It’s shocking to see what our Goa Government is using the hard-earned tax payers money for! AC public Toilets and pensions for motor-cycle pilots from 40 to 60 years? Where in the world can one enjoy a pension when you are 40? No wonder all the riff-raffs and trash from all over are making a bee-line to Goa and want a piece of the pie. Now everyone will want to be a motor-cycle pilot including Yellamma, Yellappa, Dubey and Aboobakr Shaikh! More freebies from our generous Goan politicians where it's not needed.
Attached are a couple of news reports from today’s TOIs. *********************************************** 'AC toilet' in Margao has house in splits TNN, Jul 22, 2010, 06.01am IST PANAJI: Some heat, much laughter and lots of jovial jousting resounded in the house on Wednesday with members debating over reports of the proposed construction of Goa's first airconditioned public toilet in Margao. But a sombre urban development minister Joaquim Alemao flushed down the humour saying the public latrine was just an ordinary Sulabh toilet, not an air-conditioned one. The issue of a proposed air-conditioned toilet in Margao was raised by Shiroda BJP MLA Mahadev Naik. Naik was at a loss to understand why the government should want to build a public toilet in Margao with airconditioning when his and many constituencies are in dire need of normal toilets. Why on earth was the government spending Rs 13 lakh for one air-conditioned public toilet in Margao city when the money could bring over 50 ordinary toilets in his entire constituency, Naik wanted to know. Naik read extensively from media reports that even quoted the chief officer of the Margao municipal council, confirming that the public toilet was indeed airconditioned. The urban development minister's clarification that the toilet was not an airconditioned one did not seem to convince Naik, who rattled off other details of the project to support his suspicions. What is the problem with an air-conditioned toilet in a public garden, Alemao asked. Then rising to his feet, the chief minister went on a nostalgic trip down memory lane, fondly recalling how the Margao garden was "considered the most prestigious garden in the state" but had presently deteriorated. Kamat told the Speaker that when he (Rane) was the chief minister, it was decided to hand over the garden to the forest department and that subsequently, almost 20 fountains had been installed in the children's park. Kamat recalled how in his childhood he saw beautiful animals such as rabbits in the lower garden. Only a toilet was lacking and Sulabh International has been asked to construct one. "That is no reason for MLAs to complain," said Kamat, his voice at high pitch, "I have cleared all Sulabh toilet files," he said. But Mandrem BJP MLA challenged the chief minister reading from his papers to prove that his constituency had not got a single Sulabh toilet in the last 4 years. Kamat countered by saying that there were probably more Sulabh toilets than houses in Goa. Not wanting to be left out, Speaker Pratapsingh Rane chipped in against air-conditioned toilets. "If people go in, they will not come out," he said. But Canacona BJP legislator refuted the theory. He said after the first man exits such a toilet, the smell would be so bad, no one would want to go in. The Speaker ended the question amid much laughter. *Pension for motorcycle pilots: CM* TNN, Jul 22, 2010, 05.52am IST PANAJI: Chief minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday announced that motorcycle pilots who are 40 years and above will now be eligible for the Dayanand social security scheme's pension. He also assured to make caste certificates permanently valid and income certificates usable for one year. Speaking at the conclusion of the general discussion on budget 2010-11, on Wednesday, Kamat said his government has shown sensitivity to issues concerning the common man. Stating that motorcyle pilots will be brought under DSSS as they face health problems after they cross the age of 40, he added that pilots and rickshaw owners would also be given a one-off assistance of Rs 5,000. On the lines of the assistance given to flower sellers and kiosk owners, this would be to replace old tyres, batteries, etc of vehicles. Following suggestions from MLAs, Kamat said that caste certificates once issued would be valid throughout as against the present trend, while income certificates could be valid for one year. If land is available at the Verna industrial estate, a garbage treatment facility for not only units but panchayats around could be worked out, Kamat said. Cortalim MLA and deputy speaker Mauvin Godinho had raised the issue about poor garbage management in the area. The introduction of school buses under the Indira bal rath scheme had benefited not only ST students, but even other students, teachers and parents, said Kamat. In all, 120 buses had been distributed and 16 more will be given shortly, he added. The government is also planning to provide buses to orphanages. A similar facility will also be extended to government schools in the state as they have complained about being left out. Meanwhile, the government will rope in 50 more cooperative societies to distribute certain food grains at reduced prices, said Kamat. "The idea is to increase the number of outlets and pick-ups to transport food items," he said. The CM added that the state horticultural corporation should buy vegetables grown in remote areas to help local farmers. "This way they may be encouraged to grow more. It is because of these small farmers who toil in the fields that agriculture has survived," Kamat stressed. As part of Goa's golden jubilee preparations, the state has formed a golden jubilee development council under the chairmanship of R Mashelkar, with Ashank Desai, Anil Kakodkar and others on board, to prepare a vision document for the next 25 years. "If we get the document by March 2011, it would come at the right time," Kamat said. A committee under the leadership of Vijay Bhatkar has also started functioning and it has been asked to prepare a report on more services to the people. With regard to industrial plots, he said 84 small plots of 500 to 1000 sq m had been carved out in various industrial estates to cater to small industries and the allotments would be done soon. Replying to Siolim MLA Dayanand Mandrekar, Kamat said he would ensure that all 16 unemployed wards of freedom fighters would be accommodated in government jobs before Goa's golden jubilee. Kamat also said all legislators should work out a consensus on how to upgrade agriculture in the state. Replying to criticism from legislators about unbalanced development in constituencies, Kamat said that PWD's list of projects showed that barring a couple of constituencies, lot of work had been executed. Responding to Canacona MLA Vijay Pai Khot, Kamat said the hospital at Canacona would have an ambulance and doctors soon. * * * Read Selma Carvalho's warmly-received book *Into the Diaspora Wilderness*, a journey through Goan life in Africa, the Gulf, England and North America ... gripping and well-told real-life stories. See http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/ Buy in Goa via Broadway Book Centre, Panjim. Ph 9822488564. * * *
