log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28, 2026 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 220 Goa sets 2050 target for 100 per cent renewable energy 2 GOA Tree felling cloud hangs over GSIDC road project in Calangute 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO Is your thyroid underactive? Hidden symptoms to watch for 2 decades on, India, EU seal historic ‘mother of all deals’  ZERO-DUTY FOR 93 PER CENT INDIAN GOODS  LUXURY CARS, WINES TO GET CHEAPER  MAY COME INTO FORCE THIS YEAR PTI NEW DELHI India and the European Union on Tuesday announced the conclusion of negotiations for the free trade agreement, described as ''mother of all trade deals'', under which 93 per cent of Indian shipments will enjoy duty-free access to the 27-nation bloc, while import of luxury cars and wines from the EU will become less expensive. The deal, concluded after negotiations spanning about two decades, will create a market of about 2 billion people across the world's fourth-largest economy, India, and the second-largest economic bloc, the EU. Taken together, India and the EU account for 25% of the global GDP and one-third (about USD 11 tn) of international trade (about $ 33 tn). The pact will be signed formally in 5-7 months, and it is likely to come into force in 2026 itself. Once the agreement is implemented, except for auto António Costa flaunts his OCI card, says very proud of my roots in Goa NEW DELHI: As India and the European Union wrapped up long-running negotiations on a landmark free trade deal, European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa shared a personal moment. Unexpectedly, he pulled out his OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card and spoke about his Goan heritage, highlighting the special significance the agreement holds for him. "I'm the President of the European Council, but I'm also an overseas Indian citizen. So, as you can imagine, this has a very personal meaning for me. I'm extremely proud of my roots in Goa, where my father's family comes from, and the connection between Europe and India is something deeply personal," Costa said. and steel, almost all the Indian goods (over 93 per cent) from India will get zero-duty access in the European Union, and of the remaining over 6 per cent, Indian exporters will get tariff reduction and quota-based duty concessions (for goods like automobiles). The average tariffs of the EU on Indian goods are already low at around 3.8 per cent and will be reduced to 0.1 per cent under the deal. But in some sectors, the duties are high. These are marine (0-26 per cent); chemicals (up to 12.8 per cent); plastics and rubber (up to 6.5 per cent); leather and footwear (up to 17 per cent); textiles, apparel and clothing (up to 12 per cent); gems and jewellery (up to 4 per cent); railway components, aircraft parts, ships, boats (up to 7.7 per cent); furniture and light consumer goods (up to 10.5 per cent); toys (up to 4.7 per cent); and sports goods (up to 4.7 per cent). On all these items, EU will end duties for India. On the other hand, the EU will get duty-free access for over 90 per cent of its goods over a ten-year period in India. India will remove duties on only 30 per cent of European goods on the first day of implementation of the pact. The main EU goods that will get duty concessions include automobiles, wines, spirits, beer, olive oil, kiwis and pears, fruit juices, processed foods like breads, pastries, biscuits, pasta, chocolate, pet food, sheep meat, sausages and other meat Man who posed as GSPCB official held; booked in 9 cases >PG 6 ROOTS, REMEMBRANCE AND A COMMITMENT TO GOA’S YOUTH BAHURUPIYA AT LOKOTSAV: A LEGACY IN MOTION THE GOAN I NETWORK IN SHORT >> Old Goa bungalow: SC adjourns case PANAJI: The Supreme Court will next month hear the case regarding the controversial bungalow constructed within the Old Goa UNESCO World Heritage precinct. The matter was listed on Tuesday after the Bench opened the sealed cover containing the inspection report prepared by retired District and Additional Sessions Judge Edgar Fernandes.  >> See pg 3 Strike hits banking services in State PANAJI: Public sector banks in Goa faced disruptions on Tuesday as employees participated in a nationwide strike organized by the United Forum of Bank Unions. The strike comes amid demands for the immediate implementation of a five-day work week. DIVINE GLOW: The Hanuman temple at Marutigad, Altinho lit up in all its glory ahead of the annual zatra on Tuesday. The 4-day zatra will conclude on January 31.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Unity Mall site survey almost complete; protest continues THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Even as the joint inspection of the proposed Unity Mall site in Chimbel and the adjoining Toyyar Lake is almost complete, villagers continued their protests and have now proposed a 'maha protest' on January 30. Water Resources Department (WRD) Chief Engineer Pramod Badami said on Monday that 99.9 percent of the survey work has been finished, adding that the remaining portion is expected to be completed by Tuesday itself. The inspection began on Saturday to scientifically assess the zone of influence, hydrological impact, and drainage linked to Toyyar Lake (Survey No. 40/1). Once completed, experts will prepare a detailed report which will be submitted to the Chief >Continued on P7 Bardez on edge after spate of burglaries Incidents over past fortnight trigger unease among residents THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA sudden spurt in burglaries and attempted break-ins across Bardez has put law and order under the spotlight, with incidents reported from Porvorim, Mapusa, Tivim and Parra over the past fortnight, triggering fear and anxiety among residents. In the latest incidents, two burglaries occurred in Porvorim, two flats in Prudential Colony at Peddem, Mapusa, were broken into late last week, while burglars made unsuccessful attempts to force entry into two flats at Madel, A preparations. These goods, at present, attract duties in the range of 33 per cent to 150 per cent. Prices of imported cars from Europe are expected to come down with India agreeing to cut duty under its FTA with the EU to 10 per cent from 110 per cent gradually for 2.5 lakh vehicles a year, over six times more than offered to the UK. According to European Commission, following the India-EU FTA, tariffs on cars will gradually go down from current 110 per cent to 10 per cent with a quota of 2,50,000 vehicles a year. In 2024, Europe exported motor vehicles worth 1.6 billion euros to India. A commerce ministry official said the actual threshold is 15,000 euros (about Rs 15 lakh) under the FTA, meaning a car worth Rs 15 lakh will come to the Indian ports. After that, there will be the import duty, taxes, insurance, freight, transportation and registration costs, so all components will add another Rs 10-12 lakh on the landed cost, pushing up the prices. SAFETY CONCERNS AT FORE „„Parra hit by robbery and attempted thefts; temple and private residence targeted „„Locked houses and second homes seen as vulnerable „„Similar crimes clustered within a short time raise Tivim. Police believe locked and long-shut homes are being specifically targeted. Mapusa Police Inspector alarm „„Sudden spurt triggers fear in colonies and villages „„Residents call for increased night patrols, faster police response „„Questions raised over policing and surveillance gaps Navin Desai said preliminary inquiries suggest the burglars may not have gained much from the Mapusa break-ins. “The flats had been closed for nearly two years. There was nothing much the robbers could lay their hands on,” Desai said, adding that police were examining whether the incidents were interconnected. BURGLARS CONTINUE TO STRIKE PORVORIM, SURROUNDING AREAS >> See pg 5 Colvale Police Inspector Sanjit Kandolkar confirmed the Tivim case, stating that attempts were made to break into two flats but failed. >Continued on P7 PANAJI A man, who allegedly impersonated a Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) official and cheated a woman of Rs 5.03 lakh has been arrested by the Crime Branch. The probe revealed the accused has been booked in nine other cases across Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The arrest comes during an investigation into a complaint filed by Chetan Vijay Komarpant, a resident of Chaudi, Canacona alleging that between May 28 and July 10, 2025, the accused, identified as Suraj Vivek Pendse of Assagao, along with another person, projected himself as a public servant of the GSPCB and misrepresented that statutory work had been completed. >Continued on P7 11 SPORTS ICC U-19 WC: India crushes Zimbabwe in Super Six opener 14 Now, farmers slam brakes on racing event at Mopa Samiti cites land acquisition betrayal THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA The Goa Kul Mundkar Sangarsh Samiti has demanded the cancellation of the proposed Indian Racing Festival scheduled to be held at the Mopa airport premises, stating that farmers and locals strongly oppose the event. Members of the Samiti alleged that farmers were deceived during the acquisition of land for the construction of the Manohar International Airport at Mopa and are yet to receive adequate compensation. Samiti member Dipesh Naik claimed that several farmers have not been paid their rightful compensation even years after their land was acquired. “The farmers have been cheated. Many have not received proper compensation, and some have not received any payment at all. Now the government is talking about five-star hotels and organising racing events on the same land,” Naik said. He further alleged that there were plans to introduce gaming and other commercial projects in the Mopa „„Many farmers claim ers now being planned they were cheated during for five-star hotels, racing land acquisition for events, gaming the Mopa airport which were not „„Claim they FARMERS’ part of the have still not POINT OF original understanding received full or VIEW any compensa„„Claim lack of tion years later transparency and public consent as govt „„Allege govt betrayed pushing events without trust by acquiring land informing or consulting under certain assurances local villagers „„Land taken from farmairport area. “We will not allow unnecessary events at the airport premises. If the government insists on holding such events, it should return the land to the farmers. The festival can be taken to Sanquelim or Valpoi,” he added. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had recently announced that the Indian Racing Festival will be held on February 14 and 15 at the Mopa airport. Executive member of the samiti, Santosh Mandrekar, said that the festival was earlier proposed to be held in Mormugao but was can- celled following strong public opposition. “People across the State are opposing projects and events planned by this government. When people oppose them in one place, why does the government shift them to another location? Do they think the people of Pernem will allow this festival?” Mandrekar questioned. Mandrekar said residents of Pernem are opposed to the racing event and will not permit it to be held. He alleged that the government >Continued on P7 Finally, new era dawns for Tuem hospital from Feb 2 13 OUTPATIENT DEPTS TO KICK-START SERVICES THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The long-delayed health facility at Tuem will finally be commissioned on February 2 with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announcing it would be named ‘Government Hospital and Research Centre, Tuem (GMC Link)’. The announcement followed a review held on January 26, which was attended by the Health Secretary and senior officials of the Goa Medical College, Public Health Department and Directorate of Health Services. “The facility will be commissioned for public use on February 2, 2026. The hospital will be named ‘Government Hospital and Research Centre, TUEM’S NEW PRESCRIPTION „„To be named Government Hospital and Research Centre, Tuem (GMC Link) „„13 OPDs including Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics, Gynecology, Dentistry to start operations „„Doctors from GMC and Directorate of Health SerTuem (GMC Link),” he said in a press statement issued through the CMO. The CM further stated that 13 Outpatient Departments -Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics, Gynecology, Dentistry, vices to offer services „„Nurses, multi-tasking staff, housekeeping, facility management, and security to be deployed before opening „„Dedicated advanced healthcare research centre approved „„Operation theatres expected to be ready within four months Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, AYUSH, Physiotherapy, Psychiatry, ENT, Radiology and Skin -- will begin functioning from the commissioning date. >Continued on P7