log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY JUNE 19, 2025 13 pages Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 2 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us Instagram.com/thegoanonline INDIA REVAMPS TEST LINE-UP WITH GILL, PANT IN MIDDLE >>13 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in GAUDE DROPPED FROM CABINET Rewarded for standing up for downtrodden: Gaude MOVE FOLLOWS ‘CORRUPTION’ ALLEGATIONS, KA RENOVATION CONTROVERSY; TAWADKAR OR GAONKAR MAY BE ELEVATED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a significant political development, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday stripped Minister for Art and Culture and Sports, Govind Gaude, of his cabinet rank, bringing him on par with other State MLAs. The late evening development was long overdue following his outspoken allegations of corruption within the Tribal Welfare Department, a portfolio overseen by Chief Minister Sawant himself. The allegations came to light during a State-level function on May 26, causing a stir within political circles with ruling BJP as well as CM declaring to take strong action. The move, according to the sources, is also the result of More changes shortly, says BJP Goa chief PANAJI: BJP Goa chief Damodar Naik has hinted at possible more changes in the State politics including in the Pramod Sawant-led cabinet in the coming days. Refusing to disclose anything in detail, Naik said, “More changes will happen at the right time shortly.” “I am not saying no…there are changes…wait for the right time to happen,” he added. Naik also said that a MLA will soon fillup the vacant cabinet berth. the massive corruption charges in the renovation work of the iconic Kala Academy structure – as pointed out by the two independent committees – Technical Committee and Expert Committee. The allegation of corruption as well as mishandling of Kala Academy revocation work came as major embarrassment to Sawant and the BJP-led gov- ernment. “The Governor of Goa is pleased to accept the recommendation of the Chief Minister of Goa, that Govind Gaude shall cease to be the Member of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, with immediate effect,” reads the order issued in the name of the Governor of Goa. ON PAGE 2 Not in line for cabinet berth: Tawadkar No idea about cabinet reshuffle: Kamat CM predicts ‘better days ahead’ for Lobo This is the second time that Sawant has dropped a cabinet minister in his first full term as the chief minister, after assuming the post in 2022. In November 2023, Sawant had dropped Nilesh Cabral as the PWD minister paving way for Congress turncoat Aleixo Sequeira’s cabinet berth. When contacted, Goa BJP chief Damodar Naik said that CM orders crackdown on labour exploitation in industrial units >> See PG 3 Govt can't redevelop slum areas in 3 towns as they are not notified WARNS OF STERN ACTION AGAINST VIOLATORS IN BID TO SAFEGUARD WORKERS’ RIGHTS IN SHORT >> THE GOAN I NETWORK Sanitation fee issue: Traders threaten Mapusa market bandh MAPUSA: In a strong show of dissent, the Mapusa Merchants Association (MMA) has announced a complete shutdown of the Mapusa Municipal Market on June 23, if the Mapusa Municipal Council fails to address their demands related to the controversial sanitation fee imposed by the civic body.   >> See pg 5 Unsafe Junta Qtrs under scrutiny MAPUSA: Following the recent demolition of an old and dangerous bungalow in the heart of Mapusa, authorities have now turned their attention to another crumbling structure – the Junta Quarters in Angod – as part of efforts to rid the town of hazardous buildings.  >> See pg 2 EC to Bambolim project deferred  >> See pg 3 PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announced an extensive inspection drive across all industrial estates to identify and curb labour exploitation. He warned to take stern action against the violators in a bid to safeguard workers’ rights. The drive will also look into other issues concerning the workforce including minimum wages, entitlement of leaves, job security and other rights and benefits. Sawant chaired a high-level meeting attended by Labour Minister Atanasio Monserrate, the Chief Secretary, Labour Commissioner, EPFO officials, and representatives from key industries, including pharma, tourism, shipping, and automobiles. During the meeting, the Chief Minister laid out multi-pronged strategies to address employment challenges and uplift the State’s workforce. The marathon meeting also held discussion on the acute shortage of manpower faced by industries across the State and explore solutions to improve employment in the pri- THE GOAN I NETWORK the decision to drop Gaude was "unanimous" and "long overdue". "This was a unanimous decision of the Chief Minister and the party. It was long overdue," Naik told The Goan, adding that the decision was taken only after obtaining a green signal from the party high command in Delhi. “We had submitted the report and were waiting for their clearance,” Naik said. After finding himself in hot waters, Gaude tried to do a damage-control exercise by blaming the media for misinterpreting his statement and clarifying that he had not accused the CM of corruption. He even tried to have a oneon-one meeting with Sawant to dissolve the issue. >Continued on P8 UTAA prefers to remain silent I thank my party for giving me the opportunity for which this action has been taken against me and helping me to decide between truth and power," — Govind Gaude, Priol MLA been increasingly critical of internal party dynamics and alleged neglect of community concerns. He, however, maintained >Continued on P8 MARGAO: As Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s decision to drop Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude came as a big surprise on Goa Revolution Day, the United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) has preferred to remain mum on the issue. In fact, UTAA chief Prakash Velip has preferred not to offer any comments on the Chief Minister’s decision to drop Govind Gaude. When The Goan called up the UTAA chief for his comment on the Chief Minister’s decision, Prakash Velip said, “I have no comments to offer”. When it was pointed out to him that UTAA had rallied >Continued on P8 Govt gets NGT notice over sand mining nod in River Mandovi THE GOAN I NETWORK „„The drive will cover issues such as minimum wages, leave entitlements, job security, and other worker benefits „„Minimum wage structure (per day) as per current norms: Unskilled: Rs 544; semi-skilled: Rs 605; skilled: Rs 660; highly skilled: Rs 702; clerical jobs: Rs 660 „„Strict enforcement and penalties promised for those found violating labour laws „„From July 1, 2025, companies must use the Labour and Construction Welfare Funds to implement 16 benefit schemes, including housing aid and scholarships vate sector. Sawant expressed concern over industries that continue to flout labour laws by underpaying workers, some receiving less than Rs 560 per day. “This is unacceptable. We are aware of such practices, and we are committed to taking action. Our Labour Commissioner will conduct ground-level checks across industrial estates, and strict action will follow wherever violations are found,” he said. “Let me be clear, the government will not tolerate labour exploitation and strict action will be initiated against those violating the norms,” he maintained. As per the government norms, a minimum wage for unskilled workers is Rs 544 per day, semi-skilled Rs 605 per day, Rs 660 to skilled workers, Rs 702 per day for highly skilled workers and Rs 660 per day for clerical jobs. Speaking further, Sawant said the State’s industries are witnessing a significant manpower shortage, citing an instance where only two candidates turned up for interviews conducted by the Goa Pharma Association. A similar situation prevails in the shipbuilding sector. PANAJI The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notice to the Goa government in an application filed seeking quashing of the environmental clearances for sand mining activities in River Mandovi. The notice, returnable within two weeks, was issued on June 16 to the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) and the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (Goa-SEIAA) in an application filed by the Goa River Sand Protection Network (GRSPN). The Western Bench chaired by Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Expert Member Dr Vijai Kulkarni has listed the matter for hearing on July 14. The applicant has pleaded for quashing of the EC granted by SEIAA on February 3, 2025 to DMG for extraction of sand in Zone 5 that is near Khandola, in Ponda taluka, in River Mandovi for the proposed area of 4.3 Ha with extraction capacity of 1000 Cubic metre per annum per permit by traditional method. The applicant said that the area in question is falling within CRZ IV-B i.e. Critically Vulnerable Coastal Area (CVCA), wherein sand mining >Continued on P8 >Continued on P8 INDUSTRIES UNDER SCANNER PANAJI After being dropped from State cabinet in a dramatic political turn on Goa Revolution Day, MLA and former minister Govind Gaude in a strongly worded statement expressed gratitude to BJP and the government for what he termed a “rewarded fate” for standing with downtrodden communities. “I have been rewarded this fate on the Goa Revolution Day for standing up for the downtrodden communities,” Gaude said in a message posted on social media. “I thank my party for giving me the opportunity for which this action has been taken against me and helping me to decide between truth and power," he added. Gaude, known for his vocal support of tribal welfare and grassroots development, has CHILDREN’S DAY OUT ON REVOLUTION DAY: Students attend a function held at Azad Maidan, Panaji, on the occasion of Revolution Day on Wednesday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Red Corner Notice issued against absconding `100 cr fraud accused THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice against Myron Rodrigues, the prime accused in the Rs 100-crore share market fraud case. Myron, who is reportedly hiding in London, was earlier the subject of a Blue Corner Notice. Despite this, he managed to remain on the run. The Red Corner Notice has now been issued in connection with this case registered by the Crime Branch, SP Rahul Gupta said. In a separate fraud case, the Economic Offences Cell (EOC), Panaji, had recently chargesheeted Myron and his wife Deepali Parab under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) read with Section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as Sections 3 and 5 of the Goa Protection of Interests of Depositors Act. The chargesheet was filed on February 25 before the Principal District and Sessions Court, Margao. The Crime Branch has already filed two chargesheets in the share market fraud case against Myron and Deepali, which are currently pending trial before the same court. Officials said more chargesheets are expected to be filed against Myron, his wife Deepali, and his ex-wife Sunita. On Tuesday, the HC quashed and set aside the FIRs and Lookout Circulars against four other accused in connection with the same case. Two years later, technical Ahmedabad plane crash: Insurers in a fix as both panel submits KA report policyholders and nominees among dead THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI More than two years after its appointment, the technical committee constituted to study the allegations pertaining to “corruption”, “irregularities”, and “illegalities into the Kala Academy renovation work has finally submitted its report to the Vigilance Department for action. The report, which is currently under examination of the Vigilance Department, will be submitted to the State government shortly. The committee was constituted in January 2023 and was initially granted 60 days’ time to complete the inquiry and submit a report to the Vigilance Department with necessary recommendations. The committee, under its new chairman WRD Chief Engineer Pramod Badami last month submitted the report to the Vigilance Department with its findings. “The report is submitted to the Vigilance with our findings and recommendations. Now it is for the Vigilance Department to act,” Badami told The Goan. The committee met almost 15 times, recorded statements of various officials from the departments of PWD, Art and Culture and the contractors, to whom the works were awarded before drafting its report. Badami, took charge in March, last year, after its former chairman – Principal of Goa Architectural College Dr Ashish Rege, retired in February, without conducting a single meeting. >Continued on P8 PTI AHMEDABAD nsurance companies are facing challenges in settling claims of the Ahmedabad Air India plane crash victims last week as in many cases the policyholders and nominees both have died in the tragedy. There are instances of an entire family perishing or one of the spouses dying in the horrific June 12 crash of the London-bound plane, which claimed the lives of 241 persons on board and 29 on the ground. Immediately after the acci- I CLAIM COMPLICATIONS „„Cases where both the insured and nominee perished are posing legal and procedural challenges „„Insurers are identifying Class I legal heirs (typically children) and requiring: Declarations from heirs; Indemnity bonds to process claims „„LIC received 10 claims; at least one involved both insured and nominee dying dent, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRADI) asked insurance companies to verify details of the deceased with their database on issuance of the „„Iffco Tokio and Tata AIG each received 7 claims; at least one claim in both cases involved dual deaths „„New India Assurance received 7 claims (5 personal accident, 2 marine cargo); one marine cargo claim of Rs 6.5 lakh settled overseas medical insurance, personal accident and life insurance policies. The advisory also stated no claim was to be denied or delayed due to procedural formalities in the case of confirmed deceased individuals from the passengers' list and persons at buildings affected by the crash. Accordingly, major insurers like the Life Insurance Corporation of India, New India Assurance, HDFC Life, Iffco Tokio General Insurance, Bajaj Allianz GIC and Tata AIG Insurance have set up their help desks at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to expedite the process. >Continued on P8