THURSDAY APRIL 30, 2026 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 312 Cacora constraint: Margao faces a looming waste crisis 2 GOA From STPs to smart panchayats, CM lays down reform agenda 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 LIFE Unshelling the history of ‘Kazu’ Exit polls: Big win for BJP in Assam, edge in Bengal DMK SET TO RETAIN TAMIL NADU, UDF TIPPED FOR KERALA COMEBACK; NDA GOVT RETURN IN PUDUCHERRY PTI NEW DELHI Several exit polls on Wednesday predicted a thumping victory for the BJP in Assam and a clear edge for the party over the ruling TMC in West Bengal, while projecting a return of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu and a comeback by the Congress-led UDF in Kerala after 10 years. The pollsters also forecast a return to power for the AINRC-led NDA government in Puducherry. Axis My India predicted a sweep for the BJP in Assam, forecasting 88-100 seats for the BJP and its allies and 24-36 seats for the Congress and its partners. People's Pulse predicted that the NDA would get 68-72 seats while the Congress plus would secure in the range of 22-26 seats. Matrize said the NDA is likely to get between 85-95 seats and the Congress and its allies 25-32. The Assam assembly has 126 seats with the magic >PAGE P3 Plan to award Cultural Merit Marks for students continues to remain on paper >PAGE 8 PRIVACY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE: SECURITY FALLACY AT CORE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN SHORT >> Vishwajit gets Ayush portfolio PANAJI: Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has been allotted the AYUSH portfolio by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The notification was issued by General Administration Department allocating the newly formed AYUSH department to Rane, in addition to his existing portfolios. Rane also holds the TCP, Health, Forest, FDA, Women and Child Development and Urban Development ministries. TMC BJP mark being 64. In West Bengal, the People's Pulse exit poll predicted that the TMC would get 177-187 seats, BJP 95-110, Left Front 0-1 and the Congress 1-3. Matrize, however, predicted a BJP edge in the state, and said it is likely to get 146-161 seats. It said the TMC would get 125-140 seats. P-Marq predicted 150-175 for the BJP and 118-138 to the TMC. West Bengal has a total of 294 seats with the majority mark being 148. In Tamil Nadu, the People's Pulse predicted 125-145 for the DMK-led alliance, 65-80 for AIADMK-BJP and 18-24 for TVK. Matrize forecast that the DMK-Congress would get 122132, NDA 87-100 and TVK 10-12. Tiger Reserve case off SC board again SECOND NON-LISTING IN A MONTH RAISES UNCERTAINTY OVER TIMELINE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The long-pending matter pertaining to the proposed Tiger Reserve in Goa has once again failed to be listed before the Supreme Court for hearing, marking the second such instance within a month. After it did not come up on March 19, the case was also missing from the Board on April 17, the next date scheduled by the court. The last hearing in the matter was held on February 16, during which the Supreme Court had granted respondent Goa Foundation (GF) two weeks’ time to file its response to the findings of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The GF has already submitted its reply. However, with the case not being taken up since then, uncertainty continues to loom over the timeline of the proceedings. During the last hearing, the double bench had noted common practice among Registry Officials whereby relevant Record of Proceedings were found missing from the paper book(s). The Court had apprehended that such actions are being done deliberately and had directed the Secretary General to hold a fact-finding inquiry and submit a report to the Chief Justice of India. The Supreme Court is hearing the State’s plea challenging the Bombay High Court at Goa order directing the State to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas as Tiger Reserve. The Court had accordingly directed CEC to conduct study and submit its report. The Goa government in its affidavit challenged the CEC recommending notifying Tiger Reserve covering 468.60 sq km of protected forest areas in the State during the first >Continued on P9 The Tamil Nadu has a total of 234 seats with the magic mark being 118. Most exit polls have had a chequered history and have been off the mark on several occasions in the past. In Kerala, Axis My India forecast that the UDF would get 78-90 seats, LDF 49-62 and NDA 0-3. People's Pulse predicted Gautam Khattar applies for bail, hearing today THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A day after being admitted to the District Hospital, Mapusa after complaining of chest pain, Gautam Khattar on We d n e sday moved a bail application before the Judicial Magistrate First Class court in Vasco. The bail plea is likely to come up for hearing on Thursday, which is when his six-day police custody ends. The application comes two days after his brother, Madhav Khattar, was granted conditional bail by the same court and was subsequently released from Colvale jail. Gautam was taken to the District Hospital, Mapusa, on Tuesday evening after he complained of chest pain while in custody. Police said he was kept under observation and that his condition was being closely monitored. He is still admitted in hospital. that the Congress-led UDF would get 75-85 seats, the LDF 55-65 and the NDA 0-3. Matrize forecast 60-65 seats for the LDF, 70-75 seats for the UDF and 3-5 seats for the NDA. Kerala Assembly has a total of 140 seats with the magic mark being 71. In Puducherry, Axis My India predicted 16-20 seats for the NDA and 6-8 for the DMK-Congress. It said the TVK is likely to get 2-4 seats in the assembly. There are 30 elected seats in Puducherry. The counting of votes for all the five assemblies -- West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Assam -will be taken up on May 4. Polls were conducted in a single phase in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. West Bengal saw two-phase polling on April 23 and 29. On April 9, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry went to polls. Assam and Puducherry surpassed their highest-ever poll participation by recording a voter turnout of 85.38 per cent and 89.83 per cent respectively. PANAJI he Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), Goa’s youngest political outfit, is showing signs of strain and at the root of it is an internal face-off between the party president Manoj Parab, often referred to as 'supremo' and its lone legislator Viresh Borkar which on Wednesday spilled into the public domain. Both Parab and Borkar have 'unfollowed' each other's Facebook accounts, a symbolic move that underscores widening fissures between the duo. The flashpoint was the sudden removal a few days back of Julius Almeida, panch member of St Lawrence (Agassaim) and a close supporter of Borkar. T THE INTERNAL FACE-OFF „„Flashpoint is the sudden removal of Julius Almeida, a Borkar supporter from St Lawrence „„Party notice said Almeida was not an RGP member and accused him of statements against leadership „„Warning issued that office-bearers maintaining ties with Almeida could face disciplinary action „„Move reportedly upset grassroots workers in St Andre constituency „„Local workers allegedly demanded Parab visit St Andre and explain the decision „„Parab instead called a meeting in Panaji, which workers initially refused to attend „„Borkar acknowledged 'internal discussions' but avoided openly criticising Parab A party notice declared Almeida was not a member, accused him of making statements against the leadership, and warned that office-bearers maintaining ties with him would face disciplinary action. The decision has unsettled grassroots workers in St Andre, Borkar’s constituency, where Almeida enjoys local support. Borkar, pressed by reporters, when he had made an appearance before the Panaji police following summons related to the stir against TCP Act's section 39A had admitted to “internal discussions”. He however avoided direct criticism of Parab but added that the matter was being debated within the party and a solution would emerge. RGP sources said, following the notice related to the 'removal' of Almeida, workers (who refer to themselves as revolutionaries) from St Andre demanded Parab’s presence locally to explain the decision. Goa University faces flak on non-Goan seat quota Leaders, student bodies question fairness, demand immediate review of admission policy THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa University’s decision to allocate more than double the number of seats to non-Goan applicants than to Goan students in its five-year integrated programmes for the 202627 academic year has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and student bodies, who have sought immediate intervention from the State government. As per the university’s admission notification issued on April 28, each integrated programme provides 15 seats for students who have completed Class XII from Goa, while 35 additional seats have been earmarked for candidates from other Indian states. The disparity has triggered concerns over access and fairness for local students. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao strongly objected to the move, urging the Chief Minister to step in and halt the rollout of the programmes, which span five disciplines. He also called for the Vice-Chancellor to be summoned for clarification. “None of these programmes have been discussed with the faculty or the respective O schools of the university. No approval has been taken from the government for their introduction. These programmes will adversely affect the strength of affiliated colleges, as the university will begin admitting students directly after Class XII,” Alemao said. He further pointed out that colleges in Goa are already grappling with declining admissions due to the growing presence of private universities. Questioning the timing of the decision, Alemao alleged that the Vice-Chancellor had acted unilaterally without stakeholder consultation or government approval, adding that the matter warranted scrutiny, particularly with the VC set to retire in the next two months. 19 ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY DUPING US CITIZENS; GADGETS AND VEHICLES WORTH `94.7 LAKH SEIZED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Crime Branch teams raided two illegal call centres operating from upscale residential neighbourhoods in Panaji and Dona Paula and arrested 19 people accused of orchestrating a fraud scheme targeting citizens in the United States. The CB said the accused who impersonated representatives of loan companies, promised instant money and loans to unsuspecting victims before persuading them to make payments through gift cards, including Apple, Xbox and Macy’s cards. Details shared by SP Crime Rahul Gupta stated that the two coordinated raids led to the seizure of laptops, mobile phones, networking equipment and four vehicles worth a combined Rs 94.7 lakh approx. But Parab called a meeting at the Panaji office where they initially refused to attend, highlighting the trust deficit between the president and the cadre in St Andre, the sources said. Meanwhile, with reports of the rift between Parab and Borkar spilling into the public through social media on Wednesday, RGP's treasurer Ajay Kholkar has said there was no question of "taking back Almeida since he was never a member of RGP." Observers see the development as a personality clash between the two tallest leaders of the fledgling RGP and the first signs of factionalism with two camps aligned to the two leaders seemingly taking shape. >Continued on P9 14 Head, Klaasen power SRH to record chase against MI Crime Branch busts fake call centres at Panaji, Dona Paula Rift in RGP? Parab-Borkar discord spills into the open THE GOAN I NETWORK 6 SPORTS NA P RIL 2 The integrated programmes, covering disciplines such as sciences, social sciences, management, media, and public policy are being introduced under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with admissions based on merit derived from Class XII marks. Echoing similar concerns, the Goa Forward Party (GFP) said the decision raises legitimate questions about prioritising local students in a State-run institution. Party chief Vijai Sardesai stressed that Goa University must first cater to the educational needs of Goans. >Continued on P9 Goa records third-highest April minimum temp in 30 yrs THE GOAN I NETWORK 23-year-old Karan Mala. The CB said the group had rented the apartment and set up a makeshift call centre, employing several workers from Assam, Delhi and Gujarat, who allegedly used laptops and virtual PANAJI Goa recorded its third-highest minimum temperature in the last 30 years for April 29, as unusually warm and humid nights continued to grip the State, adding to the growing discomfort ahead of May. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature on Tuesday was 28.6°C, which is 2.2 degrees above normal for this time of the year. “This is the third-highest minimum temperature recorded in the last 30 years for April 29. In 1995, the minimum temperature had touched 29.2°C,” IMD official Nahush Kulkarni said. The unusually high nighttime temperature meant little relief even after sunset, with the city remaining warm and clammy through the evening. At 6 pm, the temperature was still around 32.6 °C. The daytime temperatures, >Continued on P9 >Continued on P9 „„Posed as loan agents masterminded by two offering instant Ahmedabad men loans/cash help „„Workers used THE „„Victims VPNs, Eyebeam MODUS asked to pay app to hide processing fees OPERANDI locations via gift cards „„Dona Paula „„Cards included raid: Villa; 10 Apple, Xbox, Maarrested cy’s, Sephora, Razer Gold „„Used Google Voice apps „„St Inez raid: Apartment; via Ethernet lines 9 held „„Seized 15 laptops, 24 „„Operation allegedly phones, gear, 4 vehicles In the first raid, officers raided an apartment in a residential complex in St Inez and arrested nine persons. As per the State complaint, filed by CB Inspector Tushar Lotliker, the operation was allegedly masterminded by two men from Ahmedabad identified as Yash Dessai, 29, and 2026 @thegoanonline 9, log on to thegoan.net