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The Voice of Goa - - Since 1900
Panjim I March, 19, 2011 I Postal Reg. No. Goa 101 I Price Rs. 3.00 I Air Surcharge Rs 2 I Pages 16+8
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Herald Pic
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM, MARCH 18: The gov-
ernment will take policy de-
cision on medium of
instruction before end of this
session, the House was told
on Friday.
Education Minister
Babush Monserrate made
the statement during Zero
Hour in Goa Assembly, on
Friday.
He said the government is
seized of the matter of
>Continued on pg 10
Babush blinks, decision now
Parrikar backs mother tongueTEAM HERALD
PANJIM, MARCH 18: Mak-
ing his stand clear on the
medium of instruction,
Leader of Opposition
Manohar Parrikar has sup-
ported the primary educa-
tion in the mother tongue.
Quoting the guidelines
>Continued on pg 10High Tide: 1024; 2238Low Tide: 0429; 1623
t i D e S t o D a Y
MeDiUM of inStrUction roWheralD exclUSive
SUraJ nanDreKar
PANJIM, MARCH 18: After
Heralds expose, last Sunday
of how Chief Minister
Digambar Kamat threw pro-
priety to the winds by deno-
tifying 36,800 square metres
of land adjoining the
Dabolim airport back to a
CM sacrifices Dabolim at altar of politicsn Kamat bypassed Governors suggestion not to denotify land for parkingn Earmarked alternate land which belongs to Navyn Asks AAI to acquire land in Sancoale, 3 kms away
private owner Bernard
Costa, more secrets of this
dirty deal are tumbling out.
Clearly influenced by Rev-
enue Minister Jose Philip D-
Souza and backed by Deputy
Speaker Mauvin Godinho,
the Kamat-led team an-
nounced that 70,000 square
metres of alternate land
would now be acquired for
parking as part of the expan-
sion plan. This land, airport
officials confirm is a defence
land and there is no guaran-
tee that this would be avail-
able.
So from a situation of eas-
ily available prime land
which was returned to an in-
fluential private individual,
for considerations that clearly
are not above board, the gov-
ernment has no land. At least
not in hand.
What is more, even the
head of the state Governor S
S Sidhu had advised the
Chief Minister against deno-
tifying this land, only to be
told by Digambar Kamat that
the political compulsions of
having Jose Philip and God-
inho on his side were heavy.
Moreover, in the meeting
chaired by the Chief Minister
on February 14 when the de-
notification decision was
made, the PWD was directed
to initiate action to acquire
vacant land (70,000 sq mt
pointed by Mauvin & Jose)
under emergency clause of
Land Acquisition Act.
Officials speaking to this
paper on condition of
anonymity wondered if the
>Continued on pg 10
Defence lanD for private lanD? This area now ear-
marked for parking belongs to the defence.
-
2 www.herald-goa.com
xaxtiamchi
Our workers at Sonsodo had come across bio-medical waste mixed with bio-degradablegarbage. Under the MSW rules, bio-medical wastecannot find its way at garbage sites. Our workersare facing a health hazard, posed by untreatedused syringes -- Sridhar Kamat
We fail to understand why the promise madeto hike the monthly ex-gratia relief has notbeen fulfilled till date. Our seamen brethrenwould have lived a dignified life with happi-ness if the monthly assistance was increasedto minimum Rs 1500 -- Ifrona Dias
Goa I Saturday 19, March 2011
For a daily labourer sorting
out pieces of garbage in the
ever growing and over grow-
ing Sonsodo waste management
site, picking up pieces of broken sy-
ringes and other medical equip-
ment, blood soaked cotton and
other medical trash is a daily occur-
rence.
This is here where the needle
meets the fish bone and pricks one
more hole in the hazy belief that all
the fifty odd tonnes of garbage that
is dumped at Sonsodo on a daily
basis, is according to the all impor-
tant Municipal Solid Waste (Man-
agement and Handling Rules)
2000.
In the absence of any mechanism
for the collection and scientific dis-
posal, tonnes of bio-medical waste
from the 300-odd hospitals, nursing
homes and clinics dotting the city,
finds its way in the garbage bins
every day.
Neither the Margao Municipal
Council nor agencies such as the
Goa State Pollution Control Board
have put a system in place to tackle
the waste.
Otherwise, just consider this: Its
now more than three months since
the Margao civic body issued a pub-
lic notice to the establishments gen-
erating bio-medical waste to stop
disposing off the waste within the
municipal jurisdiction with immedi-
ate effect.
Three months down the line and
the disposal of bio-medical waste in
the municipal bins has not stopped
till date. In fact, if one goes by the
correspondence from Fomento
Green and Waste Management
Services Ltd, responsible for segre-
gating and disposing off the existing
garbage and constructing a waste
management plant, to the Margao
civic body, its abundantly clear that
bio-medical waste continues to find
its way in the bins and then to Son-
sodo.
Neither has the Margao civic
body initiated action against the un-
scrupulous establishment owners
nor has the civic body the where-
withal to maintain vigil against the
erring establishments.
Says MMC Chief Officer, Prasanna
Acharya: We have to ensure that no
bio-medical waste generated by any
hospital, nursing home, clinic, dis-
pensary, veterinary institutions, ani-
mal houses, pathological laboratories,
blood bank is disposed off either in
bins or anywhere else except accord-
ing to the Bio-Medical Waste (man-
agement and handling) Rules, 1998 &
MSW (management and handling)
Rules, 2000.
He however says that the disposal
of bio-medical waste does not come
within the ambit of the MMC and
passes it on to the Goa State Pollu-
tion Control Board to deal with the
issue. But he warns I want to make
clear to the owners that stern action
will be initiated against those units
responsible for disposing off the un-
treated waste in the bins, he
warned.
The CEO of Fomento Green
Sridhar Kamat says: Our workers
at Sonsodo had come across bio-
medical waste mixed with bio-
degradable garbage. Under the
MSW rules, bio-medical waste can-
not find its way at garbage sites.
Our workers are facing a health
hazard, posed by untreated used
syringes.
A medical disaster bomb ticks at Sonsodo
The bio-medical waste that is regularly finding its way at the Sonsodo dumping yard.
Santosh Mirajkar
Hazardous bio medical waste continues to be duped at Sonsodo on a daily basis, throwing caution and the waste management rules to the winds. Fomento Green, which is handling the waste
segregation and construction of the Sonsodo plant is not supposed to accept any medical waste and will hopefully put its foot down soon. Meanwhile the MMC still continues to allow bio med-
ical waste from clinics and hospitals to be sent to Sonodo. Guilherme Almeida reports
These retired seamen
and the widows of
seamen have been
knocking the doors of all and
sundry over the last two
years. They have been plead-
ing and petitioning with
everyone -- right from Chief
Minister Digambar Kamat to
the MLAs and MPs and the
management of National
Union of Seafarers of India
(NUSI) in support of their
one-point just demand to
enhance the monthly ex-gra-
tia monetary assistance of Rs
200 to a modest amount of Rs
1500 per month to live a dig-
nified life after retirement.
It was exactly four years
ago, that NUSI general secre-
tary Abdulgani Y Serang
promised the retired seafar-
ers and widows at the NUSI
Maritime Academy, Assolna
to suitably increase the
monthly ex-gratia monetary
assistance. Much water has
flown down the River Sal
since then and the promised
hike in the assistance made
by the NUSI chief stands un-
fulfilled till date.
Since then, the retired sea-
men and widows under the
banner of Goan Retired Sea-
men Welfare Association had
been waging a sustained
campaign across Salcetes
countryside and beyond for
the fulfillment of their gen-
uine demands.
Says Ifrona Dias, President
of Goan Retired Seafarers
Welfare Association: We fail to
understand why the promise
made to hike the monthly ex-
gratia relief has not been ful-
filled till date. Our seamen
brethren would have lived a
dignified life with happiness if
the monthly assistance was in-
creased to minimum Rs 1500.
Even this meager amount
of Rs 200 is not disbursed to
the retired seamen and the
widows on a monthly basis. If
the retired seafarers are to be
believed, the monetary assis-
tance is disbursed to them
once every six months.
The issue had its echo in
Parliament during the ongo-
ing budget session when
Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram
Naik drew attention of the
House to the meager post re-
tirement paid to the retired
seafarers and widows. Thats
not all. A delegation of the
Goan Retired Seamen Wel-
fare Association along with
South Goa MP Francisco
Sardinha called on Union
Shipping Minister G K Vasan
with a request to enhance the
monetary assistance to a min-
imum Rs 1500 per month.
Says MP Sardinha: After
the meeting with the Union
Shipping Minister, I am hope-
ful that some solution would
be worked out vis--vis the
pension for the retired seafar-
ers. The existing monthly re-
lief of Rs 200 is unacceptable.
Moved by the plight of the
seafarers, the Council for So-
cial Justice and Peace has
now stepped in to lend a
helping hand to the suffering
seamen. The situation is un-
just and hence unacceptable.
All efforts must be made to
ensure that these retired men
get reasonable benefits of
their hard toil at sea, away
from their families, re-
marked CSJP Executive
Secretary, Fr Maverick Fer-
nandes in his communication
to the Parish Priests, Arch-
diocese of Goa on the issue.
Says Peter Crasto, secre-
tary of the retired seafarers
Association: When the sea-
men were active in service,
they helped to earn foreign
exchange for our country and
boosted the countrys foreign
exchange reserves. Our In-
dian seafarers had worked
actively at the risk of their
lives during world wars, dur-
ing Iran-Iraq war and the
conflict in Sri Lanka.
Asks Augustine Fernan-
des, Association treasurer:
Doesnt the retired seamen
and widows deserve a sub-
stantial increase in the
monthly assistance to live a
decent life. Even the Goa gov-
ernment pays its senior citi-
zens Rs 1000 per month
under the DSS schem.
Enhancement was prom-
ised in 1998
Incumbent NUSI general
Abdulgani Serang had been
pushing the blame on the
management committee of
the Seafarers Welfare Fund
Society (SWFS) for not en-
hancing the ex-gratia relief
since 1991.
But, the Diwali message of
Serangs predecessor, late Dr
Leo Barnes in NUSI letter
dated November 1998 clearly
states that two important
benefits, namely pension and
family medical assistance are
under consideration.
In fact, Dr Barnes in his
message had categorically
stated that seamen will start
getting pension amounting to
Rs 1000-1500 per month.
Dr Leos successor and in-
cumbent NUSI general sec-
retary, Serang says that NUSI
had been consistently de-
manded with SWFS for an
enhancement of the monthly
ex-gratia monetary assistance
and their families on grounds
that the amount has not been
increased since 1991.
But, president of Goan Re-
tired Seafarers Welfare Asso-
ciation Ifrona Dias begged to
differ. NUSI has done noth-
ing to solve their problem of
increasing the monthly ex-
gratia relief for the last 11
years. The Union now says a
Task Force has been ap-
pointed to discuss the de-
mand with the National
Shipping Board. Why was
the Task Force not consti-
tuted 11 years ago when the
Union was very well aware of
the plight of the seafarers,
Dias questioned.
STILL AT SEA, AFTER A LIFE ON SEAFor the better part of their working lives, they rode the waves. Now retired seamen and their families are negotiating the labyrinths in the corridors of power to increase their miserly pension from
two hundred rupees a month to just fifteen hundred. Guilherme Almeida reports
A delegation of Goan Retired Seafarers Welfare Association Ifrona Dias and Melson Luis with
South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha when they called on Union Shipping Minister, G K Vasan to
discuss the pensionbenefits for retired seamen and widows.
n Long standing demand of retired seamen and their
families to raise ex gratia amount paid to retiredseamen and their families from Rs 200 to Rs 1500.
n NUSI General Secretary had promised monetary as-
sistance four years ago.n NUSI and the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society
(SWFS) state that the other should be held responsi-ble for not enhancing the ex-gratia amount.
n Both Congress MPs Fransisco Sardinha and Shan-
taram Naik have raised the issue in parliament andwith the union shipping minister.
A LOAD OFF THEIR BACKS Many Goan Traditional Occupations (GTOs) are under threat and in the fiftieth year of Goas
liberation Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has recognized one such community, bhadels. They
have long been silent foot soldiers, carrying loads to and from shops and other places. The one
time compensation of Rs 25,000 for their honesty and integrity has not come a day too soon.
TEAM HERALD reports
Their honesty, integrity
and trustworthiness
has finally received
due recognition from the gov-
ernment. At long last, the
Bhadels (women load carri-
ers) part and parcel of the
business activity in the states
commercial capital has
been recognized by the
Digambar Kamat govern-
ment for the virtues of hon-
esty and integrity.
In his budget speech, the
Chief Minister has an-
nounced a one-time compen-
sation package of Rs 25,000
for each of the bhadels
whose numbers have been
on the decline over the years.
Herald had highlighted the
plight of these bhadels a
month ago, having toiled
hard over the decades in the
states commercial hub,
many of whom have retired
long ago without any social
security benefits.
Coincidentally, it was Chief
Minister Digambar Kamat
who had presided over a
function to recognize the
services and virtues of the
bhadels over a decade ago at
the initiative of freedom
fighter Gurunath Kelekar
and convenor of womens
rights NGO Auda Viegas.
Says Auda Viegas: I con-
gratulate the government for
thinking about the bhadels
community. The bhadels cer-
tainly deserves praise and fi-
nancial package. They have
toiled hard over the years and
faced adversities.
Freedom fighter Gurunath
Kelekar echoed similar senti-
ments: I am extremely
happy that the government
has recognized the bhadels. I
have no doubt that not only
the bhadels, but even the
business community will also
be happy when they come to
know about the govern-
ments financial package for
this community.
Kelekar made it quite clear
that the government is not just
recognizing the hard work
and toil of the bhadels, but the
recognition is more for their
honesty and integrity. These
bhadels are Niz Goenkars, the
original Goans. The virtues of
sincerity, trustworthiness
needs to be emulated from the
bhadels, he added.
A group of bhadels taking an afternoon
siesta at the New Market area of the
commercial capital.
Santosh Mirajkar
gilus xaxti masala
Raising the Brar
The new AICC General Secretary in charge of Goa,
Jagmeet Brar is a close friend of Luizinho Faleiro.
Since then, worried Faleiros detractors, sensing a
possible change in power equations, have not lost
a single opportunity to find out Brars political
background. It is an open secret that Chief Minister
Digambar Kamat, the Alemao Brothers and their
aides enjoyed a close rapport with Brars predeces-
sor Hariprasad, in the political scheme of things.
The anti-Luizinho brigade is now working the phones
and have a man called Sudhakar Reddy on their
speed dials. Reddy, a congress secretary is Brars un-
derstudy and knows all about him. So the Alemaos
are getting Reddy to have long chat sessions with
him.
Quit Pro QuoWhy did the two NCP rebel Ministers Jose Philip
DSouza and Nilkhant Halarnkar suddenly make
peace with the party leadership.
This had all to do with the exit of Hariparsad. It is an
open secret that Hariprasad opposed the re-induc-
tion of Mickky Pacheco into the Kamat cabinet. And,
it is an open secret that the G-10 group had Haris
blessings when they threatened to revolt if Pacheco
was re-inducted into the Ministry.
But, with Hari no more an incharge of Goa Congress,
things came a full circle for the two rebel Ministry.
The duo had to face the ire of party leadership after
the famous dinner meeting with Congress bigwigs at
the residence of Congress general secretary Vijay
Sardessai. Well, if sources are to be believed, a plan
was hatched by the well wishers of the two Ministers
from Salcete again in Fatorda to ensure that
both Jose Philip and Nilkant continue to hold their
ministerial positions and at the same time soothe
the ruffled ego of the NCP supremo. So the resigna-
tions were nothing more than a drama knowing well
that they would score during the Pawar play and
be asked by their boss to continue being ministers.
Here comes MonicaThe GPCC General Secretary Vijay Sardesai loves old
Hindi film songs. But he may not quite like the popu-
lar number from the classic film Caravan, Monica
Oh My Darling. The Pradesh Mahila Congress Chief
Monica Dias has made a strong pitch for the Fatorda
Congress ticket for which Vijay is a strong claimant.
Vijay knows that Monica is no novice in Fatorda poli-
tics, having been three time Councilor and a ticket
aspirant for many years.
Monica has another trump card up her sleeve. She
has said that all other aspirants for the ticket - Vijay
Sardessai, Luis Alex Cardozo, Girish Chodankar and
M K Shaikh have lost elections in the past. For that
matter, so has heavyweight Luizinho Faleiro.
Englishman ChurchillWhen demands in support of English as the medium
of instruction came to the fore in Salcetes country-
side, Congressmen admitted in private that the issue
would put the party in an awkward situation in an
election year.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has tried to wriggle
out of the situation by repeatedly saying nothing
would be implemented without taking the stakehold-
ers into confidence.
But, his Ministerial colleagues and party MLAs, espe-
cially from Salcete, know for sure that they can ill af-
ford to take a stand contrary to the popular demand.
So, when a delegation of anxious parents called on
the PWD Minister at Varca, Alemao extended his all
out support to the movement.
Thats not all. The Varca strongman conveyed a mes-
sage loud and clear to the parents that he would not
hesitate to dislodge the Digambar Kamat government
if the demand does not find favour with the ruling dis-
pensation. For Alemao, the issue may have come as
a blessing in disguise, more so when he is keeping
his options open on the question of contesting the
coming Assembly polls on the Congress ticket.
Mickky enters Nuvem - panch bypanch
That former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco has
firmly set his eyes on Nuvem constituency and is
bracing to cross swords against Congress heavy-
weight Alexio Sequeira is an open secret.
That explains his anxiety to establish his hold over
the Panchayat bodies falling in Nuvem constituency.
He had his men presiding over the Panchayat affairs
in Betalbatim, Majorda, Nuem and now established
his foothold over Loutolim as well by ousting the for-
mer Sarpanch a close aide of his bete noire and
Power Minister Alexio Sequeira.
Remember that the flamboyant Benaulim MLA went
all out to capture the Zilla Panchayat seats coming
under Nuvem constituency.
Many would tend to question whether this would
have any bearing on the Assembly polls. But, this
appears Pachecos ways of testing the political wa-
ters before taking the big plunge. This was how he
had exactly gone about before crossing swords
against the Varca strongman Churchill Alemao in
Benaulim nearly a decade ago and succeeded.
(Xaxti Masala is a weekly offering of anecdotes
and chats from our beloved Salcete.)
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3 www.oheraldo.in
goaMickky Pacheco alleged a South Goapanch was being protected by police afterhe was involved in death of a girl at Aquem-Baixo. The accused was booked under thesame sections that of his after her fathercomplained, but he was not arrested.
We will introduce Bill on public cremato-rium in the ongoing assembly session.also the issue of electric crematorium willalso be examined by the state govern-ment.
-- Chief Minister Digambar Kamat
Goa I Saturday 19, March 2011
Bill on crematorium
this session: GovtHERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18 : Goa
government will introduce a
Bill during the ongoing state
Legislative Assembly session
on the public crematorium
for each and every commu-
nity across the state.
The Assembly today
unanimously passed the res-
olution tabled by Leader of
Opposition Manohar Par-
rikar demanding legal provi-
sion for proper burial
grounds and crematorium to
each and every community
within the reasonable distance.
Speaking on the floor of
the house, Kamat said that
people from certain commu-
nities are demanding such
public spaces as there are
often issues regarding cre-
matorium or burial grounds.
We will introduce Bill in
this regard in the ongoing as-
sembly session, Kamat as-
sured. The Chief Minister
also assured that the issue of
electric crematorium will
also be examined by the
state government.
Introducing the resolu-
tion, Parrikar had de-
manded that electric
crematorium be set up as
many people are conscious
about environment.
The leader of opposition
said that electric cremato-
rium can be set up in Panjim,
if there is opposition in other
parts of the state.
-
4 www.oheraldo.in
goaa detail survey identifying number of bogusbeneficiaries will be carried out before renew-ing the scheme. More then one lakh peoplehave benefited through this scheme till now.
-- Chief Minister Digambar Kamat
The budget placed by the Chief Minister has com-pletely neglected declining milk and fish produc-tion in the state, Mandrekar said adding thatthere has been no provision towards enhancing theproductivity of these two commodities.
Goa I Saturday 19, March 2011
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18 :
Chief Minister Digambar
Kamat told Goa Assembly
on Friday that the govern-
ment was on the verge of fi-
nalising policy for land
acquisition and under which
it would consider giving jobs
to persons affected by land
acquisition.
The Chief Minister made
the statement after Opposi-
tion Leader Manohar Par-
rikar pointed out that jobs
were promised to locals
when land was acquired for
building Mapusa district
hospital.
The locals had opposed
the land acquisition being it
a play ground but gave in
after they were promised
jobs in the hospital, said op-
position leader when the
issue came up before House
during Question Hour on
Friday.
I had promised jobs o lo-
cals when land was acquired
during my regime however
subsequent government did
not bother to keep the prom-
ise, he said.
The original question was
raised by Fatorda MLA
Damu Naik pertaining to
South Goa District Hospi-
tal.
Earlier, responding to a
query raised by Fatorda
MLA Damu Naik, the Chief
Minister had informed the
House that he has promised
to give jobs to farmers fami-
lies whose land was acquired
for building hospital.
Upon which Parrikar as
well as Narvekar urged the
chief minister similar benefit
be extended to people af-
fected in Mapusa.
They felt that similar yard-
stick be applied when gov-
ernment buys land from
public for projects.
Earlier Chief Minister told
the House that the hospital
will be completed by the end
of this year. While initial
value of work order was Rs
92 crore , it has increased to
Rs 192 crore.
He also clarified that the
government has not taken
any decision to operate it on
Public Private Project (PPP)
mode.
Mapusa District Hospi-
tal: The Chief Minister
Digambar Kamat said he
would work out modalities
upon consulting with Health
Minister Vishwajit Rane to
start new district hospital in
Mapusa as Opposition
Leader Manohar Parrikar
warned the government
that they will not allow
Mapusa hospital to run
on PPP mode.
Parrikar questioned the
purpose of having PPP
mode for Mapusa when
more than half of the staff
had been recruited
Currently, seven types of
services are offered in old
Asilo hospital, Parrikar said
as he demanded that the
government should immedi-
ately shift these facilities in
the new hospital.
The Opposition Leader
urged the Chief Minister
Digambar Kamat to visit the
old hospital to see pathetic
condition of the hospital.
Land acquisition policy in final stages, says CM
GSHC has not done enough to promote local vegetables: Rane
Suspend MD, demands Parrikar
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18: The Opposition today came down
heavily on the Goa State Horticulture Corporation (GSHC) Ltd,
alleging corruption in purchase of vegetables.
Raising the issue during Question Hour on Friday,
Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar demanded that
managing director of GSHC be suspended.
He said GSHC charged 21 per cent more on its sale of
vegetables even as it received subsidy of 53 per cent on
purchases in the last two years.
Quoting figures from the written reply submitted by
Agriculture Minister Vishwajit Rane, Parrikar pointed
out a difference of Rs 1.5 crore, in purchases and sale of
onions. He sought to know where the difference has gone.
Referring to the Chief Ministers statement in the
House earlier, wherein he was reported to have said
onion was sold at Rs 25 per kg when onion prices esca-
lated, Opposition Leader pointed out that during
that period GSHC figures indicate that sale price
was high.
Quoting figures from ministers reply, Opposition
Leader sought to know whether the Goa assembly is
being taken for a ride and demanded action against the
concerned officer.
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18:
Agriculture Minister Vish-
wajit Rane on Friday said
seven to eight more outlets
for selling locally grown veg-
etables will be opened by
April 30 even as he acknowl-
edged that Goa State Horti-
culture Corporation
(GSHC) Ltd, has not done
enough in promoting local veg-
etable production in the State.
He made the statement
while replying to a question
tabled by Canacona MLA,
Vijay Pai Khot during Ques-
tion Hour on Friday.
Canacona MLA high-
lighted that GSHC Ltd,
buys very little vegetables
from local vegetable farmers
and also there are no
enough outlets catering
local farmers.
Since 2009-2010 GSHC
has been purchasing veg-
etables from farmers at
Tonca Caranzalem whereas
two centers were specially
open in September 2010 for
the purpose, Minister told
the House. However, he also
pointed out that response to its
schemes has not been good.
But Opposition MLAs in-
cluding Poinguinim MLA
Ramesh Tawadkar pointed
out that the problem lies
with GSHC and not with
farmers. The GSHC is al-
ready running a scheme
where in it offers subsidy of
Rs 40000 per hecter for
farmers growing vegetables.
The Opposition MLAs also
wondered why the vegetable
production has not increased
in correspondence to intro-
duction of the scheme.
Canacona MLA insisted
that the scheme has to be
properly implemented
which he said, is not hap-
pening now. The CM in its
budget speech on Thursday
had announced a fresh
scheme targeting women
and self-help-groups, who
will receive subsidy of 80000
for two hectares.
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18:
The Transport minister
Ramakrisna Dhavlikar be-
lieves even pictures lie.
No wonder he took ob-
jection to photos published
in the Herald on Friday,
which portrayed boredom
of MLAs and ministers as
Chief Minister Digambar
Kamat made his lengthy
budget speech. He claimed
that he was not sleeping --
just resting, closing his eyes
so also may be other MLAs
were seen in poor light.
It was not right on the
part of the newspaper to
publish such pictures, he
told the House as he made
his point after Question
Hour on Friday with a
hope that Speaker Prataps-
ing Rane reprimands the
Newspaper photographer.
But alas! The Speaker
advised the members to be
careful and sit properly in
the House.
I have got installed two
screens in the House show-
ing you, so take care how to
sit, said Rane as he re-
buffed Transport Minister.
Are pictures lying?
Picture tHiS: Even as legislators go in sleep mode during the budget speech, here
is Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar going on a 'shooting' spree before taking a
break on Thursday.
Rosario Estibeiro
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18 :
Aldona MLA Dayanand
Narvekar demanded ar-
rest of the mine owners,
who are in-
volved in the
illegal mining
activity in the
state.
Participat-
ing in the dis-
cussion on the
general budget, Narvekar
said that if state govern-
ment wants, it can stop 60
per cent of the mines
within a day.
Almost 60 percent of
mines are below water table.
If state government wants, it
can stop these mines imme-
diately, Narvekar said.
In his 40-minute-long
speech, Narvekar termed
Congress-led government as
government for the mine
owners and by the mine
owners.
I cannot say this govern-
ment is of the mine owners
because there are people like
me who are fighting against
illegal mines in the assem-
bly, he quipped.
Narvekar said that when
export duty was increased in
the union budget, there was
immediate reaction by the
mine owners.
But the actual thing is
that state government is sub-
sidizing the mining indus-
try, he alleged.
The company like Sesa
Goa has Rs 6980 crore
turnover from their mining
activity in Goa. Why should
they be bothered with the 15
percent hike in the export
duty? Narvekar ques-
tioned.
Pointing out to the reply
on the floor of the house, he
said that 19 mine owners are
protected although they are
mining in the forest areas.
If they are involved in il-
legal mining, why is that
none of them are ar-
rested? Rs 1000 crore worth
illegal mining
exists but no
one is ar-
rested, he
pointed out.
In his speech,
Narvekar fur-
ther said that
the state government should
bring accountability bill
which will put a deadline for
the file movement in the
government offices.
I had requested to bring
the bill of accountability. All
the files will be cleared
within stipulated time, he
said adding that the account-
ability starts right from the
top.
If minister does not clear
file within seven days, fine of
Rs
1,000 per day should be
imposed on the minister,
Narvekar demanded.
Arrest mine owners involvedin illegal mining : Narvekar
Revision of DSSYdoles after scrutiny HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18:
Chief Minister Digambar
Kamat today assured the
house that the revision of the
remuneration paid to the
beneficiaries under
Dayanand Samajik Surak-
sha Yojna (DSSY) would be
done only after survey iden-
tifying bogus beneficiaries is
over.
Kamat said a detail survey
identifying number of bogus
beneficiaries will be carried
out before renewing the
scheme.
More then one lakh peo-
ple have benefited through
this scheme till now, Kamat
said.
Kamat was replying to a
private member resolution
over hike in DSSY pension
moved by Mapusa MLA
Francis DSouza.
The DSSY pension
should be doubled from Rs
1000 to Rs 2000 along with
Kala Sanman and artists
pension, the resolution
reads.
DSouza also demanded
that there should be an in-
built mechanism for auto-
matic increase in pension
after every three years con-
sidering the inflation and
rise of price index.
Even after chief ministers
assurance, DSouza re-
fused to withdraw the res-
olution.
The opposition benches
sought division of house
after it was noticed that ma-
jority of legislators from rul-
ing benches were not in their
seat.
The speaker allowed divi-
sion after ringing the bell
calling the members in the
house.
The resolution was still
defeated by 15 versus 14
votes although two legisla-
tors Mickky Pacheco and
Dayanand Narvekar stood
up in favour of the resolu-
tion.
Earlier, the house also
passed the resolution over
upgradation of Bicholim po-
lice station building on prior-
ity basis, which was moved
by Bicholim MLA Rajesh
Patnekar.
Mickky blasts police for harassing tourists HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18 :
Tongue lashing the state
government on the floor of
the House, former tourism
minister Mickky Pacheco
said that tourists are worried
to visit Goa as they are ha-
rassed by the police.
Pacheco said that Indian
domestic tourists and for-
eigners are afraid to visit Goa be-
cause of the harassment meted
out to them by the state police.
The former tourism min-
ister, participating in the dis-
cussion on the general
budget, accused tourism de-
partment of not providing basic
amenities on the beaches.
The beaches are shabby.
They are littered with the
garbage. Moreover, there are
no basic facilities like roads,
taps, showers and changing
rooms on the beaches,
Pacheco said.
Benaulim MLA said that
the number of tourists arriv-
ing in the state will go down fur-
ther, if government does not fix
these problems. I dont know
where the tourism will head
now, he commented.
Recalling the trauma he
faced after being indicted in
Nadia Torrado death case,
Pacheco alleged a South Goa
based panch member was
being protected by police
after he was involved in
death of a girl at Aquem-
Baixo.
The girl committed sui-
cide by hanging herself. The
accused was booked under
the same sections that of
mine after her father com-
plained to the police. But he
was not arrested by police
bowing to the pressures of
his godfather, the former
tourism minister said.
Pacheco had spent 16 days
in police and judicial custody
after being arrested in Tor-
rado death case.
He said that there will be
law and order issue in South
Goa, if police continues dilly dal-
lying on arrest of the accused.
Pacheco, who has moved a
notice to the speaker seeking
time to deliberate in the
house on crucial issue of
Right To Education (RTE),
said that Konkani and
Marathi as medium of in-
struction will hinder the em-
ployment opportunities for
the youths in the state.
Goan youths are getting
the edge outside state in jobs
because of their English
speaking skills. We will be
stemming their job
prospects outside Goa, he
said clarifying that he is not
against Marathi or Konkani
languages.
Budget has not taken into account ground reality, feels Parrikar HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18:
Leader of Opposition
Manohar Parrikar said that
the growth projected in
the recent state budget is
largely in the tertiary sec-
tor, is leading Goa to a
dark hole.
Discussing on the general
budget on the floor of the
house, Parrikar said that
budget has a feel good fac-
tor as it is filled with good
concepts. But it has not
taken into consideration the
ground reality that the
growth is only in the tertiary
and mining sectors, he said.
Tertiary sector comprises
of financial institutes, insur-
ance companies, hotel indus-
try, construction and
building activity, he said
adding that there is 20
percent growth in this sec-
tor.
This growth comes at the
cost of destruction, Parrikar
quipped.
Analyzing the financial
parameters, Parrikar said
that the loan liability has
crossed the danger mark. He
said that in last five years, the
loan liability has gone upto
Rs 6,650 crore.
Making allegations in the
process to appoint consult-
ant for Mopa Greenfield
airport, the leader of op-
position pointed out that
for last six months, the
state government has not
been able to reveal who is
the lowest bidder.
We had asked the ques-
tion in the session but they
have not been able to give us
name of the lowest bidder,
he said.
Parrikar also criticized
state government for failing
to declare its land acquisition
policy, which was supposed
to be out by December.
I have cutting of the
newspapers in which gov-
ernment had said that the
policy would be announced
by December and later in
January, he said.
The former chief minister
claimed that the budget is
error-ridden.
They claim that 1,000 ha
land was brought under hor-
ticulture but if you look at
replies tabled today, they are
still purchasing the veg-
etables from outside the
state in large number,
he said.
With 1,000 ha land under
cultivation, Rs 15 crores
worth vegetables should
have been grown, he ob-
served. The milk produc-
tion which was 1.87
thousand litres earlier has
now come down to 1.27 lakh
thousand litres daily, he said.
Parrikar said that the agri-
cultural growth is directly re-
lated to the mining
industry.
Mining is killing agricul-
ture. Excessive mining
should be capped. 30 million
metric tones is our capac-
ity we are exporting 45
million metric tones, he
said.
Milk, fish neglected in Budget: MLAHERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18 :
Mandrem MLA Dayanand
Mandrekar accused state
government of failing to address
issues of dwindling milk and fish
production in the state in the re-
cently placed budget.
The budget placed by the
Chief Minister has com-
pletely neglected declining
milk and fish production in
the state, Mandrekar said
adding that there has been
no provision towards en-
hancing the productivity of
these two commodities.
BJP legislator was talking
while participating in the
discussion on general
budget. The MLA pointed
out that as per the available
statistics; the total milk pro-
duction has decreased by al-
most 20,000 litres in last five
years while fisheries saw a
drop of 15.8 percent.
State PSUslose Rs 200 crHERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18:
Even though Public Sector
Undertakings (PSUs) are
playing a major role in Goas
economy, it has incurred
losses to the tune of Rs 200
crore, approximately due to
various deficiencies.
The latest report of the
Comptroller and Auditor
General Report tabled on
the floor of the House of the
Legislative Assembly for the
year ending March 2010, re-
veals that even as the invest-
ments (capital and long
term loans) in 17 PSUs was
Rs 527.56 crore, it has in-
curred losses to the tune of
Rs 200.67 crore.
The State PSU losses
were controllable with bet-
ter management. This there
was tremendous scope to
improve the functioning and
minimize/eliminate loses,
CAG says.
It has even advised that
the PSUs can discharge
their role effectively only if
they are financially self re-
liant.
Almost 60 percent of mines are belowwater table. If the state governmentwants, it can stop these mines immedi-ately, Dayanand Narvekar said.
mining effect!
Making allegations in the process to appoint
consultant for Mopa Greenfield airport,
the leader of opposition pointed out that
for last six months, the state government
has not been able to reveal who is the
lowest bidder.
budget tirade
-
goa
5 www.oheraldo.in
If North Goa people have voted for thegovernment then why there is no repre-sentation to them? Is this South Goaleaders government?
Dayanand Narvekar
The CAG report says that due to procedurallapses by the Civil Supplies department,cardholders were delayed in receiving foodgrains.
Goa I Saturday 19, March 2011
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18 : The
Comptroller and Auditor
General of India (CAG) re-
port has come down heavily
on the State Government on
inefficient handling of Public
Distribution System (PDS).
The audit report tabled in
the legislative assembly for
the year ending March 2010
highlights the delay in distri-
bution of food grains, short
supply of open market rice, ir-
regularities in distribution of
kerosene and even non-test-
ing of quality of food grains.
The CAG report says that
due to procedural lapses by
the Civil Supplies depart-
ment, cardholders were de-
layed in receiving food
grains.
The scrutiny revealed that
since payments to FCI were
made much late, talukas was
unable to issue permits to
Fair Price Shops who were
hence unable to lift the food
grains in time.
The government had ad-
mitted the delay after which
payments were made well in
advance from September
2010 so that quota could
reach cardholders in time,
CAG says.
In an alleged scam, the
CAG pointed out that the de-
partment in October 2007
roped in Goa Co-operative
Marketing and Supply Fed-
eration Limited (GCMSFL)
to supply rice to people
above poverty level (APL).
However, the GCMSFL
failed to provide the pre-
scribed quota, depriving
more than one-lakh benefi-
ciaries from availing the ben-
efit. Action however could
not be taken against the cor-
poration for short supply as
the government had not en-
tered into any agreement.
Similarly, the Government
did not enter into any agree-
ment with the agency sup-
plying and distributing
sugar, as a result of which
2,027 cardholders from Sal-
cete and Sanguem talukas
were deprived of sugar
under the PDS between
2005 and 2010. So also,
records were not maintained
to ensure proper monitoring
of sugar distribution.
The audit scrutiny also re-
veals that in Ponda taluka it-
self, five retailers were
supplied 16,480 liters of
kerosene per month as
against the entitlement of
14,128 liters per month
based on the number of
cards attached. The Civil
Supplies department though
failed to give reasons for the
excess supply of 2,352 litres
per month.
Coming to bad quality of
foodgrains, in the beneficiar-
ies survey conducted by
Audit jointly with the Food &
Drugs department, it was
found that 26 percent bene-
ficiaries complained of poor
quality of foodgrains.
Improper maintenance
of records for issue of ration
cards and stock of blank ra-
tion cards have come to fore
as Rs 27-lakh collected by
Talathis in 2008 against the
issue of new ration cards are
not remitted to the govern-
ment account, CAG adds.
CAG pulls up government for inefficient handling of PDS
Russian rape case: accused moves for bailHERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 18: The
accused in the Russian
women rape case, John Fer-
nandes has moved the
South Goa Sessions court for
bail.
His lawyer Adv Amit Pa-
lyekar moved the bail appli-
cation before the court of
Additional Sessions Judge,
Vijaya Pol on Friday on
grounds that the examina-
tion of the victim girl and her
Russian female friend stands
completed.
Moreover, Adv Palyekar
pointed out in the bail plea
that the Supreme Court di-
rections to dispose off the
trial within six months has
expired on March 17, and
hence prayed for bail to his
client.
Hearing on the bail plea
will come up before the Ses-
sions court on March 24.
Adv Palyekar said the vic-
tim girl and her female
friend has been examined by
the court, adding that only
the investigation officers
now remain to be examined
by the court.
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 18: Maina
Curtorim police swooped
down on a flat at Rumdamol-
Davorlim housing board on
Friday evening and busted a
betting syndicate accepting
bets vis--vis the ongoing
World Cup cricket matches.
Acting on a tip off that bets
are accepted over the phone,
a team of Maina Curtorim
Police station incharge, PI
Sidhant Shirodkar, PSIs
Paresh Naik and Suraj
Samant and policemen Kr-
ishna, Damu Gawde and
Gorakhal raided the flat and
arrested two persons Deepak
Mehta and Imtiaz Kiledar
under the Goa Gambling Act.
The team also seized five
mobile phones, cash of Rs
11,380, a TV set, BSNL
modem, keyboard and CPU.
PI Shirodkar said the ac-
cused used to accept bets via
a website. The duo operated
from a rented apartment.
They have been arrested
under sections 3 & 4 of the
Goa Gambling Act and for
criminal conspiracy under
section 120-B of the IPC. The
police are investigating.
Curtorim police bust
betting racket, arrest two
The raiding police team along with the accused arrested in
gambling at Rumdamol.
Santosh Mirajkar
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18: Senior
Congress legislator
Dayanand Narvekar today
alleged that state govern-
ment has harbouring a re-
gional bias by giving more
priority to South Goa than
the North counterpart.
There is no regional rep-
resentation in the cabinet.
There are 8 ministers from
South Goa while only three
are from North, Narvekar
said on the floor of the House
participating in the general
discussion on budget.
Aldona MLA criticizing
the state governments func-
tioning questioned why pref-
erential treatment is given to
South Goa when even North
Goans have voted for the
government during last elec-
tion.
If North Goa people have
voted for the government
then why there is no repre-
sentation to them? Is this
South Goa leaders govern-
ment? Narvekar, who had
to step down from the cabi-
net in 2008, said.
Narvekar said that there
are several Congress leaders
like Agnelo Fernandes, Vic-
toria Fernandes, Pandurang
Madkaikar and others who
are eligible to get inducted in
the state cabinet.
He claimed that with such
bias, entire development
process gets affected.
Demanding that there
should be ban on the govern-
ment jobs in the year 2012,
Narvekar demanded that all
the recruitments should be
done by Goa Public Service
Commission (GPSC).
Former Law Minister said
that maximum jobs are
gifted to the people from
S Goa leaders make up most of Cabinet: Narvekar
South Goa.
Educated Goan youths
are not getting the jobs but
those who come with the po-
litical favours do get it, he
said.
Government giving pay-
ment to unemployed is good
thing but at the same time it
should give proper employ-
ment to the youths,
Narvekar said pointing out
the scheme announced in
the latest state budget.
He demanded that the
state government should
stop subsidizing higher edu-
cation to the creamy layer.
Why is government still
subsidizing professional ed-
ucation? See that right from
12th standard creamy layer
people should pay for the ed-
ucation, Narvekar added.
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 18: A tragic
accident involving a Dio
scooter and a truck on the
NH-17 at Karmal ghat on Fri-
day evening left two young-
sters from Manipur dead.
The accident occurred at
around 6.30 pm when the
duo travelling on a Dio
scooter were heading to-
wards Margao when the
two-wheeler collided with an
oncoming Rajasthan regis-
tered truck.
Cuncolim PSI Gautam in-
formed that while the pillion
rider died on the spot, the
rider succumbed to his in-
juries on the way to hospital.
Replying to a question, he
said the Cuncolim police
have registered a case of un-
natural death following the
2 Manipur youths die in mishap
death of the two youngsters,
aged between 19-20 years.
PSI Gautam said the duo
had come from Canacona
and were headed towards
Margao. They were report-
edly working as security per-
sonnel, he added. The police
were awaiting the relatives of
the two deceased persons to
complete the formalities. Fur-
ther investigations are on.
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 18: Resi-
dents of Sao Jose de Areal
village stormed into the vil-
lage Panchayat on Friday
and stopped the proposed
inspection of the mega hous-
ing project of Om Sai Devel-
opers scheduled this
morning.
Residents marched to the
Panchayat ghar in a morcha
to question acting Sarpanch
Vincy Mascarenhas why the
panchayat has fixed inspec-
tion of the housing complex
without intimating the in-
spection committee consti-
tuted by the gram sabha.
They demanded post-
ponement of the inspection
and place the matter before
the gram sabha meeting
scheduled on Sunday.
A villager Freddy
Travasso charged the Pan-
chayat body for trying to
hold the inspection of the
housing project without the
knowledge of the residents.
He said the villagers have
been opposing the project on
account of a host of glaring
irregularities, including the
fact that the area in question
falls within the command
area of the Selaulim irriga-
tion project.
Travasso said the resi-
dents have been opposing
the project compromising of
180 flats and four bungalows.
The Acting Sarpanch in-
formed that the inspection
fixed today has been post-
poned bowing to the wishes
of the villagers, who de-
manded that the inspection
should be done along with
the inspection committee.
Meanwhile, the Sao Jose
de Areal Villagers Union has
asked the village Panchayat
and the Town and Country
Planning department to re-
voke all licenses issued to
Om Sai developers for con-
struction of residential com-
plex at Nessai.
In a notice, the Union
maintained that the con-
struction has been allegedly
done in an area falling under
the command area of the Se-
laulim Irrigation project as
per letter dated May 17, 2006
issued by the Superinten-
ding Engineer, Margao to
Additional Collector-II,
South.
Quoting relevant provi-
sions of Goa Command De-
velopment Act, 1997, the
Union said that the project
does not have the approval
of the CAD Board therefore
illegal.
Areal locals force VP to postponeinspection of housing project
Mandur healthcentre will beupgraded: Rane HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 18: Health
Minister Vishwajit Rane
today assured the state As-
sembly that the department
will send the proposal for
renovate and upgrade the
rural health centre at Man-
dur by Monday, next week.
Replying to the private
member resolution moved
by St Andre legislator Fran-
sisco Silveira, Rane said that
the upgradation of hospitals
and health centers are taken
up in phases.
I consider this (Mandur
health centre) as a part of
GMC, the Health Minister
said adding that Goa Infra-
structure Development Cor-
poration has been asked to
take up the work.
The resolution was with-
drawn after the Health Min-
ister assurance on the floor of
the house. Rane said that
Government of India has as-
sured to provide Rs 50 crore
under National Health Mis-
sion (NHM) for the upgrad-
tion of health facilities in Goa.
There is no regionalrepresentation inthe cabinet. Thereare 8 ministersfrom South Goawhile only three arefrom North
-- Narvekar
-
The Small and Medium Enter-
prises (SMEs) occupy an impor-
tant position in any developing
economy. The SME sector is the back-
bone of Indian economy in terms of gen-
erating employment opportunities,
boosting exports, attaining widespread
growth and making innovative value ad-
ditions to the manufacturing and serv-
ices sector. Fast changing global
economic scenario has thrown up many
opportunities and challenges to Small
and Medium Enterprises in India.
For the SME sector, credit ratings can
provide an important impetus in raising
standards through better financial disci-
pline, disclosure and governance prac-
tices.
Feedback from larger enterprises
show that managements feel credit rat-
ings provide value that goes well beyond
the credit rating symbol. In the SME
sector too, ratings can be an important
feedback tool for managements. A rating
exercise can help SMEs understand bet-
ter what initiatives they need to take to
improve their operating and financial
positions.
As a step in this direction, the Ministry
of Micro, Small and Medium Enter-
prises, Government of India has intro-
duced a Credit Rating Subsidy Scheme
for the SMEs.
The Scheme is implemented through
National Small Industries Corporation
(NSIC) and a subsidy upto a maximum
of 75per cent of the fee charged by the
rating agency, subject to a certain ceiling,
is reimbursed under the scheme. The
Small Scale units are at liberty to select
any of the rating agencies empanelled
under the rating scheme with NSIC.
With the Government exploring ways
to facilitate easier credit to Small and
Medium Enterprises, SMEs too should
make some effort so that they are able to
get loans easily without running from
pillar to post. And one such initiative
which they can take up is getting them-
selves rated.
In spite of all the advantages and ef-
forts from the Ministry of MSME, very
few SMEs go for credit rating. It is per-
haps lack of awareness or fear on the
part of SMEs to reveal and share reliable
financial and operational information of
their business with the credit rating
agency. Goa State Industries Association
(GSIA) in collaboration with Small In-
dustries Development Bank of India
(SIDBI) and SME Rating Agency of
India Ltd., (SMERA) has conducted
workshops on credit rating for the ben-
efit of SMEs in Goa. Around 60 SMEs
have been covered in these workshops.
So undertaking credit and perform-
ance rating from a reputed and accred-
ited independent rating agency, is
energy rightly spent.
SMEs should do away with the fear
that they may not get a good rating and
come out and be counted. They need to
understand that with a rating, bank and
other financial organizations will be
more comfortable while dealing with
them and it will also reduce the interest
rates payable by a couple of points.
SMEs also need to look from the point
of view of the bank. For banks, lending
to a rated SME would reduce their cap-
ital charge as against lending to an un-
rated SME. In addition, banks need to
have a benchmark to compare their own
credit assessment.
So credit rating seems to be the only
possible route. And whats more, 75 per
cent of the cost as subsidy through the
National Small Industries Corporation
is being given by the government for get-
ting a credit rating for the first time. The
Government of Goa have announced in
the 2011 budget, a subsidy scheme for
obtaining credit rating to SMEs. So let
us hope that more and more SMEs go
for credit rating now.
Atul P Naik hails from a business family
of textile merchants from Margao. He is
the CEO of Precitech Components,
Honda and the immediate past Presi-
dent of Goa State Industries Association
(GSIA)
Last month I was introduced to a
lady living in a village close to
Panjim. Patricia enjoys talking
garbage said my friend. The lady
laughed Me too, she said and went on
to add, people have absolutely no civic
sense. They chuck their garbage out on
the streets. Why cant they be like me? I
collect all my waste in a plastic bag and
everyday on my way to work I put it in
the Panjim bins. But, wait a minute ,
Panjim is a bin free city. I said, and all
garbage bins have been removed. No
yaar, not the big garbage bins, she said,
I use those coloured litter bins fixed on
poles along the streets.
Its no wonder that Sachin Ambe,
head of the Corporation of the City of
Panjim (CCP) Waste Management Cell,
decided to remove all the litter bins from
the streets of Panjim. In fact, its only
after Mandi Watson, Destination Man-
ager of Thomas Cook mentioned at one
of our Chaka Chak Goa presentations,
that tourists walking along Panjim
streets were facing a problem disposing
of their litter like wrappers, tissues etc, I
requested Mr Ambe to consider rein-
stalling the litter bins.
I explained to the lady that Panjims
litter bins are not meant for household
garbage but only small litter and her
waste ought to be collected by her pan-
chayat. But what do I do if they do not
bother to collect our garbage? She said.
I immediately gave her my cell number,
asked her to arrange for a meeting with
her sarpanch and get back at the earli-
est. Im still waiting for her call.
The Chaka Chak Goa team is working
towards putting a system of waste collec-
tion in place in every village, through the
Garbage Management Committee set
up by the local panchayat. This Commit-
tee is required to be formed under the
Goa Non-biodegradable Garbage (Con-
trol)Act, 1996, which comprises citizens,
panch members, Sanitary Inspector and
the local MLA as ex-officio member.
We explain to the committee, the sys-
tem that can be put in place by availing
of the schemes offered by the Govern-
ment, as well as the rules in force on
plastic waste.
Its rather unfortunate that until now,
except for Parra, none of the panchayats,
have availed of these schemes. The an-
nual fund budgeted for the purpose
therefore goes unutilized.
Since the launching of our campaign
on January 26, 2011, we have interacted
with various Panchayats, and the results
have been encouraging from the Village
Panchayats of Socorro, Merces and St
Cruz. Arch K D Sadhale, Viswas Kor-
gaonkar and Clinton Vaz are working
tirelessly in areas around Ponda,
Pernem and South Goa.
It was encouraging to receive a call
last Monday from an active garbage
committee member of Chorao Village
Panchayat, who has set her mind to free
the beautiful island of Chorao from
garbage litter. She has already spoken to
her sarpanch who seemed very positive
and is calling for a garbage management
committee meeting very shortly.
The good news is that, its not only me
who is talking garbage, but of late many
others are also using the G word.
opinion6 www.oheraldo.in
Most politicians, especially the ones fromSalcette, including those who have raisedthe banner of Konkani as a medium of in-struction have allowed their children tostudy in posh all-English schools.
Edit
Its rather unfortunate that until now, ex-cept for Parra, none of the panchayats,have availed of these schemes. The an-nual fund budgeted for the purpose there-fore goes unutilized.
Patricia Pinto
WEEKENDEDIT
Vol. No CXI No. 077 I Goa I Saturday 19, March 2011
PEOPLESEDIT
WEEKEND INBOX
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Credit Rating for SMEs
atul P naik
Talking Garbage
The time has come and come now to stop language protag-
onists from deciding the faith of our children. The issue of
which medium of instruction should be imparted to our
children, as they grow up to face the world, should rest with par-
ents and parents alone. Have the custodians of Konkani assumed
the roles of fathers and mothers of thousands of children, who
are at the crossroads of confusion, with Konkani the medium of
instruction till class four and then the switch to English?
The inherent and false insecurities of language protagonists
should not jeopardise careers and futures. Is Konkani preserved
and protected in a nice silver casing and covered with mothballs
for posterity, if students are forced to learn it till class four?
Parents in the year 2011 are looking for their children to grow
up and compete in a real world. They are looking to their children
competing in exams, responding to interviews, applying to col-
leges around the country and abroad and then embarking on
professional careers. And all this happens in English and the
whole country realizes this.
Keep this simple and leave it to the parents. Parents who save
money and make sacrifices. Allow them to chose one medium of
instruction and go with it from class one to ten with Konkani as
a compulsory language. And it will be no surprise what that
choice will be English. Just check these facts from schools in
Margao. In the Fatima school the strength of the students in class
is 117 and goes up to 163 in class five. So there are 46 extra seats
in class five. In the Loyola school, the strength in class four goes
up from 100 to 189 in class five an increase of 89 seats. These
additional seats, according to the management of both schools
are filled by students from expensive English medium schools
like Manovikas and Vidya Vikas Academy etc.
So this is the reality check. Parents enroll their students in ex-
pense private English medium schools to avoid forcing them to
learn Konkani till class four and then transfer them to cheaper
aided schools like Fatima and Loyola in class five when the
medium of instruction is English. There is a clear writing on the
wall, on the blackboard, on text books and everywhere else. Eng-
lish is the preferred medium of instruction with no offence or af-
fect to the mother tongue which will continue to be taught and
preserved.
Underlying all this is a tinge of hypocrisy as well. Politicians
across Goa have not even spared education as a tool for political
mileage, rising up in support of the mother tongue when it suits
the only to become English babus when delegations from Parent
Teacher Associations threaten mass agitations. Most politicians,
especially the ones from Salcette, including those who have
raised the banner of Konkani as a medium of instruction have al-
lowed their children to study in posh all-English schools. They
have all made these choices as parents. If they have done so as
parents, why are playing with the futures of children of countless
other parents?
It is this otherisation which is despicable. Politicians keep their
children out of the debate by sending them to a private universe
of education, untouched by their political compulsions, leaving
other humble fathers and mothers in a take it or leave it situation.
There are countless stories of children of drivers, guards, domes-
tic helps who save up money to give their children English edu-
cation. Its a choice they make. Why should that choice not be
given to them?Let us also make no mistake that the government
is making conciliatory noises and getting pushed to taking a de-
cision favouring the PTAs and even the sections of the church
because this is election year and this is a huge emotive issue. You
can arguably play around by not giving power or water or have
a shoddy public distribution system, you can take kickbacks for
government projects, but try playing with a parent who sees his
childs future getting stymied year after year and you are in trou-
ble. This trouble will come to the doorstep of every minister and
MLA and will refuse to go away till you give them the only com-
pensation they crave, for the troubles inflicted on them choice.
Dont give them this and they will make another choice. To throw
this government out.
Stopping messingwith Goas parents
Self oriented budgetThe budget proposed by the Finance
Minister not other than Chief Minister is
self oriented and not growth oriented. A
huge amount of commission awaits the
Chief Minister and the Education Min-
ister through the proposed scheme of
supply of laptops to students of Std XI.
The cost of petrol and diesel has already
reached the highest peak under the
Congress government at the Centre and
the 2 per cent increase of the existing
cost of petrol and diesel by the Goa Fi-
nance Minister is too much for the com-
mon man. The budget speech of the
Chief Minister was boring, as evidenced
in the pictures of sleeping MLAs and
ministers during the budget session.
(Herald, 18 Mar).
Marcos Alemao, by email
Panjim is getting
cleaner
We can already see Panjim getting
cleaner, the gutters in the city are being
cleanedand on enquiry, the supervisor
said they will be going all around. Drop-
ping of the alleged scamsters was a huge
step towards cleaning up Panjim. The
heat generated by prominent citizens of
Panjim has made elected leaders con-
scious of the fact that that corruption will
not to be tolerated.
The very news of induction of Ms. Pa-
tricia with no strings of interference at-
tached, is making us breathe easier. I am
sure most of us citizens will rush to her
call and participate in the clean-up
process. Babush has promised clean
governance, and a clean city. We all look
forward to this. Transparency in the
functioning of the CCP, with regular up-
dates on the website of the decisions,
and works proposed and carried out,
will make things cleaner. We also pray
that politics and politicians will become
clear, because that is where conscience
ultimately leads all to, some day.
Raj Vaidya, Panaji
Tipping the scalesThis writer is teaching at the +2 level for
the past 21 years.
Is English an unknown or foreign lan-
guage to Goa? Is English not the lan-
guage used for all purposes in the entire
country? Is Konkani equipped with the
vocabulary to explain even simple con-
cepts in mathematics and science? Can
a student is who is suddenly introduced
to English medium as late as in the 5th
standard, attain command over good
English which is required to enable him
to study in higher classes?
Now if the RTE is adopted then con-
stitutionally under the Grant in Aid
Code a school with any medium of in-
struction should be entitled for full gov-
ernment aid.
Anthony Alvares, Navelim
LOO misses the busWith the CCP elections going the
Babush way, it is now time for the winds
of change to sweep Goas capital city,
Panjim. On his election rally, Babush
clearly and cleverly chanted his slogan
Chalo Panjim and with the CCP results
now out, political pundits have retorted
that the doors to Panjim are now open
for change.
My heart goes out to the Leader of Op-
position (LOO), Manohar Parrikar that
despite floating fly by night NGOs and
roping in people of credit and repute, he
didnt manage to get a stronghold in his
very own constituency.
But at the eve of every election, Par-
rikar targets the casinosone wonders
whether it is an extortion gimmick or a
pressure tactic. After the elections, casi-
nos can breathe easy.
Parrikar is well known to be putting
his foot in his mouth every time as he
praises his opponents now and would
not hesitate to denounce them later.
The LOO has also gone soft on the
non-performing and corrupt Kamat
government and the one who had ex-
pressed apprehensions on Naxalites in
Goa in the past, has stopped short on
commenting on illegal mines.
I think the time is come for Parrikar to
seek political asylum away from Goa.
Cedric Da Costa, Margao
Revamp Goas education system
Referring to English medium issue
comes knocking (Herald, 17 March) it
is time our politicians realise that one
needs to study in English like every
where else. Besides, the curriculum
must include the study of Portuguese,
and law. The performance at the tenth
standard will enable the students to gain
entry at the college level (XI and XII) for
Arts, Science or Commerce.
Anthony Fernandes, Mapusa
For let ters to the edi tor contact us at edi tor [email protected]
The Jaitapur nuclear plantJoaquim correia-afonso
The supposedly people-friendly
Congress government at the
centre is moving ahead with
plans to build the worlds largest nu-
clear power project on an earthquake
hotspot, putting millions of Indians at
risk. Jaitapur, near Ratnagiri in the
Konkan region of Maharashtra,
where the project will come up, is said
to be located bang in a seismic zone
susceptible to very strong seismic ac-
tivity.
The Union Environment Minister
Jairam Ramesh says that the Centre
was open to putting additional envi-
ronmental safeguards in place to pro-
tect the proposed nuclear reactors in
Jaitapur. Didnt Japan, a technologi-
cally advanced country, put sufficient
safeguards in place to prevent a catas-
trophe?
There were 92 earthquakes in 20
years in Jaitapur, which is an average
of over four per year. According to sci-
entists, the ground there is unstable.
There is no guarantee that the gov-
ernments safeguards will protect the
people and the ecologically sensitive
Konkan coast from a nuclear disaster.
One of the residents of a village 20
Km from Jaitapur remembers that
the earth shook and the road outside
his house just vanished, forming a
gorge. What if the earth shakes again
and the ground below the nuclear
plant caves in?
Even with the additional safe-
guards that will be put in place, will
the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant
withstand the impact of large natural
disasters, such as tsunamis and earth-
quakes? The proposed energy park is
particularly dangerous as the gigantic
nuclear development will rely on a
brand new type of mega-reactor that
has not been approved for use any-
where in the world. The plant would,
moreover, be an environmental disas-
ter, destroying one of Indias greatest
natural landscapes, destroying the
habitats of tigers, elephants and thou-
sands of other species.
Isnt the government being irre-
sponsible and insensitive to the inter-
ests of the local people by persisting
with the project, despite knowing very
well the problems that it may create,
the ecological destruction that it will
bring about, as against its advan-
tages? Why should this controversial
project continue? Why not give it up?
Even an advanced country like
Germany has already decided to de-
commission almost half of its nuclear
plants, reversing a controversial deci-
sion to expand its nuclear pro-
gramme. Isnt it time for India to make
the same decision? Or are there some
kickbacks that prevent kicking out the
project?
Patricia Pinto
CHAKACHAK
BUSINESSINCORPORATED
-
7 www.oheraldo.in
goa Ekvott consists of about 20 Musicians,singers and dancers. They will perform inPanjim on June 3, Margao on June 4, Ban-galore on June 7, Mumbai on June 9 andDelhi on June 11.
-- Eduardo Faleiro
All should pray for those victims and forthe souls who have departed in the Japanearthquake and tsunami waves.
--- Parwadeshwar Maharaj
Goa I Saturday 19, March 2011
AppoIntmEnts
AppoIntmEnts
appointments
SNAPSHOT
PWD Minister Churchill Alemao felicitated at the hands of
Governor S S Sidhu for his immense contribution in the
development of sports in the state.
CRG wants judges reinstated
Panjim:Childrens Rights in Goa in a press release
says in spite of the unanimous demand of the Bar As-
sociation of Goa and the resolution passed at public
meetings attended by respected citizens from all over
Goa demanding the withdrawal of the suspension of
judges Anuja Prabhudesai and Desmond DCosta, no
positive action has been taken to date.
The press release further states, what do we tell our
children? that conscientious and honest professionals
are rewarded with suspensions? A child watching the
news about Judge Desmonds suspension asks did this
uncle do something wrong? his mother has a tough
time explaining that such bad things can happen to good
people she has an even tougher time explaining that
upright judges can be treated unjustly. CRG urges the
powers that be to stop making a mockery of our justice
system and to immediately reinstate Judge Desmond
DCosta and Judge Anuja Prabhudesai, adds the press
release.
Lenten drama at SanguemPanjim:Sacred Heart of Jesus Art and Cultural
group of Vaddem, Sanguem will be presenting its first
Lenten drama Mogan Seva Korunk in collaboration
with Tiatr Academy of Goa, directed by Parish Priest
Fr Tadeo DSilva, SFX and written by Rozario Leitao,
which will be staged on March 20 at 7 pm at Sacred
Heart of Jesus, Vaddem, Sanguem.
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, MARCH 18: Commis-
sioner for NRI Affairs, Ed-
uardo Faleiro said that the
office of Commissioner NRI
Affairs has invited Ekvott a
group of Goan artistes based
in Portugal formed more
than two decades ago to visit
India in the month of June
next and perform in associa-
tion with the Indian Centre
for Cultural relations.
Faleiro said, the group con-
sists of about 20 Musicians,
singers and dancers. They
will perform in Panjim on
June 3, Margao on June 4,
Bangalore on June 7, Mum-
bai on June 9 and Delhi on
June 11.
Elaborating further to the
media at Porvorim, Faleiro
Ekvott to perform in India: Faleiro
said, the purpose of this
group is to make traditional
music and dance of Goa such
as Dekhni, Dulpod, Dhalo
and Mando know to wider
audiences and to motivate
young generation of Goans
born abroad to identify them-
selves with their ancestral
roots and culture.
Faleiro also introduced
Prof Euginio Viassa Monteiro
a Goan settled in Lisbon. He
is the President of Portugal
India Friendship Society in
Lisbon and is Head of the De-
partment at the Portuguese
Business School. Prof Mon-
teiro is an eminent economist
who has written extensively
on economic developments
and authored several articles,
essays and books in Portugal
and Spain. His latest book is
O Despertar da India(The
Rise of India). It has been
published in Portuguese and
Spanish languages. Its Eng-
lish edition will be published
soon, Faleiro added.
Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Eduardo Faleiro briefing the
media on Ekvott a group of Goan artistes based in Portugal.
Interview at GUPanjim:A walkin-interview will be held on March
25 at 2.30 pm in the Department of Physics, Goa Uni-
versity, for the post of temporary Research Assistant, to
work on research project titled Non-Invasive Glu-
cometer (Phase II) funded by ICMR. The candidates
should be M.Sc in Electronics/BE Electronics with
minimum 55% marks.
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARCEL, MARCH 18: Shree
Parwadeshwar Maharaj and
Shree Bahu Maharaj along
with their disciples at the
Bethora Muth in Ponda paid
homage to the people killed in
the natural disaster in Japan.
Shree Parwadeshwar Ma-
haraj said all should pray to
those victims and for the
souls who have departed in
the Japan earthquake and
tsunami waves.
A prayer was said and can-
dles were lit in memory of
those departed and for early
recovery of the injured.
We have progressed in
every field, but controlling
earthquake or Tsunami is be-
yond our reach. We are as-
sembled here to pray for those
who have suffered in this nat-
ural calamity in Japan. I hope
our prayers will give strength
to the people of Japan, said
Shree Parwadeshwar Ma-
haraj while addressing the
condolence meeting.
Parwadeshwar Maharaj
was concerned over growing
use of nuclear power and
urged people to seriously
think over it.
He said that nuclear radia-
tions now posed danger to
human life in Japan. We cre-
ated nuclear energy. It has
got both negative as well pos-
itive aspects, the time has
come for thinkers to seriously
deliberate on this issue, said
Shree Parwadeshwar Ma-
haraj.
Homage paid
to victims of
Japan quake
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, MARCH 18: By an
amendment to Representation
of the People Act, 1950, which
has come into effect w.e.f. Feb-
ruary 10, 2011, an Indian Citi-
zen who is not residing at
his/her place of ordinary resi-
dence in India owing to em-
ployment, education or
otherwise, and has not ac-
NRI can register in electoral rollquired citizenship of any other
country and who is not in-
cluded in the electoral roll, is
entitled to have his/her name
registered in the electoral roll of
the constituency of residence
as mentioned in the passport.
Goans who have com-
pleted 18 years of age as of on
January 1, 2011 can register
their names after completing
the formalities.
Panjim: Government of
Goa has constituted the State
Executive Committee consist-
ing under the Disaster Man-
agement Act, 2005. The
Committee will be headed by
Chief Secretary as Chairper-
son, Ex-Officio, Secretary
(Public Work Department),
Secretary (Transport) and Sec-
Disaster panel constitutedretary (Finance) are Members
Ex-Officio, Secretary (Rev-
enue) is the Member Secretary,
Ex-Officio of the Committee.
The Government has also
established the State Disaster
Response Fund under the
Disaster Management Act.
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CANACONA, MARCH 18: With
Shigmo festival around the
corner, elders in Canacona
taluka feel that the traditional
celebration has now become
a subdued affair.
Traditional Shigmo festiv-
ities are presently observed
all over the State in a long-es-
tablished manner and they
have their own customary
practices.
While Pagis (ordinarily
known as fishermen commu-
nity) have their own set of cus-
toms, its no different with
Velips-Gaonkars, Komarpant,
Bandekars, Dessais and
other smaller sects, who too
have their own individual
roots of celebrations and sep-
arate mands to observe tra-
ditional Shigmo festival.
But in most sects, festivi-
ties which are almost interre-
lated with other groups and
going through certain indi-
vidual rituals are now con-
cerned about the poor
participation or lack of
knowledge of folk dances
practiced by respective com-
munity members.
In few localities of Cana-
cona taluka, the customary
Shigmo observation by few
sects taking out Mel has or-
dinarily commenced begin-
ning last