Thanks to PWD minister
We are very indebted to PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar and his officials for having found a way out to save the compound wall of a Ribandar Chapel from demolition. That sword had been hanging for the last many years on Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Chapel at the Ribandar – Chimbel junction. It is a great relief that this issue has now been resolved and laid to rest.
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The proposed plan of the State PWD Highways was strongly opposed by the local people as it would have damaged the compound wall of the chapel and in the long run the chapel itself.
This centuries old chapel is a historical and heritage monument which needs to be protected and preserved for posterity.
The construction of the Highway so close to the chapel would have led to heavy vehicles passing next to the chapel, resulting in huge vibration which would have damaged the structure and hurt the religious sentiments not only of the Catholic community but also our Hindu brethren who venerate Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in equal devotion.
The PWD Minister after visiting the Chapel site directed the authorities to work out an alternate plan in which the proposed road is diverted on the opposite side of the chapel where ample land is available.
Pauskar assured the local people that the chapel compound wall will not be touched and that it would be saved from demolition.
It is so heartening that an issue has been resolved during the pandemic and the people too need to be applauded for having stood united braving COVID-19.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Knowledge of the law
This refers to the article on Herald ‘Who is Lokayukta to say I’m unfit to be a Minister: Lobo’; dated October 7. In addition to the above, the article also quotes the Minister as saying: ‘The Order passed by the Lokayukta is illegal’. He is also quoted as saying that he is going to file a defamation suit against the former Lokayukta. There seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding of the position, powers and responsibilities of the Lokayukta, and the Goa Lokayukta Act.
The Lokayukta’s is a quasi-judicial office. The Lokayukta himself is required by law to be either a retired Supreme Court Judge or a retired High Court Chief Justice.
His role is specifically to investigate allegations, complaints and grievances in respect of corruption and maladministration – defined very broadly – and pass Orders in respect of the same, made against public functionaries including State Ministers and MLAs. He is also specifically authorised to declare whether a public functionary should continue to hold office. Therefore, unless it is because of some unspecified technicality, orders passed by a Lokayukta cannot be deemed ‘illegal’.
Filing a defamation suit against a Lokayukta is like doing so against a judge. There is, however, a criminal contempt clause in the Goa Lokayukta Act.
It reads: ‘Whoever, by words spoken or intended to be read, makes or publishes any statement or does any other act, which is calculated to bring the Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayukta into disrepute, shall, on conviction, be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine, or both’.
Kavita Banerji, Porvorim
Mobile trade, yay or nay?
Owing to the pandemic many people have lost their livelihoods and are now resorting to selling groceries, staples and fish from the trunk of their cars.
On humanitarian grounds this may be kosher but then it also raises questions about legality, hygiene and unfair trade practises. Mobile trade is widely prevalent in the coastal belt where panchayats grant permission after gathering details of the applicant along with id proof.
Technically it is well within the panchayat’s rights to grant NOCs but then it is illegal within the purview of the Motor Vehicles Act which makes it mandatory to seek approval from the Transport department before operating any kiosk on wheels.
An FDA licence and consent from municipal hygiene inspectors is also required for selling food items and other perishables. By granting permissions unilaterally to all and sundry, village panchayats are overstepping their ambit, instead they should operate in close
co-ordination with other legal stakeholders to ensure that no business falls foul of the law.
There is another dimension to it, taking advantage of the lax regulation and policing during the times of Covid many migrants and out of state individuals have also set up unlicensed kiosks and keep on shifting locations to avoid action by the authorities. This compromises the safety and security of the villages as the trader’s antecedents are not known, also it adds to the problem of garbage.
Blanket approvals should not be granted for such mobile trade, rather applications should be examined in a holistic manner, on a case to case basis in consultation with all other regulators.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Uphill task of creating more jobs
Recently, there was unprecedented scene of long queue of job seekers at the Goa Medical College and hospital. There are few vacancies but the number of applicants was huge. People who were in the queue forgot even norms of social distancing. It indicates that earning livelihood has become a biggest priority come what may. It shows that young people are hard up for jobs. Though the vacancies were for multi-tasking staff, it was evidently visible that young people are ready and willing now to do any type of job even at the risk of their lives.
Due to the pandemic and lockdown, the gap between the Job seekers and availability of jobs has been widening day by day. Therefore the Government of the day and even the private companies have an uphill task in creating jobs for as many as possible. In this regard the Government must also be proactive in helping the private companies and industries in terms of granting necessary permissions and processing their files without delay.
Rui Pereira, Navelim
Ban on roadside sale of fish
It is understood that the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has decided to ban the sale of fish along the roadside and that it will be allowed to be sold only at the fish markets. This is a step in the right direction as illegal sale of fish was carried out at every nook and corner of the city.
During the pandemic many of those who lost their jobs and businesses, including taxi drivers, took up to selling fish. However the authorities will reportedly not permit such activity henceforth. This raises certain pertinent questions.
Will those who lost their jobs and businesses during the pandemic be allowed to sell fish in the fish market? Several young people have taken to angling at various water bodies and resorted to selling the fish they have caught at the very fishing spot.
For many this has become a means of livelihood. Will this sale of fish also be banned? Several fish vendors, especially the migrants, carry out door-to-door sale of fish.
This availability of fish at the door-step has come as a blessing during the pandemic, especially to the senior citizens, as crowding at the fish-market raises the risk of getting infected by the coronavirus.
Will this door-to-door sale of fish also be banned? Alternatively the Goan fisherfolk could take over from the migrants and sell fish from house to house as was the case in the past.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
