NATIVE OF BIHAR MURDERED IN GOA: ONE ARRESTED

MARGAO: The Colva police on Sunday arrested Gadon Surendra, aged 30, in connection with the murder of Shamseer Ansari, aged 20, from Bihar, which was reported in the wee hours of Sunday, at Varca Fatrade.

According to Colva police, Surendra was arrested at Taleigao and later the Colva police brought him to Colva, where he was interrogated. It has been reported that he has confessed to having committed the murder.

Police said that Ansari was assaulted with an iron rod and an axe, leading to injuries which led to his death.

Colva police said that six workers believed to be from Jharkhand, working at a construction site were residing in a room at Fatrade-Varca. It is believed that the alleged accused and the deceased had previous enmity over some issue and late on Saturday night they got into an argument, which led to the assault and murder.

Police said that there were five others in the room and these are presently absconding. The police have not ruled out their involvement in the offence. Police said the role of the five in the case was being ascertained and that efforts were on to locate them.

Police meanwhile have recovered the weapons used to commit the murder, by visiting the site at Fatrade where the incident took place. Of fence under section 302 of IPC has been registered against the alleged accused.

150 POLICEMAN TO BE DEPLOYED FOR THE SECURITY OF PRESIDENT PRATIBHA PATEL

PANJIM: In view of President Pratibha Patil's visit to Goa from January 3 to 6, the public are requested not to park their vehicles along the VVIP route from the airport to Raj Bhavan via Birla Titan junction, Bambolim and Goa university on January 3 and January 6.

About 150 Goa policemen will be part of Pratibha Patil's private security during her visit to Goa on Monday afternoon. Patil is arriving on a four-day visit to Goa and will be staying at the Raj Bhavan. "The president will attend a private function at Colva on January 4 and has plans to spend some time at a five star resort in South Goa," said sources.

Likewise, on January 4 no vehicle should be parked on Jack Sequeira road and D B B Marg from Raj Bhavan to Divya circle. Similarly, on January 5 no vehicle should be parked along the VVIP route from Raj Bhavan to Old Goa via Goa university-Merces bypass.

To facilitate smooth passage of the VVIP carcade, traffic will be stopped at various points well in advance from security point of view. The public have been requested to co-operate with the police and follow the traffic signals during the visit. Any vehicle found abandoned on the road during the VVIP movement will be towed away. (TNN)

6TH CENTURY CAVE DISCOVERED AT PALIEM, SIRIDAO

SIRIDAO: The discovery of another cave in Paliem, Siridao, has added to the village's history of subterranean structures. This particular cave could possibly date back to the 6-7th century AD, say archaeologists.

Located just 100 m on the western side of the National Highway on the slope of Siridao hill, the cave has been hidden by thick vegetation for several years. "Clearing of bushes a few days back has exposed the structure lying under creepers," a villager said.

"Our archaeologists have inspected the site and noted details for further studies," an ASI source said on Sunday. The structure overlooks the Siridao valley and is hardly noticeable from the busy highway. "It is a small single cell rock-cut cave," V Shivananda Rao, ASI superintending archaeologist said.

Explaining further, he said that Goa's topography is dotted with several caves, including Satari and other talukas. Caves found in Goa belong largely to Nath Panthi culture while a couple of them are Buddhist caves, especially Lamgao and Rivona. "It belongs to one of these categories and may date back to 6th or 7th century AD," Rao added. Rao and his staff took measurements and studied other details.

"The cave must have been cut from a huge single boulder for worship," he said. Its location, overlooking east, is not the only reason for this conclusion. "It must be of a religious nature but it is difficult to say anything about which religion at this stage," the ASI archaeologist said.

While some caves have openings on the hillside, this one is at the surface level on the hill slope. "Its inner walls are partly finished while dressing of walls is incomplete in some parts," he added. The cave may not be associated with megalithic culture as caves of this era are mostly in chambers below the ground level. The ASI will carry out comparative studies to assess its features.

According to a study, several caves have been found, among other places, in Sonal, Lamgao, Rivona, Divar, Pilar, Khandepar, Cundaim, Codar and Aquem. "In Goa, most caves are carved in laterite, but none have been scoped out in granite," M Deshpande, assistant superintending archaeologist, state archives and archaeology department said. Granite rocks can be found in Dudhsagar valley, Salgini and Verla in the western ghats, both in Sanguem taluka.

A small depression can be seen in the centre of the single cell cave, which can accommodate a few persons. "It may have been done to place a sculpture or idol for worship," another ASI source said.

A couple of studies by German historian, Gritli von Mitterwallner and V R Mitragotri provide some details about caves in Goa.

A cave existing near Siridao beach below Jesus Nazareth chapel is well known. Some say it was caused by the impact of water while others say it was excavated by man. "There was a legend that it connected Chicalim on the other side of the Zuari river under the water," a villager said. Another cave has been found in Chicalim, but most are skeptical about it, saying it is an old wives tale (TNN)

MORE TROUBLE IN KAMAT MINISTRY

PANJIM: The cabinet induction imbroglio of Benaulim NCP MLA Francisco 'Mickky' Pacheco was trouble enough for Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat. Then came the revolt and threat to topple his government by ten senior Congressmen led by PWD minister Churchill Alemao.

As if that was not enough, now, veteran Congress leader Dayanand Narvekar has lashed out at Kamat and accused him of not keeping his promise of inducting Narvekar into the cabinet if charges against him were stayed.

In an angry and slightly emotional letter to Kamat on December 23, Narvekar wrote, "(That) you did not keep your promise is another story. I never made it public due to decency and decorum which responsible persons have to adhere to. Today, as you know, there are no charges against me as the high court has admitted and granted a stay on my petition from August 2008 till today. But I never asked for ministership."

Narvekar also reminded Kamat about how he had resigned when the chief minister had asked him to.

The Aldona Congress MLA has taken offence at being likened to Pacheco by his Congress colleagues. On Wednesday, Churchill and the group opposed to Pacheco's induction into the cabinet, had cited Narvekar's example saying he was dropped from the Digambar Kamat government because a lower court had framed criminal charges against him. Since that is the principle of the Congress party, how can Pacheco, who has serious cases of murder and money laundering against him, be inducted into the cabinet, the group had asked.

Narvekar is not amused at the comparison. In his letter, he wrote, "Some ministers have used words like tainted/chargesheeted, etc in the company of some ministers who are already convicted of certain offences and chargesheeted in at least two or more cases. Do they understand the difference between allegations and convictions? If they do not, then they should be out of your ministry as it is basic dictum in jurisprudence/law that everybody is innocent till proved guilty."

Narvekar has asked the chief minister to give the ministers a "lecture on political dignity and decency" and to "educate them before speaking as they are supposed to be learned or honourable ministers, MLAs and Congressmen". He also asked the chief minister to introspect over how the Congress leadership in Goa "has done injustice to me by using fabricated charges filed by the BJP government in 2001".

He also reminded Kamat that some criminal cases filed against ex-ministers by the BJP were dropped by the Kamat government. "I never asked you, like the other MLAs did, to drop the case against me. I hope better sense will prevail in the present political muddle and you will take steps to stem the rot immediately," Narvekar said. (TNN)

AUSTRIAN NATIONAL ARRESTED FOR POSSESING LSD

PANJIM: A 29-year-old Austrian national, Oliver Pinz, was arrested by the anti- narcotics cell (ANC) of the Goa police at 8pm on Friday (December 31) in Anjuna for being in possession of Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

ANC officials acted on information that the Austrian had arrived in Goa six days ago and was trying to locate customers to sell the LSD.

DySP Naresh Mhamal along with PSI Tushar Lotlikar laid a trap to arrest Pinz while he was on his way to a party in Baga via Anjuna to sell the drug. Pinz was found to be in possession of 15ml of LSD worth 3 lakh when he was arrested. Pinz has been remanded to seven days police custody.

Mhamal said that they are now trying to locate other places where Pinz could have sold LSD during his stay in Goa. (TNN)

WHEN ADVOCATES VIOLATE THE CODE by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

The Bar Council of India prescribes a strict dress code for an advocate.  An advocate must wear his bands or gown strictly only within the Court premises and never on the streets. This rule seems to be regularly violated. In Mumbai lawyers are even seen at Fort and Crawford markets donning their gowns.

A shop keeper there once told me that they may be doing it to get respect and possibly some discounts on their purchases. It is also deplorable to see notaries in advocate’s uniform hanging around the bus stops near Mumbai’s Victoria Terminus soliciting and bargaining with customers.  Even pimps in the world’s oldest profession do it more discretely.  All said and done you do not become an advocate by merely wearing a gown. Just as you are not a doctor by merely stringing the stethoscope around your neck.

AIRES DEMANDS AN F.I. R ON MISSING LAW COMMISSION FILE

PANJIM: Adv. Aires Rodrigues has today demanded that the Law department should immediately file an F.I.R at the Porvorim Police Station regarding the missing file pertaining to the formation of the Goa Law Commission headed by Mr. Ramakant Khalap.

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the government needs to explain why no police complaint on the missing file has been filed till date though the Law department became aware on 20th October 2010 that the file was missing from the Secretariat at Porvorim.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues has also demanded that the police should interrogate Chairman of the Goa Law Commission Mr. Ramakant Khalap on the missing file.

Also demanding the immediate suspension of the Law department official responsible for the safe keeping of the file, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that it needs to be investigated as to why this particular file was not entered in the computerized File Management System in operation at the Porvorim Secretariat.

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that it needs to be probed if the file has gone missing to conceal the illegal appointment of Mr. Ramakant Khalap as Chairman of the Goa Law Commission.

Stating that the very constitution of the Goa Law Commission headed by Mr. Ramakant Khalap was against all established norms and practice, Adv Rodrigues has stated that all State Law Commissions in the country are currently headed by either retired Supreme Court or High Court Judges with senior legal luminaries as members.

The Goa Law Commission Chairman Mr. Ramakant Khalap is an active politician who is also a spokesman of the Congress party in Goa as well as the Chairman of the Mapusa Urban Cooperative Bank of Goa, stated Adv. Rodrigues.

Adv. Rodrigues has also recalled that Mr. Ramakant Khalap was charge sheeted by the Goa Police in corruption related cases which were later “politically” withdrawn by the Goa Government.

GOVT TO COME UP WITH SPECIAL PLAN TO PROTECT CHURCHES, TEMPLES

PANJIM: A special action plan will soon be drawn by the state government for the safety of temples around the state, with the backdrop of a spate of robberies taking place in Goan temples. Other religious houses like churches and chapels would also be included in the action plan.

According to a highly placed government source. it was learnt on Saturday that the action plan will be jointly implemented by the volunteers, the respective temple committees and the police. It is expected that the action plan will be finalised by January 12.

The action plan is the outcome of the demand made by a delegation of temple committee members to the Chief Secretary, Mr S K Srivastava earlier this week. Taking cognisance of the demand, the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik, Mr Srivastava and the Secretary for Home, Mr Rajiv Verma along with the Collector for North Goa, Mr Mihir Vardhan, the Collector for South Goa, Mr Gokuldas Naik and the police officials discussed the issue and agreed on the necessity for a special action plan.

The meeting also decided to gather all the information as required for providing security to the temples around the state. A number of temples in Goa are yet to be registered and hence the government has very little information about them. It was decided to conduct a survey and collect desired information about such temples as well as study the vulnerable temples.

The high level meeting, it is learnt, tentatively decided on a three-pronged strategy; to provide police patrolling around the temples, aided by assistance from the volunteers with the support of the respective temple committees. The meeting also agreed on advising the temple committees to deposit the temple gold and other jewellery in banks.

Another option of providing lockers to the temples for storing the valuables was also delved upon. The meeting further explored the possibility of insuring the temple property.

Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the thefts which had taken place in Goa during the last year. It was pointed out that nearly 33 per cent of these cases were solved by the police. The year 2010 witnessed 49 thefts in temples from North Goa, out of which 17 were unearthed while the district had thefts in two churches with one of them solved. The same period witnessed 15 thefts in temples from South Goa out of which five were unearthed, while the district had thefts in six churches with one of them solved.

Incidentally, temple committee members of Shri Shantadurga Kitolkarin temple, Fatorpa, had also requested the state government to post home guards as security personnel in those temples which cannot afford to engage private security guards. The temple was recently robbed of valuables worth several lakhs of rupees. A suggestion was made to the temple committee members that the village panchayats should establish vigilance committees in their respective areas for more effective security and village youths could be trained by the government for the purpose.

SATARI JAGRUT YUVA MORCHA LASHES OUT AT GOVT IN RE MINING

VALPOI: Members of Satari Jagruk Yuva Morcha (SJYM) have strongly criticized government for maintaining silence on the issue of mining in Satari.  Addressing the media, at a press conference held at Shahid Stamb, Valpoi, Mr Vishwesh Prabhu, working president of SJYM came down heavily on the government over the issue of mining.

Referring to the report published in a local venacular daily that the Environment Ministry had given a green signal for stating mining operations to two new companies in Bicholim and Satari, Mr Prabhu questioned the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, who also holds mining portfolio, to be specific as to which mining companies have been granted permissions in Satari, as according to them there is no possibility of establishing any new mines in Satari.

He further said, "If the present government is for aam admi then despite of strong opposition from the people of Satari how the government can allow renewal or setting up of new mining regions in Satari."

"I feel extremely sad that our leaders are indirectly involved in destroying the environment for financial gains," he added.  SJYM also alleged involvement of the Agriculture Minister and Valpoi MLA, Mr Vishwajit Rane in the mining activity in Satari.

The SJYM members said that Mr Rane is supporting the mining activity, which has been noted from his past public statements. The members appealed to Mr Rane to make his stand clear on the mining issue as the people are confounded with his past statements.

Mr Prabhu said, "Mr Rane being an Agriculture Minister must not make statements supporting mining."

Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr Prabhu said that during the last by-poll, the party had raised the issue of mining and assured to support anti-mining movement but so far neither the opposition leader, Mr Manohar Parriker nor any of their local leaders came forward and opposed mining.

"It appears that all the leaders want to be on the back foot in this matter. But, to preserve identity and environment, the people of Satari will fight bravely and will not allow any mining activity in this green zone" he thundered.

Mr Ranjeet Rane, an activist and member of SJYM blamed the Kamat government for promoting mining in Satari.  With reference to the news published, he wanted to know as to which companies are permitted to carry out mining in Satari.

Mr Laxman Joshi, speaking on the occasion, highlighted the importance of green cover and explained the consequences of mining.

According to him, mining will largely affect the animals which graze on pastures in such zones, which are now under the dark clouds of mining.  Mr Gabriel D’Costa also opposing mining, questioned the local MLA for being a silent spectator.

Mr D’Costa said, "If there was any technology to convert the land on which the mining rejection is dumped into green agricultural land then there would have been no problem" 

"However devastating our green lands to earn money will not be tolerated," he asserted.  The SJYM has appeal to all the self help groups and mahila mandals from Satari to support the anti-mining movement. Mr Deepaji Rane and Mr Vijay were also present during the press conference.

ARREST OF TWO INVOLVED IN MOLESTING CHILDREN

PONDA: Ponda police arrested Adolf Rodrigues, 55, a resident of Panjim and Mohammad Christle, 30, from Pune, for allegedly molesting five children at their residence and filming the act on a video camera. The alleged incident took place at Panchwadi, Ponda, on Friday evening.

The accused have been booked under Sections 354 (molestation), 325 (assault) and 8 of Children’s Act. The video camera has been seized.

Police said the duo first went to the house where these children were playing and told them that they were doing a movie and that they wanted to feature them in it.

Taking advantage of two disabled adults in the house, the duo molested the girls and captured the act on their video camera, said the police adding, however, after filming the act, they were walking towards their car (GA 01 S 7229) when two locals questioned them as to where they had gone. At this juncture, an argument broke out wherein Rodrigues and Christle assaulted the two locals and tried to escape in their car. However, their car was intercepted and both were beaten up by the locals.

The victims’ mother later lodged a complaint with the police and the duo was arrested. Their car and mobile phones were also seized. The accused have been remanded to seven days police custody.

Some NGO members visited the police station and took stock of the situation.

NINE PERSONS ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING ONE FROM KHAREBAND

MARGAO: The Margao police informed that they have arrested nine persons including Muktar Nasser, the main accused in the case of kidnapping of Mohamed Asif (22) of Khareband, Margao, on Saturday.

Nassem Barkatali, Javed Himauddgi, Ahsok Adur, Muktar Almlani, Santosh Gavde, Ahil Jivane, Sanal Balchandra and Vishant Mahaye are other eight accused arrested in the case, the police said. Mohamed Asif, a cell phone mechanic by profession, was beaten by the nine persons after he was kidnapped, the police informed adding he has been admitted to the Hospicio Hospital, Margao.

According to the police, two years back Mohamed Asif was working in the shop of Muktar Nasser at Margao as a cell phone mechanic, however, due to some reasons he left the job and took up a job at some other place.

The police said that there was allegation that the injured had taken some cell phones while he was working with Muktar Nasser; Muktar Nasser on Saturday evening went to the shop where Mohamed was working and told him to work for him again, however, he refused to come back.

The refusal to work for him irritated Muktar Nasser and there was heated exchange of words between them; later Muktar arrived along with the eight others to the shop and told Mohamed to come to his shop. But, he did not agree; it was then Muktar Nasser and eight others forced Mohamed into a car and brought him to his shop where he was badly beaten, informed the police.

The police further said that later Muktar Nasser called the uncle of Mohamed and told him to pay ` 1 lakh and threatened that or else he would not release him. The uncle in turn formed the Margao police who rushed to the shop and secured the release of Mohamed.

The police said that all the accused have been arrested and lodged in custody; Mohamed has been admitted to the Hospicio Hospital, Margao, and his statements are being recorded. The police have registered the offence of kidnapping, assault and demanding cash to release Mohamed. The police inspector, Mr Santosh Dessai is supervising the investigations.

UNION MINORITY AFFAIRS MINISTER ASKS STATE TO SETUP COMMISION FOR MINORITIES

PANJIM: The Union Minority Affairs Minister, Mr Salman Khursheed has said that the central government has written to the state administration to set up a Minorities Commission in Goa to safeguard the minorities from discrimination.

Mr Khursheed also said that he has been pursuing the matter for setting up equal opportunities commission so as to facilitate opportunities to those lagging behind in development. He said that he would pursue the matter with the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on setting up the Minorities Commission.

The Union Minority Affairs Minister also informed that the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has written to all state administrations that 15 per cent of the jobs in government sector should be filled by selecting candidates from those belonging to the minority communities.

He further said that as per the recommendations of the central government the recruitment drive to provide job opportunities to the members of minority communities should continue till the 15 per cent figure was achieved. He went on to add that the figure could exceed 15 per cent if the candidates from the minority communities were eligible for selection.

Mr Khursheed, however, said that the Centre cannot force the state administrations to "totally" accept all its recommendations but emphasised on the need for creating a public opinion. He said that the central government has reached 13 per cent in recruitment drive.

Earlier, the Union Minister told a delegation of Muslims that they needed to persistently follow the issue relating to the graveyard (kabrastan) at Margao with the local authorities that it was amicably settled. The Muslims from Salcete have been demanding land for a second graveyard (kabrastan) in Margao or surrounding areas for the last 30 years as the land in the existing graveyard has been totally ‘exhausted.’

He, however, said that as per the information provided to him the issue was a bit ‘complicated’ and that state authorities have already been seized with the matter. He assured the delegation that he too would personally take up the issue with the local authorities to ensure that it was properly addressed.

The Union Minority Affairs Minister addressed the members of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee earlier in the day and urged them to prepare for the forthcoming elections to the state assembly. The issue of graveyard figured prominently at the GPCC meeting attended by Mr Khursheed.

AIRES RODRIGUES FILES COMPLAINT AGAINT SUBODH KANTAK

PANJIM: An RTI activist has filed a complaint before the Goa State Information Commission against advocate general of Goa Subodh Kantak for not complying with provisions of the Right to Information Act (RTI) and not appointing a public information officer, though his office is a public authority.

Activist Aires Rodrigues, in his complaint on Friday, said that though the RTI Act was enacted to promote transparency and accountability and became law on June 15, 2005, the advocate general has not complied with the provisions of the Act for over five years.

Stating that the advocate general is a "public authority" as defined in Section 2 (h) of the RTI Act 2005, Rodrigues said that being a constitutional authority constituted under the Constitution of India, he was required under Section 5 of the Act to designate within 100 days, a PIO to provide information under the Act to persons requesting the same from the advocate general's office.

He further stated that Section 4 of the Act requires the advocate general to publish and make public within 120 days various information details about the advocate general's office.

Rodrigues has said that failure to comply with the RTI Act by the advocate general was unreasonable, malafide and without reasonable cause. Rodrigues has sought that Kantak should be penalized in terms of Section 20 of the RTI Act for not complying with the provision of the Act.

MINING SHOULD NOT BE AT THE COST OF AGRIGULTURE

PANJIM: A study by the national council of applied economic research (NCAER), about the underestimated share of mining to the GDP and other social benefits, saw those affected by mining acknowledge the industry's contribution but stress that it should not be at the cost of other age-old occupations.

Santosh Prabhudesai, a farmer from Colomba, a mining area in Quepem taluka, said it's true that if mining is shut down, around 75,000 persons will lose their jobs directly. "But mining should not be at the cost of agriculture, which has been carried out since time immemorial for our very sustenance," he said. Calling for sustainable operations, he said agriculture should be given due weightage.

"Mining activity will come to an end shortly, but agriculture will continue; but if agricultural land is destroyed, over two lakh people who sustain themselves will be affected," hesaid.

R Venkatesan of NCAER, whose study was released on Thursday, had found that the iron ore industry was the second-largest employer in Goa with 8,000 truck owners running 12,000 vehicles, and over 600 barges plying on inland waterways.

The mining industry has benefitted several families who faced unemployment in rural areas, Satish Gaonkar, a truck owner in one of south Goa's mining belts said. "We had no employment, barring agriculture, in our village. As it had limited potential for a few, hiring trucks for transportation helped us sustain our families," he said.

Sabina Martins, convener, Goa Bachao Abhiyan, on the other hand, stressed that the government should involve and engage people in the participation process as conflicts between livelihoods are rising. "In mining areas, there are conflicts between livelihoods of different people, especially between miners and farmers."

Stating that a debate is needed to discuss which livelihoods are more important, she said a participative process in development issues, be it in mining, tourism, and other sectors, can help address needs of every interest group instead of preferential treatment for the privileged classes.

Claude Alvares said he had not read the report, but as an economist had done it, he felt that it would lay more emphasis on economic aspects rather than the environment. "NACER's main capacity is in economics and not in environment, which they will downplay as they will not have analytical tools to assess environmental costs," Alvares said.

Stating that they have only looked at the obvious damage in terms of forest cover lost, he said that TERI had highlighted the damage caused by mining in the 90s when total ore produced was just 15 million tonnes. "It has gone up to 50 million tonnes now and the extent of damage too has multiplied several times," said Alvares.

A section of anti-mining activists felt that stress on economy and benefits at the cost of human index are lopsided. "If it is economy that matters for everything, then there is no point in talking about human index, culture and civilization," Ramesh Gawas of Bicholim said.

Pointing out that Goa is highly placed in terms of human development index and other parameters, he added, "Then what would be the point in India being part of the UN conventions and all environment summits?"

WILL GOA GOVERNOR SIDHU RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS ?

All eyes will be on whether Goa’s Governor Dr. S.S.Sidhu remains present before the Goa State Information Commission on 4th January for the hearing of the RTI case filed against him.  81 year old Dr. Sidhu is India’s first Governor to be summoned. The State Information Commission has the same powers as a Court in summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person.

Goa State Information Commission has issued notice to Governor Sidhu directing him to personally appear before the commission on 4th January at 10.30 am in connection with the complaint filed against him by Adv. Aires Rodrigues for non- complying with the Right to Information Act. The Commission has also directed the Special Secretary to the Governor Dr. N.Radhakrishnan to remain present.

Adv. Aires Rodrigues has filed the case against Governor Sidhu after Goa Raj Bhavan took a stand that the Governor is not a “Public Authority” and does not come within the purview of the RTI Act

After being summoned by the State Information Commission Governor Sidhu has reportedly not sought the legal advice of State Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak on the issue. It will now have to be seen whether Governor Sidhu engages a private lawyer to defend him.

Every Governor is assisted and guided by the Advocate General of the State on all legal issues. But in a virtual rebuff to Advocate General Subodh Kantak his legal opinion has not been sought by Governor Sidhu.

It may be recalled that former Governor Mr. S.C.Jamir had appointed a Special Legal Advisor at Raj Bhavan despite Mr. Subodh Kantak being the Advocate General.  Subodh Kantak has been accused by Adv. Aires Rodrigues of being India’s highest paid Advocate General having been paid over five crores in the last five years.