Jumbo cars create traffic congestion
There used to be small and compact family cars till the nineties and owning a big car was considered as a luxury only few could afford. Today almost everyone owns jumbo cars not because family members are increasing but as a status symbol to drive singly to office / work and back. This is causing serious traffic congestion in the cities and major blocks on the roads as there is tendency to drive at speed and cause accidents, lose control, skid, overturn or otherwise.
Only very few who are having traffic sense and feel they should not create more chaos are still continuing with smaller ones but of no use as full road stretches get occupied by jumbo cars. The Government is constantly in process of planning and implementing widening of road networks, constructing highways and bypasses etc but there is always big NO and protests in the name of ecology / environment from so called locals and stakeholders mostly of whom own jumbo cars.
The local MLAs do not seem to take interest to convince or gather support for such schemes whether it is road or rail expansion. It is very easy to blame / criticise the Govt for accidents, mishap, national calamity or any dam happening as it costs nothing. It is high time we shed short sightedness and be partners for expansion for our own benefit and ease.
Bhalchandra V S Priolkar, Margao
Safety harness vital for linemen
In order to improve the safety of linemen working on power transmission lines, Power Minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar reportedly said that the government will soon equip electricity department staff with smart helmets and watches in order to prevent electric shocks and enhance worker safety. It is learnt that the smart helmets and watches are capable of detecting whether a line is live from a distance of approximately 50 to 60 cms.
The state has seen numerous accidents involving linemen and line helpers, many of them ending in fatalities. Before going high tech, those working on power lines should be provided with the basic safety gear. They should be provided with safety helmets, insulating rubber gloves, shoes and insulated clothing. Turning the power off is vital. There have even been incidents of the power being turned on even when the linesmen are working on high tension wires which have resulted in fatalities. A safety harness is vital when the lineman is working at a height.
Electricity workers in Goa are seen working at great heights without following the mandatory safety rules. Now, many cities in Goa have underground electric cables and work is going on at several places to replace overhead electrical wires by underground cabling. When underground cables are damaged, electricity workers can get injured by electric shock. Hence all necessary precautions need to be taken including putting off the main power line.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Beginnings of another scam?
As part of the Swayampoorna Goa initiative, the government has launched a ‘ Smart Village’ project which purportedly aims to transform rural communities across the state through infrastructure, digital education, accessible healthcare and sustainable energy solutions. The initiative aims to ensure remote villages have access to digital tools and infrastructure needed for modern society and includes construction of ‘smart’ schools, wellness centres, solar energy farms, creation of wifi hotspots and hold your breath- installation of CCTV cameras. (remember how Rs.250 crores was spent on acquiring 250 CC cameras for Panjim). The state of ‘smart city’ Panjim marred by gargantuan corruption and zilch accountability is there for all to see, you can bet your bottom dollar that this ‘smart village’ scheme is another megascam in the making, of course the first village picked for this (ig)noble effort, Shiroda will go to the dogs. We need ‘common sense’ villages, not ‘smart villages.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Lawmakers or lawbreakers?
Our Hon’ble CM led a bike rally in Mormugao recently in connection with the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign leading up to Independence day. First and foremost no permission was sought from the concerned authorities for holding this rally; second, most of the riders who had joined in were not wearing helmets, why some pillion riders were even seen indulging in acrobatics while waving the flag, perhaps they got carried away by their patriotic fervour.
Thirdly the pillion riding cameramen who was recording the proceedings was seated back to front putting his own life and the lives of other in danger. If the lawmakers themselves are lawbreakers then what right do they have to ask others to abide by the law ? Point to ponder.
Rekha Sarin Trehan, Benaulim
Staff crunch plagues govt departments
A recent analysis of government departments in the State has revealed significant staff shortages thereby presenting challenges to effective service delivery and administration. This shortage, however, seems to be symptomatic of a larger problem.
When visiting a government department including hospitals, it is not uncommon to encounter a shortage of personnel, with employees expressing their concerns about limited resources and the burden of additional work. At the same time, the number of patients approaching government hospitals is increasing.
The most important of these issue is that there are not enough doctors and nurses in government hospitals. Promotions among the staffs and subsequent transfers also added to the woes. This shortage raises concerns about the state’s ability to effectively utilise technology for governance and digital initiatives. In fact, merely filling sanctioned posts would not be enough to govern a state in size and complexities. It’s clear that new posts must be created to effectively deliver services to the people. The government must mandatorily notify vacancies in its offices at employment exchanges.
The government must fill the vacant posts on priority with merit basis in a time-bound manner, and not on political influence or through back door. Recruiting and selecting people on merit and skill based is the right way. It’s a process of determining which candidates have the abilities, knowledge, and skills considered the most suitable for the job. It should provide jobs to qualified individuals through a transparent recruitment policy, ensuring that eligible candidates are not deprived under any circumstances.
K GVilop, Chorao
Colva roads in horrible shape!
I request the Transport Minister to immediately address the roads in Colva, which have potholes in so many places and speed breaker signs are washed out!
The part particularly at the Colva Church/School area is horrible to say the least…. the stop signs/speed breakers washed out) are hardly visible and are extremely hazardous to drivers and people/children crossing at this place!
Hope the Goa Govt acts proactively and not wait for a tragedyt to happen for the administration to wake up!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
