The shockingly blatant attempts by Leading Hotel’s goons to intimidate and terrorize the Tiracol villagers by breaking the law needs to be condemned by Goans in unequivocal terms. Immediate action needs to be taken against Leading Hotels and their henchmen to stop them from doing this.
Day by day we see hoteliers, real estate agents and others from the builders mafia brazenly over-riding even decisions of the Court and perpetrating all sorts of destructive actions damaging the environment, encroaching and trampling over the rights of villagers with the open support and goading from Governmental authorities, Panchayats and even elected MLAs. In this particular case involving the Golf Course in Tiracol, the Government of Goa is guilty of encouraging, abetting and instigating by not only giving the illegal permissions but even constructing a Rs 77 crore bridge with the Goan taxpayers’ money, in blatant violation of environmental rules and numerous illegalities.
What more can one expect than for Leading Hotels to think they are justified in enforcing their writ through criminal intimidation and literally bull dozing their way to carry out their criminal intentions, inspite of Court rulings? Unfortunately for Goa and Goans, the Government of Goa has openly declared that they would go ahead with such anti-environmental and anti-people projects even if Goans
oppose them and this mafia knows that they can do as they please. Kickbacks have been paid and huge payments have already been doled out to get the approvals and blessings from the Government authorities and those who are responsible for protecting the interests of Goa and our environment are working against us.
This is the irony of the situation that those who are supposed to protect our interests and that of the land are blatantly selling us down the river and encouraging criminals and goons. It’s time that we Goans deliver a loud and clear message stating that “enough is enough” and we will not tolerate this. Today it is Tiracol, tomorrow it could be any other village or anyone of us. Stop this rot once and for all! Is the Government of Goa listening?
Roger D’Souza, via email
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Vehicle entry restriction
It is understood that the entry, parking and movement of all heavy and medium transport vehicles within the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has been permanently prohibited between 7 am and 9 pm by the authorities (Herald May 27).
The question to be asked is whether ‘all heavy and medium transport vehicles’ also include buses. If so will it not affect the movement of city buses and school buses as well? It is also understood that the entry, parking and movement of heavy vehicles carrying essential commodities is also prohibited during peak hours and school hours. This is a step in the right direction.
But while not allowing tourist buses to enter, park and move within the city limits, it may not be proper to extend the same restriction to city buses and school buses. Some clarification in this regard seems necessary.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Parking fees
My niece and I went to watch the movie “PIKU” at the INOX Complex on May 21 for the 2:30 pm show. We were very surprised when a young man approached us to pay Rs 20 towards parking. I of course refused and went inside to the ticketing counters to verify this. We had parked our car in the INOX parking lot, we have been doing this all this while, free of charge.
INOX personnel said that it was not their concern but that of the real estate qwners. It would have been nice if they could have placed a notice at the entrance gates, prior to entering the car park as well as a notification in the Newspapers.
After arguing with the INOX personnel, we did pay the parking fee of Rs 20. However, I am sure the public would appreciate if the concerned Real Estate personnel would consider reducing the parking fees from Rs 20 to Rs 10.
Lea Rodrigues, Caranzalem
