log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY JULY 9, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 22 Labourer brutally murdered in Parra MAPUSA: In a gruesome case that has shocked the local community, a migrant labourer was found murdered in a hut near a construction site at Parra late Monday night. The victim, identified as Droupada Naik, was found with deep gashes to his head and neck and mutilated genitals.  >> See pg 3 CCLP pledges to protect Loliem land CANACONA: Taking their battle to protect ‘Common Land’ for posterity to the ground, members of Citizens Committee of Loliem-Polem (CCLP) began a door-to-door campaign to protect the village’s rich biodiversity and sensitive ecology. >> See pg 3 Water pipeline damaged at Guirim MAPUSA: A major water pipeline running alongside the roadside at Guirim was damaged on Tuesday, resulting in a dramatic fountain of water erupting from the site and causing temporary inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians.  >> See pg 3 3 school students dead in train mishap CUDDALORE: Three school students were killed when the van they were travelling in collided with a train. The gatekeeper posted at the level crossing in question has been suspended and arrested.  >> See pg 7 Swarm of honeybees delays IndiGo flight SURAT: A Jaipur-bound IndiGo flight from Surat got delayed by nearly 45 minutes after a swarm of honeybees was spotted on the door. The firefighting vehicle arrived and removed the bees by spraying water. WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 31.2 C 26 C 92% TIDES Low: 03.29 High: 10.56 16.29 21.00 CCP ALSO SEEKS POSSESSION OF LAND CURRENTLY HELD BY 2-SIGNAL TRAINING CENTRE HEADQUARTERS IN PANAJI THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI After several failed attempts, the BJP-led Goa government has made a fresh pitch to reclaim around 5,250 sq mtrs land opposite Kala Academy-Campal that is currently occupied by Military Hospital as the government intends to use the land for parking purposes. The land continues to remain with the Indian Army, even two years after it formally shifted the Military Hospital to a full-fledged facility at Bambolim. In August, 2023, Army shifted their hospital, built at a cost of Rs 50 crore, next to the 2 Signal Training Centre base. Apart from Campal land, the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has also approached the State government for its intervention for seeking possession of 10,600 The Military Hospital at Campal. (Right) The 2-Signal Training Centre headquarters at Panaji. sq mtrs of land held by 2-signal training centre headquarters, which they also want to utilize for public purpose. Highly placed sources confirmed that the government wants to utilize the land for parking space. “Either a multi-level car park facility or an open area for parking would be developed. This will help reduce all traffic congestion that takes place during events like Lokotsav or IFFI or any other events held at Kala Academy,” sources said. Sources informed that despite shifting the hospital to Bambolim facility, the Army has not yet handed over the land to the CCP, to whom it belongs. The 96-bed hospital was built by Sood Associates by incorporating green building norms. “CCP has asked the govern- CAG nails GIDC for failing to act against 56 plot allottees LAND WAS USED TO BUILD ILLEGAL HOUSES PANAJI The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pulled up the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) for their inaction against 56 plot allottees in Cuncolim, Madkai and Sancoale Industrial Estate for allegedly constructing residential structures for industrial workers. The GIDC had in March, 2023 issued show cause notices to the plot owners, but failed to act thereafter. Interestingly, the CAG, in their communication to GIDC, has pointed out that the entire illegality has no mention anywhere in the files or noting or any decision in this regard. CAG has sought justification from the Corporation for non-maintenance of files detailing, the matter, follow up on show cause notices and action thereafter. “The inaction on show cause notices issued for unauthorized activity by residing of labourers in the factory premises constituted an undue favour to defaulters,” the CAG said. Of the total 56 plots, 23 were in Cuncolim industrial estate, 31 in Sancoale and two in Madkai industrial estate. CAG noted that The Goa (Regulation of Land Development ment to intervene to reclaim the land which is occupied for a 2-Signal Training Centre. The land can be put to use to decongest the city,” sources said. Currently it is an under-utilised parking facility for military vehicles which prevents locals from parking their vehicles even outside the premises. As per the information, Goa handed over nearly 70.22 lakh >Continued on P8 >Continued on P8 M AY 3 0 sq mts of land to the Union Defence Ministry, since its liberation in December 1961. A total of 118 plots are under the control of the defence. Records show, defence has managed to acquire maximum land in Mormugao taluka, where the Naval base is situated. A total of 31.40 lakh sq mts of land, covering 80 plots, are in possession of the defence. This is followed by Tiswadi taluka, where 25.89 sq mts of land is with the Indian Army. The City Corporation’s battle to get its land back began in 2004 under then Mayor Ashok Naik. Subsequently, Mayors like Surendra Furtado and Shubham Chodankar continued efforts through several communications to the Union Defence Minister, particularly during 2014-19, when Manohar Parrikar was the defence minister. >Continued on P8 Opposition MLAs accuse govt of gagging dissent Stage walkout from BAC meet THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Opposition MLAs staged a walkout from the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting of the Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, accusing the BJP government of stifling dissent and calling the move a “murder of democracy.” The meeting was convened to finalise the agenda for the 15-day monsoon session starting July 21. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, along with Vijai Sardesai (GFP), Venzy Viegas (AAP) and Viresh Borkar (GRP), exited the meeting in protest over what they called an attempt to “systematically curtail the Opposition’s voice.” The MLAs objected to the decision granting each party only 20 minutes to speak during the crucial Demand for Grants discussion, saying this severely limited their ability to raise issues like corruption, OPPN GROUSE „„Decision granting each party only 20 minutes to speak during Demand for Grants discussion „„Claim it limits their ability to raise issues like corruption, law and order, and public welfare „„Questions of Oppn, including unstarred ones, not being allowed law and order, and public welfare. “This is a murder of democracy…a dark day,” Alemao said. “After cutting short the Assembly session, they are now restricting our right— people’s right—to question the government. If you won’t allow the Opposition to speak, why even hold a session?” >Continued on P8 PTI and Building Construction) Act 2008 and The Goa Land and Building Construction Regulation 2010 does not permit residential arrangement for labour except in accordance with the provisions prescribed for large plots that is above 10,000 sq mts where 2.5 ON >>13 Expired drugs must be flushed down the toilet, warns regulator NEW DELHI Apex drug regulatory body has listed 17 drugs which should be flushed down the toilet rather than being thrown in dustbins if they have expired or are unused to help prevent harm to people and pets at home. These include tramadol, tapentadol, diazepam, oxycodone and fentanyl which may be especially harmful and in some cases fatal with just one dose if they are used by someone other than the person for whom the medicine was prescribed, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) said. Most of these medicines are used to control pain, anxiety and other conditions. Safe and proper disposal of expired or unused medicines is crucial for protecting the environment and public health, the CDSCO said in THE GOAN I NETWORK 024 IN SHORT >> Govt makes new bid to reclaim Campal military hospital land ,2 With futuristic approach Farmagudi Government ITI adopts new avatar BUMRAH BACK IN BUSINESS AHEAD OF LORD’S CLASH RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us >> pg 6 Instagram.com/thegoanonline A BRAVE CAST: Taking advantage of a lull in the rainfall, fishermen cast their net into the shimmering Mandovi river hoping to secure a rewarding catch.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Govt official killed in accident THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In a tragic incident, a 51-yearold government official lost his life in a road accident at Guirim near Mapusa on Monday morning. The deceased has been identified as Narayan Abhyankar, an Under Secretary in the Law Department of the State government and a resident of Colvale. According to police, the mishap occurred when Abhyankar was riding his scooter along the National Highway (NH-66) and heading towards Porvorim. At Guirim after crossing the overbridge, a mini-bus head- ing from Mapusa towards Panaji entered the highway from the service road and allegedly rammed into his two-wheeler from behind. The impact caused Abhyankar to fall, following which he was run over by the rear wheels of the bus. He sustained grievous injuries and died on the spot. Survey rings alarm, shows only 53% AS FATALITIES SURGE OVER THE PAST DECADE… Std 6 students know tables up to 10 Data shows heart diseases claim 12 lives daily in Goa OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR FOCUSED INTERVENTIONS PTI NEW DELHI Only 55 per cent of Class 3 students can arrange numbers up to 99 in ascending or descending order while only 53 per cent of them in Class 6 know tables up to 10, a Ministry of Education (MoE) survey has found. The Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH) Rashtriya Sarvekshan, formerly known as the National Achievement Survey (NAS), was conducted on December 4 last year, covering 21,15,022 students from both government and private schools in Grades 3, 6 and 9, across 74,229 schools in 781 districts, spanning 36 States and Union Territories. According to officials, instances where less than 50 per cent of students were able to answer correctly indicate learning gaps. “These learning gaps highlight the need for focused interventions to strengthen students'' skills, refine instructional strategies, and provide additional learning support. Addressing these areas effectively will help improve overall student learning outcomes in the nation,” an official said. The survey said 1,15,022 children from the three grades were assessed and 2,70,424 teachers and school leaders responded via questionnaires. According to the report, only 55 per cent of students in Class 3 can arrange numbers up to 99 in ascending or descending order while 58 per cent of the students can perform addition and subtraction of two-digit numbers. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI atalities from heart diseases and cardiac arrests have recorded a significant 22 per cent jump in the last ten years and the increase has been sharper since 2021 after the Covid pandemic hit. According to official data, of all the causes of death due to medical reasons heart diseases and cardiac arrest, is one with the highest fatalities -- an average of 12 persons dying daily because of it. Some doctors we spoke to attribute the trend to lifestyle reasons, unhealthy diets and substance abuse (addiction).  F AI-powered screening detects eight cases of lung cancer PANAJI: Goa's lung health screening programme powered by AI technology and being implemented by the health department in partnership with Qure.ai and @AstraZeneca, has helped detect eight cases of lung cancer early, enabling better treatment. The comprehensive AI-powered lung screening is now accessible at several Primary Health Centres, the two district hospitals in Mapusa and Margao and also at the Goa Medical College and Hospital.  >> See pg 3 Heart attacks and heart related deaths have aggregated over 44,000 in the 10 years from 2015 to 2024, averaging nearly 367 deaths in a month and a daily average of 12 deaths. The annual figure of fatalities due to heart diseases and cardiac arrests has been increasing year after year in this 10-year period. While 3,804 people fell victim to heart attacks in 2015, the tally has risen to 4,663 deaths last year (2024). Also, of all these ten years, 2021, the one following the year in which the Covid-19 pandemic hit the State, reported the highest number of deaths due to heart attacks -- 5,568. In 2016, 4,100 people had died due to heart disease and cardiac arrest in the State. In 2017 there were 4,013 deaths which rose marginally to 4,025 in 2018. The number of heart dis- ease and cardiac arrest related deaths in 2019 was 4,586 and it marginally dropped to 4,392 in 2020 only to sharply rise to 5,568 in 2021.  It was 4,361 deaths in 2022, 4,589 in 2023 and 4,663 last year with more men than women affected. Interestingly, the data shows that rural areas of the State reported more deaths due to heart disease and cardiac arrest in these 10 years. Last year (2024), for instance, 3,486 (74.75 per cent) of the total deaths due to heart attacks were in rural areas while 1,177 (25.24 per cent) of the deaths occurred in urban areas.