log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 GOA 7 factors to watch on D-Street this week: FII moves, India-US trade deal and more IN SHORT >> GMC rolls out new SOPs for services PANAJI: The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at Goa Medical College has issued a comprehensive set of standard operating procedures to streamline medico-legal work and related services. The SOPs spell out procedures for medico-legal autopsies, morgue preservation, embalming and the free hearse van facility. Clear guidelines have also been laid for police officers, medical staff and families on documentation, timelines and protocols for autopsy, preservation and handing over of bodies. Goa extends aid to calamity-hit States PANAJI: Goa has announced financial assistance towards relief and rehabilitation in Chhattisgarh and Punjab, both severely affected by a recent natural calamity. Sanctioning Rs 5 crore each to both the States, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Goa stands in solidarity with the people in this hour of crisis. The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 81 GOA Saligao comunidade blocks resolution, sparks anger over GWMC land demand THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a major setback for Goan emigrants and British tourists, Air India has excluded Goa from its Winter 2025-26 schedule, despite initially announcing plans to resume direct flights from Mopa to London (Gatwick) from October 26. In the latest development, while Air India has announced resumption of flights from Gatwick to Amritsar and Ahmedabad, bookings for the Goa–Gatwick sector have been withdrawn, confirming the route will not operate this season. Air India, currently facing a shortage of aircraft, was expected to operate three flights per week from October 26 from Manohar International Airport, Mopa -- the operations which have been stalled since June. In fact, the airlines had last month reopened bookings for Goa using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner for operations on Tuesdays, Fridays LONDON DREAMS GROUNDED „„AI withdraws bookings for Goa-Gatwick sector „„Confirms the route will not operate this season „„Was expected to operate three Mopa flights per week from October 26 „„Airlines had last month reopened bookings for Goa using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner for operations on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays AMRITSAR CALLING Air India has announced the resumption of its direct flight services from London-Gatwick to Amritsar and Ahmedabad, strengthening connectivity between the UK and India. These routes hold importance as both Amritsar and Ahmedabad are among the most sought–after destinations for travellers with family ties in India. and Sundays. While cities like Amritsar and Ahmedabad see strong demand from visiting friends and relatives, Goa’s seasonal, leisure-driven traffic has proven harder to sustain. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanavade had earlier urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu to reinstate the suspended direct flight, highlighting its importance for Goans traveling to the UK, Are fermented dairy products healthier than fresh dairy? particularly for employment. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte had also got in touch with Air India which had assured that the direct flights from Mopa to Gatwick would be restored by Septemberend. The direct flights, which had commenced in July 2023, had been suspended in June 2025, following the Ahmedabad plane crash. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, meanwhile, slammed the State government over the latest development wherein he claimed that the decision will hamper tourism. “Goa government’s claim that two airports would boost tourism and economy is crumbling as airlines drop Goa from their network lists, favouring other States instead,” Alemao said. He said with this, the tourism picture will be murkier and shaky. “Govt has filed in its policies to track tourists in the State with focus only on borrowings and not generating revenue,” he said. 9 SPORTS India crowned Asia Cup champ, qualifies for hockey World Cup SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI SCARLET GLOW: A breathtaking sight of the ‘Blood Moon’ visible in the night sky over Panaji. The total lunar eclipse was one of the longest lunar eclipses since 2022. Undersea cables cut in Red Sea, internet outages in India, Asia PTI DUBAI Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea disrupted internet access in parts of Asia and Middle East, experts said, though it wasn't immediately clear what caused the incident. There has been concern about the cables being targeted in a Red Sea campaign by Yemen's Houthi rebels, which the rebels describe as an effort to pressure Israel to end its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But the Houthis have denied attacking the lines in the past. Undersea cables are one of the backbones of the internet, along with satellite connections and land-based cables. Typically, internet service providers have multiple access points and reroute traffic if one fails, though it can slow down access for users. Microsoft announced via a status website that the Mideast may experience increased latency due to undersea fibre cuts in the Red Sea. The Redmond, Washington-based firm did not immediately elaborate, though it said that internet traffic not moving through the Middle East is not impacted. In what could give a significant push to Goa’s solar power generation, the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has announced waiver of meter cost, testing, installation and maintenance charges, as well as registration fees for domestic consumers installing solar rooftops under the Prime Minister Surya Ghat Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY).   The installation, testing, maintenance and meter charges for a rooftop solar system in Goa vary by system size, with a 1kW system costing between Rs 55,000 to Rs 75k, a 3kW system costing around Rs 1.6 lakh to 2.2 lakh and 5kW system roughly around 2.6 lakh to 3.5 lakh and so on. The JERC in a suo-moto order issued in August based on the proposal from the Goa Electricity Department, however, refused to remove the requirement of Net Metering Connection Agreement for the domestic consumers, stating that the agreement forms the legal documentation and 12 Church’s green arm raises red flag on double-track Cites strong public sentiment, SC judgement against the project THE GOAN I NETWORK KEY POINTS FROM THE STATEMENT PANAJI A green body of the influential Catholic Church in Goa has come out strongly against the South Western Railways (SWR) double tracking on the Hospet-Vasco route citing "strong public sentiment" and a 2021 judgement of the Supreme Court of India against the project. In a statement issued on Sunday, the 'Diocesan Commission for Ecology' of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman voiced strong opposition to the SWR's double-tracking project on the back of concerns for the environment and "well-being" of the people of the State. "The Commission stands in solidarity with the Goan people and their just struggle. We believe that sustainable and responsible development is not to be at the cost of the environment or the well-being of the local population," the statement signed by its convenor Father Bolmax Pereira, said. It also cited the project's „„Commission voices firm resistance to double-tracking project „„Cites threats to environment „„Lays emphasis on sustainable development „„Cites CEC report labeling the project as inefficient, unjustified, and potentially destructive „„Notes massive public outcry since the project’s announcement „„Mentions sustained protests by local communities, activists, civil society groups „„Points out that the project could increase air pollution from coal dust „„Says it poses risk of respiratory ailments and other health issues proven ecological destructiveness, the landmark Supreme Court ruling against it, and the persistent public outcry as the basis for its stand. "The Commission draws attention to the significant Supreme Court order of May 9, 2022, which set aside the wildlife clearance granted to the double-tracking project passing through the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park," the statement said. Pereira, himself a doctorate in Botany, said the Supreme Court ruling came on the back of the "damning report" of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) which termed the project "inefficient," "unjustified," and "potentially destructive." "It highlighted that the project would cause irreparable harm to the fragile ecosystem of the Western Ghats -- a globally CONSUMERS TO BENEFIT FROM FREE METER COST, TESTING, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE CHARGES Four drown during Ganesh immersion TOKYO: Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced Sunday he will step down following growing calls from his party to take responsibility for a historic defeat in July's parliamentary election. The resignation came one day before his Party was to decide whether to hold an early leadership election. INFO Big boost for solar power as JERC waives charges MAPUSA: Tensions broke out in Ekta Nagar, Mapusa, on Sunday after members of the Muslim community accused a local woman from the majority community of repeatedly harassing them and damaging decorations put up for Eid celebrations.   >> See pg 3 Japan's PM Shigeru Ishiba resigns RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729  MAJOR SETBACK FOR GOANS, BRITISH TOURISTS  FLIGHTS WERE TO RESUME FROM OCTOBER 26 Communal tensions flare in Mapusa MUMBAI: At least four persons drowned and 13 were missing after the immersion of idols following the culmination of the Ganesh festival in various districts of Maharashtra, police said on Sunday. Out of the four, bodies of two were recovered and search was on for the other two persons. Instagram.com/thegoanonline 3 2 Air India cancels flights from Mopa to London Double-track races ahead, but key Salcete crossings remain without flyovers >> pg 6 Facebook.com/thegoan SOLAR WAY THE BRIGHT SIDE „„Installation, testing, maintenance and meter charges for a rooftop solar system in Goa vary by size „„A 1kW system costs between Rs 55,000 to Rs 75k, a 3kW system around Rs 1.6 lakh to 2.2 could play a crucial role during any dispute. Under the PM-SGMBY, the State has a target of installing 21,200 solar rooftop plants across the State by financial year 2026-2027, with a total 65 Megawatt (MW) of green energy generation. In order to achieve the same and to lure consumers, the department approached JERC seeking waiver of several charges and fees. lakh and 5kW system roughly around 2.6 lakh to 3.5 lakh „„Under the PMSGMBY, State has a target of installing 21,200 solar rooftop plants by 2026-2027 “The Goa Electricity Department through a communication dated March 17, 2025 requested for the waiver of all fees and charges associated with PM-SGMBY of Roof Top Solar (RTS) connections and remove the requirement of the Power Purchase Agreement or Net Metering Agreement for RTS connections. The department charges an application >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 2-wheeler rider killed in mishap with stray cattle, car at Arpora THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In another fatal road accident linked to stray cattle on Goa’s roads, a 45-year-old man lost his life on Saturday evening after his two-wheeler collided with cattle and subsequently with an oncoming car. The deceased has been identified as  Ryan Almeida, of Sorantovaddo, Anjuna. The accident took place near the Salt Restaurant at Arpora. Spike in road deaths exposes dangers of potholes, stray cattle >> See pg 3 According to eyewitness accounts, Almeida was riding from Arpora towards Anjuna when he encountered two bulls locked in a fight in the middle of the road. The animals suddenly rammed into his moving two-wheeler, causing him to lose control. His vehicle then crashed into a car coming from the opposite direction. Almeida sustained grievous injuries. He was rushed to the district hospital in Mapusa by a 108 ambulance, but succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Push to extradite Mallya, Modi: Pope proclaims Carlo Acutis, Giorgio Frassati saints British team inspects Tihar jail AGENCIES PTI NEW DELHI Efforts to bring back high-profile economic offenders such as Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya from the United Kingdom have gained momentum with a team from Britain's Crown Prosecution Service visiting Tihar Jail, an official said. The visit, carried out last week, was aimed at assessing prison conditions to satisfy legal requirements laid down by the UK courts before deciding on extradition pleas, he said. HIGH PROFILE CASES „„Mallya is facing loan default charges of over Rs 9,000 crore, has been residing in the UK and is contesting his extradition India has been pressing hard for the return of several fugitives wanted in cases ranging from bank fraud to arms smuggling. Authorities are seeking to assure British courts that those extradited will not face unsafe or inhu- „„Nirav Modi, prime accused in the Rs 13,800 crore Punjab National Bank scam, was declared a fugitive offender in 2019 mane conditions in custody. According to the official, the CPS delegation toured the high-security ward of Tihar and interacted with inmates. Jail authorities conveyed that if needed, a separate enclave could be created within the premises. VATICAN CITY ope Leo XIV proclaimed the Italians Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis as saints of the Church on Sunday, decreeing their veneration among the Catholic faithful. The canonizations of the two men, promulgated before an estimated 70,000 people in St Peter's Square, were the first of Leo's pontificate. The congregation, which included the family of Acutis, applauded after Pope Leo pronounced the rite of canonization and declared the two patrons of young people as the P Church’s newest saints. In his homily, the Holy Father reflected on a passage from the Book of Wisdom, which was read by Acutis’s younger brother Michele, dur- ing the Mass celebration. “Lord, who has learned your counsel, unless you have given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?” Leo said, quoting the Old Testament passage. “This question comes after two young blesseds, Pier Frassati and Carlo Acutis, were proclaimed saints.” “This is providential because in the Book of Wisdom, this question is attributed to a young man like them: King Solomon. Upon the death of his father David, he realized that he had many things: power, wealth, health, youth, beauty, and the entire kingdom,” he continued. Leo spoke extensively about the two new saints in his homily, departing from his predecessor’s practice. Pope Francis normally said little on such occasions about the people he had just canonized. Like Solomon, Leo said, the new Saints Carlo and Pier Giorgio understood that friendship with Jesus and faithfully following “God’s plans” is greater than any other worldly pursuits. God “calls us to abandon ourselves without hesitation to the adventure that he offers us with the intelligence and strength that comes from his Spirit,” Leo said Sunday. “We can receive to the extent that we empty ourselves of the things and ideas to which we are attached, in order to listen to his word,” he said.