Listen to the people
Jeremiah D’Souza, Cansaulim
Villagers in Goa pass resolution after resolution at their Gram Sabhas to protect their environment and surroundings, but unfortunately a number of Village Panchayats take no cognisance of this. Aren’t these legal resolutions passed at Gram Sabhas binding on the Village Panchayats? Or is the interpretation of the Panchayati Raj Act left to the whims and fancies of the elected representatives?
The Panchayati Raj Act clearly states they are binding, but it is a disgrace that in a literate state like Goa elected panchas and representatives do not record the legally binding resolutions in the minutes. The secretary records the minutes, but what does (s)he stand to gain by this illegal act?
Elected Panchas hurriedly pass projects and grant licences overnight to protect their vested interests, and do not take into confidence the Gram Sabha – the people’s voice. Attacks on Gram Sabha members are becoming the order of the day.
If the government is serious about the aam admi, it should immediately take action and instruct executive bodies like Directorate of Panchayats and the BDO that the people’s voice be recognised at the Gram Sabha. Else, all their tall claims of working for the aam admi will pale into insignificance, with a severe drubbing at the next hustings. The people’s hands are now full, and they will strike back with a vengeance.
Polluted Goan beaches
Allwyn George, Carmona
Goa being a land of sun and sandy beaches, the entire coastline is very vulnerable to oil pollution by rogue ships and trawlers. With maritime laws being flouted with impunity, it has led to rampant pollution with disastrous consequences.
The Coast Guard needs to use its spotter aircraft to trace any ships illegally discharging oil in Goan waters. Suspect ships need to be inspected by the MMD and PSC for any irregularities and detained. Drastic action needs to be taken on this score. Otherwise, rogue ships will continue to make mayhem for us, sans any deterrent in force.
What surprises me the most is our CM’s silence on this issue. While the whole world has voiced its concern on the issue of maritime pollution, Goa needs to get its act together fast and put a mechanism in place to keep our beaches intact. Tourism – the backbone of the state’s economy – is under severe threat.
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Prosecute them all
Franco Fernandes, Mapusa
There have been many instances of public officials amassing disproportionate wealth, to finance the next election, unmindful of who says what. The government goes on a witch hunt against its opponents, or catches some small fry with a pick-and-choose attitude. Those who wield clout are allowed to go scot-free.
There is a dire need to prosecute the wrongdoers. It is high time some lawyers came forward to file PILs on those amassing disproportionate wealth by looting the public treasury. I will put myself as a front runner for this purpose while I seek a concerned lawyer’s help. We must ensure that politics means public service and not corporate business.
Art of the State?
Nubia Mascarenhas, Verna
What is the point of building Joaquim Alemao’s state-of-the-art bus stand at Quepem, when the art-of-the-state is to inevitably reduce everything to gargantuan dysfunctional entities? Viva Goa! God help us.
Police lethargy
Menino Fernandes, Sao Jose de Areal
Anti-social elements escape from the law because of police inaction. Last year, when my daughter filed a complaint against eve-teasers at Maina Curtorim Police Station, the culprits were let go with just a ‘warning’ and an ‘undertaking’. It seems like everything illegal becomes legal when police fail to charge the accused and ask one to ‘compromise’, against one’s better judgement and safety.
Despite several complaints during the past one year against certain elements for causing damage to my house and property (I have been threatened with dire consequences even in front of the police!), in all cases the culprits were let go with mere warnings and/or undertakings.
This system of taking ineffective ‘undertakings’ needs to end, failing which anti-social elements may take the law in their own hands.
Love thy neighbour
Lt Col (Retd) Ranjit Sinha, New Delhi
This refers to your editorial ‘Stop war, Start tennis’ (Herald, 13 Sept). I would like to state that the comments of Pakistani tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Quershi should be an eye opener to the political leaders of India and Pakistan.
It only goes to prove that the common people of both the countries do not have any malice towards each other, and would love to live in peace and harmony. The Governments of both India and Pakistan should heed his advice and abhor hatred towards one another.
FDA check list
Paulo Mascarenhas, Panjim
In Konkani, it’s called ‘Dolleank pannam bandlim’. The FDA recently raided a storehouse containing chemically ripened mangoes and other fruits sometime back. Maneka Gandhi’s article (Herald, 12 Sept) brought awareness regarding chemical milk, which was manufactured and spuriously supplied under the best brand names. Has FDA bothered to check our local government milk, which is being sold all over Goa but is imported from outside the state? And what about the numerous private brands of milk being sold in the state?
Music that sucks
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Goa was once the most happening place on Earth in terms of live music. It had a number of great, talented bands in the early 70s and the 80s. Not anymore.
Goans, with their Indo-Latin musical influences, should have been on top of the world. It is a pity that we have only a handful of greats like Remo, Hema Sardessai, Glen Perry and Bondo. Many say that music resides in the Goan blood, but I think it is a myth.
Nowadays we have to listen to sissy beat groups playing computer-sequenced cover versions. If music is really in the blood of every Goan, then, like Goa’s famous musical son Remo, let’s promote live original music in Goa; music that rocks, not sucks.
Making the right choice
Obie Nogueiro, Navelim
There is no doubt that Srinivas Dempo would be the right choice for the post of the next GFA President. But what about the other candidates? Are they unfit?
It is imperative to let the clubs and GFA members decide on whom to vote for. Hopefully, judgement and experience will prevail, not the interference of meddling politicians.
The healing touch
Lucy D’Souza, Mapusa
I would like to express my thanks to Rev Fr Jerry Sequeira for the miraculous oil ‘The Healing Touch’ which is blessed by him and distributed by the Divine Mission Society from time to time at the Emerald Lawns, Parra.
After using the oil, I have been cured of chronic arthritis in the legs. I wish to share this experience with the readers, so that they too can experience the miracle in the spirit of faith and hope.
How much per pothole?
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Goans roads are in a pathetic state. Driving has become dangerous. Vehicles bear the brunt of increased wear and tear. Forget about Sea Links and a six-lane highway, the ground reality is that Goa just needs quality roads. The only alternative is to focus on building more hospitals and morgues for accident victims.
When Manohar Parrikar was Chief Minister, he announced a Rs1,000 reward for every pothole shown. What is your offer, Mr Digambar Kamat?
