log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY JULY 2, 2025 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 15 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 ODPs must conform with RP, cannot contradict it, rules HC GOA Marigold b(l)oom: 35-40K saplings to be planted, harvest at Diwali Goa Forward pulls the plug on Opposition unity How to treat skin pigmentation at home SAYS THEY CAN’T BE ENFORCED IN AREAS THAT ARE NO LONGER DESIGNATED AS PLANNING AREAS UNDER THE TCP ACT THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa has ruled that an Outline Development Plan (ODP) must conform to the Regional Plan and cannot operate in contravention of it. While directing that ODPs for villages of Calangute, Candolim, Arpora, Nagoa and Parra are not applicable, the Division Bench comprising Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Nivedita Mehta held that the ODPs cannot be enforced in areas that are no longer planning areas under the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act. “The justification offered for the issuance of the Executive Order makes it amply clear that the TCP Act -- along with its Rules, Regulations, Bye-laws, Notifications, and Orders -- ceases to apply to the five villages once they are excluded from the purview of the planning areas under the Act,” the Bench observed. The court made it clear that the legal framework of 11 INFO KEY OBSERVATIONS OF HIGH COURT „„Justification offered for Executive Order makes it clear that TCP Act ceases to apply to five villages once they are excluded from purview of planning areas under the Act „„Legal framework of TCP Act must be read in harmony with Regional Plan… executive action cannot override statutory structure „„State attempting to misread provisions of Sections 18 and 19 of the TCP Act „„Changes in land use under ODPs not only detrimental to the environmental fabric of Calangute but also pushed through in disregard of villagers objections „„North Goa Planning and Development Authority sidelined during finalization of ODPs „„District Planning Committee has important role in preparing draft development plan „„It must give due regard to matters of common interest between p'yats and municipalities the TCP Act must be read in harmony with the Regional Plan and that executive action cannot override the statutory structure. “We do not find the said stand to be sustainable and we reason our conclusion by observing that the State is attempting to misread the provisions of Sections 18 and 19 of the TCP Act,” reads the order as it found several zon- ing changes carried out in the revised plans to be illegal, arbitrary, and harmful to the environment. The bench passed the order while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Goa Foundation and a resident of Candolim that challenged a circular dated December 22, 2022, issued by the Chief Town Planner (Planning), which continued to uphold the ODP zoning of these villages. The petitioners argued that the circular was issued without jurisdiction, lacked transparency, and violated the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, 1974. The court observed that the changes in land use under the ODPs were not only detrimental to the environmental fabric of Calangute but were also pushed through in disregard of objections raised by local villagers. Slamming the process adopted by the authorities, the bench noted that the statutory North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) was sidelined during the finalization of the ODPs. “In the present case, instead of the NGPDA, the TCP Board took charge... and finalized the zone changes of 985 plots on a single day, October 14, 2022,” the court remarked, terming the move a violation of due process. The bench stressed the importance of adhering to the established procedures under the TCP Act, especially the role of District Planning Committees in the preparation of development plans. “Every District Planning Committee has an important role in preparing the draft development plan. It must give due regard to matters of common interest between the Panchayats and Municipalities, which include spatial >Continued on P9 SPORTS Bowling conundrum haunts India ahead of must-win Test Winds of change set to sweep Sawant Cabinet  Immediate ministerial induction likely  Bigger reshuffle after monsoon session THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With eyes on 2027 Assembly elections just 18 months away, the Pramod Sawantled Cabinet is poised for significant changes aimed at accommodating former Congress legislators who switched to the BJP. While an immediate induction is expected soon to fill a vacant ministerial seat, a larger reshuffle is planned for after the Monsoon Assembly session. Chief Minister Sawant, returning from Delhi after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah alongside Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, did not rule out the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle. Smiling, he avoided giving details, simply telling reporters “will let you know.” Sawant said he and Lobo had discussions with Shah on various political matters. Calling Lobo a “close friend and party leader,” he added that his trip also included visiting Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira at AIIMS, THE LIKELY SCENARIO „„Lobo may join Cabinet as he played a key role in engineering the defection of eight Congress MLAs—including himself— to the BJP in September 2022 „„It is also learnt that Cabinet will see entry of Congress turncoat Margao MLA Digambar Kamat „„Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar also in fray... his elevation has been held-up for now due to delay in finalizing the next Speaker MEETING WITH SHAH WAS LONG OVERDUE, ASSERTS MICHAEL >> See pg 3 where Sequeira is receiving treatment. “I and Michael met Shah and discussed various political developments. Michael is my very close friend and party leader. Our discussion with Shah was on various political issues,” he commented. Sources indicate Lobo is AS FEEDBACK DEADLINE ENDS… >> pg 6 Legacy reinvented: How the Vaz family is shaping the next chapter of Models Group IN SHORT >> Goa records 25% dip in veg imports PANAJI: Goa has recorded a 25% decline in import of vegetables owing to a significant rise in local production, exporting nearly 10% of its produce.  >> See pg 3 Power cut for 2 days in Agonda, Khola CANACONA: A power shut down has been arranged for two days at the Agonda feeder, affecting Agonda and Khola and other parts on July 3 and 5 from 9 am to 2 pm. Defunct Merces traffic signal to be removed PANAJI: PWD has finally initiated steps to dismantle the long-defunct AI-driven traffic management system at Merces.  >> See pg 3 PRIMARY CONCERNS „„Possible arbitrary pricing due to lack of transparency „„Absence of transitional support for traditional taxi operators „„Practical challenges such as poor mobile network coverage in remote parts of Goa „„Environmental sustainability citing zero incentives for electric vehicles or other eco-friendly transport solutions ty was also raised citing zero incentives for electric vehicles or other eco-friendly transport solutions. “Although we have received maximum objections, it seems there is nothing different except three objections in every submission. Nevertheless, we will submit all feedback to the STA. A meeting is scheduled shortly. The STA will then submit its recommendations to the government. A final decision will be taken thereaf- ter,” an official said. The draft was open for feedback till June 19, which was extended till June 30. The draft guidelines proposed strict penalties for unlicensed aggregator operations. Operators who violate licence conditions could face penalties up to Rs 50 lakh and blacklisting. Besides, each instance of fare manipulation could attract Rs 5 lakh fine. >Continued on P9 >Continued on P9 THE GOAN I NETWORK  3 common concerns raised in most inputs   455 supportive suggestions  STA meet soon PANAJI Over a month after the State government published its draft guidelines to regulate taxi aggregators, the Transport Department has received 3,519 objections and 455 supportive suggestions from various stakeholders, mainly from tourist taxi operators. A State Transport Authority (STA) meeting is expected soon to deliberate on the objections and suggestions. Transport officials revealed to The Goan that the majority of objections raised just three primary concerns — possible arbitrary pricing due to lack of transparency, the absence of transitional support for traditional taxi operators, and practical challenges such as poor mobile network coverage in remote parts of Goa. Environmental sustainabili- likely to join the Cabinet. He played a key role in engineering the defection of eight Congress MLAs—including himself—to the BJP in September 2022. Lobo had previously served as a minister in Sawant’s Cabinet from 2019 until early 2022, resigning to join Congress after the party declined to give his wife a ticket; she too later joined the BJP. If confirmed, Lobo would become the second Congress defector in the current Govt appoints Dr Tiwari as GMC dean 3,519 objections to taxi aggregator guidelines THE GOAN I NETWORK 14 TRAFFIC TALE: A serpentine queue of vehicles line up along the Panaji Patto bridge in Panaji on Tuesday after a taxi hit a barricade, causing a traffic jam.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Acid attack victim boy stable, plastic surgeons get to work THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The minor student, who was seriously injured in the acid attack at Dhargal on Monday, is still critical but responding to treatment with Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) plastic surgeons having conducted multiple procedures on him. Accused had stolen acid from workplace >> See pg 3 Still on ventilator, the boy has undergone plastic surgery and a team of doctors led by Dr Yuri Dias is treating him, according to surgeon and GMC's Medical superin- tendent, Dr Rajesh Patil. Several precautions are being taken with regard to making sure that the boy is insulated from infections. He has regained consciousness but is in no condition to speak at the moment, Patil indicated, adding that any further surgical or other >Continued on P9 PANAJI Dr Jai Prakash Tiwari who heads the Nephrology department finally became Dean of Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) officially on Tuesday, more than three years after he was "promoted" to the post. The Goa government’s Personnel Department had initially issued his promotion order on April 4, 2022, but it was inexplicably withdrawn the very next day. This long-pending promotion has now been reinstated with immediate effect, according to a government order released on Tuesday. Dr Tiwari’s appointment comes following the retirement of former Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar, who superannuated on Monday, June 30, upon reaching the retirement age of 65 years, as prescribed for professors in the medical field. Special courts notified for swift Centre’s new scheme holds promise of employment boom disposal of all land grab cases 3.5 CRORE JOBS IN TWO YEARS…. TO BE IN PLACE UNTIL A NEW LAW IS ENACTED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government has designated two District & Sessions Courts in Panaji and Margao to handle all existing and future land grab cases till a fresh legislation is in place. The government has designated these two special courts to exclusively hear land grab cases across the State, in line with the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice V K Jadhav (Retd) and with the concur- ED ATTACHES `60.05 CR WORTH PROPERTIES IN LAND GRAB SCAM >> See pg 3 rence of the High Court of Bombay at Goa. “In pursuance to the recommendations of Justice V K Jadhav (Retd), Chairman, Commission of Inquiry, State of Goa and with the concurrence of High Court of Bombay... dated February 24, 2025, the Government of Goa hereby designate the Court of District Judge 1 and Additional Sessions Judge, Panaji (District Level) for North Goa-Panaji and District Judge 1 and Additional Sessions Judge, Margao (District Level) for South Goa-Margao as special Courts, to deal with and decide land grabbing cases, both existing and future registrations, until new legislation is enacted,” reads the notification. The Goa government had last December proposed to the >Continued on P9 PTI NEW DELHI he central government on Tuesday approved an Employment Linked Incentive scheme with an outlay of Rs 1.07 lakh crore to create 3.5 crore jobs over the next two years through social security schemes run by the retirement fund body EPFO. The ELI scheme to support job generation, enhance employability and social security across all sectors, with special focus on the manufacturing sector, was approved by the Union Cabinet in a meeting, chaired by Prime Minister T Stage set to propel India into Top-5 of world sports NEW DELHI: Calling it a “strategic roadmap” for India's elevation into the top five of world sports, the Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Khelo Bharat Niti to create “world-class systems” of coaching and athlete support along with a robust administrative set-up to make the country a strong contender for the 2036 Narendra Modi, Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The scheme aims to incentivise the creation of more than 3.5 crore jobs in the country over two years, an official Olympics. Previously called the National Sports Policy and introduced for the first time in 1984, the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 will supersede the 2001 policy. It is a “guiding document” to formulate plans and schemes for betterment of the country's sporting ecosystem.  >> See pg 9 statement said. The scheme will provide incentives to employees as well as employers to boost job creation. Under the scheme, while the first-time employees will get one month's wage (up to Rs 15,000), the employers will be given incentives for a period of two years for generating additional employment, with extended benefits for another two years for the manufactur- ing sector. The ELI scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 as part of the package of five schemes to facilitate employment, skilling and other opportunities for 4.1 crore youth with a total budget outlay of Rs 2 lakh crore. The ELI scheme aims to incentivise the creation of more than 3.5 crore jobs in the country over a period of 2 years, it stated. Out of these, 1.92 crore beneficiaries will be first timers, entering the workforce. The benefits of the scheme would be applicable to jobs created between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.