log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline FRIDAY JANUARY 31, 2025 IN SHORT >> Committee formed to revise land rates PANAJI: The government has constituted a 14-member committee to determine, analyse and revise the circle and area built up rates of properties in Goa. The Committee headed by Revenue Secretary will also suggest ways to improve the revenue mobilization/collection of State Government.  >> See pg 2 Rottweiler attacks Assagao resident MAPUSA: In yet another incident involving a ferocious dog attack, a local resident, Vinil Salgaonkar, was injured after being attacked by a Rottweiler. The owner has been booked. The incident occurred around 10 pm, leaving the victim with deep bite wounds on his left leg.  >> See pg 3 SC fails to take up Mhadei pleas PANAJI: On Thursday too, the Mhadei river diversion matter failed to come up for hearing before the Supreme Court. SC which had initially listed the matter for January 23, failed to take it up and posted it for hearing on January 30. Illegal hawkers, touts booked PANAJI: Calangute police booked 30 cases during a special drive against illegal hawkers, public drinking and touting along Candolim-Baga coast on Thursday.  >> See pg 5 New leprosy cases reported in Goa PANAJI: Leprosy may no longer be a public health threat as it once used to be yet the debilitating and physically deforming malady which is contracted via a bacterial infection stubbornly persists in Goa with new cases being reported year after year.>> See pg 5 WEATHER >> Max: 33.6 C Min: 20.8 C Humidity: 91% 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 223 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 APPLICABLE FOR CLASSES 6 TO 10 & 12 SUMMER BREAK FROM MAY 1 TO JUNE 3 NO CHANGE IN DIWALI, CHATURTHI, CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a significant change in the academic calendar, the upcoming academic year 202526 will commence from April 1 for students of Class VI to X and XII, instead of the prevailing practice of resuming classes in June post summer break. This adjustment will align the State board schools with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) calendar, where the academic year commences in April and ends on March 31. Moreover, for students up to Grade V, the classes will resume post summer vacation that is from June 4 onwards. The secondary and higher secondary students will have a month-long summer break from May 1 to June 3. Considering the summer weather, in April the classes will be conducted up to 11.30 am. The Goan was the first to report about school boards Headmasters hail govt’s move; Teachers’ Association opposes APAAR ID MADE MANDATORY FOR STUDENTS TO AVAIL BENEFITS >> See pg 3 undergoing major changes. “Government of Goa has decided to commence the new Academic Year from April 1 from the academic year 202526 for the grades 6 to 10 and 12 for government, government aided and unaided recognized schools in the State,” Director Education Shailesh Zingade said in a circular issued to the Heads of the institutions. Zingade said that the class- on 2 8 t h Ja es will be conducted for these grades in the month of April up to 11.30 am and that the students will have summer vacation from May 1 to June 3. “Schools will follow regular timings from June 4 onwards,” he said. Educational institutions are directed to take appropriate action to commence the academic year from April 1 and that the students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders should be made aware about the changes. Govt cracks whip, shacks told to shut Ops by 11 pm MUSIC PLAYED SHOULD BE WITHIN THE SHACK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Tourism Department has directed shack owners to shut daily operations by 11 pm and ensure that music played within their premises remains confined to the area and does not extend beyond it. "It is observed that loud music is being played which is heard beyond the demarcated shack area leading to disturbance... It is also observed that the timing of operation of beach shack is not being adhered to," reads the circular issued by Tourism Director Kedar Naik on Thursday. It asks the shack owners to strictly comply with Goa State Shack Policy for Erection of Temporary Seasonal Structures, Beach 4 held for assault on Vengurla tourists PERNEM: Mandrem police have arrested four persons on charges of assaulting three tourists from Vengurla-Maharashtra at Arambol on Wednesday evening. According to Mandrem police, Richard D’Souza (32) of Varchemaad Vadi in Vengurla complained that Brijesh Vast and three others abused and assaulted him and his friends, Anand Dicholkar and Allwin Fernandes causing serious injuries to them. >> See pg 5 Shacks, Deck Beds/Umbrellas for Tourist Season 2023-26 wherein Noise Pollution rules are to be followed. It states that the sound of music played shall be heard within the shack and not cause any disturbance to surrounding occupants. The policy also asks shacks to operate from 7 am to 11 pm. The violations will invite penalty, it added. The circular further requests the shack owners to promote Goan cuisine and Goan music at their respective premises. TECH FOR TRANSPORT The government, meanwhile identified that lack of technology in public transport and ineffective waste management are among major impediments to tourism experience among >Continued on P8 PANAJI: The Goa Headmasters’ Association has welcomed the State government’s decision to commence the academic year in April rather than June calling it a “progressive step” with multiple benefits to students, teachers and school administration while the All Goa Secondary School Teachers Association has maintained its opposition to the new Academic Year changes urging the government to rethink. GHA President Sr Liberetha Fernandes, however, urged the government to postpone the start of regular classes, scheduled from June 4, till mid-June or till onset of monsoon. Teachers Association President Suraj Victoria questioned the government to justify the reason for such hurried academic change and how it is going to benefit the students and school as a whole. >> See pg 3 PANAJI physical assessment of the translocated trees by a private consultant revealed the translocation of four trees at Porvorim was poorly executed with little regard for their survival. According to Parag Mody, a Landscape Designer and Ecological Consultant, the process suffered shortcomings that have impacted the survival chances of these trees. In its report submitted to the High Court of Bombay at Goa, the consultant sought intervention to ensure their survival. With the Bench adjourning the matter for next week, all concerned agencies including PWD, Forest, trans- A BOTCHED OP: ROOT CAUSE OF FAILURE „„Two trees translocated to a rice paddy area near a water body „„Report notes severe pruning, root-ball damage, inappropriate site selection, poor translocation techniques „„A Banyan which has not yet been translocated is in severely compromised state due to excessive pruning and untreated cuts „„Translocation process carried out demonstrates location agency Doctor Tree, Landscape consultant and others will hold a crucial meeting to strategize the process for other trees, on Friday. “The translocation process for these trees has been poorly executed, with little regard for their survival. Immediate action is required to address these issues and ensure that future tree translocation projects adhere to best practices. Without intervention, the lack of expertise and proper planning „„Agency minimised costs over ensuring survival of trees „„Agency has used lightweight equipment „„No evidence that agency possesses necessary technical skills of proper tree translocation techniques survival of these trees remains highly unlikely,” the report stated. Regarding Tree 1 and Tree 2, which were translocated to a rice paddy area near a water body, the report noted severe US plane collides with army copter, all 67 feared dead 28 BODIES PULLED OUT OF ICY WATERS PTI ARLINGTON All 64 people aboard an American Airlines jet that collided with an Army helicopter were feared dead in what was likely to be the worst US aviation disaster in almost a quarter century, officials said Thursday. At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after the helicopter apparently flew into the path of the jet late Wednesday as it was landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, officials said. The plane carried 60 passengers and four crew. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter. We don't believe there are any survivors, said John Donnelly, the fire chief in the nation's capital. We are now at the point where we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.” The plane was found upside-down in three sections in waist-deep water, and first responders were searching an area of the Potomac River as far south as the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, roughly 3 miles The jet arrived from Wichita, Kansas, with US and Russian figure skaters and others. It was preparing for a routine landing at the time of the collision… there was no immediate word on the cause of the collision (4.8 kilometres) south of the airport, Donnelly said. The helicopter wreckage was also found. If no one survived, the collision would be the deadliest US air crash since 2009. There was no immediate word on the cause of collision, but officials said flight conditions were clear as the jet arrived from Kansas, with US and Russian figure skaters and others aboard. It was preparing for a routine landing at the time of collision. On final approach into the airport, it collided with a military aircraft on an otherwise normal approach,” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said. “At this time, we don't know why the military aircraft came into the path of the aircraft”, he said. This transition aligned with National Education Policy (NEP) is expected to facilitate timely completion of the curriculum. The government decision is despite strong objection from the Secondary School Teachers Association as well as some PTAs. Meanwhile, speaking to media persons about the development, Secretary Education Prasad Lolayekar said that commencing academic session in April will make the month academically productive for the student and also bring balance between the two terms. Cops get power boost as govt notifies six new posts for SPs Engineers ignored Amthane dam decay for over 6 mths THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government has notified six additional Superintendent of Police (Senior Scale) posts in Goa Police. The Cabinet on January 8 sanctioned the creation of these posts for Konkan Railway, Tourist Police, Motor Transport, Wireless/Communication, Pink Force, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, after approval from the Personnel Department and concurrence from the Finance Department in December 2024. The Cabinet had resolved that with Goa hosting international events, there was need for senior officers to ensure effective crime control and security management as the current force is limited, often requiring reinforcements from outside Goa even for minor law and order situations, VVIP visits, and socio-religious or cultural events. >Continued on P8 FOUR OTHER DAMS ALSO IN STATE OF NEGLECT THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Even as the Goa government orders an inquiry into a major lapse by the Water Resources Department (WRD) in failing to release water from the Amthane dam on time, a deep failure has come to light. Government sources revealed to The Goan that engineers were aware for over six months that the dam’s gate was in a state of decay, yet no action had been taken to fix it. The crisis extends beyond Amthane as other reservoirs including Anjunem and Selaulim, are reportedly leaking with Anjunem’s gates said to be rusted. Meanwhile, at Panchawadi and Gaunem, authorities reportedly do not release the water that could otherwise be used to promote agriculture. Translocated Porvorim trees hanging by a leaf: Expert report THE GOAN I NETWORK PG14 Khawaja, Inglis set up huge total against SL It’s official! New academic year to begin from April 1 ar y Maruti Suzuki races ahead in exports, grabs half of India’s market REVIEW: Skoda Kylaq: Redefining compact crossovers for India The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) nu page 6 Facebook.com/thegoan WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE „„Without intervention survival of these trees remains highly unlikely „„Translocation needs gradual pruning, careful root-ball preparation, and site conditioning „„Post-translocation care such as watering, mulching, and pest management must be undertaken pruning, root-ball damage, inappropriate site selection, poor translocation techniques and a lack of post-translocation care. For the third tree, a Banyan estimated to be 75 to 100 years old, the report stated that while it has not yet been translocated, it is already in a severely compromised state due to excessive pruning and untreated cuts. The consultant apprehended that the tree is likely to face further damage during translocation due to improper root-ball preparation and unsuitable soil conditions at the new location, which is also expected to be a rice paddy. Regarding the fourth tree, located next to a temple and not yet translocated, key concerns included ‘potential structural damage,’ as the temple may need to be demolished to facilitate the tree’s translocation, and ‘expected >Continued on P8 WATER CRISIS EASES IN BARDEZ MAPUSA: After five days of severe water scarcity, the situation in Mapusa and other parts of Bardez is gradually returning to normal. Public Works Department (PWD) officials worked round the clock to restore water supply to affected areas, following disruptions caused by a breach in the Tillari canal. A senior PWD engineer confirmed that steady water supply resumed on Wednesday after the dam’s gate was successfully opened. The crisis began last Friday when a breach in the Tillari canal on the Maharashtra side halted raw water supply to the Assonora water treatment plant.  >> See pg 3 “We have sufficient water stock but stagnation in these two reservoirs has led to the growth of algae and moss, which makes it useless. Such neglect also leads to decay of reservoir infrastructure,” the source revealed. At Amthane, the situation turned critical when WRD officials attempted to open the gates to supply water to the Assonora plant, only to find them jammed. The resulting delay caused disruptions. Sources stated that the >Continued on P8