Electoral bill, Aadhaar and voter card
The passing of the electoral reforms bill linking Aadhaar with the voter identity card has created ripples in political circles. While Congress and other Opposition parties staged a walkout, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien threw the rule book at the Secretary-General, resulting in his suspension for the remainder of the session for unruly behaviour.
In an unprecedented move, marshals were deployed in the House to bring about some order. Parliament is likely to adjourn sine die on Wednesday, a day before the scheduled time.
N J Ravi Chander,
Bengaluru
Oppn should avoid splitting votes
One particular equation that may emerge after the Assembly election in early 2022 is, what if the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, TMC and Revolutionary Goans have to cobble up a coalition government if they have to make up the numbers?
Assuming that the BJP does not get a clear majority but still emerges as the single largest party, will the above four parties join together to form the government? Such an eventuality can happen considering the political upheavals that are taking place in Goa now, with by now two BJP MLAs having left the party. However, would it not be prudent for the four parties to have pre-poll alliance and thus not split the votes which if there is a pre-poll alliance will by and large stay intact?
With the GFP, Goencho Avaaz, MGP, NCP (Churchill) and the MDF having already aligned, such a possibility cannot be ruled out. Would it not be better then for the four parties to align themselves unitedly with a clear pre-poll alliance or seat-sharing understanding?
It may be stressed that each going separate ways may lead either to forgo a few seats which would be counter-productive in the final analysis. Quelling of dissidence is an issue that can be addressed with disciplined falling in line for the collective good.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
Ministers misusing their position
Recently a BJP minister misusing his position and sexually exploiting a woman is a disgrace to Goa and all Goans. The resignation came after criticism by Opposition parties, causing a huge embarrassment to the government and the ruling BJP. Politics and sex make a deadly mix and have an old relationship in India as well. It has become headlines, and political discussions but the morals of the person has never been judged. There have been many instances where ministers and politicians have been involved in sex scandals in other States also.
People suffering from price rice, improper water supply, intermittent power cuts. Many politicians consider their power as a licence that can win this type of scandal. But the people of this State had lot of expectations from this government.
The sex scandal has further deteriorated the faith of people in BJP and it will be extremely difficult for them to revive and win elections.
The legislators whose ideals are supposed to be followed by the entire masses are themselves learning about morality after getting elected. There is no dearth of rule in our legal systems, it’s a lack of enforcement of rules which leaves the malaise uncured.
People should be cautious in electing persons not on just party lines only but on qualities allied with ethics, straightforward, qualified, for social cause, development, mature and dignified.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Politicians and their promises
Apropos to “Kejriwal promises corruption-free govt” (Herald December 22, 2021) and as the Goa Assembly Elections in 2022 are inching closer, desperation in each political party’s camp is growing.
With new entrants like AAP and Trinamool Congress having thrown their respective hats in the ring of Goa’s electoral politics, confusing Goa’s voters seems the main motto.
In the months leading up to the assembly elections we are witnessing a free for all season. While addressing a mahasabha at Campal Ground, Panjim on December 21, 2021, Arvind Kejriwal Bab said that Goa is a first class State with third class politicians. Arvind Kejriwal Ji, as a mature and responsible politician, should not allow public discourse to fall further low.
If people of Goa remember correctly, in his second press conference around Diwali 2021, Kejriwal Ji proudly claimed that he never lands in Goa with an intention to abuse Goa’s politicians. That he always lands in Goa with new guarantees to make life of Goa’s people easier.
Here was a politician who was wearing his love for Goa’s people on his sleeves.
Now Kejriwal Ji seems to have forgotten his promise of “Shaalinta Ki Rajniti’ in the rough and tumble of electoral politics.
Gafaar Shaqoor, Margao
River Mandovi is certainly polluted
Environmentalists must wake up and counter act whether there is any impact of sewage discharge in River Mandovi. I don’t agree with the statement come up in Raya Sabba. According to me the STP plant in St Inez Tonca is overloaded with the sewage tankers coming from various sources like 5 star hotels and offshore casinos.
This pollution can be verified by renowned agencies and local Institute of Oceanography. Have any official studies been done by local government?
I have inspected the STP plant and found the sewage tankers are discharging sewage in the STP plant and found overloaded beyond the capacity of the plant and excess is discharged into the creek on turn to river Mandovi. Also when I wanted to inspect the supply of sewage from casinos being loaded via supply boats into the standing on platform jetty I was not allowed to verify and was stopped by security at the Captain of Ports jetty. That means there was no transparency on loading operation.
It is very clear that the St Inez Creek water is polluted beyond quantity of sewage coming from various sources such as high rise buildings, migrants housing nearby on borders and STP plant overloading plant. The sample for analysis can very well give the proofs of sewage contamination on River Mandovi. That means the reporting to Raya Sabha by vested interest needs to be further verified by appointing government agencies to substantiate its claim and analysis of water sample near offshore casinos will give the percentage of pollution contamination on Mandovi.
Stephen Dias,
Dona Paula
Eco friendly tree decorations
With Christmas kits and decor this year taking a turn towards sustainability, start-ups are bringing festive cheer to shoppers with handcrafted toys made by local artisans from across the country.
This Christmas, hang chocolate baubles, glossy veggies, and papier-mache Santas, handmade by artisans across India. Christmas trees made of teak, crochet snowmen and Kondapalli reindeer — Christmas decor has a focus on sustainability this year.
A host of start-ups are bringing in festive cheer with handcrafted decorations, while supporting local artisans across the country.
With COVID-19 and lockdowns keeping friends and families apart, people are seeking gifts with a personal touch.
So, even if they cannot be together with their loved ones for the festival, they can at least send over presents handmade with love.
M R Jayanthi,
Mumbai
