Frequent transfers, bad governance?
The very frequent transfer of officers is a sign of bad governance. While officials must be moved around every three years we are witnessing officers being shuffled around in months if not weeks while ironically some are glued on the same saddle for years. This administrative circus must stop as these transfers are obviously when illegal political orders are not adhered to. The bureaucrats must be allowed to function in accordance with law and be able to apply their experience and expertise independent of political interference or pressure. They cannot be coerced to act as caged parrots.
Every decision by the government has to be well thought out and carefully considered. This will minimise the recurring embarrassment that this Government has been facing on having to reverse skewed decisions in hours if not days. Advice from experts and feedback from people must be heeded to rectify the glaring failings in governance.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
A roof over their heads
Many homeless people in Goa resort to doing odd jobs, begging, selling wares at traffic lights, rag-picking, scrap dealing, etc, and live life in vulnerable conditions; this scenario plays out in most metropolitan cities across India. The Commission for the Protection of Child Rights has directed both district magistrates in the State to set up shelters for the urban homeless under the ‘National Urban Livelihood Mission’, Section 51 of the Juvenile Justice Act too has mandated provision of shelters for such destitutes. Appropriate public spaces, hostels, vacant government quarters, unused factory sheds/parking lots and donor properties can be explored to cater to their transient housing needs.
Support from NGOs, Ministries of social welfare, education and health can also be sought to ensure some semblance of security and well-being of such marginalised individuals during the times of Covid. This would also prevent to some extent, the social and sexual exploitation of children. These temporary shelters can be combined with creches and basic education facilities so that children at least have a shot at a brighter future.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Observe Sao Joao with devotion
Today, June 24 is the day when Sao Joao is celebrated at several places in Goa. Every monsoon the Sao Joao feast is celebrated with grandeur and gaiety. It is dedicated to St John the Baptist. The feast correlates to the Biblical reference of John the Baptist jumping in the womb of his mother. The celebrations include villagers jumping into the wells, streams and ponds. However these times are different. The Corona virus has taken away all the merriment of the festival last year and this year it is no different.
It would be advisable for the people not to gather in merriment as the virus is still very active in the State. The Corona virus Delta variant has played havoc with the lives of the people. Many have lost their loved ones to the deadly virus others had to spend several days in the hospitals. The water in the wells, streams and ponds could be carrying the virus since much of the groundwater is polluted with pollutants discharged from various sources. Jumping into the polluted water bodies to celebrate Sao Joao could prove dangerous.
The best way to observe the feast of Sao Joao this year would be to spend the day in devotion. We need to pray for the souls of the departed who have fallen victim to the virus. At the same time we need to pray so that the third wave of the infection does not emerge.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
On being prepared for…
Being prepared, means setting up a full proof system that tackles all fronts. With online exams being the norm, the smarter students already have such systems. The key is pooling resources and not making excuses.
The Govt. insists the State is fully prepared for the 3rd wave so much so they even state the same to the HC! Prepared must mean that no lives are lost.
Covishield vaccine has had a number of recipients developing blood clots and losing their lives. This prompted several foreign countries to ban the same for certain age groups of patients.
In Goa, some people were advised against taking the vaccine because they get a visible clot below the skin when subjected to a minor hit on the hand/leg, etc. They were advised a blood test which showed all was well. This is all very well but when enquired ‘what next’ they replied to get the green signal from their family Doctor who rightly referred them back to GMC.
What next? Where is the preparedness? They are not following their own objectives: get vaccinated.
In the meantime: go to their homes and vaccinate their family members/maids, etc. Allow all the working members to work from home. Provide oxygen cylinders or concentrators. Provide a list of Covid centres to approach for testing/admission on priority. Provide a list of Pharmacies/ stores close by that have all their staff vaccinated.
What is wrong with us? If we cannot do the job then ask for help: two heads are better than one. This is not an exam where you cannot get outside help.
R Fernandes, Margao
Application of NSA in South Goa is amiss
The extension or renewal of applicability of NSA to South Goa amounts to an admission by the government of its failure to enforce an order under normal laws. Any person arrested under the NSA, 1980 could be held under the arrest for a period up to three months without bail and trial and the detention period could extend up to one year if approved by the advisory board constituted under the provisions of the Act. There may be an intention behind the notification but this has been done for a very long period of time.
Everybody has the right to criticise the government because criticism is the ingredient of democracy. Without criticism, no government can flourish in the long run. Governments should understand and digest the fact that, no matter what, they should not try to suppress people’s voices. These kind of black laws are ruining the principles of our democracy. Unless you scrap these laws, the political class will obviously abuse it. Ms Indira Gandhi who is known for her powerful leadership is also known for bringing in some of the most draconian laws in the country. The Maintenance of the Internal Security Act (MISA) & the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act 1971 (COFEPOSA) & the National Security Act 1980 (NSA) are the major draconian laws of the Indira Gandhi times.
The maintenance of the NSA which was misused to keep hundred of political activists in custody for months altogether was repealed when Janata Party came to power in 1977, but Ms Indira Gandhi came back to power in 1980 the NSA found place in our statute books as though to suggest that good administration cannot come without drastic laws.
K G Vilop, Chorao
Be aware of Delta Plus variant
The Centre declaring the Delta Plus strain of the Corona virus a variant of concern has sent a shiver down the spine. India has detected 22 cases so far, of which 16 are in Ratnagiri and Jalgaon districts of Maharashtra. Besides, the “variant of concern” has been found in genome sequences sampled from Palakkad and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala and Bhopal and Shivpuri districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Experts have warned that if the Delta Plus variant is not arrested at once, it may lead to another wave in no time. That Covishield and Covaxin are said to be effective against the deadly variant is a silver lining.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
