Changing dynamics of Goan politics
The unprecedented momentum with which the Trinamool Congress is spreading its wings across the political firmament of Goa, ably managed by I-PAC, its political strategist seems to indicate rapid changes in Goa’s political future. A lot depends on Mamata Banerjee’s role as she embarks on a two-day visit to Goa starting today since she is a heir-apparent to the prime ministership of India. Having a major impact in such a short time is a major challenge for the TMC, though not insurmountable. It seem like it is definitely not a case of `political tourism”.
A survey conducted indicates that 65% of Goans want a change of guard in the state and thus this may suggest that the incumbent dispensation’s popularity is fast on the wane. Another survey has revealed that the Congress has now only a 15% vote share, while the Aam Aadmi Party’s vote share has increased to 22%.
Importantly, the levelling of corruption charges by none other than the former Governor of Goa, Satya Pal Malik has further stirred the political cauldron in Goa. Such charges by a Constitutional head of State is extremely serious and damaging to the incumbent dispensation. This will further tilt the political balance of power in Goa. If such factors are taken into consideration, the entire political scenario in Goa is destined for a radical change.
Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
The unholy drugs debate
A lot has been spoken and written after the son of a popular film actor was arrested in a case related to the consumption of banned substances. People are being seen taking side maybe as per their reasoning, political views or favoritism towards the actor it’s hard to say. There is a section of the public who are sympathizing with the accused saying they were found in possession of just a few grams of banned psychotropic substances. What is the big deal? It is not commercial quantity. They are just kids they need a breather.
But doesn’t drug addiction start with a few grams of illegal substances or soft drugs which are said to be ok to try out, all in the name of recreation. It’s a stressful life after all. It is ok; it will not lead to an addiction. But can anyone guarantee that the so called child won’t get addicted after trying out these banned reality altering, life devastating substance in the name of some harmless stress releasing fun or to be called cool.
Lives have been lost due to drug addiction, futures and families have been ruined emotionally and financially. The people involved in the current case belong to affluent families. Their families can afford best medical care, de-tox retreats and rehabilitation programs to avert any major untoward incidents. They can afford to build lives even if few lakhs or crores of rupees were spent on this so called recreation, no major dent on their lives or life savings. But what about the middle class and marginalized families? Can such families recover from the monetary and health strains left behind in the aftermath of drug abuse? Life savings lost or stolen to purchase these few grams of drugs, or life savings lost to treat medical conditions which follow or young lives lost altogether.
So ‘No to Drugs’, has to mean no to the few grams of drugs or even few milligrams of drugs and not just to commercial quantities of drugs. Please do not make the use of drugs as a personal, casual affair; it affects more people than the drug abuser. Please do not rationalize the use of soft drugs or recreational drugs, it’s a vice. This problem has to be nipped in the bud.
Sonia Pereira, Majorda
House tax on Unauthorised houses
The Goa government has directed the Panchayats to assess house tax on unauthorised houses in the villages and allot them temporary house numbers. The CM has gone on record and revealed that 50 per cent of the houses in villages are unauthorised. People are aware that Goa came to this stage only because building of unauthorised houses was facilitated and encouraged by the Panchayats and the elected representatives. Even the present decision to allot house numbers when elections are round the corner is mainly to appease their voters and come back to power with their support.
On the other hand law abiding citizens have to undergo a laborious process of obtaining several approvals after many inspections and pay heavy fees including infrastructure fee to build their house on their own land. There is bound to be a fall out from this decision when people see how easy it is to build a house without any prior approval and get a house number later via this route.
The least that the government should do now is ensure that house numbers are not given to those houses which are built on property belonging to others be it a private or institutional owner like Comunidades because such houses are not only unauthorised but also illegal. One of the slogans chosen by government for this scheme reads” Mhaje ghar mhajo abhiman” (My house my pride). If that be so the house must necessarily be on his own land because there is no pride when the house is built on stolen land.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Ex-Governor’s explosive comments on graft
Former Goa Governor Sathya Pal Malik’s explosive comments related to rampant corruption charges in the state government is very shocking.
For the first time in the history of independent India, the extent of mis-governance has reached such a level, exposing a series of longstanding corruption in the state. The accusation levelling against an incumbent government should require judicial probe. If he had known the things were not going through right way during his tenure while holding a constitutional post he should have sent a report to union government.
The PM must initiate a high-level investigation in to the charges and seek accountability to the accusations leveled against the Goa CM and its government by the former Goa governor. It seems that PM Modi’s ‘Na Khaaunga, Na Khaane Dunga’ statement is hollow like all his ‘jumlas’ and gives a free pass for corruption to his Chief Ministers.
For the first time in the history of independent India, a fearless and renowned Governor, holding a constitutional position with an illustrious political career, has filed serious corruption allegations against a sitting Chief Minister belonging to the BJP.
K.G. Vilop, Chorao
Debt of gratitude
Here is a list of Covid-19 warriors to whom we owe a mountainous debt of gratitude. Think of them tonight as you go to sleep and send out your heartfelt thanks to them.
The nurse who cleaned, maintained and took care of thousands of patients daily. The ward boys who cleaned the bodies of the deceased and made it ready for funerals. The ambulance drivers who waited patiently for hours at the hospital gates and at the crematorium grounds.
The security guards at the hospitals who managed the arrival of vehicles. The manager of the crematorium. The body handlers at the crematorium who were overworked, exhausted and underpaid but yet they did their job without complaining. Our sanitation workers who did their job without complaining.
The police constables at the traffic signals who ensured that we wore our masks. The delivery boys who worked round the clock to bring our food packets at our doorstep. The local vegetable vendors who ensured that we got our fresh supply of vegetables and fruits daily. These are just a few. There are many more. Are we thankful to them? Yes, we should be.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
