log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2026 GOA January 2026 car sales: Big jumps, small dips and shuffled rankings Audi Q5: Understated luxury with everyday excellence IN SHORT >> 18 killed in blast at Meghalaya coal mine SHILLONG: At least 18 labourers were killed, and several others feared trapped following an explosion at an “illegal” coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday, Director General of Police I Nongrang said. Rescue teams have been engaged in search operations, she said, adding that the incident occurred in the Thangsku area in the morning.  >> See pg 9 Salt pan cultivators to get one-time grant PANAJI: The government has announced a one-time grant of Rs 95 lakhs to salt pan cultivators under the Salt Pan Conservation, Support and Revival Scheme, with effect from the current financial year. The assistance will be released to 75 traditional salt pan cultivators, with each eligible farmer receiving Rs 1 lakh as support.  >> See pg 3 Mopa racing event: Land losers cry foul MAPUSA: Members of the Goa Kul Mundkar Sangarsha Samiti along with locals staged a protest in Pernem opposing the proposed Goa Street Race (Formula-4) event planned in the Mopa airport area, citing serious concerns over public inconvenience, environmental impact and long-pending grievances of land losers.  >> See pg 2 DHE to train 500 teachers in AI tools PANAJI: Directorate of Higher Education aims to train around 500 faculty members from Higher Education Institutions across the State in the use of Artificial Intelligence tools. The programme covers 69 disciplines grouped into six clusters and is being implemented in collaboration with IIITDM, Jabalpur, with support from national and international experts. Goa Jan Vishwas Act notified PANAJI: Goa government has notified the Goa Jan Vishwas (Laws Amendment) Act, 2026, passed by Goa Assembly in January 2026. The Act decriminalises minor offences across more than a dozen State laws by replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties, which will automatically increase by 10 per cent every three years. The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 229 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 Goa stares at debt cliff of over `11,000 crore All eyes on GSPCB as Cuncolim opposes new fish meal plant Page 8 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA Illegal parties thrive along beach belt despite Birch tragedy How to replenish energy after a workout RBI SOUNDS ALARM, SAYS GEOPOLITICAL UNCERTAINTY, HIGH DEBT, LIABILITIES THREATEN STATE’S FINANCES SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI A looming repayment cliff awaits Goa from 2026-27 onwards, with the State government set to shell out over Rs 11,370 crore over the next five years to service loans raised against government securities, apart from interest liabilities on State Development Loans (SDLs) and other internal debt. Significantly, the government plans to refinance a large portion of the maturing debt through fresh borrowings instead of retiring it outright. In the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27 alone, the State will have to pay around Rs 5,320 crore-comprising Rs 1,320 crore towards the maturity of government securities and nearly Rs 4,000 crore as interest on SDLs and other internal borrowings. The figures were released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its report State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2025-26, published last month, which pegged Goa’s CAG flags Goa’s ‘fiscal vulnerability’ PANAJI: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged Goa’s ‘financial vulnerability’, noting that the State breached the targeted debt-to-GSDP ratio of 25 per cent in all five years since 2019, although it has remained below 30 per cent over the last two years. “Given the increasing trend of committed expenditure over the last five years, the State government needs to work out a well-thought-out debt management strategy,” the CAG had warned, pointing out that between 2024 and 2029 alone, the government will have to repay principal and interest amounting to Rs 16,580 crore. outstanding liabilities at Rs 35,608 crore by March 2026. The RBI cautioned that factors such as geopolitical uncertainty, persistently high debt levels and rising contingent liabilities from guarantees and cash transfer schemes pose growing risks to State finances. According to the study, Goa will begin repayments of government securities auctioned as far back as 2016-17. While repayments in 2026-27 are estimated at Rs 1,320 crore, the burden will rise steadily to Rs 1,800 crore in 2027-28, Rs 2,350 crore in 2028-29, Rs 2,600 crore in 2029-30 and Rs 3,300 crore in 2030-31. The RBI advised States to review market borrowings through fiscal consolidation, explore alternative financing options and strengthen cash management practices to mitigate fiscal stress. As of March 2026, Goa’s internal debt is projected to stand at Rs 25,986.6 crore, with SDLs accounting for Dept pushes smart meter rollout at JERC hearing CEE SAYS WILL NOT ALTER RECORDING OF POWER CONSUMPTION, TARGETS AUG 2027 COMPLETION JERC HEARING: GOA GOVT ABSORBED RS 181 CRORE POWER DEFICIT >> See pg 3 During the public hearing conducted by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), Fernandes stressed that smart meters will not alter the basic method of recording electricity consumption, as Goa already uses electronic meters. „„Goa will start repaying government securities issued in 2016–17 „„Repayment burden begins in 2026–27 at Rs 1,320 crore „„Dues rise to Rs 1,800 crore in 2027–28 „„Repayments increase further to Rs 2,350 crore in 2028–29 „„Liability grows to Rs 2,600 crore in 2029–30 „„Peak repayment expected in 2030–31 at Rs 3,300 crore the largest share at Rs 21,470 crore. In addition, the State’s central loan component is expected to reach Rs 5,544 crore. A senior government officer said the principal repayments >Continued on P9 Fresh row over Bondvoll lake, locals want full area resurveyed THE GOAN I NETWORK ing. It will only improve efficiency and enhance transparency,” he said, dismissing claims that tariffs would rise or consumption would be misreported as “completely false.” >Continued on P9 >Continued on P9 500 kilowatt solar net-metering cap to stay, asserts chief engineer PANAJI: Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes has opposed demands from industry representatives to raise the current 500-kilowatt cap on solar power net metering in Goa, citing concerns over grid stability and surplus generation. Fernandes said that removing the restriction would result in large volumes of solar energy being pumped into the grid during daylight hours, when demand is typically low and supply already exceeds requirements. “If the limit is lifted, solar energy will flood the grid at a time when it is not needed, creating technical challenges for stability,” he cautioned. Fernandes maintained that the cap is necessary to balance generation with demand and to safeguard the reliability of the power system. Instead, they will provide consumers with accurate insights into usage patterns, voltage levels, and billing, while enabling the department to collect precise data, he said. “Smart metering will not change consumption record- RBI STUDY: FACTS & FIGURES PANAJI The Bondvoll lake controversy flared up again on Thursday after villagers of St Cruz objected to a survey being carried out in the demarcated area around the lake at Survey No. 87/1. Residents said they have demanded a re-survey of the entire area around the lake to clearly mark its zone of influence. They alleged that the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) had recommended nearly 50 hectares as the zone of influence, but the Goa Wetland Authority notified only 19 hectares. Villagers questioned the reduction and accused authorities of ignoring scientific advice. They argued that limiting the notified area would open the lake’s surroundings to development, threatening its ecological balance and the bioldiversity. Domnic Pereira, local panch and one of the agitators, said the inspection scheduled for Friday has been THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa’s Chief Electrical Engineer, Stephen Fernandes, described the smart electricity meter initiative as ‘transparent, beneficial and the need of the hour,’ while reaffirming the Goa Electricity Department’s commitment to completing the exercise by August 2027, despite political opposition and public concerns. Online OPD reg at GMC gets positive response THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI ven as Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital began online registrations of outpatient department (OPD), the existing offline system will continue simultaneously to ensure that no patient is excluded. The online OPD booking facility, which came into force on February 4, recorded 181 registrations on the first day and a cumulative total of 388 online registrations by the end of the second day (Thursday). During the same period, 236 patients registered through the walk-in (offline) system, taking the total number of registrations to 624. E „„Online OPD slots at GMC not to „„Booking for a given day closes at THE lapse if unfilled by day-end 5 pm on the previous day BALANCE „„Online OPD system „„Vacant online slots to be BETWEEN launched on February 4 carried forward and added to next day’s offline quota CLICKS & „„Each OPD runs in three daily „„These slots to be available QUEUES time slots: 10-11 am, 11-12 noon through regular walk-in queue and 12-1 pm system „„Only 33 patients per slot available „„Online OPD bookings can be made 7 „„100 OPD slots per day earmarked for days in advance online booking on trial basis “Till 5.45 pm on Thursday, 388 self-registrations (online) were recorded and 236 walk-in registrations (offline), totalling 624,” Medical Superintendent of GMC, Dr Rajesh Patil, told The Goan. Dr Patil said that online slots are open for booking up to seven days in advance, giving patients flexibility in choosing the date and time. “Booking for any given day will close at 5 pm on the preceding day,” he said. The government has already 11 INFO stated that any online slots that are still available at the end of the day will not lapse. “Vacant online slots will be added to the offline quota on the subsequent day and will be available to the public through the regular queue system,” he said. The Medical Superintendent further informed that each OPD functions in three time slots daily -- from 10 am to 11 am, 11 am to 12 noon, and 12 noon to 1 pm. “Each slot accommodates 33 patients, though the actual consultation time may vary depending on the line of treatment. While some patients may spill over into subsequent time slots, no patient is left without being examined,” he said. On a trial basis, 100 OPD slots per day have been earmarked for online booking in the General Medicine, General Surgery, ENT, Orthopaedics and >Continued on P9 SPORTS Goa street race boosts State’s sporting profile, says Abraham 13 Tirumalla moves to save Goa operations, submits apology Seeks withdrawal of show-cause notice Wants revocation of NOC suspension THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Apologising for regulatory lapses, the Tirumalla Tirupati Multi-state Co-operative Credit Society Ltd has approached the Registrar of Co-operative Societies (RCS), seeking withdrawal of the show-cause notice issued to it and revocation of the suspension of its No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate in Goa. In a letter dated February 4, 2026, addressed to the Registrar, Panaji branch representative Diptesh Sawant submitted documents sought by the authorities for inspection, including the society’s audited financial statements. In the representation, Sawant acknowledged failures in complying with statutory requirements and apologised for not furnishing documents within the stipulated timeframe. “I sincerely apologise for the non-submission of the required documents. We failed to produce the same on the requested date,” the letter stated, while urging the Registrar to withdraw the show-cause notice and revoke the suspension of the NOC issued under Section 123 of the Goa Co-operative Societies Act, 2001. SOCIETY’S LETTER TO REGISTRAR „„Acknowledges failure to comply with statutory requirements within stipulated time „„Apologises for non-submission of documents on requested date „„Explains that lapses occurred due to procedural shortcomings „„Assures that negligence will not recur in future „„Submits documents sought for inspection, including audited financial statements „„Requests Registrar to accept submitted documents for inspection and verification The society attributed the lapses to procedural shortcomings and assured the authorities that such omissions would not recur. “I assure that no such negligence from our end will happen in the future, and submission of necessary documents will be done on a priority basis as and when required,” Sawant said, requesting that the documents now submitted be accepted for inspection and verification. Registrar of Co-operative Societies Ashutosh Apte said the representation would be examined in accordance with the provisions of the Co-operative Societies Act and applicable rules, and a decision would be taken after due scrutiny of the documents. The development follows a meeting between representatives of the credit society and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday evening, during which the Chief Minister directed them to submit all documents sought by the authorities. The Chief Minister noted that despite repeated showcause notices, the Tirumalla society had failed to respond or submit the required documentation. The State government had earlier withdrawn the NOC granted to the credit society following an inspection that reportedly revealed persistent non-compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Bharat Taxi hits the roads in Guj, Delhi; pan-India rollout in 3 yrs PTI NEW DELHI Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday launched Bharat Taxi, the country's first co-operative-run ride-hailing platform, which will start services in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat initially and pan-India in the next three years. Bharat Taxi platform, which has been established by India's top eight co-operative organistions including dairy major Amul, will enhance drivers' income significantly, besides giving them ownership, the minister highlighted. Govt’s Bharat Taxi could be Goa’s game-changer >> See Edit pg 4 Addressing an event after launching the service, Shah said the rival ride-hailing platforms have reduced commission and are offering many other incentives, including free rides to customers, seeing the success of Bharat Taxi during the pilot operation. However, Shah emphasised that Bharat Taxi is giving ownership to drivers, which no other ride-hailing platform can offer. “From today, Bharat Taxi has been commercially launched in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat. Within three years, the service will be expanded >Continued on P9