Politicians’ expenditures
In the issue dated May 24, 2012, Mr John Eric Gomes has rightly condemned royal expenditures by our politicians. He says that even expose in this paper’s column, ‘The Lion Roars’, has had no effect. This is true, but in the long run the effect will be definitely seen. People are waking up and realising that they are paying hefty bills of politicians in the form of taxes. And I predict (I’m not an astrologer) that before the year comes to an end new taxes will be levied or old taxes hiked. But, I do hope the lion will continue to roar.
John Razana, USA

Petrol prices
The anti-people statement of Petroleum Minister Jaipal Reddy, “No immediate rollback of petrol prices”, on Herald (dated May 26, 2012) proves that the minister does not care about rallies and bandh against this decision of the UPA government. Time has come to dethrone UPA at the Centre like it was done by the people in Goa to bring down the corrupt Congress. In that sense, Manohar Parrikar was bold. Soon after attaining power, he reduced the price of petrol by Rs 11 after cutting VAT. If Parrikar can do it, so can Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The UPA Government will do a big favour on the common man of this country by cutting down VAT at the Centre.
Esmeraldo Luis, Carmona

Shocking name
The other day I was taken aback to read the name of a yet-to-be-released Konkani tiatr – Padri Mogan Poddla (A priest has fallen in love). In all probability the story-line has no obscene meaning, but such a controversial title could’ve been avoided. We need to treat the divine profession of priesthood with all respect it deserves. Indeed, a priest has to spread God’s message and love and treat everyone with love. But then there is a world of difference between the phrase “to love” and “to fall in love”. Tiatr directors need to exercise caution while naming their plays, lest it sends a wrong message. Not everyone will watch the drama but the name of the play will be seen around in advertisements and posters for people to read. In my opinion there should be certain guidelines in place for choosing a title for a Konkani tiatr. There is till time for the director to change the name of the play so as to bury the controversy.     
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Fooling people
The Congress Government at the Centre must be booted out at the earliest, just as it was done in Goa. The recent hike in petrol prices on the pretext of oil companies making losses is an open secret of looting the public. The Government does not want to explore other means of generating revenue and has found an easy way out to tax the common man. We all know how these prices increase and fall and at what time. How long are we going to be fooled?
Edward Fonseca, Porvorim

Lavish expenditures
The recent disclosure to the media by Advocate Aires Rodrigues that Rs 11 lakh was spent on the swearing-in ceremony of BJP cabinet led by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar wasn’t very shocking or depicted unnecessary indulgence by the present Government.   
Compared to crores spent by previous ministers of the earlier Government, who flew to Delhi and abroad at the drop of a hat, this amount is peanuts. Besides, this amount spent by the BJP government was to feed just snacks and water to the people and not beer and pulao, which was the largesse of earlier ministers. Will our honorable advocate Aires Rodrigues dig out the lavish expenditures of the previous government? Or does he want to be a one-man opposition leader to the BJP government, even as there is no such opposition from the political parties.
Joe Vaz, Fatorda

Cabling damaged
The damage to an underground cable at Aquem recently on account of road digging is a signal to the Government and authorities concerned that care has to be ensured in future when such works are being undertaken. I have been writing several articles in this regard in all dailies. Supervision of PWD officials is not adequate and contractors are just fooling around by laying underground pipelines haphazardly. I predict more accidents because pipelines are being laid at superficial levels along with telephone and water pipelines. There is no map or any record available with the PWD to show how these pipelines are laid. The BJP Government should rectify the mistakes committed by the earlier Government and carry out a review of the works carried out. Or else, there will be casualties and labourers will be the first victims.
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula

New dawn at Nerul
Thanks to the Parrikar government, for ushering his vision in implementation
of promised works. At last, a new dawn in form of the long standing demand of hot mixed road at Bhatti Waddo, Nerul, was fulfilled on 22 May.
Over the years, villagers made numerous representations to various governments, but all ignored. Our new MLA Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, during his campaign promised that the road will be completed as demanded by the villagers, before the onset of the monsoon Thanks Dilipbab, and hope that with your dynamism, major pending works of all round development of our Saligao Constituency, will be achieved during your tenure.
John Mendes, Nerul