Smart City Panjim: A discoloured rainbow
The ambitious Smart City project in Panjim, once envisioned as a beacon of progress and innovation, has become a glaring symbol of broken promises and mismanagement. The deadline of May 31st, set by the government, has been missed by a considerable margin, leaving citizens in a state of frustration and disillusionment.
Local MLA Atanasio Babush Monserrate once infamously remarked, “If you want to see the rainbow in a clear sky, you gotta face the storm and the dark skies that precede it.” His words, intended to inspire patience and perseverance, now seem like a cruel joke. Forget the colourful rainbow; the citizens of Panjim have been left with a discoloured and patchy one, a mockery of what was promised.
The Smart City organisation, entrusted with transforming Panjim, is riddled with corruption, ego, and inefficiency. The very people who were supposed to bring about change have become obstacles to progress. The project has devolved into a series of half-hearted efforts, each more disappointing than the last.
It’s high time the central government intervenes before the historic beauty of Panjim is irreversibly marred. The city, with its rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes, deserves better than this farce of a Smart City project.
As it stands, Panjim is far from smart. The city’s infrastructure is in shambles, and its citizens are fed up with the empty promises and lack of tangible results. The project has left Panjim in such a sorry state that it can hardly be called a city anymore. It’s time for real change, for accountability, and for a vision that truly respects and enhances the beauty of Amche Ponje.
Prathamesh Naik, Panjim
MLAs needed to attend to emergencies
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for Friday. According to IMD a low-pressure system has formed over the West Central and adjoining Northwest Bay of Bengal and is expected to intensify further. It is learnt that heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to continue for more days. The state as a whole is experiencing a 52.9% surplus in rainfall for the season so far.
The heavy downpour continues to cause damage to life and property, probably unprecedented in the recent past. Incessant rains are triggering house wall collapse, major land-slides, causing flooding of houses, uprooting of trees and electric poles resulting in disruption of power. Trees have been falling on houses, parked and even moving vehicles. Many have suffered huge losses. Monsoon mayhem has also led to the death of citizens. During such times of crisis it would be prudent for the elected representatives to be on the ground in their respective constituencies overlooking the various rescue operations and taking preventive measures.
However all the MLAs are in the Goa Legislative House attending the ongoing monsoon assembly session. Given the crisis-like situation prevalent in the state, it would be in the fitness of things for the assembly session to be suspended for a few days so that the MLAs can attend to emergencies in their respective constituencies. Heavens will not fall if the assembly session is suspended until the situation normalizes. The session could be extended later on.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Give priority to skill development
Hourly wages have become the norm even in advanced economies worldwide. In Goa, the shortage of skilled manual workers persists due to the migration of many of our citizens abroad. This has created a significant demand for carpenters, masons, electricians, plumbers, tailors, bakers, woodcutters, and manual labourers for various construction and road projects.
As a result, there is a notable influx of workers from states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka, among others. Additionally, there is a high demand for domestic helpers.
Recognizing this shortage, these workers have collectively demanded a minimum hourly wage of Rs 100, which is gaining acceptance and impacting the labour market dynamics. However, there are discrepancies in the actual hours worked compared to expectations, especially among daily wage workers who often work fewer hours than their contracted 8-hour shifts, resulting in lower monthly earnings compared to salaried employees.
It is imperative for the government to prioritize skill development initiatives to address this shortage and prevent further migration of skilled workers seeking better opportunities elsewhere. Moreover, there is a pressing need to improve the working conditions, including hours, accommodation, food, and overall living conditions, for these workers.
In southern regions, the demand for hourly domestic help services is on the rise, indicating a shift in labour trends.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
Maintain sanctity of UPSC exams
The Iron Man of India, Sardar Patel inaugurated the newly-created Indian Administrative Service in 1947. Most civil servants recruited by the UPSC are deserving people of exceptional calibre. The recent allegations have surfaced amid the ongoing controversy around probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar of Maharashtra cadre, who has been accused of forging disability certificates and OBC certificate to pass civil service exam as well as allegedly submitting a mental illness certificate to become an IAS officer.
Her father owns property worth several crores and is a retired bureaucrat. How can such a wealthy family take benefits of
reservations?
There was a huge furore over the NEET scam. It’s very strange, rather shocking that India’s top examination is mismanaged.
Questions are being raised over the verification system for the OBC and EWS quotas and disability reservation. The UPSC needs to have a robust verification system, which it seems to be missing. These fraudulent practices not only undermine the integrity of the reservation system but also deprive deserving candidates of their rightful opportunities.
K G Vilop, Chorao