Avertano Furtado has the portfolio of managing the fisheries in Goa and has proposed a traffic roundabout in Navelim, the transport minister Ramakrishna has proposed bikini-free beaches, the state cooperation minister and the deputy chief minister gave their expertise on creating the Hindu Constitution of India and the intelligent chief minister holds on to at least five different portfolios which is never heard of in a democratic government. Together an impression is given that the government of Goa is devoid of discipline. If there is so much indiscipline in our so called leaders, how on earth are we going to decongest the Navelim traffic by the use of a roundabout? Simply because our minister has seen the efficiency of roundabouts in Western countries does not mean it should be replicated elsewhere in Goa. The traffic roundabout in North Margao (near old market) as an example is actually creating traffic chaos instead of streamlining it even with four traffic cops and lights trying to control it. Maneouvering through roundabouts takes real self-discipline and even the USA rarely uses it. Our MLAs should go back to school.
Mario Fernandes, USA
Helmets required
It is true that a helmet does save life. Recent surveys bring to light the soaring mortality rate due to head injury. We Indians have always remained indisciplined towards good traffic norms. And refusal to wear a helmet is just another example. Frequent policing and punishing the defaulters may be one method to make people wear helmets. But I suggest that whenever a two wheeler is bought from the showroom, it should be made compulsory for the customer to buy helmet as well. Or rather the bike should come on the road only if there is safety device called helmet, which can be ensured by Road Traffic Authority during registration process. In fact, the dealer should be pressed upon by the authority to supply good quality helmets along with the bike. It should not be a problem to the two wheeler company to procure good quality helmets where in they make huge profits selling their incomplete bike without safety gear.
Sameer Barekar, Fatorda
Corruption promise
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s promised zero percent tolerance towards corruption, prior to taking over the governance of the state. Now we know that this was another of his many unkept promises to Goans. This so called tolerance has taken another meaning, to the extent of clipping the power of a senior anti-corruption judge, after he made a critical observation against the police while deciding a graft case, in which the Goa Chief Minister is an alleged accused. I request the Chief Minister to clarify on his promise, saying it was 100 percent tolerance not zero percent tolerance, then actually it would be a promise that he is actually keeping!
Arwin Mesquita, Benaulim
Ban on Sarita unfair
The recent ban slapped by Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur on India’s ace boxer Sarita Devi was uncalled for. It appears that the officials of the AIBA have exhibited absolute apathy while presiding over the controversial event. The punishment meted out to the former light weight world champion is harsh and unreasonable. The Global Boxing governing body should have assessed the situation in the right perspective. Although a review was not possible lately it should have at least undertaken the task of fact finding. The thing speaks for itself. There is not even a shred of doubt that injustice was caused to Sarita Devi. Instead of analyzing the controversial match, the AIBA chose to rub salt on the wound by suspending the beleaguered boxer. One pertinent question which lingers in one’s mind is whether the refusal by Sarita Devi to accept the medal was to be viewed so strictly. Sarita Devi could have protested in much more unpalatable and uncivilized ways but she invoked wisdom and preferred not to accept the medal. The AIBA should have comprehended the state of mind of the boxer who had lost a match because of some faulty umpiring.
Kapil Phadte, Margao
Dismiss Mohini Harnalkar
We always blame male bureaucracy in the government department to be corrupt but now a days, females employees are much smarter than the males. The slogan of zero tolerance corruption of the Chief Minister has failed to give justice to the Goans. The news item ‘Mormugao BDO insisted on cash’ (Herald dated 24/10/2014) is the testimony to prove that Mohini Harnalkar is corrupt officer of the BJP government. In view of the allegation of the panchayat secretary that she demanded Rs 25000 in cash and demanded back the receipt issued to him and tearing the pages of the minutes book from the panchayat office. She should be dismissed from office immediately to teach a lesson to other corrupt minded officials. In case she is suspended, there are chances she will be taken back.
Marcos Alemao, Varca
Ebola is deadly
Herald’s timely warning on Ebola has to be taken up further. The government has not yet responded. Does thegovt have the medicines/regimen to treat to same, the tests to detect ebola, or is it equipped with trained health people to attend to patients the moment it’s detected.
The Supreme Court has pulled up the government for relying on self-declarations of air passengers. Goa being a tourist destination ebola scans should be made at airport, railway stations and starred hotels.
R Fernandes, Margao
