“You just wait and watch. We are not going to compromise on this and we will see that no rave parties are organised this year”
We have heard that one before but from another minister at another time. This time it is Ravi Naik the new shooting off his mouth.
What he means probably is that this time it is his turn to be more vigilant so that he can get the maximum amount of commission for holding of maximum number of raves.
It is not as if the rave parties are going to stop. They attract a huge number of tourists. The Police get a fat cut on each party for turning a blind eye. And a good deal of the cut goes to the authorities who issue the orders.
There’s just far too much at stake here to allow a complete clampdown. People and press have tried over the years to call up and inform the police or the authorities about an ongoing rave party, but the music has played on since ‘orders from above’ have always taken precedence.
So sadly, we don’t expect anything different this season. Come November, the Vagator, Anjuna and other beaches will vibrate with trance music in a smoke-filled moonlit night.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Mission Chak-a-Chak files ‘disappear’
Last year the Panjim Municipality better known under the rather grandiose name of Corporation of City of Panjim (CCP), launched Mission Chak-A-Chak, in order to rid Panjim city of the growing menace of plastic waste.
Panjim was full of yellow banners and hoardings, with CCP going all out to make the citizens aware of the mission. They even hired some youths who went around the city on trucks with music blaring to wake the sleeping Panjimites about the danger of plastic. And there were plastic cleanup dumps in many places.
Of course, the hoopla lasted only for a short time and then died a quiet death. To be fair, the plastic menace did indeed reduce and an awareness was created.
But all this must have cost a pretty penny to the tax payer. And quite a few of those pennies must have gone into somebody’s pockets for approving the various contracts.
Because now when the time comes to check up on the expenses, the Mission Chak-a-Chak files seem to have gone missing, leaving the CCP authorities in a tizzy. Funds are unaccounted for and some bank accounts have become heavier.
So the CCP wants a vigilance inquiry of various agencies appointed for cleaning etc.
But this is just eyewash, we think this inquiry will go the way of the plastic and land up in some obscure dump in a few months.
Panjim was full of yellow banners and hoardings, with CCP going all out to make the citizens aware of the mission. They even hired some youths who went around the city on trucks with music blaring to wake the sleeping Panjimites about the danger of plastic. And there were plastic cleanup dumps in many places.
Of course, the hoopla lasted only for a short time and then died a quiet death. To be fair, the plastic menace did indeed reduce and an awareness was created.
But all this must have cost a pretty penny to the tax payer. And quite a few of those pennies must have gone into somebody’s pockets for approving the various contracts.
Because now when the time comes to check up on the expenses, the Mission Chak-a-Chak files seem to have gone missing, leaving the CCP authorities in a tizzy. Funds are unaccounted for and some bank accounts have become heavier.
So the CCP wants a vigilance inquiry of various agencies appointed for cleaning etc.
But this is just eyewash, we think this inquiry will go the way of the plastic and land up in some obscure dump in a few months.
Spendthrift politicians of Goa
The Election Commission allows upto 5 lakhs to be spent by each candidate during the Assembly elections. Most regulars in Goa surely spend much more than that.
For example Big B (Babush) is supposed to have spent quite a few crores in the constituencies of Taleigao and St Cruz, in his effort to win along with his wife Jennifer.
That his aide – who was supposed to handle the distribution of cash in St Cruz – didn’t handle the operation and got kicked out as a result is another story for another day.
Coming back to the spending limit, it appears that most winning and losing candidates have not even come close to the 5 lakh ceiling and have declared expenses around 2-3 lakhs only.
Here’s a glance at a few big names and their election spending (in Rs lakhs): Ravi Naik 2.38, Francisco Sardinha 2.49, Luizinho Faleiro 2.17, Matanhy Saldanha 2.38, Sudin Dhavlikar 3.19.
You get the idea. So is the Election Commission limit on the higher side? Or the candidates hiding the actual amount spent? Your guess is as good as ours…
Government in trouble????
With unhappinees amongst old Congress hands at fever pitch, due to the allocation of ministry portfolios and corporation chairmanships, rumours of the govt being in trouble are doing the rounds.
And sources claim that the Big Bad Boys of Goan politics, but sworn enemies, Babush Montseratte and Churchill Alemao are getting together to take advantage, and put a spanner in the works.
The unhappy Congreesmen are apparently in regular touch with the two heavyweights and regular meetings are being held at star hotels in Panjim and Calangute, with cash and booze in free supply.
But most importantly, all these jokers in the pack are unhappy with the Congress High Command and not with good old Digu.
So is Digu really in trouble? Or will the goodwill he commands from the warring and unhappy parties see him through.
Wait and watch.
‘Hot’ fish curry
With the annual fishing ban on, fish fanatics who cannot do without their daily dose of ‘humaan’ (fish curry) and rice have to fork out some real heavy bundles of cash to satisfy their daily urges.
Mackerel or ‘bangdo’, that favourite of every Goan, is currently at the top of the charts at Rs 25 per piece.
With such ‘hot’ prices, who needs to put the chilly in the fish curry?
Monday, July 2, 2007
Panjim garbage issue festers (and is ready to boil)
The problem of Panjim garbage continues to fester with the La Marvel colony residents getting ready to launch an agitation if the stink is dumped on their laps so to speak.
But why is it likely to be dumped there in the first place? Well, that’s a story in itself. It so happens that the 2000 odd sq m property was coveted by none other than the Big B (of Goa i.e. Babush Montseratte ex-TCP minister of the now-defunct Regional Plan fame) who had his beady eyes on it for quite some time.
When he couldn’t grab it, he thought the La Marvel colony and the Marivel village nearby shouldn’t have it either. And so he came up with the ‘brilliant’ idea of converting it into a garbage dump for Panjim. He would have had his revenge earlier, but for the Regional Plan brouhaha which resulted in his resignation. Then came the elections.
Now he is on the sidelines, but his evil plan is under revival at the cost of the health of the local residents. You cannot rule out completely however, Big Bad Babush’s Machiavellian manipulations in the background to see his vendetta through.
What is amazing is how the CCP and the powers that be can even think of 2000 sqm being sufficient to hold Panjim’s garbage on a long term basis and that too in the middle of a residential area just a few kms from the city.
What’s wrong with exploring alternative options? What about an incinerator? One of the many abandoned quarries or mines that dot the landscape?
All that the authorities are interested in doing is find the nearest open space and fill it up surreptitiously at night like they did before.
But why is it likely to be dumped there in the first place? Well, that’s a story in itself. It so happens that the 2000 odd sq m property was coveted by none other than the Big B (of Goa i.e. Babush Montseratte ex-TCP minister of the now-defunct Regional Plan fame) who had his beady eyes on it for quite some time.
When he couldn’t grab it, he thought the La Marvel colony and the Marivel village nearby shouldn’t have it either. And so he came up with the ‘brilliant’ idea of converting it into a garbage dump for Panjim. He would have had his revenge earlier, but for the Regional Plan brouhaha which resulted in his resignation. Then came the elections.
Now he is on the sidelines, but his evil plan is under revival at the cost of the health of the local residents. You cannot rule out completely however, Big Bad Babush’s Machiavellian manipulations in the background to see his vendetta through.
What is amazing is how the CCP and the powers that be can even think of 2000 sqm being sufficient to hold Panjim’s garbage on a long term basis and that too in the middle of a residential area just a few kms from the city.
What’s wrong with exploring alternative options? What about an incinerator? One of the many abandoned quarries or mines that dot the landscape?
All that the authorities are interested in doing is find the nearest open space and fill it up surreptitiously at night like they did before.
Digu's daily dose (of announcements and promises)
Digu (we feel this suits him better rather than the formal Digambarbab since he is so friendly with the press) continues to make announcements and promises, grandiose or otherwise. Today he said that he has given instructions to govt hospitals to take effective measures to operate the casualty depts in the most efficient and friendly manner. According to him this is where the patients and relatives get the worst experiences when they arrive, and they end up badmouthing the govt.
We truly hope this is one measure that we will see in practice at the earliest because it will ease the hardships of thousands of us who end up at the rough end of the stick from the medical staff at most govt hospitals in Goa.
But what of the GMC itself at Bambolim? It is in a spectacular state of disrepair with dripping wards (patients and relatives sit with umbrellas on beds), overflowing toilets (which fester additional diseases) and extremely poor hygienic conditions with flies from all over the surrounding dumps moving around the canteen and other areas.
Successive govts and Health ministers have had no interest in improving the situation there. Will Digu do or at least announce something for the better?
We truly hope this is one measure that we will see in practice at the earliest because it will ease the hardships of thousands of us who end up at the rough end of the stick from the medical staff at most govt hospitals in Goa.
But what of the GMC itself at Bambolim? It is in a spectacular state of disrepair with dripping wards (patients and relatives sit with umbrellas on beds), overflowing toilets (which fester additional diseases) and extremely poor hygienic conditions with flies from all over the surrounding dumps moving around the canteen and other areas.
Successive govts and Health ministers have had no interest in improving the situation there. Will Digu do or at least announce something for the better?
Life without vegetables and milk
Well, there’s no harm in imagining what it’s going to be like struggling to get enough vegetables and milk in Goa.
Because there was this story recently of big boy Reliance coming in and buying all the fresh veggie produce from Belgaum to stock up their soon-to-opened Fresh stores in Karnataka. So the amount of fresh stuff coming in from Belgaum to Goa is going to reduce drastically and whatever is finally going to be available in Goa will be at extremely unreasonable prices.
And with the milk strike going on in Maharashtra, there was just not enough milk available with Goa Dairy for us Goans.
That’s a grim picture indeed.
Why? Because Goa is (or was) an agri-based society. So why cant we produce enough veggies and milk? We remember at one time, almost all the veggies that came to the bazaar were from the interiors of Goa. And they certainly had a different taste!
And we used get lovely fresh stuff at small roadside shelters all along the roads to Ponda etc. We still see some of the ladies sitting by the roadside especially on the Canacona – Karwar route, but its more likely you would see a non-Goan selling produce from Belgaum or Kolhapur.
This is because most youth from the new generation do not find the field of agriculture sufficiently lucrative to be taken up as a profession, and this despite owning agricultural land.
And what of milk? Are there not enough cows in Goa for us to be self-sufficient in milk production? Probably no longer. We remember, sometime back when the BJP govt was in power, they came up with a Kamdhenu scheme for the farmers to buy cows at subsidised rate.
An excellent scheme on paper, but like all such schemes, it soon degenerated into a scam of substantial proportions with subsidies being disbursed (no doubt split between the farmer and the disbursing authorities), no cows being actually bought and some times death claims of animals being put in soon after. There was even talk of cattle getting smart chips implanted under their skin for identification and tracking. But that might be another story in itself.
And so we are here today, planning for a day without milk and vegetables.
Because there was this story recently of big boy Reliance coming in and buying all the fresh veggie produce from Belgaum to stock up their soon-to-opened Fresh stores in Karnataka. So the amount of fresh stuff coming in from Belgaum to Goa is going to reduce drastically and whatever is finally going to be available in Goa will be at extremely unreasonable prices.
And with the milk strike going on in Maharashtra, there was just not enough milk available with Goa Dairy for us Goans.
That’s a grim picture indeed.
Why? Because Goa is (or was) an agri-based society. So why cant we produce enough veggies and milk? We remember at one time, almost all the veggies that came to the bazaar were from the interiors of Goa. And they certainly had a different taste!
And we used get lovely fresh stuff at small roadside shelters all along the roads to Ponda etc. We still see some of the ladies sitting by the roadside especially on the Canacona – Karwar route, but its more likely you would see a non-Goan selling produce from Belgaum or Kolhapur.
This is because most youth from the new generation do not find the field of agriculture sufficiently lucrative to be taken up as a profession, and this despite owning agricultural land.
And what of milk? Are there not enough cows in Goa for us to be self-sufficient in milk production? Probably no longer. We remember, sometime back when the BJP govt was in power, they came up with a Kamdhenu scheme for the farmers to buy cows at subsidised rate.
An excellent scheme on paper, but like all such schemes, it soon degenerated into a scam of substantial proportions with subsidies being disbursed (no doubt split between the farmer and the disbursing authorities), no cows being actually bought and some times death claims of animals being put in soon after. There was even talk of cattle getting smart chips implanted under their skin for identification and tracking. But that might be another story in itself.
And so we are here today, planning for a day without milk and vegetables.
We will not give even one inch to Goa
"We will not give even one inch to Goa" - At least that's what Shivanand Naik (Karnataka minister) is alleged to have said at an inauguration recently at Karwar.
Two organisations - Goa Konkan Rajya Ekikaran Manch and Sanyukta Gomantak Mannch - have fomented a campaign against Karnataka while pushing for the inclusion of Karwar, Joyda and Halliyal talukas into Goa state.
These talukas adjoining Goa, have apparently been neglected by the Karnataka govt in terms of financial and infrastructural development and the two organisations seem to think that being in Goa would change the fortunes of the locals over there.
If only they knew! People from the Canacona side of the border can vouch for long years of apathy from the govt and the deplorable state of affairs.
Two organisations - Goa Konkan Rajya Ekikaran Manch and Sanyukta Gomantak Mannch - have fomented a campaign against Karnataka while pushing for the inclusion of Karwar, Joyda and Halliyal talukas into Goa state.
These talukas adjoining Goa, have apparently been neglected by the Karnataka govt in terms of financial and infrastructural development and the two organisations seem to think that being in Goa would change the fortunes of the locals over there.
If only they knew! People from the Canacona side of the border can vouch for long years of apathy from the govt and the deplorable state of affairs.
And the River Princess stays on...
The 'beautiful' River Princess standing on the Candolim coastline, will continue to honour us with her presence probably for another year. It's been seven long years and she has not moved an inch!
And now Anil Salgaocar, the shameless owner is actually an MLA, we doubt if she is going to move for another 4-5 years or at least till this govt lasts.
Dr Willy, the last Tourism minister, made some feeble attempts and some bold press statements when he took on the job. But he couldnt push her out either.
The last company which started the removal process last year, failed to meet the deadline, but it is doubtful if the department of Tourism is now actually getting the penalty of Rs 1 lakh per day from the defaulting company.
So it is status quo for now and the tourists and Goans who go to the beach will have to bear with the eyesore for many more years!!
And now Anil Salgaocar, the shameless owner is actually an MLA, we doubt if she is going to move for another 4-5 years or at least till this govt lasts.
Dr Willy, the last Tourism minister, made some feeble attempts and some bold press statements when he took on the job. But he couldnt push her out either.
The last company which started the removal process last year, failed to meet the deadline, but it is doubtful if the department of Tourism is now actually getting the penalty of Rs 1 lakh per day from the defaulting company.
So it is status quo for now and the tourists and Goans who go to the beach will have to bear with the eyesore for many more years!!
Fado going places
Fundacao Oriente is presenting Fado concerts in New Delhi (7 July), Kolkata (8 July) and Bangalore (11 July) to mark the occasion of Portugal taking over the Presidency of the EU.
Fado Goa, the presenting group consists of Sonia Shirsat, Miguel Cotta, Chantale Marie Cotta, Franz Schubert Cotta and Carlos Menezes.
And the group will be wearing outfits specially designed by our very own Wendell rodricks.
Fado Goa, the presenting group consists of Sonia Shirsat, Miguel Cotta, Chantale Marie Cotta, Franz Schubert Cotta and Carlos Menezes.
And the group will be wearing outfits specially designed by our very own Wendell rodricks.
Save the FROG
Despite advts from the Forest Department claiming that they will take 'strict action' against those found catching the frogs for consumption, the killing of the frogs continues unabated in most parts of Goa.
If this continues, it wont be long before the frog disappears from the Goan ecology leading to proliferation of mosquitoes and other pests which are its food.
From small time bars and restaurants, frog meat has started making an appearance in starred hotels leading to a surge in demand for frogs. With 'Jumping Chicken' - the term used to refer to frog meat - becoming too well known for comfort, hotels have started putting 'White Meat' or 'White Tandoor' on their menus to bypass the law.
The Forest Department had claimed that it would run a sustained campaign during the monsoon, to make the general public aware about the dangers of indiscriminate catching and killing of frogs. But no posters, awareness campaign or anything else has materialised as usual except for a solitary advt at the start of the rainy season.
And to top it all, when you do indeed want to complain about somebody catching the poor creatures, the Forest Dept's phone line is forever engaged. Probably, they are still on dialup internet or the phone is off the hook.
So for now it looks as if in a few years, the 'darrao, darrao' of the common frog will be a thing of the past and a story to tell your grandkids on the balcao!
If this continues, it wont be long before the frog disappears from the Goan ecology leading to proliferation of mosquitoes and other pests which are its food.
From small time bars and restaurants, frog meat has started making an appearance in starred hotels leading to a surge in demand for frogs. With 'Jumping Chicken' - the term used to refer to frog meat - becoming too well known for comfort, hotels have started putting 'White Meat' or 'White Tandoor' on their menus to bypass the law.
The Forest Department had claimed that it would run a sustained campaign during the monsoon, to make the general public aware about the dangers of indiscriminate catching and killing of frogs. But no posters, awareness campaign or anything else has materialised as usual except for a solitary advt at the start of the rainy season.
And to top it all, when you do indeed want to complain about somebody catching the poor creatures, the Forest Dept's phone line is forever engaged. Probably, they are still on dialup internet or the phone is off the hook.
So for now it looks as if in a few years, the 'darrao, darrao' of the common frog will be a thing of the past and a story to tell your grandkids on the balcao!
Car LPG filling station in Goa
Finally we have a Car LPG filling station in Goa. West Coast Auto LPG Station has started operations at Bainguinim, Old Goa near on the new highway road from Panjim.
They also fit you up with new kits in collaboration with a Franch company Totalfina.
They also fit you up with new kits in collaboration with a Franch company Totalfina.
Nobody can sell Goan land to make money
"Nobody can sell Goan land to make money", said Digambarbab at yet another one of his many felicitations at Margao. These felicitations are going on in full swing as practically every Hindu, Christian and even Muslim institutions, organisations and committees seem to have taken it upon themselves to wish the CM in public.
And dont forget the advts. which continue to appear everyday in the newspapers, wishing or congratulating him on his success. Probably all these advt cuttings and video cds of felicitation will come in handy when the sponsors go to Digambarbab for getting their work done.
Coming back to the point of selling the land, it remain to be seen, whether Digambarbab will be allowed to put his declaration into practice by the builder hordes from Delhi and the Russian mafia.
And he has asked the Goan janta to give him six months to prove that his Govt is really a govt for the Aam Admi.
We will wait and see!
And dont forget the advts. which continue to appear everyday in the newspapers, wishing or congratulating him on his success. Probably all these advt cuttings and video cds of felicitation will come in handy when the sponsors go to Digambarbab for getting their work done.
Coming back to the point of selling the land, it remain to be seen, whether Digambarbab will be allowed to put his declaration into practice by the builder hordes from Delhi and the Russian mafia.
And he has asked the Goan janta to give him six months to prove that his Govt is really a govt for the Aam Admi.
We will wait and see!
Now its the corporations they are fighting for
Just as Digambarbab thought he was getting a little bit of relief from the portfolio allotment hoopla, he has to get ready for another battle. The battle for the plum posts of coporations such as GSIDC, GTDC etc.
With EDC going to Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes and IDC to Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar, all the remaining corpns are up for grabs, and greedy Congress hands are waiting to pounce on them.
And just like the portfolio fights, we will be subjected to public show of sacrifices, arrogance and hidden manipulations before the dust settles, since on each of the plum posts there are at least three claimants.
So watch this space!
With EDC going to Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes and IDC to Quepem MLA Babu Kavlekar, all the remaining corpns are up for grabs, and greedy Congress hands are waiting to pounce on them.
And just like the portfolio fights, we will be subjected to public show of sacrifices, arrogance and hidden manipulations before the dust settles, since on each of the plum posts there are at least three claimants.
So watch this space!
14th Century idols found in well
Fourteen stone idols have been found duing cleanup operations in a well at Sulabhat, Agasaim. Seven of these idols are of Ganesh including some wth four hands.
These beautiful idols also included Shivalings, Uma-Maheshwar, Karthikeya, Nandi and some other female deities.
Although no date could be immediately put on the discovery, experts opined that these idols could have links with pre-Portuguese dynasties of Shilaharas or Kadambas.
The area in which they were found lies near the ancient capital of Goapuri.
These beautiful idols also included Shivalings, Uma-Maheshwar, Karthikeya, Nandi and some other female deities.
Although no date could be immediately put on the discovery, experts opined that these idols could have links with pre-Portuguese dynasties of Shilaharas or Kadambas.
The area in which they were found lies near the ancient capital of Goapuri.
Governor agrees to garbage dump on his doorstep
Apparently the Hon Gov S C Jamir has agreed to the proposal of the garbage from Panaji being dumped on the Dona Paula plateau near the La Marvel colony which is literally on the doorstep of the Raj Bhavan.
As it is the edifice of Raj Bhavan lies on the edge of the area, quite a distance away, deep inside the high compound walls. So it is unlikely the stench from the garbage will reach the air-conditioned rooms of Raj Bhavan so soon.
But once the dump reaches unmanageable proportions, we should have some action. And the action will be to shift the dump somewhere else. So it appears to be just another eyewash to create a new temporary dumping ground for the Panjim stink.
As it is the edifice of Raj Bhavan lies on the edge of the area, quite a distance away, deep inside the high compound walls. So it is unlikely the stench from the garbage will reach the air-conditioned rooms of Raj Bhavan so soon.
But once the dump reaches unmanageable proportions, we should have some action. And the action will be to shift the dump somewhere else. So it appears to be just another eyewash to create a new temporary dumping ground for the Panjim stink.
Canacona Industrial Estate in the dumps
The sole industrial estate in Canacona taluka at Sristhal is on the verge of closure with units shutting down at regular intervals. This in tuen is increasing unemployment in the area.
The problem as usual is that units are started with substanitial govt loans and despite the condition of keeping it running for at leats 5 years, most units put down their shutters in a few days or weeks and disappear with the money.
In most industrial estates in the interiors, the story is not much different. After all during the approval of loans, there are not enough checks and the loans are given based on the condition that a percentage of the loan is given to the approving officer and others. So nobody is really bothered if the party shuts down the unit and the loan is not paid back.
The problem as usual is that units are started with substanitial govt loans and despite the condition of keeping it running for at leats 5 years, most units put down their shutters in a few days or weeks and disappear with the money.
In most industrial estates in the interiors, the story is not much different. After all during the approval of loans, there are not enough checks and the loans are given based on the condition that a percentage of the loan is given to the approving officer and others. So nobody is really bothered if the party shuts down the unit and the loan is not paid back.
Wither Agriculture???
As usual, the Agriculture department has announced a host of annual schemes for the farmers. There are subsidies galore available for those interested in planting cashews, new rice varities, papayas, kokum etc.
But who knows about these? The average farmer hardly benefits, as they are not advertised much. More than advertisements, what is required is the information being made available on a local level in the rural areas, through seminars, meetings, posters.
And for those that do know about these, the bureaucracy, paperwork and repeated trips to department offices is enough to give up farming!!
So only a lucky few take advantage, and the remaining funds stagnate. With agriculture on the decline all over Goa among the new generation, it is indeed a sad state of affairs, that the poor
But who knows about these? The average farmer hardly benefits, as they are not advertised much. More than advertisements, what is required is the information being made available on a local level in the rural areas, through seminars, meetings, posters.
And for those that do know about these, the bureaucracy, paperwork and repeated trips to department offices is enough to give up farming!!
So only a lucky few take advantage, and the remaining funds stagnate. With agriculture on the decline all over Goa among the new generation, it is indeed a sad state of affairs, that the poor
PWD Minister Dhavlikar orders inquiry
Finally PWD honcho Sudin Dhavlikar has thought it fit to order an inquiry into PWD works worth almost 100 crores.
Most of these works are of extremely questionable quality as most long-suffering Goans know and experience almost daily, such as roads which are laid over and over again and yet continue to 'generate' potholes, water pipelines which burts regularly, buildings which develop cracks in the monsoons and so on...
What remains to be seen, is whether anything will be tracked back to the head honcho himself, as most of the deplorable works are awarded to contractors of questionable backgrounds with kickbacks on the tenders reaching the 'right' persons.
Most of these works are of extremely questionable quality as most long-suffering Goans know and experience almost daily, such as roads which are laid over and over again and yet continue to 'generate' potholes, water pipelines which burts regularly, buildings which develop cracks in the monsoons and so on...
What remains to be seen, is whether anything will be tracked back to the head honcho himself, as most of the deplorable works are awarded to contractors of questionable backgrounds with kickbacks on the tenders reaching the 'right' persons.
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