Is dog tax
necessary?
It is learnt that the Mapusa Municipal Council has reportedly announced the introduction of a new tax on dog owners. As part of the new regulation, a one-time registration fee of Rs 500 will be charged for each dog, with an annual renewal fee of Rs 100. Registering a pet dog with the civic body is a good step but why should the dog owner be made to pay such a hefty dog tax? The dog owners could have been charged a nominal registration fee. And who will pay the dog tax for the stray dogs roaming on the streets? Will pet cats also be taxed in future? Should there be any uniform tax profile for all breeds of dogs that included high breed dogs and local breed? If a household has more than one pet dog paying the dog tax could mean extra financial burden. In general, whenever tax is collected the government uses the money for the welfare of the people. Will the dog tax be used for the welfare of the pet dogs? It is pertinent to note that dog lovers usually adopt stray dogs from the dog shelter. If they have to pay dog tax then it will dissuade them from adopting these stray dogs. Hence the number of stray dogs in the dog shelter will only increase in due course. The authorities concerned need to have a rethink on imposing dog tax.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Stubble burning
is man-made
The recent fire in the Taleigao fields is a cause for concern to all nature loving Goans. This is going on for sometime now with ablomb with the authorities turning a blind eye obviously with a hidden agenda.
We have seen fires in fields - the most recent one in Taleigao besides San Jose de Areal and hill fires in Molem and other places where cashew plantations are burnt down to ashes obviously for real estate development. The Portuguese during their rule in Goa had meticulously brought the cashew plant to Goa from distant Brazil and which has survived for ages and the real estate mafia are trying to give it a slow death. Stubble burning besides creating air pollution also has a very cascading effect on the health of the elderly n children. Our politicos fail to realise this just for a few crores which they make but ruin the next 3/4 generations in the long run. If urgent steps are not taken immediately we are heading for a disaster in the forthcoming years.
Lucas D’Souza, Verna
Resolve issues
through dialogue
The latest launch of India's Operation Sindoor has significantly heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, raising concerns about potential escalation into a broader conflict. The operation involved missile strikes on nine alleged terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, in retaliation for a terrorist attack on April 22. The targets were identified as training camps and logistical hubs associated with militant groups like LeT and JeM. The operation marks one of the most significant military engagements in recent years, highlighting the persistent volatility in the Kashmir region and the potential for rapid escalation between the two countries.
Both countries are nuclear-powered and previous standoffs, after the Pulwama-Balakot incident in 2019, have shown how quickly things can spiral without direct diplomatic channels or international mediation.
Major countries that expressed its support to India against Pakistan earlier, has now softened their tone and urged both the warring nations to exercise restraint over the escalation situation and engage in dialogue to prevent further deterioration. While the immediate future may witness continued military engagements and heightened tensions, the likelihood of a full-scale war remains low due to the mutual understanding of the devastating consequences such a conflict would entail.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Time to prove patriotism
It is not by choice that India finds itself at war with Pakistan and the scourge of terrorism. While the southern parts of the country may feel removed from the conflict, the war’s toll—lives lost, massive expenditure, and post-war repercussions—is a national burden. This isn’t just the army’s war—it’s India’s. In moments like these, every citizen has a role. Whether through financial support, austerity, or moral solidarity, we must stand firm behind our forces. By postponing luxuries and contributing to war funds, we not only strengthen our military budget but brace ourselves for the fiscal aftershocks of prolonged conflict. History speaks. In 1965 and 1971, India fought not only with weapons but with the resilience of its people. Once again, we must channel that spirit.
Let us prove that patriotism isn’t a sentiment reserved for parade days—it’s an everyday commitment, especially when the nation is tested.
Gopalaswamy J, Chennai
India gives a
befitting reply
It took a mere 25 minutes for the Indian missiles and bombs to pound enemy targets and destroy them. 25 extraordinary missiles precisely struck 9 terror camps of Pakistan to spread joy and jubilation across India. Pakistan's terror backbones Lashkar- e- Taba(LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen were broken so badly that it may take years, if at all, for the evil conspirators and executors of terror to recoup.
Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) has always been a nursery for terror training and the Indian forces did commendably well to locate and strike at five targets there. 'Operation Sindoor' is the most exhaustive military action on Pakistan--sponsored terrorism by India in nearly five decades. While the Balakot attack was on a single terror launch pad, 'Sindoor' targeted nine such launchpads and went even deep into the Pakistan territory.
What 'Operation Sindoor' has done is to unequivocally send an unambiguous message that India will no longer tolerate terror on its soil in any form. Gone are the days when posturing and planning were the only counter attack mechanisms employed by the governments in power. At the same time, India has displayed a remarkable combination of attack and restraint by focusing only on terror hubs and sparing civilians.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Hats off to armed forces
Hats off to our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the Armed Forces for their retaliation for the Pahalgham attack on our tourists. The Prime Minister has aptly christened this operation as 'Sindoor'. The most heartening news is that all the opposition leaders, especially the Congress leaders, had hailed the efforts of our Armed Forces on their successful mission. The Operation Sindoor and the support and cooperation of our Opposition Parties must have given a clear message to the perpetrators of terror, a loud and clear signal that Indians will not tolerate terror and we are United.
N Viswanathan, Coimbatore