Parrikar’s Punch!
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar seems to be shrewder than anyone anticipated as can be seen by his smart policies of governance. He has made the opposition and his detractors clueless on how to counter his growing influence with the people. His various schemes have moved the people to the extent that Parrikar has become a popular household name today.
Goans are fortunate to have cheaper petrol, frozen LPG price, various schemes for women, seafarer’s enhanced pension and a host of other welfare schemes which seem to unfolding as days pass. The Chief Minister has shrewdly managed to shuffle the state’s finances to the people’s welfare as well which was never seen earlier. People seem to have a few reasons to complain about the government’s performance and they seem to be waiting with bated breath about the schemes to be announced on August 15.
If we have got the good news so far, the bad news might be still to come to increase the state’s revenue to bridge in the gap in the budget deficit. We hope Parrikar‘s magic does wonders to Goa without burdening the common man with additional taxes and increased tariffs! Allwyn George, Carmona
Flouting fishing rules
It is now in the news, that fishing vessels take off from Goan jetties for fishing activities without proper safety equipments such as life jackets, GPS etc. These are mandatory rules for all the vessels navigating at high seas. The MMD (Mercantile Marine Dept) in fact is the authority to inspect or give permission for venturing at high seas but not the officials from the Goa Government or any other agency. I am very surprised how the MMD is silent. I understand that the Coast Guard is the organization to get in touch for such rescue operation.
It is better the MMD and the Coast Guard takes initiative to punish such vessels that leave the shore without the safety equipment and permission and give them an appropriate punishment with fines. Estevam Dias, Dona Paula
Mining v/s Water
The battle is now on between mining greed (which is devastating Goa’s Environment) v/s the thing we take for granted until it becomes a real crisis - water. Goans, particularly the complacent ones, please think long and hard on which side you want to support. The latest I heard is that indiscriminate mining has scored some points against water by polluting the Selaulim Dam, which provides water to a big amount of Goa's population. Arwin Mesquita, UAE
Library timings
The District library timing should be extended for the general public. The Art and Culture Ministry has spent crores of rupees to establish the district library in Navelim, South Goa.
However, it is very pathetic to note that there are very few regular visitors to this library.
There are many people who want to visit the library and read the literature after office hours. However, the district library gets closed by 7 p. m. Since there is good amount spent for the collection of books, and to ensure that the working class make the best use of these collection, the library timings should be extended at least till 9.p.m. Riddhi Raikar, Margao
Quo vadis Goa ?
The recent item “Industrial scene in Goa not very encouraging” is perhaps a very encouraging development in a rather depressing situation, that is looming over Goa.
What has the so-called industrial development of Goa, done for Goa and the niz-goenkars? The state has been devastated. Our lands are given away to all and sundry and the age-old and most scientific form of community land management called communidade has been destroyed for petty gains.
Our people and our leaders must introspect on this issue and ask themselves, “quo vadis” (where are we heading) ? Dr. Rozario Menezes, Vasco da Gama
