Facts of life

Colva RP Flaw

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

Actions and explanations are expected on RP 2021 from the CM, says VENITA COELHO

n Goa it is all about the land. Every scam that surfaces in Goa invariably leads back to a land grab. With land as their only asset, it is what poor Goans sell, what rich Delhiites buy, and what the government does it’s best to acquire by hook and mainly by crook. The biggest land scam of them all was the Regional Plan that was chucked out by the people in 2007. In that disastrous plan, land mafias had managed to get huge tracts of land converted into settlement zone. Now we have a Final RP2021 – which will be the basis of all land use in the future. It’s time to take a long hard look at what this RP2021 does with our land. Is it yet another Trojan Horse, bearing in it’s belly the agenda of the land mafia, the building lobby and the mining gang? It’s even more important to look long and close because the Final RP2021 deviates vastly from the Draft Plan. Just what has been slipped in on us by the State Level Committee (SLC) that finalised the plan? Having had every kind of trick pulled on us in the past, let’s just keep an eye on the land.

The big promise that the government held out to us was that the people through their panchayats would actually have a say in how the future was planned for their land. We were given a choice of how much we wanted our villages built up – those who wanted to preserve their villages could opt for the least FAR in the VP3 category. Obviously far too many villages inconveniently opted for VP3. The category has entirely been removed from the final plan. All of Goa has come under VP1 and VP2. So your land now has a minimum of FAR60 for building – if it doesn’t happen to fall in any of the other new categories that have been introduced.

Lots of new categories have suddenly been introduced that were never there in the draft plan.

We now have ‘Non PDA ODP’ areas. We have ‘Zone Plan’ areas. We have been presented with ‘Eco Tourism’ areas, and with a new concept of ‘Micro Industrial Zones’. ODP areas already fall outside the purview of the RP. Now all of these other areas will follow. It’s a neat trick. Slap in some new designations – and pull all of that land out from under the jurisdiction of the RP. So we now have a Final RP – and it doesn’t apply to more than half of Goa. Since we’re keeping an eye on the land – let’s see what rules will apply to all these areas that

Words of Wisdom!

100 Years Ago

OPINION

day, the political ‘Santas’ in Goa were competing one against another to convey their hollow greetings. They do this for any festival of Hindus, Christians and Muslims, as if these are the only three communities whose concern the world should care about. Zombies is the title they deserve.

We hope the Herald will stand tall for Goa and Goans in the same spirit the late AC Fernandes saved it for us.

Sidonio Mendes, Chandor

Youth need better models

Yes, the Herald, first daily in the overseas Portugal, has to be with us, as promised

by Raul Fernandes in his article ‘If we do not stop the rot now, we are damned’ (Herald, 26 Dec) to ventilate our grievances as ever.

The Christmas mood of the people around Quepem, Curchorem, Sanguem and Sanvordem was damp to say the least, as mining trucks laden with ore remained paraded on three main roads leading to Curchorem-Sanvordem, even on the day of X’mas eve, causing horrible inconvenience for the movement of public. On Christmas

This is in reference to the article ‘Selena drops Promise Ring for Justin Bieber’ (Goa’s Heartbeat, Herald, 28 Dec). It was a private matter that should not be made public by the paparazzi as it was.

Today, youth need good role models. If adults in their world behave appropriately, the youth will exemplify them. Peer pressure adds to many teenagers experimenting and then getting addicted to sex.

I am sure Selena’s parents had the best interests of their child when they upheld her as a ‘good example for other kids’. Se-

Auriel Ribeiro Sa, Mapusa

No one is above the law. Narvekar and his wife should be arrested immediately for the forgery of birth certificate of their son.

The police officer, who declined to register the complaint of Dr Shekhar Salkar, should also be censured. The Sub Registrar who had committed this grave offence should be suspended and dismissed in case he is in service. The people have to run from pillar to pillars and shell out huge amount to get duplicate certificates. The Church records never fail. It is intact. Even if we produce it, it is not so easy to get duplicate certificates, then how can Dayanand Narvekar do it?

Getting rid of corruption Col Cyril P D’Souza (Retd), Calangute In his wonderful article ‘Will we as voters stop being corrupt’ (Herald, 26 Dec), Sujay Gupta has written a thought provoking account on the main reasons why we Goan electorate get what we deserve. There is corruption at all levels.

Now it is an accepted fact in Goa that votes are given to the highest bidder no wonder the corruption has reached such disgracing levels. Its no use blaming the politicians when we ourselves are corrupt, get our jobs done by paying bribes and vote and elect elements who are not even fit to run the affairs of their homes leave alone those of the state.

It is high time people are warned against receiving money at time of elections and told that the money they receive is cursed.

It is high time people give such unscrupulous panchas, MLAs and MPs who contribute nothing towards the betterment of the state the boot. Both politicians and diapers need to be changed often and for the same reason!

Paths of Wisdom Ashoka, the Righteous King

When King Ashoka assumed the throne in the year 269 BCE as Emperor of the Maurya dynasty in India, he inherited a kingdom that had already been substantially expanded by his predecessors. He already dominated a large portion of India, but there was a particular kingdom that resisted domination, the Kingdom of Kalinga.

Ashoka took as his responsibility to bring the people of Kalinga into the empire. He waged a very bloody and cruel military campaign to bring the Kalinga people under his domination. The brutality of this campaign apparently provoked Ashoka to convert to Buddhism.

He accepted the Buddha’s Dharma with its implicit idea of no violence.

After his conversion, Ashoka proclaimed himself a Righteous King, a protector of the Dharma. Ashoka advocated a policy of conquest by Dharma. Ashoka’s view of Dharma is not complicated. It has to do with rather simple Buddhist values. It has to do with respect for others and their welfare.

King Ashoka sent missionaries out to spread the Buddhist teaching in India and elsewhere in South East Asia. His actions have served as models for righteous kings throughout the Buddhist world.

A Righteous King protects and promotes the Dharma. In return, the king is recognised and legitimated by the religious authorities. There is a ritual way monks can designate this guy as somebody whom people should respect and trust. This is an important two-way relationship.

In some situations, the king disciplines and reforms the Sangha, to make sure that it doesn’t interfere in the affairs of the state. We see this ideal of the Righteous King throughout the Buddhist world, not just in South East Asia, but also in China, Tibet and Japan. It is an important component in the complex structure of Buddhist society.

(Courtesy: Theravada Buddhism)

Printed and published by Vinayak Pai Bir for and on behalf of Herald Publications Pvt Ltd. Printed at Herald Publications Pvt Ltd, Plot No: L-135, Phase II, Verna Industrial Estate, Verna, Salcete, Goa. Published at PO Box 160, Rua Sao Tome, Panjim, Goa - 403001. Editor-in-chief: Mr R F Fernandes. Editor: Ashwin Tombat (Responsible under PRB Act). Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 2224202, 2228083, Fax: 2222475 (all Editorial); 2230535, Fax: 2225622 (Advertising); Margao: 2737689. Mumbai Office: 16-A, Bell Building, 2nd Floor, 19 Sir PM Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400001 (Tel: 22840702/22844908). RNI No: 43667/83.

HOW TO CONTACT US: mail@herald-goa.com — For press notes, general queries. junior@herald-goa.com — Junior Herald; junioryouth@herald-goa.com — Careers. heraldmirror@herald-goa.com — Sunday Mirror. reporters@herald-goa.com — For Reporters. business@herald-goa.com — For Business news. editor@herald-goa.com — For Letters to the Editor. sports@herald-goa.com — For Sports news. advt@herald-goa.com — For Advertisements. 2day@herald-goa.com — For Herald 2day. tiatr@herald-goa.com — For Tiatr Reviews and Reports. Disclaimer: Except for the editorial above, articles and letters in Herald represent the views of the concerned authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Herald editor, publisher, and/or owners.

OHERALDO

INDIA

‘Jesus gives Hope’, HP Chief Minister tells painter Rumi

Painter Rumi SPecIal correSPondenT PANJIM, DEC 29

Painter Rumi has released her new CD, which has an interview with Himachal Pradesh’s BJP Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who says that Lord Jesus Christ gives us Hope. The first copy of the CD, called 'What Christmas Means to Me', was sent to President of India Pratibha Patil by the painter.

The CD can be viewed on the website, www.ytvworld.com.

Ytvworld.com gives information about the Second Coming of Lord Jesus and a vision for Planet Earth for the next 1,000 years.

The website was launched in September 2009, after the Taj Group of Hotels sponsored the announcement of the channel on 2 May 2009, according to a press release from the painter.

Rumi wishes to share her vision and passion for the arts with all human-beings to give them peace and joy. She believes that she has been specially chosen by God to give the good news to a world in pain.

A former journalist and marketing executive with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Rumi had a supernatural experience with Jesus in 1994. She became a fulltime painter and evangelist in 1997.

Rumi lives alone in a remote jungle area of Himachal Pradesh, and operates her website from there. This, she says, has been made possible due to advanced communications (internet, laptop, mobile phones) in the 21st century, prophetically revealed by the prophet Daniel in the Old Testament.

Dutt hits back; says Noorani had hired goon to threaten him PTI MUMBAI, DEC 29

Actor Sanjay Dutt, whose properties have been placed under attachment by the Bombay High Court on a decree sought by film producer Shakeel Noorani to recover dues, today hit back at the complainant saying he had hired a goon to threaten and extort money from him in 2008.

The response from Dutt came a day after attachment notices were pasted on his residential and official premises in keeping with a High Court order based on an arbitration award given

by Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association.

Dutt's lawyer Rizwan Merchant told reporters, "Noorani had in 2008 hired underworld to call Dutt to threaten him and extort money. Dutt had then lodged a complaint with the crime branch. The investigation was handed over to Anti-Extortion Cell which had recorded statements of Dutt and Noorani."

The 'Munnabhai' star will soon move the High Court with two petitions -- one appealing against the order of attachment of his two properties and the second seeking a case to be registered against Noorani under

the stringent provisions of MCOCA, Merchant told PTI. Merchant also questioned attachment of office of Dutt saying the premises belonged to his wife and not him.

"Noorani has indulged in an organised crime by asking an underworld gang to threaten and extort money from Dutt," Merchant alleged.

Reacting to the allegation, Noorani said he did not threaten Dutt and it was the other way round. "Dutt told me if I troubled him he will shoot me dead. Dutt still has links with the underworld. I will now file a police complaint".

Dutt's Pali Hill residential flat was placed under attachment yesterday while notice on his official premises at Santacruz was pasted today.

Questioning the attachment notices, Dutt's lawyer Rizwan Merchant said, "We shall soon challenge them in the high court".

Merchant further said that Noorani had misrepresented facts before the court. "The office premises in Mayfair Melody building at Santacruz is owned

by Sanjay's wife Manyata. How can his wife's property be attached?" he asked.

CBI inspector jailed for 6 years for accepting bribe PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 29

A Delhi court has sentenced a former inspector of CBI's AntiCorruption Branch to six years in jail for accepting Rs 25,000 as bribe in 2004, saying he was meant to be a "watchdog, but became a blood hound" and brought disrepute to his service cadre.

"The convict in this case has been an Inspector of CBI whose duty was to fight against corruption but instead of standing for the mission as a watchdog, he became blood hound and abused the colour of his office for plunder by indulging in corruption," Special CBI Judge R P Pandey ruled, while sentencing former CBI Inspector M S Sisodiya.

"A corrupt public servant is a menace to the society and brings the society and his service cadre into disrepute," the judge held while fixing six years

jail term for him.

The judge also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on Sisodiya, dismissing his plea for leniency saying, "Having old parents or minor children is not a ground for taking a lenient view against the convict under the Prevention of Corruption Act." Sisodiya was apprehended by a CBI team at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station here in April 2004 and recovered from his possession chemical smeared cash handed over to him by complainant Amit Tiwari, an HPCL official.

The CBI team had been tailing him on Tiwari's complaint alleging that Sisodiya had been demanding a bribe of Rs one lakh for shielding him in a case.

Tiwari had also informed the CBI that the Jabalpur-based officer, while on an official visit to Delhi, had called him up to meet at a local restaurant and demanded the bribe.

Pg 7 GOA, THURSDAY, 30 DECEMBER, 2010

CBI may register case for destruction of evidence PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 29

The CBI is looking at the possibility of registering a case for destruction of evidence as part of its probe into alleged irregularities in the conduct of the Commonwealth Games.

Official sources said some of the crucial documents which

could throw light on the Commonwealth Games deals have gone missing. The probe agencies fear that they could have been destroyed or hidden.

Asked if the CBI is likely to register a case under Section 201 of IPC (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender), sources

said investigations are on and the likelihood cannot be ruled out.

"CBI is looking at various an-

CWG SCAM gles. Nothing cannot be ruled out as of now," a source said.

Sources said that the key files, which contain important information on tendering, budgetary allocation and contract details, are missing from the Commonwealth Games Organising Com-

mittee (OC) office.

They said the CBI officials have found sufficient evidence of criminal conspiracy by unknown OC officials in tampering with documents and manipulating information in them.

The sources said that CBI sleuths were not getting cooperation of certain OC officials as their bosses — the OC chairman, Suresh Kalmadi and secretary general Lalit Bhanot — were still at the helm of affairs.

8

OHERALDO

INDIA

GOA, THURSDAY,•30 DECEMBER•2010

Telangana committee to submit report today, PM reviews scene

Student dies, 7 injured in property row

port, the government is expected to come out with a statement, saying that while it is committed to separate Telangana statehood, the “objections or problems” needed to be resolved through consultations and dialogue with people from all regions of Andhra Pradesh before the process of State formation could be taken forward, they said.

The statement is expected to appeal to all sections to allow consultations and dialogue to take place in a friendly and peaceful manner, the sources said.

The committee, which was constituted on February 3 and went into the demand for Telangana State, is expected to submit its report to Home Minister P Chidambaram tomorrow, a day before its term expires.

It will suggest “several options with their pros and cons" on the statehood issue.

The committee was constituted by the Centre on February

ROURKELA, DEC 29

PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 29

With the Telangana statehood committee expected to submit its report tomorrow, Prime Minister Mamnohan Singh today discussed with senior cabinet colleagues the situation that may emerge in the polarized Andhra Pradesh and the steps to deal with it.

The meeting deliberated on various scenarios expected after the submission of the report by the five-member Justice Srikrishna Committee which may or may not recommend carving out of Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh, sources said.

The possibility of violence breaking out in either case was also discussed at the meeting which was attended by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A K Antony, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Law Minister M Veerappa Moily besides senior government officials, they said.

After submission of the re-

3 to look into the demands for the creation of a separate state as well as keeping Andhra Pradesh united.

Chidambaram is understood to have briefed the meeting about the steps being taken by the Home Ministry, including sending 5,000 central paramilitary force personnel and keeping some more in standby to be deployed in case of any emergency situation.

The Central government is treading cautiously on the issue considering its sensitive nature and thinks that any action or statement may lead to tension and unnecessary trouble and have to be careful, sources said.

Meanwhile, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni met Chidambaram and discussed the advisory issued by the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) asking news channels to be “sensitive” while covering the release of the Srikrishna Committee report.

PTI

A 22-year-old engineering student died and seven others sustained burn injuries when a house was allegedly set ablaze by its owner at Jagda in Jhirpani here.

Gopal Pradhan, a 3rd year student of Padmanav Engineering College, succumbed to his burn injuries at Ispal General Hospital (IGH) this morning, police said.

The incident took place last night when the students gathered for a feast at the residence of Akshya Swain (75), a retired employee of Rourkela Steel Plant. His grandson Anup was also a student of the same college.

Suddenly, Swain closed the door from outside, poured petrol and set the house on fire, they said, adding, his son Ajit and Anup were also inside the room.

Swain was arrested. Property dispute between him and Ajit seems to have led the incident, police said.

Mesh reduces post hernia surgery pain: docs PTI MUMBAI, DEC 29

Recent advancements in weaving technology using lightweight meshes have proved to be effective in reducing chronic pain in post hernia surgery and also in bringing down the recurrence rate, said doctors.

“On using a light weight mesh, no suture tension is created which in turn reduces recurrence rate of hernia to less than one to two per cent. Also light weight polypropylene meshes are associated with significantly lower pain scores, better patient comfort and sexual function," Dr Ramesh Punjani, senior consultant Surgeon at Fortis Hospitals,

Mulund told reporters here.

Dr Sudhir Kalhan, Vice Chairman-Institute of Minimal Access and Bariatric Surgery, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi said, reducing the mass of polypropylene and creating a "light weight" mesh will naturally induce less foreign-body response, which will ultimately result in improved abdominal wall compliance, cause less contraction orshrinkage of the mesh, and allow for better tissue incorporation.

Hernia operations are among the most common procedures performed today. It is estimated that almost three per cent of the population suffer from hernia.

Goods train to roll off as Pak renews visas PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 29

With Pakistan issuing visas to six loco pilots and a guard of the Indian Railways, the movement of a goods train to Lahore is expected to resume today.

The movement of goods trains between India and Pakistan came to a standstill on December 22 after visas of Indian drivers were not renewed.

“Visa documents of six train drivers and a guard have been cleared and the goods train is expected to resume its Lahore journey today. Some more visa applications are still pending and we are hoping these would also be cleared soon," said a senior Railway Ministry official.

The Pakistani visas of 10 drivers expired last month and the validity of visas of three others ended on December 22, when the last ferry was made through the Wagah-Attari border in Amritsar.

The drivers had applied for renewal of visas in time but when it did not materialise the Railways approached the External Affairs Ministry for its inter-

vention, the official said.

The main goods transported by the trains include cement from Pakistan and chicken feed from India.

There is no fixed schedule for the cross-border movement of goods trains via Wagah-Attari border but on an average one train plies every day from either side depending on the cargo availability.

Loco pilots of both the countries take the trains to other side on a six-month rotation basis. According to the arrangement, Indian drivers take the goods train to Lahore for six months and Pakistan drivers drive the freight trains to Amritsar for another six months.

“Currently it was Indian Railways' turn to drive upto Lahore and our term will end in February,” said the official. However, the movement of passenger train to Pakistan was not affected.

"The passenger trains does not go beyond Attari whereas goods train go upto Lahore," said the official.

Most hernias result from a tear in the lining, or fascia, beneath the abdominal muscles, allowing the intestines to protrude, he said adding in many cases, this process begins at birth and is an inherited condition.

While far more common in men, they are quite frequent in women as well. Hernia affects people of all age groups, from infants to seniors. The groin area accounts for 90 per cent of the occurrence of hernia in most cases and this is where the advanced weaving technology of the meshes are going to be very useful, Punjani said.

Symptoms of hernia include a dull ache in the groin/ abdom-

inal area with lifting or straining with or without an obvious lump.

Punjani said that advances in hernia repair include using synthetic meshes made of polyprolylene, which have a high bio-compatibility and allow for tension-free treatment of the disease.

When using a mesh, the open or endoscopic technique is effective and practically painless.

It allows you to resume unrestricted physical activities quickly after the operation. If no mesh is used, the suture tension described above increases the risk of a recurring hernia by upto 25 per cent, the doctors said.

HC acquits couple sentenced for life PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 29

The Delhi High Court has acquitted a couple, who were awarded life imprisonment forallegedly killing their neighbour over a property dispute 18 years ago, noting that the accused had acted in self defence.

A bench of Justices Anil Kumar and S L Bhayana, after going through all evidence, came to the conclusion that the victim, along with others, had illegally trespassed into the property of the accused who were forced to act in order to save themselves.

Setting aside their conviction, the court accepted the contention of couple's advocate Ritu Gauba who had submitted that the accused had used canes on the victim in order to save themselves from the attack launched on them.

“Where an individual citizen and his property is faced with danger and immediate aid from the State machinery is not readily available, the individual citizen is entitled to protect himself and his property and in the circumstances the individual citizen is entitled to use violence to defend himself and his property,” the bench said.

Jai Singh and his wife Savitri Devi were sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in October, 2001.

They were alleged to have taken victim Rakesh to their house at Samaypur Badli here and killed him in October 1992, as both the parties were having

a running dispute over an adjacent land.

“It is not that there was no reason for the deceased to attack the appellants but it has been admitted and established that the land adjacent to their respective house was the bone of contention between the two,” the court said.

The accused took a stand before the court that they themselves were attacked by the deceased and two of his friends who were bad characters and were later killed by the police in encounter. They also pleaded that they had only used canes in the quarrel while the deceased and friends were armed with firearms.

“If the appellants used lathis to protect themselves against the attack on them with the fire arms, jelly or such sharp-edged weapon and lathis, the use of lathis by the appellants cannot be termed to be unduly disproportionate and cannot be termed to have exceeded their legitimate purpose. From the facts of the case, it is also inevitable to infer that the right of the appellants to private defence was not vindictive or malicious.

“Taking all these factors into consideration on the basis of preponderance of probabilities, it can be inferred that the deceased with his accomplices had trespassed into the property of the appellants and had attacked them,” the court said, absolving the couple.

One arrested for hacking PTI BHOPAL, DEC 29

An engineering student has been arrested here for hacking third party bank accounts to book railway and air tickets, police said.

Sunny Kumar (20), a student of private engineering college here, was arrested by Cyber Cell police yesterday for hacking third party accounts for transferring cash to book the tickets to those who asked him for them, Inspector General of Police (Cyber Cell), R K Mishra said.

As he had no money in his account, Sunny gave heavy discount to his friends and acquaintances to earn money, Mishra said adding he used internet banking for committing the crime. However, Sunny generated the tickets in the name of the persons who wanted booking, he said.

Action was taken against him after police received complaints from several persons that their bank statements showed money withdrawn for railway and air e-tickets without their knowledge, the IG said.

Sunny hails from Bihar and has been living in a rented house here, Mishra said.

Cyber Cell officials are scanning the accused's bank account, his internet and cellphone history to ascertain his modus operandi, he said adding however, it is not known yet, how many bank accounts were hacked by him.

Initial investigation suggests that he hoodwinked visitors to ATM chambers by telling them that the machine was defunct and would get their ATM card number and PIN number for hacking the bank account, the IG said.

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GOA, THURSDAY, 30 DECEMBER, 2010

EGoM meet on diesel price hike postponed PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 29

The crucial meeting of a ministerial panel headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to decide on raising diesel and domestic LPG prices has been postponed again.

The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) was scheduled to meet on December 30 but has been deferred without any reasons being assigned, official sources said.

The EGoM was originally scheduled to meet on December 22 but at the last moment was deferred to December 30.

It has again been deferred without a new date being given.

Sources said the EGoM was to meet to consider raising auto and LPG prices in wake of crude oil prices ruling at a two year high of near USD 92 per barrel and widening the gap between retail fuel price and their cost.

"A weak dollar and chilly weather in northern Europe and the United States that resulted in increased heating fuel

demand have sent crude oil prices on an upward spiral," a source said.

The ministerial panel was to consider a Rs 2 per litre hike in diesel prices to narrow the difference between the domestic retail price of the transport fuel and its imported cost.

"The under-recovery (or the

revenue oil companies lose) on diesel today stands at Rs 6.09 per litre," the source said.

Besides diesel, the oil firms lose Rs 17.72 per litre on PDS kerosene sales and Rs 272.19 on (14.2-kg) LPG cylinder.

Oil Secretary S Sundareshan had last week stated there was "certainly" a need to raise LPG prices as the expert group on fuel pricing headed by Kirit Parikh had suggested hiking domestic cooking fuel price by

Rs 100 per cylinder. But rates were increased by only Rs 35 per bottle in June.

Even after last week's steep Rs 2.94-2.96 a litre hike, the retail price of petrol is Rs 1.21.25 a litre short of the imported cost.

The government had in June this year freed petrol prices, but the state firms, who control 98 per cent of the retail market, continue to informally consult the oil ministry before revising prices.

Also, the government had decided to make diesel price market-determined in stages.

"Freeing diesel prices at current crude prices is simply not possible," the source said.

The three state-run oil marketing firms -- IOC, BCPL and HPCL -- are projected to end the fiscal with a Rs 68,361 crore revenue loss on account of the sale of diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene below cost.

"They are losing Rs 215 crore per day on the sale of the three products. Also, there are marginal under-recoveries on petrol," he said.

Deregulate diesel prices as soon as possible: Montek PTI CHANDIGARH, DEC 29

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia today pitched for deregulation of diesel prices amid flak faced by the government over high food prices.

Observing that the government needed to invest in development of oil supplies, Ahluwalia favoured linking diesel rates with global prices in view of mounting losses of state-owned oil firms, .

"I think diesel prices need to be aligned with global prices as soon as possible... (raise in diesel) Prices cannot be delayed from what is happening in global world...delayed by a week or by two weeks (not a solution)," Ahluwalia said."

He was speaking on the sidelines of 93rd annual conference of Indian Economic Situation held at Punjab University.

Asked if hike in diesel rates

SUD Life in tie-up with Union Bank PTI MUMBAI, DEC 29

Star Union Dai-ichi Life insurance (SUD Life) entered into a tie-up with Union Bank of India (UBI) for pan India distribution of its Reverse Mortgage Loanenabled Annuity Plan (RMLeA).

"This is unique plan which has the potential to put us in the forefront of the market," SUD Life CEO Kamalji Sahay said. He said the product, earlier launched in association with the Central Bank of India and limited only to Tier I cities and has already collected Rs 16-crore premium.

"With this MoU with UBI, we are planning pan India presence and are expecting to collect around Rs 100-crore premium by the end of 2012," he added. UBI is one of the JV promoters of SUD Life and the other JV promoters are Bank of India and Dai-ichi Life, Japan.

would raise fuel inflation, Ahluwalia said further subsidising oil prices would result in high fiscal deficit.

"Not raising diesel prices do have a cost... oil companies make big losses... they will not be able to invest in development of oil supplies or else government will have to subsidise and if government subsidises then fiscal deficit will go up," he said.

Global crude oil prices have touched USD 91 per barrel, affecting the recovery of oil marketing companies. Petrol prices are already deregulated.

Ahulwalia comments come at a time when the government is facing flak over high prices of food items. Prices of onion, garlic and tomato had skyrocketed last week though has declined marginally since then.

He said taming inflation has been a biggest challenge this year for the government.

When asked about inflation, Ahluwalia exuded confidence that WPI inflation would moderate to 5.5 per cent or 6 per cent by current fiscal end.

"It is quite feasible that overall inflation will come down to a level of 5.5 and 6% by this fiscal-end". The headline inflation has come to 11-month low of 7.48 per cent in November. But experts expect higher number for December in the wake of high food prices and hike in petrol prices.

China Co begins car export PTI BEIJING, DEC 29

Chinese car-maker Jianghuai Automobile Co (JAC) started shipping the first batch of 500 cars to Brazil today as a part of its deal in August this year to export 620,000 ethanol-pow-

APPOINTMENTS

SBI to offer concessional farm loans PTI MUMBAI, DEC 29

Country's largest lender State Bank of India today announced concessional rates for dairy, poultry and horticulture sector, under which loans can be availed for 10 per cent per annum and above.

Term loans and working capital for high value dairy projects and smaller dairy owners with a herd size of over 10 would be lent money at 10 per cent, a statement issued by the bank said.

New poultry units with a requirement of over Rs 5 lakh can borrow at 10.5 per cent, while fresh loans for horticultural borrowers with a letter of intent from the National Horticulture Board would also be available at the same rate, it added.

The card rate (normal, existing rates) for lending to the sector is between 12.1014.85 per cent and the concessional rate would be across the country for new loans till March 2011, and would be reset every year, it added.

Sanghvi Movers eyes Rs 360 cr Rev PTI MUMBAI, DEC 29

Crane leasing company Sanghvi Movers today said the company is eyeing 20 per cent growth in the next three years and Rs 360 crore revenue by this fiscal on the back of growing power sector.

"With major power projects in the pipeline coupled with rise in windmills and refineries, we expect to clock 15-20 per cent growth in next three years," Sanghvi Movers Chief Managing Director Chandrakant Sanghvi said.

The company expects a growth of over five per cent in revenue this financial year at around Rs 360 crore compared to Rs 342 crore during 200910, he said.

The company has lined up a Rs 300 crore capex for this financial year and around Rs 150 crore is planned for 2012 fiscal for adding fleet of cranes, he said.

Sanghvi Movers has a fleet of 360 cranes and to keep up with the growing demand for crane rentals, the company is planning to add another 22 in the 400, 600 and 1600 tonne category, of which four are already

Govt to up its stake in UBI to 58% PTI MUMBAI, DEC 29

State-owned Union Bank of India today said it is expecting Rs 1,150 crore capital infusion from the government by March

2011, which will increase the Centre's stake to 58 per cent.

Currently, the government holds 55.43 per cent stake in Union Bank of India.

"We hope to get the second

UBI to raise $200 m overseas PTI MUMBAI, DEC 29

Union Bank of India said it is planning to raise about Rs 900 crore from the overseas market in the next two months through a bond issue.

"We are planning to raise another USD 170-200 million Medium Term Notes (MTN) in the next two month's time through bonds," Union Bank of India MD M V Nair said.

The bank which has already held a road show in Switzerland for this purpose, he said.

"Whether the funds will be raised via Swiss francs or Euro denominated bonds, will be decided later," he added.

The funds raised would be utilised for funding overseas business, he said. In the last four months, the bank has raised USD 400 million from medium-term notes and USD 175 million from bonds, he said. For the second quarter ended September 30, 2010, Union Bank of India reported a 39.94 per cent fall in net profit to Rs 303.39 crore.

ered cars to Brazil in the next 10 years.

It will send the second and third batches of 1,500 and 2,500 cars, respectively, in January and February next year, the company said in a statement.

tranche of Rs 1,150 crore capital infusion by March. This will help us to increase our tier I capital to 8.37 per cent from the current 7.9 per cent," Union Bank CMD M V Nair told reporters here on the sidelines of a Star Union Dai-ichi function.

The infusion will raise the government's state in the bank to 58 per cent, he added.

The Cabinet has already approved the capitalization plan of the Union Bank, which received Rs 111 crore about four months back as first tranche.

Nair said the bank was expecting a deposit growth of 20 per cent and credit growth of 23-24 per cent during the current fiscal.

Earlier this week Union Bank of India raised its base rate to nine per cent.

On further raising the interest rates in the 2011, he said, "As of now we don't require. The liquidity condition will ease after the govern-

ment starts spending, which is expected to happen in the last quarter beginning January."

The Union Bank of India had last week raised base rate (or the minimum lending rate) by 50 basis points to nine per cent in line with other lenders.

With the increase in base rate, all kinds of loans taken from Union Bank of India, including corporate, housing and auto loans, would be dearer by at least 50 basis points (0.5 per cent) for new borrowers.

Earlier this month, the bank had hiked its retail term deposit interest rates across various maturities between 75 and 100 basis points.

The Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR) was also hiked by 50 basis points to 13.25 per cent leading to increase in EMIs for the existing customers.

On FPO plans, Nair said, the bank has no plans as it will be in a comfortable situation.

BlackRock plans trading platform PTI NEW YORK, DEC 29

Leading global fund manager BlackRock plans to start an internal trading platform next year, a step that could impact the profits of many Wall Street players, according to a media report.

"BlackRock, the world's largest money manager, expects to launch an internal trading platform next year in a move that would strike at the heart of the profit centres of many Wall Street firms," a British daily reported.

The publication noted the company is hiring programmers and other high-tech workers to build the platform.

Quoting BlackRock President Rob Kapito, the daily said, "We are developing the technology

in-house to offer better value by lowering trading costs".

The plan is that if some BlackRock clients are selling a security and others are buying, the group can cross those trades internally without going through a Wall Street bank, the report said.

However, BlackRock has insisted the plan is not meant to marginalise Wall Street.

"Few other fund managers have the size of BlackRock, which has USD 3,450 billion of assets under management...," the daily noted.

BlackRock Solutions division provides infrastructure and risk analytics for more than 200 institutions with a combined USD 10,000 billion of assets.

delivered, he said.

"We have placed orders for 10 cranes of 400 tonnes which will be used in windmills and power stations up to 300 MW, 600 tonnes machines will be used for power plant and refineries and for erection of refineries and this 1600 tonne cranes will be used in refineries," he added.

Sanghvi Movers is spending over Rs 750 crore for buying these 22 cranes and and 25 odd balancing cranes, he said.

Sanghvi said the company is booked heavily for the power sector, which presently contributed around 28 per cent to the business.

"Looking at the growing order book in this segment which is expanding at a fast pace we anticipate that in two to three years time, 50 per cent of our business will be from the power sector," he added.

Other sectors like windmill sector contributed 24 per cent to the business, while cement 17 per cent, refinery and gas 14 per cent, sheet and metals 10 per cent and metros and other industries seven per cent.

Cabinet’s AI decide today PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 29

The Union Cabinet is likely to take a decision on the muchawaited equity infusion of Rs 1,200 crore in Air India at its meeting tomorrow.

A cabinet note, circulated by the Civil Aviation Ministry on the issue a few weeks ago, might be taken up for consideration by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, sources said.

In addition to the Rs 1,200 crore equity, the Ministry is understood to have mooted a proposal for further infusion of Rs 2,000 crore as equity in the next financial year.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had recently said that the national carrier would require additional equity to meet its mounting debt burden in addition to the proposed Rs 1,200 crore equity.

APPOINTMENTS

OHERALDO

Pg 10 SAIL FPO in Jan, ONGC in March: Finmin PTI NEW DELHI, DEC 29

Drawing up a roadmap for disinvestment during the last quarter of this fiscal, the government today said it would dilute its stake in SAIL in January, followed by Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and oil major ONGC in March.

"The new year would start with the stake sale of SAIL in January. We would do (disinvestment) in ONGC in March.

PFC would also come this fiscal," a finance ministry official said.

The official said the follow-

BIZ

GOA, THURSDAY, 30 DECEMBER, 2010

on public offer of Indian Oil Corporation has been deferred to next fiscal.

IOC had last month appointed six merchant bankers for the sale of 10 per cent equity shares in the FPO that its Chairman BM Bansal said was planned for 3rd or 4th week of January.

"We can't have disinvestment of two large companies (ONGC and IOC) from the same sector simultaneously," the official added.

The government has also decided to defer the disinvestment of Rs 4,000 crore

Hindustan Copper FPO till next financial year. Its disinvestment was earlier expected to take place this month.

"We have not taken any decision on Hindustan Copper disinvestment now. It would come next fiscal," the official said, adding the government plans to divest its stake in Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited also in the next fiscal.

The Cabinet, on December 1, approved sale of government's 5 per cent stake in ONGC, the nation's highest profit-earning firm, to raise up to Rs 13,000 crore.

Post offer, the government shareholding in ONGC would come down to 69.14 per cent from the current 74.14 per cent.

The government plans for disinvestment of SAIL in two phases.

In the first phase, besides raising Rs 4,000 crore by divesting its 5 per cent stake in the steel giant, SAIL would raise fresh equity of the same proportion.

In the second phase, another 10 per cent stake sale would be

undertaken by SAIL through the FPO route.

Presently, the government holds a stake of a little over 85 per cent in SAIL and post-FPO its equity in the company is expected to go down to about 69 per cent.

For Power Finance Corporation, the Power Ministry has proposed a disinvestment of five per cent of the Centre's stake in the public sector finance institution, as well as the issue of 15 per cent fresh equity, through the FPO route.

Goan entity, ASM, in tie-up with Royal Jet

From left to right are Vito Gomes, founder and MD, ASM shakes hands with acting VP Commerical, Royal Jet, Fahad Wali after signing the partnership, while COO Royal Jet Ahmed Al Mamari smiles on.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 29

Dubai head-quartered Aviation Services Management with branches in Goa, UK and UAE has inked a partnership with Royal Jet, the Abu Dhabi-based international luxury private jet operator, thus consolidating its global presence further just ahead of the New Year.

Founder and MD of ASM Vito Gomes and Chief Operating Officer for Royal Jet Ahmed Al Mamari signed the all-important deal in Dubai in the presence of Acting Vice President Commercial Fahad Wali, who facilitated the partnership.

Gomes said ASM was delighted to forge a relationship with Royal Jet, the global leader

SEED bags Indian Bank project PTI NEW DELH, DEC 29

SEED Financial Services, a leading Business Correspondent, today said it has got Indian Bank's financial inclusion project in Tamil Nadu.

The smart card-based project will help provide banking facility to around 5,500 villages earmarked under the Indian Bank's financial inclusion project, SEED Financial Services said in a statement.

The project of Chennaibased public sector bank will help bring an estimated 11.92 lakh households or around 23 lakh people under the fold of banking services, thus leading to inclusive growth, it said.

The government has already directed banks to provide appropriate banking service to unbanked area with a population in excess of 2,000.

Sensex sparkles after two dull days; gains 231 pts PTI MUMBAI, DEC 29

Stock markets shrugged off two days of year-end lethargy today, with the bellwether Sensex rising to 6-week high with a smart gain of nearly 231 points on bargain hunting in blue chips and firm global cues. After witnessing a day of volatile trading, the Bombay Stock Exchange sensitive index Sensex finally settled 230.61 points, or 1.15 per cent, up at 20,256.03 -- the level last seen on November 16. Similar pattern was witnessed in the National Stock Exchange's wide based Nifty which closed at 6,060.35, up 64.35 points or 1.07 per cent from the previous close.

Aban Offshor, 742.5, 773.55, 742.5, 768.15 Abb Ltd., 800, 811, 796, 801.25 Abg Shipyard, 402.8, 408.7, 399.05, 400.55 Acc Limited, 1089, 1092.9, 1080.3, 1083.3 Adani Enterp, 625, 642.8, 621.3, 638.45 Aditya Birla, 827.55, 843.5, 818.1, 837.65 Allahabad Ba, 213, 221.5, 213, 220.4 Alstom Proje, 688, 699, 687.25, 691.2 Ambuja Cemen, 142.8, 144.25, 141.65, 142.85 Andhra Bank, 147.1, 149.75, 147, 149.05 Ashok Leylan, 61.75, 62.6, 61.1, 62.35 Asian Paints, 2813.15, 2855, 2810.05, 2817.75 Axis Bank Li, 1290.55, 1315, 1290.55, 1312.4 Bajaj Hindus, 119.2, 121.5, 117.7, 118.25 Bank Of Baro, 888, 895, 883, 891.55 Bank Of Indi, 425, 433.35, 425, 431.8 Beml Limited, 979.3, 988.6, 975, 984.05 Bharat Elect, 1722.45, 1726.85, 1704.05, 1710 Bharat Forge, 371.8, 371.8, 363.15, 369.9 Bharat Petro, 666.05, 673.85, 666.05, 669.1 Bharti Airte, 344, 354.85, 344, 354 Bhel, 2295, 2307.85, 2278.35, 2304.55 Bhushan Stee, 456, 470, 454.8, 462.2 Biocon Limit, 414.5, 422, 414.4, 419.65 Bombay Dyein, 514.9, 522.7, 510.2, 514.05

Bosch Limite, 6285, 6370, 6200.1, 6291.3 Brigade Ente, 109.25, 111.65, 109.1, 109.8 Cairn India, 331.9, 334.8, 331.1, 333.4 Canara Bank, 649, 655.75, 647.3, 653.45 Central Bank, 173.05, 174.9, 171, 172.15 Century Text, 417.9, 419.3, 415.2, 416.35 Cesc Ltd, 367.3, 370.8, 362.45, 365 Chambal Fert, 85.1, 86.2, 84.3, 84.5 Chennai Petr, 244.8, 249, 242.15, 245.85 Cipla Ltd, 368.55, 371.05, 363.7, 366.65 Colgate Palm, 855.75, 859, 848, 857.3 Container Co, 1236.5, 1260, 1233.6, 1237.15 Crompton Gre, 308, 312.05, 308, 310.4 Cummins Indi, 747.3, 769, 744.4, 765.5 Dabur India, 99.2, 100.9, 97.7, 98.75 Deccan Chron, 107, 109.9, 106.1, 108.7 Dish Tv Indi, 67.75, 70.55, 67.5, 69.15 Divi’s Labor, 643.05, 654.85, 642.05, 651.5 Dlf Limited, 285.8, 288.45, 285, 287 Dr. reddy’s, 1681, 1707.8, 1681, 1693.6 Edelweiss Ca, 46.5, 47.7, 46, 46.4 Educomp Solu, 520.45, 525.9, 518.05, 522.35 Eih Limited, 114, 115, 113, 113.5 Engineers In, 328.7, 330.5, 326.3, 327.3 Essar Oil Lt, 139.05, 139.45, 137.1, 137.4

Essar Shippi, 111.4, 112.4, 109, 110.8 Exide Indust, 169.35, 170.75, 166.2, 167.15 Federal Bank, 394.3, 398.5, 390.3, 395.4 Financial Te, 877.05, 885, 871.75, 880.65 Gail (india), 507.4, 509.6, 505.45, 506.8 Gammon India, 174, 174, 168.25, 171.75 Glaxosmithkl, 2231, 2295, 2231, 2281.3 Glenmark Pha, 355, 360, 353.35, 356.65 Gmr Infrastr, 45, 45.2, 44.7, 44.95 Godrej Indus, 183.25, 184.7, 181.3, 184.1 Grasim Indus, 2325, 2334.8, 2308, 2313.15 Great Offsho, 382.9, 386.55, 376.9, 378.9 Gtl Infra.Lt, 42.4, 42.7, 41.3, 42.45 Gujarat Mine, 133.95, 135, 133.15, 133.45 Gujarat N R, 61.9, 62, 60.9, 61.15 Gujarat Stat, 116.05, 117.4, 114.35, 115.1 Gvk Pow. & I, 40, 40.1, 39.7, 39.85 Hcl Technolo, 459.9, 460.75, 453.9, 457.3 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2256, 2336.8, 2253.55, 2327.8 Hdfc Ltd, 701.8, 719.5, 700.95, 717.4 Hero Honda M, 1945, 1963.7, 1935.05, 1956.25 Hindalco in, 238.5, 242.95, 238.25, 241.55 Hindustan Co, 45.5, 48.05, 45.3, 47.4 Hindustan Ma, 67.5, 67.8, 66.5, 66.95 Hindustan Pe, 395, 400.8, 395, 397.15

Hindustan Un, 295.7, 305.4, 294.2, 304.7 Hindustan Zi, 1271, 1337.7, 1271, 1328.65 Housing Dev, 191, 191, 186.15, 186.65 Icici Bank L, 1115, 1132, 1109.1, 1129.45 Idea Cellula, 69.4, 70, 68.3, 69.9 Ifci Ltd, 63.25, 64.05, 63.2, 63.55 India Cement, 106.5, 107.4, 106, 106.4 India Infoli, 80, 82.85, 79.5, 82.4 Indiabulls F, 166, 167.3, 165.25, 165.8 Indiabulls R, 126.5, 126.8, 124.65, 125.5 Indian Bank, 245, 246, 242.15, 244.85 Indian Hotel, 94.6, 95.8, 94, 95.6 Indian Oil C, 350, 353.3, 345.85, 348.45 Indian Overs, 140.95, 142.2, 140.5, 141.3 Indus Dev Ba, 160, 161.6, 159.5, 160.25 Indusind Ban, 252.4, 254.7, 252.05, 253.15 Infosys Tech, 3381, 3415, 3371.1, 3404.9 Infra. dev., 175.95, 177.95, 175, 177.25 Ispat Indust, 23.05, 23.4, 22.8, 23.25 Itc Ltd, 171.2, 174.6, 171.15, 174.2 Ivrcl Infras, 125.5, 128.25, 124.05, 127.1 Jai Corp Lim, 217.6, 221.7, 216.8, 218.55 Jaiprakash A, 102.7, 102.9, 102.15, 102.35 Jet Airways, 719, 723, 713.2, 714.55 Jindal Saw L, 179.5, 183.95, 179.5, 181.7

in the private aviation industry, as this partnership would bring the finest aviation services to the emerging Indian market.

“ASM has deep roots in India and understands the needs for corporate and discerning individual travellers from there,” he mentioned.

Wali stated the number of high net-worth individuals in India was experiencing considerable growth, which, when combined with a significant gap in the availability of business jets with 10 to 42 passenger capacity, presents excellent opportunities for business aviation across the sub-continent and for Royal Jet in particular.

“With ASM’s strong foundation in the UAE and network of offices across India coupled with Royal Jet’s heritage and award-winning service capabilities, this agreement will undoubtedly result in positive benefits for both parties,” he added.

Now in its eighth year, Royal Jet, chaired by Sheikh Hamdan

Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, has well established presence in the UAE and Kuwait. And in the last 18 months, its footprint in the Saudi Arabian market has grown significantly through its partnership with ARABASCO, the premiere Fixed Based Operations (FBO) and maintenance facility provider in the kingdom.

Established in 1998 in the United Kingdom - BVI, ASM has ventured into the United Arab Emirates, operating and delivering aviation services network for Asia, Middle East, Africa, CIS, Europe and USA. The company provides 24 hours yearround services, with an emphasis on security and safety.

BOARD MEETINGS Accurate Trans Esab India Vinaditya Trad Amradeep Inds Kaiser Press Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA UTI MUTUAL FUND has approved January 3, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of UTI Dynamic Bond Fund - Retail Option.

The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be 2.575% (Rs 0.2575 per unit) as on the record date.

L&T MUTUAL FUND has launched a new fund named as L&T FMP - II (December91D B), a close ended income scheme with the duration of 91 days.

The scheme will mature on March 29, 2011.

The New Fund Offer (NFO) price for the scheme is Rs 10 per unit.

The new issue is open for subscription from December 27 and closes on December 28, 2010.

The scheme offers two options viz. growth and dividend (payout) option.

The minimum application amount is Rs 5000 and in multiples of Rs 10 thereafter.

The fund seeks to collect a minimum subscription (minimum target) amount of Rs 10 million under the scheme during the NFO period.

Entry and exit load charge will be nil for the scheme.

Benchmark Index for the scheme is CRISIL Liquid Fund Index.

The scheme will be managed by Bekxy Kuriakose.

Jindal Steel, 703, 713, 698.5, 710.6 Jsw Steel Li, 1145, 1159.2, 1138, 1151.55 Kotak Mahind, 453, 453.5, 446.5, 448.9 Lakshmi Mach, 2361.9, 2386, 2341.2, 2368.5 Lanco Infrat, 63.05, 63.3, 62.25, 62.5 Larsen & Tou, 1948, 1961.6, 1935.3, 1956.7 Lic Housing, 943.05, 958.6, 938.15, 950.9 Lupin Limite, 462.5, 475.3, 460.55, 467.8 Mahanagar Te, 53, 53.85, 53, 53.45 Mahindra & M, 760.55, 774.9, 754.2, 773.15 Maruti Suzuk, 1394.1, 1424, 1386.35, 1417.9 Max India Lt, 141.7, 144.45, 141.1, 142.95 Maytas Infr., 182, 193.95, 181.4, 182.35 Moser-baer (, 63, 63.25, 61.1, 61.5 Mrpl, 72.35, 72.9, 72.05, 72.25 Nagarjuna Co, 139.55, 140.5, 137.5, 139 Nagarjuna Fe, 32, 32.85, 32, 32.75 National Alu, 380.05, 383.35, 379.05, 381.75 Neyveli Lign, 133.8, 135.3, 132.1, 132.5 Ntpc Ltd, 197, 198.4, 196.65, 197.9 Oil And Natu, 1298.8, 1306, 1290.25, 1303.35 Omaxe Limite, 145, 149, 140.55, 145.8 Oriental Ban, 398, 401.8, 393.85, 397.85 Pantaloon Re, 350, 354, 348.15, 351.4 Parsvnath De, 52, 52.6, 51.75, 52.2 Petronet Lng, 126.5, 126.8, 124.65, 125.05

Power Fin Co, 318.2, 319.4, 299.15, 308.65 Power Grid C, 96.05, 96.5, 95.5, 95.7 Praj Industr, 81.2, 82.1, 80.4, 80.85 Punj Lloyd L, 108, 109.2, 107.6, 107.85 Punjab Natio, 1219, 1229, 1213, 1223.9 Rajesh Expor, 122.2, 125, 121.4, 122.55 Ranbaxy Labs, 594, 595.9, 588.1, 589.25 Rashtriya Ch, 96.1, 97.3, 95.7, 96 Reliance Cap, 644.5, 651.25, 643.3, 647.95 Reliance Com, 139.95, 140.75, 136.3, 138.7 Reliance Ene, 1104.08, 1150, 1104.08, 1150 Reliance Ind, 703, 711.8, 700.5, 701.8 Reliance Ind, 1048.3, 1055, 1046.3, 1048.6 Reliance Pow, 153, 154.35, 152.6, 153 Rolta India, 153.6, 154.5, 152.25, 153.4 Satyam Compu, 67.45, 67.9, 66.7, 66.85 Sesa Goa Ltd, 322.5, 324.8, 319.8, 323 Shipping Cor, 131.3, 132.1, 131, 131.25 Siemens Ltd, 809.8, 814.9, 801.2, 809.2 Sintex Indus, 179.5, 180.7, 177.55, 179.7 Sobha Develo, 320, 322, 313, 314.2 State Bank O, 2735, 2763.2, 2731.25, 2755.2 Steel Author, 176.6, 180.8, 176.6, 180.15 Sterlite Ind, 180, 185.9, 179.8, 185.2 Sun Pharmace, 485, 485.4, 476.6, 480.3 Sun Tv Netwo, 525, 531.45, 521.55, 523.1

Suzlon Energ, 52.3, 52.6, 51.5, 51.75 Tata Communi, 249.5, 252.4, 248, 251.15 Tata Consult, 1149, 1162, 1147.05, 1156.95 Tata Motors, 1270, 1279.9, 1252, 1273.85 Tata Power C, 1337, 1352, 1326.6, 1341.45 Tata Steel L, 667.25, 672, 666, 668.05 Tata Teleser, 19.2, 19.25, 19, 19.05 Tech Mahindr, 700, 709, 693, 694.95 The Ge Shpg., 331.9, 334, 326.5, 328.8 The Phoenix, 225, 228, 221.2, 221.95 Thermax Ltd, 847.25, 850.05, 836.15, 840.55 Titan Indust, 3485, 3528, 3466.75, 3516 Torrent Powe, 272.55, 283.9, 272.55, 280.5 Triveni Engg, 111.3, 113.7, 111.3, 112.1 Tv18 India L, 69.4, 70.4, 68.8, 69.45 Uco Bank, 111.2, 113.1, 110.5, 112.75 Ultratech Ce, 1054.05, 1075, 1047.1, 1070.55 Union Bank O, 328.6, 335, 325.6, 334.05 Unitech Ltd, 63.2, 63.8, 62.85, 63.55 United Phosp, 163.05, 168.45, 163, 166.05 Videocon Ind, 216.95, 219, 215.8, 216.7 Vijaya Bank, 96.8, 97.85, 96.5, 97.15 Voltas Ltd, 216, 217.5, 213, 215.55 Wipro Ltd, 491, 492.1, 486.05, 488.5 Yes Bank Lim, 306.9, 310.8, 305.55, 307.35 Zee Entertai, 140.4, 144, 139.1, 142.95

Pg 11

SPORTS

GOA,Thursday, 30 December, 2010

Salgaocar beat Dempo, Mechvac win HERALD SPORTS REPORTER PANJIM, DEC 29

Salgaocar beat Dempo CC by 8 wickets while Mechvac defeated Goa Sports Academy in the GPL T20 matches at GCA stadium Alto Porvorim, on Wednesday.

Dempo 66 all-out. Kenan Vaz 28 with 5 fours. Gaurish Gawas was the wrecker-in-chief for Salgaocar claiming 4 wickets for 17 runs. Vikrant Yadav and Advait Katkar claimed 2 each.

Dempo’s only good partnership of 34 runs came from Kenan Vaz and Ilyas Naroo who put on 34 runs for the sixth wicket. Swapnil Asnodkar had another poor run scoring just 1 run off 6 balls.

Salgaocar achieved a target in 13.6 overs for the loss of 2 wickets. Suraj Dongre 40 with 5 fours and 1 six and Advait Katkar 25 with 4 fours built up Salgaocar’s total.

Man-of-the matches Kiran Powar and Gaurish Gawas

Ilyas Naroo was the lone wicket taker for Dempo. Salgaocar’s first wicket partnership between Advait Katkar and Suraj Dongrekar yielded 58 runs and they laid the foundation for Salgaocar’s victory.

Goa Sports Academy 146 for 4. Once again Sagun Kamat was

their top scorer with 67 not-out which contained 5 fours and 1 six. Other notable contributions came from Tushar Narvekar 26 with 2 fours and 1 six, Regan Pinto 21 with 2 sixes. Domnic Fernandes, Ganesgraj Narvekar and Vidyadhar Kamat claimed 1 wicket each. Sagun Kamat and

Tushar Narvekar put on 50 runs for the first wicket partnership, Sagun and Regan Pinto 32 for third wicket partnership and Sagun and Ryan 45 for the fouth wicket partnership.

Mechvac achieved the target losing 6 wickets. Kiran Powar with 46 which had 6 hits to the fence, Amit Yadav 33 with 2 fours and 3 sixes, Rohit Sabharwal 24 with 4 fours were their main run-getters. Amit Yadav and Kiran Powar were involved in 41-run partnership for the fourth wicket while Sourav Bandekar and Kiran’s third wicket partnership yielded 50 runs. The foundation was laid by Rohit and Shashank Rao who put on 34 runs.

Pratik Naik claimed 2 for 19 while Ryan D’Sousa, Damodar Lotlikar and Sherman Vaz claimed 1 each.

Cuncolim XI lift Lalit Suri Trophy HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, DEC 29

Cuncolim XI won the glittering Lalit Suri trophy and Rs 50,000 beating Navelim in the finals of 1st All-Goa invitational football tournament at Devbhag ground here on Wednesday. There was no score at half time.

Cuncolim scored in the 10th minute of the second half as Joel outwitted Navelim’s goalkeeper Chandrakant. Man-ofthe-match Navelim’s Agnelo

netted the equalizer and the match went into the tie-breaker.

Cuncolim converted all the five spot kicks while Navelim c o u l d s c o r e o n l y f o u r.

Navelim had to be content with Rs 30,000 and a take-away trophy. The best disciplined team award went to Assolna Union.

SAG’s Executive Director V M Prabhudessai was the chief guest and gave away prizes in the presence of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group of Hotels, CMD Dr. Jyostna

Suri and guest of honor and Canacona MLA, Vijay Poi Khot.

Twelve teams participated in the open tournament organised by Lions club of Canacona under the presidentship of Motesino Fernandes.

Dr Suri expressed her willingness to do more for developing sports in the taluka, and informed it has already been decided to convert the Devabhaga ground into a stadium with sufficient seating capacity and other basic amenities.

Organizing chairman, Sandeep Dessai welcomed.

Mario Fernandes proposed the vote of thanks.

The Lions Club provided live coverage of the match through a local channel which was watched by over 4,000 households in Canacona.

On Thursday, an exhibition match between Churchill Brothers and The Lalit (Canacona) team will be played at Devabhaga ground.

Holiday Arpora win Gouveia Trophy sarpanch, Lavinio Rebello and ex Siolim-Marna sarpanch, Sylvester Fernandes were the guests of honour.

Mickky Pacheco handing over the trophy in the presence of Lavinio Rebello, Sylvester Fernandes and others.

Photo: Aldrid Da Costa HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, DEC 29

Man-of-the-tournament Adnan Baig scored the deciding penalty to hand Holiday Sports Club, Arpora the 5th inter-village AllGoa Gouveia memorial rolling trophy, as they defeated St Savio Sports Club, Calangute 5-4 via the tie-breaker at Colvale church ground on Wednesday. The match ended goalless.

Holiday’s Pramod Mandalkar played a starring role in the tiebreaker by taking over as goalkeeper for his team after missing the fourth penalty himself. He went on to save two St Savio spot kicks to seal their victory.

I n t h e f i r s t h a l f, B r u n o Coutinho threatened the opponent’s goal with a shot from nearly 35 yards out, but it was just wide.

In the second half, from a similar distance Bruno brilliantly volleyed, and this time it was saved on the goalline by Holiday’s keeper.

Gauresh Naik, Lawrence Rodrigues, Saish Paleykar, Sanjay Kundalkar and Adnan Baig were successful from the spot for Holiday.

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Sawanand Korgaonkar scored for St Savio.

Holiday walked away with the Rs 50,000 while runners-up St Savio had to settle for Rs 30,000.

Following individual prizes were awarded: Sanjay Kundalkar (Holiday) – man-of-the-match.

Former international goalkeeper Juje Siddhi (St Savio) - best goalkeeper. Former International Bruno Coutinho (St Savio) - veteran of the tournament.

Chief guest Mickky Pacheco, MLA gave away the trophies.

GFA vice-president and Anjuna

Joao Carlos Elton Estrocio claimed three gold and a silver at the 1st Invitational All-Goa Age Group Aquatic meet 2010 organised by Macasana Youth Cultural and Sports Club in association with SAG at Fatorda swimming pool, Fatorda on December 19. He won the gold in 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle and a silver in 50m backstroke.

Pg 12

SPORTS

GOA, Thursday, 30 December, 2010

Pune stun Salgaocar, record 1st win R E S U LT S Salgaocar 0 Pune FC 1 JCT 1 Viva Kerala 0 E Bengal 6 Air India 1 HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 29

Pune Football Club came good to register their maiden win over Salgaocar Sports Club 1-0 in a sixth round match of I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Wednesday.

Man-of-the-match Selwyn Fernandes scored the all-important goal in the 32nd minute.

The win provided a welcome relief for the Pune challengers as they recorded their first win after a poor run in the league.

Pune showed better application and played according to plan to take the match away from their rivals. Right wing half Sunil Kumar put up a stellar per-

formance. He made a number of dashing runs into the rival territory and was also instrumental in providing measured passes to his teammates to keep the Salgaocar defence on their toes.

Pune played confidently and relied on counter-attacks to unsettle the rival defence.

At the other hand, Salgaocar’s two pronged attackers that included Ghanaian Yakubu Yusif and Japanese import Ryuji Sueoka were far from their usual self but Pune’s defenders ended up giving more attention to the duo than they both deserved.

Pune created enough of openings with the help of Arata Izumi and Krishnan Nair Ajayan, only to fall short in front of the goal.

Salgaocar’s citadel did have a narrow escape in the 4th minute but striker Keita fumbled to connect his header after hardworking Sunil Kumar sent a chip from the right flank.

Thereafter, again Pune came close in surging ahead but Irungbam Meitei thwarted Sunil Kumar’s attempt with neat tackles after the his colleague lost possession.

Salgaocar tried their best to break the deadlock in the 28th

minute when Anthony Barbosa floated the ball inside the rival penalty box but striker Yakubu Yuisf made a valiant attempt only to see his snap header miss the mark narrowly.

Later midfielder Gilbert Oliveira’s feeble tr y went straight into the safe hands of Pune custodian Balaji Narasimhan.

Salgaocar were shocked in the 32nd minute when goalkeeper Karanjit Singh came out of his position and lost judgement, allowing defender Selwyn Fernandes to head home off a flag kick taken by Sunil Kumar.

At the stroke of the lemon break, Pune had a narrow escape when Selwyn Fernandes tried a reverse kick but lost concentration and a lurking Yakubu Yusif made a mess of it.

If Pune looked a better side in the first session, it was Salgoacar who took the charge after the lemon break. But Pune’s defence stood tall with stopper back Selwyn Fernandes and Caitano Costa displaying their best to keep Salgaocar’s strikers at bay.

Salgaocar came near to equalising in the 55th minute when Anthony Barbosa outpaced the

Luciano Sabrosa warding off the challenge from Keita.

Photo: Third Eye

rival defender and essayed a fine pass inside the rival penalty area but midfielder Gilbert Oliveira’s try was parried away by the Pune custodian. A couple of minutes later, striker Keita Mandjou blew away an easy chance shooting over from five yards off a cross from Paresh Shivalkar.

Again Keita Mandjou was the worst culprit as he spurned a

good chance with only the rival keeper to beat as he shot wide off S Venkatesh’s cross from the right flank.

Salgaocar tried their best to force their way back but all their efforts proved futile.

With this win, Pune collected seven points from six outings while Salgaocar SC suffered their second defeat and have 12 points from six outings.

GFA groping for Second Division rules l

We have been following old rules for 2nd, 3rd divisions: Schubert

By JOVITO LOPES PANJIM, DEC 29

The Goa Football Association (GFA) is groping for the rules and regulations governing the Second Division football league which is already in progress. That apart, it is over a month that there has been no tourough investigation in a protest lodged in U-14 football tournament.

With the GFA adopting a new constitution from August this year and holding elections under the same in October, all old rules ceased to exist. That was the decision arrived at by the Returning Officer on an application filed by a contestant, seeking disqualification of another contestant at that time, on the grounds of non-attendance of meetings of the Executive Committee for more than three consecutive times in the previous terms. That was the correct interpretation, no doubt.

It follows that, all tournament rules ought to have been redrafted or necessary legislation enacted giving extension to the old rules. That needed administrative acumen, which is non-existent now in the absence of a full time paid secretary.

With presently, no rules in place, CAC Cansaulim have been forced into a dilemma over the registration of a new player in their Second Division matches. They were told by GFA they could not register any player now when only two more rounds were to be completed, as per the old rules.

So, they played their match against Mangor yesterday and lost 0-3. It led to lodging the protest. In fact they had lodged it before the actual kick off.

Cansaulim obviously needed to know the reason for not allowing the fresh registration of players since the relevant tournament rules were not announced in view of the old constitution being abolished and with

it the rules. But surprisingly, the Third Division rules do allow for registration of players at any time, although there are conflicting views on the same.

Cansaulim have been at the receiving end for no fault of theirs, as the GFA could not produce the relevant rules governing the Second Division, when they were asked for. Moreover, the schedule is so tight, that Cansaulim have to play their next match soon. But why should they be penalised when the fault is entirely GFA’s?

Cansaulim’s logic of allowing registration, was based on the Third Division rules which allow for registration any time, since this is in conformity with the AFC thinking and as such is in force at the GFA level now. At one time, the old rule of not allowing fresh registration with just two rounds to go was also existent in Third Division but it has been abolished at the instance of AFC and also because the Third Division Clubs asked for the change which was granted

by GFA in September this year. The Third Division competition rules are clear on this issue.

On the other hand, Snows Football Academy, Raia, are awaiting with bated breath the result of their protest lodged against Mandopa in their U-14 football tournament match played on November 22. Snows lost the match 0-2, but lodged a protest stating that their rivals had impersonated/cheated in the case of two players and that these were also overaged.

Snows have pointed out that Mandopa had registered three players – Airito Almeida, Sherry D’Sousa and Jeet Sanjay Gupta and that it was Deles Colaco (Std X) and Ryan Raikar (Std VIII) of St Joseph’s School, Aquem who had actually played on that day instead of the two originally registered ones. The GFA had asked Snows to

provide proof of the players in question, while Snows had asked that both clubs be called for further investigations and that it was for GFA to go deeper into the matter, since it was a serious case of impersonation.

The GFA stated that there was no discrepancy as per the list. However, Snows countered that they had certificates to prove their point. “We are ready with documentary evidence for long time now,” but there has been no communication from GFA till date,” declared a top Snows FA team which felt that cheating should be punished by all means and no leniency or mercy be shown at all.

Meanwhile, Schubert Furtado, chairman, competitions committee, admitted that there were no rules framed for this year’s Second Division. “They have not been framed,” Schubert told Herald on telephone. He felt that the old rules were being followed and insisted that the relevant rule even existed for Third Division teams this year too, when told that it was abolished. However, some Third Division clubs stated that they had registered players even for the last two round matches this year.

The GFA is yet to streamline its working and more so its administration with the acting secretary being overburdened and perhaps being stretched to limits as can be seen from no action being taken over an incident in Bro Eulalio inter-club/village football tournament at Fatorda wherein referee Milagres was manhandled during the PY Nuvem and Verna match.

Meanwhile, the GFA admitted there are no rules governing the Second Division and have thought of adopting the old rules now, until new regulations are formulated. That’s what is called professionalism.

E Bengal steamroll Air India PTI KOLKATA, DEC 29

Unstoppable East Bengal continued their dream run as they thrashed Air India 6-1 at Yuba Bharati Krirangan here, to register their sixth win on the trot and consolidate their position at the top of the I-League standings.

Mercurial striker Tolgay Ozbay struck twice (42nd, 50th), while Saumik Dey (11th), Robin Singh (33rd), Mehtab Hussain (50th) and substitute Ravinder Singh (90+1st) scored a goal

each to complete the rout.

However, the match also saw the red-and-gold brigade concede their first goal of the league, when Air India scored through Eric Boiwe in the 55th minute.

East Bengal, who have already won two titles in the Federation Cup and the Calcutta Football League this season, have 18 points from six matches, while the Mumbai outfitremained on three points after as many matches.

The title favourites, who led

3-0 at half time, began in a typical attacking fashion and that unsettled the Air India defence.

With the in-form striking duo of Ozbay and Robin looking to cash in on every opportunity, Air India's defence found the going tough and never really looked in control of the proceedings.

East Bengal received a flurry of yellow cards including two double bookings to Robin in the 82nd minute as the Delhi lad was sent off.

Dempo hope for full points against Chirag United TODAY’S FIXTURES Dempo v. Chirag 3.45 p.m.

AIFF XI v. HAL M Bagan v. Mumbai FC ONGC v. Churchill 3.30 p.m.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT MARGAO, DEC 29

Dempo Sports Club are hoping for a better outcome from their fifth home match when they take on Chirag United in a sixth round encounter of I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Thursday at 3.45 p.m.

After having recorded an unimpressive 1-0 win over Mumbai Football Club in the their last match, Dempo chief coach Armando Colaco is determined to earn full three points against the Kolkata outfit.

The two sides are tied on eight points each from five matches but the home team is above the visiting team on a goal difference.

Dempo have struggled to maintain consistency. Injuries

to key players and National commitments has taken their toll.

Nonetheless, they have managed to rise whenever the chips are down and on Thursday Colaco will be looking up to his boys to turn their fortune around after two wins, two draws and a loss.

“We have to go all out for a win and I hope my boys give their best. We are confident of notching a win but Chirag United is not a team that can be taken lightly,” said Colaco.

Colaco was optimistic of his team’s chances. “We have a good chance to bag three points. This is our home match and the boys have been shaping well. I also hope that the strikers capitalise on the chances that come up and put Chirag under pressure. Our defenders will also have to combine well to keep the Chirag attackers at bay. Chirag United are a well organised side and they are capable of tearing any defence,” stated Colaco.

Brazilians Roberto Mendes da Silva and Nigerian Ogba Klau can also be a handful by whip-

ping in some perfect crosses for strikers Ranty Martins and Cliffton Gonsalves to take advantage of.

Chirag United will be happy that Dempo’s promising striker Joaquim Abranches is out due to injury.

Chirag United coach Sanjoy Sen was wary of the defending champions. “I have great respect for Dempo. They have quality, balance and a very set side which is capable of beating any team in the country. Dempo are always a dangerous side when playing at home,” said Sanjay mentioned.

The Kolkata side is keen to snatch at least a point. “We don’t want to lose away matches. We will be happy with a win, if not at least a draw. Chirag have no new injury worries. We had good practice sessions at Cuncolim ground on Wednesday. So supporters can expect a better performance from us. My main worry is the wayward shooting of their foreign imports Brazilians Josimar da Silva Martins and Nigerian Junior Elijah,” concluded Sanjay.

JCT record first win

NEW DELH (AGENCIES) --JCT broke their hoodoo to pocket full points against Viva Kerala edging past by a solitary goal at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana on Wednesday.

Maninder Singh struck the winner in the 49th minute.

I-League:DempoSCv.ChiragUnited, PJN Stadium, Fatorda, 3.45 p.m.

GPL T20: Salgaocar SC v. Sarvodaya Royal, 9.30 a.m., Al-Fatah CC v. Mechvac Fabricators, 2 p.m., GCA Stadium, Alto-Porvorim.

GFA U-16: FC Sanquelim v.

Dunes SC, Municipal ground, Sanquelim; Goa United SA v. Anjuna Gymkhana, Poriat ground, Calangute; UC Nerul v. Saligao SC, Candolim ground, 4 p.m.

GFA U-14: Brasil FA v. Fr Agnel Youth Center, Pilar, Agasaim ground; Portais SC v. Jawahar Club, Don Bosco ground, Panjim; Dabolim Youth SC v. Cortalim Gymkhana, Cansaulim ground; Sarzora SC v. AA De MajordaUtorda-Calata, Sarzora ground; Young Strikers Club v. Colmorod Ratwaddo SC, Benaulim ground; United Boys Palolem v. Ave Maria AWA, Agonda ground; Snow's FA v. Verna SC, Raia ground, 4 p.m.

GFA Second Division: CAC Cansaulim v. Benfica Youth Club, Tilak Maidan, Vasco, 4 p.m.

Fr. Agnelo Youth inter-village football: Margao SC v. Loutolim SC, Panchayat ground, AvedemParoda, 4.30 p.m.

Loutulim Panchayat Cup quarter-finals: U.C. Benaulim v.

Navelim V illagers, Montir ground, Loutulim, 4.30 p.m.

Pg 13

SPORTS

GOA,Thursday, 30 December, 2010

3 GFA matches abandoned Shortage of players in 2 half HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, DEC 29

nd

l

An amazing three GFA fixtures were abandoned in the second

half due to a shortage of players on Wednesday.

Colmorod Ratwaddo Sports Club began against Guardian Angel Sports Club with only eight players and had two players injured in the second half, bringing an early end to the proceedings.

The match was awarded to Guardian Angel Sports Club who were leading 2-1 at the time.

Mohabab Jamador had netted a brace for Guardian Angel while Denzil Najendreo had scored for Colmorod.

At Betalbatim ground, Betal-

batim were leading 2-0 against Cana Benaulim Sports Academy with goals from Russel Vaz and Vishal Fernandes when the game was abandoned as Cana Benaulim went down to six players due to an injured player.

Both Guardian Angel and Betalbatim will be awarded 3-0 victories as per FIFA rules.

In GFA’s Second Division at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, Mundivel Sports Club were leading 6-0 against Young Humorists when the match was abandoned as Young Humorists went down to six players.

GOA DIARY Mat Sogi-Do tourney

MARGAO (HC) -- Mat Sogi-Do Association of Goa will organise their 6th National Mat Sogi-Do championship in collaboration with Mat Sogi-Do Federation of India on December 30 and 31 at SAG Sports Complex, Fatorda. Around 300 students from across the country are expected to take part.

3-a-side at Betul

MARGAO (HC) -- Betul Sports Club will organise their All-Goa 3-aside football tournament on December 30 near Betul church premises at 9 a.m. The winners and runners-up will pocket Rs 5,111 and Rs 4,111 respectively. Spot entries will be accepted. Details may be obtained from Linoph Fernandes on 9923765026 or Edwin Simoes on 9545224152.

Badminton coaching at Sada PANJIM (HSD) – The Mormugao Badminton Club, Headland-Sada will organise badminton coaching classes from January 2 at Deepvihar High School, indoor badminton court, Headland, SadaVasco.

A NIS coach will train the players. The coaching classes will be conducted twice a week, on Sundays from 7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. The last date for registration is January 1. Details may be obtained from Deelip Halarnkar, secretary on 9923206641/2594176, L Kenaudekar, vice-president on 9420197609/2594427 or Yashpal Negi, member on 9850474769/2594262.

DBO, Davorlim SC move into quarters HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 29

Navy Children School triumph HERALD REPORTER VASCO, DEC 29

Navy Children’s School, Chicalim topped the medal tally in the 8th South Goa District Athletic Championship, at Chicalim Sports Complex recently.

Dada Vaidya HS, Ponda, were the runners-up in boys U-14 and U-16 category, while Municipal HS, Mormugao, were runners-up in the girls U-14 and U-16 category.

Our Lady of Candelaria HS won the girls U-16 trophy while Vidya Mandir HS took the boys U-16 trophy.

Earlier, industrialist and MD of NRB Group of companies, Nana Bandekar, inaugurated the championship and was happy to see the turnout of participants from various parts of South Goa. Veteran international gold medalist, Regina Dourado read the sportsman’s oath in the presence of Shradha Gaonkar and SGDAA president, Sharad Chopdecar.

Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Suchita Shirodkar, was the chief guest and MMC vice-chairperson, Manesh Arolker was the guest of honour and gave away the prizes.

Also present were former MMC chairperson, Shekhar Khadapker; councilor, Tara Kerker; Prof. Manoj Pednekar; R Shaikh; PCC member P A Borgave; K S Patil and Jaya Kulkarni.

St Christopher advance HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, DEC 29

A second half penalty from Anson Fernandes was enough to secure victory for St Christopher Sports Club as they defeated Goa United Sports Academy 1-0 in GFA’s U-14 tournament at Poriat ground, Calangute on Wednesday.

At Santo Estevam ground, Piedade Youth Association registered a 2-0 win over Santo Estevam Sports Club in GFA’s U-16 tournament.

Sohail netted in the first half, while Andrew D’Mello doubled Piedade’s lead after the breather.

Chandor pip Fr Agnel HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, DEC 29

Chandor Sports Club defeated Fr. Agnel Sports Club Paroda 54 via the tie-breaker to enter the semi-finals of Loutulim Panchayat Cup football organised

by Socio Cultural Club of Loutulim at Montir ground, Loutulim.

Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda overpowered Wilred Leisure, Curtorim 3-2 to move into the quarter-finals of Fr. Agnelo Youth inter-village football tournament organised by Fr. Agnelo Youth SC, Cotombi, Paroda at Village Panchayat ground, Avedem-Paroda. Wilred Leisure led 1-0 at the interval.

Wilred Leisure dominated the initial proceedings and kept attacking Don Bosco’s citadel time and again and finally took the lead in the 22nd minute of the first half through Seby Martins.

Down by a goal, Don Bosco Oratory fought back in the second half and nullified the lead in the 8th minute through Charlton Pereira. Later, DBO went into the lead when Roja Azavedo punished the rival keeper with a deft placement after picking a pass from his teammate.

In the dying minutes, Agnelo Martins of Wilred Leisure reduced the margin.

In another encounter, Davorlim Sports Club defeated Union of Chinchinim by a solitary goal to enter the quarter-finals.

Andrew Colaco scored the lone goal few minutes before the final whistle.

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GOA, THURSDAY, 30 DECEMBER, 2010

Salgaocar beat Dempo, Mechvac win Pg 11

Pune stun Salgaocar, record 1st win Pg 12

Three GFA matches abandoned Pg 13

India outclass SA, level series PTI DURBAN, DEC 29

An inspired India made amends for the drubbing at Centurion with a sensational 87-run victory against South Africa in the lowscoring second cricket Test to level the three-match series 11 here today.

After setting a target of 303, the Indian bowlers put up a disciplined show to dismiss the hosts for 215 in 72.3 overs about an hour after the lunch break to record only their second Test triumph on South African soil.

It turned out to be an extraordinary Test with fortune fluctuating from one team to the other but the Indians eventually tilted the balance in their favour on a

bouncy Kingsmead track which saw 40 wickets fall in three and half days.

The Indians, who had lost the first Test at Centurion by an innings and 25 runs, showed great character and resilience to demolish the Proteas in their own den and in conditions tailormade to suit the home team.

The Indians players jumped in joy and hugged each other after last man Lonwabo Tsotsobe was run out to bring about the moment of glory while coach Gary Kirsten and the other support staff stood up at the dressing room to applaud the players.

S Sreesanth (3/45), Zaheer Khan (3/53) and Harbhajan Singh

‘We’ve shown that we can do well anywhere’ PTI DURBAN, DEC 29

Zaheer’s experience helped bowlers: Dhoni

Relieved after notching up a series-equalising win against South Africa in the second Test, InPTI dian captain Mahendra DURBAN, DEC 29 Singh Dhoni said today's triumph and perform- Dhoni lauded his bowlers for making a ance of the past couple splendid comeback in their 87-run win. of years has shown that The skipper had special words of praise the team can do well for pace spearhead Zaheer Khan.

About Zaheer's performance (six wickanywhere in the world. ets in the match), the skipper said, "I "More often than not you are one-down in a have always maintained that Zaheer has series. I said in the first been the best fast bowler that India have press conference that we had in recent times. He has the ability don't start well. We're to execute his plans well. Even if his primore used to batting mary plan doesn't work out, he has a under pressure," he said Plan B ready. Also him being around, after the 87-run win in even the other bowlers get a lot of help." the second Test here. had fortunes swinging every"We started this process day. around September 2008 and "Most of their batsmen have two years hence we're in a po- done well in the last few series. sition where we can say we have What was important for us was done well in most places," he to put the line-up under presadded. sure. This meant that we had Speaking about the match, to take early wickets and keep Dhoni said getting prolific all- on taking wickets. The timing rounder Jacques Kallis' wicket of getting Kallis, and AB (de Vilwas the key in a game which liers) was important," he said.

350 cricketers to go under hammer for IPL-4 PTI MUMBAI, DEC 29

As many as 350 top cricketers from India and abroad would go under the auctioneer's hammer in Bangalore on January 8 and 9 with the 10 IPL franchises bidding for their services for the fourth season of the lucrative Twenty20 League.

Barring a dozen players, including Indian superstars Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virender Sehwag, who have been retained by five franchises in advance of the auction as per the IPL player regulations, most of the world's top players would be up for grabs.

The list of players has 11 out of 12 century makers in the previous three IPL seasons, including the Twenty20 league's fastest century

maker Yusuf Pathan and 2010 ICC ODI Player of the Year, A B de Villers (South Africa), Cricket Board Secretary N Srinivasan said today.

Former India skippers Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid, too, would be available for pickings by the various franchises.

Other established IPL performers available at the auction include current Indian team members Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Yuvraj Singh, as well as 2009 IPL's most successful bowler (38 wickets) R P Singh.

The participation of the Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab franchises in the auction is subject to court orders, he added.

The opening match of IPL 2011 will take place on April 8 in Chennai.

England retain Ashes AP MELBOURNE, DEC 29

England retained the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time in 24 years by completing an emphatic innings and 157-run win over Australia on the fourth day of the fourth test.

England travels to the final test in Sydney starting Sunday with a

2-1 series lead, but as the Ashesholder, England needs only to draw the series to keep the urn.

Tim Bresnan claimed the final wicket and his fourth of the innings when Ben Hilfenhaus was caught behind for a duck to dismiss Australia for 258. Last batsman Ryan Harris could not bat due to a foot injury.

Australia 1st innings 98 (C Tremlett 4-26, J Anderson 444) England 1st innings 513 (J. Trott 168 not out, M. Prior 85, A. Cook 82, A. Strauss 69, K. Pietersen 51; P. Siddle 6-75) Australia 2nd innings (overnight 169-6): S Watson lbw Bresnan 54, P Hughes run out 23, R Ponting b Bresnan 20, M Clarke c Strauss b Swann 13, M Hussey c Bell b Bresnan 0, S Smith b Anderson 38, B Haddin not out 55, M Johnson b Tremlett 6, P Siddle c Pietersen b Swann 40, B Hilfenhaus c Prior b Bresnan 0, R Harris absent injured. Extras: 9. Total: 258 all out. Fall of wickets: 1-53, 2-99, 3-102, 4-104, 5-134, 6-158, 7-172, 8-258. Bowling: Anderson 20-1-71-1, Tremlett 17-3-71-1, Swann 27-11-59-2, Bresnan 21.4-8-50-4.

United go top after draw Man United 1 Birmingham 1 West Ham 1 Everton 1 REUTERS LONDON, DEC 29

Manchester United extended their unbeaten Premier League run to 18 games and regained top spot on Tuesday but there were no celebrations after they gave away another late goal in a 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.

United looked on course to leapfrog them with a two-point cushion after Dimitar Berbatov scored in the 58th minute but Lee Bowyer levelled a minute from time to leave the visitors with seven draws and one win from their eight away games.

The draw took them to 38 points from 18 games, ahead on goal difference of Manchester City, who have played 20.

Arsenal, in action at Wigan Ath-

letic on Wednesday, have 35 from 18 with Tottenham Hotspur fourth on 33 after beating Newcastle United 2-0.

Relegation-threatened West Ham took its unbeaten run to three matches by picking up a point from a 1-1 draw with Everton.

An own goal by Tony Hibbert in the 16th minute gave the Hammers a fortuitous lead but Seamus Coleman volleyed in an inch-perfect cross from Australia midfielder Tim Cahill to draw midtable Everton level three minutes before half time.

There were few clearcut chances in a low-quality second half at Upton Park but it was another solid display by West Ham, which has improved in recent weeks to lift some of the pressure on manager Avram Grant.

Don’t let boards negotiate on UDRS, says miffed Smith PTI DURBAN, DEC 29

(2/70) were the pick of the bowlers for India while Ashwell Prince was the top scorer for the South Africans with an unbeaten 39.

It was India's second Test triumph in South Africa. The 123run victory in the first Test at Johannesburg in 2006 was their first Test victory on South African soil.

The two teams will now travel to Cape Town for the third and final Test starting on Sunday.

India: 205 and 228 South Africa 1st Innings: 131 South Africa 2nd Innings: (overnight 111/3) Graeme Smith c Dhoni b S Sreesanth 37, Alviro Petersen c Pujara b H Singh 26, Hashim Amla c Dhoni b S Sreesanth 16, Jacques Kallis c Sehwag b S Sreesanth 17, AB de Villiers lbw b H Singh 33, Ashwell Prince not out 39, Mark Boucher lbw b Z Khan 1, Dale Steyn c Pujara b Z Khan 10, Paul Harris b Z Khan 7, Morne Morkel c Dhoni b I Sharma 20, L Tsotsobe run out 0. Extras: 9. Total: 215 all out. Fall of wickets: 1-63, 2-82, 3-82, 4-123, 5-136, 6-143, 7-155, 8-182, 9-215. Bowling: Zaheer Khan 17-3-57-3, Ishant Sharma 11.3-0-36-1, S Sreesanth 14-2-45-3, Harbhajan Singh 29-5-70-2, Sachin Tendulkar 1-0-6-0.

Man-of-the-match: V Laxman

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Upset after losing the second Test match, South African captain Graeme Smith expressed his displeasure about the nonusage of Umpires' Decision Review System(UDRS) as two of his key batsmen --- AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher got out to debatable leg before decisions.

"The ICC needs to take responsibility for that. They need to lead the way. They can't leave it up to the boards to negotiate.

If the technology is available and they want us to use it, then we must use it," Smith said at the post-match media conference.

"Then you can have a proper idea of whether it works or not.

But using it once every seven series is not going to benefit anybody," the South African skipper seemed distinctly unhappy as the decisions by umpires Asad Rauf and Steve Davis were given at a crucial juncture.

But Smith did admit that their batting collapse in the first innings was the primary reason behind the defeat.

"I think we probably lost the Test match on Day II. I don't think it was a 131-wicket. Getting bowled out for that just wasn't good enough," he was forthright in his assessment.

The captain is also aware that Kingsmead is turning out to be a jinxed ground for the Proteas where they are somehow unable to win.

"We've played well at the Wanderers and other places around the world. We just haven't played in Durban, it's as simple as that.

I don't think it's been the pace and bounce in the last few Test matches. Swann bowled well against us here. There was reverse swing against England. We were a little bit loose at times."