log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY JANUARY 19, 2026 GOA How to reset your money life in 2026 IN SHORT >> BJP inducts new voters in Ponda with eye on by-poll PANAJI: The Bharatiya Janata Party held a special outreach event in Ponda, inducting several ‘first-time voters’ into the party fold seen as its first big outreach ahead of the bye-election necessitated by the demise of former chief minister and senior leader Ravi Naik. The event, seen as a strategic move to consolidate support among the youth, prominently featured Ritesh Naik, son of the late Ravi Naik. >> See pg 3 Vasco constable dies while on duty VASCO: A 47-year-old head constable attached to the Vasco Railway Police Station collapsed while on patrolling duty at the Vasco station on January 17 at night, marking the second instance of a policeman dying while on duty within the Vasco police jurisdiction in recent months.  >> See pg 3 Security guard found hanging in Calangute MAPUSA: Calangute police registered a case of unnatural death after a 44-year-old security guard was found hanging near Namaste Spa, close to St Anthony Chapel, in Calangute on Sunday. Police sources said the Police Control Room received a call at around 10.13 am reporting that a man had allegedly died by suicide at the spot.   >> See pg 3 Hindu bizman beaten to death in Bangla DHAKA: A Hindu businessman was beaten to death in Bangladesh’s Gazipur by three members of a family following a dispute over bananas. WEATHER >> Max: 32.3 C Min: 22.5 C Humidity: 80% TIDES Low: High: 05:33 17:09 10:29 ------- The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 212 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 3 2 Govt to continue no-fail policy for Std V & VIII Salcete villages see red as port limits return in draft CZMP >> pg 6 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA Unity Mall: GAKUVED lends support, protesters await CM’s response INFO To Q-tip or not? The truth about safe ear cleaning NO STUDENT TO BE DETAINED FOR POOR PERFORMANCE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Goa government has decided to continue the “no-detention” policy for Classes V and VIII for the academic year 2026–27, under which no student will be held back due to poor academic performance. The decision has been taken pending detailed guidelines from the Union Ministry of Education following amendments to the Right to Education (RTE) Act rules in December 2024. According to the government, the Union Ministry has amended the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2024, which were notified in December 2024. However, there has been no official scrapping of the no-detention policy so far. Speaking to The Goan, Education Secretary Prasad Lolayekar said the government would continue with the nofail policy for the coming academic year until the guidelines for its implementation are received from the Centre. “Let me clear it. The Centre has not scrapped the no-de- SIGH OF RELIEF FOR STUDENTS „„Centre has not scrapped the no-detention policy „„It has only amended the 2010 Rules under the RTE Act „„Guidelines from the Centre on how to implement the amendment are yet to be issued „„Objective of the no-detention policy was to reduce academic stress among young learners by removing the fear of failure „„It replaced traditional annual examinations with a more holistic framework known as Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation FLASHBACK: Following a 2019 amendment to the RTE Act, a provision was introduced allowing the “appropriate government” to decide whether students in Classes V and VIII could be detained. Since then, around 16 States and two Union Territories have done away with the no-detention policy for these grades. tention policy. They have only amended the 2010 Rules under the RTE Act. The guidelines from the Centre on how to implement the amendment are yet to be issued,” he said. The Ministry of Education’s notification dated December 16, 2024, which amends the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2010, allows schools to fail students who do not clear year-end examinations. The gazette notification empowers State governments to conduct regular examinations and detain students who fail to meet promotion criteria. It also calls for remedial meas- Govt plans study on growing local anger towards tourists TO EXAMINE TOURISM’S CARRYING CAPACITY THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI In the wake of recent incidents involving harassment and assaults on tourists, the Goa government is considering undertaking a study to examine rising hostility among locals towards visitors in the coastal State. In a written reply tabled during the recently concluded Assembly session, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte informed the House that the proposal to study such hostility is “under consideration.” He also stated that the government is actively considering conducting a carrying-capacity assessment of the tourism sector to address issues of over-tourism. Responding to a question TOURISM: WINDS OF CHANGE „„Govt placing emphasis on regenerative tourism „„Eyes diversification of tourism beyond beaches „„Plans to strengthening tourist safety measures „„To enhance community participation to ensure sustainable livelihood opportunities raised by MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco on whether any study had been carried out or planned to assess local hostility towards tourists, Khaunte said the matter is being examined by the department. The minister reiterated that the State government is placing emphasis on regenerative tourism, diversification of tourism beyond beaches, strengthening tourist safe- ty measures, and enhancing community participation to ensure sustainable livelihood opportunities. As per data tabled in the House, Goa recorded 1,02,84,608 domestic tourists and 5,17,802 foreign tourists in 2025, taking the total tourist arrivals to 1,08,02,410. This marks an increase over >Continued on P7 ures to address learning gaps among struggling students. This marks a shift from the long-standing policy introduced under the Right to Education Act, 2009 and implemented in 2010, which ensured that students from Classes I to VIII could not be detained or expelled due to poor academic performance. The objective of the no-detention policy was to reduce academic stress among young learners by removing the fear of failure. It replaced traditional annual examinations with a more holistic framework known as Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE), which assesses students on academic performance as well as social development, behaviour, and overall personality growth. Following a 2019 amendment to the RTE Act, a provision was introduced allowing the “appropriate government” to decide whether students in Classes V and VIII could be detained. Since then, around 16 States and two Union Territories have done away with the no-detention policy for these grades. 9 SPORTS India suffers first-ever home ODI series loss to New Zealand 12 Mopa racing event catches local legislators by surprise ARLEKAR, AROLKAR SAY NOT INFORMED AFTER CM ANNOUNCES 2-DAY EVENT THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA Even as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the Indian Racing Festival will be held at the proposed Goa Street Circuit at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, the two MLAs representing Pernem taluka on Sunday said they were unaware of the event. The motorsport event, branded as the “Goa Street Race”, is scheduled to be held over two days on February 14 and 15, according to the Chief Minister’s announcement on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter). The event is part of the Indian Racing Festival 2026, featuring Formula 4 races. Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar said he had no information about the proposed racing event. “I don’t know anything about this,” Arlekar told this reporter, assuring that he would seek details and revert. However, he did not respond later. Similarly, Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar said he came to know about the event only after see- IN THE DARK „„PERNEM MLA: I don’t know anything about this racing event that the CM has announced… I will seek details and revert „„MANDREM MLA: I am totally blank about this festival... I learnt about it from a tweet circulating in the local media On Saturday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant posted on social media platform ‘X’ that the “Goa Street Race” is scheduled to be held on February 14 and 15 ing posts on social media. “I am totally blank about this festival. I learnt about it from a tweet circulating in the local media,” Arolkar said. Arolkar said he was unaware of the exact location of the proposed Goa Street Circuit but assumed it would be within the airport premises. “There is no large open ground outside. So if it is happening, it must be inside the airport campus,” he said, add- ing that he was not in a position to comment further or say whether he would raise the issue with the government. Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Sawant formally announced the event, stating that Goa would host the Indian Racing Festival in collaboration with Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd (RPPL) and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG). “We are proud to bring the Indian Racing Festival 2026 to Goa at the Goa Street Circuit, Manohar International Airport,” Sawant posted. “This world-class event on February 14 and 15 will boost sports tourism, create economic opportunities, inspire our youth and serve as a stepping stone for Goa to emerge as a global sporting event destination,” he added. Sawant also invited motorsport enthusiasts from across the country to witness what he described as an “exciting celebration of speed and sport” in Goa. However, questions remain over the exact location and layout of the proposed street >Continued on P7