MLAs resignation
Several MLAs have chosen to resign from their parent party and also as MLAs in order to go for greener pastures. These MLAs had approached the Constituents five years ago, on the promise that they would serve them for the full five year term. Therefore this sudden change in their attitude is not tenable and is an insult to the electorate.
Consequent to this act, the constituency will remain unrepresented in Assembly and without MLA to approach for their problems for the remainder of the term and till the next election results are declared. Death and disability could be the only reasons to allow a seat to fall vacant.
Any MLA resigning his position before the end of the term should be barred from contesting again for a period of at least 6 years. It appears that they are not interested in serving the electorate but only secure for themselves the perks and privileges brought by the elected position.
Jonas Correia, Aldona
A High Court is Goa’s right
Adv. Dr Olav Albuquerque, LL.D., my erudite co-villager and neighbour, states that a separate High Court is Goa’s need and gives reasons. I agree with his statement and reasons.
I go a step further, stating that, as per Art. 214 of the Constitution, it is Goa’s right to a separate High Court. The article says in absolute terms: “There shall be a High Court for each State”. The provision of art. 231, allowing establishment of a common High Court for a number of States, is only an exception. Besides, I would like to ask: is the setting up of a bench of Bombay High Court for Goa, as per the present arrangement, the same as establishment of a common High Court?
In my interaction with a number of Advocates I have noticed that most are against a separate High Court for Goa, their main reason being paucity of cases (is it?). Besides, they feel that, being linked to a large High Court as that of Bombay will widen the horizon of our judges and advocates.
My reading of this posture of our advocates is inferiority complex lying absconded in the sub conscious of these gentlepersons: Goa is not fit to have an independent High Court, as in the past it was not considered by many fit to be a State.
We got Statehood, but till today a truncated one: with just the Legislature and the Executive of our own, but not an independent High Court. Until and unless we get one, our Statehood will not be full-fledged.
Mousinho de Ataide, Saligao
Indictment of local governments by SC
The Supreme Court of India recently came down heavily on local governments for ignoring or turning a blind eye to to the endemic problem of rising number of slums in almost all the cities of India and calling it a “sad story” going on for the last 75 years.
The SC castigated the local administrations of deliberately ignoring the encroachments and illegal constructions happening indiscriminately with impunity in different parties of the cities. Such illegal constructions give rise to residential colonies which lack essential basic amenities such as sanitation, garbage collection, running water and toilet facilities and very often causing law and order problems. Sometimes several slum areas become criminal hot-spots for gangs, indulging in illegal activities, peddling of drugs, prostitutions and child pornography.
In Goa too, similar situations have already taken place, where people from other states coming in hordes and occupying government open spaces, railway properties and particularly lands belonging to the age old institution of Comunidades. Unfortunately successive Goa governments have failed miserably to stop such illegal acts of unceasing occupations and constructions.
On the contrary some political parties instead of opposing and protesting against such infringements have managed cunningly to convert such habitats into massive vote banks by providing them clandestinely ration cards, voter cards and even water, electricity and other freebies.
It is to be hoped that governments including Goa government will take note of serious SC observations and directions issued to them and that this will force the governments to immediately start taking legal actions of vacating illegally built slums and demolish all the structures that have mushroomed across Goa and also take necessary steps to completely stop such future encroachments and illegal constructions, specially of Comunidade lands.
Antonio Diniz, Fatorda
What is the main principle for mergers
This is in reference to the news item appeared in Herald dated 17.12.21 regarding “More parties to join TMC-MGP poll alliance, says Davalikar”. Joining more parties to fight the coming election under one banner in order to defeat the BJP is a good sign of unity of more parties but what are the principles on which these parties are joining together?
Take for example, the main principles of MGP are merger of Goa with Maharashtra and Marathi to be the State language while TMC I am sure will never accept these principles on which MGP is still surviving. These principles of MGP when they come to power will try to implement either directly or indirectly if not MGP will not sleep idle without creating any effect in its favour regarding both the very sensitive issues on which MGP was formed.
In this case, what will be the role of TMC? I think TMC and all other parties and individuals should make their stand clear before joining hands with MGP. It is ok to defeat the BJP for which unity of more if not all the BJP opponents is imperative but on what plank these parties will fight the coming election because every party has its own manifesto.
In this case what guarantee is there that they will not fight among them to implement their own manifestoes or else will they draft the new manifesto for all the parties joining under one banner?
A.Veronica Fernandes, Candolim
Introducing students to management skills
It must be said that much of the education students get in school is directed towards getting them a job after college education either in the private sector or to land them a government job. At a time when jobs have become scarce, the focus needs to be shifted towards self-employment, start-ups and entrepreneurship. For this to happen, stress needs to be laid on development of management skills.
‘Catch them young’ should be the catchphrase if we are to have school children grow up to become successful businessmen in the future. Hence it seems necessary to acquaint the students in school with subjects which will introduce them to management skills. If students are introduced to management studies at a young age, it will also help them to get admission to the top management schools in the country. The focus in school education needs to shift from seeking jobs to providing jobs to others by starting one’s own industry and startups.
It is learnt that in bid to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in Goa, the Goa State Innovation Council (GSInC) has come up with a novel idea for students and professionals to test their entrepreneurial potential and see if they have what it takes to drive innovation. It is an online initiative geared for students, young innovators, entrepreneurs, faculty and professionals. It will help to drive a culture of innovation among the students and youth.
It must be said that there will be more entrepreneurs and more startups in Goa if students are introduced to management skills right from school.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
