log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY APRIL 16, 2025 GOA NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and others before a special court here in the National Herald case accusing them of allegedly laundering Rs 988 crore. The prosecution complaint filed on April 9 under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) named Sonia Gandhi, a former Congress president, as the accused no 1, and her son and MP Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, as the accused >> See pg 8 no 2.  >> pg 6 Insure Instinct: Goa’s first registered insurance broker company IN SHORT >> IWAI clueless on Malim ground realities: Jetty Assn PORVORIM: The Mandovi Fisherman Marketing Cooperative Society Ltd (MFMCSL) at Malim Jetty has questioned the decision by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to grant a digital no-objection certificate for a private jetty project at Malim to Marina India Infrastructure Pvt Ltd. MFMCSL Director Harshad Dhond said the IWAI appears to have not properly studied the ground realities and existing situation at Malim.   >> See pg 3 Suleman escape: HC rejects CBI probe plea PANAJI: In another setback for Suleman Siddique Khan, an accused in a major land grab case, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has dismissed his request to transfer the investigation of his lock-up escape from Old Goa Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).   >> See pg 3 Digital forensics aid cops bust cyber fraud MAPUSA: In a significant breakthrough, the Anjuna Police have arrested a key accused involved in a cyber fraud case, successfully preventing further financial damage to the public. Utilising advanced digital forensic techniques and analysing multiple electronic devices, the team was able to trace the suspect.  >> See pg 3 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 298 MMC all set to float e-tender for outsourcing waste collection ED chargesheets Sonia, Rahul in National Herald case Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA WRD seeks urgent safety measures in response to recent canal drownings 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Does mental stress have an impact on breast cancer development? Lala ki Basti falls silent; 23 illegal houses razed  TIVIM COMUNIDADE’S LEGAL SAGA FINALLY ENDS IN DEMOLITION  OPS CONDUCTED PEACEFULLY UNDER TIGHT POLICE SUPERVISION THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Decades-old homes in the area known as “Lala ki Basti” came crashing down on Tuesday, ending a prolonged legal and emotional saga that had gripped the quiet village of Tivim for years. Twenty-three illegal homes were demolished in a highstake, court-mandated operation following a High Court order. The operation, carried out by State authorities under the watch of police and civil officials, unfolded with clinical precision and a heavy emotional undertone, as generations-old homes gave way to the law. Quiet end to a long battle Most families had already evacuated their homes, aware that their legal avenues had been exhausted. For several years, the res- ALL FALL DOWN: Bulldozers tear through illegal structures at Lala ki Basti in Tivim on Tuesday, bringing down walls one blow at a time.  idents – mostly migrants – fought an uphill legal battle to retain the homes they had lived in for decades. But in a final verdict last year, the High Court ruled in favour of the Tivim Comunidade, declaring the houses illegal and ordering their demolition. While the demolition passed without major incident, a few poignant mo- Agnelo Pereira LALA BACKED POLITICIANS’ RISE IN TIVIM BUT WATCHES BASTI FALL  >> See pg 3 ments stood out. Two women clutched documents and stood their ground, refusing to vacate their houses until law enforcement gently but firmly enforced the court's Relief for SHGs: Govt to clear `9 cr dues from Covid period EDUCATION DEPT HAS CLEARED BILLS UP TO FEB 2025, MARCH BILLS ARE UNDER SCRUTINY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a major relief to over 98 selfhelp groups (SHGs) serving mid-day meals to schools, the Goa government has decided to clear the pending “committed liabilities” of COVID-19 period amounting to around Rs 9 crore. The liabilities are for the pandemic year 2020-21 and 2021-22. MID-DAY MEALS Highly placed sources informed that during the Covid pandemic, dry ration was provided to all the enrolled children as per the entitlement; however, the SHGs could not submit the bills of the year 2020-21 and 2021-22 in time that is till the end of the financial year due to Covid. “The State government had requested the Union Ministry for Education, on several occasions, to release the committed liabilities of Rs 9.39 crore for the year 2020-21 and Rs 1.90 cr for 2021-22. However, the State request was not accepted,” sources said. Sources said that the State government has now decided to shell out this committed liabilities from its own kitty and clear the bills. “Some payment has already been made. Now, another Rs 6 to 9 crore would be paid,” sources said. Meanwhile, the Directorate THE GOAN I NETWORK >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 PANAJI Goan who served as former chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh is the only writer based in India to be shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Commonwealth Short Story Prize’, regarded as the world’s most global literature prize. ‘Tamarind’, a short story by Tino de Sa, who hails from Divar but presently resides in Panaji, has been included in a list of 25, which have been shortlisted from 7,920 entries across 54 countries. The shortlist, judged by an international panel of five judges, was announced in A „„‘Tamarind’ has been included in a list of 25, which have been shortlisted from 7,920 entries across 54 countries „„The shortlist, judged by an international panel of five judges, was announced in London on April 15 London on April 15. The judges will make the final choice of the winner from among the CM hails Tino de Sa's global literary feat „„The judges will make the final choice of the winner from among the shortlist, and the prize will be announced in June „„The short story is set in a fictional village in rural Madhya Pradesh, and like most of his stories, has a twist at the end PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday hailed Tino de Sa, whose short story ‘Tamarind’ has been shortlisted for the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story prize. “We are deeply proud of this literary milestone, which showcases our rich storytelling heritage on the global stage,” stated CM in a message on X. short list, and the prize will be announced in June. Asked for his reaction on being shortlisted for the prestigious award, De Sa told The Goan: “I was absolutely de- Three consultants to examine auditorium’s sound system THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Under fire over alleged sub-standard renovation work of the iconic Kala Academy, the State government has roped in Mumbai-based consultants to examine the auditorium’s sound system (acoustics), lighting and podium (stage) and to recommend necessary modifications or alterations, if needed. The three consultants – Roger Drego (sound system), Sheetal Talpade (lighting) and Rajan Bhise (podium) – visited Kala Academy for site inspection on March 22 and are expected to submit their report within a months’ time. However, following Sunday fiasco, wherein a Marathi play had to be halted mid-way due to technical glitches in the lighting, the Public Works Department (PWD) – nodal agency – has asked the consultants to submit the report at the earliest. The extensive renovation and strengthening of Kala Academy was in progress since 2021 before it was thrown open to the public in November 2023. A whopping amount of over Rs 60 crore was spent on the renovation, SITE INSPECTION The three consultants – Roger Drego (sound system), Sheetal Talpade (lighting) and Rajan Bhise (podium) – visited Kala Academy for site inspection on March 22 and are expected to submit their report within a months’ time which is marred with controversies. Thereafter in June, last year, another Rs 10.56 crore was allotted to PWD to undertake further repair work of the renovated structure. Speaking to The Goan, PWD Assistant Engineer Vallab Pai said that following the recommendations from the Task Force, headed by Vijay Kenkre, the government directed PWD to appoint consultants with expertise in auditorium design and implementation. “Accordingly, three different consultants were appointed for sound system, lighting and stage. The consultants will be submitting their report with recommendations for `43.20 crore worth cocaine seized in major narcotic bust, 3 arrested Former Madhya Pradesh CS Tino de Sa’s story ‘Tamarind’ included in list of 25 TAMARIND: THE GLOBAL HONOUR Govt ropes in experts to assess KA glitches IMD forecasts above-normal SW monsoon of Education has started clearing the pending dues of the SHGs. The department has settled the bills till February 2025 while the bills for the month of March are being scrutinised. The Goan had in February reported about the non-payment to SHGs since August, „„Annual budget: Mid-day meal expenses for 2024-25 estimated at Rs 38.27 crore, with Rs 18.78 crore from the Centre and the remainder from the State 14 His plea echoed a shared sentiment among many residents: a deep connection to the homes they built, despite lacking legal ownership. PANAJI India is bracing for an above-normal southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall this year with the India Meteorological Department forecasting an uptick between June and September. The seasonal downpour is expected to reach 105 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA). The LPA for India’s monsoon season, calculated from data between 1971 and 2020, stands at 87 cm. “Quantitatively, the seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 105 per cent of LPA with a model error of ± 5%. The LPA of the season rainfall over the country as a whole for the period 19712020 is 87 cm,” it said. Rainfall above 104 per cent is categorized as “above normal.” The first southwest monsoon arrives in Kerala by early June followed by other south-western states including Goa. The IMD stated that currently, Neutral El NinoSouthern Oscillation (ENSO) PANDEMIC: STATE TO COVER DUES „„Goa government to release Rs 9 crore towards unpaid 'committed liabilities' for SHGs from 2020-21 and 2021-22 „„Government to cover the pending amount from its own budget; Rs 6–9 crore more expected to be disbursed „„98 self-help groups and 9 PTAs currently serve meals to over 1.6 lakh students across Goa IPL: Chahal four-for stuns KKR as PBKS defend 111 direction. “We have been staying here for the last 30 years. My children were born and raised here. The local Comunidade gave us this land. We have a certificate provided by their officials. Lala, who was the tenant here, had handed over the land to us,” said Khurshid Ahmed, one of the residents, speaking to reporters with folded hands. Goan writer shortlisted for Commonwealth Prize THE GOAN I NETWORK 11 SPORTS lighted. To be honest, I wasn't expecting it. Just getting on to the Commonwealth Prize shortlist is, for me, a validation of my writing, which is a very satisfying thing for any writer.” “Writing has always been for me a compulsion, an obsession almost. The only thing I like more than writing is reading. But when I read something really good, I feel the urge to write. It's like – not a vicious – but a virtuous cycle.” Asked how he managed to make time for writing given his hectic and prominent services in India and abroad, >Continued on P5 Tivim comunidade: Nothing personal; law is law Attorney for the Tivim Comunidade, Savio Pereira said >Continued on P5 PANAJI: In one of the biggest narcotics seizures in Goa’s history, the Crime Branch (CB) has confiscated 4.32 kilograms of high-grade cocaine valued at Rs 43.20 crore. The consignment, concealed in chocolate and coffee packets, was intercepted during a delivery attempt on Monday. Three alleged peddlers including a couple from Sada-Vasco >Continued on P5 have been arrested with the police stating the sophisticated packaging and method of concealment suggest possible international links.  >> See pg 3