Govt must get priorities right
Instead of admitting that he has failed on all fronts and gracefully hanging his boots, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has decided as a desperate damage control move to engage into a Public Relations exercise to deal with the adverse public opinion that his government finds itself enveloped in due to the failure on policy and performance.
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At least in this Pandemic the government should not have been concerned on speeding up non priority issues like land conversions rather than fully focusing on saving precious lives. Under the cover of the COVID-19, the government has discreetly been taking far reaching decisions without caring to consult the people.
In the last two years the devastation of Goa has accelerated with the situation only having worsened beyond imagination more particularly in the last one year. This government has heartlessly been pursuing and pushing needless projects to Goa’s detriment and degradation of our already fragile environment.
The government of the day is duty bound to act very honestly and diligently while taking the people into confidence on issues that matter. But those currently running the State are governing arrogantly.
With that widespread anger against this government prevalent all over, no effort now by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will remedy the awful image and public perception of his government. The people are looking forward to the 2022 Assembly elections to do what needs to be done to safeguard the remnants of our once beautiful Goa.
Aires Rodrigues,
Ribandar
Twitter-govt faceoff turning ugly?
The Twitter-Government faceoff turned ugly, with the former calling out the Centre’s new regulatory regime and the latter saying the platform has no locus in dictating India’s legal policy network. Both claimed their goal was to protect the user’s privacy and the freedom of speech and expression.
The government is adamant about social media giants falling in line and has asked digital media platforms to submit compliance reports within 15 days. Twitter said that it would strive to comply with the revised IT laws in India but is committed to free speech and privacy. Though the government assured citizens that the new rules empower the commoner when they become victims of abuse and misuse, it is apparent that it has opened Pandora’s box of uncertainties.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Close Tejpal case, respect verdict
The verdict of acquittal of Tarun Tejpal needs to be respected and honoured, especially after a long and fair trial. While Tarun Tejpal may have misbehaved, the prosecution should have applied the less serious charges of molestation and assault. This may have brought the government a verdict they wished.
Tejpal has already paid heavily for this alleged misconduct. It is very difficult to imagine a rape taking place in an elevator in such a short time. This also in a 5 star hotel which was fully booked in the peak season. The government’s decision to appeal against this verdict is unfortunate. The reason given to seek justice for the victim will be taken with a pinch of salt, given the abysmal condition Goa finds itself currently.
Here is an appeal to the Government to close the Tarun Tejpal chapter and not spend the tax payers’ money unnecessarily.
Michael Silveira, Divar
Help families hit by Covid-19
The open Edit ‘Thank you Goa government, we at least no longer live in an illusion that there is a government’ (Herald, May 23) has nicely covered overall the scenario of Goa at present, and has also asked the government to compensate the families who lost their loved ones in this deadly virus which is a very good thought in right direction and every MLA of Goa should demand the same. Well, I also want to bring to the attention of all Goans and Govt that recently there were some messages being circulated on WhatsApp informing us that whoever has done “Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Bima Yojana” and “PMSBY” Insurance like schemes in respective banks where Rs 300/Rs 12 gets deducted every year should go to banks and ask to compensate their loved ones who left us fighting this deadly virus.
Thanks to the person who reminded us of the same and I appeal to all 40 MLAs including our CM Sir, VP Panchayat members of every village to immediately inquire and help those families who lost their loved ones if they are eligible or not of the above scheme in their banks and if possible by updating bank passbooks which will show the status correctly.
Jerry L D’Souza, Divar
Human emotions are not statistics
Very rightly stated, – Human emotions are not statistics! (Herald, 28 May 28). Finally, someone had given a human touch to the sad reality of COVID-19. For the government and for our politicians of course, everything is a game of numbers, whether it is the number of Covid deaths, the number of positive or negative cases, etc, or whether it is the number of MPs or MLAs they have with them. Or how many MPs or MLAs a party can purchase in order to form a government or bring down an elected government.
The report also rightly poses the question, for far too long it’s been about numbers, can we talk about hearts? Yes, it’s time we all come down to the realisation that human beings are not numbers, they have emotions. Every single life lost, either to COVID or otherwise, is important. The next of kin feel the sorrow of every member of the family that has deceased. It pains the heart. The authorities need to understand that the entire family life is disturbed on account of the death of a spouse, a daughter, or a son or mother or father. Several children and infants have been orphaned on account of the death of their parents.
And finally, who pays? And can money compensate for the loss of human lives? All the money and wealth in the world cannot bring back the dead to life. That is the sad reality!
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Past decisions haunting Goa
It is scary to listen to the plight and misery of Goans admitted in the government hospitals in Goa fighting COVID. Hospitals in Goa lack the infrastructure to handle this deadly wave. Horror stories of relatives of patients scouting for oxygen cylinders, beds, ventilators, etc. makes one wonder as to why are we punished with this type of treatment.
The Government was warned of an impending second wave as cases were rising all over the country and States were sealing their borders and implementing SOPs to save their citizens from the onslaught of the pandemic, but our Government chose to remain silent and advocated the free for all approach in dealing with this wave. It chose to leave its borders wide open and allowed super spreader events to be organised devoid any logic. The result of this was inevitable and is what we are witnessing today.
As the fear of the third wave looms over us, the Government should work on war footing to ramp up its health infrastructure, speed up the vaccination drive and purchase sufficient stock to inoculate a majority of its population.
The vaccine slots of 18-45 years category are filled up in seconds and is a gamble to get your slot confirmed. The Government should learn from its mistakes and not wait for the horse to leave the stable before bolting the stable doors shut tight.
Sheldon Rodrigues,
Navelim
