log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 99 Opposition unity frays in Salcete ahead of elections 2 GOA Goa slips in festive travel race; Rajasthan, Himalayas steal show 3 BOOST FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT Panchayat infrastructure grant hiked to `5 crore MAPUSA In a significant push to accelerate rural infrastructure development, the State government amended its flagship Deendayal Panchayat Raj Infrastructure Development (Golden Jubilee) Scheme raising the maximum project grant from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore. The amendment, notified in the Official Gazette, is aimed at enabling village panchayats to take up larger infrastructure projects and accelerate development in rural areas. Apart from increasing the ceiling to Rs 5 crore, the government has also removed both provisos under clause 17 of the scheme, which earlier placed conditions on the utili- DEENDAYAL: THE SCHEME OF THINGS Started in 2013 to mark 50 years of Panchayati Raj in Goa Aims to improve basic amenities and infrastructure in villages Provides financial support for panchayat ghars, community halls, market complexes etc Extended in October 2022 for five years, up to March 2027 sation of grants. Launched in 2013 to mark 50 years of Panchayati Raj Cuncolim groundwater pollution drops: Study SAYS QUALITY STABLE IN INDUSTRIAL ZONE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Amid repeated concerns raised by locals over water contamination, a study by Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) as well as National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has revealed a decreasing trend in groundwater contamination in Cuncolim area. The report, which was placed before the Assurance Committee of the Goa Legislative Assembly, analysed 365 groundwater samples collected between January 2023 and December 2024 from the Cuncolim Industrial Estate and has revealed a decreasing trend in heavy metal contamination. The findings show that manganese levels exceeded permissible limits in 38% of samples, followed by iron (11%), nickel (9%), lead (4%), cadmium (3%), copper and mercury (1% each), and chromium (0.8%). However, officials noted that the overall trend indicates no additional contamination in recent years. According to the report, the present concentrations suggest that the metals may be in an immobilised state, having reached saturation levels with no further leaching potential. The study concludes that groundwater quality in the industrial area is not being further impacted by in- KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT Groundwater analysis of 365 samples from Cuncolim Industrial Estate show decreasing trend in heavy metal contamination Current metal concentrations are likely immobilized No further leaching or contamination from industrial activities Presence of Fe and Mn is attributed to lateritic soil and tropical conditions, not industrial wastewater dustrial wastewater or related activities. “All the groundwater samples, irrespective of the industrial estate indicate the presence of Fe & Mn which clearly suggest that the background value is due to the lateritic terrain wherein Fe and Mn leach out owing to tropical climatic conditions,” the study said. “It is observed from the reports that there is no contamination of heavy metals in ground water in Cuncolim Industrial Estate as only 9% of total samples (365 nos,) analysed indicate presence of Nickel,” it added. CSIR-NEERI based on the latest study conducted in Cap increased to meet rising demand for larger, complex projects Has supported numerous projects like Rs 3.63 cr Panchayat building in Guirdolim Enhanced limits expected to enable more infra initiatives in villages institutions in the State, the Deendayal scheme is one of the key State-funded initia- RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO How to get rid of redness from pimples and acne Ganesh Gaonkar elected Speaker tives to improve basic amenities and infrastructure in Goa’s villages. It provides financial assistance for projects such as Panchayat Ghars, community halls, market complexes, multipurpose buildings and other civic infrastructure. The scheme was revalidated in October 2022 for a fiveyear period up to March 2027. Officials said the decision to enhance the funding cap reflects growing demand from local bodies for larger and more complex projects that often exceed the earlier limit. The removal of the provisos is also expected to simplify procedures and speed up approvals. The Directorate of Panchayats, along with >Continued on P8 PANAJI Henceforth, students who have passed Class 8 and Class 10 and completed Industrial Training Institute (ITI) courses at a recognized centre shall be deemed equivalent to SSC and HSSC certificate holders. However, the student has to be resident of Goa for at least three years. The government has amended Goa Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Rules, 1975, in order to provide benefits to ITI students. As per new rules, a stu- Asia Cup: Pakistan books final slot against India 13 ।। जय जय महाकाली महहषासुरमह्दिनी। सर्वेश्वरी महालक्षी त्रिशुललनी ।। >Continued on P8 SIT tightens net in land grab case, files 13th chargesheet ‘MASTERMIND’ SUHAIL, 80-YEAR-OLD NAMED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Special Investigation Team (SIT-land grab) has filed a chargesheet against four persons including the 'mastermind' Mohd Suhail and an 80-year-old bedridden woman in the alleged land forgery and cheating case. This is the 13th chargesheet filed by the SIT. The case earlier registered at Mapusa Police Station in March 2022 was on a complaint lodged by Vincent D’Souza, a resident of New Delhi alleging that the accused forged documents and impersonated legal owners to grab the property at Assagao. The chargesheet running into 795 pages has been filed before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Mapusa. CHARGESHEET KEY POINTS Accused conspired before March 2021 to prepare forged property documents Impersonated legal heirs of Survey No. 78/2 at Assagao Forged documents used before authorities to transfer land rights Details shared with the media reveal that prior to March 2021, the accused persons allegedly conspired to prepare forged documents in respect of property bearing Survey No.78/2 of Assagao village in Bardez by impersonating legal heirs of >Continued on P8 dent, after passing Class VIII or Class IX, has completed a recognized ITI course of two years from a recognized centre and has passed National/ State Council for Vocational Training (NCVT/SCVT) examination with prescribed syllabus; or has completed recognized ITI course of one year from a recognized centre and has completed one year apprenticeship training of certified employment, shall be eligible for equivalence of SSC or HSSC certificates and his/ her ITI course certificate shall be considered as equivalent to Class X or Class XII. SPORTS THE GOAN I NETWORK ITI students eligible for SSC/HSSC certification THE GOAN I NETWORK 10 PANAJI In his second term as legislator, Ganesh Gaonkar, was on Thursday elected the Speaker at a special session of the Goa legislative assembly after it adopted a resolution to that effect which was moved by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Sawant's motion proposing Gaonkar for the Speaker's post was put to vote by Deputy Speaker Joshua D'Souza who was presiding after another motion moved by Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao proposing the name of Quepem MLA, Altone D'Costa was defeated. Although D'Souza announced the defeat of the Alemao-sponsored motion proposing D'Costa's name by a 32-7 vote FAUX PAS BEFORE GAONKAR'S ELECTION count with all seven Opposi>> See pg 3 tion legislators standing up in support, there were only 31 MLAs including the three Independents who stood up in the treasury benches. Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate, reportedly indisposed, was absent from the House when the vote was counted. The post of the Speaker had fallen vacant after Ramesh Tawadkar quit the post to join the Sawant-led Cabinet last month. The special session was convened by CONDITIONS FOR UTILISATION OF GRANTS SCRAPPED THE GOAN I NETWORK Instagram.com/thegoanonline Clever Drive Partner Perfomance Partner Innovation Partner Media Partner the said property. The forged documents were then allegedly used before authorities to fraudulently transfer rights over the land, thereby depriving the rightful heirs of their legal share. The SIT arrested Mohd Suhail, a native of Karnataka residing in Pilar (Goa) on June 27, 2025 and described him as the mastermind of the conspiracy. The chargesheet alleges that he was responsible for preparing forged documents, creating bank accounts, and subsequently destroying incriminating evidence. > Continued on P8 पणजी येथील महालक्षी मंदिरात सजवले ली श्ी िेवी महालक्षी Visit Today : Goa - St. Inez Rd. Panjim 93709 52715 Slum rehabilitation policy on cards: Sawant PANAJI: The government has said it is working on formulating a 'Slum Rehabilitation Policy'. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the policy will involve construction of hous- es on a PPP basis. But, beneficiaries will not be eligible to claim benefits of the recently enacted laws to regularise illegal houses on government and comunidade land, he said.
The new Goa, with a broader profile of people from different parts of India and the world, needs not just a strong local paper but a complete paper. The Goan on Saturday will connect to and be a viable and comprehensive read for locals, other Indians in Goa, NRI and foreigners. It will also be a bridge for Goans in other parts of India all over the world to their home land. The Goan is published by Goa's most reputed industrial houses.
