log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY MAY 21, 2026 GOA Smart city or stalled city? Ownership row, bureaucratic inertia leave Panaji in limbo CYBER TECH The terms India has not yet demanded >> See pg 8 IN SHORT >> PWD ordered to raze unsafe portions of Margao buildings MARGAO: The South Goa District Disaster Management Authority, headed by district Collector Egna Cleetus, on Wednesday issued directions to the PWD to raze the dangerous portions of the Dias building and Holy Family building in Margao to prevent any collapse or danger to human life and property.   >> See pg 2 May power bills spark consumer outrage PANAJI: Higher electricity bills received by Goan households in May have sparked concern that the newly installed ‘smart meters’ could be the culprit. But officials of the Goa Electricity Department insist the spike is due to increased consumption above the ‘sanctioned load’ and not faulty technology.   >> See pg 2 Spirit smuggling bid to Goa foiled BELAGAVI: A Belagavi excise team seized around 14,000 litres of illegally transported spirit worth Rs 14 lakh from a Goa-bound tanker during an operation near Jamboti village in Khanapur taluka early Tuesday morning.   >> See pg 2 Central team inspects IIT Goa campus PANAJI: A team from the Union Ministry of Education on Tuesday inspected the proposed 4.5 lakh square metre land parcel within the premises of Goa College of Engineering at Farmagudi for the establishment of IIT Goa’s permanent campus.   >> See pg 3 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 15 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 333 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 Bitter pill for citizens as Goa pharmacies protest Clash over Fatorda works rocks Margao council meet >> See PG 3 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA LIFE Club Diaz sealed again by Anjuna panchayat over licence violations When places heal and people return 600 STORES DOWN SHUTTERS IN NATIONWIDE STIR OVER ONLINE MEDICINE SALES; CITIZENS RUSH TO HOSPITAL PHARMACIES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The 24-hour nationwide strike by pharmacies on Wednesday brought Goa’s medical retail sector to a standstill. The Chemists and Druggists Association of Goa (CDAG) reported near-total participation, with around 600 private standalone medical stores downing shutters. Only hospital pharmacies remained open, they said. The strike, coordinated with the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), was part of a nationwide shutdown involving nearly 12.4 lakh brick-and-mortar pharmacies. CDAG claimed the protest was “almost 100% successful” in Goa. For several citizens, however, the closure meant inconvenience, especially those unaware of the strike, leaving them and their care-givers no option but KEY CONCERNS BEHIND STIR „„Protest against ‘illegal’ online sale of medicines through e-pharmacies „„Opposition to aggressive discounting by corporate-backed pharmacy apps „„Concerns over instant medicine delivery services bypassing regulations „„Fear of rise in spurious or unregulated medicines in market „„Objection to unchecked sale of habit-forming drugs online „„Demand for a level playing field between retail chemists and online platforms to scramble to pharmacies attached to hospitals for essential medicines. CDAG meanwhile, said their action was necessary to highlight what they described as a growing threat from online platforms and also “Corporate players” dabbling in the retail pharma space. Their concerns include the “illegal” sale of medicines through e-pharmacies, aggressive discounting by corporate-backed apps, and instant delivery services that bypass several regulatory safeguards. A CDAG member warned that the unequal playing field could trigger a rat race which would encourage the entry of ‘spurious’ drugs into the market. He said, a delegation of the all-India organisation of chemists and druggists had a meeting with Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goel, on Monday where he assured to take up their genuine concerns with the Health Ministry and also the Minister demands audit of local jobs at NIT Goa PHAL DESSAI SAYS PROMISES MADE TO CUNCOLIM RESIDENTS HAVE NOT BEEN FULFILLED THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO Nearly a decade after the BJP government pushed through the establishment of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Goa campus at Cuncolim by assuring reservations for locals in jobs and admissions, a senior minister in the government has now demanded an audit of employment opportunities provided to Goans at the premier institute. Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai recalled that he, along with several BJP leaders including former Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik, had personally reached out to various sections of society in Cuncolim — including community elders and members of the education sector — to persuade them not to oppose the setting up of the NIT campus. Speaking during a visit to Cuncolim on Wednesday, Phal Dessai demanded an employment audit of the NIT Goa campus to determine how many locals had actually The NIT Goa Campus at Cuncolim. WHAT THE MINISTER SAID… „„BJP leaders had convinced Cuncolim residents to support the institute by promising jobs and opportunities for local youth „„Some Goan candidates were rejected during interviews despite clearing merit-based tests „„Autonomous institutions such as NIT Goa and ONGC must prioritise employment for locals as Goa had provided land and resources „„Demands an independent probe into allegations that relatives of NIT officials secured jobs at the institute secured jobs at the institute. He alleged that there were instances in the past when the institute had refused to recruit locals even for security positions until the government intervened and insisted on pref- erence for Goans. The minister said autonomous central institutions such as NIT Goa and ONGC must prioritise locals for >Continued on P9 Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Other CDAG members also flagged the unchecked distribution of habit-forming drugs through online channels, arguing that such practices not only undermine traditional pharmacies but also pose public health risks. The strike was intended as an eye-opener for authorities to enforce existing laws and curb what they claimed was unfair competition. CDAG representatives insist that while they are not against technology changing the pharma retail sales space, a level playing field and stricter oversight of online medicine sales is a must. With the shutdown ending at midnight, pharmacies across Goa are expected to reopen on Thursday, but their problems will find solutions only when the Central government responds with regulatory measures for online sales of medicines and drugs. 14 PIs transferred in Goa Police rejig THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa Police on Wednesday transferred and posted 14 Police Inspectors (PI) across various units and police stations (PS) with immediate effect. As per the order issued by the Office of the Director General of Police, Arun Bakre has been transferred from the Security Unit, Panaji, to the Traffic Cell Bicholim, replacing Chandrakant Gawas, who has been moved to the Cyber Crime PS. Krishna Sinari, posted at Traffic Cell Pernem, is now the new in-charge of the Anjuna PS – replacing Suraj Gawas, and Inspector Rahul Naik is shifted from Konkan Railway PS to Fatorda PS. Sujay Korgaonkar has been transferred from the Special Branch, Bicholim, to the Cyber Crime PS while Suraj Gawas has been transferred to the Police Training School in Valpoi. Among other changes, Videsh Shirodkar has been transferred from Valpoi PS to Colva PS, while Vikram Naik is shifted from Colva PS to Konkan Railway PS. The order also stated that Chetan Saulekar of Traffic Cell Anjuna would additionally hold charge of Traffic Cell Pernem along with his existing duties. 6 SPORTS Arsenal crowned PL champions for first time in 22 years 14 Bikes fuel Goa’s growing noise pollution crisis RESEARCH IDENTIFIES TWO-WHEELERS AS MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO TRAFFIC-RELATED SOUND LEVELS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Two-wheelers have emerged as the biggest contributor to traffic-related noise pollution in Goa, according to a study that assessed sound levels at key road intersections across the State. The findings were part of a joint research study conducted by researchers Rushali Mishra and Juhi Gupta from the Amity Institute of Environmental Sciences, Amity University, Noida, along with Ravi Sekhar and Nasim Akhtar from the Transport Planning and Environment (TPE) division of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi. The researchers presented their findings in a conference paper titled “Acoustic Modelling of Traffic Noise and Analysis of Environmental Noise Data in Goa, STUDY ON NOISE POLLUTION „„Research analysed noise levels at 33 intersections across the State „„Two-wheelers consistently contributed most to sound pollution levels „„Ambient noise levels in Goa were recorded at around 60 decibels „„Goa has 9.80 lakh two-wheelers out of 14.75 lakh registered vehicles India”, which was released this year. The study focused on traffic-induced noise pollution in Goa and analysed equivalent continuous sound levels (Leq) at 33 intersections across the State. The assessment was carried out using traffic volume data collected by CSIR-CRRI. Researchers found that two-wheelers consistently influenced noise levels across all locations surveyed. In contrast, the contribution of heavy vehicles such as buses and multi-ax- le vehicles, as well as light vehicles including cars and autorickshaws, was found to vary and was at times negligible. The findings indicate Goa’s heavy dependence on two-wheelers for daily transportation and suggest that regulating two-wheeler traffic could play a significant role in reducing urban noise pollution. The study also developed predictive noise models to estimate sound levels at >Continued on P9 NH-66 turns into illegal racing track near Guirim VIRAL VIDEO OF LATE-NIGHT BIKE RACE SPARKS SAFETY CONCERNS AND POLICING FAILURE THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA A stretch of the busy NH-66 highway near Guirim allegedly turned into an illegal racing track in the early hours of Monday after a group of youth were caught on video conducting high-speed motorcycle races, raising serious concerns over public safety and law enforcement vigilance. The incident reportedly occurred around 2.30 am when at least two bikers were seen speeding alongside each other on the national highway while several others gathered nearby, cheering and recording the race on their mobile phones. The video, which has since gone viral on social media, has triggered outrage among citizens and prompted swift reactions from authorities. Officials from the PWD (National Highways) expressed concern over the misuse of the highway stretch for dangerous stunts and racing activities. PWD (NH) Executive Engineer, Gajanan Desai con- Representative AI image CAUSE FOR CONCERN „„Viral video shows youth conducting high-speed motorcycle races on NH-66 near Guirim around 2.30 am „„Several others were seen cheering and recording the race on mobile phones „„Incident sparked outrage on social media and raised public safety concerns „„PWD (National Highways) alerted police after taking note of the viral footage „„Police have launched an inquiry and are identifying the bikers involved firmed that the department had taken note of the viral footage and alerted the police authorities. “We have informed the police about the video, and I am confident that appropriate action will be taken against those involved,” Desai said. Deputy Superintendent of Police Salim Shaikh stated that the police had already initiated an inquiry into the matter and were working to identify the youth seen in the video. >Continued on P9 Govt relaxes NEP norms for Wrong Parle stock jumps 5% after Modi-Meloni video SWEET ‘MELODY’ CONFUSION French, Portuguese in schools PTI STATE ALLOWS EXISTING FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSES IN CLASSES 8 TO 10 AMID THREE-LANGUAGE POLICY CONCERNS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government has granted a relaxation under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, allowing schools offering foreign languages such as French and Portuguese in Classes 8, 9 and 10 to continue teaching them. The decision comes amid concerns that the implementation of the NEP’s three-language formula could lead to the discontinuation of foreign language options that are widely chosen by students in Goa. The concern was ex- FOREIGN LANGUAGE RELAXATION „„Schools currently offering French or Portuguese will be allowed to continue the subjects until further orders „„Govt said the move aims to address concerns raised by schools and parents over discontinuation of foreign languages pressed following a three-language policy implemented by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Under the NEP framework, students are required to study three languages, including two native Indian languages and one foreign language, with English being treated as a foreign language. The policy shift had raised apprehensions among schools and parents over the future of Portuguese and French, which remain popular third-language choices among students. Sources in the State >Continued on P9 NEW DELHI hares of Parle Industries Ltd saw frenzied buying on Wednesday, surging 5 per cent to hit the upper circuit limit, thanks to a sudden investor interest in the stock after Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni posted a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifting her a packet of Melody toffees. The company’s stock had a muted beginning to the trade but came into the limelight soon after Meloni shared a video in which she could be heard saying, “Prime Minister Modi brought as a gift, a very, very good toffee – Melody.” Investors wasted no time and flocked to the counter to buy the stock. Shares of the firm jumped „„Shares of Parle Industries climbed to Rs 5.25 on the BSE, with 8.57 lakh shares traded „„Investors mistakenly believed Parle Industries was linked to Melody toffees „„Melody is actually manufactured by Parle Products, an unlisted FMCG company „„Parle Industries has no connection to the confectionery business and operates in infrastructure, real estate and paper-related sectors S Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni shares a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifting her a packet of Melody toffees. 5 per cent to Rs 5.25 – the highest trading permissible limit for the day – on the BSE. On volume terms, 8.57 lakh shares of the firm were traded on the BSE during the day. But, there is a catch! Investors mistook Parle Industries for the maker of Melody toffees. Parle Products, the FMCG major, is the manufacturer of Melody toffees and is not listed on the stock exchanges. The other famous brands of Parle Products are Parle-G, Monaco, KrackJack, Hide & Seek, Kaccha Mango Bite, among others. Parle Industries Ltd is a diversified commercial services provider, engaged in the business of infrastructure & real estate, and paper, waste paper and allied products. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on X, “This isn’t leadership, it’s a gimmick.” At a time farmers, labour- ers, traders and others in the country are all in tears, the prime minister is laughing and making reels while BJP folks are clapping along, the former Congress president said in his post in Hindi. “An economic storm is raging over our heads, and our prime minister is busy handing out candies in Italy!” he said.