Bias communal
action in bad taste
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The Gujarat government has asked for the death penalty to be restored on 11 Godhra convicts who were sentenced to life imprisonment for setting the coach of the Sabarmati Express on fire killing the passengers in 2002 which set off the Gujarat riots. This is completely irresponsible considering that the case was closed after sentencing and there is no need of the Gujarat government, technically the prosecuting authority, to ask for a change in the sentence. In contrast the same Gujarat government sometime back released the rapists, coincidentally again 11 in number, in the rape case of Bilkis Bano of the same time in 2002 on counts of good behaviour before completing their life sentence.
In fact, these rapists were garlanded upon release from prison and were feted by the local BJP leadership. This kind of biased communal action by the government will lead to serious doubts about the intentions of the present dispensation to support certain communities by design and condone their heinous criminal actions leading to anarchy in the country.
Srinivas Kamat, Alto St Cruz
Dog menace is not
limited to strays
Apropos the report on dog-bite cases in Goa (O Heraldo, February 23). A fortnight ago, I was returning home from a nearby Chapel in broad daylight. In my search for a possibly better shortcut to our residential complex, I was guided to an off the beaten narrow path, and advised to go through a gate at the end of the path that I would find open.
On entering that gate, I saw what looked like row houses. In no time, I saw one dog after another emerge (strays and collared), growling and aggressively barking at me while slowly encircling me. Although we’ve never had pets, I normally experience mutual affection with most 4-legged friends and strangers, so I was totally unprepared for such predicament. Quickly taking a hold of my fear and reflexes that wanted me to flee an almost certain mauling, I stood firm, gestured with my hands for calm, and tried to pacify the pack in a gentle, soothing, commanding voice. As they all stopped and looked at me, a guy came out. He said there was no shortcut, so I turned back.
A couple of days ago, on return home via the only shortcut I knew along very narrow unpaved paths, I again experienced a similar scenario with two collared but unleashed dogs and one stray.
One of them climbed the wall to almost jump at me, then ran parallel along the length of its owner’s home’s wall to the gate, barking ferociously.
The path is less than two feet wide. I am now terrified of using that shortcut.
Many house owners seem to want to deny public access around their property at any cost, and one way apparently is to neither leash nor monitor at least those of their dogs that tend to evoke fear in passers-by. The local authorities would do well to deal with this menace by making leashes mandatory in such cases and imposing hefty fines for non-compliance.
Anita Pinto, Baga
Rail Over-Bridge
at Comba is vital
This refers to the article captioned Officials inspect Comba underpass, O Heraldo, 23rd February.
The proposed T-shaped ROB at the existing underpass at Comba needs a review considering the uneven gradient and the steep slope and bend at the site for vehicles proceeding to Colva and vice-versa. The student fraternity of Damodar school and College which are in close proximity of the underpass have to bear the brunt of the foul smell emanating from the stagnant sewage water.
Besides the two wheeler riders are equally affected when dirty water splashes on their feet and clothes leading to skin allergies.
The powers that be would do well to carry out a feasibility study to construct the rail-over bridge at the existing level crossing where ample space is available and which would be convenient for commuters on either side of the divide. A number of fatal accidents too have occurred at the level crossing especially of college students distracted by mobile phones while crossing the tracks.
Needless to mention here that the hold-up at the existing manned level crossing is excruciating as vehicles remain stranded for an inordinate time as the railways give priority for the movement of Adani coal with ever increasing number of wagons added to the goods train. People’s patience is at its wits end to see this pathetic scene on a daily basis as they are left with Hobson’s choice of either waiting for the gates to open or wading through the slimy sewage-infested underpass.
Hence, the need of the hour is for a ROB for smooth movement of passenger traffic.
Everette Assis Telles, Margao
BPL ration cards
The Civil Supplies Director has issued a note that those families whose annual income is above
Rs 50,000 will have to surrender their Below Poverty Line (BPL) Ration cards which are pink in colour. They will need to convert to APL (Above Poverty Line) card which is yellow in colour.
This in effect means that an average Indian poor family of 4.4 persons will have to subsist on around Rs 4,150 per month without getting the benefit of BPL card holders. In urban areas, it will be impossible for very poor families to survive on this measly amount of income unless they take to begging.
How is it possible to survive on Rs 4,150? One has to pay for food, rent, clothing, electricity, LPG, medicines, schools books, uniforms, fees etc. It is pertinent to note the people in such categories are daily wage workers who have to travel by bus to their workplace, which is expensive. Are they supposed to walk to work? However, don’t take my word for it. Let a govt official volunteer to walk the talk and try to survive (along with his family) on Rs 4,150 for a month in a city.
Robert Castellino, Calangute
