Electoral Independence
Besides Independent candidates who generally are those not given a ticket by their party or sponsored by a defeated MP/MLA, we are forced to choose from “winnable” candidate we do not want but vested interests sponsor! The choice of NOTA at present has no consequences/ meaning. Neither the courts nor the EC can prevent criminals from contesting. There were doubts about the claim of untamperable electoral machines used and so VVPAT paper trail with SOP were introduced.These are generally not strictly followed. The Zilla elections were held with paper ballots which are not secret since the ballot paper has the same number as the counterfoil and when counting any inhouse arrangement is possible to know who has voted for whom! Besides NOTA was dropped. There is also a vast difference from the T.N.Seshan EC and the present ones.
Parties have hijacked the electoral process that has to rely on government bureaucrats. The only answer is to be able to pressurize the government to enlarge NOTA and make it meaningful. For example, if there are more than an agreed big percentage of NOTA votes, that election must be declared null and void etc. That will make everyone’s vote meaningful and force the parties to desist from giving tickets to so called winable people to honestly considered competent candidates.
We must insist on VVPAT protocal/procedures made public, ballot paper must not have number or the same number as the counterfoil and ballot boxes mixed up before sending to counting centres. Let us strengthen our democracy and be proud of our foolproof electoral system!
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
Go green, go clean, go pro-environment
Recently a 45 KW grid connected rooftop solar power array was installed at the Pollution Control Board office, Saligao, any surplus power generated shall be fed back to the state electricity grid.
GSPCB is one of the largest institutional consumers of electricity, this initiative shall slash their power bills drastically and pollution caused by dependence on fossil fuels will be reduced.To aid adoption of green power the government is also extending a subsidy of 50% , consumers would recover the remaining 50% by not paying any electricity charges in perpetuity….a win win situation for both the people and the environment. Disbursal of subsidy has also been guaranteed within 20 days from 60 days earlier.
The State is leading by example by commissioning a 100 KW solar plant at Colvale jail complex, and plants at Goa University, PWD offices, Raj Bhawan and some educational buildings. As on date the installed solar power capacity in the state is of the order of 15 MW.
To reduce pollution and grid dependence it should be mandated by law for all institutional and government buildings with roof area larger than 500 sq.mts to install solar power panels, to incentivise adoption of green power faster the government must reward entities which meet 100% of their power needs on their own by granting them tax holidays and reduction in excise.
Further, avenues should be explored for commissioning of barge mounted floating solar plants / anchored at sea solar ships as we are blessed with an abundance of water bodies and 105 kms.of coastline.This would also reduce pressure on scarce land resources and the portability (barges can be moved around) would facilitate on demand 24×7 electricity to power deficient coastal and riverine hinterland areas.
Maybe if we tap our resources efficiently there would be no need for the environmentally disastrous Tamnar transmission line, also surplus power can become a dependable revenue stream for the state.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Covid vaccine and alcohol consumption
While researchers and scientists around the world have found significant success in developing effective vaccines to fight the coronavirus pandemic, they have also warned people of taking certain precautions after taking the anti-Covid jab.
It is learnt that as of now scientists have developed three vaccines with efficacy rates above 90 per cent which has raised hopes for millions of finding a cure for the deadly virus. Days ahead of the mass vaccination drive in Russia the health officials have asked the citizens to abstain from alcohol for around two months after taking the ‘Sputnik V’ anti-Covid vaccine. It is understood that drinking alcohol after getting a coronavirus vaccine can significantly blunt the immune response and potentially render the vaccine ineffective.
Incidentally this warning doesn’t just apply to the Sputnik V vaccine but all Covid-19 vaccines. It must be said that abstaining from alcohol for two months after the anti-Covid jab would be a difficult proposition to follow for regular drinkers.
In India it is common knowledge that drinkers stand in a queue in front of a wine store early in the morning even before the store is open. It would be almost impossible for these drunkards to keep away from alcohol even for a day after they receive the vaccine. How this issue will be tackled in the country remains to be seen.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Right man
Among old political war horses in Indian politics three names readily come to mind. Mulayam Singh Yadav, Sharad Pawar and HD Deve Gowda. The common denominator in all three is that they are regional chieftains who single-handedly built their parties to positions of strength.
Sharad Pawar, who was a prime ministerial hopeful at a point in time, and has come a long way in politics, is always in the news, even at the age of 80, because of his tremendous zeal. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is zero without the uncanny Pawar who loves to be in the thick of the action both in the regional and the national politics. His extra-cautious approach towards men and matters is understandable because his flock swears by only one name: Sharad Pawar. The former Maharashtra Chief Minister has kept his old art of sniffing out dissidence intact.
Often the Maratha strongman gives an impression that he is unable to read the writing on the wall, only to strike back. The wily politician who has tasted success in almost every ministerial position held by him at the Centre, is friends with most, if not all, powerful political leaders of the country. There is no hope lost for any party till Pawar’s NCP is present. Some call it an absence of ideology but many term it clever politics.
Prime Minister Modi has showered praises on him despite taking potshots at Pawar on more than one occasion. Sonia Gandhi has revealed how she and Pawar respect each other despite their strong differences on issues. That she, despite past rebellion against her by Pawar, remains on excellent terms with him points to his resourcefulness and, perhaps, inevitability to a strong opposition front.
Is it, therefore, a surprise that Sharad Pawar is strongly rumoured to ” take over” from Sonia Gandhi as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson sooner than later?
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Release Senior Citizens pension
This is in regard to our Senior citizen pension which is not received from August /December 2020. Why does the government harass us, senior citizens? Do you know as a 75-yr-old pensioner how I am managing with this, as it is the only amount I have to pull on the month and adjust it for my expensive medicines and daily bread.
Lord bless the neigbours I borrow and pay them back after 5 months and keep my pockets empty. Please release at least 2 months pension together and update the same.
Hilario Rodrigues, Siolim
