The Opinion Poll
We recollect today the memories of the Goa Opinion Poll, January 16, 1967 when Goans went to vote to decide their future and for the next generation to come. It was a battle of struggle to save our identity and Goenkarponn and to stay separately as Goenkars. But for one leader with a vision and a politician of a unique stature, Dr Jack de Sequeira with the support from South Goa, the victory was declared, sealed and delivered to us that we stay to ourselves as Goans and with our identity for the world to know that we are of a unique culture, traditions and hospitality. But 56 years down the line, much has happened and the politicians of present days have failed to take cognisance of the goodness one Goan has left behind to benefit us . Truly, had it not been for this soft smiling face fragile and long bearded Goenkar Dr Jack de Sequeira, we wouldn’t have had our politicians in power and the state Assembly complex at Porvorim. But for self interest politics, we are faced with numerous problems confronting us disturbing our peace and harmony.
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As we observe this day, January 16, in silence without paying any official respect to Father of Goa Opening Poll, Dr Jack de Sequeira, let us pledge to stay united, unanimous and fight against any interest of Goa disrespecting our Goenkarponn, our identity and our opinion.
Ayres Sequeira, Salvador do Mundo.
Remote voting
machines
This has reference to the report ‘Opposition to oppose EC’s proposal on Remote Voting Machines……’(Herald 16 January 2023).
Remote Voting Machine (RVM) – great idea, wonder how nobody thought of it before! This is a good proposal however, it seems too early to be implemented, as the opposition says, it is ‘sketchy’ at the moment. It may be fraught with fears of malfunctioning or manipulation perhaps. The government ought to come clear on this and ensure that the system works fairly, without any glitches.
When the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were first introduced years back, it was hailed as a great revolution in the election process in India. Doing away with the cumbersome ballot boxes meant the entire election process would become so much more easier and transparent and results could be declared quickly, leaving no scope for error or suspicion. That supposedly worked well for years. However, today, we find that parliamentary elections are spread over a period of more than one month and results are declared after a gap of a few days. Even Assembly elections in small states are spread over a week. That perhaps defeats the very purpose of EVMs. The Election Commission ought to clear all misconceptions about the EVMs and now the RVMs. The Electronic revolution is here to stay and India is a great Democracy!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Another power tariff hike awaits Goa
The state government’s proposal to hike of 6% in power tariff for the financial year 2023-24 would be utter disgusting. The government has recommended a hike in the power tariff between 15 paisa to 60 paisa per Kilowatt for domestic low-tension consumers and 70 paise per Kwh for high-tension domestic consumers. The consumers in the state are in for a shock.
Goans should be ready to shell out more on electricity bills. This will have adverse effects for industries, household and agriculture sectors. If it’s approved, it would be a third hike within a year with effect from April-2023. The prices of essential items, including rice and pulses, are increasing and inflation is galloping. The NITI Aayog past had cautioned the Goa government over its “high” power tariff, which is 5.80 per kWh for the industry. If they want to increase the rates, they should also see whether the services they provide justify the hike. The consumer has to pay more but fight frequent power disruptions. Family budgets have already collapsed as living costs are increasing day by day. The price of survival is too high but income too less. If such is the power tariff situation, though it is under government control, imagine what will happen if it is privatised.
The government should roll back the power tariff hike to prevent the existing situation goes from bad to worse.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Bad roads and
fatal mishaps
Time and again, the public has voiced its resentment in the newspapers about the pathetic state of our roads in cities and villages.
There is not a single day that the newspapers do not cover the news about accidents.
Freak accidents do occur every day, either due to over speeding, over taking the moving vehicles, drunken state of drivers, break down of the vehicles and so on.
The fact remains that one has to admit that there are other factors for the cause of the accidents, the potholes and craters -the death traps for motorists.
The increase in accidents are observed especially during the monsoons as the roads get eroded due to heavy vehicles and the potholes not noticeable due to rain water spread over these potholes.
The authorities responsible to repair the roads should take the onus of getting the roads repaired by hot mixing procedures, which can be done at nights as the traffic is less during the nights.
The repairs of the roads should be taken on the priority basis before the onset of the monsoons, lest the statistics showing the number of deaths show the upward trend.
Aureo Cunha Gomes, Mapusa
Will better sense
ever prevail?
The government should focus on finding solutions and resolving public issues rather than wasting time on needless functions. Applications under various government schemes should be processed and handled efficiently and without unnecessary delay solely by the concerned departments. Now we see an absurd trend of Ministers and ruling party MLAs handing over approval letters to the beneficiaries. What a cheap photo-op. Now even work orders are being handed over by Ministers with the Chief Minister handing over the one for the proposed Convention Center at Dona Paula. What a waste of time while the government is insensitive to dealing with burning issues.
State organized public functions should only be where absolutely required with expenses curtailed wherever possible. Having functions for laying the foundation stone of all and sundry should be avoided which also keeps officials unavailable in their offices to attend to the public. While incurring any expenditure, it should weigh heavily on the mind of the government of how the State coffers are in dire straits while struggling to make ends meet with regular borrowing. The government recklessly spending is a recipe for bad economics.
The Government has to go a long way to deliver on the promised Good Governance as every step it takes is in the wrong direction. Rationalizing the functioning of the government and the need for prudent State spending is glaringly obvious and the need of the hour with financial and moral bankruptcy staring us in the face. The priority for the Government must always be to act on its primary responsibility which is to look after the welfare, health and security of its people with accountability and transparency.
Aires Rodrigues,
Ribandar
