log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 18 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 87 Instagram.com/thegoanonline NAGAL SEALS HISTORIC WIN AS INDIA QUALIFY FOR 2026 DAVIS CUP >>9 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 CBC 15502/13/0013/2526 SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan 11 Goa’s young lives at risk: Why early action on drugs matters Panaji’s lost jewel on the Mandovi River When 24 hours aren’t enough When the sentinel becomes the disruptor… 13 IN SHORT >> Goans warned of traffic diversions in Belagavi today BELAGAVI: Goans have been advised to avoid travelling to Belagavi on Sunday, as the police have issued a comprehensive traffic diversion in view of the Eid Milad procession scheduled to take place on Sunday. The traffic arrangements will be in force from 8 am until the completion of the procession.   >> See pg 4 PANAJI The Goa government has notified draft rules to amend the existing Goa Land Revenue (Disposal of Government Lands) Rules, 1971 moving a step closer towards granting ownership rights of land up to 300 square meters to occupants of illegal dwelling houses built before February 28, 2014 on government land across the State. The draft rules notification was issued by the Revenue Department on Friday and published in the supplement of the Official Gazette. It also invites suggestions and objections from public in 15 days. The draft rules require beneficiaries who wish to claim ownership of the plot of government land they have built their house on to pay a fee of Rs 100 and submit Form XXIII „„Beneficiaries seeking ownership must pay a nominal fee of Rs 100 „„They must submit Form XXIII along with a residence certificate proving 15 years of continuous residence in Goa „„The structure on the land must be used strictly for residential purposes „„The house or plot cannot be sold for 20 years from the date of ownership „„Ownership can be transferred to immediate family members, recognizing familial needs while discouraging speculative resale „„If false declarations are made, the rules empower besides a residence certificate proving they have been residing in Goa for at least 15 years. Another rule stipulates that the structure can only be for residential purpose and cannot be sold for 20 years. The rule however makes an exception for transfer only to a member of the immediate family. Penal provisions in the draft rules provide for eviction and forfeiture besides fines of up to Rs one-lakh and im- THE DESERT DUEL The high-voltage cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan will reignite today as the two sides meet in the T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium EXCITEMENT FLYING START MISSING Defending champs India began their campaign in style, cruising to a ninewicket win over UAE Pakistan, too, started strong, registering a commanding 93-run victory against Oman Vaccination drive for cattle from Sept 15 PANAJI: The Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services will conduct a brucellosis vaccination drive from September 15 to 30. The 15-day programme will cover female cattle and buffalo calves between four to eight months of age, including stray animals. BATTLE OF SPINNERS Nepal President dissolves parliament KATHMANDU: Nepal's leading political parties on Saturday described as “unconstitutional” and a “blow to democracy” President Ram Chandra Poudel's decision to dissolve the parliament even as the security situation in the Himalayan nation gradually returned to normal following two days of deadly protests that left over 35 dead and hundreds of others injured. WHAT THE DRAFT RULES STIPULATE THE GOAN I NETWORK Spinners of both sides will have a significant role to play considering that Bumrah & Afridi are the only pacers who will be in action WEATHER Report on pg 10 Thousands of tickets remain unsold, and with only a handful of fans showing up for India’s practice session on Friday, the buzz seems absent PITCH CONDITION Pacers can expect some bounce early on, while spinners are likely to come into play as the surface slows down Venue has witnessed average scores of 139 in the first innings and 121 in the second Of the 112 T20Is played here, chasing sides have had a edge Temperature expected to reach 40°C, with a ‘Real Feel’ of 45°C owing to humidity, wind, sunshine Air quality likely to remain in ‘unhealthy’ category Humidity levels expected to hover around 38% govt to order eviction, forfeiture of the land, fines up to Rs 1 lakh, and imprisonment up to two years „„Ownership will be conferred only up to 300 square meters, or the plinth area of the house plus two meters around it, whichever is applicable „„Any land occupied beyond the 300-square-meter cap will be reclaimed by the govt prisonment of up to two years in cases where declarations made turn out to be false. The Pramod-Sawant led government had enacted an amendment to the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, which inserted a section to regularise unauthorised dwelling houses built on government land prior to February 28, 2014. It empowered Dy Collectors to grant 'Class I' occupancy rights in respect of the piece of land on which dwelling houses were built virtually making them the legal owners of the land and the house on it. The beneficiaries however will have to pay the government an amount equivalent to the value of the land as per a rate the government will specify in a circular. Ownership of the land to the house occupant can be granted only up to 300 square meters or the plinth area of the structure and an additional two meters on all sides. Any additional land encroached beyond 300 square meters will be forfeited back to the government, the LR Code amendment stipulates. Terms violence as unfortunate PTI IMPHAL Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday vowed to transform Manipur into a "symbol of peace and prosperity" as he urged all groups to shun violence, assuring the people that the Centre stood firmly with them in rebuilding lives torn apart by the ethnic conflict. Modi, who landed amidst heavy rain in Manipur's capital Imphal on his maiden visit to the state after ethnic clashes erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, described the state as the "ratna" adorning the crown of "mother India" and lauded the role of the "valiant sons" of Manipur in the success of Operation Sindoor. Terming any violence in Manipur "unfortunate", Modi struck a note of healing, re- Syllabus change: Mushtifund school acknowledges lapses  VOWS COURSE CORRECTION  PTA MEET CONCEDES TEACHERS WERE NOT TRAINED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI A day after the Goa government launched an inquiry into Shree Mahalaxmi Primary School, run by Mushtifund Saunstha, for allegedly implementing NCERT books for Grade 4 without approval, the school management admitted probable lapses but promised corrective measures. Speaking for the institution, Dilip Dharwadkar said the school had relied on a government circular that mentioned both NCERT and SCERT textbooks. “As per the circular, we used NCERT books. Now that SCERT has set common papers, we will request the concerned authority and ensure no students are affected,” he said. Dharwadkar conceded possible shortcomings in implementation, stating, “I cannot hold the headmistress totally responsible, but there might have been lapses. We will ensure no child will suffer academically.” He appealed to the parents not to panic, saying the gov- ON ernment’s decision would be conveyed to them. The controversy surrounds the introduction of NCERT textbooks, even though SCERT has already prescribed its syllabus and is conducting a centralized common summative examination. SCERT Director Meghana Shetgaonkar on Thursday said NEP steering committee headed by Secretary Education will investigate the matter. According to sources, at a parents-teachers meeting on Saturday, the school headmistress admitted the school assurance, and confidence as he listened to the concerns of the families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the historic Kangla Fort complex in Imphal and Peace Ground in Churachandpur. The ethnic clashes two years ago have left over 260 people dead and more than 60,000 displaced, many of whom are still living in relief camps. During his visit, the prime minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 8,500 crore. Showers break dry spell, IMD warns of heavy rain till Sept 15 THE GOAN I NETWORK 5 MAGAZINE MAGAZ SUGGESTIONS, OBJECTIONS INVITED FROM PUBLIC WITHIN 15 DAYS 202 CODAR: A CAMPUS IN WAITING Govt paves way to regularise illegal houses, notifies rules 12 S E P T >> SEE PG 2 Modi promises to turn Manipur into ‘symbol of peace’ had introduced NCERT books without training its teachers. She said a government decision on the current issue was expected by September 17. Officials warned the mismatch could affect pupils’ performance, with Grade 4 semester exams beginning on October 9. For the first time this year, SCERT will set common question papers for Classes III to VIII across Goa. The State is rolling out National Education Policy 2020, which currently covers Grade I to III, VI, IX and X. Class IV has not yet been brought under the NCERT framework. PANAJI After a nearly three-day lull, Goa witnessed light but continuous rainfall on Saturday with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) placing the State on yellow alert till September 15. According to IMD, light to moderate rainfall is very likely in North and South Goa over the next two days. A few places could experience heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and wind speeds of 30-40 kmph, gusting up to 50 kmph. As on Saturday, Goa recorded 2,947.9 mm rainfall against the normal 2,844.4 mm -- 3.6 per cent surplus. The IMD’s national forecast indicated that the southwest monsoon is likely to begin its withdrawal from parts of Rajasthan around September 15, two days earlier than the usual date of September 17. Withdrawal commences from west Rajasthan and then progresses eastward and northward. While conditions for withdrawal in Delhi will follow later, IMD has not yet issued a specific timeline. The normal withdrawal date from Delhi is around September 25. Trump pushes NATO countries to Early shack allotments ignite buzz along beach belt impose 50-100% tariffs on China 90% licences issued by Tourism Dept, 60% structures already erected PTI WASHINGTON US President Donald Trump on Saturday said NATO countries should impose 50 to 100 per cent tariffs on China and stop buying oil from Russia to help end the Ukraine conflict. Trump's post on Truth Social comes a day after the US asked G7 countries to impose tariffs on countries purchasing oil from Russia. In his post, Trump said he is ready to impose major sanctions on Russia when all NATO countries agree and start to do the same thing and stop buying oil from Moscow. The US president said NATO's commitment to win has been far less than 100%, and the purchase of Russian oil, by some, has been shocking!. It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia, he said. Trump said that he is ready to go ahead when the NATO countries are. The president said that the 50 per cent to 100 per cent tariffs on China will also be of great help in ending this deadly, but ridiculous war. China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia, and these powerful tariffs will break that grip, he said. Trump also said that the Ukraine war is not his conflict and it would never have started if he was president. It is Biden's and Zelenskyy's war. I am only here to help stop it, and save thousands of Russian and Ukrainian lives. If NATO does as I say, the war will end quickly, he said. THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI ith shack allotments beginning at least one month ahead of schedule this year, the beach belt is already buzzing with activity as nearly 90 per cent of licences have been issued well before the official start of the tourist season. The stakeholders stated that the early move has not only given them breathing space to prepare but also hope for a profitable season. File photo W “Some shacks have already begun operations, including mine. While nearly 90 per cent of licences from the Tourism Department have been issued, around 60 per cent of these have erected their structures. The others are in the process,” President of Shack Owners Welfare Society Cruz Cardozo told The Goan. While issuance of licences began on September 1, the demarcation started as early as August 1. He acknowledged that the government has now streamlined the licensing process for two consecutive years, making it easier for operators to plan in advance. However, some shacks are still awaiting the arrival of non-Goan staff before they can begin full-fledged operations. The shack operation period runs from September 1 to May 31, with charter arrivals expected from October 1, the official commencement of tourist season. For the moment and even during the off-season, the gap is being bridged by Indian tourists, who continue to flock to Goa for brief getaways. “As it is, we have more domestic tourists, and they spend. Foreign tourists spend as well, but Indians come in larger numbers and keep the business steady.” Another shack operator Joseph Pereira >Continued on P8