Good afternoon,
I agree very much with Mr. Averthan, and encourage also the efforts of the
SGPIAG in voicing the concerns of Goan diaspora scattered around the world
and known well for its economic contribution to Goa in form of heavy
remittances etc.
It is now important to know what this Commissioner is going to do and what
is going to happen to the NRI Goa Facilitation Centre (www.nrigoa.com).
Hopefully these and many other doubts will be cleared during the Gomant
Vishwa Sammelan to be held on 3rd and 4th in Panjim and which I will attend.
I have tried to contact the Centre for many times over the last months
([EMAIL PROTECTED]), extending them my cooperation to help organizing the
Convention, with a special panel on the Diaspora youth, among other
suggestions. I never got a reply. The sampe silence applied to a query I
sent asking for an interview with one of the members of the NRI Goa
Facilitation Centre, for my Global Goan column in the Goan Observer. While
even busy people like Keith Vaz had some time for me and my column (the only
one in Goa covering diaspora issues, for one year now), I fail to understand
the lack of interest shown by the Centre.
I know about other expat Goans who have contacted the Centre seeking to
cooperate and give valuable inputs for the Convention, and they also were
not given any response. It therefore is no surprise to me that when I speak
to other expat Goans about the Vishwa Sammelan they just shake their head in
disappointment.
The lack of interest for the theatre the Government is enacting once again,
on 3rd and 4th at Kala Academy, is such, that one of Goan diasporas most
important institutions and a true story of success - Goa Sudharop NGO - is
holding its annual fellowship cerimony on the same day, 3rd afternoon, in
Panjim. I presume their short 3/hour long function will contribute a lot
more to the Goan diaspora debate/agenda than the two days of cerimonial (and
expensive) soft talk at Kala Academy. Thus, you will know where to find me
on 3rd afternoon.
Constantino
PS: Is the name of the Commissioner already known? Perhaps he will be so
kind in conceding me with an interview and make himself and his ideas known
to NRGs.
*************************************
Constantino Hermanns Xavier
E 14/E DDA Munirka Flats
IN - 110067 New Delhi
----Original Message Follows----
From: Averthan D'Souza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: Averthan D'Souza <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "President(sgpiag)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED],
Constantino Xavier <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMISSIONER FOR NRIs
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 11:04:50 +0530
Personally I see no reason to be cheerful about the Government appointing a
"Commissioner" for NRI affairs. By their very nature, bureaucrats are
tradition-bound and dedicated to maintaining the status quo. One should not
expect any innovation or initiatives to come from any bureaucrat. Specially
in the case of Goa, it is well know that bureaucrats crawl at the feet of
their political masters. This is no way to encourage non-resident Goans to
participate in Goa's development. The mistake was made when the initiative
was handed over to the government. That mistake can only be reversed if the
NRGs themselves assume the responsibility of running their own affairs. Of
course the government will have to play its part in facilitating processes
and cutting red tape.
Averthanus
----- Original Message ----- From: "President(sgpiag)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Constantino Xavier"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 10:03 PM
Subject: APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMISSIONER FOR NRIs
We,at South Goa Public Interest Action Group (SGPIAG)
a registered NGO based in Margao,Salcete, South Goa
District ,with jurisdiction, at present, over the
entire South Goa Parliamentary Constituency are
delighted to learn that at a Cabinet meeting this
morning 27.12.2005 the Chief Minister of Goa Mr
Pratapsing Raoji Rane, announced the appointment of a
Special Commissioner for NRI's .
With this decision the NRIs would have a Government
appointed bureaucrat to look after its needs on a
regular basis.
While the job allocation of the Commissioner is not
clear, we at SGPIAG reiterate our demand viz:
a) the Special Commissioner so appointed should be a
person who has been abroad so as to understand the
ground realities facing NRIs in West and the Gulf
States;
b) the Special Commissioner should be empowered well
to interact with other Department Heads of the Govt of
Goa so that he would be able to alleviate the problems
of the NRIs
c) that the NRIs visiting Goa should have a single
window or their works be treated "on priority" as they
visit the state only for short periods and are often
entangled in bureaucratic wrangles.
d) the Government of Goa in its Budget for 2006-07
should earmark the areas in which the NRIs can not
only invest but partner development activities in the
State instead of inviting non Goans to set up shop
when Goans are awailable.
For SOUTH GOA PUBLIC INTEREST ACTION GROUP
Regd No 171/GOA/2000 dt 12.12.2000
sd/-
TERENCE MAZARELO
PRESIDENT (SGPIAG)
1st Flr Benlix Bldg Opp Fatima Convent Margao Goa
India
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
weblink http://mumbai.sancharnet.in/manojnd
FAX +91 832 2712430
HELPLINE (24 hrs) 9822158584
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