log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY MAY 19, 2026 GOA PLAYLISTS AND PAPER BOATS: RAINY SEASON THEN AND NOW COUNTER STRIKE: CHEMISTS TAKE ON E-PHARMACIES IN SHORT >> Full-fledged State museum on cards PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said the government is working to complete the long-pending project for a full-fledged State museum and shift over 10,000 artefacts currently housed temporarily at the Old Secretariat to the new premises. Sawant said the museum project has been in the works for the past two to three years but has faced delays due to various reasons. 3rd chargesheet filed against Soham Naik PANAJI: The Crime Branch (CB) has filed its third chargesheet in the Curchorem sex scandal against Soham Naik, son of BJP-backed councillor Sushant Naik.  >> See pg 3 554 plots in Zuari to get NDZ tag PANAJI: In a major conservation move, the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board on Monday decided to declare all 554 survey numbers in and around the Zuari Industrial Estate in Vasco as a No Development Zone (NDZ), following legal developments linked to the area’s private forest status.  >> See pg 3 Nanoda man drowns at Morjim beach BICHOLIM: Rupesh Prabhakar Azgaonkar (45) of Kanol Karwada area of Nanoda drowned at Morjim beach and the body was later found floating in the Chapora River near Camurlim.  >> See pg 5 Youth feared drowned in Zuari SANGUEM: A youth from Curchorem is feared to have drowned after reportedly jumping into the Zuari river from the Sanvordem bridge on Monday, triggering a major search operation by emergency services and police authorities.  >> See pg 2 SC flags alarming UAPA acquittal rate >> See pg 7  WEATHER >> Max: 29 C Min: 27 C Humidity: 84% TIDES Low: High: 05:59 18:49 13:09 ---- Govt assures water till mid-June, but dam levels paint worrying picture RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Seasonal Shift: How weather affects pregnant women’s health STUDENT-TO-SHG RATIO LIKELY TO BE CAPPED AT 1,500; AKSHAYA PATRA ROLE MAY EXPAND THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government is considering a major reorganisation and reshuffling of the Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) engaged in the PM POSHAN (mid-day meal) scheme to ensure a viable student-toSHG ratio and improve the quality of hot cooked meals served in schools. Under the proposed restructuring, the government is looking at limiting the student coverage of each SHG/ PTA to around 1,200 to 1,500 students, compared to the existing range of 1,200 to 4,000 students handled by individual groups. However, the new structure may not come into force from this year. The move is also expected to expand the role of the Bengaluru-based Akshaya Patra RESTRUCTURING: QUALITY MEALS „„SHGs and PTAs likely to be reshuffled for better operational efficiency „„Revamp aimed at improving quality of hot cooked meals in schools „„Geographical mapping of SHGs with schools planned for timely delivery „„Govt cites complaints over food quality and meals not being served hot „„FDA conducting routine quality checks under the scheme „„Akshaya Patra Foundation’s role likely to expand under revised model „„PM POSHAN currently covers 1.58 lakh students across 1,224 schools in Goa Foundation, which supplied meals to around 2,500 students during the previous academic year and likely to continue in the current term too. The PM POSHAN scheme provides one hot cooked meal on every school day to students studying in government and government-aided schools from Bal Vatika to Class VIII. During the last academic year, 107 SHGs and PTAs served meals to 1.58 lakh students across 1,224 schools, including 2,562 Bal Vatika students, 89,584 primary students and 64,801 upper primary students. The scheme operated for 238 working days. Government sources confirmed that the proposal to reorganise the existing distribution network is being actively worked out. “The aim is to optimise efficiency and ensure a viable student-to-SHG ratio. This will also help in providing better quality food,” sources said. The exercise will also focus on mapping SHGs with schools based on geographical proximity to ensure timely delivery of meals while reducing transportation delays and costs. “There have been complaints regarding food quality, including meals not being served hot. Routine quality checks are conducted through >Continued on P8 9 SPORTS Sunrisers Hyderabad beats CSK by 5 wickets STUDENTS TO SEE NEW ASSESSMENT PATTERN AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MODEL UNDER NEP THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa has introduced a rubric-based internal assessment system for students from Classes I to VIII as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) rollout from the current academic year, alongside a new activity-based teaching and learning methodology and revised textbooks. Sources in the Goa State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) said schools will carry out internal rubric-based assessments for students from the foundational to middle stages – Classes I to VIII while external assessments for Classes III to VIII will continue through common question papers prepared by SCERT. “From this year, we have introduced new assessment pattern, teaching and learning methodology and new textbooks for Classes I to VIII,” sources said. The revised curriculum framework also introduces greater activity exposure, with NEP CLASSROOM REFORMS „„Activity-based teaching and learning methodology introduced across schools „„New textbooks implemented for Classes I to VIII from current academic year „„NCERT textbooks adopted for major subjects; SCERT prepares local language books „„Curriculum now includes art, craft, sports, yoga, gardening and experiential activities „„Greater emphasis placed on Indian Knowledge System „„Classes I-II students to complete 800 learning hours annually „„Classes III-V students required to complete 1,000 learning hours per year „„SCERT directs Grades III-V students to spend at least 10 hours annually on home reading students learning regular academic subjects along with art and craft, sports, yoga, reading, gardening and other experiential activities. The State has simultaneously rolled out a new teaching-learning methodology focused on activity-based education across Classes I to VIII. Major subject textbooks PANAJI Goa’s crackdown on villas and second homes allegedly misusing domestic electricity connections for lucrative commercial rentals has hit a major roadblock, with the Electricity Department admitting that lack of user data from online accommodation platforms and the Tourism Department is preventing it from identifying and acting against offenders. The department told the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) that the absence of user information from platforms such as Airbnb has left authorities struggling to identify properties operating commercially while continuing to avail domestic electricity tariffs. The issue surfaced during public hearings on the tariff petition, where consumers flagged that several villas, second homes and luxury shortterm rentals earning substantial revenue continue to be billed under residential tariff categories despite being run as commercial establishments. Responding to the concerns, the department informed the regulator that it has been making continuous efforts to identify and penalise consumers misusing domestic power connections for non-domestic activities. “The Department has coordinated with the Department of Tourism to identify such consumers registered on related platforms. However, in the case of platforms like Airbnb, the details of users are not corded around 28°C with humidity touching 89 per cent. By afternoon, however, the mercury climbed to 34.2°C while humidity hovered around 70 per cent, which drove the heat index sharply upward. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the State continues to record temperatures above normal despite widespread pre-monsoon activity. “Both maximum and minimum temperatures across Goa are still running 1-3 de- grees above normal even after the recent rainfall spells,” an official said. On Sunday, heavy rainfall was reported at isolated places in Quepem and Dharbandora, while light to moderate showers occurred across most parts of the State. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning were also recorded at isolated locations. Panaji recorded the State’s highest maximum temperature at 35.2°C on Sunday, >Continued on P8 readily available on their websites and with the Department of Tourism, making individual identification challenging,” the department stated. It added that while enforcement remains difficult, the department continues to remain vigilant and has invited citizens to share credible information to facilitate action under applicable regulations. The department further stated that it is working with the Tourism Department to >Continued on P8 >Continued on P8 PTI POWER RENTAL ROADBLOCK „„Authorities struggling to trace commercial rentals operating under residential tariff category „„Consumers allege luxury villas and short-term rentals earning revenue continue under domestic tariffs „„Dept coordinating with Tourism Department to identify commercial establishments „„Officials say user details from online accommodation platforms not readily available „„Authorities invite citizens to share credible information on violations „„Commercial establishments to be shifted to LT commercial electricity category have been adopted from NCERT, while local Indian language textbooks have been prepared by SCERT. Officials said the revised curriculum places greater emphasis on the Indian Knowledge System under NEP. The government is implementing NEP in phases. Last Parliamentary panel to review NTA reforms, NEET paper leak DEPT CITES LACK OF USER DETAILS FROM ONLINE RENTAL PLATFORMS, TOURISM DEPT HAMPERS ENFORCEMENT THE GOAN I NETWORK 14 Govt rolls out rubric-based assessment for Classes I-VIII Crackdown on power tariff misuse runs into data wall RAINFALL DEFICIT WIPED OUT OVERNIGHT AS HEAVY PRE-MONSOON SHOWERS LASH STATE PANAJI Goa’s pre-monsoon showers wiped out a rainfall deficit within a day, but the relief from the heat remained shortlived as soaring humidity levels pushed the “feels like” temperature to a scorching 47.5°C on Monday. After a comparatively cooler start to the day with partly cloudy skies on Monday, weather conditions turned sharply oppressive post-noon. Till before 12 noon, Goa re- Instagram.com/thegoanonline 3 2 Govt cooks up new plan for mid-day meal supply GOA Rain brings relief to Goa, but humidity causes misery THE GOAN I NETWORK The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 331 Tender row casts shadow over final Margao council meet >PG 6 Facebook.com/thegoan RETAINING WALL COLLAPSE: Rescue machinery at the Harbour Road retaining wall construction site in Sada-Vasco after a rain-triggered landslide on Monday. Labourer killed, two others injured in Vasco landslide THE GOAN I NETWORK ON PAGE 5 VASCO A labourer lost his life while two others were injured following a landslide at a retaining wall construction site at Harbour Road in Sada-Vasco on Monday afternoon. The deceased labourer was identified as Manoranjan Bind (40) of Jharkhand. Sources said the incident occurred while construction work of a retaining wall was underway along the roadside Collector orders timebound completion of retaining wall works MP demands detailed probe; MLA blames contractor stretch, where a group of labourers had been engaged since morning. Following heavy rainfall through the night, a portion of mud and loose earth reportedly gave way and came crashing down on the workers at the site. According to available information, there were around four labourers present when the landslide occurred. Three workers ran as the soil began to collapse, while Bind got trapped under the mud and debris. The sudden collapse created chaos at the site, with local >Continued on P8 NEW DELHI A parliamentary panel has decided to review the implementation of reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) as well as the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case and has summoned NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and other bureaucrats for deliberations. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports will seek the views of top education ministry bureaucrats on the alleged paper leak and reforms of NTA, which holds centralised admission tests to various undergraduate courses, on May 21, a Rajya Sabha notice said. The agenda includes a review of the implementation of the K Radhakrishnan Committee report on NTA reforms and an update on the investigation into the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case. The committee, headed by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, has summoned the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Vineet Joshi, and NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi for deliberations. AS GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS CLOUD INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL... Tourism dept eyes digital campaigns and domestic markets THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI s geopolitical tensions cast a shadow over international mobility and Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to defer overseas trips, the Goa Tourism Department is quietly recalibrating its global outreach strategy, preparing to swap exhibition halls and convention centres for screens, billboards and virtual campaigns if the uncertainty extends in the months ahead. The State’s tourism calendar, usually anchored by a string of overseas travel marts between October and March, is now under review, with officials weighing whether physical participation in international tourism expos will A TOURISM FALLBACK PLAN „„Govt preparing digital-first fallback plan for global outreach „„International tourism marts between October and March under review „„Virtual campaigns, billboards and online promotions likely if uncertainty persists „„Domestic tourism promotions to continue without disruption „„Govt set to participate in Kolkata Travel and Tourism Fair in July remain viable if the present climate persists. Reliable sources told The Goan that the department has begun crafting a fallback blueprint centred on aggressive digital visibility across overseas markets. “We will go for digital marketing, promoting Goa across various international markets and travel platforms. This will include billboards and other promotional methods to ensure our presence remains visible,” the official source said. “Right now, the major roadshows and tourism marts are still some months away. A final decision will be taken closer to those dates, depending on how the global situation evolves,” the source „„Govt exploring new international source markets beyond traditional countries „„Focus on attracting travellers from nations less affected by conflicts added. The rethink follows disruptions already beginning to ripple through the tourism promotion circuit. The Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, scheduled from April 28 to May 1 this year, was cancelled by authorities in the United Arab Emirates amid the prevailing international crisis. Participation in ITB Shang- hai, one of Asia’s major travel exhibitions slated for May 27 to 29, also remains uncertain, with Goa Tourism yet to take a final call on attending the event along with industry stakeholders. The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa has confirmed it would not participate. Officials said the last overseas engagement attended by Goa Tourism before the present uncertainty intensified was KITF in Almaty, Kazakhstan, held in April. But while overseas engagements remain in limbo, the domestic circuit continues uninterrupted. Goa Tourism is expected to participate in the Travel and Tourism Fair in Kolkata in July. “We will focus more >Continued on P8