To Goanet - Before we get to the second installment, an update on the first: I collected certified copies of the Lalit Sharma file today from the Batim panchayat. The occupancy certificate is yet to be issued by the panchayat; it is awaiting clearance from the TCP dept. I will file an objection this coming Tuesday with the panchayat. Meanwhile, I understand that the priest at the Batim church is Advocate Michael Fernandes. If you know him, you know what to do.
Continuing with the saga - I was meandering through the Carambolim area a couple of days back when I came upon this sight in Ella - http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/ella.jpg That hideous pile of concrete, if you haven't yet guessed, is the handiwork of the champion of the Gaude, the MLA from Cumbarjua, Shri Pandurang Madkaikar. If you think that that is Madkaikar-bab's contribution to the housing needs of his fellow Gaude, think again. Yonder on the hillock is the Chapel of the Mount Mary. A short while later we rolled into Mandur only to be greeted by a fresh hill cutting operation - http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/mandur-1.jpg http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/mandur-2.jpg Of this sublime and serene village I have exquisite childhood memories, having spent numerous weekends there within the campus of the Health Centre, then full of vigour, now in a state of disrepair and decay. On the drive back to Panjim, we stopped at the ongoing construction site in Panvelim (Ribandar), by the side of the road that runs along the Mandovi river. It is a Delhi operation. Mr Ahuja, Sharma-ji, Mrs Singh, Ghosh, and Srinivasan will be moving in shortly and they send you their warm regards. Thanks, Goan suckers. http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/ribandar-1.jpg http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/ribandar-2.jpg http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/ribandar-3.jpg http://www.parrikar.org/images/samples/ribandar-4.jpg Over the past 4 weeks, I have gone to around 35 village panchayats in the talukas of Tiswadi, Salcette, Bardez and Ponda. It is remarkable, the stories you get to hear (off the record) when you take the secretary and the talathi out to lunch or for a cup of chai. These fellows have been emasculated. The wages of following the law are transfers to Canacona or physical threats (from Ministers in the current cabinet, no less). There are outrageous stories to be had in virtually every panchayat but our Goan journos have neither the desire nor the nous for a comprehensive expose. All this begs the question: what exactly was achieved by the scrapping of RP2011 (which some members of GBA have been crowing about for a while now)? The answer: RP2011 would have decapitated Goa in one swift stroke. Whereas what we are witnessing right now is death by a thousand cuts. Colluding in this enterprise is Digambar Kamat's Govt of Goa. Part 3 will follow tomorrow. Regards, r
