log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2026 GOA THE HIDDEN ATTACK SURFACE OF ENTERPRISE AI SYSTEMS IN SHORT >> US slaps 126% duty on Indian solar imports WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has imposed duties of 126% on imports of solar cells from India following a “preliminary” determination that subsidised exports from Indian companies were hurting the competitiveness of American solar companies and contravened World Trade Organization agreements on subsidies. IPB approves 10 new projects PANAJI: The 41st meeting of the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (Goa-IPB) on Wednesday approved 10 new projects entailing a total proposed investment of Rs 445.24 crore, with the ventures expected to generate around 801 jobs in the State. >> See pg 2 Brawl inside Colvale jail; one injured >> See pg 5 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 249 Casinos, congestion and tourists: Panaji’s civic battlefront >PAGE 10 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA DRS to tackle bottle waste, not raise prices, says govt 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 8 LIFE Goa’s silent crisis: Understanding stress and support systems MLA spurns CM’s offer to put 39A nods on hold; standoff continues BORKAR DEMANDS FULL REPEAL; GOVT CITES LEGAL PROCESS; OPPN LEADERS TO MEET GOV FOR SPECIAL ONE-DAY SESSION THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The confrontation between the Goa government and protesters from Siridao-Pale escalated on Wednesday, with St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar rejecting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s offer to keep in abeyance permissions granted under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act. Sawant, after a late-night meeting with TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane and the Chief Town Planner on Tuesday, had announced that all permissions for zone changes in the St Andre constituency would be suspended. He said a letter had been drafted to formalise the move. “This is the first step within the legal framework. I appeal to MLA Borkar to call off his hunger strike. Revocation is a detailed legal process and will take a few days. His health is important, and we are concerned,” Sawant had told reporters. He also alleged that “some individuals are advising him THE STANDOFF: WHAT THEY SAID Pramod Sawant... All zone-change permissions under Section 39A in St Andre will be kept in abeyance Letter drafted to formalise the suspension of permissions Move is the 'first step within the legal framework' (Borkar) for political gain.” Borkar, however, dismissed the announcement. “Without a concrete assurance, I will continue my fast,” he said. He insisted that the issue was not limited to one constituency but affected the entire State. “We will not settle for temporary relief. Section 39A must go.” On Wednesday, Borkar’s indefinite fast entered its fifth Viresh Borkar... Will continue indefinite fast without a 'concrete assurance' Demands complete repeal of Section 39A The issue affects the entire State, not just St Andre Rejects 'temporary relief' or suspension as a solution day. He has refused food and water since the protest began at Azad Maidan, raising concerns about his health. Earlier in the day, he also attended the Business Advisory Committee meeting of the Assembly, where he raised the issue before returning to the protest site. Opposition parties have thrown their weight behind him. AAP’s Venzy Viegas met Borkar in the evening to check Coastal backlash over Section 39A Calangute hill conversion proposals MAPUSA: As St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar continues his indefinite fast demanding the scrapping of Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, nearly 800 residents of coastal Calangute constituency have risen in protest against a series of land conversions proposed under the very same provision. >> See pg 2 Sawant flags missing TCP files after protest, warns of action PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday warned of strict action against those who he said took the law into their own hands during the protest in Panaji and at the Town and Country Planning office last weekend, where officials have reported missing files and verbal abuse of a staffer. >> See pg 2 on his condition and discuss strategy. Viegas said, an appointment with the Governor has been sought for Thursday to demand a special one-day Assembly session to repeal the controversial section. Goa Forward Party chief and Fatorda MLA, Vijai Sarde- sai, also met Borkar and later told the media that the cabinet can take a decision to repeal the section. “Just as Section 16B was repealed, the Cabinet can approve an amendment and strike down 39A. The Chief >Continued on P9 SPORTS Ravindra’s magic puts Lankan semis hopes in a spin 15 ‘Full-fledged’ Budget to be tabled on March 6 CM to present 2026–27 outlay; Oppn pushes for Sec 39A debate THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will table the State Budget for 2026–27 on March 6, the opening day of the Budget Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly. The upcoming financial statement is likely to be the last full-fledged Budget before the Assembly elections scheduled in early 2027. Sawant, who also holds the finance portfolio, will present the Budget for the seventh consecutive time since 2020. He will also lay on the table the Action Taken Report (ATR) on the 2025–26 Budget, outlining the achievements and progress made during the current fiscal year. The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar. St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, who is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the scrapping of Section 39A of the TCP Act, attended the meeting in a wheelchair. Although his fast was not discussed during the BAC meeting, the Opposition pressed for a debate on the issue in the House. Addressing the media af- SESSION AGENDA Pramod Sawant to present seventh consecutive Budget since 2020 Action Taken Report on 2025–26 Budget to be tabled Budget to be passed on March 9 and 10 Demands for Grants discussions from March 11 onwards 560 starred, 1,332 unstarred questions received 15 Private Members’ Resolutions listed ter the meeting, the Speaker confirmed that the Budget will be presented on March 6, followed by a general discussion. The Budget is scheduled to be passed on March 9 and 10. Discussions on Demands for Grants for individual departments will commence from March 11 onwards. “As of now, 560 starred and 1,332 unstarred questions have been received. Fifteen Private Members’ Resolutions will be taken up,” Gaonkar >Continued on P9
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