log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY JULY 12, 2025 GOA Remo cancels London concert after serious head injury Goans celebrate São João festival with tradition, fervour in Qatar IN SHORT >> CM reiterates digital push for taxi services PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said the recent attack on a taxi driver in Pernem has been the latest incident triggering the urgent need for digitisation in taxi services. Speaking at the inauguration of the Directorate of Prosecution’s new office premises at Patto on Friday, he reiterated that the government needs cooperation from people and stakeholders.  >> See pg 3 MGP to contest Zilla elections PANAJI: The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said it will contest the Zilla Panchayat elections expected to be held later this year-end in a "trusted and strategic" alliance with the ruling party.  >> See pg 3 Monsoon crosses 50-inch mark PANAJI: The monsoon this year has been normal so far, with 50 inches of rain recorded in the first 40 days. A total of 1271.2 mm of average rainfall was recorded in Goa from June 1 until 8:30 am on July 11, which is just 17 mm below the normal, IMD said. The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 25 GOA TTAG says tourism at risk; seeks quick govt response THE GOAN I NETWORK 32 C 24 C 92% Bumrah bags five as India respond with grit at Lord’s A step-by-step guide to achieve ultra-straight locks PANAJI The law by which the State will take over land and property left "inter-state" or with no legal heirs -- the Goa Escheats, Forfeiture and Bona Vacantia Act, 2024, has come into force from July 10. A 12-page gazette notification was issued by Under Secretary (Revenue-I) Vrushika Khautankar which also includes the rules that will govern the process to identify such no-man's land and subsequently conduct the proceedings for the formal takeover. The Deputy Collectors of each sub-division (taluka) have been designated as the "Competent Authority" to conduct these proceedings. Also, the Additional Collector-I of both the districts will be the 'Appellate Authority' to adjudicate any challenges of the proceedings conducted by the Deputy Collectors (Competent Authority) and the orders issued thereof, the rules provide. Talathis and mamlatdars N O T I F I C A T I O N : WHAT THE RULES STATE „„Talathi must report cases of intestate deaths (without a will) and no legal heirs to the Mamlatdar „„Mamlatdar then reports the matter to Deputy Collector (Competent Authority) „„Deputy Collector enters the case in a register (Form I) and instructs Mamlatdar to conduct an inquiry within 7 days „„Mamlatdar must will be crucial officials on the ground to identify land and estates of immovable property left 'inter-state' (without legal heirs) and report it to the Deputy Collectors (Competent Authority). "Whenever a Talathi comes to know or receives information from any source that any person in possession of any property, lying within his jurisdiction, has died intestate and without legal heirs he inspect the site and take help from Talathi of the concerned village, field surveyors, neighbours of the deceased and two respectable citizens „„Deputy Collector must confirm there are no legal shall report the fact immediately to the Mamlatdar," the rules state. The mamlatdar is then mandated to report the same immediately to the Deputy Collector (Competent Authority) who will record the report on a register in a specified 'Form I' and again direct the mamlatdar to conduct a thorough enquiry, including a site inspection and file his report within seven days. For this heirs before taking possession of the property „„Later a list of such properties is to be shared with relevant authorities – Collector, Land Records Dept, Registration Dept, local bodies and planning depts. „„No mutation, partition, development, or construction is allowed on these properties without Competent Authority's approval exercise the mamlatdar is required to take the assistance of the talathi of the concerned 'saza' (village), field surveyors attached to his office, neighbours of the deceased land/ estate owner and two "respectable citizens". On receiving the mamlatdar's report, the Deputy Collector (Competent Authority) must satisfy himself that the deceased person has indeed died intestate and without le- gal heirs to eventually "take possession of such property." A list of properties thus taken possession of must be forwarded to the Collector, Director of Settlement and Land Records, Mamlatdars, Sub-Registrars of Registration Department, Local bodies, Town and Country Planning Department with directions not to grant any mutation/ partition/conversion, development permission, construction license etc. without approval of the Competent Authority. The rules also provide for publication of notice of the death of the person who is intestate and without heirs and that prima facie it is a case of escheat and the procedure to be adopted for inquiry and investigation when there are claims against declaration of any property as escheats property. Other matters mentioned in the rules include the maintenance of the property taken into possession, including account books, title-deeds and >Continued on P10 Projects aimed at public convenience THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation on Friday approved various developmental projects worth Rs 149 crore that included redevelopment of old government buildings in Margao like the Old Collectorate office and police headquarter. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant chaired the 206th Board meeting wherein several infrastructure projects aimed at public convenience, urban rejuvenation, and institutional development were approved for implementation. The projects included redevelopment of old government buildings in Margao like Old Collectorate and police headquarters and upgradation of Sanquelim municipal market. The Board also approved construction of new boys hostel at GMC at a cost of Rs 113 crore; demolition and Reconstruction of St Estevam bridge at Rs 21 crore, development of old Margao bus stand at a cost of Rs 12 crore and maintenance works at Ravindra Bhavan, Sanquelim at Rs 3 crore. A CMO statement said these projects are part of the gov- Key GIDC decisions taken without govt input: CAG PROJECTS AT A GLANCE „„Redevelopment of old government buildings in Margao „„Upgradation of Sanquelim municipal market „„Construction of new boys hostel at GMC „„Demolition and reconstruction of St Estevam bridge „„Development of old Margao bus stand „„Maintenance works at Ravindra Bhavan, Sanquelim ernment's commitment to upgrade civic infrastructure, improve public utility spaces, and build modern, accessible facilities for people The statement also said that CM emphasised that GSIDC continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Goa’s infrastructure and is committed to delivering timely and efficient public infrastructure for a Viksit Goa 2037. 2 Goan women named Konkani interpreters in Lok Sabha FLAGS ABSENCE OF DIRECTORS AT MEETINGS THE GOAN I NETWORK SHRIMP FEVER: A man displays shrimps for sale at the Directorate of Fisheries in Panjim on Friday. Priced at Rs 350 a kg, the sale drew keen interest from a large crowd.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Discount for Goans at Goa Bhavan Mumbai Max: Min: Humidity: SPORTS  RULES NOTIFIED; DY COLLECTORS ARE ‘COMPETENT AUTHORITY’  TALATHIS, MAMLATDARS DESIGNATED TO IDENTIFY LANDS PANAJI: The Tourism Department and Mopa Airport Police Station have taken action against four persons for allegedly carrying out illegal activities and violating the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982. The four were found carrying out illegal activities to detriment the smooth movement of tourists and passengers.  >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO 4 booked for illegal activities at Mopa PANAJI: The General Administration Department of the Government of Goa has announced revised daily accommodation tariffs for Goa Bhavan in Mumbai, effective from July 9. Goan residents travelling to Mumbai for medical treatment will now be entitled to a 50% concession on dormitory charges. Instagram.com/thegoanonline 3 15 2 12 Big boost for infra, Law for State takeover of land govt okays projects without heirs comes into force worth `149 crore Minister renews call to stop sewage flow into River Sal by Dec 2025 page 6 & 7 Facebook.com/thegoan Govt pre-publishes Heritage Policy THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government on Friday pre-published the Goa State Heritage Policy, 2025, which will be implemented in phased manner over a period of five years. “The policy has been pre-published for information of all and for its implementation,” states the notification issued by the Directorate of Archives. The  policy  speaks about more than 200 historic, archaeological and  heritage  sites, 122  heritage  houses, 46 distinct, authentic folk forms and 61 accredited local age old  traditional occupations thus ensuring a holistic approach. It also proposes to integrate heritage conservation into Goa’s Tourism Master Plan and Urban Development Policy. The policy speaks about various schemes the government intends to introduce for its implementation that includes Antiquities Registration Support Scheme, Heritage Incentive Portal (HIP), Heritage Training and >Continued on P10 PANAJI The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised a red flag over the persistent absence of State government-nominated Directors at Board meetings of the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), with crucial decisions -- such as those related to the allotment of plots, lease rent, and administrative and expenditure approvals -being taken without the government's viewpoints. More so, the Auditor also noted that the Board of Directors, representing Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI), Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) and those having leased plots in the industrial estate, failed to recuse themselves in the decisions related to plots and regulations, citing conflict of interest. In a communication to the GIDC Managing Director, the CAG said that “the responsibility of good governance AUDITOR’S ALARM BELLS „„Govt directors did not attend most meetings from April 2022 to March 2024 „„Finance Secretary failed to attend 9 of 11 meetings „„Industries secretary attended only 2 meetings „„Director of Industries was part of 4 meetings „„Chief Electrical Engineer attended 3 of 11 meetings „„CAG says responsibility of good governance vests with the Board vests with the Board, to ensure that all stakeholders’ interests are safeguarded”. The CAG pointed out that from April 2022 to March 2024, Government Directors did not attend most of the meetings and were granted Leave of Absence. The absence of Official Directors was 81.82 per cent in respect of Finance Secretary, who failed to attend nine out of 11 meetings. Similarly, the Industries secretary attended only two out of 11 meetings, while Director of Industries was part of four meetings. The Chief Electrical Engineer attended three out of 11 meetings during the two-year period. “Their continued absence indicated the government’s perspectives were not adequately brought out on major decisions or resolutions,” CAG said. “The government’s viewpoint was not available in deliberations on important matters such as allotment of plots, fixation of plot rate/ lease rent, administrative approval and expenditure sanction for various works in the Industrial Estate, transfer/sub-lease of plots, swapping plots, adoption of >Continued on P10 Samiksha and Gauri THE GOAN I NETWORK CANACONA Lok Sabha Secretariat appointed Samiksha Velip of Canacona and Gauri Mavlinkar of Mapusa as Konkani interpreters in the Lok Sabha. It is learnt that Samiksha Velip, who hails from Bhupar-Gaondongrim has been appointed to the post of one of the two Konkani Interpreters in the parliament (Lok Sabha). Velip completed her MA in Konkani from Goa University and is an alumni of the Department of Konkani in Shree Mallikarjun & Chetan Manju Desai College, Canacona. Gauri Mavlinkar is the other Goan woman also appointed as Konkani Interpreter in the Lok Sabha after clearing Consultant Interpreters Empanelment Test. Travelling to US? Get ready to Spike in youth mishaps puts traffic discipline in focus shell out `40,000 for visa CRASH, BOOM, BANG CAUSE FACTS & FIGURES THE GOAN I NETWORK NEW HIKE TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM NEXT YEAR AGENCIES NEW DELHI Under his 'Big Beautiful Bill' that was signed on July 4, US President Donald Trump has introduced a new 'Visa Integrity Fee' of $250 for most non-immigrant visas. Indian applicants planning to visit the US for tourism, study, or work will face higher visa costs starting 2026. A typical tourist visa, which used to cost under Rs 16,000, could now cost over Rs 40,000. The US Visa Integrity Fee is a new $250 (Rs 21,400) non-refundable surcharge added to existing visa costs. It will be mandatory at the time of visa issuance and will come into effect from 2026. The fee applies to most non-immigrant visas, including B-1/B-2 (tourist, business visas), F and M (student visas), H-1B (work visas), and J (exchange visitor visas). Only diplomatic visa holders in categories A and G are exempted. For Indian travellers, this means that students, tech professionals, tourists, and busi- ness travellers to the US will all be impacted by the additional charge. Currently, a US B-1/B-2 visa costs $185, which is over Rs 15,800. With the addition of the Visa Integrity Fee, along with other minor fees like the I-94 fee ($24) and ESTA fee ($13), the total cost will rise to about $472, or Rs 40,502. This is over 2.5 times the current visa cost. For students or employees applying for visas like F or H-1B, the costs will also see a sharp rise. PANAJI he deaths of two youngsters in a head-on collision between two two-wheelers have once again cast a grim focus on road safety and traffic discipline, especially among the youths. In this latest accident on Thursday, 22-year-old homeopathy student Isha Gawas from Kelwada, Sattari and 20-year-old Aditya Dessai of Bethora died on the spot when their bikes collided head-on near the four-way junction on the Curti-Borim bypass. Ponda resident Yogesh Patil (22), who was riding pillion with Aditya, suffered critical injuries while Isha’s pillion T 1,041 people were injured with a majority being males -- nearly 46% -- were youth below 35 years Toll included 113 men and 17 women Highest proportion of fatalities was in 25–35 age group with 63 deaths Six minors under 18 also lost their lives rider, Aditi Manjrekar (22) from Parye, escaped with multiple fractures. Pernem police said Aditya was allegedly riding in the wrong lane, which led to the fatal collision. The incident has evoked strong concern as it occurred amid a series of accidents involving young riders in Goa. 286 people lost their lives in 2,682 road accidents in 2024 Of these, 130 victims & EFFECT „„Not respecting traffic laws a major contributing factor „„Road infrastructure too blamed for mishaps „„Reckless, highspeed or wrong-side driving cases high Just two days prior, 22-year-old Avinash Math of Parra was injured in a self-accident on the Mopa link road while heading to the airport. Last month, 19-year-old Faraaz Naik of Socorro-Porvorim died in an accident near a land casino in Porvorim with police yet to confirm if it was a hit-andrun or a self-accident. In May, 21-year-old Sairaj Morajkar of Karaswada-Mapusa succumbed to head injuries after losing control of his motorcycle at Bastora. While each accident report has cited the cause of these accidents, traffic police officials said that not respecting traffic laws (being a major contributing factor) and to some extent road infrastructure have resulted in mishaps.    According to the Goa police’s annual accident analysis report, 286 people lost their >Continued on P10