log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline MONDAY MARCH 9, 2026 GOA The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 12 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 260 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 5 2 TOTAL DOMINATION! Protest grows against aviation hub on Quitol-Betul plateau >> pg 8 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA INFO Tivim comunidade faces heat over ‘ `  2.50 per sq m’ land deal 1 Understanding flatulence: Root causes and effective prevention P’yat by-polls record 77.21 p.c. turnout MAPUSA: Villagers of Anjuna–Caisua strongly opposed any proposed zone changes under Section 39A involving eco-sensitive land, agricultural land and wetlands during the gram sabha on Sunday. The gram sabha resolved that the panchayat should formally inform the concerned department.  >> See pg 2 Parra to get ‘fit street’ & ‘art street’ MAPUSA: In a departure from routine civic works, the village of Parra in North Goa is set to blend fitness, art and infrastructure in a single development plan, with the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation proposing a ‘Fit Street’ and an ‘Art Street’ as part of a Rs 4.10-crore project for the panchayat area.  >> See pg 5 2 killed as ship rams trawler KOCHI: Two crew members of a fishing boat were killed after a ship rammed their vessel off the Kollam coast, police officials said on Sunday. The bodies of the deceased were recovered by the coast guard. Kerala church slams govt on liquor shops KOLLAM: The Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference, on Sunday criticised the state government over the rising number of liquor outlets and alleged inaction against alcoholism and drug abuse. WEATHER >> Max: 33.5 C Min: 22.2 C Humidity: 85% TIDES Low: High: 04:57 16:55 10:53 23:27 11 3-year power purchase bill to touch `  ,800 cr 6 THE GOAN I NETWORK IN SHORT >> Anjuna opposes 39A zone changes Lakshya’s run ends in All England final ASSEMBLY DATA HIGHLIGHTS STATE’S GROWING DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY Iran war, oil surge, FIIs, US jobs data, technical signals to decide D-Street course PANAJI: The byelection to 14 vacant village panchayat wards registered a strong voter turnout of 77.21 per cent on Sunday. According to Goa State Election Commission officials, 4,935 votes were cast from a total electorate of 6,392. Polling was conducted between 8 am and 5 in the evening.  >> See pg 5 9 SPORTS CHAMPS IN STYLE: India crushed New Zealand by a massive 96 runs in a one-sided final at the roaring Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Sanju Samson was named Player of 2026 T20 World Cup.  ( Report on pg 12) TEAM INDIA’S HISTORIC FEAT India has become the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cups and the first side to claim three T20 World Cup titles overall in the tournament’s history. They are also the first team to lift a T20 World Cup trophy on home soil. Jasprit Bumrah, with a brilliant four-wicket haul, now holds the record for most wickets by a pace bowler in T20 World Cup history with 40 wickets, surpassing Lasith Malinga’s previous tally of 38 wickets. SANJU SAMSON SCRIPTS HISTORY Sanju Samson smashed 89 in the 2026 T20 World Cup final, the highest individual score ever in a T20 World Cup final, surpassing Marlon Samuels’ 85 in 2016 and Kane Williamson’s 86 in 2021. The innings also marked Samson’s third successive 50-plus score in the tournament. With this feat, he became only the third player to score fifties in both the semifinal and final of a T20 World Cup, after Shahid Afridi (2009) and Virat Kohli (2014). SHARMA’S 18-BALL 50 SILENCES CRITICS Abhishek Sharma chose the biggest stage to deliver one of the most memorable knocks of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final. The young opener smashed a stunning half-century in just 18 balls, the fastest of the tournament, giving India early momentum and sending the crowd into a frenzy. After a relatively quiet run earlier in the competition, Abhishek finally found his moment. The landmark moment came when he pulled Jacob Duffy for a boundary to reach his fifty. Early morning walk turns nightmare for UK tourist MAULED BY STRAY DOGS AT CAVELOSSIM BEACH THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO Incidents of stray dog attacks have resurfaced along the Cavelossim–Mobor beach stretch, raising concerns among the panchayat and tourism stakeholders in one of South Goa’s most prominent resort belts. A British tourist became the latest victim when he was attacked by a pack of five to six stray dogs during an early morning walk on the beach. The incident occurred around 7 am, when the visitor was strolling along an isolated stretch of the shoreline. The injured tourist was rushed to a private hospital in Margao, where he is currently undergoing treatment for multiple wound injuries. According to local authorities, he remains in a state of shock and is expected to take several weeks to fully recover. Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz confirmed the incident, stating that dog bite cases have begun to rise again in the Cavelossim–Mobor Dog bite injuries sustained by the British tourist. beach belt. “The tourist was attacked by dogs two days ago when he was on his morning walk. He was immediately taken to a private hospital and received treatment,” Vaz said. The Sarpanch visited the injured tourist at the hospital and expressed concern over the incident. “It is unfortunate that something like this happens when someone is on holiday. The guest is still in shock,” he said, assuring that the panchayat would take up the matter with the government. Vaz pointed out that similar incidents were reported last year, prompting coordinated efforts between the village panchayat and local hoteliers to address the problem in certain areas. “Last year we had several dog bite cases, but after intervention from the panchayat and support from hoteliers, we managed to control the issue in one particular area. However, this latest incident occurred in a more isolated stretch of the beach where dogs appear to target early morning visitors,” he explained. Authorities are now exploring ways to identify and isolate the aggressive animals. The panchayat, Vaz added, has already written to the Tourism Department seeking assistance in tackling the stray dog menace, but no concrete support has been forthcoming so far. Indian among two killed after projectile falls in Saudi Arabia PTI DUBAI Two people were killed and 12 others injured after a projectile fell on a residential location in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, the Saudi authorities said. The Saudi Civil Defense official, in a statement, said that the two killed include an Indian and a Bangladeshi national. The incident occurred earlier in the day when a projectile hit the residential compound in the Al-Kharj city. “The official spokesperson for Civil Defense stated that Civil Defense responded to the fall of a military projectile on a residential location in AlKharj Governorate. The incident resulted in the death of two individuals of Indian and Bangladeshi nationalities, and injuries to 12 Bangladeshi residents,” the Saudi authorities said. The authorities are yet to release the identity of the victims. The Saudi spokesperson further said that the attempts to target civilian facilities constitute a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. PANAJI With negligible internal power generation, the State government will spend a massive Rs 6,805.6 crore on purchasing electricity over the next three financial years to meet Goa’s growing demand, according to information tabled on the floor of the House. The data shows that the State will spend Rs 2,178.95 cr on power purchase in 2026-27. The expenditure is projected to rise to Rs 2,266.39 cr in 202728 and further to Rs 2,366.26 crore in 2028-29, reflecting a steady increase in electricity spending. A major portion of the expenditure -- over 70 per cent will go towards buying power from central generating stations, while the rest will be spent on renewable energy procurement. Only a marginal share comes from internal power sources. In 2026–27, Goa will pay Rs 1,558.39 cr to central generating units and Rs 495.11 cr towards renewable power purchase. In 2027-28, power purchase from central units HOUSE INFO ON POWER SPEND „„Power purchase to rise from Rs 2,178.95 cr in 2026–27 to Rs 2,266.39 cr in 2027–28 and Rs 2,366.26 cr in 2028–29 „„Over 70% of electricity to be sourced from central generating stations „„Renewable power purchase pegged at Rs 495.11 cr annually during the three years „„Spending on central sector power projected at Rs 1,558.39 cr (2026–27), Rs 1,605.14 cr (2027–28) and Rs 1,633.29 cr (2028–29) „„Internal power generation remains low but rises from Rs 125.45 cr to Rs 166.14 cr and Rs 211.85 cr over the three years is pegged at Rs 1,605.14 cr, with another Rs 495.11 cr earmarked for renewable energy -- a figure expected to remain unchanged in 2028–29. The State will spend Rs 1,633.29 cr on central sector power in that year. Spending on internal power generation sources remains comparatively low, projected at Rs 125.45 cr in 2026–27, Rs 166.14 cr in 2027–28 and Rs 211.85 cr in 2028–29. Despite the rising power purchase bill, the government continues to generate signifi- cant revenue through electricity sales. In the current financial year, the State has already spent around Rs 1,473 cr on purchasing power till December, while earning Rs 2,490.36 cr through power sales. Similarly, in the previous year, the State earned Rs 2,970 cr from electricity sales against a total power purchase expenditure of Rs 1,980 cr. The government had increased electricity tariffs by four per cent in October last >Continued on P7 Shot in the arm for women; govt rolls out health drive FREE CHECK-UPS FOR ALL WOMEN AGED 40 AND ABOVE TILL THE MONTH-END THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday announced the launch of a month-long preventive health check-up campaign titled “Checked by Doctor” for women across Goa, aimed at promoting early screening and prioritising women’s health. The initiative will run from March 8 to March 31 and will offer free health check-ups for women aged 40 years and above at all government hospitals in the State. Launching the campaign, the Chief Minister said that women often play a central role in maintaining the well-being of their families but tend to ignore their own health while balancing family and work responsibilities. “With the vision of  ‘A check-up for the one who ‘CHECKED BY DOCTOR’ CAMPAIGN „„Free check-ups for women at all govt hospitals „„Campaign period: March 8 to March 31 „„Focus on encouraging women to prioritise preventive health, early screening „„Primary health screening tests to be conducted „„Test reports to be available within 1–2 days „„Manipal Hospitals & Apollo Hospitals also offering same tests at subsidised rates of Rs 1,400–Rs 1,500 (usual cost around Rs 5,000) „„Aim is early detection of health issues and better health outcomes for women checks on everyone’, this initiative seeks to encourage women across the State to prioritise preventive health and undergo early screening,” Sawant said. He also urged men to actively support the initiative by encouraging and accom- panying women in their families -- whether mothers, sisters, wives or daughters, to attend the health camps and take care of their health. “A healthy woman builds a healthy family and a strong- >Continued on P7 Battle for CCP control peaks Govt eyes khazan land revival, plans year-long study KEY FINDINGS OF TERI REPORT as campaigning ends today THE GOAN I NETWORK CANDIDATES INTENSIFY DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The battle for control of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has intensified with candidates making frantic doortodoor visits to voters on Sunday. Campaigning will officially close at 5 pm on Monday. Goa State Election Commission officials said March 10 will be observed as a “silent period.” Candidates may continue house visits but without supporters, posters, or flags. Polling will be held across 30 booths in Panaji and parts of Taleigao on March 11 from 8 am to 5 pm. Counting of votes is scheduled for March 13, at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium. The results will decide the composition of the 30member civic body and could set the tone for Panaji’s governance and politics ahead of next year’s assembly election. With the campaign entering its final phase, both panels and independent candidates are leaving no stone unturned to secure voter support. The outcome is expected to be closely watched, given the highprofile nature of the contest and the stakes involved in the capital city. Meanwhile, the Ami Panjekar group led by Utpal Parrikar, released its “Commitments 2026” manifesto for CCP elections. It highlights proposals to strengthen city infrastructure, implement traffic solutions, do away with pay parking, enhance transparency and accountability in Panaji’s civic administration. PANAJI he State government has informed the House that it will undertake a yearlong feasibility study to assess the revival potential of Goa’s traditional khazan lands after a preliminary assessment by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) identified select sites suitable for restoration through science-backed interventions. As per the preliminary study conducted by TERI in January this year -- the report which was placed on the Floor of the House by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant -- the upstream khazan fields at Poinguinim retain near-natural freshwater T „„Upstream khazan fields at Poinguinim retain near-natural freshwater conditions „„These areas most suitable for immediate revitalisation efforts „„Amona & Virdi (Bicholim) khazans in a transitional ecological state „„Have strong restoration potential with proper hydraulic controls and water conditions, making them the most suitable locations for immediate revitalisation efforts. The study further notes that management „„Downstream khazan areas in Batim (Tiswadi) and Poinguinim have turned marine-dominated, not suitable for revival „„Recommends land use khazans in Amona and Virdi in Bicholim taluka, are in a transitional ecological state, offering strong potential for and land cover mapping to study historical abandonment patterns „„Calls for soil health and crop productivity assessment under varying salinity levels restoration if proper hydraulic controls and water management systems are introduced. However, the report cau- tions that downstream khazan areas in Batim in Tiswadi and Poinguinim have undergone ecological conversion into marine-dominated systems, making them unsuitable for revival of freshwater-based khazan agriculture. “Way forward recommendation would be to perform Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) map to understand the historical pattern of abandonment of the active khazans, and revitalization of passive khazans in the existing and broader talukas, along with a critical investigation of soil health and crop productivity under varied salinity conditions,” TERI said in the report. >Continued on P7