log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY MAY 1, 2025 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 313 Western Bypass brings relief, but flood woes loom over Margao’s low-lying areas 2 GOA GED’s 5-year business plan pegs T&D losses consistently at 12% 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Asthma: What you should know about this respiratory disease Centre clears path for caste survey in census exercise MINISTER SAYS CENSUS IS UNION SUBJECT UNDER CONSTITUTION; SLAMS OPPOSITION FOR USING IT AS ‘POLITICAL TOOL’ PTI NEW DELHI In a major decision, the government on Wednesday announced that caste enumeration will be included in the forthcoming census exercise in a “transparent” manner and slammed the opposition parties for using caste survey as a “political tool”. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been demanding a nationwide caste census, making it a major election issue, and some states like Bihar, Telangana and Karnataka have conducted such surveys in their states. Announcing the decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the census comes under the purview of the Centre, but >> See PG 3 Concretising Rua de Ourem will now be Goa govt’s baby IN SHORT >> Boy accuses mum of assault BICHOLIM: Bicholim police is investigating the case of a 10-year-old boy who has accused his mother of assaulting him in their house.   >> See pg 3 Court rejects Atala's bail PANAJI: The Additional Sessions Judge-3, North Goa, on Wednesday rejected the bail application of Israeli national Yaniv Benaim aka Atala, in connection with an alleged drug peddling case.   >> See pg 3 Old Zuari bridge closure on May 4 PANAJI: The Executive Engineer Works Division-XIV (NH), PWD, Fatorda, Margoa, has ordered closure of existing Old Zuari bridge located on National Highway, NH–66 for all types of traffic from 6.30 am to 9.30 am on May 04, to enable recording of deck levels. TRANSPARENCY & EQUALITY „„The government’s goal is to ensure that caste enumeration in the census will be done transparently, without political influence, to strengthen the social and economic structure of society „„The government framed the decision as part of its broader social and economic reforms, citing previous initiatives like the 10% reservation for eco- nomically weaker sections „„The government views caste enumeration as a step toward national progress, ensuring that the social fabric is not disturbed by political agendas some states have done caste enumeration in the name of surveys “non-transparently” which has created doubts in the society. Noting that caste was not included in all census oper- ations conducted since Independence, Vaishnaw alleged that the Congress governments have always opposed caste census and the party had used the issue as a political tool. “Considering all these facts and to ensure that the social fabric is not disturbed by politics, caste enumeration should be transparently included in the Census instead of surveys,” he said, adding that this will strengthen the social and economic structure of our society while the nation continues to progress. The minister alleged that the states ruled by opposition parties have done caste surveys for political reasons and emphasised that the Modi government has resolved to transparently include caste enumeration in the forthcoming pan-India census exercise. The Congress and the opposition INDIA bloc had made caste census a major poll plank in the previous elections, with Rahul Gandhi promising representation to people based on their popu- April academic shift records near-perfect attendance MONTH-LONG SUMMER VACATION BEGINS FROM TODAY; EDUCATION DEPT CALLS TO EXERCISE CAUTION THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Schools across Goa recorded around 95-100 per cent attendance in the month of April, as the government implemented transition of the academic calendar from June. The month-long summer vacation for students of Class VI to X and XII will commence from Thursday, May 1, with the Education Department appealing to students and parents to exercise caution while enjoying the vacation, especially considering the heatwave-like conditions. Director Education Shailesh Zingade has appealed to parents to refrain from allowing their children to venture into natural water bodies like rivers, lakes and even if the kids are insisting, then the parents should accompany them. Nearly 2,153 schools commenced their academic term for Class VI to X and XII in April. Students and authorities expressed satisfaction with the new arrangement, and were happy to see students, teachers, parents as well as school management coping up to the hot weather. Though, the classes were 'SMOOTH' ACADEMIC TRANSITION „„Schools across Goa recorded 95–100% attendance in April despite heatwave conditions „„Around 2,153 schools implemented the early start as students, parents, and teachers responded positively „„Most classes ended by 11:30 am; some Grade XII sessions extended till 1:15 pm; while some schools suspended Saturday classes restricted till 11.30 am, in some schools, regular classes for Grade 12 was held up to 1.15 pm, while in some cases, schools were shut on Saturday for middle section. In some cases, schools organised extracurricular activities, while the majority commenced the new academic portion. Zingade said that the department did not receive any complaints from schools or parents and overall response was very positive. State Education Secretary „„Education Secretary Prasad Lolayekar visited schools in Panaji to monitor attendance and student engagement „„Students reported enjoying the shortened hours and extracurricular activities Prasad Lolayekar had in fact visited several schools in Panaji to check the attendance and the response of students to the academic changes. “In my class it was 100 per cent attendance every day. We enjoyed school in April. Best was that it was hardly for a few hours and we could meet our friends. We even had our extracurricular activities,” Purvi Raikar, student of K B Hedgewar, Cujira said. >Continued on P8 lation. The census exercise was to commence in April 2020 but got delayed due to the Covid pandemic. Vaishnaw said in 2010, the then prime minister Manmohan Singh had assured the Lok Sabha that the matter of caste census should be considered in the Cabinet. A group of ministers was formed to consider this after most of the political parties had recommended a caste census. “Despite this, the Congress government decided to conduct only a survey instead of a caste census. That survey is known as SECC. “It is well understood that the Congress and its INDI alliance partners have used Caste Census only as a political tool,” the minister alleged. >Continued on P8 10 SPORTS IPL: Punjab Kings defeats Chennai Super Kings by four wickets 13 Chief Town Planner suspended, likely to face disciplinary action Directed to report to personnel department and not leave headquarters without prior permission THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government on Wednesday suspended Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik with immediate effect citing likely disciplinary proceedings against him. In an order issued by the Vigilance director Akshay Potekar it is said that a disciplinary proceedings against Naik is contemplated. “Now therefore, the Governor of Goa, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-rule (1) of Rule 10 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, places Rajesh Naik, Chief Town Planner (Planning) under suspension with immediate effect,” Potekar said. Naik is directed to report to the department of personnel during the suspension period and will not leave the headquarters without obtaining the previous permission of the competent authority. In the last couple of months, the State witnessed several protests by citizens Stop-work notice to Bambolim resort for permission lapses PANAJI: The department of Town and Country Planning (TCP) has issued a stop-work notice to M/s Worldwide Resorts and Entertainment Private Limited, Bambolim for allegedly undertaking construction work without obtaining necessary permissions. In an order issued on Wednesday, Deputy Town Planner Prakash Bandodkar said that the technical clearance to the proposed construction of hotel building in plot No 358 at Bambolim village on March 26, 2024, subject to the condition that necessary NOC, if required from concerned Authorities under building by-laws to be obtained prior to construction work. >> See pg 3 and activists demanding removal of Naik, accusing him of being instrumental in the rampant conversion of Goa’s green zones. Naik, who was granted service extension by the State government, in August last year, has been facing charges of deviation from his primary responsibility of town planning and failing to prioritise the preservation of the State’s natural areas. Naik, a senior town planner with the department of Town and Country Planning, was promoted to the post of Chief Town Planner in November 2017. Activists had moved High Court challenging the service extension granted to Naik, accusing him of permitting the conversion of more than 23,16,572 sqm of land under Section 16B of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act and allowed conversion of more than 22,14,719 sqm of land under Section 17(2) of the TCP Act. India closes airspace for Pak airlines PTI NEW DELHI India on Wednesday banned Pakistan airlines from using its airspace amid escalating tensions with the neighbouring country in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Sources said that a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) has been issued that bars Pakistan airlines from using the Indian airspace. The notice comes mere days after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the death of 26 people, including 25 Indians. The attack, which also injured several other tourists at the Jammu and Kashmir resort town, happened last Tuesday. In the aftermath of the attack, the Union government had taken several steps to put pressure on Pakistan due to its support for cross-border terrorism. These steps included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the reduction of the Pakistan High Commission staff, and the closure of the Attari border checkpost. Pakistan had also announced its own measures, including the closure of its airspace for Indian flights, along with copying most of the Indian measures. It had also threatened to pull out of the Shimla Agreement, along with all other agreements with India. GOLDEN TOUCH: A woman buys gold bangles at a Panaji jewellery store on Wednesday, on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. Gold sales surged on the auspicious day believed to bring prosperity to new ventures and investments.  Narayan Pissurlenkar JSW Energy moves top court against State’s green cess THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI JSW Energy has moved the Supreme Court challenging the legislative competence of the Goa Legislative Assembly to enact the Green Cess Act and its related rules. The company filed the petition on April 28, questioning whether the subject of ‘environment’ falls within the constitutional jurisdiction of a State legislature. The power producer has specifically contested the constitutional validity of the Goa Cess on Products and Substances Causing Pollution (Green Cess) Act, 2013, and the corresponding Rules notified in 2014. It has also alleged that Section 4 of the Act is “mani- festly arbitrary.” A Bench headed by Justice BV Nagarathna declined to entertain the petition in its current form but granted JSW Energy the liberty to file a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution within a week. The court also ordered that no coercive steps be taken >Continued on P8 Goa records highest ‘feels like’ Goa tops performance among small States in India CAREEDGE STATE RANKING REPORT temperature in India at 47.8°C THE GOAN I NETWORK HEAT INDEX SURPASSES SEVERAL IMD STATIONS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa seems to be emerging as one of the most heat-affected places in the country this summer. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded a maximum temperature of 34.6°C on Wednesday and ‘feels like’ temperature of 47.8°C – probably the highest among several IMD stations experiencing high heat levels. Official data indicate that despite actual temperatures being higher elsewhere, Goa’s humidity and atmospheric conditions have pushed the discomfort index much above other states/UT. Delhi, for instance, recorded a maximum of 37°C – over 2°C higher than Goa but its ‘feels like’ temperature was around 39-40°C. Bhopal registered 38°C, and ‘feels like’ temperature just 34°C, significantly lower than Goa’s. Goa’s close neighbouring district Belagavi experienced around 33°C with a ‘feels like’ reading of 38.1°C, while Kerala reported 31.2°C and a matching 38.1°C in perceived heat. Even Gujarat, which has been under heat wave-like conditions, fared better than Goa. Most stations there recorded temperatures between 31°C >Continued on P8 PANAJI he coastal State of Goa has been recognised as the top-performing State among the North-East, Hilly Regions and small States of India, according to the CareEdge State ranking report 2025. Maharashtra has emerged at the top among the large states in India. Goa has secured the highest place for consistently performing well across financial, infrastructure, economic, and social dimensions. However, the State ranking dropped to 7th position as far as governance and environment indicators were concern. This annual assessment T „„Goa achieved the highest composite score of 62.1, reflecting strong allround performance during the period 2023–2024 „„Social development: Scored 88.4, the highest among all states, with strong performance in health, education, labour, and poverty indicators „„Infrastructure: Topped with a score of 73.2 for physical infrastructure development „„Financial development: Emerged as the top performer with 51.5, indicating strong credit availability and financial services penetration „„Economic pillar: uses 50 quantitative indicators that fall under seven different categories: economic, fiscal, infrastructure, financial development, social, governance, and environment. Goa achieved the highest composite score of 62.1, backed by robust performance in social development (88.4), infrastructure (73.2), financial development (51.5), economic Ranked 2nd nationally with a score of 62.5, just behind Sikkim „„Fiscal management: Scored 57.8 for fiscal health including debt management and revenue generation „„Maharashtra has emerged at the top among the large states in India pillar (62.5) and fiscal stand (57.8). On the economic pillar, that captures aspects relating to the State’s structural economic features, growth and investment performance, Goa ranked second with 62.5 points after Sikkim. The fiscal pillar that assesses the State’s fiscal health in terms of debt and deficit sustainability, revenue generation capacity, quality of expenditure and debt management, Goa managed to score 57.8. On the financial development, Goa emerged as top performer with 51.5 while assessing the overall availability of credit and penetration of financial services in the State. As far as social and physical infrastructure was concerned, Goa once again topped with 73.2 so also on the social indicator related to health, >Continued on P8