log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY JULY 18, 2025 @thegoanonline Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 31 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us Page 6 Silent zoom or hybrid vroom? India’s clean car conundrum REVIEW : Vida VX2 promises city freedom with portable batteries IN SHORT >> Panel to draft law for regularising illegal homes on pvt land PANAJI: Moving ahead with its plan to regularize illegal or unauthorized houses constructed on non-government land, the State has put in place a ten-member committee to recommend suitable legislation or amendment to the existing law for regularization or granting ownership rights of these residential structures.  >> See pg 3 Mid-day meal rate hike notified PANAJI: In a major financial boost to mid-day meal suppliers, the State government has hiked the mid-day meal rates paid to Parent-teachers associations (PTAs) and self-help groups by 0.68 paisa per student per meal for pre-primary and primary and 0.88 paisa per student for upper primary level with retrospective effect from May 1, 2025.  >> See pg 3 India test fires Akash Prime missile NEW DELHI: India has successfully test fired the Akash Prime missile in Ladakh, the defence ministry said on Thursday. The weapon system is customised to operate in an altitude of 4,500 metres. “India, on July 16 achieved a significant milestone by successfully destroying two aerial high speed unmanned targets at high-altitude in Ladakh by Akash Prime, the upgraded variant of Akash weapon system,” the ministry said. 61 killed in Iraq shopping mall fire KUT: A fire engulfed a newly opened shopping centre in eastern Iraq, killing 61 people, including children, Iraqi officials said Thursday. Civil defence teams rescued more than 45 people who became trapped when the fire broke out late Wednesday in the city of Kut in Wasit province, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Others are still missing, according to the state-run Iraqi News Agency. Instagram.com/thegoanonline RUSSELL TO RETIRE FROM INTERNATIONAL CRICKET  RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in Action plan to rein in noise pollution placed before HC AMICUS SAYS RESIDENTIAL AREAS MUST BE NOISE-FREE ZONES, EDMs SHOULD SHIFT ELSEWHERE; URGES STRICT ACTION AND REAL-TIME MONITORING SOME KEY RECOMMENDATIONS THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In a significant development during the ongoing hearing of Contempt Petition No 12/2023 before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, Amicus Curiae Advocate Nigel da Costa Frias submitted a comprehensive set of long-term measures for the prevention and regulation of noise pollution in the State. The proposals, grounded in previous judicial directions and supported by recent recommendations from law enforcement and pollution control authorities, aim to ensure strict enforcement of existing laws, effective monitoring and the safeguarding of citizens’ fundamental rights. „„24x7 Noise Helpline and swift police action with FIRs for violations „„Flying squads and surprise checks in noiseprone hotspots „„Mandatory noise monitoring systems for open-air venues; GSPCB to suspend licences for violations „„CCTV surveillance with Implementation of court orders The Amicus highlighted the necessity of fully implementing the directions issued by the High Court in its judgement dated December 15, 2021, in PIL Writ Petition No. 30-day backup and mandatory reporting to police „„Strict regulation of EDMs and open-air events, banning them in residential areas „„Panchayats to register and monitor commercial establishments, with blacklisting of habitual offenders „„Residents' right to peace prioritised over commercial interests, enforcing Article 21 protections 7 of 2021, which mandates the following: A 24x7 dedicated helpline (112) must be maintained to receive noise pollution complaints. The control room should maintain records of com- plaints and forward them to the respective jurisdictional police stations. Police officers must inspect such complaints promptly, take necessary steps to stop violations, and proceed with legal action, including regis- Varsity paper leak, security breach detected in probe LAPSES BY VICE CHANCELLOR, REGISTRAR RED FLAGGED; REPORT SUBMITTED TO CM THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government constituted High-Level enquiry committee into the alleged matter of paper leakage by a faculty member at the Goa University has submitted its report to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The report apparently has established a paper leak by the suspended assistant professor Dr Pranav Naik and has also nailed authorities like the Vice Chancellor and Registrar for failing to act in the matter. On Thursday, Sawant confirmed that the Committee has submitted its report to him and the same is submitted to the Secretary Education, for further necessary action. “Yes, the committee has submitted its report to me and I have forwarded it to the Education Secretary,” Sawant told media persons refusing to disclose findings of the report. According to the sources, THE FINDINGS „„The professor allegedly made duplicate keys to access exam paper storage and is suspected of leaking papers to benefit a female student FURTHER ACTION „„CM Sawant has forwarded the report to the Education Secretary for further action; report details remain undisclosed publicly the Committee, headed by retired High Court Judge RMS Khandeparkar has confirmed paper leak by the Professor (suspended) and that there could have been possible attempts of similar nature in the future to help the female student. Sources also revealed that as per committee findings, Pranav Naik, had infact made duplicate keys of the room/ cupboard where the examination papers were kept. The other members of the committee are former DIG (retired) Bosco George, former GU registrar Radhika Nayak and Professor of VM Salgaonkar Law College MRK Prasad. The University has already suspended the professor, from the School of Physical and Applied Sciences, on allegations of leaking an examination paper to a female student pending inquiry proceedings. Agassaim police are currently investigating the case. An FIR >Continued on P7 >>12 UK to lower voting age to 16 years PTI LONDON The UK government on Thursday announced that it will lower the voting age from 18 to 16 years in time for the next general election expected in 2029, a manifesto commitment made by the Labour Party when it was voted last year. The move will bring UKwide elections in line with the devolved Scotland and Wales regions as part of what the British government described as one of the biggest changes to UK democracy in a generation. The plans also include an expansion of the voter ID system to permit the use of UK-issued bank cards as an accepted form of ID at polling stations, to ensure eligible voters are not “deterred from voting”. For too long, public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline, said UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, marking the release of a strategy paper that sets in motion plans to lower the voting age. tering FIRs. Reports from the Local Intelligence Bureau, beat staff, night duty officers, NGOs or citizens must also be acted upon with equal urgency. District Magistrates are required to take action under Rule 8 of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and the Environmental Protection Act. The court had earlier directed the establishment of flying squads and regular patrolling, including surprise checks and inspections in known hotspots such as coastal villages. These squads should include officers from multiple departments to form an effective monitoring team. >Continued on P7 Govt notifies ban on rent-a-cab permits Notification issued, comes into effect from February 2025 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Nearly five months after the State Transport Authority (STA) decided to enforce a complete freeze on new renta-cab permits, the Transport department on Thursday issued official notification, bringing the decision into force with retrospective effect from February 24, 2025. The rampant growth of rent-a-cabs in the State had prompted a decisive crackdown with STA during its meeting in March, deciding not to grant any new permits or licences under the rent-acab scheme. The department in a notification issued has said that the move aims to prevent overcrowding and road safety. In the current year till March 17, out of 3,438 permits granted across various categories, 359 were issued for rental cabs alone. In February, the department ROAD SAFETY PUSH „„The move follows the rampant growth of renta-cabs leading to traffic congestion and road safety concerns „„In February, the department issued strict guidelines, mandating rent-a-cabs operate only from registered premises „„Licences would be suspended immediately for operators functioning from public spaces like airports and railway stations had imposed strict guidelines tightening the noose around the alleged illegal operations of the rent-a-cab operators. The directive mandated that rental cars must operate >Continued on P7 Panaji wins Cleanest City title at national awards CAPITAL CITY IS ‘PRIDE OF GOA’, HAS SET BENCHMARK IN URBAN CLEANLINESS: RANE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI President of India Droupadi Murmu presented the award for the Cleanest City in the 50,000 to 2 lakh population category to Panaji at the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024-25 ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday. Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane, along with CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate and CCP Commissioner Clen Madeira, accepted the award on behalf of the city. Rane described the recognition as a “moment of immense pride” for Goa, calling it a validation of the sustained efforts and transformative initiatives undertaken under the Swachh Bharat Mission. “This recognition is not just an award, it is a validation of the work put in through doorto-door waste collection, the Garbage-Free City certification, and the scientific treat- Miramar, one of Panaji’s clean and well-organised streets, reflects its Swachh Survekshan success. AHMEDABAD RANKED CLEANEST BIG CITY >> See pg 7 ment of waste. Panaji has set a benchmark in urban cleanliness,” Rane stated in a post on X. He thanked Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for his lead- ership and support, and extended special appreciation to Mayor Rohit Monserrate for his “dedication and proactive efforts” in ensuring strict garbage segregation across the city. Rane also acknowledged the collective efforts of Panaji’s residents, sanitation workers, and all stakeholders who made the achievement possible. Cancer deaths in Goa rose by Govt eyes green hydrogen from sewage plants over 50 pc in last 10 years THE FOCUS: SUSTAINABLE THE GOAN I NETWORK THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Goa has seen a steady increase in annual deaths due to cancer over the last 10 years and official data shows its rate of increase in mortality has been the steepest, even higher than that of heart attacks and heart diseases but lower than diabetes. While cancer deaths in Goa rose by 56.61 per cent in the last 10 years, the number of deaths linked to diabetes shot up by a whopping 125.70 per cent in the same period. Lifestyle-related diseases have been on the rise in the last MORTALITY RATES FOR 2015-24 DISEASE Heart diseases Cancer Diabetes Liver disease/cirrhosis Stroke few years and health officials have expressed concern with incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease and obesity among the Goan population. Of the total deaths in the State annually, the number of deaths due to heart disease, % 22.58 56.61 125.70 39.36 10.96 cancer, diabetes, and chronic liver disease is the most, according to data compiled by the Goa government's Department of Planning and Statistics. According to the data, >Continued on P7 PANAJI he Goa government is now exploring the use of treated wastewater from Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for green hydrogen (H2) production. The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has roped in Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani to help the State achieve the goal. The Institute will develop the optimised electrolysis system with integrated partial purification system with high-performance electrocatalysts to achieve enhanced H2 production rates, improved energy efficiency, and longterm stability. T performance electrocatalysts and partial purification to improve H2 production WATER USE ratesBITS Pilani roped in by GEDA to develop an optimised electrolysis system „„Project aims to repurpose treated STP water, which is „„Real-world validation of waste discharge, and optimize the system will be done at currently discharged into surface water bodies, for clean use of local resources BITS' 600 cumec STP facility, energy generation „„Goal is to create a costwith potential scaling up effective, energy-efficient to larger STPs in Goa after „„Promote sustainable hydrogen production, reduce electrolysis system with high- success BITS will conduct Real-world validation at the 600 cumec STP facility at its campus, enabling direct application of the developed strategy. Based on the successful completion of the project, specific larger scale units will be deployed at different STP plants in Goa. According to the concept paper, prepared by Prof Pradeep Sow, submitted to GEDA despite undergoing multiple treatment stages, the effluent from STPs is not used as potable water and is commonly discharged into surface water bodies. “An alternative and sustainable approach, the project aims to develop a cost-effective strategy to repurpose this STPs water for green hydrogen (H2) production with minimal additional purification steps,” the study said. According to Prof Sow, owing to its relatively lower ionic strength and contaminant levels, STP water presents a more promising alternative to seawater for electrolysis-based H2 production. “However, STP water contains a wide variety of trace ions, which can negatively or positively affect water electrolysis. However, ICP analysis of the water obtained from the STP plant in Panaji reveals >Continued on P7