log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2026 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 325 Despite HC intervention, SGPDA sewage line still idle 2 GOA ST reservation row: Cabinet to take up issue amid protest pressure 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 LIFE Sustainable fashion finds new life in old sarees this summer Paper leak claims rock NEET, exam cancelled  23 LAKH STUDENTS HIT  CBI TO PROBE ‘IRREGULARITIES’ PTI NEW DELHI The National Testing Agency on Tuesday cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 exam held on May 3 amid allegations of paper leak, with the government asking the CBI to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the “irregularities”. The examination for students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in medical colleges will now be held afresh on dates to be notified separately. In a statement on X, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said the decision was taken in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system. “On the basis of inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided IN SHORT >> Electrician falls off mosque, dies MAPUSA: A 26-year-old electrician from Reis Magos died after accidentally falling off the Hamza Masjid in Ramnagar-Betim on Tuesday. According to reports, Shejad Zhan was conducting some electrical works in the mosque when he lost balance and fell down, sustaining serious injuries. He was moved to the GMC hospital at Bambolim, where he was declared dead. Murder bid on govt employee, 1 arrested PANAJI: Old Goa Police arrested a St Cruz resident for attempting to kill government employee Kashinath Shetye during an inspection of suspected illegal land-filling activities in Merces, last week. The accused, identified as Yogesh Tigade, 40, has been booked for attempted murder.  >> See pg 3 Himanta Sarma takes oath as Assam CM GUWAHATI: The BJP-led NDA assumed the mantle of power for the third term when Himanta Sarma was sworn in as chief minister of Assam for the second time in a row. Nashik cops detain 30-year-old man over paper leak; CBI takes custody MUMBAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday evening took into its custody a person from Nashik in Maharashtra in connection with the alleged NEET paper leak, an official said. Earlier in the day, crime branch unit 2 of Nashik Police detained Shubham Khairnar (30), resident of Nandgaon in the district, following a request from Rajasthan Police. He was picked up from Indiranagar area of the city, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Kirankumar Chauhan. to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on 3 May 2026, and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately,” the agency said. The NEET-UG 2026 examination was held on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. The examination was organised by the NTA for nearly 23 lakh registered candidates at centres across the country. The agency said the in- puts received, taken together with findings shared by law enforcement agencies, established that the “present examination process could not be allowed to stand.” “The re-conducted exam dates, along with the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be communicated through the official channels of the Agency in the coming days,” it added. The NTA further said the government has decided to refer the matter to the Central Re-exam schedule in 7-10 days: NTA NEW DELHI: Taking responsibility for the cancellation of the NEET UG 2026 over allegations of paper leak, the Director General of the National Testing Agency, Abhishek Singh, on Tuesday said the schedule for the re-examination would be announced within the “next seven to 10 days”. “For the re-examination date, I will sit with my team and, in the next few days, announce the complete exam schedule and dates. Our effort will be to conduct the exam in the shortest possible time so that the academic calendar and admission schedule of medical colleges are not disrupted. The process will begin within the next seven to 10 days,” Singh said. Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations linked to the examination. “NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires,” it added. “This decision has been taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national exam system rests,” NTA said. The agency acknowledged that the re-conduct of the examination would cause “real and significant inconvenience” to candidates and their families, but said the decision was necessary to prevent “greater and more lasting damage” to trust in the examination system. According to the NTA, the registration data, candidature and examination centres opted for in the May 2026 cycle will be carried forward for the re-conducted examination. 6 SPORTS Gujarat Titans crushes Sunrisers by 82 runs to go top of IPL table Chaos, panic across Goa; students left traumatised Parents too under emotional pressure THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 has left thousands of medical aspirants in Goa staring at uncertainty, with students and parents expressing shock, anxiety and frustration over the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) decision to scrap the examination following allegations of paper leak and administrative lapses. Candidates who had spent months preparing for the highly competitive medical entrance examination now face the prospect of restarting their preparation without clarity on when the fresh examination will be conducted. The NTA has stated that revised dates for the re-examination will be announced through official channels in the coming days. It has also clarified that registration data, candidature details and examination centres chosen for the May 2026 cycle will be carried forward, and no fresh registrations will be required. However, the announcement has done little to ease the concerns of students and parents already under emotional and academic pressure. Speaking to The Goan, NEET aspirant Mayank Prab- STUDENTS AT THE RECEIVING END „„Describe situation as ‘traumatizing’ after months of intense preparation, sleepless nights „„Many felt shocked, emotionally disturbed „„Express frustration „„Question credibility, fairness of examination system „„Blame NTA for alleged administrative failures „„Raise concerns about mental health impact on children hudesai described the development as “very traumatizing”. “I already had months of sleepless nights before answering the May 3 NEET examination and when I was finally happy and relaxed that my papers went smoothly, this came as a huge shock. Now the entire preparatory process starts all over again and we don’t even know when it will happen,” he said emotionally. Parents too questioned the credibility and fairness of the examination system, blaming the NTA for alleged adminis- Turmoil in RGP as bitter Goa battles intense water internal feud goes public stress amid summer heat PARAB LAUNCHES ATTACK ON VIRESH CAMP THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA As Goa battles an unforgiving summer, a growing water crisis is unfolding across several parts of the State, exposing the fragile condition of its drinking water infrastructure and the increasing dependence on dwindling reservoirs. From urban centres in Salcete to villages in Sattari and parts of North Goa, residents are grappling with erratic water supply, low pressure and prolonged disruptions, making access to something as basic as drinking water a daily struggle. The situation has become particularly alarming due to rapidly declining water levels in major reservoirs. The Selaulim dam, which supplies water to a large part of South Goa including Salcete and Mormugao, has seen its storage levels fall sharply to nearly 35 percent. The Tillari reservoir has WATER LEVELS: DAM(N) IT „„Levels in reservoirs declining rapidly „„Selaulim Dam water storage falls to nearly 35% „„Tillari Reservoir levels drop to around 38% „„Anjunem Dam reaches critical 21% „„Weak pre-monsoon activity has increased pressure dropped to around 38 percent, while the Anjunem dam in Sattari has touched a precarious 21 percent, raising fears over the sustainability of supply until the monsoon arrives. Adding to the concern is the near absence of substantial pre-monsoon showers this year. Traditionally, scattered rains in April and May help „„Rising temperatures leads to higher daily water consumption replenish streams, wells and smaller water bodies, especially in the hinterland talukas. However, this year’s weak pre-monsoon activity has worsened the stress on reservoirs and groundwater sources, while soaring >Continued on P8 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), Goa’s youngest regional political outfit, is in the throes of a bitter internal feud that spilled dramatically into the public domain on Tuesday. Party president Manoj Parab, often referred to as the ‘supremo’, has taken to social media with blistering posts targeting several office-bearers aligned with the party’s lone legislator, St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar. The posts, laced with sharp words and accusations of “brainwashing supporters on religious lines,” have laid bare the factional divide within the fledgling party. Parab’s criticism was directed at North Goa general secretary Licio Roncon, Dagley Fernandes from Salcete, and Michael Queros from Bardez, all known to be close or leaning towards Borkar in the festering internal feud. „„Posts social media „„Alleges they leaked party emails to attacks against media channel office-bearers MANOJ linked to Viresh „„Publicly chalPARAB: IN lenges Borkar to „„Accuses explain alleged some leaders of ATTACK leaks ‘brainwashing MODE supporters on „„Vishvesh, religious lines’ supporters amplify criticism online „„Targets Licio Roncon, Dagley Fernandes & „„Borkar’s loyalists acMichael Queros cused of manipulation In one post, Parab accused them of leaking party emails to a media channel and challenged Borkar to explain. His supporters, including party general secretary Vishvesh Naik, have amplified the attack online, demanding accountability from Borkar’s camp. The rift had been simmering for weeks. The flashpoint came with the removal of Julius Almeida, panch member of St Lawrence (Agacaim) and over having to restart entire preparation process „„Talk of uncertainty, anxiety about the new exam date „„Cancellation shatters dreams built through years of preparation PARENTS EXPRESS ANGER FROM SALCETE TO SATTARI… LOCALS FACE ERRATIC SUPPLY, LOW PRESSURE 13 a staunch Borkar supporter. The RGP’s core committee expelled Almeida, accusing him of anti-party activities but the move unsettled grassroots workers in St Andre, where Almeida enjoys local support, and left Borkar visibly upset. Although Borkar initially sought to downplay the discord, insisting “all is well” within the party, Parab’s latest social media offensive has >Continued on P8 trative failures. Mohan Agarwal criticised the authorities over the reported paper leak and demanded accountability. “What is the fault of our child or rather all those kids who are suffering because of a faulty system? My child has been under mental stress ever since she heard the news. Is it possible for children to go through the entire examination process once again? And what guarantee is there that such lapses will not happen again?” he asked. >Continued on P8 Monsoon likely over Andaman, Bay of Bengal by weekend: IMD PTI NEW DELHI Conditions are becoming favourable for the onset of the southwest monsoon over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea and Andaman and Nicobar Islands towards the end of this week, the India meteorological department said on Tuesday. "The low-pressure area over southwest Bay of Bengal lay over the same region at 8.30 am of today, the 12th May 2026, with the associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 4.5km above mean sea level. It is likely to become more marked during the next 48 hours," said the IMD in its daily forecast. Typically, the monsoon hits the Andaman and Nicobar around May 20, and it subsequently advances further west toward mainland India. Kerala usually sees the onset of the monsoon on June 1, which marks the beginning of the monsoon season. Earlier, the IMD had said that India might witness below-normal rainfall. Committee spots 37.36 sq km of Premier League coaches bet on Goa’s football revival additional Pvt forest land in Goa AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA FACTUAL REPORT TO BE FINALISED BY MONTH-END THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government-appointed review committee headed by the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) has so far identified over 37.36 sq km of additional private forest land across Goa, as it gears up to finalize its factual report by the end of this month. The committee is currently reviewing another 67 survey numbers. The CCF-led panel is tasked with reassessing private forest areas identified earlier by the Thomas and Araujo Committees, as well as the Sawant and Karapurkar committees between 2012 and 2018. According to official data available till February this year, the review committee has classified 784 survey numbers covering 3,736.8785 hectares, equivalent to 37.36 sq km as qualifying private forest land. The committee has reviewed a total of 3,132 survey numbers so far, out of which 2,178 survey holdings were found non-qualifying for pri- vate forest status. The review exercise is being undertaken in phases through “Part Final Reports” submitted periodically by the committee. Up to the 11th Part Final Report, the panel had identified 732 survey numbers covering 34.60 sq km as private forests. Thereafter, between submission of the 11th report and February 16, 2026, an additional 52 survey numbers covering 2.76 sq km were >Continued on P8 G oa’s rich football legacy can only be revived through stronger grassroots structures and better-trained coaches, according to alumni coach Shekhar Kerkar, who believes the State has “lost track” despite having the passion and infrastructure for the sport. Kerkar stressed that Goa’s football revival depends on systematic execution of grassroots plans rather than merely announcing policies. “After declaring football as a State sport, from there onwards we lost the track. We have many things in place, but we have to execute our plans. SHAPING THE FUTURE: Trainee Indian coaches undergo practical drills under the watchful eyes of Premier League experts and Indian alumni coaches during a session at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday.  Agnelo Pereira If execution and monitoring are done from the bottom level, you increase the pool of players,” Kerkar said while speaking to The Goan during one of the Premier League’s session at Duler Stadium in Mapusa. The four-day programme, organised by the Premier League as part of its 18-year engagement with Indian grass roots football, brought together over 30 coaches from across India for intensive coach educa- tion sessions led by Premier League experts and Indian alumni coaches. The initiative reflects a broader shift in football development – from focusing only on elite competitions to investing heavily in grass roots coaching ecosystems. Kerkar, a physical education teacher from Aldona and parttime AIFF coach educator, said the State once stood at the pinnacle of Indian football. Recalling Goa’s golden era under legendary coach Armando Colaco, he noted that “seven to eight players from Goa regularly donned national colours,” something rarely seen today. >Continued on P8