Complete pre-monsoon works in advance
It must be said that pre-monsoon work also involves paper-work for the authorities. Tenders have to be floated for carrying out the various works and contractors have to apply for the same.
The tender has to be finalized and the work handed over to the contractor who has been selected. All this consumes a lot of time and needs to be commenced at least a couple of months before the rains.
By its very meaning, pre-monsoon work like cleaning of gutters and storm drains, trimming of trees, maintenance of electric lines need to be carried out before the onset of monsoon. In fact such work should be completed even before the pre-monsoon showers.
However, it is observed that in several cities in the state the work of cleaning the gutters is carried out even when the monsoon is in full flow. This causes a lot of inconvenience to the citizens and the workers who carry out the task in the rain without much protection. Not clearing the gutters in time also leads to flooding of the roads which causes more problems to the citizens. Keeping the drains open, while carrying out the cleaning operation, can prove dangerous, especially for the pedestrians. All pre-monsoon works need to be completed well in advance, before the first rains.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
PT Usha changes stand, backs wrestlers
Following her insensitive remarks against the protesting wrestlers, the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), P T Usha, made a surprise visit to Jantar Mantar and promised them her backing. Usha declined to engage with the media.
However, she spoke with the three wrestlers, who advised her that now the WFI is under the IOA, it should take control and concentrate on organizing events and ensuring things are secure for youngsters. The seven female wrestlers who have levelled sexual harassment charges against the head of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to file an affidavit in a sealed cover.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Who sent KTC buses to Karnataka?
Public transport in Goa is a major issue. The villages have to rely on private buses which are barely road worthy. The villagers have to grin and bear it, and be grateful for small mercies. State transport buses are relatively few in number. Due to the paucity of buses, Calangute which sees the most number of tourists is not connected by State Kadamba transport. That being the case it defies logic, how the buses can be sent to Karnataka for a political purpose, even at the cost of inconveniencing local commuters. It is understandable if Kadamba services requisitioned for poll duty in the state. It is also understandable if its services are requisitioned for emergencies like during Covid-19 for transporting migrants home. But nobody thought about transporting them. Then why send State buses to another state for non essential work?
Robert Castellino, Calangute/Mumbai
‘Smart City’ turns into city of snakes
Panjim is smarting from huge issues relating to it’s imagined progression to a ‘smart’ city. Hurriedly constructed roads are getting dug up right after completion to lay underground utilities, more storm water and sewage drains are being damaged than laid, bursting of water pipelines occurring due to movement of heavy earthmoving machinery over them, formation of sinkholes due to uncompacted waterlogged subsoil, vehicles regularly getting trapped due to road cave-ins , sewage backflow into houses (now bringing with it snakes and fishes) due to blockage of natural drainage channels are some of the ‘smart’ results which Panjim is experiencing in it’s quest to be counted as a world class city. But the worst part is that none of the government officials whose salary comes from taxpayer’s money want to be held accountable. The mayor and the deputy mayor have washed their hands off the affair saying that they don’t have any powers over the contractors, they can only suggest improvement measures but not enforce them ; a minister mockingly mentions that if one has to see the rainbow, people will have to tolerate some rain. In the same vein, the Director of Transport has now shifted all the blame on to contractors saying that they should be more cautious during execution and works should be co-ordinated with other agencies properly. He also mentioned that vehicles should not be allowed in work sites…absurd.
There is such a thing as ‘site supervision’ and ‘inter departmental’ co-ordination which falls within the purview of the sarkar’s duties, is it not ?
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Administrative inaction exposed
The recent High Court Order regarding noise pollution wherein the Court directed the Director General of Goa Police to implement the relevant Rules has exposed the inefficiency and inaction of the Government administration. Be it illegal sand mining, noise pollution even in silent zones where turtles hatch, illegal operation of beach shacks by flouting regulations or illegal laterite quarrying near the prehistoric rock carvings in Sanguem – the authorities seem to have taken action only when the High Court came down heavily on them.
If this is the attitude of our bureaucracy led by elected representatives, time is ripe to think whether we indeed need such a jumbo administrative paraphernalia. The Government Officers who fail to carry out their statutory duties must be taken to task by their higher authorities. Alas! Such action remains wanted.
Sadanand Raikar, Colva
Tuskers are emotionally sensitive, intelligent
The research on elephants over the last few years has proven that they are among the most intelligent and emotionally sensitive creatures on the planet, rivalling humans in their need for companionship and a comforting environment. This research offers clues as to what caused the death of 17-year-old Noor Jehan at Pakistan’s Karachi Zoo two weeks ago.
The elephant was separated from her parents at a very young age and was raised in captivity. This is on top of the poor conditions she was forced to live in. A fundamental problem is the perception of our relationship with animals in general, and zoo animals in particular. We see zoo animals as a source of our entertainment, a notion that robs animals of their dignity and a lifestyle conducive to their needs.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
