log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) Instagram.com/thegoanonline Pg 15 WEDNESDAY JULY 30, 2025 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 43 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us >> pg 7 Redefining career paths: A Goan startup’s journey to fix India’s career crisis IN SHORT >> Five-year-old girl attacked by dogs in Curti PONDA: A five-year-old girl was injured after being attacked by stray dogs in the Antruj Nagar Housing Board area of Curti on Tuesday. The incident took place at about 12.30 pm when the girl was going to a shop. She was initially attacked by a dog and within a short time, some more dogs came running towards the girl and attacked her. The injured girl was later admitted to the Sub-District Hospital in Ponda. Delta’s project raises a storm in House MAPUSA: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the Goa Legislative Assembly that the government had not allotted land to M/s Delta Corp Ltd for its proposed resort project at Dhargal, which is currently under judicial scrutiny. >> See pg 2 Kesarval spring to get new lease of life MAPUSA: Verna’s iconic Kesarval Spring is set for a major facelift, with renovation works estimated at Rs 13 crore. Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said the project is in the pipeline, with the tendering process expected to commence within the next two to three months.  >> See pg 3 FDA raids Tivim eateries, shuts 4 MAPUSA: In a surprise food safety drive near Tivim Railway Station, the FDA conducted checks at 14 establishments, including restaurants, tea stalls, liquor wholesale units and dry fruit shops on Tuesday and shut four of them over hygiene.  >> See pg 6 WEATHER >> Max: 31 C Min: 24 C Humidity: 87% TIDES Low: High: 07:51 20:55 02:09 14:19 Ugly spat between Gambhir and Oval curator adds spice to series finale RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in Mopa-Gatwick flights by Govt plans academic audit, vision paper for GU reform Sept-end, assures govt MULLS AMENDMENTS TO MODERNISE VARSITY ACT MINISTER SAYS CONNECTIVITY KEY FOR TOURISM THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Tuesday said Air India which had discontinued direct flights from Mopa to Gatwick, London will restore the operations by September-end. “The direct flights to Gatwick were stopped for some technical reasons. We have got in touch with Air India and they have said that they will restore these flights by September-end,” Khaunte said in the Goa legislative assembly while replying to the discussion on the demands for grants for the Tourism Department. Khaunte was responding to claims made by several Opposition legislators and also some from the treasury benches that international airline connectivity was poor Unity Mall, Shivaji museum to transform tourism: Min PANAJI: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said Goa is benefiting from Central Government schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD in terms of tourism infrastructure.  “Two key projects -- the Unity Mall in Chimbel with Rs 161 crore sanctioned, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum in Ponda with Rs 125 crore allocated (Rs 98 crore from the Centre) -- are set to enhance the State’s cultural offerings,” he said. Work on the Unity Mall has already begun, with final design drawings due by July 31, he added. which was one of the reasons for the poor numbers of foreign tourists visiting the State. Khaunte said the government had reached out to Air India which was operating these flights and they have assured that the direct flights to London will recommence in September. Speaking further on the tourism sector, Khaunte admitted that connectivity was crucial. “Connectivity, not Visa-on-Arrival, is the real game changer,” Khaunte said,  adding that better connectivity is needed first to truly transform the sector. He also said, that Goa is the first State in the country to launch “regenerative tourism” with the ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ initiative as its corner stone.  He said the model is based on people, economy and the environment and is focussed on attracting quality over quantity.  “Tourism contributes 17% to Goa’s GDP and provides 40% of the State’s employment”, Khaunte said, adding that this year from January to June Goa has recorded 8.4% growth in tourism with 5.45 million visitors of which 5.18 million were domestic and 0.27 million were international tourists. He dismissed claims made by Opposition MLAs of a drop >Continued on P8 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Following the paper leak controversy, the State government plans to order an academic audit and draft a long-term vision document to improve the quality and functioning of Goa University. It is also considering an overhaul of the Goa University Act, 1984, through necessary amendments. The House on Tuesday held a healthy debate on calling attention pertaining to the paper leak issue at Goa University, jointly moved by GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai and RGP MLA Viresh Borkar. While the government accepted the Opposition’s request for an academic audit, it turned down the call for setting up a House Committee to look into the affairs of the Varsity.   Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the Assembly that the government has received the report of the committee headed by retired Justice Cabinet okays bill to set up public universities in Goa PANAJI: The State Cabinet on Tuesday accorded its approval to a Bill proposing establishment of State Public Universities in Goa. The Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant approved Goa Public University Bill, 2025, that will be tabled in the ongoing monsoon session of the State Legislative Assembly. The Bill proposes establishing State Public Universities in Goa and for which a provision of Rs 25 crore has been made. >> See pg 2  Khandeparkar pertaining to the exam paper leak case. He said the government is examining the report and will forward it to the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of GU and the Executive Council along with the recommendation and advisory of the government. The government is very much concerned about the quality of education as well as the functioning of GU, and will recommend that the university conduct a thorough Court stays beautification work at Morjim turtle site PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday ordered immediate stay on the development and beautification works at the Morjim turtle nesting beach. The works that commenced on July 24 allegedly damaged the entire ancient sand dune bank of the beach. The order was passed by the Division Bench of Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Nivedita Mehta while hearing a PIL filed by Captain Gerald Fernandes, a resident of Morjim and the NGO Goa Foundation. “To prevent further damage being caused, which is apparently evident from the photographs...by way of ad-interim order, we restrain respondent No 7, the contractor appointed by GTDC, who is engaged for carrying out the works for beautification and provision for basic amenities as proposed by the Corporation, from proceeding with the THE GOAN I NETWORK KEY OBSERVATIONS OF HIGH COURT „„To prevent further damage being caused, which is apparently evident from the photographs...by way of ad-interim order, we restrain respondent No 7, the contractor appointed by GTDC, who is engaged for carrying out beautification work at Morjim „„Contractor barred from proceeding with the work unless we are satisfied that the requisite permissions are in place for the said project „„The matter has been adjourned for further hearing on August 11 work assigned to it in the form of ‘beautification and providing basic amenities at Morjim beach’ by the GTDC, unless we are satisfied that the requisite permissions are in place for the said project,” reads the order with the Bench adjourning the matter to August 11.  The petition stated that the citizens of Morjim have been anxiously following the developments in the media relating to proposed activities on Morjim beach, which is a turtle nesting site.  “The petitioners came to know that there was a proposal to commence a new project labelled a beach beautification project at the entrance to the beach areas. Except for a sandy walkway to the beach, the rest of the area is occupied by sand dunes and sand dune vegetation, which are protected as CRZ IA by the CRZ Notification,” it said.    Addressing a press conference thereafter, Goa Foundation Director Claude Alvares stated that despite these facts, >Continued on P8 >Continued on P8 Govt to auction 4 more mining blocks; Ops by Oct: Sawant GTDC CONTRACTORS BARRED FROM PROCEEDING WITH WORK THE GOAN I NETWORK academic audit and prepare a long-term vision document to improve its quality and functioning,” Sawant said, replying to the motion. Sawant said that though the University is an autonomous body, the government is very much serious over issues pertaining to the University. “We have accepted the Khandeparkar committee report on the paper leak,” he said. tion tabled by MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco. In yet another question, Shirdokar highlighted the various steps taken by the government to enhance and efficiently manage the water resources in the State. He said that the works of major schemes are in progress MAPUSA Reaffirming the State government’s commitment to reviving Goa’s long-stalled mining industry in a sustainable manner, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that the fourth Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) for e-auctioning four new mining blocks will be issued within the next 15 days. The upcoming e-auction will include two mining blocks each in North and South Goa, marking the latest step in the phased revival of the sector that has been at a standstill for over a decade. “We are moving forward steadily to ensure that sustainable and regulated mining restarts in Goa. This government is committed to reviving the sector while adhering to all legal and environmental safeguards,” Sawant said. He added that of the 12 mining blocks auctioned so far, three have already commenced operations and two >Continued on P8 >Continued on P8 SOLAR DELIGHT: The prized solar shrimps netted by motorized canoes off Benaulim beach on Tuesday. (Report on pg 6)  Santosh Mirajkar Goa’s water demand to surge by 20% in next decade, House told THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Minister for Water Resources Subhash Shirodkar on Tuesday informed the House that the State’s water requirement in the next ten years will increase by almost 20 per cent. Shirodkar said that as per the information provided by the Department of Drinking Water, the present water requirement of the State for piped water supply including domestic, commercial, industrial etc is 695 MLD. “The projected water requirement of the State for piped water supply is 834 MLD considering decadal increase in demand of 20 per cent approximately,” the Minister said replying to a ques- No world leader asked India to 282 cops called in sick monthly for past 3 yrs: Data CHIEF MINISTER’S REPLY IN HOUSE stop Op Sindoor, clarifies PM DISCIPLINARY DATA THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday affirmed in the Lok Sabha that no leader of any country asked India to stop Operation Sindoor but lamented that while the nation got support from the entire world, the Congress and its allies could not stand behind the valour of the nation’s soldiers. Responding to the two-day debate on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor in the Lower House, he said no country in the world stopped India from taking action in its defence against terrorism. The comments by the prime minister come amid repeated questions by the Opposition about why US President Donald Trump announced the “ceasefire” between India and Pakistan. Modi told the House that on May 9th night, “US Vice President (JD Vance) tried to reach out to me 3-4 times, but I was busy with meetings with the armed forces”. “When I returned the call, the US Vice President warned me of a big attack from Pakistan. I told him that if Pakistan attacks India, our attack would be much bigger as we will respond to bullets with cannons,” he said. Modi asserted that no leader of any country asked India to stop the operation. The prime minister said Pakistani airbases hit by India “are still in ICU” and the masterminds of the April 22 terror attack continue to have sleepless nights. “No country in the world has stopped India from any action in its defence against terrorism. Only three countries spoke in favour of Pakistan at the UN. “India got support from the entire world, but it is unfortunate that the Congress did not support the valour of our soldiers. Congress leaders targeted me for political gains, but their frivolous statements ended up discouraging our brave soldiers,” he said. PANAJI lose to 11,000 Goa police personnel have taken sick leave in the last over three years, even as the department grapples with some cases of forged medical certificates allegedly submitted to avail themselves of leave. In a written reply to an unstarred question raised by MLA Chandrakant Shetye on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed that 10,744 police personnel had reported sick and availed leave between April 2022 and July 2025. This means, on average, around 282 sick leaves are reported every month across the force. The health issues cited by the personnel include C „„10,744 police personnel reported sick and took leave between April 2022 and July 2025 „„This averages to about 282 sick leaves per month „„Key reasons were hypertension, diabetes, heart problems, gastric issues, diarrhea, vomiting, piles, hypertension, diabetes, heart problems, gastric issues, viral fever, fractures, ligament tears, diarrhea, kidney stones, spondylitis, lumbago, pharyngitis, vomiting, piles, chest pain, and knee injuries. “The amount spent on police personnel towards their sickness is Rs 1,00,92,914,” viral fever, pharyngitis etc „„Rs 1,00,92,914 was spent on treating police personnel’s sickness the reply stated. The department, which has initiated inquiries into some cases of alleged medical certificate forgery, has also been registering FIRs against rogue policemen. The last known FIR was against Constable Nitesh Chodankar for allegedly forging medical certificates to „„107 personnel were suspended, 12 terminated and 80 reinstated „„There was no record of any demotions „„378 personnel had not been transferred for last five years avail leave. Reliable sources have revealed that some lower-ranking personnel were forging certificates from government hospitals, using fake signatures of Medical Officers and counterfeit official stamps. Internal inquiries have also exposed that certain person- GOVT DENIES LAUNCH OF ‘FIT GOA POLICE’ PROGRAMME >> See pg 2 nel were demanding money from colleagues in exchange for forged medical certificates, allegedly sourced from Asilo Hospital. Senior officers have stated that the department is now tightening scrutiny over suspicious cases. Meanwhile, amid rising concerns over stress and wellness in the force, the assembly reply by Sawant -- also Home Minister -- disclosed that five police personnel have died by suicide and 38 others have left the force either through voluntary retirement or resignation. >Continued on P8