from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Jul 31: Noisy scenes were witnessed during the last day of Goa state legislative assembly session on Monday over police discrepancies in investigating the communal riots that rocked the state.

The opposition members walked into the well demanding action against the senior police officers who had filed false FIRs in the riot incidents. Leader of opposition, Manohar Parrikar said that the false FIRs were filed in the riots and there are at least 20 discrepancies in the police investigations.

Twin towns of Sanvordem-Curchorem witnessed unprecedented violence for almost two days when two communities clashed.
 
Parrikar stated that persons were booked for offence when they were already in the police custody when incident took place. "When person is in police custody how can he be the part of another criminal activity at the same time," questioned Parrikar.
 
Replying to a question, the chief minister Pratapsingh Rane, said that Goa police have lodged 50 first information reports (FIR) in connection with the riots.

He stated that 48 cases have been booked at Curchorem police station while two at Quepem police station. "70 persons were arrested as a precautionary measure during the riots," the chief minister said.

Rane said that magisterial inquiry is already ordered into the incident and everything would be probed.

He also stated that 48 claims of compensation have been received by the government by the riot-affected persons

Wildlife sanctuaries

Panaji: Goa chief minister, Pratapsingh Rane on Monday said that though no time frame is fixed for shifting families staying in the wild life sanctuaries of the state but they would be shifted ``as soon as possible".
 
 In a written reply to a question on the floor of the house, the chief minister, stated that 14 families from Nandran village tucked in Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuary has been paid compensation. "In all 10,000 square metres of area has been acquired for resettlement of the affected families in Mollem village, nearby," the chief minister stated.

In Cotigao wild life sanctuary, 34 households are existing, the chief minister added.

He said that the revenue officers have been appointed on contract basis under section 19 to 26 of wild life (protection) act 1972 to determine the rights and settle claims.

The chief minister said that these families are not (not) deprived of education and other benefits as drinking water and other basic amenities are available at the existing hutments and children are getting education facility in the nearby villages.

Rane said that efforts are being taken to resettle these households suitably outside the sanctuary.

Entertainment tax

Panaji: Goa government collected Rs 3.47 crores in the form of entertainment tax during the year 2005-06, Goa chief minister Pratapsingh Rane, told the state legislative assembly.

According to the reply tabled on the floor of the house, entertainment tax collected by Goa government from various theatres is on rise every year with the Panaji-based multiplex run by M/S Inox leisure limited paying maximum.

As per the reply laid on the floor of the house, the entertainment tax rose from Rs 1.53 crore in 2003-04 to Rs 2 crores in 2004-05 and 3.47 crores in the year 2005-06.

Panaji-based four-screen Inox multiplex, which started operations from November 2004, has been paying highest entertainment tax. "Rs 58 lakhs were paid by the multiplex in the year 2004-05 while it paid Rs 2.17 crores in the year 2005-06," replied chief minister Pratapsingh Rane in the state legislative assembly.

Another two-screen multiplex Osia, based in South Goa, has been second highest entertainment tax payer for the state exchequer. The multiplex which started in November 2004 in Margao town paid 54 lakhs in the form of entertainment tax in the year 2005-06.

The chief minister stated that in all 19 theatres were functioning in the state in the year. "Mamlatdars of the respective talukas, have been notified under the act as prescribed authority to monitor and control the operations of the theatres," Rane said.