log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY MAY 27, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 339 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us Instagram.com/thegoanonline Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in AMID PM’S NATIONWIDE TOURISM DRIVE… >> See pg 3 This animal husbandry staffer has a short limb but extraordinary joie de vivre IN SHORT >> Active Covid cases cross 1,000 in India NEW DELHI: India on Monday reported a total of 1,009 active Covid-19 cases in the country, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said. As per the Health Ministry, India's Covid-19 update showed a total of 1009 active cases, with 752 new cases recently confirmed. Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research Dr Rajiv Behl, however, said the severity of infections is generally mild and there was no cause for worry. DoE waits for govt nod on Edu Act PANAJI: The Directorate of Education is awaiting govt’s nod to notify the draft Goa School Education Act and Rules 2025, before keeping it open for suggestions. Director Education Shailesh Zingade said the draft of the Act has been submitted to the government for approval.  >> See pg 2 Sawant supports caste-based census PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant expressed strong support for the NDA resolution to conduct a castebased census, calling it a “step in the right direction.” The CM made this statement following his return to Goa after participation in NDA Chief Ministers’ Conclave.   >> See pg 2 Monsoon exposes crumbling govt infra MAPUSA: The early onset of monsoon has triggered fresh concerns in Mapusa, as heavy pre-monsoon showers wreaked havoc at the government complex housing several crucial departments. The affected departments are the TCP office, PWD and the Labour Dept office.   >> See pg 5 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 28 C 23.8 C 96% TIDES Low: High: 04.20 11.30 17.02 22.14 Goa plans to develop one world-class tourist spot CM SAYS INFRA WILL MATCH GLOBAL STANDARDS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for a major nationwide tourism push, Goa government has decided to develop one tourist destination to meet global standards. Chairing the Niti Aayog meeting, Prime Minister urged the chief ministers to increase the speed of development in order to achieve the goal of a 'Viksit Bharat' or developed India by 2047 and forwarded the idea of "one state, one global destination". Addressing a press conference after attending the meeting in New Delhi, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the State has decided to develop one tourism spot as global destination. “I just had a discussion O N T H E G LO B A L STAG E „„State to develop one tourism spot as global destination as part of PM’s ‘one State, one global destination’ proposal „„CM says the destination could be a beach or anything where world-class amenities, facilities will be developed „„Tourism Dept directed to shortlist the destination V I K SI T G OA 2 0 4 7 „„Focus on five pillars -- physical infrastructure, economical infrastructure, environment infrastructure, social infrastructure and educational infrastructure „„Agriculture, education and achieving sustainable development Goal to be focus areas with the tourism minister and the department is directed to shortlist the destination. It may be a beach or anything where we will develop the world class amenities and fa- cilities. We will ensure that the infrastructure is at par with global standards,” he said. Highlighting his views raised during the NITI Aayog meeting, Sawant said that the State has decided to achieve Viksit Goa 2047 and for which the process has already started. He said that the Viksit Goa has laid focus on five pillars -- physical infrastructure, economical infrastructure, environment infrastructure, social infrastructure and educational infrastructure. “Agriculture, education and achieving sustainable development Goal would be the focus areas,” he said adding digital infrastructure is the thrust area. Sawant said that in line with TB Mukt Bharat by 2025, Goa is also marching in achieving the target. The government has also decided to amend the Ease of Doing Business rules to allow more FDI and local investments. `5 cr fraud kingpin seen on CCTV, but still elusive Capsized ship triggers oil spill alert near Kerala coast CHANGED MOBILE NUMBER LINKED TO SSA ACCOUNTS Containers from a Liberi- THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The prime accused, wanted in Rs 5 crore fraud of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds, had walked into the nationalised bank and changed the mobile number linked to official SSA accounts. This negligence or deliberate act by the bank official/s facilitated a series of high-value transactions diverted to private accounts, operated by the mastermind. Captured on CCTV of a private bank that alerted the SSA of the fraudulent transactions, the suspect has so far eluded identification. Sources told The Goan that his image has been circulated among police stations across different States to check for any prior criminal record, which would help reveal his identity. Of the Rs 5 crore misappropriated, only a few lakh rupees were frozen by the authorities while over Rs 4.50 crore was already diverted CAUGHT ON CAMERA „„Mastermind captured on CCTV of a private bank that alerted SSA of fraudulent transactions „„Suspect has so far eluded identification „„Photograph circulated among police stations across different States „„Of the Rs 5 cr misappropriated, only a few lakh rupees were frozen by authorities „„Over Rs 4.50 cr was already diverted to different private bank accounts „„Rs 2 cr was traced to a garment trader in W Bengal to different private bank accounts, and Rs 2 crore was traced to a garment trader in West Bengal who was recently arrested by Porvorim police. Police are now probing how the main accused managed to replace the registered mobile number without triggering alerts. Whether Know Your Customer norms were bypassed, either through manipulation or internal collusion is also under investigation. The SSA and the bank involved are both under scrutiny even a senior official confirmed that the SSA had instructed the nationalized bank – where it holds its official account -- that only cheques signed by the Chief Accounts Officer were to be honoured. The arrangement was to be implemented till the SSA officials were back from an official meeting in Delhi. “That instruction was reportedly ignored. The misuse of cheques is especially alarming given that the SSA’s cheque book was believed to be untouched and that routine transactions were conducted through bank-to-bank transfers. 1 an cargo ship that sank off the coast of Kerala have begun washing up on shore, while an oil spill from the vessel has led authorities to issue a high alert along the State's coastline. Some containers have been found along the shores of Kollam and Alappuzha district, officials said. Indian Coast Guard said over 100 containers were seen floating near the site of the accident on Monday. Some had broken open, with their contents spilling into nearby waters. “Mariners have been issued advisories to maintain a sharp lookout and exercise caution due to navigation hazards,” it said. An advisory has been issued urging coastal residents and fishermen to remain vigilant. So far, nine containers have washed ashore, some of which contain hazardous material.  >> See pg 7 2 3 Caritas wins international prize for Project HOPE Project HOPE was developed in Goa to support victims of abuse THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI aritas Goa has won the prestigious Francis of Assisi and Carlo Acutis International Prize for its Project HOPE, which was developed in Goa to support victims of abuse and at risk. The International Prize for an Economy of Fraternity was awarded to Caritas-Goa at the Santa Maria Maggiore, Assisi, on May 25. C THE AWARD The award was handed over by Archbishop of Assisi Domenico Sorrentino, Stefania The Francis of Assisi and Carlo Acutis International Prize being presented to Fr Sanford Rodrigues and Fr Alvison Fernandes, Goan student-priests studying in Rome on behalf of Caritas Goa. Proietti (President of the Umbria Region), Fr Roberto Genuin (Minister General of the Friars Minor Capuchin) and Msgr. Anthony Figureido to Fr Sanford Rodrigues and Fr Alvison Fernandes, Goan student-priests studying in Rome on behalf of Caritas Goa. This year, the Award Secretariat had received a record of 60 projects in five languages (English, Italian, French, Portuguese, and Spanish) from 30 nations and 4 continents. Caritas-Goa was granted the Award after three rounds of scrutiny by international experts. In addition to the cheque for 50,000 Euros, Caritas Goa received the icon of the Prize with the depiction of St Francis and Carlo Acutis and the scarf with the image of the undressing of the Poor Man, made and PUNJAB KINGS BEATS MI BY 7 WKTS TO ENSURE TOP-TWO FINISH  >>12 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 delivered by Brunello Cucinelli who recalled the difficulties of today's society "of the increasingly widespread evil of the soul" but the possibility also with these initiatives to cure it. Caritas Goa Director Fr Maverick Fernandes said he felt deeply humbled about the International Award granted to Caritas Goa. “We received this Award not to hold it, but to be its custodians, and in doing so, we hope that every act of healing, every life lifted, and every effort of fraternity through this mission will contribute to spreading >Continued on P5 Gaude in hot water, Sawant says remark ‘irresponsible’ Affirms cognizance taken, action to follow THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Taking serious cognizance of blaming his own government for “corruption”, Minister for Art and Culture Govind Gaude is set to face action for his “irresponsible” statement. “We have taken note. A responsible minister should not have made such an irresponsible statement," Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Monday. “Necessary action will be initiated against the minister. Serious cognizance has been taken. Action will follow soon,” he added. During the Prerna Din function in Ponda on Sunday, Gaude had alleged that the files of contractors are cleared in exchange for bribes, demanding a clarification from the Tribal Welfare Department, which comes under the Chief Minister, for clarification. Questioning the efficiency and transparency in the Party upset, mulls disciplinary action PANAJI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Goa Unit has taken strong objection to its own Cabinet minister Govind Gaude for making remarks alleging corruption in the Tribal Welfare Department, portfolio which is currently under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The party is now contemplating “appropriate action” against Gaude. Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar hit out at Gaude stating the matter could have been discussed with CM rather than using a public platform first. He also said that statements questioning the relevance of the Tribal Welfare Department amount to showing disregard towards the tribal community. He termed the minister’s remarks as “absurd” and intended only to create controversy.  >> See pg 3 Department, Gaude alleged officers' involvement in corruption. “The files of the contractors are handled under the Shram Shakti Bhavan building on the sly. And they think we don't know of such things,” Gaude had said. “Contractors don’t have to go to the office…everything happens below (the building),” he had commented. A huge amount of taxpayers’ money is allotted to the Tribal Welfare Department. If the department is unable to organise this programme efficiently, then it only shows a lack of control over the administration," he had said further. Yoga Day no longer optional, now mandatory for govt staff THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government has made participation in June 21 events to mark International Yoga Day “compulsory” for all employees of government, semi-government and corporations. Until now, participation in Yoga Day was a “voluntary” affair. At the same time, the government has asked its employees to immediately register on the iGOT Karmayogi portal, a key platform under Mission Karmayogi aimed at enhancing public service delivery. The government has also asked its employees to immediately register on the iGOT Karmayogi portal, a key platform under Mission Karmayogi aimed at enhancing public service delivery After chairing a crucial meeting to plan month-long Yoga workshops ahead of International Yoga Day, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that from June 1, yoga sessions would be conducted across all the government and semi-government departments, with 100 per cent participation. “It is compulsory for the government employees to participate in the International Yoga Day, to be celebrated on June 21. If they are not able to come to the office or the government event, then they should look out for a common place either temple or school in their villages and participate. A picture will have to be sent to the Head of the Department, confirming the participation,” Sawant said. >Continued on P5