Stocking of fuel can be dangerous
There have been as many as nine fuel price hikes in the past ten days. The price of petrol has crossed the Rs100 per litre mark and in Canacona it was being sold at Rs 102.67 and diesel at Rs 93.56 per litre. This has resulted in panic buying of fuel among citizens amid fear that the price of fuel could surge in the days ahead.
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Besides filling their tanks, many motorists are seen filling fuel in plastic cans/bottles ranging from 5 litres to even 50 litres. But the question to be asked is even if the fuel tank is filled to capacity and if petrol is stored in cans, how long will it last? By stocking fuel how much can the citizens save by way of avoiding having to pay a higher price for the fuel in the days to come?
Filling the fuel tank in the vehicle to capacity can prove dangerous. As per a warning issued by Indian Oil in the past, due to the increase in the temperature during the summer season it is not advisable to fill the fuel tank to the maximum as it can cause an explosion in the tank. The fuel tank should be filled to half its capacity and leave space for air in it. It must be said that storing fuel in plastic cans and bottles at home can also prove risky due to the rising temperature these days. One cannot take a chance and risk life and property by stocking fuel at home in order to save some money.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Railway mishaps due to negligence
On January 13 this year, the Bikaner-Guwahati express train derailed near Domohani in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, killing nine passengers and injuring 50. A study by NITI Aayog reveals that since 2012, six out of every ten rail accidents in India have happened due to mistakes by or the negligence of the railway staff. Self-evidently, safety must be the highest priority of the IR network of the cohesive fusion of its infinite parts. Figuratively, over 700,000 people work on safety-related operations at the country’s largest employer.
A minor slip by any one of them, or a single blemish in the roughly 68,000-km track-length, criss-crossing the country, can affect one or more of 10,000 odd locomotives, 63,000 plus coaches and 245,000 wagons, endangering the 23 million passengers and 3 million tonnes of freight that the network carries every day. Sadly, there are several worrying gaps that point to action not matching the intent of the railway ministry. It seems the ministry has lost the sense of accountability and there is little value attached to the precious lives of the rail passengers.
Ranganathan Sivakumar, Chennai
Death due to depression or negligence?
Referring to the latest news about a 56-year-old woman, mother of three children, who took her own life by jumping from the Mandovi bridge. Yes, she was going through depression, but was not the end of the world for her as she was healthy enough to ride a scooter, obey all the traffic rules and chaos but out of frustration with hospital advising her to take an appointment for her treatment, Instead, on her way back, stopped on the bridge and decided otherwise.
How many of us know what depression is? How many of us know to encourage the depressed person to talk about their feelings, and be willing to listen without judgment? Do we know that depressed people tend to withdraw from others and isolate themselves and our job or need is to express our concern and willingness to listen over and over again?
Very few know that depression is a glandular disorder. It isn’t a mental defect or a weakness of character, depression is a physical disorder. It doesn’t need a reason, and you aren’t “ungrateful” for being depressed. You are simply sick with symptoms of nursing sadness or lack of love and affection. When one is depressed, you can no more will away your sadness than you can will away cough and cold when you are ill of influenza. Like any sickness, a depressed person too has a right to get well, but he or she will need the proper care, love and treatment to heal.
In conclusion, let’s not wait to read of another incident, rather let’s be proactive to see if we can be of some assistance to the depressed person.
Gaston Dias, Sarzora
Reining in the errants
The stiff penalties envisaged per the new MV Act which kicked in on April 1, seem to have a sobering effect on motorists and two wheeler riders alike.
Four wheeler owners have been scurrying to get their PUC certificates, renew vehicle insurance and have other mandated documents in place to avoid fines. PUC centres across the state witnessed massive crowds, almost four times the normal as motorists ensured that their emission certificates were updated and vehicles got the green pass for commuting. Instead of the usual @1700 passes per day the beginning of April saw @ 6000 certificates being issued.
The enhanced fines were widely publicised on media platforms which made people comply with extant regulations. Bikers were seen responsibly wearing helmets with cops keeping an eagle eye out for violators, many helmetless riders who spotted traffic policemen from afar beat a hasty retreat.
With the soon to be introduced remote reinforcement of traffic rules facilitated by automatic speed sensing cameras, Artificial Intelligence, robust cloud computing systems and python self updating software, violators are in for pretty tough times.
With drivers exercising caution there is going to be a drastic reduction in accidents and consequently fatalities. Interestingly Goa has almost the same number of vehicles as people so this implementation of the amended MV Act was long overdue, we have an unacceptably high level of road mishaps.
Hopefully they will be brought to heel by the new laws. There have been protests too over the extremely high fines but this begs the question , “why fear, if you obey all statutes you won’t have to pay a single rupee.”
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Dedicated mamlatdar for revenue cases
Ponda MLA Ravi Naik has been made Agriculture Minister in the State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. One consistent demand by Naik when he was in the Opposition, was that there ought to be a dedicated Mamlatdar who will dispose Tenancy and Mundkar cases.
I concur with his demand and the requirement is especially a necessity in Bardez, Salcete and Ponda Talukas.
Sadanand M Raikar, Colva
Bhivapachi garaz na
Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant bab is firing on all cylinders. After he led his party to victory in recently concluded Goa Assembly Elections 2022, Sawant fired first salvo soon after the grand swearing-in ceremony attended by all the leading lights of BJP. I am an elected CM of Goa and not a selected one. This was a reference to his selection as Goa’s CM following the sad demise of Manohar Parrikar – the then chief minister of Goa. Many political observers were keen to know whether Dr Sawant had it in him to lead his party to victory. He passed the acid test by winning 20 seats for his party including Navelim. Sawant proved his mettle and silenced his critics. Another feather in his cap is the catch-phrase Bhivapachi Garaz Na that he used to assuage the COVID-19 related fears.
Looks like Pramod Sawant Bab will continue to cock a snook at the drop of a hat and leave his detractors clenching their teeth in frustration right through his second term as CM. For Dr Sawant’s critics it is indeed Bhivapachi Garaz Asa. Watch out. Good doctor on fire alert is here if the recent developments are any indications.
Gafaar Shaqoor, Margao
