WHO’S LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF LOCAL VENDORS?

Here they are at the Dona Paula jetty recounting the sorry story of the mess that exists at the jetty site to Taleigao activist Cecile Rodriguez. The government and local MLA Monserrate had promised them many things for the upkeep of the site but as usual it’s only fake promises. The woes are many but stagnant water for mosquitoes to breed and spread fatal diseases is uppermost in their minds, for it is here they earn their daily living as vendors catering to tourist shopping. There is little or lazy maintenance and the place stinks in places. Will the government of Goa and CM Dr Pramod Sawant look into the mess at the Dona Paula jetty site where tourists flock daily come rain or sunshine?

BE ACCOUNTABLE IN POWER

THE least that every citizen in any country across the world expects is that the government of the day leaves no stone unturned, in fairly and truly providing the people the very basics needs at affordable rates. Towards achieving this the authorities in power must honestly possess a passion to serve with genuine creativity and innovative skills. Only then will they be able to fulfil the aspirations and desires of the people at large.
It is imperative that those in power must scrupulously and selflessly negotiate every trade deal while ensuring that the end product is always a better deal for the people and not for the rulers. It is improper for those in the corridors of power to be dodging issues and looking for scapegoats. On vital and crucial issues, it is imperative that advice of Independent experts should be sought and followed.
It is incumbent upon those seated on the chair of power to painstakingly think about the welfare and future of the people while doing everything possible to lessen the tax burden, especially for those struggling to make ends meet. People are entitled to expect everything that was promised and should not be taken for a ride by those in whom they have reposed their trust.
Transparency and accountability are the keys to god governance.
—Aires Rodrigues, London

DOORSTEP SERVICES MADE EASIER
THE Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communication (DITE&C) of Goa has recently announced major updates to the Gramin Mitra initiative of making government services more accessible and affordable for the public. The updates have been approved by the State Cabinet. The Revamp and Redesign Of Gramin Mitra – Doorstep Delivery of Government Services initiative introduces revised service delivery charges to encourage greater adoption of doorstep services.
Under the revised framework, citizens will pay Rs50 per service delivery out of the total Rs250 service charge, with the government subsidizing the remaining Rs200+ taxes. This aims to increase accessibility to Gramin Mitra services, aligning with citizen preferences and promoting greater service utilization.
Analysis over the past five months until December 2023, along with feedback from CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd, observed citizen reluctance towards the previous fee structure. Due to cost concerns citizens preferred visiting nearby CSC- VLE centers, leading to the underutilization of the Gramin Mitra Scheme.
After thorough examination and comparison of different state models for doorstep service delivery, the State government has proposed a service delivery charge of Rs250, along with applicable taxes. To further streamline the service the DITE&C has established 11 ecosystems leveraging IT tools to facilitate efficient service delivery. These ecosystems will provide single-window access to a diverse range of government services, ensuring a convenient, hassle-free, affordable, time-bound, and transparent experience for citizens both online and offline.
Additionally, CSC e-Governance Services India has launched a dedicated call center with toll-free number 14471. It offers citizens streamlined access to government services and support. The revised Gramin Mitra Service showcases Goa’s commitment to enhancing citizen-centric service delivery through accessible and cost-effective solutions, reinforcing a vision of inclusive governance and public service excellence.