log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY MAY 7, 2025 GOA Miracle Clinic: Breaking barriers in paediatric neurotherapy IN SHORT >> Power shutdown in Bardez, Pernem talukas on May 10 PANAJI: Power shutdown is scheduled in Bardez and Pernem talukas on May 10, from 6 am to 2 pm due to pre-monsoon maintenance on 220 KV lines and bus sections at Tivim substation. Power supply will remain suspended in both talukas during this period. Restricted supply will be ensured for essential services like the District Hospital, Assonora Water Works, and Mopa Airport. Taleigao fire exposes serious lapses PANAJI: A massive blaze that tore through agricultural fields in Taleigao on Monday has laid bare serious lapses by some government bodies including the North Goa Collector’s office, the Agriculture Department and the local village panchayat despite prior warnings from fire officials and environmental officials about the growing threat of stubble burning in the area.  >> See pg 3 Woman rescued from crocodile attack PONDA: An elderly woman had a lucky escape, quite literally, from the jaws of death after two relatives and some locals pulled her from the jaws of a crocodile in the river at Dabal early Tuesday morning.  >> See pg 3 Man killed in Ponda after row over food PONDA: An argument over food ended in murder, when a man is alleged to have killed his brother-in-law in Ponda on Monday night.   >> See pg 2 2 injured in Dabolim mishap VASCO: Two persons were injured following a headon collision between an ambulance and a car near St Jacinto Island at Dabolim on Tuesday afternoon. Sources said the accident occurred as the ambulance was heading towards Panaji while the Baleno was travelling towards Vasco.  >> See pg 5 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 31 C 27 C 74% TIDES Low: High: 02:00 13:14 07:54 19:48 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 319 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 2 3 2 Goan cardinals among 133 to elect new pope Bridge safety audit begins across South Goa >> pg 6 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA INFO Campal lighthouse undergoing reconstruction feasibility study Can knee pain lead to depression? CARDINALS FROM 70 NATIONS MEET TODAY IN SISTINE CHAPEL NIRMALA CARVALHO THE GOAN I MUMBAI As 133 cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to elect the new pope, it will be a historic moment for two among them who hail from Aldona - Archbishop of Goa & Daman Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão and Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi Cardinal Joseph Coutts. With cardinals from 70 countries under the age of 80 years set to elect the 267 successor of Peter, this conclave is reported to be the most geographically diverse in the Church's 2,000-year history. Cardinal Ferrão (72) is not just the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), but is also President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC). He was made cardinal by Pope Francis on August 27, 2022. On October 23, 2024, the Synod of Bishops elected Car- SONS OF GOA Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão Archbishop of Goa and Daman President of CCBI and FABC Appointed cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022 Recently elected to the Ordinary Council of the Synod Cardinal Joseph Coutts Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi Appointed cardinal in 2018 by Pope Francis Former head of Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Caritas Pakistan Member of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue dinal Ferrão a member of the Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod. Cardinal Coutts (79), who also traces his roots to Aldona, had recently visited Goa in January and had participated in the Feast of St Joseph Vaz in Sancoale. He was created Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of June 28, 2018 and he also served as member of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in the Vatican. Cardinal Coutts served as Metropolitan Archbishop of Karachi from January 25, 2012 until his retirement in February 11, 2021. Besides, Cardinal Grief and grace: Subdued end to Shirgao zatra after stampede TRADITIONAL KAUL PROCESSION, KALSA RITUAL HELD AMID HEAVY PRESENCE OF COPS, OFFICIALS the kalsa was ceremoniously taken into the sanctum, signalling the official end of this year’s zatra. “Normally, the entire ritual stretches past midnight. But this time, it ended by 8 pm. There was reverence, but also restraint,” said Hari Gaonkar, a long-time resident of the village. In response to the deadly incident, the State adminis- ED attaches Goa properties in `2,348 cr WTC real estate fraud THE GOAN I NETWORK tration, in coordination with the Devi Lairai Devasthan Committee, swiftly undertook a series of crowd-control and safety measures. All temporary stalls and vendors lining the road to the temple – once bustling hubs of food and offerings – were dismantled by Tuesday afternoon. The village was cordoned off, with access strictly limited to residents and essential participants. “The priority was to ensure that the remaining rituals proceeded with dignity and in a secure environment,” said a >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 A crowd gathers as the idol of Devi Lairai is brought back to the temple at Shirgao, bringing to an end the five-day zatra. FACT-FINDING PANEL SEEKS MORE TIME TO SUBMIT REPORT >> See pg 3 >Continued on P5 PANAJI The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached residential properties in Goa as part of a crackdown on a massive real estate fraud allegedly led by Ashish Bhalla, head of the WTC group with assets worth Rs 2,348 crore now under the agency's control. The properties in Goa are among a portfolio of immovable assets across Delhi-NCR, Gurugram, Faridabad and Noida, attached by the ED’s Gurugram Zonal Office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The seized assets include nearly 159 acres of land, both licenced and unlicensed, and a large inventory of unsold real estate. While the exact locations of Bhalla’s Goa holdings have not been disclosed, officials confirmed these were luxury residences purchased using funds allegedly illegally siphoned from thousands of investors. ED investigation revealed that over 12,000 investors were duped by Bhalla and his group of companies through a well-orchestrated scheme of promising assured returns on investments in AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA In stark contrast to the usual vibrant and crowded celebrations, the final day of the Shirgao zatra unfolded in sombre silence this year, under the watchful presence of a heavy police force and district administration officials. The once-vibrant village, synonymous with the grandeur of Goddess Lairai’s annual pilgrimage, witnessed a subdued culmination of festivities, as the tragic stampede that claimed six lives last week cast a long, sobering shadow. What is typically a lively confluence of thousands was instead a scaled-down ritual attended by the mahajans and a select few devotees. A large number of locals, primarily from Shirgao village, did gather near the temple for the final ceremony; however, a strong police presence restricted access to the temple's mandap. At the heart of the ceremony was the traditional procession of the kaul – the symbolic decision of the goddess – which silently moved through the homkhund area before Coutts served as president of Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference from 2011 until 2017, and was also Chairman of Caritas Pakistan. Goa has produced about 60 bishops and cardinals for India, Pakistan, Africa and the USA, and the village of Aldona has been notable for having been the native place of no fewer than seven prelates, Cardinal Coutts, Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Delhi Anil Couto (the first cousin of Cardinal Coutts), Archbishop-Emeritus of Karachi Evarist Pinto, Bishop of Columbus, Ohio-USA Earl K Fernandes, the late Auxiliary Bishop of Mumbai Ferdinand J Fonseca and the late Bishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi Anthony Lobo. In an earlier interview to Catholic News Service (CNS), Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira, secretary to Cardinal Ferrão, explained that Goa’s abundant priestly vocations stem in part 10 SPORTS Gambhir calls for end to Indo-Pak cricket amid rising tensions 13 Goa directed to fill 848 vacant teaching posts by year-end Contractual posts in SCERT, DIET to be filled on regular basis on priority by June SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI The Union Ministry of Education has taken a serious note of 848 teaching positions being vacant across primary, secondary and senior secondary level in Goa and accordingly has directed the State government to initiate immediate steps to fill all these posts by this year December 31. The Ministry’s Project Approval Board (PAB) of Samagra Shiksha, has also asked the State to fill up contractual posts in the State Council for Education, Research and Training (SCERT) and District Institute of Education Training (DIET) on a regular basis on priority by June 2025. There are 33 posts out of 37 that are currently filled on contractual basis. During its meeting held on May 2, the PAB noted that at the State-sanctioned level, 306 positions of the UNION MINISTRY SCRUTINY „„848 teaching positions across primary, secondary, and senior secondary levels remain vacant in Goa „„306 positions at the elementary level, 311 at the secondary level, and 231 at the senior secondary level remain unfilled „„Regularisation of posts in SCERTs and DIETs for greater institutional accountability by June 2025 „„Goa has 233 single-teacher schools, with 36.2% of elementary schools facing an adverse pupil-teacher ratio „„Over 30% of government primary schools have less than 15 students, and 60% have less than 30 students teachers at the elementary level, 311 at the secondary level, and 231 at the senior secondary level remain vacant. “The State is urged to take necessary steps to fill all vacant positions across levels by December 31, 2025,” the PAB stated. The PAB noted that a significant proportion of positions in SCERTs and DIETs are currently filled on deputation or contractual basis-83.3 per cent in SCERTS (10 out of 12 posts) and 92 per cent in DIETs (23 out of 25 posts). “Considering the pivotal role of these institutions in teacher empowerment and educational reforms, it was advised that all >Continued on P5 Mid-day meal: Centre flags enrolment dip, grain issues STATE DIRECTED TO SUBMIT REPORT BY JUNE 30 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Union Education Ministry’s Project Approval Board (PAB) has expressed “deep concern” over the reduction in enrolment of students for midday meal, while also expressing “anguish” over the fact that many schools have raised complaints that they were not provided meals on several occasions due to non-availability of food grains. During its meeting held in March, PAB observed a total three per cent reduction in student enrolment in 202425, compared to the previous year. The State is asked to review the situation and submit a report by June 30, 2025. “The PAB observed that there is a reduction of about 914 in enrolment from FY 2023- 24 to FY 2024-25. There is a decrease of about 1,018 Students in coverage from FY 2023-24 to FY 2024-25. The Secretary DoSE&L, expressed deep concern over the reduction in enrolment and advised the State to review the above reduction of enrolment and submit a report by 30th June, 2025,” the PAB stated. At Bal Vatika, out of 2,571 enrolled students, 2,562 ACCORDING TO PAB DATA „„A 3% reduction in student enrolment for the mid-day meal scheme in Goa for 2024–25 compared to the previous year (914 fewer students) „„Coverage of students under the scheme has also declined by 1,018 students year-on-year „„Despite full utilisation of the allocated food grain quota, schools reported several instances of meals not being served due to unavailability of food grains „„High meal uptake was observed at Bal Vatika and availed the meal, while 89,584 primary students availed the meal as against the total enrolment of 92,501. At upper primary level, as against the enrolment of 66,571, the meal was consumed by only 64,801 students. The PAB expressed that efforts may be made to ensure the coverage of all the eligible students under the Scheme. During the meeting, the primary levels, but shortfalls were still present — over 2,900 students across primary and upper primary did not receive meals „„The State was pulled up for limited school inspections, with a call for mechanisms to ensure all schools are visited at least twice annually—especially those in remote areas State government reported utilisation of 100 per cent of allocated quota of food grains for the period April to December, 2024. However, PAB observed that many schools have reported on Automated Monitoring System (AMS) that meals could not be served due to non-availability of food >Continued on P5 What led govt to discontinue Civil defence drill today to test Goa’s readiness TERROR ATTACK: CIVIL PREPAREDNESS popular ‘free water’ scheme? Nationwide mock drill to operationalise air-raid sirens, evacuation protocols THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA While senior officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) declined to comment on the government's decision to discontinue the widely promoted 'Save Water to Get Free Water' scheme effective May 1, sources suggest the move may be driven by financial restructuring and a renewed focus on infrastructure accountability. Launched by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on September 1, 2021, just five months before the 2022 assembly elec- tions, the scheme had earned the distinction of making Goa the first State to offer free domestic water supply — up to 16,000 litres — to households. The move was hailed as a visionary step towards water conservation and citizen welfare, with nearly 40 per cent of domestic water users benefiting from it. While PWD officials refused to make a statement, sources confirmed that the government exercised its prerogative in rolling back the subsidy. “It’s a government policy decision. Just as it was introduced, it can be withdrawn,” a senior PWD official said, declining to elaborate further. However, the decision has sparked speculation over the State’s financial balancing act. “The scheme was popular, but it came at a cost. Revenue losses were mounting and this may have prompted a rethink,” a PWD engineer shared. Consumer rights activist Roland Martins of GOACAN urged citizens to look beyond subsidies and focus on systemic issues. >Continued on P5 PANAJI s the Union government prepares for a nationwide civil defence drill on Wednesday, both districts of Goa have been designated as ‘civil defence districts’ in the full-scale preparedness exercise. The drill, organised in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, is part of a wider initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs to boost nationwide readiness against what officials described as “new and complex threats.” The exercise will be conducted in North Goa’s Panaji and South Goa’s Mormugao, Vasco, Dabolim and the Harbour. A „„Both North and South Goa will participate in a nationwide civil defence preparedness drill „„Drill to be conducted in Panaji, Vasco, Mormugao, Dabolim, and harbour „„Involves local police, disaster response teams, Fire & Emergency Services, PWD, and administrative units „„Residents will be informed in advance; focus includes siren testing and civil defence training „„Includes activation of air raid sirens and testing emergency communication systems and equipment Officials confirmed to The Goan that local police, administrative units and various State departments have received instructions to coordinate efforts during the drill. Among the key features of the operation will be the activation of air raid sirens and civil defence training for civilians and students, according to sources within the Ministry. NEW DELHI: The stage is set for a nationwide mock drill on Wednesday with all states and Union territories preparing to operationalise air-raid sirens and train people on evacuation protocols and cleaning of bunkers and trenches among other steps in the event of a “hostile attack”. The emergency preparedness, the first perhaps since 1971, will be conducted by most states from 4 pm.  >> See pg 8 Mock drill at 3 locations in North Goa >> See pg 2 Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced that a comprehensive plan for the drills had been finalised, involving Civil Defence Services, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Home Guard personnel, Aapda Mitra volunteers, and members of >Continued on P5