FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Seamen taken
for a ride
The reported siphoning of seafarers funds arising out of the terminal benefits of their dedicated sea service over the years by the union leaders in collusion with the ship owners or the manning agents needs to be thoroughly investigated to bring the culprits to book. This multi crore scam has been going on since long with the seafarers bearing this in silence with the fear of losing their jobs. These amounts were compulsorily deducted from the seaman's wages every month but where these funds were going is a mystery. At one time the retired seafarers were paid a monthly pension of only Rs 200.
Seafarers are the backbone of the shipping industry where 90% of the world trade is via the sea route. During the Covid pandemic the world came to a standstill but the sea trade kept on moving to keep the world ongoing. Most of the sea ports around the world prohibited the ship's crew from going down the gangway for their shore leave as a result had to stay put onboard for months on end.
The union is singularly responsible in making the retired life of some seamen and their widowed spouses miserable. FIR has been raised against the GS of the union. Hope law takes its own course and reaches its logical end.
Lucas D'Souza, Verna
Hidden plans to elect panchayats?
Last month nearly 626,496 voters of 286 panchayats comprising 1,464 wards turned out in large numbers i.e 78.70% to vote and elect new panchayats members. The results showed most of the old faces were shown the door. And thus most of the panchayats now consists of new faces, first timers, new sarpanchas and new deputy sarpanchas. Good it was declared that these panchayat elections are not on party lines and people believed.
Soon after the results were declared, the ruling party came forward to declare that so and so number of the 286 Panchayats are theirs. If these elections were not fought on party lines then how they came forward to declare that so and so number of panchayats are theirs?
That means some hidden plans were executed to capture Panchayats. Many MLAs went on lobbying spree to get elected Panchayats members in their team. One cannot forget what happened in Mandrem. This happens only when MLAs interfere.
When will these politicians allow us Goans to elect our representatives of our choice to enjoy grassroots democracy and have a people friendly panchayat?
Finally facing all odds new sarpanchas and new deputy sarpanchas have been elected, panchayats formed and have already started functioning. Hope all Panchayats will work for the betterment of their respective villages.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Consider creating
transitional courts
The Supreme Court (SC) is over-burdened with crores of cases and most cases from the High Court (HC) end up with the SC or are taken up directly by the SC. A majority of the cases are pending since decades (for whatsoever the explanations) and several are frivolous in nature. Because of these, genuine cases are not being taken up by the SC or given due deliberation in terms of time and justice.
Every retiring Chief Justices of India rue these facts but nothing seriously has been done by any Union governments to resolve the problems. Now the government could seriously consider setting up individual transitional courts (TC) to look into defamation suits, narcotics, financial frauds, family matters, hurting sentiments, property matters, environment, etc.
The TC would be the buffer between the HC and SC and all the disputes could be settled and justice meted out. Establishing TC could create employment for judges, lawyers and associated people. The cases that directly impact national security (internal and external), constitutional issues, etc. could be handled by the SC.
As the pressure would be reduced, the judges of the various courts would have time to study the cases in all seriousness. There could also be midnight courts to grant bails, swearing in political parties, matters of hi-profile people and so forth!
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Abolish practice of orderly system
The orderly system in the police was introduced by the British in the late 19th century. An orderly is expected to help officers in maintenance and upkeep of uniform, answering telephone calls, attending to personal security and also run small errands. Trained police personnel are performing household and menial jobs in the residences of the higher officers at the cost of taxpayer's fund. Get rid of this colonial system of using such personnel as ordelies in the residences of superior officers and their families.
The slavery system of engaging uniformed police personnel in the residences of higher officials must be abolished. No public servant can imagine or live in a world of Mughal emperors and all such authorities under the constitution are public servants and they are bound to serve the public in accordance with the principles laid down in the constitution and as per the statutes and rules enacted by the state legislature and parliament.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Growing coconuts for better future
World Coconut Day is observed on September 2 every year to create awareness about the importance of coconuts across the world. Coconut in India is referred to as ‘kalpavriksha’, which means a tree which will fulfil all the necessities of life and is regarded as a holy tree. There is a lot of significance in Hinduism of coconut and the coconut tree in rituals and ceremonies. In other countries, it is also called as the ‘Tree of a thousand uses’ or the ‘Tree of life’.
The coconut made its way from India to the coast of East Africa, thanks to Arab sailors, and from Southeast Asia to the west of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean and to the east of the Pacific, thanks to the Austronesian sailors.
Coconuts have been a powerhouse since, providing us with a vast range of products and benefits. The tender white flesh inside the coconut is used in an array of cooking recipes and the oil, milk, and water is used for both cooking and non-cooking purposes. Coconut butter, coconut cream, and coconut oil are staple byproducts used in beauty products, and the husks and leaves of coconuts are used for making doormats, roofs, and huts.
The first observance of World Coconut Day took place in 2009, commemorating the creation of the APCC. Every year, the International Coconut Community sets a theme for World Coconut Day. The theme for World Coconut Day this year is “Growing Coconut for a Better Future and Life”.
Jubel D'Cruz, Mumbai
Rape victims
not protected
Another horrific crime against women Betti padao betti bachao another ringtone in the air. If proper protection was given it could have been avoided and prevented. The way a stalker was paraded who showed no remorse but looked like victory of his male chauvinistic ego to subjugate her. Though public outcry is short-lived the justice for the burnt victim will remain a far. Such brutal acts must receive swift punishment whether it should serve as a deterrent or not. Incarceration into life long prison without any hope of remission may serve a purpose of inflicting long term pain.
The release en masse of 11 convicts in Bilkis Bano case will revive the wounds of anguish agony and torture of her safety. The rapist of a minor girl was short and hanged publicly within minutes of crime in the UAE.
In our judicial system the criminal gets the benefits to defend himself not the victim.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
