log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) Instagram.com/thegoanonline Pg 12 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 102 Swimmer Nataraj dazzles with 2 silvers to end India’s 16-yr drought RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 CBC 15502/13/0026/2526 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 Govt buckles again, scraps IIT campus plan at Codar जय कामाक्षी नमोस्तुत,े श्षी कामाक्षी नमोस्तुत! े महाकालषी, महालक्षषी ,महासरस्वतषी नमोस्तुत! े MINISTER BATS FOR PERMANENT CAMPUS AT FARMAGUDI THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Bowing to public pressure, the Goa government on Sunday announced its decision to scrap the proposed permanent site for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus at Codar village. Apparently, this is a sixth identified site that the government was forced to drop following strong opposition from local residents.    The national premier institute -- IIT Goa -- is struggling to secure land for its permanent campus since its establishment  in July 2016. In its 9th year of functioning, the institute continues to operate from a temporary facility at the Goa Engineering College (GEC), Farmagudi. On Sunday, WRD Minister and Shiroda MLA Subhash Shirodkar announced the decision to can- MINISTER BLAMES ‘VESTED INTERESTS’ „„IIT campus at Codar would not have affected farmers’ land or livelihoods „„Continuous opposition by ‘vested interests’ is detrimental to State’s development „„Campus at Codar would have brought development to the area and would benefit Goan students „„Codar village would have got international recognition and direct/indirect employment for locals „„Ponda taluka is an educational hub and Codar would have been a suitable location for IIT cel the proposed project in Codar village. He said that the decision was taken after discussing the concerns of the Codar villagers with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. “CM told me that we don’t want to force the project on the people, if they are opposed to it… if they don’t want it,” Shirodkar said while proposing that Farmagudi could be made the permanent campus for the institute by acquiring additional land in the area. “Now, IIT will continue func- tioning at Farmagudi in Ponda, where it is currently based, though with inconvenience,” he said, citing that there was no scope for expansion at the current location and that the institute is failing to expand as far as research is considered. INCREDIBLE INDIA! >> pg 6 „„India bowled out Pakistan for a modest 146 and then chased down the target of 147 with two balls remaining „„Tilak Varma smashed an unbeaten 69 in 53 balls „„Shivam Dube contributed a breezy 22-ball 33 during a vital 60-run partnership Markets brace for RBI meet, US tariff signals and IPO rush this week IN SHORT >> Kejriwal to arrive in Goa for 2-day visit PANAJI: Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, Arvind Kejriwal, will be visiting Goa on October 4 and 5, the party’s Goa unit has announced. The visit gains significance as it is timed with the party’s ongoing efforts to expand its footprint in Goa ahead of the Zilla elections.  >> See pg 2 TN stampede toll increases to 40 KARUR: The toll in the stampede here rose to 40 after a man succumbed to injuries at the government hospital, a health official said on Sunday. Termination of Pernem excise babu flawed: MLA  >> See pg 5 ASIA CUP CHAMPS: Unbeaten in the tournament, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the summit showdown to win their 9th Asia Cup title, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, on Sunday.  (Report on pg 12) Ambulance falls victim to unsafe road, overturns near Socorro THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The perilous condition of Goa’s roads once again came under the spotlight on Sunday morning when an ambulance carrying a patient to Goa Medical College (GMC) overturned on the service road near Socorro, Porvorim. The accident, which occurred around 7 am, could PHOTO ON PG 5 have ended in tragedy but for the fact that all occupants escaped with minor injuries. The vehicle, on its way from Mapusa District Hospital to GMC, lost control while negotiating a pothole infested road diversion created due to ongoing flyover construction work at Porvorim. As the driver attempted to maneuver onto the uneven service road riddled with loose gravel and potholes, the ambulance rammed the divider and toppled on its side. “It was sheer luck that there was no heavy traffic at the time. Had it been later in the day, the consequences could >Continued on P5 He also raised concern that consistent failure and opposition to the project might foresee IIT moving out of Goa. “And this is not a healthy sign,” he asserted. Speaking in the presence of Codar Comunidade president Prashant Gaonkar and others, the Minister alleged that some “vested interests” were instigating people to oppose developmental initiatives, and asserted that the IIT campus at Codar would not have affected the livelihood or land of farmers. He pointed out that such opposition to projects is detrimental to the State’s development. As per the notice issued by the Central Comunidade on August 19, the government announced plans to acquire about 14.5 lakh नवरात्रोत्सवाच्ा सातव्ा दिवशी सजले ली आई कलस्ामिनी कािाक्ी िेवी ु >Continued on P5 ‘Fix them’: US targets India, Brazil in trade warning Visit Today : Goa - St. Inez Rd. Panjim 93709 52715 PTI WASHINGTON Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said the US will have to ‘fix’ countries like Brazil and India, asserting that these nations need to react correctly to America by opening their markets and refraining from actions that could harm American interests. The Trump administration has imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, including a 25 per cent tariff on New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, among the highest tariff rates imposed on any country. “We have a bunch of countries to fix, like Switzerland, Brazil, India - these are countries that need to really react correctly to America. Open their markets, stop taking actions that harm America, and that’s why we’re off sides with them,” Lutnick said. Lutnick said that these countries have to understand that if “you want to sell to the US consumers, you’ve got to play ball with the President of the United States.” Apart from India and Brazil, Lutnick also mentioned countries like Taiwan and Switzerland that have unresolved trade issues with the US. Narrow escape for 27 as fishing vessel hits sandbar at River Sal FISHERMEN FACE SEVEN-HOUR ORDEAL AT SEA THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO Hostile navigation conditions at the mouth of the River Sal proved treacherous once again, as a fishing vessel carrying 27 crew members was left stranded in rough seas after striking a sandbar. All the 27 fishermen were rescued at dawn on Sunday by a coordinated effort involving local fishermen and Drishti Marine lifesavers, but not before enduring a harrowing 6-7 hour ordeal. The incident has once again brought into sharp focus the lack of preparedness and logistical support available with the coastal police for maritime emergencies. It also underscored the prolonged delay in the construction of a much-needed breakwater facility — a training wall — at The ill-fated trawler that ran aground at River Sal. the mouth of the River Sal. The incident occurred late Saturday night as the vessel was returning to the Cutbona fishing jetty after a fishing trip. Just as the vessel approached the mouth of the River Sal, it is believed to have hit a sand formation just meters away after a huge wave crashed on the vessel. The captain attempted to maneuver the vessel to safety but, in the process, it developed a mechanical fault and eventually went aground. With the vessel disabled and 27 crew members stranded at sea, an SOS was sent to the boat owner, who immediately contacted the coastal police station in Betul. The coastal police, however, informed the boat owner that the station lacked basic rescue equipment — including speedboats or interceptor >Continued on P5 Centre drops proposal for national litigation policy Collector reviews, but nightclubs continue to flout noise ban PTI MAPUSA Even as the North Goa Collector’s office held its first meeting last week to discuss the implementation of the High Court of Bombay at Goa’s directions on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning noise pollution, nightclubs and hotels along the coastal belt continue to play loud music well beyond the mandatory 10 pm deadline. The meeting, chaired by Additional Collector-I Gurudas Desai, brought together deputy collectors from various talukas, block develop- NEW DELHI The government has shunned the idea of bringing a national litigation policy that was in the works for years, and instead issued directives to departments and PSUs on ways to cut down on court cases. Seeking to shed the tag of being the biggest litigant, the government has been working on a comprehensive policy to cut down on cases where it, its depts or PSUs are a party. But after a lot of thinking, the Union law ministry has finally junked plans to bring out a national litigation policy as the thought prevailed that the government cannot have a policy on curbing litigations as it can’t stop people at large from filing cases. “The term policy cannot be used if it is applicable only on the government, its ministries and departments and not on private litigations. “Something which is not universally applicable cannot be termed as policy...curbing government litigation is a very inward looking move,” a top ministry functionary said. THE GOAN I NETWORK SUGGESTIONS OF NOISE COMMITTEE MEMBERS „„Ensure HC directives implemented within a specific timeline „„Recognise noise pollution as criminal offence „„Register FIRs against violations promptly „„Mandate soundproof music systems in nightclubs, wedding halls, restaurants „„Avoid exposing complainants’ identities „„Strengthen citizen safety and confidentiality ment officers, police representatives and members of the High Court-appointed noise committee. The session was intended to review the court’s directions and address concerns raised by citizens about unchecked noise pollution, particularly from the State’s booming nightlife industry. During the meeting, committee member Capt Gerald Fernandes (retired) stressed that the High Court’s directives should be implemented in a time-bound manner. “Noise pollution is a cognizable criminal offence and FIRs must be registered ac- cordingly,” he said, while also warning that disturbances from discos were closely linked to the rising drug and narcotics problem in the coastal belt. Fernandes further suggested the mandatory installation of soundproof music technology in nightclubs, wedding „„Ensure shacks, hotels obtain permission from SDMs, not just trade licences halls and restaurants. Another member, Antonio de Souza, highlighted lapses in how police handle complaints. According to him, complainants are often asked to reveal the exact location of violations and are even called to the spot, exposing their identity to violators.  “This raises serious concerns about safety and confidentiality of citizens,” de Souza said. He also pointed out that many coastal shacks and hotels operate with only a trade licence, bypassing the requirement of explicit per- missions from sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs). Suggestions were also made to share enforcement responsibilities between panchayats and police. De Souza proposed that panchayats handle complaints received before 10 pm, while police tackle those after the deadline. However, other members disagreed, insisting that both agencies must work jointly. The Block Development Officer clarified that panchayats currently lack enforcement powers, with the Goa State >Continued on P5