For most residents of Margao walking along any street has become a very scary affair. A large number of stray dogs residing in every nook and corner of the city terrorise pedestrians.
A leading newspaper reported that in 2011, every month, around 1,205 persons were treated for dog bites. In comparison, there were 1,042 dog bite cases reported every month in 2010. The trend clearly shows a steady rise in dog bites. What are we doing about this? Are we as citizens not entitled to walk on the streets without the fear of being bitten?
The government needs to look at this matter very seriously. Laws need to be enacted to severely punish people who abandon pets. Laws need to be introduced to permit rounding up of these strays, and if homes are not found for them they need to be put to sleep (as was done in the past).
Any money available to treat and feed strays can be much better utilised feeding the poor.
We have a right to move freely across our cities without fear of being attacked. It is high time something is done.
Faye X Colaco, Margao
Regulation for builders
The Builders Regulation Bill from 1983 to 2011 has failed to get approval. This has led to mass destruction of Goan land and exploitation of flat owners by notorious developers. The BJP in its manifesto stated that the problems faced by flat owners would be resolved by appropriate legislation. The government has already amended some Bills; many new policies are being implemented in Goa. The last Goa Real Estate Bill 2011 was laid to rest by the Congress government. The dishonest developers in Goa do not carry out transfer of land and are well known for irregularities. In a building in the sixth ward of Margao Muncipal Council the developers sold garages to business houses which are being used as commercial establishments. Numerous complaints were given in vain to MMC. We expect an early implementation of a bill to regulate builders and developers to put end to police involvement or engagement in endless legal battles.
James Moraes, Cuncolim
A better way
Tiatr Academy Goa (TAG) has formulated a scheme to videograph the performances of tiatrs to be staged at the 38th Tiatr Competition organized by Kala Academy Goa. There are 30 tiatrs in all participating in this year’s competition which began on September 24.
Last year, the performances of only six to seven tiatrs were of a high standard. This year too same thing will happen.
TAG must be spending some thousands of rupees to videograph each performance. It will be a futile activity of videographing 30 performances, the majority of which will be below standard, and yet will be preserved in the TAG Library. TAG should preserve something that is good and of high quality.
Therefore, instead of wasting government money on videographing poor quality tiatrs, it will prudent of TAG to re-stage the award winning three or four tiatrs and videograph it to preserve for posterity.
Joaquim Rodrigues, Assagao
Advantage Congress?
The Congress has been quick to take ‘advantage’ of the suicide of Dattatreya Bhave. It’s a golden opportunity for the Congress to try and tarnish the image of the BJP. It’s a case of the kettle calling the Pot black. The extreme step taken by Bhave is unfortunate; his family must be struggling to cope up with this sudden grief. I request Sudip Tamankar, Jitendra Deshprabhu and other Congress leaders to at least allow the departed soul to rest in peace.
The Chief Minister clearly stated that suspension does not amount to being declared ‘guilty’. Till date, the Government has not declared any of the suspended officials guilty. The Congress may take note that if at all anyone is guilty here, it is they, who manipulated rules and regulations to loot the state through illegal mining. Helpless staff, who are forced to obey the political goons, face the brunt of any investigations, as has happened to the suspended officials.
Jitendra Deshprabhu claimed that he would be filing an FIR against N.D. Agrawal, Collector of South Goa, who has proved to be an excellent administrator. The Congress must instead use their energy and time consoling their party men who are going behind bars soon for looting the State.
Raul Peres, Verna
Save precious lives
It is hard to understand why Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar is so keen to implement the helmet rule, when so many other urgent issues require immediate attention. If he is really concerned about our precious lives, he should immediately order the rectification of the following: White paint all legal/illegal speed breakers which are invisible and surfacing like mushrooms, remove all pot holes, educate youngsters on road safety vis-a-vis over speeding and drunken driving, shift dangerous electricity poles which are in the middle of the roads, ban halogen bulbs or any other type of powerful lights, illuminate areas on sharp turns or wherever necessary; impound stray animals.
If all things are taken proper care of, then the chances of accident will be minimized. Take the example of our careful motorcycle riders. There are very few accidents caused due to their fault. In the past, such money making moves of introducing helmet was during his last tenure as Minister, but all proved to be futile. Will he now succeed with the blessings of the new Chief Minister?
