log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY MARCH 4, 2026 GOA HEART HEALTH BEYOND FITNESS: A GROWING CONCERN AMONG YOUTH MARCH FORTH WITH WORDS: A DAY TO CELEBRATE GRAMMAR IN SHORT >> Goa rolls out free HPV shots to curb cervical cancer PANAJI: Goa has rolled out a major public health initiative aimed at curbing cervical cancer. The State health department launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign targeting nearly 13,000 girls aged 14 who will get the vaccine free of cost.  >> See pg 3 Tivim comunidade fines gauncars `7.1L MAPUSA: The Comunidade of Tivim has issued a show cause notice to eight gauncars who had challenged the lease of its land to a private university, demanding that they collectively pay Rs 7.10 lakh towards legal expenses incurred in defending the case before HC.  >> See pg 3 Mirabag protest to move to Panaji SANGUEM: Villagers intensifying their protest against the Mirabag Bhandara project in Sanvordem will shift the agitation to Azad Maidan, Panaji, from March 5, demanding the project be scrapped.   >> See pg 3 GTDC Colva makeover under NGT review MARGAO: GTDC’s plan to reconstruct shops, build a shopping complex-cum-food court and beach deck at Colva beach has come under the NGT's scrutiny over environmental concerns.  >> See pg 2 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 255 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 DRS under govt review, rollout to be delayed Paddi LPG scare halts trains, exposes response gaps >PG 6 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA Parra panchayat draws red line on mega projects, tightens construction norms INFO Why your knees creak when you bend and how to fix it SCHEME’S DEPOSIT RATES, TIMELINE BEING EXAMINED; MAY TAKE ANOTHER TWO MONTHS TO LAUNCH THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Facing mounting resistance, operational concerns and cost implications, the State government is reviewing both the timeline and pricing structure of the proposed Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), raising the possibility of a rollout being pushed beyond the planned April 1 launch. With apprehensions growing across industry and trade sectors, the government is likely to defer implementation by one to two months while intensifying discussions on rationalising deposit rates for products packaged in plastic and multi-layered materials. However, the deposit rate for liquor bottles will remain unchanged at Rs 10 per bottle. The scheme is proposed to „„April 1 scheme launch „„One-month transition likely to be deferred by 1–2 period likely after rollout months amid industry „„Phase I: Collecresistance tion of alcoholic „„Liquor bottle beverage conDRS deposit to reROLLOUT tainers main at Rs 10 RETHINK „„Phase II: „„Sub-Rs 5 items Collection of other to be exempt; slabs liquid beverage may be reduced containers begin with the collection of alcoholic beverage containers in the first phase, followed by other liquid beverages in the second phase, before being expanded to additional categories of non-biodegradable packaging. A senior official at the Secretariat confirmed that deliberations are underway to post- pone the launch. “Unless we are able to address concerns raised by stakeholders such as trade bodies, village representatives and citizens, we cannot proceed. Even after the launch, a transition period of about one month will have to be provided,” the official said. The official indicated that the rollout could be delayed by a month or two. “That is what is currently under discussion. A delay beyond that may not be feasible,” the official added, confirming that the government is also working on revising the deposit rates payable by consumers. As per the existing framework, consumers would pay a refundable deposit ranging from Rs 2 to Rs 10 over and above the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for products sold in plastic and glass packaging. The government is now exploring a reduction in rates. “Items priced below Rs 5 will be exempt from the DRS. Only products costing Rs 5 and above will be covered,” the official said. Clarifying the pricing mechanism, the official emphasised >Continued on P7 9 SPORTS Real Madrid loses 2nd straight match, misses chance to close gap on Barca 12 Indian returnees recount ordeal, rising costs amid Mid-East crisis Flight cancellations and mounting expenses leave travellers shaken; calls grow for evacuation measures PTI NEW DELHI “I didn't feel any relief, not even during the flight, until I finally landed in Delhi,” said Sunil Gupta, one of the several passengers who returned home shaken, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving the US, Israel and Iran has disrupted travel and daily life, leaving many Indians stranded. ISRAEL STEPS UP AIRSTRIKES, IRAN WIDENS ITS RESPONSE >> See pg 7 Gupta, who was returning from Dubai, said the uncertainty was overwhelming. “I was very worried because I have never faced such a situation before. Watching everything that was happening around the world made me anxious. All I wanted was to somehow return home and India has enough oil stocks for 50 days, looking for more options: Govt NEW DELHI: India currently has stocks of crude oil and refined petroleum products that can last for 50 days in total - with 25 days’ worth of crude oil and another 25 days of petroleum products, government sources said. At the same time, officials are looking for alternative countries to import crude oil, LPG and LNG, as tensions rise in the Middle East. Qatar outage forces India to curb industrial gas MUMBAI: India has begun cutting natural gas supplies to industrial users after a sudden outage in Qatar, sharpening fears of a wider energy squeeze as conflict spreads across the Gulf. State-run distributors informed customers that allocations would be reduced by between 10 and 30%, according to industry sources.  >> See pg 8 be with my family,” he said. Gupta said even on the flight, he could not relax and kept thinking about the situation until he landed in Delhi. Tensions have escalated following a coordinated of- fensive launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28. The US and Israel jointly launched military strikes on the Islamic >Continued on P7 Shigmo preparations turn fatal in Bicholim; IRB cop dies of injuries Quarry fencing plan shelved, now it’s recreation THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Despite growing concern expressed by the government itself over repeated deaths and serious injuries caused by drowning and accidental falls in unprotected abandoned laterite quarries, the State authorities have now decided to shelve their proposal to fence off these hazardous sites. BICHOLIM An IRB police personnel who was critically injured during Shigmo (Holi) preparations at Mencurem village in Bicholim taluka on Monday evening succumbed to his injuries at Goa Medical College (GMC) on Tuesday. Pranav Pandurang Mishal (42) was crushed by a massive ceremonial Holi log while villagers were carrying the traditional structure as part of the festivities. He was initially rushed to the North Goa District Hospital and later shifted to Goa Medical College, where >Continued on P7 MOVES TO RESTORE WATER-FILLED PITS FOR FISHING, TOURISM AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THE GOAN I NETWORK R E H A B I LI TAT I O N PRO P OSA L „„Project Management Unit suggests ‘scientific restoration’ instead of barricading „„Pilot rehabilitation project to explore fishing, tourism and recreational use „„Rehabilitation to be executed within earlier approved Rs 2 crore outlay Instead, the government is exploring a plan to restore and repurpose the water-filled quarries for regulated fishing, tourism and other recreational activities, aiming to transform long-neglected danger zones into productive community assets. The North Goa District Administration has withdrawn its proposal to fence and barricade around 15 to 20 abandoned laterite stone quarries at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF). The North Goa District Mineral Foundation (NGDMF), during one of its meetings, was informed about the withdrawal of the proposal, which had earlier been approved by its Governing Council in January 2024. The decision followed an opinion by the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the >Continued on P7 Vantara Foundation Day: One year after inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many animals restored to health and returned to the wild JAMNAGAR, GUJARAT: On Vantara Foundation Day, marking one year since its inauguration byPrime MinisterNarendra Modi, Vantara reflects on a year of measurable impact in wildlife rescue, advanced medical care, and science-led conservation. Founded byAnant Mukesh Ambani, Vantara has restored thousands of rescued wild animals to health across species, including big cats, reptiles, primates, birds, and other mammals. Over the past year, its veterinary teams have carried out various complex surgical procedures and rewilded various animals into their natural habitats, while also returning some animals to the wild following rescue, treatment, and recovery. In its first year, Anant Ambani has received the prestigious Global Humane Award for his remarkable global contribution to wildlife care and conservation, underscoring a commitment to compassionate, science-led conservation. Vantara’s work has also been recognized internationally through memberships with EARAZA and SEAZA, Global Humane Conservation Certification, and the Prani Mitra Award 2025. Beyond recognition, the organisation has focused on building lasting impact, training hundreds of veterinarians in conservation medicine, hosting more than 50 national and international knowledge-sharing events, and engaging thousands of children through outreach programmes designed to inspire the next generation of conservation stewards. Over the past year, Vantara has rescued animals from distressed and exploitative conditions, while providing world-class veterinary care and long-term, specialised support to over 250 elephants rescued from logging, circuses, rides and begging, many living with arthritis and other age-related ailments. Vantara also provides ongoing care for thousands of crocodiles rescued from overcrowded facilities. With support extending globally as well as across India, Vantara reflects a globally engaged conservation model grounded in compassion, welfare and science. Designated as the National Referral Centre for Wildlife (West Zone), Vantara has strengthened India’s One Health ecosystem by integrating wildlife health into broader disease surveillance and coordinated response systems. Its scientific back- bone includes Scientific Laboratory and 11 satellite laboratories, supported by over 70 specialists and processing more than 2,000 diagnostic samples daily, with capabilities spanning bio-banking, next-generation sequencing, molecular diagnostics, pathology, parasitology and toxicology. Supporting over thousands of animals daily, Vantara produces 1,56,000 kg of high-quality nutrition through fully automated systems, delivered through 50 temperature-controlled vehicles and managed by 200 qualified professionals, supported by more than 1,000 farmers cultivating fodder and animal feed. This scale of integrated care is matched by a 200 member round the clock response team that has supported over 50 international rescue operations and 15 Wildlife Rapid Response and Rescue Team deployments. Conservation is ultimately about giving species a second chance at survival. Over the past year, structured breeding and rewilding programmes have helped restore hope for a large number of endangered species. Among the most meaningful milestones was the release of 53 spotted deer into Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in partnership with the Gujarat Forest Department, as well as the snake-necked turtle rewilding initiative in Indonesia. Each of these efforts reflects Vantara’s deep commitment to science-led ecosystem restoration and the careful, compassionate return of wildlife to their natural homes. When devastating floods struck Punjab, Vantara stood alongside affected communities, supporting humanitarian and disaster response efforts that safeguarded thousands of animals and supported over one million people. This response reinforced a simple but powerful truth: ecological resilience and human wellbeing are deeply interconnected, and caring for one means caring for the other. One year after its inauguration, Vantara has grown into an integrated, science-led conservation ecosystem, advancing rescue, research, rewilding, and community engagement at scale. At its heart remains a clear and compassionate mission: to create measurable conservation impact that protects wildlife, strengthens communities, and contributes to a more sustainable future in India and around the world.