log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY APRIL 6, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO.288 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 MOVIES »PAGE 16 GOOD LIFE »PAGE 12 LIVE SMART »PAGE 14 Celebrities bid farewell Berry delicious Gamify your learning Interactive activities & shared experiences is the new-age mantra of learning SPORTS »PAGE 8 IPL 2025: Royals' all-round show too strong for Punjab Kings Movie Review: Presence - A soul-searching spectacle Power of Focus & Leadership MONEY SCRIPTS: How your childhood shapes your wallet KL Rahul’s masterclass helps DC break 15-year Chepauk jinx Bollywood bids goodbye to Manoj Kumar; Amitabh, Salim, others pay tribute >> SEE PG 2 BJP-MGP: FRAGILE UNITY AS 2027 LOOMS MAGAZINE MAGAZ 09 Ram Navami: Goa to celebrate birth of Lord Ram 25 years of NCPOR: Key milestones in polar exploration The intersection of AI language models and human creativity Casino advertising and the new Outdoor Advertisement Bill 11 IN SHORT >> Drug bust in Siolim, Atala arrested with cocaine, charas PANAJI: The Anti-Narcotics Cell of Goa Police arrested Israeli national Yaniv Benaim alias Atala in a high-stakes drug bust at Siolim, seizing cocaine and charas worth Rs 8.70 lakh along with Rs 40,000 cash. As per police release, Atala was held after weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering by ANC sleuths.  >> See pg 5 18 tourism structures unsealed at Agonda CANACONA: Acting on directives of the High Court, 18 tourism structures were unsealed at Agonda on Saturday. The 18 tourism establishment were unsealed in the presence of Canacona Deputy Collector Madhu Narvekar, while five had been unsealed earlier.  >> See pg 3 Traffic disrupted at Tillari Ghat BELAGAVI: Barely three days after bus services from Belagavi and Kolhapur to Goa resumed via Tillari Ghat, the ghat was blocked for over two hours after a huge container truck got stuck on Saturday. Irked by the incident, commuters who were stranded along the route have demanded a ban on the movement of multi-axle trucks via Tillari ghat.  >> See pg 5 From jamun to phalsa, check out the range of berries you can enjoy in the Indian summer Govt won’t allow development Govt mulls health centres across all in NDZs, low-lying fields: CM 40 constituencies WARNS AGAINST FILLING PADDY FIELDS FOR QUICK PROFIT THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO Asserting that the government will not allow any development in No Development Zones and low-lying fields, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday made a fervent plea to the people not to fill up paddy fields to set up shops and scrapyards just to earn Rs 50,000 and destroy them for the next 100 years. Reminding about the disaster that struck Wayanad in Kerala a year ago, destroying villages and killing hundreds of people within three hours, the Chief Minister assured that his government has taken the responsibility not to permit any development in the No Development Zones. He was speaking after inaugurating the Multi-purpose Cyclone Centre by the Water Resources Department at Aquem-Margao under the centrally-funded scheme to set up 12 cyclone shelter homes in Goa at a cost of Rs 119 crore. D E V E LO P M E N T: C M D R AWS T H E L I N E „„Do not fill up paddy fields to set up shops, scrapyards just to earn Rs 50,000 and destroy them for next 100 years „„Govt has taken responsibility not to permit any development in No Development Zones „„We have seen how disaster has destroyed “We have seen how disaster has destroyed Wayanad within three hours, killing hundreds of people. My government has taken the responsibility not to allow development in no development zones. We have banned conversion, sale and construction of buildings in low-lying agricultural fields. But, conversion of fields is going on in a big way. Locals fill up Wayanad within three hours, killing hundreds of people „„We have banned conversion, sale, construction of buildings in low-lying agricultural fields „„Filling up fields will cause permanent damage; need to protect agricultural fields from conversions „„Goa has built 11 out of the 12 sanctioned cyclone shelters at an estimated cost of Rs 85 crore „„Centre allocated Rs 119 crore for Goa to set up centres „„Early warning system to be inaugurated soon „„Rs 2.5 cr to be spent to provide training to stakeholders fields and lease the same to outsiders to set up shops and scrap yards. People may earn Rs 50,000 from the illegal conversion, but a permanent damage will be caused to the paddy fields for the next 100 years”, Sawant said. Saying his government will take the responsibility to ensure no development in low lying fields and in NDZ, Sawant said the people should support and cooperate with the government to protect the agricultural fields from conversions. Saying the Cyclone shelter centres along the country’s coastal belt is a visionary step initiated by PM Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said Goa has also built 11 out of the 12 cyclone shelters in the state at an estimated cost of Rs 85 crore. “The Centre had allocated Rs 119 crore for Goa to set up these centres. We will soon inaugurate the early warning system”, he added. Sawant also handed over a letter to Keshav Seva Sadhana to open a free 10-bedded dialysis centre on the ground floor of the multi-purpose cyclone shelter centre. In his address, Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said Goa was allotted 12 cyclone centres under the centrally funded scheme. “This centre will help immediate shifting of marooned people in times of disasters, including cyclones and floods. The ground floor is being allotted the Keshav Seva Sadhana to up the dialysis centre for the benefit of patients. Margao MLA Digambar Kamat profusely thanked Chief Minister and WRD Minister for setting up the cyclone shelter in the heart of Margao city. He further thanked the Chief Minister for accepting a proposal to allow the ground floor for the dialysis centre run by the Keshav Seva Sadhana. SSCE results in record time, to be declared on April 7 Scorching heat grips Goa, but Valpoi hit by rain fury THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI For the first time in the history of Goa’s education system, the results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations will be declared within 15 days of the final paper. The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) will announce the results of the SSC exam for the academic year 2024-25 on April 7. A total of 18,838 students -- 9,280 boys and 9,558 girls -- appeared for the exams in the regular category. The SSC examinations were conducted by the Board from March 1 to March 21 across 32 examination centers in the State. Board Chairman Bhagirath Shetye will declare the results during a press conference scheduled at 5 pm on Monday.  “Results are being declared in the shortest time. This is the first time in Goa’s history, and it has been made possible due to the increase in assessment centres and the overwhelming response and cooperation from examiners and schools during the evaluation process,” Shetye said. PANAJI Goa continued to reel under severe heat on Friday with maximum temperatures at around 35°C and the ‘feel-like’ temperature crossing 45°C in several parts of the State. However, there was temporary respite as pre-monsoon showers lashed some parts, particularly Valpoi. No child beggars in Goa? 7 rescues raise questions HC ASKS STATE TO DIG DEEPER INTO ROOT CAUSE VIBHA VERMA THE GOAN I PANAJI They once sneaked through traffic signals with outstretched palms, dotted the beaches  and  stood under the sweltering sun. But now, officially at least, not a single child beggar has been found in Goa in 2025. The surprising ‘zero’ rescues come after four years wherein 75 children were rescued from the streets and placed in protective homes. But far from suggesting a miraculous turnaround, the data has instead raised alarm bells – at a time when the High Court of Bombay at Goa is hearing the contentious issue. Reliable sources, however, stated that around seven child beggars including those from Rajasthan were rescued in the coastal belt, this year so far. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which has kept the issue on judicial radar, drew a sharp observation from the court. The Bench stated that merely registering offenses was not enough and asked the State to CHILD BEGGARS RESCUED 05 21 2021 2022 09 40 2023 2024 Jan 2025 till March 12: Nil dig deeper into the root causes of child begging. Petitioner Advocate Moses Pinto sought more than token action: a dedicated task force, rescue operations, temporary shelters, access to education and public awareness campaigns. Executive Secretary of the Council for Social Justice and Peace Fr Savio Fernandes added that child beggars are at every major junction be it Margao, Verna, Cortalim, Majorda, Colva, or beaches. “Rescue operations happen but these same children come back. What happens after the rescue?” Fernandes questioned as he expressed con- Vishwajit says focus will be on healthcare at grassroot level cern about the government’s handling of the issue. The pattern of rescue numbers tells its own story. Just five children were rescued in 2021, then 21 in 2022. The numbers dipped to nine in 2023, only to surge to 40 in 2024. And now, at least as per official records, the number stands at zero for 2025 till March. Fr Fernandes has attributed this disconnect to the absence of sustained follow-up and the lack of a long-term rehabilitation plan. “Most of these children are from other States. There needs to be inter-State coordination, education >Continued on P6 CYCLONE SHELTERS Normal life thrown out of gear in most villages across Sanguem taluka >> See pg 5 The sudden spell of rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds, also triggered monsoon-like chaos in affected areas. Valpoi reported the heaviest damage with personnel from fire and emergency services attending to at least 15 cases of trees being uprooted and falling on roads, religious structures, houses, electric lines, vehicles, compound walls and even car sheds. These incidents were reported in a span of just two-and-a-half hours, THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday said the State government is working on a plan to establish a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in each of the 40 Assembly constituencies, aiming to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grass roots. Addressing the media at a mega medical health camp in Vasco, Rane also highlighted the urgent need to expand the State’s ambulance services. “We have proposed adding around 100 ambulances to our fleet, including 10-12 cardiac ambulances. In addition, we are enhancing coastal emergency response with upgraded motorcycle ambulances manned by two personnel to ensure faster response times,” said Rane. “We are moving towards ensuring that every constituency is equipped with a PHC. These may be bedded We are enhancing coastal emergency response with upgraded motorcycle ambulances manned by two personnel to ensure faster response times and are moving towards ensuring that every constituency is equipped with a PHC — Vishwajit Rane or non-bedded based on local requirements. For instance, Vasco will be provided with a non-bedded PHC to enhance accessibility.” Rane said he is also working on increasing the availability of doctors across the health centres through a new recruitment model, which will be tabled in the upcoming cabinet meeting. >Continued on P6 A huge tree that collapsed on a two-wheeler in Valpoi on Saturday. between 3 pm and 5:30 pm. Other parts of Goa including Panaji remained largely cloudy with light rain in a few areas. The overall temperature saw a marginal dip after the showers, providing some relief to residents. According to the Fire and Emergency Services Department, a total of 22 emergency calls were received across the State. Apart from this, six fire-related incidents were re- ported from Curchorem, Pernem, and Panaji. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Goa, has meanwhile extended the yellow alert for heat till April 9. The forecast has warned of hot and humid conditions at isolated pockets, with dry weather likely to prevail over both districts. The IMD has also predicted mainly sunny skies for the coming days. Kharif yield drops per hectare, Trump’s tariffs kick in, markets reel from trade war officials blame excessive rain It will not be easy, Trump cautions Americans AGENCIES TOTAL PADDY OUTPUT DROPPED BY 15K TONNES: DATA THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa's average paddy yield kharif season has dropped by nearly one tonne per hectare and agriculture officials are blaming it on the monsoon deluge which led to flooding of low-lying khazan fields across Goa in July-August last year (2024-25). Overall, the gross paddy output in Kharif season last year dropped by around 15,000 tonnes, data reveals. Directorate of Agriculture officials said that the excessive rainfall in July and August when the standing crops in most low-lying fields went under water, caused the damage. In the 2023-24 Kharif season, paddy was cultivated on around 23,000-odd hectares which marginally increased by nearly 423 ha. However, the gross output declined by nearly 15,000 tonnes and the per hectare productivity which was 4,335 kgs in 2023-24 dropped to 3,257 kgs, nearly 1,078 kgs lower. According to agriculture department's records, the standing paddy crop in around 459 hectares were damaged due to the flooding of fields following the July-August rains. Bardez taluka was the hardest hit with nearly 161 hectares affected. Farmers here were paid the most compensation as against any other taluka. Bardez was followed by Salcete where 66 ha were damaged and then Ponda where crops on 49 ha faced damage. WASHINGTON S President Donald Trump’s widest-ranging tariffs to date have come into effect – a move that may trigger retaliation and escalate trade tensions, upsetting the global economy. The initial 10 per cent “baseline” tariff took effect at United States seaports, airports and customs warehouses at 12:01am ET (04:01am GMT) on Saturday, ushering in Trump’s full rejection of the post-World War II system of mutually agreed tariff rates. Among countries first hit with the 10% tariff are Australia, Britain, Colombia, Argenti- U WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Saturday doubled down on the sweeping tariffs he unleashed on countries around the world, warning Americans of pain ahead, but promising historic investment and prosperity. The comments came as Trump’s widest-ranging tariffs took effect in a move that could trigger retaliation and escalating trade tensions that could upset the global economy. “We have been the dumb and helpless na, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The trade gaps, said the White House, were driven by an “absence of reciprocity” ‘whipping post,’ but not any longer. We are bringing back jobs and businesses like never before,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. in relationships and other policies like “exorbitant value-added taxes.” A US Customs and Border Protection bulletin to shippers indicates no grace period for cargoes on the water at midnight on Saturday. But a US Customs and Border Protection bulletin did provide a 51-day grace period for cargoes loaded onto vessels or planes and in transit to the US before 12:01am ET on Saturday. These cargoes need to arrive by 12:01 am ET (4:01am GMT) on May 27 to avoid the 10 per cent duty. Moreover, on April 9, Trump’s higher “reciprocal” tariff rates of 11 percent to 50 percent are due to take effect. Vietnam, which benefitted from the shift of US supply chains away from China after Trump’s first-term trade war with Beijing, will be hit with a 46 percent tariff. The country, however, agreed on Friday to discuss a deal with Trump.