log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 GOA Nearing the end of 4th term, market muddle still foxes CCP IN SHORT >> Cuncolim locals slam industrial discharge MARGAO: Intensifying its campaign against pollution at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, agitated residents on Wednesday complained about the discharge of wastewater from a fish processing unit into a plot outside the Industrial Estate.  >> See pg 2 MMC crackdown on waste dumping MARGAO: Margao Municipality has resumed its drive against unscrupulous garbage collection contractors and miscreants disposing of waste at the city’s black spots >> See pg 2 after sunset.  Power Dept targets 75% meter relocation PANAJI: The Goa Electricity Department has reported a significant number of domestic consumers from across the State complying with its directive to relocate their electricity meters from inside their homes to a place outside that is accessible to their meter readers even when the premises are unoccupied and shut.  >> See pg 3 HC acquits man in 2016 murder case PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has acquitted Chetan Arondekar, also known as Vijayendra, in the 2016 murder case of 20-yearold Deepali Mehta. The Court set aside the conviction and life sentence given earlier by the Margao Additional Sessions Court.  >> See pg 3 Man held for illegal electric fence SANGUEM: Forest department officials attached to Netravali Wild Life Sanctuary on Wednesday arrested Gurudas Mahadev Kuskekar of Netravali on charges of illegally installing an electric fence near the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.  >> See pg 5 Crypto, guns in Ministers’ assets NEW DELHI: Cryptocurrency, decades-old two-wheelers, gold jewellery, mutual funds and agricultural land are among the assets declared by the members of the Council of Union Ministers for the year 2024-25.  >> See pg 9 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 30.5 C 25.2 C 85% As elevated corridor crawls, PWD minister left firefighting on ground zero RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 SPORTS INFO India dismantles UAE in record time with 9-wicket rout Why people with asthma are at increased risk of flu Cabinet clears 10,000 sqm site for memorial to temples destroyed during Portuguese era MORMUGAO STREETS TO HOST EVENT FROM OCT 31–NOV 2; GOVT TO SPEND `127 CR ON FESTIVAL THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI India’s premier racing extravaganza is all set to make its debut in Goa next month. Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL), the organiser of the Indian Racing League (IRL) and the FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC), has joined hands with the Goa government to host Formula 4 Street Circuit Race in Mormugao constituency. After the Hyderabad Street Circuit and the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit (CFRC), RPPL has set its third street track in India – the Goa Street Circuit – which is South East Asia’s first ocean front track. Formula 4 Goa Street Circuit will be held from October 31 to November 2. The State government is set to develop the infrastructure/ track at an estimated cost of over Rs 22 crore with another Rs 27 crore funding to the event. The total cost of the three-day event is around Rs 127 crore. THE RACING REVOLUTION „„The Indian Racing League and FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship will be held on Mormugao’s streets from October 31 to November 2 „„Goa Street Circuit becomes the third such track in India after Hyderabad and Chennai „„The Goa government The State government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with RPPL to be the co-host in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. and Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL) will co-host the event „„Rs 22 crore funding for track infrastructure and Rs 27 crore for the event „„The existing 3.2 km track in Mormugao will be refurbished as lasting infrastructure for future motorsport activities Addressing media persons, Sawant said that the government will refurnish the existing 3.2 kms sports track developed in Mormugao constituency. He said that the track would be a permanent infrastructure, where motorsports activities can be held in future. “The event will be held without disturbing the major traffic flow,” Sawant said. Sawant said that the event is a landmark occasion for Goa and would be remembered as a turning point the way we showcase our State to the world. “Goa has always been a meeting point for tradition, culture and ideas in recent years. We have expanded our scope and promoted Goa as a sports destination and international event,” he said. RPPL Chairman and Managing director Akhilesh Reddy said that Indian Racing Festival 2025 is set to redefine motorsports in Goa, pushing the boundaries of speed, skill, and spectacle like never before. This season, we are thrilled to bring the high-octane action to the vibrant streets of Goa, a destination synonymous with energy, passion, and world-class experiences. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government has finally identified Divar Island to locate the Koti Tirth Corridor it intends to build as a memorial for the temples demolished during the Portuguese colonial era. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that the cabinet has approved a 10,000 square metre parcel of land currently in possession of the Archives and Archaeology Department at Divar exactly where the ruins of the Saptakoteshwar temple exist for the project. Sawant said it will be executed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) and will be a memorial for the 1,000 temples destroyed during the Portuguese era where people with devotion and a sense of belonging to their respective deities of the destroyed temple can visit. “The temple will belong to the whole of Goa. The cabinet approved the project today," Sawant said. The Archaeology Department was tasked with documenting the details of the temples destroyed during the Portuguese era and a commit- MEMORIAL OF TEMPLES „„The project will be executed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation „„The memorial aims to preserve cultural heritage „„The Saptakoteshwar temple, built under the Kadamba dynasty and demolished in the 16th century, is among the temples documented by an academic committee that recommended constructing the memorial along with a museum showcasing Goa’s ancient temples ON PAGE 3 Cabinet approves new policy to boost logistics, warehousing sector TERI to advise govt on mining dumps management Vet facility for animal birth control to come up at Usgao tee of academics was formed. The report of this committee PANAJI As taxi operators staged a protest outside the Legislative Assembly complex against the proposed new taxi policy, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged them not to “waste time” and reiterated that the government would finalise the policy only after consultations. “They should trust the government and not waste time. I have already told them they will be taken into confidence 100 per cent before we finalise the draft. They need not stand outside the Assembly like this protesting,” Sawant told reporters, as protesters were denied a meeting with him owing to his packed schedule. The Chief Minister added that 20-21 representatives of taxi associations would be shown the draft in detail before its release. He also clarified that the September 10 deadline was tentative and that the draft may take a few more days to complete. deparkar and committee pertaining to the exam paper leak case of the University that came to light in March. High level committee had submitted its report to the Government in July. Following the paper leak controversy, the State government announced directions to conduct an academic audit and draft a long-term vision document to improve the quality and functioning of the University. Speaking to The Goan, Sawant said that the govern- THE GOAN I NETWORK POLICY STANDOFF Operators Protest They should trust the government and not waste time. I have already told them they will be taken into confidence 100 per cent before we finalise the draft. They need not stand outside the Assembly like this protesting,” — Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister On August 22, the government had announced that the controversial draft Transport Aggregator Guidelines, 2025 would be scrapped in favour of a State Taxi Policy. Sawant had assured that the new framework would supersede ment is yet to issue any directions to the University. “We will do it,” he said. A senior officer at Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) confirmed that the government is yet to issue any directions to the University pertaining to academic audit or any other recommendations made by the Khandeparkar committee. “Also, the report is not yet submitted to the Governor, who is the Chancellor of the varsity,” the officer said. >Continued on P9 „„Taxi operators staged a protest outside the Goa Assembly, demanding a written assurance and a direct meeting with CM Pramod Sawant regarding the new State Taxi Policy Policy Background „„The new State Taxi Policy will replace the controversial Transport Aggregator Guidelines, 2025 „„It aims to ensure transparency, safety, fair pricing, and protection of traditional taxi services the aggregator guidelines, stressing that its objective was to ensure transparency, safety, and fair pricing while protecting traditional taxi services. >Continued on P9 had listed 1,000 such temples. The committee had also recommended the construction of this memorial in addition to a museum to showcase ancient temples of the State. The Saptakoteshwar temple whose ruins lie on the Divar Island was originally built during the Kadamba dynasty's reign and was demolished in the 16th century. The committee had recommended its reconstruction since the site is already in government possession. On assuming power after the 2022 elections, the Sawantled dispensation had earmarked Rs 20 crore for temple restoration in its first budget. Oppn’s Altone D’Costa files nomination for Speaker’s post OPERATORS TOLD NOT TO ‘WASTE TIME’ ON PROTEST; ASSURED OF SHARING POLICY DRAFT WITH REPS THE GOAN I NETWORK and provide a sense of devotion for Goans „„The memorial will provide devotees a place to connect with their respective deities FL A SHBACK Taximen protest at Assembly; CM calls for trust, patience GOVT STILL TO ACT ON PANEL REPORT IN EXAM PAPER LEAK PANAJI Over a month after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the Assembly of an academic audit of Goa University, the promise remains unfulfilled, even as the varsity continues to grapple with its poor performance in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) released by the Union Education Ministry. More so, the government is yet to act on a report submitted by retired Justice Khan- Instagram.com/thegoanonline 3 14 2 11 Saptakoteshwar temple ruins in Goa goes in the fast lane, Divar to host Koti Tirth Corridor Formula 4 to make debut GOA No action yet on GU audit as national rankings slip THE GOAN I NETWORK The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 84 Governance in limbo as Rumdamol panchayat row deepens >> See PG 3 Facebook.com/thegoan SPLASHY SPIKE RESCUE: Forest Rangers rescue a porcupine spotted swimming across the Mandovi River to reach the shore at Panaji jetty on Wednesday morning.   Narayan Pissurlenkar ED busts `1,200 cr comunidade land scam; seizes `75L cash, 7 luxury cars THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has unearthed an illegal land-grabbing racket worth over Rs 1,200 crore following search operations at 13 residential and commercial premises across Goa and Hyderabad. The two-day search, conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, pertains to the case of Yeshwant Sawant and other accused in the alleged illegal acquisition of comunidade land. The ED said the market valuation of the land parcels illegally grabbed by the accused is likely to exceed Rs 1,200 crore. During the operation, officials seized cash amounting to around Rs 72 lakh and seven high-end vehicles, including a Porsche Cayman, BMW 650 L, Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz, BMW M5 and an Audi A6. Several bank accounts and fixed deposits >Continued on P9 PANAJI While ruling BJP is yet to decide on its Speaker nomination, the Opposition has fielded Congress’ Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa for the post, election for which is scheduled on September 25. D’Costa filed his nomination in the presence of Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira, and AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva. On the other hand, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the BJP’s candidate for the Speaker’s post will file the nomination papers on September 23. “The Muhurat for filing nomination is on September 23,” he said. BJP apparently has zeroed on Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar as Speaker nominee. The post of the Speaker had fallen vacant following the resignation of Ramesh Tawadkar, who was elevated to Ministerial office, last month. The Business Advisory Committee held its meeting on Wednesday to decide business for the day-long session. GST cuts: Car dealers hit brakes on invoicing, trim offers VIBHA VERMA THE GOAN I PANAJI C ar buyers in Goa are preparing for a shift in pricing as the nationwide Goods and Services Tax (GST) cut drives down prices of vehicles across India. From entry-level hatchbacks to luxury SUVs, the revised rates – effective September 22 – are set to slash prices by anywhere between Rs 65,000 and Rs 8.9 lakh, depending on the model. Dealers are getting ready to sell even their existing stock at the revised rates, though not all of them will continue the generous in-house discounts that have long sweetened the deal for buyers. At Maruti Suzuki outlets, TAX TWEAK STEERS AUTO PRICES „„Petrol & Petrol Hybrid, LPG, CNG cars (≤1200cc & ≤4000mm) GST rate reduced from 28% to 18% „„Diesel & Diesel Hybrid cars (≤1500cc & ≤4000mm) GST rate reduced from 28% to 18% „„Luxury cars & Larger Hybrids (beyond small-car thresholds) GST rate in- creased from 28% to 40% „„Imported cars attract IGST (calculated on the assessable value and basic customs duty), which increases the cost of imported vehicles. (Ministry source, pending notification) among the biggest sellers, customers have been enjoying cash discounts of Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000, on top of company offers and free accessories worth a similar amount. Those extras may shrink as the new tax regime takes effect. “The new GST rates, anyway, give a tariff cut. We won’t discontinue our showroom offers, but at the most, reduce the cash discount,” one Maruti Suzuki staff member told The Goan. The staff further explained that if full payment for the car is made and delivered before September 22, the existing offers will continue. “From September 22, prices will drop and along with this, the offer packages will be smaller,” he added. Hyundai and Tata Motors have taken a different route, halting invoicing while continuing to accept bookings so that customers benefit from the lower GST rates once they kick in. “We want our customers to avail the new GST benefit. That is why we have kept invoicing on hold,” a Hyundai showroom staff member explained. Hyundai buyers in Goa can expect savings ranging from Rs 70,000 to Rs 2.4 lakh on 12 models from September 6 itself, as per details shared with The Goan. Tata Motors, which has recently surged to the top of the sales chart, is following a >Continued on P9