log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY JULY 3, 2025 GOA VIDEOGRAPHER/ PHOTOGRAPHER CONTENT CREATOR FOR PRINT MEDIA SENIOR REPORTER - Email CV to editor@thegoan.net >> See pg 3 ‘BAG ON HIRE’ INITIATIVE FADES FROM PUBLIC MEMORY IN SHORT >> GCZMA nod for trimming mangroves in Cumbarjua canal PANAJI: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has granted its nod for trimming and pruning of mangroves in Cumbarjua canal, which the Captain of Ports (CoP) intends to open up for navigation, following closure of Aguada canal.   >> See pg 3 3 13 2 10 Govt stops over 13K Centre allows private bikes to bogus DSSS payouts, operate on aggregator apps recovers `50 crore GOA Plea challenging Comunidade code amendment filed before SC IMPLEMENTATION SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY INDIVIDUAL STATE GOVTS, WITH EACH STATE AUTHORISED TO REGULATE AND CHARGE APPLICABLE FEES AGENCIES BOOST FOR LAST-MILE CONNECTIVITY „„A light-touch regulatory framework aims to balance safety, passenger security, and driver welfare „„Focuses on affordable mobility, traffic decongestion, pollution reduction, and livelihood generation „„Seeks to empower gig workers and promote inclusive, sustainable urban transport „„Provides relief to Rapido and Uber, which previously operated in a legal grey zone „„This is part of the MVAG 2025, offering legal clarity on bike taxis for the first time The guidelines enable state governments to permit aggregators to operate non-transport motorcycles for carrying passengers and also to levy authorisation fees on a daily, weekly, or fortnightly basis. The objective, according to the Ministry, is to encourage affordable mobility, reduce urban traffic congestion, cut down vehicular emissions, and provide new livelihood opportunities. This regulatory clarity comes as a relief for companies like Rapido and Uber, which have long operated in a legal grey zone, often facing sudden bans and regulatory pushbacks. Karnataka, for instance, had recently prohibited bike taxi services, sparking public outcry and protests from gig economy workers. Industry response has been MONSOON MISERY: A motorist navigates a pothole-filled road during heavy rain near Four Pillars, St Cruz, on Wednesday, highlighting poor monsoon preparedness and road maintenance.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Heavy rains lash Goa; IMD issues Orange alert till July 8 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa witnessed a revival of the monsoon on Wednesday with heavy rains lashing the State and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to upgrade its warning from a Yellow to an Orange alert. The Panaji observatory recorded 61.2 mm of rainfall while Dabolim recorded 57.2 mm. The incessant downpour led to waterlogging and disruption in parts of the State. At least 35 incidents of trees WEEKS AFTER FOILED DRUG BID… Apprentice caught smuggling tobacco into Colvale jail THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Barely two weeks after an attempt was foiled to smuggle drugs at the Central Jail in Colvale, an apprentice was caught red-handed by security guards while allegedly attempting to smuggle tobacco inside the jail. The prison administration filed a complaint with Colvale police in this regard on Wednesday evening. According to sources, the incident came to light in the afternoon during a check at THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI More than 13,000 beneficiaries under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS) were found to be bogus, leading to the recovery of Rs 50 crore, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai has revealed. “These included individuals who were deceased, untraceable, non-Goan, or otherwise ineligible,” the minister said, adding that in many cases, families failed to report the death of a beneficiary, allowing payouts to continue for up to five years. Since 2011, the department has identified between 13,000 and 14,000 such cases. “We are now saving Rs 2 to Rs 3 crore every month, which is being redirected to the government’s account and can be used for other public welfare initiatives,” he said. Under the scheme, beneficiaries are required to submit a life certificate annually, failing which their benefits are halted. However, the department has taken a lenient approach. “We send our staff to verify the situation. If there is no response or incorrect infor- Widows with kids under 21 to get `  ,000 monthly aid 4 overwhelmingly positive. Uber called the move “forward-looking” and appreciated the Ministry’s consultative approach. “Timely adoption by states will be key to ensuring uniform implementation and building predictability,” an Uber spokesperson said, reinforcing the company’s commitment to work with governments for effective implementation. Rapido welcomed the activation of Clause 23 of the MVAG 2025, which directly supports private bike ride-sharing. The company described the move as a “milestone in India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).” It noted that the inclusion of private bikes in shared mobility would improve access to transportation in underserved areas, promote last-mile connectivity, and contribute to reducing urban congestion and pollution. The 2025 guidelines build upon the earlier Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020, updating the regulatory framework in response to the rapid evolution of India’s mobility ecosystem. In recent years, the rise of electric vehicles, flexible ride options, and increased demand for hyperlocal delivery has reshaped consumer expectations. With this progressive regulatory shift, the Centre aims to foster innovation, empower gig workers, and make urban transportation more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable. Underweight LPG cylinder racket busted in Sancoale Traffic police begin 4-day drive against key violations PANAJI: The Traffic Police have started a four-day enforcement drive to crack down on several violations that are said to be affecting road safety and public order. One of the main issues being targeted is the increasing practice of renting private vehicles to tourists, which the government has described as a serious problem.  >> See pg 3 PTI MAPUSA: The demolition of the Junta Quarters building in the old Mapusa market has been delayed, after one family sought a week to vacate the dilapidated structure.   >> See pg 3 DHAKA: Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to six months in prison in a contempt of court case by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Wednesday. Surveyors instructed to carry out stricter verification to avoid lapses Mid-air scare for SpiceJet flight as window frame dislodges NEW DELHI The Union Government has taken a landmark step toward modernising India’s shared mobility landscape by permitting the use of non-transport (private) motorcycles for passenger journeys via aggregator platforms. This development, part of the newly issued Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines (MVAG) 2025, marks the first time such clarity has been provided on the legality of bike taxis, a long-debated issue in states like Karnataka. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), in its latest guidelines, emphasised a “light-touch regulatory framework” focused on balancing safety, passenger security, and driver welfare. While the move opens doors for two-wheeler ride-sharing, it remains subject to approval by individual state governments, which will have the authority to authorise and regulate such services under Section 67(3) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Mapusa Junta Qtrs demolition delayed Hasina gets 6-month jail in contempt case Gill holds India together with second hundred as captain Office stress taking a toll? Five signs you can’t ignore PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa will take up for final hearing on July 8 a petition challenging a trial court order that directed the police to register an FIR into bribery allegations made by former minister Pandurang Madkaikar.  >> See pg 3 VALPOI: Liquor worth around Rs 12 lakh from a pickup at the Keri check post, while the vehicle was proceeding from Goa to Belagavi via Chorla on Tuesday afternoon.   >> See pg 5 SPORTS INFO Ex-min’s bribery row final hearing on July 8 Liquor worth `12 L seized at Keri post RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 the gate of the prison, when the security guards found three packets of tobacco products with an apprentice, who had been posted in the prison's CCTV camera booth. When the incident came to light, prison authorities questioned the apprentice. They later filed a police complaint and handed over the seized tobacco packets to the Colvale police. On June 14, a clandestine operation was allegedly aimed at delivering Ganja (cannabis) to inmates inside the high-security facility using a rope and tree to fling packets/balls over the prison walls. Colvale Police later arrested three persons and detained a minor for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into the high-security prison. In another incident, Jail Warden Narayan Naik was suspended in connection with two ‘liquor parties’ by some inmates in the cowshed of the Central Jail at Colvale. An order in this regard was issued by the jail administration, after two liquor parties allegedly took place in the cowshed of the Jail on May 22 and June 15. falling were reported on the roads, vehicles, houses and public infrastructure. The Fire & Emergency personnel responded to calls from across Goa to clear obstructions and restore normalcy. >Continued on P8 MUMBAI A window frame of SpiceJet's aircraft operating its flight to Pune from Goa was found dislodged mid-air but there was no impact on passengers' safety, the airline said on Wednesday. The frame was fixed once the aircraft landed at the next (Pune) airport, in accordance with standard maintenance procedures, the airline said in a statement. SpiceJet, however, did not share other details. “A cosmetic (interior) window frame on one of the Q400 Aircraft became loose during flight and was found dislodged,” the airline said in a statement. SpiceJet also said that cabin pressurisation remained normal throughout the flight, and there was no impact on passenger safety, adding that the dislodged part was a non-structural trim component, fitted onto the window for the purpose of shade, and did not compromise the safety or integrity of the aircraft in any way. PANAJI: In a major step to simplify welfare benefits, the Goa government has announced that widows with at least one child under 21 years will now get both the Widow Pension and the Griha Aadhar allowance, adding up to Rs 4,000 per month.  >> pg 3 mation, we declare the person dead or untraceable and stop the benefits,” Phal Dessai explained. He also disclosed that several non-Goan individuals were wrongly availing of benefits. “Their names have now been removed, and the system has been rectified,” he said. With around 14,000 spots now vacant under the scheme, the department plans to extend support to genuine beneficiaries. Surveyors have been instructed to carry out stricter verification going forward to avoid such lapses in the future, the minister added. OVER 1,000 CYLINDERS, 7 VEHICLES SEIZED IN RAID; FIR FILED AGAINST GAS AGENCY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI/VASCO In a major crackdown on the gas agencies involved in the sale of underweight LPG cylinders, the Directorate of Civil Supplies on late Tuesday evening seized over 1,000 cylinders during a raid at Sancoale. An FIR has been lodged against Kadesh Gas Services and one unknown person at Verna Police station for selling underweight cylinders. The crackdown is a part of broader initiative of Minister Ravi Naik, who has asked authorities to conduct surprise inspections under the Essential Commodities Act. The Minister has also asked to take action against those involved in illegal filling of cooking gas. Highly placed sources informed that during a surprise inspection of LPG vehicles at the open area in Peacock Valley, six vehicles bearing the name board of Kadesh Gas Services and one vehicle be- The LPG cylinders and vehicles seized during a raid by the Directorate of Civil Supplies on late Tuesday evening at Sancoale. longing to an unknown person were found. The vehicle had total 1,023 cylinders – 5kg commercial cylinders (30), 19kgs commercial cylinders (16) and 14.2kgs domestic cylinders (450) and BMCG cylinders (12). While 508 cylinders were in sealed condition, 515 were unsealed. “Total 283 cylinders were weighed, out of which 132 domestic cylinders and 18 commercial cylinders were found underweight,” sources said. Sources said that all 508 cylinders have been seized and the detailed report will be submitted to the South Goa Collector for further action under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. “There is complete ban on sale or distribution of LPG cylinders below or in excess of the standard weight. FIR has been lodged,” sources said. >Continued on P8 Finance dept red flags compensation to FPS dealers FINANCE DEPT OBSERVATIONS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI hile the Centre is working on reforms to enhance the profitability of Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers across India, the Finance Department in Goa has argued against the proposed "Compensation to FPS Dealers" scheme, warning of consequences for the State government’s fiscal position. The department has observed that the scheme, which proposes operating expenses of Rs 9,500 per shop monthly apart from enhancing the margins per item, will have additional liability of over Rs 10 crore annually. In a bid to strengthen the fi- W 024 DIGITAL MEDIA Instagram.com/thegoanonline ON nancial position of the 450 FPS operators, the department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs has proposed a special Compensation scheme, under which, waiving of the ePoS rent at Rs 0.10 paisa per kg ,2 FOR The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 16 MMC struggles to mop up tax arrears of `50 cr, tap new sources of revenue REQUIRED Facebook.com/thegoan O CT 2 2 and adding an ePoS incentive at Rs 105 per ton is proposed. The scheme, which was mooted in October, 2024 was accorded Administrative Approval by the government in December, last year. However, „„The scheme, which proposes operating expenses of Rs 9,500 per shop monthly apart from enhancing the margins per item, will have additional liability of over Rs 10 crore annually „„Finds the scheme fiscally non-viable for the government and wants the Finance Department has declined the proposal. “The Finance Department finds the scheme fiscally non-viable for the government. It wants the Civil Supplies Department to either redraft the the Civil Supplies Department to either redraft the scheme or scrap it „„The proposal: Civil Supplies Department has recommended providing monthly operating expenses to the tune of Rs 9,500 per FPS for payment towards wages, electricity, rentals, taxes, thermal rolls scheme or scrap it,” sources confirmed. The Department of Civil Supplies was looking at the scheme as a ray of hope for >Continued on P8