log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 353 Instagram.com/thegoanonline GAIKWAD CENTURY POWERS INDIA A TO THRILLING WIN  >> 12 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 CBC 01101/13/0004/2627 WEDNESDAY JUNE 10, 2026 Facebook.com/thegoan Goa’s Open Defecation Free plan hits verification hurdle  HALF OF ODF-PLUS VILLAGES YET TO CLEAR FIRST AUDIT  NONE PASS 2ND VERIFICATION UNDER SWACHH MISSION SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI Seven years after becoming the country’s first State to be declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) Goa's progress towards achieving the highest standards of rural sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission has hit a critical verification bottleneck, with barely half of its declared ODF-Plus Model villages (census villages) clearing the first audit and none completing the second stage of certification. Data available on the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) dashboard as on June 9 reveals that while 325 census villages across the State have been declared ODF-Plus Model villages, only 152 have successfully passed the first verification process. Interestingly, the number of villages that have >PG 6 NAMAN: INVOKING THE DIVINE BEFORE THE STORIES UNFOLD CHANGING WEATHER PATTERNS THREATEN GOA’S SALT MAKERS IN SHORT >> Axe falls on 21 illegal Calangute structures MAPUSA: Acting on directions issued by the High Court, the Tourism Department on Tuesday launched a major demolition drive against illegal structures erected on the beach at Khobra-Vaddo, Calangute, as part of an ongoing effort to reclaim public spaces and enforce coastal regulations.  >> See pg 3 US court strikes down Trump's H-1B visa fee WASHINGTON: In a major relief for foreign professionals and employers, a US federal court struck down President Donald Trump’s controversial move to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. SANITATION DREAM HITS A WALL „„325 villages declared ODF-Plus Model, only 152 pass first verification „„No village clears mandatory second verification „„Goa has 373 census villages; 371 achieve ODFPlus status „„173 ODF-Plus Model villages still awaiting validation „„Goa was first State to be declared ODF in 2019 „„Sustaining standards still a challenge „„Focus on waste man- agement, cleanliness, sustainable sanitation practices „„371 villages have solid waste management systems „„Only 343 villages have liquid waste management facilities „„No certified ODF-Plus district or ODF-Plus Model district „„Of 12 blocks, 10 are ODFPlus, 5 are ODF-Plus Model „„Out of 191 gram panchayats, 189 ODF-Plus and 163 are ODF-Plus Model cleared the mandatory second verification stands at zero. The figures raise questions over the gap between declarations made on paper and independently verified achieve- ments on the ground. Goa, which became the first State in the country to be de- clared Open Defecation Free (ODF) in 2019, has been projecting itself as a frontrunner in rural sanitation. However, the latest data suggests that sustaining and validating those gains remains a challenge. Under Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II, an ODF-Plus Model village is required not only to retain its ODF status but also ensure effective solid and liquid waste management systems, maintain high standards of cleanliness, prevent littering and stagnant wastewater, and demonstrate sustainable sanitation practices. The data reveals that Goa has 373 census villages, of which 371 have attained ODFPlus status. While 325 villages have been declared ODF-Plus Model, only 152 have cleared the first verification, leaving >Continued on P8 Curtains fall again on KA, to shut for repairs from Aug 1 IIT Madras flagged 18 major defects THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Less than three years after it reopened following an extensive renovation, Goa's iconic Kala Academy is set for another partial closure, with corrective repair work scheduled to begin from August 1 after an inspection by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras identified 18 major defects in the renovated structure. The cultural complex had remained closed since 2021 for renovation and strengthening works before being reopened to the public in November 2023. The State government spent nearly Rs 56 crore on the renovation project and later sanctioned an additional Rs 10 crore in 2024 for further repairs. Speaking to media persons, Task Force Chairman Vijay Kenkre said the first phase of corrective work would focus on the main auditorium, while a decision on repairs to the open-air auditorium is yet to be taken."The discussion confirmed that work will start on August 1. The IIT Ma- dras report has arrived, and the PWD will now begin actual work based on it," Kenkre said. He said a fresh tender is likely to be floated for the corrective works and that consultants have already been appointed to supervise the process alongside the PWD. He said that academic activities may continue during the repair period, with certain classrooms and offices remaining operational. Kenkre said timelines for completion of the repairs would be determined based on technical requirements rather than arbitrary deadlines. "It is better to take adequate time and complete the AI camera rollout hits fresh Mapusa student’s death: Cops snag over infra bottlenecks quizzed, CCTV footage seized SECOND DELAY IN MONTHS; NEW DATE JULY 1 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The highly-publicised artificial intelligence-based traffic enforcement program has suffered a second postponement in three months, with authorities pushing back its launch yet again despite repeated assurances that the system was ready to go live. HSRP CONCERNS MOUNT AS AI SURVEILLANCE ZOOMS IN >> See pg 2 The project, which had already missed its original February-end deadline before being rescheduled for June, will now be enforced from July 1, marking a third target date for a scheme that has become one of the government’s most closely watched road safety initiatives. Transport Minister Mauvin ISSUES YET TO BE ADDRESSED „„Operational concerns, incomplete groundwork „„Full live trial of AI traffic network before activation „„Existing traffic signals, old cameras occupying installation locations „„Previously installed cameras non-functional „„Removal of old infra before new systems are installed „„Monitoring of network Godinho on Tuesday attributed the latest delay to the need for a public awareness campaign, stating that citizens should be given time to understand how the technology-driven enforcement mechanism would function before penalties begin to be from central command room during trials „„Aim to avoid tech failures like those at Merces junction issued. “Though the cameras were scheduled to be launched on June 10, I have advised the department to implement them from July 1. Between now and then, there will be >Continued on P8 POLICE PROCEDURES COME UNDER SCANNER THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The circumstances surrounding the death of 22-year-old college student Samuel Braganza have come under increasing scrutiny, with Goa Police now examining the manner in which a minor garbage disposal incident escalated into a criminal case and, ultimately, a tragedy that has shaken Mapusa. The case has drawn fresh attention after Samuel's family alleged that he was subjected to immense mental stress following the registration of an FIR by the Mapusa Police and the circulation of a viral social media video purportedly showing him dumping garbage by the roadside. As part of the ongoing inquiry, Superintendent of Police Vishwesh Karpe visited the Mapusa Police Station and reviewed the sequence of events leading up to the registration of the case. „„SP Vishwesh Karpe „„Police personnel visits Mapusa police handling the case station asked to explain procedures „„Reviews INQUIRY followed sequence of GATHERS „„Focus on events leading PACE up to registracircumstances tion of the case leading to injuries near Samuel's eye „„CCTV recording, and how he gained related documents been access to the gun taken for examination FIR AGAINST TOP MMC OFFICIALS SOUGHT >> See pg 3 CCTV footage from the police station and documents connected to the matter have reportedly been taken for examination, while police personnel involved in handling the case have been asked to explain the procedures followed. The inquiry follows a complaint filed by Samuel's mother, Genevieve Braganza, who has sought action against the police officials concerned as well as the individual who recorded and circulated the video. In her complaint, she alleged that her son was pushed into severe emotional distress by the public humiliation arising from the viral video and >Continued on P8 work properly," he said. The development follows a field inspection carried out by IIT Madras on September 23, 2025, at the request of Kala Academy authorities through the Charles Correa Foundation (CCF). Task Force member Francis Coelho alleged that nearly 80 per cent of the expenditure incurred on the renovation had gone to waste because of faulty execution and demanded accountability and recovery of costs from the contractor. He alleged that critical structural issues were overlooked in favour of cosmetic >Continued on P8 Court orders fresh water quality tests of Mala lake THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to carry out fresh water quality tests of Mala lake. During the hearing in the suo motu PIL concerning the discovery of dead fish in the water body, the Bench also ordered the Board to submit its report, based on the findings, by next date of hearing on June 16. Meanwhile, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) submitted to the court that action had been initiated against 38 houses allegedly discharging sewage directly or indirectly into the lake. It also said that some households have since constructed septic tanks, several residents have applied for sewerage pipeline connections, while occupants of around eight houses are temporarily using public toilet facilities. QR-code tickets for KTC, bike-taxi Mega police transfers trigger sharp staffing imbalance app for pilots to debut this month IMPACT ACROSS POLICE STATIONS, TRAFFIC CELLS THE GOAN I NETWORK COMMUTERS TO TRACK BUSES IN REAL TIME THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A Goa-based technology platform is set to launch a digital mobility ecosystem this month, introducing QR-code bus ticketing for Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) services and an app-based bike-taxi booking system for local pilots. MajheApp, developed by GraceFulGoa and operated in partnership with KTCL, is scheduled to go live in the third week of June. Information shared with the media reveals that the platform will allow commuters to purchase KTC bus tickets digitally, recharge Smart Transit Cards, check card balances in real time and track bus movements across the state. The initiative follows an agreement with KTC to digitise public transport services from Pernem to Canacona, reduce dependence on cash transactions, and streamline access to public transport information through a single platform. “For the first time, commuters will be able to monitor the live location of buses before purchasing tickets and track arrival time after booking, according to the company. The platform will also launch a bike taxi booking service called “Pilot”, through which registered pilots will receive ride requests directly through the application rather than waiting at designated stands,” it said. Rebekah Lobo, co-founder of MajheApp, said the platform was developed with a focus on addressing local transport challenges, while Samuel Timothy, co-founder, said the company would follow a local-commerce model. PANAJI n one of the most sweeping structural reorganizations in recent months, the Police Establishment Board on Tuesday ordered the immediate transfer and posting of 195 police personnel across the state. The ‘blockbuster’ order, covering ranks from Police Sub-Inspectors (PSIs) to Police Constables (PCs), including specialized drivers and wireless operators, however, reveals an incredibly skewed distribution pattern. While the exercise appears to be redistributing manpower across the force, the transfers have significantly altered I „„SPCR hit hardest, 27 transferred out, get only 4 replacements, deficit of 23 „„At Anjuna police station and traffic cell 8 shifted, but only 5 posted back „„ANC faces manpower shortage, 8 transferred without adequate replacements „„At Panaji police station 3 officers moved out while only one PSI posted in return ON THE FLIP SIDE „„Traffic cells gain most from transfers „„Traffic units in Ponda, Margao, Calangute, Bicholim, Mapusa received about 24 staff and lost around 11 „„Betul & Talpona Coastal Police Stations gets onefor-one staff exchange staffing patterns in several operational units, with some witnessing sharp depletion and others receiving substantial reinforcement. The most striking impact has been on the State Police Control Room (SPCR), the central hub for police communications and emergency response coordination across the State. According to the transfer or- der, around 27 personnel have been moved out of the unit, while only four personnel have been posted in their place, resulting in a net deficit of 23 personnel. The reshuffle has also affected frontline policing units as at Anjuna Police Station and its Traffic Cell, eight personnel have been transferred out, while only five have been posted in return, resulting in a reduction in available strength in one of the busiest tourist policing jurisdictions. The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) has also seen a decline in manpower, with around eight personnel shifted out to various units, including traffic formations, while the replacement strength falls short. Panaji Police Station, which has already been grappling with manpower constraints, has also emerged weaker >Continued on P8