22 Apr 2018 | 06:39am IST
letters to the editor
The verdict in Justice Loya’s case by the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra has come as a grave shock to all those with conscience. Even when the four senior Judges of the Apex Court came out in open to accuse the Chief Justice of allocating sensitive cases to selected benches comprising preferred judges, one was hesitating to buy the idea as we had great trust in the Chief Justice of India that he would act fairly in all cases. Alas! The verdict pronounced by the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra in Justice Loya's case has definitely shattered the trust of the people in the judiciary.
Make stringent laws for illegalities The editorial of April 21, 2018, highlighting corruption in panchayats allowing massive land grabs and hill cutting across Goa is highly appreciated. Herald’s never ending vigilance and efforts in voicing out people’s issues and exposing illegal and corrupt happenings in the State whether by government authorities or politicians through its media needs to be applauded.
Whereas it is true that most panchayats allow illegalities, it is also to be noted that many a time such illegalities are protected and carried out with high political influence and even if panchayats take appropriate action, the offenders are protected at higher levels by politicians.
There have to be stringent laws wherein panchayat body or members should be disqualified for turning Nelson’s eye to illegalities and such laws should be enforced in time frame because otherwise the purpose shall be lost.
It is also seen that practically all demolition notices (towards illegal constructions) issued by every panchayat are challenged before the Addl. Director of Panchayats. Such cases are then mostly dragged on for 10 to 15 years and during this time the panchayat body changes and advocates are asked to refrain from appearing in the matters and the cases are decided ex-parte in favour of the offender.
How can an illegal construction be termed legal for panchayat non-appearance in the case? Why cannot such cases be decided purely on merits and within a specific time frame? Instead of panchayats spending lakhs of public money in engaging advocates to appear and defend recurring demolition notices towards illegal constructions and other illegalities?
It clearly appears that authorities do not have the will to bring in stringent laws with a mind to allow the illegalities to continue.
Who are nation’s enemies? This is with reference to Kajal Chatterjee's letter, "Enemies of the nation" (Herald, April 13). According to a recent survey report, untouchability has widely been practised in India. This explains why atrocities against Dalits remain unabated.
So, no law, however, stringent it may be, can never prevent growing atrocities against SCs and STs unless there exists sincere political will. Palpable presence of Dalits must be ensured in government administration without which such a law will remain just on paper.
As we all know that at many places plastic bags are banned. All people know the reason very well. It is affecting our health and environment and slowly killing us day by day. Number of plastic bags are found everywhere on the road side which is blocking the water passing drainage system and affecting our health.
Most of the shopkeepers and other businessmen are still selling and giving the plastic bags when they know it has been banned. They tell the people that plastic bags are banned and continue giving plastic bags to the customers saying not to tell their names, etc. We the human beings are responsible for all this because we are not thinking about our future generations. Request people to carry their own bags while shopping, marketing, etc.
Let us all get together join hands to save and protect our environment. From today onwards say no to plastic bags. We need the support of shop keepers, market fruit sellers and fish sellers, etc. Without your support we cannot keep our environment free from plastic bags. Government of Goa, Panchayat office, Municipality office should fine the law breakers who are selling and giving plastic bags to the public.
Use of mobiles while driving There are various reasons why there is a high accident rate in the country. However, a recent survey conducted by Nissan India has reportedly shown that it is carelessness on the driver’s part that is a major cause of concern.
According to the survey, Indians are posing a serious threat on the road with three in every five drivers admitting using mobile phones while driving. However, only one in every four drivers have admitted to being caught by cops breaking the law. It must be said that it may not always be possible for the police to crack down on use of mobile phones while driving.
Talking on the mobile phone while driving can also be done by using earphones. Hence the cops may not be able to detect the violation of the rule. Two-wheeler riders are many a time also seen talking on the phone by using the ear-phones while riding. It is for the individual road user to see that they do not use the mobile while driving in order to ensure safety for themselves and other citizens.
Incidentally many of those sitting behind the wheels could also be texting messages on their mobiles which can be more dangerous than speaking on the mobile phones.
