log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline FRIDAY AUGUST 8, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 52 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us Page 6 How to protect your EV during the rainy season REVIEW : Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Rugged looks, familiar soul IN SHORT >> Govt to enact Law for housing societies without title deeds PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that the government will come up with an ordinance to resolve the long-pending issue of housing societies operating without proper title deeds amid suggestions from the legislators to follow the Maharashtra model. >> See pg 2 CM cracks down on illegal flower trade MAPUSA: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that roadside flower vendors will no longer be allowed to operate, following concerns over the impact on traditional Goan flower sellers. Sawant said police will be directed to seize flower carts and goods being sold illegally on footpaths and roads.  >> See pg 3 New HQ for police to cost `37.83 cr PANAJI: The long-awaited Goa Police Headquarters will soon become a reality, with a new building set to be constructed in the capital at an estimated cost of Rs 37.83 crore. GSIDC has invited tenders for the ambitious project, marking a significant step towards strengthening the state’s law enforcement infrastructure. Trump's India tariffs come into effect WASHINGTON: The initial 25 per cent tariffs announced by the US on Indian imports came into effect Thursday, with President Donald Trump saying billions of dollars from countries that have taken advantage of America will now start flowing into the country. T Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in OPPN RAISES RUCKUS, CALLS IT BHUMIPUTRA 2.0 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The government-sponsored The Goa Legislative Diploma No. 2070 dated 15-4-1961 (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to amend the Code of Comunidades and provide legal remedy to grant ownership of land where illegal structures are built was passed by the Goa legislative assembly late on Thursday night amidst a ruckus raised by the Opposition. The entire seven-member Opposition unitedly opposed the bill and rushed to the well of the House multiple times calling it an avatar of the The Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill of 2021 which the government passed in the House but permitted it to lapse without sending it for the Governor's address after a public backlash. B I L L S AP P R OVE D „„The Goa Shops & Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2025 „„The Goa Legislative Diploma No.2070 Dated 15-4-1961 (Amendment) Bill, 2025 „„Goa Regularisation of Unauthorized Construction (Amend- Window opens for unauthorised structures ment) Bill, 2025 „„The Indian Stamp (Goa Amendment) Bill, 2025 „„Goa Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2025 „„The Goa Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2025 „„The City of Panaji Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 The ruckus by the Opposition forced Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar to adjourn the House for five minutes. When the House reassembled following the adjournment, the Opposition did not relent and continued to raise slogans against the bill. PANAJI: The Assembly passed the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorized Construction (Amendment) Bill to amend the 2016 law and widen its scope besides providing a fresh two-year window for filing applications to those who did not apply earlier. According to the amendment, the two-year window will also be available to those whose applications were rejected earlier. Another provision in the amendment also revises the maximum built-up area limits of the structures applications want regularised under the law -- up to 500 sq mts in Panchayat areas and up to 600 sq mts in civic areas. However despite the din, Tawadkar went through the formality of consideration and passage of the Bill before adjourning the House a second time for five minutes. The amendment to the Legislative Diploma No 2070 which the House passed pro- Sunburn’s exit from Goa triggers political debate MUST AVOID UNNECESSARY PUBLICITY: MIN THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The decision to shift the Sunburn EDM festival from Goa to Mumbai has sparked mixed reactions among State political leaders, with Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte claiming that if not “Sunburn”, “something else” will happen. Sunburn, the popular electronic dance music (EDM) festival, traditionally held in Goa, is all set to be conducted in Mumbai this year. The 3-day gala will take place from December 19-21. Reacting to the development, Khaunte distanced the government from the decision, stating, “Sunburn is a private event. If it doesn’t happen, something else will”. He said that there are many POLITICAL REACTIONS „„Khaunte says we need to explore tradition, culture „„Yuri Alemao welcomes Sunburn's exit „„Michael Lobo opposes the move „„Viresh Borkar stresses prioritising public interest „„Dhavalikar supports festival’s shift players in this (EDM) who may look into exploring Goa. He said that Goa is being promoted for regenerative tourism every month and the State shouldn't give unneces- sary publicity to events like Sunburn. “Tourism in Goa needs lot of factors. Sunburn is a yearly event… it is for them to do it here or not… Every month, we are looking at new things coming in… new ideas, new thoughts. Tourism in Goa is always there... we need to explore our tradition, culture,” he said. The Minister claimed that December is always packed season. “We will look into exploring better ideas in the last quarter of the year to attract more tourism,” he said. The Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao welcomed the decision. “Let them go…do we want such events?,” he asked. In contrast, BJP Calangute >Continued on P8 Residents term it as urban loot in the name of Smart City PANAJI he North Goa Collectorate’s decision to implement the long-pending fourth phase of pay parking in Panaji has sparked a wave of public outrage, with residents slamming it as a “money-making racket” disguised as urban development under the Smart City initiative. “Nightmare for owners of cars! After payments of heavy road tax, unfit for travelling, petrol taxes (and) now parking, should have a limit. Looters may not mind payments, but the middle class has to pay heavy taxes along with senior citizens,” said Nonath Gomes, reacting sharply to the move. The fourth phase covers Miramar and St Inez where two-wheelers will be charged Rs 4 for up to four hours, Rs 8 for up to 12 hours, and Rs 15 AIFF PLANS SEPT SUPER CUP TO KEEP FOOTBALL ALIVE AMID ISL DELAY >>9 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Comunidade code tweaked; Laadli scheme amended to include more beneficiaries relief for illegal structures Panaji fumes over new pay parking phase THE GOAN I NETWORK Instagram.com/thegoanonline PAY PA R K I N G : N E W LO C AT I O N S >> Miramar Circle >> Near sulabh toilet (Miramar beach) >> Near Maruti temple, Miramar >> Stretch of road from Caculo Island near Pharmacy College via St Inez Church up to the Culvert near Thomas Garage at St Inez (MG road & Vassudev V Dempo road) >> Stretch of road from St Inez Cemetery up to High Mast for a full day. Four-wheelers will be charged Rs 20 for the first hour and Rs 15 for every additional hour or part thereof. People also drew comparisons with Europe’s parking systems, where a grace period is often offered. “In Europe, you'll get half an hour free near Madhuban building >> Dr Braganza Pereira road (Municipal Quarters to KA/D B road) parking so that people are allowed to complete quick jobs and leave without being charged. In Goa, if they can find a way to knock out money from a stone, they will do it,” Sleur Butler said, alleging Panaji plan as a “money making racket.” >> Dr Dada Vaidya road >> Gama Pinto road (Municipal Quarters to Hotel Palacio) Residents also warned that the new fees could deter people from visiting Panaji, particularly the public spots. “Now I have to pay every week just to visit the Maruti temple,” said Siddhesh Bhatkar. >Continued on P8 vides a quasi-judicial process, presided over by Revenue officials, through which encroachers who built dwelling houses on comunidade land can get ownership of the land on which the structures stand. >Continued on P8 Suleman, ex-cop discharged by court in police custody escape THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a setback to Goa Police into the SIT custody escape of land grab accused Suleman Siddiqui Khan, the North Goa Sessions Court has discharged him, and dismissed IRB constable Amit Naik along with their alleged accomplice Hazrat Saab Bavannavar, from charges under Section 156 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the case. The court observed that BNS Section applies only to public servants who voluntarily allow a prisoner of state or war to escape. The matter has been remanded to the CJM to determine whether charges can be framed under other applicable provisions. Khan had escaped from police lock-up on December 13 last year, allegedly with the help of Naik. Eligibility conditions remain the same THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government has extended the Laadli Laxmi scheme benefits to orphaned and destitute girls, as well as those affected by the Tillari Irrigation Project. The amendment to the scheme has been notified while the existing eligibility conditions remain unchanged. As per the notification, applications received on behalf of girls who are orphaned, destitute, born outside wedlock, adopted, or fall under any category aligned with the scheme’s objective will be referred to the Committee -- headed by the Secretary of Women and Child Development. This will be subject to the application made by a guardian or an institution/organisation responsible for the girl’s care. “If the applicant fulfils the criteria and has submitted all documents required as New norms for unclaimed Laadli benefits PANAJI: The notified amended Laadli Laxmi scheme has also specified that in the event of the death of a beneficiary before claiming the benefit, the financial assistance would be released to her parents. However, if both parents are dead, the assistance will be released to the guardian named in the application of the deceased beneficiary. The notification further stated that if an unmarried beneficiary, who had been sanctioned the benefit prior to this amendment, dies before her Civil Marriage Registration, the amount held in fixed deposit shall be returned by the concerned bank or financial institution to the Director of Women and Child Development, who will deposit the funds into government account. >Continued on P8 per the scheme but is unable to furnish her parents' documents due to the death of both parents, such an application shall be sanctioned if the applicant submits her 15 years of residence certificate and birth certificate along with the death certificates of both parents. Submission of parental income certificate in case of such applicants shall be waived off,” it said. In cases where applicants are unable to produce documents related to their parents’ birth or residence due to parental opposition to their >Continued on P8 Organ shortage turns deadly, 26 die awaiting transplants 78 STILL ON KIDNEY WAITLIST, REVEALS DATA THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In the last five years, 26 patients lost their lives waiting for the life-saving organ transplants while currently as many as 78 patients including 16 inactive patients are on the official waiting State list for kidney transplant alone. According to the information provided by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane 1860 people from Goa have pledged for organ donation. Rane said that among the solid organs, only kidney transplant facilities are available in three Goa hospitals -Goa Medical College and Hospital, Manipal Hospital and Healthway Hospitals. As per the waiting list available with the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organiza- HOUSE DATA 41 1860 people from Goa have pledged for organ donation corneal transplants performed in Goa 8 tion (SOTTO), currently 78 patients are waiting for deceased donor kidney transplant; this includes 62 active patients and 16 inactive. Total 16 kidney transplants have been performed so far. Among the tissues, only cornea transplant facility is available at two hospitals that is ASG Eye Hospital & Healthway Hospitals. Till date, total 16 kidney transplants performed so far deceased and 49 living donors have donated organs 41 corneal transplants have been performed in Goa (34 by ASG Eye Hospital and 7 by Healthway Hospitals); however, SOTTO does not maintain a waiting list for cornea. Rane said that there have been eight deceased and 49 living donors, who have donated organs like kidney, >Continued on P8