log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY JULY 11, 2025 @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 24 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us page 7 Tougher fuel norms ahead: Will small cars get relief? REVIEW - BMW’s new 2 Series brings style, tech and thrills IN SHORT >> Drones to keep eye on illegal fishing MARGAO: The Fisheries Department is preparing to deploy drones to monitor and curb illegal fishing activities at sea. Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Harlankar, speaking on the sidelines of National Fish Farmers Day in Curtorim, announced that the department is gearing up for a crackdown on unlawful fishing practices in the upcoming season.  >> See pg 2 LIC officer booked for `43 lakh fraud PANAJI: A Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) officer has been booked by the Anti Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Goa for allegedly siphoning off Rs 43.80 lakh in premium payments over a span of seven months.  >> See pg 3 `50K for family of deceased fishers PANAJI In a major disciplinary action, the Governor of Goa has approved the removal of Adhoc Civil Judge, Senior Division and Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao, South Goa, Aruna Fernandes, from service over gross misconduct. The order comes after a recommendation by the Disciplinary Committee of the High Court of Bombay, which found her guilty of gross misconduct under the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965. The departmental inquiry against Fernandes was initiated following a decision by the Committee of the High Court while she was serving as Civil Judge, Junior Division and Judicial Magistrate First Class, Canacona, and later holding posts at Quepem and Margao. She was under suspension since December 30, 2023. As per the government re- COURTROOM SHOCKER „„HC Disciplinary Committee finds Aruna guilty of gross misconduct under Central Civil Services Rules „„Inquiry against her was initiated following decision by HC Committee while she was serving as Civil Judge, Junior Division and JMFC, Canacona and later holding posts at Quepem & Margao „„She was under suspen- sion since December 30, 2023 „„As per records, 2 separate chargesheets were filed against her with all charges in both sets found to be proven „„Disciplinary Committee served two final show cause notices seeking her response, but she failed to reply within stipulated time cords, two separate chargesheets had been filed against Fernandes -- one dated December 6, 2022 and another dated November 3, 2023 with all charges in both sets of proceedings found to be proven. Following the submission of the inquiry reports, the Disciplinary Committee served Fernandes two final show cause notices dated January 23, 2025, seeking her response. However, she failed to submit any reply within the stipulated time. Subsequently, the Committee resolved to impose LESSONS IN GRATITUDE: Students pay homage to their teachers on the occasion of Guru Purnima during an event held at Kala Academy on Thursday. Guru Purnima is a spiritual festival dedicated to honouring both academic and spiritual mentors. Narayan Pissurlenkar EDC sanctioned loans worth `40 cr: CM Junta House: Symbol of Goa's prowess in early post-liberation years >> See pg 3  WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 31.7 C 25 C 82% TIDES Low: 04.43 High: 12.00 17.43 22.33 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in GOVERNOR SANCTIONS REMOVAL FROM SERVICE THE GOAN I NETWORK Ex-CM’s XUV 500 nets `3.2 lakh THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI He may not be political currency now but the official vehicle he used before he assumed office first as minister and then Chief Minister has fetched a good value for the government even after the vehicle was 'condemned'. Former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar's official SCRAPPED CAR AUCTION MELA car -- the Mahindra XUV 500 with  the  GA-11-G-0645 registration number -- was picked up for Rs 3.20 lakh at the auction held at the GRP camp grounds in Altinho on Thursday. The vehicle was auctioned without its battery and GWMC sources said its air-condition- ing system was also dysfunctional.  Yet, Nilesh Desai pressed the pedal and won the bidding process with his final bid of Rs 3.2 lakh, which was more than twice the upset price of Rs 1.2 lakh and took the vehicle >Continued on P8 ROOT HOLDS FORT AS INDIA PUT BRAKES ON BAZBALL >>14 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 JMFC judge dismissed over gross misconduct PANAJI: In a move aimed at supporting the fishing community, the State government on Thursday announced financial assistance of up to Rs 50,000 for the next of kin of deceased fishermen who were active and the sole breadwinners of their families.  >> See pg 2 PANAJI: EDC sanctioned new loans for Goan enterprises, raising total approvals to Rs 40 crore this year, said CM Pramod Sawant after chairing the 404th board meeting. EDC reported Rs 111.47 crore revenue, Rs 81.27 crore profit for FY 2024–25, and a net worth of Rs 840 crore. Instagram.com/thegoanonline the penalty of removal from service under Rule 11(viii) of the CCS (CCA) Rules, 1965. The Registrar General of the Bombay High Court communicated this decision to the Goa Government on March 11, 2025, requesting formal issuance of orders. The Governor, acting on the recommendation, enforced the dismissal. “As requested by the Registrar General of the Bombay High Court, the matter was placed before the Governor of Goa and the Governor of Goa has accepted the recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee of the High Court of Bombay. Now, therefore, the major penalty of removal from service is hereby imposed upon Aruna Fernandes, Adhoc Civil Judge, Senior Division and Judicial Magistrate First Class, Margao, South Goa, as per Rule 11(viii) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, with immediate effect,” the order stated. Tennis player fatally shot by father in Gurugram 1 State-level tennis player Radhika Yadav was shot dead by her father at their double-storeyed home in upscale Sushant Lok here, police said. The 25-year-old, who was shot in the back while cooking, died on the spot. Her father, 49-year-old Deepak Yadav, has been arrested and his .32 bore licensed pistol recovered from his possession, they said. Why he did so is still unclear. The father allegedly fired more than five bullets. Her mother was in the ground floor and Radhika, who played tennis for Haryana, was in the kitchen on the first floor, officials said. A police team reached the house took the body into custody. 2 3 >> See pg 9 Retirement age for Anganwadi staff is now 62 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government has amended the Retirement Benefit Scheme for Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), extending the retirement age to 62 years with retrospective effect from May 1, 2024. The decision, notification of which was released on Thursday, speaks about providing enhanced financial security and clarity for the Anganwadi workforce. Under the revised scheme, both AWWs and AWHs, who are honorary workers under the Anganwadi Services Scheme, will now retire at 62 years of age, subject to medical fitness certification from a government medical hospital beyond the age of 60. Those reaching retirement age on or after April 30, 2024 will be affected by the new rules as the retirement would always take effect on this day of the calendar year. “The age of retirement of the AWWs and AWHs shall stand to be 62 years, with effect from, May 1, 2024 who would have retired on April 30, 2024 and onwards, subject to the clearance of >Continued on P8 TWO LIVES SNUFFED OUT IN BETHORA SCOOTER MISHAP The mangled scooters in the tragic accident at Bethora. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Two youth were killed, while two others seriously injured when two scooters collided with each other at Bethora on Thursday afternoon. According to reports, the mishap took place at about 2.30 pm, as Isha Gawas (22) of Ravan-Sattari and Aditi Manjrekar (22) of Poriem-Sattari were travelling on one scooter, while Aditya Dessai (20) of Bethora-Ponda and Yogesh Patil (22) of Ponda were travelling on another scooter. Both scooters collided with each other on the Bethora-Bagal road. All four were critically injured and were shifted to the sub-district hospital in Ponda, where Isha and Aditya were declared dead. Aditi and Yogesh were later referred to the GMC hospital for further treatment. Both Isha and Aditi were students of the Homeopathic Medical College in Shiroda and their farewell ceremony had taken place on Wednesday. They had gone to the Shiroda to collect some documents and were returning home, when the mishap took place. VALPOI CORRESPONDENT ADDS: Family, relatives and residents in Ravan were in shock over the tragic death of Isha Gawas. According to locals, Isha had been studying for a medical degree at the Shri Kamaxidevi Homoeopathic Medical College in Shiroda and had passed her exams with good marks barely two days ago. Report flags serious safety concerns on Saleri bridge TEST SAMPLES REFERRED FOR LAB ANALYSIS THE GOAN I NETWORK CANACONA A preliminary report from the Mobile Bridge Inspection Unit (MBIU) team from Shri Infotech in Hyderabad has indicated serious concerns on the safety of the Saleri bridge, which connects Agonda and Khola villages. The dilapidated bridge has prompted locals in both villages to demand the demolition of the old bridge and the construction of a new bridge over the Saleri river. According to the sources, the MBIU team’s Non-Destructive Test (NDT) results were unsatisfactory and doubtful, and the team then conducted a core-cutting test as part of a Destructive Test (DT), which has been referred for laboratory testing and analysis. The 5-category level points (5th category being ‘critical’) will be assessed to under- An MBIU team conducts tests on the Saleri bridge. stand if this fragile and over 50-year-old bridge on river Saleri needs repair, rehabilitation or demolition. According to the inspection team, the 1st & 4th pillars of the 4-span bridge are seriously weakened, and though the other 2 pillars are safe, the bridge girders are weakened and almost entirely doubtful. The final report will be submitted after laboratory results and may take around 15 days, informed a reliable source from the inspection team. Meanwhile, locals have demanded the gov's intervention as the bridge is unsafe for public and any unfortunate incident can result in fatalities. “This bridge has outlived its lifespan, and is now unsafe and won’t be able to handle traffic. It can collapse at anytime,” said Khola resident Jayram Pagui, who has also instrumental in raising some burning issues of Khola village with the government. Celebs, TV hosts among 29 booked Goa Std 6, 9 kids outperform national average: Survey for endorsing illegal betting apps CM TO HOLD ONLINE THE GOAN I NETWORK ED: APPS SUSPECTED OF MONEY LAUNDERING AGENCIES NEW DELHI The Enforcement Directorate has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against 29 individuals, including actors, television hosts, social media influencers, and YouTubers, for allegedly promoting illegal betting applications in breach of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. The action comes under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, following five FIRs registered in Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam. The case revolves around paid promotions for platforms such as Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, Lotus365, and others suspected to be involved in large-scale money laundering. The ED believes the individuals received significant financial compensation to endorse these apps, many of which masqueraded as skillbased games but allegedly facilitated gambling under the radar. Some of the promotions were reportedly disguised as entertainment or social service, drawing public ire and triggering complaints from individuals who claimed to have suffered financial losses. One complainant alleged a loss of Rs 3 cr after being influenced by YouTube adverts. The individuals named in the case are expected to be summoned shortly for questioning. Several of them have issued public statements denying any wrongdoing, maintaining they terminated endorsement deals upon learning of the ethical and legal concerns. PANAJI tudents from Goa performed above the national average in Classes VI and IX, with state students outperforming the national average across all subjects — Language, Mathematics, World Around Us, Science and Social Science. However, pupils from the State government-run schools were found to be underperforming, according to NCERT PARAKH’s Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 survey findings, released earlier this week. What was more interesting to note was the performance of the Other Backward Class (OBC) students, who managed S OBC students excel over other categories PANAJI: The report reveals that the Other Backward Class (OBC) students have managed to score either above or par with the national average across all grades -- Foundation Stage (Class III), Preparatory Stage (Class VI) and Middle Stage (Class IX). The performance of OBC students has been above those from ST, SC and General category. Scores of Class III students were at par with the national average in Language that is 63 per to score either above or par with the national average across all grades -- Foundation Stage (Class III), Preparatory Stage (Class VI) and Middle Stage (Class IX). cent and Mathematics 60 per cent. As far as Class VI is concerned, the students performance was at par with national average of 56 per cent in language, and two per cent above in mathematics and The World Around Us. For the OBC students at Class IX, scores were 11 per cent higher in Language, 1 per cent higher in Mathematics, 4 per cent higher in Science and Social Science compared to the national average. The survey was conducted across 269 schools in the State covering 6,464 students of Class III, VI and IX. As per the report, the performance of Class III students in Mathematics and Language remained below national average. The students at the foundation stage scored 56 per cent in language and 51 per cent in mathematics as INTERACTION WITH STUDENTS ON SATURDAY >> See pg 3 against the national average of 64 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. The survey covered 2015 students across 94 schools. The survey of 2003 students of Class VI, showed exceptional result with students scoring above national average in language, mathematics and World Around Us. Students scored 61 per cent in language as against the national average of 57 per cent while in >Continued on P8