Why different yardsticks?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
According to the Environment Ministry report, Lavasa Corporation violated environmental laws while building the hill-station close to Pune. However, the ministry decided not to order demolition of the illegal construction, but instead, levy a ‘hefty’ fine. But in the Adarsh case, the Ministry has ordered its demolition. Does this not amount to applying two different yardsticks for the same irregularity committed?
The reason given for letting off the Lavasa project is because of the substantial investment made, employment generated and interests of those who had invested in the project. But then, it must be said that in the Adarsh case, there are several legal occupants who invested in the flats with their life savings and are Kargil war veterans. If the Environment Ministry is going to have its way in the Adarsh case, who is going to compensate these genuine flat owners?
Villians within
Pachu Menon, Margao
The disclosure of the active involvement of a few rogue cops in the spurious narcotic trade has blown the lid off a politician-police-drug mafia nexus that threatens to engulf the whole state. The very officer lauded for the arrest of an international drug dealer has been exposed as a conduit for passing drugs to potential customers! A notorious drug peddler jumps bail and flees the country! Would it be possible without ‘inside’ help?
Sting operations are done to seek vengeance, thus turning heroes into villains. The very fact that they are singling out certain cops in the ANC is ample proof of relations between them having gone sour somewhere down the line. It could also be a case of renewed monetary demands.
With the nabbing of Goan police head constable and others on charges of carrying hashish in Belgaum, it reveals the link between the enforcers and narco-traders. The government should be more concerned about repairing the image of the police force that has been battered, thanks to the villains on its payroll.
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Give them a break
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
This is with regards to the letter by John Eric Gomes ‘I salute Herald’ (Herald, 13 Jan). Well, the letter was quite interesting but his views on our Goan traditions and customs were really in bad taste. Non-Goan settlers of late are seen organising their traditional “Durga-Poojas”, “Lord Jaganath Yatras”, “Garba dances”, “Disco-Dhandiya” parties right here in Goa with great pride. People of Goan origin try to compare our traditional dances, wedding-receptions and bull-tights with those controversial ‘Khap Panchayats’, ‘Sati’ etc of neighbouring states.
Today, Goals facing so many serious problems of corruption, unemployment, drugs, and what have you. But respected people like John Eric Gomes, seem to be bent on propagating silly nonsense of noise pollution. Let us learn to fight some real issues concerning Goans. Allow our music loving Goans some rights, and then talk of giving rights to others. Let the Goan music culture rock on forever.
Defer kick-off timings
Efigenio Dias, Colva
The All India Football Federation is conducting the National Football League, organised by the Goa Football Association (GFA) in Goa at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda. )
The timings for kick-off is very inconvenient for the working class, students, and especially football lovers. The weather is hot during the day and there is no protection or shade on the western stand side. Urgent repairs need to be carried out to the floodlights and generators that they possess.
The GFA should take the initiative and convince the SAG to defer the kick off timings to 5pm for the convenience of the footballing fraternity.
Why this double speak?
Orlando S A Da Silva, Carmona
The report ‘Kamat urges youth to preserve identity of Goa’ (Herald, 16 Jan) that the Chief minister while inaugurating the Mahotsav at Khandhepar on 15 Jan urged Goan youth to preserve identity of Goa. Most of us in Goa who are instrumental in raising issues concerning Goa such as the SEZ and the regional plan issues having direct consequential bearings on the so called identity of Goa. We have practically seen and experienced how the present government has sacrificed at the altar of corruption all the above issues.
Senior ministers of the ruling dispensation are actively involved in illegal mining.
CM Kamat’s statements are pure rhetoric. Nothing has been done with respect to banning of mega housing projects. He has dilly-dallied with the passing of the regional plans, which speaks volumes of his intention and seriousness.
Maximum punishment
Robert Castellino, Mumbai
The Supreme Court has ruled that the murder of Graham Staines and his two sons was not the ‘rarest of rare’ crime and therefore, did not warrant the death sentence. The Apex court found extenuating circumstances in the ‘intention’ of the murderer.
By the same token, however, if such a gruesome, horrendous and premeditated murder can be exonerated, on the basis of extenuating circumstances, then capital punishment should be abolished for every person who commits a murder. Imprisonment for life should always be the maximum punishment.
Untap political talent
Tulsidas Malkarnekar, Margao
One political leader of this State had enjoyed a long tenure as MP of the Lok Sabha and then in the Rajya Sabha. He was also a minister in the Union Cabinet. During the long tenure spreading over more than two decades, self interests were taken care of, with no sufficient time to serve for the welfare of Goans.
Surprisingly as press reports suggest, his tenure due to expire in April which has now been extended by another five years.
It appears the party is facing a dearth of talent by not inducting new competent faces and keeps on dragging with the old guard and outdated leaders. It is high time that the party injects fresh blood and talent. If not, they are likely to fare badly in the forthcoming elections.
Welcome decision
Tony Borges, Ucassaim
The Goa government’s approval of a repatriation fund for distressed Non Resident Goans is a move that will be surely welcomed by NRGs and their families.
The NRG authorities should look into creating schemes for NRG returnees similar to those created in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A registry of non residents of these states has been created to prevent misuse of the schemes.
NRGs would, however, appreciate if the government addresses the woes of their families with respect to dwindling law and order, burglaries, transportation, environment and hurdles faced when approaching any government authority.
IAF’s lax administration
S Kamat, Alto Betim
Air Marshal Naik heading our Air Force has made an intriguing statement that one of the files relating to the purchase of the next generation fighters that was found on the streets of Delhi, was not an important one and therefore, there was no issue.
Is this not surprising since it comes from the head of our Air Force? In contrast, on any other matter of the Air Force, where he would claim the privilege of secrecy and defend it vigorously, here is an instance of the non importance of a file. Air Marshal Naik should institute a court of inquiry into the matter, and take action against those responsible for getting the file down to Delhi’s streets.
If Air Marshal Naik’s approach is so careless and perfunctory, we have surely given the responsibility of our Air Force into wrong hands.
Softly killing Goans
James Moraes, Cuncolim
Today Goans are sidelined and have assumed a status, akin to that of migrants. Politicians and bureaucrats make their presence felt in illegal migrant inhabited Moti Dongor.
They provide door step service instead of acting tough on the law breakers. This is all because of the vote bank advantage. They get free water, electricity and other amenities.
In comparison, the Goan has to make frequent visits to the South Goa collectorate to get a ration card or to get his name on the election roll card. Due to such politicians, we have lost our land to migrants and are now on verge of losing our river fronts to anti Goan organisations.
Rising cost of gasoline
P L Fernandes, Old Goa
The rise of petrol and other petroleum products, is beginning to bite. India was talking about using “gasohol” on the model of Brazil, most suited to us, because we can grow sugarcane instead of other organic material from beetroot and sweet potato, since 2002.
Somehow nothing has happened. The fact is that ‘ethanol’ can be sustainable and is renewable energy, because of the sun.
It is believed that the US, in addition to Brazil, has been blending ethanol for decades. So why not we? Or are we doing it already?
