log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY JULY 29, 2025 GOA Tied by blood, divided by destiny: A brother’s battle with polio, prejudice IN SHORT >> Goa achieves 91% afforestation target PANAJI: Goa has successfully achieved 91% of its compensatory afforestation target for the period 2019-20 to 2023-24, restoring 1,209 hectares out of the sanctioned 1,330 hectares. The data was revealed in a report by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), released on July 11. On the national front, India recorded 85% achievement in compensatory afforestation during the same period. A total of 1,78,261 hectares were afforested against a target of 2,09,297 hectares, the report stated. CM: Police stations to handle cyber plaints MAPUSA: In a significant move aimed at improving access to justice for victims of cyber fraud, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday announced that all police stations across Goa will now be directed to register cyber crime complaints and forward them to the Cyber Crime Police Station for investigation.  >> See pg 3 Minor fire delays Vasco-Kulem train VASCO: A minor fire broke out in the engine of the Vasco–Kulem train near Dabolim on Monday, leaving several passengers stranded for nearly an hour. Sources said the incident occurred around 7.45 pm, when smoke was noticed from the engine. The fire was minor in nature and was extinguished with the help of three fire extinguishers.  >> See pg 5 Poll for North Goa Zilla chief on Aug 1 PANAJI: The election to appoint the Chairperson of the North Goa Zilla Panchayat is scheduled to take place on August 1 in Panaji. Dr Ajay Gaude, Chief Executive Officer of the North Goa Zilla Panchayat, will oversee the election proceedings. WEATHER >> Max: 30.5 C Min: 25.5 C Humidity: 85% TIDES Low: High: 07:17 20:16 01:21 13:54 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 42 Salcete BDO disqualifies 4 members of 9-member Rumdamol panchayat >> See pg 5 Facebook.com/thegoan 3 GOA Saptah: Vehicular restrictions announced from July 30 to Aug 5 5 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Green and clean beauty: Eco-friendly beauty habits you must follow! 9 Hope for homeless in Goa, low-cost housing on cards GOVT TO DRAFT SPECIAL SCHEME, INTEGRATE IT WITH PMAY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government on Monday announced its plan to draft a special housing scheme for the homeless and integrate it with the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) to provide houses at a minimal cost to the homeless. Speaking during the calling attention motion, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the House that the integration will allow for a more streamlined and efficient process of delivering housing to those in need, utilizing both central and state resources and programs. Sawant said that the government has already initiated a process and has identified land in Pernem to construct a one bedroom-kitchen house for complete homeless persons or families through Goa Housing Board. “On lines with Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the State Fast-track repair nod for single homes GOVT FLAGS POTENTIAL MISUSE OF ATAL ASRA YOJANA FUNDS, TO UNDERTAKE SURVEY >> See pg 2 government will provide one bedroom, kitchen house to complete homeless persons/ family at a minimum cost. We will not provide money but will build the house through Goa Housing Board and give it to such beneficiaries. We have started the process to acquire the land and have identified two government owned land parcels in Pernem. We will come up with a new scheme ON PAGES 2&3 and integrate it with PMAY,” he said. The House witnessed a healthy discussion on the calling attention motion moved by BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral urging the government to provide homes to the homeless through the Scheme for Rural Homeless. He sought to know the steps the government intends to take in this regard. Cabral said that the government should come up with a comprehensive policy integrating all the existing PANAJI: The Department of Urban Development has announced a major reform to streamline repair permissions for single dwelling units within municipal areas. In a circular issued by Additional Secretary and Director of Urban Development Brijesh Manerkar on Monday, the department stated that approvals for repair works must be granted within three working days, provided certain conditions are met. “In order to avoid any undue procedural delay... and to prevent any further damage to such structures, the Commissioner of the Corporation of City of Panaji and Chief Officers of Municipal Councils are directed to issue permission for repairs of single dwelling unit/ structure provided that the structure for which repairs is sought is legal structure,” it said.  >> See pg 2 policies or schemes that offer housing benefit. He recommended that rather than providing financial benefit, the government should take the responsibility and construct the house. Quepem Congress MLA Altone D’Costa pointed out that in his own constituency there are 25 families who have got no houses. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said that the government should have undertaken a detailed survey to identify such homeless people and ensure that the benefit is extended. He also said that there are cases where the families have got no land ownership despite residing for generations. SPORTS Divya Deshmukh wins FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 14 Local bodies can now okay house reconstruction NO NEED FOR TCP NOD, SANCTION AS PER FLOOR AREA RATIO: CM THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In yet another major reform, the State government has decided to empower local bodies, such as panchayats, to issue construction licenses for the reconstruction of existing houses, provided it is within the plinth area and in accordance with the applicable Floor Area Ratio (FAR). Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday informed the House that a circular in this regard will be issued shortly. He said that house owners need not go to the TCP department for a construction license for reconstruction of the house. “We are coming up with the circular, wherein panchayats or municipalities will be empowered to issue construction licenses for reconstruction of the house if it is within the plinth area and within FAR. There will be no requirement of TCP approval,” he said. Sawant also announced the BOOSTER FOR SHARED HOMES „„Families can now get separate house numbers for portions of existing homes „„Can get independent water and electricity connections „„No complex title documents needed „„Approvals to be granted within 15-days through a simple and transparent process government’s citizen-friendly reform for families in shared homes across Goa in Municipal areas. The provision was applicable in panchayat areas so far. Sawant said that the families can now get separate house numbers for portions of existing homes, allowing >Continued on P8 Street Providence to suspend free shelter Ops, cites fund shortage THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Citing financial constraints, Goa-based NGO Street Providence has announced that it will suspend its free shelter services for the homeless and persons with disabilities from August 1. The organisation has issued a public notice confirming its decision to withdraw from shelter operations for the next eight months. “Due to unavoidable circumstances and with a deep sense of profound regret, Street Providence, Goa, is exiting the free shelter home services for the homeless and poor with disabilities. Between August 1, 2025 and August 31, 2025, Goa police will be requested to visit our homes and take the residents away,” said trustee Donald Fernandes in a public notice issued on Monday. “This free service is suspended till March 31, 2026. We thank the Goa police for giving us an opportunity to serve the homeless for the last 8 years. We are grateful to all This free service is suspended till March 31, 2026. We thank the Goa police for giving us an opportunity to serve the homeless – Donald Fernandes benefactors for supporting us in the last 8 years,” he added. The announcement comes just two months after the organisation had warned of a probable shutdown due to lack of funds. Despite appeals and attempts to mobilise support, including a peaceful protest march to the Legislative Assembly last week that was blocked by the police, the NGO has been unable to sustain its operations. The crisis drew attention of the Goa Legislative Assembly on Monday, wherein Chief Minister Pramod Sawant raised concerns over financial accountability.  Street Providence has been active for over eight years, operating shelter homes and providing food and basic care for destitute persons across Goa.  Govt will clear dues if utilisation certificates are submitted: CM MAPUSA: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government is willing to release pending funds to Street Providence, providing free shelter to the homeless and persons with disabilities, provided the organisation follows due procedures and submits the required utilisation certificates. “We are ready to pay all the money that is required, and Rs 50 lakh was paid just a month ago. But they must follow the process and submit the utilisation certificate,” Sawant said, responding to the concern raised by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao at the Zero Hour. >> See pg 3 All certificates given to govt, claims Street Providence PANAJI: Street Providence has claimed it submitted all utilisation certificates to the govt but still faces a funding shortfall. “All Utilization Certificates are given to the government -- six to the Women and Child Development Department and four to the Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (sent in June). All are sent to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today (Monday). One UC is pending due to the lapse of my staff and this will be given tomorrow (Tuesday),” a representative of the trust told The Goan, when contacted for comments.  >> See pg 3 SERPENTINE SPIRIT: Snake idols on display at the Panaji market ahead of Nag Panchami, which will be celebrated on July 29. On this day, devotees worship Nag Devta, seeking blessings and prosperity for their families.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Govt plans face scan attendance for all depts, p’yats to go first THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The State government on Monday informed the House that it is contemplating the introduction of a facial recognition-based attendance app across all its departments. For now, starting August 1, the project will be implemented in all offices of the Directorate of Panchayats. Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said that several State governments have adopted facial recognition-based attendance of its staffers across departments. “In Goa, in the first phase we are starting with the panchayat department and subsequently will be mandatory across all departments,” he said. Godinho said that the system will improve accountability. He was replying during the discussion on Demand for Grants on Panchayat, wherein >Continued on P8 Pahalgam attack mastermind 5 yrs on, 10 corruption-tainted babus back in service WHAT CM’S REPLY IN ASSEMBLY SAYS among 3 killed in encounter THE GOAN I NETWORK PTI SRINAGAR In a major breakthrough, the Army’s elite para commandos on Monday gunned down the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack along with two of his associates in an encounter in a forest area on Srinagar’s outskirts in Kashmir, officials said here. The officials said Sulieman alias Asif, who is believed to be the mastermind of the April 22 attack, was killed after the security forces launched a surprise action, codenamed ‘’Operation Mahadev’’, following a technical signal indicating use of a satellite phone that was used by the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack. The other terrorists killed in the action have been identified as Jibran -- who was allegedly involved in the Sonamarg Tunnel attack last year -- and Hamza Afghani. OPERATION MAHADEV As many as 26 persons -mostly tourists -- were shot dead by terrorists at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, which prompted the armed forces to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7 against the terror infrastructure in Pakistan. Additional reinforcements of the Army and other security forces have been rushed as intelligence inputs suggested the presence of another group of terrorists in the area, the of- ficials said. Jibran was allegedly involved in last year’s terror strike at the Sonamarg tunnel project at Gagangir in October last year. Seven people, including a doctor, were killed in the attack. One M4 carbine rifle, two AK rifles and other munitions were recovered from the site of the encounter. The bodies of the slain terrorists have been handed over to police, which helped in the identification process, for carrying out legal formalities and final rites as per the standard operating procedure. Inspector General of Police V K Birdi said it was a long-drawn operation which was going on till the last reports. PANAJI Former Bardez Mamlatdar Rahul Desai, who was charged with alleged involvement in a massive land grab, is among ten gazetted officers reinstated over the past five years after being suspended for various offenses, including corruption, misconduct, and other departmental violations. In a written reply to an unstarred Legislative Assembly question tabled by Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant revealed that officers from departments such as Public Works, Revenue, Registration and Personnel among others, were reinstated either after a major penalty was imposed or due to prolonged inquiries that made continued „„Officers from departments like Public Works, Revenue, Registration, and Personnel were reinstated after major penalties or prolonged suspensions „„Some suspensions were lifted because charges were found to be baseless „„Prolonged suspensions become financially burdensome due to allowance payments without productivity „„In Desai’s case, govt called the mere extension of suspension “counterproductive” „„Suspension aims to prevent interference with fair inquiry processes, not to serve as indefinite punishment „„Reinstatement does not impact ongoing inquiries, which will continue based on the commission’s report suspension financially burdensome. Some suspensions were also lifted as the charges were found to be baseless. In Desai’s case, his 2024 suspension was initially extended by 90 days, but the government later observed that the “mere extension of suspension period” was counterproductive. “...moreover, it tends to burden the exchequer as the delinquent officer is required to be paid allowance without any output,” the CM, who also holds the Vigilance portfolio, noted. “Suspension is basically to keep away the delinquent officer from influencing the fair process of enquiry. In view of the above aspect, the delinquent officer can be reinstated in service, but the opinion/ recommendation of the chairman of the commission of enquiry be observed in totality. This action will have no bearing on pending inquiry/investigation,” Sawant’s noting, also tabled in the assembly, added. While reinstated, most of the officers have not been assigned main postings. One officer also retired in April this year. Meanwhile, data furnished in the same reply indicates that only one bribery case was registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Vigilance Department over the last five years, from July 1, 2020, to July 14, 2025. The case involves Police Inspector Sunil Gudlar and Police Constable Mohammad Hussen Harihar, who, while attached to the Konkan Railway Police Station in Margao, were caught allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a Belgaum-based trader in exchange for dropping a criminal case related to the seizure of bovine meat. They also demanded a monthly payment of Rs 25,000 to let the trader operate without interference. Both officers are currently under suspension, and the investigation is ongoing.