Disgust boils down to frustration by the news report of 4 MLAs who are yet to refund world cup junket dues to the Govt, despite the three reminders from the Director of SAG. Disgust, because our elected representatives without any scruples, empty our state coffers for their personal amusement and frustration because our govt. machinery seems helpless or reluctant to act speedily against these so called peoples’ representatives. It also appears, that the so called political parties and the powers that be, have miserably failed in scanning the candidates for their educational qualifications , morality and integrity to serve the people. Therefore the onus now rests with us citizens to rise to the occasion and screen the candidates that are forced upon us for their educational qualifications, integrity and their love and aptitude for social work before casting our valuable vote. A conscious effort is required on the part of the electorate to weed out these unscrupulous elements from our political system.
Glocerio Fernandes, Velim
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Where is the money?
With ISL taking India by storm many of us seem to have forgotten about the football World Cup 2014. It’s been five months since our legislators went to Brazil on a supposedly ‘study tour’. After all the hue and cry on national TV they were made to promise by our ex-CM that they will bear the cost of the tour. But until now they have not paid the money. Since the state does not have money to pay salaries it would be in the interest of the state if they could return the money soon.
It also does not seem that they have learnt anything from the Football World Cup because we almost had a repeat of the 2001 ticket gate scandal at Fatorda stadium where genuine ticket holders had to return home without watching the match.
Matias Lobo, Oman
Shower of praises
On every birthday of our ministers and MLAs, a number of advertisements appear in the newspapers from their friends and supporters conveying wishes and compliments. The supporters shower tons of praises on the politicians and use all the adjectives possible to describe the leaders not forgetting their favourite one ‘dynamic leader’. One wonders why, when all the leaders are dynamic, the performance of their departments is usually slow, if not static.
Now look at this. The moment the politicians are out of power, all these advertisements dry up and their friends disappear. It is pretty obvious that all these advertised wishes are only profuse expressions of gratitude for past favours and means of soliciting new favours. The supporters know well that their leaders relish flattery.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Tinted glasses
In the wake of rape of a woman executive in a cab in the national capital, it is to be noted that the tinted glasses on the windows of the cars should be banned completely. At times all sorts of untoward activities are carried out in such vehicles. Late night patrolling and surprise checks by the police in every nook and corner of the street and specially in isolated places is a must. A mere cheek up of vehicles on the highways will not serve the purpose. Licences of the drivers should be verified. Car parked by the roadside with tinted glass windows must be thoroughly inspected.
Veena /Vandana Fernandes, Cansaulim
Dangerous turn in Ponda
The sharp turn adjacent to PWD office at Daag in Ponda happens to be a most sensitive and critical location. Vehicles have been plying with full speed in opposite directions and there are no speed-breakers to restrict vehicles. Adequate traffic signboards are also missing. Recently, a streetlight fixture near this turn was found to be non-functional and pedestrians in particular have been confronted with greater risk during the night. Existence of bushes hinder the visibility of motorists and there is every possibility of a major accident taking place sooner or later. Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai
Anti-Conversion Bill
The forced mass conversions at Agra is a crooked move to pass the controversial and anti-freedom bill on conversions. By orchestrating such forced conversions they are trying to pressurize the opposition to agree to the Bill in order to stop such fraudulent conversions executed by the ruling Govt’s affiliate organizations.
The ruling Govt. is spending a huge amount of time, energy and manpower in an attempt to create a Hindu Nation: started with trying to make Hindi the sole administrative language, then the Sanskrit language issue. The extolling of Godse and the belittling of Gandhi, Nehru etc. The ‘capturing’ of V Patel as a BJP stalwart-BJP did not exist during his time. Why not promote other stalwarts like Dr. R. Prasad? Because he is from the South?
What happened to the Swaach Ganga? The BJP openly vowed to clean the sacred River Ganges. When they fell flat on this they changed it to Swaach India and sent everyone on a red herring chase. Yes, the BJP trade mark has not changed: go on calling lies as the truth till people believe the same.
R Fernandes, Margao
