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The Voice of Goa - - Since 1900
InsIde
Panjim I March 20, 2011 I Postal Reg. No. Goa 101 I Price Rs. 3.00 I Air Surcharge Rs 2 I Pages 16+12
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T i d e s T o d a y
Govt lies onSIT probe in Cipriano caseTEAM HERALD
PANJIM: When the Crime
Branch registered a case of
murder against unnamed
policemen of the Panjim po-
lice station on February 9, for
the custodial death of Cipri-
ano Fernandes, the people of
Goa felt that the wheels of
justice were finally moving.
Since then, the entire
issue has been put in cold
storage. No officer has been
named, no officer has been
arrested. The Crime Branch
is conducting an investiga-
tion headed by an officer
Braz Menezes but there has
been no formation of the SIT.
Till they do, no investiga-
tions by SIT will be con-
ducted notwithstanding the
Crime Branch inquiry, in the
light of the Home Ministers
announcement in the As-
sembly.
So what has essentially
happened is that we have
been conned. Into thinking
that a high level inquiry and
investigation has been initi-
ated, which really hasnt.
Herald has investigated
and the paper trail of corre-
spondence, replies to RTI
applications and various po-
lice orders lift the lid off this
cover up exercise. We did
this so you know.
Please read the complete
investigation of this story on
page 9 WHEN THE LIES
COME HOME
ranG barse Students of Hedgewar High School, Mala, Panjim, celebrating Holi.
Rozario Estibeiro
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Former Tourism
Minister, Mickky Pacheco on
Saturday lambasted South
Goa leaders for what he
termed as their U-turn on
the Dabolim airport expan-
sion by maintaining silence
on the Cabinet decision to
denotify the acquisition of
land of one individual
Bernard Costa.
Briefing newsmen,
Pacheco demanded to know
as to how the government
could denotify land meant
for airport expansion when
the AAI has not requested
the government to do so.
Lashing out at PWD Minis-
ter, Churchill Alemao, he
said, The so-called leader of
the masses of South Goa,
who has been championing
the cause of Dabolim Air-
port, has remained a mute
spectator, and has tacitly
supported the land dropping
that would have helped the
Dabolim airport, Pacheco
asserted.
He continued Whom is
he fooling that he is inter-
ested in Dabolim airport
when his actions speak that
he is against it.
Pacheco cautioned the
stake holders of the Tourism
industry from South Goa
like hoteliers, taxi-owners,
bus owners etc to take note
of the man of the masses,
and demanded that the gov-
ernment should immedi-
ately reverse its decision.
>Continued on pg 12
Mickky blastsMLAs onDabolim denotification
Ponda student ends life
TEAM HERALD
MARCEL: In yet another
shocking case of a minor
committing suicide in Ponda
taluka, a 11-year-old boy
ended his life near his house
in Pardogal-Shiroda on Fri-
day night.
Ponda police informed
that the body of Aniket Da-
vane (11), a student of Std 5,
was found hanging to a tree
near the house at around 9
pm.
Police say the reason be-
hind his suicide is not
known.
Speaking to the parents,
>Continued on pg 12
AJAY THAKUR
PANJIM: It will perhaps be
more than a decade before
the first plane flies out of the
Mopa airport. But two things
have already soared. Land
prices which have risen 265
times in 13 years, and the
number of hoteliers, busi-
nessmen and local politi-
cians, who have nosedived
into areas around Mopa to
buy property when locals liv-
ing there for generations are
facing eviction.
Mopa is not an interna-
tional airport yet. But it is on
its way to becoming Goas
most expensive real estate
hub.
Records in possession of
Herald show that the aver-
age land sale has been worth
Rs 131 crore after 2008, when
the government invoked the
emergency clause to acquire
land for the airport. That
year, 266 Property Registra-
tions took place in less than
365 days.
Check this. In 1993, there
were just 18 property sales
>Continued on pg 12
The GreaT Mopa shoppinG fesTival
Locals left high & dry asRs 131 cr land deals done
VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: With Goas fabric on
the verge of extinction, heres
a person who is determined
to revive the dying tradition.
The traditional kunbi fabric
collection that was show-
cased at the Wills Lifestyle
India Fashion Week, in Octo-
ber 2010 is being used as a
tool not only to revive Goan
weaving but also to train
rural women for self-employ-
ment.
Poonam Pandit, a Mumbai-
based textile designer has
decided to take the project
ahead on her own with the
help of local organisations.
She was associated with
fashion designer Wendell Ro-
dricks to give the whole col-
lection a very modern and an
elegant look, which was dis-
played at the Wills lifestyle
fashion week.
Wendell has assured me to
market the product. It can be
sold at emporiums although
Goa, at present does not
have any textile emporium,
she said.
Not only is the kunbi saree
diminishing in Goa there is
only one weaver. During their
research in sourcing the
>Continued on pg 12
Kaka from Pernem puts Kunbi back in fashion
SUJAY GUPTA
MOPA: These two men are
separated by two bridges
and two rivers the Zuari
and the Mandovi. They have
never met and never will.
But they have the same
problem loss of land where
they are settled. But both
have met with two different
fates from the same govern-
ment.
Bernard Costa of Dabolim
sat in the meeting with the
Chief Minister, Revenue
Minister and Deputy
Speaker of Goa who decided
to denotify his land, worth
more than Rs 75 crore.
Meanwhile Dhaku Waraq, a
dhangar tribal from the
Warkhand village of Mopa is
not even clearly aware that
the land three generations of
his family have tilled will be
acquired for the Mopa air-
port. He doesnt even know
how much compensation he
will get or where his new
dwelling will be. But his land
will never be de-notified for
the cause of justice, the rea-
son given for the de-notifica-
tion of Bernard Costas land.
We ask a simple question.
Does the call of justice strike
the Chief Minister, his Rev-
enue Minister and the
Deputy Speaker only when
a landed man, obviously
with a social and financial
standing to give him access
to high powered govern-
ment meetings, cries for jus-
tice. It is another matter that
no real injustice was being
done to Costa in the first
place by acquiring his land.
Bernard Costa of Dabolim
was set to lose 36,800 square
>Continued on pg 12
sunday insiGhT
What does Bernard Costa of Dabolim have
that Dhaku Waraq of Mopa does not?
sunday anchor
kunbi is cool: Kaka
Tilve at work in Pernem.
Govt wasright: Mauvin
TEAM HERALD
CORTALIM: Breaking his si-
lence on the controversial
denotification of Dabolim
land and his involvement
in the issue, Cortalim MLA
and Deputy Speaker Mau-
vin Godinho defended the
governments decision,
saying it was purely in the
interest of Goa.
He said that the Navy
was falsely claiming own-
ership merely because
their name was recorded
in the survey record,
which is not an ownership
document. He said that the
Chicalim communidade
had also laid their claim on
the land.
>Continued on pg 12
Herald Pic
The Mormugao Fort
was one of the largest
Portuguese forts in
Goa and it played a strategic
role to ward off enemies of
the colonial rule. Over the
years, the fort has been in
ruins and feeble efforts have
been made by authorities to
protect the mammoth her-
itage structure.
Recently, the archaeologi-
cal department sanctioned
Rs 21 lakh for restoration
work of the fort, which is
being undertaken by a
group of eight workers. Work
began about three months
ago and it is expected to con-
tinue for quite some time,
since only eight workers
have been entrusted the task
of restoring the massive
structure.
Restoration of this fort is a
challenging task. We wonder
how people could have built
such a massive fort in the
17th century, explains the
contractor, Shiva Gaudar.
Utmost care has been
taken to prepare cement-
mixture which consists of
limestone, jaggery, sand and
cement to paste on the lat-
erite stone walls of the fort to
further strengthen it, said
Gaudar.
He further informed that
work would continue for few
more months and said the
fort will be restored in a
phased manner.
The fort, which is about
10 kms in circumference,
boasts of 20 bulwarks, can-
nons, prisons, a chapel and
quarters for the guards.
The boundary of the fort
starts from Mormugao Port
right up to Khollant in south
and St Jacinto Island to-
wards Chicalim in the
north, informed Assistant
Superintendent of Archae-
ologist Manguesh Desh-
pande.
Deshpande explained that
the fort boundaries, ruined
walls and bulwark of fort
would be restored in a
phased manner.
In the first phase, restora-
tion of fort near the MPT
headquarter office is being
taken up at a cost of Rs 21
lakh and later, most parts of
the fort will be taken up for
restoration, said Desh-
pande.
Recalling the history of
the fort, Deshpande said the
Portuguese had realized the
threat from the Marathas
during the 1600s, as they
were keen to free Goa from
the Portuguese rule.
The threat perception
forced the Portuguese to
build the fort at Mormugao.
This fort was built by the Por-
tuguese unlike the forts at
Chapora, Cabo-de-Rama
and Terekhol, which were
built by the Indian rulers. It
was strategically designed as
a coastal fort to keep vigil on
the Arabian Sea, said Desh-
pande.
Recently, the Quilla
Savardhan Samiti (Fort
Restoration Committee) was
formed during the tenure of
then Vasco MLA Rajendra
Arlekar to oppose the MPT
for imposing restrictions on
people to visit the fort as its
access is common to the fort
and the MPT headquarters
building.
2 www.oheraldo.in
avaz Mapusa is presently gripped with the prob-lem of collecting and disposing tonnes ofgarbage generated in the town on a day-to-day basis.
The threat perception forced the Portugueseto build the fort at Mormugao. This fort wasbuilt by the Portuguese unlike the forts atChapora, Cabo-de-Rama and Terekhol,which were built by the Indian rulers.
--- Manguesh Deshpande
Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011
SNAPSHOT
2 arrested in kidnapping caseMARCEL: Punjab Police with the help from Ponda Po-
lice on Thursday night arrested two persons in con-
nection with a kidnapping case.
According to Ponda Police, a kidnapping case was
registered against one Rajkumar Jha (21) with Pun-
jab City Police station.
Quoting Punjab Police, Ponda Police informed that
the accused had fled from Punjab along with a 15-
year-old girl on February 15 and had reached Goa
on February 20.
Police further informed that the accused, native of
Bihar, along with the girl was residing in a rented
room with his brother Vasant at Shantinagar-Ponda.
Punjab Police learnt of Rajkumars location in
Ponda through a mobile service provider, which
tracked Rajkumars mobile phone location, in-
formed Ponda Police.
Subsequently, Punjab Police contacted its counter-
parts in Ponda and raided the rented premises on
Thursday at about 11 pm. Rajukumar along with his
brother Vasant were arrested and handed over to
Punjab Police along with the girl.
Gold, cash stolenMARGAO: Unknown culprits decamped with gold or-
naments and cash from a residential house at
Rawanfond, Margao, all amounting to Rs 80,000.
Margao police informed that the burglary occurred
when the inmates of the house were out. The bur-
glars lifted away a gold chain and bracelet, besides
a wrist watch and cash of Rs 7000.
A complaint to this effect was lodged by one Sudhir
S with the police. The police are investigating.
Property gutted in fire BICHOLIM: Property worth combined Rs 95,000 was
gutted in a fire in four different incidents in Bicholim
on Thursday.
A house, cow shed, cashew plantation and dry grass
were guttered in the fire.
According to SFO Laxman Naik, the first incident oc-
curred at Gaonkarwada-Ona, Bicholim, in which a
residential house belonging to one Nagesh Laxman
Gaonkar was gutted in fire, causing a loss about Rs
50,000.
The fire spread to the surrounding area, due to
which a neighbouring cow shed belonging to Shan-
taram Gaonkar was also gutted, causing a loss to
the tune of Rs 30,000.
The third fire incident was reported at Dhabdhaba in
which dry grass was gutted in fire but no loss was
ascertained.
In the fourth incident, cashew plantation belonging
to Shanti Srikant Gaonkar from Mayem was gutted
in a fire, causing a loss of Rs 15,000.
Firemen Shashi Malwankar, V M Gad, R R Parab, S C
Kesarkar and Paresh Patil along with the locals
helped to bring the fire under control.
Retreat underway PANJIM: Thousands attended the first two days of
the three day Lenten retreat organized by St Sebast-
ian Church, Aquem-Alto, Margao as part of the Lent
season commemoration.
Fr Ligorinho Da Costa, parish priest of St Sebastian
Church, Aquem opened the three day event by ex-
plaining that the preachers were not God them-
selves, but were doing the good work of proclaiming
the message of Jesus Christ, specially during the
Lent season.
The three day retreat wind up with a full day retreat
on March 20.
Shigmotsav at PondaMARCEL: Ponda Taluka Antruz Shigmotsav Samitti
will organise the State-level Shigmotsav festival at
Shree Mahalasa Temple on Ponda on March 20.
It is an annual event where the president of Shig-
motsav committee along with committee members
will participate in a procession accompanied by the
Romtamel of Khedekar Mandal, Khede-Priol.
Earlier, Ponda Taluka Antruz Shigmotsav Samitti
President Home Minister Ravi Naik along with Priol
MLA Deepak Dhavlikar, Ponda Municipal Council
Chairperson Kishore Naik offered prayers at Shree
Mahalasa Temple, Mardol-Ponda.
The State-level Shigmotsav festival, to will be held at
Ponda on March 20, will be followed by Shigmotsav
floats parade in rest of the State.
Shigmo is our tradition and needs to be preserved
for posterity. Shigmo has got rich cultural heritage
and over the years, its popularity is growing, said
Naik.
Cuncolim forums meetPANJIM: The Cuncolim Civic and Consumer Forum
(CCCF) will hold its monthly meeting on March 20 at
Our Lady of Health High School, Cuncolim at 10.30
am. Among the issues to be discussed are World
Water Day and water audit for Cuncolim, agenda for
action by women volunteers, redressal of consumer
grievances by government agencies, maintenance of
KTC Bus Stand by Cuncolim Municipal Council,
World Health Day, National Rural Health Mission and
the Goa Medical Practitioners Rules 2011. Various
service related issues like PWD water supply, BSNL
phones, post, ration, LPG and kerosene supply and
senior citizens cards will also be discussed.
Mapusa drowns in garbage Tsunami..Mapusa, the largest and most congested town in North Goa, is reeking and reeling under the problem ofgarbage. Though this is known and has been told, the problem persists. An on the spot report on effortsbeing made to tackle the crisis
It may be famed for its
Friday Bazaar, but Ma-
pusa has also gained no-
toriety in the State for its
mounting garbage woes.
The town is presently
gripped with the problem of
collecting and disposing
tonnes of garbage generated
in the town on a day-to-day
basis.
Garbage is strewn along
the streets, which is not only
an eyesore to the visitors but
also poses a health hazard to
residents in the area.
The nullah behind the fish
market is choked with plas-
tic, bottles, tyres, vegetables,
etc. The dirty water flowing
through the nullah emanates
foul smell.
The Mapusa Merchants
Association had suggested
that the nullah be covered so
that people would not throw
waste in the nullah.
Mapusa is already a con-
crete jungle, but the Ma-
pusa Municipal Council
(MMC) continues to issue
construction licences to
multi-storied buildings in
the city.
At present, the MMC col-
lects wet and dry waste from
houses and commercial es-
tablishments and
hotel/eateries located within
its jurisdiction on a door-to-
door basis.
Segregation of waste
collected is partly done at
source and partly by MMC
workers at the composting
units. Wet waste is being
treated in the composting
units, while plastic waste
is sent for recycling and
dry/inert waste is dumped
at the Assagao plateau.
MMC has constructed 24
compositing units at the fish
market, Acoi, Gauswada,
Khorlim and Dangui Colony,
off which seven have been
constructed in fish market
alone.
All the bio-degradable
waste collected from Ma-
pusa market is composted in
these units, while vegetable
and fruit waste is composted
at the units at Acoi and
Khorlim. The compositing
work is overseen by Green
Goa Works.
MMC Chairperson Sud-
hir Kandolkar said the
garbage issue is on their pri-
ority list.
Presently, MMC spends
about Rs 9 lakh every month
on collection and disposal of
garbage. The file pertaining
to land acquisition for
garbage treatment is with
the Revenue Department
and I have personally pur-
sued the matter, added
Kandolkar.
MMC expects the process
of land acquisition will be
completed by March end
and MMC has already re-
ceived first installment of
grant of Rs 2.33 crore from
the government for setting
up garbage treatment plant,
he informed.
anil shankhwalker
bardez
The Goa State Pollu-
tion Control Board
(GSPCB) has be-
come a regular visitor to Ma-
pusa in recent times, mainly
because of Mapusa Munici-
pal Councils (MMC) inabil-
ity to effectively tackle its
garbage in the town.
The GSPCB has been
compelled to act in the mat-
ter, following complaints
from Assagao Commu-
nidade. It had objected to the
dumping of garbage on the
Assagao Plateau stating that
during the monsoon,
garbage water flows down
the village and pollutes the
nearby spring and well
water.
Later the Communidade
filed a Public Interest Litiga-
tion in the High Court to di-
rect MMC to stop dumping
of garbage in its property.
The court however permit-
ted MMC to dump segre-
gated garbage at Assagao
Plateau till it got a new
dumping site.
In 2009, on receipt of a
complaint from Assagao
Communidade, GSPCB in-
spected the site and directed
MMC to cease dumping of
un-segregated garbage at
Assagao.
However on November 3,
2010, Shiv Sena Ad-hoc
Committee member Philip
DSouza filed a complaint
with GSPCB alleging that
un-segregated waste includ-
ing plastics and rubber waste
was being dumped and
burnt at Assagao hills,
thereby causing environ-
mental pollution and a health
hazard to the residents of ad-
joining Ganeshpuri, Housing
Board and Ektanagar.
On November 18, 2010,
GSPCB officials inspected
the Assagao Plateau and ob-
served that MMC was dump-
ing un-segregated/mixed
waste at the site. A municipal
vehicle was also seen dump-
ing mixed waste during the
inspection.
Citing Section 5 of Envi-
ronment (Protection) Act
1986, the GSPCB chairman
had directed MMC to imme-
diately cease dumping of un-
segregated waste at Assagao
Plateau, to construct fencing
around the site and to pro-
vide adequate 24-hour secu-
rity at the site to prevent
such dumping.
On February 24, 2011, the
GSPCB along with MMC of-
ficials carried out joint in-
spection of the sites at
Assagao, Kadamba depot
and market area to check
whether MMC initiated
steps in regard to the collec-
tion and disposal of garbage
and made suggestion.
During the meeting, MMC
assured GSPCB that it
would initiate necessary
steps to maintain cleanliness
in the market. MMC had
also impressed upon the
GSPCB the permanent solu-
tion to the garbage problem
would be garbage treatment
plant.
MMC stated that the mat-
ter of land acquisition for
treatment plant was pending
with the revenue depart-
ment.
MMC Chief Officer H
Toraskar requested the
GSPCB to impress upon the
government the need to
speed up land acquisition
process in light of the waste
management problem being
faced by MMC.
... Assagao Communidade hits back
Anil Shankhwalker
A scavenger eats food thrown in the dustbin at Mapusa.
Built for protection, Mormugao Fort now cries for protectionThe Mormugao Fort, a 17th century heritage structure has been given a measly grant of Rs 21 lakhs forits restoration. But at least its a beginning to preserve this fort built by the Portuguese to ward off theMarathas
The Baina bay bulwark.
M Prabhav
taurappa lamani
mormugao
Garbage dumped around the Assagao Plateau.
Anil Shankhwalker
3 www.oheraldo.in
goaI will form the government in the next fiveyears. I will give representation to the Mahi-las, ST and minorities.
Benaulim MLA, Mickky Pacheco
Goas population is already peggedaround 1.5 million, and if another two mil-lion comes into the state, the future gen-eration will have no place to live in.
former MLA Matanhy Saldanha
Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011
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Mickky on new party drive! HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 19: He
evaded a direct reply to a
query whether he is moving
fast to float a new political
party, but asserted that he
would form the next govern-
ment in the state after the
coming Assembly polls.
And, the former Tourism
Minister, Mickky Pacheco
has promised to bring in
new faces, with due repre-
sentation to women, Sched-
uled Tribes and the
minorities in the political
scheme of things.
Incidentally, while
Pacheco was briefing the
media in a city-based hotel
here this evening, one of his
supporter drove outside the
venue displaying a message
United Goans, Mickky will
rule Goa, indicating that the
Benaulim MLA is moving in
the direction of forming a new re-
gional party in the state.
Moreover, at the press
briefing, Pacheco sought to
clearly distance himself from
the NCP, saying he is ad-
dressing the media in his in-
dividual capacity and not as
a NCP MLA. And, he went
on to say that individuals are
more important than politi-
cal parties, and categorically
stated that he is not inter-
A NEW ROAD: The car driven by Mickky Pacheco supporters displaying message United Goans Mickky will rule Goa.
Santosh Mirajkar
ested in any ministership in
the Kamat government.
When questioned that he
is moving fast to form a new
political outfit, Mickky
replied I will form the gov-
ernment in the next five
years. I will give representa-
tion to the Mahilas, ST and
minorities. The Mahilas de-
serves not just 33 per cent
but 40 per cent reservation.
Replying to a question,
Pacheco said he had volun-
tarily resigned from the
Kamat ministry and is no
more interested in the Cabi-
net berth.
The Benaulim MLA
spoke very little of the NCP,
especially on the decision by
the two Ministers, Jose
Philip DSouza and Nilkant
Halarnkar, saying the party
leaders will take a decision
on the resignation after the
session.
Sources close to the Be-
naulim MLA says that
Pacheco is seriously toying
with the idea of floating a re-
gional outfit under the ban-
ner of United Goans by
bringing all anti-Congress
and regional forces under
one banner.
CORTALIM CORRE-
SPONDENT ADDS:
Mickky Pacheco also admit-
ted to Herald that he had al-
ready started the process of
forming a new political party,
which would be named as
`United Goans Party' -- the
party which had led a his-
toric movement to retain the
identity of Goa in the Opin-
ion Poll.
Mickky, who was in Cor-
talim to attend a Litany at
the miraculous Bandeacho
Khuris, recently said that the
family of Jack Sequeira who
is known as father of Opin-
ion Poll would also be en-
rolled in the party formation.
probe into BpL scheme soughtHERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 19:
Are Goans becoming poor
with each passing year or are
the schemes manipulated by
the government as part of
vote bank politics?
This question was posed
by former Tourism Minister,
Mickky Pacheco as he al-
leged that the BPL list in the
state is going up every year
with addition of poor families.
Look at the BPL list com-
piled by the RDA then and
now. Kamats government
swears by the aam admi, but
the BPL lists showed an in-
crease in the beneficiaries
three times. Is this to suggest
that the people are becom-
ing poor with each passing
year or is it purely due to ad-
ministrative discrepancies
that the number of poor
under the BPL scheme is
showing an upward trend,
he asked.
The Benaulim MLA has
called for a probe into the
functioning of the BPL
scheme saying that un-
scrupulous politicians are
distributing cylinders and
gas stoves under the guise
that the people are poor.
A detailed probe into
the functioning of the
RDA is needed, Mickky
demanded.
The Benaulim MLA has called for a probe into the func-tioning of the BPL scheme saying that unscrupulouspoliticians are distributing cylinders and gas stovesunder the guise that the people are poor.
movement for Special Status to be intensified
Former MLA Matanhy Saldanha participating in an interactive workshop on Special Sta-
tus for Goa -- Article 371 at Grace Church Hall, Margao.
Savio Dias
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 19 : An
interactive workshop on
Special Status for Goa Ar-
ticle 371 held in the city on
Saturday evening has re-
solved to intensify the move-
ment every nook and corner
of the state.
Participants said the need
of the hour is to protect the
states identity by banning
the sale of land to outsiders,
adding that only special sta-
tus under Article 371 of the
Constitution can protect and
save the state for future gen-
erations.
They further argued that
the Indian Constitution was
drafted and adopted when
Goa was still under the Por-
tuguese regime and called
for Amending the Constitu-
tion to accord special status
for the state.
Participating in the work-
shop, former MLA Matanhy
Saldanha made a humble
plea to the people to leave
aside their differences on
caste, religion and language
and come under one ban-
ner as Goans to achieve
the goal of special status
for the state.
Saying that the SC, STs
and OBCs comprises nearly
60-70 per cent of the states
population, Saldanha said
this itself is a ground for ac-
cording special status for
Goa to protect the land of
these communities from
being sold to outsiders.
Convenor of Asha Family
Responsibilities & Rights
Association, Rui Da Gama
said that the organization
and the activists have re-
solved to take the movement
for special status for Goa for-
ward. Goas population is
already pegged around 1.5
million, and if another two
million comes into the state,
the future generation will
have no place to live in. Our
interests should be pro-
tected a la Mizoram and
Nagaland via special sta-
tus under Article 371, he
demanded.
Gama said the land sharks
from Delhi and other parts of
the country are quoting the
land rates in Goa. The land
is in Goa, but the land title is
in Delhi, he said, adding
that outside land sharks are
out to make business of
Goan land.
He said the movement for
special status under Article
371 will be spread across the
nook and corner of the state
so that a resolution is passed
in the Legislative Assembly
demanding special status for
the state.
4 www.oheraldo.in
goaPoor utilization of National Rural Health Mis-sion funds resulted in large unspent balance.The unspent balance accounted for 41 percent of the funds received during the four yearperiod 2006-2010.
CAG Report
Our doors are still open for the rival group to hold talksand arrive at a compromise. But, we cannot wait for-ever since the government has announced dates forthe festival in various towns.
Samiti member Rupesh Mahatme
SNAPSHOT
Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011
GGEA strike termed illegalPANJIM: The State government has termed illegal theproposed strike by the government employees,under the aegis of Goa Government Employees As-sociation (GGEA), from March 21.
The government has further warned that anyonefound not discharging their assigned duties duringthe strike period, shall be treated as absent and theprinciple of no work no pay will be invoked in suchunauthorised absence.
The GGEA is seeking up-gradation of pay scales tovarious sections of the government employees onunsustainable grounds of providing similar benefitsto other employees where parity of pay scale wasgiven.
Since the demands are not met, the GGEA hascalled for an indefinite strike from March 21.
One arrested for theftCALANGUTE: Calangute Police on Saturday arresteda man from Margao on charges of stealing a digitalcamera and cash from a stationary Honda Activascooter on Saturday...
Ajay Masrani of Nasik had filed a police complaintstating that his digital camera worth Rs 8000 andcash of Rs 2000 were stolen, when thieves brokethe dicky of his Honda Activa while he along with hiswife had gone for water sports activity on Calangutebeach on March 8.
Calangute Police accordingly registered an offenceagainst the unknown persons on Friday and roundeda suspect, Ansar Altaf, on Saturday, who later con-fessed of the crime.
The digital camera was recovered from the accused,who was arrested in this connection. Altaf has beenremanded to four days judicial custody and PSI Har-ish Gauns is investigating the case.
Italian held on drugs chargesCALANGUTE: An Italian national was arrested by An-juna Police on charges of possessing drugs worth Rs1.56 lakh at Zhor Vaddo, Anjuna on Saturday.
Anjuna Police was tipped off regarding a deal be-
tween the Italian, Andrea Secchio (46), and another
party near the Hospital at Zhor Vaddo, Anjuna.
The Police then laid a trap and arrested Secchio in
possession of 25 gms Heroine valued at Rs 1.56
lakh. The Anjuna Police team was led by PSI Pravin
Gauns, Umesh Pawaskar, Kishore Naik, Samir
Gauns, Nitesh Mulgaonkar and Suhas Joshi. PSI
Pravin Gauns is investigating the case.
Bars closed during ShigmoPANJIM: All bar/restaurants, liquor shops in North
Goa along the Shigmo floats routes have been or-
dered to remain closed on March 20, 26, 27, 28, 31
and April 5, from 4 pm onwards, according to an
order issued by District Magistrate of North Goa. The
order has been passed to prevent the public from im-
bibing alcohol along the Shigmo route and preempt
any untoward incidents.
Rider dies in mishapPORVORIM: A motorcycle rider from Dodamarg died
while the pillion rider was seriously injured when the
motorcycle they were riding rammed into a roadside
building at Tivim in the wee hours of Saturday.
According to Mapusa police, While returning home at
about 2 am, Varak dashed against the old post of-
fice building at Tivim. While Varak died on the spot,
Shinde sustained grievous injuries.
The moon appears bigger and brighter after 18 years as it comes closest to the Earth on Saturday evening.
Rozario Estibeiro
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 19:
BJP MLA Damu Naik-led
Margao Shigmotsav Samiti
has served Sunday evening
as the deadline for the rival
Shigmotsav Samiti headed
by Chief Minister, Digambar
Kamat to strike a compro-
mise over the holding of one
festival in Margao this year.
Samiti member Rupesh
Mahatme said nothing has
happened on the compro-
mise talks between the two
groups so far. Our doors are
still open for the rival group
to hold talks and arrive at a
compromise. But, we cannot
wait forever since the gov-
ernment has announced
dates for the festival in vari-
ous towns, Mahatme said,
while serving a deadline till
Sunday evening to strike a
compromise deal between
the two groups.
He said the Samiti led by
MLA Damu Naik will offer
the sacred coconut to Lord
Damodar at Pimpalkatta on
Monday evening if the com-
promise fails to take pace.
In that event, he said the
Damu-backed Samiti will go
ahead with the Romtamel
festival in the Commercial
Capital on March 26.
It appears the rival group
is not interested in bringing
the two groups together.
Girish Chodankar has spoke
to me over the phone, but
my suggestion that both
Chief Minister and MLA
Damu Naik should meet
and discuss the issue had no
takers from the other side,
he lamented.
Damu serves deadline to CMs Shigmotsav Samiti
NRHM funds: CAG raps Health Dept HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 19: Alls
not well with the Health De-
partment and it needs to be
injected with some shots of
efficiency.
The Comptroller and Au-
ditor General (CAG) report
for March 2010, has exposed
the inefficiency of the Health
Department in effectively
implementing National
Rural Health Mission
(NRHM).
Major chunk of the funds
released during last four
years under NRHM re-
mained unutilized.
Poor utilization of funds
resulted in large unspent
balance. The unspent bal-
ance accounted for 41 per
cent of the funds received
during the four year period
2006-2010, CAG remarked.
Total Rs 8.47 crore were
left unutilized in the bank ac-
count of State Health Society
(SHS) as on March 2010.
Also, advance payments
totalling Rs 1.83 crore re-
leased during 2007-10 to pe-
ripheral units were also
pending utilization, making
the total unutilized balance
Rs 10.30 crore as of March
2010.
During 2006-2007, 100 per
cent grants were provided
by Government of India to
the State. From the eleventh
Plan period (2007-12) on-
wards, the State was to con-
tribute 15 per cent of the
funds required annually.
However, there was no con-
tribution by the State till
2008-2009.
The important aspect of
NRHM is to strategize
upgradation of Community
Heath Centres (CHCs)as per
Indian Public Health Stan-
dards (IPHS) to provide sus-
tainable quality health care
with accountability and peo-
ples participation along with
total transparency.
Also, Rogi Kalyan Sami-
ties (RKS) were evolved to
be established at Primary
Health Centres (PHCs) and
CHCs and district hospitals.
The main functions of the
RKS are to identify and re-
dress the problems faced by
the patients; acquire and
maintain equipment, furni-
ture, ambulances and more.
However, during CAG
audit it was found that out of
two district hospitals, five
CHCs, 19 PHCs, RKSs were
formed in two district hospi-
tals, three CHCs and nine
PHCs.
Moreover, SHS distrib-
uted only Rs 67 lakhs to DHs
and Rs 1 lakh at PHCs in
Sanquelim and no grants
were given to remaining
RKSs.
The SHS submitted that
funds were not released due
to the absence of work pro-
posals from the concerned
CHCs and PHCs and though
RKS were constituted, they
could not perform any func-
tions.
As per the Mission guide-
lines, RKSs at district hospi-
tals were to receive corpus
grants of Rs 5 lakh each
every year in addition to
grants from the State Gov-
ernment.
They were also required
to generate their own re-
sources through levying user
charges, receiving philan-
thropic donations etc.
But in reality nothing hap-
pened. The CAG discovered
that no user charges were
collected by the RKS formed
in the test-checked district
hospital. Also, the State
share was not found credited
to the RKS account till Octo-
ber 2010.
The CAG in its report also
pointed out that amount re-
leased by the Central gov-
ernment for upgradation of
district hospitals, CHCs and
PHCs was not fully utilized.
CHC - Canacona and
PHC Bicholim: Though
CHC was shifted to a new
building with an operation
theater it was not used on
regular basis for want of a
regular surgeon, anesthetist
and ancillary staff, and blood
storage equipment.
Also, one blood storage
unit installed in March 2010
at cost of Rs 8.54 lakh was
not made operational till Oc-
tober 2010.
Similarly, no operations
had been conducted in the
OT at PHC in Bicholim since
2007 due to non-availability
of specialists and patients
are referred to the district
hospital and CHC, Valpoi.
There is also shortage of
specialists in CHCs as com-
pared to NRHS norms. Each
CHC should have seven spe-
cialists and though posts
have been sanctioned, cur-
rently, none of the CHCs
have total strength.
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 19:
Goa is projected as the
State that has best health
care system in place but
the reality seems to be
something different.
The recent report of
Controller and Auditor
General (CAG) that cov-
ered health segment says,
basic health care services
there were required to be
provided in the health cen-
ters were not available at
many of the centers visited
by the audit team.
Basic health care facili-
ties such as blood storage ,
new born care, 24X7 deliv-
eries, X-ray, ICCU/ICU,
ultra sound, ECG, obstetric
care, paediatrics, cold chain
system were not available in
the health centers.
The State Programme
Manager for National
Rural health Mission
(NRHM) however tried to
justified the non-perfor-
mance saying funds made
available under NRHM
were insufficient to build
up the infrastructure to the
fullest extend even as large
quantum of funds released
remained utilized.
The audit team also
found that infrastructure
at Cottage Hospital in Chi-
calim as well as leprosy
hospital in Macasana was
in poor state.
Owing to poor mainte-
nance, the ceiling of the
hospital was leaking. The
isolation ward for control-
ling the spread of HINI
(swine flu) could not be uti-
lized due to its unhygienic
condition and it also lacked
space for beds, says CAG
report with respect to Cot-
tage Hospital.
The condition of Cottage
Hospital has worsened due
to non-maintenance and
the corridor passages are
utilised by placing beds for
male patients. Also, it lacks
space for storing medicines.
The table in the labour
room is so old that it needs
to be supported by a
wooden piece.
Though worsening con-
dition of the hospital has
already been reported to
the higher authorities but
action is still not forthcom-
ing.
Says health centers lack basic amenities
Woman kills her paramour, dies later VIBHA VERMA
BICHOLIM, MARCH 19:
Kalyani, 50-year-old lady ad-
mitted at Bicholim Primary
Health Centre (PHC) walked
out of her hospital bed and
travelled to Bicholim, killed
her paramour and slipped
back into her hospital bed.
Kalyani alias Rajani alias
Babita is no more as she died
almost a day after she was
arrested for murder. She suf-
fered breathing complica-
tions but the police
investigations reveal how skill
fully she plotted and executed
murder of her paramour at Deul-
wada in Narvem village of Bi-
cholim taluka.
Babi Mote accused of hav-
ing string of relationships with
women including that with
Kalyani and her sister-in-law was
murdered by sickle.
When the murder took
place, Kalyani was formally
admitted in PHC for respira-
tory problems and was yet to
be discharged.
The incident happened on
February 24-25 and people
were unaware about the
killing till February 26,
morning when son of a land-
lord came to the rented house of
Mote looking out for him. He was
found in the pool of blood.
Initially, police suspected
the murder to be handiwork
of Raghu, Kalyanis hus-
band. But after a proper in-
vestigation, police zeroed
down on Kalyani.
Deputy Superintendent of
police Bousette Silva, who
supervised the probe, said
that initially Kalyani acted
smart and refused to accept
that she murdered Mote.
But subsequently, she
broke when police told her
that Mote is alive and recu-
perating in the hospital. She
confessed to the murder.
Another patient, who was
admitted next to Kalyani in
PHC, also told the police that
on February 24 night, she
(Kalyani) had disappeared
for few hours and later came
back to the bed in the mid-
night. She was discharged
only on February 25.
Visit to the spot where the
story of Kalyani and Mote
unfolded, revealed that vil-
lagers are reluctant to speak
about them.
I have not met Kalyani
but heard that she was abu-
sive to the people around. I
went several times to get her
listed in the BPL category
but she was never at home,
local sarpanch Pratishta
Mishal said.
For us, it was not so easy to
enter into this village and
strike the conversation.
Mishal suggested that we
should be disguised as a BPL
enumerator and go around.
The first one, we met in
the village, happens to be
Kalyanis relative, who
claimed that she received
maximum abuses from her
for no reason.
She was sick, mentally
and physically. She had
medical problem, thats why
she was admitted in the hos-
pital, an elderly lady said
when we introduced our self
as BPL enumerators.
Kalyanis death is not
much spoken in the Devulwada
locality of Narvem. Its almost 12
days and people have not even
bothered to do the rituals as per
Hindu religion.
She would come to this
pond (nearby her house) to
wash clothes. Not many
would talk to her because of
many reasons she was
very abusive and used foul
language. Some days before
her death, she was not able
to walk a distance. She was
weak and feeble, said an-
other villager.
Deulwado, a cluster of
around 80 houses is situated
around Saptakoteshwar
Temple. The village compris-
ing of around 360 voters is ac-
cessible only by two
wheelers.
Kalyanis past is rattled
with misery. She was mar-
ried to Raghu from whom
she delivered four boys, of
whom two died due to
drowning, one committed
suicide while another boy -
Lou is alive.
She developed relation-
ship with Mote and contin-
ued to stay with him in the
village for more than 15-
years, creating a social
stigma for herself.
Kalyani continued enjoy-
ing government doles after
death of her boys. She was
even paid Rs 10,000 through
local scheme to repair roof of
her house, which she never
did. Mishal said that Kalyani
was overall paid some Rs
30,000 and a cylinder from
the Government.
Initially, Kalyanis death in
Goa Medical College was
feared as a custodial killing
as she was already arrested
for the murder. But later
doctors certified that she had
breathing issues, which took
her life.
SDM N M Gad who is
conducting an inquiry into
the case - as she died while in
police custody, told Herald
that none of her family
members suspect foul play.
She suffered from tuber-
culosisOur inquiry is still
underway and after complet-
ing recording statement and
other investigations we will
summarize the case, he said.
Back to the village, death
of duo a carelessly kept
house of Kalyani and an-
other room where Mote was
killed helped us to restruc-
ture the life of both these
people. The villagers are re-
luctant to talk on the issue al-
though it is playing on their
sub conscious mind.
Space plan for Sinquerim, Baga beach belt soonHERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MARCH 19 : Goa
government will soon ap-
point architect, planner or
consultant to undertake
Critical Area Space Plan for
Sinquerim-Calangute-Baga
beach belt con-
sidering un-
p l a n n e d
growth of
tourism in this
area.
As per the Action Taken
Report on the last budget
submitted during ongoing
State Legislative Assembly
session, the matter to ap-
point consultant is under
consideration of the special
cell of the Regional Plan con-
stituted by the Government.
The tender for the ap-
pointment of architect or
planner or consultant will be
floated shortly, the report
reads.
Chief Minister Digambar
Kamat during last budget
had said that unplanned
growth of tourism related ac-
tivities and real estate in the
coastal areas of the state has
been very disturbing.
During the presentation of
budget last year, he had said
that the Critical Area Space
Plan for the Sinquerim-
Calangute-Baga beach belt
would be taken up on pilot
basis.
This study would bring
out the way forward in these
areas with the regards to the
environment, solid waste
management, sewage and
sanitation, development
control rules and regula-
tions, road network and oth-
ers, he had said in his last
budget speech.
Kamat had said that the
study will be in line with the
recommendations made in
the Draft Regional Plan 2021
by the Task Force.
In a similar case, Goa gov-
ernments announcement
during last budget to set up
Special Logistic Hubs at
Sancoale and Dharban-
dora in a PPP mode has
also not seen light of the
day till date.
The report mentions the
matter is
under consid-
eration of Spe-
cial Cell of
Regional Plan
constituted by
the Government. In this
case too, the tender for the
appointment of
architect/planner/consultant
will be floated shortly.
Kamat had said that the
Professional Advisory Group
set up by the government
had indicated that Goa
has immense potential to
be world class logistic cen-
tre.
We have to take advan-
tage of the synergies of vari-
ous modes of connectivity
which the state is endowed
with, the budget speech
during 2010-11 reads.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat during last budgethad said that unplanned growth of tourism relatedactivities and real estate in the coastal areas of thestate has been very disturbing.
goa
5 www.oheraldo.in
Terming the proposed GGEA strike illegal,the government has warned that anyonefound not discharging their assigned dutiesduring the strike period, shall be treated asabsent and the principle of no work no paywill be invoked.
Tiatr is not only a source of entertain-ment, but also an instrument of aware-ness that needs to be encouraged andsupported by all.
Churchill Alemao
Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011
Email: gcwt2010@gmail.com
CHAIRMAN
Holi reassures the people of the power of the truth.
It is the ultimate victory of good over evil...
Let us all be a part of such a colouful and joyous festival
Holi helps to bring the society together And strengthens the secular fabric of our country
HAVE A GREAT TIME THIS HOLI
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, MARCH 19: Well
known tiatrist Mario
Menezes was felicitated by
PWD Minister Churchill
Alemao, at a function or-
ganised to mark the stag-
ing of his 25th production
Futtleli Boxi under the
aegis of Menezes The-
atres.
Mario who made his di-
rectorial debut with Goa
Bandh, a tiatr that won the
first prize at the tiatr compe-
tition in 1992, has written
and directed 25 tiatrs till
date. His 26th production
Rogtacho Rong Tambaddo
is set to be released on
Easter Sunday.
Churchill Alemao con-
gratulated Mario for his
achievements in tiatr, and
said: tiatr is not only a
source of entertainment,
but also an instrument of
awareness that needs to be
encouraged and supported
by all.
Thanking the organisers
and Alemao for the felicita-
tion, Mario said that he is
happy to achieve the feat of
writing and directing 25
tiatrs, each with a social
message, and that he
would always strive to con-
tinue doing so and serve
Mario Menezes felicitated
Menezes felicitated by PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, at a function organised to mark
the staging of his 25th production Futtleli Boxi.
the Konkani stage in future
too.
Special mementos were
presented to all the artistes
of Menezes Theatres at the
hands of Churchill in the
presence of South Goa Zilla
Parishad President Maria
Rebello and Filomeno Bar-
retto.
HERALD NEWS DESK
PANJIM, MARCH 19:
PONDA: The seating
arrangement of SSCE of
Ponda centre is as follows:
seat nos 19352 to 19591 at
IVBD High School, Dhavali;
19592 to 20071 at AJ de
Almeida High School, 20072
to 20357 at St Marys High
School.
CURCHOREM: Sarvo-
day Educational Society
High School: 11959 to 12222
and 12689 to 12761; New Ed-
ucational Institute: 12223 to
12462 and Guardian Angel
High School: 12463 to 12688.
CALANGUTE: St
Josephs High School,
Calangute: 26451-26572 and
Little Flower of Jesus High
School, Calangute: 26573-
26762 and 26763-26772.
SSCE seating arrangement
There is a lingering hush in Casa
Monseratte after the Battle of
Panjim has been won. But Mon-
seratte, as always, is full of surprises.
Not always delightful ones. But this
time was different. At his post battle
press conference, he spoke like a states-
man and not like a conqueror. Politics
is over. It is Panjim First. When did we
say Panjim second?
Monserratte has administered a sec-
ond coup de grace in Panjim. He won
the CCP elections in the last term. He
won it again, after having nearly lost it.
Having secured Parrikars bastion in the
corporation, he even chose to appropri-
ate the name of Parrikars panel Pan-
jim First in deed.
The contours of the fallout of the
story of Monseratte squeezing victory
out of defeat in Panjim, has not been
comprehended. The final word is not
out yet. Will he chose to embark upon a
schizophrenic journey of break and
build, convert and seize, turning old
homes and shops into skyscrapers or
will he take the bread and butter route
Clean drains, de congest traffic, sort
out garbage and so on?
The early indications are that Mon-
seratte will take on the bread and butter
role during year one of the new CPPs
term. It is this and only this that will give
him the ultimate jam- the MLA of Pan-
jim. It is only then that Monseratte, the
friend of builders will unleash his Man-
hattan- like dreams, consuming village,
town and country into a gigantic con-
crete monster.
Babush is playing smart. Babush in
CCP 1 chose Uday Madkaikar to be co-
opted. Babush in CCP 2 has chosen Pa-
tricia Pinto to be co-opted.
The change of choice from Mad-
kaikar, tainted with criminal charges to
Particia Pinto, arguably one of the most
prominent faces of sustained activism
for the city, is itself a story and a sign of
how Babush wants to handle this reign
of his.
But let us not mistake this as a
change of avatar of Monseratte, at least
not yet. This is just the beginning. It is
merely a change of strategy wherein he
needs to make himself the suitable boy,
before marriage to the prospective
bride can be proposed.
The hand of Panjim will not be given
easily because the folks here have lived
for generations and value their history
and heritage. There is a mandate for the
good bits of the olden times to be pre-
served, unlike in Taleigao where ram-
pant construction over vast fields sig-
nalled the nature of development.
Though sometimes you dont realise
where Panjim ends and Taleigao be-
gins, the DNA of the two are different.
It is the attempt at synergising the brick
and mortar with history and heritage
which will be Monserattes biggest chal-
lenge. And that is precisely why he
needs to tread carefully.
Unlike in Taleigao, Monseratte will
not be able to construct a new identity
for the city. He has to refuel the old iden-
tity with modern efficiency and polish.
Having said this, the very narrow mar-
gin of his victory, is a blessing for Pan-
jim.
Imagine what Monserattes arro-
gance would have been if he had won
27 wards instead of 16.The cushion of
comfort would have dimmed the mind.
Here he is under pressure to deliver.
But, Monseratte needs to be on our
watch. A part of him will not change.
Deal-making comes naturally to him.
We need an opposition and a civil soci-
ety which is effective in resisting sweet-
heart disinvestment deals with private
players for several of Panjim projects.
The insurmountable corruption
under his watch at the CCP, which
forced good bureaucrats to either leave
or get thrown out, rankles.
The ghost of this corruption, includ-
ing the ghost workers who got paid
though they were not on the rolls of the
CCP, need to be buried pronto. Clean-
ing up corruption is sadly not one of the
strong points on Monserattes CV.
But Monseratte is nothing if he is not
street smart. He has realised that he is
not infallible. The perception he still
carries is that his efficiency stems from
his crossing the line between what is
legal and ethical, and what is not.
If he earlier assumed he was
Ouroboros, a snake in Greek mythol-
ogy, who could end its life only by self
consumption, he has begun to realise
the fallacy of that belief.
For the first time in his career, Mon-
seratte knows that people power can
take away his power.
And thats what he cant afford to
lose. Therein lies the hope that Panjim
might win.
opinion6 www.oheraldo.in
The mid day meal scheme works only ifthe food is actually cooked by the SHG.Moreover, there is no mechanism tocheck the quantity and quality of foodsupplied to the SHGs.
Edit
We can demonstrate all we want, butuntil we are able to transform this into asustained critique of the system and cre-ate agendas for change, we will remain inthe rut.
Jason Keith Fernandes
WEEKENDEDIT
Vol. No CXI No. 78 I Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011
PEOPLESEDIT
Editor-in-chief: Mr R F Fernandes. Editor: Sujay Gupta (Responsible under PRB
Act). Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 2224202, 2228083, Fax:
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sujay Gupta
Babushs project: To be a suitable boy for Panjim
FLY ON THE WALL
Three French men, Louis XVI,
Napoleon Bonaparte and
Alexandre Dumas, are credited
with declaring that Europe ends at the
Pyrenees, or alternatively, that Africa
begins at the Pyrenees.
What these wicked, wicked men sug-
gested was that the Iberian peninsula,
comprising Spain and Portugal, shared
more with Africa northern Africa at
any rate than it did with Europe. A
number of Portuguese too will laugh-
ingly use this reference to explain away
the laxity that marks this western most
part of the European continent.
It is no secret that the Portuguese
economy is today in an unholy mess. A
good number of Portuguese will lay the
blame for this mess squarely on the
same laxity.
The sins on this list are rather long.
They will agree that Portugal is not
marked by a meritocracy. If you dont
come with the right name and the right
background, moving forward could be
substantially difficult for you.
Business interests and political lead-
ership are shamelessly twined, official
power used to further private interests.
Joining the European Union has meant
that the directives from Europe regard-
ing the setting up of systems and proce-
dures are met, but in a manner that
recalls the spirit of that famous re-
sponse by the Spanish Viceroys in the
Americas, I obey, but do not comply.
But perhaps what makes this worse is
the situation where there is no wide-
spread culture of popular dissent in
Portugal.
Fed up with the situation in the coun-
try that includes the cut back of funding
for students, the lowering of salaries of
public functionaries, the rolling back of
the rights of workers, the significant
amount of unemployment among the
young, a good amount of these under
the excuse of dealing with the economic
crisis, a group of four young persons fi-
nally said enough is enough.
This group of four, speaking in the
name of the gerao rasca, or the cor-
nered generation called for a demon-
stration in Lisbon on March 12. They
pointed out that their generation was
the most qualified generation in Portu-
gals long history ever. And yet, large
numbers of these youth are unem-
ployed and have to emigrate, to find fu-
tures outside of the country.
Hundreds of thousands of Por-
tuguese congregated to march in the
protest scheduled to end at Praa de
Restauradores. So large were the num-
bers that once at the end of the march,
they carried on to other parts of the city,
continuing to voice their protest at the
systems that has pushed the lives,
dreams and ambitions of so many in
this country into crisis.
As powerful as this demonstration
was however, one wonders if it contin-
ued to resound with the problems that
mark this wonderful but sadly trauma-
tised country. The leaders of the
demonstration failed to offer a sugges-
tion to go forward beyond the manifesto
that launched the demonstration.
The manifesto itself, framed in the
broadest possible manner to attract
broad support, did not get down to
specifics.
And here lies the problem, one that
we share in Goa. We can demonstrate
all we want, but until we are able to mo-
bilise this anger and transform this into
a sustained critique of the system, and
create agendas for change, we will re-
main in the rut.
This is not yet the moment for cri-
tique though. This is the moment to
congratulate the gerao rasca and
wish them strength to network and
combine to create options for systemic
change in their country.
LETTERS FROM PORTUGAL
A Gerao rasca
jason keith
fernandes
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CedriC da Costa
The issue regarding the
medium of instruction in pri-
mary schools has once again
come up in Goa. This same issue
had rocked Goa a few years ago, and
as usual, it was one of those issues
that was not put to rest aesthetically
and with good study. I fully support
the Archdiocesan Board of Educa-
tion and the PTA on the issue.
It will be very difficult for our stu-
dents to reach out to the world and
tap opportunities if they do not have
a good command over the English
language.
In all my stints overseas and in
India I have seen that the main
problems faced by a majority of In-
dians is a good command over the
English language, a fact that most of
us should admit and work on to im-
prove.
Also, the Goa government cannot
provide jobs to all Goans and hence
the children of today will definitely
have to look out for avenues abroad
to ensure a better future. And even
if the standard of Goa and India
must improve, the knowledge of
English will be vital, especially in an
age when foreign collaborations and
international corporate partner-
ships are an order of the day.
I appeal to the Education Minister
to intervene in this issue and lay it to
rest using his good offices, once and
for all. In fact it is failure on part of
the previous education ministers to
comprehensively solve this issue
that has led to the current situation.
We all acknowledge that Konkani
is the official language of the State of
Goa, although Marathi is being also
promoted through the back door by
some politicians who have vested in-
terests to appease their vote banks,
but this is a very serious issue as it
concerns the future of Goa and our
children who will be the pillars of so-
ciety of a better tomorrow.
The issue has also found its echo
in the ongoing Legislative Assembly
session. There too the politicians
have exhibited that they stand di-
vided on the issue. Education Min-
ister, Antanasio Monserrate has
assured the house that all stakehold-
ers including members of the oppo-
sition parties would be consulted.
But here again, the Leader of Oppo-
sition, Manohar Parrikar has
thrown a spoke in the wheel, keep-
ing in mind his BJP vote bank and
has even quoted the UNESCO
guidelines which states that primary
education should be in the respec-
tive mother tongue. Parrikar also
has said that should grants be given
to English medium schools,
Konkani and Marathi medium
schools would have to shut shop.
But all these are sheer political
gimmicks to influence a logistic de-
cision in the better interest of the
students. Parents of children who do
not subscribe to this logic should
read between the lines and know
that the statements of the Leader of
opposition are nothing but political
stunts to subvert the actual issue
and give it a political slant to ap-
pease a particular vote bank.
Let not the current politicians,
both in the ruling and opposition
factions make this a prestige issue
and chew some mileage out of it.
Parents, principals of schools and all
the major decision makers in Goas
education system, please ensure
that the politicians who are grabbing
any issue as this is the election year
do not dilly dally with the future of
our children.
May better sense prevail!
Politicians andmedium of instruction
But let us not mis-take this as achange of avatarof Monseratte, atleast not yet. Thisis just the begin-ning. It is merely achange of strategywherein he needsto make himselfthe suitable boy,before marriage tothe prospectivebride can be pro-posed. The handof Panjim will notbe given easily be-cause the folkshere have lived forgenerations andvalue their historyand heritage.
Cuisine for kids rat droppings
Sometime last week, students at a school in Vasco were getting
ready for their mid day meal supplied by a local self-help
group. When the box was opened, there were rat droppings
and cockroaches on the bread.
It then got worse. After the self-help group was informed, they
sent a fresh box of bread. When this box was opened, rat droppings
were found again. When this was pointed out to the driver who sup-
plied the breads, he called the self help group but it refused to supply
bread again.
Now this gets bizarre. The concerned school authorities told the
SHG to warn the bakery owner and hoped that this cycle of cock-
roaches and rat droppings with the bread would end. When the next
consignment arrived, what did the bread box have? Cockroach
droppings again. Why is it such a big deal to remove rodent and in-
sect excreta from bread meant for children? These self-help groups
consist mainly of relatives, both close and distant, of politicians who
get them employed.
The National Programme of Mid-Day Meals in Schools, started
in 1995, is one of the flagship programmes of the Government of
India to achieve the Millennium Development Goals to reduce
child malnourishment and reduce school drop-out rates. It covers
approximately 11.74 crore children.
Ultimately the onus lies on the state governments. Orissa and
Madhya Pradesh have not only implemented this scheme but
turned it into an excellent tool for social empowerment, enabling
many rural women to be leaders and implementers of this project.
Goa sadly has failed. The mid day meal scheme works only if the
food is actually cooked by the SHG. Moreover, there is no mecha-
nism to check the quantity and quality of food supplied to the SHGs.
Has the FDA checked and certified these meals? Has there been
any discussion to work on a diet and nutrition plan for the kids?
The SHGs too, need to be given incentives so that this activity be-
comes a full time service. The Madhya Pradesh government gives
a full insurance cover to all self-help group workers. Dignity and sin-
cerity comes with this financial security.
Goas problem seems even more insurmountable, because not
only is there a system to check food which could harm children,
there is no culture of extracting accountability. The SHG which sup-
plied rat droppings and called them bread has not been taken to
task or their contract cancelled. No police complaint has been filed
against the SHG or the bread supplier. Most importantly, no one is
alarmed!
To a large extent, civil society, social groups and the media needs
to become active stakeholders in addressing issues of nutrition, ed-
ucation, transport and employment as intrinsic and interconnected
peoples issues and not break them into departments.
Take this simple analogy A poor mother gets proper employ-
ment, she sends her daughter to a government school in accessible
public transport, her childs meal is taken care of and she gets
dropped off home, well fed and well educated. Look at the number
of departments that need to work as team to make this simple
dream possible.
Sean Faia
Babush just about made it with 16 candidates. If anything, its a
cause of concern for him, especially after boasting that he would win
27 seats. The BJP on the other hand has gained from the last term
winning 12 seats. But most importantly there has been a huge rise
in women getting elected. If Im not mistaken BJP have 9-10 women
who have won from the 12 seats they won.
Thomas Gracias
Four crucial votes made a difference. If the social groups like PINC
keep up the good work a lot of new faces will be seen in the assembly
elections.
Paganini Fernandes
The efforts of the intelligentsia have paid some dividends in Panjim.
This is just the beginning. Most Goans now have realized their folly
and may not be lured any more. There is lot of work to be done. Its
the job of the intelligentsia and right thinking people, to cling to-
gether and spread the word and educate those who unfortunately
do not understand the larger interests at state versus the short span
of warmth gained through the goodies and freebies.
Lourenco Fernandes
People are becoming more literate to understand that the future of
Goa lies not in the hands of quack personalities like politicians but
in the hands of good administrators to run the intelligent people of
Goa.
Gustavo Stephen Godinho
The Kamat government is showing lollypops to the people of Goa
through this budget, to make them vote for them again and make
them grab whatever little is left in Goa.
7 www.oheraldo.in
india Our talks with Trinamool on seat sharingwere inconclusive, hence it was told thatwe will discuss the issue again. We wereseeking more time to resolve the differ-ences on the number and nature of seats.
-- Shakeel Ahmad
We have made our position clear both in LS and RS and through our press state-ments that we value strategic relationswith the US and that all sources of energyshould be tapped.
-- Prakash Javadekar
Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011
appointmentsSNAPSHOT
Teenagers drown in boat capsizeGORAKHPUR: Four teenagers drowned after theirboat capsized in a pond in Sahjanwa area, policesaid.
Bobby (13), Priyanshu (12), Shivam (11), Par-
manand (13) and Sri Ram (13), all residents of Bis-
ari village, had gone for a bath in the pond yesterday
when their boat capsized, they said. While Sri Ram
swam to safety, the four teenagers drowned.
Rs 30 lakh seized in coimbatoreCOIMBATORE: An unaccounted sum of about Rs 30
lakh was seized in the city, officials of the Flying
Squad formed following directions from the Election
Commission said.
The sum was confiscated when a car was stopped
and searched at Brooke Bond Road in the city, they
said. The occupants of the car claimed the sum was
the proceedings of the sales at a leading jewellery in
the city but were unable to provide valid proof to
back up their argument, the officials said.
lawyer crushed to death AZAMGARH: A lawyer was crushed to death by a
truck in Chatwara bazar here when he was out for
some work, following which the locals today blocked
traffic, sources said.
Nisar Ahmad was crushed by a truck late last night
at Chatwara bazar in Sidhari area here, outrage over
which the locals blocked road and damaged several
vehicles including a roadways bus, Sub-Divisional
Magistrate Harilal said.
2 nabbed for 'honour killing' RAMANAGAR: Two persons were arrested today for
their alleged involvement in the 'honour-killing' of a
woman and her four-month-old child, police said.
The gory incident occurred in Thammasandra vil-
lage in Kanakapura Taluk on February 27 in which
Deepika and her four-month-old child were allegedly
murdered and their bodies burnt by her family mem-
bers.
THE TONIA GROUP OF INDUSTRIES
REQUIRESACCOUNTS ASSISTANT/ SR ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT Candidates should be graduate with minimum 3-5 years experience in an industry with sound knowledge of Tally 9 and accounting procedures up to finalization stage is essential. Female candidates preferred.Retired Bank employees/ government servants/ ex-servicemen may also apply.Posting at Head Office Raia, Margao.Salaries commensurate to ability and experience.
nd rdWalk in interviews on 22 and 23 March between 1000hrs to 1300hrs and 1500hrs to 1700hrs.Those who cannot make it may e-mail john_jabalpur@yahoo.co.in or call for an appointment on 2740186-189.
A well reputed Goan company The Tonia Group of industries requires
Raicho Ambo, Raia, Salcete, Goa-403720.Ph:-0832-2740186/87/89
ACCOUNTS ASSISTANTS /
SR ACCOUNTS ASSISTANTS
The Tonia Group
Candidates should be graduate with minimum 3-5 years
experience in an industry with sound knowledge of Tally 9 and
accounting procedures up to finalization stage is essential. Female
candidates preferred. Retired Bank employees/ government
servants/ ex-servicemen may also apply.
POSTING AT HEAD OFFICE RAIA, MARGAO.
Salaries commensurate to ability and experience.
nd rdWalk in interviews on 22 and 23 March between 1000hrs to
1300hrs and 1500hrs to 1700hrs.
Those who cannot make it may e-mail john_jabalpur@yahoo.co.in
or call for an appointment on the following numbers.
appointments
appointments
PTI
Hyderabad, March 19 : Admit-
ting that the present system
of preparing environment as-
sessment report is flawed,
Environment and Forest
Minister Jairam Ramesh
today said the Ministry would
now seek third-party opinion
to evaluate the projects.
He also informed that the
Ministry would soon map the
wetland areas in the country
to formulate a better defini-
tion of the same.
The Minister said the pres-
ent system of preparing envi-
ronment assessment report is
flawed and the Ministry itself
would take third party opin-
ion on environment in proj-
ects like coal, power and
construction of ports.
"We have done the satellite
mapping of all wet lands in
the country. We have wetland
atlas of every state which will
be released by month-end.
So far we did not follow sci-
entific approach of wetland
management as in revenue
record, wet land is recorded
as waste land. All these are
legacies of the past. We will
clean up the system," the
Minister told reporters on the
sidelines of Green Landscape
Summit-2011 organised by
CII.
He also ridiculed the pres-
ent system of preparing the
environment assessment re-
port by the company itself
which is proposing to set up
a project.
Environment assessment system flawed
PTI
New Delhi, March 19 : BJP
was today engulfed by Wik-
ileaks expose with US diplo-
matic cables stating that the
party leadership had told
them that its criticism of the
US in public was to score
"easy political points" against
UPA and when in power, it
would not harm the Indo-US
nuclear deal.
The expose, published by
'The Hindu', drew immediate
strong reaction from Congress
which asked BJP to apply to
itself the same standards it
adopted for the government
when it was needlessly dis-
rupting Parliament.
The BJP, however, denied
there was any doublespeak.
Seshadri Chari, BJP National
Executive member and RSS
pointsman in the party fig-
ured in the cables as having
told an US official in Delhi in
December 2005 "not to read
too much into the foreign pol-
icy resolution especially the
parts relating to the US",
which had attacked the UPA's
"subservience" to Washington.
Now, BJP hit by Wiki bomb
US diplomatic cablesstated that the party lead-ership had told them thatits criticism of the US inpublic was to score "easypolitical points" againstUPA and when in power, itwould not harm the Indo-US nuclear deal.
wIkIleaks exPose
Cops lookingfor Batchas call recordsPTI
Chennai, March 19 : Police
have collected call details of
former Telecom Minister A
Raja's key aide Sadiq Batcha,
who allegedly committed sui-
cide in mysterious circum-
stances, for analysis and were
expecting the post-mortem
report in a few days.
City Police Commissioner
T Rajendiran told reporters
here that the viscera samples
have been sent for examina-
tion.
We have done the satel-lite mapping of all wetlands in the country. Wehave wetland atlas ofevery State which will bereleased by month-end.So far we did not followscientific approach of wet-land management as inrevenue record, wet landis recorded as waste land.All these are legacies ofthe past. We will clean upthe system.
wInds of change
PTI
New Delhi, March 19 : Taken
by surprise, Congress today
said it has sought more time
to resolve the differences
with its ally Trinamool Con-
gress which has made a uni-
lateral decision to announce
a list of candidates for the
West Bengal Assembly polls.
"This is a new situation...
new development. The party
central leadership will dis-
cuss the issue in detail and
then take a decision," CWC
member-in charge for West
Bengal Shakeel Ahmad told
PTI.
Making no effort to hide
the party's displeasure over
the Trinamool Congress
(TMC) move, Ahmad said,
"Our discussions for seat
sharing had remained incon-
clusive, hence it was told that
we will discuss the issue
again. We were seeking more
time to resolve the differ-
ences on the number and na-
ture of seats to be contested
by each party.
Congress seeks time to resolve TC differences
weIf the elected representatives have any concern for the future generations, let English be the medium of instruction and Konkani a compulsory language
Henry DCosta
Students fi nd it diffi cult to adjust to the English medium at standard fi ve. The confusion over the switch over makes the students lose their confi dence and we fi nd a dropout rate from class eight to class ten Dr Belinda Viegas
Goa I Sunday March 20, 20118 www.oheraldo.in
Father Conceicao D Silva, Parish Priest, Carambolim
This has been a historical ploy of for-mer Chief Minister Shashikala Kakod-kar not to give grants to schools that teach in English so that poor parents send their wards to other schools. The church realises its mistake of teaching in Konkani (or should we say having to teach in Konkani) Children who do not study English from standard one cannot cope up later. PTAs across Salcete have approached their respective MLAs. This is a strong peoples movementArchdiocesan Board
There are 10,000 more children waiting to enter the portals of educa-tion in June this year. Let them not suffer, (Br Len Noronha, Secretary, in a memorandum which was submitted to the MLAs)
There is nothing in the demand of the parents that goes against the Rules of The Goa, Daman and Diu School
Education Act, 1984 and Rules 1986; not even against rule six, which states, Teaching in a school at the primary stage, shall, as far as practicable, be in the mother tongue of the child, unless the parents or guardian of the child re-quest otherwise in writing.
Celsa Pinto, Director of Education(on the next course of action after the ministers assurance)
The minister has given assurance on the floor of the house and hence I need to discuss with him further.
Jose Mario Quadros, Chairman, Goa Headmasters Association
The association has already passed the resolution that English should be the first language and medium of in-struction in the primary and elementary from standard one till standard eight. Konkani or Marathi can continue as a compulsory subject till standard eight.
W e de-m a n d , u n d e r t h e Right of Children to free and com-pulsory education Act, 2009, that English should be used as the first lan-guage, which shall be used as the medium of instruc-tion in all classes at the elementary level of school education in Holy Spirit Institute, Margao from the Academic year 2011-12, so that a uniform pat-tern of studies is followed and our children are saved from unnecessary mental trauma. We also demand that Marathi/Konkani should continue as one of the compulsory languages up to Elementary Educa-tion, - a resolution passed by the Parent-Teacher As-sociation of Holy Spirit Institute, Margao by show of hands.
Protest and agitation are two words that are normally not taught by parents to their young
children in their forma-tive years. Yet all the parents who raised their hands in this show of defiance against a gov-ernment, which insists on caging children with Konkani when the world looks beyond, have chil-dren less than ten years old. And it is for them that they have taken t the streets, knocking on politicians doors and even changing the way institutions like the church feel about impart-ing Konkani.
The Holy Spirit Insti-tute PTA is not the only school that has strongly rooted for English as the medium of instruction at elementary education. Resolutions pitching for English as the medium of instruction, with Konk-ani or Marathi as the compulsory language at elementary education, have been adopted by the PTAs of schools around Salcetes countryside. Their counterparts in
Tiswadi, Bardez and other talukas have also joined hands.
Dinar L Barros, who has been literally hop-ping from one school to the other across Salcete explaining parents on the medium of i