Shylockian amendments to Co-op Societies Act
The Goa Co-operative Societies (Fourth Amendment) Rules 2023 which have been published in the gazetted are now in force in the state. Extensive changes have been made to the Society Rules 2003 but a few clauses relating to fees and premium for transfer of shares impose considerable financial burden on both the prospective unit holders and the society.
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For instance a fixed transfer fee of Rs 2,000 (earlier Rs 1,000) is payable to the society by a prospective member seeking conveyance of share and occupancy rights. Additionally a premium amounting to 4% (earlier 1%) of the market value of the plot or dwelling unit has to be credited to the housing society on the date of effecting transfer. To add to the agony, another 4% of the property value as transfer charges has to be paid by members directly into the Government treasury by e- challan and proof of payment (e- receipt) submitted to the society along with their applications.
In the event of a society affecting any such transfer of title without depositing of the transfer fees in the treasury, the same shall be recovered from the society as arrears of land revenue without prejudice to other modes of recovery. This arbitrary and exorbitant increase in fees is Shylock-ian in nature would skew the already stagnant property market in Goa. It is extremely unfair to both the co-operative housing society and potential members. The ‘amendments’ are an extortion of sorts and need to be immediately reversed.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Sex education in schools is a must
Your editorial ‘Sex education should be made compulsory in schools’ (O Heraldo, September 11) was enlightening and informative.
Introducing sex education in schools may be a step in the right direction in view of sexual assaults on minors in recent times. Sex is really a dedicate issue and needs to be handled tenderly and therefore the timing is important. Introducing sex education in schools too early may have the wrong results. The authorities need to consult concerned professionals and take an informed decision. Teenage pregnancies are perhaps the worst thing that can happen as the girls may not be mature enough to handle such situations, both physically and emotionally. The editorial rightly states, sex is not just about getting physical, sex education is all about educating people about sex. Both girls and boys should be made to understand this. And while they are at it, they need to be taught ‘family planning’ which is sadly lacking in our country, especially among the uneducated labour class. Having a large population is no great achievement for any nation.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Social schemes benefits not yet disbursed
Most beneficiaries complain they have not received their benefits under various schemes for the last few months. They keep constantly inquiring at the Bank counter to know of their receipts. But they get a negative reply from the counter attendant saying, “kaim na” -nothing has come. It’s festival time and we want these benefits to come more for our health maintenance, says one beneficiary.
Rightly so, in old age no one wants to look after the elders, our health facilities too are very poor at the local health centers. We have given our best in our younger days in whatever capacity we could serve but today the government shows its back foot. Ironically, very recently, politicians are given increments in their salaries with other benefits. The Goa government also spends in crores on events that don’t benefit the common man. Is it that the aged are only in focus at election time? Beneficiaries expect the benefits will come before the Ganesh festival begins. Who will pursue our matter?
Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo
Is Goa what it was in the 1960s?
Is it true that “All that is legal is not justice’. Let’s debate being a Goan of the 1960s. The biological answer is, humans are generally driven in a race to get on top like the crabs, trying to fulfill their own needs faster by blind folding their morals and ethics, which pushes or motivates them to embrace something called ‘corruption’.
Let’s look at this as an example from the latest era by placing two young kids in a room and share a handful of chocolates, I bet that both will try to get maximum number off chocolates for themselves and neither wants to share equally. This was not experienced in the 1960s, when kids then shared our goodies equally or generously? This proves that we are born clean but some get groomed to be corrupt as they see their surrounding is fast tracked to become richer or larger than their own. But what they forget is, there is no guarantee if their future can make use of such savings or get drained out as guilt of wrong doing or God’s fear to suffer.
Corruption is completely subjective as we decide what is socially acceptable and what is not to get drawn into corruption? On the flipside, inequality breeds corruption. The more the gap widens, the more corruption prevails – we hunt for the mightier lion’s share. Technically, privilege should go to people who are ‘not mightier, who are innocent or powerless’ so that they get stronger with decent healthy life and importantly get a sound sleep with clear conscience.
Gaston Dias, Sarzora
Effort to substitute Bharat for India
The India vs Bharat row started soon after the Opposition parties, which have joined hands against the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, decided to name their group as INDIA (Indian National Inclusive Developmental Alliance). When BJP came to power everyone thought it will be a game changer for country. But it is turning out to be ‘Name Changer’.
The Centre is incompetent to deal with increase in prices of essential items, unemployment, health and education. That is why they are bringing up non-issues to deviate from the suffering masses. Name changing does not help, other than just making the aam admi to forget the real issues. The BJP feels that their votes may decrease, so they want to change the name of the country to Bharat. India is incorporated in the Constitution of India. This is the Republic of India, our currency notes too say Reserve Bank of India. The change of name from India to Bharat would unleash chaos and put an end to the enormous brand value that India enjoys across the world.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Coco Gauff a deserved winner
Coco Gauff deserves accolades for winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open. The American held her nerve as she came from behind to turn the tables on her Belarusian opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, to script victory. The teen wonder became the first American to capture a Grand Slam singles this century. Serena Williams was just 17 when she won her first Grand Slam at the 1999 US Open. Gauff is now among the few Black American women, including the Williams sisters, Althea Gibson and Sloane Stephens, who have won the US Open crown.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
