Wage revision in the private sector
In the recently concluded assembly session the Revenue Minister is on record of making a statement on the floor of the House in reply to a question that the minimum wage structure in the private sector will be revised before Diwali.
With Diwali round the corner nothing seems to be forthcoming or has he succumbed to the pressures of the private sector like he did with casino lobby (100 days deadline of vacating the Mandovi River).
The private wage structure in Goa is one of the lowest in the country and then we cry from the rooftops that our youth are migrating abroad for a better standard of living as they are paid peanuts over here.
Pay them at par with the public sector employees or maybe slightly lesser and one will see that migration abroad will reduce considerably. Will the concerned Minister keep up to his word before Diwali is to be seen.
Lucas D’Souza, Verna
Fewer cars for better cities
On the eve of Road Safety Week let us look at one part of country’s mobility progress. Over the last decades, we have had many advances in the transportation industry. Cities are getting smart; cars are getting greener while the roads are all but getting congested. I want to illuminate is to the consequences related to prolonged car-dependencies in this advancing period of growth. The Silicon Valleys Electrification as the silver bullet. It is the easiest solution that we all alleviate to control emissions and global warming. But car dependence is just another problem that is slowing down our cities.
While it is important to go green, at the same time, we need to ensure that we achieve fewer cars, less driving and more ‘lean’ ways to optimise the future of transportation. More driving means more fatal crashes, more jams and more crowding. We have completely missed the ball by focusing solely on EVs. The dazzling ideas from start-ups and think-tanks around the country have all but missed the foremost tool that is right in front of us. We have failed to make walking, cycling and using shared transportation more affordable and appealing choices.
We need to implement a wide variety of modes favouring pedestrians, cyclists and shared mobility to embrace a lean and safe lifestyle. The capital city needs a major overhaul in this part. By introducing dedicated cycle tracks, Pajimites can begin the pedalling revolution in the city. This will offer a high degree of safety and improve the physical health of citizens. A study says that 30% of traffic congestions are the result of drivers searching for a parking spot.
Finding a parking spot on the busy Panjim streets is becoming an everyday hassle for all of us. Our smart city needs smart parking.
Vaman Sankhalker, Harvalem
Where are the spectators?
It is a proud moment for Goa and India that we are hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup but when we watch the matches especially happening at Fatorda, there is none or less crowd. I think it will be good if all the schools or colleges take the students and teachers to watch these games at least.
We need to show the love for the game and also cheer the people who are playing on the field. And doing this will also let the kids see the level we are in and motivate them to take part in it to improve.
We are improving in football for sure but we need to agree that we still have a long way to go and reach top level. And unless we have supporters of the game, the players will not be motivated.
Joanusia Silveira, Shiroda
Was demonetisation a mistake?
This has reference to the Edit ‘Who benefited from demonetisation?’ (Herald, October 14, 2022). Good question, who profited from demonetisation? What the government must have thought was a great move, a master stroke, turned out to be a disaster. As your Editorial states, 99 per cent of the demonetised notes have been deposited with the banks. So, obviously the question props up, where is the black money? It is apparent that the government has misfired, it was a misadventure.
Like any of us of course, governments also tend to make mistakes. What is important is that we accept and learn from our mistakes. In the meanwhile, yes, it would be interesting to see what defence the government puts up in its defence in the Supreme Court. But the fact remains, the common man suffered untold misery on account of demonetisation. Let the authorities answer, who benefited from demonetisation.
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Restoring sanity and sensitivity in society
No kudos is enough for Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia for his most humane secular verdict with utmost compassion for the girl child, due respect towards her educational rights, dignity and independent choice of attire.
This is called sense of justice. May the tribe of Justice Dhulia increase and have the last laugh so as to restore sanity and sensitivity in this society.
As far as symbols depicting religion is concerned, perhaps turban vermillion tilak or sandal paste on the forehead don’t qualify as “anti-thesis to secularism”. It seems the citadel of secularism simply falls apart solely due to the “threat” named hijab.
Hope the larger bench of the Supreme Court will prevent the “invasion on the privacy” and “attack on the dignity” of the hijab-clad students as rightly pointed out by Justice Dhulia and they be warmly welcomed in the Karnataka schools to pursue their education.
And yes fraternity needs to be pursued by respecting heterogeneity in all front, not by annihilating diversities which form the real essence of India.
Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkatta
Split verdict on Hijab
The Supreme Court’s split verdict on the hijab issue has kept the pot boiling. While one judge upheld the Karnataka High Court order barring hijab in the State’s educational institutions, the other said that a girl child might wear a headscarf as a matter of choice. The split verdict means a larger Supreme Court bench will decide the issue. However, considering the inconclusive SC verdict, the Karnataka government’s ban would continue in the State till the apex court gives a final order.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Taxi operators and Dabolim Airport
In the latest meeting held between taxi operators and Minister there is a hope for Dabolim airport to continue and also taxi operators to co-operate with present facility of counter. The minister was also on Goa miles app based services which will help tourists.
On one hand we have Mopa Airport in North which will be inaugurated soon. However, the pre paid taxi counter at Dabolim airport will continue as it will affect yellow black taxi operators if not given the chance.
The Minister is firm on Goa Miles app aggregators but local taxi owners opposed it. In order to have transparency and benefit local taxi operators both airports should be given equal fights. International flights should be allowed to operate at Mopa airport with ratio of 3:1 at Dabolim airport. Domestic flights should operate at Dabolim airport with ratio of 5:2 at Mopa Airport.
Tourists and travellers should be given choice if destination between Mopa and Dabolim. Since many foreigners prefer to alight in North Goa international flights should be allowed to land at Mopa Airport. Also local taxi operators should be given preference along with Ola, Uber and Goa Miles.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
