log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY MAY 16, 2026 GOA Portugal Consul General in UK shares connect with Goa Goan Association in New York stages ‘Hollywood Gala’ State hikes DA by 2 per cent PANAJI: The Goa government on Friday hiked the Dearness Allowance (DA) by two per cent of basic pay with retrospective effect from January 1, 2026, to compensate against price rise. With the hike, the DA has jumped to 60 per cent of basic pay from the existing rate of 58 per cent. The hike, which is in line with the Central government decision, will benefit over 63,000 employees of the State government and grant-in-aid educational institutions. The salary as per new pay structure will be paid from May onwards along with arrears from January to April. Earlier in October, last year, the DA was hiked from 55 per cent to 58 per cent. IN SHORT >> Ore transport to get police protection PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the State to provide police protection for the transportation of iron ore procured by Sesa Resources Limited through a recent e-auction from Pale in Bicholim to the Amona jetty. The Court passed the direction while hearing a petition filed by the company.  >> See pg 3 IMD: Monsoon may hit Kerala by May 26 PANAJI: With the India Meteorological Department forecasting an early onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala this year, Goa is also likely to receive the monsoon earlier than usual. As per IMD’s latest press release, the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala on May 26, nearly a week before the normal onset date of June 1.   >> See pg 3 No plans to tax foreign travel: PM NEW DELHI: In a rare move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday strongly rejected a media report that the government is considering levying a tax or a cess or a surcharge on foreign travel and termed the news “totally false”. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 33.6 C 26.2 C 75% The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 328 MMC spending `14 lakh monthly to transport wet waste to Cacora Page 8 Facebook.com/thegoan 3 GOA Strong winds strike Sattari; property damaged, services disrupted 5 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 LIFE Petrol price hike burns a hole in the pocket BELAGAVI anic and uncertainty have gripped several families from Belagavi and Goa region after a massive financial investigation linked to Shivam Associates in Belagavi exposed alleged irregularities estimated to be worth nearly Rs 4,600 crore. Activists and investigators claim that a significant number of investors from Goa, including retired employees, ex-servicemen and small businessmen, may have invested large sums in the scheme over the past several years. The controversy erupted after Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammed P IPL: Marsh masterclass powers LSG to easy win over CSK 13 Deadly snakebite ends Bhatikar’s life journey SNAKE BITES HIM WHILE HE TRIED TO PICK UP FALLEN CELLPHONE; HE WAS RETURNING FROM DANDELI AND HAD STOPPED BY THE ROADSIDE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI/PONDA Goa plunged into mourning from pre-dawn hours of Friday as news trickled in that Dr Ketan Bhatikar, a reputed physiotherapist and Congress candidate in last month's cancelled Ponda by-poll, had died tragically from a snakebite. At Anmod Ghat on the return journey from Dandeli, Bhatikar had briefly stopped by the roadside and amidst pouring rain his mobile slipped from his hand. As he bent to pick it up in the dark, a venomous snake struck his right hand and within minutes, his condition deteriorated. He was rushed in a 108 ambulance to the Dharbandora Health Centre at 3:32 am. But the venom had already spread and despite frantic efforts by the medical staff there, he was declared dead at 3:45 am. The report of the post-mortem has confirmed that Bhatikar died due to a snakebite. It was conducted at the South Goa District Hospital at Margao by a team of three doctors headed by Dr Andre Fernandes, Professor and Head of GMC's Department of Forensic Medicine. Drs Sunil Chimbolkar, lecturer GMC, and Ciano Fernandes, Senior Pathologist at SGDH, were the other two members of the team which conducted the post-mortem examination. Initially, the exact cause of death was unclear when the doctor at the Dharbandora PHC declared him dead. The autopsy revealed that venom had spread swiftly through his body, leading to organ failure. Dr Bhatikar was more than a medical professional: a social worker who many vouch A huge crowd bids farewell to Dr Bhatikar as his mortal remains are taken from his Silvanagar residence to the crematorium on Friday. Narayan Pissurlenkar Thousands flood streets to bid farewell THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI/PONDA Ponda witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of grief on Friday evening as thousands poured into the town to bid farewell to Dr Ketan Bhatikar, the physiotherapist and young Congress politician had served selflessly. His work during the Covid pandemic had earned him wide respect. The tragedy has shaken Goa’s medical fraternity and political circles alike with leaders from across the politi- who died tragically of a snakebite in the wee hours of the day. The funeral procession began from his Silvanagar residence and the streets overflowed with mourners, many crying and others carrying garlands. As the cortege moved slowly towards the crematorium, emotions ran high with several weeping openly and some collapsing in grief sporadically in the procession. The sorrowful atmosphere was punctuated by cries of anguish and chants in cal spectrum expressing grief. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal, and Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar all paid tribute. Ironically, the Supreme Court was scheduled to hear his petition on Friday challenging the HC’s decision cancelling the May 9 by-election. His friend Sushant Kavalekar, who was with him, recalled that the rain was >Continued on P7 Petrol, diesel turn dearer, NEET-UG re-exam to price hiked by `3/litre be held on June 21 CNG rates also raised by `2/kg COMPUTER-BASED TEST FROM NEXT YEAR PTI PTI NEW DELHI Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by Rs 3 per litre each on Friday, marking the first increase in more than four years, as State-run fuel retailers passed on part of the hit from surging global crude prices triggered by the Iran war. Alongside, CNG prices in cities like Delhi and Mumbai were raised by Rs 2 per kg. Petrol price in the national capital has been increased to Rs 97.77 per litre from Rs 94.77 while diesel now costs Rs 90.67 as against Rs 87.67 per litre previously, industry sources said. Wave of grief across Goa; CM, politicos extend condolences THE GOAN I NETWORK Rates vary across States due to differences in value-added tax. CNG in Delhi now costs Rs 79.09 per kg and in Mumbai it costs Rs 84. However, prices of both natural gas piped into household kitchens for Petrol nears `100 in Goa after price hike >> See pg 5 cooking, called piped natural gas, as well as domestic cooking gas LPG remained unchanged. Global crude oil prices have surged more than 50 per cent since US-Israeli strikes on Iran. NEW DELHI Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that the NEETUG re-examination will be held on June 21, and said the medical entrance exam will be computer-based test from next year onwards as part of reforms in view of allegations of irregularities linked to it. Addressing a press conference, Pradhan said students' future remains the government's topmost priority, adding that there will be “zero tolerance” for any irregularities found in the conduct of the NEET-UG. Strict action is being taken, he said. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) held on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of irregularities in the examination process. Informing that the duration of the re-test has been extended by 15 minutes, Pradhan said the candidates will also get to choose their preferred test cities again and that they will get their admit cards by June 14, he said. The central government will also coordinate transport arrangements for the students with the State governments, he said. `4,600 cr scam? Panic sweeps across Belagavi, Goa THE GOAN I NETWORK 6 SPORTS RAIDS, FROZEN ACCOUNTS AND ALARM „„Major financial scam linked to Shivam Associates „„Around 45,000 investors believed to be connected to network „„Many investors reportedly from Goa and Belagavi border areas „„Three offices, several flats linked to promoter sealed „„Officials allege company ran unauthorised investment schemes promising high returns „„Late-night raids led to seizure of computers, laptops and bond papers worth hundreds of crores „„4 bank accounts frozen after tracing deposits of nearly Rs 400 crore „„Authorities now tracking remaining funds, possible diversion of money Roshan ordered an urgent inquiry into the operations of Shivam Associates following allegations that the firm had collected public money without adhering to mandatory Reserve Bank of India and SEBI regulations. As the scale of the suspected fraud expanded, authorities indicated that the probe may soon be transferred to the CID, with a specialised investigation team expected to take over the case. According to official sourc- es, nearly 45,000 investors are believed to be connected to the network, with many reportedly hailing from Goa and border areas adjoining Belagavi district. Authorities have already sealed three offices and several flats linked to Shivam Associates and its promoter Shivananad Neelannavar after allegations surfaced that the company mobilised between Rs 2,500 crore and Rs 4,600 crore through unauthorised investment schemes. During late-night raids conducted on Thursday and throughout Friday, officials seized computers, laptops and bond papers reportedly worth hundreds of crores from premises linked to the accused. Investigators also froze four bank accounts after reportedly discovering deposits amounting to nearly Rs 400 crore. Officials are now attempting to trace the movement of the >Continued on P7 ON PAGE 2 Bhatikar: A political promise lost too soon Special panel conducts Bhatikar post mortem; questions raised over move Supporters, leaders throng hospital during autopsy Ponda’s eerie pattern: The 15th strikes again relentless and the road was mud-soaked. "My hands and feet went numb. Nothing seemed possible,” Kavalekar said, adding that Bhatikar bent to pick his phone and soon suffered seizures. PANAJI Goa plunged into grief on Friday following the untimely death of young Congress leader and physiotherapist Dr Ketan Bhatikar, who died due to a snakebite near Anmod Ghat in the early hours of Friday. Political leaders cutting across party lines paid rich tributes to the 41-yearold, remembering him as a compassionate doctor, committed social worker and emerging political face from Ponda. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, after paying his last respects at Bhatikar’s residence, described the incident as “very painful”. “We lost such a young friend. He was a very good human being who was always there for the people and to help them. Though we shared political boundaries, he was a very good friend of mine,” Sawant said. In his condolence message, the Chief Minister termed it a profound loss to the medical fraternity. “His departure is a profound loss to the medical community. My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. May his soul attain Sadgati,” he stated. Bhatikar had joined the Indian National Congress in February this year ahead of the Ponda by-election and was announced as the party’s candidate. However, the by-poll was later cancelled on constitutional grounds. Before joining Congress, Bhatikar was associated with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on the party’s ticket. TRIBUTES POUR ACROSS PARTY LINES >> See pg 2 Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao described Bhatikar as a “naturally born leader”. “It is very sad news. He had social work in his blood and dreamt of becoming an MLA. He was dedicated to his profession, social work and political career. Despite not being an MLA, he did a lot of work for the people. It is a great loss for Goa and the Congress party,” Alemao said. At the national level, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi expressed condolences saying, “Deeply saddened by the untimely passing of our young Congress leader from Goa. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said >Continued on P7