log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline FRIDAY AUGUST 1, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 45 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us page 6 Maruti hit brakes on production of small cars amid sales crunch REVIEW: NS400Z : Bajaj’s beast just got a lot more meaner Bill to legalise houses on govt land passed PANAJI: The Goa Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed the Bill amending the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968 and inserting a section to regularise unauthorised dwelling houses built on government land prior to February 28, 2014.  Under the amendment, the new sub-section inserted in the LR Code empowers Deputy Collectors to grant ‘Class I’ occupancy rights in respect of encroached government land on which the house stands. However, they are barred from selling the house for the next 20 years.  Charges will be levied as ‘occupancy fee’ at a per-squaremeter rate to be fixed by the government via a special order. IN SHORT >> Law amended for off-campus centres PANAJI: The Goa Assembly on Thursday passed the amendment to the Goa Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to permit off-campus temporary centres from where the university can immediately operate until a full-fledged campus is established within a limited time period.  >> See pg 2 Two ‘digital arrest’ fraud cases busted PANAJI: The Goa Police Cyber Crime sleuths  arrested two persons in separate cases of ‘digital arrest’ frauds, in which victims were duped of Rs 25.5 lakh and Rs 97 lakh respectively. In both cases, the accused impersonated officials of TRAI and CBI over WhatsApp.  >> See pg 3 Govt notifies scheme for daily wagers >> See pg 3  WEATHER >> Max: 30.2 C Min: 25.6 C Humidity: 94% TIDES Low: High: 09:04 22:24 04:04 14:09 Instagram.com/thegoanonline India struggles to build momentum as rain interrupts Oval Test  Pg 14 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in MLAs bullish on dhirio, make Govt notifies land at Reis Magos for strong pitch for legal status high-end resorts CITE CULTURE, TRADITION; WANT LAW AMENDED IPB GRANTS IN-PRINCIPLE NOD FOR HUGE PROJECT ON 31,280 SQ MTS THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In a rare display of unanimity, members across party lines in the Goa Legislative Assembly on Thursday made a strong pitch for the legalisation of  Dhirio  (bullfights), calling it an integral part of the State’s cultural and traditional identity. ON PAGE 2 Legislators from both the Treasury and Opposition benches urged the government to amend the law to legalise the controversial sport, arguing that  dhirio  has been part of Goa’s heritage for generations, much like  Jallikattu  in Tamil Nadu, which CM non-committal, walks legal tightrope MAPUSA: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday refrained from giving a clear commitment on the legalisation of Dhirio (bullfights) in Goa, stating that the government would examine the legal implications before taking any decision. Responding to an unusual show of unity in the Assembly, where members from across political parties demanded that the traditional sport be legalised, Sawant said, “I will take the sense of the House and evaluate the matter was legalised through a State amendment. Mandrem MGP MLA Jit Arolkar led the call, highlighting that despite the current in consultation with the Law Department.” He, however, pointed out a key distinction between Goa’s Dhirio and Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu, which was cited by several MLAs as a precedent. “Jallikattu involves individuals attempting to mount a bull as it runs, whereas Dhirio is a fight between two bulls. The two cannot be equated,” the Chief Minister clarified. >Continued on P8 ban, dhirio events continue to be held across the State. “The sport is closely tied to local village feasts and community gatherings. It needs to be regulated through legislation. I have introduced a private member’s bill to legalise it and propose identifying designated areas for such events,” he said. AAP MLA Venzy Viegas echoed the sentiment, stating that Dhirio enjoys widespread popularity in Goa. “It is not just about tradition, but also an opportunity for the State to generate revenue through ticketed events. We can even consider building a dedicated stadium for the sport,” he suggested. Revolutionary Goans Party MLA Viresh Borkar said that bullfights continue to take place illegally across the coastal belt, indicating strong public interest despite the ban. “We must legalise it with safety measures in place,” he said. Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai also backed the >Continued on P8 PANAJI The State government has notified around 31,280 square metres land at Reis Magos, Bardez as an Investment Promotion Area towards setting up five-star and four-star resorts.  M/s Spark Healthline Private Limited has proposed setting up of a five-star and four-star hotel, multi-level car parking in individual buildings of the hotels with three levels of car parking and landscaping illumination and approach road to the activities and facilities in survey number 95/1-A (part) in the Reis Magos village.  The Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (IPB) had granted in-principle approval for the project and rec- Rane assures white paper on land-use conversions Venzy, Viresh clash with Rane over land conversions, projects PANAJI: Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane got into a verbal duel first with AAP MLA, Venzy Viegas, and then RGP MLA, Viresh Borkar when the two criticised the largescale conversion of land and liberal clearances to mega projects in villages.  When Viegas said the TCP department had increased FARs and converted 14 lakh 56 thousand sq mts of land in 393 cases, Rane objected saying statistics must be presented correctly. “We will not listen to anything you say. You should not make allegations just to maintain your vote bank,” Rane said. Then when Borkar too painted a grim picture of massive land conversions, Rane sprung to his feet again accusing him of lying. cessity and was being done all along under the TCP Act. Earlier during the discussion on the demands Alemao had raised alarm over the claims being made in the media regarding the largescale conversion of land under the controversial sections 17(2), 35A and 16B of the TCP Act. Alemao  also raised concern over the rising number of large housing projects coming up and proposed in villages giving rise to anxiety among the residents of its impact on their daily lives. Benaulim MLA, Venzy Viegas and St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar raised questions about the TCP department liberally granting clearances to large real estate projects in villages.  Viegas made a strong case >Continued on P8 >Continued on P8 THE GOAN I NETWORK SAYS OVER 1 CR SQ MTS CONVERTED BEFORE HIS STINT PANAJI Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday responded to the high-pitched criticism  from the Opposition in the Goa legislative Assembly on largescale conversion of land-use zoning in the State with an assurance that he will present a “white paper” soon on all land-use conversions done so far. Replying to the discussion on the demands for grants pertaining to the TCP department Rane said he will not respond to the queries over matters that are sub-judice except that as demanded by the Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, he will give details of all land converted and changes in land-use zones in a white paper soon. Rane alleged that before he took over as TCP minister, over one-crore square meters of land had been converted under section 16B of the TCP Act even as he claimed that land conversions were a ne- ommended to the government to declare the area as Investment Promotion Area. And accordingly a proclamation was released seeking public feedback on the same. The Directorate of Industries, through a notification issued on Thursday, said the objections received towards the project are “insufficient” and “invalid”. “Therefore, in exercise 5-year-old boy mauled by dogs in Curti, 5th case in a fortnight AMID OPPOSITION HEAT… THE GOAN I NETWORK LUXURY HUB „„M/s Spark Healthline plans five-star and four-star hotel „„Multi-level car parking „„Landscaping, illumination and approach road to the activities BACK IN THE GAME: Trawlers at Malim jetty, Panaji gear up to set sail, as the 60-day fishing ban came to an end on July 31. The season’s kick-off, however, would depend on the weather forecast. (Report on page 3)  Narayan Pissurlenkar 2 lives snuffed out in mishap near Parra THE GOAN I NETWORK PORVORIM Two youth were killed while two others were seriously injured when their two-wheelers collided head-on with each other on the road near Parra late Wednesday night. Saligao Police informed that the incident took place as Omkar Karapurkar (25) of Madel-Tivim and Deepesh Pednekar were proceeding from Saligao towards Mapusa on a scooter, while Mohammad Faraz (30) of Karaswada-Mapusa and a native of Assam, and Jubin Sultana were travelling from Mapusa towards Saligao on another two-wheeler. The collision was so severe that all four riders sustained grievous injuries and were immediately shifted to District hospital at Mapusa, where Omkar Karapurkar and Mohammad Faraz were declared dead on admission. The pillion riders, Deepesh Pednekar and Jubin Sultana, were later shifted to the GMC hospital for treatment and remain under observation. Saligao PSI Akshay Phatarpekar is conducting further investigation into the incident. PONDA In yet another incident of a child getting attacked by stray dogs in Curti in barely three days, a 5-year-old boy was attacked and injured by stray dogs in Haveli-Curti. This is the fifth case of dog bite in less than a fortnight. According to reports, the boy had come out of his house, when he was attacked by dogs. On hearing the child’s screams, people came running and rescued the child from the dogs. The boy sustained injuries all over his body and was admitted to the Sub-District Hospital in Ponda. On Tuesday, a five-year-old girl was injured after being attacked by  stray  dogs  in the Antruj Nagar area of Curti. Residents have demanded action to control stray dogs in the village, especially after two young children were attacked by stray dogs Earlier on July 18, a pet dog bit a pedestrian on the main road near Aathi Resort, Bogmalo, while a Rottweiler attacked and bit a 60-year-old elderly citizen at Anawada in Candolim on July 24. Trump slams India-Russia trade Kidney, cancer cases strike daily in South Goa: Data SOUTH GOA’S HEALTH CRISIS: 3-YEAR DATA with ‘dead economies’ remark THE GOAN I NETWORK NEW DELHI SAYS ANALYSING 25% TARIFF IMPACT PTI WASHINGTON India and Russia can take their ‘dead economies down together’, US President Donald Trump has said in a fresh attack on the two countries for their close trade ties even as New Delhi continued to analyse the possible impact of his decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. In its reaction, India said it will take all necessary steps to safeguard and promote national interest and that the implications of the tariffs are being examined. The US president’s diatribe came hours after he announced 25% tariffs against India from August 1, along with an unspecified “penalty” to punish New Delhi for continuing to procure crude oil from Russia notwithstanding the Western sanctions. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” he said. “We have done very little business with India, their tariffs are too high, among highest in the world,” he added. Russia remained India’s top oil supplier in the last few months. “The government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, exporters, MSMEs and all sections of industry. We will take all necessary steps to secure and advance our national interest,” Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said in Parliament. PANAJI he South Goa district, comprising seven talukas, reported an average of 4.4 daily cases related to chronic kidney disease and cancer over the past three years. Overall, the district recorded 4,890 cases, including 2,924 cancer cases and 1,966 chronic kidney disease cases, between 2022–23 and 2024–25. As per the data tabled on the Floor of the House by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, Salcete taluka leads with 661 chronic kidney and 674 cancer cases as reported across various health centres T „„Salcete leads with 661 chronic kidney and 674 cancer cases across health centres and at GMC „„Mormugao reported 944 cases -- 580 cancer-related and 364 of chronic kidney disease „„Quepem logged nearly 857 cancer cases and 268 kidney cases „„Ponda reported 721 cases -- 530 cancer and 191 chronic kidney cases „„Canacona has around 565 cases -- 288 cancer and 277 of chronic kidney „„265 cancer and 122 kidney cases were found in Sanguem „„Dharbandora reported 83 cases of chronic kidney failure with no data on cancer patients and Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC). This is followed by Mormugao taluka, who has reported altogether 944 cases that includes 580 cancer related cases and another 364 of chronic kidney disease. The Quepem taluka has also got nearly 857 cancer cases and another 268 kidney cases, totalling it to 855. Ponda taluka, with 721 cases is at the fourth position. It has for 530 cancer cases and 191 chronic kidney cases in the last three years. This is followed by Canacona who has around 565 cases comprising 288 cancer and 277 that of chronic kidney. With 265 cancer and 122 kidney cases, Sanguem reported a total of 387 patients. On the other hand, Dharbandora has reported 83 cases of chronic kidney failure with no data on cancer patients. While no study has been undertaken pertaining to cancer across Goa, the GMC held two hospital based studies through the department of Nephrology and Community medicine on Kidney. “Both the studies have identified diabetes and hypertension as the leading  causative factors for chronic kidney disease among the hospitalized patients,” Rane >Continued on P8