It is said that “ Politics is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” The recent comments made by United Goans Democratic Party General Secretary Anacleto Veigas clearly establishes the mindset of this individual. It is an attempt to hoist a defeated candidate on the people of Cortalim constituency, for without a doubt is for selfish reasons.

It smacks of utter “political opportunism” and abject human insensitivity by the office bearer of the UGDP. It is also said that “ Politics makes strange bedfellows.” 

It’s an open secret that opinions raised by Anacleto Viegas are driven by strong vested interests and one finds him hobnobbing with dubious characters often, for financial gain.

I am sure the wise people of Cortalim constituency will see through these evil moves and give these scoundrels a befitting reply if they try their luck in the forth coming by-elections in Cortalim, and discard these political opportunists as the rest of Goa has done so resoundingly.

The present government deserves appreciation for reducing the price of petrol. However, its proposal to introduce entry tax on the vehicles entering Goa appears to be ill-conceived. Imposing entry tax on the vehicles entering Goa that are duly registered elsewhere in India gives the impression that Goa is an independent country and the vehicles entering Goa are alien vehicles. The move by the Goa government will result in similar action on the part of other states and they may impose punitive taxes on the vehicles registered in Goa. 

 

Any instrument of revenue collection through direct contact between the revenue officials and the public invariably leads to corruption. When the Constitution gives freedom, ‘to move freely throughout the territory of India’ vide Article 19 (d), the proposal to impose entry tax may be construed as impingement of this article. It can also lead to harassment of the public by the police. Perhaps alternative mode of mopping the resources could be explored rather than resorting to an instrument that is not in tune with the concept of India as one Nation. 

 

The pension for seniors facility should strictly be granted to those most deserving and financially indigent. There are cases where the distribution is based purely on political alignment. 

The most disturbing aspect of this dole is that it is never received on a certain date. The old people have to collect it in person. It is difficult for physically handicapped, sick and those who need to be carried The payment is not done through proxy. A number of visits to the banks are required, just to inquire, whether the pension or not the pension has been deposited in the bank. Sometimes people have to go back disappointed. The present Government can be sensitive and responsive to this issue and fix a certain date for payment, so that unnecessary trips to make inquiries can best be avoided. This is the best service for those who need the payment and hopefully looking for it in time. Is it too much to ask?

Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim

 

 

It appears that there is no check on the unabated rising prices of eatables in hotels and other eateries in Goa. Tourists come to Goa only to splurge and enjoy. It does not affect the floating population of Goa since the tourists put up here only for a short period, whereas the drastic rise in rates is a blow to the regular hotel goers.

I came here on a permanent assignment about 9 to 10 months back and, am compelled to eat in hotels. To my utter dismay, a frugal rice plate in a vegetarian restaurant which used to cost Rs. 60/- seven to eight months back now costs Rs. 70/- with the quality and quantity of meals maintaining a status quo. In another reputed vegetarian hotel, the simple rice plate being served at Rs 70/- has shot up to Rs 80/- overnight. At a non-vegetarian restaurant the rice plate that cost Rs. 70/- a couple of months back, now costs Rs 90/-. A whopping difference of Rs. 20/-, the quantity and quality remaining as it was. 

 

We were happy to know that a delegation of prematurely retired(at 58 years) government employees met our Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar and to tell him about the benefits that these employees were deprived of by the then Congress Government even when the High Court termed this reduction of age to 58 from 60 years as ‘illegal’. We are also happy that the CM gave them a patient hearing and assured them that the matter would be sorted out in May 2012. He regretted that these retired employees were deprived of their rightful benefit of 60 years of service. 

We also hope that this is also applicable to the retired employees of all Government Corporations who have been also deprived of this benefit, and that our Chief Minister will take into consideration our needs of getting this benefit of 60 years retirement instead of 58 years. The then Cong. government in their worst gamble, made these prematurely retired employees lose a lot of monetary benefits and we hope our present Chief Minister will consider our case sympathetically and provide us with our lost benefits very soon by coming to a reasonable and amicable solution.