Austerity measures
The proposal of the Union Finance Minister to impose wide-ranging austerity measures has come not a day too late. The proposals are to cut back on unproductive expenditures such as jaunts abroad, seminars at five-star hotels, purchase of vehicles and so on. However, austerity should begin at the very top from the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The current president has been credited with spending more than Rs 220 crore on jaunts to various countries abroad accompanied by massive retinues of family, children, grandchildren, well-wishers, friends and others. Not much purpose seems to be served to the nation and the tax payer from this in-fructuous and frivolous expenditure. Rozario Menezes, Vasco da Gama
Neglected departments
It looks odd or backward to see important government departments like post office, electricity and BSNL in Cuncolim functioning from old and dilapidated buildings. The government can very well afford to provide these well-furnished buildings. Now that we shall soon be inaugurating the new market-cum-shopping complex in Cuncolim, a thought should be given to provide these neglected departments necessary space in this building so that the staff can work in a conducive and healthy atmosphere. Samson Fernandes, Cuncolim
Respect freedom
Some old-fashioned guys say the Goa government should henceforth disallow female two-wheeler riders from covering their faces with ‘burkha’- type scarves due to different reasons like the ever increasing roadside robberies, murders, etc. Looks like all deadly crimes are exclusively committed by women. If these modern females want to protect their skin from direct sunlight by wearing these scarves, then what is bothering these old-fashioned guys? Is it a crime to protect one’s own body skin? Today, crimes of different types are committed even by wearing helmets in Goa. So, what do we do now? Go and ban them? Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
Mopa question
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar made so many promises before the elections that people are eagerly waiting to see them come true. However, after hardly 100 days in power he is spending more time on the Mopa project, something he never spoke about before March 3. Matanhy Saldanha had gone out of his way to caution the authorities about building an airport at Mopa. In the last 30 years or so, South Goa has developed tremendously as a tourist destination. Hotels and Resorts were built at huge costs. The Mopa airport will mean doom for these business establishments. A tourist who can afford to travel by air will not be happy to travel two to four hours by road to get to his hotel. Tourists will prefer hotels and hospitality across the border in Maharashtra. Matanhy Saldanha held so many public meetings and gave so many reasons for rejecting Mopa. Will Parrikar recollect and consult legislators in South Goa before taking a decision. After all two heads are better than one. Stephen Noronha, St Inez
Sent home
Hats off to people of Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim, who have scrapped family raj. This time, the people of CAC have really brought about the needed change. It was a very tough fight between new and the old candidates. And the old candidates were given rest for the next five years. It was a tremendous victory for people of CAC who ousted former sarpanch Mrs Saldanha. Now CAC is in safe hands and it’s time to clean all gutters of CAC. The village is at peace. All the very best to all the newly elected candidates and lets join our hands together to work as one. Elcy D’Sa, Arossim
Politics everywhere
Though, officially, candidates of political parties can contest on the party symbol in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the states, it is seen that municipal and panchayat elections too are fought on political lines as was seen in the panchayat elections in the state. In fact, in the country, even elections at the college level and to the board of directors of banks are fought along party lines. Since elections at the grassroots levels are fought on the strength of individual performances and not based on the political clout it would have been appropriate for political parties to keep away from these elections. But then it must be said that in a country where politics has penetrated every sphere of our lives, political parties will always play a significant role in any election. Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
