No full-time Governor
It will soon be eight long months that Goa has been without a full-time Governor since that abrupt transfer of Governor Satya Pal Malik on August 19 last year. It is not known how much longer the State will have to wait to see a dedicated Constitutional head at our Raj Bhavan. This inordinate delay in appointing a full-time Governor for our State is inexplicable, while Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari continues for so long holding additional charge of Goa. It does not augur well that in a year when we are celebrating 60 years of Goa’s Liberation we are limping and dependent on a part-time Governor.
The post of Governor is of immense significance. Being the head of the state, the role of the Governor is vital, who as the Chief Executive of the State has Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Financial and Discretionary powers that if exercised judiciously and with integrity could ensure the proper good governance of the State. The crucial issues of Mhadei and mining continue unresolved while the economy is in doldrums with the State getting further debt ridden by the day. Goans and the youth in particular are rightly agitating against projects that are not in the interest of the State and our environment. The people deserve and expect to be taken seriously and treated with respect.
Goa merits a full time Governor who can be accessed by the people to overcome the hurdles of poor and lack of proper administration that is being detrimental to the State. The public unrest we have been witnessing on various fronts across the State is a manifestation created through lack of good and transparent Governance.
The ongoing pandemic and other critical issues including several non-priority vanity projects that are being flogged need addressing urgently at the highest level with determination and a firm resolve to ensure Goa’s best interests. And for this we expect and deserve a full time Governor who will as his office demands, govern with integrity and clarity while focusing solely on the welfare of the State and its people.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Role of the Centre
Day by the day the cases of COVID-19 are increasing in India in general and in particular in Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Goa. In other states there are SOPs in place but not in Goa! It is a free-for-all scene for tourists while residents of Goa are asked to take all precautionary measures and even Section 144 is applicable to us! The reasons for letting the tourists run amok (while we are to be cooped up in the house) is they bring in the much-needed business and perhaps even the virus!
In Goa the COVID-19 positivity rate is more than 5 and this is of concern especially for the already hassled doctors, nurses and other front-line workers and a strain on the existing infrastructural facilities. The Centre after watching the unfolding scenario sends out advisories and requests to all the States but beyond this nothing is done. It is high time that the Centre takes the reins once the cases and positivity rate (if more than 2) escalates in any State.
When the Centre can step into a State for political reasons and compulsions, it has to now order any State to follow its diktats. The situation being a national medical emergency all the States need to toe the line of the Centre failing which grants to the State should be reduced and authorities taken to task. Impartial actions should be taken regardless of which political party is governing a State, only then there would be some control over the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Act responsibly
The Covid cases in Goa are increasing everyday. Goa is back in the red zone. The health minister said that Goa is not a police raj state and it is difficult for the government to crack the whip on Covid norm violators. There is absolutely no doubt that each one of us should behave responsibly. But unfortunately this is not happening and violators not only put their lives at risk but also those of several innocent citizens.
Look at the way the tourists behave on the beaches of Goa, drinking, enjoying and going about with gay abandon without even wearing a mask. Same is the case at private parties held in Goa. In the interest of people of Goa, the healthcare system and the medical doctors and staff, all of whom are overburdened, time has come to crack the whip without hesitation on the violators when neither good sense or common sense prevails.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Culture of organ donation missing
Two patients received kidney transplants at the Goa Medical College Hospital (GMCH) at Bambolim from a 62-year-old woman and the liver of the person was allotted to a patient at a hospital in Gujarat as Goa does not have other transplant facilities. It is only the second deceased donor transplant to be conducted at the GMCH.
It is learnt that twenty-five kidney transplants have been performed at GMC while 41 patients have been registered for kidney transplant in the state so far. In most cases the transplants were done from living donors while only four cadaveric transplants have been done. The reason why people do not come forward to donate the organs of the deceased person could be related to emotions or the lack of knowledge of the formalities to adhere to.
It is pertinent to note that once the person is declared brain-dead, the period till the organs are removed is crucial. The donor also has to be given special treatment to maintain his/her organs. The culture of donating the organs of a brain-dead person does not seem to exist in the state despite GMC rigorously promoting its deceased donor program.
There needs to be a dedicated helpline which could come in handy for those families who have decided to donate the organs of their loved ones who are brain-dead. In order to maximize organ utilization and prevent people in need of organ transplant from going to other states, Goa needs to strive to have facilities for multiple organ transplant.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Pak reciting the ‘Mantra of Peace’
Pakistan has temporarily stopped ceasefire violations at LoC but it has not at all destroyed the terror networks, their launch pads, shelters inside the pakistan. In every matter and dealing with Pakistan, India should be always cautious, should be suspicious of and should be wary of Pakistan’s evil motives and designs as Pakistan will backstab India brutally again after its utter selfish interests got served & fulfilled with india.
Pakistan got bankrupted financially very badly and thus became a pauper country and so as a consequence they do not have sufficient fund to support even a mere and sheer 3 days war with India. Pakistan almost got into a severe debt trap with China and has almost became a slave country to China by mortgaging its ports, fertile lands etc. UAE is seeking money back from Pakistan.
Moreover Pakistan’s decision to suspend bilateral trade with India in August 2019 was primarily a fallout of India’s decision to scrap Article 370 — the constitutional provision that recognised the special status of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and afforded it a certain amount of autonomy India should not get into any sort of relation or association or trade or dealing with Pakistan.
K.G.Vilop, Chodan
