log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2025 >> SEE PG 2 BUDGET PLEDGES: HITS & MISSES IN SHORT >> Smart City babus race to meet deadline PANAJI: While most of the other projects are on course for completion, the tail-end stretch of the sewerage project from Taad Maad temple in Tonca-St Inez to Sewage Treatment Plant remains a challenge Smart City officials to beat the March 31 deadline.  >> See pg 5 Suspended varsity prof interrogated PANAJI: A day after registering FIR in the exam paper leak case, the Agassaim police interrogated suspended assistant professor of Goa University Pranav Naik. Police, however refused to divulge details. Muthalik visits Goa after entry ban ends PANAJI: Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik, who was banned from entering Goa for the past 10 years, visited Goa on Saturday. He is reported to have met Subhash Velingkar and others. Flight Ops resume at Heathrow airport LONDON: London Heathrow Airport said it was fully operational on Saturday, after an almost daylong closure sparked by an electrical substation fire. MAGAZINE MAGAZ 11 Shigmotsav: Spectacle of tradition & festivity Old is gold: Portuguese currency and traditional measures in Goa The proof is in the pastry: The story behind Nanbai’s irresistible bakes 13 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 18 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO.274 EMPHASISES ON CLEANLINESS, PEACE-LOVING NATURE OF GOANS AT BIHAR DAY CELEBRATIONS IN PANAJI THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday urged Biharis in the State to adopt and adjust to local Goan culture which he said is distinct, peaceful and respects equality among religious communities. Sawant was speaking at a ‘Bihar Day’ event organised by the BJP State unit in the capital city. This is the first time that ‘Bihar Day’ was observed by the saffron party in Goa and Sawant signalled the political motive of it when during his address said that Bihar will progress if a BJP government comes back to power again there. State assembly elections are due later this year in Bihar. “The BJP believes in Ek Devpt of Bihar is due to ‘double engine’: Sawant Chief Minister Pramod Sawant along with Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Rajya Sabha MP Sadananad Tanavade and other dignitaries at the Bihar Day at Institute Menezes Braganza hall, Panaji on Saturday. Bharat Shrestha Bharat. Many Biharis are currently residing in Goa for work. They should understand the culture here. Goans are peace-loving, consider guests as God, do not quarrel and love the people who come here,” Sawant said while addressing the jampacked gathering at the Insti- tute Menezes Braganza hall. “Some people with roots in Bihar are second-generation residents of Goa. They have adopted the Goan culture. Other people coming here to work from Bihar should likewise follow the Goan culture,” Sawant said further. Also present on the dais at HSRP ghost comes back to haunt vehicle owners  STRICT CRACKDOWN ON CARDS  VEHICLES TO BE DETAINED FOR 15 DAYS  HEAVY PENALTIES LIKELY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Directorate of Transport is contemplating stepping up enforcement against vehicles without High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) by detaining them for a minimum of 15 days. The enforcement officials will soon receive directives to intercept and seize non-compliant vehicles including two-wheelers. A senior official confirmed that the vehicles would only be released after owners pay penalties as per the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Moreover, during the detention period, the responsibility for the safety of the vehicle would rest with the owner. “Many vehicle owners have continued to take a casual approach despite warnings and awareness drives. Hence, we are contemplating imposing harsh punishment on violators. Strict action is necessary to ensure compliance,” the official said. ENFORCEMENT TO GET STRICTER „„Defaulting vehicles to be seized for 15 days „„Vehicles to be released after owners pay penalties „„During detention period, responsibility for safety of vehicle to rest with owner „„Owners can get HSRP fitted at any registered dealer „„For vehicles sold on or after April 1, 2019, full compliance with HSRP rules mandatory „„Owners to face fines up to Rs 5,000 or imprisonment under Section 192(1) „„Nearly 40 per cent of vehicles are yet to install HSRP On February 1, Transport Director Pravimal Abhishek issued a public notice asking owners to get HSRP fitted at the earliest with the flexibility to approach any registered dealer. He also conceded that field inspections revealed several vehicles still did not have HSRP installed. “To facilitate this process, the department has authorized vehicle dealers to undertake the affixation of HSRP. Orders for HSRP can be placed through the official portal of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers at www. siam.in. Failure to comply with this directive shall attract strict action, including penalties as prescribed under the applicable provisions of law,” the notice stated. The move, sources said, would also help traffic and transport officials on ground duty detect violating vehicles. “The AI high-definition cameras automatically >Continued on P7 Minister Subhash Phal Dessai named chief guest at the event SANGUEM f the recent Grand Housie created a buzz in Salcete, the excitement has now shifted to the hinterland further down south, with a similar ‘Grand Housie’ offering cash prizes worth a staggering Rs 20 lakh in Sanguem town on March 30. The Grand Housie is expected to attract not just locals but people from neighbouring areas, eager to participate in the competition and the chance to win big. The Grand House organised by ‘Sanguem Boys’ on I HOUSIE JACKPOT Full House: `10 lakh Second full house: `5 lakh Third full house: `2 lakh Jaldi 5: `1 lakh Jaldi 7: `1 lakh Horizontal line: `1 lakh the occasion of Gudi Padwa is part of a Konkani Musical Show featuring Goa’s leading singers and musicians at the Sanguem bus stand. Chief guest at the event is Social Welfare Minister and Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai, while the special invitee is former Sanguem mayor Sanjay Raikar. While the Konkani Musical Show starts at 6 pm, the Grand House will begin at 8.30 pm. Three housie coupons will be given to a participant for Rs 1,000 and six prizes will be on offer. Whopping cash prizes will be awarded to the lucky winners of the Full House (Rs 10 lakh), second full house (Rs 5 lakh), third full house (Rs 2 lakh), Jaldi 5 (Rs 1 lakh), Jaldi 7 (Rs 1 lakh) and Horizontal line (Rs 1 lakh). Incidentally, only participants above 18 years >Continued on P7 KOHLI MASTERCLASS LEADS RCB TO CRUSHING VICTORY OVER KKR  > 10 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 CM gives crash course on Goa’s culture to Biharis `20L at stake! Housie fever grips Sanguem THE GOAN I NETWORK Instagram.com/thegoanonline PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that Bihar is developing due to the double engine government of BJP at the Centre and in Bihar. "For a self-sufficient and developed Bihar, it is necessary for the BJP government to come to power once again in the State," Sawant said. the event was Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Sheth, Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanawade and BJP state president Damu Naik. >Continued on P7 Unprecedented spike in calls pushes firemen to the edge Massive blaze at building in Miramar sparks fear among residents; 25 fire-related calls on Saturday THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services faced an overwhelming surge in fire incidents on Saturday, responding to as many as 25 fire-related calls in a single day, highlighting the increased fire risks amid the ongoing heat period. Among these, a massive blaze on the third-floor terrace of a building at Miramar stood out, which required extensive reinforcement and over two hours to be brought under control. Three tenders and 22-25 firefighters were rushed to the site. The personnel, quoting the commercial space’s owner, stated that the incident erupted due to welding work where chemicals were also stored. The intense flames and heavy smoke were visible A DAY OF FLAMES „„Apart from the Miramar incident, firemen responded to several other emergencies including dry grass, forest, cashew plantations and garbage fires on Saturday. There were also two instances of vehicles catching fire, a case involving an electrical transformer and one incident of an LPG cylinder-related blaze from quite a distance, alarming nearby residents and passersby. While there were no human casualties, the financial losses are reportedly huge, although the exact estimate is awaited. Apart from this major incident, the fire department responded to several other emergencies including dry grass, forest, cashew plantations and garbage fires on Saturday. There were also two instances of vehicles catching fire, a case involving an electrical transformer and one incident of an LPG cylinder-related blaze. In the current month alone, the Fire Department has attended to over 478 calls of which more than 336 are fire-related. Fire officials have urged citizens and businesses to exercise caution, especially in handling flammable materials. Out of the total incidents, nine human lives were lost, while personnel rescued 11 others along with 40 animals. Property worth Rs 15.46 million approx was saved while losses amounted to Rs 58.52 million approx.