log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2025 GOA Candolim’s long-promised health centre still a work in progress More exit polls back NDA; Axis My India shows RJD on top NEW DELHI: Two fresh exit polls on Wednesday pointed to an NDA victory in Bihar with Axis My India showing a clear edge for the ruling alliance and Today's Chanakya forecasting a big win for it over the Mahagathbandhan. Both the exit polls forecast a disappointing electoral debut for Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj. The Axis My India Exit Poll predicted that the NDA would be ahead of the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar but the RJD would emerge as the single-largest party when results for the Assembly polls are announced on >> See pg 8 Friday.  IN SHORT >> Retd teacher to get pension after 35 yrs PANAJI: A 90-year-old retired teacher, Datatray Babarao Ambeker, will finally receive his pension after fighting for it for over 35 years. The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the State government to immediately disburse his pensionary benefits, which had been withheld for decades due to a procedural lapse dating back to 1988.  >> See pg 3 CB to verify evidence before FIR in jobs scam PANAJI: The Crime Branch (CB) is continuing its inquiry into the explosive allegations made by jobs-for-cash prime accused Pooja Naik, with an FIR to be lodged only after evidence substantiates the claims. Sources said the probe team requires material proof to support Naik’s allegations against the IAS officer and a Public Works Department (PWD) officer, both of whom she named in her statement to the CB.   >> See pg 3 3 held for assault, abuse at Vagator MAPUSA: In a violent early morning incident at Vagator helipad on Tuesday, a group of men allegedly passed obscene remarks at a woman and later assaulted her friends, causing serious injuries and damaging their car. Police have arrested three persons in connection with the case.  >> See pg 3 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 146 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 10 Schools, colleges told to fortify campuses, keep stray dogs out GOA INFO Nearly 7K govt contract workmen to get Provident Fund benefits Christian carpenters to miss quota bus for Zilla polls >PAGE 2 Facebook.com/thegoan Winter Alert! Kidney stone cases rising in younger adults THE GOAN I NETWORK D 13 CEC gets one-week extension to file tiger reserve report PANAJI To ensure student safety and in compliance with the Supreme Court’s latest directions on stray dog management, the Directorate of Education has asked all educational institutions in Goa to immediately secure their campuses and prevent the entry of stray dogs. The order, issued by Director of Education Shailesh Sinai Zingde to all government-aided, unaided schools, colleges, universities and coaching institutes on Wednesday, cited public safety, health, and management of stray dogs as the prime concerns. “The administrative heads of the educational institutions shall ensure that the premises are secured by adequate fencing, boundary walls, gates and such other measures as may be necessary to prevent the ingress of stray dogs,” the circular states. Institutions have been given eight weeks to complete the exercise, with the first Fake challan alert! Goa Police warn citizens of scam on WhatsApp THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In view of rising WhatsApp communications from alleged fraudsters, the Goa Police on Wednesday issued a public warning against fake traffic challan messages being circulated on WhatsApp using police logos and photographs. The department cautioned citizens not to click on any links or download attachments from such messages. In a post on X, the department stated, “FAKE CHALLAN ALERT! Scammers are sending fake traffic challans via WhatsApp using police logos/photos. Don’t click any links or share details or download any .apk file. Verify challan only on echallan. parivahan.gov.in. Report at 1930 / cybercrime.gov.in.” The alert comes following a complaint by a social media user who tagged the Goa Police and Maharashtra Police, reporting that he had >Continued on P8 THE GOAN I NETWORK THE DIRECTIVES: Govt appoints nodal officers ACTION PLAN „„Secure campuses with fencing or boundary walls to block stray entry „„Appoint a nodal officer for cleanliness and stray control „„Display officer details at entrance, inform local bodies and submit copy to Directorate by Nov 17 „„Hold quarterly inspec- compliance report due by November 17. This comes with a warning that failure to comply could result in action, as the instructions follow Supreme Court orders. Every educational institution is also required to appoint a nodal officer responsible for maintaining cleanliness and ensuring that stray dogs do not enter or inhabit the campus. The officer’s details must be displayed prominently at the entrance and shared with tions to spot and report stray habitats „„Alert authorities immediately if strays are found; report within a week „„Conduct awareness sessions on safety, first aid, and reporting the respective municipal body or panchayat. “The management of every educational institution shall designate a nodal officer responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the premises and for ensuring that stray dogs do not enter or inhabit the campus. The details of the said officer shall be displayed prominently at the entrance and notified to the jurisdictional municipal body/ authority,” it further Cabinet okays Chief Engrs’ retirement at 62 with conditions PANAJI In a significant administrative move, the Goa cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to enhance the superannuation age of Chief Engineers in key infrastructure departments from 60 to 62 years. The decision applies to the head-honchos at Public Works Department (PWD), Water Resources Department (WRD), Department of Drinking Water (DDW), and the Goa Electricity Department (GED). Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who chaired Wednesday's cabinet meeting, announced the decision at his customary post-cabinet press briefing. He clarified that the twoyear extension will not be automatic and will be subject to specific conditions. “The Chief Engineer will „„MoEF&CC has approved „„Clearance granted for doubling of coal dredging Vasco Bay capacity at Morto allow larger coal mugao Port from vessels 7 to 14 MTPA WHAT THE „„Loutolim– „„Proposal for Borim highway ACTIVISTS and bridge a new jetty at SAY... Xelvona remains designed mainly pending despite to serve Mormugao local protests and Port CM’s assurances „„SWR double tracking To promote awareness and safety, the circular mandates that schools conduct awareness sessions for students and staff on preventive behaviour around animals, first aid in case of bites, and protocols for immediate reporting. “This directive is being issued in strict adherence to the Supreme Court’s guidelines and in the larger interest of our students’ safety,” Zingde said. ZP poll date in doubt as CEO seeks deferment over pending SIR Red Fort blast termed terror act; December 6 plot foiled THE GOAN I NETWORK be allowed to continue up to the age of 62 only if there is no other eligible engineer in the department qualified to take over the post at the time of his or her retirement at 60,” Sawant said. The move is aimed at ensuring continuity in leadership and technical oversight in departments that play a critical role in executing infrastructure projects and ensuring utility services like electricity and water supply across the State. It is also expected to address gaps in succession planning, especially in departments where senior-level vacancies are difficult to fill due to limited availability of personnel who fit the promotion and recruitment rules (RRs). Sources within the administration indicated that the >Continued on P8 >Continued on P8 Minister Pramod Sawant or his representative at any suitable time. Goyant Kollso Naka has vowed to take this battle to its logical conclusion, when all the demands agreed upon during the Lohia Maidan meeting are fulfilled. being pushed despite SC objections as part of Sagarmala plan „„Government continues NH-4A and SWR projects through protected areas in Mollem „„No effort made to stop dredging or delete rivers from the National Waterways list Addressing the media on Wednesday, GKN leader Abhijit Prabhudesai said that construction work for the addi- PANAJI The Supreme Court has granted a one-week extension to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the court, to submit its report on the proposal to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas as a tiger reserve. The Bench has also allowed three weeks for all concerned parties to file their replies to the CEC report. The apex court has meanwhile continued its September 8 order directing status quo on all development activities in the protected areas. The CEC, which had sought additional time to finalise its report, is scheduled to visit Goa for the second time from November 16 to 18 to conduct field visits and seek further clarity on the issue. In its submission, the committee informed the court that the process of examination and preparation of the report was underway and that certain documents and information were awaited from the Government of Goa and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). It stated that the report would be finalised and submitted once the pending data is received. Taking note of the CEC’s submissions, the Supreme Court granted a one-week extension for filing the report and three weeks for the parties to file their replies. The matter has now been adjourned and will be listed after four weeks. The CEC had earlier visited Goa in October for a handson study of the proposed tiger reserve. During the visit, CEC member Sunil Limaye and the team inspected the Kalay forest area to assess the ground realities and held consultations with stakeholders, including forest officials, environmentalists, the petitioner, and elected representatives from Valpoi, Poriem, Sanguem, Canacona and other areas. In July 2023, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had directed the State government to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining areas, as identified by the NTCA said adding that a copy of the order designating such nodal officer shall be forwarded to the department by November 17. In addition, the Directorate has ordered quarterly inspections of campuses to identify any stray dog habitats within or near the premises. If such habitats are found, institutions must immediately alert local authorities for removal and submit a report within a week. PANAJI Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sanjay Goel, IAS, on Wednesday cast doubt over the December 13 schedule for the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections, revealing that his office had earlier formally requested the State government to defer the polls until the completion of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Speaking to the media after an all-party meeting on the SIR process, Goel stated that the final rolls will only be published on February 7, 2026. “We had advised the government to consider postponing the elections to ensure updated rolls are used,” he said. Although the government has announced December 13 as the tentative polling date, the official notification detailing the election schedule is yet to be issued. Goel’s remarks gain significance amid mounting objections from political parties. EXTENSION ALLOWED ONLY IF NO ELIGIBLE SUCCESSOR, SAYS CM THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI: The Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has appointed Nodal Officers at the State and Taluka/ Municipality levels to handle issues related to stray animals. The move comes in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions in the suo motu writ petition titled “City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price” and as per instructions issued by the Chief Secretary. The designated officers will ensure prompt medical attention and care for stray animals while maintaining close coordination with municipal bodies, law enforcement agencies, and Animal Welfare Organisations for effective implementation of the orders. GKN throws open challenge to CM, offers presentation to MLAs MARGAO isputing the government’s claim that no additional permissions have been granted for coal handling in Goa, Goyant Kollso Naka has said that the MoEF&CC granted Environmental Clearance on January 11, 2023, for doubling the coal handling capacity at Berths 5A and 6A of Mormugao Port by South West Ports Ltd from 7 MTPA to 14 MTPA. The anti-coal activists have offered to make a presentation to all MLAs and to hold an open debate with Chief India backs Jurel’s form, Nitish Reddy set to miss first SA Test DEPT GIVES 8-WEEK DEADLINE TO SECURE PREMISES, SUBMIT COMPLIANCE Status quo to continue; parties get 3 weeks to reply to findings REPORT BY NOVEMBER 17; WARNS OF ACTION FOR NON-COMPLIANCE Activists call bluff on govt’s ‘no new coal’ claim THE GOAN I NETWORK SPORTS tional capacity is progressing rapidly at the port, while both the Central and State governments are fully supporting the creation of this massive additional coal-handling capacity of 7 MTPA before the NGT. “Secondly, a coal-handling jetty is now proposed at Xelvona, which is stalled only due to local protests. The permissions are currently being considered by the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority despite strong objections from local communities, which the Chief Minister is well aware of. Despite the CM’s >Continued on P8 >Continued on P8 PROBE REVEALS DOCS’ MODULE LINKED TO JEM, PLANNED ATTACK ON BABRI MASJID ANNIVERSARY; PM VOWS JUSTICE PTI NEW DELHI The Government on Wednesday termed the blast near the Red Fort as a “terrorist incident” even as it emerged during investigations that Dr Umar Nabi, who was driving the explosives-laden car, planned an attack here to coincide with the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6. Officials involved in the investigations into the blast on Monday evening in which 12 people were killed and several injured said that Umar and another key suspect Dr Muzammil Ganai had met overground workers of the banned terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) during their trip to Turkiye in 2021. They also said that an analysis of dump data retrieved from the mobile phone of Muzammil showed he had recced the Red Fort area multiple times in the first week of January. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the LNJP Hospital and met the survivors, and once again declared that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the LNJP Hospital to meet the survivors of the Red Fort blast. perpetrators will be brought to justice. He was in the hospital for nearly 25 minutes. PARLIAMENTARY PANEL REFUSES DISCUSSION ON RED FORT BLAST >> See pg 8 A meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Modi upon his return from Bhutan directed investigating agencies to deal with the case with “utmost urgency and professionalism” to bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to justice without delay. The meeting reaffirmed India's unwavering commitment to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Observing a two-minute silence in memory of the victims, the Cabinet adopted a resolution expressing profound grief over the loss of lives in the incident and said the situation continues to be “closely monitored” at the >Continued on P8