log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY JANUARY 7, 2026 GOA THREE KINGS FEAST UNITES GOANS IN FAITH, TRADITION Feast of three kings celebrated at Reis Magos IN SHORT >> Carambolim project: TCP issues notice, order to stop work PANAJI: The Department of Town and Country Planning (TCP) on Tuesday issued a show-cause notice cum stopwork order against a proposed residential-cum-commercial construction project at Carambolim village, following complaints from local villagers alleging violations of planning norms.  >> See pg 3 GHRC orders probe into custodial death PANAJI: The Goa Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the death of a 34-year-old migrant worker from West Bengal who died while under police custody, and has ordered a detailed inquiry to rule out any foul play.   >> See pg 3 HC seeks report on illegal borewells PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has taken cognisance of a Public Interest Litigation alleging rampant illegal digging of borewells and unauthorised extraction of groundwater in a residential locality. It asked authorities to file an affidavit, within four weeks from Tuesday.  >> See pg 3 Black panther found dead at sanctuary PANAJI: A black panther was found dead on Monday near the Sonaulim temple inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, with forest officials suspecting electrocution. The carcass was spotted just in front of the temple and was promptly recovered by a forest department team.   >> See pg 3 Ex-Union minister Kalmadi no more NEW DELHI: Congress veteran and former Union minister Suresh Kalmadi, known for a multifaceted career that intertwined politics and sports administration, passed away in Pune early Tuesday following a prolonged illness at the age of 81, family sources said.   >> See pg 12 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 32.3 C 20.6 C 85% TIDES Low: 07.46 19.251 High: 01.43 13.22 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 200 Dumping thrives in Margao despite surveillance, fines >PG 6 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA Govt issues show-cause notice to GMR over pact violation 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Timeless Beauty: A modern guide to skin rejuvenation 10 SPORTS Centuries galore as Australia gains upper hand in Ashes finale 13 Call to safeguard land echoes in Panaji  CITIZENS UNITE IN SUPPORT OF JUSTICE FERDINO’S PUSH FOR A ‘PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT’  BLUEPRINT UNVEILED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a resounding show of public support at the Institute Menezes Braganza hall, citizens rallied behind retired Justice Ferdino Rebello’s call for a 'People's Movement to Save Goa' and threw a gauntlet at the State's political establishment: immediate repeal of Sections 17(2) and 35A of the Town and Country Planning Act -- provisions widely blamed for fueling corruption and unchecked land-use zoning changes. Justice Rebello who addressed the meeting at its conclusion said the demand for the repeal of these changes in the TCP Act are "non-negotiable". "It is the source of all corruption in the State. The land is of no use to them if it cannot be converted," Rebello said. The meeting, attended by citizens from across the State, culminated in the release of a comprehensive 10-point charter aimed at safeguarding Goa’s fragile environment, cultural heritage, and democratic ethos. Justice Rebello, who has long been vocal about unchecked development and corruption in planning, urged PEOPLE’S POWER: A large crowd at the meeting at Institute Menezes Braganza hall, Panaji on Tuesday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Goans to unite in defense of their land. “This is not merely about development; it is about survival of our identity and heritage,” he declared. All seven legislators occupying the Opposition space in the Goa legislative assembly attended the meeting and were seated in the front row of the audience. Rebello, however, cautioned that his call for the movement has no political motive and is not prompted by any political force or party. He also made it clear that he himself harbours no intention of contesting any election for political office, now or in the future but intends to take forward the movement by giving shape to a new organisation which will have no politician in it. Other speakers at the meeting emphasized that the charter is not merely a list of demands but a blueprint for reclaiming Goa’s future even as several expressed frustration at successive governments ignoring environmental concerns and allowing speculative real estate projects thus eroding the State’s character. As Justice Rebello concluded, he reminded the gathering that the struggle ahead would be long but necessary: “Goa belongs to its people. If we do not act now, future generations will inherit only ruins.” „„Protection of hills and forests: Deages, the charter insists that permissions claring them the heritage of the people, for multi-storied buildings and gated the charter calls for an immediate halt communities be frozen until residents to hill-cutting and mandates legislative are assured of at least four hours of daily amendments to stop such destructive drinking water supply, as promised by the practices. Chief Minister. „„Repeal of corrupt amend„„Sustainable development ments: It demands scrapping principles: All projects above controversial provisions of Rs 5 crore must incorporate THE the Town & Country Plan10-POINT the polluter pays principle, ning Act that allow zoning precautionary principle, changes, user conversions, CITIZENS’ and intergenerational and increases in floor area equity. CHARTER „„Review of tenancy ratio. Citizens insisted these amendments are the root of declarations: Negative rampant corruption. tenancy declarations issued in „„Safeguarding agricultural land: The recent years must be re-examined by charter proposes amending the Land Rev- retired judges, with fraudulent applicants enue Code to prevent sale of farmland to prosecuted. Similar scrutiny is sought for non-agriculturists and non-residents. Only orchard lands. Goans residing in the state for at least 30 „„Ban on development near natural years should be eligible to own agricultur- assets: Projects near rivers, lakes, forests, al plots, and transfers must be restricted hills, and seashores should be prohibited, to agricultural purposes. reinforcing the Public Trust Doctrine. „„Carrying capacity surveys: No „„Removal of casinos: The charter redevelopment in villages, towns, iterates long-standing promises to or cities should proceed without remove offshore casinos from the scientific studies of carrying caMandovi river within six months. pacity. The charter recommends „„Accountability of officials: Strict that NEERI or similar agencies departmental action, including conduct these surveys, with dismissal and forfeiture of pension, funding allocated in is sought against officers, upcoming budgets. architects, and engineers „„Drinking water as found complicit in falsia right: Highlightfying documents to aid Rtd Justice ing acute shortdevelopers. Ferdino Rebello BAC meet turns stormy over Blazing Tuesday: 4 fires rattle State Speaker’s agenda decisions EXTENSIVE DAMAGE CAUSED TO RESTAURANT, WAREHOUSE, HOUSE & SHOP DISCUSSION ON ARPORA TRAGEDY BLOCKED, DEBATE ON VANDE MATARAM CLEARED Firemen on toes, respond to 290 calls in 15 days VOICES OF DISSENT THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa Assembly’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Tuesday witnessed sharp confrontation after the Speaker declined to permit special discussions on the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives, the continued operation of sealed nightclubs, and alleged environmental destruction, while allowing a special discussion on Vande Mataram during the upcoming winter session of the Assembly. The five-day winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly will begin on January 12, with Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju scheduled to address the House on the opening day. Speaking to media after the BAC meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the Speaker has agreed to a special discussion on Vande Mataram on January 13 to YURI ALEMAO VENZY VIEGAS VIJAI SARDESAI There are so many issues concerning the State today, but the Speaker is interested in discussing Vande Mataram There are no tourists because there is no safety, and there is no business... yet the government is not ready to have any discussion Families of the Birch fire victims are protesting at Jantar Mantar after losing faith in the Goa government and turning to the Centre… why is only the sarpanch being held responsible? commemorate 150 years of the national song. However, the Opposition expressed strong dissatisfaction over the Speaker’s refusal to allow discussions on what they termed as pressing issues facing the State. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said several serious matters, including the Birch nightclub fire, law and order, environmental destruction and public safety, were ignored. “There are so many >Continued on P8 The charred remains inside the ‘Gharan’ restaurant near Sai Service circle in Porvorim. (Reports on pg 2) PORVORIM A massive blaze broke out at the ‘Gharan’ restaurant near the Sai Service circle in Porvorim at around 4.30 am. Sources said, CCTV footage revealed that the fire was caused by a rat pulling down a lamp. The restaurant had an eco-friendly construction using wood and coconut palms, which caused the fire to spread rapidly. Fortunately, there were no employees in the restaurant at the time of the incident. CALANGUTE & MAPUSA A major fire engulfed a warehouse on the third floor of a six-storied hotel under construction in Naikawaddo-Calangute at 6.50 am. The presence of tarpaulin sheets and other combustible materials intensified the fire. At Khorlim-Mapusa, a fire broke out due to a short circuit on the second floor of a house at around 11.30 am. DAVORLIM A shop stacked with items such as paint, Plaster of Paris, besides furniture was gutted in a major fire at Davorlim on Tuesday. A residential apartment on the first floor of the building was also partially affected. According to information, the owner had stored the items in the shop as his apartment was under renovation. The cause of the fire is under investigation while the loss of property is being ascertained. PANAJI In just 15 days, the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services has battled an unrelenting surge of related incidents, responding to more than 290 calls and saving property worth about Rs 2.09 crore (approx), even as fires caused losses estimated at Rs 86.3 lakh. Of the total calls handled during this period, 215 were fire-related while over 77 involved other emergencies. The intensity of the period was highlighted on Tuesday, when the State woke up to four major fires. Bicholim and Mapusa too reported two incidents each. Overall there were 10 incidents. An analysis of the incidents shows that Bardez and Pernem recorded the highest number of fire cases during the period. Sleuths crack cyber fraud racket, Metal in fish: Govt vows action after expert report fake parcel SMS scam exposed THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A cyber fraud racket that preyed on gullible mobile users through fake parcel delivery messages has been busted by the Crime Branch with the arrest of a 38-year-old man from Odisha. The arrest was made following a complaint by a Goa Velha resident alleging he was cheated of Rs 85,238.47 after receiving a fake text message claiming a reattempt for delivery of a DTDC parcel, which contained a fraudulent link. ON PAGES 3 & 5 NAGPUR YOUTH ARRESTED FOR `1.41 CRORE CYBER FRAUD VASCO MAN CHEATED OF `24.94 LAKH ON PROMISE OF SHIP JOB An offence was registered by the Crime Branch on December 27, 2025, under Section 318(4) of the BNS and Section 66-D of the Informa- tion Technology Act, 2000 and 2008, SP (Crime Branch) Rahul Gupta said. During the investigation, a Crime Branch team travelled to Odisha and apprehended Susanta Bhue. He was brought to Goa on transit remand. “Analysis of the accused’s mobile phone revealed that he was using a bulk SMS facility to send phishing messages to individuals. Messages related to honey trapping, credit card reward points, gaming platform payouts and part-time job offers were also found on the device,” the SP said. A 26 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI mid rising public concern and possible health risks following reports of heavy metal contamination in fish caught off Caranzalem Beach, Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar on Tuesday assured that the issue is being scientifically examined and that the state government will act only on the basis of expert findings. The Goan had first reported about a scientific study by Goa University researchers revealing that several commonly consumed fish species accumulate metals beyond permissible limits, raising concerns over long-term dietary exposure for coastal communities and seafood consumers in the State. The findings suggest that prolonged intake of contaminated fish from the Caranzalem beach could lead to non-carcinogenic health on 20 ODISHA MAN WHO CHEATED GOA VELHA LOCAL HELD , JA N 3 effects. Addressing media queries, Halarnkar said that studies are currently being carried out by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Goa University, including assessments related to the presence of heavy metals in fish. “These are reputed scientific institutions working in the interest of the country. If their findings indicate any harm, the government will take appropriate action,” he said. The minister emphasised that the state would not rely on speculation or unverified claims and would base its decisions strictly on scientific evidence and expert recommendations. The study ‘Metal bioavailability in sediments and bioaccumulation in edible fishes from Caranzalem beach, Goa, India’, undertaken by AM Patil, MR Nasnodkar and CJG Fer- nandes, focused on assessing metal bioavailability in sediments and quantifying metal concentrations in different fish organs -- muscles, gills, liver and kidney -- to evaluate toxicity implications for both marine life and humans. One of the key findings of the study was the uneven distribution of metals within fish organs. The majority of the analysed fish species showed the highest accumulation of metals in the kidney, followed by the liver, gills and muscles. Meanwhile, the Minister reiterated that the department will soon deploy surveillance drones to monitor fishing activity and crack down on illegal >Continued on P8