Goa badly needs a school of journalism. Basics of good reporting are missing in our local dailies. Like reporting a walk undertaken from Mangalore to Goa.No mention of distance,route,stops etc,but ga ga about reception received at Goa. Dailies dish out some statements of Ministers and those in power with no analytical or realistic coverage of the issueor separating fiction from facts. In Goa ,they need to delve into proliferating multiple frauds and scams,fraudulent projects,and not thoughtlessly spew whatever they are fed. No one questions why any one is ever punished or chastised for default!. Regarding CFLs replacing Street lights.The papers reported how they would save power, and one newspaper did give some report of massive problems/failures.It was reported that defective ones would be replaced and No ISI mark because they were imported ( Answer in the Assembly). Matter closed. Well, my RTI application below is self explanatory : The Public Information Officer, Superintendent Engineer (Com), 3rd Floor, Vidyut Bhavan, Panaji Subject: Application under RTI 2005, under section 6(1). (AFFAIRS REGARDING CFL STREET LIGHTING) Request the following information: 1. What is the normal procedure for seeking quotations, tendering and procurement of Electrical stores? 2. Which Departments/sections/personnel are responsible for the above? 3. Who finally decides on need, specifications, quantity for procurement of stores? 4 .On what information/statistics/sources are these based to acquire the stores? 5. Is there any Quality Control Wing/Inspection done? And at what stages? 6. Was this procedure followed regarding procurement of CFLs? If not why not? 7. Were Tenders called for? Give details of those who bid and their quotations. 8 a)How were CFLs of foreign make with absolutely no mandatory information on quality of goods supplied like place/details of manufacturer or MRP accepted and supplied defective/not upto specifications? (No mention of manufacturer, date, MRP, countryof origin on packaging) b) The CFL life, as printed on the packaging is stated to be 8000 hours. Is there any methodology laid down to ascertain/check this stipulation is generally met? 9. Give details of total number CFLs supplied to Sub Stations and reported defective. 10. a) Give details with dates of number of all CFLs returned defective by Sub Stations and replaced . b) Since I reside in Porvorim, kindly indicate dates, number of CFLs supplied, reported defective, returned, action taken at the important Porvorim Sub Station. 11. What is the time frame in the replacement clause, as reportedly assured by the Power Minister, for replacement of defective units? Has it been invoked? 12. Have all the defective CFLs been replaced? If not when will they be? What assurance and how will this be enforced? 12. What was the cost of the Tender awarded and total amount paid to the suppliers of these CFLs? 13. Has any inquiry been held, action taken to compensate loss to Treasury, and deterrent action to ensure such procurement and supply of defective stores does not happen? If not, why not? ( Court Fee stamp Rs10/- attached )...............28/8/08
