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Prior experience in media and news-handling will be an advantage. - Contact 9860597117 >> See pg 5 Zito’s bullseye life: From kicking goals to coaching archery champions ASSEMBLY COVERAGE (On pages 2 & 3) „„Govt defends new railway stations as essential infra „„South Goa tourism stakeholders anxious over AI’s Mopa shift „„Health Min defends govt hospitals „„Rane proposes cluster-based anganwadi model to improve infra „„Oppn slams govt over proposed Konkan Railway stations „„2713 Laadli Laxmi applications pending „„Cruise, corporate employment among reasons for pending Griha applications „„Govt says private university cannot divert land WEATHER >> Max: 33.6 C Min: 24 C Humidity: 86% TIDES Low: High: 01:56 13:22 06:29 20:38 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Tamim Iqbal suffers heart attack while playing DPL match Pg 14 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Curious case of Old Goa project Plea against academic year disposed of, ball TCP has not given any permission Have all permissions, now in Govt’s court for construction, says Vishwajit claims tourism dept GOVT ASSURES HC TO NOTIFY NEW RULES THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Town and Country Planning (TCP) Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said that his department has not granted any permission  for construction or tree-cutting at the heritage site in Old Goa. “We are here to protect heritage sites, which are of cultural and historical significance. This is not about any particular religion – it is a place of worship and an internationally recognized place of worship. Our dept has not issued any permission and we will take strict action  if any violations are found,” Rane stated. The TCP minister reiterated that no construction can take place within the buffer zone of the Old Goa heritage site. “The buffer zone was notified  during my tenure as TCP Minister. Before that, no one had initiated the process. There is no question of ON PAGE 3 Locals file objections against project with various authorities  Concerns over proposed project near heritage site at Old Goa breaching the buffer zone,” he said. He further assured that churches, conservation sites and state-protected sites  would be safeguarded, adding that the government is open to increasing the buffer zone from 100 to 150 metres if needed. “We are committed to ensuring that no unauthorised activity takes place at these sites,” he added. Rane urged citizens to verify facts before protesting, emphasising that no permissions have been granted by the TCP Department. “We will not grant any permission for such activities. I have instructed my office to verify any ongoing activity within 100 metres of the site,” he said. Rane asserted that the Forest Department has not granted any permission for tree-cutting at the heritage site. “If any trees have been cut, it must have been done without authorisation.  Strict action will be taken against those responsible,” he stated. The minister clarified that the only permissions granted by the TCP Department  were for temporary structures within church premises during the Exposition event, which were approved in coordination with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). “The only permission given was for a felicitation centre and some basic infrastructure facilities, and that too with ASI approval,” Rane stated. Goa facing water shortage, 24 x 7 supply unviable: CM SAYS MEASURES IN PLACE TO TACKLE CRISIS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday admitted that Goa is facing a shortage of 50 million litres per day (MLD) of water daily and that supply of ‘24x7’ to consumers is not feasible. Sawant, however maintained that the shortage is “temporary”, as the government has taken up augmentations of water supply schemes and the construction of new water treatment plants totalling to 248.6 MLD and the same is expected to be completed by May 2026.  He said various measures are in place to tackle the water crisis. E-buses power up revenue for State GENERATE `  CR ACROSS 12 ROUTES 1.6 PANAJI Nearly seven months after their commissioning under the Panaji Smart City Project, Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited’s (KTCL) electric buses have generated Rs 1,60,59,520 in revenue for the State exchequer across 12 routes. The Transport Department has recorded around 16,23,272 commuters using 48 e-buses on routes including Indigo Onward, Indigo Return, Violet Onward, Violet Return, Red Onward, Red Return, Orange (Loop), Blue (Loop), Green Onward, Green Return, Yellow Onward and Yellow Return. In response to an unstarred question by MLA Viresh Borkar, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho informed the House that the maximum The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 276 SEVEN MONTHS ON… THE GOAN I NETWORK Facebook.com/thegoan revenue of Rs 47,18,240 came from the Yellow Onward route covering Panaji Bus Stand, Interstate KTC Bus Stand, Mala, Neugi Nagar, St Cruz Church, GMC, Goa University, Dona Paula Circle, Miramar Beach, Panaji Market, Divja Circle and Panaji Bus Stand. The Yellow Return route contributed Rs 43,64,287, while the Blue Loop generated Rs 13,64,186 and the Orange Loop Rs 10,51,609. The minister further informed the House that on three routes, the buses -- under the Smart City Mission -operate without conductors, which means the commuters have to use pole-mounted validators for payments via smart transit cards. “Various payment options such as UPI/Credit/Debit card >Continued on P5 SOLUTIONS AT HAND „„Infra development by May 2026 „„4 new treatment plants „„Survey of water bodies „„QR coding of each water body Speaking during the calling attention moved by Opposition on water shortage, Sawant informed the House that while the water demand is 695MLD per day, the government is in position to supply only 632 MLD of water. “I admit that there is a shortage of around 50 MLD of water daily to the consumers,” he said. “However, these crises are temporary,” he said adding ‘the government has plans to ensure water supply for four hours a day to every household. Infrastructure development for this is underway and will be completed by May 2026’. He said that the projects include  100 MLD WTP at Selaulim, 30 MLD WTP at Tuem, Augmentation of Assonora WTP by 30 MLD, 25 MLD WTP at Ganjem, and others. Sawant said that there is no acute water shortage except during maintenance works >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK OLD GOA Seeking to clear the air on the development undertaken in the property of Department of Tourism which has seen public opposition, tourism officials clarified that all permissions from authorities concerned have been obtained. Further, the officials informed that the project is not a mall as is being alleged while further stating that the work has been temporarily halted on directives of the ASI. The project in question is a Heritage Interpretation Centre under the PRASAD scheme being set up at the site of the Old Arsenal at Old Goa. “We have permissions from the National Monuments Authority, the TCP, Forest Department and ap- plication has been made to the Old Goa panchayat for its approval,” Tourism Director Kedar Naik informed reporters at a media conference in Panaji on Monday. “The work has commenced in accordance with the required guidelines. At present, only the site clearance process has commenced and all necessary permissions will be obtained before any construction begins,” Naik stated. Speaking further, Naik said that the project is not a mall but a project which focuses solely on enhancing visitor facilities, including the development of a parking area, an information centre, and improved lighting for the monument.  Naik then informed that following directives from the Archaeological Survey >Continued on P5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a major decision, the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday disposed of the writ petition challenging Goa government’s decision to commence the 2025-26 academic year in April for Grades 6 to 10 and Grade 12. The decision followed the government’s assurance to notify the new rules any time after March 27. During the hearing, Advocate General Devidas Pangam submitted to the Court that, as previously assured, it would consider suggestions/ objections to the draft notification amending rules under the Goa School Education Act, 1984, before issuing a final notification. The Education Department recently extended the public feedback period for the draft notification by an additional ten days, after an initial fiveday window. AG Pangam submitted to the Court that govt would consider suggestions/ objections to the draft notification amending rules under the Goa School Education Act, 1984, before issuing a final notification “After notifying the draft rules this month, the government sought objections from parents and other stakeholders. The deadline is till March 27. All feedback will be considered and the final notification will be issued any time after that date,” the AG said after which the Court disposed of the plea. Around 400 suggestions and objections have been received by the government on the new academic year so far. As per the draft rules, the academic year for Classes VI >Continued on P5