log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline FRIDAY JANUARY 3, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 196 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Fall in ‘line’, govt warns water sports operators SETS ANOTHER 15-DAY DEADLINE, CITES BOATS OPERATING WITHOUT MANDATORY APPROVAL THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has issued a 15-day ultimatum to water sports operators to adhere to the queue system as he conceded lapses in compliance over the past two years. The warning comes at the backdrop of recent incidents including the capsizing of an overcrowded boat on Calangute beach, resulting in a tourist’s death.   Khaunte expressed concern over unregistered boats operating without mandatory approvals stating it has caused inconvenience and safety risks to tourists. page 7 2025: Charging ahead with India’s EV boom REVIEW: 2024 Audi Q7: A refined update to the iconic German SUV IN SHORT >> Two-day Assembly session on Feb 6 & 7 PANAJI: Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai has summoned the eighth State Legislative Assembly on February 6 & 7. The Governor will address the House on February 6 while the only day for the Question Hour and Private Member Business is slated for February 7.   >> See pg 3 SIT fails to get Suleman custody PANAJI: In a setback for the police, JMFC Panaji has rejected the Special Investigation Team’s (SIT-Land Grab) application seeking custodial interrogation of Siddiqui Suleman Khan, a ‘hardened criminal’ accused involved in land grab cases. >> See pg 5 Influencers spreading -ve publicity about Goa to be exposed: Minister PANAJI: Amidst social media posts showing a thin crowd of tourists in Goa during the peak festive season in December 2024, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has accused certain influencers of propagating negative narratives about the State and said a plan to expose these influencers would soon be revealed. He also criticized comparisons between Goa and international destinations particularly Thailand, stating, “We don’t want a Thailand-like experience in Goa. You know what I am trying to say.”   >> See pg 3 “In the last couple of months, there have been 3-4 incidents where boats were not even registered with the Department of Tourism. This creates problems for tourists,” RISE IN DOMESTIC TOURISTS, DROP IN INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS AT DABOLIM >> See pg 2 he stated. The department’s latest deadline of November 30, 2024 for the queue system is yet not complied. He insisted that associations and their members take responsibility for ensuring compliance. “There is overcrowding, non-registration and non-adherence to the High Court’s directive including the queue system,” he said, adding that irresponsible operators were 238 schools in Goa have only one teacher: Data 16 teachers appointed in four schools with zero enrolment THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In Goa, 16 per cent of the schools were run by single teachers, having total student enrolment of 3,142 in the year 2023-24. According to the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2023-24 report released by the Department of School Education & Literacy, there are 16 teachers appointed in four schools that have got zero enrolment. The number has remained stagnant as against 2022-23. There are 42.9 per cent schools with 50 or less students while only 11 per cent schools have more than 500 students. The data shows that of the total 1,487 schools, there are 238 schools with a single FOOD FOR THOUGHT „„42.9% schools have 50 or less students „„Only 11% schools have more than 500 students „„Average teachers per school are 10; average enrolments per school @205 pupils „„Dropout rate stands at 0.8% in primary level, 1.1% at upper primary level and 8.07% at secondary level „„Of 789 govt schools, only 20% have functional computer facilities for pedagogical purposes „„Of 1,487 schools, only 131 schools have CWSN friendly toilets „„63% schools have ramps and 57% are equipped with ramps and handrails (UDISE+ 2023-24 report) teacher. The number is up by one additional teacher as compared to 2022-23, wherein there were 237 schools, having 3,138 students, with a single teacher. The pupil teacher ratio (PTR) at  schools in Goa has remained best within the national average at primary, upper primary, elementary, secondary as well as higher secondary level. As per the report, PTR at >Continued on P5 @ ` 50, coconuts driving Goans nuts CLINTON D’SOUZA THE GOAN I PANAJI C oconuts, a staple in Goan cuisine, have seen a significant rise in price, creating concern among both vendors and consumers. In recent months, the cost of a small coconut has surged to Rs 40, while a large one is now priced at Rs 50. This price increase has put a strain on many, as coconuts are an essential ingredient in almost every traditional dish prepared in Goan households. Dasharath Naik, a coconut vendor in Panaji, explains that the rising prices are a result of several factors. “The cost of hiring coconut pluckers has increased, and the process of cleaning the coconuts is also becoming more expensive. Additionally, there Traders may be behind price surge, claims Agriculture Department PANAJI: The Agriculture department has said that the soaring market prices of coconuts has nothing to do with crop production, hinting that it may be the handiwork of traders and retailers making the best of Christmas time spike in demand. “There are absolutely no reports of any crop failure. In fact at our market yards at Arlem or Ponda, coconut is available at between Rs 12 to Rs 20 as per size,” Director of Agriculture Sandeep Fol Desai said. is a shortage of coconuts, which has driven up prices,” he said. When asked if the price would rise further, Dasharath confirmed that it could increase even more in the future. Consumers are also feeling the burden of the rising prices of coconuts. Fatima Fernandes, a resident of Panaji, shared her frustration. “The price of coconut is making us cry. Having a coconut tree at home is now a blessing, but not everyone has one. It’s becoming very difficult for ordinary people to afford even basic items like coconut, especially when the coconuts are so small,” she said. The impact of high coconut prices is also being felt in supermarkets, where coconuts are priced even higher, ranging from Rs 45 to Rs 55 depending on the size. Grated packed coconut is also costly, priced at Rs 30 for just 100 grams. MIXED TRENDS IN PRICES OF VEGETABLES >> See pg 3 Gambhir dismisses rumours of dressing-room turmoil  Pg15 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 giving an undue opportunity to others to tarnish the industry’s reputation.  “It is high time that association members realize that some irresponsible members are creating a nuisance. The associations should start taking responsibility of their members,” he added. Khaunte has further urged the Captain of Ports (CoP) not to issue licenses for water sports activities unless operators obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Department of Tourism. “The CoP may not have the complete picture but the Tourism Department can >Continued on P5 Govt to levy entry fees at heritage temples, churches, forts Armando Colaco bags Dronacharya Award THE GOAN I NETWORK ROHIT BHANDIYE THE GOAN I PANAJI PANAJI In a major move, the State government will introduced entry fee at 11 State protected monuments that include temples, churches and forts. In a notification issued, the Department of Archaeology has announced entry fees for Chapora Fort, Fort of Alorna, Cabo De Rama Fort, Fortress of Khorjuve, Caves at Khandepar, Rock Carving at Pansaimal, Saptakoteshwar temple, Fortress of St Estevam, Mormugao Fort, Sanquelim Fort  and Chapel of Our Lady of Monte. The fees, however, have not been announced. Earlier last month, the government had announced a fine of Rs 50,000 on those found filming  at any State protected monuments or sites without prior permission. As per new rules, for  filming  at the protected  monuments/sites owned by the government, one will have to shell out fees of Rs 25,000 per day with Rs 10,000 as refundable security deposit.  Former India football manager and Goa’s very own ‘son of the soil’ Armando Colaco has been chosen for the prestigious Dronacharya award. The award in the ‘lifetime category’ is given to coaches to honour their outstanding work and for enabling athletes to achieve excellence in their chosen sport in top international competitions. The award will be conferred by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17. Colaco is the first Dronacharya Awardee from Goa. “The almighty has finally listened to my prayers. I dedicate the award to all the players, coaches, assistant coaches, managers and officials; especially Srinivas Dempo, Albert Colaco, Agnel Mascarenhas, Churchill Alemao, GFA President Caitano Fernandes”, said a visibly excited Armando after being nominated for the country’s highest sports award in coaching. “I cannot forget the contri- The almighty has finally listened to my prayers. I dedicate the award to all the players, coaches, assistant coaches, managers and officials” — Armando Colaco butions of Dempo. He always encouraged and motivated me... gave me a free hand in whatever I wanted to do”, said Colaco. Armando had a glorious partnership with the Dempos, first as a player between 1971 and 1985 and then as a coach, between 2000 and 2013. During his tenure, Dempo Sports Club won a record five I-League titles and reached >Continued on P5