Outstation vehicles sans number plates
Now that the tourists have started to pour into Goa, many a time we can notice 4-wheelers without permanent registration number plates. Incidentally, this is not a new trend and has been going on for a few years. These vehicles display temporary numbers that are allotted prior to obtaining the permanent registration/number plates. How is that the dealer in the States from where the tourists come have not done the permanent registration of the vehicles?
The tourists arriving in such vehicles cross into Goa by hoodwinking the road transport officers. After such an audacious action, the tourists drive all over Goa without any fear of being challenged. This is another mannerism of tourists to say that anything goes in Goa. Although the public can many a time sight outstation vehicles without permanent registration but it appears that the traffic cops are either blissfully oblivious to the fact or not bothered to catch the offenders.
Hope that the authorities get their acts together, be vigilant and take the lawbreakers to task.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Political parties or travel agencies?
Earlier this month the AAP head honcho and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had visited Goa and promised free pilgrimages to Ayodhya, Velankanni, Shirdi and Ajmer Sharif if voted to power. Not to be outdone our Hon'ble CM was quick off the mark and announced an intrastate temple run for seniors aged 60 and above. Sometimes it appears that the CMs of both States are running a travel agency rather than a government.
The Goa Darshan offer can be availed of merely by submitting copies of Aadhar and vote ID cards to the office of the deputy collector; the whole scheme would be run under the aegis of the social welfare department. The essential subtext is of course a quid pro quo, 'visit the temples and vote for us.'
This begs the question, where does the money for this religious tourism and other populist schemes come from? Obviously from the pockets of us, the ordinary folk in the form of increased taxes, cess, duties, etc. The Indian netas' abhorrent use of religion to share votes has no parallel in the world.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
On letting out rooms to minors
It is learnt that a 13-year old boy from Thane district in Maharashtra left his home and was later found in a guest house in Calangute. The boy was reunited with his parents by the Goa police three days after he left home. There could be several such instances wherein under-aged boys from other States leave their homes for the sake of adventure and land up in Goa.
‘The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights’ has reportedly requested the director of tourism to direct all guesthouse operators to report incidents of minors trying to check in. Allowing minors to check in at hotels and guest house is in clear violation of Section 8 (10) (b) of the Goa Children’s Act 2003 and Rules, 2004 which states that no child should be allowed to enter any room of any hotel or establishment which provides boarding or lodging, or any similar facility unless the child is registered as staying in that room with family, relatives or a person related by blood.
travellers and tourists who come to Goa prefer to stay in rented premises reportedly making it difficult for the authorities to keep a check on those travelling with children not related to them and exploiting them.
According to the authorities concerned it thus becomes absolutely necessary for all hotels and guesthouses to not let out the rooms to minors and to immediately report the matter to the police if there is any suspicion as regards those accompanying the minor.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Old Goa feast fair 2021
After a gap of one year, faithful flocks will gather once again at the feet of St Francis Xavier our Goencho Saib to seek his blessings and graces in our life. Recently a published article of the feast fair and around 300 stalls to be given permission is indeed shocking to know that new comers who want to put stalls have no chance or authority to acquire stalls.
I visited the Old Goa panchayat and found out that the stalls are given only for those who are there 30 to 40 years back and new people can't even dream of it. Government and all other authorities can easily give permit for non Goans and they get all their works done within no time limit but Goans have to bear all rules and regulations. This is a pathetic system and need to rethink as everyone deserves to place their things for sale.
Peter Pires, by email
Rising cultivation cost of paddy
This has reference to the report ‘Rising cultivation cost, crop losses force Ponda farmers to keep fields fallow’ (Herald, November 5). It’s not just farmers of Ponda, it’s about farmers and paddy across Goa.
Rising costs of man power, fuel, transport together with harsh weather conditions make it absolutely non-profitable for the farmers. Risk factor has doubled in the last few years. Above all the Department of Agriculture has taken a back seat instead of being at the forefront. Not knowing how to tackle the issue to double production nor double income of paddy farmers, the department has chosen to look the other way.
Till date certified seeds are not available for the Rabi season. Farmers are sowing local seeds which means low production.
The MSP of paddy has not changed for several years, still at Rs 20/kg. Standard cost of machinery involved has not changed for the last 6 years and more. There is much more that can be said of the poor performance of the department.
Remember no farmer - no food. It’s time the department of Agriculture becomes pro active and leads from the front.
George Quadros, Raia
Tiny tots and classes offline
It will be back to school for tiny tots with the Karnataka government preparing to open kindergartens attached to schools in those talukas where the Covid-19 positivity rate is less than two per cent. Classes will function for half a day from November 8.
The guidelines for opening classes include obtaining written parental consent before sending one’s child for offline class. Social distancing, masking and hygiene are mandatory. Though parents will keep their fingers crossed, it is vital not to panic.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Claims on potholes, a big joke
Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant after facing a lot of flak from all sides had confidently assured Goans last month that his government would fully repair all the potholed roads before November 1, 2021 in Goa. Unfortunately, the condition (with the exception of a few main national highways) of most roads (especially in the interior villages) seem to look more worse even after the completion of the said given deadline in Goa.
Of course, our PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar claims that nearly 80% of the potholed roads have already been repaired and that only 20% road repairing work is still left to be completed in Goa.
When most of these roads have not even been fully hot-mixed but have been partly fixed with cosmetic touches, how can Pauskar claim that his department has already repaired almost 80% of the potholed roads in Goa?
I think that if our politicians cannot get simple things done at a given time then they should immediately resign.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao