log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline THURSDAY MARCH 26, 2026 GOA Govt yet to take call on making pension scheme for seafarers, widows permanent >PAGE 8 THE NEW SOVEREIGNTY: WHY TECHNOLOGY DEFINES POWER IN SHORT >> SEC slashes Margao wards from 25 to 24 MARGAO: The State Election Commission’s decision to fix the number of municipal wards in Margao at 24 — one less than the existing 25 — has taken citizens and local representatives by surprise. The move comes despite an earlier resolution by the Pramod Sawant Cabinet to increase the number of Margao Municipal wards to 27.   >> See pg 2 AAP candidate cleared for Ponda by-poll PANAJI: The nomination of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Geetesh Naik for the April 9 Ponda by-election has been accepted after the Returning Officer dismissed objections raised by Congress.  >> See pg 2 SOP move to expedite mining clearances PANAJI: In a bid to streamline and expedite the resumption of iron ore mining, the State government is set to roll out a comprehensive, timebound standard operating procedure (SOP) for granting statutory clearances, aimed at fast-tracking the operationalisation of mineral blocks.   >> See pg 3 One held for sexual assault on minor MAPUSA: Mapusa police have arrested a 19-year-old youth under the POCSO Act on charges of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old minor girl from Bardez.  >> See pg 5 Man dies in Mapusa mishap MAPUSA: A 26-year-old man from Kerala was killed in a self-accident late Tuesday night near Duler in Mapusa, opposite Vision Hospital. The deceased Prajwal Karmalkar, was reportedly riding a scooter when he lost control after hitting a speed breaker.   >> See pg 5 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 277 GOA MAPUSA simmering global crisis is now singeing livelihoods on Goa’s streets. As tensions from the ongoing US-Iran conflict disrupt supply chains, a sharp shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has pushed the State’s small food businesses into distress – from beach shacks to roadside gaddas selling vada pav and ros omelette. What was once a dependable daily trade is now a struggle to simply keep the stove burning. For many, the crisis is no longer abstract – it is immediate, personal and deeply unsettling. A RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 LIFE 33 illegal structures identified, only 2 demolished in Agonda Celebrating Ram Navami: An evolving pilgrimage from Goa to Ayodhya TCP WITHDRAWS 80,926 SQM CONVERSION WITHIN HOURS AFTER CM’S DIRECTIVE; NOTIFICATION ISSUED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a swift follow-up to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's announcement, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department on Wednesday issued a formal notification rescinding the recently approved zone change for a land parcel in Sanquelim. The decision comes just hours after the Chief Minister publicly stated that permissions granted for the controversial zone conversion would be withdrawn, amid growing public concern. The revoked zone change involved a total area of 80,926 square metres. According to the notification issued by the Office of the Chief Town Planner, the earlier approval granted under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, for change of zone in the Regional Plan 2021 stands cancelled. The matter pertained to a plot at serial number 08, which had been notified in the Official Gazette THE NOTIFICATION „„Approval for zone change under Section 39A of the Goa TCP Act, 1974 cancelled „„Pertained to plot at serial number 08 under Regional Plan 2021 Cabinet expansion only after Ponda by-poll: CM PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said the vacant berth in his Cabinet, created after the death of Ravi Naik, will be filled only after the Ponda by-poll scheduled for April 9, with results due on May 4.  >> See pg 2 on March 20, 2026. The government, through a note dated March 25, 2026, directed the TCP Board to rescind its earlier decision taken under the relevant provisions of the Goa TCP Rules, 2024. Acting on this direction, the department has now officially revoked the zone change. Sources indicated that the move follows mounting criticism over large-scale land conversions, with Sanquelim HC raps authorities over Chandreshwar temple site damage AFFIDAVITS SOUGHT; RESTORATION PLAN AND COSTS TO BE DISCLOSED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday directed the Managing Director of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation and the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology to file affidavits in connection with alleged damage to the surroundings of the Chandreshwar Bhoothnath temple, a protected monument in South Goa. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Aditya Dattu Raut Dessai, the division bench of Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar observed that the matter concerns alleged destruction and damage to the surroundings of the temple, which is a State-protected monument under the Goa Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1978. As per records, the GTDC „„Earlier approval had been notified in Official Gazette on March 20, 2026 „„Govt note dated March 25, 2026 directed TCP Board to rescind decision had submitted a proposal in September 2018 seeking permission for beautification works at the site. The Directorate of Archives and Archaeology subsequently granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for construction of a retaining wall, a viewpoint platform, a toilet block, and related beautification works. However, the court noted that the petition and photographs on record prima facie indicate that extensive damage may have been caused to areas beyond the sanctioned work. The Additional Government Advocate appearing for the Directorate submitted that the damage would have to be restored and that steps are being initiated in that regard. The High Court directed the GTDC to place on record the complete proposal submitted for the project, along with plans, annexures, >Continued on P9 being one of the flashpoints. The proposal had triggered objections from locals and activists over the scale of the land involved. With the latest notification, the land will revert to its original zoning status as per the Regional Plan. The development signals the government’s attempt to address public backlash and rein in contentious planning decisions ahead of upcoming Mirabag bandhara issue: Govt drops proposal, awaits villagers’ response THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The government on Wednesday proposed a compromise formula to protesting villagers demanding the scrapping of the bandhara at Mirabag during a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting in Panaji, BJP State President Damu Naik said the government accepted some of the villagers’ demands and decided to drop the proposed barrage and retaining wall at the site. He added that, under the revised proposal, water would be pumped from the pier for drinking purposes. “Goa needs to tap the water flowing into the sea to meet its drinking water requirements,” Naik said. The agitating villagers confirmed that they had received the government’s proposal and said the plans for the barrage and bandhara had been dropped. They added that any proposal to pump water from a borewell would be subject to their approval. A final decision will be taken after consultations with all those involved in the agitation. Gaddas, shacks in Goa battle for survival THE GOAN I NETWORK Instagram.com/thegoanonline 5 14 3 6 assaulted Govt moves fast to scrap Touriststwo workersat Calangute shack, arrested Sanquelim zone change Rush for fuel despite CM’s assurance on adequate supply >PAGE P3 Facebook.com/thegoan SMALL BUSINESSES HIT BY LPG CRISIS „„Beach shacks, gaddas, and roadside vendors worst affected „„LPG availability reportedly down by nearly 50% „„Vendors cutting menus, reducing cooking, or preparing food at home „„Some restaurants forced to shut on certain days „„Operators struggling to balance customer service and staff meals „„Daily earnings hit due to the lack of backup cylinders “We used to run the stove from morning till late night. Now we plan our day around how much gas is left. Some days, I cook part of the food at home and bring it here. Otherwise, I just can’t manage,” said Santosh Naik, who runs a modest gadda along the Vaga- tor-Anjuna coastal belt. Naik has also cut down his menu, dropping items that require longer cooking time. The story repeats across the coastal belt. Shack operator Marcus D’Souza says the shortage has created an unusual operation- al challenge. “It’s not just about cooking for customers. We also need gas to prepare meals for our staff. With limited cylinders, we are forced to choose. Sometimes we prioritise the guests and arrange something simple for workers. It’s not ideal,” D’Souza said. Restaurants, too, are feeling the pinch. Ranjan Naik, a restaurant owner in Calangute admitted they have begun shutting shop on certain days. “We never thought we would have to close because of gas. But with supply down and no clarity on replenishment, we have no choice. Running a restaurant without >Continued on P9 civic polls. Earlier during his post cabinet press conference, Sawant had said he had spoken to TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane and asked him to withdraw even the provisional approval granted for the proposed conversion of 80,926 square metres of land to settlement zone at Maulinguem. 'MHAJE GHAR' SCHEME EXTENDED BY ONE YEAR >> See pg 2 “I have spoken to the Minister and asked to withdraw even the provisional approval. The conversion of land will not happen because I don't know if they (TCP Board) have seen or not. That is a valley actually,” Sawant said. The land in question comprised partly settlement area (7,339 sq m), natural cover (19,792 sq mts), natural cover with no-development slope (36,708 sq mts), natural cover with crematorium (4,620 sq mts) in Maulinguem. SPORTS Connor Esterhuizen blasts South Africa to 3-2 series win over Kiwis Sunbed row turns violent; Bengaluru visitor suffers head injury; incident reignites safety concerns THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA A group of tourists from Bengaluru were allegedly assaulted by staff of a beach shack at Calangute on Tuesday evening, leaving one person seriously injured and raising fresh concerns over visitor safety along Goa’s busy coastline. According to police, the altercation began when the tourists, who had gone for a swim, returned to the shore. One of them reportedly lay down on a sunbed belonging to a shack identified as Planet Goa without seeking permission. Shack employees objected to the use of the beach bed, leading to a verbal argument that quickly escalated. The staff allegedly attacked the tourist using rods and sticks, leaving him seriously injured. The victim sustained a deep cut on the head and was bleeding heavily. He was initially rushed to the Candolim Primary Health Centre and later shifted to the Goa Medical College (GMC), where he received six stitches. Doctors said his condition A viral clip shows shack staff attacking Bengaluru tourists (not seen) at a Calangute shack on Tuesday. Shack licence suspended PANAJI: The Tourism Department has temporarily suspended the licence of shack No. 16 at the Calangute-Umtavaddo beach stretch after its staff allegedly assaulted Bengaluru tourists on Tuesday.  >> See pg 3 is stable. Calangute Police have registered a case of attempt to murder and arrested two shack employees in connection with the assault. Further investigation is underway to identify if more in- dividuals were involved. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, drawing sharp reactions and raising questions about regulation and conduct of beach shack operators in the State’s prime tourist belt.