Tax refund
Every year the income tax payers from Goa have been filling their income tax returns; they anxiously wait for years to get their income tax refund which never comes. The assessment is done in Patto Panjim whereas the cheque is issued at Poona. There is no proper co-ordination between the two departments, and no one is ready to do the needful. The letters written to the department at Panjim, it seems, have been thrown into the waste paper basket. When will the tax payers get their income tax refund?
Anthony Fernandes, Panjim
Street lights
Most of the street lights from Candolim Tinto(bazaar) upto the Candolim Clinic, bypassing the Electricity Board Office, are switched off or not functioning. With the crowded speedy traffic, it’s dangerous for pedestrian to walk this stretch. There is only one street light which is functioning. I request the Electricity Board of Candolim to restore all lights which are not working to avoid any mishaps.
Leo Fernandes, Candolim/Mumbai
Petrol hike
The petrol prices have been increased, doubling the cost in just three years. As usual, it will have a great effect on all the essential commodities, putting the common man in dire straits. The debates have begun in the media with experts straining their vocal chords to the fullest in support of general public. The politicians are unaffected by such debates or hikes as they get everything in abundance at our cost. The ruling coalition partners will enact ‘nautankis’ of making protests and asking for a roll back. They are experts in such acts, but cannot dictate terms for fear of losing power. The Opposition parties will not lag behind in coming on to the streets to agitate. The Government will watch the show silently and later, just to appease the coalition partners may roll back the grand 30% hike. The protests will vanish in no time with next hike hanging like sword of Democles over our heads. The Government is testing the public’s patience beyond limits in the name of Global economic crisis.
BVS Priolkar, Margao
Corrupt GPSC
The recent cabinet decision by the Parrikar led Government to reject the selection of nine Junior scale officers by the Goa Public Service Commission (GPSC) needs to be applauded. There has always been suspicion about the way the way in which the commission functions (Transparency). The role of the authorities who run this commission has to be probed and due action taken on them. If what the CM says is true, this matter should be taken up with the Lokayukta (Goa) when it starts functioning, so that justice is done to those Goan youth who deserved this position but were deprived of it due such corrupt authorities in the (GPSC).
Venan B.Dias, Santo Estevam
Administrative intelligence
Many of the citizens of Goa believe that the State can be developed with a proper unbiased plan of action in place. The various administrative divisions under the Government has a lot to plan and execute for the effective functioning of state affairs with maximum ease. Such an effective functioning is possible only if top administrators are unbiased, and understand the realistic situations and conditions so that the proper plan of action can be prepared and ratified.
Manohar Parrikar for the first time has accommodated as many as 16 IAS officers in the state administration, where a proper plan of action and execution is required. One of the most important moves is appointing an IAS officer in the Education Department of the State. The State has not produce any IAS officers in last two decades, because the Goa Education Department and more specifically higher education require much larger action in force and pertinent plans to develop higher education to generate Goan based IAS officers. In addition, educational administrators should be able to develop research abilities among the learners, rather than merely learning the existing text. With new faces in the education department, I believe that Goa’s educational administration will make a significant growth qualitatively and quantitatively under the able leadership of Manohar Parrikar
Dr G Shrinivas, Porvorim
Goa Bhavan
If anyone wishes to spoil their holidays or their sojourn in Mumbai, one has to stay at Goa Bhavan’s dormitory; it will teach you what comfort means.
Having experienced the condition in the dormitory 104, I would strongly advise fellow Goans to avoid staying at Goa Bhavan in Mumbai, unless and until things improve for better.
We were shocked to see the dirty toilets and without water when we checked in on 16th May 2012 at 11 p.m. into Goa Bhavan. The paint was peeling off the ceiling and the smell around was sickening. Can some one survive without water in the summers? The taps in the bathroom ran dry The night flights of cockroaches made our uncomfortable stay, worse; the electric work is in a dissray giving the impression that nothing will change for the better at Goa Bhavan for the common man. The booking office at GAD in Povorim should inform us about all this when we go to book the place.
Savio Pinto, Nagoa
