log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY MAY 9, 2026 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 321 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 16 2 7 Cat is out of the bag; cops used Goans make a mark at UK elections, several elected own mobiles to issue challans Comunidades flag seepage issues ahead of Margao heritage building restoration GOA Citizens urge govt not to make smart meters compulsory page 8 GCA gets recognition as sole Goan association in Qatar Institute marks 375th birth anniversary of St Joseph Vaz in USA IN SHORT >> Tiatr legend Patrick Dourado no more MARGAO: Konkani tiatr fraternity lost one of its most celebrated and respected figures on Friday with the passing away of veteran playwright, director, lyricist and composer Patrocicio ‘Patrick’ Dourado at the age of 86. Known for his immense contribution to Konkani theatre spanning over six decades, Dourado’s demise has sent waves of grief across Goa’s cultural circles. >> See pg 2 Adhikari to take oath as Bengal CM today KOLKATA: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari will be the first BJP chief minister of West Bengal, marking a watershed moment in the State’s political history after decades of resistance to saffron politics.  >> See pg 9 ment more serious is that the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, do not recognise either personal or official mobile phones as certified electronic enforcement equipment for issuing challans. In his communication to senior officers, the SP Traffic admitted that personnel in the ranks of Assistant Sub-Inspector, Head Constable and Police Constable were using private ON IL 22 A P R mobile phones to photograph alleged violations and generate challans -- bringing disrepute to the department. The order, with a warning of action, directed all supervising officers to stop the practice and monitor compliance immediately. Barely days ago, the traffic police had publicly defended its challan system after revelations that thousands of fines had been issued even before mandatory certification under Rule 167-A of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules was obtained. That certification, required for electronic enforcement devices to establish legal validity and accuracy, was granted only on February 20, 2026. The certification itself did not mention mobile phones as approved enforcement devices. Goan chef aids passengers aboard hantavirus-hit ship KHABIR MORAES FROM CUNCOLIM WORKING TIRELESSLY TO PROVIDE ALL POSSIBLE SUPPORT FRANKEY FERNANDES THE GOAN I MELBOURNE A Goan chef from Cuncolim is among the crew members assisting passengers aboard the ill-fated expedition cruise vessel ‘MV Hondius’, which continues to battle a major medical emergency in the Atlantic Ocean. Khabir Moraes, an executive chef and popular YouTuber, is currently on board the Dutch-operated vessel as it sails towards Tenerife in the Canary Islands under strict medical monitoring. Moraes wasn’t available for comments as he was engaged with the company in offering rescue support. According to highly placed maritime industry sources, Moraes and the rest of the crew have been working tirelessly to provide all possible support and assistance to passengers during the crisis. The vessel has remained 20 20 26 26 THE GOAN I NETWORK ON Allen’s brutal century keeps KKR playoff hopes alive Every winter, fewer birds return to Goa n SP PRABODH SHIRWAIKER’S INTERNAL COMMUNICATION EXPOSES FIASCO, SLAMS HARASSMENT TO VIOLATORS, TOURISTS n OVER `  CRORE IN FINES WERE COLLECTED ACROSS THE STATE 3 PANAJI Goa police has admitted to a practice that could now invite serious questions over both legality and conduct, acknowledging that traffic personnel were using personal mobile phones to photograph violations and issue challans, even though such electronic devices are not recognised for enforcement under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The admission, sources told The Goan, has been made in an internal communication by Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Prabodh Shirwaiker, who also alleged the practice was being used to harass violators, including tourists. The disclosure comes at a time when the traffic enforcement system is already under intense scrutiny over the legality of thousands of challans and the collection of more than Rs 3 crore in fines. What makes the develop- SPORTS LIFE 14 A P R IL Yet, enforcement continued on a massive scale. In North Goa alone, 22,042 challans were issued in 2025 using images captured on mobile devices, generating Rs 1.08 crore in compounding fees. South Goa recorded another 30,249 challans, collecting over Rs 97 lakh through similar enforcement methods. >Continued on P6 MANY RE-ELECTED, FRESH FACES TOO WIN LUI GODINHO THE GOAN I LONDON Former Swindon mayor Imtiyaz Shaikh was among a number of Goan candidates who won elections to different councils in the UK, as results were being declared on Friday. Dozens of Goan candidates had been picked to represent different parties to various  councils across the UK, which went to polls on Thursday, and votes were taken up for counting on Friday. As results were being officially declared in the UK late Friday evening, it emerged that a number of Goan councillors got re-elected, while some Goans got elected for the first time. SWINDON COUNCIL The winning Goan candidates from the Labour Party were former Swindon mayor Imtiyaz Shaikh (Queen’s Park ward), sitting councillor Adorabelle Amaral-Shaikh (Broadgreen ward), sitting councillor Ana Rosada Fernandes (Rodbourne Ferndale & Western ward), Princia Fernandes (Gorse Hill ward), and Jocelina D’Souza (Park’s ward). From the Conservative Party, PROUD MOMENT: Goan candidate Pamila Rodrigues (extreme right) who won from the Hounslow Central ward from the London Borough of Hounslow. sitting councillor Anabelle Pegado won the Broadgreen ward. When contacted, Imtiyaz Shaikh said he was deeply honoured to have been elected as the local councillor.” “I thank everyone who placed their trust in me and all who participated in the democratic process. My priority now is to get to work representing every resident of our ward. I look forward to listening to concerns and ensuring our community remains a fantastic place to live,” he said. HOUNSLOW COUNCIL The winning Goan candidates from the Conservative Party were Vivek Ganachari and Alister de Sa (both from Hounslow West ward), and Salvador Pereira (Heston Central ward). From the Labour Party, Pamila Rodrigues won in the Hounslow Central ward. When contacted, Pamila said it was “an absolute honour to represent the diverse community of Hounslow Central”. “To me, winning an election is not simply about gaining votes; it is about earning the trust and confidence of the people. I will listen carefully to public concerns and work honestly and tirelessly to address them,” said Pamila. “True leadership is built Somnath Virasat ke 75 Saal INDIA FACES NO IMMEDIATE PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT FROM HANTAVIRUS: NIV CHIEF >> See pg 10 in the spotlight following a hantavirus outbreak on board that claimed the lives of three passengers, including a Dutch couple and a German national. Medical teams, under the guidance of the Dutch National Institute for Public Health (RIVM), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Dutch Government, continue to monitor the situation closely. In its latest official update, Oceanwide Expeditions stated that no symptomatic individuals are currently present on board and confirmed that the vessel is proceeding towards the port of Granadilla in Tenerife, where it is expected to arrive in the early hours of Sunday, May 10. The company also confirmed that 120 guests were on board the vessel during Somnath is a symbol of India’s indomitable civilisation. Even after facing destructive attacks for over 1000 years, Somnath continues to stand tall as an embodiment of our pride and courage. 75 years ago, the resolve of the Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, paved the way for the modern revival of Somnath. Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, this sacred land proudly heralds India’s cultural renaissance. Be a witness to this golden occasion Key Activities • Kalash Yatra • Bhajan Sandhya • Chanting of the Omkar Mantra • Mantra Writing in the Somnath Booklet • Narration of Stories Associated with Somnath >Continued on P6 State plans power study to boost efficiency THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State electricity department is set to undertake scientific load forecasting and optimized power scheduling as part of efforts to strengthen power management and reduce costs amid rising electricity demand in the State. The department, in its submission before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), has said that it is in the process of floating a tender to engage an Energy Portfolio Management (EPM) agency for carrying out scientific demand forecasting and power scheduling functions. The proposed scope includes demand forecasting POWER PLAY: THE ROAD AHEAD „„Dept to hire EPM agency through tender process „„Agency to help improve scientific demand forecasting, power scheduling „„Focus areas include day-ahead, intra-day power planning „„Portfolio optimization to aim to reduce power procurement costs „„To target lowering deviation settlement charges, improving grid compliance „„Expected to strengthen coordination with Grid Code, SLDC procedures „„Goa currently depends heavily on CGS for electricity supply across multiple time horizons, day-ahead and intra-day scheduling, portfolio optimization, and minimization of deviation settlement charges >Continued on P6 to ensure cost-effective power procurement and compliance with Grid Code and State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) procedures. According to the submissions, Goa currently has tiedup power capacity of 650.02 MW from Central Generating Stations (CGS), including allocated and unallocated shares. The State, however, does not have its own major generating stations and has tied up only around 24.34 MW of generation capacity within Goa. The department stated that Goa’s peak power demand touched 815 MW in March 2025 during FY 2024-25, resulting in a significant deficit during peak summer months. To bridge the shortfall, the State procures power through electricity markets and exchanges. >Continued on P6 Shri Somnath Temple Complex, Prabhas Patan | 8th – 11th May 2026 Somnath is that song of hope which teaches us that the power of creation is far greater than the power of destruction. — Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi (Chairman, Shri Somnath Trust) To contribute towards enriching the glorious 1000-year legacy of Somnath. Scan here