After the new government has come to power there has been a slew of projects in the pipeline, the viability of some being as questionable as the dumped Bambolim-Vasco link. A rotating restaurant in already crowded Baga, cable cars for tourists between Panjim and Reis Magos and white-water rafting in the upper reaches of our rivers. Not just these, but all projects need to be assessed for economic, social and environmental viability at the planning stage itself.
The erstwhile government had many projects stymied because public sentiment judged them more a pocket filling exercise than genuine development. The same can happen now if there is no transparent process to weigh the pros and cons of projects however well meaning they may sound. A case in point are the six sponge iron plants foisted in South Goa sometime in 2004 which had to be closed down in October 2006 following air ,land and river pollution. They then reopened only to shut down again in 2010, in the wake of the Karnataka mining scam, because they relied not on Goan ore but 400 km faraway Bellary ore. News is that 1404 small and 13 large scale industries are poised to enter Goa. Unbiased Environment Impact Assessments
( EIAs ) with full public scrutiny is a must to assess these projects and prevent Goa's further degradation.
Eric Pinto, Porvorim
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Save hockey
It was a disaster of a performance by the Indian hockey team, at the London Olympics. The men in blue finished without a win, without even a draw in the group stages. Hockey India and the players should take responsibility for this poor showing. The selection process was unfair as the selectors dropped some of the most experienced players. Those players who were selected didn't show any commitment to the game, and let the country down by their despicable incompetence.
It is high time the Indian government should look into the working of Hockey India and the Indian Hockey Federation. Forming a single association under one name, with no existing administrators and officials in it and with no political interference, will do a lot of good for the game.
Willie Severes, Majorda
Family fracas
Shivpal Yadav is Minister of PWD in the Uttar Pradesh government. He is the brother of M.S,Yadav and uncle of Akilesh Yadav. He will not be touched, as at one time he was the Chief Minister waiting in the wings. This did not materialise and he is hurt and wounded.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
Teachers on toes
Goa ranks among the highly developed states in terms of literacy, which has risen to 85 per cent .Attainment of 100 per cent literacy as early as possible should be our goal. Education is a pre-requisite to human development and the state should play its role. Teachers arc the central, framework of our education system. Teachers should be dynamic and dedicated guides, as the quality of education depends upon the quality of teachers.
Now-a-days, the teaching profession has become a business due to colossal salaries and everybody wants to become a teacher.
But on the other side, instead of moulding students into responsible citizens, some teachers mould themselves into ugly creatures
Babluis Pereira, Pomburpa
Point blank robbery With the notification of the “Laadli Laxmi Scheme” by the State Government, eligible young ladies are running from pillar to post to purchase a non-judicial Rs. 20 stamp paper for an Affidavit to be sworn before Mamlatdar / Notary Public for obtaining Residential certificate. Most of the authorised Stamp vendors in Margao do not have any stock of stamp papers. However, one popular stamp vendor near the Collectorate Office at Margao, who is also dealing with computer typing, xerox copying, etc. is merrily busy making hay while the sun shines. This vendor refuses to sell the stamp paper of Rs. 20 value to any customer unless the typing of the Affidavit is entrusted to his staff on additional payment of Rs. 30 for the typing. While soliciting business is not an offence, what is objectionable is his outright refusal to sell the stamp papers to customers, who wish to get the typing work of Affidavit done personally or elsewhere. This act on the part of the vendor amounts to holding the public to ransom, which needs to be severely condemned. If this is the sorry state of affairs at this stage, the plight of the common man can well be imagined when the Government shortly announces the “Gruha Laxmi Scheme” for housewives. The Government should ensure that the stamp papers are easily available at more suitable outlets to ameliorate the woes of the public and also take stringent action on such black-marketing stamp vendors.
Rosario S. Fernandes, Arossim
Baseless Allegations
I extremely disagree and reject as unnecessary and baseless the allegations and accusations cast on ND Agarwal, District Collector, South Goa, by MLA Reginaldo Lourence.
Agarwal has brought discipline and accountability in his jurisdiction.
Augusto Monteiro, Loutolim
Cable Car Service
If a link is provided between Miramar and Reis Magos, it would be an enchanting experience to cross over to the other side of Miramar and vice versa. The Goan economy is largely tourism-driven. If better facilities are made available to tourists, the inflow of tourists will increase. Tourism is the least polluting industry and hence more tourists can be attracted by creating better facilities. The Cable Car Service is indeed a better option than a bridge.
SND Poojary, Miramar
