log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2026 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 263 2 Goa plans study to assess tourism carrying capacity GOA War in Middle East casts long shadow on operations at Mormugao Port 5 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 LIFE LPG shortage to hit homes, hotels and hospitals TCP SECTION 39A TO STAY RANE STANDS BY LEGISLATION AS OPPOSITION PRESSES FOR REPEAL; SAYS ONLY 0.2 PC LAND CONVERTED, FIGURES EXAGGERATED  HEALTH: GAP ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY SHORTFALLS; FOCUS ON HEALTH SCREENING THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday asserted that regulations and legislation passed by the House “will remain”, in a veiled response to demands for scrapping the controversial Sections 39A and 17(2) of the TCP Act. Rane accused Opposition MLAs of presenting “unre‑ alistic figures” of land con‑ versions, creating false pub‑ lic perception. “All these legislations and sections are sub‑judice, so I cannot speak much on them. Even Section 39A is sub‑judice. Whatever I can, I will clarify,” he said. He claimed that only 0.2 per cent of land under the Region‑ al Plan had been converted using these provisions, dis‑ missing what he called “as‑ tronomical figures” alleged by the Opposition. The debate on TCP grants had earlier seen sharp ex‑ changes, with Opposition MLAs accusing the depart‑ ment of becoming a “shop for land conversions” and project approvals. >PAGE 8 WHO IS READY FOR CYBERWAR? IN SHORT >> SC tells Centre, states to drop NCERT experts NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court directed the Centre and states to disassociate from three experts who drafted a controversial Class 8 NCERT social science chapter containing “offending” references to corruption in the judiciary.  >> See pg 10 WRD to step up river pollution checks MAPUSA: Rising pollution in Goa’s rivers triggered debate in the Assembly, with the opposition demanding action. Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar said WRD will set up special sub-divisions to monitor pollution in rivers and nullahs. >> See pg 2 MINISTER STANDS HIS GROUND „„TCP provisions to stay; Sections 39A and 17(2) will not be scrapped „„Only 0.2% land under Regional Plan converted; Opposition figures exaggerated „„TCP provisions are sub-judice, limiting detailed comments „„Govt opposes tiger reserve proposal; no evidence of resident tigers in Goa „„13,000 survey numbers PROPOSALS FOR A MARINE SANCTUARY AT GALGIBAG >> See pg 5 Viresh Borkar and Venzy Viegas led the charge, alleg‑ ing large‑scale misuse of Sec‑ tion 39A. Other Opposition MLAs, including of Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Vijai Sardesai, Cruz Silva, Carlos Alvares Ferreira and Altone with mangroves identified for protection; no construction permitted „„Private forest issue to be settled by May; total forest cover notification by June „„Marine sanctuary proposed at Galgibag; Bondla wildlife park development planned „„Protection measures for Olive Ridley turtle nesting sites at Morjim, Agonda and Galgibag „„Preventive healthcare push with screening for cancer, diabetes across PHCs, CHCs and govt hospitals „„Tuem hospital likely to become sub-district hospital; Curchorem may be upgraded to district hospital D’Costa also joined in the criticism. Sardesai alleged that over 1.27 million square metres of land has been converted with Tiswadi, Pernem and Bardez accounting for more than 60% of zone changes. He noted that despite such large‑scale conversions, the government had admitted no assessment has been done on their impact on infrastructure, roads, drainage, groundwater or the environment. Other legislators had al‑ leged that proposals were pending for another 71.56 lakh sq metres of land to be con‑ verted. Borkar and Viegas vociferously demanded scrapping of Sections 17(2) and 39A to protect Goa’s land and heritage. The Opposition voices un‑ derscored growing unease over rapid urban expansion, mega projects and heritage protection, with calls for stricter laws and better plan‑ ning. Edu dept sets shorter school hours in April CLASSES CAPPED AT 3.5 HOURS DAILY FOR STD 6-10 AND 12 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Directorate of Education has directed all schools in Goa to conduct classes in April for not more than three and a half hours per day for students of classes 6 to 10 and Grade 12 as part of the academic schedule for 2026–27. In an order issued by Di‑ rector Shailesh Zingde, the department stated that the academic year 2026–27 for Classes 6 to 10 and 12 will commence from April 1 and schools will function during the month with a minimum instructional duration of three and a half hours daily. As per the directive, stu‑ dents of Classes 5 to 9 will be given a break from March 13 to March 30, while annual results for Classes 5 to 9 and Class 11 will have to be de‑ clared by March 31. For primary schools, Classes 1 to 4 will continue classes un‑ til March 27, after which exami‑ nations will be conducted from DoE DIRECTIVE „„Academic year 2026–27 for Classes 6–10 and 12 begins April 1 in Goa schools „„Classes in April capped at 3.5 hours daily „„Students of Classes 5–9 get break from March 13 to March 30 „„Annual results for Classes 5–9 and Class 11 to be declared by March 31 „„Classes 1–4 to continue till March 27, exams from March 30 to April 2 March 30 to April 2. The results for students up to Class 4 will be declared on April 30, 2026. The Directorate has in‑ structed heads of govern‑ ment, government-aided, and unaided recognised schools to strictly implement the in‑ structions without procedural delay. First batch of Indian students to exit Iran via Armenia PTI NEW DELHI Amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions, around 100 Indian students stranded in Iran are expected to return to India on March 14 and 15 via commer‑ cial flights after travelling to Armenia by road. The group will be the first batch of Indi‑ an students returning from the conflict-hit country. A majority of the students in this group are from Kash‑ mir, and they will travel from northwestern Iran to Arme‑ nia's Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan via land before boarding commercial flights to India. Most of the students are scheduled to return on March 14, while the remaining are expected to arrive on March 15. They are expected to de‑ part for the Armenia border on Thursday from different parts of Iran. Students will travel on Fly‑ dubai flights on March 14 and 15 via Dubai to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, JKSA national convenor Nasir Khuehami said. The first batch will board flight FZ8124. SC allows passive euthanasia in rare case Life support for man in vegetative state for 12 years to be withdrawn AGENCIES NEW DELHI n a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India has allowed passive euthanasia in a specific case, permitting the withdrawal of life support for a 32-year-old Ghaziabad man who has been in a persistent vegetative state. The court granted approval on Wednesday after considering the patient’s medical condition and the circumstances placed before it. The ruling allows doctors to withdraw life-sustaining treatment. It is the first case where the court has permitted I KEY COURT JUDGEMENT „„Court applies principles from Common Cause vs Union of India (2018) recognising right to die with dignity „„Rules clinically administered nutrition is medical treatment and can be withdrawn „„Medical boards found no chance of recovery, passive euthanasia under its guidelines. The order was passed by a parents consented to withdrawal „„AIIMS directed to shift patient to palliative care and oversee process „„Judicial approval may not be needed if medical boards clear withdrawal „„Centre urged to consider comprehensive law on passive euthanasia bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan. The court applied the princi- ples laid down in the Common Cause vs Union of India (2018) judgement, which recognised the fundamental right to die with dignity and was later modified in 2023. The court was hearing a miscellaneous application filed by the patient’s father seeking withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. The patient, Harish Rana, suffered severe brain injuries after falling from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation. The accident left him in a Persistent Vegetative State with 100 per cent >Continued on P10 Preventive care push with screenings Rane also announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening Goa’s health‑ care system, with a strong emphasis on preventive med‑ icine while replying to the discussion on demands for grants pertaining to the health sector. He said a gap analysis is being undertaken to identify shortfalls in existing facilities. “It is a Central government funded initiative that will help us strengthen the healthcare facilities,” Rane, who also holds the Health portfolio, stated. He emphasised that med‑ ical screening facilities will soon be introduced across all government hospitals, Prima‑ ry Health Centres (PHCs), and Community Health Centres (CHCs). Highlighting the govern‑ ment’s focus on early detec‑ tion, Rane said, “We will also launch all medical screening services including cancer and diabetes, across PHCs and CHCs in Goa.” He added that preventive medicine would be the >Continued on P10 6 15 SPORTS Navneet Kaur hat-trick leads India to 4-1 win against Wales Goa steps up monitoring of LPG as shortage looms Govt seeks daily stock updates from oil companies; commercial supply curtailed to prevent panic buying VIBHA VERMA THE GOAN I PANAJI The State government has insisted on stronger commu‑ nication with oil marketing companies (OMCs) amid an emerging cooking gas supply crunch, with authorities ask‑ ing for daily updates on LPG stocks and the supply of other petroleum products to avoid confusion over distribution in Goa. CENTRAL DIRECTIVE TO PRIORITISE LPG PRODUCTION >> See pg 10 Sources at the Secretariat told The Goan that the admin‑ istration has begun closely monitoring LPG availability across the State, even as the Union government directed that domestic cooking gas for households will continue to be prioritised. The State has suggested Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum to assess the current stock po‑ sition and disruptions in the supply chain. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has already stated that non-domestic sup‑ plies have been restricted and Induction cooktops fly off shelves amid LPG uncertainty PANAJI: Foreseeing shortage of LPG cylinders in Goa, triggered by supply disruptions linked to the escalating tensions in the Middle East, has sparked an unexpected rush for electric induction cooktops, with major quick-commerce platforms running out of stocks while retail stores reporting a sharp spike >> See pg 3 in demand.  >> ON PAGE 3 << Shack owners send SOS to CM, Tourism Minister over shortage Crisis threatening to shut wada-pav, ras omelette stalls in Margao Consumers rush to Margao LPG dealers in bid to secure refills Govt assures State has 15-day stock; no cause for alarm: CM LPG supply crunch could hit hospitality sector hard: TTAG Many Bardez hotels likely to shut operations from today are being prioritised for hospi‑ tals, educational institutions, defence establishments, crematoriums and religious trusts. In its order on March 9, the ministry stated that un‑ interrupted supply of LPG for household cooking is neces‑ sary in the public interest. The pan-India shortage owing to the geopolitical ten‑ sions has triggered concern in Goa’s hospitality and tour‑ ism sector, which relies heav‑ ily on commercial LPG cylin‑ ders for restaurants, beach shacks and catering services. >Continued on P10 Panaji votes, awaits CCP verdict OVER 69% TURNOUT; BALLOT BOXES SEALED; BABUSH, UTPAL CAMPS ADD POLITICAL EDGE; RESULTS ON MARCH 13 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Polling for the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) elec‑ tions concluded on Wednes‑ day, marking an important day for the capital’s roughly 35,000-strong electorate. Across 30 wards, 69 candi‑ dates contested for seats, with voters turning out in signifi‑ cant numbers to elect their 30 new councillors. Voting began at 8 am and continued until 5 pm at 48 polling booths spread across the city. Some wards had a single booth, while larger wards were allotted two to man‑ age the flow of voters. By the close of polling, turnout had crossed 69 per cent (69.02%), reflecting steady participation been cast, recording a turnout of nearly 48 per cent. The pace picked up in the final hours, pushing the overall turnout past the halfway mark and eventually settling at above 69 per cent. Election staff reported no major disruptions, and polling concluded without incident although incidents where ten‑ sion briefly prevailed in and outside polling booths were reported in some wards. Electors stand in a queue in one of the wards to cast their votes in the CCP elections in Panaji on Wednesday.   Narayan Pissurlenkar throughout the day. According to official figures, 22,445 votes were cast, includ‑ ing 10,575 men and 11,870 women. The ballot boxes were sealed soon after, with count‑ ing scheduled for March 13 at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium. The day unfolded in phas‑ es. By 2 pm, officials reported that 15,546 votes had already Babush vs Utpal political hue While civic elections are of‑ ten routine, this year’s contest carried a high political profile with several prominent lead‑ ers having campaigned vigor‑ ously, turning the local polls >Continued on P10