log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2025 GOA Goans to stage Carnival parades, parties in UK Former students across globe mark 50th jubilee reunion at Margao school IN SHORT >> BITS Pilani gets bomb threat VASCO: A wave of panic swept through the BITS Pilani campus in Sancoale on Friday morning after an anonymous bomb threat was received via email, triggering a massive security operation. The email, sent around 11 AM, claimed that RDX had been planted in the campus auditorium, where a three-day programme with students from across India was underway.  >> See pg 5 Edu institutes told to register for EPF PANAJI: The Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed all the educational institutions to register under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Miscellaneous Provisions (MP) Act, in order to provide provident fund benefits to their employees.  >> See pg 2 HSSC examination from February 10 PANAJI: Around 17,718 Class XII students are set to answer the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) examination set to commence from February 10 for general stream and for vocational from February 11. Apart from 17,718 regular students, there are 864 regular repeater candidates while eight are isolated candidates and another 16 candidates are those who seek improvement.   >> See pg 2 300 kgs of beef seized at Mollem PONDA: A car driver was arrested and about 300 kgs of beef from Karnataka was seized from a car at the Mollem check post. According to information, a car arriving from Karnataka was checked at Mollem check point and when the Collem police inspected the vehicle, they found beef illegally being transported. Calangute Police crack down on public drinking to ensure tourist safety >> See pg 5 WEATHER >> Max: 33.4 C Min: 21.4 C Humidity: 86% TIDES Low: High: 01.01 13.31 05.50 21.21 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 231 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 2 3 13 10 Visuals of tourists assaulting Sawant pledges 4 hours of daily Goan on road spark outrage water by 2026 Setback for Benaulim fishermen, govt rejects plea for 5K sqm of hatchery land page 6 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA Oppn accuses govt of favouring corporates in green cess controversy SPORTS INFO Centurions Smith, Carey punish Sri Lanka Lip gloss or lip oil: Which one is best for you? TWO ARRESTED, REMANDED TO 4-DAY POLICE CUSTODY Says 24X7 supply not possible THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PORVORIM There has been widespread public anger after visuals of two tourists from Nasik-Maharashtra allegedly assaulting a car driver with helmets and fists at Sangolda on Thursday went viral on social media. The two tourists, Faiz Sheikh and Arkan Sheikh, have been arrested in this connection while the car driver Savlaram Salgaonkar (43) of Badem-Assagao has been admitted in the Goa Medical hospital for treatment. Saligao police said the incident occurred when the car struck the rent-a-bike on the road near the near the Mahindra showroom at Sangolda. The two accused then parked a scooter in front of the car and allegedly began assaulting Salgaonkar with helmets and fists, causing him head injuries. Tourists clash with security at Candolim MAPUSA: In yet another clash involving domestic tourists, two persons were injured when a group of tourists from Kalyan-Maharashtra clashed with security guards Bamanwada-Candolim on Thursday night. The incident took place at around 10 pm when a group of six youth from Kalyan had arrived on a holiday in the State. The group had booked a villa in a hotel in Candolim, but they were unhappy with the villa and the hotel owner had refunded them the amount. The tourists were then leaving the hotel when a hotel staff informed security guards that a one of them had >> See pg 2 urinated in the hotel premises. The victim, was first moved to St Anthony Hospital at Anjuna, from where he was shifted to the District Hospital at Mapusa for further treatment. The victim was later referred to the GMC hospital at Bambolim for a CT scan, from where he was discharged after medical treatment. Konkan rail route to remain free of coal, assures govt Acting on a complaint by Salgaonkar’s relative, Rohidas Phadte from Sorantowado-Anjuna, Saligao police contacted the owner of the scooter, who informed that he had given his two-wheeler on rent to a tourist staying at Baga. Subsequently, PSI Dishan Naik, with the help of the scooter owner, traced both tourists and took them to the Saligao police station. Saligao police later arrested both accused under Sec 126(2), 118(1), 324(3) read with 3(5) of BNS in wee hours of Friday. Both the accused were produced before a Judicial Magistrate First Class at Mapusa on Friday and were remanded to four days in police custody for investigation. Saligao PSI Dishan Naik is conducting investigation in the matter. ANGRY REACTIONS Visuals of the two tourists assaulting Salgaonkar went viral on social media, sparking off angry reactions. “They should be charged with attempting to murder, coz hitting a person with a helmet on the head is as good as an attempt to murder,” was a reaction of one person on X. Added another person: “Such tourists need to be taught a lesson. Attempt to murder charge should be put on them as they clearly had an intent to kill.” Another social media user added: “It’s is horrendous killer attack, why this much anger for a road fight? Are they here to kill people?” TOURISM MIN SPEAKS TO CM Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has also denounced the act by two tourists at Sangolda, stating that tourists must act responsibly and such incidents will not be tolerated. Khaunte told reporters that he had also spoken to Chief Minister in this regard. “Goa wants quality tourists and tourists who behave irresponsibly are not welcome. If the tourists were hurt, they should have complained to the police. The way tourists reacted needs to be condemned,” said Khaunte. PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the Legislative Assembly that Goa’s Konkan Railway route will not be used for coal transportation. Replying to a Calling Attention motion raised by AAP MLA Cruz Silva, Sawant recalled the initial opposition to the Konkan Railway project and reiterated that coal transport will not be associated with these routes. “When the Konkan Railway was first introduced in Goa, there was opposition to the project. Now, once again, I assure the House that the Konkan Railway route will not be used for transporting coal,” he stated while extending support for the new station at Mayem. The Opposition legislators raised concerns over the central government’s recent announcement for three new railway stations at Mayem, São José de Areal and Neura. Silva argued that existing railway stations are already serving passengers in these areas, making the proposed new stations unnecessary. He THIRSTY NO MORE „„PWD monitoring, investing in upgrading, modernizing water treatment facilities „„Distribution networks, storage systems, reservoirs being improved „„Infrastructure to be upgraded for four hours of supply daily „„Water woes in coastal belt to be resolved by year-end storage systems including reservoirs. We are working on improving infrastructure so that each household will get at >Continued on P5 Salt pans to get heritage status, tourism push STRIKING THE RIGHT CORDS SAWANT ALLAYS FEARS OF OPPOSITION THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant admitted that Goa does not have a 24x7 water supply but assured that every household across the State will receive a minimum four hours of water supply daily before the end of 2026. During a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on water scarcity in Bicholim, legislators from across party lines raised concerns about the water crisis affecting several parts of Goa. To this, CM stated that round-the-clock water supply is currently not possible. “Goa is not availing 24x7 water supply, and it is not possible at the moment. However, the PWD is continuously monitoring and investing in upgrading and modernizing our water treatment facilities, distribution networks and GOVT TO CONDUCT SURVEY THE GOAN I NETWORK OPPN CONCERNS „„Legislators concerned over Centre’s move for railway stations at Mayem, São José de Areal & Neura „„Villagers fear these stations could be used for coal transportation and other polluting materials „„Govt urged to hold discussions with KRC and Centre for clear information added that villagers fear these stations could be used for coal transportation and other polluting materials, it could also lead to further environmental degradation if port connectivity is added. He urged the State government to hold discussions with the Konkan Railway Corporation and the central government to provide clear information on the decision. “These proposed projects should not be granted >Continued on P5 A troupe from the Netherlands performs at the opening of the World Peace Music Festival at Kala Academy on Friday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Comunidade administrator gets new powers to restrict land use AUTHORITIES BARRED FROM MAKING LAND USE CHANGES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa Legislative Assembly on Friday passed a legislation in the form of ‘Diploma’ to empower the Administrator of Comunidades to impose restrictive orders on land use. Under this new legislation which replaces an Ordinance issued in October, any authority including the Town Planning Department, PDA, Municipal Corporation, Gram Panchayat or Municipality is not permitted to approve or give no-objection certificates for any land use other than the original purpose. It contains provisions to impose strict restrictions on the use of comunidade lands and effectively prohibits any deviation from the original purpose. The bill will replace the Ordinance on the Comunidade Code, enacted last October and was piloted by Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate. Another government sponsored bill passed by the House on Friday was moved by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant which empowers Assistant Engineers of the PWD to take penal action against any violation of the Goa Water Supply >Continued on P5 PANAJI/MAPUSA While Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the Legislative Assembly that salt pans will be declared as Biodiversity Heritage Sites, he also stated that the State government will explore ways to promote them for tourism. “We will declare salt pans as Biodiversity Heritage Sites for its protection and conservation. There will be no development in these areas… We will also explore how they can be promoted for tourism,” he said. The issue was raised by St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar during the Question Hour, who inquired about the government’s plans to revive the salt industry and support farmers engaged in salt production. Sawant also pledged to notify all salt pans and explore the potential for industrial use of salt, citing a significant decline in its consumption for food purposes over the years. “We are taking all farmers on board and exploring the industrial applications of salt. A survey will be conducted Only 20 salt pans remain operational in the State, and we are looking into their industrial use… We are taking all farmers on board and exploring the industrial applications of salt — Pramod Sawant within six months to identify the various salt pans and farmers involved in this industry,” Sawant stated during the session. In response, Industry Minister Mauvin Godinho revealed in a written reply that a survey of operational salt pans was conducted in August 2024. “Only 20 salt pans remain operational in the State, and we are looking into their industrial use,” the Chief Minister said. However, Borkar pointed out that several salt pans in his constituency were not included in the government’s list. >Continued on P5 Govt to roll out NEP for multiple Loan EMIs set to shrink as Reserve Bank cuts rate BOOSTER TO SLUGGISH ECONOMY grades from new academic year PTI THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Moving ahead with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said the government proposes to introduce NEP Foundation Stage-3, Grade 2, Grade 3 and Grade 10, Preparatory Stage (Grade 3), Middle Stage (Grade 6) from the coming academic year 20252026. Sawant told the House that the government has started NEP-2020 implementation in the State in a phased manner. In 2023-2024, NEP-2020 was implemented at Foundational Stage 1 and was continued for the class Foundation Stage 2 & also implemented at Secondary Stage (grade 9) from the last academic year 2024-25 onwards. “Whichever grade NEP-2020 is implemented, the teachers have been provided training on mapping the content to the Curricular Goals and Competency-based learning outcomes. The teachers also trained in using new assessment pattern (rubrics) as per NEP,” Sawant, who also holds Education portfolio, said. Responding to the question tabled by Congress MLA Alton D’Costa, the Chief Minister said that government is in process of establishing Goa State School Standards Assessment and Accreditation Authority. However, the State has established and notified GSQAAF (School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework), he said. The Governor on Thursday stated that the implementation of NEP across all grades will be completed by 2027-28 and the next two years will focus on cluster formation and restructuring of educational institutions where necessary so as to complete NEP implementation by 2030. NEW DELHI ome, auto and other loans are likely to see a drop in interest rates after the Reserve Bank of India under a new Governor cut the key benchmark rate on Friday for the first time in almost five years to spur a sluggish economy. The Monetary Policy Committee, headed by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, slashed the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 per cent. This was the first reduction since May 2020 and the first revision after two-and-a-half years. Malhotra, a career bureaucrat who replaced Shaktikanta H „„MPC slashed repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25% „„This was first reduction since May 2020 and first revision after two-and-ahalf years „„For the financial year ending March 31, RBI quoted govt estimate to put growth rate at 6.4% „„Repo rate (repurchase rate) is the interest rate at which the central bank lends money to commercial banks when there is a shortage of funds „„When repo rate is high, borrowing costs for banks increase, which is passed on to consumers „„Lower repo rate usually results in lower interest rates on loans such as home loans, car loans, and personal loans „„Repo rate also decides returns on savings Das barely days after the last bi-monthly MPC meeting in December, said the Indian economy will grow at 6.7 per cent in the fiscal starting April 2025 while inflation rate to be lower at 4.2 per cent. The growth-inflation dynamics “opens up policy space for the MPC to support growth” he said, adding that the RBI will “remain unambiguously fo- cused on a durable alignment of inflation with the target while supporting growth.” For the financial year March 31, the Reserve Bank quoted the government estimate to put the growth rate at 6.4 per cent, its worst in 4 years and lower than 6.6 per cent seen previously, while the inflation was pegged at 4.8 per cent. While his predecessor held rates in waiting for inflation to drop to the 4 per cent level, the RBI under Malhotra tilted towards supporting growth in the inflation-growth trade-off. While the policy rate was reduced, the MPC kept the stance unchanged at neutral. This could imply a more cautious approach towards the extent of rate cuts going forward in this rate cutting cycle. The repo rate (repurchase rate) is the interest rate at which the central bank lends money to commercial banks when there is shortage of funds.