Manipur continues
to burn
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Manipur is again on the boil with violence escalating not only among the warring groups, but also against seats and symbols of power. Unfortunately, the Centre has not shown any seriousness in controlling the tense situation there.
It has now imposed the draconian AFSPA in some areas of the state. The AFSPA has an infamous record in Manipur and its reintroduction can only increase the people’s distrust.
Globe-trotting PM Narendra Modi has been conspicuous by his absence since the violence broke out, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur only twice and one of these visits was for an election rally. The Centre must ask Manipur CM Biren Singh to go, a decision it should have taken long ago. The time for excuses is running out.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Check and stop power theft in Goa
A bungalow owner in Khandola allegedly bypassed the energy metre and stole electricity for more than a year (O Heraldo 16.11.2024). The incident was discovered by an alert metre reader who reported low energy consumption.
The consumer has been fined Rs 7 lakh based on power theft, which perhaps happened for a period of one year. It is shocking that a person who could afford to build a bungalow seems to have stooped low. He avoided paying the eligible dues for the energy used. This incident should catalyse the Electricity department to check for irregularities in the tens of bungalows that dot Goa’s landscape.
Surprise inspections, random verifications of the energy bills and discreet enquiries in the neighbourhood should be undertaken. The metre readers and linemen should be trained to be vigilant or else recruit people to specifically conduct the above tasks.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Provide free bus service during Exposition
The 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, NFDC and the Government of Goa through ESG is being held in the state from November 20 to 28.
More than 6,507 delegates have reportedly registered for IFFI thus far. It is learnt that free transport services will be provided for delegates travelling between the festival venues. Simultaneously another event of international significance, namely the decennial Exposition of the Relics of St Francis Xavier is being held at Old Goa from November 21 to January 5.
This event takes place once in every ten years, unlike the IFFI which is held every year. Devotees and visitors from all over India and across the globe will be descending to the state to witness the exposition.
It would be in the fitness of things for the government to provide free transport services from Panaji city to Old Goa during the period of the exposition. It may be recalled that in May 2023 KTC had sent dozens of its buses to neighbouring Karnataka for an election campaign in that State.
This move had anguished several commuters in Goa who were left stranded. If KTC buses can be sent to the neighbouring state during election, and provide free service during IFFI, why can’t some buses of the state transport corporation be put into service to provide free transport between Panaji city and Old Goa during the exposition?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Sale of government
jobs in Goa
Goa is making headlines with so many scams. To make matters worse, the latest one is the government job scam. It probably must have been going on for a very long time, but came into the limelight just a couple of weeks ago. This is such a disgrace, where people are so highly qualified, deserve to be rewarded a government job on their merit.
But in Goa it does not really matter if you are not qualified, as long as you have the money to buy a government job, my humble request to the BJP government to terminate each and every person from their government jobs who are caught accepting money, along with rigorous imprisonment and the ones offering money should be punished severely and put behind bars too.
They encourage the scammers, which is a crime. This is an eye-opener to every citizen of Goa and nation-wide too. Money cannot buy everything and in future nobody will dare to accept or offer money
for government jobs, especially in Goa.
It’s a pity that all this is happening under the BJP regime. Are the top politicians involved in this scam? That’s a million dollar question.
Remmy Alphonso,
Candolim
Banks and ATMs should be accessible
Accessibility in banking facilities is crucial for financial inclusion of persons with disabilities and for achieving the dream of turning India into a digital economy. After a recent visit to the SBI Bank at Madel-Chorao Bank Branch, it was found that disabled and senior citizens struggled to climb the steps at Bank entrance creating an impediment in their use.
Banks and ATMs should provide ramps in all existing and future ATMs, bank premises and make at least one third of new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads.
The circular says that banks have to take necessary steps to provide all existing ATMs / future ATMs including premises with ramps so that wheelchair users / persons with disabilities can easily access them and to undertake day to day banking transactions.
RBI guidelines make it very clear that banks should provide doorstep services to people with disabilities and senior citizens, but the reality is grim. This perennial problem could be solved only if banks start following RBI guidelines scrupulously.
There should be widespread awareness campaigns and sensitisation training for banking officials about these guidelines and to bring about attitudinal changes.
Every branch and ATM centre must be made accessible with ramps wherever possible for wheelchair users. The accessibility standards and guidelines for the banking sector issued by the Ministry of finance are blown into the air by most of the banks. The office of Commissioner for PwD should take note of it.
K G Vilop, Chorao
