PANJIM: Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai will on July 22nd decide how to proceed with the 2004 Ribandar Church case. Former Parish Priest of Ribandar Father Newton Rodrigues who is the complainant has failed to remain present in Court despite being summoned and a warrant of arrest issued against him.
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
VILLAGERS OF ARROSIM-CANSAULIM-CUELIM-VELSAO DEMAND PI JIVBA DALVI’S DISMISSAL
VASCO: The villagers of Arossim and Cansaulim under the banner of Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim-Velsao Villagers Forum, on Wednesday, demanded immediate dismissal of the then Verna PI, Jivba Dalvi and police sub-inspector, Mr Sushant Gawas from the services for the dereliction of duty.
GOA’S ENVIRONMENT MINISTER DEFENDS FROG POACHING
PANJIM: Much to the dismay of the environmentalists, Goa Environment Minister Aleixo Sequiera today defended frog-killing in the state, terming it as a `habit'. Sequeira, addressing a convention of youths on environment at Dona Paula near here, said "frogs have been eaten in the state for (the past) several years".
BLACK MONEY HOLDERS INVEST IN REAL ESTATE
PANJIM: Goa's real estate boom is not driven by "people who love the land", but by speculative investment of black money in the state, environmentalist Madhav Gadgil said Wednesday. Speaking at the concluding session of a workshop on environment here, Gadgil, the man behind India's "People Biodiversity Register", also said that a huge influx of black money in Goa in form of real estate investments was severely crunching land resources in one of India's smallest states.
EC ISSUES NOTICES TO VALANKA ALEMAO AND JITESH KAMAT
MARGAO: The elections to the executive committee of the state Youth Congress is turning out to be quite an eventful affair with two contestants - the frontrunner for the president's post, Valanka Alemao, and another candidate Jitesh Kamat - being slapped notices by the election commission of the Indian Youth Congress.
AGAÇAIM POLICE REGISTER A CASE AGAINST TWO PERSONS FOR ORGANISING BULLFIGHTS
PANJIM: Bullfights continue to resurface in the state despite the ban. The Agaçaim police on Monday morning registered a case against two persons for organising a bullfight. The police said that on July 18, between 6am and 7am, Rosario Mascarenhas from Taleigao and Dunjao from Goa Velha organized a bullfight at an open public place in Siridao but escaped from the scene with their bulls.
CUNCOLIM POLICE ARREST TWO MORE INVOLVED IN GANG RAPE
MARGAO: The Cuncolim police on Tuesday arrested two more persons in connection with the alleged gang rape of a Cuncolim woman last week. The police disclosed the names of the arrested as Gangesh Pagi, 26, and Ramakant Velip, 26, both from Cola, near Betul.
The police had earlier arrested three persons and are on the lookout for the sixth accused. Police sources said that the victim was a resident of Cuncolim and that the six accused took turns in raping her after she was confined in a room at Betul.
RAIL TRACKS WORK WILL BE COMPLETED BY 21ST JULY: KONKAN RAILWAY
HIGH COURT TO HEAR ON 16TH AUGUST GOA GOVERNOR’S PLEA AGAINST RTI
PANJIM: The Bombay High Court at Goa has directed that the hearing on Goa Raj Bhavan’s petition against the RTI Act will continue on August 16th. With Dr. S.S.Sidhu being the only Governor to challenge the RTI Act, the issue whether the Governor is a “Public Authority” is being raised before a High Court for the first time.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
WAR OF NERVES BETWEEN DGP ADITYA ARYA AND HOME MINISTER RAVI NAIK
ZUARI BRIDGE ABOUT TO EXPIRE: NEW BRIDGE REQUIRED
EC SERVES NOTICE TO VALANKA ALEMAO
PANJIM: The Election Commission (Youth Congress elections) has served a notice to Valanka Alemao, the daughter of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao for using her father’s position to influence voters for the youth Congress elections.
It has been learnt that Valanka has been personally using her father’s position to threaten the voters to vote for her by force. She has been threatening the voters if they do now vote for her then the consequences will be dire.
In the meantime it has also been learnt that Churchill Alemao has sent his goondas out to threaten the voters and to force them to vote for valanka. At the same time he has promised a huge amount of money if they vote for Valanka.
Valanka is vying for the top post along with GPYC former vice-president Pratima Coutinho. The elections are scheduled for July 23 and 24.
Prakash Joshi, Chief Election officer - Youth Congress Election Commission also served notices to another candidate Jitesh Kamat for his outbursts against returning officers. In the notice to Valanka, the CEO has asked her to reply as to why she should not be debarred from contesting Youth Congress elections.
The charges against Valanka are
• That she has used her father’s position to influence voters.
• Valanka has taken support of the chief minister, party president and the legislators to win elections.
• Had a meeting with politicians, against rules, at a starred hotel in Margao.
It is reliably learnt that the CEO’s action has come in wake of complaint filed by Jitesh Kamat, who had also mailed a CC to Rahul Gandhi. The CEO has also served notices to Jitesh for his outbursts against the LROs and the ZRO (returning officers).
He has been asked to reply as to why he should also not be debarred from contesting elections. Mr Joshi when contacted confirmed the notices were served but refused to elaborate further. “I can only say we have served the notice but I will be able to comment only tomorrow on the issue after I receive the replies,” he said.
On the deadline for replies, he said, “Still there is time I cannot say now.” Zonal Returning officer Sumit Khanna, however, refused to comment on the matter so did GPCC president Subash Shirodkar, who only said “you ask Valanka, I am not her PA to know this.” Efforts to contact Valanka for her comments on the issue proved futile. Jitesh on the other hand claimed he has not received any notice yet.
MOI CIRCULAR WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM THIS YEAR
PANJIM: The advocate general (AG), Subodh Kantak, on Monday informed the high court of Bombay at Goa that the state government would implement the medium of instruction (MoI) circular from this academic year.
On July 12, the high court had directed the state government to take a decision within a week's time on whether the recent cabinet decision on the MoI would be implemented in a phased manner from this academic year onwards or from the next year. On May 25, the cabinet had taken a decision to release grants also to English medium primary schools, along with the Konkani and Marathi medium schools.
When the matter came up for hearing before a division bench comprising Justice S A Bobde and Justice F M Reis, the AG said that the government wants to implement the cabinet decision in a phased manner from this academic year onwards. He sought a day's time to file an affidavit bringing on record the government's decision. The AG also assured the court that the government would not implement the MoI circular until the next date of hearing.
Subsequently, the court directed the government to file the affidavit on July 19.
The petition was filed by educationist Pandurang Nadkarni and others challenging the cabinet decision for providing grants to English medium primary schools in the state. The petitioners have also questioned a circular issued by the department of education (DoE) for implementing the cabinet decision. According to the petitioners, the DoE has issued the circular in violation of the Rules of Business made in accordance with Article 166 of the Constitution of India.
The government had earlier pointed out to the court that the cabinet took the decision after receiving several representations from parents belonging to the economically backward classes, who could not afford to send their children to English medium primary schools.
HIGH COURT DIRECTS A S TO FILE AFFIDAVIT WHY THE OFFICES OF THE PRESIDENT OF INDA, GOVERNOR AND SPEAKER NOT FALL WITHIN RTI
PANJIM: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Monday directed the additional solicitor general of India, Vivek Tankha, to file an affidavit explaining how the offices of the president of India, governor and speaker do not fall within the scope of 'public authority' as defined under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
While arguing on a petition filed by N Radhakrishnan, special secretary to Goa governor S S Sidhu, Tankha questioned the order passed by the Goa state information commission, which held that the governor's office was a public authority.
The commission had passed the order on a plea filed by activist Aires Rodrigues under the RTI Act. The RTI Act states that an applicant has the right to access information which is held by or under the control of any public authority.
Tankha contended, "The 'public authority', as defined under Section 2 (h) (a) of the RTI Act, does not include the offices of the president of India, governor, speaker, chief justice of the Supreme Court as well as the high courts." "The office of the governor does not come within the administrative domain, as it does not have any administrative functions. It's not a ministry," he held. At this point, a division bench comprising Justices S Bobde and F M Reis directed the additional solicitor general to submit an affidavit explaining how the offices are not public authority as defined under the Act.
The court also asked how the offices cannot be said to have any executive powers and duties to comply with. Earlier, Rodrigues, an advocate, argued that even the president of India has complied with the provisions of the RTI Act. "S S Sidhu is the only governor in the country who has not complied with the RTI Act, by claiming that he is not a 'public authority'," Rodrigues alleged.
He prayed that the petition should be disposed of as soon as possible as the RTI Act has remained "grounded" for the last three years as far as the governor's office is concerned. Rodrigues had sought information under RTI from the governor's office about details of the action taken against state advocate general Subodh Kantak on complaints filed by him.
FATHER NEWTON RODRIGUES FAILS TO APPEAR IN COURT: JMFC TO DECIDE FUTURE COURSE ON JULY 21ST
PANJIM: Former Parish Priest of Ribandar Father Newton Rodrigues today failed to appear before Panaji Judicial Magistrate First Class Mrs. Sarika Faldessai as was directed by the Court while giving him a last opportunity. JMFC Faldessai will now decide on Friday 21st July how to proceed with the case.
The Crime Branch has asked the JMFC to issue a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Father Newton Rodrigues, the former Parish Priest of Ribandar and now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada.
A non- bailable warrant has been sought as the immigration authorities and the consulates overseas can only execute a non-bailable warrant. The police will also intimate all airports and check posts across the country that Father Newton Rodrigues be arrested. The Crime Branch will also seek the help of the Interpol to bring Father Newton Rodrigues to Goa.
Father Newton Rodrigues the former Parish Priest of Ribandar and now Pastor of St. Bernadette Church at Calgary in Canada has failed to remain present in Court despite being summoned and even a warrant of arrest issued against him.
It was on Fr. Newton Rodrigues’s complaint that Adv. Aires Rodrigues and 14 other Ribandar residents were charge sheeted for trespassing into the church corridor and disturbing a Parish Pastoral committee meeting.
Adv. Aires Rodrigues today moved an application before the JMFC that to expedite the proceedings he be allowed to begin examining his witnesses and that Father Newton Rodrigues could be examined as and when the Police arrest and produce him in court. Adv. Aires Rodrigues will examine seven defence witnesses which include Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao and former Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsingh Rane.
The government has over the last seven years been aggressively pursuing this case against Adv. Aires Rodrigues with the State having even challenged before the Sessions Court and later in the High Court the earlier acquittal of Adv. Aires Rodrigues in this same case.
In 2004 Adv. Aires Rodrigues was leading an agitation demanding action against Fr. Newton Rodrigues for having allegedly molested a 13 year old girl from Ribandar. While Adv. Aires Rodrigues and others were charge sheeted for confronting Fr. Newton Rodrigues, the case filed against Fr. Newton Rodrigues by the mother of the 13 year old girl who was allegedly molested by Fr. Newton Rodrigues was closed after then Governor of Goa Mr. S.C Jamir reportedly intervened to save Fr. Newton Rodrigues from being charge sheeted.
HEAVY RUSH FOR FREE TANKS IN CANACONA – Niz Goenkar Reporter in Canacona
CANACONA: After announcement at the churches in Canacona about the free tanks a heavy rush was observed to get free tanks at chaudi town
Braving the heavy rains Canconkars were seen standing in long serpentine ques as early as eight in the morning to get stamp papers at the local stamp paper vender at Chaudi, After geting the paper all had to run to Mr. Isidor Fernande's(a strong contender for congress ticket) office to pint an affidavit and there after to submit to BDO office to get a free 500/300 Lts tank.
And you thought that you got the tank then you are mistaken, At BDO office the concerned people tell you to get an income certificate from panchyat and water connection bill and resubmit the file.
People were so much troubled that there was not even drinking water for the people in the ques. All were found complaining that it was not worth the trouble. when the tank itself cost not more then Rs. two thousand.
The business community especial hardware shop owners were heard grumbling that one day this government will give every thing free including the undergarments and they will have to starve to death for want of any business.
Monday, 18 July 2011
GOA SWINDON DAY: CLARIFICATION AND STAND OF MR. SANTANA SOUSA AND HIS COMMITTEE MEMBERS
SWINDON: On 17th July 2011 Niz Goenkar was invited for a press briefing by Mr Santana Sousa and his team in order to clarify their stand on the cancellation of the GOA DAY that was supposed to be held on 16th of July 2011 at the County Ground, Swindon. Below is the clarification given by Mr. Santana Souza on the issue.
Alongwith Santana were present chairman Mr Floriano D’Sa, Vice chairman Mr. Socorro Pinheiro, Treasurer Mr. Miguel Da Cunha. Only The General Secretary Mr. Abel Nunes as absent. Santana briefed NG starting with his clarifications on the recent incident of Goa Day Cancellation. According to Santana an emergency meeting took place and they discussed about the Goa Day event, which he said was illegally organised by the committee headed by president Mr. Jacinto Souza.
Santana said that he had no intention of stopping the Goa Day. However he said that the procedures by the organisers were not followed and were incomplete and that is the reason why the Borough Council of Swindon cancelled the event.
Santana disclosed to NG the email that appeared previously on NG in the preceding article, wherein it was mentioned to stop the event, was indeed written by him to Mr. James Holland and to enquire about the Goa day.
Mr James Holland told Santana that he had submitted the forms for the noise pollution. Santana was on his work when James called him. Santana told us the he replied to him that he was not involved in the organising committee to which James asked Santana how many committees were in existence among them.
Santana told NG that he informed James that the committee run by him was the legally elected committed on 16th March 2011 and that he was the president of the same. James then asked Santana to forward to him the names of the legal committee.
Santana told NG that people are accusing him of blocking the Goa Day and got it cancelled using his influence which is false and baseless. He further reiterated that he and his committee are not against the Goa Day and will never be against it even in future or even any other function organised by the Goans.
Mr Floriano D’Sa the Chairman spoke and said that in the past the current organisers of Goa Day had organised many events but they had never obstructed or objected that. “We never ever objected them in anything they organised” said Floriano.
Santana said that the current organisers had not informed the neighbours about the event as the law requires them to do and that is the main reason for the event to be cancelled. Santana said “if they had completed the formalities then neither we nor anybody could stop the event”
Stressing on the accusation by the other committee and the people that Santana misappropriated £6000, he said “I say that if they prove that if I have pocketed even .60 pence, I hereby declare that I shall never never again occupy any post in the organization all my life”
Mrs Cimilda Sousa another member of the GSA said “why has the council not recognised them and allowed them to go ahead with the event? If they were right on their side, Council would not stop them on Santana’s email”
Floriano debated that, Jacinto used the wrong dates when addressing the crowd on Saturday. He said that Jacinto said the date on the email was 13th July whereas the actual date on Santana’s email was 14th July When NG asked Floriano whether what was spoken was right or wrong, he replied ”Do you think so?”.
When asked about the election of the new committee under Mr. Jacinto Sousa, Santana said that what they have done is not in the constitution of GSA just to elect a board committee like that. Floriano said that as long as the old committee does not step down, How can new committee take over “which I have not seen anywhere in my life and am seeing here in Swindon for the first time” he said.
Over all they showed NG the minutes of the meeting that took place on 3rd July 2011 to discuss on the issue of Goa Day. Of that below are just three points of the minutes.
IN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING:
They had discussed the phone call of Mr. Ian Pickering of Croft Centre where the event was supposed to he held, saying that it would not be nice to have two Goa Days on the same venue, as this may hinder the holding of the event in future.
Ian had arranged a meeting with both the committees and had informed Mr. Anthony Fernandes and kept a message. However no one responded for four days and as such Ian had to postpone the meeting.
The minutes also say that General Secretary Mr. Abel Nunes inquired whether the event of Goa Day on 16th July 2001 can be stopped. According to Santana and the others present there Abel's was only an enquiry and not a suggestion or pressure to stop or block the event.
NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: Mr. Abel Nunes contacted NG and informed that the above information is incorrect and that he never inquired if the Goa Day could be stopped. Abel said "This is a conspiracy against me, I have never said these words anywhere at all. I never enquired about stopping the Goa Day." He further stated that this is being done to create confusion among people and to malign him.
NIZ GOENKAR ADDS: Mr. Abel Nunes contacted NG and informed that the above information is incorrect and that he never inquired if the Goa Day could be stopped. Abel said "This is a conspiracy against me, I have never said these words anywhere at all. I never enquired about stopping the Goa Day." He further stated that this is being done to create confusion among people and to malign him.
Below are the copies of two documents presented to NG by Mr. Santana Souza:
ATHELETICS COACH FROM UTTAR PRADESH ARRESTED FOR RAPING A 15 YEAR OLD MINOR
PANJIM: Goa Police have arrested an athletics coach from Uttar Pradesh for raping a 15-year-old kho-kho player at a hotel on Colva beach. According to police, the victim is a class XI student from government college near Bijnor in UP. The incident happened last week, which came to light after the girl sought help of a local waiter to approach the police.
Colva police stated that Amit Ragi, an athletics coach from UP sexually abused the girl, whom he had brought to Goa under the pretext of selection for national kho-kho. The coach and the victim came to Margao on July 7 and later checked in at a hotel near Colva beach and he allegedly raped her next day, they said.
Police stated that after the incident, the victim sought help of a hotel waiter, who assisted her to reach the police. The coach was arrested under Section 366 and 376 of IPC and sent to judicial custody. Teacher of the victim came to Goa from Bijnor after she got to know about the incident. She sought the custody of the girl, which was refused by the police.
President of 'Bailancho Ekvott' Auda Viegas, who assisted police in getting the statement, said that the girl was sent back with the police escort. "She is now safe with her parents," Viegas said adding that Colva police responded quickly after the initial complaint, which resulted in speedy rescue of the girl. – PTI
GOVT PROTECTS THE KILLERS OF BALI TRIBALS: UTAA
PANJIM: Tribal leaders on Monday accused the government of protecting the killers of two tribal activists, who lost their lives during the Bali violence on May 25. "Two of our people died. While the perpetrators are out free, our people are in jail. Only one has been arrested," United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA) leader and BJP MLA, Mr Ramesh Tawadkar told media during a daylong symbolic dharna at Azad Maidan to protest against the government apathy towards tribals.
UTAA convenor, Mr Prakash Velip said that the Crime Branch instead of getting to the bottom of the case were more interested in harassing their men and were regularly issuing summons and making them sit for hours at their office.
The activists also agued that neither the chief minister nor any other minister was interested in the welfare of the tribals, pointing out that till date the judicial enquiry in the Bali killings had still not started. "Where is the judicial enquiry which the chief minister promised? Are there no retired judges available? The killers of Mangesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip are still at large," Mr Velip told media. "The government has not done anything till date, besides harassing our people. But we will not be cowed down. Our agitation will continue," he added.
After the violence, the chief minister had assured the tribal leaders of a judicial enquiry into the incident and the case was transferred to the Crime Branch.
Tribal leaders, who have been demanding implementation of reservation for tribals in government jobs and other tribal rights, claimed that nothing is being done in this direction. "The government is just promising things. The coordination committee meeting that it had promised has still not happened. Our money is still not being spent for our development. These are all excuses," Mr Velip charged.
TRIBAL LEADERS ACCUSE CM KAMAT OF BEING ANTI–TRIBAL
PANJIM: Tribal leaders here Monday accused Chief Minister Digambar Kamat of being "anti-tribal" and protecting the killers of two tribal activists during a May rally this year. Speaking to reporters during a day-long tribal protest here, convenor of the United Tribal Associations Alliance (UTAA), Prakash Velip, said that Kamat's disinterest in tribal welfare affairs was obvious as no judicial enquiry was in sight into the killing of two tribal activists during an agitation at Balli, some 50 km from here, May 25.
"Where is the judicial enquiry which the chief minister promised? Are there no retired judges available? The killers of Mangesh Gaonkar and Dilip Velip (both tribal activists) are still at large. The chief minister is anti-tribal," Velip told reporters at the Azad Maidan here.
Days after the violence, Kamat had assured the tribal leaders of a judicial enquiry into the incident. The case was also transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation.
The tribal leaders, who have been demanding implementation of reservation for tribals in government jobs and other tribal rights, have also said that Crime Branch officers were more interested in harassing tribal activists and threatening them rather than probing the killings.
"Those who killed Mangesh and Dilip are still at large. Only one person has been arrested. They were young boys who were attacked and thrown into fire, where they were charred to death. It cannot have been done by one person," tribal activist and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Ramesh Tawadkar said. – IANS
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