Govt not above the law
The all important institution of Lokayukta, the Human Rights Commission, the State Information Commission and the Police Complaints Authority are all bodies constituted by law and each one of them has a purpose besides a clear mandate by law. These very independent authorities are constituted by law to deliver justice for the citizen and bring to book the wrong-doers.
Huge public funds are spent in running these bodies for the benefit of the common man so it is expected that the Government of the day should give due respect to the reports and recommendations of these vital institutions.
It would be absolutely fallacious on the part of any ruling government to say that the orders of these institutions are merely recommendatory. If that be the case all that money poured down the drain by the government on these bodies would display no respect whatsoever to the orders and directions passed by these bodies.
It should come as no surprise if the government one day says that orders of even the High Court and Supreme Court are also just advisory.
It is no secret that over the last few years the BJP in Goa has deviously circumvented directions passed by the High Court, National Green Tribunal and even the Supreme Court. The tax-payer will undoubtedly feel cheated that these sacred and independent institutions they finance and depend on are being abused and their rulings ignored.
The Government has a duty to respect the law and the orders passed by institutions created by law and the Constitution in the best interests of those they were elected to serve. Government must realise that they are not above the law or the Constitution that is based on the Rule of Law.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Crumbling buildings
The vagaries of monsoon continue to heap misery on the residents. When rains lash old and ramshackle buildings, the unfolding of misery is complete. But commercial and residential buildings collapsing like a pack of cards are becoming all too familiar, and at a frightening frequency.
It was South Mumbai’s Fort and Malad in July, Konkan Maharashtra’s Mahad in August, and Bhiwandi in suburban Mumbai last Monday.
The Mahad building was a seven-year-old construction while the one that collapsed at Bhiwandi was nearly four decades old that was built in two phases, the latest put in place twelve years ago. That forty apartments sheltered nearly one hundred and fifty residents in a structure more than forty years old tells us only a part of the story. The fact that the three storeyed rundown building was not included in the dilapidated building list of the local municipal corporation tells us the other half of the story.
This story is, however, contested by the authorities. The local body government swears that it had served not one but two notices to the building owners on the unsafe conditions of the building. The residents say they haven’t heard about it although a few have said the building was indeed in a pathetic state. Perhaps the residents are loath to come forward with their account because they were all poor, and were offered a roof to stay for affordable rates by the owner.
That is to say the builder, who is now behind the bars, exploited the credulous. It is said any law is done for one kind of people only for the exploitation of those who do not understand it. The Municipal corporation has also said that it had asked the owner to vacate the building, but in vain.
The question is whether the owner ignored the notices or the corporation failed to pursue the same.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
The boundless voice
This is with reference to the sad demise of playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam. SPB, as he is fondly known among numerous fans and fellow artistes, had the unique voice that had been apt to many Indian languages like Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, resulting in perfect songs out there.
Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I, as a schoolchild then, had happened to start watching many a song sung by him and also Tamil movies starring him. I fondly remember his songs being often aired on local TV and FM radio channels in my native areas like Korkai, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin, and Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. In India, cinema has been a wonderful platform up till today, having been making impacts on the masses across the board. During my childhood and college years, Tamil cinema had impacted me greatly – I being a great fan of maestro Ilaiyaraaja and film director Mani Ratnam. Even in countries like the USA and in most Asian nations, movies, songs and music have been a way of life, shaping the people and life.
As for the late SP Balasubrahmanyam, his boundless and tireless voice will keep on feeding the minds and hearts forever in the form of those numerous beautiful, everlasting songs sung by him. My humble tribute to such big personalities as SPB [Remember, cinema has been an “evolving,” inspiring medium”!
P. Senthil Saravana Durai, Mumbai
Repair roads before commissioning e-bus
The Central government announced that it has sanctioned 100 electric buses for the state owned Kadamba Transport Corporation under Phase-II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme.
It is understood that KTC had requested for 250 electric buses under the scheme. It is a fact that the environment friendly e-buses for the inter-city services of the state would help protect the environment by reducing the carbon footprint as there will be zero pollution. Introducing e-buses will also go a long way in improving the efficiency of the transport service. But the bigger question is whether Goan roads are in a proper condition for these e- buses to ply on. The recent unprecedented rains has left many roads in the state battered with huge potholes appearing which look like craters. The approach roads on both sides of the Zuari Bridge, for example, are in a pathetic condition. The Goan roads in it’s present condition would take a toll of the e-buses which could probably be spending more time in the garages than on the roads. It is understood that the first e-bus will be commissioned by January 2021.
It would be prudent for the authorities to repair all the roads in the state which are in bad condition before the first e-bus is commissioned and also maintain the roads in future.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Corruption must be eradicated
The corruption has become the order of the day from the last two decades and termed as Hydra-headed monster. Due to protection and growth of corruption in India, poor people have to suffer. Officials instead knowing for their impeccable integrity and honesty have become the victims of corruption thus bringing a bad name to the entire workforce. A government job is like a profitable business in addition to regular salary and a government servant never wants to miss the opportunity. Government job has turned in to a lucrative business activity. The common man’s sufferings are never ending and the development takes a beating. In fact the system has made a mockery. Say’s that Government’s work is God’s work. It is a sad story and it seems only a divine intervention can cure this crippling disease of our society.
K. G. Vilop, Chodan
