log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY JUNE 25, 2025 GOA 13 pages Margao Master Plan gets GSUDA push, but South development plan in limbo >>Pg 7 Nadia’s Sweet Tooth Studio: A journey from textile designing to cake art IN SHORT >> Stray cattle claim life at Khandepar PANAJI: Stray cattle menace continued to take a toll, with yet another tragic incident reported from Khandepar on Tuesday morning. A 36 year old resident of Shiroda, lost his life following a self-accident on the highway. According to reports, he lost control of his motorcycle while attempting to avoid a collision with stray cattle that had strayed onto the road. HC reserves order on ward delimitation PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has reserved its order on a petition challenging the State government’s decision to delegate the powers of ward delimitation in the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to the Director of Municipal Administration.  >> See pg 3 FDA seizes 300 kgs of unhygienic dates PANAJI: In a recent crackdown, officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided a residence in Ganesh Nagar, Mapusa, and seized approximately 300 kilograms of dates. The dates were reportedly stored and packed in unhygienic conditions, in violation of FDA safety and quality norms. Schools closed as rain lashes Belagavi BELAGAVI: As incessant rains have wrecked havoc in Belagavi and Khanapur talukas, the district administration has declared a holiday for all Anganwadis, primary, secondary schools and undergraduate colleges in both talukas on Wednesday.   >> See pg 9 New kit detects Nipah in minutes NEW DELHI: India will now be able to detect the Nipah virus within minutes as the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has developed a portable ''point-of-care'' test kit for detecting the virus. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 29 C 24.8 C 93% TIDES Low: 08.09 High: 01.53 21.39 15.16 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 7 2 3 GOA Dry spell helps PWD accelerate road repairs across State Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Are mud baths good for your skin? Benefits and drawbacks 10 Aviation watchdog red flags major lapses in flight safety CITES MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS RELATED TO AIRLINES, MAJOR AIRPORTS, AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE WORKS PTI NEW DELHI Aviation watchdog DGCA has detected multiple violations related to airlines, airports, aircraft maintenance works, and repeated defects in multiple cases during its surveillance at major airports, an exercise carried out in less than two weeks after the Air India plane crash. Without disclosing names of the airlines, airports and other entities in relation to the defects, the regulator on Tuesday said surveillance covered multiple critical areas such as flight operations, airworthiness, ramp safety, Air Traffic Control (ATC), Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) systems, and preflight medical evaluations. The surveillance was done last week and DGCA is stepping up efforts to strength the overall safety oversight of the aviation ecosystem. From a faded centre line „„Multiple cases wherein reported defects reappeared many times on aircrafts „„Ground handling equipment found unserviceable „„Line maintenance stores, tool control procedures not followed „„During maintenance of aircraft, work order not followed „„Unserviceable thrust reverser system and flap slat lever not locked „„Safety precautions found not taken by Aircraft Maintenance Engineer „„Several life vests not properly secured beneath designated seats in aircraft „„Corrosion-resistant tape on the right-hand side winglet's lower blade found to be damaged „„Centre line marking of runway observed faded „„Exit taxiway, green centre light not unidirectional „„Obstruction limitation data not updated for 3 yrs „„Number of vehicles in the ramp area without speed governors marking of a runway at an airport to non-updation of obstruction limitation data for three years to a scheduled carrier's domestic flight being held up due to worn tyres, the watchdog came across multiple defects in the aviation ecosystem. Noting that the comprehensive surveillance will continue in future to detect hazards in the aviation ecosystem, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the findings have been communicated to the entities concerned for taking corrective actions within seven days. Two teams led by the Joint Director General carried out the surveillance during night and early morning hours at major airports, including Delhi and Mumbai airports. In a detailed statement about the surveillance findings, DGCA listed multiple cases wherein the reported defects reappeared many times on the aircraft indicating ineffective monitoring and inadequate rectification. TURBULENCE AHEAD: KEY FINDINGS OF DGCA Goa to fuse solar scheme with PM’s Bijli Yojana GEDA-EMPANELLED VENDORS UP IN ARMS, ASK GOVT TO KEEP PROPOSAL ON HOLD THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI While it has set an ambitious target of installing 21,200  solar rooftop plants by 2027, the Goa Government has now decided to phase out its year-old scheme -- the Goa Vinamulya Vij Yojana (GVVY) -- and to integrate the same under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PM-SGMBY). In January, earlier this year, the government had discontinued the EV subsidy scheme.  The State centric scheme launched in line with PMSGMBY ensures zero electricity bill and free residential rooftop up to 5KW for residential consumers consuming 400 units or led per month. Apart from this, the Electricity Department offers a complete waiver on power bill charges for a period of ten years.  The move, however, has been objected by the vendors, empanelled with the Goa State Energy Development SUNSET FOR SOLAR ROOFTOP SCHEME „„Decision was taken as govt had to shell out additional money in the way of two schemes „„Under the central scheme, State has to pay 30% to beneficiaries, while under the State scheme, it has 100% funding for residential rooftop up to 5KW for residential consumers consuming 400 units per month „„During a high-level meeting it was decided to phase out GVVY and integrate it with PM Surya Ghar scheme  „„Under the scheme electricity generated is purchased by the government, creating a financially viable model for consumers Agency (GEDA), urging Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, to keep the proposal on hold for now, taking into account the increasing number of applications received for solar rooftop schemes. During a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, earlier this month, it was decided to phase out the GVVY and integrate it with the PM Surya Ghar scheme  under which consumers installing a 3KV solar system will be eligible for subsidies between Rs 1,80,000 to Rs 2,00,000, with Rs 78,000 provided by the Central Government and an additional 30 per cent contributed by the State government. The electricity generated is purchased by the government, creating a financially >Continued on P6 “Ground handling equipment such as baggage trollies... were found unserviceable; Line maintenance stores, tool control procedures were not followed,” it said. During maintenance of aircraft, the work order was not followed, DGCA said and added that the unserviceable thrust reverser system and flap slat lever were not locked. “During maintenance, safety precautions found not taken by Aircraft Maintenance Engineer as per Aircraft Maintenance Manual; at places, AME was not attending to the snag rectification; defect reports generated by the aircraft system, were not found recorded in the technical logbook,” the statement said. Also, DGCA found that several life vests were not properly secured beneath their designated seats in aircraft and the corrosion-resistant tape on the right-hand side winglet's lower blade was found to be damaged. 13 SPORTS India outclassed as England pulls REVAMPS INDIA TEST LINE-UP off another epic chase WITH GILL, PANT IN MIDDLE >>12 Four unregistered playschools face Edu Dept action  Notices issued  Parents asked to verify credentials before enrollment THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Directorate of Education (DoE) has launched a crackdown on unrecognized pre-primary and playschools, imparting formal education, operated by various organizations. So far, a total of four such schools have been issued show cause notices. The Department had in March instructed all pre-primary schools including nursery and playschools across the State to get mandatory recognition from the government for its functioning as part of the National Education Policy (NEP). Until now, no such recognition was needed to run any pre-primary or playschool in Goa. Speaking to The Goan, Director Shailesh Zingade said the Department has so far come across four unrecognized schools which were found imparting formal education. “We have issued them show cause notices. Necessary action would be initiated as per law,” he said. Applications for ‘Guru Puraskar’ PANAJI: The Directorate of Education has invited self-nominations from teachers for "CM-Vashistha Guru Puraskar 2024-25". The last date to apply is July 31.  >> See pg 3 Zingade said that the Department does not have any data of such schools and hence has to rely on complaints from parents or citizens. “It is very unfortunate that despite we warning parents, there are many who are sending their children to such unrecognized schools,” he said. Zingade urged parents to verify the antecedents of the schools on permission and recognition status before enrolling their children. “If the schools are without recognition and are imparting formal education, we will shut >Continued on P6 French tourist raped after being lured from party NO HARD FEELINGS! Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Priol MLA Govind Gaude share a cordial moment at the Gomant Vibhushan Award ceremony at the Kala Academy, Panaji on Tuesday. This was their first public encounter after Gaude's ouster from the Cabinet last week. PTI JAIPUR A man allegedly raped a French tourist in Udaipur after luring her from a party to his apartment, the police said on Tuesday. The accused is currently absconding. The incident occurred on Monday in the Badgaon Police Station area. According to the police, the woman, who arrived in Udaipur from Delhi on June 22, was staying at a hotel in the Ambamata area. Udaipur SP Yogesh Goyal stated that the woman's medical exam was conducted, and a case was registered based on her statement. The woman allegedly attended a party at The Greek Farm Cafe and Restro located at Tiger Hill, where she met the accused, identified as Siddharth, Station House Officer (SHO) Purna Rajpurohit said. “The accused invited the woman to step outside on the pretext of showing her nearby sights and later took her to his rented apartment in Sukher, where he raped her,” he stated. Narayan Pissurlenkar Israel, Iran agree to Trump’s truce plan, end 12-day war PTI DUBAI Iran and Israel on Tuesday agreed to accept US President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal to end their 12-day war that roiled the Middle East. The acceptance of the deal came after both the Jewish state and the Islamic republic’s final onslaught of mis- siles at each other. The Israeli strikes killed nine Iranians, including a nuclear scientist, the Iranian state media said. At least seven people were also killed in Israel's Be'er Sheva after an Iranian missile landed on a residential complex. Iranian state television reported that the ceasefire went into effect at 7:30 am (local time), but Iranian officials have not commented since Trump's announcement. Hours earlier, Iran's top diplomat said the country was prepared to halt airstrikes. "As of now, there is no 'agreement' on any ceasefire or cessation of military operations," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X. Stricter immigration rules now Finally, Ribandar-Chorao Ro-Ro ferry to set sail in July in effect, warns US Embassy  Two new routes proposed  Solar boat tender to open this week  DETENTION, DEPORTATION, VISA BANS FOR VIOLATORS PTI NEW DELHI The US has increased enforcement of immigration laws, and violators will face detention, deportation and permanent consequences for future visa eligibility, the country's embassy here said on Tuesday. In a brief statement, the US Embassy also warned that those who enter the country illegally will face jail time and deportation. The statement was shared on the X handle of the embassy. “The United States has increased enforcement of immigration laws and removal of illegal aliens. Illegal entry into the United States will lead to detention, deportation, and permanent consequences for future visa eligibility,” it said. “Those who enter the United States illegally will face jail time and deportation. Embarking on a costly and dangerous journey will land you in jail or back in your homeland with a permanent mark on your record,” the state- ment said. It comes against the backdrop of an immigration crackdown by the Trump administration in California's Los Angeles recently. The US Embassy here on Monday said that all individuals applying for an F, M, or J non-immigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to “public” to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the US under its law. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI fter repeated delays, the Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry service between Ribandar and Chorao is expected to begin operations in the first week of July. The service, equipped with highspeed technology, is designed to ease traffic by replacing six traditional ferry boats with just two large Ro-Ro ferries. River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai had in May promised that the service would be operational within a month, setting the tentative deadline as June 7. However, A SMOOTH SAILING AHEAD „„Larger Ro-Ro ferries, built in Goa, are designed with a significantly higher capacity compared to conventional ferries „„Each ferry can carry 12 to 14 four-wheelers along with up to 150 passengers „„The two Ro-Ro ferries can handle load equivalent there was another delay. RND Director Vikramsingh Raje Bhosale confirmed the new timeline and also to six traditional ferry boats operating at a time „„Ribandar ferry ramp widened from nine meters to 26 meters under the Smart City mission revealed plans for a second Ro-Ro route. “The Ribandar-Chorao route will begin operations by the first week of July,” Bhosale said, adding, “We are also exploring the possibility of introducing two smaller Ro-Ro boats on a proposed new route between Divar and Sao Pedro... it is likely to be in RND-PVT AGENCY TO RESUME SALVAGING OPS OF SUBMERGED FERRYBOAT TODAY >> See pg 3 place by April next year.” The larger Ro-Ro ferries, built in Goa, are designed with a significantly higher capacity compared to conventional ferries. Each ferry can carry 12 to 14 four-wheelers along with up to 150 passengers. “The two Ro-Ro ferries can handle the load equivalent to six traditional ferry boats operating at a time on just one busy route,” the minister had said. The project had faced several setbacks. To accommodate the larger ferries, the Ribandar ferry ramp was widened from nine meters to 26 meters. A 17mt extension was added to the ramp under the ‘Widening of Ribandar Ferry Ramp’ initiative >Continued on P6