log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY MAY 24, 2025 GOA From few Goans to a thriving Goan community in Peekskill Goan scientist awarded in US for stellar work in pharma industry IN SHORT >> Govt levies `10 as service charge for Goa Online portal PANAJI: The government on Friday approved Rs10 as convenience fee for each online application submitted through Goa Online portal (www.goaonline.gov.in). In addition to the convenience fee, Rs 20 service fee will be levied on 13 specific services which were earlier available free of cost. Consequently, users will now incur a total fee of Rs 30 when accessing these services through the portal. CMRY loan scheme modified PANAJI: In a move to make it more attractive, the government has modified the Chief Minister's Rojgar Yojna (CMRY), a scheme meant to disburse loans to youth for self-employment projects, relaxing some of its conditions.  >> See pg 5 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 336 Construction of elevated corridor powers ahead from Porvorim side page 8 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA Mapusa council’s seven-month silence on illegal roof puts public at risk 5 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 27.9 C 24.5 C 94% TIDES Low: High: 02.02 08.54 14.18 19.57 Life-saving fashion hacks every woman should know JETTIES IN TROUBLED WATERS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped notices to various Goa government authorities over the petition challenging the permissions granted to the nine commercial cum private jetties in the close proximity of the protected areas of Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Chorao along the River Mandovi. The notices, returnable within four weeks, have been issued to Chief Secretary, Captain of Ports, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), Forest department and five other respondents. Filed by two environmentalists, Dikshay Phadte and Ajit Volvoikar, the petition seeks a declaration that jetties intended for non-fishing purposes cannot be permitted in tidal water bodies designated as fish breeding areas or ecologically sensitive zones under the „„Petition seeks declaration that jetties intended for non-fishing purposes cannot be permitted in tidal water bodies designated as fish breeding areas or ESZs under CRZ „„Petitioner pleads to direct Forest Dept to prepare zonal master plan Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification of 2011. The petitioner also pleads to direct the Forest Department to prepare the zonal master plan for the eco-sensitive zone of the Dr Salim Ali Bird sanctuary. The petitioners have also urged the tribunal to direct authorities to bar the setting up of such jetties within CRZ areas in Goa’s fishing villages. The NGT while admitting for eco-sensitive zone of Dr Salim Ali Bird sanctuary „„NGT urged to direct authorities to bar setting up of such jetties within CRZ areas in fishing villages „„Jetties are being used for commercial operations that breach permitted uses outlined in CRZ rules the plea earlier this month, issued notices to the respondents. At the preliminary hearing held recently, the NGT bench comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Vijay Kulkarni ordered that all nine jetty landowners must be added as respondents within a week to ensure that appropriate reliefs can be granted, such as prohibiting any commercial activity on these jetties unless specifically allowed under current regulations. Drawing attention to Clause 3 of the CRZ Notification, the petitioners' counsel further argued that coastal construction is restricted only to facilities essential for fishing and related activities. They contended that the nine jetties are being used for commercial operations that breach the permitted uses outlined in the CRZ rules. 10 SPORTS IPL: Kishan, SRH quicks dent RCB's chances of a top-two finish 13  CM takes stock, monitors probe THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In another major development in the Rs 5 crore misappropriation of central funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) for Goa, the nationalized bank that holds the scheme’s official account has also come under lens. With the SSA cheque book reportedly untouched and all routine payments processed exclusively via bank-to-bank transfers, officials now suspect that the alleged fraud may involve insider assistance from the bank. “The role of certain bank officials cannot be ruled out, given the sophisticated nature of the fraud and the safeguards in place for such high-value transactions. The SSA cheque book is intact. There is no cheque usage as payments to para-teachers and other beneficiaries are transferred through the banking system,” a senior government official told The Goan. The revelation has fuelled THE INSIDE JOB? „„Sophisticated nature of fraud suggests that participation of certain bank officials „„SSA cheque book intact... payments to para-teachers, beneficiaries transferred through banking system „„Fraudsters gained access to SSA account either in collusion with SSA or with help from bank „„A senior govt official said no one has been given a clean chit yet suspicion that the fraudsters gained unauthorized access to the SSA’s account details, forged cheque books and signatures, either in collusion with SSA or with help from the nationalized bank only. “None have been given a clean chit yet,” the official added. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the education portfolio, had been briefed about the case with a detailed report submitted soon after the issue surfaced. “The CM is personally monitoring the developments. Everyone is under the scanner until the masterminds are identified and arrested, and the misappropriated funds are recovered,” the source added. The misappropriation reportedly took place earlier this year, coinciding with the absence of some SSA staff who were in New Delhi attending a Project Approval Board meeting. “There is a strong possibility that the timing was exploited by the perpetrators. A police complaint was immediately filed after the misappropriation came to the fore,” the source said. A garment trader from West Bengal, into whose personal account nearly Rs 2 crore of the misappropriated funds were transferred, was >Continued on P7 Slab of old building crashes in Margao, 3 cars damaged Goa on red alert for incessant rain till May 25 LOUD SOUND TRIGGERS PANIC AMONG BIZMEN and whether steps were initiated to strengthen/restore the building after the collapse of a concrete portion two-and-half years ago. A police team comprising of Sub-divisional Police officer, Margao DySP Sidhant Shirodkar and Marago PI Suraj Samant got the road barricaded as a precautionary measure. Additional Collector, Srinet Kothawale along with Deputy Collector, Ganesh Barve, besides Fire Officer Gill D’Souza, PWD executive PANAJI A well-marked low-pressure area over the east-central Arabian Sea, off the south Konkan coast, has raised alert about the continuation of heavy to very heavy rainfall over Goa besides Gujarat, Konkan, Karnataka and Kerala for the next seven days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall over Konkan and Goa till May 25, with the State on Red Alert during this period. Increasing rainfall is expected till May 29. The development coincides with the southwest monsoon’s gradual advance, which is forecast to reach Kerala within two days. Amid the monsoon chaos over the past five days, the North Goa District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) convened a meeting on Friday to assess preparedness for upcoming seasonal hazards and to streamline coordination among various departments and agencies involved in disaster risk reduction and emergency response. DDMA Chairperson Yashaswini B directed all concerned departments to enhance inter-agency coordination and >Continued on P7 >Continued on P7 THE GOAN I NETWORK Govt to raise `150 cr via sale of stock PANAJI: Ahead of Corporation of the City of Panaji elections, 28 Booth Level Officers have been replaced, sparking allegations of political interference. BJP leader Utpal Parrikar claimed the move aims to influence the vote bank. INFO GREEN TRIBUNAL ISSUES NOTICES TO GOVT AUTHORITIES, SEEKS REPLY WITHIN 4 WEEKS MAPUSA: A 39-year-old tourist from Odisha died after a swim in the pool of a hotel in Calangute on Thursday afternoon. According to reports, Tajinder Singh had come along with his family to Goa for a holiday. He had gone to the hotel's swimming pool for a swim and after some time, began to vomit. 28 BLOs replaced ahead of CCP polls RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Nine jetties near Salim Ali Nationalised bank under lens in `5 cr SSA fraud sanctuary face NGT heat  Spotlight on role of bank officials Odisha tourist dies in Calangute PANAJI: In a bid to raise revenue towards developmental programmes, the government will borrow Rs 150 crore through sale of 12-year government stock (securities) on May 27. This is a second auction of securities within a period of >> See pg 2 seven days.  Instagram.com/thegoanonline AQUA LAND! Rainwater floods the entrance of the Old Secretariat building in Panaji on Friday. Heavy showers have disrupted normal life across the State for the past three days.   Narayan Pissurlenkar Zuari twin towers will be game-changer: Gadkari SAYS WILL BOOST TOURISM, ECONOMY, JOBS THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday evening said the iconic observatory towers and viewing galleries atop the new Zuari Bridge, to be built at a cost of Rs 270.07, crore, would be a game-changer for the State’s tourism sector. RELATED REPORTS ON PAGE 5 Addressing a gathering at the Chicalim Panchayat hall after performing the ground-breaking ceremony for the project, Gadkari suggested to the State government hold a design competition among local architects for the twin observatory towers atop the new Zuari Bridge and the winner would be awarded a prize of Rs 1–2 lakh. “This project aims to create a global landmark and will significantly boost Goa’s tourism, economy, and employment. The project will significantly boost Goa's growth, >Continued on P7 MARGAO A loud sound triggered panic and anxiety at the busy commercial capital near Pimpalkatta on Friday noon after a slab of the Old Bank of Baroda building crashed on three cars parked alongside the road below the building. Members of the public ran helter-skelter while traders rushed out of their establishments to find out the cause of the loud sound, only to discover that a slab from the building had collapsed onto the parked vehicles. No casualties or injuries to anyone have been reported in the incident. Normally, fruit vendors, selling pineapples, watermelons, bananas and fruits swarm the place every day. Incidentally, a small concrete portion of the same building had collapsed around two-and-half years ago, leaving a pedestrian injured and a car damaged. While the debris lying on the parked vehicles and the busy road is a testimony that all wasn’t well with the building, the same old question may come to haunt the au- The portion of the slab that collapsed near Pimpalkatta at the new market area on Friday.  Santosh Mirajkar ON PAGE 2 Margao building vacated after slab collapse MLA cites legal hurdles in razing unsafe bldgs thorities, including the District Disaster Management Authority and the Margao Municipal Council on the structural stability of the building THE GOAN I NETWORK Trump rakes up tariff storm, Govt eyes voluntary relocation for forest dwellers GOVERNMENT’S GREEN GAMBLE threatens 50% levy on EU THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Friday threatened a 50% tax on all imports from the European Union as well a 25% tariff on Apple products unless iPhones are made in America. The threats, delivered over social media, reflect Trump's ability to disrupt the global economy with a burst of typing as well as the reality that his tariffs are not producing the sufficient trade deals he is seeking. The Republican president said he wants to charge high- Make iPhones in US, Trump tells Apple again NEW YORK: US President Donald Trump on Friday once again took aim at Apple, declaring that iPhones sold in the United States must be manufactured domestically, not in India or any other country. er import taxes on goods from the EU, a long-standing US ally, than from China, a geopolitical rival that had its tar- iffs cut to 30% this month so Washington and Beijing could hold negotiations. Trump was upset by the lack of progress in trade talks with EU, which has insisted on cutting tariffs to zero even as the president has publicly insisted on preserving a baseline 10% tax on most imports. Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Trump posted on Truth Social. Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States. PANAJI n a major move, Goa government has directed the Forest Department to identify isolated hamlets/human habitations residing in protected areas but deprived of civic amenities, for “voluntary I REHAB PUSH rehabilitation” by “surrendering their rights or claims” on the sanctuary or national park area.   During the recently held Goa State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane expressed the government’s „„Sawant, Rane propose relocating human habitations from wildlife sanctuaries „„Relocation must be voluntary; dwellers must give up claims/rights on protected areas „„Dept to identify isolated hamlets lacking amenities like electricity, roads „„Relocated communities to be shifted to revenue land with all civic amenities „„Forest, Revenue Depts to work together to implement relocation plan „„Priority for relocation given to habitations in remote corners of sanctuaries intention to relocate all such human habitation outside the wildlife sanctuaries and the national park. However, the relocation should be voluntary and dwellers must relinquish their claims/rights on such protected areas. According to the minutes of the meeting, Sawant, who is also the chairman of the SWBL, desired that the Forest Department should identify isolated hamlets or habita- tions of people residing in protected areas which are deprived of civic amenities like electricity and connections, road connectivity, etc so that those habitations can be shifted outside the protected areas on the revenue land, where all such amenities can be provided to them. “He (CM) further desired that the Forest Department along with the Revenue Department should make all out efforts to shift such habitations outside the protected areas provided the people residing there desire to shift voluntarily and relinquish their claims or rights on such protected areas,” the minutes stated. Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane was too in sync with the views of the Chief Minister while stressing that the rehabilitation has to be “voluntary”. “The Forest Minister and Vice Chairperson of the Board also desired that small hamlets/habitations located in the remote corners of the sanctuaries or national park, where basic facilities are not available should be relocated outside the protected areas in the revenue lands provided that the inhabitants agree to such relocation voluntarily,” the minutes added. The issue came up during the discussion on the proposal moved by the Electricity >Continued on P7