log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY APRIL 1, 2025 GOA Unhindered by locomotive disability, this programming assistant dares to overcome IN SHORT >> Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan nominated for Peace Nobel ISLAMABAD: Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts towards “human rights and democracy in Pakistan”, an advocacy group said. The announcement was made by Pakistan World Alliance, the advocacy group founded last December and affiliated with the Norwegian political party Partiet Sentrum.>> See pg 7 New swimming zones marked at Colva beach MARGAO: Welcome to the world-famous Colva beach, where separate swim zones have been created for ladies, gents and families. In fact, the next time you visit the iconic Colva beach, do not be surprised to come across sign boards demarcating separate swim zones for gents, ladies and families, including children.  >> See pg 2 Manpower shortage hits police force PANAJI: Even as hundreds of posts have been filled through recruitment processes in recent years, the police force continues to face a manpower crunch with nearly 14 per cent of its sanctioned positions vacant. With a total sanctioned strength of 7,791 personnel, the current operational force stands at just 6,887.  >> See pg 3 Dabolim Airport is AAI’s best airport VASCO: The Goan International Airport at Dabolim has been ranked the best airport of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), based on the ASQ rating in the ACI-ASQ Survey. On the occasion of its 30th Annual Day, the AAI announced the winners of the ACI-ASQ Survey Awards 2024, demonstrating outstanding service quality and passenger experience.   >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: 33.60 C Min: 26.50 C Humidity: 70% TIDES Low: High: 06.31 18.57 13.20 ------- The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 283 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 2 3 Water level in four dams drops below 50% mark GOA Fee hike: Margao civic body’s firm stance sets up showdown >> See pg 3 Facebook.com/thegoan High Courts asks BDO to decide on illegal tender process in 4 weeks INFO Alcohol promotes disease by altering oral bacteria GOVT SAYS NO WORRIES, RESERVOIRS HOLD ENOUGH WATER FOR UNINTERRUPTED SUPPLY UP TO MAY THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Even as water levels in four of the State’s dams have dipped below the 50 percent mark, Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar has assured that the water reservoirs hold enough reserves to ensure an uninterrupted water supply across the State until the end of May. Among the major dams, the crucial Selaulim dam, which caters to most parts of South Goa, currently holds 62 per cent of its capacity. The Chapoli dam in Canacona and the smaller Gaunem reservoir have recorded water levels of 64 per cent and 68 per cent, respectively. According to data from the Water Resources Department (WRD), the Tillari dam, which supplies drinking water to North Goa, has seen its levels WATER LEVEL DATA Dams Percentage filled Selaulim 62 Tillari 41 Anjunem 48 Chapoli 64 Amthane 27 Panchawadi 48 Gaunem 68 drop to 41 per cent. Similarly, the Anjunem reservoir, serving Sattari and parts of Bicholim taluka, stands at 48 per cent. The Amthane dam, which supplies water to Bardez, Pernem, and parts of Bicholim, has reported the lowest level among major reservoirs at just 27 per cent. The Panchwadi dams have recorded levels at 48 per cent. Committee pushes for expansion of private forest area With two peak summer months ahead, water consumption is expected to rise. However, Minister Shirodkar has reassured the public that the situation remains under control. “We have enough water in our dams to last until the end of May. The government has taken all necessary measures to manage and distribute water effectively,” Shirodkar said during the recently concluded assembly session. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing water-related challenges, ensuring there will be no disruption in supply to both residential and commercial areas. Additionally, he pointed out that the state can tap into several bandharas, which store water along rivers, if required. The possibility of summer showers could further help replenish dam levels. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), intermittent rainfall is expected in parts of Goa due to developing weather systems. As the summer heat intensifies, the government has reiterated its confidence in maintaining a steady and sufficient supply of drinking water for all residents. 9 PANAJI The Goa government-appointed review committee under the Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) to review private forest areas -- identified by the Thomas and Araujo Committees -- has recommended an additional 10.75 sq kms of area to be notified as private forest. In two separate reports -8th and 9th -- submitted to the government, the committee has identified an additional 5.57 sq kms and 5.17 sq kms of area as private forest and has recommended that it be notified. As per sources, while the government has accepted 8th report, the recommendations of the 9th report are under consideration. “There is another 15 sq kms of private forest area which is currently under consideration of the Review Committee,” sources said. The committee has proposed 2,650 survey numbers under private forest area while another 2067 survey numbers -- as identified by the Thomas and Araujo committees -- are recommended to be excluded. The review committee has taken into consideration additional 154 survey numbers that were excluded by the Thomas and Araujo committees between 2012-18. In 2024, in two separate orders, the government had notified 45.5 sq kms and 46.1 sq kms of area in the State as private forest in compliance with an order by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The State government criteria to identify private forests are that the area should be contiguous to government forest lands and, if in isolation, >Continued on P5 SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI While Goa managed to achieve significant strides in reducing student dropout rate at the middle and secondary level, the figures witness a jump at the preparatory stage for the year 2023-24, according to UDISE data from the Ministry of Education. The UDISE (Unified District Information System for Education) data for 2023-24 reveals a decline in dropout rates across different education levels. At the secondary level, the dropout rate decreased from 8.8% in 2022-23 to 7.8%, while at the middle level (Classes 6-8), it dropped from 1.7% to 1.1%. However, at the preparatory stage, the dropout rate jumped from 0.3 per cent to 1.0 per cent. The transition rate from preparatory stage to middle stage, reported 99.7 per cent NEW DELHI ndia is expected to experience hotter-than-usual temperatures from April to June, with more heatwave days in central and eastern India and the northwestern plains, the IMD said on Monday. Most parts of the country will see higher-than-normal maximum temperatures, except for some areas in western and eastern India where the temperatures are expected to be normal. Minimum temperatures will also be above normal in most regions, India Meteorological Department (IMD) chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said in an online press conference. I “From April to June, most parts of north and east India, central India, and the plains of northwest India are expected to experience two to four more stage reported 99.7% students moving to middle level „„97% students cleared middle class to enter secondary stage „„GER ratio above 100% at both level „„Goa has one teacher for every 15 students while at middle level the ratio is 1:14 students moving to middle level, while 97 per cent students cleared middle class to enter secondary stage. At the same time, though, the State’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) remained above 100 per cent at both level, indicating some underage or overage or repeaters were enrolled at primary, upper primary, elementary and secondary classes, compared to 2022-23, the enrolment rate has dropped by over 4 per cent at elementary level and more than 7 per cent at the secondary level. The data shows that Goa’s GER at middle school stood at 115.3 per cent as against 119.7 per cent while at the THE GOAN I NETWORK Muslims offer prayers on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr at the Community Centre, Taleigao on Monday. Hundreds of faithful from across the State united to commemorate the festival of peace and brotherhood.  Narayan Pissrulenkar Claims on 4 lakh sq mts of govt, Alvara land settled THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Mamlatdars in Pernem and Sattari have settled claims of individuals, families and other entities and granted them 'Class I Occupants' status over an aggregate 4 lakh square meters of land which was either government-owned, Alvara lands or 'aframento' above-normal heatwave days „„UP, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh & Odisha may have more heatwave days „„In April, most parts of India will likely witness higher-than-usual maximum temperatures „„Some areas in extreme south and northwestern regions may experience normal temperatures heatwave days than normal,” he said. Usually, India records four to seven heatwave days from April to June. „„At preparatory stage dropout rate up from 0.3% to 1.0% „„At secondary level dropout rate decreased from 8.8% in 2022-23 to 7.8%, „„At middle level (Classes 6-8) it dropped from 1.7% to 1.1% „„Transition rate from preparatory to middle >Continued on P5 LOCALS THREATEN ROAD BLOCKADE, WANT SAFETY MEASURES ENHANCED S UMME R MELT D OW N O N C A R DS „„Most parts of the country will see higher-than-normal maximum temperatures „„Minimum temperatures will also be above normal in most regions „„From April to June, most parts of north and east India, central India, expected to experience two to four more heatwave days „„More than 10 States likely to see UDISE DATA: FOOD FOR THOUGHT Sanguem man drowns after falling into canal, fourth fatality in 2 yrs UNITED IN PRAYER! leases. The titles of "Class I Occupancy" were granted in quasi-judicial proceedings over the last three years since 2022, according to information furnished to the Goa Legislative Assembly by Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate. Multiple parcels of land ranging in size between 9,000 odd square meters to 60,000 square meters have thus come to be title-owned by these individuals or families in Pernem and Sattari. In one case related to 60,000 sq mts in Velus, Sattari, the beneficiary is the Goa Archdiocese with the 'Class I Occupancy' title bestowed on the Patriachate of East Indies, >Continued on P5 IMD warns of sizzling summer, heat waves from April to June PTI 12 Shows jump in dropout rate at preparatory stage, but registers drop at middle, secondary levels GREEN COVER „„Panel identifies additional 5.57 sq kms & 5.17 sq kms to be notified as Pvt forest „„Another 15 sq kms of currently under consideration of review committee „„Proposes 2,650 survey numbers under Pvt forest area while 2067 survey numbers recommended to be excluded MI makes light work of KKR with 8-wicket victory Goa schools grapple with early dropout rates: Data MOOTS ADDITIONAL 10.75 SQ KMS THE GOAN I NETWORK SPORTS States likely to see above-normal heatwave days include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra and the northern parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Some states, including eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, are expected to have 10 to 11 heatwave days during this period, Mohapatra said. In April, most parts of India will likely witness higher-than-usual temperatures. However, some areas in extreme south and the northwestern regions may experience normal temperatures. Minimum temperatures will be higher than usual across most of the country, except for a few places in northwest and the northeast where tempera- tures may be normal or slightly below normal, IMD chief said. Last week, the central government asked states to check if their hospitals were ready to handle heatstroke and heat-related illnesses amid a rise in temperatures. India experienced an exceptionally harsh summer last year, recording 536 heatwave days, the highest in 14 years, according to the IMD. Official data showed that India recorded 41,789 suspected heat stroke cases and 143 heat-related deaths during one of its hottest and longest heat waves. Experts have said India might be undercounting heat-related deaths due to lack of robust data. SANGUEM A 57-year-old local, Prakash Gaonkar, lost his life after reportedly falling into the Water Resources Department (WRD) canal in Cotarli-Sanguem late Sunday evening. Unhappy over the indifferent approach of authorities to enhance safety measures at the canal, villagers of Cotarli have threatened a road blockade if their concerns are not addressed. Sources indicate that Gaonkar was returning home when he likely slipped and fell into the canal, which serves as a vital water source for agricultural farms, plantations, and paddy fields in South Goa The body was discovered floating a few metres from his residence on Monday morning. This incident highlights a growing concern, as accidental drowning cases in the WRD Canal around Cotarli, Cacora, and Nagvem villages have increased in recent years. A month ago, two toddlers, Rehan Shrittey (13 months) and Wahid Hashmi (16 months), drowned in the same canal while playing near their rented home in Carremoddi, Curchorem. Earlier in February 2023, a 13-year-old boy, Suresh Jadhav, drowned in the canal while bathing with a sibling. In light of these repeated tragedies, villagers have been vocal in their demand for safety measures, such as the installation of railings or barriers along the canal. Despite assurances from WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar during a visit to Cotarli last year, no action has been >Continued on P5