Mopa Airport project: Unscientific ordeal
The consequences of haphazard developmental works and the choice of wrong locations for large-scale development projects without heeding to scientific and time-tested norms have begun to rear its ugly head in Goa. What is being pointed out here is the flooding of parts of Warkhand village in Pernem taluka. Wasn’t it a case of high-handedness on the part of the proponents of the Mopa airport that has led to over 54,000 trees being axed and 46 fresh water springs that were destroyed to make way for the Mopa airport, which should have been shifted to another location to spare the environment of Goa? Concretization of the surface after felling of trees has led to rain water being unable to seep through the earth into the water table as also the tree roots which were the absorbents of the rain water further aggravated the situation. The Federation of Rainbow Warrior’s staunch opposition of the Mopa airport did not even find favcour with the Supreme Court and the consequences are now being borne by the surrounding villagers. Who cares? But the wrath of nature will not spare anyone. So unfortunate that the villagers have to suffer despite their strong opposition to the project!
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Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
No service charges in hotels/restaurants
Amid rising consumer complaints, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has on Monday reportedly barred hotels and restaurants from levying service charges automatically or by default in food bills and allowed customers to file complaints in case of violation. The CCPA has issued guidelines for preventing unfair trade practices and violation of consumer rights with regards to levying of service charge. It is understood that Restaurants and hotels generally levy a service charge of 10 percent on the food bill. Now no hotel and restaurant can collect service charges even by any other name. This is a step in the right direction since a 10 percent service charge on the food bill can work out to a substantial amount. Of course the consumer can tip the waiter which is voluntary. A tip is towards hospitality received and depending on the quality of service the consumer can decide as to whether to pay a tip or not as also the amount. It is learnt that the component of service is inherent in the price of food and beverages offered by a restaurant or hotel. There is reportedly no restriction on hotels and restaurants to set the prices at which they want to offer the food and beverages to the consumer. On the flip side without the service charges, there is every possibility of hotels and restaurants increasing the price of the food and beverages they offer to the consumer.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
FSSAI to check details on imported food items
In recent years in India, we come across a profusion of imported packed food items such as biscuits, chocolates, tea, coffee, olive oils, dates and several others. These are available mostly in super- and hyper-markets and people tend to buy them either because they are aware of the products or to taste these for the first time. Although the cost may be quite exorbitant but it is does not deter people from purchasing the products. Unlike Indian products, many a times the imported food products do not display the date of expiry (use by date) and price. When the cashier scans the products and informs the price it becomes embarrassing as either we may not have the money or do not want to return it! The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) needs to warn the importers about such malpractices and misleading products that are dumped by the foreign sellers through Indian sellers, to make a quick buck. FSSAI has to conduct surprise checks at the place of landing and in stores that sell imported food products.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Waterlogged
in Panjim
The heavy rains lashed the State bringing misery given the lackadaisical attitude of government and local bodies in completing works with most of the areas getting inundated. The roads in Panaji are a mess and with the rain it is worse than anything else. The recent hot mixed roads across Panaji has been left with familiar sight of dangerous potholes. In-between recent rains has brought Panaji to its knees. It happens every year. It’s difficult to tell where the road ends and where the pavement begins. Crores of rupees have been spent to develop Panaji as a Smart City, but nothing has been done to see that water flows out. Intermittent powercut, improper water supply and contamination, pothole roads and waterlogging are the hallmark of Goa. This highlights the authorities failure in resolving the problem of waterlogging every monsoon. The waterlogging is so bad that it has made it difficult to use the roads. Better the people has to wade through the water or use makeshift boats to navigate the waterlogged roads. The authorities should try and find a solution to this problem, which is recurrent every year.
K G Vilop, Chorao
TN CM of different mettle
It is really laudable that Chief Minister M K Stalin has given a stern warning to the local body members and has said that he will not even hesitate to turn as a dictator against those who involve in wrong goings thereby bringing discredit and bad name to the government and the ruling DMK party. He further said that legal action would also be initiated against such black sheep.
This is the first time we have come across a Chief Minister warning the local body members and even ministers of his own party to avoid any wrong doings bringing discredit to the government and the party. While we come across even tall leaders of other political parties in power rushing to defend their party men even if they have indulged themselves in great misconduct and blatant corruption, CM Stalin has proved that he is of a totally different and honest mettle, with his latest advisory of warning to his party leaders,ministers and local body members.
What a difference it would make to the country if only all the Chief Ministers of the states emulate the great gesture of our CM Stalin!
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Sarojini Mohanta – the change maker
When reckless felling of trees often takes place in Indian forests that could potentially lead to negative impacts on ecosystems and the environment as a whole, it is heartening to note that a Odisha woman by name Sarojini Mohanta has a forest named after her, known as ‘Sarojini Vana’, which exemplifies her striving and the unflinching desire for the conservation of forest in the Bonai forest division in Odisha. Sarojini Mohanta, the home-grown change-maker, who led to the survival of 95% of the saplings planted on the four acres, lives by example and has shown that if a single woman could turn the barren land completely into a lush green forest in just two years through sheer dedication, love and care, a positive human approach towards timberland has a significant potential to resuscitate the nature.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
