log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) MONDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2025 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 157 GOA MPA tender on developing Betul port leaves fishing community unsettled 2 GOA CO under fire as Mapusa council pays illegal salaries to lapsed contract staff 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Kumkumadi Oil: Skin benefits and how to use it Storm brews as bookings for ‘Kamasutra’ event continue n REPORTS INDICATE ONLINE REGISTRATIONS STILL ACTIVE n POLICE CLAIM PROGRAMME HALTED AFTER COMPLAINTS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The controversy surrounding the event titled “Tales of Kamasutra & Christmas Celebration” has not deterred the organizers from continuing with the bookings, as it appears they remain committed to hosting the event. Communications of enthusiasts with organising members, which are shared with The Goan, indicate that the police assurance of stalling the event is hollow. The organisers have been asking for advance payments to reserve slots or to add members to the group. For example, a group of six people, who sought to book a slot for the event, were asked to deposit a reservation amount of Rs 10,000. Promoted online and slated for December 25-28, the event has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups, who argue that it is “promiscuous” and tarnishes Goa’s image as a family-friendly tourist destination. Church slams ‘inappropriate’ Christmas advt  PANAJI: In a strongly worded statement Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, head of the influential Catholic Church in Goa, condemned the inappropriate advertisement circulating on social media. In the statement released to the media by Fr Barry Richards, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, on Sunday, Ferrao said: “It is with deep anguish and profound hurt that the Church in Goa addresses the recent advertisement on social media, which irresponsibly associates the sacred celebration of Christmas with explicit and unrelated themes.” He reminded that “Christmas is a holy time for Christians across the world -- a season of Goa Police on Sunday announced that they had directed the organisers to cancel the event and remove all related advertisements from social media platforms. Top police officials also said police stations across the State have been instructed to joy, peace, and the remembrance of God’s love made manifest in the birth of Jesus Christ.”  To link this sacred occasion to unrelated themes, he added, was “deeply offensive to the faith and sentiments of millions.” Ferrao urged the promoters to “withdraw the content immediately” and called on authorities to “make necessary enquiries into this event.”  He stressed that “freedom of expression carries with it the responsibility to respect the sacred convictions of others.” Ferrao also appealed to Catholics not to associate with such programmes and urged “all people of goodwill to commit to fostering understanding, respect, and harmony among all people.” remain vigilant about upcoming programmes in their jurisdictions to prevent similar controversies.  “We have taken cognisance of the complaints and stopped the organisers from going ahead,” a senior officer confirmed. The police action followed formal complaints filed by several organisations, including the Goa Women’s Forum (GWF), Bailancho Ekvott, and NGO ARZ.  These groups argued in their complaints that the event would promote sex AS GOA HEADS INTO PEAK TOURISM SEASON… >> pg 6 Global cues, corporate action, FII flows to shape D-Street this week IN SHORT >> UP man held for Baga ‘koita’ attack MAPUSA: Anjuna Police arrested a 31-year-old man for a brutal koita (chopper) attack near the Royal Enfield showroom at Baga, Arpora, which left two men seriously injured. The accused, identified as Bobi, a kitchen helper residing in Baga and originally from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, was taken into custody within hours of the incident.  >> See pg 3 New CJI to take oath today NEW DELHI: Justice Surya Kant, who has been part of several landmark verdicts and orders will on Monday take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. Coastal belt turns into a free-for-all at night LOUD MUSIC, FIRECRACKERS, BIKE FESTIVALS BLAMED FOR ASSAULT ON LOCALS, WILDLIFE AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA As Goa’s coastal belt eases into the seasonal party mode, residents say they are once again bracing for a familiar and exhausting battle – the surge of loud music, firecrackers and vehicular noise that accompanies the peak tourism months. With Christmas and New Year approaching, locals fear that the stretch from Vagator to Anjuna will slip back into what they call a “nightly assault” of sound, despite repeated complaints and clear legal restrictions. Residents say the problem is no longer limited to restaurants and nightclubs. Starred hotels, large-scale events and private beach parties are increasingly accused of pushing the limits – and often the legality – of amplified music, bright lights and pyrotechnics. Turtle nesting sites under threat O ne of the most alarming concerns this season is the threat posed to olive ridley turtles, which have already begun nesting along parts of the North Goa coastline. A five-star resort near the Vagator nesting zone has been specifically singled out by environmental activists. In a letter addressed last week to the Deputy Conservator of Forests, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and other authorities, concerned resident Maxi D’Souza accused the hotel of blasting loud music and flashing powerful lights “in close proximity to an active nesting site.” “Since the nesting season has already commenced and as usual the five-starred hotel has started playing loud music with bright lights, it is a great disturbance and danger to our endangered species, which are protected under Schedule I,” D’Souza wrote. Complaints ignored Another resident confirmed that numerous complaints had already been filed against the same resort this year. However, enforcement continues to lag. Jawish Moniz, a long-time campaigner against illegal activities in Anjuna, told the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) that he has >Continued on P7 tourism and tarnish Goa’s image as a safe destination for families.  They also alleged that the organisers, operating under the name Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh Foundation, were charging participants exorbitant fees for accommodation and food. Activists have said that the  controversy highlights a growing challenge in regulating events promoted through digital platforms.  “Even if police issue orders, organisers can continue to operate online, targeting international audiences,” one activist said and demanded stricter monitoring of online promotions and stronger coordination between State agencies and cybercrime units. With Christmas week drawing near, authorities are under pressure to ensure that the contentious programme does not proceed. For now, police insist the event has been blocked, but doubts remain as long as online registrations appear to continue. 9 SPORTS Lakshya ends title drought, wins Australian Open title Rail underpass work sparks public outcry in Cansaulim LOCALS CLAIM OFFICIALS TRESPASSED ONTO PRIVATE LAND WITH HEAVY MACHINERY THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO Tensions flared in Cansaulim on Sunday after villagers accused officials of South Western Railway (SWR) and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) of forcefully entering private properties with heavy earth-moving machinery to begin work on a proposed railway underpass near the Cansaulim Railway Station. Affected landowners described the sudden deployment of machinery as criminal trespass, allegedly carried out in collaboration with a real-estate lobby looking to gain access to Prial and Buttem wards. Residents said the work was initiated without any land acquisition proceedings, consultation, or notification to those whose properties were directly affected. Tempers escalated when villagers gathered at the site to protest what they described as blatant encroachment on land belonging to Maria Celina D’Souza Antao in Survey Nos. 2/6 and 2/8. According to those present, despite clear objections raised on the spot, RVNL personnel continued excavation work. SHOWDOWN IN CANSAULIM „„Villagers accuse SWR, RVNL officials of forcefully entering private property to start work on the project „„Residents allege involvement of a real-estate lobby seeking access to nearby wards „„Protests erupt as excavation continued despite objections „„Cortalim MLA in the line of fire for allegedly overseeing the work instead of addressing villagers’ concerns „„Political leaders rush, highlight legal & procedural lapses „„Villagers demanded removal of all machinery „„Seek legal action against officials, warning of further unrest if due process is ignored Villagers alleged that Cortalim MLA Anthony Vas was present and oversaw the ongoing activity instead of addressing the concerns of his constituents. As word spread across the village, a number of political leaders reached the site in response to frantic calls from residents including GPCC president Amit Patkar, South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai and several others. Their involvement brought the legality of the railway work into sharper political and public focus. Steel tycoon Mittal to quit UK, plans Dubai shift Villagers expressed anger that while leaders from neighbouring constituencies rushed to support them, their own MLA allegedly did not respond to repeated appeals. Tensions peaked when, in the presence of the joint magistrate, the South Goa MP and the Fatorda MLA, RVNL official Sahoo allegedly told the aggrieved landowner, “Do what you want to do.” Villagers said the remark reflected a dismissive and confrontational attitude at a time when their constitutional rights were being violated. >Continued on P7 6 trains to make additional halts at Partagali THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI LONDON Indian-origin steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal, until now based in Britain and a regular on the country’s richest billionaires tally, has decided to quit the UK as the Labour Party-led government’s feared tax shake-up for the super-rich nears, according to a UK media report on Sunday. Rajasthan-born Mittal is a resident in Switzerland for tax and will now spend much of his future in Dubai. The founder of ArcelorMittal steelworks is worth an estimated 15.4 billion pounds as per the 2025 Sunday Times Rich List, which ranked him the UK’s eighth richest man. Now, sources close to the 75-year-old industrialist claim he has become the latest billionaire to leave the UK ahead of a much-anticipated Budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday. Mittal already has a mansion in Dubai and has now bought up tracts of an intriguing development on the nearby Naa Island in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the newspaper claims. 12 GRACE IN BRONZE: The bronze statue of Lord Ram nears completion as the final installation work progresses at Partagali Math, Canacona. CANACONA Six trains running on Konkan Railway route have been granted approval for temporary one-minute stop at Canacona Railway Station in view of 550 years celebration of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math, at Partagali in Canacona. The six trains will make a one-minute halt at Canacona from November 27 to December 6. According to the KRC notification, ‘Konkan Railway has decided to provide one-minute temporary stoppage to the trains at Canacona (CNO) Station from 27/11/2025 to 06/12/2025 on the occasion of Shree Sansthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math, Canacona, Goa is celebrating the completion of 550th  glorious years of the revered math. In view of  Sardha Panc h a s h a t a m a n o s t s av a , Shree Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math has >Continued on P7 State goes full throttle as bike Education levels surge across govt’s workforce festivals rev up tourism scene THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa’s coastal roads echoed with the thunder of engines over the weekend with Royal Enfield’s ‘Motoverse’, formerly ‘Rider Mania’ drawing hundreds of riders, enthusiasts and global brands at Vagator. The scene is set to replicate as two more big-ticket biking events are slated to be hosted in the State over the next few weeks. After Royal Enfield’s Motoverse concluded on Sunday, the biking scene in Goa will be  lit up with TVS’s MotoSoul on December 5 and Royal Enfield’s Motoverse concluded on Sunday, but the biking scene in Goa will be lit up with TVS’s MotoSoul on December 5 & 6 and the iconic India Bike Week is slated for December 19-20 6 and the iconic India Bike Week slated for December 1920 and is expected to draw thousands of enthusiasts pushing Goa’s case to become India’s motorcycling capital. Formerly known as ‘Rider Mania’  the Royal Enfield Motoverse has arguably become one of the largest gatherings of motorcyclists in Asia. It was held in Vagator, combining adventure rides, custom bike showcases, music concerts, and workshops.  This year’s edition spread over Friday, Saturday and Sunday saw participation from riders across India and abroad, with Royal Enfield unveiling new models and accessories.  The event this year, perhaps owing to past  criticism, emphasized sustainability, with eco-friendly camping zones and initiatives to reduce >Continued on P7 PANAJI s education levels among government staff continue to rise, Goa’s public workforce is undergoing a gradual but notable shift. A Department of Planning and Statistics report shows a steady increase in the number of highly educated employees, with a 1.10 per cent rise in those holding higher or technical qualifications between 2019 and 2024. However, of the 63,970 government employees working across departments, autonomous bodies, aided institutions, and public sector undertakings, 50.01 per cent have completed schooling A QUALIFICATION PERCENTAGE NUMBER Graduate 10th Pass (SSC) 12th Pass (HSSC) 9th Pass Post Graduate only up to Class 1–12 — a sign of the continued reliance on personnel with basic education for routine administrative and service functions. In 2019, 5.70 per cent of the workforce belonged to Group D (peons and below), the lowest category in the administrative hierarchy. By 2024, this figure had dropped to 2.48 per cent (1,588 employees), marking a sharp decline of 26.28% 16,813 17.65% 11,295 15.63% 10,001 13.50% 8,638 11.96% 7,655 more than half.  Conversely, Group C (clerical) employees now dominate the workforce, accounting for 76.27 per cent of the total staff, or 48,792 employees.  This expansion reflects the growing demand for mid-level administrative and technical roles, which require higher skill sets compared to Group D positions. Officials suggest that the re- duction in Group D employees is linked to modernization and digitization of government services, which has reduced the need for manual and support staff.  At the same time, the expansion of Group C indicates a shift toward a more technically proficient workforce. The report also points to a gradual but positive increase in female participation in government services.  In 2019, women accounted for 35.74 per cent of the workforce. By 2024, this figure had risen to 36.51 percent, reflecting efforts to promote gender inclusivity in public employment.  While the increase may appear modest, experts note that it signals a slow but steady change in the traditionally male-dominated government sector. Analysts believe these trends carry important implications for Goa’s administrative efficiency. The rise in educational qualifications among employees is expected to improve service delivery, while the decline in Group D positions highlights the impact of technology on traditional roles.  The increase in female representation, though incremental, is seen as a step toward more balanced and diverse governance. As Goa continues to >Continued on P7