log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2026 14 pages GOA SUMMER IN GOA: BEATING THE HEAT WITHOUT MISSING THE FUN WEAVING VOICES AT THE GOA OPEN ARTS FESTIVAL IN SHORT >> ‘Approved `85L relief for Birch victims’ kin’ PANAJI: A total of Rs 85 lakh in relief has been sanctioned by the State government to families of those killed in the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire, as the State detailed before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, the compensation paid to the families of the dead and those injured. >> See pg 3 ST women ward row: HC declines relief PANAJI: The High Court refused to stall the election process in a challenge mounted by a sitting councillor against the reservation of his ward for ST Women, declining interim relief on the last day of nominations for the upcoming Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) polls.  >> See pg 3 78 file nominations for CCP elections PANAJI: A total of 78 candidates have filed their nominations for the polls, with the deadline for finalising candidature concluding on Tuesday. While the BJPbacked panel led by Atanasio Monserrate has fielded candidates in all 30 wards, the Ami Panjekar panel has nominated 29 candidates.   >> See pg 3 Demolition of structures deferred CANACONA: The scheduled demolition of 13 tourism structures operating illegally at Agonda beach was called off on Tuesday and deferred to an unknown date. According to sources, a team of officials reached the Southern side of the beach to carry out demolition of 13 structures.   >> See pg 2 Govt to launch cancer vaccines for girls NEW DELHI: In a major step towards eliminating preventable cancers among women, the Union government will soon launch a nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme targeting girls aged 14 years, official sources said on Tuesday. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 32.5 C 22.2 C 85% TIDES Low: 10.38 23.05 High: 03.04 18.29 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 248 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 14 2 11 Protest march row: CM’s appeal falls flat, Borkar RGP, GFP locked refuses to end indefinite fast in war of words After scrutiny, compliance spotlight on Cuncolim unit >PG 8 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA SPORTS INFO Anjuna club under scanner for operating without trade licence Brook’s century lights up England’s semifinal run Eat your SPF: Nutritional secrets for sun-kissed skin SAYS IT IS IN THE ‘INTEREST OF STATE’, WANTS GOVT TO ISSUE STATEMENT ON WITHDRAWING SECTION 39A THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Defying mounting health concerns, St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar on Tuesday resolved to continue his indefinite hunger strike demanding the scrapping of Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act. His decision, which he claims is in the “State interest”, came even as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant personally met him and urged him to withdraw the fast, citing his deteriorating condition and the need for dialogue. Borkar’s fast entered its fourth day on Tuesday. The protest began last Friday with an intense sit-in at the TCP office and later shifted to Azad Maidan, where he launched an indefinite fast demanding the withdrawal of Section 39A — a provision, activists allege facilitates large-scale land conversions. According to the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), Borkar’s condition worsened Sawant, Vishwajit hold late-night meet on zone change provisions PANAJI PI, 2 CONSTABLES TRANSFERRED THE GOAN I NETWORK St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar and Tushar Gawas on the fourth day of their hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Tuesday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Borkar moves Breach of Privilege notice PANAJI: Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar said that MLA Viresh Borkar has submitted a letter regarding an alleged Breach of Privilege. Speaker said that he has asked the MLA to attend the BAC meeting on Wednesday and formally place his demand adding that Borkar can also seek a half-hour discussion on the matter. late Monday night, with a drop in vital health parameters, prompting his admission to a private hospital for medical attention. However, Pollution watchdog seeks action report on 900 noise plaints SENDS LETTERS TO COPS, COLLECTORATE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has sought Action Taken Reports (ATRs) from the police and district collectorate authorities on noise pollution complaints forwarded to them, after receiving more than 900 complaints between September 2025 and the end of January. According to officials, the Board addressed three letters -- in October, December and January -- to the police and collectorates seeking updates on action taken against violations flagged by it. “The Board has received ATRs in respect of some cases from the police, and the same are under examination,” an official said. Since September, the Board has recorded 750 instances of noise level violations through its Real-Time Online Noise Monitoring System installed at 38 establishments. In addition, it received 50 public complaints directly and an- WHAT PARAB SAID FACTS & FIGURES „„750 violations recorded by GSPCB via Noise Monitoring System „„Monitoring system installed at 38 establishments „„50 direct public complaints received „„135 complaints logged through noise helpline „„Instant email alerts sent to police & collectorate when limits exceed other 135 complaints through its dedicated noise monitoring helpline. Officials explained that whenever the noise monitoring cell detects levels exceeding permissible limits, >Continued on P6 he returned to Azad Maidan on Tuesday morning and resumed his fast. >Continued on P6 KERALA SET TO BE RENAMED AS ‘KERALAM’ 1 The Union Cabinet, led by Narendra Modi, has approved a proposal to rename Kerala as “Keralam,” Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting at Seva Teerth, the new Prime Minister’s Office complex, and comes just ahead of the state’s Assembly elections scheduled in April. 2 Modi said the move reflects the will of the people and aligns with efforts to strengthen cultural identity. Following the approval, the President will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the state Assembly under Article 3 of the Constitution for its views. 3 After this, the Centre will seek presidential recommendation to introduce the Bill in Parliament. Vaishnaw dismissed suggestions of electoral timing, stating Cabinet decisions are made independently of elections.  >> See pg 9 PANAJI Amid growing tension and mounting pressure over the controversy surrounding Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday held a crucial meeting with TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane to deliberate on the issue pertaining to zone change provisions. Rane, accompanied by the Chief Town Planner, met the Chief Minister for nearly half an hour at the official residence Altinho. The high-level meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of ongoing protests and the indefinite hunger strike by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar demanding the scrapping of Section 39A, which activists allege facilitates large-scale land conversions. Sources indicated that the discussions focused on the legal, administrative and policy aspects of the controversial provision, as well as the government’s possible course of action. Sources said that while the government is in position to cancel the provisional or in-principle approvals granted for zone changes, there are legal challenges as far as final approvals are concerned. Post meeting, Rane declined to comment on the deliberations or the ongoing >Continued on P6 „„Vijai began destruction with introduction of Sec 16B „„Allegedly involved in land conversions, zone changes „„Goa losing land due to vast conversions THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Even as the Opposition comprising the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) put up a united front against the controversial Section 39A of TCP Act, the decision of Vijai Sardesai to stay away from the recent protest march to TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane’s Dona Paula residence has triggered a public spat between the RGP and the Goa Forward Party (GFP). The rift came to the fore after RGP leader Manoj Parab launched a scathing attack on Sardesai, alleging his involvement in land conversions and zone changes. Parab claimed that Goa was losing land due to excessive conversions under Section 16B, which was WHAT VIJAI SAID „„People should not be treated like cattle... they are not animals „„Women, children were at the protest… safety was important „„No one can dictate terms to us introduced by Sardesai, while in power. “Because of 16B, Goa is losing land to rampant conversions and zone changes. MLA Vijai Sardesai introduced 16B and began the destruction of Goa. That is why he is not with us. He is involved in land conversions, land dealings and zone changes,” Parab alleged. He further claimed that Sardesai did not participate in the Chimbel protest as he shares close ties with Minister Rohan Khaunte and did not oppose Section 39A in the Assembly. “He was at Azad Maidan only to protect himself, not to fight for the people. We will soon expose all those involved in land deals,” Parab said. >Continued on P6 ORGANIZED BY PRUDENT NETWORK Opening Tomorrow AS APRIL ROLL OUT LOOMS… Deposit Refund Scheme sparks public fury THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA ith the State government set to roll out the Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) from April 1, strong resentment is brewing among consumers and civil society groups who claim the W DRS not a scheme, it’s a scam: GOACAN >> See pg 3 scheme will place an unfair financial and logistical burden on the public. The scheme, notified in 2024, requires consumers to CONCERN FROM CONSUMERS „„Extra cost burden, will have to pay above the MRP „„Refundable deposit will block money, hurting low and middle-income families „„Will add expense amid already rising living costs „„Need to store used bottles/cartons at home will lead to inconvenience „„Will have to stand queues to claim refunds „„Uncertainty over availability of machines, especially in rural/coastal areas „„Reaching collection centres may cost more than the refund „„Local bodies and stakeholders say they weren’t properly involved pay a refundable deposit ranging from Rs 2 to Rs 10 on products sold in plastic and glass packaging, including alcohol bottles, milk cartons, cans and multi-layered wrappers. The refund can be claimed only after returning the empty packaging to designated collection centres for digital reimbursement. However, consumers argue that the scheme compels them to pay an amount over and above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) printed on the From:- 26th February to 01st March 2026 (Thursday To Sunday) Time:- 11 am To 9 pm Venue:- SGPDA ground Margao Radio Partner >Continued on P6