log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY APRIL 29, 2025 GOA Now, compensation scheme for Std 9 too PANAJI: In line with Class X, the Goa Board has announced implementation of Compensation Scheme for students who fail to clear Class IX in the academic year 2024-25. However, the scheme would be made applicable only if the student passes after applying it.   >> See pg 3 Taximen protest at Mopa Airport PERNEM: A number of taxi operators protested at the Pernem market following repeated orders to shut down the Blue Cab counter at Manohar International Airport in Mopa. The taxi operators later met officials at the Pernem Mamlatdar’s office to discuss their grievances.   >> See pg 2 Centre petitioned on heritage sites Dabolim flyover works under fire for repeated safety lapses 3 SANGUEM: A leopard was seen roaming in Villian-Sanguem before it was picked up by a forest department team from the bathroom of a house on Monday morning. Locals from Villian were shocked to see a leopard squatted along the main road in the village at about 6.30 am.   >> See pg 2 Pocket-friendly foods to manage high blood pressure n DISTRICT MAGISTRATES, SPs MOBILIZED n EDUCATION MINISTRY STRESSES ZERO-TOLERANCE TO IRREGULARITIES PTI NEW DELHI The Ministry of Education is holding a series of meetings with district magistrates and superintendents of police from all States and Union Territories to ensure there are no lapses in the upcoming medical entrance exam NEET-UG, sources said on Monday. The crucial exam is scheduled on May 4. It will be conducted in more than 550 cities and at over 5,000 centres across the country. The Ministry has been working on a fool-proof plan following alleged irregularities in last year’s exam, including paper leaks, which put the exam integrity under scanner. “To ensure smooth, fair and secure conduct of NEETUG, a series of meetings have been held with DMs and SPs of all States and UTs. The NO ROOM FOR ERROR „„Multi-layered frisking by district police planned in addition to NTA-designated security at centres „„Transport of confidential materials like question papers, OMR sheets to be under full police escort „„Coaching centres, digital platforms to be monitored to prevent organized cheating networks „„Duty Magistrates to be deployed for mandatory inspection of all examination centres „„DMs, SPs to personally visit examination centres to assess preparedness FLASHBACK: NEET-UG was under scanner over several irregularities, including alleged leaks and the UGC-NET was cancelled as the ministry received input that its integrity had been compromised. district-level coordination committees are being fully activated to manage logistics, security and crisis response,” a source told PTI. “There will be multi-layered frisking by district police in addition to NTA-designated security at the centres. The transport of confidential materials like question papers and OMR sheets will be under full police escort. Coaching centres and digital platforms will be monitored to prevent organized cheating networks,” the source added. Duty Magistrates are being deployed for mandatory inspection of all examination centres while there will be personal visits by DMs and SPs to examination centres to assess preparedness. On the line of fire over alleged irregularities in NEETUG and PhD entrance NET, the Centre had last year set up the panel to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations by the NTA. While NEET-UG was under the scanner over several irregularities, including alleged leaks, the UGC-NET (University Grants Commission - National Eligibility Test) was cancelled as the ministry received input that its integrity had been compromised. Both matters are being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Two other exams -- CSIRUGC NET and NEET-PG -- were cancelled at the last moment as a pre-emptive step. 11 SPORTS 14-year-old Suryavanshi turns IPL into his playground TOP INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS BRAIN STORM PTI NEW DELHI Deeply angered by the Pahalgam terror attack top intelligence officials held a series of meetings even as India India mulled its options to punish those behind the attack on April 22 that killed 26 civilians. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Citing “cross-border linkages” to the horrific incident, India has promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike that triggered widespread outrage within India and abroad. There was no official word on Singh’s nearly 40-minute meeting with PM Modi. On Sunday, the prime minister said the “perpetrators and conspirators” of the Pahalgam attack will be “served with the harshest response”. “The whole world stands with 140 crore Indians in our fight against terrorism. I once again assure the affected families that they will get justice, and justice will be done,” 16 Pak YouTube channels blocked NEW DELHI: The government has blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly disseminating “false, provocative and communally sensitive content” about India, officials said on Monday. The YouTube channels blocked are Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News and Razi Naama. Modi said in his ‘’Mann ki Baat’’ address. Pakistan has put its military on high alert following India’s assertion that it will hunt down the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam strike. The Pakistani military has resorted to unprovoked firing across the Line of Control n EDU DEPT ISSUES CIRCULAR n SHGs, SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT MONTHLY REPORT THE GOAN I NETWORK AFTER THE HAUL: Fishermen wrap up their activity after a hard day’s work at Caranzalem beach on Monday. Caranzalem has been a happy hunting ground for traditional fishermen.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Urban forestry: Govt sets the ball rolling, working on tracking plan THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Moving ahead with its proposed ‘Urban Forestry ‘ initiatives across all municipalities in the State, the State government is currently working out a detailed plan that includes tracking of the forestry to ensure its sustainability and growth as it intends to im- plement the project from the coming monsoon season. Minister for Forest and Urban Development  Vishwajit  Rane held a meeting with the officials of forest department, urban development and StudioPOD- the private agency onboard to chart the next steps for implementing the Green Lung concept. The meeting resolved to put in place a dedicated committee to oversee the progress of the project. “This monsoon, Goa is set to embrace a greener future by developing dense urban forests and vibrant green pathways across its landscapes,” Rane said, adding that these forests will serve as essential >Continued on P10 PANAJI Following directions from the Centre, the Goa Directorate of Education (DoE) has directed all schools and self-help groups (SHGs) serving midday meal to students, to cut cooking oil usage by 10 per cent in school meals. The department has also directed SHGs and Schools to submit monthly report on reduction of cooking oil in the usage.  Schools are told to encourage school canteens to offer healthier, low-oil meal options and promote nutritious alternatives. The decision was taken based on the advisory issued by the department of school education and literacy (DoSEL), ministry of education urges education departments under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme. The move aims to promote healthier 16 Kashmir attack: India weighs options for punitive action Now, mid-day meals to have 10 pc less oil Blackout hits Spain, Portugal, France Leopard trapped in Sanguem INFO Centre steps up vigil as NEET-UG exam nears OLD GOA: A group of concerned citizens have petitioned the Ministry of Culture at the Centre to protect Old Goa’s heritage from rampant unregulated development, encroachments and heritage violations. The petition has been addressed to the Secretary, Ministry of Culture by historian Prajal Sakhardande, former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes and heritage loves Yogesh Nagvekar. >> See pg 3 BARCELONA: A major power outage hit Spain and Portugal on Monday, including their capitals, knocking out subway networks, phone lines, traffic lights and ATM machines. It is rare to have such a widespread outage there. Spanish generator Red Elctrica said it affected the Iberian Peninsula and the incident is being assessed.   >> See pg 10 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 1 IN SHORT >> 2 GOA Instagram.com/thegoanonline ON eating habits among students amid growing concerns over childhood obesity. Students are currently served dishes such as mixed vegetable idlis and mix vegetable pulao, chole chapati, vegetarian kurma and potato bhaji. “It is mandated that schools reduce the usage of cooking oil by 10% in the preparation of school meals. This initiative aims to enhance the nutritional value of meals and promote healthier eating habits among students. It is expected that H  3 Hearing impaired staffer credits success to supportive kin The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 16 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 311 Govt claims Sonsodo waste issue resolved, but ground reality is different >> See pg 3 Facebook.com/thegoan M AR C all schools and Mid-Day Meal suppliers under the PM Poshan Scheme will comply,” Director Education Shailesh Zingade said in the circular.  To raise awareness, schools are asked to conduct a special class on the importance of minimizing oil usage in meals, invite nutrition experts from Home Science colleges and health institutions to deliver informative sessions on low-oil diets’ and share healthy recipes. >Continued on P10 (LoC) in the last four days and Indian troops responded to them effectively. After the terror attack, India announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan on Wednesday, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operation land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties. In response, Pakistan on Thursday shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through third countries. Pakistan rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any move to stop the flow of water would be seen as an “act of war”. The Ministry of External Affairs also said it will be monitoring reporting of the BBC, which termed terrorists as militants. In a missive to BBC India head Jackie Martin, the MEA conveyed the country’s strong sentiments over the reporting on the Pahalgam terror attack. It objected to the description of terrorists as “militants” in its reporting on the Pahalgam tragedy. March turns out to be deadly; 20 lose lives in road accidents THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As many as 20 people lost their lives in road accidents in March with nearly 25 per cent of the victims being pedestrians. This was revealed by the Directorate of Transport in their monthly report on road accidents released on Monday. As per the data, State witnessed 198 road accidents of which 103 were reported in South Goa district. Out of the total accidents reported, 20 were classified as fatal in which 20 were killed – 12 from North Goa and 8 from South Goa. The majority of those killed were riders, accounting for 12 deaths – five in North Goa and seven in South Goa. Other fatalities included five pedestrians and three pillion riders.   Thirty-four people sustained grievous injuries with 12 each in North and South. Besides, 65 suffered minor injuries – 21 in the North and 44 in the South. The monthly report further recorded 116 non-injury accidents with North Goa contributing 60 and South Goa 56. Women take centre stage in Cardinals seek unity, papal conclave from May 7 drunken drama at Colvale PTI THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA For a change, it wasn’t men but women who created drunken chaos on the streets! In yet another incident that has raised concerns among locals about law and order issues involving “outsiders”, two women, reportedly from a village in Maharashtra, created widespread disturbance in Colvale and later in Mapusa after allegedly consuming excessive alcohol. According to Colvale police, the episode began when the two women were The heavily intoxicated women broke a bottle on the road, creating a nuisance and alarming passersby at Colvale and later after being shifted to the North District Hospital at Mapusa allegedly manhandled hospital security staff, creating panic among patients and staff found sitting in the middle of the service road opposite the central jail in Colvale, openly drinking alcohol and obstructing traffic. Witnesses reported that the women broke a bottle on the road, creating a nuisance and alarming passersby. Fearing escalation, onlookers alerted the police and called for a 108 ambulance. Colvale police promptly responded and shifted the women to the North District Hospital at Mapusa for medical attention. However, the trouble did not end there. Upon arrival at the hospital, one of the women allegedly manhandled hospital security staff, >Continued on P10 VATICAN CITY atholic cardinals on Monday set May 7 as the start date for the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor, delaying the secret voting for two days to help them get to know one another better and find consensus on a candidate before they are sequestered in the Sistine Chapel. The cardinals set the date after arriving for the first day of informal meetings following Pope Francis’ funeral Saturday. In a chaotic scene, journalists shouted out questions to the cardinals about the mood inside, whether there was unity, and when the conclave would begin. A reporter for a satirical Italian television programme repeatedly asked whether C an Italian cardinal who has been convicted by the Vatican criminal court on finance-related charges would be allowed to vote. There is the hope of unity, said Argentine Cardinal Angel Sixto Rossi, the 66-year-old archbishop of Cordoba who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2023. Many cardinals cited the de- sire to continue Francis’ pastoral focus on people who are marginalised and against war. But conservatives in the ranks may be more focused on forging unity and refocusing the church back to core doctrines emphasised by St John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, rather than continuing Francis’ social justice focus and outreach to women and gays. British Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the 79-year-old archbishop of Westminster, was adamant that the church must strive for unity, and he downplayed divisions. The role of the pope is to essentially hold us together and that’s the grace we’ve been given from God, said Nichols. Venezuelan Cardinal Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo expressed confidence that once the conclave begins, a decision would be quick, “between two and three days. Cardinal electors The College of Cardinals that will elect a new pope includes members from far-flung corners of the globe whom Francis named over his 12-year papacy to bring in new points of views of the Catholic Church hierarchy. Many have spent little or no time in Rome getting to know their colleagues, injecting some uncertainty into a process that requires two-thirds of the voting-age cardinals to coalesce behind a single candidate. Nichols acknowledged that the 135 cardinal electors 108 of whom were appointed by Francis don’t know each other very well. The last 20 were appointed in early December. We’ve got all week, Nichols said as he arrived Monday. Only cardinals under 80 are eligible to vote, and it is not clear how many of the 135 will participate. A Spanish cardinal has already said he won’t come to Rome for health reasons. A big uncertainty is whether Cardinal Angelo Becciu, once one of the most powerful cardinals in the Vatican, will be allowed in the Sistine Chapel.