I was appalled at the call given by the BJP for the ‘Bharat Bandh’ on May 31. Moreover, when it was forcefully implemented by the activist and supporters of the ruling party in Goa. The Bandh paralyzed the State. What did this bandh achieve, except for a deserted look everywhere, inconveniencing the aam admi and causing a great loss to the State exchequer?
This allowed vendors, especially of essential commodities to raise the prices. And the Bandh observed to protest the petrol price rise by the ruling party at the centre, became a pretext to increase on other essential items. Who won the Assembly elections Parrikar, the people or your party? Goa awaits your answer.
John Rebello, Old Goa / Bahrain
Clean up Mapuça
Our honourable Chief Minister has been talking of zero corruption. He should probe how constructions are done in his home city of Mapuça –who are the authorities permitting builders to construct, and the elected representatives around who have received kickbacks to allow buildings to be constructed without following proper rules laid down by the Government from time to time. Looking at the way buildings are being constructed, there is no need for a high level judicial enquiry Politicians have been gifted with shops and flats etc. In some cases there is no space left around the building and the building is touching the main road.
There are many cases where residential areas are allowed for commercial purposes. Every one is aware of this but no one wants to take any action. Let our Chief Minister, if he has the guts and honesty, clean up Mapuça first before he goes to clean Margao. Let his words match with his behaviour.
Sandhya Bhave, Assonora
Cheap publicity?
This refers to the news report ‘ Apology sought from Aamir Khan…’ (Herald June 3, 2012) about a demand for apology from Aamir Khan for insulting the medical fraternity made by the President of the Goa Medical Council (GMC) appears more of a sign of nervousness, or an attempt to seek cheap publicity. ‘Satyameva Jayate’ is a well researched TV show and attempts to tell both sides of the story.
In fact Aamir Khan has been kind in stopping short of using the popular term 'medical terrorism'. What is the reason for the GMC to take personal offence at what was a general debate? What is the GMC attempting to cover up? We are glad that Aamir Khan's TV show has made the public aware about this widespread medical fraud which has been kept under wraps for several years. Those who are not guilty have no reason to feel uncomfortable with such a programme.
Soter D'Souza, Socorro
Petrol rollback
The rollback of petrol by Rs.2.02 is a bad joke on the people of this country. It also gives us an insight on the working of the Petroleum ministry. It is said - beggars cannot be choosers. Today even beggars do not happily except two rupees.
And if they do except it, the look you are given is far from one of gratitude. As for being choosers, we definitely can choose the government we want come election time. Having said that, the government is running the Petroleum ministry like a Pann- Patti shop. Sorry, even the Pann Patti shops are more efficient.
DC Dias, Taleigao
Touristy trash
The government is supposedly cleaning our roadsides of plastic and trash. But where does it come from? A few days back, a car bearing Maharastra threw out sandals on the CHOGM road .On several occasions I have seen cans, rags, water bottles and garbage being thrown out of moving cars most of them from tourists. In Mahableshwar, vehicles entering have to pay a cess. Considering the fact that tourists dirty the roads besides littering beaches and even defecating on them, it would be wise to levy a fee on vehicles entering the State. That may even help the smuggling of petrol away from Goa due to the cost difference.
Eric Pinto, Alto Porvorim
Water rebate
Our water taps went dry suddenly from mid March to end May. We were assured of getting water supply within few days at a meeting held in April. But assurances failed A new pipe line was laid and supply was restored only in the last week of May to a section of the affected locality, while the other section was neglected and deprived of water. Our newly elected village panch, Steve Albuquerque was requested to look into our grievance.
He took up the matter with the PWD. Water supply was finally restored on June 2 much to the delight of the people.
However, the PWD must not charge the consumers for the period when it could not provide us water. Hope the PWD will take note and waive off the water charges to the affected consumers of the locality in our village.
Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo
Welcome decision
The decision taken by our Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Vigilance Department to probe into the recruitment undertaken especially in Health Department by previous government, ahead of the recently concluded Assembly Elections is a welcome decision. This is in response to the action of the youths who a staged dharna in front of official residence of Chief Minister. The government should thoroughly probe into recruitment process and bring culprits to book for the mess created and playing with the future of our youth. Also, the allegation made by St. Andre MLA Vishnu Surya Wagh that the maximum number of candidates selected to Health Department were in majority from the former Health Minister’s constituency needs to be investigated. I
Recruitment undertaken by other departments during the same time should also be investigated by the Government either through anti-corruption branch of Vigilance department or by Lokayukta as and when it is formed. Our government and Chief Minister should look into this matter in the interest of our youth.
Praveen Narayan Shanbhag, Chimbel
Voluntary bandh?
While the all-India bandh called by the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Left parties on May 31 in protest against the petrol price hike evoked a mixed response in the rest of the country, in Goa it was a near-total bandh. Goans have had a reduction in the price of petrol because of the abolition of VAT on petrol by the state government. Hence the response to the bandh in Goa should have been partial instead of being near total. Bandhs are used by political parties to flex their muscles and as a show strength. In the bargain it is the common man who gets affected. Even though the BJP in the state declared that it would be a voluntary bandh, the ground reality was different. Party cadres were forcibly asking the business establishment to close shops and the buses to stay off the roads. The bandh brought hardship to people, especially the tourists and a loss to the business community. Whether this sacrifice will bear fruit, by way of a roll-back in the price of petrol, remains to be seen.
