log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY JUNE 22, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 5 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us >> SEE PG 2 AIR INDIA CRASH FALLOUT: SCRUTINY SHARPENS ON DABOLIM AIRSPACE MAGAZINE MAGAZ 09 Viva Sao Joao: Community festival that brings people together Kashmiri Pandits who embraced Goa as their new home Design meets dosa: A Goan couple’s South Indian dream in Mapusa When scales overload: Litigation statistics and legal dysfunction in Goa 10 IN SHORT >> Fire breaks out at ammo unit in Verna VASCO: A fire broke out at a small calibre ammunition manufacturing facility in the Verna Industrial Estate in the early hours of Saturday. The blaze erupted around 4 am on the first floor of the facility.  >> See pg 3 Mapusa merchants call off planned stir MAPUSA: The Mapusa Merchants’ Association has decided to call off their complete voluntary shutdown of Mapusa on Monday, after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant intervened in the matter and the Mapusa Municipal Council accepted all four demands of the association.  >> See pg 5 Canada job offer cons Sanguem man PANAJI: A 51-year-old man from Bamonsai, Sanguem was duped of Rs 3.32 lakh by fraudsters who lured him with a fake job offer in Canada through Facebook. The complainant, shared his CV over WhatsApp after receiving a link from an unknown number. He later transferred money as "fees" before realising he had been scammed. PANAJI Barely days after a sexual harassment case at Goa Dental College, another disturbing incident has rocked the neighbouring Goa Medical College (GMC), with a female resident doctor alleging similar harassment and stalking. The incidents have also raised concerns over hostel safety at the government-run medical colleges. The new complaint, filed by a female resident doctor, bears disturbing similarities. Reliable sources told The Goan that the doctor reported that she saw the camera side of a mobile phone positioned through a gap in the bathroom THE INCIDENT: WHAT HAPPENED „„Doctor says she saw the camera side of a mobile phone positioned through a gap in the bathroom door of GMC hostel „„When she made a noise, no one was found nearby „„Case registered against unknown person at Agassaim police station „„This incident comes barely days after a sexual harassment case at Goa Dental College „„Dental College and GMC share a common boundary wall, and in both cases, the suspects gained access to the women’s hostel areas without being detected door of the GMC hostel. When she made a noise, no one was found nearby. However, a case has been registered against an unknown person at Agassaim police station. “We are treating the incident very seriously, but with no CCTV footage and the anonymity of the suspect make this a blind case. Nevertheless, our investigation is underway,” the source said, wishing NEW DELHI Amid demands to make public webcasting footage of polling stations, Election Commission officials on Saturday said such a move is violative of privacy and security concerns of voters. They said while such demand suits their narrative in making it sound quite genuine and in the interest of voters and safeguarding the democratic process, it is, in fact, aimed at achieving exactly the “opposite objective”. Officials claimed that what anonymity. The Goa Dental College and Goa Medical College share a common boundary wall, and in both cases, the suspects gained access to the women’s hostel areas without being detected. Sources confirmed the campuses are not equipped with surveillance cameras at the entry and exit points or along hostel corridors; and purportedly have no separate facilities. In the first case, police stated the final-year student crossed the boundary wall around 9:45 pm on May 19 and entered the ground floor of the girls’ hostel, where he allegedly attempted to record >Continued on P6 One year after mining restart, Vedanta offers VRS for staff Scheme to remain open up to July 5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A little over a year since resuming mining after a six-year hiatus, Vedanta has introduced a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) for its staff. Employees who have completed 10 years of service or attained the age of 40 are eligible to apply under the scheme, which will remain open until July 5. In its internal communication, Vedanta informed employees that the decision has been taken in order to face growing competition and maintain or improve its market share. The company stressed the need to review and rationalize its operations and manpower requirements. “In a climate of declining business trends with increasing competition in the global market and new mining auction regime, it has become imperative for the company to ensure long-term viability. It is with this objective that END OF THE ROAD? „„VRS for all iron ore Goa workmen of Vedanta Limited who have completed 10 years of service or have attained 40 years „„Scheme open from June 21 to July 5 „„Compensation structure, additional incentive for early applicants „„Applications submitted by June 25 to get additional Rs 1 lakh „„Those submitted between June 26 and 28 to get Rs 40,000 „„Acceptance of applications to be subject to company discretion the company has to make its organization more efficient so as to effectively face the competition and retain/ increase its market shares. Hence it is necessary to review and rationalize its operations and manpower requirements,” the company stated, explaining the rationale behind the VRS. “We are pleased to announce VRS for all iron ore Goa workmen of Vedanta Ltd (iron ore business) who have completed 10 years of service or have attained 40 years of age as on date of submission of VRS application... the scheme is open from June 21 to July 5,” it added. The company has revealed the compensation structure under the scheme, which includes an additional incentive for early applicants. Applications submitted by June 25 will receive an additional Rs 1 lakh while those submitted between June 26 and 28 will get Rs 40,000. Acceptance of applications will be subject to the company’s discretion. Gaude’s Cabinet exit sparks political uncertainty in Priol Assembly to meet for 15 days from July 21; Congress slams short sitting DESPITE BEING ALLIES, ANALYSTS FEEL BJP AND MGP WILL PUSH THEIR WAY IN 2027 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The fireworks that were set off following news of incumbent MLA Govind Gaude’s ouster from the cabinet could well have been that of his political rival celebrating the fact that the Priol Assembly constituency has been thrown wide open, rather than any genuine celebratory fire fueled by relief.  The two-term MLA Govind Gaude, who won narrowly at the 2022 Assembly polls by a mere 200-odd votes was a minister ever since he was first elected in 2017 as an independent defeating former minister Deepak Dhavalikar who was himself a two-term MLA between 2007 and 2012.  Priol, which is the second largest constituency in Ponda by area, has by and large been a ‘stable’ constituency that has thrown up a neat pattern of giving each representative two consecutive terms before giving them the boot.  It was first Dr Kashinath Jal- POWER PLAY „„As an alliance partner MGP will see an opportunity to stake claim to the Priol seat ahead of 2027 general assembly elections „„BJP may ask MGP to stay in its lane „„BJP will also be eying the seat for itself with former MLA Vishwas Satarkar more than eager to reclaim what was once his „„Gaude is likely to contest as an independent, but this time he won’t have the advantage of being a wildcard „„He has antagonised the artiste community, has faced allegations of corruption in renovating Kala Academy and in organising the National Games „„Lacks the political heft he once commanded and is likely to find the going tough mi of the MGP who was elected for two terms before he lost to Vishwas Satarkar of the BJP, who also won two terms -- in 1999 and 2002 -- until he was replaced by Deepak Dhavalikar who won in 2007 and 2012 only to be succeeded by Rahul accuses EC of ‘deleting proof’ NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the Election Commission of India of “deleting evidence” when it was required to “provide answers” after the poll body instructed its officers to destroy CCTV, webcasting and video footage of the elections after 45 days. is veiled as a very logical demand is actually “entirely contrary” to the privacy and security concerns of voters, the legal position laid down in the Representation of the People Act, and the directions of the Supreme Court. Sharing footage, THE GOAN I NETWORK utes daily. Regular yoga practice will help students concentrate better and remain mentally and physically fit,” he said. Extending the idea beyond schools, Sawant also called on households to adopt what he termed as “Family Yoga” to promote collective health PANAJI The monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly will begin on July 21 and will last for 15 days, after Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai granted assent on Saturday. The Assembly will convene daily at 11.30 am during the session. However, the decision has not gone down well with the Congress, which has criticised the BJP-led government for allegedly shrinking legislative business. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao lashed out at the government, accusing it of deliberately curtailing the Assembly sittings to avoid accountability. “The BJP Government has been shrinking the sittings of Assembly sessions, much like its promises, over the past three years. The summoning of the tenth session of the Eighth Legislative Assembly for a mere 15 days is evident that it has found an escape route from getting exposed,” Alemao said in a sharp statement. He pointed out that last year’s monsoon Session >Continued on P6 >Continued on P6 TIDE MAY BE AGAINST GAUDE IN PRIOL which would enable easy identification of electors by any group or an individual, would leave both the elector who has voted as well the elector who has not voted vulnerable to pressure, discrimination and intimidation by anti-social elements, they asserted. Govind Gaude.  A constituency, created out of parts taken from the Marcaim and Ponda constituencies when at the time of statehood Goa’s >Continued on P6 >>7 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in DOCTOR FILES POLICE COMPLAINT, SAYS SHE FOUND CAMERA PEEKING INTO BATHROOM THE GOAN I NETWORK FIFA CWC: BAYERN MUNICH CLINCHES KNOCKOUT BERTH RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 GMC hit by charges of harassment, stalking Voter privacy at risk if footage of poll stations shared, warns EC PTI Instagram.com/thegoanonline BALANCING ACT: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Chief Secretary V Candavelou, DGP Alok Kumar and other participants perform yoga at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Bambolim on Saturday. (Yoga day reports on page 5) Narayan Pissurlenkar Include 15 minutes of daily yoga for students, CM tells teachers THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday urged schools across Goa to incorporate 15 minutes of yoga into the daily routine of students while emphasising its benefits for mental clarity, physical fitness and overall wellbeing. Speaking at a State-level event held to mark the 11th International Yoga Day at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Bambolim on Saturday, Sawant said yoga is a vital element of the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I request teachers to practice yoga with their students in schools for at least 15 min- Revived Elderline rings hope for forgotten seniors THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI fter months of silence, Goa’s Elderline 14567 helpline has come back to life, and with it, hundreds of silent cries for help from the State’s senior citizens. In May alone, over 240 calls were received by Alankit Assignments Ltd, the agency currently managing the helpline which has partnered with the Goa government for operations. Many of these calls were from elderly Goans but some are also routed from other States, especially when phone lines in those States are busy. “Though it’s a national help- A THEY JUST NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO „„Director of Social Welfare Ajit Panchwadkar says “many callers don’t even need support in the conventional sense. They just want someone to talk to. They are lonely, their children are abroad or too busy, and often, these calls are their only interaction for the day”. „„Retired government employees, including teachers and policemen, have called in feeling ignored or disrespected. „„They feel forgotten. Even when they approach offices for their basic work, it is often delayed or not taken seriously. We counsel them and also follow up to check how they are doing later, he added. line, Goa centre has played a bigger role. Calls are attended to from neighbouring districts and other States too, and the respective helpline members are informed immediately for assisting the callers,” Director of Social Welfare Ajit Panch- wadkar said. Project Manager of the National Senior Citizen helpline Jyoti Kambli along with the technical staff, has been handling the call centre in Goa. From offering emotional support to solving legal tangles, Kambli’s phone is a lifeline for many. Abuse, legal issues  One of the more disturbing cases involved a retired central government employee from Goa who owns a flat in Mumbai. The man rented it out after returning to Goa, but his son allegedly began threatening the tenants, demanding possession of the flat. His wife, siding with the son, has also been pressurising him >Continued on P6