GOA’S VANISHING SALT PANS: A TRADITION THAT BARELY BREATHES WALK THE WALK: THE MEDICAL BENEFITS OF WALKING DAILY IN SHORT >> Five-year-old girl sexually assaulted in Bardez, 1 held MAPUSA: In a shocking incident, 28-year-old man was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl in Bardez. The accused had been abusing the victim for the past four days taking advantage of her being alone at home. The girl narrated the incident to her mother and grandmother on Monday following which a complaint was filed at the Colvale police station. Quepem shooting: Accused arrested SANGUEM: Quepem Police have arrested the accused, Sweth Gaude, and also booked firearm owner Shyam Gaonkar in connection with the death of a young woman following a gunshot incident at Kazur ward of Cavrem-Pirla village on Sunday. The accused was produced before the JMFC Court at Quepem and has been remanded to four days of police custody.   >> See pg 5 Teen who tried to save brother dies MARGAO: A day after her brother died due to drowning at a rivulet adjoining the beach at Cananguinm on Sunday, his 17-year old sister also expired while undergoing treatment at the Goa Medical College and hospital, Bambolim.  >> See pg 2 Drug death: Friends face blood tests MAPUSA: More than a week after a 21-year-old Indore youth died inside a Vagator nightclub, Anjuna Police have collected blood samples of seven friends who were with him that night, as police work to reconstruct the events leading to what is now confirmed as a fatal multi-drug overdose. >> See pg 3 3 foreigners deported for overstaying PANAJI: The Foreigners Regional Registration Office, Goa has deported three foreign nationals -- one Australian and two Russian citizens -- in separate operations over the past week as part of an intensified crackdown on visa violations.  >> See pg 2 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 34.8 C 25.5 C 71% The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 296 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 14 2 11 Cong knocks on SC Act as per law on reconvening door over cancelled Assembly, Governor tells govt Ponda by-election River Sal pollution battle stuck between surveys and delays >PG 6 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA INFO Two colour codes for ‘dhonds’ at Lairai festival Harnessing garlic: A natural approach to managing UTIs FORWARDS OPPOSITION’S REPRESENTATION TO GOVERNMENT THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Amid demands from the Opposition to reconvene the Goa Legislative Assembly and complete the unfinished Budget session business, Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju has asked the State government to take necessary action in accordance with rules and regulations. Responding to a representation submitted by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai, the Governor’s office stated that the matter has been forwarded to the State government for appropriate action as per applicable procedures. “Matter has been forwarded to the State Government for necessary action in accordance with applicable rules and regulations,” the Governor’s office said in their communication. The demand to reconvene the Assembly gained momentum following the cancellation of the Ponda by-election, which had earlier led to the KEY DEMANDS OF THE OPPOSITION „„Reconvene Assembly immediately to complete pending business „„Resume discussion on 72 demands worth over Rs 23,000 cr from Budget 2026–27 „„Proceed with legislative work now that the Ponda by-election is cancelled „„Clarify reasons behind abrupt halt of the Budget session „„Take up crucial Bills on land, environment, demography, and identity abrupt halt of the Budget session due to the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. The Assembly had passed the State Budget 2026-27 without completing the discussion on 72 Demands amounting to over Rs 23,000 crore. In his letter, Alemao had noted that with the High Court striking down the Ponda by- without delay „„Restore public confidence in democratic institutions and governance „„Address concerns over reduced Assembly sitting days poll and the Election Commission rescinding the election process, there is no longer any obstacle to legislative proceedings. “Now, the by-elections to the Ponda constituency stand cancelled consequent on the judgement of the High Court. As a result, there should be no hindrance as projected earlier for the assembly to function „„Reverse procedural changes limiting starred questions and private members’ resolutions „„Ensure the Opposition can effectively raise key public issues and transact the unfinished business before the House" he had written. He had said that the real reason for the sudden and abrupt closure of the apex democratic institution remains a mystery. Alemao emphasised that crucial Bills related to Goa’s land, environment, demogra- phy, and identity must be taken up without further delay. Sardesai too had urged immediate intervention, stressing that the unfinished business of the House must be taken up in the interest of the State. He expressed concern over recent developments, stating they have shaken public confidence in democratic institutions and eroded trust in governance. Sardesai had also flagged issues related to the functioning of the Assembly, including a reduction in the number of sitting days and procedural changes concerning starred questions and private members’ resolutions. He said these changes have curtailed the Opposition’s ability to raise key public issues. Highlighting pending legislation, he referred to ‘The Goa Protection of Agricultural Lands Act, 2026,’ drafted by Ferdino Rebello, stating that the bill was sidelined due to disruptions. “It is imperative that such legislative initiatives are not ignored. This bill must be discussed and passed on priority,” he said. SPORTS IPL: Sunrisers Hyderabad defeat Rajasthan Royals by 57 runs Says EC’s failure to appeal HC order ‘a blow to democracy’ THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Congress party has moved the Supreme Court challenging the order of the Bombay High Court at Goa that cancelled the Ponda Assembly by-election just hours before polling. Congress leader Girish Chodankar said the party’s candidate for the by-poll, Dr Ketan Bhatikar, has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the High Court’s April 8 order. The matter is likely to be listed for hearing later this week. The by-poll, originally scheduled for April 9, was necessitated following the demise of BJP Minister and sitting MLA Ravi Naik in October last year. Chodankar said the Election Commission’s failure to appeal the order was “a blow to democracy,” adding that the move to approach the Supreme Court aims to restore the people’s right to representation. He further alleged that voters in Ponda CONG CHALLENGE „„Cong by-poll candidate Ketan Bhatikar has filed a SLP against HC order „„Matter likely to be listed for hearing later this week „„Congress alleged a “conspiracy” involving the govt and EC to cancel the polls due to fear of defeat were deprived of their right to vote despite all preparations, including campaigning and ballot arrangements, being completed before the abrupt cancellation of the election. In its April 8 ruling, the High Court’s Goa bench struck down the Election Commission of India (ECI) notification for the by-poll, holding that it violated provisions of the Representation of the People Act as less than one year remained in the current term of the Goa Legislative Assembly, which is due to end on March 14, 2027. Traffic fines controversy: Initial tests hint at oxygen crash Govt swings into action QUESTIONS MOUNT OVER POLLUTION SOURCES, MONITORING GAPS MALA LAKE FISH DEATHS SEEKS REPORT ON ‘ILLEGAL’ COLLECTION OF FINES VIA ELECTRONIC MONITORING THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a late but telling move, the State has sought a report by the end of this week on the alleged illegal collection of traffic fines, after official records revealed that a sweeping, technology-led crackdown may have run ahead of the law meant to govern it. The development comes following disclosures obtained by The Goan through the Right to Information Act showing that traffic police issued thousands of challans including for speeding and drunken driving before obtaining approval for the electronic devices used to detect and record violations. This generated over Rs 3 crore fines since last two years. Under Rule 167-A of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, such equipment must be tested and certified for accuracy by a designated authority. Records indicated that this certification was granted ON only on February 20, 2026, long after enforcement had already generated substantial revenue. By the government’s own accounting, traffic drives up to February brought in roughly Rs 3.24 crore. The gap between deployment and certification raised the possibility that penalties imposed during that period may not withstand legal scrutiny, leaving the State vulnerable to challenges and potential refund claims. Official sources have now 02 6 TUESDAY APRIL 14, 2026 GOA @thegoanonline ,2 log on to thegoan.net 2 A P R IL 1 told The Goan that within the administration, the issue has triggered unease. Complicating it further is the Traffic Department’s alleged defence to its higher ups. Sources said officials justified that the central framework for automated enforcement applies to 132 cities with populations exceeding 10 lakh, category that does not include Goa. >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Days after hundreds of dead fish surfaced in Mala lake, sending a foul stench across the locality, early findings from water samples collected by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) are beginning to point towards a familiar but troubling cause – a possible crash in dissolved oxygen levels, often linked to pollution and stagnation. While officials say laboratory analysis is still underway, preliminary assessments indicate that the fish kill may not be an isolated incident but a symptom of deeper stress in the urban water body. “We are analysing multiple parameters, including dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and presence of contaminants. The exact cause will be confirmed once results are finalised,” a senior GSPCB official said. In a significant development, a joint inspection was carried out at the site on Monday by officials from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), the National Insti- Mayor points to sewage inflow PANAJI: Two days after large quantities of dead fish were found floating in Mala Lake, CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate on Monday said preliminary findings point to untreated sewage inflow as the likely cause, leading to a sharp drop in dissolved oxygen levels and the death of hundreds of fish. >> See pg 3 Dead fish being cleared from the Mala lake on Monday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar tute of Oceanography (NIO), and the Fisheries Department to conduct a detailed assessment and scientific analysis of the incident. Pollution under scrutiny The incident has turned the spotlight on potential pollution sources feeding into the lake. Residents have long complained about untreated sewage inflows, storm water runoff carrying waste and increasing urban pressure in the surrounding areas. GSPCB officials confirmed that they are examining whether any direct or indirect discharge into the lake may have triggered the sudden drop in water quality. “If there are any unauthorised discharges or violations, action will be taken as per law,” the official added, without specifying whether any sources have been identified so far. The official said such fish kills are often linked to eutrophication – where excess nutrients from sewage or waste lead to algal blooms that deplete oxygen in the water. Was this preventable? The episode has also triggered a larger question – whether warning signs were missed. Urban lakes typically show gradual deterioration before such events, including declining oxygen levels, visible pollution, or fish distress. Experts say routine monitoring and timely intervention could prevent sudden ecological collapse. IMD warns of below-normal Over 10K Goans take digital route to self-enumerate rainfall across India this year THE GOAN I NETWORK SEASONAL TOTAL LIKELY TO BE AROUND 92% THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast a below-normal southwest monsoon for 2026, with seasonal rainfall across the country likely to be around 92 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA). According to the first-stage long-range forecast issued by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the June to September monsoon season is most likely to remain in the below-normal category (90-95 per cent of LPA), with a model error margin of +/- 5 %. Officials said evolving climatic conditions, including a possible transition towards El Niño during the monsoon months, could influence rainfall distribution. According to IMD, climate models indicate that El Nino conditions are likely to emerge around the month of June. The IMD noted that neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions currently prevail and may turn positive towards the latter half of the mon- soon season, while northern hemisphere snow cover has remained slightly below normal, both factors that can impact monsoon performance. The latest outlook comes in contrast to last year, when the IMD had forecast an above-normal southwest monsoon pan-India, projecting seasonal rainfall at 105 per cent of the LPA. Goa eventually recorded near-normal rainfall, with the State receiving 104 per cent of the LPA during the June-September season. PANAJI ore than 10,000 households in Goa have availed the self-enumeration facility during the first phase of Census 2027, reflecting a positive response to the digital initiative. M CENSUS 2027 The Census 2027 exercise commenced on April 1 across eight States and Union Territories, including Goa, introducing for the first time a 15-day self-enumeration window. This phase will conclude on April 15, after which the month-long physical Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) will be „„Over 10,000 households in Goa opt for self-enumeration (as of April 12) conducted from April 16 to May 15. According to the Directorate of Census Operations (DCO), Goa, more than 10,000 households have opted for self-enumeration as of April 12. This includes approximately 5,065 „„Response described portal launched available as positive by in Goa, Karnataka, officials Odisha etc STRONG „„Generates „„Top dignitaries including UPTAKE IN a unique ID Governor, CM, number for each GOA ministers, Chief household Secy, AG partici„„Data to be pate verified by enumerators „„Online self-enumeration during field visits in North Goa, 4,239 in South Goa, and 872 in the Kushavati district. “The response has been good,” officials stated. Several prominent figures, including the Governor, Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, Chief Secretary, and Advocate General, have also participated in the process. The self-enumeration facility is being implemented through a specially developed online portal in select regions, including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Sikkim, Odisha, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, as well as areas under the NDMC and Cantonment Board in the national capital. Citizens are required to answer 33 questions and generate a unique identification number, which will be verified by enumerators during field visits. Across these regions, over 5.20 lakh households have already used the facility. Census 2027, the eighth census since Independence, will be conducted in two phases — the Houselisting and Housing Census, followed by the Population Enumeration. The second phase is scheduled from February 9 to >Continued on P5