log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) Instagram.com/thegoanonline P13 THURSDAY JANUARY 8, 2026 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 201 BETHELL’S TEST TON SETS UP DAY-5 FINISH IN ASHES TEST RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 cbc 35101/13/0060/2526 FOR VIDEO -EDITOR SUB -EDITOR Send CV to editor@thegoan.net +91 98605 97117 IN SHORT >> Sanjivani factory revival gets fresh boost from 4 firms PANAJI: After two unsuccessful attempts, the State government’s efforts to revive the Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Limited (SSSK)—the State’s lone sugar factory located at Dharbandora and shut since 2019—have received an encouraging response, with four companies expressing interest. In view of the renewed interest, the government has decided to extend the deadline for submission of bids till February 5.   >> See PG 2 Merces traffic signals set for revival PANAJI: After nearly three years of silence, the long-defunct AI-powered traffic signal at the Merces junction will finally be switched back on. Government sources confirmed to 'The Goan' that work has begun to activate the Merces junction signal along with AI-enabled systems at several other locations.  >> See PG 2 Goa to get Lokayukta after year-long hiatus PANEL ZEROES IN ON JUSTICE SANDEEP SHINDE, ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY; VACANCY STALLED HEARINGS IN OVER 20 CASES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Retired Bombay High Court judge Justice Sandeep Shinde is set to take over as the next Lokayukta of Goa, ending a prolonged vacancy in the ombudsman’s office that has rendered the institution non-functional for over a year. Justice Shinde, who served at the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, is widely known for his landmark October 2022 order directing erstwhile Goa mining leaseholders to vacate their leases within a month. The ruling, later upheld by the Supreme Court, paved the way for e-auctioning of mineral blocks in the State. He has also played a key role in matters related to the Maratha reservation issue. GOA LOKAYUKTA: JUSTICE SHINDE „„Served in Goa Bench of Bombay High Court; retired Jan 16, 2023 „„Known for his landmark October 2022 order directing erstwhile Goa mining leaseholders to vacate their leases within a monthEnabled e-auction of Goa’s mineral blocks „„Key role in Maratha reservation matters „„Born in Chiplun; Chief Public Prosecutor, 2015 Government sources confirmed that the selection committee headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has shortlisted Justice Shinde’s name for the post, which has remained vacant since December 2024 following the completion of Justice (retd) Ambadas Joshi’s tenure. The absence of a Lokayukta has stalled hearings in over 20 pending corruption cases. Born in Chiplun and hailing from Mumbai, Justice Shinde retired on January 16, 2023, after six years as a High Court judge. Prior to his elevation to the bench in 2017, he served as Chief Public Prosecutor representing Mumbai in 2015. In November 2023, the Maharashtra government constituted a committee under his chairmanship to oversee the issuance of Maratha-Kunbi and Kunbi-Maratha caste certificates, a mandate that has MIT University campus in Tivim PANAJI: The MIT-World Peace University (WPU) announced the establishment of WPU Goa Private University campus at Tivim.  >> See PG 5 SC flags rise in road deaths due to strays NEW DELHI: Flagging non-compliances of rules and directions by civic bodies, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said that people were dying not only due to dog bites but also because of accidents caused by stray animals on roads.  > See PG 8 > >Continued on P8 State objects to first-phase notification of 468.6 sq km; cites habitation and livelihood concerns THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government is set to challenge the Central Empowered Committee’s (CEC) report before the Supreme Court, objecting to its recommendation to notify a Goa Tiger Reserve covering 468.60 sq km of protected forest areas in the State during the first phase. The proposed reserve includes Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, and parts of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. A senior official at the State secretariat confirmed that the government will contest the findings, citing several lacunae in the CEC report. “The government will place on record the existing difficulties faced by people residing within these protected areas. Moreover, a tiger reserve has a lower protection status compared to a national park, which is also a key concern,” „„102 households Karnataka’s Kali fall within the Tiger Reserve, proposed WHAT THE aiding tiger phase-one CEC REPORT movement areas „„HighSAYS „„Proposal habitation areas includes a 296.70 to be considered sq km core and only in phase two, 171.90 sq km buffer zone requiring community consultations „„Reserve would link with the official said adding that with Central government and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) governing the tiger reserve, there are more stringent fines for violations. As per the CEC report, there are 102 households within the areas proposed for phase one—50 in Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, 41 in Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, nine in the northern part of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, and two in Bhagwan Birch probe: Fire Dept too came in line of fire Juvenile justice boards reconstituted PANAJI: After months of silence over a crucial child protection mechanism, the Goa government has finally reconstituted the Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) in North and South Goa -- panels that decide the fate of children in conflict with the law and are central to the State’s juvenile justice system.  >> See PG 3 been extended till June this year. The crucial meeting to shortlist the new Lokayukta was held on Wednesday and was attended by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and the Chief Secretary. Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Sawant said the committee had finalised the name of the Lokayukta, which would be announced on Thursday after the minutes are signed. “There were two names discussed. One has been finalised. But I cannot disclose the name now,” he said. Alemao criticised the delay in the appointment, calling it a “sorry state of affairs.” He alleged that the delay was intentional to avoid scrutiny of Govt set to challenge CEC’s tiger reserve proposal in SC MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY RECOMMENDS ACTION OVER FAULTY INSPECTION AND FIRE NOC THE GOAN I NETWORK KADDA POOJA: Villagers perform the unique Kadda Pooja in Kundaim, offering dry grass to the protector spirit Shri Siddheshwar near the Rakhandar ghumti late Wednesday night.   Narayan Pissurlenkar Illegal resort linked to MLA still stands despite SC order GCZMA AGAIN SEEKS EXECUTION OF DEMOLITION ORDER THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Seven years after the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) ordered the demolition of illegal structures of the Nazri Resort in Calangute – linked to sitting Calangute MLA Michael Lobo – the resort continues to stand tall and operate, exposing the glaring gap between judicial orders and their execution when politically powerful interests are involved. The GCZMA had first passed a demolition order on July 9, 2018, directing M/s Elite Builders, through its partner Michael Lobo, to demolish illegal constructions on property bearing survey nos. 319/2, 3, 5 and 12 of Calangute village. The resort owners challenged the order before the National Green Tribunal, which dismissed the appeal. >Continued on P8 PANAJI While the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services has often maintained that it has no powers to seal or penalise premises violating fire safety norms, a magisterial inquiry into the fatal fire at Birch by Romeo Lane has pointed to serious lapses within the department, including a recommendation to initiate an inquiry into discrepancies in fire inspections. “A detailed inquiry to be initiated with regards to the discrepancies in the fire inspection report used to issue NOC to Maizons Lake View Resort situated in survey no. 158/0 of Arpora village and liability be fixed on erring officials,” reads an extract of the 100-odd-page report, submitted to the government recently. Details accessed by The Goan show that the magisterial report also acknowledged the absence of any penalty or Mahaveer National Park. The CEC has noted that these forest tracts are directly contiguous with Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve and, therefore, should be considered for the establishment of a State tiger reserve. During the last hearing on December 15, 2025, the Supreme Court granted two weeks’ time to the Goa government and Goa Foundation to file their responses. “The >Continued on P8 3D-based land survey begins in Panaji, Margao and Cuncolim THE GOAN I NETWORK „„Probe recommends detailed inquiry into discrepancies in the fire inspection report used to issue NOC to Maizons Lake View Resort and liability to be fixed on erring officials „„No penalties prescribed for operating without fire NOC, exposing regulatory gaps „„Panel calls for random checks and amendments to the law to impose heavy penalties on violators „„2025 inspection report found faulty, with incorrect property details and water storage requirements „„Inspecting officer failed to assess required firefighting equipment, leading to licence renewal without verification punishment for commercial establishments that fail to obtain a fire No Objection Certificate (NOC). It recommended random checks by the department and its field functionaries, and amendments to the Act to provide for the imposition of heavy penalties for operating commercial establishments without a valid fire NOC. The committee observed that the 2025 inspection report for the property contained several lapses and did not correctly reflect the property details or water storage requirements. It further observed that ‘it appears the inspection has not been properly conducted PANAJI As part of the Centre’s NAKSHA scheme for modernising land records, the Goa government has begun a 3D-based land survey using drones and electronic devices across municipal areas of Panaji, Margao and Cuncolim from Tuesday. According to a notice issued by the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records (DSLR), the survey will cover Panaji city and surrounding areas such as Bambolim, Cujira, Calapor, Durgawadi, Taleigao, Morambi-O-Grande, Renovadi, Murda and Morambi-O-Pequeno. In South Goa, the survey will extend to Margao city, Aquem, Davorlim, Navelim, Nuvem, Seraulim and Raia, while in Salcete it will include Cuncolim city, Veroda and Ambelim. The survey is being conducted under The Goa (National Geospatial Knowledge-Based) Land Survey of Urban Habitations Rules, 2025. Officials said >Continued on P8 >Continued on P8 T H E M AGI ST E R I A L R E P O RT High Court orders probe into Key evidence eludes police in GU paper leak case STALLED INVESTIGATION Agonda beach constructions THE GOAN I NETWORK DEPUTY COLLECTOR ASKED TO INSPECT SITE AND FILE AFFIDAVIT ON LEGALITY BEFORE JAN 14 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Deputy Collector of Canacona to inspect structures standing on Agonda beach and file an affidavit on their legality. The matter will be heard on January 14. The directions were issued by Division Bench of Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Amit Jamsandekar while hear- ing a writ petition alleging the existence of unauthorised commercial structures in the eco-sensitive zone. The petitioner Alchemist Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd alleged that several commercial structures are operating at the turtle nesting site in Agonda without mandatory permissions from regulatory authorities. The petition sought immediate removal of the alleged illegal structures. Additional Government Advocate Prashil Arolkar informed the court that GCZMA issued a show-cause notice on December 15, 2025, to the concerned, however, it is unable to take further action as its term has expired. Counsel for respondent denied the allegations and maintained that the structures were erected with proper permissions. He also sought time >Continued on P8 PANAJI hile the promised administrative response to the Goa University examination paper leak remains elusive, the criminal investigation has made little headway, with police yet to gain access to crucial evidence, including a faculty locker allegedly used in the offence. Police sources said the investigation has been hampered by the university’s reluctance to hand over the keys to a locker that allegedly contained question papers that were leaked by the accused. Besides several procedural steps still pending, sources W „„Exam paper leak case shows little progress months after the FIR was registered „„Police yet to access crucial evidence, including a faculty locker allegedly used to store leaked question papers „„GU has not handed over the locker keys sought by the investigating team „„No arrests made so far in the criminal case against Assistant Professor „„Khandeparkar inquiry committee has completed its work and submitted its report to the Education Department „„All inquiry records handed over; committee formally wound up after submission of the report „„Police say procedural steps are pending, slowing the investigation also confirmed to The Goan that no arrest has so far been made in the case registered against Assistant Professor Pranav Naik. "The investigating team had written to the GU internal committee, seeking the key/s, but it has so far not been complied with. We are yet to gain access to the locker where question papers were allegedly stored...” the police said. Meanwhile, the Khandeparkar-led committee complet- ed its mandate, submitted its report, and formally wound up its work last year. “All records and material collected during the inquiry were handed over to the Education Department... Once the inquiry was complete and the GU PAPER LEAK: REPORT UNDER WRAPS, ACTION STILL PENDING  >> PG 3 report submitted, the committee ceased to exist," another source revealed. The Agassaim police had registered a criminal case against Naik on March 22, 2025, following a complaint filed by GU Registrar, Professor S N Dhuri. The FIR accused Naik of trespassing, housebreaking, forgery and cheating. >Continued on P8