Friday, July 31, 2009
Maid and the ‘monsters’
Tale of a 10-year-old girl, how she fled from the house ofher tormentors
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: How did the 10-year-old girl ill-treated and physically tortured for six months by her employers, the Porvorim-based Pednekars, escape from her masters’ clutches?
Sheer luck!
She slipped out of the house on Saturday when her employer, Audhumber Pednekar, a civil engineer by profession was at work and his wife Meenaxi and sister-in-law Rekha alias Tina Waghela were too busy to notice her.
Meenaxi was feeding her twins in the bedroom and Tina was in the bathroom, when the girl managed to escape and run towards the main road. There, she got on to a bus headed for Mapusa.
She wasn’t carrying even a single penny and fortunately encountered a humane bus conductor who let her go, perhaps pitying her for her physical condition.
It was then that Mapusa police located her in their jurisdiction and on inquiry the whole episode got exposed.
Porvorim police were then immediately informed and Save Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - India was roped in after which an FIR was registered and action initiated.
Meanwhile, co-accused in the case, Tina Waghela is absconding from the day the offence was booked against her and the Pednekar couple on Saturday night.
Audhumber has already got bail from the Children’s Court in the case in which he along with his wife Meenaxi and sister-in-law Tina, are booked under sections 324 (injuring flesh) read with section 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code, section 7 C, 8 (2) 9 of Goa Children’s Act, 2003 (employing a minor child for domestic help, etc) and section 3 of Prevention of Atrocities (Schedule Caste/Schedule Tribes) Act.
The police, meanwhile, are on the job to trace Tina, whose anticipatory bail plea will be heard in the Children’s Court tomorrow along with Meenaxi’s, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Gundu Naik, told GT.
Gundu Naik is handling the case since Tuesday when police invoked section 3 of the Prevention of Atrocities (SC/ST) Act, making it mandatory for an officer of DySP’s rank to investigate. Statements of some seven witnesses have been recorded, although most of them have not come out publicly, fearing retaliation by the Pednekars.
A top police official said, Audumber, who is since released on bail, has “to a certain extent” admitted beating the girl. He said they did not pick up Meenaxi on Saturday night itself because she was nursing their six-month-old twins.
“We had to take swift action on Saturday night soon after registering the FIR. We rushed to the house and arrested Audumber. Meenaxi was with her six-month-old twins and arresting her at that late hour would have separated her from her breast-feeding kids,” the police official said.
Meanwhile, a medical board comprising three senior GMC doctors re-examined the 10-year-old girl for about three-and-half-hours. The report will be released tomorrow and is expected to be very volumnous as against the first one, which was just quarter page.
The first report was produced before the Children’s Court to buttress the police’s plea to reject Audumber’s bail application on Monday. It was only a ‘provisional certificate’.
DySP Naik however declined to comment by only stating that the first medical report mentioned ‘thick burn injuries’ some five-to-seven days old.
BOOM-BOOM BABU
Sports Minister whacks Parrikar’s bouncer
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: It’s not often that Assembly proceedings are packed with fire-works, but yesterday was one of those rare days in the Goa Assembly when Sports Minister Babu Azgaonkar verbally clashed with Opposition Leader, Manohar Parrikar.
As if to say ‘enough-is-enough’, Azgaonkar, who’s been at the receiving end for two days on the controversial ‘Sports City’ project, lashed out at Parrikar and accused him of being the pot that’s calling the kettle black.
Azgaonkar said Parrikar, who against popular sentiments had bulldozed his pet project of hosting the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panjim, was now accusing him of side stepping opposition to the ‘Sports City’.
Azgaonkar also lashed out at Parrikar for his earlier laced comments that suggested he (Azgaonkar) was blinded by the Rs 550-crore the Centre had promised for the project. “Was it the same case with IFFI?” Azgaonkar asked aloud.
Earlier, Parrikar while narrating a fable of the dhobi getting his reluctant donkey to work by dangling carrots before it, had said, “Carrots are dangling in front of him (Minister)”, while referring to the sports city.
To this, Azgaonkar shot back: “Were the same type of carrots dangling before him for IFFI?”
The clash occurred when Parrikar, in his inimitable style poured out his wry sarcasm-filled barbs and generally directed them towards Azgaonkar during the discussion on the Demands for Grants pertaining to sports.
Parrikar urged the minister not to take a confrontationist approach, but compromise with aggrieved villagers.
He also suggested that the government first tender the project to see the response and test the project’s commercial viability.
In typical sarcasm, he then went on to narrate the dhobi-donkey fable, and charged that the minister’s eyes were on the carrots (Rs 550 crore) to be allocated by the Centre.
Azgaonkar in his reply demanded to know whether such carrots dangled before Parrikar when the latter bull-dozed the IFFI event in 2004 riding rough-shod over all opposition to it, across the state.
Though Parrikar was not present in the House, Azgaonkar jabbed him with a ‘carrots were dangling before him when he organised IFFI’ comment, sending the House into peels of laughter.
Sweeping machines: Clean sweep for Oppn
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: The utter futility of five sweeping machines on Goan roads resulting in wasteful expenditure, their appendages in the form of tractors and the planned outsourcing of all these machines for a sizeable sum rankled the opposition BJP benches yesterday.
Procured at a sizeable amount of Rs 97 lakh with additional Rs 26 lakh spent on tractors for ferrying these machines, opposition leader Manohar Parrikar explained their futility on Goan roads. Finally, Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao had to shelve his initial plans of outsourcing all five machines and remain satisfied with outsourcing of just one machine on a trial basis.
Their drawbacks
In Parrikar’s opinion, the sweeping machines are useless for the following reasons: Their quality is not up to the mark, the pre-requisite of good roads for their use is a complete non-starter in Goa and the shape of these machines makes it a tedious task for them to negotiate sharp turns on narrow Goan roads.
What’s worse, tractors are unable to pull the load of these machines on slope thereby rendering them useless on such roads as well. Moreover, the noise emanating from these machines during their sweeping process, Parrikar feels, is enough to wake up all Altinho residents in the wee hours of the morning.
“The only roads in Panjim which these sweeping machines can clear are the DB Marg and MG Road,” remarked the opposition leader. “It is a classic case of window shopping. These machines were selected without examining their actual use on Goan roads. Total working of these machines is less than 1000 hours,” was the opposition leader’s charge.
Outsourcing plans
Adding to the misery of the Urban Development Ministry was the proposed outsourcing of all five sweeping machines -- already purchased at a huge cost along with the tractors as appendages in addition -- again, at a price.
What’s more, Parrikar pointed out how Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao did not despatch a single machine to Cuncolim Municipality in the Minister’s own constituency and instead posted them at CCP, Margao, Mormugao and Mapusa Municipal Councils.
Joaquim replies
To start with, the Urban Development Minister put up a brave face while expressing confidence of putting all these sweeping machines to use. “I want to show that these machines can be run. The machines are in proper condition. It is the workers who are lazy. So I am outsourcing them,” remarked Alemao.
But soon, he had to beat a hasty retreat, in the face of reality being portrayed by the opposition leader. As a compromise formula spelt out by the opposition leader in the House during the course of discussions of this Starred Question, the Urban Development Minister accepted that he would outsource just one sweeping machine on a trial basis.
PANJIM: The utter futility of five sweeping machines on Goan roads resulting in wasteful expenditure, their appendages in the form of tractors and the planned outsourcing of all these machines for a sizeable sum rankled the opposition BJP benches yesterday.
Procured at a sizeable amount of Rs 97 lakh with additional Rs 26 lakh spent on tractors for ferrying these machines, opposition leader Manohar Parrikar explained their futility on Goan roads. Finally, Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao had to shelve his initial plans of outsourcing all five machines and remain satisfied with outsourcing of just one machine on a trial basis.
Their drawbacks
In Parrikar’s opinion, the sweeping machines are useless for the following reasons: Their quality is not up to the mark, the pre-requisite of good roads for their use is a complete non-starter in Goa and the shape of these machines makes it a tedious task for them to negotiate sharp turns on narrow Goan roads.
What’s worse, tractors are unable to pull the load of these machines on slope thereby rendering them useless on such roads as well. Moreover, the noise emanating from these machines during their sweeping process, Parrikar feels, is enough to wake up all Altinho residents in the wee hours of the morning.
“The only roads in Panjim which these sweeping machines can clear are the DB Marg and MG Road,” remarked the opposition leader. “It is a classic case of window shopping. These machines were selected without examining their actual use on Goan roads. Total working of these machines is less than 1000 hours,” was the opposition leader’s charge.
Outsourcing plans
Adding to the misery of the Urban Development Ministry was the proposed outsourcing of all five sweeping machines -- already purchased at a huge cost along with the tractors as appendages in addition -- again, at a price.
What’s more, Parrikar pointed out how Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao did not despatch a single machine to Cuncolim Municipality in the Minister’s own constituency and instead posted them at CCP, Margao, Mormugao and Mapusa Municipal Councils.
Joaquim replies
To start with, the Urban Development Minister put up a brave face while expressing confidence of putting all these sweeping machines to use. “I want to show that these machines can be run. The machines are in proper condition. It is the workers who are lazy. So I am outsourcing them,” remarked Alemao.
But soon, he had to beat a hasty retreat, in the face of reality being portrayed by the opposition leader. As a compromise formula spelt out by the opposition leader in the House during the course of discussions of this Starred Question, the Urban Development Minister accepted that he would outsource just one sweeping machine on a trial basis.
Govt will not buy additional power from Reliance: Aleixo
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira yesterday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that though in-principle approval had been granted to the Sancoale-based independent power producer - M/s Reliance Infrastructure Limited - to double its capacity, it had no financial implications on the government.
There is no commitment to purchase the additional power and the department has even proposed that the 16 MW currently purchased, be discontinued.
Sequeira was replying to the discussion on the Demands for Grants for Power, Science, Technology and Environment and Printing and Stationery.
As per the original power purchase agreement, the government was purchasing 32 MW of power which gradually reduced to 16 MW after the agreement was modified and the company allowed to increase its capacity by another 10 MW a few years ago.
No subsidy to guzzlers
The ghost of the mid-1990s power subsidy scam returned in the House yesterday when Sequeira said that no case was pending against Deputy Speaker, Mauvin Godinho, and that not a single paisa was released as subsidy to any power guzzler, from 2001 till date.
He said, attempts were on to recover Rs 105-crore from the power guzzlers, who he added, had approached the Surepme Court. If required, the government will engage the best of lawyers and ensure the arrears are recovered, he said.
Godinho was the power minister when the scandal broke out after current Opposition Leader, Manohar Parrikar exposed that the Power Ministry had restored the subsidy scheme by a notification without cabinet sanction. Parrikar had also lodged an FIR in this connection.
Linking sub-stations
Sequeira said, plans were afoot to inter-connect all power sub-stations with underground cabling to reduce power interruptions by 20 per cent.
The Minister admitted that the department was not performing well on the billing front and one reason for this was that the 400-odd meter readers, mostly women, were reluctant to go on the field and in houses to record the meter readings.
To overcome these problems, spot billing, a pilot project is being launched in his Loutolim constituency, he said, adding that the earlier exercise in some parts of Panjim city failed after the contractor abandoned the work. Also, the drop box facility to pay bills by cheques in Panjim and Margao would be extended to other areas soon, he added.
He said, for the ensuing Ganesh Chaturthi festival, new street light fixtures with improved quality of spares would be alloted latest by August 7.
He said, the electricity department was able to achieve and surpass revenue targets due to various factors and achieved revenue of Rs 987 crore during 2008-09.
Earlier, the opposition members who had tabled their cut motions, censured the power department on several fronts, including failure to deal with power shortage at peak load, frequent power failures thereby causing huge loss to industry, disruption of water supply and inconvenience to consumers.
PANJIM: Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira yesterday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that though in-principle approval had been granted to the Sancoale-based independent power producer - M/s Reliance Infrastructure Limited - to double its capacity, it had no financial implications on the government.
There is no commitment to purchase the additional power and the department has even proposed that the 16 MW currently purchased, be discontinued.
Sequeira was replying to the discussion on the Demands for Grants for Power, Science, Technology and Environment and Printing and Stationery.
As per the original power purchase agreement, the government was purchasing 32 MW of power which gradually reduced to 16 MW after the agreement was modified and the company allowed to increase its capacity by another 10 MW a few years ago.
No subsidy to guzzlers
The ghost of the mid-1990s power subsidy scam returned in the House yesterday when Sequeira said that no case was pending against Deputy Speaker, Mauvin Godinho, and that not a single paisa was released as subsidy to any power guzzler, from 2001 till date.
He said, attempts were on to recover Rs 105-crore from the power guzzlers, who he added, had approached the Surepme Court. If required, the government will engage the best of lawyers and ensure the arrears are recovered, he said.
Godinho was the power minister when the scandal broke out after current Opposition Leader, Manohar Parrikar exposed that the Power Ministry had restored the subsidy scheme by a notification without cabinet sanction. Parrikar had also lodged an FIR in this connection.
Linking sub-stations
Sequeira said, plans were afoot to inter-connect all power sub-stations with underground cabling to reduce power interruptions by 20 per cent.
The Minister admitted that the department was not performing well on the billing front and one reason for this was that the 400-odd meter readers, mostly women, were reluctant to go on the field and in houses to record the meter readings.
To overcome these problems, spot billing, a pilot project is being launched in his Loutolim constituency, he said, adding that the earlier exercise in some parts of Panjim city failed after the contractor abandoned the work. Also, the drop box facility to pay bills by cheques in Panjim and Margao would be extended to other areas soon, he added.
He said, for the ensuing Ganesh Chaturthi festival, new street light fixtures with improved quality of spares would be alloted latest by August 7.
He said, the electricity department was able to achieve and surpass revenue targets due to various factors and achieved revenue of Rs 987 crore during 2008-09.
Earlier, the opposition members who had tabled their cut motions, censured the power department on several fronts, including failure to deal with power shortage at peak load, frequent power failures thereby causing huge loss to industry, disruption of water supply and inconvenience to consumers.
ZP by-poll: All women fight at Taleigao
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: The bye-elections to fill up the two vacant posts of Taleigao and Santa Cruz Zilla Panchayat and two wards of Piligao and Carambolim posts will be held on August 9. The polling will commence at 8 am and end at 5 pm on August 9.
It will be a straight fight between Anabela Maria Pereira and Wilma Rosario Cardozo for Taleigao ZP constituency, which fell vacant following the resignation of Jennifer Monserrate on being elected sarpanch of Taleigao panchayat. The Taleigao ZP had 15,188 voters and 22 polling stations.
Six candidates are contesting the bye-election in Santa Cruz Zilla Panchayat constituency. They are Brigida Cynthia CardoZo, Elias Dias, Lawrence Fernandese, Prakash Sawant, Sunil Santinezkar and Suresh Palkar. The bye-elecion has been necessitated following the death of sitting ZP member Lawrence Azadevo. There are 14,283 voters and 18 polling stations in Santa Cruz constituency extending to the villages of Santa-Cruz, Curca, Bambolim and Telaulim. The counting of votes will be done at Institute Menezes Braganza hall, Panjim on August 10 from 8 am onwards.
Similarly, bye-elections will also be held in ward number V of Carambolim panchayat and and ward III of Piligao panchayat on August 9. Three Candidates are contesting in each of these wards. Sanjay Karmalkar, Tulshidas Narvekar and Umesh Karmalkar are contesting in ward V of Carambolim panchayat.
PANJIM: The bye-elections to fill up the two vacant posts of Taleigao and Santa Cruz Zilla Panchayat and two wards of Piligao and Carambolim posts will be held on August 9. The polling will commence at 8 am and end at 5 pm on August 9.
It will be a straight fight between Anabela Maria Pereira and Wilma Rosario Cardozo for Taleigao ZP constituency, which fell vacant following the resignation of Jennifer Monserrate on being elected sarpanch of Taleigao panchayat. The Taleigao ZP had 15,188 voters and 22 polling stations.
Six candidates are contesting the bye-election in Santa Cruz Zilla Panchayat constituency. They are Brigida Cynthia CardoZo, Elias Dias, Lawrence Fernandese, Prakash Sawant, Sunil Santinezkar and Suresh Palkar. The bye-elecion has been necessitated following the death of sitting ZP member Lawrence Azadevo. There are 14,283 voters and 18 polling stations in Santa Cruz constituency extending to the villages of Santa-Cruz, Curca, Bambolim and Telaulim. The counting of votes will be done at Institute Menezes Braganza hall, Panjim on August 10 from 8 am onwards.
Similarly, bye-elections will also be held in ward number V of Carambolim panchayat and and ward III of Piligao panchayat on August 9. Three Candidates are contesting in each of these wards. Sanjay Karmalkar, Tulshidas Narvekar and Umesh Karmalkar are contesting in ward V of Carambolim panchayat.
Civic bodies to get octroi dues
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Giving in to persistent demands by vociferous BJP benches, Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao has promised to release a sum of Rs 17 crore due to all Municipalities in the state.
This sum has been pending under two heads -- Rs 14 crore is 0.75% VAT to Municipalities in lieu of octroi while Rs 3 crores is the disbursal of fund earmarked to Municipalities under budgetary provision.
However, Joaquim has remained non-committal on the additional, arrears of Rs 24.85 crore due to Municipalities pending over a period of five years as pointed out by opposition leader Manohar Parrikar.
He, however, promised to move the file to the finance department for clearing these arrears.
Earlier, Canacona MLA Vijay Pai Khot raised the matter through a starred qand gave the break up of the rightful demands for funds to the Municipalities.
In lieu of octroi, the Municipalities, Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats are entitled to 2% proceeds of VAT. The detailed break-up, as announced the Urban Development Minister, is: 0.75% to panchayats, 0.75% to Municipalities and 0.5% to Zilla Panchayats.
Khot said of the total VAT collected by the government, 0.75% amounting to Rs 14 crores due to Municipalities has not yet been disbursed.
In his reply, the Urban Development Minister shifted the election code of conduct for the inability to disburse the grants of Rs 3 crore on time. This led Parrikar to demand the propriety of writing to the Election Commissioner when the grants were already earmarked for disbursal.
Of other pending arrears amounting to Rs 24.85 crore, Parrikar felt they can take care of the additional burden of Rs 10 crore on Municipalities imposed on account of the recommendations of the VIth Pay Commission.
As far as octroi is concerned, Alemao blamed the Sales Tax Department quoting their inability to provide him with figures of taxes collected from petrol pumps.
To this, Parrikar said, "The grant of octroi can't be arbitrary. You have to give it proportionately. In case data was unavailable, you could have asked your department to collect it from the petrol pumps."
At this stage, Fatorda MLA Damodar Naik pointed out to the sum of Rs 1 crore, 25 lakhs given to Margao Municipality despite the existence of about 11 petrol pumps within Margao city limits. However, Alemao was quick to clarify that the aforesaid sum of Rs 1 crore was by way of grants.
PANJIM: Giving in to persistent demands by vociferous BJP benches, Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao has promised to release a sum of Rs 17 crore due to all Municipalities in the state.
This sum has been pending under two heads -- Rs 14 crore is 0.75% VAT to Municipalities in lieu of octroi while Rs 3 crores is the disbursal of fund earmarked to Municipalities under budgetary provision.
However, Joaquim has remained non-committal on the additional, arrears of Rs 24.85 crore due to Municipalities pending over a period of five years as pointed out by opposition leader Manohar Parrikar.
He, however, promised to move the file to the finance department for clearing these arrears.
Earlier, Canacona MLA Vijay Pai Khot raised the matter through a starred qand gave the break up of the rightful demands for funds to the Municipalities.
In lieu of octroi, the Municipalities, Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats are entitled to 2% proceeds of VAT. The detailed break-up, as announced the Urban Development Minister, is: 0.75% to panchayats, 0.75% to Municipalities and 0.5% to Zilla Panchayats.
Khot said of the total VAT collected by the government, 0.75% amounting to Rs 14 crores due to Municipalities has not yet been disbursed.
In his reply, the Urban Development Minister shifted the election code of conduct for the inability to disburse the grants of Rs 3 crore on time. This led Parrikar to demand the propriety of writing to the Election Commissioner when the grants were already earmarked for disbursal.
Of other pending arrears amounting to Rs 24.85 crore, Parrikar felt they can take care of the additional burden of Rs 10 crore on Municipalities imposed on account of the recommendations of the VIth Pay Commission.
As far as octroi is concerned, Alemao blamed the Sales Tax Department quoting their inability to provide him with figures of taxes collected from petrol pumps.
To this, Parrikar said, "The grant of octroi can't be arbitrary. You have to give it proportionately. In case data was unavailable, you could have asked your department to collect it from the petrol pumps."
At this stage, Fatorda MLA Damodar Naik pointed out to the sum of Rs 1 crore, 25 lakhs given to Margao Municipality despite the existence of about 11 petrol pumps within Margao city limits. However, Alemao was quick to clarify that the aforesaid sum of Rs 1 crore was by way of grants.
Sirsaim panchayat misses out on grants
BY NESHWIN ALMEIDA
neshwin_almeida@gomantaktimes.com
PANJIM: The village panchayat of Sirsaim in Bardez taluka though financially sound with a panchayat fund of Rs 2.7 lakh but just does not have the drive to go the extra mile.
The panchayat has not submitted their Annual Action Plan to the Zilla Panchyat or to any District Rural Development Agencies (DRDA), therefore missing out on grants-in aid for schemes that benefit the village, revealed the audit report of the year 2007-08.
One of the major schemes that the village panchayat missed out on is the central sponsored Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY). The objective of this scheme is to provide additional wage employment, provide food security and improve nutritional levels.
SGRY provides assistance to those interested in farming and 5% of the funds and produce under the SGRY is retained in the Ministry of Wage Employment Generation for utilisation in the areas of acute distress arising out of natural calamities or for taking up preventive measures in the chronically drought or flood affected rural areas. Also in case of scarcity in another area or 50 % of the funds and produce will be earmarked for the village.
The local governing body received Rs 7.3 lakh as grants under the XIIth Finance Commission and grants for various salaries and for Octroi. On its part it collected 56% of the total taxes with arrears of Rs 1.4 lakh and a current demand of Rs 1.8 lakh. The panchayat was poised to collect Rs 3.9 lakh in taxes but managed to collect Rs 1.9 lakh.
The panchayat had no new cases of illegal constructions. The panchayat however failed to take action against the 17 pending illegal construction.
In terms of development the works executed by the panchayat is firstly a roads at the cost Rs 1.8 lakh and Rs 76,580 on repairs of wells, zor, cleaning of gutters, bands and clearing bushes.
The estimates however for road construction and maintenance of wells and gutters Rs 5.2 lakh and Rs 1.3 lakh respectively. Closing balance for the year in terms of total funds of the village stands at Rs 8.7 lakh.
neshwin_almeida@gomantaktimes.com
PANJIM: The village panchayat of Sirsaim in Bardez taluka though financially sound with a panchayat fund of Rs 2.7 lakh but just does not have the drive to go the extra mile.
The panchayat has not submitted their Annual Action Plan to the Zilla Panchyat or to any District Rural Development Agencies (DRDA), therefore missing out on grants-in aid for schemes that benefit the village, revealed the audit report of the year 2007-08.
One of the major schemes that the village panchayat missed out on is the central sponsored Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY). The objective of this scheme is to provide additional wage employment, provide food security and improve nutritional levels.
SGRY provides assistance to those interested in farming and 5% of the funds and produce under the SGRY is retained in the Ministry of Wage Employment Generation for utilisation in the areas of acute distress arising out of natural calamities or for taking up preventive measures in the chronically drought or flood affected rural areas. Also in case of scarcity in another area or 50 % of the funds and produce will be earmarked for the village.
The local governing body received Rs 7.3 lakh as grants under the XIIth Finance Commission and grants for various salaries and for Octroi. On its part it collected 56% of the total taxes with arrears of Rs 1.4 lakh and a current demand of Rs 1.8 lakh. The panchayat was poised to collect Rs 3.9 lakh in taxes but managed to collect Rs 1.9 lakh.
The panchayat had no new cases of illegal constructions. The panchayat however failed to take action against the 17 pending illegal construction.
In terms of development the works executed by the panchayat is firstly a roads at the cost Rs 1.8 lakh and Rs 76,580 on repairs of wells, zor, cleaning of gutters, bands and clearing bushes.
The estimates however for road construction and maintenance of wells and gutters Rs 5.2 lakh and Rs 1.3 lakh respectively. Closing balance for the year in terms of total funds of the village stands at Rs 8.7 lakh.
Casino operators meet CM, discuss entry fee hike
BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: A delegation of off-shore and on-shore casino operators met Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Tuesday and presented a memorandum opposing the steep hike in entry fee from Rs 200 to Rs 2000.
Last week, the Chief Minister had announced the tax measure which he said, was being implemented to discourage youth from entering casinos. The government hopes to garner an additional Rs 36 crore from the hike.
Representatives of ‘Chances’, ‘Goldfinger’, ‘Las Vegas’ and the casino at Marriot Resort were present at the meeting along with representatives of off-shore casinos.
The off-shore casino operators told the Chief Minister that 95 per cent of their clientele were from outside the state and emphasized that the hike would deter people from visiting casinos.
“All the people who come on board do not go to the casino,” said a spokesperson for the Association of Offshore Casinos (AOC). “Many come to enjoy a meal at the restaurant or dance,” the spokesperson added.
The Chief Minister expressed his concerns of youth involved in gambling and suggested that a formula be worked out where only Goans who are in the higher income bracket are allowed in casinos.
In reply, casino operators said they were willing to hike the entry fee from Rs 200 to Rs 500 provided the fee for non-Goans remains unchanged. “We are also willing to raise the age bar for entry from 18 to 21,” the spokesperson said.
Another source said the problem lies with land casinos which provide easy access to local clientele on account of the low entry fee.
Presently, Casino Royale charges an entry fee of Rs 1,500, but the upside is that the customer gets an equivalent amount of free playing chips.
“Now if casino operators have to charge Rs 2,000 as an entry fee we will have to provide the customer with something and this will affect our bottom line,” explained the spokesperson.
With the steep hike, there is a fear in the industry that some players will have to close shop. The Chief Minister promised to discuss the matter.
Mickky’s threat a farce?
The threat by Minister of Ports Mickky Pacheco to seal all off-shore casinos did not materialise. Sources said applications for renewal of licences are pending before the Captain of Ports who has refused to take any action as the matter is pending before the High Court.
PANJIM: A delegation of off-shore and on-shore casino operators met Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Tuesday and presented a memorandum opposing the steep hike in entry fee from Rs 200 to Rs 2000.
Last week, the Chief Minister had announced the tax measure which he said, was being implemented to discourage youth from entering casinos. The government hopes to garner an additional Rs 36 crore from the hike.
Representatives of ‘Chances’, ‘Goldfinger’, ‘Las Vegas’ and the casino at Marriot Resort were present at the meeting along with representatives of off-shore casinos.
The off-shore casino operators told the Chief Minister that 95 per cent of their clientele were from outside the state and emphasized that the hike would deter people from visiting casinos.
“All the people who come on board do not go to the casino,” said a spokesperson for the Association of Offshore Casinos (AOC). “Many come to enjoy a meal at the restaurant or dance,” the spokesperson added.
The Chief Minister expressed his concerns of youth involved in gambling and suggested that a formula be worked out where only Goans who are in the higher income bracket are allowed in casinos.
In reply, casino operators said they were willing to hike the entry fee from Rs 200 to Rs 500 provided the fee for non-Goans remains unchanged. “We are also willing to raise the age bar for entry from 18 to 21,” the spokesperson said.
Another source said the problem lies with land casinos which provide easy access to local clientele on account of the low entry fee.
Presently, Casino Royale charges an entry fee of Rs 1,500, but the upside is that the customer gets an equivalent amount of free playing chips.
“Now if casino operators have to charge Rs 2,000 as an entry fee we will have to provide the customer with something and this will affect our bottom line,” explained the spokesperson.
With the steep hike, there is a fear in the industry that some players will have to close shop. The Chief Minister promised to discuss the matter.
Mickky’s threat a farce?
The threat by Minister of Ports Mickky Pacheco to seal all off-shore casinos did not materialise. Sources said applications for renewal of licences are pending before the Captain of Ports who has refused to take any action as the matter is pending before the High Court.
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