Frequent power cuts are irritating
Previously, the Electricity Department ordered shutdown of power supply only when some repairs or maintenance work had to be done. In such case, it gave advance notice to the public informing the date, time and purpose of shutdown.
For quite a long time now, the department orders shutdowns very frequently and for 5 to 6 hours at a time. Many a time, no advance notice is given and when it is given the purpose of shutdown is not informed.
These common and frequent shutdowns causes much trouble and inconvenience to people. It is suspected that these area wise frequent shutdowns are arranged by the department for load shedding. Further, it doesn’t even make any deduction in the various charges and fees it bills for the planned interruptions in power supply.
The Union Ministry of Power have promulgated the Electricity (Rights of Consumer) Rules 2020 under Section 176 of Electricity Act wherein it has provided that there shall be no gratituous/wilful load shedding by Electricity Distribution Companies, which in Goa is the Electricity Department.
Under these Rules 24×7 power supply is a right of consumers and compensation should be paid to the consumers if wilful load shedding is done. The people of Goa expect the Electricity Department to work within the framework of these Rules. I request GOACAN, the Goa Consumer and Civic Rights Forum, to please take up this important matter with the Goa Government.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Demonetisation was a disaster
Every anniversary of demonetisation strikes a painful memory of India’s biggest economic blunder committed by the Narendra Modi government, scrapping the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes all of a sudden. (“Demonetisation more of bane than boon for economy” – ‘Comment’, Nov. 15). The policy decision of his government to flush out black money turned out to be a colossal failure, and it stands belied till today.
Late justifications about the real benefits of demonetization, ranging from a cashless economy to hitting terror networks have also proven to be far-fetched. True, in the last six years digital transactions have gone up markedly, but hardly enough to justify the demonetization. Most economists in the country had argued that demonetization would not achieve the desired goals, and at the most it would only be a pinprick for the black money operators, for which causing a mass distress was totally unacceptable and inexcusable. Demonetization was a fiasco in achieving its stated objectives, apart from being a disaster for the people. No doubt, the Narendra Modi government will be defined by its ill-planned and ill-thought out demonetization of 2016 that caused immense problems and difficulties for the people of India.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Rise in crime against minors
The recent report published in O Heraldo against spate of serious offences against minors in last one-and-a-half a months registered in Salcete taluka ring alarm bells.
Even it is also opined that there are more such cases that are not reported. This shows the spurt in POCSO cases. There is a worrying rise in crimes against children. This is largely due to lack and ineptitude on awareness among the public to report such incidents and punish culprits. It proves beyond doubt that, despite many government measures, our children are nowhere close to a safe and protected childhood.
In such cases, State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) should seek the report from all the stations on the actual causes/reasons for the increase. Urgent measures are needed to strengthen child protection systems. It needs to have more resources at both systemic and financial levels. This is not attainable without adequate budget allocations for child protection and safety.
And to adequately utilise the strengths of a dedicated cadre of child protection officials. Also, Legal Services Clinics of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) at the village levels and the Legal Literacy Club of NALSA at the high school levels should be fully functional to ensure access to justice for children.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Philosophical approach to problems
The words ‘philosophy’ and ‘philosophical’ are often loosely used. For an expert, it’s about thoughts and questions and finding suitable answers. As Gautama Buddha said “the mind is everything, what you think you become”.
Thought sharing and exploration of innovative ideas and lacing a creative touch to these, form the base of philosophy. The UNESCO is observing the “World philosophy Day” on every third Thursday of November. Philosophical approach towards problems plaguing the world can mould a fair society. In times of one culture being pitted against the other, fair thoughts and unbiased news may create an equal platform. Philosophers have stressed the need to shun animosity of the past and buttress the present.
Yesterdays have no meaning if one can use today to perfection. There can be no set rules and no specific norm to guide the society because it’s more of the mind knowing better than the eyes and ears.
Introspection of one’s own knowledge cannot escape attention because according to that great philosopher Socrates “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing”.
The progress made by generations all around the world should hinge on love for, and between, each other and not on the “power” of its society. The root cause for all conflicts can be traced to people’s tendency to judge soon and talk too soon before deciphering the truth.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
