log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY JUNE 27, 2025 GOA @thegoanonline 14 pages Govt reviews civic waste crisis as Margao’s market reels under garbage page 8 Safety drives car sales in a price-sensitive market REVIEW - BlazeX bites back: Revolt’s jolt to the commuter segment IN SHORT >> CM: Fortify waste management system PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday directed all the departments to strengthen waste management system while ensuring 100 per cent regulatory compliance. The directions were issued during a meeting, chaired by the CM with the Goa Waste Management Corporation's key officials and stakeholders to review and accelerate the State's waste management initiatives.  >> See pg 2 Five touts booked near Mopa airport PANAJI: Tourism department and the Tourist Police Unit have cracked down on illegal touting near the Manohar International Airport at Mopa. A total of five were booked on Thursday. The accused were allegedly operating unauthorised services and engaging in activities that caused inconvenience to visitors. AI crash: Black Box data retrieved NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday said data is being extracted from black boxes, and analysis of cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder is underway to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the fatal crash of the Air India plane in Ahmedabad on June 12. EC to delist 345 political parties NEW DELHI: The Election Commission said it has started proceedings for delisting of 345 registered unrecognized political parties which have failed to fulfill the essential condition of contesting even a single election for the last six years since 2019. The offices of these parties could also not be physically located anywhere, EC said. 128-year-old mosque demolished in Assam DIBRUGARH: Authorities have demolished a 128-yearold mosque in Assam's Dibrugarh to construct a drainage system for solving the water-logging problem. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 30.5 C 25 C 82% TIDES Low: 05.38 High: 12.53 18.36 23.45 Facebook.com/thegoan PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 9 2 GOA Be alert over drug trafficking traps, CM cautions youth, parents RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Body scrubs using essential oils for soft skin INCENTIVES FOR THE FIRST 500 TAXIS THAT ONBOARD THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In an effort to modernise and regulate the State's taxi services, the Goa government on Thursday introduced the ‘Goa Taxi Driver App’ under the tagline “Goa Taxi, Aamchi Taxi”. The initiative aims to bring taxi operations onto a digital platform, improving accessibility and service efficiency for commuters even as the move had earlier met with resistance from traditional taxi operators, who remain opposed to the government's push for digitalisation in the sector. In a post on X today, the Department of Tourism announced the launch of the app with incentives, offering 25 litres of free fuel -- petrol, diesel or CNG -- to the first 500 drivers who complete 50 rides and remain active between 8 am and 8 pm for 30 days. For assistance, drivers have 'GOA TAXI, AAMCHI TAXI’ „„Govt is offering 25 litres of free fuel (petrol, diesel, or CNG) „„Offer is available to first 500 drivers who complete 50 rides „„As part of the incentive, drivers must remain active between 8 am and 8 pm for 30 consecutive days „„Govt has also unveiled a helpline number 1364 for assistance to taxi drivers „„FLASHBACK: Taxi operators across the State had opposed the draft guidelines (open for public feedback up to June 30) fearing that it could pave the way for national aggregators like Ola and Uber, threatening their livelihoods and had submitted over 1,000 objections been asked to contact the helpline at 1364. The launch comes even as public feedback on the draft Aggregator Guidelines 2025 remains open until June 30. Traditional operators fear that the policy could pave the way for national aggregators like Ola and Uber, threatening their livelihoods. Taxi unions have submitted over 1,000 objections and demand that the policy be scrapped. The protests had also received political backing from the Opposition parties, activists, and coastal BJP MLAs Michael Lobo and Jit Arolkar, had urged the government to pause the process and hold wider consultations. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, had also clarified that the guidelines will not allow entry to national aggregators. “Taxi operators need not be confused. The guidelines do not aim to open floodgates for national cab aggregators like Ola and Uber,” he had said. The policy had also found support from the Transport Department and industry bodies like the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, and Assocham Goa, who felt it was a step towards safer, more reliable, app-based transport, especially for tourists, women, and shift workers. 11 Nissanka century takes Sri Lanka to INDIA REVAMPS TEST LINE-UP 290-2 after bowling out Bangladesh WITH GILL, PANT IN MIDDLE >>12 Lokayukta remains in limbo, justice delayed in 20 cases February request of Vigilance still pending THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With around 20 anti-corruption cases pending, the Goa  Lokayukta  has remained non-functional for six months now since the end of Justice (retd) Ambadas Joshi's tenure in December 2024. While the Directorate of vigilance had in February, written to the Chief Secretary for shortlisting names of retired  high court  judges to select new Lokayukta for the State, nothing has moved so far. “The Vigilance Department has not got any communication from the government on the appointment of new Lokayukta. The government has to shortlist the candidates, based on which concurrence of the High Court is sought,” sources said. A three-member committee, comprising the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, will finalize the appointment once a suit- THE MISSING LINK „„Vigilance Dept has not got any communication from govt on the appointment of new Lokayukta „„Govt has to shortlist candidates, based on which concurrence of the HC is sought „„A 3-member committee comprising CM and Leader of Oppn finalises appointment „„Oppn leaders says there is no development so far... will be raising the matter with CM shortly able candidate is identified. “There is no development on it so far. Will be raising the matter with the Chief Minister shortly,” Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao told The Goan. Sources confirmed that the Lokayukta office has been accepting corruption-related complaints from concerned citizens; however, it cannot proceed with them. This is not the first time that there has been prolonged delay over appointment of the chief of the ombudsmen body. Justice Joshi was appoint- ed in April 2021. He had succeeded Justice (retd) P K Misra, whose term ended in September 2020. At that time, a total of 75 cases were pending. Prior to Joshi’s appointment, the State government had shortlisted Justice (retd) U V Bakre, but he withdrew his consent in March 2021, citing personal reasons. Most of the pending cases are related to corruption in illegal constructions, permissions, etc. Few days before his term could end, Misra had written Shukla scripts history, 1st Low water level at Amthane, Anjunem dams sparks worry Indian to set foot on ISS Gate repairs, weak rainfall blamed THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Even as the Selaulim dam in South Goa has reached full capacity and begun to overflow following the early onset of monsoon, two other key dams – Amthane and Anjunem – are holding significantly lower water levels, raising concerns over the uneven distribution of rainfall across the State. According to data from the Water Resources Department (WRD), the Amthane dam in North Goa is currently at just 11 percent of its total capacity, while the Anjunem dam stands at 23 percent. The Amthane dam provides raw water to Bardez, Pernem and nearby areas, while the Anjunem dam caters to the water needs of the Sattari region and parts of Bicholim taluka. Speaking on the disparity, WRD Chief Engineer Dnyaneshwar Salelkar clarified that the low water level in Amthane is a result of a deliberate decision. “We had to restrict the inflow of rainwater into Amthane dam as repairs to WATER WOES AT TWO KEY DAMS „„Amthane dam is currently at just 11% of its total capacity, while Anjunem dam stands at 23% „„Amthane dam provides raw water to Bardez, Pernem and nearby areas, while Anjunem dam caters to Sattari region and parts the dam gate are currently in progress. It is a precautionary measure to ensure the work is completed safely,” he said. WRD officials had earlier stated that repair work, including the installation of a new gate at the Amthane dam, would be taken up in the last week of May by gradually reducing the water level in the dam. Back in January, when the raw water supply from the Tillari project was halted for grade (CGPA of 3.01 - 3.25) earlier for 2014-2019. Sources confirmed that the NAAC team will be visiting the GU in July; however, the dates are yet to be finalized. But in more likelihood, the team may visit in the second week of July. As per the information, 70 per cent weightage is granted by NAAC to purely quantitative assessment, like the qualifications of teachers, the number of teachers working on a permanent basis, vacancies, etc. The peer team’s visit carries 30 per cent weightage in the overall assessment of GU. “The evaluation will be done on the basis of curriculum, teaching-learning and assessment methods, research, innovation extension activities, infrastructure and learning resources; student support and progression, governance, leadership and management, and institutional management and best practices,” sources said. >Continued on P9 of Bicholim „„WRD Chief Engineer says low water level in Amthane is due to repair to the dam gate „„Low water level at Anjunem dam is attributed the lower storage to insufficient rainfall in the region maintenance, it was found that the gates at the Amthane dam — the alternative source for Bardez — were jammed, hampering water supply. As for the Anjunem dam, Naik attributed the lower storage to insufficient rainfall in the region. “There has been less rainfall in the catchment area of the Anjunem dam so far, which has impacted water >Continued on P9 CHANTS ‘JAI HIND JAI BHARAT’ DURING HIS WELCOME CEREMONY AT ISS PTI NEW DELHI IAF test pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Thursday became the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station as he and three other astronauts entered the orbital laboratory to warm hugs and handshakes after the docking of their spacecraft at the end of a 28-hour journey around the earth. Scripting history with this feat, Shukla, 39, became the 634th astronaut to travel to space with the Indian Air Force's fighter pilot ending his brief remarks after entering the ISS with a “Jai Hind Jai Bharat” message. He is also the second Indian to go to space in 41 years and the first since Rakesh Sharma's eightday sojourn in 1984. “With your love and blessings, I have reached the International Space Station. It looks easy to stand here, but my head is a little heavy, facing some difficulty; but these are minor issues,” he said in brief remarks in Hindi at the formal welcome ceremony at the ISS. 14 SPORTS SELAULIM DAM OVERFLOWS, BUT… EVALUATION TO BE ON DIFFERENT PARAMETERS PANAJI A review team of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is set to visit Goa University, next month, to assess the varsity for allotment of a new grade. The University was allotted an “B++’ grade in the NAAC ranking for the year 2022-2027. The GU was accredited with a B++ grade by the NAAC with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.86 points. The GU was allotted an ‘A’ 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Govt hits the fast lane, launches new taxi app GU to be assessed for new grade, NAAC team coming THE GOAN I NETWORK The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) Shubhanshu Shukla speaking from International Space Station. “We will get used to it. This is the first step of this journey.” A live video link from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) showed the four-member multi-nation crew emerging from the Dragon spacecraft named Grace'', less than two hours after the sequence of docking with the ISS was completed at 4.15 pm IST. The spacecraft was put into a low-earth orbit by SpaceX's Falcon rocket that was launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12.01 pm on Wednesday. The seven-member space station crew, who are part of Expedition 73, welcomed Axiom-4 mission commander Peggy Whitson, as she floated into the station soon after the hatch-opening procedures were completed at 5:44 pm. Whitson, a veteran astronaut, floated into the space station at 5:53 pm followed by Shukla, the mission pilot, with Polish engineer Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a mission specialist and a European Space Agency project astronaut, and Hungary's Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer and the mission specialist, close behind. >Continued on P9 SCO document skips mention of Pahalgam, India refuses to sign AGENCIES NEW DELHI Sending a stern message to India's neighbours, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has refused to sign a joint statement at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet because it did not mention the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives and did not reflect India's strong position on terror. While skipping any mention of Pahalgam, the document mentioned Balochistan, tacitly accusing India of creating unrest there. Pahalgam's exclusion from the document appears to have been done at Pakistan's behest as its all-weather ally, China, holds the Chair now. India has consistently trashed Pakistan's allegations about its involvement in Balochistan and said Islamabad must look within and stop backing terror instead of making wild allegations. "India is not satisfied with the language of the joint document. There was no mention of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, there was mention of the incidents that happened in Pakistan, so India refused to sign the joint declaration, and there is no joint communique either," a Defence Ministry source said. Indian-origin NYC mayor’s win sparks Trump’s fury PTI NEW YORK ndian-American Zohran Kwame Mamdani's victory in the Democratic mayoral primary has shaken up New York City politics, the community members said, even as US President Donald Trump lashed out at the young lawmaker, calling him a “100% Communist Lunatic”. Mamdani, 33, son of renowned Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, a Ugandan author of Indian ancestry, was declared victorious in the Democratic mayoral primary Tuesday night. “It's finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% I Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday. “We've had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks Terrible, his voice is grating, he's not very smart, he's got AOC+3, Dummies all, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin' Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country! he said. Sree Sreenivasan, CEO of Digimentors and long-time observer of media and politics, told PTI that Mamdani's win TRUMP’S RANT ON SOCIAL MEDIA „„It's finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line „„Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary and is on his way to becoming Mayor has shaken up NYC politics” in ways he has not seen in his four decades in the city. “But it's also getting surprising national and international attention people you'd never „„We've had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous „„He looks terrible, his voice is grating, he's not very smart, he's got AOC+3 „„Dummies all, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin' Schumer, is groveling over him expect to have an opinion on the race are weighing in. The road to November will be fascinating. Nothing is guaranteed except it will be the most watched and comment- ed-upon contest in the US till the 2028 presidential election, he said. Indian-American attorney Ravi Batra, citing Trump's comment on Mamdani, said a defender of Police is a nominee. He added that this is an SOS by NYC and a truly new Eric Adams has to step up.” Batra said as a legal and law-abiding immigrant, “we came to America because we love her. We came to America to cherish it...None of us came to America to change it to become the land we left behind”. The genius of our founders in 1776 and 1787, the Constitution, ensured that every American has a duty to protect the Constitution from enemies,” he said.