log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 119 Instagram.com/thegoanonline Ronaldo breaks record as Portugal held late by Hungary  Pg 13 RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 CBC 15502/13/0033/2526 THURSDAY OCTOBER 16, 2025 Facebook.com/thegoan >> See PG 3 After more than 15 years, land acquired to build administrative complex at Cuncolim remains idle IN SHORT >> SC panel on 2-day visit for study of tiger reserve issue PANAJI: The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) will be on two-day visit to Goa from October 16 for hands-on study on the tiger reserve issue. The committee will assess the ground reality regarding the proposed declaration of a tiger reserve after consulting with all relevant stakeholders including forest department, environmentalist and petitioner Goa Foundation.  >> See pg 3 Court seeks activist’s input on Zenito’s bail PANAJI: The Sessions Judge, North Goa at Merces, has directed activist Rama Kankonkar to file his say on the bail application of accused and alleged history-sheeter Zenito Cardozo in connection with the September 18 assault case.   >> See pg 3 Mapusa dacoity: Two held in police custody MAPUSA: The Mapusa Judicial Magistrate First Class on Wednesday remanded two Bangladeshi nationals to nine days of police custody in connection with the armed dacoity at the residence of Dr Mahendra Ghanekar in Ganeshpuri, Mapusa.  >> See pg 3 5 PWD staff get ad-hoc promotions MAPUSA: The State government has approved the promotion of four Executive Engineers and one Surveyor of Works (Civil) to the post of Superintending Enginee / Superintending Surveyor of Works (Civil) in the Public Works Department (PWD), on an ad-hoc basis.  >> See pg 5 WEATHER >> Max: 32 C Min: 26C Humidity: 80% TIDES Low: High: 00:13 14:03 07:23 19:35 State bids tearful farewell to Ravi Naik n LEADERS ACROSS PARTY LINES JOIN THOUSANDS IN PAYING THEIR TRIBUTES IN PONDA n FINAL RITES HELD WITH FULL STATE HONOURS, INCLUDING 21-GUN SALUTE n 3-DAY STATE MOURNING DECLARED THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI With teary eyes and heavy hearts, thousands of Goans paid their final respects to their beloved ‘Patrao’ – Agriculture Minister and former Chief Minister Ravi Sitaram Naik on Wednesday. From Canacona to Pernem, and from Sanguem to Calangute, people from all walks of life gathered in Ponda to bid goodbye to the veteran leader who served Goa for over four decades. Naik, 79, suffered a massive cardiac arrest at his hometown and was shifted to a private hospital in Ponda town where he was declared dead around 1 am. He is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughterin-law and three grandchildren. He was laid to rest with full State honour, with a 21gun salute by the Goa Police, in his own private property. His elder son Ritesh, accompanied by his younger brother Roy, lit the pyre. Naik’s mortal remains were brought to his residence in Khadpabandh, Ponda, lat- Ravi Naik: End of a colourful, long political innings Bhandari Samaj mourns a statesman who rose above caste and politics Goans pay their final respects to veteran leader Ravi Naik as his mortal remains are carried through the streets of Ponda with full State honours. (more photos on page 3)  Narayan Pissurlenkar er at night, where an endless stream of mourners arrived to offer prayers and floral tributes since 1am – the moment the news broke of his demise. Leaders cutting across party lines, including Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Ministers, MLAs, former legislators, senior political leaders and bureaucrats, joined the public in paying homage. Sawant rights for Kul-Mundkars. The pool of people included elderly, senior citizens, middle-aged and youth, irrespective of gender. Naik’s supporters who worked with him day and night, since his early political days, and for whom he was their strongest pillar – were seen crying endlessly and recounting fond memories. and it is one of the biggest loss, not just in the political circle but for the State as a whole. “He was a leader of masses …he was a grass root leader…his contribution in the State politics, administration will always be remembered,” he said. Naik was seven times MLA (six times from Ponda assembly constituency and once >Continued on P8 VETERAN LEADER’S IMPRINT ENDURES FROM PARTY TO WEIGH POLITICAL BALANCE, CASTE EQUATIONS BEFORE DECISION AGNELO PEREIRA names are being discussed inMUNDKAR REFORMS TO OBC UPLIFT formally, but no decision has THE GOAN I MAPUSA been taken. Bhandari Samaj backs son ASHLEY DO ROSARIO The sudden demise of Agri“There was always talk LEGACY AT A GLANCE culture Minister Ravi Naik has that one more MLA might be THE GOAN I PANAJI Ritesh as Ravi’s successor „„Four-decade career spanning multiple not only left a void in the State accommodated later. Ravi The political importance of Ravi Naik even in these last few years of the current term can be gauged from the fact that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the BJP leadership left him untouched although his name did crop up for culling at both the cabinet reshuffles executed thus far. The void he leaves behind with his passing on Wednesday, therefore, will be a tough ask to fill both for the BJP as well as the Bhandari Samaj, the largest OBC block on Goa’s socio-political turf. It arguably marks a significant turning point in the State’s electoral politics landscape as he was the last remaining stalwarts of Goa’s post-Liberation political generation, having a political ca- parties and key portfolios „„Strong voice of the Bhandari Samaj and OBC empowerment „„Advocated creation of a third district in Goa „„Focused on irrigation and farmer welfare as Agriculture Minister „„Maintained political balance within BJP and central Goa „„Leaves a lasting imprint on Goa’s socio-political fabric reer that spanned over four decades across multiple parties and portfolios. Naik’s influence extended beyond his electoral victories. As a Bhandari leader, he held sway over a key OBC vote bank, particularly in Ponda taluka and several other constituencies. Consequently, the vacuum he leaves in community representation is bound to trigger DISPOSES OF CONTEMPT PLEA; MANDATES SURPRISE INSPECTIONS TO STOP VIOLATIONS PANAJI The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday directed the State government to enforce a comprehensive and coordinated mechanism to curb rampant illegal sand mining. The Court also directed reconstituted taluka-level flying squads under the Deputy Collectors to act against violators. With this, the Division mourning – October 15 to October 17. Emotional scenes unfolded at Khadpabandh as people recalled Naik’s accessibility, humility, and trademark humour that endeared him to many. Naik was one of the tallest leader of the Bhandari Samaj, as the leaders recalled his fight to grant OBC status for the community and living People from diverse communities came together in a rare show of unity to honour the leader who had connected deeply with the grassroots. Thousands gathered for his funeral procession, which later moved through the streets of Ponda amid chants and prayers, marking the end of an era in Goa’s political history. At the final rites, Sawant said that Goa lost a stalwart Ravi’s legacy proves why Cabinet vacancy after Ravi Naik’s leadership still matters passing puts BJP on a tightrope HC orders crackdown on illegal sand mining THE GOAN I NETWORK was present at the residence from morning till final rites. Goa Governor P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Union Minister for State Shripad Naik, MP Sadanand Tanavade also paid their last respect to Naik and met the grieving family. As a mark of tribute, the State government declared a public holiday on Wednesday and three-day long State Ravi’s last ‘grand’ act was a tribute to his people A master of political wit and comebacks ‘Chai piya, samosa khaya’: Ravi’s one-liners that cracked up Goa >> See Page 2 Bench of Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Ashish Chavan disposed of the contempt petition filed by the Goa River Sand Protectors Network. “The Flying Squads, which comprise of officials from different departments, are instructed to have internal Whatsapp groups for better communication and coordination and to ensure quick and coordinated response. Surprise inspections/ pa- trolling in the river areas shall be undertaken by the Coastal Police between 8 pm to 8 am,” reads the order with directions. The flying squads include officials from the Revenue, Police, Captain of Ports, Mines and Geology, Transport, and Water Resources departments. The Court was also informed that their contact numbers >Continued on P8 a realignment of caste-based political strategies in the State. Naik’s administrative acumen and grassroots connect, was instrumental in championing the rights of mundkars and tenants, and he was the first to propose the creation of a third district in Goa — an idea that may now lose >Continued on P8 cabinet but also set off a fresh round of political speculation within the ruling BJP over who might fill the vacant berth. The development comes barely two months after the last cabinet reshuffle in which former Chief Minister and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar were inducted as ministers. With the creation of a new vacancy, attention has inevitably turned to MLAs who were in contention but missed out during the August reshuffle. Among those who had been in the reckoning then were Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar. Both were seen as potential ministerial entrants, but the opportunity slipped PANAJI: The members of Bhandari Samaj have appealed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the BJP to nominate Ritesh – the elder son, as the successor of former Minister late Ravi Naik. Speaking at the final rites, Gomantak Bhandari Samaj leader Devanand Naik requested the CM to consider giving a party ticket to Ritesh to fill up the vacant post. “Within six month, the State will go for polls. We would request that Ritesh be given a ticket and post his victory and he be elevated into the cabinet so that he can take forward his father’s legacy,” he said. A similar sentiment was asserted by another leader Sanjiv Naik who said “party should consider giving ticket to any one of the sons so that Patrao’s work can continue. We are confident that the supporters will stand tall with his son and his family till the end.” away when the reshuffle concluded with just two new faces. Political observers now believe the vacancy could reopen the conversation within the party, though the outcome remains uncertain. A senior BJP functionary, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that several Naik’s unfortunate passing has changed the equation, but it will be the Chief Minister’s call,” the leader said. Lobo’s name naturally features in discussions, given his long political career, three electoral victories and prior ministerial experience. His influence across several coastal constituencies in Bardez and his role in facilitating the 2022 Congress defections, are factors that keep him relevant in BJP’s internal arithmetic. However, political analysts caution against assuming a direct elevation. “While Lobo has strong credentials, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant may prefer >Continued on P8 Mormugao politics in overdrive over Formula 4 Race cancellation ignites feud between MLA and ex-MLA loyalists VIKRAM NAYAK THE GOAN I VASCO T he revving of Formula 4 engines may have gone silent in Mormugao, but the political noise it left behind still echoes across the coastal constituency. What was supposed to be a high-octane international event at Bogda-Sada has instead turned into a high-voltage political spectacle, exposing deep cracks within the BJP’s local unit. The Formula 4 street race — once touted as Goa’s grand leap into global motorsport — hit the brakes after protests POLITICAL RIVALRY IN FAST LANE: A group of councillors object to the Formula 4 event during the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) last week. erupted in Bogda and Sada. Locals, backed by councillors and former MLA Milind Naik, opposed the venue, claiming it would disrupt daily life and damage local infrastructure. The opposition crescendoed into late-night meetings, slogan-shouting, and eventually, a walkout at the Mormugao Municipal Council’s special session. As the political engines overheated, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant himself drove into Vasco to douse the flames. In a late-night announcement, the CM declared that the race venue would be shifted to an “alternate location.” His decision was applauded by the protesters — but it left one man particularly disappointed. Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar, once a fierce Congress critic of the BJP and now a BJP MLA himself, didn’t mince words. “Mormugao lost a golden, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because of political motives,” he said, hinting that the protests were orchestrated by rivals from within his own party. Race bringing political rivalry to fast lane The Formula 4 episode peeled back the curtain on what many in political circles >Continued on P8