Farm laws and legislative domain
Member of Parliament Raamchandra has given notice for motion of privilege against the Union Agricultural Minister. These important Bills were brought in by ordinance, bulldozed thereafter in Parliament brushing aside Oppositions pleas to refer them to a standing, select or joint committee. These included demands to write in MSP and an alternate grievance redressal machinery for farmers. But government legislated keeping courts out and also spiking the Essential commodities Act!
Whilst the intention maybe good, the way these vital laws were passed without consulting the stakeholders or discussion in Parliament cannot be condoned. Further, a national daily has headlined case study of “How big Ag Ate Up America’s Small Farms”. The detailed study and analysis with facts and figures documented is a deja vu blow by blow how from the 1930s when 8% of GDP came from farming is down to 1% today, 2 out of 3 farms had to close down due take over by big business,150 acres are now 450 acre minimum farms, 70% of labour force down to 2%.
In India they are likely to harm the food security arrangements and consumer interests handing over control to corporate interests. Just look of the uncontrolled high prices today, Corona no excuse please! The government after trying all their usual overpowering tactics, just refuses to listen and even brought in the Supreme Court which luckily did not ban the agitation and has stayed the implementation of the contentious laws. This whole mess and resultant disastrous avoidable consequences are due to disrespect of Parliament.
Also a law cannot be frozen/held in abeyance for 18 months, at governments whims with farmers having option to implement these laws. Common sense dictates these laws are quickly repealed, brought into force democratically in Parliament and we can all breathe a sigh of relief, have clear good laws, try to reinstate trust in democracy, in each other and the government?
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Another feather in Big B’s cap
The prestigious 2021 FIAF Award by the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF)will be awarded to Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan. The worldwide organisation of film archives and museums from across the world has rightly chosen Bachchan who has been committed to a cause – that of strengthening the idea of film archiving which is as essential as filmmaking. The Big B has been supporting and advocating for building a centre that will preserve and showcase the magnificent film heritage.
There couldn’t have been a better choice than Amitabh who is Bollywood’s icon and one of the greatest actors the Indian film industry has ever seen. The prestigious award is yet another feather in the cap of the legend who has already bagged so many national and international laurels including India’s greatest film award – the Dada Saheb Phalke award for his rich contribution to films.
Big B’s dedication and contribution to the film world and his dedicated advocacy for the preservation of and access to the world’s film heritage for the benefit of present and future generations is simply exemplary and this award is yet another testimony to the celebrated actors commitment for films, film preservation and heritage.
M Pradyu, Kannur
‘One way’ traffic rule violated
There are numerous roads and by-lanes in our cities which have been notified as ‘One Way’/ ‘No Entry’ roads. Such roads are necessary in order to avoid traffic congestion and prevent accidents, especially if the roads are narrow.
However unlike in other States in the country, in Goa this vital traffic rule is being violated with impunity. At times the ‘One Way’ roads are so narrow that it does not allow two cars to pass through. At several places the roads are closed for heavy vehicles 24X7 or only during the day-time. These traffic rules need to be adhered to by the road-users in order to avoid accidents and also allow for orderly movement of traffic. It must be also said that there needs to be proper signage depicting those roads which are meant for one-way traffic. At times these road-signs could be covered by foliage or may be in need of a re-paint.
In Goa the ‘One Way’ road signs are depicted by arrows showing the direction the traffic is allowed and the direction in which it is not allowed on the same sign-board. This can be very confusing to the road-users, especially among visitors to the city who may not be well-versed with the city roads. It is pertinent to note that in other countries such road-signs are depicted by ‘No Entry’ or ‘One Way’ written in bold letters. Traffic cops in Goa need to be strict on violators of the ‘One Way’ traffic rule.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Obey traffic rules, maintain roads
Scant respect for traffic rules and regulations is most common cause for major road accidents in Goa and in the whole country.
The lack of maintenance of roads, and shoddy construction of roads exacerbate matters. Pot holes on every road including village roads and highways as soon as the month of June comes all the roads are washed away and the roads are not fit to drive as this roads are become death traps. Often trenches are excavated for utility lines, without proper barricades or warning tapes which should should be a must for contractors.
Just as Rome was not built in a day, let everyone work together for reducing the number of road accidents in Goa and India by obeying traffic rules, and let the government stay the course by building quality roads which can last for two to three years and carrying out timely maintenance works of roads.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
Reducing fuel prices?
With the fuel and LPG prices rising unabatedly the common man is facing increasing difficulty in daily life what with the state of the economy not allowing higher earnings, but the government seems unconcerned about the problem.
The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has been talking about the problem with circumlocution saying all of us are in the same ‘predicament’ and that it is a Centre-State Issue and both need to put their heads together to find a solution. She should be more direct respecting the chair she is sitting on and use the first person ‘I’ and say that I will find a solution by calling a Centre-State meeting on the burning problem.
It has been indicated that the Centre has a cushion of Rs 12.50 per litre on the price of petrol which it can address and make a substantial reduction asking the States to respond in equal measure. This will ease the burden of the common man and diminish the effect on inflation of the spiralling fuel prices.
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St. Cruz
