Groundwater pollution – a matter of concern
While citizens in several places in the State are facing shortage of water what is also a matter of concern is the contamination of the groundwater due to alleged release of effluents by polluting units at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate. It is learnt that citizens of Cuncolim have been affected due to the regular bad stench emanating from the untreated effluents allegedly released by the fish processing units at the industrial estate. It is understood that when only one bore well is permitted, 5-6 additional bore wells were found to be dug by the fish processing units with the aid of ground penetration radar. This has resulted in polluting the groundwater of the entire Cuncolim area.
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This is a matter of grave concern. The health of the citizens in Cuncolim is hence under threat. The authorities concerned need to take necessary remedial action on a war footing to address the issue as it involves public health.
All units need to have their own waste-water treatment facilities. The water needs to be treated before releasing it into the ground. It is pertinent to note that if the groundwater is polluted further, it will be very difficult to rectify the wrongdoing.
Groundwater pollution can affect agricultural activities when water is being pumped to water the fields. It can also affect the growth of trees in the locality. Groundwater happens to be a natural source of water and needs to be conserved.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Pooling data for problem solving
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find the location of the Covid status in local dailies. Nothing can be more callous. On 3/12, one of the 3 deaths was of a 48-year-old man, who was brought dead. Health Dept continues to maintain people come in too late to be saved but do nothing to solve the same. A root cause analysis training of doctors is a must.
A doctor from Healthcare Hospital, Old Goa , wrote an informative article in a local daily on Covid symptoms faced by different type of people.
In the article, a typical case showed mild fever – 99 to 100 F – for 2-3 days, followed by no fever for next 3-4 days with patient feeling much better! Then, on the 7th day a fever spike, weakness, oxygen saturation drop: the patient needs to be put on steroids. If this is a typical case, then one can see why people ignore the same till late.
Another type: 0-6 days there is no fever but a triad of loose motions, vomiting and abdominal pain. On day 7, oxygen saturation drop, giddiness with falls, mostly at night, 1-2 bouts of vomiting and semi solid stools. Again, a reason why people come in late. And why mere temperature recording in SOP fails its purpose. All doctors involved in such treatment must compare notes and come out with a ready reckoner to be issued to the Public via the Panchayats.
Testing must be readily available and at reduced costs to cut down unnecessary deaths. Enough knowledge is available to reduce deaths to single digits over months, yet the same is not being acted upon.
R Fernandes, Margao
Select appropriate political party
With the Assembly polls scheduled during 2022, political parties in the State have started making promises to the citizens. On behalf of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), CM Pramod Sawant has assured to provide 10,000 jobs to Goans in various government departments. There are plans even to bypass the Goa Staff Selection Commission during the recruitment process.
Last month the Delhi MLA of Aam Admi Party (AAP) Raghav Chadha had assured Goans to provide free electricity to consumers using up to 200 units within 48 hours of coming to power in Goa. Of late, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Paksh (MGP) President Deepak Dhavalikar has assured to provide free electricity and water supply to all rural residents in the state. The party has also assured to provide free electricity and water supply to rural residents in the state. The party has also assured to provide Rs 5,000 as financial assistance to the unemployed youth in case his party comes to power in 2022 general elections.
Of course, there will be other political parties as well making similar promises in order to lure citizens. It is absolutely necessary that the Goans do not fall a prey to assurances given by political parties at any instance. Only that political party needs to be elected that can assure efficient administration and good governance at all times. It is necessary that the aspirations of the citizens are fulfilled on a priority basis.
Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai
Revival of mining
We have been reading the news about the forthcoming resumption of mining in Goa. With high level meetings of Central and State Government ministers and officials a feasible plan has probably been adopted to set the ball rolling with regard to reviving this major industry to boost the economy of the State.
However, there is one disturbing lacuna which is conspicuous by its absence in these recent reports, viz the Rs 2000 plus crore that some mining companies, as had been reported earlier, still owe to the Public Exchequer. It seems that this has been conveniently forgotten or overlooked by the Government and the stakeholders. I sincerely hope that the government will take cognisance of this fact and demand the dues before issuing licences to the defaulters. We also hope that measures strongly recommended in the past by social activists to avoid excesses that will adversely affect the ecology and that the safety of the locals living in the mining areas, will be given due attention.
We hope that political will and proper vigilance are in place to nip corrupt actions in the bud.
M Gonsalves, Goa Velha
Centre should support PIL in SC
The above refers to a group of women having approached to make bigamy for people of all religions punishable under section 494 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) in tune with UN conventions against bigamy, Presently provisions in Shariat Act prevent section 494 of IPC prevent Muslims to be exempted from provisions of section 494 of IPC because this section is subject to applicability of personal law.
It is noteworthy many non-Muslims including known celebrities and in legislature misuse the provision by symbolically adopting Islam just for day to prevent punishment under Section 494 of IPC Act. Central government should favour the plea in Supreme Court for making section 494 of IPC applicable to all irrespective of personal laws.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal, Delhi
None should stand on false prestige
It should be noticed that after more than seven hours of discussion, the fourth round of talks between the Centre and farmer leaders ended inconclusively on Dec 3. Although Central Ministers offered to consider eight amendments to the contentious farm reform laws, and offered assurances that minimum support prices (MSP) for farm produce would continue, farmer leaders continued to stand firm on their demand that all three laws be completely repealed.
They say that their problems with the laws are more fundamental and cannot be resolved with a few changes. It is truly said that when a law goes wrong in its objectives, then the provisions will also be wrong. The list of all the problems is so long that it is not worth keeping the law.
Thus, there must be an amicable settlement. The continued agitation by the farmer groups of all ages must end soon in the larger national interest. None should stand on false prestige.
B Ahsanullah, Delhi
