log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 GOA Villagers, MLA confront Colva police PI over spate of thefts >> See pg 3 Undeterred by accidental loss of vision, this IPHB attendant feels there's nothing called 'impossible' Pride of Goa Awards for Anju Timblo, Sachin Lawande PANAJI: The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Kashinath Damodar Naik Memorial Trust announced the 2025 Pride of Goa Awards. Ms Anju Timblo, MD & CEO of Fomento Resorts, won the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to hospitality while Sachin Lawande, CEO of Visteon Corporation, received the Entrepreneur Award.  >> See pg 3 IN SHORT >> Govt cuts RoRo ferry charges PANAJI: The government has agreed to slash Ro-Ro ferry charges for Chorao villagers, following a meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. As per the decision, cars owned by residents will now be charged only Rs 10 instead of Rs 30, while two-wheelers belonging to locals will be allowed free passage. CCP collects `1.15 cr from Ashtami fair PANAJI: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has recorded a revenue collection of Rs 1.15 crore from the recently concluded Ashtami Fair in Panaji. The earnings were generated through stall fees, rentals, and other charges levied during the annual pre-Ganesh Chaturthi event. IMD issues orange alert for Sept 3 PANAJI: IMD has sounded an orange alert for Goa on September 3, warning of very heavy rainfall across both North and South districts. Heavy showers are also forecast on September 1, 2, and between September 4 to 6, for which a yellow alert has been issued by the department.  >> See pg 3 Schools to list on scholarship portals PANAJI: The Directorate of Education has directed all schools in the State to ensure they are registered on both the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and the Chief Minister’s Scholarship Portal, warning that non-compliance deprives students of crucial financial support.  >> See pg 3 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 30.2 C 24.5 C 97% Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 75 2 3 GOA Goa may tap private forests for compensatory afforestation Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Not Just a man’s problem: Why women are ignoring signs of hernia 9 Hospet-Vasco double-track line ignites political storm OPPOSITION CRIES FOUL, SAYS GOVT TURNING STATE INTO COAL TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The commissioning of the Hospet-Londa-Tinaighat-Vasco da Gama railway line doubling project has sparked a political storm in Goa with Opposition parties accusing the BJP governments at the Centre and in the State of pushing the coastal State into becoming a coal corridor. Related reports on pg 2 Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao called the double-tracking plan a “shameful betrayal” while slamming the “double engine government” for stifling citizens’ voices through police complaints and intimidation. “Now, the Centre has admitted the project is coal-driven. This exposes the lies of the State government,” he said. The Union Railway Ministry, through social media on Sunday, confirmed that 312 km of the 363 km line has Govt will not allow coal beyond permissible limit, assures CM PANAJI: Amid rising opposition concerns over coal transportation through railway double-tracking project, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday clarified that the government will not allow coal handling beyond the permissible limit. Speaking to media persons, Sawant said, “We will not increase the coal handling capacity in the State. Let me clear it up first. We will not allow coal beyond the permissible limit”. Sawant said that the Railway Ministry has clearly said that the double-tracking project is expected to boost tourism and trade in the region. “Why is the Opposition only focusing on coal? The Ministry has confirmed that the project will benefit tourism, and as we have said earlier, there will be no increase in coal beyond the permissible limit,” Sawant emphasized. been commissioned. It stated the objective is to expedite the transportation of coal, iron ore and steel, apart from improving rail connectivity for tourism between Goa and Hampi. While the Karnataka stretch is complete, the Goa segment is pending forest clearance as it cuts through the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes lashed out at the project, labelling the State government as a ‘sold out sarkar’. Boost for mining; forest clearance norms eased TRANSFER OF FOREST CLEARANCES ALLOWED FOR SUCCESSFUL NEW BIDDERS OF MINERAL BLOCKS SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI In what could accelerate resumption of fresh iron ore mining activities in Goa, the Advisory Committee of the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has accepted State’s request for transfer of forest clearance to the successful new bidder of the mineral block from the previous lease holders, without having to apply for a fresh permit. The Advisory Committee, during its meeting held on July 25th, has recommended the Ministry for transfer of approval under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 from the erstwhile mining firm to the new lease holders. The exemption is meant to facilitate smooth handover of mines that are being auctioned and for speedy resumption of iron ore activities within. The conditions for transfer of forest clearance include complete compliance of terms FRESH PUSH FOR MINING PANAJI: Amidst the opposition, Indian Railway has announced acquiring more 6,000 sq mts (approx) of land in South Goa for double-track project. The land is to be acquired in Cansaulim, Sancoale and Issorcim and public feedback has been sought. The public notice states the land is to be acquired with or without structure, falling within the proposed special railway project of Hospet-Vasco line doubling. “The people of Goa have fought tooth and nail to block double-tracking because coal is choking our lungs and destroying livelihoods. We will continue to oppose coal transportation,” he said as he pressed for returning Mor- Govt may extend sale of subsidised coconuts beyond Ganesh Chaturthi THE GOAN I NETWORK erstwhile Forest Clearances into the new leaseholders for iron ore mining as per Section 8 B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2021. The Committee noted that 88 mining leases renewed by the Govt of Goa were cancelled by the Supreme Court PANAJI Following strong demand and positive response during Ganesh Chaturthi, the State government is considering continuing the sale of subsidised coconuts at its outlets even after the festival celebrations. In a bid to meet the rising demand and to stabilise the market prices, the Goa State Horticulture Corporation (GSHC) had procured around 75,000 coconuts from neighbouring Karnataka to supplement domestic supply and address price volatility. The coconuts on subsidised rates were made available across 1200 horticulture outlets, across the State from August 15 and the Corporation, initially announced to continue the supply till the 11th day of the festival. Speaking to media persons on Monday, Horticulture Chairman Premendra Shet said that the government is considering extending the sale of coconuts at subsidised rates through the Horticulture outlets, beyond festive season; though the final decision has not been taken yet. >Continued on P5 >Continued on P5 Advisory panel recommended transfer of forest clearance under Forest Conservation Act from former mining firms to new lease holders to enable smooth mine handovers and quick resumption of iron ore activities „„Transfer is conditional on full compliance with terms and conditions of the original forest clearance and subsequent rules and guidelines „„In Goa, 12 mineral blocks have already been auctioned, with four more expected to go for auction soon and conditions stipulated in the forest clearance granted previously, and rules and guidelines framed thereafter. In Goa, so far 12 mineral blocks have been auctioned while another four are likely to go for aution in the coming days. The State had approached the Forest Advisory Committee seeking permission to vest Railways to acquire 6,000 more sq mts of land in South Goa SPORTS Asia Cup 2025: India thrashes Kazakhstan 15-0, finishes top of Pool A Admission drive: 600 govt schools may get Bal Raths Edu Dept submits proposal to govt THE GOAN I NETWORK mugao Port Authority’s control to the public sector. Congress President Amit Patkar recalled that former chief minister Manohar Parrikar had openly opposed the project, declaring it was meant for coal transport and driven by vested interests. “Parrikar had admitted that two companies were pushing this project through bribes. Who is lying now? Parrikar or Chief Minister Pramod Sawant,” he asked. AAP MLA Venzy Viegas too echoed Patkar’s views, accusing the BJP of betraying the vision of late Manohar Parrikar. “The ruling party has now turned it into 'BJPeek Kolso Zai,' to suit corporate interests,” he alleged, a claim which was further supported by AAP State President Amit Palekar, who stated that this is not about Goans, but Adani. “They are playing with our future. Goans must wake up before it is too late,” Palekar >Continued on P5 12 PANAJI In order to boost student enrolment in government-run primary schools, which are facing closure due to low admissions, the State is considering extending ‘Bal Rath’ facility across 600-odd schools. The facility was introduced in 2013 to provide proper transportation for students of Classes V to X studying in aided schools. The Directorate of Education (DoE) has submitted a detailed proposal “scheme to provide transport facility to government primary schools” to the Chief Minister for approval. The scheme aims to cater to the needs of government primary schools by providing proper transportation facilities to students, especially in the rural areas, apart from strengthening the educational infrastructure. Sources confirmed that the proposal has been forwarded to the government based on the directions issued by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, whose intention is to ensure that maximum number of students enroll in govern- FUTURE PERFECT „„Scheme aims to cater to needs of govt-run primary schools „„Push for proper transportation facilities to rural students „„Drive to ensure more students enroll in govt-run primary schools „„Govt schools shutting down due to Bal Raths as they are involved in ferrying students even beyond 10-km radius ment-run primary schools. Sawant had acknowledged that  government schools are shutting down in the state due to Bal Raths as they are involved in ferrying students even beyond ten-km radius. On an average 12 government primary schools are either shut or merged due to nil or poor enrolment in the >Continued on P5 Over 800 killed as quake devastates Afghanistan  THOUSANDS INJURED  PEOPLE DIG THROUGH RUBBLE WITH HANDS TO RESCUE LOVED ONES HOPE IN RUBBLE: A boy stands amid the rubble of his home in Kunar after an earthquake struck the region late Sunday night. PTI KABUL Desperate Afghans clawed through rubble in the dead of the night in search of missing loved ones after a strong earthquake killed some over 800 people and injured more than 2,500 in eastern Afghanistan, according to figures pro- vided Monday by the Taliban government. The 6.0 magnitude quake late Sunday hit towns in the province of Kunar, near the city of Jalalabad in the neighbouring Nangahar province, causing extensive damage. The quake at 11:47 pm was centered 27 kilometres east-northeast of the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, the US Geological Survey said. It was just 8 kilometres deep. Shallower quakes tend to cause more damage. Several aftershocks followed. Footage showed rescuers taking injured people on stretchers from collapsed >Continued on P5 SC issues notice to govt on plea Now, Trump makes claim of India’s ‘nothing rate’ offer against HC sports quota order India, Russia vow to strengthen strategic ties PTI THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the State government on a plea challenging the order of the High Court of Bombay at Goa that quashed the State’s decision to allocate vacant Children of Freedom Fighter quota seats to meritorious sportspersons under the sports quota. The bench of Justice P S Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe issued notice on the petition filed by international The High Court, on August 25, had quashed the Goa government’s decision to introduce a sports quota in MBBS and BDS admissions midway through the admission process sailor Pearl Milind Colvalcar. The High Court, on August 25, quashed the Goa government’s decision to introduce a sports quota in MBBS and BDS admissions midway through the admission process. It stated that the admission process shall be governed by the prospectus and timelines while strictly maintaining that the brochure cannot be altered at a subsequent stage, particularly once the process of admission has begun. Colvalcar, who is seeking admission to an MBBS course under the sports quota in NEET (UG) 2025, in his petition before the Supreme Court, has argued that the High Court ruling is erroneous >Continued on P5 WASHINGTON S President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that India has now “offered” to cut its tariffs to nothing, but it's getting late, as he said that India buys most of its oil and military products from Russia and very little from the US. “What few people understand is that we do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount of business with us, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. He added that India sells to the US, its biggest client, mas- U TIANJIN: India and Russia on Monday vowed to strengthen their strategic ties against the backdrop of New Delhi's frictions with the US, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that the two countries stood “shoulder-to-shoulder” even in most difficult times. Modi and Putin met on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), days after the US doubled sive “amounts of goods, but we sell them very little -- Until now a totally one sided rela- tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duties for India's purchase of Russian crude oil. The talks between the two leaders focused on bilateral cooperation in the economic, financial, and energy sectors, according to an Indian readout. In his televised opening remarks at the meeting, Modi told the Russian president that 140 crore Indians are eagerly waiting to welcome him in India in December. tionship, and it has been for many decades.” The reason is that India has charged us, until now, such high tariffs, the most of any country, that our businesses are unable to sell into India, he said. It has been a totally one sided disaster! Also, India buys most of its oil and military products from Russia, very little from the US. They have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it's getting late. They should have done so years ago. Just some simple facts for people to ponder!!! Trump said in the post, which was shared by Vice President JD Vance on social media. Trump's comments come as Prime Minister Modi held bilateral discussions with Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Tianjin.