log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) SATURDAY DECEMBER 13, 2025 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 176 Instagram.com/thegoanonline India rolls out red carpet for Messi as GOAT tour begins today  Pg 15 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 BJP pulls up Lobo, Parulekar over corruption claims ARPORA BLAZE AFTERMATH VASCO: A major fire tore through a large scrapyard at Verna on Friday, sending thick black smoke billowing nearly 10 km across the highway and reducing the yard stacked with plastic, industrial waste and assorted scrap to ashes.  >> See pg 3 SWR schedule of two Goa trains disrupted BELAGAVI: The South Western Railway (SWR) has announced significant disruptions affecting Goa-origin and Goa-bound train services in December. Train No. 17310 will be diverted via Arsikere, Hassan, Nelamangala while Train No. 17316 will be diverted through Chikbanavar, Nelamangala, Hassan.   >> See pg 5 Veteran Congman Shivraj no more LATUR: Veteran Congressman Shivraj Patil, who served as the Lok Sabha Speaker and was Union Home Minister during the 26/11 attacks, passed away at his hometown Latur in Maharashtra on Friday morning, family sources said. MNREGA to get a new name NEW DELHI: A proposal has been submitted to the Cabinet to change the name of the erstwhile UPA government’s flagship MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme). The Central government made the decision to change its name to Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Yojana. NEW DELHI Danish pharma major Novo Nordisk on Friday launched its blockbuster type 2 diabetes treatment injection Ozempic, globally popular for its weight-loss benefits. Ozempic is now available in India at Rs 8,800 for 0.25 mg, Rs 10,170 for 0.5 mg and Rs 11,175 for 1 mg, with each ‘FlexTouch Pen’ -- an easy-touse, once-weekly pen device -- covering four weekly doses. Novo Nordisk India Managing Director, Vikrant Shrotriya, said through Ozempic, the company is looking to provide patients with an innovative PANAJI: More than 50 statements have been recorded so far in the investigation into the fatal fire at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, even as authorities await the deportation of club owners Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra from Thailand. Both were detained by Thai officials on Thursday and kept in Bangkok detention facility. CBI and Goa police officials are soon to travel to Thailand to get their custody.  Goa police on Friday said officials, staff and victims have been examined as part of the ongoing probe. “Deportation procedures for the Luthra brothers are in progress, with continuous coordination with central agencies,” the update stated. Police said recording of additional statements and collection of technical and forensic evidence will continue over the next few days. Among the 50 statements including the two suspended officers -- Shamila Monteiro (then Member Secretary, Goa State Pollution Control Board) and Siddhi Halarnkar (then director of panchayat). insisting on NOCs from relevant departments. We don’t want another Birch by Romeo Lane tragedy in our village,” Sequeira said. According to him, the Romeo Lane in line of fire, tourist tells of assault saga CLAIMS NAMES OF VAGATOR CLUB OWNERS REMOVED FROM FIR BY ANJUNA POLICE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Even before the fatal fire at its Arpora establishment, the Romeo Lane nightclub chain was already facing criticism as women tourists at its Vagator outlet had complained of assault last month. Now, one of those tourists has stepped forward, alleging that she and her relatives were beaten by the manager and bouncers during their visit and that the names of the club’s owners, initially included in her police complaint, were later removed from the FIR by Anjuna Police. Vaibhavi, who spoke to a national media, said she had visited the Romeo Lane beach shack in November and found the space “very cramped,” with a single entrance and exit at an elevated level that made entry and exit difficult. New treatment for type 2 diabetes rolls out in India PTI Birch nightclub blaze: Over 50 statements recorded till date and accessible therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes while also offering meaningful weight management and long-term heart and kidney protection. “We are very judicious in terms of pricing in India. It really remains very competitive, internally and externally as well, to offer at a price like this,” Shrotriya told PTI when asked how Ozempic pricing in India compares with other global markets. “I would say that it still comes under the affordability zone of the pricing, which is at a range for countries similar to >Continued on P9 PORTION OF BIRCH PROPERTY CONVERTED FROM SALT PAN TO SETTLEMENT, ALLEGES ORIGINAL LANDOWNER >> See pg 3 She said the dispute began around 3 am when a heavy chair obstructed their way as they tried to leave. “My cousin shifted it aside with his foot… The manager came to us and said, ‘You are damaging the furniture; we should have thrown you out earlier. You don’t have the status to be here,” she recounted. According to her, the manager then grabbed her cousin’s collar and continued speaking “rudely.” When the family of 13 members from Varanasi attempted to apologise and walk out, she said he called in the security staff and bouncers. “They started chasing us and raised their hands at us. They hit my sister on the chest and pushed her so badly that she fell down the stairs. They put up a barricade at the gate so we couldn’t leave… When my brother removed it, a bouncer ran towards him with a rod and started hitting him badly. When I pushed the bouncer to stop him, he hit me too.” She alleged the staff used “such bad language that I had never heard before.” She said, they were badly hurt and approached the police the next morning. “I informed the police, and they told us to come to the Anjuna Police Station the next day… Somehow, an FIR was filed after a lot of effort,” she said. Vaibhavi said she had >Continued on P9 latest action is expected to trigger a larger compliance push across coastal belts where restaurants frequently morph into unlicensed clubs. Earlier, the government had also constituted a Safety Audit Committee to frame Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for conducting comprehensive safety audits and for granting licences to tourism-related establishments. The Committee had been tasked with assessing the mandatory licenses, approvals and safety norms including fire NOC, structural stability certificate, electrical safety and other such requirements for the functioning of the establishment. Likewise, it would also recommend critical safety infrastructure, firefighting equipment, emergency exits, electrical wiring, crowd control measures and evacuation plans which shall be adhered to by establishments. Cabinet gives all clear for census, nearly `  2K cr 1 sanctioned Over 5 acres of defence land in Goa encroached, LS informed PTI NEW DELHI The Union Cabinet on Friday approved Rs 11,718 crore for conducting the Census of India, 2027, which would include the caste enumeration for the first time. Addressing a briefing, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the cabinet, approved the plan to conduct Census which will be the first digital exercise. Around 30 lakh enumerators would be involved in the entire exercise. The 16th edition of the Census will also provide an option of self enumeration to the citizens. The decadal exercise which was scheduled to take place in 2021 got postponed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country. The minister said the Census will be conducted in two phases -- house-listing and housing census from April to September, 2026; and population enumeration (PE) in February 2027. Dept continues push to shift meters, but no power cut yet THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa Electricity Department officials continue to pressurize consumers to relocate their electricity meters from inaccessible indoor locations to outdoor spaces, but has so far stopped short of enforcing its threat of disconnection for non-compliance beyond the deadline which ended November 28. Officials disclosed that of the 38,000 meters the department had identified across the State, only 12,000 have already been successfully shifted. Despite notices being issued, officials said of the 38,000 meters the department had identified across the State, only 12,000 have already been successfully shifted Notices were first issued in May, giving consumers six months to comply with the deadline. Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes had repeatedly cautioned in public notices that failure to comply would invite strict measures, including disconnection of supply. Despite the warnings, authorities have not yet implemented the drastic step of cutting power to defaulters. Instead, they continue to exert pressure through repeated notices and reminders, urging consumers to relocate their meters to ensure accessibility for meter readers. Department representatives explained that inaccessible meters pose significant challenges, with readers often encountering locked homes or >Continued on P9 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In Goa, about 5.11 acres of defence land has been encroached upon, while another 9.47 acres remains tied up in legal disputes. The information was provided in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. As per the records, out of around 18 lakh acres of defence land across the country, about 11,152 acres is under encroachment. In Goa, 5.1166 acres of land is encroached. Similarly, about 8113 acres of defence land across various States is under litigation. As reported earlier, the State government handed over nearly 70.22 lakh sq mtrs of land to the Union Defence Ministry, since its liberation in December 1961. A total of 118 plots are under the control of the defence. Record shows, defence has managed to acquire maximum land in Mormugao ta- Their comments followed the blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, which killed 25 people. Naik said the party would decide on action against both its leaders after considering their responses. “We are running a political organisation. We are a disciplined party. Everyone has to be within the limit,” he said. Naik also dismissed allegations by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal that the BJP was engaged in corruption. “Let Kejriwal tell us why he was thrown out of Delhi. He was claiming to give good governance,” he said. luka, where the Naval base is situated. A total of 31.40 lakh sq mtrs of land, covering 80 plots, are in possession of the defence. This is followed by Tiswadi taluka, where 25.89 sq mtrs of land is with the Indian Army. The MoS said that the defence land is utilised for bona fide military purposes and to meet strategic, operational and security needs of the Armed Forces. >Continued on P9 PERFORMANCES EXHIBITIONS CULINARY ARTS FILMS TALKS & WORKSHOPS CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMES ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAMMES Serendipity Arts Festival returns to Panjim this December, celebrating a decade of creativity across visual arts, craft, theatre, dance, music, culinary arts, and more. This milestone edition with 35+ curators and 250+ projects transforms Goa’s capital into a living canvas, bringing together artists, audiences, and ideas from across South Asia and the world. PANJIM, GOA 12-21 DEC ’25 PANJIM PROMENADE SANTA MONICA JETTY ER Massive fire destroys Verna scrapyard MAPUSA With the horrific Arpora nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives still casting a shadow over Goa’s nightlife sector, the Calangute panchayat has issued show-cause notices to 17 restaurants operating clandestine clubs, directing them to produce mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) within three days or face closure. The establishments – popular spots such as Miami Restaurant, Café Mambo, Tito’s, Xtreme, Cape Town Café and several others – have been asked to furnish NOCs from key departments including Fire & Emergency Services, Excise, Health, and FDA. Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira admitted that years of lax scrutiny contributed to unsafe operations flourishing in Calangute. “In a way, it’s our mistake too as we issued licences without PANAJI The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Goa unit has asked two of its senior leaders to explain their public remarks on corruption in the wake of the December 6 nightclub fire, with the party’s State chief warning that the party cannot be taken for granted. At a press conference on Friday, BJP Goa president Damodar Naik stated that their senior leaders, Michael Lobo and Dilip Parulekar, both of whom have also served as ministers in the previous government, have been asked to submit an explanation. “I have heard the statement by both the leaders. I have sought clarification from them for making such statements,” Naik said. Lobo and Parulekar had alleged widespread corruption along the coastal belt during a discussion on a national news channel on Thursday, stating it had fuelled illegal activity in the tourism sector. After the blaze at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, Lobo and Parulekar had alleged widespread corruption along the coastal belt during a discussion on a national news channel, stating it had fuelled illegal activity in the tourism sector panchayat has issued licences strictly for restaurants, but many have been functioning as de facto nightclubs, often with loud music, dance floors, and extended operating hours – without statutory approvals required for such activities. Sequeira reiterated that while the panchayat has begun its compliance drive, enforcement action beyond licensing – such as sealing or prosecution – rests with other authorities. He added that moving forward, no new licence or renewal will be granted unless establishments first produce all mandatory NOCs, marking a shift to stringent pre-verification rather than post-violation crackdowns. The move reflects a wider state-level tightening of safety norms following the Arpora fire, which exposed systemic regulatory failures across Goa’s nightlife industry. The Calangute panchayat’s IR IV PANAJI: The Cyber Crime Cell of Goa police has cracked two major scams – investment fraud and illegal call centre – and arrested a senior citizen from Kerala. Prasantha Bose, 62, from Ernakulam was arrested for allegedly defrauding a Porvorim resident of Rs 69.75 lakh in a fake investment scheme.  >> See pg 3 THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK A R T PA R K AZAD MAIDAN DIRECTORATE OF ACCOUNTS OV Cyber sleuths bust `  0 lakh fraud 7 SEEKS EXPLANATION, WARNS OF ACTION SETS DEADLINE, ASKED TO PRODUCE NOCs FROM OTHER DEPTS ND IN SHORT >> Calangute p’yat cracks whip, 17 clubs warned of closure TOWARDS OLD GOA THE OLD PWD COMPLEX ART PARK THE OLD GMC COMPLEX A Goan-origin Portuguese Consul General connects with Goans in Wembley Goans observe Vasco Church feast in London Goans venerate St Francis Xavier across the world Multi-Level Parking PANJIM, GOA M pages 6 & 7 CASA SAN ANTONIO KALA ACADEMY Miramar Circle CAPTAIN OF PORTS JETTY MIRAMAR BEACH SAG GROUND THE ARENA AT NAGALLI HILLS GROUND TOWARDS MIRAMAR BEACH g Dr. E Bor Free festival shuttles run all day between venues—just hop in and ride. SUPPORTED BY d es Roa Download our Festival App for bookings, schedules, and easy venue navigation. OFFICIAL BEVERAGE PARTNER SUSTAINABILITY PARTNER Many venues are accessible for all visitors—and open to pets too. EXPERIENCE PARTNER AIRPORT PARTNER GIFTING PARTNER MEDIA PARTNER #10YearsOfSAF www.serendipityartsfestival.com or Download our App HOSPITALITY PARTNER