log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY AUGUST 6, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 50 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us >> pg 6 From Panaji to Mumbai: People come together for Shravan thalis IN SHORT >> No ban on UTAA, GGMS: Sawant PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant clarified that the government has not imposed any ban on the United Tribal Associations Alliance or the Gomantak Gaud Maratha Samaj. Responding to a Calling Attention motion by BJP MLA and former cabinet minister Govind Gaude, Sawant also reiterated that there was no intention to interfere in the functioning of either organisation.  >> See pg 2 ED moves to nail land grab accused PANAJI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Panaji Zonal Office, has filed a Prosecution Complaint against land grab accused Rohan Harmalkar, Mohammad Suhail, and three others before the Special PMLA Court in Mapusa for cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and fraudulent acquisition of immovable properties across Goa.  >> See pg 3 600 kg beef seized at Mollem, 1 held PANAJI: In a late-night operation, Collem Police apprehended a man from Belagavi, Karnataka, for illegally transporting 600 kg of beef without valid documentation. The contraband was being transported in a car from Hubli and was intercepted at the Mollem border check-post at approximately 2.30 am. An investigation is underway. Uttarkashi floods sweep houses away UTTARKASHI: A cloudburst led to flash floods in the high altitude villages of Dharali on the way to Gangotri on Tuesday with the raging waters sweeping away several houses and leaving at least four people dead, officials said. WEATHER >> Max: 31.4 C Min: 25 C Humidity: 94% TIDES Low: High: 02:20 15:32 09:58 19:53 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Siraj’s relentless run sparks end of ‘workload excuse’ era in Indian cricket RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in Lok Sabha approves Bill for ST quota in Goa Assembly CRUCIAL BILL PASSED BY VOICE VOTE AMID OPPN DIN THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a pivotal move aimed at granting political representation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Goa Legislative Assembly, the Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the crucial ‘The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2025’, even as opposition protests demanding discussion on revision of Bihar electoral rolls continued unabated. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Bill for consideration and passage and the legislation was passed by a voice vote. Incidentally, the bill was introduced in the Lower House on the very same day, August 5, 2024 and was pending since then. After the passage of the bill, Sandhya Ray, who was in the chair, adjourned the proceedings for the day as protests by opposition MPs continued. THE WAY FORWARD „„The Bill, once approved by Raj Sabha and notified, will empower the Election Commission of India to make amendments in the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008 and readjust the seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa for the Scheduled Tribes of the State „„It aims to grant the Census Commissioner the authority to declare the number of STs in Goa and the Election Commission will consider these new ST population statistics to modify the constituencies of the Legislative Assembly FLASHBACK: The bill was introduced in the Lower House on August 5, 2024 and was pending since then. Political reservation for STs is a long pending demand of the community, who had, last year, launched State wide protest pressing for their demand. “The Government has received multiple representations from various sources, with a request to direct the initiation of the process to identify and determine the seats to provide for reservation to the Scheduled Tribes community in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, as the same is not presently available to them. Since, the exercise of delimitation was initiated in the year 2002, the population of the Scheduled Tribes in the State of Goa was recorded at that time in the census figures of the year 2001 as only 566, whereas the total population of the State of Goa was more than thirteen lakhs, the Scheduled Tribes Tiatr to receive national recognition soon: CM SAYS GU CONDUCTING RESEARCH ON TIATR THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced that the State Government is actively working towards securing national-level recognition for tiatr, Goa’s popular and deeply-rooted theatrical art form. “Tiatr has already made its mark in 28 countries across the globe,” he said, adding that Goa University is currently conducting research on the art form. INFRASTRUCTURE Speaking on infrastructure development, Sawant revealed that the work order for the renovation of Margao’s Ravindra Bhavan will be issued within a week, marking the beginning of comprehensive repair and upgrade works. Similar initiatives are also planned for Ravindra Bhavans in Curchorem, Sanquelim, Canacona, and Vasco, Casino licence fee hiked: Sawant PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the State government has increased the casino licence fee by 50 per cent for new entrants. He clarified that the move is part of the government’s broader effort to boost revenue and not to promote the casino industry. Chief Minister also revealed that notices have been issued to several casinos for the recovery of pending dues. “Some of these cases have been challenged in court and are currently sub-judice,” he said. aimed at enhancing cultural spaces across the State. GOA BHAVANS In a significant move to support Goan pilgrims and strengthen cultural ties, Chief Minister disclosed that the State government has acquired land in Ayodhya to construct a ‘Ram Bhavan’. “From next year, Goans vis- iting Ayodhya will have the facility to stay at the Bhavan at 50 per cent of the cost,” he stated. Additionally, the government is exploring land acquisition in Velankanni, a major pilgrimage site, to build a similar Goa Bhavan. “This will ensure a dedicated place to >Continued on P8 Pg 14 Sawant thanks Union govt PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant thanked and congratulated the Union Government for the “historic” passage of the Bill in the Lok Sabha. “This is a success of the BJP government’s persistent efforts and reflects the Modi government’s commitment to inclusive governance and tribal empowerment,” Sawant said.  communities of Goa, were not able to avail the benefit of reservations of seats as per the Constitution for their communities in the Legislative Assembly,” reads the Bill.   According to the Bill, the population of the Scheduled Tribes has increased considerably in Goa as per the 2011 census vis-a-vis 2001 census Former Goa gov Satyapal Malik breathes his last PTI NEW DELHI Former Goa and Jammu & Kashmir governor Satyapal Malik died on Tuesday at a hospital here after a prolonged illness, his personal staff said. He was 79. Malik, who had also held the positions of governor of Bihar, Meghalaya, and Odisha, besides being a member of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in his long political career, died at 1.12 pm at the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital. He was in the ICU of the hospital for a long time, the staff said. “It is with regret that we confirm the demise of Satyapal Malik, who had been receiving intensive care at our facility,” RML authorities said. The patient had a longstanding history of diabetic kidney disease, hypertension, and other chronic health issues, they added.  >> See pg 8 ON PAGE 3 Mission Political Reservations for STs welcomes passage UTAA chief terms it as best tribute to Balli stir martyrs ST leaders laud CM, BJP president South Goa MP hopes govt does not delay implementation of Act figures. It noted that a “peculiar situation” has arisen in the state, wherein the population of the STs there vis-a-vis the population of SCs is considerably higher -- as per the >Continued on P8 Will Priol, Sanguem, Quepem, Nuvem be ST constituencies? ALL EYES ON ELECTION COMMISSION THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO With the Passage of The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha and the nod for the Bill in the Rajya Sabha a foregone conclusion, the Election Commission will decide and officially notify which four Assembly constituencies will be reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST) community, based on data from the population census. That, however, hasn’t stopped speculation from doing the rounds. Reports suggest that the constituencies of Priol, Quepem, Sanguem, and Nuvem may be among those likely to be reserved for the ST communities. Priol, Quepem, and Sanguem are home to a significant ST population, predominantly from the Hindu community. In fact, members of the ST community have previously been elected from these three constituencies, including the current MLA Govind TRIBAL LANDSCAPE „„Priol, Quepem and Sanguem are home to a significant ST population, predominantly from the Hindu community „„Members of ST community have previously been elected from these 3 constituencies „„Nuvem includes villages such as Loutolim, Verna & Nagoa all of which have a notable Christian ST population Gawde, who represents Priol in the Goa Legislative Assembly. As for Nuvem, the constituency includes villages such as Nuvem, Loutolim, Verna, and Nagoa, all of which have a notable Christian ST population. United Tribal Alliance Association (UTAA) leader Prakash Velip stated that the Election Commission would base its >Continued on P8 MPA gets approval to deepen channel for large cargo ships CENTRE GRANTS ENVIRONMENTAL, CRZ NOD SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI The Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has granted environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance to the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) for deepening the approach channel in order to suit the navigational requirements of cape-size vessels for bulk cargo transportation as the port intends to increase its cargo handling capacity at two berths. The project will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 289 crore. The Ministry through a communication to the MPT Chairman on July 21 accorded EC and CRZ clearance to the project. In April, this year, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry had approved the project recommending grant of EC. The project initially considered in BUSINESS BOOSTER „„MPA intends to increase cargo handling capacity at two berths „„Proposal to deepen existing outer channel from 14.40m to 19.80m and inner channel and approaches to berth 5, 6 & 7 from 14.10m to 19.50 m „„Bulk cargo import/export stands to gain significantly in terms of fright benefit „„Project to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 289 crore 2020, was kept on hold due to an embargo imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in the Mehdad vs Union of India case, which stalled all development projects until the State’s Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2011 was finalised and notified. With the CZMP finally being notified on September 6, 2022, the MPA obtained fresh clearance from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Author- ity (GCZMA) in June 2024 and accordingly moved a fresh proposal to the EAC for environmental and CRZ clearance in January this year. “Based on the recommendation of the EC, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change hereby accords environmental and CRZ clearance to the project ‘Deepening of Approach Channel >Continued on P8 Legalising houses triggers Trump sees red, warns India of sharp tariff hike debate in hinterland areas BENEFICIARIES CLAIM RATES UNAFFORDABLE U PTI THE GOAN I NETWORK SANGUEM The State government’s decision to amend Section 38 of the Goa Land Revenue Code has been a cause for both celebration and concern in the hinterland talukas of Sanguem, Quepem and Dharbandora. The recent amendment allows for the regularisation of those houses on government land which were built before February 2014, as long as they are 400 sq mtrs or less. Besides, the government has also moved to legalise houses which existed before 1972 and are documented on survey maps and in Form I and XIV. These measures are seen as historic and are a welcome step toward giving homeowners on government land proper ownership rights. However, many families residing in the remote talukas of Sanguem, Quepem and Dharbandora who have been seeking regularisation of their homes for years feel left be- hind. Their applications for regularising houses and agricultural lands on government land, though seemingly eligible under Section 38, are caught in a bureaucratic tangle at various sub-divisional magistrate offices.  Many of these applicants point out that their houses and agricultural lands are already recorded in survey maps and other official documents, dating back to before >Continued on P8 WASHINGTON S President Donald Trump on Tuesday said India has not been a good trading partner and announced that he will raise the tariffs on New Delhi “very substantially” over the next 24 hours because it is buying Russian oil. “With India, what people don’t like to say about India, they’re the highest tariff nation. They have the highest tariff of anybody. We do very, very little business with India because their tariffs are so high, Trump said in an interview with CNBC Squawk Box. “India has not been a good trading partner, because they TRUMP’S INDIA TARIFF TANGO „„With India, what people don’t like to say about India, they’re the highest tariff nation „„They have the highest tariff of anybody... We do very, very little business with India because their tariffs are so high „„India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don’t do business with them „„We settled on 25% (tariff), but I think I’m going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours „„They are fuelling the Russian war machine... And if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy do a lot of business with us, but we don’t do business with them. So we settled on 25% (tariff), but I think I’m going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they’re buying Russian oil. They’re fuelling the war machine. And if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy, he added. When asked about the trade deal with India that seemed imminent, Trump said the sticking point with India is that its tariffs are too high. Now I will say this, India went from the highest tariffs ever, they will give us zero tariffs. But that’s not good enough, because of what they’re doing with oil. A day earlier, Trump said he will substantially raise US tariffs on India, accusing the country of buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it for big profits. Hours later, India mounted an unusually sharp counterattack on the US and the Europe- an Union for their “unjustified and unreasonable” targeting of New Delhi for its procurement of Russian crude oil. Firmly rejecting the criticism, India pointed out the double standards in targeting it on the issue and said both the US and the EU are continuing their trade relations with Russia. “Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel, and machinery and transport equipment, the MEA said.