The Rs 17.60 lakhs spent on Narendra Modi’s May 26th oath taking ceremony was an unnecessary waste of public funds. Similarly in Goa on March 9, 2012 Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar squandered Rs 11 lakhs of tax payer’s money. In the current bad economic times austerity and fiscal accountability has to be the key guiding factor. Every paisa spent from the state exchequer has to be meticulously accounted for.
The curb on ministerial foreign jaunts is a step in the right direction taken by Narendra Modi but there has to be consistency and close monitoring of all public spending. In all that it does the government must function within the framework of law and the laid down democratic principles of our Constitution. Modi’s honey moon period will soon end. He has to start delivering on the mountain of promises made.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Breaking the law
Even though there is a law in the state that bans consumption of alcohol in public places, the law is being flaunted with impunity by domestic tourists. This is amply clear from the photograph that appeared in Herald (July 22). This despite the fact that breaking the law attracts a fine of Rs. 5000.
Some may even consider Goa as one big open-air bar. But then there could be tourists who could be breaking the law out of ignorance as they may not be aware of the restriction on drinking in public places like the beaches. It is necessary for the tourism department to create awareness by putting up sign boards on the beaches, at the state border, bus-stands, outside railway stations and other open spaces warning the tourists of the fine that will be imposed if caught drinking in the open. Such warnings could also be printed on tourism brochures.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Unhygienic food
This refers to cockroaches found in food served in prestigious New Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani Express where the train was stopped by angry passengers at Mughalsarai Railway Station for several hours on July 20, 21. Indian Railways should immediately stop serving food in trains. Instead packaged branded food and other baked products manufactured by reputed companies should be sold not only to ensure hygiene, but also to eliminate chances of wastage.
It would have been better if instead of giving food-contracts to private companies, Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) would provide packaged food like bread, biscuits and other baked products for rail-travelers on payment of cost and by giving some commission to serving rail-staff to avoid their ‘begging’ tips from passengers.
Madhu Agrawal, Delhi
False allegations
I refer to the article in Herald titled ‘ Swamy attacks church over handling of HIV students ‘ .This same Subramaniam Swamy many years back when he was honeymooning with the ‘ secular parties ‘ in an interview to a National channel had criticised the RSS and had warned that if they go unchecked they will be like “termites eating into the woodwork”.
Now, this same man has accused the church over the handling of HIV students prompting the Congress to file a complaint against him . Swamy of late is making all sorts of noises to please the same RSS he had once spoken against as he is desperately trying to prove his love for their ideology and thus get a berth in the ministry. He should be told that it was the church that has supported these students Swamy should shut up instead of embarrassing his party further by making such baseless and false accusations against the Catholic church.
Napolean D’Souza, Saligao
