log on to thegoan.net FRIDAY MARCH 20, 2026 GOA @thegoanonline Second-hand car boom in India: What buyers should know Nissan Gravite: India’s most affordable 7-seater? IN SHORT >> HSSCE results on March 21 PANAJI: The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education on Thursday announced that the results of the Higher Secondary School Certificate examination will be declared on March 21 at 5 pm. A total of 17,283 students appeared for the examination, which was conducted between February 10 - 27 across 20 centres in the state. The results would be available on the official website --http:// results.gbshsegoa.net. Delta Corp, affiliate get GST notice PANAJI: The Goa government has issued a Goods and Service Tax (GST) notice for an amount of Rs 1,752.38 crore to Delta Corp Limited and its subsidiary Highstreet Cruises and Entertainment for the financial year 2022-23. The notices allege short payment of GST, primarily on the basis of the estimated gross bet value of all games played at the casinos during the period.  >> See pg 5 K’taka pushes for Mhadei project BELAGAVI: Karnataka has intensified efforts to secure central government's approval for the long-pending Mhadei Water Diversion Project and other key irrigation initiatives, aiming to break a prolonged deadlock caused by interstate disputes and legal hurdles. Earlier this week, a high-level legal consultation was convened at Karnataka Bhavan to discuss the matter.  >> See pg 7 Fire destroys cashew, coconut plantations VALPOI: A fire caused extensive damage to cashew and coconut plantations in Kumthole area of Sattari taluka, causing extensive damage. Locals suspect the fire had been deliberately set rather than accidental. They pointed out that burn patterns at multiple spots indicate intentional ignition.  >> See pg 2 WEATHER >> Max: Min: Humidity: 33.5 C 24.1 C 80% TIDES Low: 05.30 17.45 High: 11.54 23.41 The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 14 pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME XI, NO. 271 2 Naqueri blast fallout lingers as Hughes eyes return Page 8 Facebook.com/thegoan GOA Farmers fume as wild boars damage crops in Nagvem, Cacora 5 M LIFE The happiness puzzle no one can solve   BJP NAMES RAVI NAIK’S SON AS ITS CANDIDATE   AAP FIELDS BHANDARI SAMAJ LEADER GEETESH THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The stage is set for the upcoming by-election in Ponda, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announcing their candidates ahead of the April 9 poll. The BJP named Ritesh Naik as its candidate, banking on continuity after the demise of sitting MLA and Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, whose death on October 15, 2025 necessitated the by-election. Ritesh, the son of the late leader, emerged as the frontrunner along with Vishwanath Dalvi, with both names forwarded to the party’s national leadership before a final decision was taken. A former chairperson of the Ponda Municipal Council, Ritesh joined the BJP in 2020 along with his brother Roy Naik and has since remained active in grassroots politics, including spearheading campaigns during the Zilla Panchayat elections and man- RGP KEEPS ITS OPTIONS OPEN MAPUSA: With the Ponda by-poll scheduled for April 9 gathering momentum, the political landscape in Goa is heating up, even as the regional Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) continues to keep its cards close to its chest. While three national parties – BJP, Congress and AAP – have already announced their candidates, the RGP is yet to take a final call on whether it will enter the fray. MGP, the oldest regional party in the State has already decided to back the BJP candidate in the byelections. RGP's lone MLA, Viresh Borkar, said that internal consultations are underway and a decision is expected soon following a crucial core committee meeting scheduled for Friday. >> See pg 2 aging his father’s political office. Soon after the announcement, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant congratulated Ritesh, expressing confidence in his leadership. “Congratulations to Ritesh Ravi Naik on his nomination as the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate for the Ponda Assembly by-election. I am confident that, with dedication, humility and commitment to development, he will work tirelessly to serve the people of Ponda and further strengthen the vision of progress, stability and good governance. The Bharatiya Janata Party remains committed to the welfare of every citizen and to the continued development of Goa,” Sawant said. The Congress, meanwhile, has opted for Ketan Bhatikar as its candidate. AICC gen- ON PAGE 2 South Goa collector orders strict monitoring of poll expenses Senior citizens (85+), PwDs can vote from home First randomisation of EVMs, VVPATs completed eral secretary K C Venugopal confirmed the decision after consultations within the party’s state election committee. A physiotherapist by profession, Bhatikar recently joined the Congress after parting ways with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. The AAP has fielded social worker and Bhandari Samaj leader, Geetesh Naik, who joined the party earlier this week in the presence of its national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and other senior leaders. 6 SPORTS Europe's elite teams lay bare EPL limits in last-16 exits ONLY 6,500 HOUSEHOLDS CURRENTLY USE PNG THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI Even as the Centre pushes for a rapid shift to piped natural gas (PNG) amid the ongoing LPG supply constraints, the rollout of City Gas Distribution (CGD) in Goa continues to hit roadblocks despite incentives and ready infrastructure on the ground. In a bid to attract consumers, Goa Natural Gas Pvt Ltd (GNGPL) has waived the Rs 500 registration fee and slashed security deposits by over 50 per cent for small and medium hotels. Yet, adoption remains sluggish, with only 6,500 households currently using PNG even as pipelines have already reached around 100 housing societies and thousands of homes. GNGPL, a joint venture of GAIL Gas and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), is authorised to supply piped gas in North Goa and Ponda, with a target of 10,000 active consumers in the short term and an annual 45-day LPG booking gap leaves State’s ‘gramin’ pockets reeling PANAJI: Even as the government moves to steady fuel supplies amid escalating tensions in West Asia, a quieter but more acute crisis has taken hold in parts of Goa, where residents in at least four villages are waiting as long as 45 days merely to book a cooking gas refill. In Ponchavadi, pockets of Usgao, Sancoale and Pernem, the rhythms of daily life have begun to bend around uncertainty. Outside LPG agencies, queues stretch and tempers fray, as residents return repeatedly, hoping for an opening in a system that allows bookings only through OTPs or mobile applications. The disruption, officials said, is less from scarcity than from classification.  >> See pg 3 addition of 1,000 users. However, progress on the ground tells a different story. Data shows that nearly 1,200 households have already installed meters but have not activated their connections. Reasons range from concerns over charges and deposits to lack of awareness and complications in rented premises. The gap between infrastructure and actual usage is even starker at the community level. Of the 100 “gassified” housing societies in Tiswadi and Ponda, 3,603 meters have been installed, but only 2,366 consumers are active against a potential of 6,884 connections. >Continued on P9 `5,790 CRORE PROJECT: THE ROAD AHEAD „„To be developed under Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Transfer model „„Company to pay Rs 108 crore upfront fee „„Execution through a Special Purpose Vehicle „„Project awarded on 60-year concession period „„Spread over 2.84 lakh sq mts government leasehold land „„Includes Convention Centre, hotel & allied facilities „„Will feature convention, hospitality, retail, and commercial spaces „„To host up to 5,000 delegates Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) framework. “The company is required to pay a one-time upfront fee of Rs 108 crore and will execute the project through a special purpose vehicle, subject to definitive agreements and conditions,” sources said. The firm is a prominent Indian real estate development company. It focuses on residential, commercial, and retail projects, primarily in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). The project will be developed on a 2.84 lakh sq mtrs of leasehold land parcel belonging to the government, through a long-term concession of 60 years and will >Continued on P9 THE GOAN I NETWORK MAPUSA A noticeable dip in fish availability across Goa’s markets has sparked concern among consumers, with multiple factors -- from seasonal changes to operational challenges -contributing to the shortfall. While the end of the peak fishing season remains the primary reason, stakeholders say a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has compounded the situation, affecting fishing operations. With fish forming a staple part of the Goan diet, the reduced supply has begun to reflect both at landing points and in local markets. Inquiries with fishing associations, boat owners and traders reveal a complex interplay of natural and logistical issues behind the decline. President of the All Goa 14 Goa’s beaches among most toxic on West Coast: NIO PAHs in pellets alarming compared to Karnataka, Maharashtra, says study THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI The beaches in Goa have emerged as some of the most contaminated along India’s western coastline, with significantly high levels of toxic hydrocarbons found on microplastics, according to a study by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO). The study, which analysed samples from 14 beaches along the Eastern Arabian Sea coast covering Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka, found that “the concentrations of 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pellets were 1.9–29,500 ng/g in Goa,” the highest among the regions studied. In comparison, the study noted that levels ranged between 0.6–22,900 ng/g in Mumbai and 0.8–21,400 ng/g in Karnataka, placing Goa at the upper end of contamination. The study is been undertaken by scientists including P Gupta, M Saha, C Rathore, V Suneel, J de Boer and A Garg. Explaining the findings, the study stated that “pellets KEY FINDINGS OF THE STUDY „„Study covers 14 beaches (Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka) „„Goa has highest PAHs in pellets (1.9–29,500 ng/g) „„Mumbai has 0.6– 22,900 ng/g while Karnataka has 0.8–21,400 ng/g „„Pellets show higher PAHs (small size, large surface, longer exposure) „„Goa has moderate (1–1,500 ng/g) of microplastic fragments „„Pollution sources were a mix of combustion, petroleum spills, pyrolytic „„Microplastics act as pollutant carriers consistently exhibited higher PAH loads, likely due to their smaller size, greater surface area, and prolonged environmental exposure,” making them more effective carriers of toxic pollutants. For microplastic fragments, Goa recorded moderate contamination levels, with “16 PAHs ranging from 1–1,500 ng/g”, lower than Karnataka but higher than Mumbai, indicating differing pollution behaviour across microplastic types. The researchers observed that “4–6 ring PAHs dominated”, pointing to high-temperature processes such as combustion. The study fur- ther added that “diagnostic ratios indicated a combination of pyrolytic, petroleum spills, and combustion activities,” highlighting multiple human-induced pollution sources along the coast. The study raised concern over ecological risks, noting that “PAH was higher than TEL (threshold effect level) and ERL (effects range low), indicating a probable occasional biological impact.” However, it clarified that ‘lower PAH levels than PEL and ERM suggest no significant adverse effects on marine or human ecosystems’ Piped gas push in Goa hits Lean season affects fish catch, a wall despite incentives gas crunch dents trawler Ops Mumbai-based firm bags bid, receives ‘Letter of Award’ PANAJI umbai-based Valor Estate Limited -formerly D B Realty Limited, has bagged the bid of the State’s ambitious Rs 5,790 crore International Convention Centre-cum-Convention Hotel project at Dona Paula. Sources informed that Valor Estate Limited has received a Letter of Award from the department of public private partnership (PPP) for the development of an International Convention Centre, Convention Hotel, and associated facilities under the Design, RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 Ponda by-poll: Battle lines drawn; Opposition divided Finally, convention centre takes a big leap! THE GOAN I NETWORK Instagram.com/thegoanonline KEY FACTORS AFFECTING FISH CATCH „„End of fishing season „„Climatic, environmental changes „„Shortage of LPG, boats stranded at jetties „„Operational disruptions at sea „„Unsustainable practices (LED light fishing) „„Possible overfishing / resource depletion Fishing Boat Owners Association (AGFBOA), Jose Philip D’Souza, said that while some operators have been hit by the shortage of cooking gas, many have improvised to keep their boats operational. “Fishing cannot come to a standstill. We have labourers depending on us. In the absence of gas cylinders, some of us have started using diesel-run stoves onboard,” D’Souza said, adding that diesel is readily available as boats typically carry sufficient fuel for extended voyages. He, however, maintained that the gas shortage alone does not explain the reduced fish catch. “The season is coming to an end, and there are also climatic changes. These factors have contributed to the decline,” he said. A different perspective was offered by Harshad Dhond, >Continued on P9 >Continued on P9 Gulf on edge as Iran attacks world’s biggest gas hub in Qatar PTI DUBAI In a dangerous escalation, Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars and Asaluyeh gas fields ignited a swift response with Tehran launching missiles at Qatar’s Ras Laffan, the globe’s biggest LNG facility. Early Thursday morning, Qatar Energy issued a statement that sent shockwaves through already-rattled global energy markets. As tensions in the US–Israel–Iran conflict escalated, the war took a dramatic turn on March 19 when Iran targeted Qatar’s key energy infrastructure. Qatar Energy, the country’s largest energy company, confirmed that Ras Laffan Industrial City, which is home to the world’s biggest LNG facilities and the Pearl Gas-to-Liquids (plant, was hit by missiles.