Goa appears to be going through a dictatorial regime where the CM conducts himself more like a street fighter than a refined democratic leader. The TV visuals of a Head of State angrily and defiantly charging out from the gates of his official residence to challenge slogan shouting protesters aggrieved at the cancellation of their employment letters does not augur well for democracy. Had the situation gone out of control, there could have been unnecessary loss of lives due to police firing. The reckless behaviour of the CM only provoked further ridicule and embarrassment towards him, as the protesters stood their ground and continued shouting slogans. The CM definitely needs some training on maintaining civility and respecting human rights.
Soter D’Souza, Socorro
Job recruits
The ongoing tussle going on between Manohar Parrikar and the new job recruits is yet another mess created by the blotted Congress party that the BJP has to clear. Parrikar should not in haste object to these jobs, because if he does, there will be no difference between him and the previous Congress government.
In 2002, Parrikar had introduced the infamous Pets scheme and absorbed many Goans, but in 2005 the Congress government objected to the infamous scheme and the sons and daughters of the soil suffered very badly. I request Mr. Parrikar to consider this opportunity given to them, since our sons and daughters should not suffer for no fault of theirs. Instead a case must be filed against the fallen Congress ministers who manipulated their offices to lure innocent Goans into this mess and bring them to task as early as possible. In the mean time the affected recruits should hold a dharna and take signatories’ to book the ministers responsible for the issue.
Antonio Prestly Pereira, Chinchinim
Illegalities
IIT-ian Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s will is to bring ‘zero tolerance to corruption’ in all government departments including Corporation, Zilla, Civic and Local bodies.
In the assembly elections, the people wiped out the corrupt Congress and gave a clear mandate to the BJP to form a government of clean new faces. At the Panchayat elections, people had voted 50 per cent new faces and 50 per cent mixed faces, which means 80 per cent Panchayat will be of BJP label. It is an added feather in Parrikar’s cap. But people feel that panchayats in Goa are highly corrupt; that it has become an office of profit and brought disaster to the greenery of villages by indulging in illegalities. The people brought about a change to get speedy and clean administration at the Panchayat level. It is pivotal for Parrikar to cleanse the Panchayat institutions before the good apple falls in a rotten basket. Things will not work by giving more power, more funds and honorarium hike to panchayats. Parrikar should put the matter to trial and reshuffle the 184 panchayats in the state . He should transfer Panchayat secretaries, clerks and peons to distant places, before the corrupt Panchayat staff teach the good apples the art of corruption.
Babluis Pereira, Pomburpa
Inconvenienced
I am not a politician, but I am happy that the people of Curtorim have elected the Congress MLA. What is surprising is that he was quiet and not barking during the tenure of the corrupt Congress government, as he is seen commenting today against the present Chief Minister. Please do not make an issue on the appointment of Director of Health Services as the doctor who is the victim, has already approached the court.
One ought to understand that as a good MLA, it is not an easy task for the Chief Minister to deal with evil matters created by the Congress government and at the same time, expect everything when the new government has just started their duties.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Please understand
I am not a politician, but I am happy that the people of Curtorim have elected you. What is surprising is that you were quiet and not barking during the tenure of the corrupt Congress government as you are barking today against the present Chief Minister. Please do not make an issue on the appointment of Director of Health Services as the doctor who is the victim, has already approached the court.
You must understand as a good MLA, that it is not an easy task for the Chief Minister to deal with evil matters created by your Congress government and at the same time, expect everything when the new government has just started their duties.
Remember, Rome was not built in a day.
Zezito Costa Frias, Margao
Using public funds
This refers to the letter ‘ Lavish expenditures’ by Joe Vaz (Herald May 28, 2012). It is not very shocking that Rs 11 lakhs spent on swearing in ceremony of the CM and his cabinet; it is peanuts compared to the crores wasted by the previous government. This is like the ruling and Opposition parties justifying their scams by screaming ‘your scam is bigger than mine’! I beg to differ. Even one paisa wasted unnecessarily, or wrongly spent from the public exchequer is not to be condoned, especially not in these days of austerity, balance sheets in the red, deficit financing, inflation and high prices of essential commodities. Those who take the trouble to dig out information, in fact in a democracy, do your job of keeping government in line. You are doing citizens a favor.
