[Goanet] Development cauldron
Development cauldron The reasons for defections and poaching are rooted into parties strategies Most of the projects ,development are alloted to places from where the ruling party candidates are elected. It means there is no uniform distribution of projects throughout length and breadth of the country. THIS strategy operates at the centre and state level with impunity. The legislators in opposition have to beg the ruling party to allot funds for their Constituency.It looks like that wealth resources of the State or Country are at the sweet disposal of ruling party alone to allot it as per whimps and fancies. It helps propaganda machine at elections time to show case development. Naturally the opposition are left high and dry to show any projects that have benefited their Constituency, as they are completely helpless at the mercy of ruling dispensation . Hence this is lopsided strategy to strangulate opposition . The only redeeming factor at the centre is that every MP is allotted discretionary funds at his disposal for necessary action.Once again it is also allotted to MLA's of his own party and discrimination continues It would be advisable to have a commission including members of all parties for equal distribution of funds spread over all constituencies .This will never be accepted as it would diminish , undermine their political advantage of reelection process. Hence those in opposition at the Centre and States are starved of funds for any development, unless they secretely or openly make common cause with the ruling party whatever that it means. Hence the opposition is left to criticise at every step to show their existence and relevance. Federalism must lead to equitable distibution of resources of wealth and uniform development of all regions irrespective of ruling party' s political hold Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
[Goanet] Development for Dummies (Times of India, 21/7/2018)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/development-for-dummies/articleshow/65075949.cms Boating on the Bambolim plateau, high above the known water bodies of Goa? That ridiculous scenario became reality earlier this month, when huge amounts of rainwater backed up along the ill-conceived, uber-expensive and extraordinarily poorly planned NH 17 highway expansion project. Sheldon D’Souza was filmed zipping up and down the submerged tarmac in his kayak, in a clip which has gone viral to draw considerable disbelief and disgust from around the world. D’Souza was quoted saying, “I was even thinking of putting on a jetski so that the government and the authorities could see the problems faced by the people. We had no road to come out on because of the flooding. We had also urged the company to build two nullahs so that the water could flow into the valley but nothing was done.” Meanwhile, nearly identical scenes played out across India’s smallest state, with tens of thousands of citizens marooned by flooding on a scale beyond recent memory. Unusually heavy rains coincided with an exceptionally high tide, but what tipped this hazardous circumstance to outright disaster was the rampant destruction of age-old drainage systems by construction run amok, combined with widespread blockage of existing rivulets, nullahs and other outlets with huge amounts of garbage. The situation is particularly bad in and around the capital city, where consistently irresponsible neglect of basic principles of sustainable development has produced outright disaster. Vast sums have been squandered here in recent years in the name of infrastructure development, but it is plainly evident what has resulted is mainly heedless destruction, amid steady degradation of what was truly an enviable quality of life. What kind of “development” benefits almost no one, while wilfully destroying the most priceless assets? This is precisely the zero-benefit model being violently imposed on Goa, in conspicuous contravention of all democratic norms and regulatory framework. It is readily seen that when this administration exercises itself to action, it is usually to battle against against the interests of both citizens and environment. This is the official view of the highest courts of the land. On February 7 this year, the Supreme Court protested that this government’s considerations were obviously “not for the people of Goa”. The High Court issued further rebukes on May 7, saying “the state must keep in mind it acts as a trustee of the people” yet the Goa’s government is “vociferous” in its “vehemence” fighting against the interests of its own citizens, in a manner “too stark for us not to notice. We write it here because it pains *our* conscience.” In a truly functioning democracy, such a stunning indictment would bring down the government, or at least offer considerable pause for responsible rethinking. But in Goa, a very long series of similarly stinging slaps and judicial defeats have not at all slowed down the government’s relentless assault. Its tallest leaders keep on blithely repeating the same rejected lines even while mired in disgrace, with their mandate long since disappeared. Just this weekend, during the first official visit to the state by the impressively dignified President Ram Nath Kovind, chief minister Manohar Parrikar expressed great pride that the renewed mining ban caused by his own government’s irregularities did not hamper his construction agenda. Ignoring the floods that paralyzed the state hours earlier, he said, “Goa is poised to take off to the next level of development and it will become a model for the rest of the country.” The great George Orwell described a marvellously useful concept, that is uncannily apt in Goa at this juncture. In his classic ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four” he wrote about deliberately ambiguous terminology deployed by politicians, or “doublespeak”. According to the author, “the great enemy of clear language is insincerity. Where there is a gap between one's real and one's declared aims, one turns instinctively to…exhausted idioms.” This is the case with the absurdly stupid scams lumped under the label of “Smart City’, and also with the term “development”. Used by politicians in Goa, it simply means cover-up for every kind of dubious, illegal and unnecessary expenditure resulting in egregious losses to the exchequer. Here it is again useful to recall the Supreme Court’s admonishments earlier this year, while commenting at length about this Goa administration’s “total lack of concern for the environment, and the health and well-being” of citizens. The learned judges said the “excuse generally put forth by the State is that of development, conveniently forgetting that development must be sustainable and equitable development and not otherwise.”
[Goanet] Development in Goa
In the developed countries of this world, planning takes place at a grass roots level. There are residential areas and there are commercial areas and in some cases mixed development areas. Areas are set aside in the development plans for schools and places of worship. When a developer submits his project for approval, the planning agency makes an impact study to determine whether there is or will be sufficient water supply, linkage to sewer systems, electric supply, access roads etc. If it is determined that the project is deficient in the foresaid, an estimate is made of what it will cost to bring all these systems up to par. The developer is then required to pay a sum equivalent to the estimate, before his project is approved. It then becomes the Government; responsibility to ensure that all the support systems are developed concurrent with the building work. In Goa I have noticed that projects are developed haphazardly, causing a great deal of problems to neighborhoods, including lack of water supply, deficient electric current etc. Residential homes have been built in areas identified as "private forest".. In the absence of an approved Regional Plan apparently there are no restrictions on where one is allowed to build. Consequently, fields are filled in with what appears to be construction debris, probably late at night; Hills in off the beaten path locations are excavated with impunity, and new luxury homes are swiftly built and become a "fait accompli". In one location which was clearly private forest land the owner first constructed a "Gomti" or shrine. Then he constructed a temporary shelter with tarpaulins, then within the temporary shelter, a permanent home was built. With a "Gomti" or shrine Goans being either very spiritual or superstitious keep their hands off a site which has a "Gomti". A few months later, the house built on this site got an electric connection and a water connection.How ? I don't know. I am told that anything can be done with something called "speed money". Builders from Mumbai and Delhi with their coffers overflowing with "black money" are pushing their way into Goa, to build in locations where they could not previously build. Many of these developments remain half-empty but it does not bother the builders as long as their money is laundered and black money becomes white money. This is Goa .
[Goanet] Development report.
India No. 135! http://hdr.undp.org/en --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com
[Goanet] 'Development' ho!
To Goanet - Taken about an hour or so ago this evening. http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/Ribandar.jpg PS: Much more 'development' like is in the offing. From the Divar side more and more activity is visible now on the hill across (Kadamba plateau). r
[Goanet] Development in Taleigao Constituency
Taleigao development http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk60/8105086159/sizes/l/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk60/8105086665/sizes/l/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk60/8105087293/sizes/l/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk60/8105087829/sizes/l/in/photostream/ joego...@yahoo.co.uk for Goa NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ For Goan Video Clips http://youtube.com/joeukgoa In Goa, Dial 1 0 8 For Hospital, Police, Fire etc
[Goanet] Development lessons that Goans need to learn
Dry taps and open sewers: welcome to 'Millennium City' (Reuters) - Sarika Kapoor lives in a spacious home in one of the wealthiest cities in India. But something as simple as having a shower is fraught with problems. Most days there is just a trickle of water from the taps and sometimes even that dries up before noon. The 56-year-old has often had to scurry to a neighbour across a potholed road to borrow a bucket of water and haul it back to her rented $300,000 home, sweat rolling down her face. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/07/06/india-infrastructure-gurgaon-idINDEE8640EY20120706
[Goanet] Development of destruction
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php --- Development of destruction Fields are to cultivate and produce grain and our ancestors did exactly the same and by doing the same it is not just the survival of us but the nature survived too.During recent times it is not just the paddy fields but our precious green hills are lost too in the name of developmental conversions. No decent niz goenkar is against development provided it is planned and will benefit the niz locals and niz goenkars as a whole but the present pace at which our fertile land is converted into a concrete jungle will lead to destruction and only time will prove that.With regard to the Cuncolim Industrial Estate it was brought in the historic village of Cuncolim by promising jobs for the locals but in reality the same polluted the ground water and one can visit the same and find how many locals are been employed in the same. Another project thrown on the locals was the NUSI Hospital at Panzorcone Cuncolim,No Cuncollekar is against the same but can a common man afford to put his feet inside the same to seek medical treatment? Projects like the Cuncolim stadium,the market complex are worth to be appreciated but the way our fertile land been converted is a matter of concern though we are not bothered but the time will make us to bother and it will be too late. Now the NIT project on the Cuncolim-Balli border in the news,if I am not mistaken the Cabinet approval for the same was given in the year 2009 though some leaders presently shows unawareness of the same.Hectares of land will be sacrificed to make way for the same.Decent citizens are not against the same but as the citizens of the historic village, we have got the full right to know in what way it will benefit the real locals and niz goenkars as a whole.Will admissions be reserved for real locals?No way admissions can be reserved.Will jobs be reserved?if so,what percentage and type ?It may be recalled that the Industrial Estate was also thrown on Cuncollekars in the name of jobs for the locals but the realty is in front of the eyes. Once again,people like me are really not against the NIT project but it our right to know the benefits of the same to the locals.The project is welcome if it will really benefit Cuncollekars and goemkars as a whole,if not,we cannot afford to sacrifice our precious hilly land and even if the government forcibly tries to throw the project on us,we need to act like warriors but will we act like warriors?It's a million dollar question. Joel Morais P.O.Cuncolim, Bencleamvaddo, Salcette,Goa. Pin - 403703 mob - 9970561727
[Goanet] Development or Destruction?
Development or Destruction? My historic village of Cuncolim is very well known all around Goa for land conversions in the name of so called development.It all started with the Industrial estate promising jobs for locals but in reality the same polluted our clean land,our ground water and what not.As assembly elections are fast approaching,the issue of pollution may rise again but as usual the the presently MLA of Cuncolim will promise Cuncollekars with some sort of treatment plant to treat the same. No citizen of our country can be against development but we miserably failed to distinguish between development and destruction.A huge area of agriculture land was acquired for the present lone so called government village school playground at Cuncolim but till today it is not clear for Cuncollekar's like me that the same is for the use of the locals or for the practice sessions for Indian or other powerful football Clubs as gates of the ground are mostly been locked and people like me,have to jump over the gates to use the same. The people in power mostly had to convert agriculture land for development projects like the present five star bus stand,the market complex and Multipurpose hall next to the market Complex, the parking area etc.Agriculture land opposite to the five star bus stand also been acquired to have all government offices in Cuncolim under one roof but again since the Assembly elections are approaching and due to the one day hunger strike by farmer Vishnu Dessai,Joaquim Alemao says that the project on the said land will be scrapped. Development is required but the continuation of the same at the present pace will invite destruction and I am really surprised to see that the Cuncolim Union Sports Culb had to convert the historic Zulpea-Xett,the lone natural ground of those days in the heart of Cuncolim to make way for their Club house when so much land is available for government projects and the migrants to have their own houses. With regard to NIT,as a Citizen of the historic village of Cuncolim,it is my right to know, in what way it will benefit the locals and niz goenkars as a whole?With regard to the creation of jobs,I tried hard to get into the Cuncolim Industrial Estate as a Trainee Chemist, way back in 1996 but the company was looking for better candidates than me.If.in the name of NIT,our huge area of land will be mis-used by the people in power without benefiting locals than it's out right to oppose the same.It is our right to oppose if the selfish people are supporting the project for their personal gains as they always do but if it will really benefit the locals and goans, we should not be foolish to oppose the same. Joel MoraisP.O.Cuncolim,Bencleamvaddo,Salcette,Goa.mob - 9970561727
[Goanet] Development Triumphs over Caste in Bihar
NEW DELHI: Bihar's ruling alliance was slated to win 201 of the 243 seats, the Election Commission indicated on Wednesday based on trends. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) were poised to get 29 seats and the Congress six. According to the Election Commission website, updated at 2.30 pm, the Janata Dal-U (JD-U) could get 113 seats (leads and results) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 88. The RJD was slated to get 23 seats and the LJP six. The Congress lagged a distant third at six seats
[Goanet] Development planning law proposed for Goa
Development planning law proposed for Goa Navhind Times Published on: August 5, 2010 - 00:11 MARGAO: The Council for Social Justice and Peace, after a sustained study of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments and several state instruments of the Union has proposed a Development Planning Law for Goa in sync with the Constitution of India, announced its executive secretary, Fr Maverick Fernandes on Wednesday. The council has been in the forefront of social reform in the state. Stating that this study has been conducted over so many years, and is pertaining to local governance and access and use of land with differentially capped intensities, the CSJP stressed the mapped information and proposals were to be freely available to the public so that land use and other changes occur in a transparent manner and argued that this would help the government appointed committee in this long over-due exercise, adding We also hope that these recommendations get wide publicity for debate leading to a fine tuning of the CSJP recommendations so as to hasten the report of the government committee towards an acceptable Development Planning Act in place. These recommendations are in two parts: the national and the state context for the act and key aspects that need to be in place as part of the act. Some of the critical aspects addressed in these recommendations are: the creation of a Goa Development Planning Board composed entirely of elected representatives and which Board is required to ensure that the spatial use and intensity of land is in sync with socio-economic investment development through the State Planning Board that coordinates sectoral developments and interests; the functions and powers of the Board and the facilitating role of the chief planner and his/ her department is accordingly spelt out, the definition and broad contents of the Development Plans (20 year perspective, 5-year programmes and annual budgets) and comprising of inter-linked District Development Plans, Settlement Plans for municipalities and village panchayats and of Electoral Ward Plans are accordingly spelt out; an additional function to District Planning Committees (DPCs) to process District Development Plans under this act is recommended for greater coordination. An ideal composition o f DPCs comprising of elected representatives is also proposed. The CSJP also recommends that for plan making, districts are to be declared Planning Areas and Settlements are to be declared as Local Planning Areas and more importantly each district and their settlements would be their own Planning and Development Authority and plan formulation would be in outline form at start and final form after the suggestions/ objections process. It also wants plans for electoral wards to be part of settlement plans and all levels of plans- district settlement (municipal and village panchayat) and electoral wards would be interrelated in such a manner that Settlement Plans cannot function in isolation of the districts, likewise electoral wards are to be basic components of settlements. * * * Was life in the *kudds* glamourised? Who said, It appears that the Goanese (sic) are a roving people, prepared to go to any part of the world for well-paid employment? How did Goans find their first toehold in the Gulf? Find your answers in Selma Carvalho's *Into the Goan Diaspora Wilderness*. Buy from Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph +91-9822488564] Price (in Goa only) Rs 295. http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/ * * *
[Goanet] Development Has Damaged Goa's Environment
Freddy wrote : Development Has Damaged Goa’s Environment Development has damaged Goa’s environment Says Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister for Environment and Forests. It is indeed heartening to know that there is someone in the Government if not in Goa at least in Delhi, who is talking about facts and is holding his fort despite pressure from other ministries. It’s been known that the Road Transport and Highway Minister along with Civil aviation minister have been pushing Mr. Ramesh for NOC through protected land for roads and airport projects which Mr. Ramesh has refused on the grounds of environmental protection. I say good work Mr Jairam Ramesh even though he failed to protect our humble dwellings from the CRZ axe. Goa’s green cover is fast depleting and the ugly bald hills and filled up mangroves and fertile low lying fields and the open craters left over by mining have become the landscapes at the moment, a host of oversized mega housing projects have covered most of our coast today, this summer has been the hottest and the rains are less than normal, this has been the effect of the attack on our ecology and environment and as things stand and the apathy of our politicians towards nature, future looks blek and gloomy. There is indeed a lot at stake in Goa at the moment and if we ignore it now, we will loose everything and posterity will curse us for not thinking of them and acting accordingly. I request Mr. Jairam Ramesh to put pressure on the Goa Government to stop illegal mining and take firm action against those involved in it without any bias. Protect our ecology and our environment at all cost. The Environment Ministry’s decision to grant Goa “Special Status” is much appreciated. Comments : It is heartening to learn that atleast one politician i.e. Jairam Ramesh, the Union Minister for Environment and Forests acknoweledges that development has damaged Goa. While development is necessary it should be balanced. Non polluting industries should be encouraged like pharmaceutical, watch making, hospitality, etc. which would not destroy the environment. Switzerland is a very good example where the country has progressed as one of the most developed country, without compromising on nature. Development in Goa should not be at the cost of destroying Goa's natural beauty. Giving Goa SPECIAL STATUS is a step in the right direction and he should be commented for this. It is very rare that one comes across a politician who appears to do the right things atleast for now. Thanks and best wishes, Camilo Fernandes The content of this electronic communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and any others who are specifically authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or otherwise placing reliance on the contents of this information is prohibited and may be unlawful in certain legal jurisdictions. If you have received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately by responding to this email and then delete it from your system. __ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email __ Manage your finance and manage money through MSN Money Special Drag n’ drop _ The world on four wheels in MSN Autos http://autos.in.msn.com/
[Goanet] Development Has Damaged Goa's Environment
Development Has Damaged Goa's Environment Development has damaged Goa's environment Says Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister for Environment and Forests. It is indeed heartening to know that there is someone in the Government if not in Goa at least in Delhi, who is talking about facts and is holding his fort despite pressure from other ministries. It's been known that the Road Transport and Highway Minister along with Civil aviation minister have been pushing Mr. Ramesh for NOC through protected land for roads and airport projects which Mr. Ramesh has refused on the grounds of environmental protection. I say good work Mr Jairam Ramesh even though he failed to protect our humble dwellings from the CRZ axe. Stand for the truth and fight for the right or parish in the gutters of corruption. We do need development as long as it is constructive development and not destructive or at the cost of our ecology and our environment. If we go ahead with development at the cost of our ecology and our environment how long will we enjoy the fruits of the destructive development ? What will happen to posterity when there in no fresh water to drink, no enough trees left to take in our carbon dioxide and give us oxygen ? What will happen when, there is no land available for cultivation, as most the cultivable land is taken by mega projects bringing up concrete jungles and land that will be left, will be scorched and made barren by the infertile residue of mining dust and rejects ? What will happen to people living in and around the mining areas as they have been breathing in the dangerous dust day in and day out because of the air pollution ? Is this destructive development at the cost of our ecology, environment and life both animal and human, really worth it ? Mr. Ramesh rightly said that we should strike a balance between environment and development so that we live in harmony with nature and our surrounding, respect nature and we will survive a wee bit longer is the message which should be given out to the people. Though Mr. Ramesh said the right things about protecting our environment, I was mush confused and amused as to what development he was referring to, after thinking for a long time I came to the conclusion that what he perceives as development, is the same sinister development that our over expressive and overbearing PWD Minister was referring to, namely mega projects. What constructive development have we witnessed in Goa ? What has the government done to alleviate the water and power scarcity problem in Goa ? Has there been any development in our educational policy ? Has there been any developmental changes in our public health policy ? Has there been even a marginal changes in our employment policy ? Has the unemployed number decreased in any way ? Has road safety improved in any way ? Has crime and frauds especially by politicians come down in any way ? Has our government done anything yet to stop illegal mining and deforestation ? What has our government done to protect our fields, hills, mangroves, cummunidade lands and low lying fertile lands from builders and developers coming up with mega projects, that do not help us Goans nor can we afford them ? Most importantly has governance improved in any way ? The answers are frightening indeed and our politicians call it development ! If at all there is development, it should be in these above categories, so that the quality of life in Goa improves only then, we can call it development, else it is just degeneration and destruction of our natural resources. Goa's green cover is fast depleting and the ugly bald hills and filled up mangroves and fertile low lying fields and the open craters left over by mining have become the landscapes at the moment, a host of oversized mega housing projects have covered most of our coast today, this summer has been the hottest and the rains are less than normal, this has been the effect of the attack on our ecology and environment and as things stand and the apathy of our politicians towards nature, future looks blek and gloomy There is indeed a lot at stake in Goa at the moment and if we ignore it now, we will loose everything and posterity will curse us for not thinking of them and acting accordingly. I request Mr. Jairam Ramesh to put pressure on the Goa Government to stop illegal mining and take firm action against those involved in it without any bias. Protect our ecology and our environment at all cost. The Environment Ministry's decision to grant Goa Special Status is much appreciated. Freddy Agnelo Fernandes The content of this electronic communication is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and any others who are specifically authorized to receive it. It may contain confidential or legally privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified
[Goanet] Development has damaged Goa Environment: Ramesh
Jairam Ramesh needs to be lauded for having taken up the issue of protecting Goa’s environment and forests and speaking out against those bent on destruction of our Environment. He has clearly hit the nail on the head when he points out that the so-called development work in Goa has caused the worst damage to the Goan Environment and our forests. With our Goan politicians being the most corrupt, denigrated and vile bunch that we have representing us, all their con-schemes and projects in the name of “development” are only to push forward their hidden agenda of filling in their pockets and granting approvals left , right and centre. This goes for the Mining Industries Projects, Real Estate Projects, SEZs, Dual Airport Scheme, MPT Expansion Plans, etc – you name it all our Ministers and politicians today are all hand in glove with the Government Officials, TCP, Forest Department and Panchayats working at the behest of these project promoters to push through these projects, even if it means the destruction of Goa it’s environment and or delicate Ecology. Recently we heard of the Goa Government approaching the Centre and the World Bank for fighting Coastal Erosion which was unheard of in Goa before as we respected nature and our Environment. After causing the problem in the first place they are quick in putting out the begging bowl which again will be nothing but another way of stealing from the funds that they receive. Politicians like the Alemaos, Godinhos, Ranes, Monserrates and the rest of the Gang including those from the Opposition are not worthy of the position they enjoy! Please voice your support in favour of Jairam Ramesh for standing up against his own colleagues in calling a spade a spade and speaking out in favour of Goa. It’s up to us Goans to speak out against our own politicians and expose them as all our Goan villages face these problems on account of the close nexus between builders, Pancahayats, corrupt officials in the TCP and of course our greedy and corrupt politicians. There is a crying need to consolidate the efforts and expose the rot that has set in and put a stop to it. The villagers who have lived here for generations in these villages going back in time should be the ones to decide what kind of development they want and preserve the coastal ecology which is so important - Otherwise what we are seeing in terms of weather changes, soil erosion, tsunamis, floodings in Goa which were never heard of will be the order of the day. Consolidated efforts to rally and support the villagers so that no project is passed through without checking the damages to this delicate coastal ecology. We should all join hands to support what essentially is the heart of Goa –it’s villages, it’s people and their Goan way of life that will be destroyed due to the unending greed of a few and the open collaboration of our Goan politicians a corrupt, greedy and hopeless bunch!. Below is the article with MOEF Mr. Jairam Ramesh’s comments on the so-called development work in Goa. Our Goan Ministers and politicians need to read the writing on the wall and heed the warning before it’s too late! As for Digu-Kaka our CM “the man with the Golden Hand” and the rest of the 40 thieves shame on you! * Development has damaged Goa environment: Ramesh PTI BHOPAL, JULY 12 Development work had “inflicted the worst damage” to the environment and forests in Goa, Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said in Bhopal on Friday. He was speaking to NGOs at the sixth public consultation organised about the Green Mission at the Indian Forest Management Institute in the Madhya Pradesh capital. However, he said, afforestation and re-greening should be taken up on a war footing to make up the loss. Ramesh lamented that he was facing criticism from his cabinet colleagues for allegedly blocking development projects. “I am being considered as ‘Ravana’ for development projects,” Ramesh lamented. Without naming anyone, the minister said he was being considered as a person putting obstacles in the way of development projects. “Our department is being shown as the enemy of development, which is not the case,” he said. In recent months, Ramesh has come under attack from Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath over construction of highways through forests in Madhya Pradesh, as well as Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel for “delay” in the environmental clearance of the Navi Mumbai airport. “The biggest challenge for us is to strike a balance between environment and development,” Ramesh said. The minister said he was winning praises from NGOs and the people with regard to environment protection, but was at the receiving end from others, whom he did not name. Power generation, highways and other development work are bound to take place, he said, adding the country needs power and infrastructure to progress.
[Goanet] DEVELOPMENT FOR DESTRUCTION
Most politicians who rule India appear to encourage blackmail and corruption which oils the huge machinery which keeps them in power. Running the government has become their birthright, the political party their fiefdom. Out of power, they are like fish out of water. What is happening right before our eyes in tiny Goa ? There is no vision for long term benefit of the aam admi or saving Goa from further ruin . The politicians of the group of 7 are trying to strong-arm. the government, each individual with his own agenda. To add to it all, the Administration right hand does not know what the left is doing, and important files not moving. The common man is left helpless and humiliated with the conniving attitudes of our representatives and irresponsible bureaucrats. The flaunting of wealth by Mayawati at the silver Jubilee mega celebration of the BSP by a garland composed of Rs1000/- notes stitched together estimated at more than 5 crores was a raging topic. Another smaller garland of notes was thereafter, in defiance, gifted to her. I wonder why the RBI is silent on misuse of legal tender in those garlands and the income tax authorities, on how all this money is accounted for. In any case she is only doing crudely and openly what the others are doing sophisticatedly (if one can call it that) and clandestinely. The CBI Enforcement Agencies and the Police are hamstrung. Governments in power are able to do whatever they want with relative impunity! This is also evident from the performance in our State Legislative Assembly which was in session in March. They have postponed the two most important Bills on Police Reforms and The Goa Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2009 to the next session in July 2010! The Assembly was informed that since 2000 all the narcotics seized have not been properly listed nor any destroyed! In fact, were being used by the cops as a side business. The Business Advisory Committee referring to the Ad Hoc House Committee will now invite suggestions from the public but not allow public active participation. This allows them to simply reject/ignore the suggestions with no explanations. The scathing CAG observations are treated the same way. Whilst permitted environmentally unsustainable but lucrative mining has been increasingly devastating Goa and also widespread illegal mining, 100 new mining leases are reportedly sanctioned! The new Census figures will probably be used to convert villages into towns. The RP 2021 is nowhere near finalization, the government is still issuing permissions and appears to be working hard to regularize, stonewall, and cover up all illegalities. HSRP contract has been acquired fraudulently and government is refusing to move fast in the inter-state excise scam brought to light by the leader of the opposition in the last Assembly session. There appears to be a scam in every government contemplated or operated project. The unaccountable bureaucrats with 6th pay commission salaries today, are absent in the House when in session, give incorrect and evasive answers to questions, prompting our Speaker to order attendance under penalty and caution officials, like he did in the last session also, to provide correct answers to questions raised. Surprisingly, no punishment or corrective implementable measures are contemplated! There is no incentive for them to work. Loss making Kadamba Transport Corporation, one of the corrupt , mismanaged, unionised and great loss making organizations is rewarded by pay commission salaries without any link to productivity or efficiency! Six million tons of food grains rot in the open in Punjab and Rajasthan, whilst millions go hungry and at the same time, we read of starvation related deaths! Prices skyrocket beyond the reach of even the middle class. Considering the enormity of this crime, no one is punished or even properly chastised! Despite the Constitution and Democracy, the government using its powers, brazenly continues to bulldoze its way by pulling the wool over people and Court’s eyes, whilst serving the interests of entrenched politician and vested interests with impunity. All over Goa , no effective management of garbage, sewage and water supply. Casinos are proliferating, Drug pedlars active and even police blackmailing/doing drugs as a side business, and justice a casualty. The High Court had converted my article “Who Will Bell the Cat” (Herald 13Sep) into Suo Moto PIL 1 of 2009. I personally appeared before Justices S.B.Deshmuk and N.A.Britto on 1/10/09. I had thereafter submitted a Dossier of 7 pages with 9 enclosures including Exhibit of procured CFL, damning RTI back up evidence, my investigative corroboration, newspaper cuttings and detailed answers to the government Affidavit (which avoided directly answering most of my considered allegations) to Amicus Curiae advocate Shivan Desai with covering letter Quote “I have spent a lot of time,
[Goanet] DEVELOPMENT IN BLACKMAIL AND CORRUPTION
--- Sign the Petition requesting The Honble Minister of State for Environment and Forests (I/C) to maintain the moratorium on issuing further environmental clearances for mining activities in Goa http://goanvoice.org.uk/miningpetition.php --- The politicians who rule India appear to encourage blackmail and corruption which oils the huge machinery which keeps them in power. Running the government has become their birthright, the political party their fiefdom. Out of power, they are like fish out of water. What is happening right before our eyes in tiny Goa? There is no vision for long term benefit of the aam admi or saving Goa. The politicians of the group of 7 are trying to strong-arm. the government, each individual with his own agenda. To add to it all, the Administration right hand does not know what the left is doing, and important files not moving. The common man is left helpless and humiliated with the conniving attitudes of our representatives and irresponsible bureaucrats. The flaunting of wealth by Mayawati at the silver Jubilee mega celebration of the BSP by a garland composed of Rs1000/- notes stitched together estimated at more than 5 crores was a raging topic. Another smaller garland of notes was thereafter, in defiance, gifted to her. I wonder why the RBI is silent on misuse of legal tender in those garlands and the income tax authorities, on how all this money is accounted for. In any case she is only doing crudely and openly what the others are doing sophisticatedly (if one can call it that) and clandestinely. The CBI Enforcement Agencies and the Police are hamstrung. Governments in power are able to do whatever they want with relative impunity! This is also evident from the performance in our State Legislative Assembly which was in session in March. They have postponed the two most important Bills on Police Reforms and The Goa Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill 2009 to the next session in July 2010! The Assembly was informed that since 2000 all the narcotics seized have not been properly listed nor any destroyed! In fact, were being used by the cops as a side business. The Business Advisory Committee referring to the Ad Hoc House Committee will now invite suggestions from the public but not allow public active participation. This allows them to simply reject/ignore the suggestions with no explanations. The scathing CAG observations are treated the same way. Whilst permitted environmentally unsustainable but lucrative mining has been increasingly devastating Goa and also widespread illegal mining, 100 new mining leases are reportedly sanctioned! The new Census figures will probably be used to convert villages into towns. The RP 2021 is nowhere near finalization, the government is still issuing permissions and appears to be working hard to regularize, stonewall, and cover up all illegalities. HSRP contract has been acquired fraudulently and government is refusing to move fast in the inter-state excise scam brought to light by the leader of the opposition in the last Assembly session. There appears to be a scam in every government contemplated or operated project. The unaccountable bureaucrats with 6th pay commission salaries today, are absent in the House when in session, give incorrect and evasive answers to questions, prompting our Speaker to order attendance under penalty and caution officials, like he did in the last session also, to provide correct answers to questions raised. Surprisingly, no punishment or corrective implementable measures are contemplated! There is no incentive for them to work. Loss making Kadamba Transport Corporation, one of the corrupt , unionised and great loss making organizations is rewarded by pay commission salaries without any link to productivity or efficiency! Six million tons of food grains rot in the open in Punjab and Rajasthan, whilst millions go hungry and at the same time, we read of starvation related deaths! The shortfall has now to be imported and prices skyrocket beyond the reach of even the middle class. Considering the enormity of this crime, no one is punished or even properly chastised! Despite the Constitution and Democracy, the government using its powers, brazenly continues to bulldoze its way by pulling the wool over people and Court’s eyes, whilst serving the interests of entrenched politician and vested interests with impunity. To add to it all, there is global warming and all over Goa, no effective management of garbage, sewage and water supply. Casinos are proliferating, Drug pedlars active and police blackmailing/doing drugs as a side business, justice a casualty. This state of affairs is frightening! The High Court had converted my article “Who Will Bell the Cat” (Herald 13Sep) into Suo Moto
[Goanet] DEVELOPMENT OF GOA AND GOVERNMENT
- Goanetter Francis Rodrigues (Vasco/Toronto) unveils his book, The Greatest Konkani Song Hits. Launch dates: Goa (Kala Academy) on 9 Aug. 4 pm. U.K. (Staines) on 15 Aug. Canada on 20 Aug and US on 30 Aug. Details http://www.konkanisongbook.com/ - If you do not ask the correct question, you will not get the right answer.The question is notHousing For Whom or Employment For Whom, but Development For Whom. In fact it is DEVELOPMENT OF GOA AND ITS GOVERNMENT FOR WHOM? The wrong question leads to the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendations being sidelined eg leading to ignoring Law Committee taking serious exception to withdrawing of cases involving bureaucrats and politicians,Panchayat Bill Select Committee having Chairman Panchayat Minister, leading to walk out of the Opposition and passing a Bill giving more powers to bureaucrats instead of strengthening the people power via Panchayats, Health Committee on unhygienic GM being ignored, formation of another Corporation for Solid Waste management avenue for government employment and unnecessary expenditures by mooting a Solid Waste Management Department when there are already too many overstaffed Departments and Corporations leading to lethargy, duplication, incompetence ,consequent delay, passing the buck, wastage of funds and greater corruption. Vital Administrative,Police Reforms and Lok Ayukyta found no mention in the Assembly. Indecent hiking of MLAs salaries and perks, AND their pension where Ex-MLAs have already been given Laptops/Computers,plot of land etc shows how their hearts bleed for the aam admi, who has to put in 20 years and cry for a measly pension for any lesser period. THE MLA BONANZA ARE GROUNDS FOR A PIL. Who says last increase done five years back! Last year I think the hike was from Rs15000/- to Rs 26,000?- This year hiked to Rs 52000/-. Primarily,unanimously and quickly hiking their own salaries themselves is wrong due CONFLICT OF INTEREST! We the people must demand a Committee composed of a judge, banker,chartered accountant , representatives from Labour Union and one each from each Gramsabha. Every citizen has a right to crticise the Assembly functionning and have opinions about our elected representatives, and also have a say in their salaries. After all it comes from the public coffers! We have to take away the duplicate keys! They cannot blow their own trumpets.Somebody outside has to decide . Looking for local information? Find it on Yahoo! Local http://in.local.yahoo.com/
Re: [Goanet] DEVELOPMENT OF GOA AND GOVERNMENT
- Goanetter Francis Rodrigues (Vasco/Toronto) unveils his book, The Greatest Konkani Song Hits. Launch dates: Goa (Kala Academy) on 9 Aug. 4 pm. U.K. (Staines) on 15 Aug. Canada on 20 Aug and US on 30 Aug. Details http://www.konkanisongbook.com/ - Dear John, The big fat question is: WHO WILL BELL THE CAT?? Perhaps all the rats have jumped the ship thinking it is sinking and has left the cat to do what it wants OR There are no more rats. They have become bandicoots. :-)) floriano goasuraj 9890470896 www.goasu-raj.org - Original Message - From: John Gomes johnericgo...@yahoo.com To: Goanet Org goa...@goanet.org Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 1:31 PM Subject: [Goanet] DEVELOPMENT OF GOA AND GOVERNMENT If you do not ask the correct question, you will not get the right answer.The question is notHousing For Whom or Employment For Whom, but Development For Whom. In fact it is DEVELOPMENT OF GOA AND ITS GOVERNMENT FOR WHOM? The wrong question leads to the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendations being sidelined eg leading to ignoring Law Committee taking serious exception to withdrawing of cases involving bureaucrats and politicians,Panchayat Bill Select Committee having Chairman Panchayat Minister, leading to walk out of the Opposition and passing a Bill giving more powers to bureaucrats instead of strengthening the people power via Panchayats, Health Committee on unhygienic GM being ignored, formation of another Corporation for Solid Waste management avenue for government employment and unnecessary expenditures by mooting a Solid Waste Management Department when there are already too many overstaffed Departments and Corporations leading to lethargy, duplication, incompetence ,consequent delay, passing the buck, wastage of funds and greater corruption. Vital Administrative,Police Reforms and Lok Ayukyta found no mention in the Assembly. Indecent hiking of MLAs salaries and perks, AND their pension where Ex-MLAs have already been given Laptops/Computers,plot of land etc shows how their hearts bleed for the aam admi, who has to put in 20 years and cry for a measly pension for any lesser period. THE MLA BONANZA ARE GROUNDS FOR A PIL. Who says last increase done five years back! Last year I think the hike was from Rs15000/- to Rs 26,000?- This year hiked to Rs 52000/-. Primarily,unanimously and quickly hiking their own salaries themselves is wrong due CONFLICT OF INTEREST! We the people must demand a Committee composed of a judge, banker,chartered accountant , representatives from Labour Union and one each from each Gramsabha. Every citizen has a right to crticise the Assembly functionning and have opinions about our elected representatives, and also have a say in their salaries. After all it comes from the public coffers! We have to take away the duplicate keys! They cannot blow their own trumpets.Somebody outside has to decide . Looking for local information? Find it on Yahoo! Local http://in.local.yahoo.com/
[Goanet] Development For Goa
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ANKA SERVICES For all your Goa-based media needs - Newspapers and Electronic Media Newspaper Adverts, Press Releases, Press Conferences www.ankaservices.com kam...@ankaservices.com Please reject the previous post Development For Goa Development is a vague concept, when we talk of development of Goa I would like to categorise development into progressive development and destructive development, most of the MLA's and the Ministers along with builders, miners and their chamcheas are crying foul over people's agitation against mining and mega housing projects. What they have been trumpeting is that, people of Goa are against development. I am sure some of our MLA's and Ministers won't be able to spell the word development forget about understanding the concept of development. They themselves have misinterpreted fallacies of the term called development. We first need to see what Goa and Goans need, as usual is it roti kapda aur makan ? I am sure every one has that in Goa, may be the quality and quantum may certainly differ. What Goa needs right now is first and foremost an education policy that will impart quality and practical education not just in private institutions but also in villages and rural areas and make sure that every child is entitled to it, education is not just getting or buying certificates, it is how one applies it in ones life for betterment of ones life and that of others. Quality education is most important to produce better people and a better workforce. Second, our health care system badly needs a total revamp, what is the standard of our public health system ? What is the state of our public hospitals ? Do they have the required life saving and life support systems ? Even if we have, are they in working condition ? Few days back there was an article in the news paper which called our Health Minister Rane Jr. as a man of vision, most probably the person who said that was short sighted. Putting foundation stones and building new hospitals and bringing new equipment is not enough, in the end it all comes to the quality of service that is provided by our health system to the public. Does Goa provide a quality health service ? Third, water and electricity, this particular aspect is the worst of the lot in Goa. Water is only second to air as a means of survival of all living things, and we are way behind in terms of self sufficiency. Is our Government doing any thing to make us self-sufficient ? Even during rainy season people queue their utensils at public taps for water. How many more years or decades will people have to suffer ? When will Goa have it's own power generation source and attain self-sufficiency ? There are other issues as well like Infrastructure, garbage, sewerage, employment and protection our identity and culture. All this is constructive development. This is the endowment which is a requisite at this point in time. There is huge, hue and cry over slumdog millionaire, is it not a fact ? So are we ashamed of the poverty around us ? Then why doesn't the Government do something about it ? Like in Bombay, the first thing one notices during landing are the shanties of Santa Cruz and in Goa the shanties and the open public toilets at Zuari Nagar, in Margao itself the shanties of Kharebandh and the railway tracks right up to the Margao Station and the famous Monti Dongor, what has the Government done to reinstate these people, It is not enough to send satellites into space or build our own rockets and submarines, what is more important is the acceptance of the slumdog fact and eradicating it. Slums and poverty is the cancer that the government has to tackle effectively and decisively. That will be constructive development. The MLA's and the ministers say that mining brings in a lot of income ? The state gets only a peanut's share, from the sacrilege. The destruction to ecology, water bodies and the environment is irreversible and incomprehensible, no doubt there is a lot of employment generated by the mines but it is minuscule compared to the destruction that is caused, mining certainly falls in the destructive development category. One that Goa and Goans should do without. Mega housing, I agree that families are expanding and people need more housing and land to settle but the problem is, which Goans can afford this absurd prices ? In the present situation the Goan people are struggling to cope up with the shortage of Water and electricity, the situation is already precarious and the mega housing projects will kill whatever hope that is there for survival of
[Goanet] DEVELOPMENT: Task Force, Gram Sabhas, Sports Villages, Hill-cutting and CMZ
Dears, Rajiv Gandhi was responsible for the 71st amendment [inclusion of Konkani] 73rd [Panchayats] and 74th [Local Self govt.] amendments to the Constitution of India. The Goa Desk in charge was possibly referring to that while Mummy dear was talking of Women's Empowerment by making the lone woman MLA a minister in Goa. Read the other developments in the Navhind Times reports below. Mog asundi Miguel Task Force to submit draft RP 2021 to govt on Aug 31 NT NETWORK Posted on 2008-08-21 OTHER STORIES IN SECTION Parrikar ridicules govt?s price control scheme Goa to host National Games: Azgaonkar SVM accuses Rahejas of indulging in false accusations Pernem sub-registrar office registers 901 land sale deeds Goa should follow policies set out by Rajiv Gandhi: Hariprasad Digambar discloses plans to establish Ravindra Bhavans PANAJI 20 Aug. The draft Regional Plan 2021 will be submitted to the government on August 31 and it is supposed to be made public on September 15, according to highly placed sources. It will thereafter be open for public suggestions till December 15 (for 90 days). A few days back, senior town planner and member of the Task Force, Mr Edgar Rebeiro had told ?The Navhind Times? that the report was almost ready and only loose ends were to be tied up for which they were waiting for the vice chief of the Task Force and noted architect, Mr Charles Correia to finalise. Sources said that there had to be proper ?mapping? of all details and most departments had given their five-year plans to the Task Force to be integrated in the draft plan. The Goa Bachao Abhiyan was invited by the government to join the Task Force headed by the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat. It may be recalled that the Task Force was formed after the RP 2011 was scrapped after massive public protests in which the GBA had been in the forefront. The original mandate of the Task Force was to give guidelines for preparing the Regional Plan 2021. But this mandate was later changed and the Task Force was asked to recommend a draft regional structural plan for Goa 2021 that would comprise of spatial and socio-economic policies and strategies. The Task Force for the Regional Plan 2021 was constituted by the government vide a notification dated October 4, 2007, and published in the official gazette in the same month and the changed work was published in notification dated February 26. However, there have been protests from the constituents of the Task Force including the GBA on the decision of the government to pass an amendment to the Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, and they had demanded that the government immediately withdraw or amend the said bill as well as the ordinance it is to replace. People who have been agitating against the previous regional plan said that this bill, the corresponding ordinance, the new notification and such other actions of the government make a mockery of the work entrusted to the Task Force. GBA insiders say that the government weakened the mandate of the Task Force with this bill. The GBA had alleged that this amendment of the Act was tantamount to the government initiating a parallel process to bring in projects through the back door thus nullifying the very purpose of setting up the Task Force to prepare the RP for the state. The GBA had also written letters to the Chief Minister and all the MLAs to ask them to oppose this and the leader of opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar and the Curtorim MLA, Mr Alex Reginald Lourenco had promised to bring it up during the present monsoon session of the assembly. Goa to host National Games: Azgaonkar NT NETWORK Posted on 2008-08-21 PANAJI - The Sports Minister, Mr Manohar Azgaonkar has said that National Games would be held in the state, at a date to be fixed by the central and state government, even as he said that sports policy for the state would be declared soon. Replying to the queries raised by the members of the House during discussion on the demands for sports and youth affairs department, Mr Azgaonkar said that to hold a mega event like National games, the members of the House should come together forgetting their differences and take sports to greater heights and provide better facilities for the sportspersons in the state.He further said that the sports policy would help not only to protect the interest of the sportspersons but also has provision to ensure a safe future for them. He also said that to improve the sporting venues and help promote sports, there was need for more funds as the present allocation was insufficient. Mr Azgaonkar promised to enquire into allegations made by Mr Mauvin Godinho about wall of ground that was sought to be demolished to give access to a building project. He also promised enquiry into the charges levelled by Curtorim MLA, Mr Reginaldo Aleixo Lourenco. He also said that a number of sports persons were yet to be disbursed the awards promised by the government for
Re: [Goanet] Development- Breaking news for Aldonkars.
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http://www.GOANET.org
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5th Annual Konkan Fruit Fest
Promenade, D B Bandodkar Road, Panaji, Goa
16-18, May 2008
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-May/073789.html
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Breaking news for Aldonkars.
Dayanand Narvekar. the current Aldona MLA and the Finance Minister of Goa
has up'd his election time bonanza ante from Rs. 2000 per vote in elections
2007 to Rs. 5000 for the next Assembly elections.
His word cannot be doubted. Can we?? After all he has the keys to Goa's
Treasury.
The ante could only go on increasing with the rise in inflation.
This increase in the ante, however, is only for the ordinary voter of
relative 'no importance'. For those with position and importance, especially
the priests of the catholic church and persons with priestly connections it
is brand new 4-wheelers of latest models.
What more could one ask for? The days of sarees and plastic buckets are over
and done with.
rgds
floriano
goasuraj
- Original Message -
From: Arwin Mesquita [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Goanet [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:29 PM
Subject: [Goanet] Development
Subject - Development
Goa's Chief Minister is using the magic word of Development, to support
the
builders lobby, against the wishes of the people. It is more of
the development of his builder friends, potential additions to his
migrant vote bank and of course, his personal/political interests. Yes,
Goa
needs development but it has to be in line to the interests of Goa's
Goans; and not the interests of Mr. Kamats greedy Congress Party the
builders lobby. There can be fair solutions to develop Goa preserve our
identity be part of the Global Community; but unfortunately these
politicians will not try/act; mainly because of the huge illegitimate
financial gains, they could loose and also, they wouldn't want to do
anything that could possibly unease, their supreme masters in New Delhi.
Arwin Mesquita, UAE.
[Goanet] Development
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- 5th Annual Konkan Fruit Fest Promenade, D B Bandodkar Road, Panaji, Goa 16-18, May 2008 http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-May/073789.html --- Subject - Development Goa's Chief Minister is using the magic word of Development, to support the builders lobby, against the wishes of the people. It is more of the development of his builder friends, potential additions to his migrant vote bank and of course, his personal/political interests. Yes, Goa needs development but it has to be in line to the interests of Goa's Goans; and not the interests of Mr. Kamats greedy Congress Party the builders lobby. There can be fair solutions to develop Goa preserve our identity be part of the Global Community; but unfortunately these politicians will not try/act; mainly because of the huge illegitimate financial gains, they could loose and also, they wouldn't want to do anything that could possibly unease, their supreme masters in New Delhi. Arwin Mesquita, UAE.
[Goanet] ‘Development issues under state purvi ew’
--- http://www.GOANET.org --- 5th Annual Konkan Fruit Fest Promenade, D B Bandodkar Road, Panaji, Goa 16-18, May 2008 http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-May/073789.html --- It is interesting to see the chorus of political voices saying that the state government should decide on 'development' issues. There does not appear to be a single politician who is willing to say that the gram sabhas should decide such issues. Representative democracy is obviously better suited to our politicians than the kind of direct democracy we are seeing now. That way they can continue taking anti-people decisions and lining their own pockets. Didn't Micky Pacheco make all the right noises at the meeting with Benaulim villagers. But now he wants to 'act tough'? - TOI, Panjim, 14/5/08 ‘Development issues under state purview’ Sanjay Banerjee Raju Nayak | TNN Margao/Panaji: The state government has decided to take on gram sabhas that are opposing construction projects. According to sources, promoters of projects who obtained permission from panchayats could appeal to the directorate of panchayats in case their permissions were revoked by the gram sabhas. Panchayat minister Babu Azgaonkar said on Monday that gram sabhas opposing projects that have been already approved had no right to do so. “Technical approvals are permissions granted under the law and nobody, including the gram sabhas, can revoke them,” Azgaonkar said. While gram sabhas have a right to put pressure on the panchayat to revoke construction projects, a crucial question being asked is: ‘Can all projects in the villages be reviewed by the gram sabha or is there a certain cap in terms of the nature of the projects that fall under their purview?’ Director of panchayats Menino D’Souza says that the infrastructural problems regarding roads, water supply and electricity that gram sabhas have raised are issues pertaining to the development of the state and fall within the jurisdiction of the higher authorities. PWD minister Churchill Alemao, who earlier represented Benaulim, is of the opinion that projects that are in gross violation of the laws should be scrapped but those that have certain anomalies could be amicably sorted out. “At this rate there would be no development at all. To sort out the issue of availability of water to the villages, I have issued a circular stating that any housing project with more than 30 flats should be directed to my department because I am also vested with the power of looking after water supply,” said Alemao. While expressing his ire against the protests, tourism and housing minister Francisco X (Mickky) Pacheco, who is the current MLA from the constituency, said, “I fail to understand what is happening. If there are certain defects in the plan of housing and any mistake that can be corrected it should be done by discussions instead of agitations. The government needs to act tough.” -- Question everything -- Karl Marx
[Goanet] 'Development' targeting white foreigners
To Goanet - Why do the advertisements of Datta Damodar Naik's construction projects feature white men, women and children? Answer: Perhaps because they are targeted not at Goans, but at foreigners and rich NRIs. So much for Lok Shakti ha ha ha. What a phony, this Datta Damodar Naik. See - http://www.cdhomes.com/ http://www.cdhomes.com/projects.php?project=scenicpg=overview Regards, r
[Goanet] Development of constituency
WWW.GOANET.ORG *** A N N O U N C E M E N T Launching Goanet-sports - Dedicated to Sports in Goa and Goans in Sports Get your free subscription at: http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-sports-goanet.org In a report titled Congress invites Mummy to Delhi for talks, there is some information about Victoria Fernandes, MLA's, plans for her constituency of anta Cruz. Consisting of some 20 items, it reportedly includes things like laying of underground electric cables, hot mixing of roads, a sewerage treatment plant, two football grounds, a community hall, an indoor stadium, two health centers, two markets, three overbridges etc etc. The first question that arises is: how does all this gel with the new Regional Plan which is supposedly in the works (after the original one was scuppered by the redoubtable Mummy's own whistle blowing). This is because presumably some land would have to be identified for the various purposes. Then there is the question of need. What purpose would the markets serve? Would the community hall be for one community or all of them? What if all 40 constituencies asked for football grounds and stadia? Is there a body which would take a wholistic view of these requirements? Then there are the missing items (though these may well be in the complete list). What about pay toilets, garbage disposal sites etc. The Santa Cruz MLA has demanded non-interference .. in the development works of the constituency citing the previous experience with the obstructive Town Country Minister. Is this any way to run a progressive government, for Goa's sake?
