log on to thegoan.net Facebook.com/thegoan @thegoanonline SUNDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2025 18 pages The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 156 Govt sets 6-mth deadline for Mhaje Ghar scheme n NO EXTENSION AFTER APRIL 2, 2026, SAYS SAWANT n IF MUNDKAR GETS SHARE, LANDLORD CAN SELL LAND THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday announced that the newly launched Mhaje Ghar Yojna will be a one-time opportunity for eligible beneficiaries, with a fixed six-month window to apply. Speaking during an online interaction focused on the scheme and revenue department reforms, Sawant emphasized that the government intends to implement the programme in a time-bound manner to ensure clarity and fairness. The scheme, which commenced on October 4, 2025, will remain open until April 2, 2026. During this period, eligible mundkars -- traditional occupants of homestead land -- can file applications to secure their rightful share of property. Sawant underlined that the government’s objective is to provide long-awaited relief to mundkars while streamlining land ownership processes. “The Mhaje Ghar Yojna is a >> SEE PG 2 Fear at doorstep: Goa’s crime spike RACE AGAINST TIME FOR BENEFICIARIES Scheme launched on October 4, 2025 and will remain open up to April 2, 2026 Eligible mundkars (traditional occupants of homestead land) can apply to secure their rightful share of property Mhaje Ghar Yojna is a one-time opportunity for beneficiaries No extension to be given beyond six months After the deadline, applications will not be accepted Govt aims to provide long-pending relief to mundkars and streamline land ownership processes one-time opportunity. Beneficiaries must apply within the six-month period. After April 2, 2026, the scheme will not be extended,” Sawant said. He further clarified that landowners will be permitted to sell their properties only after ensuring that mundkars receive the portion of land due to them under the scheme. This condition, he explained, is aimed at pro- tecting the rights of long-standing occupants and preventingdisputesoverownership. Sawant also used the interaction to highlight ongoing reforms in the revenue department. He said the government is committed to digitizing records, simplifying procedures, and reducing delays in land-related transactions. According to him, the reforms are designed to make the system more transparent and citizen-friendly. “We are working to ensure that land records are digitized and accessible. The reforms will reduce corruption and make the process smoother for the public,” Sawant noted. The Mhaje Ghar Yojna is being touted as a landmark initiative in Goa’s land governance framework. Sawant urged beneficiaries to take advantage of the scheme within the stipulated time frame and assured that the administration would provide necessary support to facilitate applications. As the April 2026 deadline approaches, the success of the scheme will depend on effective outreach and the ability of the revenue department to process applications efficiently under its reformed framework. It however faces legal challenge before the Bombay High Court at Goa, related to the amendment to the Code of Comunidades which permits regularisation of illegal encroachments on Comunidade land. Opposition alliance for ZP polls hangs by a thread n CONG REFUSES TO BEND ON DEFECTION ISSUE n CLARITY LIKELY AFTER MEET WITH SARDESAI THE GOAN I NETWORK MAGAZINE MAGAZ 11 Cracking the shell: How Goa is reviving its iconic cashew legacy How a festival changed my relationship with art, money and life Day 3 dazzles: IFFI turns up the glitter and glamour in Panaji 13 When ethics fail, justice should not be out of reach MARGAO The Grand Opposition Alliance (GOA) — comprising the Congress, the Goa Forward Party, and the Revolutionary Goans Party — appears to be hanging in the balance, as the principal Opposition party has taken a firm stand that it will not compromise on certain principles, particularly concerning defections and defectors. It remains unclear whether the Congress will distance itself from alliance partners who choose to induct defectors into their ranks. Clarity on this key issue is expected after a meeting between Congress leaders—GPCC Chief Amit Patkar and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao—and Goa Forward Party Chief Vijai Sardesai. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao stressed the importance of adhering to the “alliance dharma,” noting that alliance partners cannot begin Vijai defends move to induct Isidore MARGAO: With defections becoming a major concern in the opposition camp ahead of the upcoming Zilla Panchayat polls, Goa Forward Party Chief Vijai Sardesai on Saturday defended the party’s decision to induct former Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes, saying the move was taken solely to secure a win in the Poinguinim seat against the BJP. >> See pg 4 campaigning for candidates while fundamental issues remain unresolved. “When we speak about an alliance, we cannot start the campaign of the contesting candidates. The people of Goa are watching what is happening in the State,” he cautioned. Members of the Congress coordination committee comprising of GPCC chief Amit Patkar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MLA Altone D’Costa, MP Viriato Fernandes, ex-GPCC chief Girish Chodankar and Party senior vice-president M K Sheikh went into a huddle at the South Goa district office on Saturday morning. While the Congress leaders took stock about the upcoming Zilla panchayat election, Goa Forward party’s decision to induct former MLA Isidore in the party figured prominently at the meeting. After the meeting, Opposition leader Yuri expressed confidence that the Opposition parties will get together to make a new beginning in the interest of the State. He, however, hastened to add that the party will not compromise on >Continued on P8 DACOITIES, MURDERS, TOURISM SEASON… New North Goa SP has tough task at hand THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With two dacoities, a double murder and months of public unease bearing down on North Goa, Superintendent of Police Harishchandra Madkaikar has taken charge as the first Goa Police Service cadre officer to lead the district in more than a decade. But the return comes with heavy expectations. Speaking exclusively with The Goan, Madkaikar spoke about challenges, revival of beat policing and strengthening police-community connect. “My first challenge is the Dona Paula and Mapusa dacoities, and the double murder in Saligao. There is sufficient progress made in these cases and it’s just a matter of time. We will bring these cas- MADKAIKAR: ON THE FRONT FOOT My first challenge is the Dona Paula & Mapusa dacoities and double murder in Saligao To rebuild basic structures of community policing To strengthen preventive measures, revive beat system, sharpen human intelligence To fortify coastal belt and busy tourist corridors by deploying personnel at strategic locations To continue verification of tenants, domestic staff and migrant workers To strengthen presence at two major railway stations in the district es to a logical end,” he said while declining to disclose details given the sensitivity of investigations. The robbery at Dona Paula -- in which an elderly, affluent family was restrained and their home ransacked -- saw its first arrest only six months after the crime. In Ganeshpu- Instagram.com/thegoanonline ri, Mapusa heist at a doctor’s residence, two arrests followed. Police have acknowledged that the gangs involved include Bangladeshi nationals, with the prime accused still at large. Then came the brutal double murder in Saligao earlier this month. Sound engineer Richard D’Mello of Guirim and his employee Abhishek Gupta of Madhya Pradesh were found murdered in a pool of blood. Madkaikar said he has begun reviewing the briefings from investigating officers while simultaneously working to rebuild the basic structures of community policing. His immediate emphasis, he said, is on strengthening preventive measures, reviving the beat system and sharpening human intelligence. Restoring public confidence, he said, “cannot wait.” With the festive and peak tourism season nearing, the new district SP is also moving to fortify the coastal belt and busy tourist corridors. The return of nearly 600 IRB personnel from election duty in Bihar >Continued on P8 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729
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