Irrigation projects on Mhadei
As per the Goa, Daman and Diu Irrigation Act, 1973 (Act No. 18 of 1973) the definition of “canal” under clause 2 (f) includes all mechanical and electrical appliances tools and plants and structures, installed or constructed, maintained or controlled by the Government for lifting water.
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The main structural components on lift irrigation systems are (i) intake structure, (ii) intake pipe, (iii) jack well/pump well, (iv) pump house, (v) rising main and accessories, (vi) delivery chamber, (vii) distribution chamber, and (viii) on-farm water distribution system.
The Goa Command Area Development Act, 1997 (Goa Act No. 27 of 1997) [8-9-1997]was AN ACT to provide for accelerated increase in agricultural and allied production in the State of Goa, through a programme of comprehensive and systematic development of command areas on scientific and modern lines, comprising measures for optimum use of land and water, prevention of land erosion and water logging, improvement of soil fertility and regulation of cropping pattern, and for proper maintenance and upkeep of irrigation systems in the State of Goa for ensuring maximum benefits to the cultivators under the command areas and for matters connected therewith.
As per the Goa Command Area Development Act, 1997 (Goa Act No. 27 of 1997) [8-9-1997],the definition of “distribution system” under clause (8) includes:— (a) all main canals, branch distributories, minor canals and water courses constructed for the supply and distribution of water for irrigation; (b) all works, structures and appliances connected with the distribution of water for irrigation; and (c) all field channels and farm channels and related structures under a pipe outlet.
What are the on farm distribution systems adopted for the lift irrigation schemes on the Mhadei River and its tributaries (for supporting construction of massive Kolhapur type Bandharas ) to benefit local farming communities ? Or are the lift irrigation systems on the Mhadei River and its tributaries (for supporting construction of massive Kolhapur type Bandharas) without any on-farm distribution systems for the local farming community?
Are the lift irrigation projects on the banks of Mhadei River and its tributaries for supporting unsustainable Agro-business and Industrial projects with massive Kolhapur type Bandharas?
Wesley Edward Pereira,
by email
Onion prices continue to rise
The price of onion in Goa continues to rise owing to shortage as suppliers are waiting for imported onions in the hope of normalising the price of this essential food item. Recent heavy rain in major onion-growing districts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh has caused damage to standing kharif crops, stored onion and seed nurseries. Farmers who have managed to save their crops from heavy rains, have lost it during the sun-drying process after it got wet in the rain.
Prices of onions in the Goan market are fluctuating from Rs 95 to Rs 100 per kg. Much of the onions supplied to Goa comes from Maharashtra. Hopefully the kharif onions likely to start arriving in the wholesale market will give reprieve to the rising price. In September the government at the centre had announced a ban on the export of onion in order to ensure the availability of the bulb to domestic consumers at reasonable rates during the lean season.
It is understood that a buffer stock of onion from 2020 Rabi season has been maintained, which would be released to tide over the situation.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Frogs in a well
If anything, the current pandemic has shown us how we are all living like the proverbial frog in the well: convinced we are the best.
Watched a video named: ‘Dr. Mike, Day in the life’ where he takes you through a ‘Real Covid Hospital! https://youtu.be/_nvTtRj0z6E
First off, it shows how in Goa, the Covid Hospitals and treatment is ‘guarded more than our Defence units; whereas abroad they are totally open .They even provide a written form of what they will do when a Covid 19 patient is admitted. Here this is not done for obvious reasons: they are till date not sure.
What use being the 11th best tourist destination in the world and having the worst facilities from all that income! Coupled with iron ore exports! Surely, if these kind of facilities seen in the video were there is Goa, the deaths would not have crossed 50; patients would ‘not come in late to the hospitals’. If we know the problem, we can and must find a solution. Sadly, identifying the problem is only for the sake of making excuses, not finding solutions. We now want to make our own SOPs; the panel is silently approving this.
After subjecting Goans to a series of deaths due to Covid, a panel of doctors was formed to oversee the pandemic. I remember welcoming this late move in a letter to the Editor and asking the panel to demand what they want and get it. If you see the video and match it with what we have in Goa; then the panel literally asked for nothing. At least learn from others.
R Fernandes, Margao
Ministers, google for Goa’s development
Dear ministers, we had high hopes in all of you, when you took office. Some of you are medical professionals, business men, educated,and so on. But, your performance is far below par.
Lead Minister, you being a medical expert we expected you to be a great leader who could see the difficulties we face in this tiny, easy to govern state. You and your ministers have turned a blind eye towards Goa. And have neglected it completely. If we are wrong, show us a single road in Goa which is without a pothole, and as per standard, show us a market which is clean and hygienic, show us a bus-stand without clutter, show us a street in the State without garbage, show us a beach, clean and organised.
The rest of the world is developing, with governments trying to do the best for their citizens’ welfare, but you ministers want to take us backward, your dream is to see cattle in our cities. It looks like you all have no ideas to improve the state’s condition.
If you really don’t have any ideas on how to make things better for the Goans, at least Google, you will find solutions to improve your performance. Are you proud of your performance ministers?
Come out of your offices, go around and look for your self the misery you have bought in this once beautiful State.
FA Gonsalves, Benaulim
Benefits of coronavirus
During the lockdown men were forced to don kitchen aprons. In the past if a woman called for help in the kitchen she rarely got it. The answer she got would probably be, ‘India 174 not out, Sri Lanka still batting.’
Excessive expenditure on sports decreased. All play and no work after all makes Jack and Jill dull. Some got full pay for part-time or no work. Those who had exhausted their leave benefited from a new source of leave. The lockdown served as a great detox period for the wise.
Disaster management skills have been ramped up due to the virus. People generally wait for disasters to happen to act, rather than prepare in advance to avoid them. Local producers of food benefited due to shortage in supply of goods from outside the state. Many businesses had to develop online platforms taking their businesses into the digital world. We can in the future look forward to handshakes. Tailors always wondered what to do with odd bits and pieces of cloth leftover which are now used in making masks.
Social distancing serves as an excuse to keep pesky people from getting too close. If your ears have turned red at the end of reading this my job is done. Although I will not get paid for it.
Vinay Rodrigues, Margao
