During the UPA rule, national security was tied down to the vote bank politics. The UPA governments played communal politics while dealing with security issues. The Pakistan establishment was treated as the next door friendly neighbour and went an extra mile to practice the dictum: Love thy neighbour.
Because of the knee-jerk response of the Indian government to the brazen machinations of Pakistan, Pakistan thought that India was weak and vulnerable. When the new government took over, the government tested the sincerity of the Pakistan establishment through a diplomatic coup by inviting the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the swearing in ceremony. When Pakistan went back to her old habits, the Indian government called its bluff.
The government of India is determined to deal with Pakistan in an effective way. When the previous regime was sleeping, the present government is awake and vigilant. Another Mumbai-type episode was thwarted when the Indian security forces neutralized a vessel loaded with explosives and terrorists.
The terrorists who operate within the country are located, arrested and prosecuted. This is the biggest achievement of the present government. Protecting India and her citizens is the priority of this government. However this is not news for the media houses and for those who suffer from pathological antipathy towards Narendra Modi and his government.
SND Poojary, Miramar
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Increase in petrol price is justified
Former CM Monohar Parrikar had virtually abolished VAT on petrol in 2012 so as to provide relief to the common man. However, the situation is a lot different today. Mining, the main source of revenue to the government, has been hit by court orders. Tourism, the next largest source of revenue, is facing a crisis because Russian tourists are cancelling bookings due to the falling value of the rouble.
In the light of these developments, the recent increase in the price of petrol from Rs 52.52 to Rs 55.72 is justified. Even then petrol is cheapest in Goa. The government could save precious revenue by working out a mechanism to ensure that only ‘Goa registered’ vehicles get the benefit of cheaper petrol. At present, vehicles from neighbouring States ‘tank up’ before leaving Goa to benefit from Goa government’s munificence.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
Address the problem of stench at Patto
There is no doubt that Patto Plaza in Panaji is the most developed business locality in the State and a pride of Goa. Several high-rise modern building complexes give it a posh look. Many consider the locality as the ‘Nariman Point’ of Goa as there are head offices of several companies and banks, including that of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and the Passport Bhavan. But the stench that emits from the garbage dump/treatment plant situated close by is unbearable. People visiting this posh locality and those working in the offices located here have to bear with the bad odour. The government needs to take necessary steps to address this problem so that the people visiting the location are not put to inconvenience.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Regularizing unauthorized colonies vote bank policy
It is clear that BJP is also playing vote bank politics – just like most political parties especially Congress – as in view of forthcoming Delhi Elections it has regularized unauthorized colonies.
Just for vote bank politics, illegal and unauthorized colonies are regularized, which results in disastrous situation later on as infrastructure is inadequate and an action of illegality is legalized that encourages unlawful activities. The situation arises because of corrupt officers and a corrupt public. Unless there is some accountability and responsibility and strict action is taken against corrupt officers such a situation may repeat.
Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi
Where is the new six-lane Zuari Bridge?
Since six-lane bridges are essential for promoting expressways, there is an urgent need to know the alignment of the proposed Zuari Bridge showing the details on land acquisition, total number of houses to be displaced, rehabilitation plans, etc. There is a hidden proposal of a six-lane urban ring road (including two lanes for bus bays and other road side facilities) passing through Cortalim-Verna-Nuvem-Arlem-Raia-Camurlim-Loutolim-Rassaim-Quelossim-Cortalim.The earlier existing bus shelters in several villages along this road were demolished in the year 2011 or earlier, without first constructing appropriate new bus shelters. The objective of this urban ring road is for promoting unsustainable tourism & SEZ/Real Estate development projects on the banks of the River Zuari and at other locations along the road alignment.
In what way is the new six-lane bridge proposal over River Zuari different from the earlier National Highways Authority of India bridge proposal over River Zuari on NH-17 in terms of bridge geometry and alignment?
There is an immediate need to construct a new two-lane Agassaim to Cortalim Zuari Bridge near to the existing two-lane bridge, if the present bridge can be retained. However, for a new six-lane bridge, the construction work will be delayed, as this bridge shall be in conflict with the existing Konkan Railway infrastructure and the connecting narrow approach/exit roads passing through existing village settlements.
Wesley Edward Pereira, Raia
