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.

WHILE GOA IS IN CHAOS, GOVERNMENT TO PARTY IN LONDON by Adv. Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar

Goa is reeling under a host of serious issues due to a government that has become dysfunctional and apathetic to the people’s concerns. The Aam Aadmi is raging with fury and disgruntled. Almost every decision taken by this government over the last four years has either been kept on hold by the government if not stayed and quashed by the Courts.

DOG DAY AFTERNOON ( AND MORNING AND NIGHT ) by Dr. Oscar Rebello, Goa

Dr. Rosario Menezes, the ever smiling effervescent and genial pediatrician from Vasco has been screaming hoarse about the dangers of Rabies in Goa, for years now. Mostly his advice has been ignored or at times, even ridiculed by the motley bunch of vociferous ‘animal lovers’.

And now, predictably, the chickens or shall we say the dogs have come home to roost.

The number of dog bite cases in our little state has increased so dramatically, that it almost certainly competes with the number of mining leases the Digambar Kamat government dishes out every month. If you do not die of mining pollution, there is a good chance you may die of rabies, in style.

I understand the morally sound and very persuasive arguments put forth by the sincere champions of animal rights and acknowledge the difficulty work put in by two of the most celebrated activists I know, the graceful and elegant Normal Alvares and Angela Kazi. Killing or torturing any form of life is perverse.

However, it is very evidently seems, the strategy is not working on the ground. The dogs are ferociously multiplying. The dogs are ferociously running around, the dogs are ferociously biting and many of the dogs are ferociously rabid.

So, from the human prism, I seek answers to a few of my very serious doubts.

1. How can anyone in our cities be sure that the confirmed rabid dogs have not bitten other stray animals, thus potentially delivering a rabies ‘dog’ – demic on our hands? Surely, strays do not have a complaint register, do they?

2. What if your child, unsupervised, gets licked by a rabid dog playing on the beach? often, kids also do not have a complaint register. Hence, if your child develops and dies of an encephalitis ( a brain infection), the virus could very well be a rabies virus and your pediatrician may be in the dark about it.

3. Any standard textbook mentions that Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) must be given as standard prophylaxis for preventing rabies. RIG is expensive and almost never available in government hospitals. Hence, the standard rabies vaccine may not provide you 100 per cent cover. It is almost akin to using a ruptured condom and then taking yours bets on the pregnancy. Good luck mate!

4. Why is it that despite a great degree of love and compassion for animals in the western world, you never see strays frisking around as tourist attractions on the streets of Paris, London or New York. The only sophisticated stray currently running around there appears to be Rupert Murdoch and they are planning to assassinate him as well.

5. What if a red light minister or sarkari babu gets bitten by a stray dog, when apparently haggling for free fish at the market? Will we then see tangible, concreter action to rid the market of strays? Hell hath no fury like a minister bitten, but not shy.

6. Why is it that despite allegedly successful sterilization campaigns, the stray population multiplies faster than the Indian Mujaheedin?

7. Do we as doctors, consider rabies as a possible differential diagnosis in flaccid paralysis patients (weakness of lower limbs, upper limbs and face ) which ultimately kills. Rabies may not always present itself in its archetypal violent, aggressive neurological manifestation .

8. What is our strict enforcement of vaccination programmes for domesticated animals? Does anyone keep a log? Is there a fine on owners for non compliance? Did we know that even cat bites can lead to rabies? These creatures with ‘green eyes’ always cleverly escape public scrutiny.

9. Do I, as a tax paying or non tax paying citizen, have the inalienable human right to walk the streets of my town freely and fearlessly, not having to look over my shoulder as to when that crazy adorable son of a **** is going to bite my pants off or should is surrender that right to this nebulous and dangerous animal love?

10. Who pays compensation and costs of health care in case of rabies or should I even die in penury for this worthy cause. Statistics say that every dog bite leads to a negligible number of fatal rabies, but what if I am the fortunate one called to sacrifice my life? Am I prepared to be the hero? Has anyone even asked my permission if I was to be that hero? Has a memorial been erected to rabies victims in our country?

Let me confess. I abhor dogs!!Period ! Yeah, yeah! I know familiarargument goes, a dog is a man’s best friend and they have fluffy ears and they are loyal and all that jazz. But they also bite unprovoked.

I still recall fondly how, when on a home visit to see a patient, the domestic dog thought my tibia was fair game and sunk his bloody teeth into my leg. I had to take my shots, got paid a measly fee for my house call and had to endure the jolly guffaw of the pot-bellied owner when boomed,”Oh, Figo does that to only people he likes,” Heavens, what does he do to guys he hates?

So okay, maybe do not shoot them, torture them or position them. We all want our place in heaven after all. THE STRAYS MUST NECESSARILY GET OFF OUR STREETS and the animal lovers must show us the way, work out the solution. Now and pronto!

We, as Goans, have enough amount of misery inflicted on us by animals in our political arena. We do not need any further suffering of the whimsical, salivating teeth of our friendly, neighbor hood super dogs.

DR. OSCAR REBELLO'S REACTION ON DOG MENACE IN PANJIM by Freddy Agnelo Fernandes

Humans are God’s or nature’s prime creation, depending on what we believe, that is in God or in nature, and I have absolutely no doubt that any one of us, including Dr. Oscar and Dr Anjali for that matter, would not think twice of saving a human if it came to a definite choice between saving a human or an animal, not because we all hate animals but because we value human life more than any other form of life on this earth. Am I not right?

Now going back to Dr Oscar Rebello, I, more than any one else understand why he is being, once bitten twice shy of dogs. Most of us love dogs but at the same time fear them the most. As for me I would prefer tackling a snake than a dog any given day. Whenever I visit people, before I get off my bike or out of my car, I make sure that there are no dogs moving in the yard or compound, I have a phobia for other people’s dogs and especially stray dogs, the bigger the dog the more scared and terrified I am, even though I have always had a dog in my house, and it sure wasn’t for any social status, though there may be some who do it, like my dog is bigger and more ferocious than yours, the same like my house is bigger and better than yours, having said this, I would like to bring to the notice of Dr. Anjali, the reasons for the fear psychosis of being bitten by a dog.

If any dog growls, at any of us, it is enough to affect the smooth blood flow in our body and drench us in sweat and set our bones and joints rattling. I doubt any of us would be calm in a situation, where we have an unknown dog small or big with it’s mouth open, saliva dripping, displaying it’s canines in all it’s glory and making that dreaded sound “grrrrrr grrrrrr grrrrrr”. A sight like that could dry up anyone’s blood.

There are also some dogs that are dangerous enough, without ever displaying their emotions, they are the ones who will shake their tails till you are well within the range and than snap at you without any provocations, I would call them the smiling assassins. A dog bite is a dog bite no matter what, be it a pet or a stray and Dr. Anjali or anyone else should not be telling us that, fatality is a rarity even in a rabid dog bite. The affect of a dog bite is more mental, psychological and emotional rather than physical which makes it still worse.

I wonder how many rabid persons Dr. Anjali has seen or treated and that too in the latter stages. I have seen just one and that has blown my hackles to kingdom come. It’s a shattering image, once seen will never ever be forgotten, that every time you see a stray dog, it will come to the fore and shake you up to the core, I did have nightmares for the first few months and still have occasionally. People have seen and lot more have heard of the extreme effects of a rabid dog bite, and since it’s mostly impossible to tell if a dog is rabid or not, the fear psychosis and rightly so.

Would Dr. Anjali like to be a person who would like to follow the age old adage “prevention is better than cure”? Or let it happen to any one, if you survive you are lucky if not who cares, but dogs should not and must not, at any cost be targeted, isn’t this hypocrisy ?

There is one spot in the heart of Margao on the four road junction near Fatima Convent and the Police Station, with six schools and a college in that vicinity, can you imagine, only the number of children that go through that junction in a day ? With plenty of stray dogs there, it’s a disaster just waiting to happen. At night and early morning they chase bikes and cars, isn’t that scary? Would you risk your own children being bitten by stray dogs, rabid or not, I surely wouldn’t, and if it happened I would surely go on a shooting spree.

I know Dr. Anjali is fighting for a lot of social and environmental causes and admire her for it but her argument to justify that death is rare from rabid dog bite is both absurd and ridiculous. A dog bite especially from strays or pets that mix with other dogs should be prevented rather than looked to be treated; this should be our philosophy, if we are wise enough we should not be taking even a 1% chance that could prove fatal for any person loosing his or her precious life+ Vaccinations, sterilizations and medications are secondary which have to follow but the prime and primary objective should be the wellbeing of our fellow humans.

I don’t think even Dr. Anjali and her animal lovers would say otherwise. The preserve of human life should be our priority and to do that if animals especially strays have to become collateral damage, so be it. I too love animals and hope the endangered become populous at the earliest, but if they become a threat to human life they should go, and there should be no two ways about it. The sooner we understand it the better it will be.

I would like to ask Dr. Anjali, why humans who carry deadly infectious diseases are quarantined? If humans can be quarantined to safeguard other humans, why shouldn’t it be applied to dogs who carry deadly infectious diseases or even do away with them as preventive measures ? Isn’t our life worth more than a dog’s or is it?

THE GRAND GOVERNMENTAL SHRUG by Joaquim Correia-Afonso, Benaulim.

The print media of Goa had highlighted how the late Alban Couto’s work, even two years after his death in June 2009, has received only “a grand governmental shrug”.  The late IAS officer was the first Development Commissioner of Goa. Later he served as advisor to the governor during President’s rule and was also advisor to the Goa government. Before and after his stint in Goa, he served in Bihar, Delhi, Chennai and even in London, in the Commonwealth Secretariat. Lately, he had been appointed Chairman of the Goa State Finance Commission.

Couto always maintained an active interest in issues related to Goa, and had put forward many proposals and recommendations for implementation of projects for the benefit of Goa and Goans.

According to the media, Couto, while on a holiday in 2004, having come to know, that officials of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) were in Delhi, approached them and convinced the officials to visit Goa. After two years of discussions, at his own home, which was made to serve as his office, he managed, in 2007, a proposal to bring to Goa an over Rs. 1000 crore JICA project to augment and modernize water supply and set up sewerage systems. Government delayed this initiative for which Couto toiled tirelessly and It is only recently that the state has launched five of the over 20 packages included in the project.

While in Macau on official work, in 2006, Couto had submitted a proposal to set up biodegradable waste management facilities in two main cities – Panaji and Vasco. This being a project that would benefit the people, the “government for the people” promptly rejected it. And we have still not solved the problem of waste management. Apparently, land acquisition for waste “disposal” is more profitable, therefore the proposal for waste “management” was promptly shot down.

As Chairman of the second Goa State Finance Commission, Couto submitted the report in December 2007. The recommendations included functions and responsibilities of Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies as mandated under Articles 243G and 243W of the Constitution and the devolution of financial powers.

You all must have noticed that anything to do with increase or devolution of administrative and financial powers to the local self-government bodies, or with grass-roots governance, is taboo to our legislators, who want to retain the power in their hands and keep the local bodies under their thumb. The fact that the report has not yet been tabled in the Legislative Assembly, therefore, comes as no surprise. After so many years, it is more likely that government will term it as irrelevant now.

These same legislators are likely to come to our door just before the next elections due next year, if not earlier, seeking our votes to perpetuate their political circus and increase family representation in the Legislature. With proposals for pro-people projects being given “a grand governmental shrug”, it is high time we the people give the perpetual vote seekers “a grand people’s shrug”.

The print media of Goa had highlighted how, the late Alban Couto, who passed away a little over two years ago, had put forward many proposals and recommendations for implementation of projects for the benefit of Goa and Goans, but the same received only “a grand governmental shrug”.

The IAS officer always maintained an active interest in issues related to Goa, right up to his death in June 2009.

He was the first Development Commissioner of Goa. Later he served as advisor to the governor during President’s rule and was also advisor to the Goa government. Before and after his stint in Goa, he served in Bihar, Delhi, Chennai and even in London, in the Commonwealth Secretariat. Lately, he had been appointed Chairman of the Goa State Finance Commission.

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.

DIGAMBAR’S NEW LOVE FOR TECHNOLOGY by Willie Menino Severes, Majorda (Dubai)

In 2010, Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat demanded to put a ban on social networking sites Facebook and Orkut. Today, it is nice to see the same CM using the technology of video conferencing to listen to the grievances of the aam admi.

It is understood that he will be attending to the grievances of the people of South Goa every Tuesday, from the South Goa District Office which will be connected to all municipalities and panchayats in South Goa through the internet, and every Friday for the people of North Goa from the North Goa District Office.

However this week his online interaction has been cancelled, as he is in Delhi and will not able to reach on time.

Why can't Digambar Kamat use the facility of video conferencing to interact with his advisors in Delhi? Our politico Babu's should stop wasting Goan taxpayer’s hard earned money, to make unnecessary trips to Delhi.

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.

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

NIZ GOENKAR: A SITE DEDICATED TO GOA AND GOANS by Nisser Dias

At the very onset I would like to congratulate Menino Fernandes and his NIZ GOENKAR team for hosting, update and administer a very bold website dedicated to liberate Goa and Goans from the shackles of our own doing.

Be it mining – legal and illegal that is harming own brethren, destroying our environment and the natural beauty of a paradise on this earth called Goa. Rampant construction at the cost of our green hills, swaying palms, flowing fields, cascading springs and lakes, heritage structures and monuments and not forgetting our 104 km long coastal stretch. Acquisition of tracts of land belonging to people and the communidade for projects that are not really required for a small state like Goa. Communal division of Goan polity, politicization of police department, corruption at every level of governance, all this has been exposed on NIZ GOENKAR site.

More importantly Menino and his team dedicate a lot of time on the comments of Goan bloggers so as to give them importance. The comments of Goans be it in Goa or the diaspora Goans are so palpable that one can feel their anger against the present day government. Furthermore NIZ GOENKAR site is a window to all the diaspora Goans as it keeps them updated about the happenings and events in the mother state on a daily basis which even our popular dailies fail to do.

Kudos to Menino and his team for not only updating the site on regular basis, but dedicating themselves to cause and that is to maintain Goenkarponn and at the same time educate people of Goa to bring about a change in governance. To elect a government that will work for Goa and Goans and not a government made up of self-centered, communal politicians.

Through hard work, dedication, perseverance and enthusiasm NIZ GOENKAR team has made the government, police, politicians and politicians –in-waiting to sit up and take notice and be wary of the team because Menino and co, have stood up to the pressures of the police and politicians.

All the best in your new venture and I earnestly hope that NIZ GOENKAR site will bring about the required change.

Nisser Dias

(Journalist)