FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Wrong move
Curtailing the duration of the ensuing Monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly is a very wrong move and does not augur well in the framework of democracy. Besides the current pandemic, Goa is grappling with so many very serious issues and the Legislative Assembly is the proper forum for the MLAs to raise and debate issues concerning the public.
That in recent years the quality of the debates has deteriorated is another issue. Sessions have to be meaningful and fruitful in the interest of the State and not merely a cosmetic exercise to only fulfil that constitutional requirement that the Legislative Assembly has to meet once in six months. We elect Legislators to debate issues concerning the people and to enact good laws. But our Ministers and MLAs are content inaugurating culverts and toilets while breaking a coconut at the hot-mixing of roads has become their hobby. It is an irony that many of our Ministers and MLAs struggle even in the short sessions to keep themselves awake during the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. What a shame! In a way we deserve the political rot that we knowingly elect.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Virus in or out?
During this phase, if you have helped someone, if you have acquired a new skill, if you have spread love, if you have discovered new things about yourself and your dear ones, if you have got in touch with those you lost contact due to busy schedules, if you have finally got time to spend with your near and dear ones and did so, if you have prayed for others you have defeated the virus.
If this lockdown has helped you to complete an incomplete task you have defeated the virus. If the virus has allowed us to see a better side of ourselves irrespective of where the virus is, we have defeated the virus.
Luiza Fernandes, St Cruz
Population control
needed
Problems we have it from all sides of the country. Purely man-made problems that creates political storms on the issues of social and economical standings. Seven plus decades of Independence and the governments did absolutely nothing to create laws to control the population except for the family planning program by contraceptive usage.
The two-child norm was implemented in some states but there are no records to prove if the implementation is successful. Successive governments have failed miserably in all aspects of governance and the consequences of misrule is very evident. An over grown population that we are with encumbrances and unlimited liabilities. The spending on infrastructure, development, health and education is too inadequate to match with the population growth.
India could have managed the wealth much better if a proper system was in place. And the two-child norm should be applicable to elected members also to qualify for contesting elections. See our politicians who live in extreme luxury while millions of people in the country are neglected and live in poverty. Is this fair for a country like India where religion and holiness is abounding. The poor people migrate to other states for a better living and create socio-economic problems in the state they go to. Gives rise to slums, garbage, diseases etc. What a vicious circle with no end in sight.
In the year 2019 a bill was tabled in the parliament for passing a law on population control. I wish and hope that PM Modi, who is known for tough decisions and his team, look into this population crisis and pass this legislation to control the population. Better late than never.
Antonio Pinto, Benaulim
SWR double track
First and foremost the initiative taken by Dourado and Ashok Souza to form a Committee to protest against the double tracking project is to be highly appreciated.
Now that they approached the Chief Minister who in turn assured to have a survey with Railway officials, Panchayats and the general public is a big boost to their efforts. However I have few suggestions to make as far as public participation. Every Panchayat should give a wide publicity by way of loudspeakers in the affected villages, so that proper public participation is there. So also the date and the approximate time the team will arrive should be announced. So also a certain fixed points should chosen for public to gather.
For example in Velcao the fish market area , Cansaulim Railway station platform (and not the office), Arossim Chapel compound, Utorda Church Compound. Such arrangements will ensure proper participation and thus the Railway team will get proper feed back of the feelings of the public.
Antonio F. Fernandes, Arossim
Politicians and
pandemic
After six councillors of the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) tested positive for Covid-19, a MLA of the ruling dispensation, representing the Cuncolim constituency, also tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
It must be said that by the very nature of their job, politicians come in contact with several citizens. These politicians include elected representatives, municipal councillors, members of the village panchayat, etc. They are hence vulnerable to catching the infection from Covid-19 positive person they come in contact with. These politicians can in turn become super-spreaders as they meet several people while performing their duties. “Stay at home” may not be an option available to the politicians as they have to address the grievances of the general public in their locality with regards to the pandemic and other matters.
Hence it becomes important for politicians to exercise extreme precaution when they move outdoors by strictly following the Covid-19 guidelines. It is pertinent to note that the Chicalim Panchayat has been closed for eight days due to the spike of positive cases in the village. There has also been a demand to close the Vasco municipality for about a week.
It would be prudent for the various civic bodies and panchayats in the state to decide whether or not to close down for a few days as several citizens visit it every single day leading to crowding.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Irradiation
It is reprehensible that our Chief Minister threatens us Goans with jail if we do not wear masks. Has his government made even the slightest effort to provide the State public with scientific face protection? Our policemen are forced to work with useless protection as are our health workers. Even his ministers do not seem capable of making sensible public directions. The three deaths which occurred recently have been excused as age related. Was irradiation tried? It is said to work wonders on serious cases, even the advanced aged. Surely a level of sensibility can still be reached.
Carmo Costa – Viegas, Assolna
Free ration
scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to extend the free ration scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) for 800 million people until the end of November is laudable. In a 16-minute address to the nation on Tuesday, the PM emphasised that disregard for protocols such as wearing masks and practising social distancing had been a concern and urged authorities to crack the whip hard on the offenders.
The farmers and the “honest” taxpayers received bouquets from the PM for making the PMGKAY a success. The free ration scheme must help the less fortunate stay afloat in these extraordinary times.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
