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| Book in Review: A Kind of Absence - Joao da Veiga Coutinho |
| POEM: SUSEGAAD - Cynthia Gomes James |
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http://www.goanet.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=216
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Dear Editor,
I am hastening to send you my congratulations on your editorial "Kiran's
rays were too sharp for Rane's ministers" in this morning's (Jan. 17th.) G.T.
It is gratifying to note that you have considered this matter to be
important enough to comment on it editorially. Apart from the fact that Ms.
Kiran Dhingra has demonstrated her efficiency and impeccable integrity by not
succumbing to the 'illegal' and unwarranted pressures of her political
bosses, the issue here is a larger one, viz. that the Bureaucracy is meant to
ensure not only continuity of administration, but also to ensure conformity
with the Laws of the land and the maintenance of the integrity of the
government. Kiran Dhingra is an outstanding example of how a senior
bureaucrat should perform her difficult task. Instead of being commended for
her courage and loyalty to the rule of Law, she is being victimized by the
politicians, who found her "unsupportive" of their criminal attempts to bend
the rules to suit their own purposes.
As a civil servant, Ms. Dhingra cannot appeal to the public conscience to
prove her honesty. That is why it is commendable that you have editorially
taken up the issue and brought it to public attention.
This is not just a matter of Ms. Kiran Dhingra's personal honesty and
efficiency; it is a larger issue of the utter contempt displayed by Rane and
his corrupt ministers for the rule of Law. They have systematically hacked
away at the very foundations of good government and have brought the State of
Goa to the brink of collapse. The situation has become so desperate that the
government of Goa is now being carried on by remote control by the AICC
General Secretary from Delhi, who has shown clear signs of her lack of
confidence in the ability of Chief Minister Rane to provide the leadership
which a Cabinet form of government requires. She has announced that she will
visit Goa once a month to 'coordinate' the work of the different Ministers - a
function which should normally have been performed by the Chief Minister.
The implication of this is loud and clear - if the Chief Minister cannot lead
his Cabinet, he should resign and hand over the responsibilities to someone
who can.
From the way things are going in Goa, it will not come as a surprise to
the citizens if we are in for another spell of President's ruile. It is a
pity that we cannot have a permanent President's rule in Goa.
Yours faithfully,
Averthanus L. D'Souza,
D-13, La Marvel Colony,
Dona Paula, Goa 403 004.
Tel: 2453628.
