log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY APRIL 21, 2025 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 303 Calls for shutting Varca hotels not cooperating with local taxi drivers 2 GOA Bizman offers to take over illegal petrol pump sites in Mapusa 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 9 INFO All you need to know about acrylic nails SPORTS Royal comeback: RCB crushes PBKS by 7 wickets, enter top 4 12 Link anganwadis to primaries Now, audience loses cool over AC glitch of nearest schools: Centre during play at Kala AFTER LIGHTING MALFUNCTION… >> pg 6 D-Street outlook: Q4 results, FII trends and more to shape market moves IN SHORT >> Calangute p’yat skips audit for 10 years MAPUSA: In a shocking revelation that raises serious concerns over fiscal transparency, the Calangute village panchayat – regarded as one of the wealthiest local bodies in Goa – has not undergone an audit of its financial accounts for over a decade. According to information obtained from RTI from the Directorate of Accounts, the panchayat’s books have remained unaudited from the financial year 2014-15 up to 2023-24.  >> See pg 3 More arrests likely in Valpoi murder PANAJI: A day after arresting the father and elder brother in connection with murder of 24-year old Shravan Barve from Valpoi, Goa police admitted of a “conspiracy”. SP North Akshat Kaushal said more arrests are likely as since day one of the investigation, there were substantial grounds to suspect the involvement of more than one person in the case.    >> See pg 3 Fruit traders seek bigger fruit chambers MAPUSA: Fruit dealers at the Mapusa Sub Yard Market have renewed their demand for the installation of a large-capacity artificial ripening chamber, citing inadequate existing facilities and growing business needs. Currently, the sub-yard operates seven small-scale ripening chambers, which traders say are insufficient to handle the volume of produce flowing through the market.   >> See pg 3 Four Marathi films for Cannes Festival MUMBAI: Maharashtra cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar said four Marathi films have been selected for the Cannes Film Festival to be held in France next month. WEATHER >> Max: 34.2 C Min: 26.5 C Humidity: 79% TIDES Low: High: 09:49 23.50 02:24 17:41 STATES TOLD TO MAP ANGANWADIS WITH NEARBY SCHOOLS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In order to have a synchronized approach facilitating holistic child development, early education outcomes and to ensure children are school ready for Class I by age 6, the Anganwadis across the State would now be linked or co-located with the primary sections of the nearest schools. The linking of  primary schools  and Anganwadis is proposed to align with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which has modified 10+2 structure of school education with a new pedagogical and curricular restructuring of 5+3+3+4 covering ages 3-18 years. In a circular issued to all the State governments, Secretary of Department of School Education and Literacy Sanjay Kumar has directed the States to undertake mapping of all Anganwadis with nearby schools and to implement a common NEW EDUCATION PUSH THROUGH NEP „„Linking of primary schools & Anganwadis proposed to align with NEP „„Circular asks schools to implement APAAR ID for kids for lifelong continuity of education & access to digital locker „„Incorporate ‘play-based’ ECCE through extensive network of Anganwadis unique APAAR ID for the kids for lifelong continuity of education and access to digital locker. Kumar said that the Ministries of Education and Women & Child Development are committed to pursue the common goal of development of social and human capital by incorporation of ‘play-based’ ECCE through the extensive network of Anganwadis including standalone ones and „„Anganwadis in rented buildings and mini AWCs to be co-located with schools having Grade 1 which do not have 3 years Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) co-located with schools, as well as Balvatikas in Schools. Goa has got around 1290 Anganwadis operational, most of which run from rented premises. According to Kumar, special emphasis should be on improving Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) outcomes in remote, rural and tribal areas through stronger linkages between Angan- Govt to assess gold, copper prospects in Goa schist belt STUDY TO ALSO UNDERTAKE MAPPING OF GRANITIC ROCKS AROUND PONDA, SANVORDEM, QUEPEM SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I MARGAO The Union Mines Ministry will undertake specialised thematic mapping-cum-exploration of Goa schist belt --  a geological feature within the broader Shimoga-Goa supracrustal belt -- to assess the potential of different crucial mineral resources including gold, copper and other rare earth elements (REEs). The study that will commence in the financial year 2025-26, will also map younger ultramafic and granitic rocks around Ponda, Sanvordem and Quepem taluka. According to the Ministry, despite the extensive research of the area, several geological problems remain unresolved, particularly concerning the lithostratigraphy, structural geology, and mineralization potential of the region and hence the proposed study will address these gaps through detailed mapping, petrographic analysis, and geochemical characterization. “The proposed study area within the Goa schist belt is DIGGING DEEP: THE GROUND BENEATH „„Mines ministry says despite extensive research of the area, several geological problems remain unresolved „„Proposed study is of significant geological interest as it hosts a variety of rock types, including schistose rocks, ultramafic complexes, and younger granites „„Laterite overlying ultramafic rocks to be assessed for its potential to host nickel, copper, and chromium mineralization „„In addition to base metals, the area also shows potential for precious metal mineralization, with gold values of up to 92 ppb reported from quartzites and dunites a region of significant geological interest, hosting a variety of rock types, including schistose rocks, ultramafic complexes, and younger granites,” the Ministry said in their proposal. “The full extent of mineralization potential in the region, particularly for REEs, base metals, and platinum group elements (PGEs), remains to be explored. The laterite overlying ultramafic rocks also needs to be assessed for its potential to host nickel, copper, and chromium mineralization,” the Ministry added. The Goa schist belt, part of the larger Dharwar Craton, represents a complex geological terrain characterized by a variety of lithological units. The schistose rocks of this belt have been classified into several formations, including the Barcem, Sanvordem, Bicholim, and Vageri formations, which rest on an Archaean gneissic basement. The region also hosts ultramafic rocks, particularly those associated with the Usgaon/Motimakki complex, as well as younger granites and basic intrusive. >Continued on P5 of Balvatikas „„Anganwadi workers, pre-school teachers to have well-defined roles „„State to organize joint training mechanism between School Education and WCD Depts „„To encourage use of toys for play-based learning and teaching learning material wadis and primary schools. “Anganwadis located in rented buildings and mini AWCs now being converted to Anganwadis may preferably be co-located with schools having Grade 1 which do not have 3 years of Balvatikas,” the Ministry said. The State has been asked to explore the feasibility of co-location in view of facilities available in school and Infrastructure to accommodate children and other beneficiaries like pregnant and lactating mothers and adolescent girls.   “Both Departments -- Department of Women and Child and Education Department -- at the State level may ensure seamless integration of Anganwadis with primary schools, ensuring that priorities are met effectively. Both Departments must ensure that coordination at all levels, especially field level functionaries, is established to minimise ground-level challenges, ensure effective policy execution and better monitoring. Ensure smooth transition of children from AWCs to schools,” Kumar said. Anganwadi workers and pre-school teachers should have well defined roles including working together for the common cause of ECCE implementation while maintaining other essential services of health and nutrition >Continued on P5 SEVERAL LEAVE THE SHOW MID-WAY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In yet another embarrassment for the Goa government regarding the Kala Academy, audience of the ticketed Marathi play at the Dinanath Mangueshkar Auditorium on Sunday were left uncomfortable and upset due to a malfunctioning air conditioning system. This is the second incident within a week’s time. Last Sunday, the lighting malfunction interrupted the Marathi play Purush for nearly 15 minutes prompting lead actors to apologise to the audience during the unexpected pause. This time, the incident took place during Marathi actor Bharat Jadhav’s play Shrimant Damodar Pant. According to the audience, the play start was delayed due to malfunctioning of the AC. “After the so-called repair, the AC began functioning and the play started as well. How- The incident took place during Marathi actor Bharat Jadhav’s play Shrimant Damodar Pant. According to the audience, the start of the drama was delayed due to malfunctioning of the air conditioning system ever, there was hardly any proper cooling. The audience was clearly uncomfortable and many even walked out halfway through the show,” said one audience member. Despite attempts, Kala Academy member secretary Arvind Khutkar remained unavailable for comments. The extensive renovation and strengthening of  KA was in progress from 2021 before it was thrown open to the public in November 2023.  A whopping amount of over Rs 60 crore was spent on the renovation, which is marred with controversies. Pernem youth dies hours before his birthday in road mishap at Satara THE GOAN I NETWORK PERNEM In a tragic incident, a youth from Pernem was killed in a mishap in Satara-Maharashtra late Saturday night, shortly before his birthday on Sunday. According to reports, Bhagwan Kaskar from Naibag-Poraskadem decided to go to Shirdi to celebrate his birthday on Sunday. Kaskar along with three friends left for Shirdi in a car on Saturday. At about 11.30 pm, they stopped for dinner at a roadside restaurant and even cut a birthday cake in anticipation of Kaskar’s birthday a short while later. After dinner, they were walking towards the car parked outside, when a speeding truck rammed into an electricity pole near the restaurant and turned on its side. The friends managed to escape the falling truck, but Kaskar got crushed under the truck and died on the spot. A Satara police team later conducted the panchanama. News of the death of Kaskar spread across Naibag, as people were in shock and in grief. Some relatives left for Satara to take possession of the body. DIVINE DETOUR: Pope Francis tours St Peter’s Square in his popemobile after bestowing the Urbi et Orbi blessing at the end of Easter mass presided over by Cardinal Angelo Comastri at the Vatican on Sunday. Pope Francis blesses Easter crowd in surprise visit at St Peter Square PTI VATICAN Pope Francis emerged from his convalescence on Easter Sunday to bless the thousands of people in St Peter’s Square and treat them to a surprise popemobile romp through the piazza, drawing wild cheers and applause as he continues his recovery from a near-fatal bout of double pneumonia. Viva il Papa! (Long live the pope), Bravo! the crowd shouted as Francis looped through the square in his open-topped popemobile and then up and down the main avenue leading to it. He stopped occasionally to bless babies brought up to him, a scene that was common in the past but unthinkable just a few weeks ago as Francis fought for his life. Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter! Francis said, his voice sounding stronger than it has since his hospitalisation. Francis didn’t celebrate the Easter Mass in the piazza, delegating it to Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the retired archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica. But after the Mass, Francis appeared on the balcony for more than 20 minutes and imparted the blessing in Latin. US vice prez arrives today; SSC to use Aadhaar biometrics for exam ID check focus on trade deal, tariffs VISIT TO AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE ON CARDS T PTI PTI NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for US Vice President J D Vance and Indian-origin Second Lady Usha on Monday evening after holding talks with the American leader on a range of key issues, including trade, tariff, regional security and ways to expand the overall bilateral engagement. The US Vice President, his wife Usha and their three children -- Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel -- are scheduled to land at the Palam airbase at 10 am on Monday on a four-day India visit. Vance’s first visit to India comes weeks after US President Donald Trump imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime against around 60 countries, including India. New Delhi and Washington are now holding negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement that is expected to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access. Hours after arriving in Delhi, Vance and his family are scheduled to visit the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple and could visit a shopping complex selling traditional Indian handcrafted goods, people familiar with the matter told PTI. The Vances will be welcomed on their arrival at the Palam airbase by a senior Union cabinet minister. Besides Delhi, Vance and his family will travel to Jaipur and Agra. Vance is expected to be accompanied by at least five senior officials, including from the Pentagon and the State Department, people familiar with the matter said. NEW DELHI he Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has decided to implement Aadhaar-based biometric authentication in its all forthcoming examinations in order to verify candidates’ identity on a voluntary basis, officials said on Sunday. They said the new measure will come into force for recruitment tests conducted from next month onwards. The SSC is one of the largest recruitment agencies of the government with its main mandate to conduct selections for non-gazetted posts in various central ministries and departments, among others. “The Commission has decided to implement Aadhar Based Biometric Authen- FUTURE PERFECT THE AADHAAR WAY „„Candidates will be able to authenticate themselves using Aadhaar at during online registration, while filling online application form for examinations „„To come into force from May 2025 „„Aadhaar authentication is voluntary „„Is intended as a measure to promote ease of engaging with exam process „„Will help in ensuring that govt jobs aspirants do not fake identity or use other fraudulent means to take recruitment exams FACT FILE: The Commission conducts 7 mandated all India open competitive exams, including Combined Graduate Level Examination besides 3 limited departmental competitive exams tication in its forthcoming examinations. Accordingly, candidates will be able to authenticate themselves using Aadhaar at the time of online registration, while filling up online application form for the examinations and while appearing at the test centre to take examinations conducted by the Commission from May 2025 onwards,” a recent public notice issued by the recruitment body said. Such Aadhaar authentication is voluntary and is intended as a measure to promote the ease of engaging with exam process, SSC said. Aadhaar is a 12-digit number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to all eligible citizens on the basis of biometric and demographic data. The officials said that Aadhaar-based authentication will also help in ensuring that government jobs aspirants do not fake their identity or use other fraudulent means to take recruitment exams conducted by the Commission. In a notification issued on September 12 last year, the Union Personnel Ministry had said that the SSC is allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication on voluntary basis. The SSC shall adhere to all relevant provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, “the rules and regulations made thereunder, and directions issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India’’,” it added. The Commission conducts seven mandated all India open competitive examinations, including the Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGLE) besides three limited departmental competitive examinations. The Personnel Ministry had on August 28 last year issued an identical notification, to approve Aadhaar-based authentication by UPSC.