[Goanet] TOURISM MINISTER DILIP PARULEKAR MUST RESIGN FOR FILING FALSE AFFIDAVITS
Goa’s Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar should immediately resign for high-handedly and malafiedly lying on oath about his educational qualifications. According to the information obtained under the Right to Information Act, Dilip Parulekar in his affidavit filed at the 2007 Assembly elections had claimed that he had passed B. Com from Goa University in 1988. But in the Affidavit filed at the 2012 Assembly election, Dilip Parulekar however stated that he had only passed his High Secondary School Certificate (X11) from Goa Board in 1985. Dilip Parulekar has lied on oath and should now confess which of the affidavit is false or if both are. In the information obtained under the Right to Information Act from Assagao based Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College it has been revealed that Dilip Parulekar had enrolled himself in that College for First Year B.Com during the academic year 1985-86. The College has further informed that Dilip Parulekar was declared failed for the First Year B. Com in the academic year 1985-86 and also declared failed once again for First Year B. Com in the academic year 1986-87 while he was not a student of the college in the year 1987-88. Dilip Parulekar is allegedly one of most corrupt Ministers in the current BJP led government in Goa being involved in various scams including the Serula Communidade land grab case. Amongst the current Ministers he is undoubtedly the front runner in the race for a berth at the newly constructed Colvale Central Jail. We were promised Zero tolerance to Corruption but in Goa it is Acche din for the Corrupt. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] RISHI AND AMON GOMES TO BE LAUDED TODAY
The Goa Legislative Assembly will today on 13th August take up a motion to congratulate the Calangute young lads Rishi Gomes and Amon Gomes for their outstanding performance and laudable achievements at this year’s National Super Cross Championship. The motion will be moved by the Honorable MLA of Calangute Mr. Michael Lobo at around 12.30 noon and can be seen live today on Prudent Media, Goa 365 or RDX. 15 year old Rishi and his 14 year old brother Amon have arrived in Malaysia to represent India at the FIM ASIA MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015, to be held on the 14 and 15th of this month. Rishi and Amon are the youngest Indians to ever represent our country at the official Asian MX Championships. A proud moment for Calangute and Goa. While the Goa Legislative Assembly applauds Rishi and Amon today, the two young lads accompanied by their parents Ashley Gomes (a very distinguished motor racer himself) and Deepali Gomes get ready for the big contest in Malaysia. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] GOA NEEDS A FULL TIME ADVOCATE GENERAL
The intervention of the Goa Governor has been sought to ensure that a full time Advocate General is appointed for the State of Goa at the earliest possible. It has been pointed out to Governor Mridula Sinha that the current Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni is most of the time in Delhi where he has already set up a private office as a result of which matters in the High Court are getting unnecessarily adjourned causing undue hardship and delay to the litigants in cases against the Government. In exercise of her powers under Article 165 of our Constitution the Governor must appoint as Advocate General an honest and competent person who is apolitical. The Advocate General is a very high Constitutional and exalted authority having to be a person who is qualified to be a High Court Judge. As the First Law officer of the State, the Advocate General is expected to be extremely honest, sincere and competent in giving invaluable fair legal guidance to the State Government in formulation of its policy and execution of its decisions. The Advocate General should never be someone who has a lust or greed for wealth or having vested interest with any lobby but has always to ensure the State’s best interests at heart. The Advocate General as the Leader of the Bar should act as role model to the legal fraternity by upholding impeccable integrity and the highest ethical standards. Professional ethics demands that a person occupying the high and solemn constitutional post as Advocate General should never appear for a private party in a case where the government is directly or even indirectly a party. It is an irony that Goa being the smallest state is not only currently hosting India's highest paid Advocate General but the country's highest paid public servant. Governor Sinha has been urged to give appropriate directions that in public interest the fees payable to the Advocate General of Goa be immediately slashed and brought on par with other states. Compared with the fees paid to other Advocate Generals across the country, the very exorbitant fees being currently paid to the Advocate General of Goa is nothing short of a loot and plunder of the State’s exchequer. It is imperative that the new Advocate General be a person who is genuinely concerned about the State and not a person who is lustful or avaricious but someone who without playing politics ensures that justice is done to each and every litigant with whose case, the State has to deal with. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION AND INJUSTICE MUST NEVER STOP
On Tuesday August 18th while addressing a BJP media management session held at Hotel Mandovi in Panaji, the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar aggressively exhorted party workers to go all out in targeting me. I was not at all surprised when disclosed about this by two Senior BJP Ministers. It was hoped that at least after becoming Defence Minister that Manohar Parrikar would have changed for the better. But he has only become further perverse, with the only change being that he has now learnt to wear a suit and a pair of shoes. Known for his very vindictive nature, Manohar Parrikar must be working overtime to try and corner me. He must be yearning to catch me on the wrong foot but I strictly at all times act within the parameters of law. While in the Opposition Manohar Parrikar wanted everyone to be very vocal. Now that he is in power he wants pin drop silence all over. It will just not happen. We need to stand up and speak for the sake of our Goa or else posterity will never forgive us. In fighting against injustice, nobody and nothing should intimidate you. One should never be cowed down by any threats of consequences that may have to be faced for speaking out fearlessly. And never be distracted by desperate attempts to malign or defame you. Over the last 40 years raising issues against the illegalities of successive government has not been an easy task. But without holding any position have been able to visit almost every village in Goa and make friends there. My life has been an open book. Truth hurts but it is only truth that will always ultimately prevail. In issues I have raised over the years it has never been personally against individuals but the wrong doings of those in power regardless of which party has been ruling. During the Congress regime I was branded as a BJP man, now the BJP may feel the reverse. But I am what I am, having from the Lower Courts to the High Court and the Supreme Court done my duty in raising a whole range of issues concerning the public at large. We should never compromise and surrender our right to speak out openly and candidly against anything that is wrong. Let us never hesitate in taking the bull by the horn. I have had nothing personal against anyone about whom I have raised issues over the years. When highlighting an issue, it is bound to hurt some. Have I hurt one too many? One has to have the spine to speak out against things that are wrong. I will continue to highlight any injustice that I see. Nothing shall deter me and my commitment in this regard. The risk of losing your life is a small price one may have to pay in the bigger battle against corruption and injustice. Politicians and people in authority, by virtue of their positions, should be ready for both bouquets and brickbats. Freedom to fearlessly fight against social ills is the very hallmark of a true democracy, but unfortunately some of those in power who ride to power on a contrived electorate are unable to withstand such a scrutiny. The voices of critics are not necessarily of those against a dispensation but should be heard as a voice of inner consciousness: a call to rectify or to perish. In a democracy the power vests with the people and they are supreme. They can sweep in or sweep out a government. In 2012 the BJP rode to Power in Goa on a promise of Good Governance and Zero Tolerance to Corruption. But the rampant Corruption is there for all to see. Goa has deliberately been kept without a functional State Information Commission and no Lokayukta. And with the virtual shutting down of the Goa CBI Court, the prosecution of Corruption cases has slowed down with it ending up now being only Acche din for the corrupt. Truth is always bitter. Buddha had said that three things cannot be long hidden: the Sun, the Moon and the Truth. At times one pays a heavy price in fighting public causes but one has to maintain the spirit and keep on fighting. Life is a short voyage; a journey - the end of which we know not. So let’s keep up the fight. We should never lose sight of what Martin Luther King, Jr. had said ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] RIGHT OFFICER UNDER A WRONG MINISTER
In Ameya Abhyankar the Goa’s Tourism Department has a very competent and proficient Director but to our dismay the awful tainted Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar is taking the industry down the tube. Officers should be allowed to run the administration without any political interference. If allowed to do so, Ameya Abhyankar who is an IAS officer would definitely be able to resuscitate the ailing Tourism trade which is currently the backbone of Goa’s economy. Dilip Parulekar lacks any vision to enhance Tourism in Goa, his only master plan being how to line up his pockets by whichever means. He has not even spared raking in the moolah into his pockets on the very crucial beach cleaning. The current hotbed of Corruption, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation which has become an unnecessary parallel department needs to be wound up. The administration of the total industry should come under one Tourism department entirely steered, controlled and monitored by Director Ameya Abhyankar with him keeping a watchful eye on some of his subordinate officers who are not working to promote Goa’s Tourism but to cater to the needs of their Minister and Master Dilip Parulekar. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] INTERVIEW ON HCN
Have been invited by HCN news channel for their morning show tomorrow Monday the 24th of August. It will be a live interview at 8 am. Will be interviewed by Senior journalist Rupesh Samant. Looking forward to this half an hour interaction on issues currently grappling Goa. Your feedback would be appreciated. Many thanks and best regards. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] GOA CM MUST TAKE A BREAK
Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s brother in law Dilip Malvankar who is an officer with the Goa Industrial Development Corporation has been arrested yesterday by the Anti- Corruption Branch after being caught red handed accepting a bribe of Rs 5. For the Goa Police to be able to fairly and fearlessly investigate and prosecute this case it is imperative that Laxmikant Parsekar should step down as Chief Minister or at least not continue with the Home portfolio as the police will be constrained to subtly hush up the case for the fear of facing retribution and wrath at the hands of the Chief Minister. And ironically to charge sheet this case the police would require the sanction of the Chief Minister himself. In 2012 the BJP rode to Power in Goa on a very fake promise of Good Governance and Zero Tolerance to Corruption. But the rampant Corruption is there for all to see. Goa has deliberately been kept without a State Information Commission and no Lokayukta. And with the virtual shutting down of the Goa CBI Court, the prosecution of Corruption cases has slowed down with it ending up now being Acche din for the corrupt. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] BOMBAY CHIEF JUSTICE MOHIT SHAH URGED NOT TO ATTEND GOVT DINNER
Bombay High Court Chief Justice Mohit Shah has today been urged not to attend the dinner being hosted for him by the Goa Government on August 20th. Chief Justice Mohit Shah who is retiring on September 9th is scheduled to visit Goa on 20th and 21st of August. In a letter faxed to Chief Justice Mohit Shah today, it has been stated that with an immense sense of deep anguish and in public interest, he is requested not to attend the dinner that is being hosted by the Goa Government. Chief Justice Mohit Shah’s attention has been drawn that the cash strapped Goa Government which has been unable to even pay the monthly pension payments for the last two months to the old age pensioners under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme has decided to host for him a lavish dinner at the five star Marriot hotel in Panaji on August 20th. The holding of the dinner would also be contrary to the Goa Government circular dated 31st December 2014 calling for a total restraint on wasteful expenditure as a step towards economy measures and rationalization of expenditure. By attending a dinner hosted by the Government, Chief Justice Mohit Shah would be sending a wrong message. There is already a public perception that the Independence of the judiciary in Goa has been compromised in the manner in which the Goa CBI Court has been wound up and the selective targeting of Judges with the Judges today having developed cold feet to take on the Government for its illegalities. It being talked that the State is proposing to appoint Chief Justice Mohit Shah as the new Lok Ayukta of Goa, this would be even more reason for him to refuse allowing the dinner to be hosted and not to participate in the same. The move to host the dinner by the State Government is inappropriate and it would also be highly unethical for a sitting Judge to accept a dinner hosted by a State Government. Never before has that State Government hosted any dinner for a sitting Judge of the High Court, nor has any sitting Judge stooped to such a low level, to accept any such invite. Holding the dinner would prove the nexus between the State and the High Court, which will confirm the whispered rumors in the corridors of the Courts and outside, of the manipulations tomtomed by the State Government. It is pertinent to note that a part of the Marriot Hotel premises where the Government has planned the 20th August dinner is under a demolition order of the Bombay High Court at Goa passed on 29th June this year in Writ Petition 333/1993 ordering demolition within six months for being in violation of the CRZ rules. An extraordinary General body meeting of the Goa High Court Bar Association held yesterday has resolved not to host a farewell dinner for Chief Justice Mohit Shah. Now let us hope that Chief Justice Mohit Shah would act appropriately and not attend the Government dinner. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] POLITICAL PROSTITUTION BY MAUVIN GODINHO
While loud preaching and vowing of Zero Tolerance to corruption, the BJP government has appointed as Chairman of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority the awfully tainted Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho who is the prime accused in the infamous multi crore Power scam case now pending in the Supreme Court. For acting and dancing as a virtual BJP Spokesman though officially a Congress MLA, Mauvin Godinho has unethically been rewarded with this plumb position which will act as his vehicle to pocket the much needed moolah for the 2017 Assembly elections. Manohar Parrikar and Mauvin Godinho had accused each other of cheating and corruption. While Manohar Parrikar had filed a complaint against Mauvin Godinho alleging a multi crore power scam while he was Power Minister, Mauvin Godinho had accused Manohar Parrikar as Chief Minister of gross and rampant corruption during IFFI 2004. Now for sheer political convenience, the two have embraced and are so intimately in love singing and showering praises galore on each other. Politics makes strange bedfellows. Even those in the world's oldest profession do it better. Mauvin Godinho whose tale from rags to riches is no secret is now hoping that by flirting and bowing to the BJP tunes, the Goa will take a favourable stand in the Supreme Court and let him off the hook in that multi crore power scam case. But the Law is not an Ass and it is just a matter of time that Mauvin Godinho will find himself caged at the Colvale jail for having defrauded the State exchequer and embezzled all those crores. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] SEEKING YOUR VIEWS ON MICKKY PACHECO'S PLEA FOR PARDON
My Dear friends, Our democracy is faltering on account of our lack of participation in expressing our views on the functioning of the government. Every government needs to be supported in any good it does, but needs to be also mercilessly flogged when it acts overbearingly in abuse of power. The current very high-handed and absurd move by the Goa Government to grant pardon under Article 161 of the Constitution of India to Goa’s convicted former Rural Development Minister Mickky Pacheco needs to be strongly opposed. Mickky Pacheco who surrendered on 1st June after absconding for two long months is undergoing a jail sentence of six months for having, in 2006, as a Minister, assaulted an Electricity department Junior Engineer Kapil Natekar. This jail sentence was upheld by four Courts including the Supreme Court of India. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has now acted arbitrarily and malafiedly contrary to law in hurriedly moving the pardon proposal to his Ministers by circulation and not even having a detailed cabinet discussion. The granting of pardon to a convicted criminal being a serious issue the Chief Minister ought to have also discussed it in the Goa Legislative Assembly which is currently in session instead of clearing the proposal to grant Mickky Pacheco pardon by a “midnight cabinet circulated decision” which smacks of a clear travesty of the rules of propriety. It appears that the Chief Minster has no regard for the House. The events over the last four months only proves that the Goa Government has gone overboard in doing everything possible to shield and protect the convicted criminal Mickky Pacheco. The mere fact that the convict Mickky Pacheco is a politician accords him no higher standing for the grant of a pardon than any other convict. There are others who have been convicted of less serious offences but are also still undergoing jail sentences. Mickky Pacheco who has a very chequered criminal record has been convicted for a serious offence of having in 2006 as a Minister assaulted a public servant while on duty and even the Supreme Court ruled that Mickky Pacheco was rightly convicted and deserved no leniency. The proposal of the Goa cabinet to grant Mickky Pacheco pardon has now been sent to Governor Mridula Sinha who is currently out of station and returns to Goa on August 3rd after which she will commence the process of applying her independent mind to the issue. Governor Mridula Sinha should question the government that if Mickky Pacheco’s earlier parole application was strongly opposed by the Police as to how the authorities did not take that fact in to account while processing his petition for pardon. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar also needs to explain on what basis the cabinet recommended Mickky Pacheco’s release on pardon despite the Advocate General and the Law department not having opined that Mickky Pacheco’s deserves pardon. In a democracy we have an inherent right to express our opinions freely, fairly and fearlessly. May I request you to kindly articulate your views on whether Mickky Pacheco should be pardoned or not. Kindly also send your views to Her Excellency the Governor of Goa Mrs. Mridula Sinha by email at goa...@gmail.com While thanking you for taking the time to put across your views on the above be assured that Together we can strive to ensure that there is Good Governance and that the Rule of law always prevails. We need to leave no room for the Law of the jungle to thrive. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] GOA GOVERNOR SHOULD REJECT CABINET PROPOSAL TO GRANT MICKKY PACHECO PARDON
As was expected in a very high-handed move Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has got his Cabinet Ministers to hurriedly approve the proposal to grant jailed Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco pardon. The convicted Mickky Pacheco who after absconding for two months surrendered on 1st of June is currently undergoing the a six month sentence at the Sada Jail for having as a Minister in 2006 assaulted a Electricity department Junior Engineer Kapil Natekar. The cabinet proposal to uncage Mickky Pacheco has yesterday been sent to Governor Mridula Sinha who is currently out of station and returns on August 3rd after which she would have to apply her independent mind and decide on the issue. Have last month already met Governor Mridula Sinha twice and requested her not to agree to any absurd move by the Goa Government to grant pardon to Goa’s convicted former Rural Development Minister Mickky Pacheco who is involved in a string of criminal cases. The move to grant Mickky Pacheco pardon is a clear abuse of power. Mickky Pacheco being a political heavy weight, the Goa Government has clearly been conniving and colluding with him to derail the due process of law and making a mockery of the judicial system. The power of Pardon is to be exercised only on the ground to help in saving an innocent person from being punished due to miscarriage of justice or in a case of doubtful conviction. The power to grant pardon is limited and controlled by the Constitution both expressly and impliedly and cannot be misused malafiedly to rescue Mickky Pacheco whose conviction by four Courts has been upheld even by the Supreme Court of India. Mickky Pacheco has been convicted for a serious offence of having as a Minister assaulted a public servant while on duty, Mickky Pacheco’s case by no stretch of imagination warrants a pardon. The Supreme Court has held that the power of Pardon cannot be on extraneous consideration and exercised arbitrarily, malafidely or in absolute disregard to the finer cannons of law. The events over the last four months only proves that the Goa Government has gone overboard in doing everything possible to shield and protect their convicted criminal former Minister Mickky Pacheco. Governor Sinha has already been requested that while considering the proposal of the government to grant Mickky Pacheco pardon she should seek independent legal opinion on the issue as the advice by Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni would be politically tainted and biased. Am confident that Governor Sinha will reject the skewed move by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to pardon Mickky Pacheco. But if need be the doors of the Temple of Justice will have to be once again knocked to uphold the Rule of Law. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] WHEN THE LAW MINISTER DID NOT UPHOLD THE LAW
The cowboy style high-handed and illegal outing to Sada jail yesterday led by Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza to see their convicted colleague Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco was outrageous and needs to be condemned as it has sent a wrong message to the law abiding citizens. Nobody can have any issue with anyone visiting a convict in jail. But the VIP manner in which this entourage entered the jail yesterday has raised one eye brow too many. Firstly, Monday is not a jail visiting day with no visits to any inmate allowed. Even on a visiting day, no visits are allowed after 5 pm but this rule was also breached by the Deputy Chief Minister who also happens to be the Law Minister. When anyone visits an inmate the jailor has to be present and be witness to all the conversation. This prison rule was also breached yesterday. Rule 250 of the Goa Prisons Rules specifically prohibits any discussion on political matters by anyone visiting a convict. But over that 70 minute long interaction yesterday with the convicted Mickky Pacheco it was only politics on the menu. The visiting MLAs may be right when they say that they were moved on seeing Mickky Pacheco suffering. But a jail is a jail and every inmate in the jail suffers. That is what jails are all about. They are not a holiday resort, a pleasure home or a fun destination. And did these MLAs care to break their silence when their colleague Mickky Pacheco earlier this year went absconding for two long months with tax payers’ money squandered on looking out for him. That the politically controlled search of Mickky Pacheco was a farcical one is another issue. And did these MLAs care to share their concern over the pain and indignation suffered by Electricity department Junior Engineer Kapil Natekar who was high –handedly assaulted by Mickky Pacheco. And for that matter have they ever cared to share the agony of all those who over the years have been at the receiving end of Mickky Pacheco’s brut muscle power. Did these Honourable MLAs pose for a while to ponder that the current jail sentence their comrade Mickky Pacheco is undergoing was upheld by four courts besides our country’s highest Temple of Justice, the Supreme Court of India. To sum it all, that VIP visit yesterday to the Sada Jail by the Deputy Chief Minister and the two MLAs to visit the VIP jailed Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco was nothing but a bigheaded abuse of power and authority. The jail authorities are equally to be blamed for having abdicated in their duty in allow the VIPs to enter the jail through the Green channel in violation of the rules. The Deputy Chief Minister should now go visit all the convicts. Goa has already become a lawless State. It cannot get any worse. Amen. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] A FAILED DREAM
On 2nd October it will be a year that the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched amidst much fanfare. High expectations were raised but the cleanliness drive has however remained a paper tiger ending up being a total failure as garbage continues to be accumulated everywhere, making one wonder whether the motives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were only purely political. Narendra Modi who has been most of the time touring the world may have not been able to see his campaign miserably faltering. The crores of rupees spent by the Government on this media blitz for this campaign would have brought smiles and cheers to the poor and down trodden if the money was instead judiciously spent for their uplifment. But in the name of Swachh Bharat what is being cleaned are the state coffers. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] HIGH COURT IN THE DOCK
The Supreme Court today asked the Bombay High Court at Goa not to shift until Monday the Panaji lower Courts to the controversial ‘Spaces’ building at Patto Plaza. Questioning the proposed shifting of the Courts contrary to the wishes of the lawyers, the Supreme Court today adjourned to August 10th the further hearing on the petition filed by the North Goa Advocates Association challenging the arbitrary and malafied attempt to shift the Courts to Patto. The Advocates in Goa remain grateful to the Senior Advocates in Delhi led by Dushyant Dave for having come to our rescue while ironically some of their counterpart Senior Advocates in Goa opted to connive with the powers to be and push for the shifting of the Courts. It is distressing that the flawed decision of the High Court had to be challenged by the Advocates before the Supreme Court. God Save Goa’s Caged Judiciary. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] BIDDING JOEL FAREWELL
It was very sad to hear about the death of Joel D’Souza. A journalist par excellence, Joel was always extraordinarily simple and extremely unassuming. A very kind and gentle Soul he was. A true Goenkar who was always concerned about Goa. Joel led a very humble life while excelling in his journalist skills and in being a good human being. May his Soul Rest in eternal peace. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] AN UNHOLY NEXUS?
The Crime Branch of the Goa Police needs to probe the nexus between Chairman of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation MLA Nilesh Cabral and the US fugitive Subhakar Rao who has slipped into Goa under the guise of promoting Tourism. Is it another Louis Berger? Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] GOVT MISLEADING GOVERNOR ON MICKKY’S CRIMINAL RECORD
The Goa Government of trying to mislead Goa Governor Mridula Sinha on jailed Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco’s criminal antecedents by not placing the relevant facts before her along with his Mercy petition seeking Pardon. The South Goa Superintendent of Police by a letter dated 30th July 2015 addressed to the Inspector General of Prisons had strongly opposed Mickky Pacheco’s application seeking Parole. The SP in his letter while giving details of cases pending against Mickky Pacheco and strongly opposing the parole application had stated that there was every possibility that Mickky Pacheco may interfere with the investigation and threaten witnesses in the cases pending against him. It was incumbent upon the Government to place this letter before the Governor along with Micky Pacheco’s Mercy petition. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar are working overtime to try and get Mickky Pacheco pardoned hook or by crook despite his six month jail sentence having been upheld by four Courts and later the Supreme Court of India. While Sudhir Parve the BJP MLA of Umred in Nagpur has recently been sentenced to two years in jail for having slapped a government teacher, Mickky Pacheco who has been convicted for a similar serious offence of having in 2006 as a Minister assaulted a Junior Engineer while on duty is sought to be pardoned though he has been sentenced for a mere six months. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] CASINOS SHOULD BE DRIVEN OFFSHORE
While the Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar had branded Casinos as a “social evil” and called them dens of vice. While leading that agitation against Casinos, Manohar Parrikar had vowed to make sure that all Casinos were thrown out of Goa if the BJP came to power. But in a dramatic U turn in March 2012 after coming to power Manohar Parrikar allowed yet another Casino the monstrous ‘M.V. Horseshoe’. The BJP in Goa has since fallen in love with the Casino brigade which is now getting the government’s total patronage and support. While the BJP is feasting and making merry with the abundant funds flowing from the Casinos, Goa has sadly become the country’s gambling hub with the allied vices of prostitution and the narcotics trade also flourishing by the day. On 10th October 2013 then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had finally assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that all the Casinos would be removed out of the River Mandovi by September 2015. With that date now fast approaching the Government has started through an advertisement released in all the news papers today a so called public consultation process to only fool the people. The Casinos are meant to be off shore and that is where they should be asked to relocate. Does the government have to be told the definition of off shore? While the BJP continues to milk the Casinos nothing will be done to relocate them. The people of Goa can read between the lines. The government should not underestimate the intelligence quotient of Goans who have been patiently enduring the manner in which the people are being taken for a ride. March 2017 is when the BJP will be shown its place for having betrayed on almost every issue the faith the people of Goa had reposed. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] GOA'S BUDDING LADS
The Calangute young lads 15 year old Rishi Gomes and his 14 year old brother Amon Gomes have done Goa proud by standing second and third respectively in the Junior foreign category at this year’s National Super cross Championship. It is very heartening to see this young duo’s inspiring triumph. The Goa Government needs to recognize this remarkable and amazing feat achieved by Rishi and Amon. Rishi and Amon leave Goa tomorrow to represent India at the FIM ASIA MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP 2015, to be held in Malaysia on the 14 and 15th of August. Rishi and Amon are the youngest Indians to ever represent our country at the official Asian MX Championships. Let our best wishes be with our very young sportsmen Rishi and Amon. May they achieve further laurels making their village Calangute, Goa and India proud. Their parents Ashley Gomes (a very distinguished motor racer himself) and Deepali Gomes deserve all the credit for having been very supportive and a guiding force for their young lads. May those words of Vince Lombardi always inspire Rishi and Amon in the years to come “It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up” Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] SALUTING KAPIL NATEKAR ON THIS INDEPENEDENCE DAY
This Independence Day as usual the Goa Government will felicitate many but as expected not the most deserving Kapil Natekar. Let us however salute and applaud this young and brave Soul. On July 15th 2006 the then Animal Husbandry Minister Mickky Pacheco slapped Electricity department Junior Engineer Kapil Natekar. Possibly because Kapil Natekar was not from an affluent family, the police tried to hush up the case to shield the politically well connected Mickky Pacheco. The issue however had to be pursued because it was not a mere slap on Kapil Natekar but an assault by a Lawmaker Mickky Pacheco on the entire bureaucracy. Despite the government and the police have been all out hand in gloves with Mickky Pacheco, after a nine yearlong battle right up to the Supreme Court, the truant Mickky Pacheco was brought on the tracks of Justice and caged. The long arm of the law finally caught up with the habitual delinquent Mickky Pacheco who otherwise over the years has got away flouting the law with impunity. After absconding for two long months, Mickky Pacheco surrendered on June 1st and is undergoing a six month sentence at Sada Jail for having assaulted Kapil Natekar. Let us salute and commend Kapil Natekar, the young valiant Junior Engineer who has silently endured all that pain and agony. Kapil Natekar fearlessly faced this entire ordeal without succumbing to any pulls and pressures. We need to be proud of an exemplary public official that Kapil Natekar has been. Our country may be celebrating the 69th year of Independence. But we are far from being free, and we may never be, unless we are unchained from this failing and faltering system that is corroded beyond repair. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] LEST WE FORGET GOA’S TWO IMMORTAL HEROES
Today August 12th is the death anniversary of Goa’s first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar while 17th October is the first leader of the Opposition Dr Jack Sequeira’s death anniversary. . But for Dr Jack Sequeira’s then tireless efforts during that historic Opinion Poll which was held on 16th January 1967, Goa today would have been reduced to a mere district if not taluka of Maharashtra with less than a handful of MLAs representing us. Though Dayanand Bandodkar may have initially been for merging Goa with Maharastra, he respected the people’s verdict and later with Dr Jack Sequeira as the fiery voice of the Opposition they toiled with a vision and passion towards the development of Goa. Unlike many of today’s politicians who are self-centered, they relentlessly raised and pursued issues concerning the backward, down-trodden, and neglected communities of Goa. Leaders of their integrity, honesty and commitment we may now never see in this shoddy arena of political pygmies. Dayanand Bandodkar and Dr Jack Sequeira dared to speak from their heart and always walk the talk. Only a few of such politicians still remain in our midst and will also be always remembered for the good they have done for Goa. About the rest and in particularly some of the current politicians in power who have been steering and navigating Goa down the tube there will be no obituary to write and no land remaining to even raise a Samadhi, leave alone a statue in their memory. It is imperative that students today in our schools and colleges should be made aware of the very rich and invaluable contribution to Goa by Dayanand Bandodkar and Dr Jack Sequeira. They cannot be consigned as our forgotten heroes. Jack Sequeira and Dayanand Bandodkar must be rolling in their heavenly abode at the way Goa is being uncaringly misgoverned today. As a school student I had the privilege of interacting with both Dayanand Bandodkar and Dr Jack Sequeira. I recollect with nostalgia witnessing those great debates by Dr Jack Sequeira in the Legislative Assembly and the pointed but witty replies by Dayanand Bandodkar. Today the Goa Legislative assembly has been reduced to a mere classroom kept entertained with the tales of Birbal being narrated. Politics today is no longer a mission, not even an honest profession. It has been abridged to a scoundrel’s last resort. It has become a ruthless business, with morals and ethics twisted, thrown to the winds, and long buried deep in the slush of ignorance and thuggery. Those belonging to a genre of politicians with qualities of head and heart cannot survive in today’s political pitch. It is only for those who are thick skinned and hypocrites to the core, always ready to breach and bend all the rules to survive. It is distressing to see and be witness to the continuing rampant destruction and devastation of Goa. In 2012 we were promised a ‘Parivartan’ and at the 2014 Parliamentary elections lured again with ‘ache Din’, but Goa is sadly by the day just getting further corroded beyond recognition. It should have been the endeveaour of those in power to at least salvage and safeguard what remains of Goa. Unfortunately Goa is getting defaced at an electrifying speed. Posterity will never forgive the rulers of recent years for their selfish and dubious role in this irreparable damage and destruction of what was once a beautiful Goa, the Paradise of the East. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] DOUBLE STANDARDS BY THE BJP
While in the Opposition the BJP had repeatedly stalled Parliament, in Goa too Manohar Parrikar had missed no opportunity to disrupt the proceedings in the Legislative Assembly. Now that they are in power they want all voices of Opposition to be silent. No demonstrations or dharnas has become the order of the day. The very basic tenets of democracy are being subverted. The BJP had promised Zero Tolerance to Corruption and transparency by way of good governance. However, the ground reality is that we have landed from the frying pan into the fire. Things have only got worse over the last three and half years under the BJP rule in Goa and the 15 months that it has been in power at the centre. The only difference is that the corruption by the Congress was out in the open for all to see, but the BJP has been engaging in it besides nepotism on a much larger scale but all that is being done very discreetly masked and extremely subtly executed. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] PROBE BEGINS AGAINST INDUSTRIES MINISTER MAHADEV NAIK, MAUVIN GODINHO WILL BE NEXT
The Anti- Corruption branch has registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) against Goa’s Industries Minister Mahadev Naik in connection with his alleged fraudulent misuse of MLA Housing Loan Scheme. By a complaint on July 25th an immediate probe was sought against the Industries Minister Mahadev Naik for allegedly committing a major fraud by utilizing the MLA Housing loan scheme by taking a loan of 30 lakhs for housing but then illegally utilizing it for buying commercial property in Ponda. Mahadev Naik. After the issue came to light Mahadev Naik swiftly paid back the entire loan In public interest this serious case of corruption against Mahadev Naik must be probed. Mahadev Naik may be a powerful politician and a Minister in the ruling BJP government but this should not deter the authorities from acting against him in accordance with law. A prompt and impartial action in probing the case against Mahadev Naik would help dispel the public perception that the Vigilance department is functioning as an agent of the ruling BJP and not taking action in cases where persons connected to the BJP are the accused. Meanwhile, the Vigilance department is seeking the nod of the Chief Secretary who is the Chief Vigilance Officer to probe the complaint over the recent appointment by the BJP government of Opposition Congress MLA Mauvin Godinho as the Chairman of South Goa Planning and Development Authority . This act of offering inducement to a public servant MLA Mauvin Godinho for his support to the Government, by an external act of rewarding him with a Chairmanship, when he belongs to another political party, without his resigning from the political party, amounts to an open bribe and purchase of an Opposition MLA. By an order dated 31st July 2015 Mauvin Godinho despite being an Opposition MLA belonging to the Congress Party has been appointed as Chairman of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority in collusion with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar by getting the incumbent to that post Cuncolim BJP MLA Rajan Naik to resign. Mauvin Godinho is currently an MLA of the Indian National Congress Party which is the main opposition party in the Goa Legislative Assembly, having been elected from the Dabolim Constituency at the 2012 Assembly elections. During his earlier term as MLA while as Power Minister that Mauvin Godinho was accused of a multi crore power scam and was charge sheeted by the police with the matter now pending before the Supreme Court. Ironically Manohar Parrikar and Mauvin Godinho had earlier accused each other of cheating and corruption. Manohar Parrikar had filed a complaint against Mauvin Godinho alleging a multi crore power scam, while Mauvin Godinho accused Manohar Parrikar as Chief Minister of having been involved in gross and rampant corruption during 2004 International Film Festival of India (IFFI). It now needs to be probed whether the appointment of Mauvin Godinho as Chairman of SGPDA is to induce him to join the BJP and whether he has been promised that the Goa government will also go soft in the Power Scam case pending against him before the Supreme Court. BJP Vice President Dr Wilfred Mesquita while reacting to the appointment of Mauvin Godinho as SGPDA Chairman has stated that “The BJP did not find a corrupt and dishonest MLA in its ranks, so they got one from outside”. It has been sought that an F.I.R be registered against the accused Mauvin Godinho, Manohar Parrikar and Laxmikant Parsekar under Sections 7, 13(2) r/w 13(1) (d) and Section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 Section 120-B of Indian Penal Code and to promptly investigate the same in accordance with law. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] LOUIS BERGER PROBE – QUO VADIS?
in the corruption cases against Manohar Parrikar, Dilip Parulekar, Rajendra Arlekar, Mahadev Naik and others in the saffron brigade. In the Mickky Pacheco saga he has been sought to be treated as a VIP even after his conviction being upheld by the Supreme Court. The rule of law is a distant dream while politicians in power ensure that the law is made an Ass. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] GOA CM LAXMIKANT PARSEKAR PROMOTING US FUGITIVE
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar is promoting and supporting a US fugitive Subhakar Rao to do nefarious activites in Goa under the guise of investment in tourism related projects. Subhakar Rao the Chairman of Champions Group who has been in Goa for the last few years after fleeing from the law enforcement authorities in the United States of America has been in regular touch with Laxmikant Parsekar even when he was the Minister for Ports under then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar needs to explain as to how he has been dealing with a very shady character Subhakar Rao who has fled the United States where he is wanted by the FBI on serious charges including human trafficking. In an attempt to mislead the authorities Subhakar Rao who has his office at Aldeia de Goa and Gera Imperium at Patto Plaza had been styling himself under various names including Stanley Rao and Sam Surapaneni. The Crime Branch must probe all the financial transactions between Laxmikant Parsekar and Subhakar Rao besides the properties bought by Subhakar Rao in Goa. Their custodial interrogation is required to get to the bottom of the rot as Laxmikant Parsekar was fully aware of Subhakar Rao’s very dubious antecedents. Shree Sai Champions Family Trust of which Subhakar Rao is the Managing Trustee had on 31st May last year bought for a whopping six crores khazan land admeasuring 79,950 sq mts at Navelim village in Piedade at Divar. The property was given on leave and licence to Champions Yacht Club Private Ltd of which Subhakar Rao’s live in partner Hemamalini is a Director for starting Tourism related activities including cottages, bar Restaurant etc. The law only permits pisciculture activity at that khazan land. Subhakar Rao has rampantly and highhandedly destroyed mangroves around the water bodies with the tacit support of local Sarpanch Prasad Harmalkar with the bunds having been illegally reconstructed and widened causing environmental disturbance affecting the ecology of a very sensitive and fragile area. All the activity being done on this Khazan land is illegal with Subhakar Rao flexing his political and money power. The drug and flesh trade from the coastal belt is now being infused to a new destination, the serene Divar Island where that little piece of remaining paradise will be lost forever. As there is no road access to his illegal hide out and spurious haven from the Divar side, Subhakar Rao has been using the old Chorao ferry ramp opposite the Ribandar Church to ship across all his illegal bits and pieces for the rave parties he has been conducting there. Subhakar Rao with political patronage while paying no taxes to the Government has been organizing drug parties at Divar through Shahid Hussain who runs the controversial Club Westend at Saligao. A daylong massive drug party is scheduled at Divar on August 16th which the authorities in public interest should not allow. We need to commend the Parish Priest of Ribandar Fr Lawrence Fernandes for having taken the initiative to create awareness so that Ribandar stops being a transit point for all these illegal immoral activities and to thwart the Divar Island from ending up being the new destination for drugs and prostitution. It is anguishing that a once peaceful and serene Goa has today sadly become a gambling, prostitution and crime destination. We owe it to posterity to salvage this once Paradise of the East from further sinking. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] THE BENCH ALSO NEEDS TO RESPECT THE BAR
It is outrageous and condemnable that the Advocates were informed through an advertisement in the newspapers that the Panaji Civil and Criminal Courts were being shifted to the building ‘Spaces’ at Patto Plaza. A total and very high-handed disrespect to the Bar and the legal fraternity. Protocol and Propriety required that the shifting of the Courts should have been intimated in written to the duly elected Advocate Associations. The move to shift the Panaji Courts to Patto Plaza has now however rightly been kept on hold. Then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in 2013 had in a very fraudulent manner got the government to lease those premises at ‘Spaces’ from his friend Nilesh Amonkar. The rent of around 40 lakhs a month is being paid from 1st November 2013 while the premises remain unused. The renting of the extremely exorbitantly priced premises from Nilesh Amonkar who is known to be close to Manohar Parrikar was a well stitched multi crore scam and a neatly planned plot to benefit Nilesh Amonkar. The government managed to arm twist the Courts to use those premises without taking into account that the shifting of the Courts there was neither feasible nor desirable for varied and cogent reasons. The Judiciary should not compromise its independence and succumb to such devious moves of the government. Moving the Panaji Courts to ‘Spaces’ as a stop gap arrangement till the Court complex at Merces is ready makes no sense. Instead the Merces Court complex project should be expedited to avoid this unnecessary colossal and criminal waste of public funds. On 2nd November 2009 the foundation stone was laid for the North Goa District and Sessions Court Complex at Merces which was supposed to house all the Panaji Courts. We were then promised that the premises would be ready within a year. It will soon be six long years to the laying of that foundation stone and not a brick has been cast with that foundation stone itself having long gone missing with those building design plans by now perhaps feasted on by the white ants. It was only another example of burdening the tax payer by lavish and very injudicious spending on such pretentious functions which seem to be ending up as a mere gathering of stones. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] POLICE SEEK TO CLOSE CHEATING CASE AGAINST FORMER BUREAUCRAT RP PAL AND WIFE
The Panaji Police have moved the Judicial Magistrate First Class seeking to close the cheating and misappropriation case that was registered in 2008 against the then Goa’s Urban Development Secretary RP Pal. The Panaji Police on 1st September 2008 had registered an F.I.R against RP Pal and his wife Putul under Sections 420, 406, 468, 120 (B) read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code for conspiring to dishonestly misappropriate and cheat the Corporation of the City of Panaji. Rs.147 per day was being illegally paid by the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) to Putul Pal, wife of the then Urban Development Secretary R.P Pal as a daily wage sweeper under a fake name of Rakeshwari Hannur while the cashier of the CCP was handing over the money periodically to Putul Pal and her thumb impression was being obtained on the receipts. Another complaint was filed at the Porvorim Police Station on 6th September 2008 that RP Pal and Putul Pal were fraudulently also drawing from the Secretariat funds the salary of a non existent NMR (Non Muster Roll) worker also under a fake name of Mayarani Sharma. No person by the name of Mayarani Sharma was working at the residence of RP Pal. The arrangement of receiving the amount fraudulently in the name of Mayarani Sharma from the cashier at Porvorim Secretariat was allegedly done at the instance of RP Pal while the thumb impression on the receipts was that of Putul Pal. Incidentally a week after the F.I.R was registered, RP Pal an IAS officer was transferred to Lakshadweep and later moved on to Pondicherry where he retired two years ago. Now after almost seven years of a very shoddy investigation the Panaji Police while seeking to close the case have stated that the complaint against RP Pal and his wife Putul was true but have claimed that there was no enough evidence against the duo. But the Court must now direct the police to complete the investigation and charge sheet RP Pal and his wife Putul for having defrauded the State exchequer. The current trend of the BJP government in Goa of closing criminal cases against the rich and well connected is only a glaring proof that the policy of Zero action against the corrupt is now official. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] YET ANOTHER TRICK BY MICKKY PACHECO
In yet another desperate and skewed stunt to get fresh air, the jailed Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco has got the Sarpanches and Panch members of all the six panchayats of Nuvem constituency to sign a petition to the government demanding that their MLA be released on parole during the Assembly session that starts on July 27th so that he could raise the pending issues of the constituency in the Legislative Assembly. In trying to get parole to attend the Assembly session Mickky Pacheco is seeking a frantic respite from his current imprisonment. This latest move by Mickky Pacheco is just another attempt to make a mockery of the law and the Justice delivery system. For the Nuvem MLA his only priority has to be to complete that six month jail sentence that was upheld by four Courts and even the Supreme Court of India. Mickky Pacheco should be dealt like any other convict and all his innovative moves to curtail that six month jail sentence must be thrashed. After absconding for two long months, the flamboyant former Minister Mickky Pacheco who surrendered on June 1st is undergoing a well deserved six month jail sentence for having in 2006 while a Minister slapped Electricity department Junior Engineer Kapil Natekar. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] GOA’S AG ATMARAM NADKARNI NEEDS A DOSE ON ETHICS
The French Nobel Prize winning Author and Philosopher Albert Camus had rightly said “A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world” Atmaram Nadkarni as the First Law Officer of the State should have led by example. But the Advocate General of Goa by his abuse of power and foul misconduct has done irreparable loss and brought utter disgrace to the Justice delivery system in the State. As Atmaram Nadkarni was earlier consulted and engaged in another matter by now jailed former Minister Mickky Pacheco , professional ethics would warrant that the Advocate General recuse from giving any legal opinion to the Goa Government on Mickky Pacheco’s plea for pardon as Atmaram Nadkarni would be acting in clear conflict of interest. We all know that Atmaram Nadkarni venerates wealth and for that would stretch to any extent, but there must be room left for some morals too. Even those in the world’s oldest profession do it better. And the flamboyant Atmaram Nadkarni must have seen this for himself on his flings even in Pattaya. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] TRANQUIL ISLAND OF DIVAR SET TO BE GOA’S DRUG AND FLESH TRADE HUB
The cavalier manner in which the current BJP government is heartlessly and mercilessly destroying Goa is a matter of grave concern. It should act as an eye opener to us all. With Goa’s once pristine coastal belt now corrupted and ruined beyond recognition, the hinterland is currently under siege. From the coastal belt, the drug and flesh trade is now being infused to a new destination, the serene Divar Island. That little piece of remaining paradise will be lost forever. Under the guise of promoting Eco- tourism on the Divar Island, in the Goltim Navelim area of Piedade, Subhakar Rao the Chairman of Champions Group has rampantly and high-handedly destroyed mangroves. The bunds having been illegally reconstructed and widened causing environmental disturbance affecting the ecology of a very sensitive and fragile area. Everything that is being done on this Khazan land is illegal, without any licenses while Subhakar Rao only flexes his political and money power. Subhakar Rao has with impunity been merrily violating every law possible while Manohar Parrikar and Laxmikant Parsekar have been directing the authorities to turn a nelson’s eye to all these illegalities. Subhakar Rao reportedly besides being close to some senior central BJP leaders has been pouring profusely into the BJP coffers and pockets of those who matter the most. As there is no road access to his illegal hide out and spurious haven through the Divar side, Subhakar Rao has been using the old Chorao ferry ramp opposite the Ribandar Church to ship across all his illegal bits and pieces for the rave parties he has been conducting there. We should be very grateful to the Parish Priest of Ribandar Rev Fr Lawrence Fernandes for having taken the initiative to create awareness so that Ribandar stops being a transit point for all these illegal and nefarious activities. May be Fr. Lawrence Fernandes could also coordinate with his counterpart Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Jose Dias to thwart the Divar island from ending up being a notorious focal point for drugs and prostitution. Regardless of however strong political connections that Subhakar Rao has with the ruling BJP, Goans need to rise and wage a relentless battle to save what remains of Goa from vultures like Subhakar Rao. Let us not allow this monster Subhakar Rao from doing further damage to Goa. A once peaceful and serene Goa has today sadly become a gambling, prostitution and crime destination. We owe it to posterity to salvage this once Paradise of the East from further sinking. We will all depart, but Goa must live. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] TAINTED ANANT SHET IS FRONTRUNNER TO BE MINISTER
The BJP in Goa seems to be dangling all over the vacant cabinet berth created by the now jailed Mickky Pacheco. After having initially lured it to Babush Monseratte and promised it to Vishnu Wagh too, while Nilesh Cabral and Pramod Sawant wait in the wings also, it is now reported that Deputy Speaker Anant Shet may come from behind and walk away with the cake. If it happens another tainted would join the Laxmikant Parsekar led already awfully soiled cabinet. The high handed political move by the Old Goa Police in closing the criminal case that was registered in 2012 against now Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Anant Shet needs to be legally challenged in public interest. A First Information Report bearing No 29/12 was registered on 3rd March 2012 at the Old Goa Police Station against Anant Shet after he was caught red handed at the Chorao ferry with cash amounting to Rs 3,47,500 in his vehicle to allegedly bribe voters while on the campaign trail at the 2012 Assembly elections. The F.I.R registered against Anant Shet was under Sections 171 (E), 511,188 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. Instead of upholding the law and charge sheeting Anant Shet, the police bowing to the political diktats have closed an open-and- shut case where Anant Shet was caught red handed with the money. The police have grossly abdicated in their duty by lacking the spine to charge sheet the Deputy Speaker. The closure of the case is malafied, outrageous and a mockery of the law. The police after having shelved the investigation for two long years tactfully moved to close the case. The police are duty bound to act in accordance with law in each and every case. Anant Shet cannot be shielded just because he is a well connected ruling party politician. The police cannot pick and choose while investigating cases. They should in the investigation of every case, demonstrate the zeal and enthusiasm they extraordinarily exhibited in the infamous Tarun Tejpal case. There is rightly a public perception that the police in Goa are sadly acting as caged parrots and taking no action against crimes committed by those linked to the BJP. As nobody is above the law, Justice demands that Deputy Speaker Anant Shet be charge sheeted and made to face trial in the criminal case involving serious charges of allegedly bribing voters. And this Government had vowed that it would be Zero Tolerance against Corruption. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] A CLEAN COP RETIRES
Superintendent of Police Merlin Fernandes fondly known to all as Melwyn Fernandes recently retired after serving the Goa Police Force for over three decades. A very affable, fun loving and very kind Melwyn has been always jovial yet never mincing words in all that he communicates. Two years ago under Right to Information Act I was informed by the Goa Police that Melwyn Fernandes was one of the few officers who throughout his career never ever faced a departmental inquiry or action whatsoever. A flawless record that officers in the currently embattled Goa Police could look forward as a role model. Wishing the unblemished Cop Melwyn Fernandes a much deserved cheerful retirement. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] CHETAN DESAI MUST AXE THE TAINTED VINOD PHADKE
Bowling out the Cancer quack Dr. Shekhar Salkar was the right move by the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) but the newly inducted President Chetan Desai could have started his innings on a clean slate by keeping at bay the stained Vinod Phadke on the stands till he is cleared by the Courts of the pending criminal charges against him relating to past GCA affairs. Probity must extend to all those holding public offices. There is need to now ensure the removal of Vinod Phadke as GCA Secretary as his appointment amounts to a cavalier disrespect to the Judiciary and in total violation of the Justice Pendse commission recommendations which had indicted Vinod Phadke amongst others of serious misdeeds. Vinod Phadke is now the accused and facing serious criminal charges in the case involving the infamous 2001 ticket gate which is pending before the Margao Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC). Time to sanitize the already very soiled Cricket pitch and restore sanity to the game. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] RTI REVEALS GROSS ABUSE OF POWER BY MAPUSA JMFC DVIJPLE PATKAR
Mapusa Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Dvijple Patkar last month wrote two threatening letters to the Mapusa Police while seeking that police protection be given to her nephew. This has been revealed in the information obtained under the Right to Information Act. Dvijple Patkar by a letter dated 5th June sought that her brother Advocate’s son be provided police protection of two policemen and two lady police while he goes to school, while at school and while he returns home. Judge Patkar in her letter also questioned the manner in which the police were investigation the complaint filed by her advocate brother against his wife while accusing the police of shielding the accused. Judge Patkar in her letter further alleged that was a threat to her life and that to her family members including her nephew on account of the failure of the Mapusa Police to perform their duty. Judge Patkar by another letter dated 12th June while reminding the Mapusa Police to provide her nephew police protection, once again warned that the police shall be held responsible for any untoward incidents in respect to her, her nephew and other family members. These two letters written by Judge Patkar are very high-handed and a gross abuse of power. The Bombay High Court at Goa needs to take appropriate deterrent action against Judge Patkar for exceeding her jurisdiction and that too in her own family dispute in which she herself is also one of the accused. Judge Patkar cannot personally interfere in the investigation of the case and intimidate the Police. Immediate action should be taken to divest Judge Patkar of all judicial powers. If action could be taken against Margao JMFC Bosco Roberts over a judicial order passed by him, the High court cannot remain a mere spectator to this very serious misconduct by Judge Dvijple Patkar. The Margao Police on 5th March 2015 filed a charge sheet against Judge Dvijple Patkar amongst others under Sections 498-A (b), 323, read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The charge sheet was filed after the police investigating a First Information Report No 502/2014 dated 3rd November 2014 registered against Judge Dvijple Patkar and others on a complaint filed by her brother advocate’s wife. Judge Dvijple Patkar is also facing proceedings under the Domestic Violence Act. It is highly improper for a charge sheeted person to continue discharging duties as a Judge. Judge Patkar is exerting political pressure through Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni to try and hang on as a Judge. This unbecoming conduct of Judge Patkar has compromised the Independence of the Judiciary. Judge Patkar should have herself stepped down and faced the wheels of Justice to avoid this dark and very sordid shameful chapter for Goa’s Judiciary. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] CORRUPTION IN GOA IS TODAY AT ITS PEAK
The alleged 6 crore Louis Berger kickback is peanuts compared to the astronomical riches the current ruling BJP politicians in Goa and their cronies have and continue to amass. What we have been witnessing over the last three and a half years is organized daylight rampant corruption with the Government intentionally having kept Goa without a Lokayukta and Information Commission as well. The CBI needs to interrogate Manohar Parrikar, Laxmikant Parsekar, Atmaram Nadkarni amongst others to unearth the mountain of ill-gotten wealth acquired. It has been a tale of rags to riches for this most corrupt government in Goa’s history. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] AN ANOMALY AT THE BOMBAY HIGH COURT
The Bombay High Court has notified that complaints against the District Judiciary will not be entertained unless accompanied by an Affidavit. So complaints against High Court Judges do not need an affidavit. Surprisingly without there being an affidavit the High Court promptly acted on the complaint filed by the Government against Margao JMFC Bosco Roberts for having issued a search warrant to look out for the then absconding convict former Minister Mickky Pacheco at 10 Akbar Road, the official residence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. One wonders whether it is the Government that is steering and manipulating the wheels of the Judiciary in Goa. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] CORRUPTION IN GOA IS NOW AT ITS PEAK
The alleged 6 crore Louis Berger kickback is peanuts compared to the astronomical riches the current ruling BJP politicians in Goa and their cronies have and continue to amass. Manohar Parrikar while Chief Minister the government had paid the same Louis Berger a whopping Rs 14 crore towards the Mopa Airport techno-feasibility study.Only Manohar Parrikar could enlighten us on how deep his cut was. What we have been witnessing over the last three and a half years is organized daylight rampant corruption with the Government intentionally having kept Goa without a Lokayukta and Information Commission as well. The CBI needs to interrogate Manohar Parrikar, Laxmikant Parsekar, Atmaram Nadkarni amongst others to unearth the mountain of ill-gotten wealth acquired. It has been a tale of rags to riches for this most corrupt government in Goa’s history. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] SUPREME COURT IMPOSES 10 LAKH PENALTY ON VIJAY MALLYA
The Supreme Court of India today cracked the whip on Vijay Mallya, the King of Good Times in an appeal filed by him in a case under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 (FERA) Dismissing the appeal while finding no merit in it, the Supreme Court also observed that the entire approach adopted by Vijay Mallya was a sheer abuse of the process of law. The Court further observed that any other view of the matter would only go to once again establishing the notorious truth stated by Anatole France that – “the law in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets and to steal bread”. The Bench comprising of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel today also imposed exemplary costs quantified at rupees ten lakhs to be paid by Vijay Mallya to the Supreme Court Legal Service Authority. Today, it was not the King of Good Times but the Rule of Law that had the last laugh. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] JUDGE BOSCO ROBERTS VICTIMISED AT INSTANCE OF DEFENCE MINISTER MANOHAR PARRIKAR
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has acted as a virtual terrorist in targeting Margao Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Bosco Roberts and getting him shunted to the post of Secretary, South Goa District Legal Services Authority. JMFC Bosco Roberts has been high-handedly victimised for having on 22nd April rightly issued a search warrant to look out for the then absconding convict former Minister Mickky Pacheco at 10 Akbar Road in Delhi which is the official residence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. On the politically tainted advice given by Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni the Goa Government had filed a complaint with the Bombay High Court Chief Justice against Judge Bosco Roberts. The transfer order of Judge Bosco Roberts issued on Friday evening is politically motivated, very overbearing and a clear assault on the Independence of the Judiciary. The Government’s gunning for Judge Bosco Roberts is outrageous and a cavalier interference in the working of the Judiciary to infuse fear in other judges who dare to uphold the law. Such witch hunting would not only demoralize the Judicial officers but even deter them from functioning fearlessly and independently. It is now very evident that this government cannot tolerate any criticism or dissent with democracy being throttled even in the judiciary. It is time to act and save the judiciary from politicians and external control. The Goa Government has compromised the Independence of the Judiciary by earlier managing to high-handedly wind up the Goa CBI Court and now targeting Judge Bosco Roberts. It only demonstrates that it is ‘Acche din’ for the law breakers and the corrupt. There is an utmost need to ensure that the independence of the temples of justice is not further dented and desecrated. Justice should be insulated from all political machinations. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] ORDINANCE EXTENDING GOA UNIVERSITY VICE-CHANCELLOR DR SATISH SHETYE’S TENURE IS A FRAUD ON GOANS
We need to strongly deplore the Goa Government’s very high-handed act of issuing an ordinance to extend the term of office of the Goa University Vice-Chancellor Dr Satish Ramnath Shetye. The power to promulgate an Ordinance is essentially a power to be used to meet a very extraordinary situation and cannot be allowed to be perverted to serve political ends. The Goa government has gone overboard to ensure that their protégé got an extension at all costs by this midnight exercise. Dr Satish Shetye should have gracefully complied with Goa Governor Mridula Sinha’s marching orders and demitted office but he has brought utter dishonor to the very high post of Vice-Chancellor by stooping to awfully low levels in flexing his political muscles to just hang on to office. There is a sense of public outrage at the manner in which the Goa University has been totally mismanaged over the last three years under Dr Satish Shetye as Vice-Chancellor in collusion and connivance with the Registrar V.P.Kamat. All the Academic, Administrative and Financial illegalities and irregularities at the Goa University under the stewardship of the now disgraced Dr Satish Shetye need to come to light. Infact in September 2012 itself when Dr Satish Shetye was appointed as Vice-Chancellor by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar he lacked academic excellence, exposure to the higher education system in the country and abroad, and adequate experience in academic and administrative governance besides above all having no teaching experience whatsoever. The Search committee to short list names of suitable persons that could be the next Vice- Chancellor was intentionally paralyzed at the behest of Dr Satish Shetye himself to facilitate his pre-planned and well orchestrated attempt for this extension. The various crucial Committees of the Goa University including the Executive Council need to be immediately reconstituted to infuse young blood and the much needed vision to rescue the Goa University from its current state of utter chaos and mismanagement. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] LETTER WRITTEN TODAY BY PROF PETER RONALD DE SOUZA TO THE ADVOCATE GENERAL OF GOA ATMARAM NADKARNI
Dated: 24th October 2015 Honourable Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni, I write to seek your clarification on the issues of law that have a bearing on the continuation in office of the Vice Chancellor of Goa University, Dr Satish Shetye, after 25 October 2015. I do this because the authority of your august office has been invoked to legitimize the decision to amend the statutes regarding superannuation and to give the proposed amendment the authority of the law. There are fundamental issues involved here, both jurisprudential and procedural, concerning the rule of law in a Constitutional democracy, which your august office is tasked with both upholding and promoting. I write this because I see the Advocate General as primarily carrying two moral obligations: To advise the government about the principles and the letter of law when it takes any policy decisions. This advice ensures that the decisions are consistent with the law as it stands and with the norms of the constitutional order. To educate the citizens of Goa on the value of the rule of law and of the importance of all persons, irrespective of office, to be rule abiding which is a core feature of any democracy. These obligations, which you have willingly undertaken when you took the oath of office, gives your office an autonomy from the government although you have been appointed by it. This is a very privileged position and carries a very heavy responsibility. In short, even though you are of the government you are for the Constitution of India and would reprimand the government when it strays from the constitutional path. Now let me turn to the processes and procedures followed by the Goa University authorities to enable Dr Shetye to continue in office after he reaches/reached the age of 65 years. I will limit myself to issues that pertain to your office and I will stay within the narrow confines of the law and not get into the politics of the matter. In March the Goa University EC decided to request the Chancellor to extend the term of the VC beyond the contracted period which requires him to retire after he reaches the age of superannuation, i.e., 65 years. A draft letter making a request for extension, which was to be sent to the Chancellor, was circulated in advance to members. This letter was objected to by me in my letter dated and sent to all the members on 11 March 2015, I stated my objections since I believed it was bad in law and harmful to the institution. Goa University as an institution must be committed to a principle of routine and rule bound succession, a valuable principle which, I believed, was being undermined. As a result of this objection the initiative was withdrawn and a letter was instead sent to the Government of Goa seeking clarification on whether the VC Dr Shetye can be given an extension. For several months no reply was received from Government and the routine Executive Council meeting of 30 September 2015 was informed that the University was still awaiting a reply from government. The EC was also informed that the present Registrar who had reached the age of superannuation could continue in office as per the rules. Is this a correct reading of the law? On 10th October a Special Meeting of the EC was called for the 15th to endorse a change in the statute enabling the VC get a full 5 year term beyond the age of superannuation. The proposed amendment to the Statutes of Goa University recommended (i) the appointment of a VC irrespective of age at entry, (ii) the appointee be given a full term of 5 years, and (iii) the retirement age being extended to 70 years from the present 65 years. The EC was informed, in a letter from the Director of Higher Education, that the matter had been examined by the government and studied by your learned self. In short you had approved the process that was now to follow. In your learned eyes the process that was being adopted was consistent with the law. The Director of Education in his letter DHE/Accts/Forum Non govt/3-28/2015-16/2818 dt 9/10/2015 on the issue of age enhancement has stated: ‘..issue raised by the Vice Chancellor of Goa University was examined by the Government. Further, Legal opinion from Ld Advocate General was also obtained. After careful examination of both proposals it has been decided by the government to request the University to amend the Statute SA-6 immediately providing that the Vice Chancellor shall hold office for a term of five years from the date of which he enters office irrespective of his/her age’. This was repeated in the papers presented to the EC on 15th October 2015. Your scrutiny and approval was assuring for us. As a citizen of Goa we wanted the guarantee that your High Constitutional Office had examined the matter and advised both the Government and Goa University that the actions to amend the Statutes were aligned with the principles of law. Since your first obligation was to alert the government on staying within the
[Goanet] ON 25th OCTOBER GOA MUST REJECT THE BJP SUPPORTED CANDIDATES
While openness, transparency and accountability are cornerstones of a democratic system, free and fairness are the essential prerequisites in any election. But sadly the elections to 11 of Goa’s Municipal Councils scheduled for October 25th were rigged and manipulated even before they were announced. >From the very delimitation process to the reservation of wards which was high-handedly announced on the very eve of filing nominations, the entire process was highjacked by the BJP with even Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar directing and meddling in it all. The Director of Municipal Administration Elvis Gomes who is known to dance to the tunes of his political masters was made good use of by the BJP to manipulate the agenda to their advantage. Despite all their underhand politricks and money power the BJP is having a rough time sailing through. The people of Goa should rise to the occasion and reject the BJP supported candidates. This will send a clear signal to the BJP that it cannot be controlling us on even what we should eat, wear and speak. Democracy must be allowed to thrive and the rule of law should prevail at all times. Let us take the pledge to Save what remains of Goa. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] MORE EVIDENCE ON HOW MANOHAR PARRIKAR CHEATED GOA
The Goa Government very high-handedly paid a whopping Rs 6, 37,721 for the dinner hosted by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on 8th June 2013 at the Goa Marriot Resort for the 543 delegates attending the National Executive meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party which was held in the Goa from the 7th to 9th June 2013. This has been revealed in the information obtained from the Protocol department at the Secretariat under the Right to Information Act. As per the information furnished under the RTI Act a note was moved on 4th June 2013 to the Protocol department by Sanchita Banerjee Rodrigues, Press Liaison Officer to the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar that the Chief Minister would be hosting a dinner for delegates of the National Executive Meeting, decietly without mentioning that it was a BJP meet. The entire file notings processing that bill also nowhere mentions that it was a BJP meeting but just masks it as a National Executive Meeting. As per the information furnished by the protocol department Manohar Parrikar while Chief Minister from 9th March 2012 to 8th November 2014 hosted a total of 48 official lunches and dinners which cost the Goa Government a total of Rs 40,96,032 (forty lakhs ninety six thousand and thirty two rupees). All this fun and frolic at the cost of the tax payer despite the State coffers being cash starved. A perusal of the records obtained under RTI Act also shockingly reveals that in the 21 of the 48 occasions, despite there being no mention on what was the reason for hosting the lunch or dinner, the bills were cleared by the Protocol department with no questions asked. This includes a dinner at Goa Marriott hosted on 9th March 2013 for 90 persons which cost Rs 1, 37,950 and another dinner for 400 persons at Hotel Mandovi Riveira on 25th September 2013 which cost Rs 3, 95,694 both for which the reason of hosting the occasion finds no mention in the request sent by the Chief Minister’s Office to the Protocol department. All these documents obtained under the Right to Information Act will be handed over to the Vigilance department to seek a probe against Manohar Parrikar as there has been a clear misuse of public funds with bills cleared without being properly scrutinized and audited besides the bills inflated and manipulated. This lavish and uncalled for illegal spending by Manohar Parrikar was a criminal waste of public funds and contrary to government’s own circular calling for austerity measures in view of the serious financial crunch faced by the State. Tax payer’s money cannot be squandered by the government on political party merry making. When Manohar Parrikar was Chief Minister, his Secretary cum Man Friday and Collection agent was Siddarth Kuncolienkar, another smooth operator who succeeded Manohar Parrikar as Panaji MLA and who now wants to take us on a Smart city jolly good ride. A very close watch will have to be kept to ensure that these two characters do not further defraud Goa’s already depleted State Exchequer. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] GOA GOVERNOR URGED NOT TO GIVE EXTENSION TO GOA VC DR SATISH SHETYE
Goa Governor Mridula Sinha has today been urged not to allow any extension to the Goa University Vice Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye who is due to retire this month on attaining the age of 65. In a memorandum to Governor Sinha it has been sought that she should not allow the Goa Government to drag her in their malafied and mischievous attempt to illegally grant an extension to Vice- Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye. The entire pre-planned move of the 17 member Goa University’s Executive Council to amend the Goa University Statute SA-6 (1) (d) was to give Dr Shetye a two year n extension. The Executive Council did not have the powers to engage in fixing the retirement age of academic staff of the University including that of the Vice Chancellor in view of the amendment dated 23rd September 2002 to the Goa University Act. The solemnity and sanctity of Goa’s educational turf stood compromised with the very high-handed move under a veil of total secrecy to give Goa University Vice-Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye a two year extension. Dr Shetye who would benefit by this two extension himself presided over that very Executive Council meeting of which he is the Chairman and comprising of his friends and family as members. Infact the Vice-Chancellor is not supposed to take any major decision three months prior to his retirement. This first ever change to the University Statute that was sought to be effected to give Dr Satish Shetye a further two years as Vice-Chancellor would defeat the very spirit and intent of restricting the retirement age of the Vice- Chancellor to 65 years which was meant for induction of relatively younger persons and fresh blood in the management of the University. Infact in September 2012 itself when Dr Satish Shetye was appointed as Vice-Chancellor he lacked academic excellence, exposure to the higher education system in the country and abroad, adequate experience in academic and administrative governance besides above all having no teaching experience whatsoever. The current lackluster Vice-Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye has no singular great achievement to merit such extra-ordinary privilege of a two year extension. Even the ‘A’ Grade gained by Goa University from NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) was not due to the present Vice-Chancellors’s own personal contributions but due to the collective efforts of all the Departments in the Goa University and the good work done by earlier Vice-Chancellor. Dr Satish Shetye’s only achievement is that he has acted as a dedicated mouth piece of the government and danced to the tunes of the ruling BJP in running and rather ruining the University. Dr Shetye’s extension was manipulated at the instance of the RSS elements within the BJP and would affect the University adversely by denying it the services of more acclaimed and capable national level personalities. If the extension to Dr Satish Shetye was sought under the guise of he being knowledgeable and experienced then why had such extensions not been offered to other senior faculty members too. The rules require that the post of Vice-Chancellor be advertised six months in advance and a Search Committee can also be constituted to recommend to the Governor suitable names of persons to be the next Vice-Chancellor. The authorities intentionally went into slumber as the extension now being sought to be given to the incumbent Dr Satish Shetye was well pre-planned. Since the very inception of Goa University in 1985, all the Vice-Chancellors appointed have been from the Science stream. It is time to get an eminent personality from other faculties like Arts, Commerce or Management appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor to infuse some dynamism and Acche din at the Goa University besides the much transparency in its working. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] RTI REVEALS CASH STRAPPED GOA GOVERNMENT RELAXES RULES FOR A 10 DAY 5 STAR HOLIDAY OF SUPREME COURT JUDGE ROHINTON NARIMAN
The Goa Government despite its own circular of austerity measures for cost cutting has relaxed the State Guest Rules to accommodate the Supreme Court Judge Rohinton Fali Nariman who is arriving in Goa on 6th November for a 10 day holiday. This has been revealed in the information obtained from the Protocol department at the Secretariat under the Right to Information Act. As per the information furnished K.K.Chawla, the Private Secretary to Justice Rohinton Nariman by a letter dated 30thJuly this year wrote to the Chief Secretary of Goa that Justice Nariman accompanied by his wife Sanaya would be reaching Goa on 6th November and will be staying here till 16th November and requested that one suite at Taj Vivanta, Old Hermitage Cottage be booked for them. By another letter dated August 21stthe Chief Secretary was informed that Justice Nariman would be staying in Goa till the 15th November and not the 16th November as planned earlier. As per the Goa Government State Guest Rules, a Supreme Court Judge is treated as State Guest for only three calendar days but Government however can relax this provision in suitable cases. The rule further provides that Supreme Court Judges will be accommodated at Raj Bhavan during their visit. As per the file notings the Protocol department moved a note on 11th September seeking approval for the stay of Justice Nariman in Goa. The note stated that as Justice Nariman is staying for more than three days the rule would have to be relaxed to provide protocol facilities for his 11 day visit. The Secretary Protocol cleared the file on 15th Sept and the very same day it was approved by Protocol Minister with no questions asked despite the note not giving any reason for the relaxation. Incidentally the Protocol Minister is Dilip Parulekar who is also the Tourism Minister and against whom various criminal cases are pending in various Courts including the High Court. Interestingly the file notings reveal that the Protocol department did not seek the required approval of the Finance department despite there being a huge financial implication on account of relaxing the State Guest rules for Justice Nariman’s holiday. It is very disturbing to note that Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni had been pressurizing officers to breach the rules and illegally facilitate Justice Rohinton Nariman’s10 day holiday in Goa. The Advocate General should never act as a broker in organizing impermissible Government largesse for Judges as it compromises the very independence of the Judiciary. It is anguishing that the Constitutional mantra ‘that nobody is above the law’ is being trampled upon by a Judge of the India’s highest Temple of Justice. Justice Rohinton Nariman should adhere to the rules and like all other Supreme Court judges visiting Goa be a State Guest at Raj Bhavan for only three days. He must pay himself and not burden the tax payer for any other holiday that he wants to have in Goa. 59 year old Rohinton Nariman is the son of noted jurist Fali Nariman and was sworn in as a direct Judge of the Supreme Court on 7th of July last year and is scheduled to retire on 12th August 2021. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] HIGH COURT INTERVENTION SOUGHT AGAINST ORDINANCE GIVING EXTENSION TO GOA UNIVERSITY VICE-CHANCELLOR DR SATISH SHETYE
Have today sought the intervention of the Bombay High Court at Goa against the ordinance issued by the Goa Government extending by one year the tenure of Goa University Vice–Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye. The letter petition filed was mentioned before a Division Bench comprising of Justice F.M.Reis and Justice K.L.Wadane who have agreed to examine it. It was submitted to the Court that the manner in which the notification was issued extending the term of the Vice-Chancellor, the government had compromised and trampled on the very crucial autonomy and independence of the Goa University. Pleading that the Court intervene in this serious breach of the constitutional provisions in violating the sanctity of the Goa University have submitted to the Court that children of the common man study at the Goa University while the kin of those who were behind the draconian ordinance issued study elsewhere. The Court’s attention was drawn that the Vice Chancellor of the Goa University Dr Satish Shetye was due to retire on October 25th on attaining the age of 65 with Friday 23rd October supposed to be his last working day but that the Goa Government however on October 24th issued the controversial ordinance extending his tenure by one year. It was also pointed out that there was an attempt earlier last week to get the University statue amended based on a resolution passed by the Executive Council of the University which was however not consented to by the Governor of Goa who is also the Visitor of the University and that the Governor earlier last week had directed that the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar be relieved on Friday 24th October. Submitted to the Court today was also a copy of the letter dated October 24 th written by a senior member of the Executive Council of the Goa University Prof Peter Ronald de Souza to the Advocate General of Goa Atmaram Nadkarni questioning the issuance of the ordinance extending the Vice - Chancellor’s tenure. Questioning what was the emergency in issuing the Ordinance to amend Goa University Act if not to only benefit a particular individual, the letter petition points out that the Supreme Court has ruled that the power to issue ordinances is in the nature of an emergency power given to the executive only to meet an emergent situation. In the petition it has also been submitted that the founding fathers of democracy in India were united on the importance of democratic processes and had shunned the ordinance-making powers with even the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha, G.V. Mavalankar in his letter to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on July 17, 1954 vehemently arguing that an Ordinance is undemocratic and cannot be justified except in cases of extreme urgency or emergency. The Goa government had issued the Ordinance to benefit a specific individual and not in public interest. Political and personal criteria had taken precedence over public interest in a case of absolute favoritism by the government favoring a single individual who had no extra-ordinary merit to claim such a privilege. Under the theory of separation of powers, law making is the domain of the legislature, implementing the laws is the prerogative of the executive, and interpreting them is the preserve of the judiciary. There is need to stop ordinances which are abuse of power as the one giving extension to the Vice–Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye. The power to issue Ordinances is being misused by governments to subvert Parliamentary Democracy There is need to ensure that there was no such abuse of power by the Executive in issuing ordinances contrary to law. A copy of the petition has been sent to the Chief Justice of India H.L Dattu and the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Justice Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] MR CM, TIME TO WALK THE TALK
This is Vigilance Week and while Goa has been conveniently kept without the promised Lokayukta, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has been only sermonizing on the need of uprooting Corruption. It is time the Chief Minister first gets his own Ministers and MLAs, some of whom are awfully corrupt to take the pledge. May be he should also give an earful to the likes of his own brother-in-law who was recently caught red handed receiving a bribe of Rs 5. And coming to the Chief Minister himself will he walk the talk and make public his assets as of date. From 9 crores in 2007 his assets soared to a whopping 31 crores in 2012. Mr. Chief Minister, please enlighten us on what are those tools you have been using to reap such a bumper crop. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] CONCERTISED MIRAMAR-DONA PAULA ROAD ALREADY FULL OF CRACKS
There are already huge cracks all along the Miramar-Dona Paula Road which is currently being concretized. The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) should conduct an immediate quality control audit and stop any further payments to the contractor on account of the awfully shoddy and very substandard work. The concretization of Miramar- Dona Paula Road at a whopping cost of over Rs 84.63 crores is a criminal waste of public funds. The Miramar-Dona Paula road which was hot mixed in January 2014 at a the cost of Rs 1.63 crores was in less than a month soon dug up by GSIDC to concretize the road at a cost of Rs 84.63 crores. The work was hurriedly tendered by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar just before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections on which nothing more needs to be said. The Goa Government had earlier experimented in concretizing a portion of a road at Cuncolim at a cost of Rs 5 crores, and the road developed huge cracks so much so that the concrete had to be removed and the road was hot mixed again at a cost of Rs 3.15 crores causing huge loss to the exchequer. Public funds are to be used in public interest and the Government and its officers hold such funds in trust for the public while using such funds bonafide and to sub serve the public good. The Government cannot recklessly and with corrupt intent squander public funds or award contracts by way of largesse to the detriment of public interest. We need to strongly condemn the highly reprehensible and insensitivity of the Government to the distressed plight and hardship of those residing along the Miramar-Dona Paula Road and more particular the thousands of students, staff and parents of Sharada Mandir School for the harrowing ordeal being faced on account of the sordid state of that road over the last two years. In April 2014 the Government had stated that the road was part of the master plan for the City of Panaji and that the state of the art Miramar-Dona Paula concretized road with a cycling and walking track would be completed within a year. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] CHEATING CASE AGAINST DEFENCE MINISTER MANOHAR PARRIKAR: FINAL ARGUMENTS ON 5TH DEC
Panaji Chief Judicial Magistrate Ashley Noronha has adjourned to December 5 th the final arguments on the cheating case against Defence Minister and former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar besides Nilesh Amonker Managing Partner of Apex Computer and Engineering Services. In a complaint filed on 6th February at the Panaji Police Station it was stated that Manohar Parrikar and Nilesh Amonker committed offences under Sections 420, 406, 409 read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code by having criminally conspired, cheated and caused loss to the State exchequer in the fraudulent renting of office premises at ‘Spaces’ at Patto Plaza at a very exorbitant annual rent of over Rs. 5.5 crores. As the Panaji Police failed to act the Court was moved seeking directions to register an F.I.R against Manohar Parrikar and Nilesh Amonker and to promptly investigate the case while also seeking that the Court monitor the investigation as the accused Manohar Parrikar and Nilesh Amonker are politically well connected. In the petition filed under Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, it was pointed out that the Panaji Police were acting as caged parrots in shielding the politically very influential accused Manohar Parrikar and Nilesh Amonker. The Court’s attention has been drawn that another Parrikar by a note moved on 26.11.2012 directed that readymade premises of around 3000 sq. mts be hired to accommodate government offices but surprisingly on 25th February 2013 an altered and tailor made advertisement was issued calling for Expression of Interest for office space of 6000 to 7000 sq. mts on Hire Purchase basis for which besides Nilesh Amonker the only other valid bid being of Prudential Group Real Estate Developers owned by Nilesh Amonker’s brother-in-law Gaurang Sinai Suctancar. Infact Nilesh Amonker’s Spaces building was still under construction when the government decided to rent it. Manohar Parrikar and Nilesh Amonker criminally hatched a conspiracy with dishonest intention for their sole benefit and on instructions of Manohar Parrikar, the Government high-handedly deviated from Hire Purchase and surprisingly instead took Nilesh Amonker’s premises on a three year locked rental agreement extendable by another three years with a 3.5% annual increase in rent. If the premises were not being taken on Hire Purchase as was advertised it was required to re-advertise as Government was deviating from the original advertisement. Manohar Parrikar in a very fraudulent manner got the government to lease those premises at ‘Spaces’ from his friend Nilesh Amonker. The rent of over 40 lakhs a month is being paid from 1st November 2013 while the premises remain unused. The renting of the extremely exorbitantly priced premises from Nilesh Amonker who is known to be close to Manohar Parrikar was a well stitched multi crore scam and a neatly planned plot to benefit Nilesh Amonker. Though the real estate market in Goa was in an utter slump with office space at Patto Plaza just around Rs. 450 a sq. mt, Manohar Parrikar with criminal and malafide intent despite the government being cash strapped recklessly rented premises at Rs. 650 a sq. mt. while also later pouring in crores of rupees on furnishing those premises only to the benefit Nilesh Amonker. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] OBSTRUCTION ON FOOTPATH: GHRC DIRECTS MAPUSA CHIEF OFFICER TO PRODUCE THE FILE
The three member Goa Human Rights Commission headed by Justice P.K.Misra and comprising of retired District Judge A.D. Salkar and Mr. J.A.Keny has directed Mapusa Municipality Chief Officer to produce the entire file pertaining to the permissions given to erect that huge metal frame blocking the footpaths next to Gandhi Chowk at the entrance of Mapusa. When the complaint filed came up for hearing the Commission was informed by the Chief Officer and the Mapusa Mamlatdar that the metal frame which was blocking the footpaths has now been removed. The Chief Officer also informed the Commission that the permission for erecting that metal frame was issued to Rohan Kavlekar, President of Mapusa Block of the BJP for only ten days during the Ganesh Festival. It was however submitted to the Commission that the metal frame was blocking the footpaths for over a year after which the Commission directed the Chief Officer to produce the entire file to examine on what basis the permission was given to erect the metal frame blocking the footpaths while adjourning the hearing to January 15th. Pointing out that the huge metal frame had been erected on the footpaths on both sides of the main road, it had been stated in the complaint stated that people’s access through the footpaths had been obstructed. The erection of the metal frame on the footpath was contrary to law as the law requires that all the footpaths be left unobstructed at all times for the pedestrians to use and infact the thrust today is to even make the footpaths accessible by wheel chair for the disabled. In the complaint it was sought that the Mapusa Municipality Chief Officer, Mamlatdar and the Police Inspector be directed to explain as to how they remained mere spectators to the obstruction of the footpaths which was a clear and blatant Human Right violation. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] SHAMED DR SHEKHAR SALKAR TRYING SOME REBRANDING
After being bowled out from the Goa Cricket Association on charges of corruption and manipulation, the disgraced BJP leader Dr Shekhar Salkar is now desperately attempting to do some rebranding through large advertisements released in the newspapers. Dr Shekhar Salkar is not qualified to proclaim himself to be an Oncosurgeon or Oncologist. He does not possess the required requisite qualification approved by the Medical Council of India. He does not have a super specialty diploma or degree of M.Ch (Master of Chirurgiae), DNB (Diplomate of National Board), or DM (Doctorate in Medicine). True to his tribe of politicians, Dr Shekhar Salkar has also stooped low in faking his qualifications. There needs to be also stern action against those hospitals taking patients for a ride by falsely and misleadingly projecting Dr Shekhar Salkar as an Oncosurgeon or Oncologist. Administering chemotherapy to clinically dead patients is an unpardonable Crime. After the very disturbing fraudulent illegalities resorted to by Dr Shekhar Salkar at the Goa Cricket Association having come to light earlier this year, there ought to be a thorough probe into Dr Shekhar Salkar’s affairs at the Goa Cancer Society and National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE). The Manipal Hospital must also come under the scanner. The American humorist and writer James H. Boren had said ‘I got the bill for my surgery. Now I know what those doctors were wearing masks for’ Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] DEFENCE MINISTER MANOHAR PARRIKAR MUST PAY FOR HIS BIRTHDAY BASH
The cash strapped Goa Government should not be further burdened with the 60 th birthday celebration of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar scheduled for December 13th. The BJP is trying to manipulate and get the State government to indirectly host the event but Manohar Parrikar should himself bear all the expenses of any birthday celebration he intends to hold. The BJP is planning to hold the birthday celebration on SAG grounds at Campal in Panaji with an estimated 25,000 audience along a host of BJP leaders from Delhi including Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. No expenses including the hosting of the central leaders in Goa should be loaded on the tax payers. Manohar Parrikar is known for misusing power in masking BJP functions as State functions and getting the government to illegally foot the bill. Such gimmicks adopted by the BJP in the past should not be allowed. The State of Goa which is currently reeling under an acute financial crunch has even issued a circular to all departments to strictly curb all unnecessary expenditure as an austerity measure. According to BJP sources, some senior party leaders under the guise of Manohar Parrikar’s birthday celebration fund have already started asking Casino operators, Matka bookies and the Builders to pay up. Those running the flesh and drug trade will also be asked to pour, in return for the patronage and favours they are getting from the government. Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni has reportedly been kept entrusted the task of collecting from the mining lobby and business houses. Incidentally Atmaram Nadkarni’s grand 50th Birthday bash at the five starred Taj Fort Aguada at Sinquerim on 23rd November 2013 was fully funded by forcibly collecting from all and sundry. It is appalling that the BJP has been stooping to such low levels after having usurped power in 2012 on a fake promise of Good Governance and Zero Tolerance to Corruption. It has however been a Parivartan for the worse with Goa only further sinking by the day. Manohar Parrikar is a Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh, so why is the Defence Minister not celebrating his 60th birthday in the midst of his constituents at Lucknow instead of trying to high-handedly burden Goa’s tax payers. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] CHEATING CASE FILED AGAINST FORMER GOA CM MANOHAR PARRIKAR
A cheating case has been filed at the Panaji Police Station against former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in connection with cheating, misrepresenting and causing loss to the State Exchequer to the tune of Rs 6, 37,721 in the hosting a State dinner for BJP delegates. In the complaint it has been pointed out that a note was moved on 4th June 2013 to the Protocol department by Sanchita Banerjee Rodrigues, Press Liaison Officer to the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar that the Chief Minister would be hosting a dinner for delegates of the National Executive Meeting without mentioning that it was a BJP meet. Given to the police are entire documents obtained under the Right to Information Act from the Protocol department processing that dinner bill which does not mention that it was a BJP meeting but just masks it as a National Executive Meeting. The Goa Government paid a whopping Rs 6, 37,721 for that dinner hosted by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on 8th June 2013 at the Goa Marriot Resort for the 543 delegates attending the National Executive meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party which was held in the Goa from the 7th to 9th June 2013. Pursuant to the conspiracy earlier hatched, Manohar Parrikar and other unknown government officers concealed crucial and material facts as regards the National Executive Meeting being held was of the BJP Party. By giving a false impression that the meeting being held was National Executive Meeting of the Government which deception and concealment was from the very inception thereby inducing the Protocol department to disburse the amount of Rs 6, 37,721, Manohar Parrikar and others committed offences punishable under Sections 406,409 and 420 read with 120B and/or 34 of the Indian Penal Code. As the law of the land does not permit tax payers money to be squandered in hosting and feasting of meetings of political parties, the Panaji Police have been called upon to forthwith register an F.I.R against Manohar Parrikar and unknown others and to promptly investigate the case in accordance with law. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] POWERLESS WITHOUT POWER?
In a very strange argument Rajendra Arlekar who was the Speaker of the Goa Assembly for the last over three years has claimed that he needed to be a Minister to ensure development of his Pernem Constituency. Is he implying that being a ruling MLA and holding the high office of Speaker he was unable to nurse his constituency which incidentally is neighboring Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s Mandrem constituency. So if you have to be one of Goa’s 12 Ministers for your constituency to see development, does Rajendra Arlekar want to tell us that the other 38 constituencies have remained neglected. It would also make us presume that this government is very partisan while carrying out development, with the constituencies of the Opposition obviously left in the lurch. We all know that Ministers have much larger avenues to make money while the path of the Speaker to pocket is very limited. So Rajendra Arlekar would have to clarify whether his urge to be a Minister was indeed his self development under the guise of seeking Acche din for his constituents. We have all seen from Rajendra Arlekar’s own affidavit that his assets saw a huge rise within a year of him becoming Speaker. May be that was not satisfying enough, and he thus scouted for bigger pastures to graze on. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] CHEATING CASE AGAINST DEFENCE MINISTER MANOHAR PARRIKAR: JMFC SUMMONS PANAJI PI & NORTH GOA SP
The Panaji Judicial Magistrate First Class has issued notice summoning the Panaji Police Inspector and North Goa Superintendent of Police to appear in Court on November 20th and file their reply on the petition filed seeking directions to the Panaji Police to forthwith register an F.I.R against the current Defence Minister and former Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar in connection with cheating, misrepresenting and causing loss to the State Exchequer to the tune of Rs 6, 37,721 in the hosting of a State dinner for BJP delegates, thereby committing offences punishable under Sections 406,409 and 420 read with 120B and/or 34 of the Indian Penal Code. As the police were not registering the F.I.R after the complaint was filed, a petition was filed before the JMFC under Section 156 (3) of the Criminal Procedure code seeking that the police be also directed to promptly investigate the case and that the Court monitor the investigation as the accused Manohar Parrikar is politically well connected. In the petition the Court’s attention was drawn that a note was moved on 4th June 2013 to the Protocol department by Sanchita Banerjee Rodrigues, Press Liaison Officer to the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar that the Chief Minister would be hosting a dinner for delegates of the National Executive Meeting without mentioning that it was a BJP meet. Also submitted to the Court are documents obtained recently under the Right to Information Act from the Protocol department processing that dinner bill which does not mention that it was a BJP meeting but just masks it as a National Executive Meeting. The Goa Government paid a whopping Rs 6, 37,721 for that dinner hosted by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on 8th June 2013 at the Goa Marriot Resort for the 543 delegates attending the National Executive meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party which was held in the Goa from the 7th to 9th June 2013. Pursuant to the conspiracy earlier hatched, Manohar Parrikar and other unknown government officers concealed crucial and material facts as regards the National Executive Meeting being held was of the BJP Party. By giving a false impression that the meeting being held was National Executive Meeting of the Government which deception and concealment was from the very inception thereby inducing the Protocol department to disburse the amount of Rs 6, 37,721.The law of the land does not permit tax payers money to be squandered in hosting and feasting of meetings of political parties. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] INSPECTOR DATTAGURU SAWANT MUST BE PROBED
T.N.Mohan the Goa’s Director General of Police (DGP) is trying his best to bring some sanity within his force. But with rogues having infiltrated as cops his task is horrendous. The DGP should set up a Special Investigative Team to probe the very dubious and allegedly extremely corrupt Inspector Dattaguru Sawant who is an eyesore in the Goa Police that must be weeded out. Dattaguru Sawant who has deep roots in the BJP and the RSS was illegally inducted as a Police Sub-Inspector in 2002 during Manohar Parrikar’s first term as Chief Minister but his appointment was soon set aside by the High Court as unlawful. Dattaguru Sawant later moved the Supreme Court and has managed to keep the matter stalled and pending since 2004. Incidentally Dattaguru Sawant was dismissed from service in 2004 for allegedly extorting money at Mapusa but managed to be reinstated in 2006. Dattaguru Sawant has had a criminal record even before becoming a police officer with an F.I.R registered against him in 1999 at the Panaji Police Station for having along with some BJP activists sprayed black ink on then Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Shantaram Naik at the entrance of Cafe Bhonsle in Panaji. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] GOVT SENDS SANJIT RODRIGUES A REMINDER SEEKING EXPLANATION OVER HIS THREE WEEK ABSENCE IN SEPT
The Goa Government has sent a reminder to Sanjit Rodrigues, the Managing Director of the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) who is also the Commissioner of the Corporation City of Panaji (CCP) seeking his explanation on his three week long absence from work in September. In a letter to Sanjit Rodrigues, the Under Secretary Personnel Meghana Shetgaonkar has sought on a top priority by 9th November the comments of Sanjit Rodrigues on the complaint filed against him. The reminder has been sent to Sanjit Rodrigues after he failed to reply to the earlier letter sent to him by the Government on 8th October. In September Sanjit Rodrigues was untraceable and nobody at either the CCP or GSIDC knew about his whereabouts. Sanjit Rodrigues who had been seen at CCP on 4th September returned back only on September 28th after a three week long unauthorized absence. As Sanjit Rodrigues has been accused of frequently travelling abroad for shady deals of his political masters, his passport needs to be scrutinized to ascertain whether he has been obtaining necessary clearances from the Vigilance department to leave the country. Sanjit Rodrigues’s high-handed behavior and unauthorized absence from work is contrary to the service rules and the laid down protocol for government officers. His habitually disappearing without even informing his immediate subordinate officers cannot be condoned. Such conduct is also contrary to the government’s much publicized mantra of Good Governance and Transparency in Administration. In September last year Sanjit Rodrigues who is a known errand boy of Manohar Parrikar had similarly left Goa without informing and was later found trapped in the Kashmir floods. For Panaji to even dream of being a smart city the Corporation of City of Panaji would first need to have in place a full time, honest and very transparent Commissioner at the helm of affairs. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] JUDGE ROHINTON NARIMAN WILL FOOT HIS BILL
Supreme Court Judge Rohinton Fali Nariman who is arriving in Goa on 7th November on a nine day holiday has now informed the Goa Government that he will foot the entire bill of his holiday at the 5 Star Taj Vivanta, Old Hermitage Cottage. Thank you Sir, for having taken the right decision and upheld the dignity of the high position you hold as Judge of India’s highest Temple of Justice. Despite the Goa State Guest Rules stating that a Supreme Court Judge can be hosted as a State Guest for only three days and with stay at Raj Bhavan, Goa’s very dubious Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni arm twisted and pressurized the officers to breach the rules and illegally seek relaxation of the rules to facilitate Justice Rohinton Nariman’s holiday in Goa. This came to light in information obtained under the Right to Information Act. The Advocate General should never act as a broker in organizing impermissible Government largesse for Judges as it compromises the very independence of the Judiciary. Judge Rohinton Nariman who is known to be upright and with impeccable integrity was obviously misled by Atmaram Nadkarni. This sad tale should act as an eye opener for other judges who should also beware of Atmaram Nadkarni’s tricks and manipulations to befriend Judges in an attempt to achieve his dream of becoming a Supreme Court Judge. If at all that day dawns it would be the darkest ever day for India’s Judiciary. It would be a cause for National mourning. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] POLITICIANS SHOULD LAY THEIR HANDS OFF THE JUDICIARY
Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer had said “Even so, the creed of judicial independence is our constitutional ‘religion’ and, if the executive use Article 222 to imperil this basic tenet, the Court must ‘do or die’ So the Supreme Court of India has rightly nixed the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) which was proposed by the Narendra Modi government to craftily encroach and undermine the independence of the judiciary. If the Judiciary is reduced to a mouth piece of the government, the Courts will lose all relevance and end up as dens of chicanery and jugglery. The Judiciary should never be manned by persons who are tilted or aligned to any political party. Judges should have the spine to crack on illegalities done by all politicians, regardless of how high positions they hold. It has to be ensured that judicial accountability is maintained at all times with all judges conforming to the highest standards of uprightness and integrity. If Judges cannot independently balance the scales of Justice, the temples of Justice become pointless. The current Collegium mode is the safest and surest way to preserve the Independence of the Judiciary but it cannot continue being reduced to a cabal. It cannot be a very secret club with the proceedings not being a public record. This veil of secrecy is untenable and must go. The colleguim system must be given a constitutional status with all its deliberations being very transparent and brought within the ambit of the Right to Information Act. Caroline Kennedy had very rightly said “The bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of the political winds that are blowing” Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAAD
This is wishing our dear friend Rohidas (Daad) Dessai all the very best on his 75th birthday today. A freedom fighter, Dadd has always been very affable, gregarious and a down to earth person ready to always reach out helping the needy. After initially running the Ritz Restaurant near the Panjim Municipal Garden, Daad later started the Ritz Classic in the city and more recently yet another Ritz Classic at the Patto Plaza. Unlike some politicians who have risen from rags to riches, Dadd has toiled for everything he has been able to attain in life by his sheer hard work. Long live our Dadd. A true and living role model on how an ideal citizen should be. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] BJP LOYALIST TO BE REWARDED WITH TWO YEAR EXTENSION AS GOA UNIVERSITY VC
We need to strongly condemn the very high-handed move to give Goa University Vice – Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye a two year extension. Goa University’s Executive Committee is trying to swiftly amend the Goa University Statute SA-6 (1) (d) to give a compulsory 5 year term to the present Vice Chancellor Dr. Satish Shetye. The change to the University Statute is being effected to give Dr Satish Shetye who is due to retire this month on attaining the age of 65 a further two years as Vice-Chancellor. By amending the statue it will defeat the spirit and intent of restricting the retirement age of the Vice- Chancellor to 65 years which was to induct relatively younger persons and fresh blood in the management of the University. Besides, the lackluster Vice- Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye has no singular great achievement to merit this extra-ordinary privilege of a two year extension. Even the ‘A’ Grade gained by Goa University from NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) is not due to the present Vice-Chancellors’s own personal contributions but due to the collective efforts of all the Departments in the Goa University and the good work done by earlier Vice-Chancellor. Dr Satish Shetye’s only achievement is that he has acted as a dedicated mouth piece of the government and danced to the tunes of the ruling BJP in running the Goa University. Dr Shetye’s extension is being manipulated at the instance of the RSS elements within the BJP. The two year extension would affect the University adversely by denying it the services of more acclaimed and capable national level personalities. A Selection Committee was apparently constituted in May this year to recommend suitable names of persons to be the next Vice–Chancellor but the committee intentionally went into slumber as the extension now being sought to be given to the incumbent Dr Satish Shetye was pre-planned. Since the inception of Goa University in 1985, all the Vice-Chancellors appointed have been from the Science stream. It is time to get an eminent personality from other faculties like Arts, Commerce or Management appointed as the next Vice – Chancellor to infuse the much needed dynamism and Acche din at the Goa University. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] PANAJI NEEDS A FULL TIME, HONEST AND TRANSPARENT COMMISSONER
The Goa Government has sought an explanation from Sanjit Rodrigues the Managing Director of the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) who is also the Commissioner of the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) over his three week absence from work last month. In a letter to Sanjit Rodrigues, the Under Secretary Personnel has sought Sanjit Rodrigues’s comments on the complaint filed against him last month. In a complaint to the Chief Secretary last month it was pointed out that Sanjit Rodrigues was untraceable and that nobody at either the CCP or GSIDC knew about Sanjit Rodrigues’s whereabouts. Sanjit Rodrigues who had been last seen at CCP on 4th September returned back only on September 28th after a three week long absence. As Sanjit Rodrigues has been frequently travelling abroad, his passport needs to be scrutinized and also ascertained whether he was obtaining necessary clearance from the Vigilance department to leave the country. Action must be taken against Sanjit Rodrigues for his high-handed behavior and unauthorized absence from work. The conduct of Sanjit Rodrigues is contrary to the service rules and the laid down protocol for government officers. Sanjit Rodrigues has been habitually disappearing without even informing his immediate subordinate officers. This conduct is also contrary to the government’s much publicized mantra of Good Governance and Transparency in Administration. In September last year Sanjit Rodrigues had similarly left Goa without informing and was later found trapped in the Kashmir floods. For Panaji to even dream of being a Smart city, the Corporation of City of Panaji would first need to have in place a full-time Commissioner who is honest and very transparent. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] GOA UNIVERSITY TOO NOW SOILED WITH POLITICIAL BROTH
The solemnity and sanctity of Goa’s educational turf stands compromised with the very high-handed move under a veil of total secrecy to give Goa University Vice-Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye a two year extension. This entire pre-planned move got the green signal of the 17 member Goa University’s Executive Council to amend the Goa University Statute SA-6 (1) (d) and give a compulsory 5 year term to the present Vice-Chancellor Dr. Satish Shetye who has completed three years. Ironically Dr Shetye who benefits by this two extension himself presided over that very Executive Council meeting of which he is the Chairman. Incidentally the Vice-Chancellor is not supposed to take any major decision three months prior to his retirement. But Dr. Satish Shetye was able to bulldoze his extension through the Executive Council which comprises of his friends and BJP loyalists. This first ever change to the University Statute is being effected to give Dr Satish Shetye who is due to retire this month on attaining the age of 65 a further two years as Vice-Chancellor. This defeats the very spirit and intent of restricting the retirement age of the Vice- Chancellor to 65 years which was meant for induction of relatively younger persons and fresh blood in the management of the University. Infact in September 2012 itself when Dr Satish Shetye was appointed as Vice-Chancellor by his friend and then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar he lacked academic excellence, exposure to the higher education system in the country and abroad, and adequate experience in academic and administrative governance. Above all he did not have any of the much needed teaching experience. The current lackluster Vice-Chancellor Dr Satish Shetye has no singular great achievement to merit such extra-ordinary privilege of a two year extension. Even the ‘A’ Grade gained by Goa University from NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) was not due to the present Vice-Chancellors’s own personal contributions but due to the collective efforts of all the Departments in the Goa University and the good work done by earlier Vice-Chancellor. Dr Satish Shetye’s only achievement is that he has acted as a dedicated mouth piece of the government and danced to the tunes of the ruling BJP in running and rather ruining the University. Dr Shetye’s extension was manipulated at the instance of the RSS elements within the BJP and would affect the University adversely by denying it the services of more acclaimed and capable national level personalities. The rules require that the post of Vice-Chancellor be advertised six months in advance and a Search Committee can also be constituted to recommend to the Governor suitable names of persons to be the next Vice-Chancellor. But the authorities intentionally went into slumber as the extension now being sought to be given to the incumbent Dr Satish Shetye was well pre-planned. If the extension to Dr Satish Shetye is being doled away under the guise of he being knowledgeable and experienced, why have such extensions not been offered to other senior faculty members too. Since the very inception of Goa University in 1985, all the Vice-Chancellors appointed have been from the Science stream. May be its time to get an eminent personality from other faculties like Arts, Commerce or Management appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor to infuse some dynamism and Acche din at the Goa University besides the much transparency in its working. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] BAKERY AND NOT POLITICS MAY BE THE WAY AHEAD FOR MICKKY PACHECO
The pre-mature release of convicted Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco only reaffirms that Goa is well entrenched in jungle Raj. It also confirms that the jail officials including the Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes were heavily bribed to manipulate and fabricate the records to ensure Mickky Pacheco’s illegal release. As good behavior and discipline are the pre-requisites for grant of any remission days against the jail sentence, Mickky Pacheco was not entitled to any remission days as he was at the jail documented for acts of indiscipline in refusing to wear the jail uniform with even his privileges curtailed. The mysterious formula invented by the very dubious Elvis Gomes in calculating Mickky Pacheco’s days of remission should be also afforded to every other convict. Now that he is out Mickky Pacheco should focus on dealing with the other string of cases pending against him including that over 6 crore EDC loan he owes the government. Running a bakery and not politics make be the way now ahead for the tailor turned politician who over the last four months has enhanced his skills at the Sada Jail bakery. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] THE RTI ACT COMPLETES A DECADE BUT YET TO BE STRENGTHENED
The Right to Information Act which came into force on October 12th 2005 is now a decade old. The Right to Information Act was enacted to ensure transparency and accountability in governance. But the manner in which the government is subtly subverting the Right to Information Act is a matter of concern. A well informed citizenry, transparency, and free flow of information are the very foundations of any successful democratic society. India may be publicly acclaimed as the world’s largest democracy but the ground reality is that we are now ebbing away as Democracy and non-transparency in the functioning of the Government cannot co-exist. Besides freedom of speech without access to information is meaningless. Narendra Modi rode to power on his vow of ‘Acche din’ for the Aam Aadmi and Good governance. But it’s almost 17 months in power and the Prime Minister has not uttered a word on the RTI Act, leave alone on strengthening it. His then enthusiasm for freedom has been waning away and we now have an emerging culture of surveillance and secrecy. As part of the ploy to subvert the RTI Act many of the Information Commissions across the country have been kept dysfunctional. Even those Information Commissioners appointed are ‘pliable’ retired government officials who have spent their entire career hiding information from public domain and cannot now be expected to bat for transparency in their post-retirement avatar. For the common man, getting correct and accurate information under the Right to Information Act is today becoming a far cry. It is no surprise that the Gujarat government recently even denied information sought by Narendra Modi’s estranged wife Jasodhaben who was only seeking details of the police security provided to her. As the Right to Information Act requires that the Information Commissioners have to be persons of Eminence in public life, Independent minded persons who do not succumb to political pulls and pressures need to be appointed as Information Commissioners to ensure the proper implementation of the Right to Information Act. If Yes-men manage to creep into as Information Commissioners it would be an exercise in futility ending up as white elephants that we would rather be better off without. Under Section 4 of the RTI Act all public authorities are duty bound to regularly display on their website a wide range of information, including all relevant facts while formulating important policies or announcing the decisions which affect the public. This proviso in the law was enacted to reduce the need for filing individual RTI applications. But this mandatory duty has been blatantly flouted by the authorities with most government websites themselves dysfunctional or not updated. What is the use of right to freedom of speech when the people do not have their rightful access to information? The Judiciary needs to step in to ensure that the Government complies with the mandate of the Right to Information Act. But with the Courts themselves also averse to parting with information and with its functioning largely under a veil of secrecy, we are stonewalled. But we need to battle it out and cannot allow the RTI Act to be choked by the government to a slow death. Steps need to be taken to strengthen the transparency regime that was sought to be established as envisaged by the RTI Act. Effective implementation of the RTI Act requires political commitment from the very top. Officals denying information or giving misleading and distorted information need to be severely penalized. Governance by cloak of secrecy and opaqueness needs to be strongly resisted. It cannot be a hush-hush regime. We need to dismantle those walls of secrecy that continue to hound transparency and good governance despite the Right to Information Act now being in place for a decade. In those very words of Narendra Modi ‘Sabko sanmati de bhagwan’ (Let good sense prevail). Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] SENIOR JOURNALIST RUPESH SAMANT FINDS HIMSELF IN THE HOT SEAT
Goa’s seems to be in the news for all the wrong reasons. This time it is Senior Journalist Rupesh Samant who is absconding for almost a fortnight after being booked in a string of cases for having allegedly sexually harassed women staff working with him. The offences for which Rupesh Samant has been booked by the Women’s Police Station are very serious and non-bailable. If he is innocent he should appear before the police and prove so. By evading arrest he is only aggravating his miseries. The Supreme Court has time and again taken note of the increasing crimes against women in particular and laid down that such crimes are serious warranting stringent action against the offenders. Have today requested Goa’s Director General of Police T.N.Mohan to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a Superintendent of Police to probe the cases against Rupesh Samant. DGP T.N.Mohan has assured that everything possible will be done to nab the now absconding Rupesh Samant at the earliest possible. The Police are searching for Rupesh Samant all over and are unaware whether he has left the State or possibly gone overseas. It is very appalling and highly distressing that the Goa Police have not been able to make any headway in the cases against Rupesh Samant who is accused in a series of sexual harassment cases against women. The commitment of the Goa Police to the safety of women and Zero Tolerance to Crime against them cannot be a mere tall decorative promise only on paper but should reflect by the actions and deeds of which sadly has not happened in the Rupesh Samant episode, possibly because of him being politically well connected. One cannot stand a mere spectator to this gross, malafied and unjustified inaction of the Police to act against a serial offender against women. If the police continue to display sheer and willful impotency in investigating the case, it would be necessary to move the Court for appropriate orders to ensure that the law takes its own course and that the wheels of justice are not sabotaged and derailed to shield Rupesh Samant. The police are duty bound to promptly and professionally investigate every case. They cannot pick and choose which one to pursue and which investigation to stall or hush. The out of the box zeal and enthusiasm displayed by the Goa police in the infamous Tarun Tejpal case and more recently in the Louis Berger saga should reflect and be a benchmark in every investigation. The allegations against Rupesh Samant are much more grave and serious than that of Tarun Tejpal with a series of F.I.Rs registered against Rupesh Samant based on complaints filed by the distraught victims unlike the Tarun Tejpal case where the police swooped into action on a mere media report. The very casual manner in which the police are proceeding with these serious cases against Rupesh Samant would lead anyone to believe that there is political interference at the highest level which is disabling the police from acting in accordance with law. It is very difficult to believe that the Goa police are so incompetent as to be unable to trace and nab the accused Rupesh Samant for so long. It only reminds us how the police earlier this year allowed Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco to evade arrest for over two months. The Goa Government should also prove its bonafides on Zero Tolerance to Crimes against Women by appointing a Special Public Prosecutor in the Rupesh Samant case as was done in the Tarun Tejpal Case. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] THE CASE FOR JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE
Today Friday 9th October at 5 pm kindly attend a Seminar on ‘Interference with the Independence of Judiciary’ to be held at the Gomantak Sahitya Sevak Mandal Hall on the ground floor of Institute Menezes Braganza at Panaji. Thank You. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] RTI REVEALS MANOHAR PARRIKAR CONCEALED FOR A MONTH LOKAYUKTA’S RESIGNATION
Then Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had concealed for a month the resignation submitted by the Goa Lokayukta Justice Sudershan Reddy. This has been revealed in the information obtained from the Vigilance department under the Right to Information Act. Manohar Parrikar had announced on October 17th 2013 that Justice Sudershan Reddy had resigned but the information obtained now reveals that Justice Reddy had tendered his resignation a month earlier on September 18th. As per the file notings Justice Sudershan Reddy’s resignation dated 18th September 2013 was sent to the then Goa Governor B.V Wanchoo the same day and on 19th September forwarded to the Chief Secretary who in turn placed it before the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. The records do not show who delivered the resignation letter to the Governor as Justice Sudershan Reddy a day earlier on 17th September left for Hyderabad with all his belongings though stating that he was going on a week’s leave but never returned back. Incidentally, a week earlier he had gone to Hyderabad to drop back his wife. In his three line resignation letter dated September 18th 2013 Justice Sudershan Reddy stated that he was tendering his resignation on personal grounds. Interestingly the Director of Information Arvind Budge last month in an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court at Goa had stated “Lokayukta had to quit for the reasons I would not like to divulge in this affidavit in detail” We need to strongly condemn former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for having acted contrary to the principles of transparency in governance by keeping the people of Goa in the dark for a month on the resignation of Justice Sudershan Reddy. The resignation of Justice Sudershan Reddy was pre-planned and a stage managed sham. Justice Sudershan Reddy who was sworn in as Goa Lokayukta on March 16th 2013 had a lavish six month holiday at the tax payer’s expense in Goa, the land of feni, fish and fun. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] DR SHEKHAR SALKAR SHOULD PAY FOR HIS DECEITFUL ADVENTURE
Highly condemnable and deplorable is the gross misconduct by Dr Shekhar Salkar in withdrawing 55.8 lakhs from Goa Cricket Association (GCA) funds last week to pay the lawyers he had hired to try and cover up his fraudulent acts. Infact the fraudulent and blatant illegalities by Dr Shekhar Salkar in an attempt to deviously get elected as President of the GCA was exposed in the High Court. Under no condition should the GCA foot the bill of this 55.8 lakhs and it should be all paid by Dr Shekhar Salkar because it was his expedition in cooking up all those falsities which even the top lawyer he brought from Delhi could not defend. Dr Shekhar Salkar is known to be a snake in the grass. When Dayanand Narvekar was at the GCA’s helm of affairs, Dr Shekhar Salkar was vociferously demanding that the GCA should come under the purview of Right to Information Act. But once he came to the helm of affairs in an expected U turn he opted that the veil of secrecy in the functioning of the GCA should continue. That is Dr Shekhar Salkar and no more needs to be said. His long overdue now departure from GCA is the best thing that could happen for Cricket in Goa. May the new Managing Committee under the leadership of Chetan Desai work dedicatedly and selflessly to take Cricket to greater heights. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] JUDGE EDGAR FERNANDES GETS A WELL-MERITED PROMOTION
Caroline Kennedy had said “The bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of the political winds that are blowing“. A very deserving Judge Edgar Fernandes has now been promoted as Additional District and Sessions Judge. Always very straightforward and blunt, Judge Edgar Fernandes has at all times conducted himself with utmost dignity while also ensuring utter decorum in the Court room. Leave alone the litigants but not even an Advocate can ever get away with Judge Edgar Fernandes if he ventures in a devious legal trick concealed under his sleeve which today unfortunately is becoming an integral vital part of the legal profession. As Advocates we should never try to tilt the scales of Justice by befriending Judges. Infact we need to have the spine to respectfully tell the Judges when they err as otherwise they may never know. Within the framework of law, we need to defend our clients to our very best and leave it to the Court’s verdict. Like us all, Judges can also err in passing their judgments. That is why the judicial system provides a mechanism for a First and later a Second Appeal. As judicial independence of Judges rests entirely on maintaining an incorruptible detachment from the government of the day, Judge Edgar Fernandes will have to continue ensuring that the wheels of justice move in harmony with the law by always striving in taking the Judiciary to enhanced heights. With this new responsibility as Additional District and Sessions Judge cast on him, may these words of Mahatma Gandhi be Judge Edgar Fernandes’s guiding maxims “There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts”. Let Judge Edgar Fernandes’s task be in line with what Lord Harry Woolf, a former Chief Justice of England had said “Like old clocks, our judicial institutions need to be oiled, wound up and set to true time. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] ALL 39 MLAs SHOULD CONDEMN MICKKY PACHECO’S CONDUCT
All the MLAs must display some spine and unanimously pass a resolution in the ensuing session of the Goa Legislative Assembly which begins on July 27th condemning the conduct of their colleague jailed Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco. In a letter addressed to all the 39 MLAs it has been pointed out that the people of Goa have been silently and with a sense of deep anguish and shock, watching a sordid chain of events unfolding over the last three and a half months in the ongoing saga of the Nuvem MLA Francisco Xavier alias Mickky Pacheco. The MLAs should not lose sight that their colleague Mickky Pacheco as a Minister has been convicted of a grave offence of having assaulted a public servant doing his duty. The fact that a law maker Mickky Pacheco also went absconding for over two long months hoodwinking the Law and then carrying on his misbehavior in jail over the last six weeks can also not be overlooked besides that he also lied while feigning his mother’s illness to seek a parole which he has now withdrawn after being exposed. The stoic silence of the MLAs on the issue of Mickky Pacheco making a mockery of the law is deafening. Do the MLAs condone all that the Nuvem MLA has done? The current scenario demands that all the MLAs speak out their minds so that people of Goa don’t lose faith in democracy and public service. There is a need to keep convicted Mickky Pacheco while in jail away from the Legislative Assembly to ensure it is neither defiled nor degraded and its dignity lowered by allowing an MLA undergoing a jail sentence to attend the Session of the Legislative Assembly. Allowing Mickky Pacheco to attend the Assembly session would not only send a very wrong message to the people of Goa but also shake people’s faith in democracy itself. Any attempt by Mickky Pacheco to seek fresh air outside the jail walls under the pretext of attending the Assembly Session must be strongly opposed. Infact Mickky Pacheco’s absconding for two months, his gross misconduct after surrender, his now contemptuous statements against the Courts and the alleged undue pressurizing of Junior Engineer Kapil Natekar to compromise the assault case are all valid grounds to warrant enhancement of his Jail sentence. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] JUDGE BOSCO ROBERTS VICTIMISED
We need to strongly condemn the sudden transfer of Margao Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Bosco Roberts to the post of Secretary, South Goa District Legal Services Authority. The transfer is politically motivated and very high-handed. JMFC Bosco Roberts has been unduly victimized for having on 22nd April rightly issued a search warrant to look out for the then fugitive Mickky Pacheco at 10 Akbar Road the official residence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. The Independence of the Judiciary in Goa is in ICU. Amen. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] SERVING WITHOUT PERKS
During the 2012 Assembly elections Manohar Parrikar had promised that only Professionals and no Politician would head Corporations and other government bodies. But dismayingly it has been political cronies including some defeated BJP candidates rehabilitated all along. One of the only exception in the last three and half years may be the much deserved appointment last month of renowned poet Madhav Kamat as the President of the Goa Konkani Academy. A very dignified and qualified person who has always steered clear of the political rot. Government positions are to serve society and not to feast on making the best of the perks at tax payer’s expense. An example that all could emulate is that of Vasco businessman Paresh Joshi who as the Vice Chairman of the Kala Academy never ever used the official vehicle. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] VIPs TOO SHOULD NOT OVER SPEED
With many of Goa’s roads in a very precarious state and mounting accidents, Chief Minister Prof Laxmikant Parsekar has rightly lectured us not to over speed and follow the traffic rules. But would it not be proper for him and his Ministers to lead by example as every VIP is duty bound to adhere to the speed limit norms. Over the years we have witnessed a number of accidents involving their zooming vehicles. Will the Chief Minister Walk his Talk and direct his other VIPs to also follow suit by strictly observing the speed restrictions at all times. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] MAY THE TRUTH SURFACE
The people of Goa and Goans across the world need to know how and why our dear Fr. Bismarque Dias so suddenly departed. Reports that the devious RSS elements within the BJP are responsible for his swift exit should be an eye opener and be meticulously investigated to the hilt. May truth and solely truth prevail. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] MICKKY PACHECO’S EARLY RELEASE FROM SADA JAIL TO BE CHALLENGED
The early release from Sada Jail of former Minister and Nuvem MLA Mickky Pacheco would in public interest be challenged before the Bombay High Court at Goa Documents obtained from the jail authorities today under the Right to Information Act has revealed that the Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes had manipulated the early release of Mickky Pacheco last month by illegally allowing him a total of 46 days of remission contrary to the jail rules. In terms of Rule 289 of the Goa Prison Rules 2006 good behavior and discipline are pre-requisites for grant of any remission days against the jail sentence. The jail records itself show that Mickky Pacheco was documented for acts of indiscipline in refusing to wear the jail uniform with even his other privileges officially curtailed. Even the Special Remission of 20 days granted under Rule 296 of the Prisons rules was totally illegal. As per the jail records Mickky Pacheco who started his jail sentence on 1st June started working in the bakery at the jail only on 1st of August and in just two weeks on 15th August his special remission of 20 days was recommended ‘in view of his consistent hard work in the bakery section of the jail’. As per the documents Sister Mary Jane, the Co-coordinator of Prison Ministry while recommending remission had in her letter stated that Mickky Pacheco had shown sign of reformation and that he should be felicitated for his good behavior by giving him remission as a reward for his good discipline in the prison. The documents obtained under RTI also reveal that Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes did not take any action on the complaint forwarded to him on 19th September 2015 by the Principal District & Sessions Judge South Goa Nutan Sardessai regarding Mickky Pacheco in jail using his mobile phone No 9850479762. Elvis Gomes intentionally did not seek the call details of that phone from the mobile company as it would have revealed that Mickky Pacheco was using that phone at Sada Jail in gross violation of the Jail rules. Mickky Pacheco’s early release needs to be challenged to expose the mockery made of the law and to also demand stringent action against Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes for having craftily manipulated the Nuvem MLA’s early release. Mickky Pacheco after absconding for two months earlier this year surrendered on June 1st to undergo a six month jail sentence for having as then Animal Husbandry Minister on July 15th 2006 slapped Electricity department Junior Engineer Kapil Natekar. The six month sentence was to end on 1st December however he was released last month on 10 th October after Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes allowed him a total of 46 days of remission. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] GOA GETS A SAFFRONISED CHIEF INFORMATION COMMSSIONNER
As was expected, Goa gets a very saffronised Chief Information Commissioner Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar. The Ponda based Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar is known to have very deep links with the BJP and is an extremely close aide of South Goa Member of Parliament Narendra Sawaikar. After the BJP came to power Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar was in September 2013 appointed as the Additional President of Goa Administrative Tribunal and retired in February this year on attaining the age of 60. He will now get a four and half cozy year term in this plumb post as Chief Information Commissioner with salaries, allowances and perks on par with that of an Election Commissioner. Another flawed selection is that of one more BJP Karyakarta Juino de Souza selected as the State Information Commissioner who will now get a full five year term with salaries, allowances and perks as that of the Chief Secretary for being a loyal soldier of the BJP. The Right to Information Act requires that the State Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information Commissioner shall be persons of eminence in public life. Can Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar please enlighten us as to how the government has come to an inference that Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar and Juino De Souza possess eminence in public Life? The Right to Information Act further requires that the State Chief Information Commissioner or a State Information Commissioner shall not be connected with any political party. It is no secret that Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar and Juino De Souza are both well connected with the BJP. To ensure proper implementation of the Right to Information Act, the State Information Commission should comprise of independent minded persons who do not succumb to the pulls and pressures of the politicians in power. The best and the brightest should have been selected to these very crucial positions in a very transparent manner but the government has managed to get its ‘caged” parrots sneak through. Goa has waited so long for these Information Commissioners only to see Yes-men of the ruling party being anointed to these vital posts. The implementation of the Right to Information Act will only continue to be further scuttled with agents of the BJP at the helm. No ‘Achhe din’ in sight for Transparency and Good Governance. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORT ARUN DESAI MUST BE PROBED
There needs to be a detailed expedited vigilance probe against Goa’s controversial and much stained Director of Transport Arun Desai who amongst other cases is already under the scanner of the Anti- Corruption Branch in the alleged job recruitment scam of 33 Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors. Arun Desai’s peon Damu Gaude was last week arrested by the Anti Corruption Branch while caught red handed accepting a bribe of Rs one lakh for his master. Arun Desai needs to be also booked in this case with his custodial interrogation to get to the bottom of the rot and malaise of corruption that is well embedded in the Transport department. Damu Gaude who is currently in police custody has been booked under Sections 7, 13 (1) (d) read with Section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for initially demanding a bribe of five lakhs but receiving one lakh to get the Director of Transport to close the departmental disciplinary proceedings against one of the Assistant Motor Vehicles Inspector Alister Fernandes. We also need to how Arun Desai has managed and manipulated to continue as the Director of Transport for a record uninterrupted over five years and Damu Gaude also remained glued as Arun Desai’s peon since his recruitment four years ago. It is an irony that the the peon at the RTO was nabbed while the Transport department in Goa was celebrating the Road Safety Week. Arun Desai, who has now been advocating counseling for those not wearing helmets, is himself in need of a lesson or two on the need to shun corruption. Contrary to its much publicized talk of Zero Tolerance to Corruption, the BJP Government in Goa has high-handedly recommended its protégé the very tainted Arun Desai for elevation to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre. Despite Vigilance probes pending against him, Arun Desai was given the nod by the Goa Government to pave his way for promotion to the IAS cadre. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] GCZMA DIRECTS ANIL HOBLE TO PAY UP 20LAKHS WITHIN THREE DAYS
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has issued a notice directing Goa State BJP Vice President Anil Hoble to pay within three days the Rs 20 lakh fine imposed on him by the National Geen Tribunal (NGT). The NGT on May 29th this year while ordering the demolition of several of Anil Hoble’s illegal structures including the River Lounge the Bar Restaurant for violating various provisions of the environmental law had directed him to pay a fine of 20lakhs within six weeks for destroying mangroves and doing illegal land filling in violation of environment laws along the Ribandar-Panaji causeway. Consequent to the NGT order the Excise Commissioner suspended the two excise licenses that were issued to Anil Hoble’s wife Sandhya for the restaurant and the liquor retail outlet. After the NGT order Anil Hoble had filed a petition before the Bombay High Court seeking a stay of the NGT order which was dismissed after which he filed two petitions before the Supreme Court which also came to be dismissed as withdrawn. The attention of the High Court and the Supreme Court was drawn that Anil Hoble being politically well connected and the Vice President of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party by flexing his muscles had destroyed mangroves and salt pans while also doing illegal land filling in violation of environment laws. The illegal structures built byAnil Hoble for commercial activity along the very busy Ribandar – Panaji causeway is a very accident prone area with hundreds of fatal accidents on that road over the years with even Anil Hoble's own brother killed there in a road accident. Hoble’s River Lounge Bar Restaurant was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on April 1 last year though he was aware that the structures including the Bar Restaurant was illegal. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] INTERVIEW ON HCN NEWS CHANNEL
You can watch the complete interview on HCN channel https://youtu.be/tgTQoCBwnWI Thanks and best regards Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] COMPLAINT FILED OVER ALCHOHOL SERVED AT GOVT DINNER
A complaint has been today filed with Goa’s Secretary for Protocol Mr. Amjad Tak over the alchohol served at a government dinner hosted by the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar at Hotel Mandovi in Panaji on August 21st. In a clear breach of the rules and established protocol alcohol was served at that government hosted dinner. Though that government dinner was meant to be an interaction by the Chief Minister with the journalists, it was high-handedly attended by most BJP Ministers, MLAs, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar besides some State BJP Office bearers who merrily wined and dined at the tax payer’s expense. That attendance of the BJP brigade at that dinner was most inappropriate. There has to be a very clear dividing line between a government function and a political party occasion. Besides, as there is a clear directive of the government to curb all unnecessary wasteful expenditure, such extravagant and needless burden on the State exchequer must be totally prohibited especially in view of the fact that the cash strapped Goa Government has been unable to even pay the monthly Rs 2000 pension payments for the last two months to those old age pensioners under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme. Some of whom must be starving with onions now at Rs 80 a kg. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] COMPLAINT FILED OVER SELECTION OF BJP KARYAKARTAS AS CIC & SIC
A complaint has been filed today with the Chief Secretary of Goa against the selection of Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar for the post of Chief Information Commissioner and Juino de Souza as State Information Commissioner alleging that it was clearly contrary to the very provisions of the Right to Information Act. Section 15(6) of the Right to Information Act mandates that the Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information Commissioner shall be persons not connected with any political party, but Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar and Juino de Souza are both very closely connected to the BJP. Section 15(5) of the Right to Information Act also mandates that the Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information Commissioner shall be persons of eminence in public life. Only a thorough Intelligence Bureau (IB) check on Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar and Juino de Souza will reveal the impediments to them occupying these high posts which mandatorily require eminence in public life which the two clearly do not possess. After the BJP came to power Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar an Advocate from Ponda was in September 2013 appointed as the Additional President of Goa Administrative Tribunal and retired in February this year on attaining the age of 60. The very fact that he was appointed to that post very close to his retirement age, was possibly a launching pad to get him later appointed as Chief Information Commissioner. There needs to be a probe into the huge assets acquired by Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar and his family over the last few years. Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar is also known to be a leading broker in mega land deals including the 5 crore property acquired at Darbhandora by Anand Wachasundar the accused in the infamous Louis Berger-JICA case. On the BJP coming to power its other Karyakarta Juino de Souza was accommodated as Member of the Executive Board of Goa University and also Member of the Executive Board of Institute Menezes Braganza while continuing to be very closely connected with the BJP. By an order 6th December 2006 the Bombay High Court at Goa had directed that Juino de Souza be assessed by a Psychiatrist and that by another order dated 20th December 2006 the High Court opined that he should continue visiting a Psychiatrist. The selection process of Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar for the post of Chief Information Commissioner and Juino de Souza as State Information Commissioners lacked transparency. It was very obviously a stage managed mere eyewash to accommodate them to these plump positions on account of their very close links with the BJP. As the Central Government and other State Governments have been conducting an IB check to ascertain the background of the persons selected for the posts of Information Commissioners, it is imperative that the Goa Government also follow suit so that unscrupulous persons do not end up occupying these crucial posts. Government should realize that these posts are important positions in the scheme of the RTI Act and not a mere Corporation where party workers and supporters are to be accommodated. To ensure proper implementation of the Right to Information Act, the State Information Commission should comprise of independent minded persons who do not succumb to the pulls and pressures of the politicians in power. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] GCZMA DIRECTS SDM TO RECOVER 20 LAKHS FROM GOA BJP VICE PRESIDENT ANIL HOBLE
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has directed the Panaji Deputy Collector to initiate necessary action and proceedings to recover from Goa State BJP Vice President Anil Hoble the Rs 20 lakh fine imposed on him by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for degradation of environment and violation of CRZ rules. The GCZMA on 25th August had given Anil Hoble three days to pay the 20 lakhs or face further action. The NGT on May 29th this year while ordering the demolition of several of Anil Hoble’s illegal structures including the Hoble’s River Lounge the Bar & Restaurant along the Ribandar-Panaji causeway for violating various provisions of the environmental law had directed him to pay a fine of 20 lakhs within six weeks for destroying mangroves and doing illegal land filling in violation of environment laws After the NGT order Anil Hoble had filed a petition before the Bombay High Court seeking a stay of the NGT order which was dismissed after which he filed two petitions before the Supreme Court which also came to be dismissed as withdrawn. Anil Hoble being politically well connected and the Vice President of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party by flexing his muscles had destroyed mangroves and salt pans while also doing illegal land filling in violation of environment laws. The illegal structures built by Anil Hoble for commercial activity along the very busy Ribandar – Panaji causeway is at very accident prone area with hundreds of fatal accidents on that road over the years with even Anil Hoble's own brother killed there in a road accident. That Hoble’s River Lounge Bar & Restaurant was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on April 1 last year though he was fully aware that the structures including the Bar & Restaurant were illegal. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar of pressurizing officers in an attempt to shield Anil Hoble from having to pay that 20 lakh fine. Three months have passed since that NGT order which had directed Anil Hoble to pay the fine within in six weeks, but unlike in other cases the law has not taken its course in promptly recovering that fine from Anil Hoble. The BJP which claims to be a party with a difference has allowed Anil Hoble to continue as it’s Vice –President despite him having been found guilty of violating environmental laws and now evading to pay the government that 20 lakh fine. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] DR WILFRED DE SOUZA AS I KNEW HIM
In the death of Dr Wilfred de Souza, the State of Goa has lost a gregarious, outspoken and a great Goan. The outstanding surgeon turned politician had a very long innings on Goa’s political turf. With surgical precision he was the architect of many governments he assembled and also dismantled. He was very knowledgeable, a person with whom you could have an enlightening interaction on any issue. As a politician he led a rather very simple, modest and humble life. Dr Wilfred de Souza belonged to a genre of politicians with qualities of head and heart who cannot survive in today’s politics. Today a politician has to be thick skinned and a hypocrite to the core. He has to be ready to break and bend all the rules to survive just as is being done by the current politicians in power. Politics today is no longer a mission, not even an honest profession. It has today been reduced to a scoundrel’s last resort. It has become a ruthless business, with morals and ethics twisted beyond recognition, thrown to the winds or long buried deep in the slush of ignorance and thuggery. I was privileged to have personally known the great leader Dr Wilfred de Souza for over four decades. He was always extremely outspoken and one who was not known to mince words in what he had to say and convey. A few of Dr Wilfred de Souza’s tribe of politicians remain and will be remembered for the good they have done for Goa. About the rest and in particular the current bunch of politicians who have been leading and steering Goa down the gutters there will be no obituary to write. Posterity will never forgive them for their selfish role in the irreparable damage and destruction of what was once known as beautiful Goa, the Paradise of the East. At the age of 88 Dr Wilfred de Souza must have been a sad man to witness the rampant destruction and devastation of Goa. While bidding farewell to the great leader and former Chief Minister of Goa, I am consoled by the fact that he has been spared the further painful and agonizing experience of witnessing Goa’s fateful remains being officially laid to rest. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] DR WILFRED DE SOUZA PASSES AWAY
Dr. Wilfred de Souza, the doyen of Goa’s political turf departs. A surgeon par excellence turned politician, he was very knowledgeable with whom you could have an enlightening discussion on any issue. Had the privilege of interacting with Dr Wilfred De Souza over the last forty years. In his death Goa has lost a true Goenkar. Dr Wilfred de Souza has been saved the agony of witnessing Goa’s remains being laid to rest. May the soul of this great leader rest in eternal peace. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] RTI ACT: A VERY POTENT WEAPON TO BATTLE CORRUPTION AND NEPOTISM
After decades of hectic lobbying, the efforts of civil society for getting the Right to Information law in place bore fruit on 15 June 2005 when the President of India gave assent to the Right to Information Act 2005. Over the decade however the greater challenge has been the actual implementation of the Act. Unless the RTI Act is further strengthened Good Governance, Transparency in the Administration and Zero Tolerance to Corruption will never be a reality. The Right to Information Act has been hailed as the hallmark of our democracy. The Act aims at making the government transparent and more accountable. The effective use of it would, in the long run, curb corruption. Right to Information Act has become a powerful tool in exposing corruption at top places in the government. The Right to Information is derived from our fundamental right of expression under Article 19. If we do not have information on how our Government and public institutions function, we cannot express any informed opinion on it. This has been reiterated by various Supreme Court judgments since 1977. Bureaucrats have been conditioned to conceal and not to reveal information. They are not accustomed to providing information freely. This has all changed with the RTI Act. The 'good' bureaucrats, who have nothing to hide, and thus, nothing to fear, have welcomed this change. These are the good officials who are genuinely interested in the betterment of Goa. However the 'bad' bureaucrats, who are either corrupt, or simply have a non-cooperative attitude, are now compelled to fall in line with the RTI Act. After having been exposed by the RTI act, politicians are attempting modifying the act to escape its ambit. Any attempt to dilute the RTI Act should not be allowed and must be vehemently opposed. There is need infact to reinforce this Transparency law and bring the political parties too within its ambit. We are all part of society and if there is something wrong we must all take responsibility. A lot of information was earlier suppressed by the Government, allowing room for corruption. The RTI Act is a tool that can be used by every individual to make an impact and bring about change. A properly worded RTI application with a 10 rupee stamp on it is all it takes. We have finally woken up to realize that Right to information is a key component in the attainment of economic, social and political rights of an individual as well as the community at large. The RTI should give the Aam Aadmi a feeling of participation. A few thousand RTI applications across Goa by concerned citizens on issues concerning the public can usher in a major change in Goa. There should be a determined move towards our true liberation. There is a need to spread across every village the usage of this Act so that transparency and good governance triumphs. We now have the power; we only need to use it. The RTI Act is very simple and user friendly. It is not enough to be only a desh premi, we all need to be RTI premi too. We all have to be ardent followers of the RTI Act. It needs to be a people’s movement for transparency, so that even if RTI activists are gunned down, the spirit of RTI and the crusade never dies. The 37th President of the United States of America Mr. Richard Nixon had in 1972 very rightly said “When information which properly belongs to the public is systematically withheld by those in power, the people soon become ignorant of their own affairs, distrustful of those who manage them, and - eventually - incapable of determining their own destinies." Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] (IN)JUSTICE MOHIT SHAH TO FINALLY RETIRE
With that failed dream of elevation to the Supreme Court, Mohit Shah who has been stagnating as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court since 26th June 2010 retires on September 9th. In March 2013 the collegium of the Supreme Court rejected his name for elevation on the ground that he was not suitable to be a Supreme Court judge and that his elevation would prove to be counter-productive and not conducive to the administration of justice. It is an irony that someone found unsuitable to be a Supreme Court judge was allowed to continue as the Chief Justice of the High Court. God save our Judiciary from being a failing institution with declining standards of integrity. Caroline Kennedy had said “The bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of the political winds that are blowing“ But sadly the Judiciary in India is visibly sliding the tube with these dark days looming. The very sanctity and independence of the Judiciary at stake. Very disturbing signs that the Judiciary is being reduced to a mouth piece of the government. Courts may end up as dens of chicanery and jugglery. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] ANIL HOBLE PLEADS THAT RECOVERY PROCEEDING FOR 20 LAKHS BE KEPT ON HOLD
Goa State BJP Vice President Anil Hoble has pleaded with the Mamlatdar of Tiswadi Veera Nayak that the proceedings initiated against him to recover the Rs 20 lakh fine imposed on him by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for degradation of environment and violation of CRZ rules be kept on hold. Anil Hoble in his reply to the notice issued by the Mamlatdar Veera Nayak directing him to pay the 20 lakhs in three days has stated that he has filed a review application before the National Geeen Tribunal which is fixed for hearing on 16th October. Incidentally Mamlatdar Veera Nayak is the daughter of Senior BJP leader Subhash Salkar. Mamlatdar Veera Nayak has today written to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) seeking advice as to the further course to be adopted in the matter. Mamlatdar Veera Nayak must promptly proceed with the recovering proceedings in accordance with law. The proceedings cannot be kept on hold under the guise of a review application having been merely filed. Unless the recovering proceedings are stayed by the Court, the law requires that Anil Hoble’s properties be attached and sold besides he be arrested and imprisoned in terms of clause 123 of the Land Revenue Code for not paying the fine imposed by the NGT. After the NGT order Anil Hoble had filed a petition before the Bombay High Court seeking a stay of the NGT order which was dismissed after which he filed two petitions before the Supreme Court which also came to be dismissed as withdrawn. The NGT on May 29th this year while ordering the demolition of several of Anil Hoble’s illegal structures including the Hoble’s River Lounge the Bar & Restaurant along the Ribandar-Panaji causeway for violating various provisions of the environmental law had directed him to pay a fine of 20 lakhs within six weeks for destroying mangroves and doing illegal land filling in violation of environment laws Hoble’s River Lounge Bar & Restaurant was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on April 1 last year though the structures including the Bar & Restaurant were illegal. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar are pressurizing officers in an attempt to shield Anil Hoble from having to pay that 20 lakh fine. Over three months had passed since that NGT order which had directed Anil Hoble to pay the fine within in six weeks but as to why as in other cases the law has not taken its course in promptly recovering that fine from Anil Hoble. The BJP which claims to be a party with a difference has allowed Anil Hoble to continue as it’s Vice –President despite him having been found guilty of violating environmental laws and now evading to pay the government that 20 lakh fine. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] (IN)JUSTICE MOHIT SHAH TO FINALLY RETIRE
While Mohit Shah will spend his last night today as the Chief Justice, let us hope and pray that the long comatised Bombay High Court regains Consciousness tomorrow. With that failed dream of elevation to the Supreme Court , Mohit Shah Shah who has been stagnating as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court since 26 th June 2010 retires tomorrow. In March 2013 the collegium of the Supreme Court had rejected his name for elevation on the ground that he was not suitable to be a Supreme Court Judge and that his elevation would prove to be counter-productive and not conducive to the administration of justice. It is an irony that someone found unsuitable to be a Supreme Court judge was allowed to continue so long as the Chief Justice of a very key High Court. God save our Judiciary from being a failing institution with declining standards of integrity. Caroline Kennedy had said “The bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of the political winds that are blowing“ But sadly the Judiciary in India is also visibly sliding down the tube with these dark days looming. The very sanctity and independence of the Judiciary is at stake. Very disturbing signs that the Judiciary is being reduced to a mouth piece of the government. Courts may end up as dens of chicanery and jugglery. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] GOA’S POLITICAL STINKING ROT
It is Political Prostitution to the hilt. It is not for the love of God but for Mauvin Godinho’s lust and desperation for Power. While loud preaching and vowing of Zero Tolerance to corruption, the BJP government has appointed as Chairman of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority the awfully tainted Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho who is the prime accused in the infamous multi crore Power scam case now pending in the Supreme Court. Manohar Parrikar and Mauvin Godinho had accused each other of cheating and corruption. While Manohar Parrikar had filed a complaint against Mauvin Godinho alleging a multi crore power scam while he was Power Minister, Mauvin Godinho had accused Manohar Parrikar as Chief Minister of gross and rampant corruption during IFFI 2004. Now for sheer political expediency, the two have embraced and are so intimately in love singing and showering praises galore on each other. Politics makes strange bedfellows. Even those in the world's oldest profession do it better. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] EMPOWER THE YOUTH
Every extension in service or contract appointment given beyond the retirement age is a cruel and grave injustice to the Youth. The Government as a matter of rule should ensure that there is a total ban on any such extensions in service and contract appointments to the retired. It is a severe prejudice to those unemployed aspiring to join the government service and to the young officers awaiting promotion. No one is indispensable and steps should be taken well in advance to replace those retiring. There are however some officers who just will not retire as they cannot live without government perks and freebies. All good things need to come to an end. And there is something known as “retired life” which many government officers unfortunately cannot come to terms with. We need to invest in our youth and give them a chance. The power, diversity, and potential of our youth could energize the bureaucracy into a vibrant engine to tow Goa out of the woods. The great American writer Robert Heinlein had said “Age is not an accomplishment, and youth is not a sin”. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] CRIMINAL MINDED DATTAGURU SAWANT HEADING BJP POLITICALLY GEARED LOUIS BERGER PROBE
One does not have to be a genius to conclude that the current Louis Berger probe is an attempt by the BJP in Goa to keep the people distracted from the glaring acts of omission and omission of a miserably failed government Anyone indulging in any corrupt practice should not be spared however high he may be and regardless to which political party he or she is affiliated. The Congress has been corrupt but things have only got worse over the last three and half years of the BJP rule in Goa and the 16 months that it has been in power at the centre. The BJP had promised Zero Tolerance to corruption and transparency by way of good governance. However, the ground reality is that we have landed from the frying pan into the fire. The only difference is that the Corruption by the Congress was out in the open for all to see, but the BJP has been engaging in it on a much larger scale but very discreetly masked and extremely subtly executed. The mind boggling assets acquired by the BJP leaders including Manohar Parrikar over the last three and half years is testimony to the heightened levels of Corruption. In 2013 to keep the people of Goa distracted and entertained from the follies and bad Governance, Manohar Parrikar enacted the Tarun Tejpal show with the Crime branch going all out to nail the Tehelka Editor-in-Chief while Manohar Parrikar led the tirade. The result will be known soon, a big Zero with lakhs if not over a crore of taxpayer’s money already squandered on that vicious political vendetta. Now we are sought to be entertained with the Louis Berger show with once again Manohar Parrikar leading and directing the script of every skit, while the very credibility of the probe in question. The very tainted Investigating Officer Inspector Dattaguru Sawant is a known sidekick of Manohar Parrikar whom Manohar Parrikar as Chief Minister had in 2002 illegally inducted as a Police Sub- Inspector. Dattaguru Sawant with RSS credentials has had a very shoddy history as a Police officer who even came to be dismissed from service in 2004 for extorting money at Mapusa only to be reinstated in 2006 with the blessings and pressure exerted by his Messiah Manohar Parrikar as the Leader of the Opposition. Dattaguru Sawant with his very strong BJP roots has been an integral part of the saffron brigade with a criminal record even before becoming a police officer after having sprinkled black ink on Congress Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik. Less said the better on the consistent and repeated dubious record of Dattaguru Sawant who has been accused of one too many wrong doings as a Police Officer. In 2013 as the Sub Inspector at the Konkan Railway Police Station at Margao Dattaguru Sawant slapped a fabricated case against a porter who refused to give him a free helmet which he had demanded. That is how low Dattaguru Sawant’s greed can stoop. For that high-handed act Dattaguru Sawant is currently being prosecuted before the Goa State Police Complaints Authority with Dattaguru Sawant having absconded for the hearings over the last few months. Despite his shady and extremely dubious record, Dattaguru Sawant managed to get himself promoted last year as Inspector courtesy his Guru Manohar Parrikar as Chief Minister. For any probe to be credible, it has to be led by a credible and an upright officer. With an awfully tainted officer Dattaguru Sawant, it will all end up only being a very blemished probe in which no one should be expected to have any faith in. While the Louis Berger show is on, it is an irony that investigation into all the other pending cases at the Crime Branch have come to a standstill with BJP mission Louis Berger being the only agenda. Only time will tell whether like the Tarun Tejpal case, this one will also end up a fiasco and a big zero. With the probe into the 35,000 crore Mining loot deliberately and conveniently heading nowhere, the Crime Branch has now made this Louis Berger handful of crores a priority. The people of Goa are watching the events and scenes of the Louis Berger drama as they unfold. Nobody can be above the law. But for now we know that though the law should always takes it own course, it has not been so in the corruption cases against Manohar Parrikar, Dilip Parulekar, Rajendra Arlekar, Mahadev Naik and others in the saffron brigade. In the Mickky Pacheco saga he has been sought to be treated as a VIP even after his conviction being upheld by the Supreme Court. The rule of law is a distant dream while politicians in power ensure that the law is made an Ass. And unless criminal minded corrupt officers like Dattaguru Sawant are not flushed out of the Goa Police, the rule of the jungle is here to say. God Save Goa’s Ruins. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com
[Goanet] THE JUDICIARY NEEDS SOME FIXING
Am in the process of penning a documented article “Corruption in the Judiciary and nexus of Politicians with Judges”. Please email me by 30th September any relevant data that you may have that could also be incorporated. We need to do everything possible to Save our very last hope, the Temples of Justice. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] GPSC CHAIRMAN ROW IN YET ANOTHER ROW
Manohar Parrikar’s relative Kurapati Dwarakanath Row whom he had in 2012 made the Chairman of Goa Public Service Commission has now successfully lobbied and manipulated to get his daughter Priyanka a plumb post at the Goa Chapter of the India Brazil Chamber of Commerce which is being inaugurated on September 23rd. All in the Parivar. Time to look beyond the family where merit and merit alone should triumph. Jai ho Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] JUDGE NUTAN SARDESSAI COULD BE A FORMIDABLE LOKAYUKTA
The BJP in Goa had promised Zero Tolerance to Corruption but has conveniently despite the soaring levels of corruption kept the State without the much needed Lokayukta. This has been the systematic design of the BJP in its States and at the Centre to drag filling in these and similar posts, lest they become an albatross and hindrance for their ruling dispensations. There is a misconception that a retired Supreme Court or High Court Judge would be better suited to be a Lokayukta. We have seen the disastrous performance by retired Supreme Court Judge Sudershan Reddy who within months abandoned the Goa Lokayukta’s Chair in a huff. Less said the better on the lackluster term of Mohit Shah as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. If the Government is infact serious on arresting corruption it should amend the Goa Lokayukta Act to enable the appointment of even a District Judge to the post. South Goa Principal District Judge Nutan Sardessai who has been a Judge for 21 long years and has worked in both districts has all it takes to be a formidable Lokayukta. The iron lady is known to be a no nonsense Judge with the spine to take on the powers to be by the horn. The Lokayukta is not just another position but is the pivotal role that needs someone with some special aptitudes to wage a war against corruption. Judge Nutan Sardessai suits the bill. But if the Government wants the current rampant corruption to only further engulf, God Save Goa. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] IS IT A WITCH HUNT AGAINST PASSPORT OFFICER AGNELO FERNANDES?
Over the years the people of Goa had to endure utter nightmare at the Passport office. It was an everyday chaos and confusion. All this changed with the appointment of a Goa Civil Service Officer Agnelo Fernandes as the Passport Officer. To his credit Agnelo Fernandes speedily streamlined the working of the entire passport office to the satisfaction of one and all. Surprisingly now the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has Suo Motu started a probe against Agnelo Fernandes. Suo Motu probes by the CBI are unheard of. How many such probes have they done? If Agnelo Fernandes has done something really wrong he should be punished. But if this is a part of the witch hunt being unleashed by the saffron brigade then it needs to be strongly deprecated. One of the allegations against Agnelo Fernandes is that a hundred bottles of foreign liquor were found at his residence. So what. Every Goan politician must have much more stored down their cellar. The Government needs to come clear on what it means by Zero Tolerance to Corruption. There cannot be double standards. On one side you target Agnelo Fernandes and on the other you allow alleged grossly corrupt officers to head vital departments. An example is the very saffronised Arun Desai who despite all the serious Vigilance probes pending against him continues as Director of Transport for the last over five years. He is at the helm of a department with multi channels and wide avenues for fueling corruption. To add to it the BJP government is elevating him to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The very affable and gregarious Agnelo Fernandes has been a very accessible and extremely cordial officer who has always ready to help one and all. May truth and Justice prevail. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
[Goanet] HAPPY GANESH CHATURTHI
This Festive Season a very Sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, the Vigna-harta (remover of obstacles) to please help ease the sufferings of the poor and needy, but may the obstacles in the path of those chronic rogues just multiply manifold. Tathastu, so be it Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] CURB WASTEFUL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE
The cash strapped Goa Government in a very flawed move is planning to hold on October 2nd a pompous State level followed by Taluka celebrations to mark the 15th year of the Dayanand Social Security Scheme. The implementation of that scheme started on 1st January 2002 so how does the government claim it completes 15 years. Nonetheless, with the state coffers empty, do we need to hold such unnecessry functions? For this government which has not been able to even regularly pay those monthly pension payments, the focus should be to weed out the fraudulent beneficiaries that have creeped in and increase that pension to the relief of the really needy. For rationalization in government spending, strong and sincere austerity measures need to be taken with such criminal waste of public funds on superfluous public functions prohibited. Fiscal accountability and responsibility has to be an ongoing sustained process with every paisa of the tax payer judiciously spent. Due to the follies of the government we have landed in this fiscal upheaval, however now it is the duty and responsibility of the authorities to work towards restoring Goa back on the road to economic prosperity. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] JUSTICE T.S. THAKUR MAY BE THE CURE FOR INDIA’S AILING JUDICIARY
The Senior most Judge of the Supreme Court Justice TS Thakur was in Goa and it was a wealth of information besides an enriching invaluable opportunity hear him speak. The very suave, gentle, affable yet very firm Justice Thakur spoke with command, confidence and mastery on the various issues raised and aptly dissected by him. He articulated from his heart and with a very clear mind. The exceptionally eloquent and an excellent communicator, Justice Thakur takes over as Chief Justice of India on 3rd December with a tenure of just over a year. With his practical rather than a theoretical approach, Justice T.S Thakur may be the much needed hope to lead India’s limping Judiciary to the path to recovery. For the Judiciary to be truly independent there has to be no socializing and cozying up by politicians and advocates with Judges. If Judiciary is reduced to a mouth piece and agents of the government, Courts will end up as dens of chicanery and jugglery. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] GOA’S REMAINS NEED TO BE SALVAGED
We need to laud and salute various persons and NGO’s more particularly the Goa Foundation led by Claude and Norma Alvares for toiling tirelessly over the years in dealing and highlighting issues concerning Goa’s environment and ecology including that illegal mining that ravaged Goa. Their efforts are finally bearing fruit. A ray of hope for the coming generations who will now at least be able to see something that remains of Goa. Our Goa, which was once the paradise of the East, now lies at crossroads for posterity. Yesterday I received a call from Claude Alvares requesting me to assist them by appearing in the Tiracol matter before the High Court. It is just a coincidence that a day earlier the Senior most Supreme Court Judge T.S.Thakur speaking at Panaji exhorted lawyers to work free for social causes. Justice Thakur felt that for doing so the advocates would be paid by prayers which would be much more valuable than the money that they otherwise earn. Claude and Norma could be assured of my assistance at all times. We owe it to Goa to strengthen the hands of persons like Claude, Norma and others who are attempting to save what remains of Goa from the ruthless land sharks and the corrupt politicians. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
