[Goanet] RAJENDRA ARLEKAR COBBLING ASSETS: A TALE OF RAGS TO RICHES
The BJP lectures loud and sermonizes on Zero Tolerance to Corruption but has been acting right to the contrary. The latest is the selection of the grossly very tainted Rajendra Arlekar for elevation as a Minister. In that disproportionate assets case against Rajendra Arlekar he was let free by the Court on the technical ground that the Anti- Corruption Branch had not sought sanction of the government in the case. Obviously the ACB will never seek a sanction against their own ruling party politician. So Rajendra Arlekar has a lot to answer on his mountain of assets. The complaint against Rajendra Arlekar was that by a sale deed dated 26th August 2013 he purchased a 500 sq mt plot at Porvorim on a payment of Rs 72 lakhs and the sale deed did not reveal the mode of payment as to whether the amount paid by Rajendra Arlekar was in cash, cheque or draft. Besides the 72 lakhs Rajendra Arlekar also paid an amount of Rs 2,52,000 towards stamp duty and a further Rs 2,16,280 as registration and processing fees of that Sale deed. In an affidavit filed by Rajendra Arlekar before Goa’s Chief Electoral officer on 9th February 2012 he had shown his income for the year 2010-2011 as Rs 2,76,671 and that of his wife Anagha Deshpande Arlekar who is a school teacher as Rs 5,87,186. So the purchase of the plot for 72 lakhs by Rajendra Arlekar was clearly disproportionate to his last known source of income. Rajendra Arlekar in that affidavit had shown his total liabilities by way of loans etc as Rs 30,54,314 and further liabilities by way of Government dues as Rs 2,64,734 but in his statement of assets and liabilities filed over a year later on on 31st July 2013 before the Goa Lokayukta his liabilities were shown as Nil. Rajendra Arlekar should explain as to how within a short span of just over a year after becoming Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly he was able to clear his huge liabilities of Rs 30,54,314 and also liabilities by way of Government dues of Rs 2,64,734. Rajendra Arlekar in his affidavit on 9th February 2012 had shown his total income for the year 2010-2011 as a mere Rs 2,76,671 which prima facie reveals that Rajendra Arlekar concealed the real income earned by him from his HP petrol pump dealership “Om Shree Vetobaa” at Vasco. Rajendra Arlekar has continued with that Hindustan Petroleum petrol pump dealership illegally after becoming an MLA and Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly. Clause 7 of the Hindustan Petroleum guidelines specifically requires that a person selected for the dealership of the petrol pump shall be paying attention towards day-to-day working of the petrol pump by personally managing the affairs of the petrol pump. The guidelines further mandate that the dealer of the petrol pump shall not be eligible for taking up any other employment. So as soon as Rajendra Arlekar became MLA he was duty bound to surrender the dealership to make way for somebody unemployed. Now the RSS Pracharak Rajendra Arlekar being all set to be a Minister tomorrow will be eyeing for very lucrative portfolios. PWD, Transport, Forest, Environment and Mining may be some amongst in his wish list so that he further prospers financially and his Acche din continue. 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] JUDGES SHOULD GIVE REASON ON WHY ‘NOT BEFORE ME’
The recent sudden recusal by a Judge of the Bombay High Court at Goa from further hearing a high profile matter has rightly raised many an eyebrows. More so because he was hearing it for over a month with so much precious judicial time consumed and had even passed an interim order while hearing the same matter. Appointed on 1st of January this year and directly posted at Goa, the Judge in question may have had compelling reasons to recuse from that matter but could have been prudent and left no room for misconception, if he had as some judges do orally stated the reason for the recusal. Judges generally recuse from hearing a case when they feel that there is a conflict of interest involved or if someone from the litigating parties approaches the Judge. In the interest of Transparency and Purity of the Justice delivery system, maybe it is time for all Judges to at least orally tell the parties the specific reason as to why they are compelled to recuse from hearing the case. Judges should take this initiative in the interest of justice and to be above doubts. 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’s JUNGLE RAJ NEEDS TO BE CLAMPED
The law is that all the footpaths have to be left unobstructed at all times for the pedestrians to use. Infact the thrust today is to even make the footpaths accessible by wheel chair for the disabled. Contrary to the law and common sense, the BJP by a sheer act of arrogance and abuse of power erected over a fortnight ago a huge welcome arch at the entrance of Mapusa just near the Gandhi Chowk obstructing the footpaths on both sides of the road. When the matter was brought to the attention of the Mapusa Deputy Collector Pundalik Khorjuvekar he promptly directed the Mamlatdar Madhu Narvekar to act immediately. The Mamlatdar has however refused to remove the illegal welcome arch just because it has a large full size portrait of his political masters Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on either side. Infact Manohar Parrikar has reportedly phoned the Mamlatdar and warned him of dire consequences if the arch is removed. So acting as a caged parrot Mamlatdar Madhu Narvekar has kept his mobile phone shut for the last two days. Having promised good, clean and a transparent administration, the BJP now is violating every law possible with impunity. Democracy and the Rule of law cannot be subverted and throttled in such a high-handed manner. Power having gone to their head, the BJP leaders need to be brought to their senses. As Goa goes to the municipal polls on 25th of October it would be an opportunity to thrash the BJP candidates at the ballot box. Let us hope some new faces are elected along with some good experienced hands. At Mapusa, the BJP has been ruling the Municipality for the last five years and the condition of the city is a crying shame. It is atrocious that the ruling councilors are having the audacity to seek re-election after having miserably failed on all counts in taking care of the city that they were entrusted with. May the will and power of the people prevail. We need to be ever so vigilant and raise our voices against every illegality that we see and regardless who the perpetrator of that crime is. 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] LOUIS BERGER PROBE: A POLITICAL WITCH HUNT AT TAX PAYER’S EXPENSE
After a bare reading of the so called voluminous charge sheet filed by the Crime Branch in the much hyped Louis Berger case, there cannot be any doubt that any sensible Judge will quash the charge sheet for the asking. The charge sheet which has been filed is no charge sheet at all within the parameters of the Criminal Procedure Code and does not reveal the ingredients of the offences alleged. Though the bulky charge sheet comprises of two volumes and around 400 pages, but to sum it up bluntly it is pure “garbage”, a bundle of contradictions and inconsistencies which will not stand the test in any Court of law. Ironically under the guise of investigating the Louis Berger case the entire working of the Crime Branch has come to a grinding halt over the last two months and it has been an abundant waste of tax payer’s money on a directionless probe initiated without the crucial fundamental foundations. The highlight however is that this investigation drama was led and enacted by Inspector Dattaguru Sawant who has never successfully investigated even a petty theft case besides also having a very sloppy criminal record even before he joined the police force. At the behest of the BJP, Inspector Dattaguru Sawant who himself has deep roots with the RSS has attempted to be a magician trying to pull the rabbit out of the hat. In an absolute ridiculous attempt he is now seeking to conduct a Narco test which should have been done during the investigation and not after the charge sheet has been filed. Fundamental to any prosecution of a bribery case is the proof of demand of the bribe, which is missing in this Louis Berger charge sheet so also is conspicuous the trail of the bribe money. The entire charge sheet will hit the dust on this count itself. A perusal of the charge sheet only confirms that this whole manipulated investigation was by the ruling BJP with the investigation clearly monitored and tutored by Manohar Parrikar. The BJP could have shown its bonafides by blacklisting Louis Berger Company and probing with the same enthusiasm all the other projects including the Mopa Airport for which this government appointed the very same Louis Berger as the Consultant. This whole Louis Berger probe began with just a letter from Under Secretary Home Neetal Amonkar quoting a news paper report of something that had transpired in the United States. The manner in which this whole questionable probe was conducted and the manner of the high-handed midnight arrest of Churchill Alemao has only further discredited and dented the already politically tainted police force. For any professional and efficient police force it should be the odd case that ends up in acquittal, but for Goa’s prime investigating wings the Crime Branch and the Anti Corruption Branch it is the other way round. The Louis Berger case will be just another addition to the never ending acquittals. The credibility of the Crime Branch has hit rock bottom with even in the watertight case against Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar the Crime Branch now wanting to let him off the hook by making him a victim in the Serula Comunidade land grab case. This Louis Berger stage managed drama cannot end up with merely the quashing of the charge sheet. All those who were detained need to sue the Crime Branch Branch Inspector Dattaguru Sawant for having been an investigating officer of a politically smeared investigation steered and geared by the BJP. Such officers are a travesty in the Justice delivery system and need to be hanged upside down for having unnecessarily burdened the tax payer besides wasting precious time of the law enforcing authorities and valuable judicial time. The Goa Police’s effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy is once again in question and there is rightly a public perception that the police force has and continues to act as caged parrots of the politicians in power. The Police have miserably failed to provide the service the public deserve and are entitled to. This is contrary to the law laid down by the Supreme Court that the law enforcing authority has to be totally insulated from all political machinations, influences and controls. 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 71 TOURISTS DIED AT CANACONA OVER LAST DECADE
A record number of 71 tourists were reported dead at Canacona in South Goa over the last decade. This has been revealed in the information obtained under the Right to Information Act. In an attempt to find out how safe a tourist destination Goa has been, information was sought from the Director General of Police on details of all Indian and foreign tourists reported dead in Goa over the last decade. Quepem Sub-Divisional Officer Sammy Tavares has informed that no deaths of tourists were reported within the jurisdiction of Quepem, Curchorem and Sanguem Police stations but that within the jurisdiction of Canacona Police station 71 tourists died over the last ten years of which 38 were foreigners while 31 were Indian tourists. Of the 38 foreigners dead 7 were killed in road accidents, 5 due to drowning, 2 suicides and 24 natural deaths of which 8 were under the age of 50 which includes 22 year old Finnish National Felix Dahl whose mother has been alleging that her son was murdered at Canacona. Of the 33 Indian Tourists reported dead at Canacona, 9 were killed in road accidents, 19 due to drowning, 1 suicide and 4 natural deaths. While we await the details from other Police Stations across Goa, the Canacona figures are a clear indicator that Goa is a very unsafe destination for tourists. The Goa Government must reflect on this grim reality especially on World Tourism day being observed on September 27th. Due to lack of foresight by successive governments Goa has today become a drug, gambling, prostitution and crime haven. 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] IS GOA NOW A DEATH DESTINATION FOR TOURISTS
Over the last ten years a record number of 157 tourists were reported dead at Anjuna, 69 in Pernem while 19 at Mapusa. This has been revealed in the information furnished under the Right to Information Act. In an attempt to find out how safe a tourist destination Goa has been, information was sought the Director General of Police on details of all Indian and foreign tourists reported dead in Goa over the last decade. As per the information furnished, of the 123 foreigners reported dead at Anjuna 12 died due to drowning, 7 suicides, 20 accidents, 6 were murdered, 59 were natural deaths while 29 year old British National Mathew Maclean died due to electrocution after having touched a live wire fallen on the road. Deaths of 18 foreigners are still under investigation with the cause of death yet not known. Of the 34 Indian tourists dead at Anjuna 17 were due to drowning, 3 suicides, 2 accidents, 4 murders, 2 natural while the cause of other six deaths is yet not known. At Pernem a total of 69 foreigners were reported dead of which 13 were due to drowning, 7 suicides, 8 accidents, 1 murder, 20 natural deaths while the cause of the other 20 deaths is still under investigation. Of the 19 foreigners reported dead at Mapusa 6 were killed in accidents, 3 murdered, 9 natural deaths and cause of one death still not known. Interestingly of the 80 natural deaths reported at Anjuna, Pernem and Mapusa 50 of those dead were under the age of 45 and died due to alleged overdose of narcotics and alcohol. It is informed that no specific records of death of Indian tourists at Mapusa and Pernem is maintained Last week it was informed that within the jurisdiction of Canacona Police station 71 tourists died over the last ten years of which 38 were foreigners while 31 were Indian tourists. Of the 38 foreigners dead 7 were killed in road accidents, 5 due to drowning, 2 suicides and 24 natural deaths of whom 8 were under the age of 50 which includes 22 year old Finnish National Felix Dahl whose mother has been alleging that her son was murdered at Canacona. Of the 33 Indian Tourists reported dead at Canacona, 9 were killed in road accidents, 19 due to drowning, 1 suicide and 4 natural deaths. The large number death of tourists in Goa is very disturbing and there is need for the government to take some immediate corrective measures. While the figures of death of Tourists at Colva, Calangute amongst other places is still awaited, it is now very evident that Goa is not a safe destination for tourists. Though crores are being squandered on foreign jaunts by Ministers to promote Tourism, it is very anguishing that the basic infrastructure including the roads in Goa are in a very pathetic state and a virtual death trap at many places. Due to lack of foresight by successive governments Goa has today become a drug, gambling, prostitution and crime haven. The above figures say it all. 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] WANING NARENDRA MODI ON THE SLIDE
In yet more empty rhetoric Narendra Modi now vows that he will do in 50 months what others have not done in 50 years obviously referring to the Congress. But over the last 16 months he has only been blabbering and merrily touring the world. And for the next 34 months that is all he will be up to. All indications are however that in Corruption the BJP may pocket in 50 months what it took the Congress 50 years. Like Dr Manmohan Singh, now Narendra Modi too sits mum when his government is cornered. He promised the country the moon but has miserably failed to deliver. It has been only empty glossy talk all the way. With his one man rule, basic democratic values have been consigned to the wind. Nothing has been done to strengthen the Right to Information Act while the Lok Pal is also not in place only affording ‘Acche din’ for the corrupt. It is no secret that the Narendra Modi government is geared, controlled, and manipulated by the RSS and the VHP who are deeply entrenched in their very divisive ideology. Fascism is at its peak, with sheer intolerance to criticism. L. K. Advani was not wrong in voicing his concern as recently as on 18th June this year that the repeat of Emergency could happen. The people of India are now seeing through NaMo’s vicious game plan with the chorus already bugling ‘Modi Hatao Desh Bachao’. 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] COLVALE JAIL AND NOT IAS – THE ROAD AHEAD FOR ARUN DESAI
Arun Desai, the mastermind in the infamous RTO bribery case is no novice to Corruption. Any government servant will recall that as Secretary to Manohar Parrikar in 2000 during his first tenure as Chief Minister of Goa, Arun Desai used to openly collect for all and sundry. How they shared that booty only the two would know. With all other officers being frequently tossed around Arun Desai managed and manipulated to remain firmly saddled on the treasure throne as the Director of Transport for a record uninterrupted last over five years, only to be transferred out this week after a written note moved by the Anti- corruption Branch. The alarming levels of Corruption in Goa is a matter of great concern. Corruption has soared to towering levels over the last three and a half years of the BJP rule. The Director of Vigilance Amarsen Rane and Superintendent of Police Bosco George heading the Anti- Corruption wing in the Vigilance department along with their teams are very competent and conscientious officers but lack the power and freedom to function independently. They need the government approval for everything, even to register a preliminary inquiry against an erring official. The BJP has infact been misusing the Vigilance department only to target and silence voices of political dissent. The BJP should be ashamed that it is promoting an awfully rotten officer Arun Desai to the IAS cadre. If Zero Tolerance to Corruption is the mantra, the government should keep Arun Desai in Goa to prosecute and punish him for all his misdeeds. There can be only one Road Map ahead for the beleaguered Arun Desai. Colvale Jail and not the IAS cadre should be the destination for an officer who has so well excelled and distinguished himself in the art and finesse of 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] CUTS - COMMISSIONS AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION
The famed Swedish Chemist and Innovator Alfred Nobel had said “*Lawyers have to make a living, and can only do so by inducing people to believe that a straight line is crooked*”. If you think kick-backs and commissions are a way of life for only politicians and bureaucrats, hold your breath….. Last week a lawyer referred to me one of his clients. The following day I got a call from that otherwise very religious minded lawyer stating that while billing that client I should charge 30% extra which would be that lawyer’s cut. He said that it was now a normal practice. I immediately returned the client and the file back to the sender! I was tempted to report this unethical and obnoxious behaviour to the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa. But then I realized that I need to have at least a handful of friends so that someone is around to carry my mortal remains on that Final Voyage! 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] SPCA DIRECTS EXTORTION COMPLAINT AGAINST INSPECTOR DATTAGURU SAWANT TO PROCEED EX-PARTE
The Goa State Police Complaints Authority headed by retired Justice RMS Khandeparkar today directed that the proceedings in the extortion complaint against then Konkan Railway Police Sub- Inspector Dattaguru Sawant shall proceed ex-parte. When the matter came up for hearing Dattaguru Sawant who has remained absent for the last 12 hearings since August last year was again absent today. Dattaguru Sawant who was promoted as Police Inspector earlier this year is currently posted at the Crime Branch and is the Investigating officer in the Louis Berger Case. While noting that Inspector Dattaguru Sawant was again absent and had not to date filed a reply to the complaint against him, Justice Khandeparkar ordered that the proceedings now proceed ex-parte against Dattaguru Sawant and adjourned the matter to October 15th. The complaint of extortion was filed by two porters from Margao Railway Station Mohammed Samsher Alam Sayyed and his brother Mohammed Abass Sayyed that Dattaguru Sawant as Police Sub-Inspector at Konkan Railway Station on 1st September 2013 along with Head Constable Manoj Mandrekar had demanded free helmets from the goods consignment that had arrived at the Railway Station. The porters in their complaint further stated that as they refused to part away with the free helmets that Dattaguru Sawant arrested and implicated them in a false and fabricated case which was not only a grave misconduct but a severe police atrocity. The porters in their complaint have sought directions by the SPCA to the Director General of Police to register an F.I.R besides disciplinary action against Police Inspector Dattaguru Sawant and Head Constable Manoj Mandrekar. Dattaguru Sawant was inducted as a Police Sub-Inspector in 2002 during Manohar Parrikar’s first term as Chief Minister but his appointment was set aside by the High Court as illegal. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court. He was later dismissed from service in 2004 for allegedly extorting money at Mapusa but managed to be reinstated in 2006. Dattaguru Sawant had a criminal record even before becoming a police officer with an F.I.R registered against him 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. Dattaguru Sawant has had a very shoddy record wherever he has been posted. While at Valpoi police station on 26th June 2012 he publicly assaulted a local resident Vincent Fernandez and illegally detained him. Unless criminal minded corrupt and pervert officers like Dattaguru Sawant are not flushed out of the Goa Police, the rule of the jungle is here to say. 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] TIME TO FREE OURSELVES FROM NARENDRA MODI AND THE BJP
After managing most of the print and electronic media, Narendra Modi to now also ensure that Face book, Twitter and WhatsApp is no longer free. Ironically Narendra Modi and the BJP made maximum use of the social media to usurp power. Now on the power throne they find the need to mask and cover up the follies of this faltering government. India is unofficially already in a state of emergency with a clampdown on our very fundamental rights and none other than Senior Leader L. K. Advani could have articulated it better. Instead of properly governing the country, the BJP wants to dictate and control as to what we should eat, drink, wear, read and speak. After 68 years of so called Independence, it is now time to wage yet another war, this time to free ourselves from the very imposing Narendra Modi and the fascist BJP. Wither Achhe din? 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] MERIT ALONE AND NOT RESERVATIONS SHOULD BE THE WAY AHEAD
In this competitive age for India to stride ahead, it is time to do away with the skewed policy of reservations for jobs and in electoral politics as well. Admissions to all professional colleges have to be also strictly on merit. The Constitution of India provides for the Fundamental Right to Equality, without discrimination on the grounds of sex, caste, creed or religion. The very concept of reservations is all about vote bank politics. It is appalling at how plagued we have become by a sheer sense of illogicality. The government can financially help the economically backward in pursuit of further education so that they compete with the mainstream. On one hand the law provides for equality and on the other hand there is a policy of reservation, which by its very genesis is a favour. Equality doesn’t brook favours. After 68 years of Independence the golden rule has to be to aim to get the best qualified person for every position – irrespective of sex, caste, creed or religion. May those great words of Rabindranath Tagore guide us: *Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high Where knowledge is free Where the world has not been broken up into fragments By narrow domestic walls Where words come out from the depth of truth Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit Where the mind is led forward by thee Into ever-widening thought and action Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.* 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] HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATIONS AT DABOLIM AIRPORT POLICE STATION: GHRC SUMMONS CS AND DGP
The Goa Human Rights Commission today issued notice to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police on the complaint over the non-deployment of lady police and other Human right violations at the Dabolim Airport Police Station. 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 the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to appear before the Commission on 12th October. Thousands of people arrive at Goa’s Dabolim Airport every day of which many are women and young children, but it is very shocking that not a single lady police has been posted at this very crucial Dabolim Police Station to attend to the ladies and children that may need assistance. In view of serious concerns about women security it was imperative to have women staff at the Airport police station which oversees hundreds of women travelling daily within its jurisdiction. As per the Court guidelines every police station needs to have a woman police officer available round-the-clock for dealing with crime involving women. Besides women detainees are required to be supervised and searched by female officers and the law enforcement authorities cannot ignore the requirement of sufficient women staff to ensure the protection of the rights of female complainants, suspects, arrestees and detainees at the Dabolim Airport Police Station. The absence of women police at the Airport Police Station would force the male police to act in situations which would compromise and affect the dignity of the women which amounts to a very serious invasion of their Human Right. The attention of the Goa Human Rights Commission has been also drawn to the fact that the Dabolim Airport Police station lacks basic amenities with no toilet, no drinking water and no proper facilities with the police staff having to work under inhuman conditions besides there not being 24 hour CCTV surveillance at such an important police station. The Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police need to explain as to how they have in violation of Human Rights Standards and Practice failed to deploy lady police staff at the very crucial Dabolim Airport Police Station and they have to also justify as to how the other basic amenities have not been provided. 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’S BIRTHDAY BASH: COMPLAINT FILED BEFORE GHRC
A complaint has today been filed before the Goa Human Rights Commission over the 60th birthday celebrations of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar scheduled to be held on 13th December at the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) ground in Panaji. Taking strong exception to Manohar Parrikar’s birthday celebrations being held on the SAG ground, it has been stated in the complaint that the Government not only has a constitutional but a moral obligation to see that the Sports ground is exclusively used for sports and fitness purpose and not for hosting of birthday celebrations and political parties, even if the same is supported by the Government. Citizens of Goa and more particularly the sportsmen and senior citizens of the State have a fundamental right for unobstructed use of the SAG ground, and the usage of the ground for holding of Manohar Parrikar’s birthday is violative of Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India. The Bharatiya Janata Party which is currently the ruling party in Goa is on 13th December hosting at the SAG ground, the 60th Birthday celebration of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, despite that being the only ground left in Panaji, it is now being sought to be used for a political party organized birthday celebration function by erecting stages and pandals. The SAG ground is developed and maintained by the Government primarily and solely to be used for sports and recreational activity on a daily basis with coaching in various sports. That ground which is also used by health conscious citizens including senior citizens for exercises will be inaccessible to the public for a few days on account of Manohar Parrikar’s birthday celebration. Besides with around fifty thousand people expected to attend that birthday bash it is definitely going to damage the grass on the ground, which damage is going to take months to repair besides the people attending are likely to litter and answer nature’s call thereby further damaging the ground. The congregation of such a massive crowd of fifty thousand people and vehicles in the already very congested Panaji city will cause a disruption of normal life and endanger the lives of the citizens in violation of their Human Rights on account of VIP and VVIP movement on the roads disrupting traffic and causing inconvenience amongst others to the old and infirm with the basic human rights of the local citizens being deprived and denied, all on account of one birthday bash. Seeking the intervention of the Goa Human Rights Commission, it has been sought that the Chief Secretary, North Goa Collector and Director General of Police be directed to explain as to how e in violation of Human Rights they are allowing such a mega event in the city which could otherwise been held at other places including the Stadium near Goa Medical College at Bambolim or the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, but surely not the SAG Ground at Campal. 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] SP BOSCO GEORGE SHUNTED OUT AS GOA CM WANTS ACHHE DIN FOR HIS CORRUPT BROTHER-IN-LAW
Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has further punctured and virtually ruptured the autonomy of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) by abruptly shunting out its head SP Bosco George. This only reaffirms that this government’s so called mantra of Zero Tolerance to Corruption is just another hoax. The double talk by the Chief Minister stands exposed as he is not allowing the law to take its own course. The transfer of Bosco George is over the Chief Minister’s fury that his brother-in-law Ghanashyam Malvankar an officer at the Industrial Development Corporation was recently arrested while caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 50, 000. For the ACB to fairly and fearlessly investigate and prosecute the case it was imperative that Laxmikant Parsekar should have not continued at least as Home Minister as the ACB would expectedly be subtly arm twisted to hush up the case or face retribution. And ironically the ACB would require the sanction of the Chief Minister himself to charge sheet his brother-in-law. The ACB is a wing of the Vigilance department very independent of the Police which directly reports to the Chief Secretary. But the ACB is now sought to be controlled and manipulated by the police at the instance of the very controversial lackluster IGP Sunil Garg who is virtually calling the shots at the behest of the Chief Minister. 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] POLICE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, PROVIDE THEM FOOD & TOILET FACILITIES DURING ASSEMBLY DUTY: GHRC TELLS GOVT
The three member Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) headed by Justice P.K.Misra and comprising of retired District Judge A.D. Salkar and Mr. J.A.Keny has asked the Goa Government to provide food and toilet facilities to the police personnel posted on duty during the sessions of the Goa Legislative Assembly. In its Inquiry report on the complaint filed over the ill treatment of Police Personnel, the Commission has observed that police personnel are human beings and are entitled to be so treated. The Commission has now fixed the matter on 3rd February 2016 for the compliance report of the Government. The Commission in its report has also observed that not providing meals, drinking water and toilet facilities to the police personnel posted for long hours during the Assembly Sessions is a clear infringement of Article 21 of the Constitution of India and also amounts to violation of their basic Human rights. Expressing hope that meals would be provided meticulously to the police personnel posted for duty during the Assembly Sessions, the Commission in its report has stated that the toilet facilities currently provided are not at all sufficient and has sought that adequate number of mobile toilets be provided at appropriate places to meet the basic requirement of toilet facility for the staff posted during sessions of the Legislative Assembly. In a complaint to the Goa Human Rights Commission on July 27th this year pointed out was the very disturbing fact that inhuman treatment was being meted out to the police personnel posted for duty around during the Sessions of the Goa Legislative assembly by not providing them food and toilet facilities. As the treatment being meted out was a serious and gross violation of the Human rights of the police staff it was sought that the government be directed to explain this high-handed conduct which amounted to a clear deprivation of Human Rights of the police personnel. 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] IF NOT FOR GOA FOUNDATION, GOA WOULD HAVE LONG BEEN GONE
The BJP government in Goa is unduly and very unfairly targeting activists, NGOs and now more particularly the Goa Foundation. While as Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar used all activists and NGOs to rake up all sorts of issues against the then government but turned his back on them all after deceitfully usurping power in March 2012 after all those false and fake promises. We need to laud and salute various persons and NGOs 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. We owe it to Goa to strengthen the hands of persons like Claude, Norma and others who are attempting to save what remnants 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
[Goanet] MANOHAR PARRIKAR SHOULD CANCEL HIS BIRTHDAY BASH INVIEW OF THE CHENNAI DELUGE
Let us publicly appeal to the Defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar that in view of the massive and devastating flood crisis underway at Chennai, he cancel his 60th birthday fiesta scheduled at Panaji on December 13th. It would be highly improper and infact a repeat of Nero fiddling while Rome was burning if the Defence Minister of the country is merry making in Goa while the country is shocked and has to remain in solidarity with the victims of the colossal Chennai disaster. Let us hope that Manohar Parrikar would rise to the occasion and truly act as a Statesman considering that he is now the Defence Minister of the country and not a petty local leader. It would be appropriate for the Defence Minister to be infact spending his birthday at Chennai helping out in the relief operations. It would afford an opportunity for Manohar Parrikar to demonstrate that he is a true Goan who is compassionate and an undisputed nationalist who would help his needy brethren in such dire straits. Manohar Parrikar should also ensure that the crores of rupees collected for his mega gala birthday celebrations be sent to Chennai as Goa’s contribution towards helping out those victims and in their rehabilitation. 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] MANOHAR PARRIKAR’S BIRTHDAY BASH ESTIMATED TO COST 70 CRORES
We are all entitled to celebrate our birthdays and nobody can have an issue over it. But the quandary with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s 60th birthday bash scheduled to be held at the SAG ground in Panaji on December 13th is that the government machinery is also working overtime to ensure the success of this sponsored occasion. A coterie of BJP leaders and some Senior government officers have been entrusted the task of coercing Casino operators, builders and other businessmen to generously pitch in. It is nothing short of extortion. The party is working in full gear to somehow mobilize 50,000 people to attend and they will be provided free transport and food besides Rs 2000/- per head. Attempts are on to also transport people from the neighboring states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. A coffee table book on Manohar Parrikar will also be released with 20 persons asked to write articles eulogizing Manohar Parrikar. The entire show is estimated to be costing around 70 crores. Under the guise of Manohar Parrikar’s birthday celebration, the occasion is being planned by the BJP as an unofficial launch of the election campaign for the 2017 Goa Legislative Assembly elections. 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] MANOHAR PARRIKAR IS LIMPING ON BORROWED TIME
At the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) ground in Campal at Panaji on 9th March 2012 Manohar Parrikar had been pompously and amidst must fanfare sworn in as the Chief Minister of Goa. But that ray of a most wanted hope soon dwindled. Goa landed from the Frying pan into deep Fire. Today it is an irony that on 13th December 2015, that very same SAG ground at Campal would stand desecrated to be witness to the now Defence(less) Minister of India’s political funeral. On his 60th birthday Manohar Parrikar would have to first account for his mega Century of U- turns. Even that fake and fraudulent promise of that misleading fictional Special Status for Goa was his much skewed gamble. Less said the better on Manohar Parrikar’s other slanted promise to get Goa rid of Casinos. On all the Corruption nothing more needs to be said. 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] TIME TO LAY TO REST THE MORTAL REMAINS OF OUR WARRIOR FR BISMARQUE DIAS
It is now 40 long days that the decomposed body of our dear friend Fr. Bismarque Dias is languishing in the morgue of the Goa Medical College at Bambolim. The investigation is on into the cause and reasons of his sudden death and must continue till the truth is unraveled. But with the viscera report having been received, his mortal remains are not required for any further examination. It therefore now has to be a priority that Fr Bismarque Dias who so selflessly, dedicatedly and tirelessly toiled for Goa is given a fitting hero’s farewell and laid to rest with all due respect to the great departed soul. Christmas is around the corner and it is further distressing that now for no reason the body of our great warrior Fr Bismarque Dias remains consigned to that very unhygienic and regularly malfunctioned morgue which is also infested with a huge brigade of rats and other rodents. Fr Bismarque Dias’s last rites cannot wait any longer. God bless the great Goan soldier who while alive suffered working extremely incessantly for Goa and is still after death enduring the distress. 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] QUO VADIS THE RULE OF LAW
The framers of the Indian Constitution had envisaged a free, fair and independent Judiciary. It was never visualized that Courts would ever end up as dens of chicanery and jugglery. It was incumbent to ensure judicial accountability 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 redundant. The hotline enabling communication between Politicians and Judges compromises and ruptures the very sovereignty of the 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] A PROMISING TOURISM DIRECTOR AMEYA ABHYANKAR SHUNTED OUT BY CORRUPT MINISTER DILIP PARULEKAR
In the young, dynamic and visionary Ameya Abhyankar the Goa’s Tourism Department had a very competent and proficient Director. But to our dismay the awful tainted and corruption drenched Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar has got him abruptly transferred for not marching to his illegal diktats. Officers should be allowed to run the administration without any political interference. If he was allowed to do so, Ameya Abhyankar an IAS officer would have definitely been able to successfully 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 from the very crucial beach cleaning tender which has ended up being a multi crore stinking scam. Dilip Parulekar by his acts of ommssion and ommssion has only taken the Tourism industry further down the tube. Ameya Abhyankar was a ray of hope but Dilip Parulekar’s insane orders will now take the already fumbling Tourism industry further deep into the woods. 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] NGT DISMISSES BJP VICE-PRESIDENT ANIL HOBLE’S REVIEW PETITION
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today dismissed the review petition filed by Goa BJP Vice President Anil Hoble’s against the May 29th order directing the demolition of his illegal structures including the Hoble’s River Lounge the Bar & Restaurant along the Ribandar-Panaji causeway. The NGT while ordering the demolition as Anil Hoble had violated various provisions of the environmental law had also directed him to pay a fine of 20 lakhs for destroying mangroves and doing illegal land filling in violation of environment laws. With the NGT today dismissing Anil Hoble’s review petition the decks have cleared for the North Goa Collector to demolish his illegal Bar & Restaurant and initiate proceedings to recover the 20 lakh fine. After the NGT order Anil Hoble filed a petition before the Bombay High Court seeking a stay of the NGT order which was dismissed after it was pointed out that Anil Hoble’s petition was not maintainable and misconceived. The Court’s attention was drawn that under Section 22 of the NGT Act an appeal against an order of the NGT would only lie before the Supreme Court and not the High Court. It was however argued on behalf of Anil Hoble that he was very poor and could not afford to move the Supreme Court. While disputing that Anil Hoble was poor submitted to the High Court was the registration details of a Black Mercedes Benz GA-O7-K-0055 owned by Anil Hoble. Anil Hoble has misused his political power with impunity in usurping community land by filling the fields and destroying mangroves around the Ribandar-Merces area. The NGT in its order had accused Anil Hoble of doing land filling after cutting mangroves and filling salt pans in violation of CRZ regulations while also misleading the authorities. Having lost his battle at the High Court Anil Hoble later filed two petitions before the Supreme Court which also came to be dismissed as withdrawn after which he filed the review petition before the NGT claiming that his Bar & Restaurant existed since 1960. Hoble’s River Lounge Bar & Restaurant was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on April 1 last year despite the structures housing the Bar & Restaurant being illegal. The Excise Commissioner by an order on June 19th this year suspended the two excise licenses after it was pointed out that the NGT had held that Anil Hoble’s structures were illegal, but in spite of the suspension order Anil Hoble with political blessings has continued the blatant illegal sale of alcohol. With the NGT today dismissing Anil Hoble’s review petition it is end of the road for the beleaguered BJP leader. The bulldozers will now move in and put an end to this sordid chapter of flexing of political muscles. 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] MANOHAR PARRIKAR TO SHED FAKE TEARS
Today at his 70 crore sponsored and manipulated mega 60th birthday fiesta on SAG grounds in Panaji, Manohar Parrikar will once again craftily and deviously shed those crocodile tears. But Goa can never forgive this Master and Monster of U turns who has caused intentional colossal and irreparable damage to the State. Goa has never seen such a selfish, vindictive, ruthless and deceitful politician who has by his cheap gutter politics always grossly abused power to his own benefit. Besides the politics of arrogance and manipulation displayed by the very self-centred Manohar Parrikar, he has been an outstanding Maestro in the art of Corruption. The most corrupt, dishonest and shady Chief Minister Goa has seen, whose fake and phony love for Goa stands exposed and proved beyond any doubt. 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] GOA GETS A BJP LOADED STATE INFORMATION COMMISSION
The BJP government in Goa has been flouting and circumventing every possible law. To ensure proper implementation of the Right to Information Act, the law has laid down that the State Information Commission should comprise of independent minded persons who do not succumb to the pulls and pressures of the politicians in power. 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. Contrary to the law it is no surprise that Goa Governor Mridula Sinha who is herself a BJP Karyakarta on a retirement posting in Goa has appointed local BJP Karyakartas Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar as Chief Information Commissioner and Juino de Souza as State Information Commissioner both of whom have been very closely connected and actively associated with 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. Both Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar and Juino de Souza have vivid impediments to them occupying these high constitutional posts which mandatorily require eminence in public life which the two clearly do not possess. Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar, an Advocate from Ponda was in September 2013 through a very politically orchestrated move appointed by the BJP as the Additional President of Goa Administrative Tribunal and he 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 evidently a launching pad to get him later appointed as the 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 that very controversial 5 crore property acquired at Darbhandora by the former PWD Principal Chief Engineer Anand Wachasundar, one of the accused in the infamous Louis Berger-JICA case. Similarly the BJP on coming to power in March 2012 accommodated its other Karyakarta Juino de Souza as Member of the Executive Council of Goa University and also Member of the Executive Board of Institute Menezes Braganza while he continued to be very closely connected with the BJP. Interestingly by an order passed on 6th December 2006 the Bombay High Court at Goa had directed that Juino de Souza be assessed by a Psychiatrist. By another order dated 20th December 2006 the High Court opined that he should continue visiting a Psychiatrist. Juino de Souza was also fined Rs 5000 by the Bombay High Court at Goa for distorting an order of the Court. The selection process of Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar for the post of Chief Information Commissioner and Juino de Souza as State Information Commissioner has clearly 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. The Goa State Information Commission now stands comatised with the implementation of the RTI Act in the State of Goa laid to rest. All this after the BJP’s tall promise of Transparency in administration 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] WILL RIBANDAR EVER GET A FOOTBALL GROUND
A football ground has been the very longstanding demand of the people of Ribandar which to date remains unfulfilled. On his visit to Ribandar in 1970 Goa’s first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar had assured Ribandarites that their demand for a football ground would be met. Similarly every other subsequent Chief Minister has similarly assured but the demand to date has remained a mere dream. In 1980 we had an agitation demanding that Ribandar be given a football ground but despite the assurance by then Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane the football ground never materialized. Over the years Ribandar has had many talented footballers but lack of a football ground has been a hindrance in nurturing talent amongst potential footballers. Successive governments have paid lip service to this one longtime aspiration of the residents of Ribandar, that it be bestowed with a football ground that could be used by the residents of Ribandar and possibly even the neighbouring village of Chimbel. No Achhe din in sight for the football lovers and players of Ribandar. 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] PADMASHREE REMO FERNANDES AND HIS FALSE STATEMENTS
The beleagured Pop Star and Padmashree Remo Fernandes is attempting to mislead the Court through patently false statements made in his Anticipatory bail application. The entire contents of Remo Fernandes’s Anticipatory bail application is a loaded bunch of lies and false accusations. The Pop Star needs to be exposed and nailed for making phony and reckless accusations against the sister of the accident victim who is also a minor. By now also insulting the sister of the victim, Remo Fernandes is liable to be booked for further charges under the Goa Children’s Act. The factual sequence of events of the very high-handed and cavalier misconduct of Remo Fernandes after that December 1st accident would be all placed before the Goa Children’s Court when his anticipatory bail application comes up for hearing on January 5th . Despite all the evidence on record establishing beyond doubt that Remo Fernandes‘s son Jonah was driving the car in a very rash and negligent manner, the Pop Star who was seated in the car next to him, is now trying to fabricate a imaginatory tale that some buffaloes ran across the road. The entire police records of the accident case nowhere makes any mention of buffaloes crossing the road. Remo Fernandes has made-up this cock and bull story as a fake defence in an attempt to desperately try and save his son from the charges of rash and negligent driving. By the way, can Remo Fernandes please enlighten us on which ancient Calculator did he use to deduce that Rs 25,000 to Rs 28,000 was the total expenses the very grievously injured victim would incur during her six months in bed recuperating from her injuries. The girl will hopefully one day get well from those accident injuries but may never pull through Remo Fernandes’s verbal abuse. “Why are you alive? You should have died” is what Remo Fernandes is accused of having allegedly said while verbally abusing the minor girl at the Goa Medical College hospital at Bambolim. Remo Fernandes has been booked under the very stringent Goa Children’s Act in which unlike other laws the onus is on the accused to prove that he is innocent. After firing his initial burly Panaji lawyer, Remo Fernandes has now opted for a flamboyant one from South of the Zuari. One should not be surprised if Remo Fernandes now levels extortion charges against him too and then hunts for a third alternative legal eye. Stay tuned and keep watching the Remo Fernandes show. And for once it is indeed a Free Show! 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] BREACHING THE LAW GALORE
The BJP government in Goa devises a way to circumvent every possible law. The Supreme Court has prohibited displaying photographs of politicians on government advertisements. The only ones exempted are the President of India, Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India. This law laid down by the Supreme Court is however being flouted by now camouflaging the full page advertisements as being issued by the contractors while infact the financial burden is indirectly lumbered on the tax payers. All this despite the State coffers being in dire financial straits. Public’s attention is sort to be diverted from the follies and bad governance by just laying down gala foundation stones and also inaugurating incomplete projects. A foundation stone should mark the actual commencement of the work while the inauguration should be only after the project is complete in all respects. Otherwise its cheap politricks to deviously garner short term political mileage. 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 TO EDITOR
The sordid happenings at Pathankhot over the last few days should be an eye opener. India desperately needs a full time, dedicated and competent Defence Minister. The current incumbent who also merrily doubles up as the de- facto Chief Minister of Goa over the weekends has failed to ably lead the defence forces. His priority has been to keep himself embroiled in Goa’s petty municipal and panchayat politics. Manohar Parrikar relishes in inaugurating roads, culverts, all and sundry while lowering the esteem and honor the very high position of Defence Minister entails. Not long ago while Narendra Modi was inking the Rafale fighter jet deal in France his Defence Minister was inaugurating a mobile fish stall in Goa. When Modi went to Russia to sign the chopper deal, Manohar Parrikar was nowhere in sight. Probably, Modi chose to leave his Defence minister behind, lest he commits a gaffe. After his disastrous three year tenure as Chief Minister of Goa, the awfully ego puffed Manohar Parrikar has ended up over the last year a catastrophe as Defence Minister of India. He has become a laughing stock and object of ridicule. It is high time Narendra Modi sees the writing on the wall and realises that India frantically needs a sincere, honest, competent and level headed Defence Minister. The complete incorrect picture about Pathankhot that was sought to be given, that all operations were over, within a couple of hours, with some BJP MPs, going public in praising the Government, only to be exposed as falsehoods. The immature handling of the entire operation and the selective press leaks, still could not heal the damage done by the incompetent Defence Minister. For Manohar Parrikar, now to come out and claim that there were "some gaps" is nothing but confirming that the gap is caused due to his absence from Delhi on account of his regular hobnobbing in Goa. Mere fact that Manohar Parrikar supported Narendra Modi for his anointing as Leader and future PM, ought not to have allowed Modi to lose his balance with this vital appointment. The position as Defence Minister is surely, not a Chairmanship of a Corporation. Nor is it for someone who seeks to play the role of a cowboy. Manohar Parrikar gave us all those tall sermons on Zero tolerance to Corruption, but the rampant corruption which has ebbed to the peak is there for all to see. It is time for him to gracefully pack off and hang up his very soiled boots. In the words of Abraham Lincoln ‘You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time” Aires Rodrigues Ribandar -- 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 BATTLE AGAINST CORRUPTION AND INJUSTICE CAN NEVER STOP
As we enter 2016 it shall continue to be my firm resolve with added vigour to carry on highlighting any injustice that I see and nothing shall deter me and my commitment in this regard. Fighting injustice is no easy task. One faces a backlash and more seriously the risk of an attempt on one’s life. Over the last 40years of fighting against injustice, nobody has been able to intimidate me. I have never been cowed down by any threats of consequences that I have had to face for speaking out fearlessly. Over the years I have never hesitated to take on the powerful and mighty over a wide range of issues. Even that October 13th 2008 brutal attempt on my life has not cowed me down but has only made be stronger and emboldened my resolve to stand up against the powers to be. 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 individuals. Have I hurt one too many? One has to have the spine to speak out against anything that is wrong. People do advise me to take extra precautions but this I shall not do! I have always led the life of a common man. I have been attacked many a times, but as the sufi mystic Kabir said* “Jako rakhe Sai, maar sake na koi” *(None can harm him who is looked after by higher Powers). The dedicated prayers and the love showered by the common men is what keeps me going. Looking back over the last over four decades, I do not regret having taken up any issue I did. At times one pays a heavy price and fighting public causes does take a heavy toll on one’s health and well being. But we need to maintain the spirit and keep on fighting. Life is a very short voyage, a journey, the end of which we know not. So let’s keep up the fight. We owe it to Goa, or else posterity may never forgive us for having silently allowed our once beautiful State to just pass away. With another attack possibly always looming, I shall, as always, remain unperturbed. I would rather die with a hope, rather than have hope die inside me. Let destiny take its course. My only wish is that my fellow Goans, especially the younger generation, will continue the battle against injustice and corruption. Each of us has to go someday, but our Goa has to live forever. When I do have to depart, it shall be with a proud sense of accomplishment of at least having attempted to do something little for our beautiful Goa. I remain heavily indebted to all my teachers in school and college who imparted me the knowledge and guidance that has immensely helped me in all my, often lonely, crusades. In death, one may be physically gone, but the spirit is always around. I shall await in heaven or hell - wherever I am dispatched - to witness that glorious day when Goa will be truly liberated from injustice, corruption and nepotism, all sadly a way of life today. In the words of Corazon Aquino, widow of the assassinated President of Philippines, who went on to be President herself, *“I would rather die a meaningful death than live a meaningless life.”* 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] REMO FERNANDES ARRESTED AND RELEASED IN CHILD ABUSE CASE
REMO FERNANDES ARRESTED AND RELEASED IN CHILD ABUSE CASE Padmashree Remo Fernandes was yesterday arrested by the Agacaim Police in the child abuse case and in terms of the Children’s Court order was released on bail of Rs 50,000 with a surety of the like amount. As directed by the Court, Remo Fernandes has deposited his passport at the Agacaim Police Station. Remo Fernandes has to report to the Agacaim Police Station for 10 days from from 10 am to 1 pm for interrogation in the child abuse case. Remo Fernandes has also been directed not to leave the State or the Country without permission of the Court and to also not influence or intimidate the witnesses. Agacaim Police registered an F.I.R under Sec 8 of the Goa Children’s Act 2003 against Remo Fernandes after recording the statement of the minor victim girl before the Child Welfare NGO. The offence Remo Fernandes is charged with carries an imprisonment of a maximum of three years along with a fine of up to Rs one lakh. Remo Fernandes is accused of having verbally abused the 17 year old minor girl Helan D’Souza of Malvan who while on a walking pilgrimage to Old Goa was knocked down at Gurim on 1st Dec by the speeding car driven by his son Jonah in which Remo Fernandes was also travelling. “Why are you alive? You should have died” is what Remo Fernandes is accused of having allegedly said while verbally abusing the minor girl at the Goa Medical College hospital at Bambolim. The Mapusa Police have already registered an offence of rash and negligent driving against Jonah Fernandes under Sections 279 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code. The grievously hurt Helan D’Souza has undergone multiple operations for her head and leg injuries and is still recuperating in Ward No 105 at the Goa Medical College. 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] REMEMBERING RIBANDAR’S BUDDING MUSICIAN SELWYN PEREIRA
Accidents do happen. We have all met with one, if not more. But it is our overall conduct at the site of the accident that matters by our care, empathy and compassion for the accident victim. This is where the famed Pop star and Padma Shri Remo Fernandes miserably failed on the afternoon of December 1st after that speeding car rashly driven by his son Jonah Fernandes knocked down grievously injuring at Gurim near Mapusa the 17 year old Helan D’Souza who had come walking all the way from Malvan on a pilgrimage and was on her way to attend the feast of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa. Remo Fernandes may claim that he loves and cares for Goa but we need to know his contribution if any to the State. One even cannot recollect a single charity show that he has ever organized for any Goan cause. Would have never known about that 1st December accident if it was not for Rev. Fr Savio Barreto, the Director of Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa who on 18th December narrated to me the sordid events. The Mapusa Police have a lot to answer for not having dealt with this accident as they do in every other accident case. The law did not take its own course in this celebrity mishap. Remo Fernandes’s puffed up egoistic arrogance is very disturbing and reprehensible. His conduct at all times needed to be exemplary more so that he has been holding the very high title of Padma Shri conferred on him by the President of India. He ought to have by his conduct been a role model to us all. But like the dog’s tail may never straighten. The 18th September 2000 mishap at Kanpur in which four of his very own band mates were crushed to death was also an accident. But Remo Fernandes’s conduct after that tragic accident was also even more heartbreaking. Goa lost three budding musicians Selwyn Pereira, Victor Alvares, Dharmendra Hirve besides Sunil Redker who was the band’s liaison person. The families of the deceased musicians were witness and to date are living with those heartrending memories of that horrific and uncaring conduct displayed by Remo Fernandes towards his very own team of musicians after that fatal accident. One of the musicians Selwyn Pereira was a jewel, our Ribandar lost so early, at a very tender age of just 29. Selwyn Pereira had started his own band when he was just 10 years old and named it "Civilians". He later played for one of Goa's top bands the "Big City Band”. He moved on to join as a keyboardist playing for Remo Fernandes’s "The Microwave Papadams". Selwyn Pereira may have learnt a lot of music from Remo Fernandes but if Remo Fernandes had only cared to be inspired by Selwyn’s care and compassion for others the Pop Star may have never ever landed on the wrong side of the law. For Remo Fernandes it was a missed opportunity which may never return. Today on Christmas, remembering the always ever so cheerful, warm hearted and very jovial Selwyn Pereira who was always ready to help one and all. Extremely civil in his conduct, the very down to earth with no ego, Selwyn was always ever so humble. Besides being a very budding musician, he was an outstanding human being always caring and who never stopped smiling. 15 years down the road, and Ribandar has not seen another Selwyn. And thankfully we have also not been witness to another Remo Fernandes. 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 annual year-end meet in Goa: if you're reading this, you're eligible to join us! Dec 28, 2015 @ 11 am Fundacao Oriente, Panjim Confirm your participation with a short email to goa...@goanet.org -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
[Goanet] CHARCHA AND NOT BLOODBATH SHOULD BE THE WAY AHEAD
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unscheduled stop on Christmas day at Lahore for confabulation with Pakistan Prime minister Nawaz Sharif may be a step in the right direction. However highly outrageous was Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s recent public outburst at his birthday celebration in Goa that he had directed the armed forces not to get killed but to instead kill the enemy. That very irresponsible statement only confirmed that even on turning 60 Manohar Parrikar was yet to mature and is possibly already senile. Diplomacy and appropriate tactful strategy should be the key in defending any country’s interests. Despicable canons let loose would only go contrary and prejudice India’s peacemaking attempts within the country and its neighbours. Politicians displaying signs of rancid pickle should be timely consigned to the racks and not be allowed to further destabilize our already troubled Nation. 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 annual year-end meet in Goa: if you're reading this, you're eligible to join us! Dec 28, 2015 @ 11 am Fundacao Oriente, Panjim Confirm your participation with a short email to goa...@goanet.org -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
[Goanet] REMO FERNANDES ONCE AGAIN FAILS TO WALK THE TALK
Noted pop singer Remo Fernandes in his songs may be passionately preaching about care and compassion but has time and again miserably failed to Walk all his loud Talk. On 1st December while he was travelling to Panaji with his son Jonah driving very rashly they hit and grievously injured 17 year old Helen D’Souza at Guirim on the Mapusa–Panaji Road. Helen D’Souza who had walked all the way from her village in Malvan was on her pilgrimage to Old Goa to attend the novena of St Francis Xavier. The Mapusa Police have registered a case of rash and negligent driving against Jonah Fernandes. Accidents do happen. But at that accident site, Remo Fernandes was of no assistance to the victim who his son had knocked down in his very presence. Infact Remo Fernandes very high-handedly verbally abused the grieving victim. Sheer celebrity arrogance. What is further highly reprehensible is that Remo Fernandes has not for the last 17 days even cared to visit the victim who is still recuperating at the Goa Medical College. This however comes as no surprise as Remo Ferandes did not show scant concern for his own four musicians who were killed in that ghastly accident at Kanpur on 18th September 2000. One of the musicians killed was Selwyn Pereira of Ribandar, a budding young musician who was a pride for us all. The 17 year old Helen D’Souza now knocked down by Remo’s son hails from an extremely poverty stricken family who lost her father when she was very young. Due to financial constraints she could not even carry on with her schooling. Doctors today at the Goa Medical College inform that she would be bedridden for at least three long months. Would appeal to you all to please take the time and try and visit Helen D’Souza at the Goa Medical College in Bambolim and help her in whichever way you can. She is lying on bed No 29 in Ward No 105. Even if you are unable to help her financially, your very presence by her bedside may bring tears of joy while she suffers due to the act of rash and negligent driving by the son of India’s famed singer Remo Fernandes. If Remo Fernandes has dared fail in his duty to the victim, let us rise to the occasion. 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] END OF THE ROAD FOR REMO FERNANDES
The Goa Police have finally late last night booked the noted Pop Star celebrity and Former AAP leader Remo Fernandes under the very stringent Goa Children’s Act 2003. While the Police are hunting for Remo Fernandes, he has been issued summons to appear before the Agacaim Police on 21st December at 10 am. Unconfirmed reports state that Remo Fernandes has now slipped off to Europe. With officials confirming that Remo Fernandes has not been issued a passport, it is suspected that he is travelling with a Portuguese Passport. This startling revelation will only further compound the noted Singer’s now defenseless version. I challenge the beleaguered Remo Fernandes to file a defamation case against me as threatened. All the allegations against him are based on facts. God Bless 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] FLOUTING EVERY POSSIBLE LAW
--- Annual Goanetters Meet --- Annual Goanetters Meet - December 28, 2015 - 11:00 am Fundacao Oriente, Mala, Altinho, Panjim, Goa http://bit.ly/FundacaoOrienteGoa The Fundao Oriente carries out cultural and artistic activities in India with, for historical and cultural reasons, special emphasis on the State of Goa. Looking forward to seeing you there --- The BJP finds a way to circumvent every possible law. The Supreme Court in a landmark judgment recently has prohibited displaying photographs of politicians on government advertisements. The only ones exempted are the President of India, Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This law laid down by the Supreme Court is however being flouted by now camouflaging the advertisements as being issued by the contractors while infact the financial burden is indirectly lumbered on the tax payers. One such full page advertisement has been released today in all the newspapers. That too despite the State coffers being in dire financial straits. 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] AGACAIM POLICE SEEK HELP OF INDIAN EMBASSY IN LISBON TO SERVE SUMMONS ON POP STAR REMO FERNANDES ACCUSED IN CHILD ABUSE CASE
The Agacaim Police have today sought the assistance of the Indian Embassy at Lisbon in Portugal to serve the summons to secure the presence in Goa of famed Pop Star and Padma Shri Remo Fernandes who has been booked in the child abuse case. Agacaim Police Inspector Jivba Dalvi has sent the summons to the Goa office of the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to be forwarded to the Indian Embassy in Portugal to be served on Remo Fernandes as he is a Portuguese national and currently in Portugal. The Agacaim Police has directed Remo Fernandes to appear on 23rd December at 4pm failing which the Police will take steps to compel his presence. The Police have already also summoned Remo’s son Jonah Fernandes to appear on December 23rd at 10 am in connection with the case registered against his father. The Agacaim Police last week registered an F.I.R under Sec 8 of the Goa Children’s Act 2003 against Remo Fernandes after recording the statement of the minor victim girl before the Child Welfare NGO. The offence Remo Fernandes is charged with is non bailable and carries an imprisonment of a maximum of three years along with a fine of up to Rs one lakh. Remo Fernandes is accused of having verbally abused the 17 year old minor girl Helen D’Souza of Malvan who was knocked down at Gurim on 1st Dec by the speeding car driven by his son Jonah in which Remo Fernandes was also travelling. “Why are you alive. You should have died” is what Remo Fernandes is accused of having allegedly said while verbally abusing the minor girl. The Mapusa Police have already registered an offence of rash and negligent driving against Jonah Fernandes under Sections 279 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code. The grievously hurt Helen D’Souza is currently recuperating in Ward No 105 at the Goa Medical College in Bambolim where she is undergoing multiple operations for her head and leg injuries. 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 annual year-end meet in Goa: if you're reading this, you're eligible to join us! Dec 28, 2015 @ 11 am Fundacao Oriente, Panjim Confirm your participation with a short email to goa...@goanet.org -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
[Goanet] A NOT SO VERY CHEERFUL CHRISTMAS
Christmas 2015 – The now beleaguered Padma Shri Remo Fernandes chilling in Portugal, his victim Helan D’Souza enduring all that inflicted pain in Ward 105 at the Goa Medical College in Bambolim and Goa’s great warrior Fr Bismarque Dias also in that neighbourhood but languishing in that malfunctional morgue and at the mercy of a huge brigade of rats and other rodents. Quo Vadis 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 annual year-end meet in Goa: if you're reading this, you're eligible to join us! Dec 28, 2015 @ 11 am Fundacao Oriente, Panjim Confirm your participation with a short email to goa...@goanet.org -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
[Goanet] LET US BE THERE WHERE REMO FERNANDES FAILED
The 17 year old accident victim Helan D’Souza who was recklessly knocked down on 1st December by the speeding car driven by Remo Fernandes’s son Jonah continues recuperating in Ward No 105 at the Goa Medical College in Bambolim. Rev. Fr Savio Barreto, the very proactive Director of Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa who has been a pillar of strength and hope to this poverty stricken victim and her family has been kind enough to arrange a bank account opened in the name of Helan D’Souza so that people around the world desiring to help can directly pitch in. The bank details are HELAN FADRIK DSOUZA Account No 0321108064163 CANARA BANK, OLD GOA IFSC CODE CNRB321 MICR CODE 403015014 The minor girl may have been heartlessly abandoned by Remo Fernandes but let us help her in whichever way we can. Kindly meet Helan directly in Ward No 105 at Goa Medical College or send your contribution directly into her above bank account. Let us be generous as Helan requires all our help possible. Thank you for being there for her in her crisis. 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 annual year-end meet in Goa: if you're reading this, you're eligible to join us! Dec 28, 2015 @ 11 am Fundacao Oriente, Panjim Confirm your participation with a short email to goa...@goanet.org -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
[Goanet] THE LONG BROOM OF THE LAW WILL NOT SPARE REMO FERNANDES
The 17 year old accident victim Helen D’Souza who was recklessly knocked down by the speeding car driven by Remo Fernandes’s son Jonah is so overwhelmed by the number of so kind people visiting her at the Goa Medical College and helping her and the family in one way or the other in their days of distress. Helen D’Souza who is in Ward No 105 at the Goa Medical College in Bambolim has undergone another surgery and is hoping that all will be well as she braces the nightmare of being bedridden for around six months. Let us thank Rev. Fr Savio Barreto, the very proactive Director of Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa who has been a pillar of strength and hope to this poverty stricken victim and her family. Fr Barreto is arranging to open a bank account in the name of Helen D’Souza so that people around the world desiring to help can directly pitch in. Shall share her bank account details as soon as I receive it from Fr. Savio Barreto. I have nothing personal against Remo Fernandes but his insensitive and outrageous misconduct on 1st December at the scene of that accident and thereafter needs to be strongly condemned by any sensible person. There can be no room for any Celebrity arrogance. Am looking forward to that defamation case Remo Fernandes has threatened to file against me. Will take the Rock star bull by the horn. It should set an example to anyone else who dares behave like Remo Fernandes did. Nobody can be above the law. By the way, I do not need a character certificate from the likes of Remo Fernandes. The families of his very own four musicians who were killed in a road accident at Kanpur on 18th September 2000 are witness to the real and sordid side of Remo Fernandes. If he had the audacity to fail and abdicate his responsibility towards his own team of musicians nothing more could be expected from Remo Fernandes who ironically in 2014 embracing that broom was eyeing the Aam Aadmi Party ticket to be Goa’s Member of Parliament from South Goa. God saved Goa from a looming disaster. Let us continue to keep this grievously injured accident victim Helen D’Souza in our thoughts and prayers while we continue to help her in whichever way we can. Let us be there for her as she has been abandoned and more so abused by the renowned pop singer Luis Remo de Maria Bernardo Fernandes alias Remo Fernandes who has lost all moral authority to continue holding the title of Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award conferred on him by the President of India in 2007. 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 NOW DISGRACED REMO FERNANDES IS TRYING TO DIVERT ATTENTION FROM HIS CRIME
The beleaguered Pop star and Padma Shri Remo Fernandes should substantiate his reckless allegation that the minor child who was knocked down by the speeding car driven by his son Jonah is lying and attempting to extort money. I have nothing personal against Remo Fernandes. Have pursued the case after Fr Savio Barreto, the Director of Basilica of Bom Jesus on 18th December narrated the sordid events of that Dec 1st accident. The very insensitive, uncaring and outrageous misconduct by the Pop Star at the scene of that accident and thereafter cannot be condoned by any sensible person. Remo Fernandes was booked under the Goa Children’s Act only after the statement of the victim girl was recorded before an NGO. The case against Remo Fernandes is based on strong evidence and in terms of the Goa Children’s Act the onus now is on Remo Fernandes to prove that he is innocent. Remo Fernandes may have now changed his lawyer but he cannot skirt the law. The families of Remo Fernandes’s three musicians Selwyn Pereira, Victor Alvares, Dharmendra Hirve besides his liaison person Sunil Redker who were killed in that road accident at Kanpur on 18th September 2000 were all witness to the real and distasteful side of Remo Fernandes. If Remo Fernandes had the audacity to fail and abdicate his responsibility towards his own team of musicians, no care and compassion could have been expected from Remo Fernandes towards the minor girl grievously injured by that car recklessly driven by his son. Am looking forward to that defamation case Remo Fernandes has threatened to file against me, while I vow to take on the Rock star by the horn so that it sets an example to anyone who dares behave inhumanly like Remo Fernandes did. Nobody can be above the law. The police have been tacitly shielding Remo Fernandes and his son. The F.I.R against Remo’s son was registered 15 long days after that accident. He was also not sent for medical examination to ascertain if he was driving under the influence of alcohol or any other substance. May I once again thank and commend the people of Goa for generously helping out the young accident victim Helan D’Souza currently at Ward No 105 in Goa Medical College. She was abandoned by Remo Fernandes despite it being his moral and legal responsibility to take care of the victim and her medical treatment. But the people of Goa did not fail her. Thank You, 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] NOV 21ST POLICE ATROCITY AT PANAJI: GHRC SUMMONS CS AND DGP
The Goa Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Goa and the Director General of Police on the complaint filed over the 21 st November police atrocity against peaceful demonstrators at Panaji. 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 the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to appear before the Commission on 13th of January 2016. In the complaint the attention of the Commission has been drawn to the police atrocity against the November 21st peaceful protest by individual citizens held at Panaji demanding a free, fair and impartial probe into the recent sudden death of activist priest Fr. Bismarque Dias. The Goa Police personnel very high-handedly abused their powers and used excessive criminal force and manhandled the protesters without any provocation. The peaceful protestors came to be manhandled and arrested though they had not infracted the provisions of Section 144. Even innocent bystanders including Senior Citizens and women came to be ruffled and arrested by the police. Submitted to the Commission are copies of newspaper reports and 23 photographs showing citizens being manhandled by the police. It has been sought that the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police be directed to explain as to how they had in violation of Human Rights allowed the peaceful protesters to be manhandled so inhumanly. 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] IFFI MUST GO
In 2004 then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar did the people of Goa and Panaji in particular the biggest disservice by consenting to host the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in the State. For the last 12 years it has been a 10 day annual nightmare faced by Goans in the hosting of IFFI which has in no way benefited the State but only been a big window of opportunity for the politicians in power to rake in huge moolah. Even the small contracts of the event have not been entrusted to the locals. With its crumbling infrastructure Panaji is already a very congested city and the traffic chaos on account of IFFI is something the city could do without. With the fun and frolic at tax payers expenses, IFFI has only further burdened an already cash strapped State, besides the extra pile up of tones of garbage IFFI generates and the municipal authorities have to grapple with. The common man also suffers as the day to day government administration takes a 10 day holiday with officials all pre-occupied with the IFFI fiesta. IFFI has been a bonanza only to the workers of the political party in power and not been advantageous to the State. The ground reality is that what is being staged infact is the International Fraud Festival of India. Time to bid it a farewell and free Goa from this unwelcome extravaganza. 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] WILL FR BISMARQUE’S CASE END UP LIKE THE VASCO RAPE CASE
It’s going to be almost a month that our dear friend and brave Goan warrior Fr Bismarque Dias suddenly departed. We need to know how Fr Bismarque died. But the manner in which the authorities are progressing it only reminds us of the 2013 infamous Vasco rape case. Next month on January 14th it will be three years that the Vasco 7 year old little girl was mercilessly raped in broad day light in the toilet of her school. While the little girl and her grief stricken parents still relentlessly quest for justice, the alleged rapist and his accomplice are still free birds. Despite that heinous crime, the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar did not care to even visit the victim and her grieving family. It was appalling that he dared show such insensitivity while he oversaw the methodically hushing up of the case. This Christmas Fr Bismarque Dias will not be amidst us and for that little Vasco rape victim it will be yet another dark Christmas. We are living in times where justice is no longer our right. It has become the privilege of the rich and well connected. 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] MANOHAR PARRIKAR’S CHAPRASIS ARE FURTHER SINKING PANAJI
The once beautiful and glorious city of Panaji is now only further decaying as Manohar Parrikar left his mess in the hands of his onetime Chaprasis Siddharth Kunkalienkar and Shubham Chodankar. Manohar Parrikar intentionally and craftily has sidelined competent and knowledgeable persons within the BJP like Ashok Mogu Naik, Raju Sukerkar, Gaurish Dhond, Agnelo Silveira, Babu Keni and others. The now much talked about Smart City concept is yet another illusory daydream and just one more window of opportunity for the Panaji MLA and Mayor to pocket some mega bucks. Two years ago lakhs were spent on a Spanish consultant appointed to prepare a Master plan for Panaji which led to the concretization of the Miramar- Dona Paula road and the disaster is there for all to see. The authorities have been unable to even get the city’s major 18th June road in shape and free of potholes. The city needs to be also free of stray dogs and cattle. Ironically with a so called IITian Manohar Parrikar as MLA for over two decades, Panaji is yet to be a Smart city. Maybe it’s time for the people of Panaji to smarten themselves and stop being fooled with fake promises. 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] ARREST OF PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS DEPLORABLE
We need to strongly condemn the high-handed arrest today of the peaceful protesters who were demanding a fair and swift probe into the recent death of Fr Bismarque Dias. People need to know how and why Fr. Bismarque Dias so suddenly departed. The right to peaceful protest cannot be muzzled by the Government. The BJP while in the Opposition had held protest demonstrations on any and every issue, but once in power the BJP has time and again trampled and crushed voices of dissent. This government has become very intolerant to public protest or criticism. In a democracy citizens have to be very vigilant and watchdogs while keeping the erring authorities under a tight leash. 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] GHRC TO HEAR PLEA AGAINST POLICE ATROCITY ON FR BISMARQUE’S SUPPORTERS
The Goa Human Rights Commission on Wednesday 13th January will hear the complaint filed over the 21st November last year police atrocity at Panaji against peaceful demonstrators. 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 already issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to appear before the Commission. In the complaint attention has been drawn of the Commission to the police atrocity against the November 21st peaceful protest by individual citizens held at Panaji demanding a free, fair and impartial probe into the sudden death of activist priest Fr. Bismarque Dias. The Goa Police personnel very high-handedly abused their powers and used excessive criminal force and manhandled the protesters without any provocation. The peaceful protestors came to be manhandled and arrested though they had not infracted the provisions of Section 144. Even innocent bystanders including Senior Citizens including women came to be ruffled and arrested by the police. Submitted to the Commission are copies of newspaper reports and 23 photographs showing citizens being manhandled by the police. It has been sought that the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police be directed to explain as to how they have in violation of Human Rights allowed the peaceful protesters to be manhandled so inhumanly. 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] THREE LONG YEARS AND THE VASCO RAPIST STILL A FREE BIRD
It is three years that the Vasco 7 year old little girl was mercilessly raped in broad day light in the toilet of Deep Vihar School run by the Mormugao Port Trust where she was studying in the second standard. While the little girl and her grief stricken parents relentlessly quest for justice, the alleged rapist and his accomplice are still free birds possibly scouting for their next catch. After that gruesome rape on January 14th 2013, the police were informed only three hours after the rape while the school staff high-handedly washed away all the evidence. The victim received medical attention only eight hours after she was brutally raped while she got counseling only 15 days later. The little girl’s family may have been very poor but justice should not have eluded them. Her family not being affluent or influential is why the authorities succeeded in a cover up and deliberately botching up the investigation. What was however very shattering was that despite this heinous crime against a 7 year old, the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar never ever cared to visit the victim and her grieving family. It was appalling that he dared show such insensitivity while the police methodically hushed up the case. Incidentally on the day of the rape it was local Mormugao MLA Milind Naik’s birthday and the party in the very neighborhood of that ghastly crime went on, with even the decibels not lowered. If only the victim was a daughter of a Minister, a cash loaded businessman or an affluent citizen, the case would have been cracked in a day or two if not hours. Indeed, sorrowing lies the state of lawlessness and disorder. We are living in times where justice is no longer our right. It has become the privilege of the rich and the well connected. If we are made to believe that the police should be left alone and that law will take its own course, we are being led into fairy land. That is why we have Courts to ensure that justice is done, but if Courts also turn into monsters of injustice the end product is a lawless jungle, which sadly Goa is already. Let us continue to keep the little wounded girl and her shattered family in our thoughts. The authorities may have abandoned them, but we cannot. 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] WAS FELIX DAHL ALSO MURDERED?
The Goa Police does have some very competent officers but it is those black sheep that have put the entire police force to disgrace and disrepute. Unless the criminal minded officers like Crime Branch Inspector Dattaguru Sawant are flushed out of the system, the law and order may be a far dream. Intentional bungling and botching up of the investigation of cases has become the order of the day. One such case is that of the 22 year old Finnish National Felix Dahl who was found dead at Patnem in Canacona on 28th of January last year. Felix Dahl was found with injuries in the back of his head and the Canacona Police have been y claiming that he fell and hurt his head. But the facts of the case indicate otherwise and his grieving mother may be rightly alleging that her son was murdered. A record number of 71 tourists were reported dead at Canacona itself over the last decade which is a very clear indicator that Goa has become a very unsafe destination for tourists. Due to lack of foresight by successive governments, Goa has today become a drug, gambling, prostitution and crime haven. 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 LOKAYUKTA TO HEAR ON JUNE 16th COMPLAINT AGAINST MANOHAR PARRIKAR AND DATTAPRASAD KHOLKAR
The recently appointed Goa Lokayukta Justice P.K.Misra has fixed on 16th June the preliminary hearing on the complaint that was filed on April 3rd 2013 against the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Dattaprasad Kholkar the Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board who is also the State BJP Vice-President. In the complaint filed under section 11 of the Goa Lokayukta Act, Manohar Parrikar and Dattaprasad Kholkar have been accused of misusing their offices to high-handedly, illegally and fraudulently appoint Diksha Pednekar as peon in the office of the Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board. Though Diksha Pednekar was appointed on 6th June 2012 as peon in the office of the Deputy Chairman of the Goa State Planning Board, she never worked in that position or for that matter never entered the Secretariat at Porvorim where is housed the office of the Deputy Chairman of the Goa State Planning Board and where she was supposed to work. The work of Diksha Pednekar as peon in the office of the Deputy Chairman of the Goa Planning Board was infact being carried out by her husband Dhananjay Pednekar who is a Panchayat member of ward No 1 of Pomburpa-Olaulim Panchayat, while, Diksha Pednekar was working as a maid in the house of an architect Indrajit Chatterji at Muddi Vaddo in Olaulim, Pomburpa. As the Goa Panchayat Act does not allow a panch member to work for the government, fraudulently the official papers show Diksha Pednekar as the peon while de-facto the peon’s work was being discharged by her husband Dhananjay Pednekar. The whole appointment of Diksha Pednekar smacked not only of nepotism, corruption and favoritism, but also forgery being committed by falsifying records with the active connivance of Manohar Parrikar and Dattaprasad Kholkar. Infact Manohar Parrikar and Dattaprasad Kholkar committed 'criminal misconduct', by abusing their position as public servants to obtain the illegal employment for Diksha Pednekar in public service, at the cost of State's exchequer. Manohar Parrikar and Dattaprasad Kholkar are liable to be prosecuted for offences under sections 13(d) (i), section 13(d) (ii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 punishable under section 13(2) of the said Act, as well as section 193 (for fabricating false evidence), section 420 (cheating the State exchequer, thereby causing loss to the State treasury) and section 468 (forgery for the purposes of cheating) It has been sought that an F.I.R be registered against Manohar Parrikar, Dattaprasad Kholkar and other officials who were party to this illegality and that after investigating the complaint that they be prosecuted 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] QUO-VADIS MIRAMAR-DONA PAULA ROAD?
With the schools having re-opened the students of Sharada Mandir School must have been hoping that the authorities would have during the summer break completed the long pending works of the Miramar- Dona Paula Road. But it was a welcome with debris all over. The concretization of the Miramar-Dona Paula Road which commenced in March 2014 was to be completed in 12 months. The Government had claimed 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 would have a cycling and walking track. But two years down the road it is only shoddy substandard work. Highly reprehensible is the insensitivity and thoughtlessness of the authorities to the distressed plight and hardship being faced by the students, staff and parents of Sharada Mandir on account of the sordid state of that road. Besides Sharada Mandir, the entire business premises along the Miramar – Doan Paula road have hit a road block. And all this when the Bombay High Court has ruled that citizens have a fundamental right to good roads. The concretization of a road which was in the best of state has been a criminal waste of public funds and we will soon see more crores poured down the drain under the guise of making Panaji a Smart city. The Government has seized the opportunity that Goans are very patient, laid back and put up with it all. Anywhere else in India this Government would have been stripped naked and hung to the nearest tree. 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 TO GET ANOTHER YES-MAN CHIEF SECRETARY
To facilitate the further doom and destruction of Goa, the BJP is desperately trying to bring their now ‘Yes man' Parimal Rai as the next Chief Secretary of the State with the current ‘caged parrot’ incumbent due to retire this month end. The tainted Parimal Rai was named by the CBI in the 2010 Commonwealth Games Scam. Is this the Zero Tolerance to Corruption that the BJP has been professing about? Parimal Rai who recently replaced Vijay Dev as the UT Adviser in Chandigarh is a flamboyant Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre IAS officer of the 1985 batch who has been at the centre of a fair share of controversies while serving in Delhi. As Chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) between 2007 and 2011, he was named by the Central Bureau of Investigation in its investigation of the 2010 Commonwealth Games scam in the construction of stadia. He was considered very close to Delhi’s former Congress Chief minister Sheila Dikshit, but the Narendra Modi government also declined the CBI permission to prosecute him. Parimal Rai, who was the then NDMC Chairman was booked by the CBI in alleged irregularities in the construction of Convention Centre which allegedly caused a loss of Rs 15 crore to the 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 DGP MUST PURSUE HIS NEW MANTRA
The recently appointed Goa DGP Dr Muktesh Chander’s new mantra that quality prosecution will decide future postings of police officers is a step in the right direction. He should begin his mission by examining how a most inefficient Police Inspector Dattaguru Sawant is holding a pivotal position at the all very vital Crime Branch. It should be the endeveaour of the DGP to ensure that his entire force is totally insulated from all political machinations, influences and controls as has been mandated by the Supreme Court. The Goa Police’s effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy is currently in question and there is rightly a public perception that the police force have been acting as caged parrots of the politicians in power. The Police have miserably failed to provide the service the public deserve and are entitled to. The commitment, devotion and accountability of the police has to be only to the Rule of Law which requires that the police function without any regard, whatsoever, to the status and position of any person while investigating a crime. On account of the acts of omission and commission by the police, the Rule of Law in Goa has become a casualty and the escalating levels of crime in the State is a matter of grave concern. Let us hope that Dr Chander will inject the right dose to invigorate his force to uphold the law 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] ATMARAM NADKARNI’S RESIGNATION AS ADVOCATE GENERAL AN EYEWASH
The resignation of Atmaram Nadkarni as the Advocate General of Goa is a stage managed drama and a mere eyewash to hoodwink the people of Goa. The politically well connected Atmaram Nadkarni who is now appointed as the Additional Solicitor General of India is with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s blessings lobbying very hard behind the scenes to also continue as the Advocate General of Goa so that he can merrily milk two cows. Atmaram Nadkarni is seeking to indefinitely continue also as the Advocate General under the guise of “until alternate arrangements are made” by the Goa Government. Atmaram Nadkarni is desperately trying to continue as Advocate General so that he can continue using the red beacon on his official vehicle in Goa and Delhi, a perk he is not entitled to as the Additional Solicitor General of India. Atmaram Nadkarni and Manohar Parrikar have over the last four years tampered and tinkered with the Independence 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] GOA’S CHARGESHEETED SPORTS MINISTER RAMESH TAWADKAR MUST RESIGN
Goa’s Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar who has now been charge sheeted by the Canacona Police must immediately resign and face the trial. Infact it comes as no surprise that Ramesh Tawadkar misusing his Ministerial position has already started intimidating and threatening the witnesses in the case against him. The BJP while in the Opposition had demanded the resignation of then Minister Dayanand Narvekar when he was charge sheeted. So they should walk the talk now and there cannot be double standards. Infact in a landmark Judgment the Supreme Court in 2014 advised not to induct in the cabinet charge sheeted persons facing trial. The Court said that criminalization of politics destroyed people’s faith in democracy and persons, howsoever, high he/she might be could not be exempted from equal treatment. It said constitutional morality, good governance and constitutional trust expected good sense not to recommend any person with criminal charges from being appointed as a Minister. The Court further observed “criminalisation of politics is anathema to the sacredness of democracy. It is worth saying that systemic corruption and sponsored criminalisation can corrode the fundamental core of elective democracy and, consequently, the constitutional governance.” The Court also said: “A democratic republic polity hopes and aspires to be governed by a Government which is run by the elected representatives who do not have any involvement in criminal offences. The Canacona Police has charge sheeted Goa Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar and seven others in the criminal case that was registered against them in the 2009 Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary rioting case. The charge sheet has been filed by the Investigating Officer Sub-Inspector Prashal Dessai before the Canacona Judicial Magistrate First Class Sarika Faldessai. Ramesh Tawadkar and the seven others have been charge sheeted for serious offences under Sections 143, 147,451,353,224 and 225 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code. A First Information Report (F.I.R) bearing No 35/09 was registered on 27th April 2009 at the Canacona Police Station against Ramesh Tawadkar the then MLA of Poinguinim Constituency who is now MLA of Canacona Constituency and the Sports Minister of Goa. The F.I.R was registered against Ramesh Tawadkar and others for having along with a mob barged into the office of the Range Forest Officer at Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary in Canacona and forcibly taken away two accused who were in the custody of the Range Forest Officer. 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] DELHI CHIEF MINISTER ARVIND KEJRIWAL EXPOSED
The very high-handed attempt by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to try and regularize the appointment of his 21 illegal Parliamentary Secretaries has only exposed the political bankruptcy of the Aam Aadmi Party. The President of India Pranab Mukherjee has rightly swept away and binned Arvind Kejriwal’s unlawful proposal. Arvind Kejriwal needs to be condemned for having ventured in appointing parliamentary secretaries despite the Courts having clearly ruled that it was unconstitutional and an unlawful mode to give MLAs cabinet status through the back door. It has only uncovered Arvind Kejriwal’s deceitful portraying that his party does not have lust for power. While claiming to be clean and honest, this proposal was most dishonest, attempting to smuggle in persons with positions and perks, but by the back door! Appointment of parliamentary secretaries and conferring them with rank and status of a Cabinet Minister is a fraud on the Constitution of India. It is in rank violation of the 91st Amendment which was meant to restrict the size of the Cabinet to prevent jumbo size cabinets which are a huge financial burden to the 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] TONY RODRIGUES - FROM SLAUGHTERING PIGS TO NOW CHEATING STUDENTS
Schools and Colleges are sacred Temples of learning imparting knowledge and grooming students to be future pillars of our nation. Sadly over the last few years running these educational institutions is turning into a business enterprise with all and sundry vying to seize it as a golden goose. Centers of learning cannot be reduced to dens of business opportunities. The Rosary High School at Miramar, the ownership of which has been taken over by Tony Rodrigues who himself is incapable of reading and writing is a glaring example as to how an educational institution has been usurped over as a business venture. Though the absolutely uneducated Tony Rodrigues who chose slaughtering of pigs as his initial profession might have had a good innings as a politician and even became the Mayor of Panaji but managing a school is all together a different ball game. A mission impossible without at least the basic academic qualifications. Tony Rodrigues after buying over the Rosary High School is now the Chairman of Executive Committee of the Rosary Education Society. Ironically the academically totally blank Tony Rodrigues is also the Chairman of the Rosary High School Managing Committee. Section 21 of the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 (RTE), mandates the formation of School Management Committee (SMC) to monitor the working of the school, prepare and recommend school development plan, monitor the utilization of the grants received from the government. Implementation of the RTE directives ought to be examined and especially funds utilization has to be scrutinized to ensure that those heading the Educational institution have not pocketed funds meant for the students and welfare of education. Sadly this role is being played by Tony Rodrigues, someone who himself never went to school and more importantly does not know to read and write. God Save Our Students. However, a ray of hope is that the Director of Education has assured a detailed inquiry into the financial and other irregularities at the Rosary High School now being mismanaged by Tony Rodrigues as a business cum family undertaking. Tony Rodrigues is facing serious charges amongst others of extorting unlawful donations from parents besides forcing students to sell illegal lotteries which the rules do not permit. 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] ALONGSIDE THE BRICKBATS GOA POLICE DESERVE OUR CONCERN TOO
The current pathetic and very appalling working conditions of the police constabulary in particular is an issue that needs to be dealt on a priority by Goa’s new Director General of Police Dr Muktesh Chander. The policemen are made to work long hours which needless to say is taking a toll on their personal lives. We have been witness to a spate of incidents that has exposed the stress related fragility affecting the force. Some of them get a break after many days. On account of the long hours of work related stress a lot of the policemen are grappling with health problems like hypertension, diabetes and depression. The working and living conditions of the staff at some of the police stations and barracks is inhuman to say the least. The uncaring treatment meted out to the police force is a clear Human Rights violation. Like all other government employees there is no reason why the police should also not get eight hour shifts which will infact increase their efficiency. Goa could emulate the recent Mumbai move where from last month the Kurla and Deonar Police Stations have implemented the eight hour shift for its entire police force. It has been proposed to now extend the same to all the 94 police stations in Mumbai. Goa has enough policemen, but they are not being rightly deployed. Hundreds of policemen are being assigned to protect and serve politicians and other VIPs beyond their official entitlement. Today policemen have no time left for proper investigation of crimes and street policing which infact are the basic duties of the police force. The authorities seem to have lost sight that a policeman has a personal life too. A human body can only do so much. One cannot be expected to work over eight hours a day. Even an animal requires rest and, for that matter, not even a machine will function unless it is rested adequately. The Government cannot be a cause for ruining the health and lives of the policemen. These genuine grievances and pathetic working conditions confronting the police force must be looked into in right earnest. Otherwise, instead of focusing on building bridges and roads, the Government may have to set up on a priority more hospitals to take care of this over worked constabulary, if not more crematoriums, cemeteries and khabrastans for perennial rest of their spent bodies. 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] A SELF-CONFESSION BY ATMARAM NADKARNI
In today's Goa edition of Times of India on page 2 the notorious and controversial Advocate General of Goa Atmaram Nadkarni besides other blabbering has finally self-confessed what was already known to us all. Atmaram says "I don't possess qualities to be a Judge". This implies that he was and also continues to be unfit to be an Advocate General too as Article 165 of the Constitution of India mandates that an Advocate General shall be a person who is qualified to be appointed as a High Court Judge. A good confession Saves the Soul and the Heart, if you have one. And this long overdue confession by Atmaram Nadkarni who has been rehabilitated as Additional Solicitor General of India has saved the Indian Judiciary too of its darkest day. Thank You At_maram Nad_karni. 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] GOA ON A DEEP SLIDE
Today is Goa Statehood day but there is nothing to celebrate about. Goans now realize the trap they got into by craving for statehood. An illusion gone awfully sour. With statehood the common man has lost but only the politicians have become crorepatis. As a Union territory, we were ably managed with 28 MLAs and a cabinet of four. Today Goa is totally mismanaged with 40 MLAs and a jumbo cabinet of 12. Very frankly the performance of the current BJP Government would have to be rated at Zero, given that Goans were promised the moon with Zero Tolerance to Corruption and Good Governance. It has been only U turns and rampant corruption all the way. The cavalier manner in which the current BJP government is heartlessly and mercilessly destroying Goa should be a matter of great concern. It is distressing to see and be witness to the continuing rampant destruction and devastation of Goa. In 2012 the BJP had promised a ‘Parivartan’ and ‘Acche 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 current rulers for their selfish and dubious role in this further irreparable damage and destruction of what was once a beautiful Goa, the Paradise of the East. Sorrowing lies our 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] MARGAO JMFC ACQUITS RAILWAY PORTERS BOOKED BY INSPECTOR DATTAGURU SAWANT
In a major setback and embarrassment to Senior Crime Branch Police Inspector Dattguru Sawant the Margao Judicial Magistrate First Class Vijayalaxmi Shivolkar has acquitted the two Margao Railway Station porters Mohammed Samsher Alam Sayyed and Mohammed Abass Sayyed who were in 2013 booked by him for allegedly selling substandard helmets. Dattaguru Sawant is the Investigating Officer in the infamous Louis Berger case and was also in the forefront probing the recent rape case against Santa Cruz MLA Babush Monseratte. In 2013 while as Police Sub-Inspector at the Konkan Railway Station in Margao Dattaguru Sawant allegedly booked the two railway porters under section 379 and 420 of Indian Penal Code after they refused to give him a free helmet that he demanded. Acquitting the porters of all charges, Judge Shivolkar in her judgment has observed that the evidence on record against the porters was neither reliable, credible nor trustworthy. Judge Shivolkar in her order has also observed that Dattaguru Sawant despite various summons issued to him had failed to remain present in Court. The two porters have also filed a complaint of extortion against Dattaguru Sawant before the three member State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) headed by Retired Justice RMS Khandeparkar with the next hearing scheduled on 3rd June. The two porters in their complaint have alleged that Dattguru Sawant on 1st September 2013 had demanded a free helmet from the goods consignment that had arrived at the Railway Station and as it was refused Dattaguru Sawant arrested and implicated them in a false and fabricated case which was not only a grave police misconduct but a severe police atrocity. The porters in their complaint have sought directions by the SPCA to the Director General of Police to register an F.I.R besides disciplinary action against Police Inspector Dattaguru Sawant. Dattaguru Sawant known to be linked to the RSS was inducted as a Police Sub-Inspector in 2002 during Manohar Parrikar’s first term as Chief Minister but his appointment was set aside by the High Court as illegal. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court since 2004. Dattaguru Sawant was later dismissed from service in 2004 for allegedly extorting money at Mapusa but managed to get reinstated in 2006. Dattaguru Sawant reportedly had a criminal record even before joining the Goa Police 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 the 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] JUDGES SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE
In a move towards transparency and accountability, the Judges of the Supreme Court of India in 2009 began making their assets and liabilities public on the court’s website. However of the current 29 Supreme Court Judges four of them have not yet made their assets public which include Justices RF Nariman, Abhay Manohar Sapre, Uday Umesh Lalit and Amitava Roy in addition to the recently appointed four other Judges. On 2nd September 2009 the Judges of the Bombay High Court had decided through a unanimous resolution of the full court to make their assets public. But despite almost seven long years having elapsed the veil of secrecy over the assets and liabilities of Judges continues with the High Court defaulting in complying with its own resolution. As is required to be done by all other public servants, the assets and liabilities of all Judges and their kin should be displayed annually for public analysis and scrutiny. Time for Judges to act transparently. It would then facilitate to identify and cleanse the Temples of Justice from the rotten apples plaguing it. Judges surely would not forgive those who default or fail in being clean and upright. Should they not lead by example? 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] NOOSE TIGHTENING AROUND GOA SPORTS MINISTER RAMESH TAWADKAR
A legal notice has been served on the Chief Secretary of Goa and the Director General of Police to immediately charge sheet Goa Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar in the criminal case registered against him in the 2009 Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary rioting case. Appropriate Court directions will have to be sought if Ramesh Tawadkar is not charge sheeted by the Canacona Police with a week. A First Information Report (F.I.R) bearing No 35/09 was registered on 27th April 2009 at the Canacona Police Station against Mr. Ramesh Tawadkar the then MLA of Poinguinim Constituency who is now MLA of Canacona Constituency and the Sports Minister of Goa. The F.I.R was registered against Ramesh Tawadkar in serious offences for having along with others barged into the office of the Range Forest Officer at Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary in Canacona and forcibly taken away two accused who were in the custody of the Range Forest Officer. The F.I.R was registered against Mr. Ramesh Tawadkar under Sections 143, 147,451,353,224 and 225 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code. But surprisingly though over seven long years have elapsed since the registration of the F.I.R, the accused Ramesh Tawadkar has not yet been charge sheeted, with the case against him conveniently shelved in cold storage at the Canacona Police Station. The Police are required to act in accordance with law and cannot be shielding Ramesh Tawadkar just because he is a well connected ruling party politician and Minister. The Goa Police, who have gone above board and displayed enthusiasm in the Tarun Tejpal, Louis Berger and more recently in the Babush Monseratte rape case, have high-handedly shelved the investigation against Ramesh Tawadkar in an obvious attempt to shield the Sports Minister. There is a public perception that the police force in Goa are sadly acting as caged parrots by acting swiftly only against the political opponents of the government. Such conduct by the police is in flagrant and blatant violation of law besides being in contempt of various directives issued by the Supreme Court and the High Courts deprecating the manner in which the investigating officers have been acting as caged parrots of the politicians in power. In Prakash Singh & Ors vs Union of India the Supreme Court observed “The commitment, devotion and accountability of the police has to be only to the Rule of Law. The supervision and control has to be such that it ensures that the police serves the people without any regard, whatsoever, to the status and position of any person while investigating a crime or taking preventive measures. Its approach has to be service oriented, its role has to be defined so that in appropriate cases, where on account of acts of omission and commission of police, the Rule of Law becomes a casualty, the guilty Police Officers are brought to book and appropriate action taken without any delay. So the Canacona Police must uphold the law by immediately charge sheeting the accused Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar so that he is prosecuted 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] WHEN A COP SHAMED THE GOA POLICE FOR NOT GETTING A FREE HELMET
The Goa Police have some very competent and efficient officers. But it’s those few rotten apples that bring utter disrepute to a force that by law is required to be very disciplined while also strictly upholding the law at all times. Having vowed by Zero Tolerance to Corruption, it is for the Goa Government to take a call on whether a rotten police officer like Dattaguru Sawant can continue in the force and more so in a vital position at the pivotal Crime Branch. If this rogue officer could torture those two poor porters Mohammed Samsher Alam Sayyed and Mohammed Abass Sayyed at the Margao Railway Station just because he could not extort a helmet, it is left to the people of Goa to speculate as to what this officer must not have done in the infamous Louis Berger case and more recently in the rape case involving Santa Cruz MLA Babush Monseratte. The poor porters have now been acquitted by the Court but they have had to face the ordeal of a two year legal battle just because Dattaguru Sawant was not doled away a helmet which he had demanded. Due to their arrest in that fabricated case slapped against them by Dattaguru Sawant, the porters were terminated from working at the Margao Railway Station thus denying them their only source of income. The two porters and their poor families have had to face the unwarranted brunt of Dattaguru Sawant’s ire but they have to be commended for having stood their ground and fought their way through the legal channels to get justice. They now await to see what action the State Police Complaints Authority recommends against the errant Police Inspector Dattaguru Sawant. Let us keep these two law abiding porters and their families in our thoughts and prayers. The distress faced by them is a dark chapter in the history of the Goa Police which would require some introspection and stern action by the Director General of Police Dr Muktesh Chander. Such a despicable act of Jungle Raj must never ever be allowed to repeat, at least 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] COMPLAINT FILED WITH CS OVER MOVE TO ILLEGALLY APPOINT AN ADDITIONAL ADVOCATE GENERAL FOR GOA
A complaint has been filed today with the Chief Secretary of Goa over the move to illegally appoint an Additional Advocate General for the State. The Goa Cabinet on 17th June has illegally recommended that Mr. Dattaprasad Lawande be appointed as Additional Advocate General. The appointment if made would be totally illegal as it would be to a non-existant post. Goa is India’s smallest State and does not need an Additional Advocate General as it would only further burden the State Exchequer which is already in dire straits, It is now known to all that this very high-handed move to appoint an Additional Advocate General is only to accommodate Dattaprasad Lawande who is a close relative of the current Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni who has now been appointed as the Additional Solicitor General of India. With Atmaram Nadkarni’s blessings Dattaprasad Lawande is already the Assistant Solicitor General of India beside Government Advocate in the High Court while also drawing a very hefty salary of one lakh a month as Additional Public Prosecutor in the High Court though very seldom appearing in criminal matters. The Supreme Court in a recent judgment (State of Punjab and Ors. vs. Brijeshwar Singh Chahal and Ors) while holding that power in appointing Government advocates must be exercised only to promote public interest has held that the power cannot be exercised arbitrarily, whimsically or in an un-canalised manner for any such exercise will fall foul of Article14 of the Constitution of India and resultantly Rule of law to which the country is committed. 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 GOA POLICE SHOULD ALSO ROPE IN DR SHEKHAR SALKAR INTO THE GCA DRAGNET
The Goa Cricket Association has been in the news for the wrong reasons. No one involved in any wrong doings must be spared. It is however surprising that the known Cancer quack Dr. Shekhar Salkar who was last year bowled out from the GCA has escaped the probe into his very disturbing fraudulent illegalities of corruption and manipulation. Amongst other allegations Dr Shekhar Salkar is accused of withdrawing 55.8 lakhs from the GCA funds to pay the lawyers he had hired to try and cover up his fraudulent acts. Dr Shekhar Salkar who belongs to the ruling BJP has stooped low in even faking his qualifications. There needs to be stern action against those hospitals taking patients for a ride by falsely and misleadingly projecting Dr Shekhar Salkar as an Oncosurgeon and Oncologist. 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). There ought to also 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. It is very appalling that such a tainted quack is the President of Goa State Medical Council. 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] GOA CHIEF MINISTER LAXMIKANT PARSEKAR SHOULD STOP ACTING LIKE A IDIOT
Highly deplorable and very high-handed is the reinstatement in service of Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s brother-in-law Ghanashyam Malvankar, an officer at the Goa Industrial Development Corporation who was arrested while caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. This only proves that this government’s so called mantra of Zero Tolerance to Corruption is just another hoax. The double talk by the Chief Minister stands exposed as he has not allowed the law to take its own course. Infact after his brother-in-law was arrested Laxmikant Parsekar should have immediately given up the Home portfolio to allow the police a free hand in the investigation of the case. Any act of corruption is a very serious crime against the State but sadly those politically well connected get away scot free in any and every corrupt deed. We have seen how the Goa Police have gone out of the way to shield Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar in the Serula Communidade land grab case and the now Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar in the disproportionate assets case against him while he was Speaker. The same police however displayed a very high level of enthusiasm in very eagerly probing the Tarun Tejpal and the Louis Berger case. The BJP in 2012 deviously usurped power by falsely promising Good Governance and Zero Tolerance to Corruption. But the rampant Corruption is there all over for all to see. It has been 100% Tolerance to all acts of Corruption as long as you belong or are connected to the BJP. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’s insane and thoughtless defence that his brother-in-law Ghanashyam Malvankar is not his blood relation is ludicrous, it coming from someone who is a Post Graduate. May be we need to reassess Laxmikant Parsekar’s intelligence quotient. 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] INDIA’S BIGGEST SCAM IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Manohar Parrikar has been Goa’s most corrupt, devious and deceptive Chief Minister. He has been an outstanding Maestro in the crafty art of Corruption . In 2012 the BJP usurped power in Goa by falsely promising Zero tolerance to corruption but the rampant corruption which has ebbed to the peak is there for all to see. Now as Defence Minister, the very untrustworthy Manohar Parrikar is set to make a whopping one lakh crore Defence purchases. His ever so glued sidekick and Man Friday Atmaram Nadkarni who has now been taken to Delhi as Additional Solicitor General will negotiate and oversee all those deals. India's biggest ever scam in the offing. Stay tuned and keep a very watchful eye as it all unfolds. 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] A STATE SPONSPORED EXTRAVAGANT BIRTHDAY BASH FOR THE CHIEF MINISTER IS UNCALLED FOR
Laxmikant Parsekar, who himself claims that becoming the Chief Minister was a lottery, turns 60 on July 4th and will celebrate the day in his constituency at Mandrem. Now, the power intoxicated BJP has decided to stage-manage another Mega Birthday Bash for him at the Taleigao Community hall on 5th July, which is totally uncalled for. The BJP may well claim that it is footing the bill but we all know how the official machinery is misused and businessmen coerced to pitch in on such occasions. We saw this happen at Manohar Parrikar’s 60th birthday at Campal on December 13th last year. Goa is reeling through an acute financial crisis. The Government has rightly called for rigorous austerity measures. This birthday celebration would be akin to Nero playing the fiddle while Rome was burning! The Chief Minister himself has recently advised Ministers and MLAs to attend fewer functions and focus on development work. It would be prudent for the Chief Minister to show his Statesmanship and ensure that the additional and needless July 5th extravaganza is not held and the money is instead channelized to charity towards the old and the needy. This will also help lift the sagging image of his Government. Yes, Elections are round the corner but display of pomp and gaiety at the taxpayer’s expense will only further outrage and infuriate the Voter. With tomatoes at Rs 80 a kilo, it is hoped that Laxmikant Parsekar will not add to the tears of the Aam Aadmi. 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 LONG ARM OF THE LAW CATCHES UP WITH REMO FERNANDES
Embroiled himself in the child abuse case and with his wings now clipped by the Goa Children’s Court, the beleaguered Pop Star Remo Fernandes couldn’t fly to the Sabarmati festival this week to receive the Samarpit award. To add to his woes he is likely to be stripped of the Padmashree award he deceitfully received in 2007 at the hands of the President of India. The law is finally catching up with arrogance and egotism. 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] CORRUPTION EMBEDDED MIRAMAR-DONA PAULA ROAD
The concretization of the Miramar-Dona Paula Road which commenced in March of 2014 was to be completed in 12 months. It now comes as no surprise that Goa’s puppet Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar claims that he is clueless as to when that road will be completed. It may never! But we need no astrologer to reveal how many crores Manohar Parrikar and the now Panaji MLA too have apparently been pocketing on this very shoddy road to hell which already has cracks galore all over. The concretization of a road which was in the best of state has been a criminal waste of public funds. The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation has ended up being a stinking hotbed of Corruption. Quo Vadis, Zero Tolerance to 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] DOUBLE STANDARDS BY THE BJP
After a former Goa Governor Kidar Nath Sahani passed away on October 3rd 2012, the BJP Government headed by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had declared 5th October a public holiday as a mark of respect. That the decision to declare that holiday was a skewed one is another issue. But since that precedent has been set, will the Government now in the death of the very illustrious and remarkable former Goa Governor Lt J.F.R.Jacob also show the same respect. Or will it be double standards for Kidar Nath Sahani being a Pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 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] GOA’S DEFORESTATION MINISTER RAJENDRA ARLEKAR HAS SHATTERED THE COCONUT TREE
After his dubious role as Goa’s worst ever very dictatorial Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, the RSS Pracharak Rajendra Arlekar will now also be remembered as the Forest Minister who destroyed the Coconut Tree besides for vested interests comprising Goa’s environment. The BJP last year stripped Alina Saldanha of the Forest and Environment portfolios while bestowing them on Rajendra Arlekar so that they could comfortably further ruin Goa’s remains. For Rajendra Arlekar politics has been a very lucrative business and his tale from Rags to Riches says it all. Rajendra Arlekar by a sale deed dated 26th August 2013 purchased a 500 sq mt plot at Porvorim on a payment of Rs 72 lakhs besides paying an amount of Rs 2,52,000 towards stamp duty and a further Rs 2,16,280 as registration and processing fees of that Sale deed. In an affidavit filed by Rajendra Arlekar before Goa’s Chief Electoral officer on 9th February 2012 he had shown his income for the year 2010-2011 as Rs 2,76,671 and that of his wife Anagha Deshpande Arlekar who is a school teacher as Rs 5,87,186. So the purchase of the plot a year later for 72 lakhs was clearly disproportionate to his last known source of income. Rajendra Arlekar in that affidavit had shown his total liabilities by way of loans etc as Rs 30,54,314 and further liabilities by way of Government dues as Rs 2,64,734 but in his statement of assets and liabilities filed over a year later on on 31st July 2013 before the Goa Lokayukta his liabilities were shown as Nil. Rajendra Arlekar should explain as to how within a short span of just over a year after becoming Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly he was able to clear his huge liabilities of Rs 30,54,314 and also liabilities by way of Government dues of Rs 2,64,734. Rajendra Arlekar in his affidavit on 9th February 2012 had shown his total income for the year 2010-2011 as a mere Rs 2,76,671 which prima facie reveals that Rajendra Arlekar concealed the real income earned by him from his HP petrol pump dealership “Om Shree Vetobaa” at Vasco. Rajendra Arlekar has continued with that Hindustan Petroleum petrol pump dealership illegally after becoming an MLA of the Goa Legislative Assembly. Clause 7 of the Hindustan Petroleum guidelines specifically requires that a person selected for the dealership of the petrol pump shall be paying attention towards day-to-day working of the petrol pump by personally managing the affairs of the petrol pump. The guidelines further mandate that the dealer of the petrol pump shall not be eligible for taking up any other employment. So as soon as Rajendra Arlekar became MLA he was duty bound to surrender the dealership to make way for somebody unemployed. For the irreparable damage the Forest and Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar is now inflicting on Goa, he needs to be hounded off the political turf into oblivion. Rajendra Arlekar must go, for Goa to 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] GOA’S TWO IMMORTAL HEROES
It would be very appropriate that a statue of Goa’s first Leader of the Opposition Dr Jack Sequeira finds a place alongside the first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar at the Secretariat Complex in Porvorim. Successive governments despite their assurances have done nothing in memory of Dr Jack Sequeira. 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 languishing as a mere district if not taluka of Maharashtra with less than a handful of MLA’s 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 had 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 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. 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 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 as he has to be thick skinned and a hypocrite to the core. Having to be 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 the BJP promised a ‘Parivartan’ and ‘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 current rulers 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] CONDOLENCES TO TONY LUIS
Am very saddened that our dear friend and Goanetter in London Tony Luis has yesterday lost his dear mother. Tony Luis till the very end was always a very caring son to his great mother. May her soul rest in eternal peace and the Almighty God give our dear friend Tony Luis the strength to live with the loss of his much treasured Mum. 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 WILL NOT SURVIVE WITHOUT GOANS
politicians have made overseas trips, ostensibly as study projects abroad. It was expected that they would bring home some ideas to improve things here. Unfortunately, these trips at taxpayer expense have in reality been shopping and sightseeing junkets for our politicians. The modern NRIs are far more professional, skilled, articulate, motivated, caring and affluent than the previous generation. They have an empathy towards Goa and regard it more than just another holiday destination. These sentiments have to be tapped by the Government with the aim of seeking mutual benefit. But all too often the Government is out to exploit and fleece them. Many Goans feel the urge to play a role in shaping the future of Goa but the authorities would have to play their role to encourage NRIs to return and invest their skills and savings in the land of their roots. The very high level of corruption in Goa is something every NRI detests. So a war on corruption by the Government of Goa could be the starting point in bringing Goa closer to every NRI Goan. 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] ADVOCATE JOE ANTAO IS NO MORE
In Advocate Joe Antao’s death the legal fraternity of Goa has lost a very knowledgeable and resourceful colleague. It was my privileged to be a student of Adv. Antao at the Law College. He was always ever so humble, modest, unassuming and a down to earth soul. He was also closely associated with the socio-cultural arena and went on to be the Sarpanch of his village Guirdolim. Adv. Antao was heartbroken after his younger son Aaron met with a fatal motorcycle accident some years ago. He must have never recovered from that shocking blow. Today Adv. Antao is no more but the memories of his lucid and enriching lectures on Law will live on. May the soul of my great Professor Joe Antao rest in eternal peace, now in the company of his dear late son Aaron. 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] A PANCHANAMA OF BJP’s FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE
having been given a clear mandate, the BJP has been unable to deliver on the ‘*Parivartan*’ that it promised by way of Good governance and Zero tolerance to corruption. Rampant corruption continues unabated. Scams continue galore. What has changed is only the identity of the agents, brokers and beneficiaries. And we are without a Lokayukta till the BJP finds a pliable one! Last year Manohar Parrikar left Goa and passed on the baton to Laxmikant Parsekar but every Goan will vouch that it has been four dismal years of confusion, contradictions and controversies. This may sound like a requiem but that, is the unfortunate ground reality. During the 2012 election campaign, Manohar Parrikar had promised us the moon but reneged on almost every promise. He used every trick under his sleeve to usurp the office of Chief Minister. We thought he had learnt from his past mistakes and would turn a new leaf. Sadly, it was not to be. It was the same old Manohar Parrikar, puffed up with added arrogance and highly allergic to any criticism. His one remarkable achievement is of having stifled the entire voice of the Opposition. Through his trademark tactics he successfully caged and grounded most Opposition MLAs. Surprisingly, to Parrikar’s credit goes the fact that many of the otherwise vocal and proactive NGOs have also gone comatose. With elections due within a year, we have had a very pompous Carnival and an equally colourful Shigmo will follow. But this is a sign of bad governance - when a State sponsors fun and frolic when its coffers are empty. The government has been on a borrowing spree. How long will it be able to sustain such lavish spending? We are reminded of the words of Manohar Parrikar in his first budget speech of 26th March 2012: *“Speaker Sir, the election results made me speechless, and now is the time for me to speak and assure the people, that the faith and trust they have put in us, shall be responded and honoured in multiple” * But the BJP has not honoured the faith and trust the people of Goa reposed in the party. The actions of the government speak for themselves. We were hoping that the ‘*Parivartan*’ in 2012 would be for the better. But the question that torments the common man today is “Have we landed from the frying pan into the fire?” 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] THANK YOU
A very big thanks to you all for your overwhelming affection and concern. Am ever so humbled with your towering strength. May we be always empowered with the might and spine to fearlessly speak out against any injustice and nepotism, which very sadly has become the order of the day, with the rich getting richer and the poor turning poorer. Let us always relentlessly strive for a better, greener and Corruption free Goa, where only Justice always prevails. We owe it to this great land of ours. 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] CLEANING THE STATE COFFERS AND NOT THE BEACHES
Former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar left behind a huge string of scams and slipped off to be the Defence Minister. Thanks to the Right to Information Act the alleged multi crore beach cleaning scam has come to light. A complaint was last year filed with the Vigilance department seeking a meticulous probe into the role of Avdhoot Parrikar in this fraud as the beach cleaning contract was awarded while his elder brother Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Minister. Though the name of Avdhoot Parrikar does not figure anywhere in the official papers, there is enough evidence that he has been the man behind the scene attending meetings between the beach cleaning contractors and government officials details of which have been given to the Vigilance department. In the complaint it has been sought that a F.I.R be registered against Goa’s Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation Nikhil Dessai who often officiates as Director of Tourism, Manish Mohata owner of Ram Engineering and Construction Company and Bhumika Clean Tech Pvt Ltd, and Avdhoot Parrikar the brother of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in connection with this alleged multi-crore scam in the tender of the so called Comprehensive Management of Cleanliness of Goa beaches. It has been sought that the F.I.R. be registered under Sec. 420, 120 (b) of Indian Penal Code for cheating the State and criminal conspiracy in connivance with the contractors and also under Sec.7, 8, 9 & 13 (1) (d) read with Section13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 for abusing official position for pecuniary gains besides abetting corruption. Documents obtained under the Right to Information Act had revealed that the Goa Government in September 2014 while Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Minister, awarded the contract of Comprehensive Management of cleanliness of North Goa Beaches to Bhumika Cleantech Services Pvt Ltd at a annual cost of Rs 7,51,40,999 and the cleaning of South Goa beaches to Ram Cleansers & Developers Pvt Ltd at a cost of Rs 7,04,87,999 with both the companies being owned by Manish Mohata. This so called scientific beach cleaning contract was awarded to these little known companies at a very exorbitant annual rate of Rs.14.56 crores though for the earlier years the cleaning of Goa beaches was costing the State Government an average of a mere two crores annually. In the name of scientific cleaning these contractors have totally neglected the beaches, with heaps of garbage seen everywhere and the contractors burning non-biodegradable waste on the beaches while other waste strewn in the vegetation and sand dumped on it to hide the buried waste. Given to the Vigilance departments are over 150 photographs of beaches across Goa showing that the contractors were high-handedly destroying the flora and fauna on the beaches and the fragile eco-system by digging pits and burning garbage on Government property while flouting the Central and State Pollution control board guidelines. These so called beach cleaning companies roped in by Tourism Department have failed to fulfill even the minimum terms and conditions laid down in the tender documents and while submitting bills have given fake names of staff besides seeking payments for works not executed. The 4000 sq mt land at Saligao given to these contractors for segregation and disposal of waste has been recklessly turned into another Sonsoddo like garbage dump. The Tourism department has been in a fast forward mode to release the payments to the contractors while in connivance with some corrupt officials even the length and the breath of the beaches have been manipulated. For example the Vagator, Vozrant and Anjuna stretch which though only 3kms had been shown as 7kms. This entire multi-crore scam must be thoroughly investigated with the guilty punished and recovery proceedings initiated against the tainted officials involved while the services of these fraudulent contractors should be immediately terminated if the Government wants to prove its bonafides on its much publicized mantra of Zero Tolerance to 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST GOA CIC PRASHANT TENDOLKAR FOR ILLEGALLY USING RED BEACON
A complaint has today been filed against Goa’s Chief Information Commissioner Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar for illegally and blatantly using a red beacon on his official vehicle GA-07-G- in clear defiance of law and amounting to a gross contempt of the Supreme Court’s order. In the complaint jointly addressed to the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and the Director of Transport it has been pointed out that the Supreme Court has flagged the red card over the blatant misuse of the red beacon. It has been further pointed out that in accordance with the Supreme Court order the Goa Government by a notification issued on 3rd July 2014 notified the list of persons entitled to use the red beacon on their official vehicle and that as per that notification only allowed to use the red beacon are the Governor, Chief Minister and Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court, Leader of Opposition, Advocate General and the Chief Secretary. Prashant Tendolkar in clear defiance of law and in gross contempt of the Supreme Court’s order is illegally using the red beacon. The law enforcement officers though fully aware of this blatant violation have failed to take action against Prashant Tendolkar just because he is politically well connected. The rule of law must prevail and Prashant Tendolkar cannot be high-handedly using a perk and privilege that he is not entitled to. Immediate action must be taken to seize the red beacon and prosecute Prashant Tendolkar for an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act. Failure to take action would also amount to contempt of the Supreme Court’s order. 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] AS DEFIANT GOA CIC CONTINUES MISUSING RED BEACON, GOVT PUT ON NOTICE TO FACE CONTEMPT PROCEEDINGS IN SUPREME COURT
With a defiant Goa Chief Information Commissioner Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar continuing to use the red beacon on his official vehicle GA-07-G-, the Goa government has today been put on notice to face contempt proceedings before the Supreme Court. In a letter jointly addressed to the Chief Secretary, DGP and the Director of Transport today, their attention has been drawn that despite being booked by the Transport department yesterday Prashant Tendolkar continues to use the red beacon in clear defiance of law. Pointing out that surprisingly the authorities including the Goa Police have not taken steps to seize and confiscate the red beacon, it has been stated in the letter that the authorities are duty bound to act in accordance with law and comply with the directives of the Supreme Court Judgment dated December 10th 2013 on the issue of misuse of the Red beacon. It has been further stated that if the misuse of the red beacon by Goa’s Chief Information Commissioner Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar is allowed to continue, the Supreme Court of India would be moved by way of a Contempt of Court petition to ensure that the rule of law is not allowed to be made a casualty. 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 CIC PRASHANT TENDOLKAR BOOKED FOR ILLEGALLY USING RED BEACON
Officials of the Transport Department today booked and issued a challan to Goa’s Chief Information Commissioner Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar for illegally using a red beacon on his official vehicle GA-07-G-. Officials of the Panaji Enforcement wing of the Transport Department led by Motor Vehicles Inspector Prakash Ambre today swung into action and after finding Tendolkar’s official vehicle parked below the office of the State Information Commission booked it under Section 108 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The action followed a directive issued by Deputy Director of Transport Prakash Azavedo last evening directing Transport department officials across Goa to detect the said vehicle for using the red beacon illegally and to take action as per the provisions of law. On 9th Feb filed a complaint was filed against Goa’s Chief Information Commissioner Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar for illegally and blatantly using a red beacon on his official vehicle GA-07-G- in clear defiance of law and amounting to a gross contempt of the Supreme Court’s order. In the complaint jointly addressed to the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and the Director of Transport, it was pointed out that the Supreme Court has flagged the red card over the blatant misuse of the red beacon. It was further pointed out that in accordance with the Supreme Court order the Goa Government by a notification issued on 3rd July 2014 notified the list of persons entitled to use the red beacon on their official vehicle and that as per that notification only allowed to use the red beacon are the Governor, Chief Minister and Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court, Leader of Opposition, Advocate General and the Chief Secretary. Prashant Tendolkar in clear defiance of law and in gross contempt of the Supreme Court’s order was illegally using the red beacon. The law enforcement officers though fully aware of this blatant violation were not taking action against Prashant Tendolkar just because he is politically well connected. Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar has lost all moral authority to continue as the Goa’s Chief Information Commissioner after having knowingly and intentionally violated the law and having been caught in contempt of the Supreme Court order on misuse of the red beacon. 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 ROAD AHEAD FOR PANAJI
On March 6th, the people of Panaji will elect their new Corporators to the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP). The current team who were elected in March 2011 has failed on all fronts. Their internal politics and feud has taken centre stage as the city of Panaji has only further decayed. Panaji’s infrastructure is crumbling, the solution to the garbage crisis is not in sight while the increasing number of stray dogs and cattle is an issue that has also remained unattended. The current team has failed to even resolve the long pending infamous multi crore market scam. For reasons known to all the CCP has only been giving licences for new high rise buildings on a war footing. The now much talked about Smart City concept was yet another illusory daydream and just one more additional window of opportunity for the ruling politicians to pocket some extra mega bucks. The CCP desperately needs a full time Commissioner to take the city forward. As part of a healthy democratic strategy, there is a need to constitute an Advisory Committee of local citizens to plan and to monitor the developmental works in each ward, thus ensuring quality control in every work tendered and executed. At the Panchayat level, the gram sabhas enable the public to question and monitor the actions and misdeeds of their elected representatives. But at the Corporation of City of Panaji and the other municipal councils there is no mechanism in place giving the public a forum to seek accountability of those elected. The CCP meetings may be open to the public but this is meaningless as the citizens cannot participate in the proceedings. The CCP Act needs to be amended to ensure that all the development projects are placed for public discussion and scrutiny before being approved. The people have a right to be heard and should be empowered to decide the priorities in their respective wards The thrust ahead should be towards Zero tolerance to Corruption and Nepotism at the CCP. . Every citizen is entitled to transparency and accountability in respect of every paisa spent from the coffers. That the CCP coffers which should have been overflowing are empty is another issue. 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] PORTUGAL CONFIRMS THAT ADV. RAJEEV GOMES IS THEIR NATIONAL.
Portugal Prime Minister's office has today confirmed that my dear friend Senior Margao Advocate Rajeev Gomes who also doubles up as a Special Public Prosecutor for the Government of Goa is a Portuguese National. Will not stoop to his dubious levels in filing a complaint against him. Let the law take its own course. Goa needs to know who is guilty. We are not yet a Banana Republic. 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] GOA WITH A PORTUGUESE SPECIAL PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
The President of Cuncolim People's Forum Mr. Santana Piedade Afonso has today filed a complaint at the Margao Police Station against the Special Public Prosecutor Adv Rajeev Gomes for being a Portuguese National and for having committed criminal offences amongst others under the Citizenship Act, 1955, Representation of People's Act and Section 177, 181, 419 and 420 of IPC of the Indian Penal Code. And now my friend Rajeev Gomes should not accuse me of being behind this complaint. I have never met or ever even spoken to Mr. Santana Piedade Afonso. If I wanted to file a complaint, I would have filed the complaint myself, as I always done over the last forty years. Never under somebody else’s name. *A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT FILED TODAY BY MR SANTANA PIEDADE AFONSO * *From: * *Mr. Santana Piedade Afonso* *President* *Cuncolim Peoples Forum* *Premier Gaunto Comba Centre,* *Cuncolim, Salcete, Goa.* *Mobile No: 9765995051* *3rd February 2016* *To, * *Police Inspector,* *Margao Police Station* *Margao* *Sub**: Criminal complaint against Special Public Prosecutor Adv.Rajeev Savio Gomes for having committed criminal offences amongst others under the Citizenship Act, 1955, and Section 177, 181, 419 and 420 of IPC of the Indian Penal Code and under the Representation of People’s Act * *Sir, I hereby lodge my complaint against Adv. Rajeev Gomes, son of Antonio Carlos Lucas Casiano Gomes, aged 43 years, (d.o.b. 28.11.1973) Portuguese National, advocate resident of H.No.77/B, Aquem, Alto, Margao, Goa and having office at Margao, for having committed offences under the Citizenship Act, 1955, and Sections 177, 181, 419 and 420 of IPC of the Indian Penal Code besides Representation of People’s Act. ADV. RAJEEV GOMES IS A PORTUGUESE NATIONAL/CITIZEN. Adv. Rajeev Savio Gomes aka Adv. Rajeev Gomes is a Portuguese National/Citizen. He is not an Indian National/Citizen. The birth of Rajeev Savio Gomes was registered in the Central Registry of Births, Marriage and Deaths of Lisbon, Portugal as Assento de Nascimento No.1036066 /2010 on 15th April 2010. A Copy of the Portuguese Birth Certificate is annexed herewith. * *Adv. Rajeev Savio Gomes after the registration of his birth at Lisbon, Portugal, has obtained various Portuguese citizen cards i.e. Bilhete de Identidade (Identity Card) and Cartao de Cidadao (Citizen Card and a Portuguese Passport.* *Information sought from the Conservatoria dos registos Centrais Lisboa and the relevant information about the registration details of Adv.Rajeev Savio Gomes was furnished which makes it amply clear that Adv.Rajeev Savio Gomes is a Portuguese National and not an Indian citizen.* *It is therefore clear from the above that Mr. Rajeev Savio Gomes, whose birth has been registered in Portugal since 2010 is a Portuguese National/Citizen and an Elector (Voter) in Lisbon, Portugal, till date. INSPITE OF BEING A PORTUGUESE NATIONAL, ADV. RAJEEV SAVIO GOMES IS FRAUDULENTLY ENROLLED AS A VOTER IN THE ELECTORAL ROLL IN GOA Foreigners/aliens are not entitled to be registered as voters and vote in India. Only Citizens of India are entitled to be registered as voters. Further Adv.Rajeev Savio Gomes has been illegally staying in this country and also practicing under the licence issued by the Bar Counsel of Maharashtra. There is no proper authorization obtained by him to justify his continuous stay in this country and has also violated the immigration law of the country.* *Adv.Rajeev Savio Gomes has fraudulently represented the State of Goa in two famous cases, i.e. Ruby Residency Case and the Louis Berger Case. He is prohibited from representing a Government of which he is not a citizen and shielding such vital information amounts to misrepresentation which attracts penal action against Adv.Rajeev Savio Gomes. He has also got monetary benefits from the State Government to represent the State in the above cases. All this amounts to gross violation of the vary law itself. Adv.Rajeev Savio Gomes instead of being a custodian of law has himself committed a mockery of law and the authorities. Even as per Section 7B (2) (f) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, which was incorporated in the Citizenship Act, 1955, by Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, which came into force from January 7, 2004, an overseas citizen of India is not entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India under Section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, in regard to registration as a voter. * *Adv.Rajeev Savio Gomes holds an Epic Card bearing No.GA/02/030/003257 (details annexed) and has also illegally exercised his franchise even at the recent Margao Municipal elections.* *It is therefore clear from the above that Adv. Rajeev Savio Gomes is illegally registered as a voter in the electoral roll of the State of Goa. It is obvious that Adv. Rajeev Savio Gomes has misrepresented himself to be a citizen of India and obtained illegal registration as a
[Goanet] MANOHAR PARRIKAR AND ATMARAM NADKARNI BEHIND THE PLOT AND TRYING TO SETTLE SCORES
I was not at all surprised when informed yesterday by two Senior Officers that the Defence Minister of India Manohar Parrikar and Advocate General of Goa Atmaram Nadkarni are clandestinely behind the false and malicious complaint filed against me by the Colva Panch Calvert Gonsalves under the guidance of Adv. Rajeev Gomes and in collusion with Padmashree Remo Fernandes. Manohar Parrikar and Atmaram Nadkarni who over the last four years have been exposed for their misdeeds have been desperately trying to settle scores with me and may have felt the Rajeev Gomes troika may now come in handy. But to their sheer dismay only the truth will prevail. On August 18th last year while addressing a BJP media management session held at Hotel Mandovi in Panaji, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar publicly had aggressively exhorted his party workers to go all out in targeting me. Known for his very vindictive nature, Manohar Parrikar has been working overtime to try and corner me while yearning to catch me on the wrong foot but I strictly at all times act within the parameters of law. The only law which I could be claimed to be violating is in riding a two wheeler without a helmet but have a medical certificate to that effect too. My life has been an open book and over the last 40 years raising issues against the illegalities of successive government has not been an easy task. Truth hurts but it is only truth that will always ultimately prevail. In the 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 of India done my duty in raising a whole range of issues concerning the public at large. We should never compromise or surrender our fundamental 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. It shall always continue to be my endeavor with added vigor to carry on the cumbersome task of highlighting any injustice that I see. Nothing will ever deter me and my commitment in this regard. Even the risk of losing one’s life is a small price one may have to pay in the bigger battle against corruption, nepotism and injustice. Perhaps, the public statement yesterday by our Honourable Deputy Speaker, Vishnu Surya Wagh, that “tolerance towards Opposition has declined in Assembly” rings true throughout the country, in exposing the true face of the party and the Government in the State and at the Centre. We will all one day depart, but the remains of our once beautiful Goa must live for posterity. 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] URGENT STEPS NEEDED TO SELECT NEXT GHRC
The Goa Government must take immediate steps in expediting the process of selecting the next Chairman and members of the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) as the term of the current Commission headed by Justice P.K Misra is scheduled to end on 3rd of March. There should be no attempt to keep the Goa Human Rights Commission dysfunctional. With the increasing number of human right violations being witnessed there would be an undesirable vacuum without the GHRC in place. Section 27 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 mandates that the investigative wing of the Commission should be headed by an officer not below the rank of IGP. The government is yet to comply with this requirement of law. This Government’s poor track record of constituting the Constitutional authorities is there for all to see. The State was without a State Information Commission for over three years and is still without a Lokayukta. Now there is apprehension that from next month Goa may possibly be without a State Human Rights Commission too. 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] 2017 POLLS WILL BE THE LAST HOPE TO SAVE GOA
Vijai Sardesai, Naresh Sawal, Rohan Khaunte, Vishwajit Rane, Reginaldo Lourenco, Subhash Phaldesai, Sudin Dhavlikar, Michael Lobo, Pandurang Madkaikar, Ganesh Gaonkar, Chandrakant Kavlekar, Deepak Dhavlikar, Nilesh Cabral as current beacons are a hope for Goa. If at the 2017 Assembly elections the people of Goa err in selecting the other 27 worthy MLAs, Goa's irreversible doom will be sealed. It will be rest in peace, for our once Sobit 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] DID RIBANDAR PARISH PRIEST FATHER LAWRENCE FERNANDES CROSS THE THRESHOLD?
I write this with a heavy heart, a very heavy heart indeed! But, if you read ahead, you will realize I have no choice but….. In speaking out I may be hurting some people but by maintaining silence I would be failing in my duty to stand up for something that is very basically wrong. At the outset let me say that I have the highest respect for the most Reverend Father Lawrence Fernandes who has been a very proactive Parish Priest of Ribandar since May 2014. He has tirelessly toiled to uplift our church in every way possible. But his very questionable conduct over the last fortnight in the current Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) polls has left me in great despair and in a deep sense of anguish. It has totally shaken that rock solid faith and trust I have had in Father Lawrence Fernandes. The background: - Ribandar has two wards which are part of CCP - Ward 29 which has this time been reserved for Women and Ward 30 which stands reserved for the OBC. In the current CCP poll, Ms. Vanita Fernandes alias Kshama, a known and liked Ribandar resident, was keen to contest from Ward 29. She had contested from here in 2011 and had polled a whopping 450 votes but lost by a mere 120-vote margin. Vanita, who is an active member of the Ribandar Parish was persistently pressurized and unduly coerced by Father Lawrence Fernandes to NOT contest the CCP elections against the BJP. When I discovered the fact of this undue, unwarranted and wrong pressure and intimidation being exerted on Vanita, I did call Father Fernandes to respectfully seek an explanation. His very distasteful defense was that he had to oblige BJP MLA Sidharth Kunkolienkar and that if the BJP candidate was not elected in Ribandar, the government funds for the repairs of the Church would not be forthcoming. Frankly, I was flabbergasted and stunned with this horrendous justification given. Should a man of GOD be swayed by such considerations….? You decide! Religious shrines are Institutions for the upliftment of the flock and certainly CANNOT be a den for political chicanery. Father Lawrence Fernandes has exceeded his brief by acting contrary to our cherished holy and democratic values. EVERY desiring candidate has a right to contest and EVERY voter has a sacred right to vote for a candidate of his or her choice. That is what Democracy is all about! A Priest has an obligation to proclaim the Church’s teachings. It is up to each of us, examining our individual conscience, to discern which party and candidate affirms, believes and appreciates those teachings, and hence whom to vote. Pope John Paul II asked in his 1993 address for Priests to remember their roles and to follow Jesus’ example: "Like Jesus, a priest must renounce involvement in political activity, especially by not taking sides, which almost inevitably happens." Dear Father Lawrence Fernandes, we will always remember your laudable service to the Ribandar Church. Sadly, however, we cannot forget that you high-handedly denied and punctured Vanita Fernandes’ aspiration to contest the CCP election and serve the community. Your defense as to why you had to do so defies all logic. The events have been very distasteful, but may God decide who was wrong. Would we sell our faith for thirty pieces of silver? If this can be the precursor to the run up to the 2017 Assembly elections, God help Goa. But for now, having emptied my aching heart, I feel lighter. Despite what has happened, we will continue to love and respect you Rev Father Lawrence Fernandes, for “…. to err is human and to forgive is divine” 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 www.airesrodrigues.com
[Goanet] PANAJI MANDAL VICE PRESIDENT SANTOSH AKHADKAR RESIGNS FROM BJP
Santosh Akhadkar today tendered his resignation from the post of Vice President of the Panaji BJP Mandal as well as the primary membership of the party. Santosh Akhadkar is contesting the Corporation of City of Panaji polls from Ward No 30 at Ribandar Addressing a press conference in the city Santosh Akhadkar stated that he had resigned from the party as he was now convinced that sincere and committed workers like him have no future in the BJP. Santosh Akhadkar has sent a copy of his resignation letter to BJP National President Amit Shah, BJP State President Vinay Tendulkar, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar Santosh Akhadkar in his resignation letter expressed surprise that despite his dedicated and loyal service to the party for so many years he was very high-handedly overlooked for the candidature to Ward No 30 in the current Corporation of City of Panaji polls though he was given a clear assurance by the party that he should prepare to contest for these CCP polls. Santosh Akhadkar in his resignation letter has further stated that it was sad to see that honest and loyal workers of the party were being sidelined and that this does not bode well for the BJP which claims to be a Party with a difference. The people of Ribandar are gearing up to reject the family raj sought to be foisted by the BJP in fielding Rupesh Halarnkar and his wife from the two Ribandar Wards. Rupesh Harlankar is contesting on a fraudulently procured OBC caste certificate which is currently under the scanner of the Scrutiny Committee. A United Ribandar should elect Santosh Akhadkar from Ward No 30 and Vandana Amonkar from Ward No 29. 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] ACB DECLINES TO FURNISH RTI INFO ON PROBE INTO GOA BEACH CLEANING SCAM
The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has declined to furnish the information sought under RTI on the current probe into the alleged multi crore scam in the tender of comprehensive management of cleanliness of Goa beaches. ACB’s Deputy Superintendent of Police and Public Information Officer while declining to furnish the information under Section 8(1) (h) of the RTI Act has informed that the inquiry is on against prominent government officers and politicians and that the disclosure of the information may impede the further process of investigation. Sought from the ACB under RTI was a copy of the file notings and correspondence processing the complaint on the beach cleaning scam. In a complaint to the ACB on 18th May last year it was sought that a F.I.R be registered against Goa’s Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, Managing Director of Goa Tourism Development Corporation Nikhil Dessai, Manish Mohata owner of Ram Engineering and Construction Company and Bhumika Clean Tech Pvt Ltd, and Avdhoot Parrikar brother of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar amongst others in connection with the alleged multi-crore scam in the tender of Comprehensive Management of Cleanliness of Goa beaches. It was demanded that the F.I.R. be registered for cheating the State under Sec 420, 120 (b) of Indian Penal Code for criminal conspiracy and connivance with the contractors and also under Sec.7, 8, 9 & 13 (1) (d) read with Section13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 for abusing official position for pecuniary gains besides abetting corruption. In the complaint given to the ACB were copies of documents obtained under the Right to Information Act which revealed that the Goa Government in September 2014 awarded the contract of Comprehensive Management of cleanliness of North Goa Beaches to Bhumika Cleantech Services Pvt Ltd at a annual cost of Rs 7,51,40,999 and the cleaning of South Goa beaches to Ram Cleansers & Developers Pvt Ltd at a cost of Rs 7,04,87,999 with both the companies being owned by Manish Mohata. It was pointed out that under the so called scientific beach cleaning contract was awarded to these little known companies at a very exorbitant rate of Rs.14.56 crores annually while for the earlier years the cleaning of Goa beaches was costing the State Government an average of a mere two crores annually. In the name of scientific cleaning, these contractors have totally neglected the beaches, with heaps of garbage seen everywhere and the contractors burning non-biodegradable waste on the beaches while other waste strewn in the vegetation and sand dumped on it to hide the buried waste. Given to the ACB were 150 photographs of beaches across Goa showing that the contractors were high-handedly destroying the flora and fauna on the beaches and the fragile eco-system by digging pits and burning of garbage on Government property while flouting the Central and State Pollution control board guidelines. These so called beach cleaning companies roped in by Tourism Department have failed even to fulfill the minimum terms and conditions laid down in the tender documents and while submitting bills have given fake names of staff besides seeking payments for works not executed. Also given to the ACB were photographs of the 4000 sq mt land at Saligao given to the contractor for segregation and disposal of waste but which has been recklessly turned into another Sonsoddo garbage dump. The Tourism department has been in a fast forward mode to release the payments to the contractors and in connivance with some corrupt officials even the length and the breath of beaches has been manipulated. For example Vagator, Vozrant and Anjuna stretch which though only 3kms had been shown as 7kms. It was demanded that a meticulous probe be conducted into the role of Avdhoot Parrikar in this fraud as the beach cleaning contract was awarded while his brother Manohar Parrikar was the Chief Minister. Though the name of Avdhoot Parrikar does not figure anywhere in the official papers, he has been the man behind the scene attending meetings between the beach cleaning contractors and government officials details of which have been given to the ACB. This multi crore scam must be thoroughly investigated and recovery proceedings be initiated against the tainted officials involved while the services of the contractors must be immediately terminated and their security deposit forfeited. This Government had vowed by Zero Tolerance to Corruption but sadly the ground reality is very dismaying besides anguishing. 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 BJP IN GOA IS NOW VERMIN AND IT MUST GO
The BJP’s very dubious setting, fixing and arm twisting that we are witnessing at these current Corporation of City of Panaji polls is just a sordid trailer of the gimmicks they have in store under their sleeves for the 2017 Assembly elections. But the people of Goa are no duffers. They will rise to the occasion and salvage what remains of our once beautiful and tranquil Goa. The very corrupt and power intoxicated BJP which is now truly Vermin needs to be uprooted lock, stock and barrel to Save our Coconut Tree and our Goa from any further devastation. 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 CIC PRASHANT TENDOLKAR’S ILLEGAL RED BEACON LANDS IN HIGH COURT
A contempt of Court petition has today been filed before the Bombay High Court at Goa over the illegal use of the red beacon by Goa’s Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Prashant Prabhu Tendolkar. The letter petition was mentioned today before a Division Bench comprising of Justice F.M.Reis and Justice K.L.Wadane who agreed to examine the petition. CIC Prashant Tendolkar continues to illegally use the red beacon in rank violation of the Supreme Court order. The rule of law has to prevail and the CIC cannot be high- handedly using a perk and privilege he is not entitled to. CIC Prashant Tendolkar is illegally and blatantly using the red beacon on his official vehicle GA- 07-G- in clear defiance of law and amounting to a gross contempt of the Supreme Court’s order. In the petition today it has been submitted to the High Court that interest of Justice would demand that in view of the facts and circumstances of the case, that Suo moto cognizance be taken by the High Court in calling for the records and after examining the same taking appropriate action. The Supreme Court in its order dated December 10, 2013 while expressing deep concern over the misuse of the red beacon had given certain directions to the State Government and in compliance the Goa Government by a notification dated 3rd July 2014 had notified the list of persons entitled to use the red beacon on their official vehicle. The High Court’s attention has today been drawn that as per that notification only allowed to use the red beacon are the Governor, Chief Minister and Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court, Leader of Opposition, Advocate General and the Chief Secretary. The law enforcement officers though fully aware of this blatant violation had failed to take action against CIC Prashant Tendolkar only because he is politically well connected and only after a complaint was filed a challan and show cause notice was issued to the CIC. The attention of the High Court has also been drawn to the very evasive, misleading and mischievous reply of the CIC to the show cause notice issued by the transport department. The CIC while trying to justify his using the red beacon has strangely claimed that he is equivalent in rank with a Supreme Court Judge. The CIC in the reply has further stated that if the mere non inclusion of the CIC in the State list disentitles him from using the red beacon, it would amount that the other central dignitaries whose names are not included on the list cannot also use the red beacon in the State. A copy of the letter petition has been sent to the Chief Justice of India T.S.Thakur and the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court D.H.Waghela. 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] MANOHAR PARRIKAR’S MENTOR BRANDS HIM AS A LIAR
We all knew it but now finally it has come from the horse’s mouth. The RSS leader Subhash Velingkar and a one-time mentor of Manohar Parrikar has today publicly acknowledged that the Defence Minister is a liar who takes U turns as per his political convenience. Read more at http://www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=6724 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] ALL FOR THE PARIVAR
The Kala Academy Vice- Chairman Sushant Khedekar bags the tender for this year’s Goa Republic day float. Is it not a clear Conflict of interest? Yet another sleazy act by the incorrigible BJP. 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 TOURISM TRADE IN A MUDDLE
Tourism the backbone of Goa’s economy is now in total shambles and doldrums. The inflow of tourists has been retreating for varied reasons. The wretched infrastructure, the accident prone roads, erratic water and power supply, stray dogs and cattle, garbage strewn all over and the very high taxes have been turning the tourists off. Besides due to the alarming crime rate with the increasing number of rapes, murders and thefts, Goa has also become a very unsafe destination having now evolved as a gambling, prostitution and narcotics den. Our only solace is that the terrorists have so far not yet landed here. But with the current loose cannons by the very impulsive Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, if Goa becomes their target we may even lose those leftovers of the once flourishing Tourism trade and industry. 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] END OF THE ROAD FOR MANOHAR PARRIKAR?
In identifying the Defence Minister as a LIAR, has Subhash Velingkar scripted Manohar Parrikar’s political obituary. 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] OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE IN THE COURTS AND FOOTPATHS ON THE STREET
The Panaji Traffic Police have reportedly been directed not to take any action against the dubious Advocate General of Goa Atmaram Nadkarni whose Mercedes car (sponsored by Goa’s illegal mining mafia) has been regularly parked and obstructing the public footpath below his office next to Baron’s showroom just off 18th June Road in Panaji. Shame on this Goa’s now very notorious First Law Officer, who has truly lived to his name, by being an incorrigible Atmaram in letter and spirit. 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 -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Dr Ribeiro Goan School (Nairobi) Alumni Association holds its second Alumni Memorial Mass in Old Goa: 10am Tues, Jan 26, 2016 at the Basilica de Bom Jesus, Old Goa, to honour all deceased students, faculty and staff. Following mass, light refreshments will be served in a hall adjacent to the Basilica. All alumni, former faculty, family and friends resident in India and those visiting are welcome to attend. Please RSVP via https://sites.google.com/site/massesreunions/2016goamemorialmass or contact Melba Quiterio (Goa) on 832 247 2435 or 9822587462 -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
