JUST CALL 14471 FOR GRAHMIN MITRA SERVICES!
It sounds too good to be true but it is surely something the residents of Goa will welcome whole-heartedly. Speaking after launching digitally the Grahmin Mitra initiative at a function held on August 14, 2023 Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant was all praise for the initiative which he said would make digital Goa work. He said the Grahmin Mitra initiative will work just as well as the Swayampurna Goa initiative worked. The Grahmin Mitra initiative is an interesting idea which sees door-to-door delivery of a host of government services.
Present at the function were Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shripad Naik and Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanvade. The function as organised by the Department of Information Technology , Electronics & Communication at the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan. The band of Grahmin Mitra were present at the venue, they are authorised to work as agents of the government of India towards this citizen-centric services in digital mode initiative. Their services are available through CSC and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs). It means that people will no longer need to seek government services henceforth! While Shripad Naik congratulated the government on this initiative IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said that now 170 services across 27 departments will now be provided through Citizen Service Centres and village level entrepreneurs.
By just calling on helpline number 14471 a Grahmin Mitra will come to your home and do the needful to complete the procedure for obtaining any of the government services such as a residence certificate. Goa is the first state to start this initiative. An MoU was signed by CSC-SPV MD /CEO Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, CSC, e Governance Services India Ltd and Suneel Anchipaka, IAS Director IT. Also present were Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanvade, Sanjay Goel (secretary IT), Siddhi Upadye compered the program.
US JUSTICE SYSTEM POWERFUL!
THE United States is known to be a superpower. It keeps in check of whatsoever happens both within the country as well as inside. No one is spared, not past presidents nor the present one. This strict judicial reach has led to the US becoming strong and maintaining its eminence on the world stage.
Donald Trump, who was the Republican past president of the US is under strict scrutiny for several misdeeds, like having sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential elections which though fairly well-contested was won by his Democrat rival candidate Joe Biden. Other issues against Trump include his retaining classified documents in his private home as well as paying hush money to a porn star. Trump denies all allegations but the US justice system is pursuing these cases against him with vigour.
Even Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giulliani, who was earlier the mayor of New York City is being charged. Joe Biden, the incumbent president is also under the scanner for having retained certain classified documents as well as his son Hunter Biden is being probed for financial irregularities.
In India the justice system does not dare to file charges against a prime minister in office! In India, prime ministers, earlier and in office are considered as being above the law, which results in prime ministers having a free rein to do whatever they wish without recourse to any rules and regulations. Can it be assumed that a prime minister in office does no wrong in India?
Is our Indian judiciary so blunt that it can’t take on a prime minister guilty of any wrongdoing? We are in an election year, the judiciary has to probe any wrongdoings of an incumbent prime minister without fear and favour, so that at least the forthcoming elections will be free and fair!
Who is responsible for the delay in the repeal of the three farm laws that resulted in the death of 700 hard working farmers of India? Who takes the responsibility for the violence in Manipur? Who is responsible for the deaths of 105 Indians as a result of demonetization (which did not result in the unearthing of any significant black money)?
Is it not an established fact that the one who takes the credit should also take the blame for wrongdoings? When will India learn from the United States of America!
–Elvidio Miranda, Panjim
OUR POLITICIANS ARE CROREPATIS!
The Goa Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of the Legislative Assembly (Amendment) Bill 2023 was finally passed in the Legislative Assembly amidst protests and walkouts by two first time Congress MLAs, namely Yuri Alemao and Altone D’Costa. Today most Goans working in all the private sector companies like factories, industries, hotels, etc, are still seen getting the same old peanut salaries even after working in one place for the last so many years in the state!
Unfortunately, our elected self-centred politicians (including some from the Opposition) instead of doing something worthwhile about the salaries of such Goans and improving their living conditions in the state, are instead seen backing/supporting this particular amendment bill of increasing their own salaries by fully remaining dumb to enjoy their ache-din in Goa. How shameful.
When most of our legendary MLAs are already big crorepatis, why do they want even salaries and to enjoy all other facilities (which include allowances, pensions and other perks) at the cost of tax-payers money? I think that our wealthy politicians still around in the Legislative Assembly should work for free and reject salaries, allowances, pensions or any other perks – since most of them have already amassed enough wealth for themselves and their future generations for several lifetimes in Goa!
–Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
DAYANAND BANDODKAR, FOND MEMORIES!
AUGUST 12, 2023 was the 50th death anniversary of Goa’s first chief minister, Dayanand Bandodkar. He assumed office on December 20, 1963 and continued as CM till his sudden death on Aug 12, 1973. Affectionately referred to by all as Bhausaheb he was undoubtedly a friend to all his people.
At the age of 10 years it was my privilege to interact with Dayanand Bandodkar with a grievance faced by my grandmother, who lived very close to his bungalow at Altinho. A few months later I managed to sneak into the Goa Legislative Assembly and witness those debates with the CM’s pointed and witty replies. That same year he visited our Ribandar as chief guest for football finals.
Though Dayanand Bandodkar may have initially been for merging Goa with Maharashtra, he respected the people’s verdict and later worked hard with a vision and passion for Goa’s development. He relentlessly raised and pursued issues concerning the backward, down-trodden and neglected communities. He was a leader of integrity, honesty and commitment.
Dayanand Bandodkar dared to speak from his heart and always walked the talk. It is imperative that students be made aware of the very rich and invaluable contribution of their first chief minister who will always be an unforgettable hero for Goans!
–Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
SOLIDARITY WITH MANIPUR
THIS is just to inform your readers that the Council for Social Justice & Peace, along with the Working Committee of the Women’s Commission of the Archdiocese of Goa, organized a meeting to express our solidarity with the suffering people in Manipur. The meeting was held at the Rosary School Hall in Navelim on August 5, 2023. Various participants included Mathew Almeida explained the historical background of the Manipur issue while Adv Caroline Colaco shared her experiences while visiting Manipur and its ground realities. John Shilshi, IPS, a Manipur native shared real life stories of hope from both communities.
Adv Cleofato Coutinho spoke and said that apart from the law, political will is absent in Manipur to resolve the present conflict. There is a lack of statesmen who can resolve such situations. The meeting ended with the writing of a memorandum to be presented to the Prime Minister of India, Home Minister of India and the Chief Minister of Manipur, it was signed by more than 1,500 present for the meeting.
–Fr Savio Fernandes, Panaji