Administrative nuisance
On 14 February 2013, when I had gone to the Deputy Collector’s office at Panaji, it was noticed that in the absence of the official, the office had turned into a fun and fare office. A litigant who just wanted to know his next date of hearing was being refused by the said staff. Finally an outsider had to come to his rescue. If these staff are so cruel towards the public an immediate action should be taken. They are public servants. Even if information is sought that can be divulged in a second, litigants are asked to make out an application, make an entry that will be revealed/given/collected after a week or so. What sort of administrative reforms are these? Negligent staff should be terminated from their service.
There is also a citation from the Supreme Court of India dated 1 February 2009:‘Collectors are not Judges’ and thereby, the performance of all these non-judicial quasi courts should be abolished. Consider how much litigants suffer having to pay for advocates, adjournments, travelling etc. It is imperative that the present government of Goa in consultation with the law department, takes adequate steps and measures to abolish these illegal activities operating as courts in the offices. This will certainly give greater relief to the public/litigants, and will also save the overhead burden on salaries towards these unwarranted staff who do not perform.
Paul Fernandes, Chimbel
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Selection of teachers
When Manohar Parrikar became the chief minister in the year 2000, he gave the teachers of government aided schools part B which was kept pending after the fifth pay commission was implemented earlier. In this part B those teachers who complete 12 years in the school, get senior grade scale and later on after 12 years, another grade called selection scale was given. The heads of the schools along with the department of education never allowed the teachers the second part viz the selection scale and gave this only to 20% and that too if they were postgraduates. After the Education Act was implemented, the postgraduate and the 20% rule was eliminated. This rule was applicable to teachers under grant in aid code. The affected teachers never thought of forming an association to fight this in the court and get their grievances resolved. They can knock at the door of the judiciary and get their rightful claim.
Ramakant Sankhalkar, Caranzalem
Konkani and Kokni
Congratulations to Manohar Parrikar, who has taught Goa and its people that the language to be spoken is Konkani and not Kokni. I agree to stand corrected if I am wrong when I say that about 95 percent of the Goan population understands and speaks Konkani not Kokni. Newsreaders add many Marathi words while reading the Kokni news, that is unfortunately foreign to me. Why don’t we have local news on our Goa channels, in Parrikar’s Konkani?
Alfred Noronha, Chorao
Compensation packages
I fully agree with Justice Santosh Hedge’s remarks against the government for providing rehabilitation packages to the mining affected people. It is the duty of the mining companies to compensate the people. Instead of fighting with the government to start mining, we need to demand mining companies repay the people. Mining does bolster the economy, but we all need to keep in mind that these resources will get exhausted in the near future, and the same situation of joblessness will arise later. In spite of this, different parties are in favour of starting illegal mining for the sake of the people who are left jobless. If this is so, why not legalize illegalities in other areas too? Banning gambling, matka, prostitution also leads to joblessness! Mining has affected Goa’s rich biodiverdity. We talk so much about conserving environment, but when it’s time to act, everyone quits.
Triza Dsouza, Curca
Check needed
Recently angry villagers from the village of Betalbatim reacted to two migrants who attacked local women in two separate incidents. Most of us Goans depend on migrant labor to do jobs which we are reluctant to do. Many locals in Goa’s villages rent their rooms to migrants. Corrupt politicians then generally support them because they form a captive vote bank. Furthermore, majority of these migrants have two ration cards ~ one to be used in Goa and the other to be used in their native state. Unchecked influx is a matter of concern at this hour. Panchayats and police stations should therefore make it mandatory that labour employed or rented in villages be registered.
Willie Severes, Majorda
Conduct survey
The house survey work carried out by the Panchayat of Sao Jose de Areal in order to create a complete data base on the number of tenants ~ and rooms leased on rent by the house owners ~ is commendable. Goa is facing an uncontrollable influx. This has resulted in a serious problem.There is a lack of proper sanitation and problem of garbage scattered everywhere on the roads. In order to have some control over all this, panchayats and civic bodies should immediately also conduct a similar survey in their areas.
Zino Carvalho, Davorlim
Portuguese influence
I read with interest Timoteo Fernandes’s opinion that we cannot remove 450 years of Portuguese influence (Herald, March 21, 2013). In a liberated country that would not happen. Some do try unofficially to reduce Portuguese influence.
The psychology of it is that the more you suppress the greater the desire. Christianity grew through persecution. The Russians have colonized Morjim and menus in restaurants are written in Russian.
(If it were the Portuguese, there would have been a hue and cry.) Nevertheless, are Goans eager for Russian matters? A petitioner has moved the HC to convict 500 odd Goans with Portuguese passports. There is no better way to promote Portuguese culture! If a Bengali has a Portuguese passport, there is no problem in convicting him. But if a Goan is convicted, there are implications. The petitioner is embarrassing the government and forcing it to declare that Goa was conquered. Since Goans were all legal citizens of Portugal, we have friendly relations with Portugal. A great nation like India, the land of rishis, cannot have grudges. How can you overcome or obliterate the past?
John Razana, USA
Unity not division
The Tamil Nadu Assembly has demanded a referendum for a separate Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka Herald, March 28, 2013). What is required is not division, but unification of the island nation.
The nations of the world should exert pressure on the Tamils of Sri Lanka to integrate themselves and make themselves acceptable to the other communities, instead of fighting for a separate identity. Similarly, the Sinhalese should be pressurized to accept the Tamils as fellow citizens, with equal rights. Doesn’t the world have nations with people of different communities, of different ethnic backgrounds, living together as one? India, which is itself a nation of “unity in diversity”, could lead international efforts towards unification of the different communities in the neighbouring island nation.
Joaquim Correia-Afonso, Benaulim
