log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY MARCH 10, 2025 12 pages Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 261 Instagram.com/thegoanonline DJOKOVIC AGAIN STUNNED BY A LUCKY LOSER AT INDIAN WELLS>> P12 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INVESTMENT STARTS FROM >> pg 6 FIIs, Dollar index, bond yields key market factors to watch this week IN SHORT >> Calangute MLA’s Vagator property in eye of a storm MAPUSA: Anjuna-Vagator residents have raised concerns over the alleged destruction of sand dunes and vegetation on a sea-facing property belonging to Calangute MLA Michael Lobo. The villagers have called for the immediate revocation of any licenses that may have been granted for development on the site.  >> See pg 3 Chef from five-star hotel found dead PANAJI: A 47-year-old chef was found dead in his accommodation in Candolim. His colleagues discovered him unresponsive in the bathroom after he failed to report for his shift at a fivestar hotel where he had been employed for nine years. He was declared brought dead at the PHC Candolim. Old Goa meet seeks ban on mega projects OLD GOA: The issue of ban on mega projects in Old Goa was discussed at length at the Se Old Goa gram sabha, with locals demanding that the panchayat should first resolve the water supply problems. It was pointed out that for several years the issue of lack of water is plaguing Old Goa, particularly the Kadamba Plateau.  >> See pg 3 Vice Prez Dhankhar hospitalised NEW DELHI: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was admitted to the AIIMS here early Sunday after complaining of uneasiness and chest pain, sources said. The 73-year-old was taken to the hospital around 2 am and was admitted to the Critical Care Unit. WEATHER >> Max: 33.2 C Min: 23.5 C Humidity: 71% Karnataka contracts Mhadei water Hindu temple in diversion project with conditions US vandalised CM SAYS WORK TO COMMENCE AFTER APPROVALS FROM CENTRE THE GOAN I NETWORK BELAGAVI The Karnataka government is hopeful that the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) will issue necessary forest clearance for its proposed controversial KalsaBhandura Mhadei river diversion project. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while presenting the State budget 2025-26 on March 7, said that the government had awarded contract for Mhadei diversion project with certain conditions and the work for the project will commence as soon as necessary approvals are received from the Centre. “In anticipation of clearances from Government of India regarding the usage of 3.90 TMC water under the Kalsa-Bhandura Canal Diversion Project, contract has been awarded with certain conditions. Works will com- W AT E R P R O J EC T S G A I N T R A C T I O N „„Contract for KalsaBhandura project awarded with certain conditions „„Works to commence as soon as necessary approval received from Centre „„No commitment on completing works at Almatti Dam „„Land acquisition to be carried out of areas to be submerged due to height increasing work under UKP3 scheme „„Pending projects within Krishna, Kaveri and other river basins to be completed in the current year mence as soon as the necessary approval is received from the central government,” he said.  In his budget speech, Siddaramaiah, however, did not make any commitment on completing the works at Almatti Dam but said “efforts” would be made to carry out land acquisition of areas to be submerged due to the height increasing work under UKP3 scheme and disbursement of compensation through the consent award. The government assured to complete all the pending projects within the Krishna, Kaveri and other river basins this year. The Centre has announced Rs 5,300 crore grants in its budget in 2023-24 for the Upper Bhadra Project but till date has not released it. People of North Karnataka have expressed anguish as CHAMPIONS AGAIN! 14.27 21.42 India clinched a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in the final of Champions Trophy 2025 to clinch a record third title in Dubai on Sunday INDIA DEFEATS NEW ZEALAND BY 4 WICKETS FINAL MOMENTS „„Rohit led from the front with an excellent 76 „„Spinners help India restrict Black Caps for 251 „„India complete chase with six balls to spare „„For New Zealand, Mitchell, Bracewell and Rachin were main contributors ROHIT’S ODI MILESTONE „„Rohit completed 1,000 runs against New Zealand in ODIs „„He attained the feat with his 3rd run in the match „„He is the 7th player with 1,000-plus runs for India RECORD THIRD TITLE FOR MEN IN BLUE „„India were joint-winners of Champions Trophy in 2002 „„They clinched the title again in 2013 „„Men in Blue now have the trophy again in 2025 RACHIN IS PLAYER OF TOURNAMENT „„New Zealand all-rounder Rachin was declared Player Of The Tournament „„Emerged as top run-scorer with 263 runs „„Rachin also scalped 3 wickets TIDES Low: 02.54 High: 07.51 1.29 Cr. *T&C Apply ` Sancoale, Goa RERA NO: PRGO03242174 | WWW.RERA.GOA.GOV.IN | WWW.BHUTANIGROUP.COM | Collection A/C Acqua Eden: Beneficiary Name: Parmesh Construction Company Limited | Account No: 99921102030405 | IFSC: HDFC0000088 | Bank Name: HDFC Bank * >> Report on pg 12 Over 500 kgs of meat seized at railway station in Margao THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO The Konkan Railway police has seized 514.5 kgs of suspected bovine meat worth Rs 1,54,350 at the parcel office of Margao railway station. The bovine meat, police said, was illegally transported from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, Delhi with false declaration and without official documents from competent authorities in a unhygienic condition making it unfit for consumption. In this connection, the police has arrested the accused, namely Fayaz Ahmed, aged 37, a resident of Davorlim, native of Karnataka for contravening provisions of Goa Animal Preservation Act and Railway Act. The raid was conducted by PI Sunil Gudlar along with PSI Roosevelt Fernandes, PC Shekh Irshad, PC Mohammad Hussain under the supervision of SP Konkan Railway and DySP Konkan Railway. Recently, a car driver was arrested and about 300 kgs of beef from Karnataka was seized at Mollem check post. the government has not made any additional provisions for the Kalsa project in the State budget that was presented earlier this week. Meanwhile, a prominent activist and president of all Kannada associations pointed out that the delay in securing clearances from the Centre has stalled the implementation of the Mhadei project. They emphasized that without the Centre's approval for forest, wildlife, and environmental aspects, progress will remain at a standstill. Several other activists have voiced their frustration and dissatisfaction with the indifferent and sluggish response from both the Central and State authorities regarding the implementation of the project. These activists have emphasized that despite repeated appeals and discussions, the concerned authorities have shown minimal urgency or commitment in advancing the project. Outrage in India; stringent action demanded against vandals PTI NEW DELHI A prominent Hindu temple in the United States was defaced with anti-India graffiti by unknown individuals, prompting a strong condemnation from India and a demand for “stringent action” against those involved in the incident. Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) said that its Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills City of San Bernardino County faced desecration. Chino Hills borders Los Angeles County. “In the face of another Mandir desecration, this time in Chino Hills, CA, the Hindu community stands steadfast against hate. Together with the community in Chino Hills and Southern California, we will never let hate take root,” the BAPS Public Affairs posted on X. “Our common humanity and faith will ensure that Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha said that its Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills City of San Bernardino County faced desecration. Chino Hills borders Los Angeles County peace and compassion prevail,” it said, without providing details of the incident. India on Sunday strongly condemned the incident and called for adequate security to the places of worship in view of the incident. Several political parties also condemned the action. “We have seen reports regarding the vandalism at a Hindu temple in Chino Hills, California. We condemn such despicable acts in the strongest terms,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in New Delhi while responding to media queries on the incident. Thousands of Goa’s ‘landless’ farmers denied PM Kisan aid AGRI DEPT SAYS OVER 51,000 CANNOT GET BENEFIT AS THEIR NAMES DO NOT FIGURE ON FORM I & XIV THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Over 51,000 ‘landless’ Krishi Card farmers in Goa failed to get benefit under Centre’s ambitious ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sanman Nidhi’ (PMKSN) scheme, as according to the government records, they are not the original owners of the agricultural land. The Agriculture Department confirms that these farmers have not yet enrolled their name on Form I & XIV of the Revenue Department declaring them as the owners of the agricultural land, which is now inherited by them. As per the record, of the total 51,800 farmers holding Krishi Cards, only 6,357 have availed benefit under the PMKSN since its launch in February 2019. All the farmers have received their hundred per cent payment. The PM-KISAN scheme aims to provide Rs 6,000 annually in three equal instalments directly into the bank FARMERS IN LIMBO OVER PAPERWORK „„Records show that 51,800 farmers are holding Krishi Cards „„A large number of farmers are not owners of the agricultural land as their names do not reflect in Form I & XIV „„These farmers have inherited agricultural lands from their ancestors „„Agri Director says unless land titles are in their name, farmers cannot avail benefits under the scheme „„Dept has urged farmers to undertake necessary mutation or changes in the revenue forms „„Records reveal that only 6,357 have availed benefit under PMKSN since its account of farmers holding agricultural land as minimum income support to boost small and marginal farmers' incomes. “We have found that a large number of farmers having Krishi cards are not the owners of the agricultural land as their names do not reflect in Form I & XIV. In reality they have inherited these agricultural lands from their ancestors or parents but till date, their names are not in the government record,” Director Agriculture Sandeep Fol Desai said. The department has now urged the farmers to undertake necessary mutation or changes in the revenue forms to avail benefits of various State and Central government schemes. “Unless, the land titles >Continued on P5 Heatwaves: La Nina may not help, say scientists Sea of devotion as thousands undertake pilgrimage of faith PTI PANAJI early 28,000 devotees carried the aspirations and prayers of people from all over Goa to God through their penitential walk organised by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, to the facade of the Our Lady of Good Health Church, Old Church of Sancoale on the first Sunday of Lent. This year being the Jubilee year the theme of the pilgrimage was titled as “Pilgrims of Hope, Let Us Proclaim the Good News”. The place also had special significance as the Old Church NEW DELHI Climate change is growing stronger and more robust, and the cooling, counter effects of La Nina may not be effective in a warmer future, climate scientists said, assessing current heat trends seen in large parts of the country. The IMD has predicted an early summer this year, with above-normal temperatures and long heatwave spells. The country experienced its warmest February since 1901, with the fifth lowest rainfall since 2001, it said. While human-caused climate change is increasingly driving a 'new normal' marked by a warmer winter and shorter spring, scientists also draw attention to the yearly changes in weather patterns, termed 'year-to-year variability'. "For example, updates from the IMD this year suggest that it was an unusually dry winter," Arpita Mondal, associate professor at the Centre for Climate Studies at IIT Bombay, told PTI. She explained that rain is a natural cooling process that helps bring temperatures down. THE GOAN I NETWORK N Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Fernandes and other priests release a prayer book for families and small Christian communities for the season of Lent. (Right) A section of the crowd at the Sancoale church on Sunday. of Sancoale is one of the pious places in Goa where one can gain indulgence during this Jubilee year. With pilgrims walking from five designated centres -Neura, Cansaulim, Bambolim, Verna, and Vasco -- to the facade of the Sancoale church, the scene was that of a sea of people seeking blessings and grace for themselves and their dear ones. The spiritual walk culminated with adoration at 5 am, followed by Holy Mass. The petitions brought by the people were lifted up to the Lord in a special way before the mass. In his introduction at the beginning of the Mass Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao invited the people to take example of our Lord Jesus Christ who walked as a pilgrim of Hope in this world. “Inspite of all trials and tribulations He remained faithful to his mission of saving us from the slavery of sin and death and offered us new life and hope”, Cardinal said. Cardinal Ferrao called upon all those who participated in the penitential walk to renew their lives and be beacons of faith and hope to everyone. Auxiliary bishop, Simiao Fernandes reminded the people >Continued on P5