An Insolent UPA

CHECKS and balances constitute the foundation of democracy. These internal controls ensure accountability of the government, so that the government may not run amok. However for the present central government, these internal control mechanisms seem to be a hindrance.

It was first the Prime Minister who said that the Supreme Court should not encroach upon the domain of policy when the Court intervened in the matter of rotting food grains. Now his law minister has gone further to suggest that the CVC and the CAG cannot interfere with the policies of the government in the context of the telecom muddle. If this claim of the government goes unchallenged, the government in power may pursue disastrous and corrupt policies, while the ‘watchdogs’ of democracy watch from the sidelines. Fortunately, the CAG does not take its brief from the government in power; it is answerable only to the Parliament.

SND POOJARY, Miramar

Let’s have Educated Leaders

WE often hear people say that Goa is being raped by our corrupt and greedy politicians. Little do we realise that these very corrupt and greedy politicians are elected by our very own people. Over the decades, we have the same politicians ruling us and we have only ourselves to blame for this as we are the ones that elect them year after year. It is high time we realise our mistake and elect new faces and educated leaders who have a vision for Goa and Goans or else we will lose whatever little is left.

JOAQUIM A FERNANDES, Calangute

Goa’s Secular Creed

WE are almost at the end of the holy month of Ramazan, the month of fasting. Coincidentally, the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr will coincide with the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated by Hindus the world over. Goa is a unique secular state. From time immemorial, Goans of different faiths–Hindu, Christian and Muslim–observe the festivals of Diwali, Christmas and Eid by distributing sweets to their neighbours, irrespective of religion, caste and creed. Festivals unite people of different beliefs and such traditions and feelings of brotherhood must continue for the betterment of our community.

MUHAMMED USMAN SARMADI, Curchorem

Illegalities in the CCP

THIS is in reference to a special meeting of the CCP held on August 16, shown live on TV for discussing various frauds committed in the allotment of the shops as well as spaces in the city municipal market complex. Many shops and spaces are found registered in the name of some present councillors and the kith and kin of these councillors are seen applying for transference of the same in their names. As per the Municipality Act amended from time to time, the shops and spaces have to be auctioned or tendered. No councillor can obtain municipality property in their names. If this is done, the particular councillor or councillors must be disqualified and debarred from contesting elections to the municipality in future as per the Municipality Act. The people of Panaji, Taleigao, Caranzalem, Dona Paula, Ribandar need to be vigilant. In the meantime, the government may start the process of disqualifying the councillors who have registered shops and spaces in their name in the municipal market.

ANIL DESSAI, Panaji