log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY AUGUST 26, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 69 Goa's Biggest Media Brand with Highest Viewership which makes us >> See pg 3 Unfazed by cerebral palsy, this Psychology post-graduate wants to be a counsellor IN SHORT >> Order on Rumdamol p’yat staff quashed MARGAO: The South Goa District Court has set quashed and set aside the order passed by the Salcete Block Development Officer disqualifying the four Rumdamol Panchayat members. The matter has been remanded the matter back to the Salcete BDO to reconsider the written arguments and re-hear the parties if needed and pass a reasoned order as per the law.  >> See pg 2 Konkani singer Agnelo no more MARGAO: Konkani music and tiatr fraternity was plunged into grief on Monday with the passing away of Agnelo D’Costa, a well-known singer, musician, and composer from Navelim. D’Costa, known for his soulful voice and versatile compositions, was a prominent figure in Goa’s Konkani music scene for decades.  >> See pg 5 Water quality panels in all villages PANAJI: The first monthly meeting of the District Water & Sanitation Mission, South Goa, discussed issues concerning formation of Village Water and Sanitation Committees under Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission. The committees are tasked with carrying out water quality testing in villages using Field Test Kits. No Sopo fees for Matoli vendors PANAJI: As assured in the Assembly by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the government on Monday directed local bodies across the State not to collect Sopo (market fees) from vendors selling Matoli items.  >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: 30.7 C Min: 25.4 C Humidity: 82% TIDES Low: High: 06:17 18:54 00:23 12:37 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Mirabai wins gold with record-breaking lift in 48kg category  Pg 14 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Come join us Contact: 9011043385 / 9850755549 / 9130004704 / 9689923150 Email: marketing@prudentmedia.in Relief for Mauvin, court grants clean chit in power rebate case WAITED FOR 27 YEARS TO GET JUSTICE, SAYS MINISTER THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In a major relief for Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho, the North Goa Sessions Court has acquitted him in connection with the 1998 power rebate case. Godinho, who was Power Minister at the time, was accused of granting rebates to industrial units that allegedly caused a loss of Rs 4.52 crore to the State exchequer. The case was brought to light by the then Leader of Opposition, late Manohar Parrikar, who filed a complaint against the minister. In the verdict pronounced on Monday in open court, Special Judge Irshad Agha acquitted Godinho of all charges. The minister, who was present when the order was delivered, said he had waited nearly three decades to be cleared. THE POWER REBATE CASE „„Late Manohar Parrikar had filed a complaint against Godinho alleging that rebate was granted to industrial units without cabinet approval violating Rules of Business governing govt decisions „„Prosecution argued that 25% rebate on electricity tariffs was issued to industrial units under a notification dated June 27, 1998, allowing concessions from the moment electricity supply commenced „„Godinho said he had acted on legal advice “I have waited for 27 long years to get justice. I am extremely happy today that justice has been delivered. It has proved the majesty of law,” he told reporters outside court. The minister also did not mince words claiming it was politically motivated.  “...I have always said this was not prosecution as such, this was political persecution. I have always maintained it from the beginning. Ultimate- ly truth has to triumph,” he added.  Reflecting on the toll the case had taken on his public life, Godinho said he was subjected to a media trial that left him socially isolated. “I remember in the earlier days, I could not even go for public functions. The way the press came, it was first a media trial. I stopped going to church because everybody thought I had done something GODINHO’S REACTION „„I have waited for 27 long years to get justice „„I am extremely happy today that justice has been delivered... It has proved the majesty of law „„I have always said this was not prosecution as such, this was political persecution „„I could not even go for public functions... it was first a media trial „„I stopped going to church because everybody thought I had done something wrong wrong,” he said. In the chargesheet based on which the trial followed, the prosecution argued that a 25 per cent rebate on electricity tariffs was issued to industrial units under a notification dated June 27, 1998, allowing concessions from the moment electricity supply commenced. Parrikar had alleged that the rebate was granted without cabinet approval, violat- ing the Rules of Business governing government decisions. Godinho, however, said he had acted on legal advice. When asked about Parrikar, Godinho refrained from being critical. “Any other Leader of Opposition, not me, would have done the same thing. He did his best to defame a person from the other side of the >Continued on P5 Sawant sets 48-hour deadline to make roads pothole-free ISSUES DIRECTIONS TO PWD FOR SPEEDY WORKS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As the condition of most roads in the State deteriorates due to persistent rainfall, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure that all pothole-ridden roads are repaired within the next two days. Speaking to media, Sawant admitted that the persistent rainfall has worsened the condition of roads, so also delayed the patch-up works. “Have now instructed PWD to fix all potholes within two days,” he said. The Ganesh festival will begin on August 27, but poor road conditions are causing severe inconvenience to residents, particularly shoppers during the festive season. The hasty patchwork repairs car- Beef crunch continues in Goa ahead of Eid, tourism season PANAJI With Eid-e-Milad approaching and the State’s tourism calendar also picking up within a month, Goa continues to grapple with an acute shortage of beef despite importing a small quantity from Telangana. The shortage, owing to a strike by traders in Maharashtra and Karnataka, has raised concerns among the meat traders who claim that hoteliers, bakeries and local consumers alike are being affected. “The festival of Eid on September 4 and the start of the tourist season will be hampered. We have many local consumers for beef, plus hotels and bakeries need it on a daily basis. Foreign tourists demand it more, and this shortage is bound to hurt everyone,” General Secretary of the Quraishi Meat Traders Association Anwar Bepari told The Goan. Supplies from Maharashtra and Karnataka have been disrupted for nearly a month as traders there are protesting against alleged harassment by self-styled vigilante groups. The outstation traders have claimed they are frequently attacked while transporting cattle, which has ultimately forced them to suspend operations. Bepari stated that while private traders from Telangana have been ensuring supply to Goa, the 5-tonne daily quantum is still not sufficient. Several meat traders have reported the same scenario. “On average, Goa needs 2025 tonnes a day, including supplies to hotels and cold storage. It goes up on special days, but we are only able to get about 5 tonnes presently. We are procuring beef from Telangana and other States at higher prices. The losses are mounting, but we have not passed on the hike to consumers so far,” another trader revealed to The Goan, asking the government to provide immediate relief. The traders have already submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, appealing to intervene and restore supply lines. The demand also includes that, if necessary, Statebacked mechanisms to ensure availability be set up. >Continued on P5 PTI A BITTER RECIPE „„Strike by traders in Maharashtra and Karnataka raises concerns among traders „„Supply has been disrupted for nearly a month now „„Hoteliers, bakeries, local consumers alike being affected „„Goa’s daily beef requirement is around 25 tonnes, but presently gets just 5 tonnes from Telangana „„Traders are protesting against alleged harassment by self-styled vigilante groups ried out at several spots have already given way under the rains, further compounding the problem. As reported earlier, PWD Chief Engineer Subhash Belgaonkar recently directed Executive Engineers from Panaji, Margao, Mapusa, Bicholim, Ponda and Fatorda divisions to carry out pothole repairs on top priority. He also made it Modi says India won’t buckle as US tariffs set to kick in TRADERS SAY 5 TONNES FROM TELANGANA NOT ENOUGH THE GOAN I NETWORK Persistent rainfall has worsened the condition of roads and has also delayed the patch-up works... I have now instructed PWD to fix all potholes within two days — Pramod Sawant FRUITS FOR THE LORD: An array of fruits and flowers for matoli decoration on sale at the Panaji market on Monday. With Chaturthi just round the corner, markets across the State are bustling with activity.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Chaturthi respite for motorists as Porvorim road closure deferred THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA In a major respite for commuters and locals ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, the government has deferred its earlier decision to close the busy NH-66 stretch between O’Coqueiro junction and Mall de Goa. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on  Monday  announced that the proposed road closure for the elevated corridor work will not be enforced immediately. “Porvorim road stretch on NH-66 will not be closed for traffic until after Ganesh Chaturthi,” he said, adding that a decision would be taken only after the first five days of the festival and with proper planning. Last week, the Public Works Department (PWD) had issued a notice announcing closure of the entire left-side carriageway of the highway, from O’Coqueiro junction to Mall de Goa, from August 24 to January 31, 2026. The move had drawn flak as >Continued on P5 NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted he will not compromise on interests of farmers, cattle-rearers, small-scale industries, cautioning ‘pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it’, remarks coming two days before the 50 per cent United States tariffs on Indian goods kick in. Addressing a gathering in Ahmedabad after launching multiple projects, he said, “all of you are witnessing the kind of politics driven by economic self-interest that is happening in the world today. From this land of Ahmedabad, I would like to say to my small entrepreneurs, to the shopkeepers, to the farmers and cattle rearers. For Modi, your interest is paramount. My government will not allow any harm to come to small entrepreneurs, to farmers, or to cattle rearers. No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand”. Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on India. 2 Victims, heirs can file appeals @`  , this Mapusa Samaritan cracks coconut code against acquitted accused: SC AGNELO PEREIRA THE GOAN I MAPUSA PTI NEW DELHI In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court has held that victims of crime, including their legal heirs, can file an appeal against acquittal of the accused. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and K V Viswanathan said the right of a victim of a crime must be placed on a par with the right of an accused who has suffered a conviction. “We find the victim has every right to prefer an appeal as against a conviction for a lesser offence or for imposing inadequate compensation or even in case of acquittal ...as stated in the proviso to Sec 372 of CrPC,” the bench said. The top court said the right of victims of crime to file appeal in a higher court against acquittal of the accused, or award of lenient punishment “cannot be circumscribed”. Expanding the ambit of “victims of crime” for the purpose of filing an appeal, the apex court said their legal heirs could continue prosecution of such appeals in case the appellant-victim dies during the pendency of appeals. “A person convicted of a crime has the right to prefer an appeal under Sec 374 of the CrPC as a matter of right and not being subjected to any conditions. Similarly, a victim of a crime, whatever be the nature of the crime, must have a right to prefer an appeal as per the CrPC,” the bench said. In a criminal case, both the convicted person and the State (through the Public Prosecutor) can file appeal The top court said a proviso was added to section 372 of CrPC (No appeal to lie unless otherwise provided) in 2009 to include victims. It said the victim of an offence has the right to prefer an appeal under the proviso to Section 372 CrPC, irrespective of whether he is a complainant or not. I n an era where even basic essentials seem to be slipping out of the common man’s budget, one man in Mapusa quietly rewrote the economics of compassion. While coconuts were selling at a wallet-pinching Rs 60 apiece this Chaturthi, a Mapusa-based social worker chose to turn the tide. He sold them for Rs 2. Yes, Rs 2. And no, it wasn’t a gimmick. It wasn’t a sponsored CSR event or a political stunt. It was just Yogesh Kelkar, an engineer by profession and a businessman by trade, doing what he has done for five consecutive years now – offering the humble coconut back to BOUNTY FOR A BARGAIN: A serpentine queue in Mapusa as people await their turn to grab coconuts at just Rs 2 apiece.  Shekar Naik the people, at a price that speaks more of empathy than economics. A ritual born of a pandemic What began as a spontane- ous act of compassion during the brutal Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020 has since become a quiet ritual for Kelkar who believes small, sincere gestures can still mean something. “Coconut is not a luxury here. It’s everyday food. It’s chutney, it’s curry, it’s prasad,” says Kelkar, standing beside a counter. “If we can bring a little relief to someone before a festival, that’s more satisfying than any business deal I’ve done,” he says. This year alone, he distributed nearly 8,500 coconuts in just two evenings, allowing only adults above 18 to queue up and capping it at five per head. The line spilled onto the main road, compelling local police to call up Kelkar. A festival and a quiet kindness With Ganesh Chaturthi just around the corner – a time when coconuts are cracked open by the hundreds as offerings – the symbolic and practical weight of Kelkar’s gesture hit home for many. “I had planned to skip making traditional modaks this year because the coconut price was too much. But when I heard about this Rs 2 coconut, I felt like Bappa himself sent it!” admits Anita Naik, a homemaker from nearby Parra who stood in line for over an hour. Another man in the queue, a taxi driver from Ucassaim, had a simpler reason: “We don’t have caste or religion in this line. Just the need to take something home and feed the family.” Kelkar makes no distinction >Continued on P5