SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
Govt departments also defaulters
This is with reference to the news article, "Port town has a pauper council, which has failed to recover crores of outstanding dues". We have not yet accepted the idea of self-sufficient urban local bodies. Our ULBs run on grants and are reluctant to collect dues, often for political reasons. It is not surprising to note that the Government Departments are themselves defaulters in this case. The Chief Officer is a thorough gentleman and I hope he will make efforts to recover the dues. The Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) should also monitor this.
Rajaram Sawant, St. Inez
Disqualification pleas dragging on
The corrupt and criminal minded need to be uprooted from the political spectrum for there to be a ray of hope for India’s polity. The Supreme Court had rightly observed that in the interest of the nation the criminal cases involving politicians must be speedily disposed.
While expressing the need for decriminalisation of politics, the Court has exhorted the necessity to create Special Fast Track Courts to deal with cases against politicians.
While the Supreme Court wants that the trial of such cases should complete within a year, in Goa we have very serious criminal cases against some politicians lingering for years with even the trial in many cases is yet to commence.
On another front despite the Supreme Court having set three months as the outer limit for Speakers of Legislative Assemblies to conclude disqualification proceedings, the disqualification petitions against 12 Goa MLAs has been merrily dragging on.
Goa may be India’s smallest State but with the never ending political circus it has become a laboratory for every possible political experiment and has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. We have shown the nation the ways and means to circumvent the Anti-Defection law, with political prostitution and party turncoats at its very hilt.
There is no hope whatsoever that the situation will ever improve as it is only further deteriorating and awfully decaying by the day.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Ruckus in Parliament
The passing of the two Farm Bills, whilst farmers were agitating in many States, in the most undemocratic way does not augur well for our democracy! What we saw in the live telecast and behaviour leaves much to be desired.
It is not understood why there was no meaningful discussion with the stake holders and the Opposition. Why such important Bills could not be sent to a Standing Committee or why despite having the numbers as claimed, voice vote was held despite demand for splitting of vote so it is clear who voted for and against or abstained! The MPs were not heeded and because they had to shut up and be bulldozed, perhaps created ruckus in frustration!
I was surprised to see Derek OBrien holding the rule book and heckling the deputy speaker up close with 7 MPs who along with him were suspended for unruly conduct. The chair had no consideration at all and what shocked me, extended the hour and quickly, amidst the noise, passed the Bills with voice vote without even looking up once! Then the aggreived MPs spent the night in protest on the parliament lawns and the deputy speaker comes and tries "Chai Ka Charcha" in the morning which was naturally refused but praised by the PM as a noble gesture.
There is an atmosphere today where all manner of opposition is crushed with repeated and constant attempts to brazenly use duplicity of variety of political players to divide and control along the lines of majority power and let loose shrillness of propaganda. Any means are routinely used to put down anyone who stands up to coercive power! Opposition parties "No Trust" move against the Dy Speaker is simply denied.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Definitely not heroes What a coup de grace!
Frankly I have never understood the idolisation and 'hero worship' syndrome. What is to be idolised in these filmstars? Drug scandals, sexual misconduct, a licentious philosophy of life, extra-marital affairs, poaching endangered species, drunken driving resulting in accidents and death of innocent persons opulence and a vulgar lifestyle, promoting only children of 'star' families and despicable dual standards? When all these scandals were in the public domain, why hasn't action been taken against the concerned actors and actresses, directors, managers and so many others deeply entrenched in this sordid mess?
Yes, we watched Hindi films during our times and we appreciated an actor or actress, for their talents. We appreciated a good film, script, lyrics, music, dances, direction etc. But no 'hero worship' though we had our favourite stars. Perhaps they had their failings, as we all do, but they never flaunted their misdeed with such impunity as seen today. Are they a law unto themselves?
Alan Rodrigues, Carmona
'Atmnirbhar Goa' first
As the saying goes "It never rains but it pours." This has been the case literally with Goa and it's adjacent states. Life has been severely upended by the Covid pandemic and adding to the citizenry's woes is the sharp upswing in prices of vegetables. Supply chain disruptions owing to inclement weather has jacked up the prices of staples like potatoes, tomatoes, garlic etc and onions retailing at Rs 60 per kg are actually bringing tears to the eyes of consumers.
Increase in transportation costs is another factor contributing to this upward trend in prices. Most of the vegetables, fruits and poultry consumed in Goa come from neighbouring states and maybe it's time to convert adversity into opportunity. Goans with large tracts of uncultivated fertile land can put it to good use by raising staples, fruits, fish and poultry.The pandemic has resulted in job losses for Goan youths and the government should provide sops to get them on their feet again. It would be prudent to trim the allowances extended to our MLAs and divert those funds for incentivising agricultural initiatives in the State. Our CM/PM talks ad nauseam about 'Atmnirbhar Bharat', maybe we should start with 'Atmnirbhar Goa' first.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Influence of the film world
For years together, a debate goes on as to whether the society at large is influenced by films, or the films represent the happenings in the society. Whilst the film makers say that they always depict what is happening in the society, albeit with some drama. Some even go ahead and say that they also portray what is in the minds of the society, but which they cannot overtly implement. As against this the public at large says that the society gets influenced by the films. The actors are their idols and they imitate them and their behaviour.
An argument against this by the film makers is that, if this be so why doesn't the society behave in a godly way after watching epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat. This argument is endless. This topic comes to fore because of the latest news about the drug consumption and involvement of the film fraternity. Although it is improper to pass a judgment against any one particular individual, it can be certainly said that all is not well in the filmdom.
The world is changing and the film makers need to introspect and behave in a proper manner considering that this is an opportunity for them to 'inject' good behaviour in the society and make it a dreamy world to live.
Milind Kulkarni, Taleigaon
