log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY JANUARY 31, 2026 GOA Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 13 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 223 Navelim locals oppose 3D urban survey as exercise sparks rural status anxiety 2 GOA BJP President Nabin sets party’s roadmap for 2027 assembly polls 3 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 INFO How vegetarians build collagen without meat SC mandates free sanitary pads, separate toilets for school girls STATES TOLD TO ENSURE MENSTRUAL HEALTH FACILITIES IN SCHOOLS PTI NEW DELHI Declaring the right to dignified menstrual health as part of the right to life and education under the Constitution, the Supreme Court on Friday directed all States and Union Territories to provide free oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins to girl students and functional, gender-segregated toilets for all the students. In a landmark judgment to ensure gender justice and educational equity, a bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan issued a slew of directions to all States and UTs to ensure that these facilities are provided in schools irrespective of whether they are government-run, aided or private. “A period should end a sentence, not a girl's education,” Justice Pardiwala opened the 126 judgment with a poignant quote from American educator, social activist and producer Melissa Berton, and said, “The issues that have unfolded before us echo the very same judicial disquiet. Even with the passage of time, the challenges that beset a girl child's education persist in Page 8 Group offers children in UK a connect with Goan culture Goan ex-footballers offer free coaching to children in Swindon IN SHORT >> 390 teacher posts up for grabs PANAJI: The Staff Selection Commission on Friday issued its first advertisement of the year inviting applications to fill 390 teacher posts in government-run primary schools across the State. Of the total vacancies, 352 posts are earmarked for Marathi-medium schools, while 38 posts are for Konkani-medium schools. The last date to apply is February 20.  >> See pg 3 Babush rape case verdict on Feb 11 PANAJI: The final judgment in the alleged minor rape case involving Panjim MLA Babush Monserrate has been deferred and rescheduled to February 11, 2026. „„Provide free bio-degradable sanitary pads to girl students in govt, private schools „„Every school must have KEY functional, DIRECTIONS gender-segreOF SUPREME gated toilets COURT with proper „„Schools must water supply in supply oxo-bioboth urban and rural degradable sanitary areas napkins, easily accessible „„School toilets must through vending machines ensure privacy, accessible or designated points to all students, including „„Schools must set children with disabilities up MHM corners with much the same form.” The verdict warns of stringent consequences for non-compliance, including the derecognition of private schools and holding state governments directly accountable for failures in public institutions. “The right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to menstrual health. Access to safe, effective and affordable menstrual hygiene management meas- ures helps a girl child attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. The right to healthy reproductive life embraces the right to access education and information about sexual health,” the bench held. It then referred to Article 21A (right to education) and said it has been termed as a “multiplier right” as it enables the exercise of other human rights. “The right to education essential items like spare uniforms, innerwear and disposal materials „„Ensure safe disposal of sanitary waste as per rules „„NCERT/State councils must include menstrual health edu to break stigma forms part of the broader framework of the right to life and human dignity, which cannot be realised without access to education,” it said. On the substantive approach to equality under Article 14, the verdict said it demands that treatment be accorded with due regard to the individual, institutional, systemic and contextual barriers that impede the translation of rights in reality. “At the same time, the State, Chimbel packs a punch with ‘maha andolan’ at Old Goa  LOCALS WANT PROJECTS ‘OFFICIALLY’ SHIFTED  DEMAND RESTORATION OF CONSTRUCTION SITE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The area around the Gandhi Chowk in Old Goa witnessed a massive show of strength on Friday as villagers from Chimbel, joined by NGOs, social activists and Opposition leaders, staged a 'maha andolan' against the proposed Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh projects at Kadamba Plateau. The protest, originally planned at Azad Maidan in Panaji, was shifted to Gandhi Chowk in Old Goa after the administration overnight imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (formerly Section 144 of IPC), prohibiting public gatherings in the capital. By 10 am, the square was packed with the protesters chanting slogans such as “Our land, our right”. The administration had deployed a heavy posse of police personnel to prevent untoward incidents. Despite assurances from Hundreds of protesters take part in the ‘maha andolan’ at Old Goa on Friday.  Narayan Pissurlenkar Nabin's arrival 'procession' amidst Sec 163 BNS questioned; govt denies selective enforcement >> See pg 3 the government, including a press release and a letter from the Director of Tourism officially promising the agitators relocation of the Unity Mall, villagers said they would not relent until they receive legally valid communication from all concerned departments. They insisted that both projects must be officially declared shifted from Chimbel and demanded restoration of the construction site to its original condition. The protesters also called for re-notification of Toyyar >Continued on P7 as a benefactor, is under an obligation to remedy such structural disadvantages,” it said. “Inaccessibility of menstrual hygiene management measures undermines the dignity of a girl child, as dignity finds expression in conditions that enable individuals to live without humiliation, exclusion or avoidable suffering. Privacy is inextricably linked with dignity. “As a corollary, the right to privacy entails a duty on the State to not only refrain from violating privacy but an accompanying obligation on the State to take necessary measures to protect the privacy of an individual,” it said. The bench said inaccessibility of menstrual hygiene management measures strips away the right to participate on equal terms in school and the domino effect of the absence of education is the inability to participate in all walks of life later. It said the fundamental right to education under Art 21A and RTE Act comprises free, compulsory and quality education and it includes all kinds of charges. Bondvoll Lake project: TCP puts technical nod on hold THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The Town and Country Planning Dept has put on hold the technical clearance for a residential project near Bondvol Lake, citing concerns raised by locals over its impact on the lake. The project proponents have been directed to stop all construction activity at the site until further orders by Deputy Town Planner Manguirish Vernekar. Vernekar said in his order addressed to one Manoj Kandhewal and four others that the technical clearance granted is for the project around the Bondvoll Lake and that the matter needs to be studied carefully. Over the last two weeks, activists and residents in St Cruz had raised questions over the project located at a height above the Bondvoll Lake, notified as a wetland. Earlier this week, local MLA, Rudolf Fernandes had facilitated a meeting of locals with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who assured them of reviewing their concerns. 10 13 SPORTS Gujarat Giants clinches eliminator berth with win over Mumbai Indians Control dispute at masjid turns deadly at Margao 40-yr-old stabbed to death; 4 arrested THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO An ongoing dispute to control and manage the affairs of the Sunni Gulistan Masjid at Gogol Housing Board ended in a murder after one person Ali Qalandar Khanjade (40) was stabbed to death after the Friday prayers. Following the murder, a tense situation prevailed at the Gogol Housing Board area. Tension also erupted at the South Goa district Hospital, Margao and also outside the Fatorda police station where supporters of Khanjade demanded justice. They refused to take possession of his body till the police arrest all the accused. The Fatorda police was prompt in arresting four persons. Agitated supporters, however, claimed a conspiracy was hatched the previous night and demanded action against a couple of persons for their involvement. The incident is believed to have occurred after the Friday prayers when the victim was stabbed to death just near the gate of the Masjid. Sources claimed that members of the two groups Ali Qalandar Khanjade who was stabbed to death. HOW IT HAPPENED „„The incident occurred after Friday prayers „„Two groups come face to face near the Masjid gate „„A scuffle breaks out between the groups „„Situation escalates during the altercation „„Victim stabbed near the Masjid gate, leading to death came face to face and were involved in fisticuffs before the matter escalated resulting in the stabbing incident. Khanjade’s brother told media that the incident had occurred despite the presence of police. “The incident is a fall out of the dispute to control the Masjid. My brother has lost his life”, he said. As the people shifted the injured to the hospital, a large number of people also rushed to the hospital including Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco. Additional police teams were made to boost security at the hospital PAGE 2 POLICE STEP UP SECURITY, ASSURE PROMPT ACTION POLICE COMPLAINT FILED AMID RIVALRY OVER MASJID AFFAIRS after the victim succumbed to his injuries. An incident occurred inside the hospital wherein a group was seen assaulting a person. SDPO, DySP Sidhant Shirodkar informed that the forensic team has visited crime spot as part of the investigations. Armed mob ambushes Goa police escorting thief in MP MANAGE TO SECURE CUSTODY, BROUGHT TO GOA THE GOAN I NETWORK PORVORIM A Goa Police team was attacked by an armed mob in Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh while escorting an accused involved in major burglary cases in Goa to a court for transit remand. The police team, however, managed to secure the custody of 38-year-old Hirasingh Bamniya, who was arrested in connection with multiple high-value housebreaking cases in the State, and brought him to Goa. THE BURGLARIES A resident had filed a police complaint on January 23 stating that his flat at Devashri Greens, Porvorim, was burgled sometime between January 6 and January 22. Gold ornaments and cash worth approximately Rs 6 lakh had been stolen from his flat. Porvorim police registered a case in this connection. Mapusa police had also registered a case in connection HOW THE ATTACK OCCURRED PORVORIM: As the arrest formalities were completed at the Bori police station, the Goa Police team proceeded to the JMFC Jobat Court, about 20 kms from the Bori Police Station, to obtain a transit remand. While the accused was being taken to the JMFC Jobat Court under police escort along with an ASI of Bori Police Station, the police vehicle was allegedly intercepted and attacked by a mob armed with weapons such as koitas and dandas, in an unsuccessful attempt to forcibly free the accused. The police vehicle sustained damage during the incident. The police team sustained minor injuries, but retaliated and managed to keep the accused in custody. They safely moved away from the spot until local police reinforcements arrived. >Continued on P7 with a burglary at two flats in Prudential Palms, Mapusa. While jewellery worth Rs 12 lakh had been stolen from one flat, gold ornaments worth Rs 23 lakhs were stolen from the other flat. THE ARREST During investigations, police found out that the ac- cused involved in the two cases are residents of Alirajpur District, Madhya Pradesh. A team from the Porvorim and Mapusa police station was deputed to Madhya Pradesh for further investigation. The team coordinated with the SP of Alirajpur District, >Continued on P7 Govt finally ends extended tenure AHEAD OF 2027 ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS… of PWD principal chief engineer Cong opens doors for its ‘lost flock’, but not defectors NAMES CHODNEKAR TO HOLD ADDITIONAL CHARGE THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Under mounting judicial pressure, the State government on Friday allowed the superannuation of Public Works Department (PWD) Principal Chief Engineer Uttam Parsekar, who had been serving on his third consecutive extension. Parsekar’s extended tenure formally ends on January 31. In an order issued on Friday, the government appointed Ad-hoc Chief Engineer Sandip Chodnekar to hold the additional charge of Principal Chief Engineer with effect from February 1, following Parsekar’s superannuation. Chodnekar will continue to discharge his existing duties along with the additional responsibility. Parsekar, aged 64, was granted his third extension in February 2025 for a period of one year, allowing him to continue in office nearly three years after reaching the age of retirement. The government’s decision comes in the backdrop of legal challenges mounted by nearly 16 PWD engineers, who have approached the High Court questioning the grant of successive service extensions to Parsekar. In their petition, the engineers have alleged abuse of discretion by the State government, contending that the latest extension, which was valid till January 31, 2026, lacked any exceptional or compelling justification. The petitioners have further argued that the extensions were in violation of a High Court judgment dated >Continued on P7 THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI ounding the bugle for the 2027 Assembly elections, the Congress party has appealed to its own leaders who had quit or distanced themselves due to internal differences to return and strengthen the party, while drawing a firm red line against defectors, whom it said will have no place in the organisation. At the same time, the Congress, what it terms as organisational revolution, has thrown open its doors to young leaders, workers and aspirants, urging them to S CONG’S UNITY CALL BEFORE THE POLL „„Urges leaders who quit or distanced themselves to return and strengthen the party „„Opens doors for young leaders, workers, and aspirants to step forward and apply for tickets step forward, apply for tickets and emerge as the face of a renewed political fight against the BJP. Addressing the media after a meeting with All India Congress Committee (AICC) lead- „„Emphasizes renewal and fresh political fight against BJP „„Upcoming municipal polls seen as opportunity for youth and aspirants to prove winnability „„Feels recent local elecers in New Delhi, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar said that with nearly 11 months left for the polls, party appeals to citizens who see themselves as Congress ticket aspirants -- in- tions indicate grassroots support for Congress „„ALLIANCE: Patkar says Cong follows a collective decision making process involving booth workers, district panels, State leaders and high command cluding party workers, leaders and like-minded individuals -- to approach the party and submit application forms. “Let them join the party and work for the party. The upcoming municipal elections will be an opportunity for them to prove their winnability, especially for the youth, whom we strongly appeal to come forward,” he said. “I appeal all those, who left us on bitter note or have kept themselves away from party due to internal differences or any other reasons, to come back and help party to put a strong fight against BJP in 2027 elections,” he said while maintaining that AICC leader Rahul Gandhi has made it clear that defectors will have no place in the organization. Calling for unity, Patkar urged all Goans to come >Continued on P7