-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | | Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NRIs and NRG's this evening on the concluding day of the third Gomant Vishwa Sammelan (Worldwide Goan Convention) had an interface with the Leader of the Opposition Mr Manohar Parrikar of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Chief Minister of Goa in the Black Box of the Kala Academy.
It was lawn tennis as its best with the NRI NRG's fielding questions which remained unattended and the LOO and the CM diplomatically blaming each other for the inaction or lack of it. Sample a few: a) on garbage disposal -- LOO felt that his government clubbed some villages in a cluster and provided for garbage disposal CM felt that the Candolim or the Panaji (represented by LOO in the Goa Legislative Assembly )may have succeeded in a bin free Panaji or vermicomposting but the nuisance the garbage collection had created on the Curca hilltop had ruined the wells in the village. CM felt that the Urban development Minister Mr Joaquim Alemao and perhaps the Panchayat Minister Mr Subhash Shirodkar were working on a Japanese project in progress to find a permanent solution. b) on garbage prevention--- CM felt that though a law was in force to ban less than 40 microns in place its implementation was difficult because it would render people jobless and worse what would happen to the machinery--- this was a ridiculous answer considering that POLLUTER PAYS norm where the Government is the worst violator --- with the use of milk sachets--- they do have a scheme to collect and pay -- but for the masses flinging them away is easier. He agreed that Garbage disposal will be his one point priority before the next Sammelan and his Government did not need any money from the NRI/NRG's for the purpose However he would welcome innovations suggestions in the field. On Dabolim airport -- LOO was clear that the land belongs to Goa Navy is occupying it --- CM stated that double decker airbus would not be able to land in Dabolim and therefore needed a much bigger terminal -- He stated that Defence priority comes first and therefore -- the land which was in the possession of the Navy ought to have their priorities first. About the continuation of Dabolim when Mopa is in place a delegation has placed the proposal before the PM and the Defence Minister and their views are awaited. On Tillari and inadequacy of water in the state: LOO felt that plans were afoot to augment the water supply and there is scope for a 24X7 supply with various projects undertaken by his government.CM felt that the Tillari project when completed in 2007 apparently by end of Plan period (2002 - 2007) would meet the needs of the state - besides the other projects too will make it self sufficient. Special Commissioner for the NRI/NRG'S -- CM stated that an IAS officer would be appointed "soon" and he would interact between the NRI / NRG's and the Government On the Communidades -- CM blamed the clerks of the Communidade who are corrupt. In the absence of the shareholders and disinterest shown by the members of the communidades government could not protect the encroachments. He stated under the Code of Communidades a minimum fifteen years domicile was required to acquire land tenement but there were more encroachments and corruption. He pleaded helplessness and felt that some thing needs to be done On the population front: LOO stated that of the 14 lac odd population in the State nearly 4 lacs were outsiders -- In law one can not prevent their migration into the state. Therefore his Government worked for ways and means to promote industries which would only attract those industries where locals (defined as Goans and those having the 15 year domicile in the State) Or hitech machinery to be utilised like pre-mix concrete in the construction industry to curb excessive labour. It was because of this that he never welcomed the Soft ware park etc becuse he was aware skilled personnel were not available then. CM pointed out to the various slums in Mapusa Margao etc and the nuisance and pressures they create on the budget and he felt that steps to be taken by local self governing bodies municipalities panchayats to avoid the same. Earlier in the day Dr Wilfred De Souza Deputy CM clarified as under: on River Princess: the same would be removed soon but would not hazard a guess on how soon " it was for the competent persons who are examining whether it should be towed and broken or broken as is where is and scrap disposed thro land or at sea. on taxi and tour operators he discussed with the concerned (after the latest flare up by both sides) and Transport Minister and now a revised tariffs are being worked out and metered taxis will be enforced. This could be in a month. On harrassment by emigration authorities at airports demanding bribes for staying beyond 28 days the he promised to look into the matter, though initially he blamed the respective tour agencies for the same. Clearly Dr D Souza did not understand this genuine problem of the foreign national. But when this writer took up the matter along with the complainant with the LOO he immediately agreed to discuss the same with the Director General of Police the same evening and asked the complainant to send a formal email complaint to that effect. On un motorable NH 4A between Ramnagar and Ponda which is the common route used by tourist to the State -- which was caused by mining companies. Dr De Souza agreed to the genuineness of the problem and stated that the mine owners consortium are working on a solution for transportation of ore without using road but instead the river. On garbage strewn on either sides at Chimbel he stated that " all the unwanted people were dumped in that area " apparently referring to the housing provided under 20 point programme and now that the Japanese were seized with a sanitation plan for the state the same would be taken care. On the direct flights he stated that there are atleast five airlines who have shown interest in having direct flights and the civil aviation ministry will be giving the clearance shortly. Apparently referring to the open skies policy of the UPA government. (Incidentally the Union Civil Aviation Minister belongs to his Nationalist Congress Party ) In the morning session the Industries Minister Mr Luizinho Faleiro left it to the MD of Goa Industrial Development Corporation to explain the role of GIDC and the GM of EDC to dole out the debt equity ratio of the EDC. At a pointed question as to how many NRI's NRG's have availed of the benefit from EDC or GIDC they could not specify off hand the numbers but quoted the case of one such M/s Gulf Hotels in North Goa but as participants recollect this was in the first five years of the 30 year old EDC. On why GIDC or EDC does not come forward with project profiles on various Parks viz food park, pharma park infotech habitat etc to NRI's NRGs the officials stated that they would do so in the near future. One of the reasons for the absence of the Minister for Industries at this session is the controversy over the ONE TIME SETTLEMENT which had seen a war of threats and counter threats and allegations between the LOO and the Minister threatening to expost the corruption during Mr Faleiro' earlier tenure. Besides that the GPCC President had not taken kindly to the CM's Cabinet decision to do away with the OTS. Later Mr Faleiro who is also Minister for Education did make his presence at the Education Session. On the reasons why nearly 400 Government run schools did not have a toilet, (this was after a presentation was made by an young IAS officer Mr S Vaidya Secretary Govt of Goa on the education scenario in Goa) Mr Faleiro blamed LOO (then CM) from transferring this function of repairs and maintanence of schools from the PWD to Goa Infrastructure development Corporation, which he restored back on assuming power. 95% of the budget for education is used for payment of salaries pensions etc of the teachers and those on the pay rolls of the Government leaving just 5% for development activity. Therefore under ambitious schemes under the central scheme (which ironically was not utilised by earlier government) funds were made available to Parent Teachers Association for repairs of schools mid day meals etc so that the parents and community would look to the interest of the school. Knowledge Park is underway. To cope with the drop out rates whic is alarming the government plans to introduce English as a subject from the next academic year, in rpimary schools. To upgrade the education to higher levels National Council of Education Research & Training (NCERT) will be introduced in some classes beginning with standard III and so on from the next academic year. However with the language Konkani and its script Devanagari as against Roman still unsettled and Mathematics accounting for the major cause of droputs besides the no toilets no electricity ill ventilated classes and other social factors it will lead to more drop outs if the NCERT syllabus is introduced. Ofcourse it will achieve education for few since compulsory education upto the age of 14 years is only given lip service in the country. The sidelights of the GV Sammelan: a) the three days session was turned to a one and quarter day session; b) the turn out was poor it could be less than 87 NRI's NRG's c) they were the same who turned up last year they had the same queries which remained unanswered at the last session d) the function was inaugural on the first day by the Governor e) the Governor made a strange mention -- that last time he was told "what to talk" this time he was speaking his heart and mind out about Goa and his deep love for Goa f) there were all Government stalls of agriculture information education tourism and Goa Konkani Academy and Self help group and only one NGO South Goa Public Interest Action Group and Bailancho Ekvott of Margao with their home made paper bags clay works done by self help groups won the admiration of many NRIs NRG's g) delegates who paid Rs 100 for as delegate fees were treated to a dinner on the first day and lunch the next day with tea coffee snacks for all and sundry. h) clearly the non NRIs NRG's enjoyed the lunch and dinner much more then the NRIs NRG's i) the NRI's NRG's were convinced of one thing that niether the website of the NRI FC nor the emails were responded to by the Chairman of NRI FC. Notwithstanding his excuses the fact is the website is never updated deliberately. This writer brought this to the notice of both Mr Keni and the CM j) the same committee members during the BJP coalition Gvoernment were in charge of the organising committee with R (Dinar ) Bhatkar as the Chief Co-Ordinator Brig Ian D Costa Mr Herculano Dourado and Mr Tomazinho Cardozo. k) Mr Tomazinho Cardozo and family play Goa Going Gone was excellent depiction on how non goans have taken over Goan jobs which our youth shying away from Konkani and Goan traditions opting for western life indulge in premarital sex and drugs . Conclusion : Expartriates NRG NRIS who were abroad and now settled in Goa as well as those abroad have post Sammelan late evening formed a collective of persons under an expartriate now settled in Goa Mr Manuel Cordeiro (dealing with ceramics) 44 Novo Portugal Moira Bardez Tel No + 91 832 247 0493. Those present today will network with Mr Cordeiro through a newsletter every month. They intend to send in their problems to Mr Cordeiro who will then take up the same either with the NRI FC or the Government. To assist in the initial ground work they have asked the undersigned to assist Mr Cordeiro on the same, tentatively. Further modalities will be announced later --- but this collective will be delinked from the NRI FC The other speakers were Prof Peter De Souza ex Goa University, Fr Romauldo De Souza retired GMA and others. FROM THE KALA ACADEMY GODFREY J I GONSALVES borda margao goa [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send instant messages to your online friends http://in.messenger.yahoo.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
