Regularising unauthorised constructions
On January 17, 2023, the Goa government introduced the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Construction (GRUC) (Amendment) bill 2023. This bill grants an extension of 90 days to file applications to regularise unauthorised houses. The GRUC Act, 2016 (Goa Act 20 of 2016) was enacted to regularise illegal constructions made on certain lands before February 28, 2014. Obviously many people would take advantage of this ‘scheme’ and if they forget to do so, an extension is granted! Will the bill also regularise illegal water and electricity connections? Does the term ‘construction’ also mean shops, houses, resorts, buildings, etc?
The government is encouraging illegalities by not taking any actions but regularising them after a few years. The authorities could have nipped in the bud the illegal constructions or when the offenders applied for occupancy certificates and for essential services. All these are mutely watched by law-abiding citizens who run helter-skelter to get different approvals, clearances and connections for water, electricity, sewage, etc. The new norm seems to be “illegal is legal after a few years”.
Sridhar D’Iyer, Caranzalem
Law of Nature
Facts are facts, some things that just make us get carried away with a veil over our eyes is right now the reality. The Mhadei issue is very straight forward and nobody in the world can deny that what Karnataka is trying to do is against the law of Nature.
A simple question I would like to ask the so called authorities who are in favour of diverting River Mhadei – would you like to live with one kidney or one lung or even one eye? The answer is yes, we can survive, but it is not as effective as having both the organs, so is the River Mhadei, how can you divert half the river that has been flowing for centuries? It has a lot of connections that play its own role to provide its contribution to what it was created for.
Human beings, animals, plants, biodiversity and a lot of factors will be affected by this foolish decision that will be a disaster created by these ignorant just to satisfy their own greed.
Nobody in this world has the authority to change what Nature has provided, each and every phenomena is an innovation/creation having the reasons of its own, a mountain, tree, river, animals, reptiles, insects, micro-organisms, etc. Each and every natural thing has its own contribution to the eco-cycle, why do we have to even discuss this issue in this e-age? Are we trying to go back or move forward?
Goa has been targeted for years and now we are dealing with politics over the life giving water that Nature has given us but politically influenced ignorant are trying to take it away from us, is it a political move or just another stunt to harass our ajeeb State of Goa? Nevertheless, Goans might be known as the ones who eat drink and make merry, but time will tell who Goans really are.
Goa, a very tiny State, has been converted into a Coal hub forcefully by dictators and now, we are being threatened to be deprived of water. Goans will not keep quiet; we will come back on the streets and pull you all dirty politicians down because you couldn’t do the job being scared of the heavy weights at the Centre. You will be made to resign and you all will be ousted because you all couldn’t save what belongs to Goans, leaving aside our customs and cultures you can’t even solve a crystal clear case based on the law of Nature.
Savio D’Costa, Chandor
Assembly session on Mhadei river
The four days Assembly session of Goa concluded on January 19, 2023 with heated arguments on the Mhadei issue. The session started on January 16, 2023 with Governor’s address, but no words on the Mhadei issue. Today, the burning issue is Mhadei river water diversion to Karnataka. The said water diversion is to cater the shortage of water to Hubballi and Dharwad districts of Karnataka. Though the matter is in Supreme Court, Goans want an assurance with regards to saving of river water from the clutches of Karnataka. The Mhadei river issue is 32 years old and many have objected to it, including environment activist Rajendra Kerkar and Nandakumar Kamat. Today, the river water is important for the survival of people in the areas along with flora and fauna. The Mhadei river is soul and lifeline of the Goans and if the same is diverted, it will affect the future of Goans. Today, the river caters to the needs of wildlife sanctuaries like Bondla, Mahaveer Park in Mollem and bird sanctuary in North Goa. In the year 2006, many were arrested for the said protest and the issue went upto the Supreme Court. The Assembly session also appointed House Committee on Mhadei issue headed by WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar and other members of the House including Opposition party leaders. The House conducted one-day session to discuss on the issue and the main demand was to withdraw DPR given to Karnataka. For Karnataka it is a political issue to win elections, but for Goa, it is question of life of future generations. There was demand to give time-bound assurance by the ruling party to people of Goa on Mhadei river and the Chief Minister assured to provide the time-bound action in the coming days. The CM also presented a book before the House on Mhadei written by a school teacher, which describes on actions and struggle on protecting river from the day one. The government also demanded that the Centre form a Central Management Committee office in Goa which will provide a clear idea of status on the river. Ultimately, it’s the unity of people and Goan leaders, which will help save the river and diversion to the neighbouring State. Today, we need to keep aside political differences and all party leaders should come together to save the river and preserve Goan identity.
Raju Ramamurthy, Vasco
Pilerne fire highlights safety measures
The blaze at Berger Becker paint factory sparks safety measures and stringent implementation of fire safety norms in industrial units. In the past cases, industrial mishaps happened in Goa, officials manning each of them have generally passed the buck on one another. These accidents are among the series of industrial accidents that have taken place. The spate of industrial accidents in the country over the last couple of months underscores the need for the effective enforcement of laws relating to occupational safety and health. The Factories Act, 1948 is the main occupational safety and health-related law in the country. There needs a periodical inspection of factories and industries using high combustible materials. The authorities have to carry out safety audits time-to-time. The safety audit report is a very important document to ascertain the shortcomings in the management of hazards and risks. There is an urgent need to revisit and revamp the system of labour inspection that is currently in place and to ensure that effective safety inspection of workplaces is regularly conducted. The inspector of factories should do regular and through inspection to ensure that the machinery, devices, boilers and pressure vessels used there are in a safe condition and that necessary fire safety measures are in place.
K G Vilop, Chorao
