SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Migrants influx in Goa
During the first phase of the epidemic Goans were surprised to observe the number of migrants leaving Goa with their families by whatever means of transport available to them at that point of time. Some even walked back to their native place. The Goa Government did not bother to conduct a census of these migrants to know as to how many migrants were residing in the State. Till date the government of has failed in maintaining a record of migrants settled in Goa. And due to this some migrants became Sarpanchas in villages of Davorlim and Sancoale. And now as if that's not enough Kannadigas are planning to contest panchayat elections next month.
They have full knowledge in which village and in which ward Kannadigas are residing. Thanks to our Goan politicians who have provided elections cards and other government cards to these migrants. Now they are planning to contest the elections. Our government is still in the dark. Our government should wake up and conduct a census of migrants in each and every ward of all villages. If you visit each village across the State you will find migrants in every nook and corner. The influx of migrants to Goa is so much that there is no government control on them and we have now data of the percentage of migrants entering Goa on a daily basis. Is this a good sign or a bad signal? It is for the state government to decide.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Tourists violating traffic rules
The Goa Tourism Minister has reportedly said the impression of harassment of tourists by Traffic Police has to be stopped and they have to be made to feel at home. He said one of the problems tourists face on the roads and the highways is the “unwanted” fines imposed on them while commuting on a two-wheeler or four-wheeler. It must be said that the traffic cops are just doing their duties and that no one is above the law. A law-breaker is a law-breaker irrespective of the person being of Goan origin or a tourist. Traffic rules apply to all those riding/driving vehicles on the road. It is true that we need to be hospitable towards the tourists in the spirit of ‘atithi devo bhava’ (guest is God).
But this does not mean that they should not be issued a challan for traffic violations. The traffic cops cannot be expected to ask every traffic violator whether he/she is a Goan or a tourist. It is observed that tourists hire a rent-a-bike or a rent-a-car vehicle or even travel on own vehicles. They need to follow all the traffic rules applicable in the State. There could even be anti-social elements from other States on the run and could be staying in Goa in the guise of a tourist. Hence it is necessary to keep a watch on such tourists and at the same time well behaved tourists should not be harassed.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
CCTV cameras in
revenue dept offices
This has reference to the report ‘Will CCTV cameras do the trick?’ (Herald, May 12, 2022). That seems like a simple technological solution to speed up the functioning of the Revenue Department offices- installing CCTV cameras! Great, this must be emulated by all other government departments, not just in Goa but across the country. There should be transparency in all dealings. At the end of the day however, is this ultimate solution to get government departments function in the right way? Is it a foolproof idea? For instance, people find several loopholes and find their way out of sticky situations. Even in government departments where such CCTV cameras would be installed, people would find some way to hoodwink the cameras. If only there was sincerity, not just in government departments but everywhere else, there would be no need to resort to such monitoring tactics. But that is the crux of the issue. Sincerity is not a commodity which can be purchased from the market. It has to come from within. But, perhaps that is too much to expect, even in society!
Melville X. D'Souza, Mumbai
Discriminatory system
A G Perarivalan has spent over three decades in prison for his "role" in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination. He was picked up by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the offence of supplying two batteries for an explosive device that was used by the infamous Sivarasan.
Though initially sentenced to death, Perarivalan's punishment was remitted to life sentence by the Supreme Court in 2014. The Tamil Nadu government, in 2018, had recommended to the State Governor that Perarivalan be released. But the then State Governor Banwarlilal Purohit was unmoved as he firmly sat on the file. After dozing off for good three years, in 2021, Purohit washed his hands of the case by sending the file to the President. He perhaps was in the dark about Article 161of the Constitution that empowers the State Governor to act on the advice of the State Cabinet. And since the State Cabinet had unequivocally opined that the prisoner be released, the then Governor's lack of intent looks inexplicable.
When the matter was raised in the Supreme Court, the court was livid, and said that the Governor was not within his rights to send such a file to the President. Anyway, it said it would clear the air on his decision. The court made it clear that it cannot be a silent spectator to the happenings and it cannot shut its eyes when the Constitution is being subverted. It's not the President but the Supreme Court that can interpret the law in the case, it said. The top court had granted bail to Perarivalan in March.
As per the mood of the court, it looks like Perarivalan is set to be granted permanent relief. When convicts languishing for more than twenty years could be released on the apex court's orders, why not Perarivalan? The issue is all about personal liberty. The accused was mere 19 years old when he was taken into custody. According to reports, he has been a good prisoner with impeccable conduct. Even on parole, there were no allegations against him.
Keeping a prisoner in jail for an indefinite period defies logic and is against the much--hyped reformatory model of criminal justice. But for the Indian courts, many Perarivalans would have languished in prisons unable to take a breath of fresh air. Perhaps it is time the SC lays down firm guidelines to prevent people in constitutional positions from passing the buck in sensitive cases.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Are we, Niz Goenkars united?
It is learnt from different media Kannadigas are all set to fight panchayat elections where they have sizable voting and the Constitution of India gives the right to ever citizen of India to contest election. But are we, Niz Goenkars United to take on Kannadigas?
The Kannadigas will definitely win because there is no unity among Goans. If one Goan is contesting the election four more Goans will contest against him/her and will make sure other Goans get defeated. But the Kannadigas will not contest against another Kannadigas and will make sure their candidates win. There is still time for Niz Goenkar to think and unite.
Savio Almeida, Assolna/Texas USA
Homage to santoor maestro
Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, the maestro who etched an image of the Kashmir Valley and a sound of spirituality every time he struck a chord on his santoor passed away at 84. It’s a sad demise of the priceless gem of Indian classical music, Santoor King Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma. It’s an irreparable loss of Indian classical music. He will live forever in every Indian’s heart. For me, it’s a personal loss and I will miss him no end. Respectful homage to the Santoor maestro. RIP.
C. K. Subramaniam, Navi Mumbai
