log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY MAY 2, 2025 GOA @thegoanonline From massage seats to flying taxis: China leads future of cars at Auto Shanghai REVIEW: BMW iX xDrive 50 roars back to India with electrifying speed IN SHORT >> Mining of minor minerals stopped in Dharbandora PANAJI: The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, constituted by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, has directed to stop work of minor mineral activity at a Dharbandora property following complaints of illegality. Goa Pradesh Congress Committee and two others Sadanand Surya Velip and Gopal Bomayo Gaonkar lodged a complaint with the authority alleging illegal mining activities.  >> See pg 5 Aldona PIO fined `25k over RTI info MAPUSA: The Goa State Information Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on Public Information Officer of Aldona panchayat, Pramod Naik, for failing to furnish proper and legible info to a Right to Information applicant. >> See pg 3 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 314 Questions raised over 2019 Urban Forest scheme as govt proposes a new one page 6 Facebook.com/thegoan 2 GOA National Green Tribunal disposes plea on Velsao fish mortality 3 THE GOAN I NETWORK WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 35.2 C 28 C 68% TIDES Low: High: 07.40 20.37 00.48 15.02 Your ultimate skincare ritual for supple, soft skin PANAJI Amid the High Court of Bombay at Goa closely monitoring the issue of illegal constructions, the government has further tightened the noose around the menace with fresh directions that no electricity or water supply should be provided to structures without construction and technical clearance certificates. The government has also directed that an Estate Officer be appointed to maintain close vigil about encroachments on land within their jurisdiction. “Health Officers shall not issue any permission to supply water and electricity to any structure intended for commercial use in cases where the construction license and technical clearance is not ob- TIGHTENING THE NOOSE AGAINST ILLEGALITIES „„Estate Officers to be appointed to closely monitor land encroachments „„Health Officers told not to issue permission to supply water and electricity to any commercial structure where construction license, technical clearance is not obtained „„Electricity Dept to ensure no new electricity connection shall be released to illegal structures where permissions are not obtained „„Collectors, Mamlatdars, Flying Squads empowered to act immediately „„Talathis, Dy Collectors given specific responsibilities under the law „„Disciplinary proceedings to be initiated against designated officers tained. Electricity Department shall ensure no new electricity connection shall be released to illegal structures where permissions are not obtained from concerned authorities,” Chief Secretary V Candavelou said, in a recent order. The government has already empowered the Collectors, Deputy Collectors, Mamlatdars, and Flying Squads to take immediate action against encroachments, illegal landfilling and unauthor- ized constructions. The CS also stated that the Talathis of the respective Sazas are duty-bound to report such violations for immediate action while Mamlatdars are responsible for filing checklists, and Deputy Collectors must initi- Signs of coup in Pak as army tightens grip on Sharif govt AGENCIES Mapusa goes without water, pipeline bursts NEW DELHI: In a crackdown on fake claims about the NEET-UG, the National Testing Agency has identified 106 Telegram and 16 Instagram channels involved in spreading false information. INFO 9 ISSUES FRESH DIRECTIVES ON BANNING ELECTRICITY, WATER SUPPLY TO CONSTRUCTIONS WITHOUT VALID PERMISSIONS SANGUEM: In an incident which has shocked the locality, a group of youth allegedly assaulted two individuals and later targetted two policemen near a grocery store at Tanki-Xeldem in Quepem in the wee hours of Thursday.  >> See pg 2 NEET: NTA cracks down on false info RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Govt intensifies crackdown against illegal structures Two cops among 4 assaulted in Quepem MAPUSA: Several areas across Bardez, including large parts of Mapusa, were left without water on Thursday following the bursting of a major water pipeline in Assonora. The incident caused widespread inconvenience to residents, who woke up to dry taps with no prior warning from the Public Works Department.  >> See pg 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline SPIRIT OF LAIRAI: Devotees partake in a ritual in honour of Goddess Lairai ahead of the zatra on May 2 in Shrigao-Bicholim on Thursday. The zatra commemorates the pilgrimage of Goddess Lairai and her divine siblings through the Western Ghats to settle in various parts of Goa.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Gambling network raided in Goa, Mumbai’s matka queen booked THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Crime Branch of Goa Police has booked alleged matka queen Jaya Chheda, already facing multiple FIRs in Mumbai, after uncovering her links to a gambling network operating in the State. In a major crackdown on Thursday, police registered 12 cases and arrested 12 bookies in coordinated raids across Goa. Another 12 agents and handlers allegedly operating within Goa have also been booked. A statement issued by Superintendent of Police (CB) Rahul Gupta said that raids were conducted in Panaji, Mapusa, Porvorim, Margao, Vasco, Ponda, Mandrem and Pernem. Cash and gambling paraphernalia were seized from various locations. Among those arrested hail from different parts of Goa. Probe indicates that the network was operating in close coordination with larger matka syndicates based >Continued on P7 ISLAMABAD The Government of Pakistan is facing a biggest threat, not from India, but from its own Army. With three new moves by General Munir, signs of a coup are now emerging in Pakistan. According to sources, after the Pahalgam terror attack, tensions between the army and the government in Pakistan have escalated. The situation is such that General Munir’s army could stage a coup at any moment. In Pakistan, on General Munir’s orders, the National Security Advisor was appointed overnight. ISI Chief Asim Malik was made the National Security Advisor (NSA) to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. It is believed that ISI Chief Asim Malik is close to Army Chief Asim Munir. Before becoming the ISI Chief, Asim Malik also served as the Adjutant General at the Pakistani army headquarters. During his tenure there, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested—a fact that remains unchanged as he is still in jail. Analysts have termed General Asim Munir’s coup plan as the ‘Musharraf Model’. ate immediate action under the Goa Land Revenue Code. Despite several enforcement measures, the government conceded that numerous instances of encroachment on government and Comunidade lands, illegal land-filling, and illegal constructions along National and State Highways; as well as in areas earmarked for road widening within panchayat and municipal jurisdictions continue to be reported. Further, the government acknowledged that authorities responsible for surveillance and enforcement have failed to take appropriate action, which resulted in encroachments and illegal construction. In view of this, the Chief Secretary reiterated that all >Continued on P7 SPORTS IPL: MI extends winning streak, RR out of playoffs race 12 SC: Illegal structures cannot be legalised, courts must be firm PTI NEW DELHI The Supreme Court has said courts must adopt a “strict approach” when dealing with cases of unauthorised construction and not engage in judicial regularisation of such structures. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said the law ought not to come to the rescue of those flouting its rigours for allowing it might result in “flourishing the culture of impunity”. “Thus, the courts must adopt a strict approach while dealing with cases of illegal construction and should not readily engage themselves in judicial regularisation of buildings erected without requisite permissions of the competent authority,” it said. The need to maintain a firm stance emanated from the court's “inviolable duty” to uphold the rule of the law and gained “more force” to facilitate the well being of all concerned, the top court said. The bench, as a result, dismissed a plea challenging Courts must adopt a strict approach while dealing with cases of illegal construction and should not readily engage in judicial regularisation of buildings erected without requisite permissions of the competent authority an order of the Calcutta High Court, which dealt with a petition highlighting unauthorised constructions. The high court asked the Kolkata Municipal Corporation to initiate demolition proceedings at premises where the illegal constructions came up on some floors. In an order passed on April 30, SC admired the “courage and conviction” with which the high court proceeded to take care of unauthorised construction in exercise of its jurisdiction in public interest. The counsel appearing for the petitioners urged the top court that her client should be given a chance to pray for regularisation of the unauthorised construction. May Day rally echoes anger over pharma sector layoffs AITUC SEEKS `35K WAGE FOR SKILLED WORKERS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Raising the demand for a minimum Rs 35,000 monthly wage for skilled workers, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) organized its traditional 'May Day' rally in the capital city where concerns were also raised over what it called were large-scale job losses in Goa's pharma sector. AITUC leader Suhas Naik, who addressed the workers who joined the rally, questioned the alarming rise in termination of workers and said it was happening especially in the pharmaceutical sector here in Goa. Naik in his address also highlighted the plight of workers who suddenly get laid-off, dwelling on the stress they face in their daily family life. Naik and other AITUC leaders raised the issue of accountability of managements and demanded that the government investigate the allegedly unjust layoffs in the pharmaceutical industry which is thriving in the State. Hundreds of workers marched through the streets of the capital city holding placards and raising slogans to the effect that economic Hundreds of workers march through the streets during a May Day rally in Panaji on Thursday. growth cannot be pursued at the cost of the workers, their rights and their livelihoods. Meanwhile, AITUC president, Christopher Fonseca, demanded that 'skilled workers' both in the State and the country should get a minimum of Rs 35,000 salary per month, considering the soaring cost of living. Fonseca, who also addressed the rally, put forth 24 demands on behalf of the workers before the government. Other AITUC leaders including Raju Mangeshkar, Prasanna Utagi and hundreds of workers from across the State attended. Fonseca also castigated the Central government, accusing it of being anti-worker by bringing in several new pro-capitalist laws which are against the welfare of workers. He also raised concern over the rising unemployment in the country even as he questioned the government's use of ESMA to crush workers' movements and fight for rights. Dept forecasts 50% increase in Hope for translocated trees, but greens cry foul power demand over next 5 yrs VOCIES OF CONCERN THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Demand for power in Goa is expected to grow by nearly 50 per cent by 2030, according to the five year business-plan presented by the Goa Electricity Department (GED) as part of its tariff petition filed before the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) where it has proposed a tariff hike. From 6,523.71 million units which it says is the requirement in the current financial year, the GED business plan pegs the requirement in 202930 at 10,132.35 million units. This projects the rise of power From 6,523.71 million units which the Department says is the requirement in the current financial year, the GED business plan pegs the requirement in 202930 at 10,132.35 million units demand in the State over the next five years at 3,608.64 million units.  The total power the GED intends to purchase in the current financial year according to its business plan is 6,523.71 million units of which it says it will lose 12.20% (763.03 mil- lion units) to transmission losses, both at the inter-state and intra-state grids combined. Next year (2026-27), the GED said it will require to purchase a total of 7,206.36 million units, again expecting to lose 828.45 million units of these (12.06%) to T&D losses. Again in 2027-28, the GED projects it will lose 908.48 million units (11.94%) of the 8,001.48 million units it says it will need to purchase. The demand in 2028-29 is projected to be 8,952.97 million units and a year later in >Continued on P7 MAPUSA t least four banyan trees translocated to a new site in Guirim as part of the Porvorim elevated highway project are showing signs of rejuvenation, with new shoots and leaves emerging from their stems. The trees, believed by locals to be over 100 years old, were moved to land belonging to the National Highway Authority near the temporary office of RRSM Infra, the project contractor. The translocation followed public concerns over the felling of around 600 trees to make way for the 5.2-km sixlane elevated highway. A NEW LIFE: New shoots emerge from the translocated banyan trees at Guirim, offering a glimmer of hope for survival and future growth.  Agnelo Pereira After negotiations, the number of trees to be cut was reduced, and the forest department approved the plan on the condition that at least six trees would be transplanted instead of being felled. The responsibility for iden- tifying a suitable relocation site was entrusted to the Public Works Department (PWD), which had requested local panchayats to suggest locations. However, with no positive response from the local bod- „„Avertino Miranda cautioned against optimism saying from past experience, banyan trees rarely survive such translocations. Green shoots can appear initially, but that doesn’t mean the trees are alive in the long term „„The banyan tree translocated to Campal initially sprouted leaves but eventually withered away revealing the manner in which the translocation was carried out ies, the PWD ultimately chose to replant the trees on National Highway land at Guirim. PWD Executive Engineer Jude Carvalho confirmed that most of the translocated trees appear to be surviving. “Only one banyan tree appears to be lifeless and may not survive, but others are all doing fine and showing signs of rejuvenation,” he stated. The transplanted trees, which were heavily pruned >Continued on P7