log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY JANUARY 14, 2025 >> See pg 3 Physically disabled and undergoing delayed education, this music lover roots for PwDs IN SHORT >> Performance of Goa tourism above Nat average, claims Min PANAJI: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Friday reiterated that Goa’s tourism industry has been performing above the national average while also conceding it faces unique challenges including over-tourism and infrastructure strain. Khaunte further said that the State government has been in discussions with the Central government to address issues related to air travel, connectivity and rising airfare. >> See pg 3 Digital arrest case: Police nab 3 more PANAJI: The Cyber Crime Cell has made three more arrests in connection with the Siolim digital scam case, in which Bernadette Fernandes, was duped of Rs 1 crore. The arrests were made nearly a week after a jeweller from Andhra Pradesh Yaramala Venkateswarlu, 53, who had impersonated a Delhi Crime Branch inspector, was arrested. The fraud took place between December 26 and 28, 2024.  >> See pg 5 Parked bus destroyed in fire near Mapusa MAPUSA: A private bus parked near the Sai Baba temple at Cunchelim, Mapusa, was completely gutted in a fire on Monday afternoon, causing an estimated loss of around Rs 10 lakh. The incident occurred around 3 pm when dry grass in the vicinity reportedly caught fire, which quickly spread to the parked vehicle.  >> See pg 5 Leopard kills two calves at Loliem CANACONA: A leopard killed two calves in a cowshed a Shelli-Loliem in the wee hours of Monday. The owner of the cow shed, however, prevented the leopard from killing other cattle in the shed. Vilas Aiya, who resides near the cowshed, heard the cries of his cattle and rushed to the site, only to see a leopard jumping out of the cowshed and disappearing.  >> See pg 3 Two arrested for derogatory remarks MAPUSA: Two men were arrested by the Mapusa Police on charges of passing derogatory remarks toward a woman and engaging in inappropriate behaviour in a public space. According to the victim, Poonam Ajay Pratapsingh, the two men allegedly passed offensive verbal comments and were seen viewing inappropriate videos on their mobile phones.  >> See pg 5 WEATHER >> Max: 33.8 C Min: 22.4 C Humidity: 64% TIDES Low: High: 05.17 10.25 17.03 ---- Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 207 Instagram.com/thegoanonline ROHIT TO TRAIN WITH MUMBAI RANJI TEAM AMID FORM SLUMP>> 13 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Boost for nightlife: Shacks can stay open up to 1 am OPERATORS CAUTIONED ON DISCIPLINE, TOURIST SAFETY THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The issue surrounding the early closure of beach shacks in Goa has been amicably resolved, allowing operators to remain open until 1 am, provided they adhere to self-discipline and ensure a safe environment for tourists. The Goa Police had previously directed shacks, especially along the Calangute coast, to shut by 11 pm following incidents of violence against tourists along the Calangute beach belt. However, after a meeting between top police officials, including the Director General of Police (DGP), Inspector General of Police (IGP) and representatives of the shack owners, the order was reconsidered. SAFETY & OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES „„Tourism Dept met shack operators, lifeguards and water sports operators asking them to improve tourism safety and address operational challenges „„Police emphasised importance of collective efforts to maintain discipline and ensure a positive experience for tourists „„Stakeholders urged to work together to uphold State’s image as a premier travel destination General Secretary of the Shack Owners’ Welfare Society, John Lobo expressed relief at the resolution. “The problem of shutting our shacks early has been resolved. We can operate till 1 am, provided we maintain discipline,” he said, adding that the police have urged operators to ensure self-discipline to prevent unsavoury incidents that could tarnish the state’s tourism reputation. The call for early closure arose after two violent incidents involving tourists. In one case, a tourist from Faith and political discourse blend at Bodgeshwar Zatra POLITICIANS COMBINE PRAYERS WITH SHARP COMMENTARY ON CHALLENGES FACING GOA AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA The annual Zatra at the Dev Bodgeshwar Temple in Mapusa, one of Goa’s most cherished spiritual and cultural events, has become an unexpected stage for political commentary. This year, as devotees gathered to seek blessings, some of Goa’s most prominent leaders used the occasion to voice their political grievances, aspirations and critiques of their rivals. On Monday, the temple premises witnessed a blend of devotion and political rhetoric as politicians like Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Goa Forward Party chief and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai combined their prayers with sharp commentary on Goa’s challenges. TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT A former minister and the current Calangute MLA, Mi- chael Lobo leveraged his visit to underscore the difficulties facing Goa’s tourism industry and local economy. After performing rituals, Power Dept paves way for smart meters across Goa THE GOAN I NETWORK >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Digismart Networks Pvt Limited and Adani Energy Solutions Limited are the two companies that have quoted for installation of smart meters for 7.50 lakh consumers in Goa. Digismart Network is the lowest bidder (L1). The Electricity Department has now moved the proposal before the Goa State Works Board for final decision. The Board is expected to meet this month. After initial delay, the department has finally initiated process to install smart meters for which the Union Ministry for Power has sanctioned Rs 467 crore. The project is now expected to be implemented in a phased manner for over two and half years from 202526 onwards. Speaking to The Goan, Chief Electrical Engineer (CCE) Ste- 1.5 cr seek ‘moksha’ in icy waters at Maha Kumbh `2 lakh crore revenue for UP likely T NEW DELHI: The Maha Kumbh Mela began at Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj this morning, with more than 1.5 crore people taking the first holy dip at Sangam, the point where the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers meet. The mela is projected to generate up to Rs 2 lakh crore in economic growth for Uttar Pradesh. According to estimates, the event may generate Rs 2 lakh crore if each of 40 crore visitors spends an average of Rs 5,000. A news agency, citing industry estimates, said the average expenditure per person could rise to even Rs 10,000 and the total economic impact could reach Rs 4 lakh crore. It is also expected to boost both nominal and real GDP by over 1 per cent. the celestial permutations and combinations for the event are taking place after 144 years, making the occasion even more auspicious for the faithful. And so it was that a sea of people converged in Prayagraj for the fabled Maha Kumbh. Ash smeared sadhus from their abode in the Himalayas, the religious from across the country and abroad and those just curious to take in the sights and sounds of the biggest religious spectacle of all, the Maha Kumbh beckoned them all. — Goa Board ing examinations, the candidates will continue to have the option to apply for the re-evaluation of answer sheets directly, without the mandatory requirement of first obtaining a photocopy,” the Board said. The Board informed that their Executive Council approved a revised process for the re-evaluation of answer sheets, which included a mandatory provision to obtain a photocopy of answer sheet before applying for re-evaluation. “The Board remains committed to ensuring transparency and accessibility while upholding best interests of its stakeholders,” the Board said.  TWO FIRMS SHORTLISTED  IMPLEMENTATION TO BE IN A PHASED MANNER FROM THIS YEAR AS DEVOTION, TECH & TRADITION FUSE… PRAGYARAJ he fog was thick, the cold intense and the waters freezing as the Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest gathering, began on Monday with 1.5 crore people taking a dip in the Sangam in their quest for ‘moksha’ and the belief it will cleanse their sins. Spirituality and astrology, culture and religion, tradition and modern-day technology all fused into one in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati in Prayagraj. More than 40 crore people, including many from abroad, are expected over 45 days in the mela being held after 12 years. Besides, seers claim Candidates will continue to have the option to apply for the re-evaluation of answer sheets directly, without the mandatory requirement of first obtaining a photocopy Cop detained after suicide threat on Atal Setu >Continued on P5 PTI PANAJI Following concerns raised by some schools, Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has withdrawn the new revaluation of answer sheet process, wherein the re-evaluation was supposed to be done answer-wise and not of the entire sheet. This also means the Board has dropped the per answer re-evaluation fee of Rs 100 while reverting to Rs 700 for the entire answer sheet. In a fresh circular issued on Monday, the Board said following feedback from some schools highlighting concerns that revised procedure could place an additional financial burden on candidates, the Board, taking the concern into consideration, has reviewed the matter and decided to maintain the existing procedure for the upcoming HSSC and SSC examinations in February-March 2025. “Accordingly, for the ensu- Andhra Pradesh was killed, and in another, a group of tourists was reportedly attacked by security guards and shack staff. Some shack operators criticised the police’s earlier directive, calling it a “knee-jerk” reaction. „„FLASHBACK: The call for early closure arose after two violent incidents involving tourists In one case, a tourist from Andhra Pradesh was killed, and in another, a group of tourists was reportedly attacked by security guards and shack staff. Lobo told the media he prayed for the  State to overcome the metaphorical “onslaught of MAPUSA: The Dev Bodgeshwar Zatra, a celebration that draws devotees from across Goa, has long been a symbol of spiritual renewal and cultural pride.  Yet, over time, it has also evolved into a platform for political engagement.  For leaders like Lobo and Sardesai, the Zatra provides a unique opportunity to connect with the public, blending prayers with pointed political messaging. The question remains: will the prayers and political pledges made during the event translate into tangible action for Goa’s development? Or will they be relegated to mere rhetoric, resurfacing only at the next public gathering? For now, the Dev Bodgeshwar Zatra continues to be a space where faith and politics coexist – a reflection of Goa’s unique cultural fabric and its ever-evolving political discourse. THE GOAN I NETWORK Speaking on condition of anonymity, one operator alleged that illegal activities on the beach were being ignored due to police complicity. “The police should focus on controlling unauthorised activities like vendors and touts rather than targeting shack operators,” he said. In a parallel development, the Tourism Dept convened a meeting with stakeholders, including shack operators, lifeguards and water sports operators, to discuss measures to improve tourism safety and address operational challenges. The Goa Police emphasised the importance of collective efforts to maintain discipline and ensure a positive experience for tourists, urging all stakeholders to work together to uphold the State’s image as a premier travel destination. MAPUSA A police constable attached to the Mapusa Police Station, was detained by Porvorim police on Monday after he threatened to commit suicide from the Atal Setu Bridge in Panaji. The incident occurred around 4 pm when PC Tukaram Shirodkar filmed a video on his mobile phone expressing his intent to end his life, citing alleged harassment and mental torture by senior officers at the Mapusa police station. Upon receiving information, Porvorim Police Inspector Rahul Parab and his team rushed to the scene and successfully intervened. Shirodkar, who had inflicted minor injuries to his hand and neck with a blade, was immediately admitted to Goa Medical College for a medical examination. Following his discharge, the Porvorim police recorded A STAGE BEYOND DEVOTION Goa Board drops `100 per answer re-evaluation fee Thirteen Akharas of seers from different sects are participating in the Maha Kumbh. And as the famed mela >Continued on P5 POWER: THE SMART WAY „„Smart meters function on a real-time basis „„Record and store electrical parameters such as consumption of energy, voltage and current levels „„Data to be used by dept for billing, to monitor power quality, load scheduling, demand management and fault analysis „„Electronic meters to be replaced across Goa „„Smart meters will improve system stability, reliability and transparency „„Manual meter reading not required, auto generation of bills possible phen Fernandes confirmed that Digismart Network Pvt Ltd is the L1 bidder. He said both the names are forwarded to the Board for decision. According to the Electricity Department, the smart meter functions on a real-time basis and records and stores all electrical parameters such as consumption of energy, voltage and current levels, etc. The data will be used by the department for billing, to monitor power quality, load scheduling, demand management and fault analysis. As per the data released by the Union Ministry, Goa is one amongst few States whose progress on smart meters, distribution transformer meters (DTM) and feeder meters installation is Nil. The Ministry >Continued on P5