log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY JUNE 20, 2024 GOA CCP MARKET SCAM: REVENUE LEAK KEEPS GROWING UGC-NET June 2024 exam cancelled NEW DELHI: The UGC-NET June 2024 examination, conducted by National Testing Agency, that took place on Tuesday has been cancelled following concerns about the integrity of the exam. The examination took place in OMR (pen and paper) mode and was held in two shifts across various cities. Inputs from cyber crime coordination centre suggested possible compromises, prompting the Minister of Education to take action. A new examination will be scheduled, and the matter has been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a thorough investigation. IN SHORT >> Visitors flock to Selaulim backwaters despite warning SANGUEM: Ignoring the State government’s advisory to people to avoid visiting those water bodies which could endanger lives, a large number of people continue to visit the Selaulim backwaters in Kurdi village to catch a glimpse of the old Kurdi village and to pay respects to Lord Someshwar or at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel.  >> See pg 3 Mopa among top 100 airports globally MAPUSA: The Manohar International Airport (MIA) has earned a spot among the top 100 airports globally in the Skytrax 2024 rankings, a distinction that places it alongside only four other Indian airports, including those in Delhi and Hyderabad.   >> See pg 3 Nepali duo held for EV bike theft PANAJI: Two Nepal nationals have been arrested for stealing electric bike from Altinho, Panaji. The accused are identified as 19-year-old Basant Mijar, presently residing at Mayem and 24-year-old Bishal Gurang, presently residing at Sanquelim. EV bike has been recovered. WEATHER >> Max: 29 C Min: 27C Humidity: 78% TIDES Low: High: 03:45 16:20 11:10 21:35 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 3 Traffic Dept to draft traffic management plan for Margao >> See PG 3 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA CM defends power tariff hike, links it to central funding 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 9 INFO Can stretching help you to lose weight? Fish prices soar in Goa amid fishing ban, high demand DROP IN LOCAL SUPPLY OF FRESH FISH A CONCERN; CONSUMERS, VENDORS RELY ON IMPORTS FROM NEIGHBOURING STATES CLINTON D’SOUZA THE GOAN I PANAJI Goa, known for its picturesque beaches, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine, finds itself in the grip of soaring fish prices following the annual fishing ban and the onset of the monsoon. For Goans, whose staple diet/food consists of rice, curry, and fish, this spike in prices is a significant concern. Fish is an integral part of Goan cuisine, with nearly 80% of the population consuming it daily. The fishing ban, which begins in the first week of June each year, is intended to conserve marine life during the breeding season. However, it also means that the local supply of fresh fish dwindles, leading to increased reliance on fish imported from neighbouring states like Karnataka (Karwar) and Maharashtra (Malvan). Albertina Rodrigues, a traditional (local) fish vendor at Panaji market, shares her CHALLENGES & RELIEF A lady vendor displays fish at the Panaji fish market as (right) consumers throng the market despite soaring prices due to the fishing ban.  Narayan Pissurlenkar insights on the current fish market scenario. According to her, the fishing ban has a noticeable impact on prices. “Fish now comes from Karwar and Malvan, but at a higher cost,” she says. “Prices vary depending on the size and type of fish.” While frozen fish is available at lower prices, many Goans prefer fresh fish, contributing to the high demand and consequently higher prices. Albertina explains that the cost of fish has consistently risen over the years, with this year being particularly steep. “The price of fish is always high, not like the old days,” she remarks. “This year, prices have doubled.” Several factors contribute to the increased prices of fish during the monsoon season. One main reason is the fish ban and second is transportation costs. Fish from other >Continued on P5 „„Local fish scarcity drives up prices, with imported fish costing more due to transportation expenses „„Availability of farm prawns offers a higher-priced alternative to freshly-caught fish PRICES BEFORE & AFTER THE FISHING BAN FISH Tarle (Sardines) Vellio (Silver Fish) Bangdo (Mackerel) Bangduleo (Baby Mackerel) Prawns (medium) Chonak (Giant Sea Perch) Leppo (Sole Fish) BEFORE Per Kg (in `) 200 200 250/300 200 200 400 250 PRESENT Per Kg (in `) 400 300 to 400 500 to 400 300 450 to 500 600 350 *Rates at Panaji fish market SPORTS Euro 2024: Germany beats Hungary to reach knockout stage PWD commits to complete KA repair works by June-end THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Amid calls for a white paper on the renovation work conducted at the Kala Academy and the resignation of Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude, the Public Works Department (PWD), responsible for executing the repair and renovation of the iconic building, announced its intention to complete all work by the end of this month. PWD Chief Engineer Santosh Mhapne stated that the department had officially handed over the Kala Academy building in January of this year. However, additional repair work was later requested by the government and is currently underway. “We are improving whatever the KA has suggested. We are trying to complete the entire work by the end of this month,” Mhapne confirmed. The chief engineer also noted that the building is still under a defect liability period, and all ongoing repairs are being handled by the contracted company without incurring extra costs to the government. “We are not spending anything extra now. Whatever is being done, the cost will be borne by the company,” he Centre approves new MSP on 14 kharif crops PADDY SUPPORT PRICE RAISED BY `117/QUINTAL PTI NEW DELHI The government on Wednesday raised the minimum support price (MSP) for paddy by 5.35 per cent to Rs 2,300 per quintal for the 2024-25 kharif marketing season, a move that comes ahead of key state assembly polls. The Rs 117 per quintal hike in paddy support price comes despite the government grappling with massive rice surpluses but it is significant ahead of elections in states like Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Delhi. The MSP increase in the 14 kharif (summer) crops is the first major decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term in office and shows the government’s “clear policy” to keep support prices at least 1.5 times the cost of production, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Paddy is the main kharif crop. Sowing of kharif crops GOVT’S OUTREACH TO FARMERS? „„The MSP for ‘common’ grade paddy has been raised by Rs 117 to Rs 2,300 per quintal, while for the ‘A’ grade variety, it has been hiked to Rs 2,320 per quintal „„The MSP for tur has been raised by Rs 550 to Rs 7,550 per quintal, for urad by Rs 450 to Rs 7,400 per quintal and for moong by Rs 124 to Rs 8,682 per quintal usually begins with the onset of the southwest monsoon in June and marketing between October 2024 and September 2025. Announcing the MSP increase, Vaishnaw said the Cabinet has approved the minimum support prices for 14 kharif crops based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The total financial implication from the MSP hike is estimated at Rs 2,00,000 crore, >Continued on P5 India faces 20% rainfall deficit, IMD predicts ‘below normal’ rain for June PTI NEW DELHI ndia has received 20 per cent below normal rainfall since the start of the monsoon period on June 1, and overall precipitation for the entire month will also be subpar, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said. After reaching the Indian mainland two days earlier than usual and swiftly covering many other states, the rain-bearing system made no significant progress between June 12 and 18, extending the wait for north India, which is reeling from a sweltering heat wave. I Yellow alert in Goa for 5 days, increase in rainfall likely PANAJI: India Meteorological Department has issued yellow alert for five days starting Wednesday and forecasted increase in Southwest monsoon rainfall activity over Goa. With the strengthening of Southwest Monsoon, strong westerly winds are likely to prevail in the lower levels and rainfall activity is very likely to increase gradually in the coming days across Goa, states the forecast. Heavy rainfall (rainfall>64.4mm in 24 hrs) is very likely at isolated places over Goa from June 19 to June 23, the forecast adds. However, conditions are now favourable for further advancement of the monsoon into parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, northwest Bay of Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand over the next three to four days, the weather department said. India received 64.5 mm of rainfall between June 1 and 18 which is 20 per cent less than the long period average (LPA) of 80.6 mm, it said. Since June 1, northwest India has recorded 10.2 mm of rainfall (70 per cent less than normal), central India 50.5 mm (31 per cent less than normal), the south peninsula 106.6 mm (16 per cent more than normal), and east and northeast India 146.7 mm (15 per cent less than normal). >Continued on P5 12 Our Partners PWD CHIEF ENGINEER SPEAKS „„The department had officially handed over the Kala Academy building in January of this year. However, additional repair work was later requested by the government and is currently underway „„The building is still under a defect liability period, and all ongoing repairs are being handled by the contracted company without incurring extra costs to the government added. The structural repairs and renovation work at the Kala Academy were awarded to Techton Buildcons Pvt Ltd in 2021 at a cost of approximately Rs 49 crore. The contract was granted without the usual tendering process. The PWD justified this decision by citing the urgent need for repairs and maintained that in exceptional cases, the tendering process >Continued on P5