log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) MONDAY DECEMBER 22, 2025 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA GOA Committee to rope in medical experts to boost road safety 5 GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 185 CSIR-NIO study links ice ages to rise in volcanic, hydrothermal activity 5 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO From de-puffing to glowing: The transformative benefits of ice facial D-day today! State braces for zilla panchayat results 14 COUNTING CENTRES SET UP, VERDICT TO BE KNOWN BY NOON THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa’s political  cauldron will sizzle with high drama on Monday morning as counting of votes for the Zilla Panchayat elections is slated to be taken up from 8 am.  The State Election Commission has set up 14 centers across the state, guarded by heavy police deployment. Results are expected by afternoon. Saturday’s polling had seen a record 70.81 per cent turnout. That figure, unusually high for ZP elections, has electrified the political atmosphere and analysts say the surge could reshape local equations in many regions. A total of 226 candidates are contesting -- 111 in North Goa and 115 in South Goa. Only nine incumbents have thrown their hats in the ring, alongside 12 candidates who had contested in 2020. Ballot boxes were sealed in strong rooms under strict watch after voting. On Monday, counting will take place >> pg 8 Factors to look out for: Global cues, FII flows, IPOs, rupee movement ALL EYES ON SALCETE OUTCOME MARGAO: Who will emerge as the political king of Salcete—the Congress or the Aam Aadmi Party— when the Zilla Panchayat ballots are opened for counting on Monday morning? Beyond the individual candidates in the fray, both the Congress and the AAP have treated the Zilla Panchayat elections as a virtual semi-final, aimed at testing their respective strengths in this minority-dominated taluka. The Congress rank and file had largely opposed any truck with AAP, ever since the party’s victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Party workers were keen to assess the Congress’ standalone strength in Salcete without the support of allies.  at two centers each in Bardez, Salcete, and Ponda. In other talukas, sports complexes and government offices will host the process. Security is tight. Police contingents will be stationed at every centre. The administration has stressed crowd control to avoid chaos. Political parties and alliances in the fray -- BJP-MGP, Congress-GFP, AAP and RGP -- are expected to closely an- >> See pg 2 alyse these results to shape their strategies for the mother electoral battle in the 2027 assembly election. Meanwhile, once results are declared on Monday, lobbying is expected to begin immediately for the posts of chairman and vice-chairman in the two Zilla Panchayats. Winning candidates are expected to move quickly to secure alliances. The mood among voters BJP upbeat, Cong cautious in Bardez MAPUSA: With polling over and an uptick in voter turnout across Bardez and North Goa, political parties are now reading the numbers through their own lenses, each hoping the increased participation will tilt the pendulum in its favour when results are declared on Monday.  >> See pg 2 was upbeat on Saturday. Long queues were reported at several booths. Women turned out in larger numbers, a trend that could swing close contests. By midday Monday, trends will start to emerge. With record participation and heightened anticipation, the results promise to set the tone for rural politics in the State. The counting centres have been designated across the state to ensure smooth and Popular beach shack gutted in massive blaze at Utorda n WAS UNDER MAINTENANCE n OWNER SUSPECTS FIREWORKS AT NEARBY EVENT TRIGGERED BLAZE IN SHORT >> Fake cop con woman, steal mangalsutra PANAJI: A woman in Bicholim was cheated by a bike-borne man posing as policeman, who fled with her mangalsutra worth worth Rs. 3 lakh. The accused asked her to remove the ornament for “safekeeping” and gave her a packet, which later was found to contain stones. G RAM G Bill gets President’s assent NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, the Rural Development Ministry said. The Bill was passed by Parliament, amid protests.  >> See pg 6 FIRE POWER: The beach shack that was destroyed in the blaze on Sunday. (Right) The charred remains of the equipment. THE GOAN I NETWORK VASCO  A major fire broke out at the popular beachside restaurant and shack, ‘Jamming Goat’, at Utorda beach in the early hours of Sunday, causing extensive damage to the property and resulting in losses estimated at around Rs 10 lakh. According to fire department records, the incident occurred when flames were reported from the shack premises located at Utorda. Fire and Emergency Services received the call at 8.35 am and immediately mobilised fire tenders from Verna and Margao fire stations. Firefighters reached the spot at around 8.55 am and worked swiftly to bring the blaze under control. Officials said the fire completely destroyed kitchen equipment and the bar counter, while timely intervention helped save the entire sitting-area furniture, estimated to be worth approximately Rs 2 lakh. No injuries were reported as the shack was closed at the time and was reportedly undergoing maintenance work. Senior fire officials present at the site included Station Fire Officer Dilesh Gaonkar, along with Sub Officers >Continued on P6 efficient vote counting. In Pernem, the Multipurpose Sports Stadium has been selected, while Bardez will use the Peddem Sports Complex, including the boxing and badminton halls. For Tiswadi, counting will take place at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium. In Bicholim, the Narayan Zantye Auditorium at Saravan has been chosen, and Sattari will conduct counting at the Kadamba bus-stand hall in Valpoi. Further, Ponda will use the ITI Farmagudi premises, covering both the auditorium and workshop. In Salcete, the Matanhy Saldanha Complex in Margao has been designated, while Dharbandora will hold counting at the government office complex in Tamsodo. The Sanguem and Quepem talukas will both use their respective government sports complexes, with Quepem’s located at Borimal. Lastly, Canacona will have its counting centre at the Government Higher Secondary School. Railways to hike train fares from December 26 PTI NEW DELHI The Railway Ministry has on Sunday announced a hike in train tickets by 1 paise per km for ordinary class beyond a journey of 215 km, and 2 paise per km for non-AC classes of mail/express trains and AC classes of all trains. The new rates will be effective from December 26, 2025. Officials said the move aims to balance rising operational costs while keeping travel affordable for the majority of passengers. For ordinary class travel beyond 215 km, fares will rise by 1 paisa per kilometre. This means the increase will be minimal for most long-distance passengers. In Mail and Express NonAC trains, fares will go up by 2 paise per kilometre. AC class fares will also see an increase of 2 paise per kilometre across categories. According to officials, a passenger travelling 500 km in a Non-AC coach will pay only Rs 10 extra. There will be no increase in the fares for suburban train services or monthly tickets, offering relief to daily commuters. 9 SPORTS India surrenders tamely to Pak in U19 Asia Cup final 12 Unaware Café CO2 operated as nightclub, claims Fire Dept SAYS REVOKED NOC WAS FOR A RESTAURANT THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Facing scrutiny over the rapid issuance of fire safety clearances, the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services has claimed that the fire no-objection certificate (NOC) granted to Café CO2 was meant only for a restaurant and not for a nightclub, even as the department has since withdrawn the clearance. Assistant Divisional Officer (North) Bosco Ferrao told The Goan on Sunday that the fire NOC was renewed after an inspection found the premises compliant with prescribed fire safety norms for a restaurant. “The concerned fire officer deputed for inspection found that the restaurant had complied with the necessary fire protocols. Fire prevention measures were working properly and exit glow boards had been installed as instructed. Only after everything was found in order was the fire NOC renewed,” Ferrao said. However, when asked why the NOC was withdrawn despite compliance, Ferrao said the department later learnt that the establishment was being operated as a night- NIGHTCLUB SPECIFIC LICENCING MAY NOW TOP GOVERNMENT’S TO-DO LIST >> See pg 5 club. “We were not aware that the premise was functioning as a club. Once this came to our notice, the fire NOC was withdrawn,” he said. Ferrao added that fire permissions are issued or renewed based on the trade licence granted by the local panchayat, which, in this case, classified the establishment as a restaurant. “The panchayats issue trade licences to establishments as restaurants, and based on that classification, and after following required procedures, fire permissions are issued,” he said. The Directorate’s action has come under the scanner after it emerged that Café CO2—one of the nightclubs sealed by the government-appointed Joint Enforcement and Monitoring Committee – had obtained a fire NOC within 48 hours. The speed with which fire NOCs were allegedly issued triggered public outrage, with residents and activists questioning whether mandatory inspections and due processes were bypassed, particularly in the aftermath of heightened enforcement following recent fire safety lapses at nightlife establishments. Central funds keep Goa’s mid-day meals on track `  6.70 CR RELEASED TILL DATE, `  CR MORE SOON 1 5 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Central government has released Rs 16.70 crore to Goa towards the supply of mid-day meals for more than 1.58 lakh students across the State during the ongoing academic term. The total expenditure under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN) scheme for the current year is pegged at Rs 35.51 crore, to be jointly borne by the Centre and the State. Sources said the funds were released in two instalments so far. “The Union Ministry of Education has released Rs 11.13 crore in the first instalment and Rs 5.56 crore in the second instalment. Another instalment of around Rs 5 crore is expected to be released in the next one month,” a source said. The State government had submitted its Annual Operational Plan (AOP) to the Programme Approval Board (PAB) of the PM-POSHAN scheme, which approved Central assistance of Rs 22.26 MID-DAY MEALS: KEY STATS „„Total expenditure under PM-POSHAN scheme for current year is Rs 35.51 cr, to be shared by Centre and State „„Centre has released funds in two instalments so far — Rs 11.13 cr in and Rs 5.56 cr „„Additional instalment of around Rs 5 cr expected within next month „„Goa submitted its AOP which approved Central assistance of Rs 22.26 cr „„Approval included allocation of 4,506.48 metric tonnes of food grains for the current academic year „„As per norms, mandatory State share fixed at Rs 13.25 cr crore along with the allocation of 4,506.48 metric tonnes of food grains for the current academic year. As per existing norms, the mandatory State share has been fixed at Rs 13.25 crore. “The State is at liberty to add additional funds from its own resources as and when required,” sources added. For the current year, the PAB has approved coverage of 1.58 lakh eligible students across 1,224 schools in Goa. This includes 2,562 students under Bal Vatika, 89,584 primary students and 64,801 upper primary students. The total number of working days approved under the scheme is 238. Explaining the cost-sharing mechanism, sources said the Centre bears the entire cost of food grains supplied to the State. “The cost of food grains for Goa works out to Rs 16.11 >Continued on P6 Gunmen massacre nine in mass Over `  6,000 cr needed to fuel agri, MSMEs in Goa 1 shooting at South African pub NABARD outlines credit projection in State Focus Paper for new fiscal PASSERSBY ALSO RANDOMLY SHOT IN STREETS PTI BEKKERSDAL Nine people died and at least 10 others were wounded after a group of gunmen carried out a shooting at a South African pub during the early hours of Sunday, authorities said. The incident occurred just before 1 am in the township of Bekkersdal located 46 km west of Johannesburg. It is the second mass shooting in South Africa in three weeks. About 12 unknown suspects in a white minibus and a silver sedan opened fire at pub patrons at KwaNoxolo tavern, in the Tambo section of Bekkersdal and continued to shoot randomly as they fled the scene, according to police. Some victims were randomly shot in the streets by unknown gunmen, the police said of the incident that left nine people dead and 10 hospitalized. Maj Gen Fred Kekana, the acting provincial commissioner of Gauteng, told the AP at the scene that the gunmen, some of whom wore balacla- vas, had one AK-47 rifle and several 9-mm pistols. Police did not release information about the victims, but police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that an e-hailing driver was among those caught in the crossfire. She said the driver had just dropped off a client who was shot and killed. The motive for the shooting is unknown. A manhunt has been initiated by Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations in collaboration with the Crime Detection Unit. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI oa’s agriculture and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will require institutional credit of Rs 16,512 crore in 2026-27 to meet their sectoral needs, according to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The projection marks an increase of nearly 29 per cent over the current year’s estimated credit requirement of about Rs 12,800 crore. The projection has been outlined in NABARD’s State Focus Paper for the coming G NABARD’S FOCUS PAPER FOR GOA „„PLP for priority sector lending is estimated at Rs 10,339.38 cr in North Goa and Rs 6,173.14 cr in South Goa „„Projections aligned with priorities and policies of Central and State govts and PSL guidelines issued by RBI „„Need for coordinated efforts by banks and govt to ensure timely, adequate credit availability „„Priority sectors identi- fied include agriculture, MSMEs, education, housing and renewable energy „„MSME sector is expected to dominate credit demand „„Focus Paper is prepared through a detailed assessment of credit potential at the district level financial year. The report estimates the Projected Linked Potential (PLP) for priority sector lending at Rs 10,339.38 crore in North Goa and Rs 6,173.14 crore in South Goa. “The credit potential is estimated based on the priorities and policies of the Government of India and the State Government, and also keeping in view the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India,” NABARD stated in the paper. NABARD underlined that bankers and the State government must work together to ensure timely and adequate access to credit for economic activities identified under priority sectors, which include agriculture, MSMEs, education, housing and renewable energy. The MSME sector is projected to account for the largest share of the total credit requirement. NABARD has estimated MSME credit demand at Rs 10,800.06 crore, which constitutes around 65 per cent >Continued on P6