log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 29, 2025 GOA Teknorix to Onstro: A Goan software story going global IN SHORT >> State govt staffers get 3% hike in DA PANAJI: The Goa government on Tuesday hiked the Dearness Allowance (DA) by three per cent of basic pay with retrospective effect from July 1, 2025, to compensate against price rise. With the hike, the DA has jumped to 58 per cent of basic pay from the existing rate of 55 per cent. >> See pg 3 Adolescent boy electrocuted CANACONA: An adolescent boy was electrocuted while performing welding of grills at Palolem and Canacona police has booked two persons from Canacona on charges of engaging the adolescent boy for wielding work. >> See pg 2 E-bus drivers strike over salary dues PANAJI: Hundreds of commuters were stranded on Tuesday morning after drivers of all 48 electric buses under the Smart City Mission launched an unannounced strike over non-payment of salaries.  >> See pg 2 Finnish woman found dead in Calangute The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 131 BJP left red-faced as no-confidence move in Davorlim p’yat backfires >> pg 6 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA Widespread reports of crop losses due to unseasonal rains in State 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 9 INFO Rising stroke cases in young adults signal a health crisis SIR in Goa: 2002 voter list to be verified in 3 months MAPPING UNDERWAY TO IDENTIFY BOGUS AND DEAD VOTERS; BLOs TO START DOOR-TO-DOOR CHECKS; PARTIES FLAG FEARS OF WRONGFUL DELETIONS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Ahead of the conduct of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral roll, the Chief Electoral Office, CEO Goa will have to verify within three months the voters whose names did not figure in the State’s 2002 SIR list. The CEO has already commenced mapping current electors with records from their last SIR – conducted in 2002. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI) data, Goa had a total of 9.27 lakh voters during the 2002 State legislative assembly election. The number went up to 11.85 lakh eligible voters on the final electoral roll published in January, this year. The previous SIRs will serve as the reference point for the ongoing revision. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) IAS Sanjay Goel on Tuesday chaired a crucial all-party meeting at his office on SIR before the full-fledged and ground-level exercise starts from November 4. Apart „„CEO Goa to verify roll voters missing from „„Three-phase the 2002 SIR list process begins within three November 4 months with door-toTHE „„Current door enumer11.85 lakh VERIFICATION ation; draft roll electors being on December PROCESS 9; final list on mapped with the 2002 voter roll, February 7, 2026 which had 9.27 lakh „„Voters on the 2002 list voters require basic verification; „„Exercise aims to eliminew voters or those withnate bogus names, identify out parental names in the dead voters, and ensure an 2002 roll must provide ID accurate, verified electoral and proof of citizenship from the CEO, all-party meetings were held at the district level, where they were chaired by the North and South Goa district magistrates, respectively, who are also the District Electoral Officers. Representatives from the ruling BJP, MGP and opposition Congress, AAP and GFP attended the meeting. During the meeting, the Opposition informed the CEO that they should not allow a single legal voter’s name to be deleted from the electoral list and no bogus names would be added and if any violation by Booth Level Officers (BLO) is observed then will seek ECI intervention. The political parties have decided to remain vigilant to ensure the eligible voters are part of the electoral roll. A senior officer explained Transfers of 34 officers amid SIR process spark concerns PANAJI: The Goa government issued transfer orders for 34 mid-level officers late on Monday evening, just after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was announced across 12 States and Union Territories, including Goa. The timing has raised concerns and could draw the attention of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Opposition leaders have questioned the move and raised the issue during a meeting on Tuesday with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjay Goel, IAS.  >> See pg 2 that the pan-India exercise is aimed at weeding out discrepancies and verifying voters’ credentials. “We are nearing completion the mapping of current electors with records from their last 2002 SIR. It will serve as a baseline,” the officer said adding ‘total 2.60 lakh voters have been added… the number would be more than that as many are dead voters’. Speaking to media persons, the CEO said that for individuals already registered on the 2002 list, the process is simpler as they will only need to submit an enumeration form along with a copy of the 2002 voter list. Those whose names do not appear in the 2002 list but whose parents are listed will need to provide additional documentation, including identity proof and an extract of the 2002 voter list for their parents. “The last SIR was in 2002.. for last 23 years no SIR has happened …we will distribute the enumeration forms to all 11.85 lakh voters…BLOs will undertake mapping of the 2002 SIR list and the current voter list,” he said >Continued on P5 SPORTS T20I: Focus on SKY's form as India takes on Australia 12 Sand extraction turns violent in Pernem; two labourers shot, injured Police file case against unknown persons for attempt to murder THE GOAN I NETWORK PERNEM Sand extraction activity took a violent turn when two extractors were shot at and injured at Porascadem in Ugvem-Pernem in the wee hours of Tuesday. According to reports, the two sand extractors, Ramrishi Ramraj Paswan (54) and Lal Bahadur Goud, both natives of Bihar, had gone to extract sand from the Terekhol River, when unidentified persons fired gunshots at them. While Paswan sustained bullet injuries to his neck, Goud suffered bullet injuries to his stomach and right arm. On receiving news of the incident, Pernem Police Inspector Sachin Lokre and a police team rushed to the spot and shifted the injured workers to the Goa Medical College hospital at Bambolim for treatment. Acting on a complaint filed by Paswan, police have registered a case against unknown persons for attempt to murder and illegal use of a firearm. Police were also conducting investigations into the motive for the shooting incident. When contacted, PI Lokre said the police are investigating the case and added that police are also looking into claims that two rival groups may have been involved in the incident. According to sources, the growing demand for sand in the construction industry has led to stiff competition to extract sand in the Porascadem area. Such has been the demand that sand traders from Maharastra regularly send a number of trucks to Goa to collect the extracted sand. This has led to a booming business of sand extraction in the Terekhol River in Pernem taluka, with a large number of families directly or indirectly dependent on the activity. Sources added that this demand for sand extraction has led to an influx of workers from other states and contractors had provided them accommodation in nearby areas. This has prompted concerns on whether the details of these workers have been registered with the police. MAPUSA: A 64-year-old woman from Finland was found dead inside a guest house room at Maddo Waddo, Calangute, late on Monday night. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and have begun investigations.  >> See pg 3 New casino vessel proposal Bound in chains, son was brutally hit with Margao police custody: at Reis Magos runs aground weapon in undergoes major brain surgery atMother Navelim youth GMC; Tourist goes missing with rented car RESIDENTS CITE SAFETY AND POLLUTION CONCERNS, SAY VESSEL LACKS KEY CLEARANCES; OPERATIONS PUT ON HOLD family, activist call for CCTV footage and accountability THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA: In what appears to be yet another case of trust gone wrong, a tourist who had hired a car in Calangute allegedly vanished with the vehicle, leaving the owner in distress and the police on the lookout.  >> See pg 3 Prez Murmu to take Rafale sortie today NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu will take a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet at Ambala, Haryana, on Wednesday. This will be her second fighter aircraft sortie after flying in a Sukhoi-30 at Tezpur Air Force Station, Assam, on April 8, 2023. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 27 C 26 C 79% TIDES Low: 10:02 21.23 High: 04:11 13.52 PANAJI A new offshore casino vessel is poised to begin operations on the River Mandovi, with its proposed mooring point located behind the Hanuman Temple at Reis Magos. However, the process of positioning the vessel has been temporarily halted following opposition from residents. Documents accessed under the Right to Information Act reveal that the Captain of Ports decided to issue an “in-principle temporary mooring NOC” to the vessel, identified as Y-178, owned by M/s Delta Pleasure Cruise Company Pvt Ltd. Activist Sudip Tamankar, who obtained the documents, claimed that the new vessel has been brought in as a replacement for M V Royale Flotel under a proposed shift in mooring positions. As per the proposal, M V Horseshoe Casino would move to the mooring of M V Casino Royale, M V New vessel a replacement, all permissions obtained: Govt PANAJI: The State government has confirmed the arrival of a new offshore casino vessel, clarifying that it is a replacement for the M V Royale Flotel, and not an additional vessel being introduced in River Mandovi. Government sources dismissed allegations that permissions were bypassed. Officials informed The Goan that all necessary approvals, including those for the mooring location, are in place. “The government granted permission to the vessel in 2022 based on a proposal submitted by the owner in 2019. The mooring position was approved in 2023, following which the vessel was allotted the Reis Magos location,” a senior official said. >Continued on P5 Casino Royale would shift to that of M V Royale Flotel, and the new vessel Y-178 would take the original mooring position in the river. Tamankar pointed out that an earlier proposal was rejected in accordance with a government circular dated July 18, 1996, which restricts vessels above 90 metres in length from entering the Mandovi without prior clearance. The new vessel, according to shipbuilder records obtained under RTI, measures around 120 metres. “The government had earlier rejected the proposal. Now the same proposal has been revived through a new >Continued on P5 MARGAO The mother of Edberg Pereira, the victim in the Margao police custody assault case, said that her son was struck with a weapon by a police officer at the Margao police station after being bound in chains when he was brought to the police station on October 22 afternoon. Edberg, who is undergoing treatment for bleeding injuries at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim, underwent major brain surgery late on Tuesday evening. His aunt told the media, in the presence of his mother and social activist Pratima Coutinho, that doctors at GMC had informed them that Edberg suffered a serious injury to the left side of his brain, resulting in the bleeding. Edberg’s mother Viola said the police officer assaulted his son with a weapon, triggering a loud sound which silenced everyone at the police Doctors warn of possible paralysis on left side of body Victim Edberg Pereira, who has sustained serious bleeding injuries on the head, has undergone a surgery at the GMC. PSI suspended; questions raised over FIR and nature of charges MARGAO: The Goa Police have come under scrutiny following the assault on Navelim youth Edberg Pereira. While the Police Sub-Inspector has been suspended, questions remain over whether an FIR has been registered and under what offences. >Continued on P5 station. “For a moment, there was silence when we heard a loud sound. The police officer pushed me and my sister when we tried to inquire. We then saw my son lying in a pool of blood,” the mother said. >Continued on P5 MARGAO: Family members of Edberg Pereira are fervently praying to the Almighty for the success of the surgery performed on him at GMC, Bambolim. For, doctors have reportedly informed them that the injuries he sustained are so severe that they could result in paralysis on the left side of his body. Edberg’s aunt Lucia said that the doctors at GMC confirmed he has suffered bleeding injuries on the left side of his brain. “The doctors have asked us to pray to the Almighty, as there is a possibility of paralysis on the left side of his body due to the injuries to the left side of the brain,” she said. Cabinet approves terms of Street fights, gunshots: Goa’s law and order under fire reference of 8th pay panel MOVE TO BENEFIT 50 LAKH EMPLOYEES AND 69 LAKH B PENSIONERS; MAY TAKE EFFECT FROM JANUARY 2026 THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI NEW DELHI The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the terms of reference of the 8th Pay Commission, which will benefit 50 lakh central government employees and 69 lakh pensioners and will have implications on the emoluments of the staff of state governments. The recommendations of the Commission, to be headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desi, are likely to be effective from January 1, 2026. The commission will submit its report in 18 months and interim reports as and when they are finalised. The announcement comes ahead of Bihar state elections, which will be held between November 6 and 11. According to an official statement, the commission will look into “the prevailing emolument structure, benefits and working conditions available to employees of Central Public Sector Undertakings and private sector” while finalising its recommendations. While making its recommendations, the commission will also consider the economic conditions in the country and the need for fiscal prudence, and the need to ensure that adequate resources are available for developmental expenditure and welfare measures. PANAJI ack-to-back street fights, latest firing incident in Pernem, and blatant violations of public safety norms have once again brought Goa’s law and order situation under sharp scrutiny. The latest cases come close on the heels of the recent two dacoities, attack on social activist Rama Kankonkar, and a gang clash reported in South Goa two months ago. In the most recent case, two labourers were injured after gunshots were allegedly fired during a dispute over sand extraction at Naibag, Pernem. The injured, 37-year-old Lalbahadur Gond and 54-year- A GLANCE AT THE INCIDENTS „„Pernem firing: Two labourers injured in a gunfire incident over sand extraction at Naibag, Pernem. Police teams probing, arrests expected soon „„Panaji brawl: Rival taxi groups clashed outside Panaji Police Station using knuckle-dusters and pepper spray; seven arrested, three taxis seized old Ram Rishi Paswan, both residents of Poraskade and natives of Bihar, sustained injuries to the hand and neck and are undergoing treatment „„Caranzalem confrontation: Ramponkars confronted organisers of an unlicensed open-water swimming event; organiser booked, fined Rs 50,000 by Tourism Dept „„Mungul shooting (August): Masked assailants fired at a car, critically injuring two; 25 suspects arrested at the Goa Medical College and Hospital. Superintendent of Police (North) Rahul Gupta stated that multiple police teams „„Madkai firing: Gunshots fired at a resident’s car; probe underway „„Honda Narkasur incident: Firecracker-laden car set ablaze outside police outpost „„Earlier crimes: Two recent dacoities, attack on activist Rama Kankonkar, and a gang clash in South Goa two months ago were working on the case, with arrests soon. “Around 8-9 persons were present on the boat when the firing took place, and the police had obtained leads and had summoned a few persons for questioning. Arrests are soon to happen,” he added. The firing incident came just 48 hours after a shocking brawl broke out right outside Panaji Police Station on Sunday. Two rival taxi groups clashed at the entrance of the police station, assaulting each other with kicks, punches and even using a knuckle-duster and pepper spray. The fight happened despite police personnel present on-site with one accused, Yakub Wallikar, suffering fractures to his left leg and hand. On Tuesday, the SP updated about the arrests of seven >Continued on P5