log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY OCTOBER 2, 2025 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 105 River Sal wreck: Vessel disintegrates as govt faces scrutiny over inaction 2 GOA Compensation scheme criteria for Grade 10 students unveiled 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 12 INFO Does weight loss cause bone loss? 15 SPORTS India returns to red-ball grind with WTC points in sight in Test vs Windies Battered roads remain as PWD deadlines slip again आई अंबाबाईच्ा नावानं चांगभलं । माऊली महालक्ष्मीच्ा नावानं चांगभलं ।। CITIZENS FUME AS HAZARDOUS POTHOLES AND BROKEN PROMISES PUT LIVES AT RISK; DEPARTMENT BLAMES RAIN THE GOAN I NETWORK >> See PG 2 Pilgrims ready, govt not: Red tape delays scupper popular scheme IN SHORT >> Gas cylinder trader assaulted in Anjuna MAPUSA: A 35-year-old man, Ashok Bishnoi, engaged in the gas cylinder trade, was brutally assaulted late on Tuesday after a group of men allegedly barged into his rented room at Anjuna and attacked him with an iron rod.  >> See pg 5 Centre hikes DA by 3 per cent NEW DELHI: In a Diwali bonanza to central government employees and pensioners, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday decided to increase Dearness Allowance (DA)/ Dearness Relief (DR) by 3 per cent envisaging an annual outlay of Rs 10,083.96 crore. PM unveils `100 coin, RSS centenary stamp NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a special postage stamp and a Rs 100 commemorative coin on Wednesday, celebrating the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. 69 killed as quake hits Philippines MANILA: At least 69 people were killed in a powerful earthquake that hit a central Philippine province where dozens of people were killed by a powerful earthquake Tuesday night. The magnitude-6.9 earthquake that hit at about 10 pm trapped an unspecified number of residents in collapsed houses, and businesses. >> See pg 10 MAPUSA On September 30, Goa was supposed to see smoother rides on its roads. The newly appointed Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Digambar Kamat had promised that potholes would be patched up and the State’s worst roads repaired by then. But as the date slipped by, nothing much changed on the ground. If anything, the condition of the roads seems worse, leaving commuters frustrated and officials pointing to the skies for answers. The retreating monsoon has been the convenient villain in the story. “We are aware all roads are in a mess. But we can’t help it because the contractors could not take up the work due to the sudden increase in rainfall activity,” admitted a senior PWD engineer, requesting anonymity. The official also shifted part of the blame onto departments that dug up roads to lay underground utilities, further weakening the surfaces. For road users, however, these TREACHEROUS ROADS: (Left) Several sections of the Porvorim stretch of NH-66 are riddled with potholes, turning daily commutes into a herculean task and causing frequent accidents. (Above) The road from Saligao junction to the Pilerne industrial estate lies in pitiable condition, disrupting traffic and causing daily hardship for commuters.   Agnelo Pereira explanations ring hollow. Only two days ago, an ambulance ferrying a patient overturned at Socorro, Porvorim, while dodging potholes on a service road – a chilling reminder of how dangerous Goa’s roads have become. “Horrible is an understatement. Driving feels like riding a motocross track,” said Santan Fernandes, a daily commuter from Candolim. Some of the worst stretches, locals point out, include the service roads along the NH-66 corridor, Saligao junction to Pilerne industrial estate and several patches in different areas in the State. “The government has failed to give us good roads. They are only taxing us, probably to compensate for the recent GST reduction,” said Benedict D’Souza, former sar- Despite cheaper imports, Goan marigolds hold festive charm VENDORS STRUGGLE WITH PRICE COMPETITION, BUT QUALITY KEEPS DEMAND ALIVE At a press conference on the eve of Dussehra on Wednesday, Director of Agriculture Sandeep Fol Dessai explained that while the base price at the farm level is between Rs 80 and Rs 100 per kg, the produce commands a premium in the market. “If the market price is Rs 120, ours will always be superior by at least Rs 10 to Rs 20. People willingly pay more because the flowers are fresh, bright yellow or orange, and cultivated by Goans. There is strong community support for our farmers,” he said. But amid the festive com- Tiger reserve row: CEC to visit Goa only after Oct 15 THE GOAN I NETWORK >Continued on P10 >Continued on P10 FESTIVE HUES: Marigolds on display for sale near the Panaji KTC bus stand on the eve of Dussehra, Wednesday. सजवले ली आई अंबाबाई >Continued on P10 petition, many local vendors have stated that they are being squeezed by cheaper imports. In Panaji market, vendors pointed out that marigold garlands or torans from outside the State are being sold at just Rs 50 per metre. PANAJI Amid the festive season, marigold flowers grown in Goa are selling at prices ranging from Rs 140 to Rs 150 per kg, higher than flowers imported from neighbouring Karnataka, which retail at about Rs 120 per kg. The reason, the Agriculture department explained, lies not just in freshness but also in the preference of Goans to support local farmers. MARIGOLD FARMING SEES 50 PC RISE AS YOUNGSTERS JOIN TRADE >> See pg 3 panch of Parra, echoing the exasperation of many citizens. Meanwhile, another promise – that of restarting the State’s hotmix plants by September-end – has also gone unfulfilled. According to PWD officials, the machines need recalibration before they can be restarted and the rains delayed the process. PANAJI The Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) is expected to visit Goa after October 15 for hands-on study on the tiger reserve issue. In July 2023, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had directed the Goa government to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and other areas, identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and in plans prepared by the Goa Forest Department, as a tiger reserve within three months. The Goa government filed a special leave petition challenging the High Court’s order. On September 8, the Supreme Court ordered status quo on all development activities in areas directed to be notified as a tiger reserve and asked a Central Empowered Committee to examine the tiger reserve issue and submit a report in six weeks. Sources informed that the CEC’s visit, which was expected this week, has been delayed and will now arrive after October 15. “CEC has to submit THE GOAN I NETWORK शारदीय नवरात्रौत्सवात त्त्पुरा भैरवीच्ा रुपात HC upholds govt move to cancel DySP recruitment PROCESS SCRAPPED TO RAISE UPPER AGE LIMIT FROM 30 TO 40; FRESH DRIVE ON THE CARDS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging the State government’s decision to cancel the ongoing recruitment process for 28 posts of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP). The Court, while accepting the government’s submissions, observed that the process was scrapped to increase the maximum age limit for applicants from 30 years to 40 years. The government informed that the decision to enhance the age limit has already been taken and will be notified shortly. After the notification, the Goa Public Service Commission (GPSC) will issue a fresh advertisement to fill the DySP posts. GOVT SUBMITS IN COURT „„The decision to raise the upper age limit has already been taken and will be notified shortly „„Once the notification is issued, the GPSC will release a fresh advertisement to fill the DySP posts Earlier, the GPSC had conveyed to the Court that the regular recruitment process was cancelled to amend the re- cruitment rules and enhance the upper age limit. Last year, the GPSC ended the recruitment drive that had resumed after 25 years, even as the process advanced to the third level. A total of 62 candidates were shortlisted from 2,500 applications after pre-screening and screening examinations conducted in October and November 2023. The 28 advertised posts in August 2023 included 14 unreserved, eight reserved for OBC, four for ST, and two for EWS. Unlike the Goa Civil Service Junior Scale Officers, the upper age limit for DySP candidates was restricted to 30 years under the Goa Police Rules, 2022, while all applicants were required to clear a physical fitness test consisting of running, high jump, long jump and shot put. Govt seeks 100-point roster Fund freeze hits p’yats as Centre holds back `152 cr PANCHAYAT GRANTS: THE STATS from GMC on PG seat quota THE GOAN I NETWORK SEAT ALLOTMENT FOR RESERVED CATEGORIES TO BE ALIGNED WITH AMENDED ADMISSION RULES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government has directed Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) to submit a detailed procedure it has adopted for implementation of 100-point roster for allotment and reservation of postgraduate seats for Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Caste, Other Backward Class and Economically Weaker Section. Under Secretary, Public Health Department, Sitaram Sawal in a letter to GMC Dean has also asked to provide draft of the amendment to Goa (Rules for Admission to Postgraduate Degree and Diploma Course of the Goa University at the GMC) Rules, 2024 to be carried out in view of the decision of the Chief Minister. “I request you to furnish the procedure for implementation of 100-Point Roster as regards allotment and reservation of PG seats for SC/ST/OBC and EWS in Goa Medical College,” Sawal said. The State government has reserved 41 per cent PG seats for OBC, ST and SC students in GMC. This includes 12 per cent seats for ST, 27 per cent seats for OBC and two per cent for SC. Apart from this, 10 per cent seats are reserved >Continued on P10 PANAJI oa’s 191 village bodies await over Rs 152 crore in grants from the Centre, allocated under the 15th Finance Commission and pending from 2022-23 to 2024-25. In addition, the Commission has earmarked another Rs 61 crore in grants for the ongoing financial year. As per data from the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, under the 15th Finance Commission (2020-2026), the Centre has so far released only 42 per cent of the grants – Rs 154.23 crore against an allocation of Rs 368 crore. No funds have been released for the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25, G „„Pending grants (202223 to 2024-25): Over Rs 152 crore „„Additional allocation (2024-25): Rs 61 crore earmarked „„Total allocation under 15th Finance Commission (2020-26): Rs 368 crore „„Funds released so far: Rs 154.23 crore (42% of allocation) „„No funds released: Financial years 2023-24 (Rs 58 crore) and 2024-25 (Rs 62 crore) „„Release in 2022-23: Rs 24.23 crore of Rs 57 crore allocated „„REASON FOR DELAY: Panchayats have not submitted utilisation certificates and account audits despite allocations of Rs 58 crore and Rs 62 crore, respectively. In 2022-23, of the total allocated Rs 57 crore, only Rs 24.23 crore were released to the State as on December 2024. While the first instalment of Rs 14.54 crore was released in October, last year, the second instalment of that year, an amount of Rs 9.69 crore, was released in December. Since then, there has been no allocation or release order issued for the State – even though several other States like Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have received their first instalment of the current financial year in August, while some like Mizoram (2023-24), Gujarat (2024-25) and Arunachal Pradesh (2022-23) got their shares too. “Centre takes into account various factors before releasing the grants. Despite several reminders and actions, the panchayats have consistently failed in providing utilisation certificates and account audits. Unless, this data is provided, there is no chance for release of funds,” sources explained. At the very start of the commission, the Centre released Rs 75 crore to the State as tied and untied funds to the panchayat bodies in 2020-21 and another Rs 55 crore in 2021-22. The finance commission stipulated that 90 per cent of the grants would be basic >Continued on P10