I read the first page Herald report of July 10 on the GCCI-NASSCOM initiatives for promoting Goa as an IT hub based on the tier-three city status for Goa State (according to GCCI).
Different types of classifications for cities are attempted in India as part of the classification theories for planning in various fields. One such classification is Tier-I, Tier-II and Tier-III Cities. .The classification criteria and the Cities covered are given on page 5 of this report. As per this classification, based on real estate market, the State of Goa is classified as a Tier-III city. Was this the classification criteria to implement GCCI-NASSCOM initiatives in Goa for IT hub?
Is there any relationship between IT-ITes sector and Real Estate sector? Are IT industries required to be promoted in Goa (based on Tier-III classification) for the benefit of Goan youth (who are forced to leave their family and homes to work in other states of India and abroad) or for unwanted migrants to boost the real estate market?
When were the Mega Housing project concepts introduced and why were they allowed in Goa? The information on the preparation and implementation of Regional Plan is covered in the Eleventh five-year Plan (2007-2012) and Annual Plan 2007-2008 report under Section 10.26 Town and Country Planning Department (page 366). Were the reports of the regional plan consultant totally rejected at the time of rejecting/de-notifying RPG-2011? Was RPG-2011 de-notified for the entire State of Goa?
Was there an IT hub near Panjim? Or was it a hype created to urbanise beautiful and clean surrounding agricultural villages? Was the same concept adopted for the proposed IT hub near Porvorim?
Goa needs to be promoted as an attractive destination for IT-ITes projects. Suitable IT-ITes projects should be identified and sized to meet the requirements of Goan youth. Is it mandatory to have Tier-III city status for promoting such projects? Can we allow unwanted city projects by destroying our villages? Have the tier-three cities been notified for planning purposes?
I hope to read more reports and articles on this subject of concern and other related subjects.
Wesley Edward Pereira, Raia
GTDC publicity
I was astonished to read that the Goa Tourism Department is planning to spend Rs 18.25 crore towards media promotion of Goa as a tourist destination, both nationally and internationally, of which Rs 950 lakh on domestic media and 875 lakh on overseas media, in this year’s budget ending March 2013. No doubt, it is a good idea to spend on tourism but it is not a wise idea to spend such an amount of this magnitude, when we know we have nothing substantial to offer to a ‘decent’ tourist.
Let us have a look on our streets looking so shabby with plastic bags strewn all over. We do not have enough public toilets in public places and if at all we have a few, let us measure their stink. Let us whitewash all public buildings which are painted in red either with ‘paan massala or paan paraag or spitting of ghootka’ . Let us also first teach our people good manners not to defacate in public and not to throw plastic bags full of garbage over the bridges brought from their homes and pollute our rivers. Let us teach our cops not to harrass our tourists local or foreign on the use of helmets just for the heck of it. The list is endless but let us try to do one thing at a time. Rome was not built in a day.
Lawrence Fernandes, USA
Cutbone jetty
I refer to your newspaper report dated July 16 on the issue of land for Cutbone jetty. The land acquisition proceeding should be terminated for the following reasons:
a) There is enough acquired land with the Fisheries Department to expand the Cutbona jetty. Expansion of the jetty can be done from 19401 sq. meters already in possession of the Fisheries Department.
b) The fish meal plant, for which this land acquisition was started, is now shifted to Cuncolim industrial estate for which the Environment clearance is already given. Therefore the need for another 30,000 sq. meters of land does not arise.
I request the Fisheries Minister not to activate the acquisition process, for there is a feeling among the aam admi of Velim that individuals with vested interest have activated the Revenue Department for their own selfish gains. The acquisition process that is above to lapse let it die its own natural death.
Glocerio Fernandes, Velim
