log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SUNDAY JUNE 29, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 10+8 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 12 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 MOVIES »PAGE 18 GOOD LIFE »PAGE 14 WEEKEND READ »PAGE 15 Middle-class girl to sensation Scents of slumber Abstract impressions Kapur’s work transcends the material world to explore metaphysical concepts SPORTS »PAGE 10 Mandhana smashes record century as India crush England Science, Spirituality, & Symbolism Waiting for the musical heat Jayasuriya’s fifer seals Sri Lanka’s innings win over Bangladesh When Shefali Jariwala spoke about her journey, personal growth, upcoming projects, Bigg Boss experience, and her Kaanta Laga days >> SEE PG 2 TRASH TROUBLE: GOA’S GARBAGE CRISIS MAGAZINE MAGAZ 11 Sangodd Festival keeps tradition afloat Colonial roots of medical education in Goa Kotagiri: A serene escape that demands conscious travel Law is secular and every law emanating from the Constitution shall remain secular 13 IN SHORT >> Two held for theft of ancient idols PANAJI: The Bicholim police on Saturday arrested two persons in connection with the alleged theft of three ancient idols from the Shri Saunsthan Dattawadi temple in Sanquelim.  >> See pg 3 2 duped in ATM card swap frauds VASCO: Unknown persons allegedly cheated two Vasco residents of a total of Rs 87,000 by fraudulently exchanging their ATM cards under the pretext of offering assistance at ATM kiosks in separate incidents on June 26.  >> See pg 3 DNA test identifies last AI crash victim NEW DELHI: More than two weeks after the Ahmedabad plane crash, the DNA test has ascertained the identity of the last victim, and the death toll in the tragedy now stands at 260, officials said on Saturday. The mortal remains of the last victim were handed over to the family, they said.  >> See pg 8 WEATHER >> Max: 29.6 C Min: 25.7 C Humidity: 88% TIDES Low: 07.03 High: 00.39 20.14 14.11 Do pillows or sleeping mists help us really sleep? mulls 50% bus Sharp surge in sexual assaults; Govtcut for women fare minors, elderly among victims in private sector ACTIVISTS SLAM RE-VICTIMISATION OF SURVIVORS, JUSTICE DELAY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Sexual assault cases in Goa have surged by nearly 19 per cent in the first five and a half months of 2025, with disturbing patterns emerging from police data -- from victimisation of minors to the rape of a 90-year-old bedridden woman. Women’s rights activists have hit out at the criminal justice system, citing a considerable delay in taking the cases ahead, rising threats to survivors, and a breakdown in deterrence and accountability. Between January 1 and June 15 this year, 54 cases of sexual assault were registered by Goa Police -- a sharp 18.59 percent rise from the 44 cases during the same period in 2024. North Goa reported the highest number of cases at 32, followed by South Goa with 18 and the Women’s Police Station with four whereas 2024’s corresponding period saw 21 „„Between January 1 and June 15 this year, 54 cases of sexual assault were registered by police „„This is a sharp 18.59% rise from 44 cases during the same period last year „„North Goa reported the highest number of cases at 32, followed by South Goa with 18 „„Most shock- FACTS & FIGURES: FOOD FOR THOUGHT cases registered in North Goa, 16 in South Goa and seven at the Women’s Police Station. Among the most shocking was the alleged rape of a 90-year-old woman by a 50-year-old man. Colvale police, who arrested the ac- ing case was the alleged rape of a 90-year-old woman by a 50-year-old man „„Also, police booked 24-year-old for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor girl „„Police claim 96.29% detection rate with investigations completed in 52 of the 54 cases this year cused, said the crime came to light when he returned to the house and was caught in the act by the survivor’s daughter. According to police, the elderly woman, who lived alone, had earlier confided in her visiting granddaughter VOICES OF CONCERN „„Sabina Martins says what’s the point of registering cases if convictions are not happening? We are only collecting statistics but justice remains a distant dream „„Arun Pandey feels behaviour of men must change…. today, the system is not ensuring fear of the law. Speedy trials and increased conviction rates are absolutely essential that she had been sexually assaulted. When the victim’s daughter rushed to the house, she found a naked man attempting to attack her bedridden mother again. The accused fled into nearby bushes but was later arrested. He was identified as a former overseas technician now living alone after being abandoned by his wife. In another case, Colva police booked 24-year-old Akash Lamani for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor girl since November 2021. Police said Lamani repeatedly assaulted the girl under the pretext of marriage and later threatened her when she resisted. While police claim a 96.29 percent detection rate with investigations completed in 52 of the 54 cases this year, activists insist that ground realities are grim and the “system is not moving.” “The high detection rate doesn’t mean justice is being delivered. In many cases, trials have dragged on for years and even a decade. Survivors are forced to relive the trauma every time they are summoned, while >Continued on P8 ABS mandatory for all two-wheelers from Jan 2026 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced that the state government is actively considering a proposal to offer a 50% concession on bus fares for women employed in the private sector. The initiative aims to ease daily commuting costs and encourage greater female participation in the workforce. Speaking at the launch of the Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025 in Sanquelim on Saturday, Sawant said, “the benefit will be applicable across all bus services”. “The scheme will also extend 50% fare concessions to students, while general passengers opting for the upcoming bus card system will receive a 20% discount on fares”, he said. Speaking further, Sawant said, “women working in industries and the private sector should benefit from safe and affordable transport. A 50% concession will reduce their „„Initiative aims to ease daily commuting costs and encourage greater female participation in the private sector „„Scheme will also extend 50% fare concessions to students „„General passengers opting for bus card system will get 20% discount on fares „„CM says 50% concession will reduce financial burden for women financial burden”. The Mhaji Bus Scheme 2025, he said, is designed to improve Goa’s public transport ecosystem while simultaneously empowering private bus operators. “As part of the initiative, we are offering >Continued on P8 SAYS HE WAS ALSO WARNED BY CENTRAL LEADERSHIP IN THE PAST PTI THE GOAN I NETWORK 1, 2026, in case of all models, shall be fitted with Anti-lock Braking System conforming to the IS14664:2010.” Alongside the ABS regulation, the draft also mandates two BIS-certified helmets with every new two-wheeler purchase to improve the safety of the rider and passenger. Currently, only one helmet is required. While mandating ABS and two helmets will add to the safety of lower-capacity budget scooters and motorcycles, these are expected to result in a considerable increase in the cost of two-wheelers. This comes at a time when entry level two-wheelers are struggling to post a comeback. BUS AHEAD! Gaude repeatedly defied party on discipline: Damu OEMS TO SUPPLY TWO HELMETS TO CONSUMERS AT TIME OF PURCHASE NEW DELHI The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification that amends the Central Motor Vehicles Rules to mandate the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) for all two-wheelers manufactured from January next year. The amendment also makes it compulsory for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to supply two helmets to consumers at the time of purchase. An ABS is a safety feature that keeps the vehicle’s wheels from locking up during hard braking. It helps to maintain control, especially on wet or bumpy roads. While ABS is already mandatory for two-wheelers above 125cc, lower-capacity models are currently equipped with a Combined Braking System. The draft notification mandates that “vehicles of category L2 (two-wheelers) manufactured on and after January CM: Benefit across all bus services FERRY TALE: Salvage operations commence to refloat the ill-fated ferry that submerged at the Chorao ramp.  Narayan Pissurlenkar CoP pushes for expert panel to probe Chorao ferry incident THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As the government machinery attempts to salvage the partially submerged ‘Betim’ ferry at the Chorao jetty, the Ports Administration has initiated steps to ascertain the cause of the mishap by proposing a high-level inquiry involving maritime experts. Captain of Ports Octavio Rodrigues told The Goan that a request has been made to the Director of River Navigation Department (RND) Vikramsinh Raje Bhosale to constitute an expert committee to examine the incident. “I have spoken to Director RND to form an expert committee comprising a renowned naval architect, marine insurance surveyors, marine engineer surveyors and a representative from the shipyard owners association,” Rodrigues said. “They know the structure of the vessel and the >Continued on P8 PANAJI BJP State President Damu Naik on Saturday hit back at former Cabinet minister and MLA Govind Gaude, dismissing his recent criticism as unfounded. Naik asserted that party directives on discipline had long been communicated to him, which was not followed.  “His claim of ‘ukhalli jib layli talyak’ is false. I had already spoken to him before making my statement. In fact, we met at the party office in Margao and the party had given him clear instructions on discipline,” he said reacting to Gaude’s remarks.  Naik further revealed that Gaude had been warned by central BJP leadership in the past as well. “When he made remarks about Dhavalikar, I received a call from the Cen- DAMU SPEAK „„Gaude’s claim of ‘ukhalli jib layli talyak’ is false „„I had already spoken to him before making my statement… we met at the party office in Margao „„Party had given him clear instructions on discipline „„Gaude was also warned during Tanavade tenure tre. He was asked to maintain discipline even during Sadanand Tanavade’s tenure as State President,” he said. Gaude had earlier questioned Naik’s call for action against him before any formal inquiry, insisting that internal party rules must apply uniformly. “One must first >Continued on P8 Big push for agro-forestry, Centre eases tree felling norms Medical report reveals EASE OF DOING BUSINESS FOR FARMERS KOLKATA GANG-RAPE CASE marks on neck, chest AGENCIES KOLKATA The medical examination has corroborated the law college student’s allegation that she was gang-raped, media reports said on Saturday. According to the medical examination report, abrasion marks have been found around the neck and breasts of the victim, a first-year law student at South Calcutta Law College in the city’s Kasba area, who alleged that she was gang-raped inside the in- stitution by an alumnus and two senior students on the evening of June 25. Meanwhile, a security guard of the college was arrested in connection with the incident, even as the Kolkata Police formed a SIT to probe the case, amidst intensifying public protests. The total number of arrests has now reached four in the crime that took place inside the guard's room on the South Calcutta Law College premises on June 25, an officer revealed. PTI NEW DELH he Centre has issued model rules for felling of trees on agricultural land in a bid to promote agro-forestry with the aim of doubling farmers' incomes, increasing tree cover outside forests and mitigating climate change. In a letter sent to all State governments on June 19, the environment ministry said the objective of ''Model Rules for Felling of Trees in Agricultural Lands'' is to enhance the ease of doing business in agro-forestry and incentivise farmers to integrate trees into their farming systems without fac- T „„New rules are to incentivise farmers to integrate trees into farming systems without facing procedural hurdles „„Govt promoting agro-forestry to double farmers’ income, enhance tree cover outside forests, mitigate climate change „„Committee to advise State govts on how to ing undue procedural hurdles. The government has been promoting agro-forestry to promote agro-forestry and increase timber production from agricultural lands „„Rules to be simplified for felling and transit of double farmers' income, enhance tree cover outside forests, mitigate climate trees, especially species with commercial value „„Agencies to be empanelled for verification of applications and transit of timber from agricultural lands „„For lands with more than 10 trees, the applicant must apply online through the NTMS, giving detailed info about trees to be felled change, reduce timber imports and ensure sustainable land use. It also supports India's climate goals under the Paris Agreement. A key barrier is the lack of clear, harmonised rules for felling trees on agricultural land which affects cultivation and marketing of agro-forestry produce, the ministry said. According to the model rules, the State Level Committee (SLC) already formed under the Wood-Based Industries (Establishment and Regulation) Guidelines, 2016 will also serve as the committee for these rules. It will now also include officials from revenue and agriculture departments. The committee will advise the State government on how to promote agro-forestry and increase timber production from agricultural lands by simplifying rules for felling and transit of trees, especially species with commercial value. It will empanel agencies for verification of applications and transit of timber from agricultural lands. Applicants must register their plantation land on the National Timber Management System (NTMS) portal. They have to enter land ownership details and the location of their agricultural land. They must give basic plantation details, including number of saplings by species, planting date (month & year) and average height of seedlings.