Fight against destruction
This is in reference to the Herald cover page news headline “In surprise move, Goa Police back double tracking” (Herald, November 22).
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Under that headline, the DGP Mukesh Kumar Meena has declared that the double track rail project and the expansion of National Highway had been planned in the National Interest. The DGP further informs the public that people in his state agitate for the widening of railway tracks and four lane highways etc. Yes, his State is in need of this type of development, but NOT in Goa.
Goans are agitating because they are well aware that these so-called development projects in the National Interest “will turn Goa into a coal corridor” for the transportation of 136 million tons per year of coal to feed the requirements of industries in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Building this corridor will cause the destruction of our forests, the pollution of our rivers, and the health of the Goan population through the release of fine coal dust from the train wagons passing through our beautiful villages. Can Mr Adani not find another route to augment his own income and that of the Treasury ?. Goa is a beautiful State and loved by every Goan. We shall fight against its destruction.
Celsia Sequeira, Corlim
Is the DGP a puppet of politicians?
What is the role of Goa Police DGP Mukesh Kumar Meena. Is he a political head of State, a puppet of politicians or man to manage/control Goa Police Department? The statement of Goa DGP on double tracking of railway line and on other nefarious projects promoted by Goa most corrupt politicians on smallest State of the Country proves that he as head of Goa Police forgot his role by disrespecting the uniform he wears to lean to political coterie of Goa.
Goa is not a big State like any other States/Union Territories of our country and Goans had fought, role tears, slog tirelessly in sun/rain and voted to save Goa identity. Goa was not saved by Goans to make corridors for other big States, to be polluted and destroy by big money entrepreneur.
As the Head of Goa Police, Meena should stick to his role instead of trying to step out of footsteps by appeasing his political masters. He should concentrate in maintaining law and order. DGP concentrate and be answerable why conviction rate of alleged criminals caught and paraded in front of camera end up in acquittal. Is it not we have unfit IPS and Goa Cadre Police officers? Goa DGP do your job properly to guide/ train officers to perform panchanama of crime site since most cases get acquittal due to poor knowledge of Goa Police in police investigation. Look around South Goa Police Headquarters where matka gambling going without fear of men-in-uniforms. So concentrate on your work and stop matka gambling all nook and corner of State.
It is not your role Mukesh Kumar Meena which projects Goans oppose and permit in Goa. If you have any problem of Goans opposing project than first give up police uniform which you disrespect and join any of rogue political parties.
Julius Carvalho, Dubai-UAE
Fishy tales
The World Fisheries Day was recently celebrated in the State and realisation dawned that caged culture farming and estuarine fishing is the most ecological and sustainable means of livelihood.
In the times of pandemic fishpreneurship would be a profitable activity, given the various incentives and subsidies (upto the tune of Rs 60 crores annually) offered by the government, it would also help revive the moribund economy.
Though there is a lot of toil and sweat involved in fish farming it is the most eco-friendly means of continuous income which helps in providing quality fish at reasonable rates.Fish is an integral part of a Goan’s diet, but the aam janta’s favourite staple is becoming increasingly unaffordable. Dependence on migrant labour for crew, price regulation and inaccessibility to wholesale markets are the main reasons for inflated prices.Also wholesale markets are controlled by agents who give preference to out of state fish retailers as they offer higher commissions , this itself jacks up the consumer price by 25%.
The fisheries department should also formulate a comprehensive policy barring destructive fishing practices such as bull trawling, high speed trawling, LED light assisted fishing which deplete the oceans at an alarming rate and also leave little for the smaller fishermen. It should also formulate restrictive guidelines for mesh sizes, nets, power engines and boat sizes for open ocean fishing so that over exploitation of marine resources is curbed.
All stakeholders like the Indian Coast Guard, Department of fisheries, Department of ports etc. should be co-opted to enforce rules and penalize violators else the day is not far when fish shall disappear from the Goan’s plate.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Problem submitting life certificate
Govt pensioners are required to give a life certificate once a year in November to the respective public sector bank which pays pension to them. This certificate used to be given earlier in a form filled up manually. Few years ago,the govt introduced a digital life certificate called Jeevan Pramaan whereby the bank would fill in the required data, take the pensioners biometric and give them a printout of the generated life certificate.
Since all the data of pensioners was registered on the portal Jeevan Pramaan and the pensioners were also given a Pramaan ld, Govt provided a facility whereby senior citizen pensioners could generate the life certificate at home without having to visit the bank. It said, all that a pensioner is required to do is log in to the website of Jeevan Pramaan, give the Aadhaar no., feed the given OTP and pronto the life certificate would be generated within seconds. What they didn’t tell the pensioners is that they need to have a biometric device at home to do so.
So pensioners have still to visit the bank and stand in queue at bigger banks like SBI for this purpose. Generating life certificate at home would have been a real help to the the senior pensioners during the pandemic. Govt should relook at the system, remove the snag and make the facility workable.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Nepotism & bribes in recruitments
Over the past several decades, corruption has been a part and parcel of daily life in India. What can people expect from those who get government jobs by giving bribes to politicians and officials?
Politicians will remain in power for five years, and they will go. But officials are not like politicians. Corrupt officials corrupt everything. The facts are pretty disappointing, with the common man often coerced into paying bribes or use a contact to avail of services that we should have got as a matter of right.
The main reasons for this is corruption and nepotism in government recruitments over the years resulting in a bloated bureaucracy predominantly filled with inefficient, lazy and corrupt officials. The common man’s sufferings are never ending. Says that government’s work is a god’s work.
It’s a sad story and it seems only a divine intervention can cure this crippling disease of our society.
K.G.Vilop, Chorao
Bonus for govt staff
As per press reports the central government has announced one month bonus for its staff. Which also applies to Goa government staff. That is fine and good. But the question arises why the Dearness Allowance to the pensioners is held in abeyance.
Pensioners are needy persons, hence the government should consider releasing the DA due to the pensioners at least.
I hope the government consider the case of pensioners compassionately and release the DA at the earliest.
Antonio F.Fernandes, Arossim
