Display manpower at
public health centres
In 1943, under the chairmanship of Joseph William Bhore, a committee was set up by the Government of India known as the health survey and development committee. Later it was known as Bhore committee. The committee suggested to have the following programmes for the primary health centres - Provision of medical care, Maternal-child health including family planning, Safe water supply and basic sanitation, Prevention and control of locally endemic diseases, Education about health and so on.
The first Primary health centre was established in 1952. It is reported that in February 2018, the Government of India announced the creation of 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) by transforming the existing Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres. The purpose of these centres is to cover both maternal and child health services non-communicable diseases and to distribute free drugs and diagnostic services and many other health facilities.
Since then, many other Primary health centres have been established in rural areas in different states. Navelim PHC is one such centre. As reported recently, GOACAN visited this centre and to their surprise and to the dismay of the citizens in Goa, the basic information on availability of doctors and staff members deputed to this PHC was not displayed. It is mandatory to display the manpower at PHCs. With advancement of technology and rapid development of the infra-structures, such a lacuna on the part of the Navelim PHC is unacceptable. Hope the concerned authorised will look into the matter and do the needful for the benefit of the citizens
Rui Pereira, Navelim
Wider roads should
be boon, not bane
There has reportedly been a huge spike in road mishaps with 1,800 reported from January till date. Seven fatalities in just 72 hours has taken the fatalities to 197 in a matter of just six months. It is pertinent to note that at several places across the state the roads have been widened and converted into multi-lane freeways. In response to transportation demands, multi-lane freeways are likely to be the trend of the future. In the past, road accidents used to end up with injuries to the victims. But not now the number of road fatalities have spiked considerably. Although collisions typically happen less frequently on highways than other roads, the chance of a fatality on the highway is much higher.
Many people assume bigger highways are safer because they cut down on traffic congestion, but the exact opposite appears to be true. Speeding on freeways has become the order of the day. Goans may not be used to driving on a multi-lane freeway which requires several precautions.
This is necessary to avoid undertaking a last-minute lane change or exiting onto a service road. Drivers need to turn on the signal before changing lanes and ensure that there is sufficient space to do so while never moving over more than one lane at a time. There needs to be separate lanes for heavy vehicles, cars and two-wheelers. It is necessary to steer lightly and not make any quick maneuvers when traveling at highway speeds.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Directive likely
to be bulldozed
The Supreme Court's directive putting a halt to 'bulldozer (in)justice' stating that demolition as a punitive step is against the ethos of the Constitution is all very well and applaudable but would it really affect things on the ground materially ?
The Apex Court has asserted that no demolition be carried out till October 1 without taking its approval unless the structure encroached on public land, was built near railway lines or obstructed roads in which case it can be razed without notice. The learned judges explicitly mentioned that the "executive can't be a judge" but the point remains, how can the SC know about the thousands of demolitions taking place on a regular basis unless the government informs it which I am sure it would be loathe to do.
The shamelessness with which such egregious actions have been embosomed by BJP ruled states playing Judge Dredd /Dirty Harry meting out vigilante (in)justice for political gains and subjugating the minorities is beyond alarming.
This instrument of oppression has snowballed into a humanitarian issue, with houses of even immediate relatives of perceived 'criminals' being flattened rendering them homeless . The fig leaf of 'unauthorized construction' is trotted out by the sarkar to justify it's patently illegal acts.
The SC's directive has already been met with pushback by the Solicitor General of India who asked the judges not to get influenced by 'outside noises'. I am very sure that the undermining and dismantling of the justice delivery system which is underway by the sarkar shall be fast forwarded with renewed vigour; how dare the SC question Modi and his minions?
Rekha Sarin Trehan, Benaulim
India no longer
safe for women?
When we flip through the pages of a newspaper, we come across many incidents of sexual assaults, molestation, sexual harasments, rapes, trafficking, ill treatment of women, violence against women in remote areas, etc. The crime comes amid heightened concerns about sexual violence in India. It seems that criminals are no longer afraid of the law. It is also evident that many cities in India can no longer claim to be safe for the growing number of working women. We must have remedial or curative measures such as fast track courts especially dedicated to deal only with these offences and crimes.
These can be made responsible to clear the cases on a day to day basis with fair trial as its core principle. The law should be strong enough so that nobody could ever imagine of doing such things. It is time the government undertakes drastic measures to put an end to crime against women. I would like to quote that a country which does not respect women cannot become a developed country.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai