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T i d e s T o d a y

Govt lies onSIT probe in Cipriano caseTEAM HERALD

PANJIM: When the Crime

Branch registered a case of

murder against unnamed

policemen of the Panjim po-

lice station on February 9, for

the custodial death of Cipri-

ano Fernandes, the people of

Goa felt that the wheels of

justice were finally moving.

Since then, the entire

issue has been put in cold

storage. No officer has been

named, no officer has been

arrested. The Crime Branch

is conducting an investiga-

tion headed by an officer

Braz Menezes but there has

been no formation of the SIT.

Till they do, no investiga-

tions by SIT will be con-

ducted notwithstanding the

Crime Branch inquiry, in the

light of the Home Ministers

announcement in the As-

sembly.

So what has essentially

happened is that we have

been conned. Into thinking

that a high level inquiry and

investigation has been initi-

ated, which really hasnt.

Herald has investigated

and the paper trail of corre-

spondence, replies to RTI

applications and various po-

lice orders lift the lid off this

cover up exercise. We did

this so you know.

Please read the complete

investigation of this story on

page 9 WHEN THE LIES

COME HOME

ranG barse Students of Hedgewar High School, Mala, Panjim, celebrating Holi.

Rozario Estibeiro

TEAM HERALD

MARGAO: Former Tourism

Minister, Mickky Pacheco on

Saturday lambasted South

Goa leaders for what he

termed as their U-turn on

the Dabolim airport expan-

sion by maintaining silence

on the Cabinet decision to

denotify the acquisition of

land of one individual

Bernard Costa.

Briefing newsmen,

Pacheco demanded to know

as to how the government

could denotify land meant

for airport expansion when

the AAI has not requested

the government to do so.

Lashing out at PWD Minis-

ter, Churchill Alemao, he

said, The so-called leader of

the masses of South Goa,

who has been championing

the cause of Dabolim Air-

port, has remained a mute

spectator, and has tacitly

supported the land dropping

that would have helped the

Dabolim airport, Pacheco

asserted.

He continued Whom is

he fooling that he is inter-

ested in Dabolim airport

when his actions speak that

he is against it.

Pacheco cautioned the

stake holders of the Tourism

industry from South Goa

like hoteliers, taxi-owners,

bus owners etc to take note

of the man of the masses,

and demanded that the gov-

ernment should immedi-

ately reverse its decision.

>Continued on pg 12

Mickky blastsMLAs onDabolim denotification

Ponda student ends life

TEAM HERALD

MARCEL: In yet another

shocking case of a minor

committing suicide in Ponda

taluka, a 11-year-old boy

ended his life near his house

in Pardogal-Shiroda on Fri-

day night.

Ponda police informed

that the body of Aniket Da-

vane (11), a student of Std 5,

was found hanging to a tree

near the house at around 9

pm.

Police say the reason be-

hind his suicide is not

known.

Speaking to the parents,

>Continued on pg 12

AJAY THAKUR

PANJIM: It will perhaps be

more than a decade before

the first plane flies out of the

Mopa airport. But two things

have already soared. Land

prices which have risen 265

times in 13 years, and the

number of hoteliers, busi-

nessmen and local politi-

cians, who have nosedived

into areas around Mopa to

buy property when locals liv-

ing there for generations are

facing eviction.

Mopa is not an interna-

tional airport yet. But it is on

its way to becoming Goas

most expensive real estate

hub.

Records in possession of

Herald show that the aver-

age land sale has been worth

Rs 131 crore after 2008, when

the government invoked the

emergency clause to acquire

land for the airport. That

year, 266 Property Registra-

tions took place in less than

365 days.

Check this. In 1993, there

were just 18 property sales

>Continued on pg 12

The GreaT Mopa shoppinG fesTival

Locals left high & dry asRs 131 cr land deals done

VIBHA VERMA

PANJIM: With Goas fabric on

the verge of extinction, heres

a person who is determined

to revive the dying tradition.

The traditional kunbi fabric

collection that was show-

cased at the Wills Lifestyle

India Fashion Week, in Octo-

ber 2010 is being used as a

tool not only to revive Goan

weaving but also to train

rural women for self-employ-

ment.

Poonam Pandit, a Mumbai-

based textile designer has

decided to take the project

ahead on her own with the

help of local organisations.

She was associated with

fashion designer Wendell Ro-

dricks to give the whole col-

lection a very modern and an

elegant look, which was dis-

played at the Wills lifestyle

fashion week.

Wendell has assured me to

market the product. It can be

sold at emporiums although

Goa, at present does not

have any textile emporium,

she said.

Not only is the kunbi saree

diminishing in Goa there is

only one weaver. During their

research in sourcing the

>Continued on pg 12

Kaka from Pernem puts Kunbi back in fashion

SUJAY GUPTA

MOPA: These two men are

separated by two bridges

and two rivers the Zuari

and the Mandovi. They have

never met and never will.

But they have the same

problem loss of land where

they are settled. But both

have met with two different

fates from the same govern-

ment.

Bernard Costa of Dabolim

sat in the meeting with the

Chief Minister, Revenue

Minister and Deputy

Speaker of Goa who decided

to denotify his land, worth

more than Rs 75 crore.

Meanwhile Dhaku Waraq, a

dhangar tribal from the

Warkhand village of Mopa is

not even clearly aware that

the land three generations of

his family have tilled will be

acquired for the Mopa air-

port. He doesnt even know

how much compensation he

will get or where his new

dwelling will be. But his land

will never be de-notified for

the cause of justice, the rea-

son given for the de-notifica-

tion of Bernard Costas land.

We ask a simple question.

Does the call of justice strike

the Chief Minister, his Rev-

enue Minister and the

Deputy Speaker only when

a landed man, obviously

with a social and financial

standing to give him access

to high powered govern-

ment meetings, cries for jus-

tice. It is another matter that

no real injustice was being

done to Costa in the first

place by acquiring his land.

Bernard Costa of Dabolim

was set to lose 36,800 square

>Continued on pg 12

sunday insiGhT

What does Bernard Costa of Dabolim have

that Dhaku Waraq of Mopa does not?

sunday anchor

kunbi is cool: Kaka

Tilve at work in Pernem.

Govt wasright: Mauvin

TEAM HERALD

CORTALIM: Breaking his si-

lence on the controversial

denotification of Dabolim

land and his involvement

in the issue, Cortalim MLA

and Deputy Speaker Mau-

vin Godinho defended the

governments decision,

saying it was purely in the

interest of Goa.

He said that the Navy

was falsely claiming own-

ership merely because

their name was recorded

in the survey record,

which is not an ownership

document. He said that the

Chicalim communidade

had also laid their claim on

the land.

>Continued on pg 12

Herald Pic

The Mormugao Fort

was one of the largest

Portuguese forts in

Goa and it played a strategic

role to ward off enemies of

the colonial rule. Over the

years, the fort has been in

ruins and feeble efforts have

been made by authorities to

protect the mammoth her-

itage structure.

Recently, the archaeologi-

cal department sanctioned

Rs 21 lakh for restoration

work of the fort, which is

being undertaken by a

group of eight workers. Work

began about three months

ago and it is expected to con-

tinue for quite some time,

since only eight workers

have been entrusted the task

of restoring the massive

structure.

Restoration of this fort is a

challenging task. We wonder

how people could have built

such a massive fort in the

17th century, explains the

contractor, Shiva Gaudar.

Utmost care has been

taken to prepare cement-

mixture which consists of

limestone, jaggery, sand and

cement to paste on the lat-

erite stone walls of the fort to

further strengthen it, said

Gaudar.

He further informed that

work would continue for few

more months and said the

fort will be restored in a

phased manner.

The fort, which is about

10 kms in circumference,

boasts of 20 bulwarks, can-

nons, prisons, a chapel and

quarters for the guards.

The boundary of the fort

starts from Mormugao Port

right up to Khollant in south

and St Jacinto Island to-

wards Chicalim in the

north, informed Assistant

Superintendent of Archae-

ologist Manguesh Desh-

pande.

Deshpande explained that

the fort boundaries, ruined

walls and bulwark of fort

would be restored in a

phased manner.

In the first phase, restora-

tion of fort near the MPT

headquarter office is being

taken up at a cost of Rs 21

lakh and later, most parts of

the fort will be taken up for

restoration, said Desh-

pande.

Recalling the history of

the fort, Deshpande said the

Portuguese had realized the

threat from the Marathas

during the 1600s, as they

were keen to free Goa from

the Portuguese rule.

The threat perception

forced the Portuguese to

build the fort at Mormugao.

This fort was built by the Por-

tuguese unlike the forts at

Chapora, Cabo-de-Rama

and Terekhol, which were

built by the Indian rulers. It

was strategically designed as

a coastal fort to keep vigil on

the Arabian Sea, said Desh-

pande.

Recently, the Quilla

Savardhan Samiti (Fort

Restoration Committee) was

formed during the tenure of

then Vasco MLA Rajendra

Arlekar to oppose the MPT

for imposing restrictions on

people to visit the fort as its

access is common to the fort

and the MPT headquarters

building.

2 www.oheraldo.in

avaz Mapusa is presently gripped with the prob-lem of collecting and disposing tonnes ofgarbage generated in the town on a day-to-day basis.

The threat perception forced the Portugueseto build the fort at Mormugao. This fort wasbuilt by the Portuguese unlike the forts atChapora, Cabo-de-Rama and Terekhol,which were built by the Indian rulers.

--- Manguesh Deshpande

Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011

SNAPSHOT

2 arrested in kidnapping caseMARCEL: Punjab Police with the help from Ponda Po-

lice on Thursday night arrested two persons in con-

nection with a kidnapping case.

According to Ponda Police, a kidnapping case was

registered against one Rajkumar Jha (21) with Pun-

jab City Police station.

Quoting Punjab Police, Ponda Police informed that

the accused had fled from Punjab along with a 15-

year-old girl on February 15 and had reached Goa

on February 20.

Police further informed that the accused, native of

Bihar, along with the girl was residing in a rented

room with his brother Vasant at Shantinagar-Ponda.

Punjab Police learnt of Rajkumars location in

Ponda through a mobile service provider, which

tracked Rajkumars mobile phone location, in-

formed Ponda Police.

Subsequently, Punjab Police contacted its counter-

parts in Ponda and raided the rented premises on

Thursday at about 11 pm. Rajukumar along with his

brother Vasant were arrested and handed over to

Punjab Police along with the girl.

Gold, cash stolenMARGAO: Unknown culprits decamped with gold or-

naments and cash from a residential house at

Rawanfond, Margao, all amounting to Rs 80,000.

Margao police informed that the burglary occurred

when the inmates of the house were out. The bur-

glars lifted away a gold chain and bracelet, besides

a wrist watch and cash of Rs 7000.

A complaint to this effect was lodged by one Sudhir

S with the police. The police are investigating.

Property gutted in fire BICHOLIM: Property worth combined Rs 95,000 was

gutted in a fire in four different incidents in Bicholim

on Thursday.

A house, cow shed, cashew plantation and dry grass

were guttered in the fire.

According to SFO Laxman Naik, the first incident oc-

curred at Gaonkarwada-Ona, Bicholim, in which a

residential house belonging to one Nagesh Laxman

Gaonkar was gutted in fire, causing a loss about Rs

50,000.

The fire spread to the surrounding area, due to

which a neighbouring cow shed belonging to Shan-

taram Gaonkar was also gutted, causing a loss to

the tune of Rs 30,000.

The third fire incident was reported at Dhabdhaba in

which dry grass was gutted in fire but no loss was

ascertained.

In the fourth incident, cashew plantation belonging

to Shanti Srikant Gaonkar from Mayem was gutted

in a fire, causing a loss of Rs 15,000.

Firemen Shashi Malwankar, V M Gad, R R Parab, S C

Kesarkar and Paresh Patil along with the locals

helped to bring the fire under control.

Retreat underway PANJIM: Thousands attended the first two days of

the three day Lenten retreat organized by St Sebast-

ian Church, Aquem-Alto, Margao as part of the Lent

season commemoration.

Fr Ligorinho Da Costa, parish priest of St Sebastian

Church, Aquem opened the three day event by ex-

plaining that the preachers were not God them-

selves, but were doing the good work of proclaiming

the message of Jesus Christ, specially during the

Lent season.

The three day retreat wind up with a full day retreat

on March 20.

Shigmotsav at PondaMARCEL: Ponda Taluka Antruz Shigmotsav Samitti

will organise the State-level Shigmotsav festival at

Shree Mahalasa Temple on Ponda on March 20.

It is an annual event where the president of Shig-

motsav committee along with committee members

will participate in a procession accompanied by the

Romtamel of Khedekar Mandal, Khede-Priol.

Earlier, Ponda Taluka Antruz Shigmotsav Samitti

President Home Minister Ravi Naik along with Priol

MLA Deepak Dhavlikar, Ponda Municipal Council

Chairperson Kishore Naik offered prayers at Shree

Mahalasa Temple, Mardol-Ponda.

The State-level Shigmotsav festival, to will be held at

Ponda on March 20, will be followed by Shigmotsav

floats parade in rest of the State.

Shigmo is our tradition and needs to be preserved

for posterity. Shigmo has got rich cultural heritage

and over the years, its popularity is growing, said

Naik.

Cuncolim forums meetPANJIM: The Cuncolim Civic and Consumer Forum

(CCCF) will hold its monthly meeting on March 20 at

Our Lady of Health High School, Cuncolim at 10.30

am. Among the issues to be discussed are World

Water Day and water audit for Cuncolim, agenda for

action by women volunteers, redressal of consumer

grievances by government agencies, maintenance of

KTC Bus Stand by Cuncolim Municipal Council,

World Health Day, National Rural Health Mission and

the Goa Medical Practitioners Rules 2011. Various

service related issues like PWD water supply, BSNL

phones, post, ration, LPG and kerosene supply and

senior citizens cards will also be discussed.

Mapusa drowns in garbage Tsunami..Mapusa, the largest and most congested town in North Goa, is reeking and reeling under the problem ofgarbage. Though this is known and has been told, the problem persists. An on the spot report on effortsbeing made to tackle the crisis

It may be famed for its

Friday Bazaar, but Ma-

pusa has also gained no-

toriety in the State for its

mounting garbage woes.

The town is presently

gripped with the problem of

collecting and disposing

tonnes of garbage generated

in the town on a day-to-day

basis.

Garbage is strewn along

the streets, which is not only

an eyesore to the visitors but

also poses a health hazard to

residents in the area.

The nullah behind the fish

market is choked with plas-

tic, bottles, tyres, vegetables,

etc. The dirty water flowing

through the nullah emanates

foul smell.

The Mapusa Merchants

Association had suggested

that the nullah be covered so

that people would not throw

waste in the nullah.

Mapusa is already a con-

crete jungle, but the Ma-

pusa Municipal Council

(MMC) continues to issue

construction licences to

multi-storied buildings in

the city.

At present, the MMC col-

lects wet and dry waste from

houses and commercial es-

tablishments and

hotel/eateries located within

its jurisdiction on a door-to-

door basis.

Segregation of waste

collected is partly done at

source and partly by MMC

workers at the composting

units. Wet waste is being

treated in the composting

units, while plastic waste

is sent for recycling and

dry/inert waste is dumped

at the Assagao plateau.

MMC has constructed 24

compositing units at the fish

market, Acoi, Gauswada,

Khorlim and Dangui Colony,

off which seven have been

constructed in fish market

alone.

All the bio-degradable

waste collected from Ma-

pusa market is composted in

these units, while vegetable

and fruit waste is composted

at the units at Acoi and

Khorlim. The compositing

work is overseen by Green

Goa Works.

MMC Chairperson Sud-

hir Kandolkar said the

garbage issue is on their pri-

ority list.

Presently, MMC spends

about Rs 9 lakh every month

on collection and disposal of

garbage. The file pertaining

to land acquisition for

garbage treatment is with

the Revenue Department

and I have personally pur-

sued the matter, added

Kandolkar.

MMC expects the process

of land acquisition will be

completed by March end

and MMC has already re-

ceived first installment of

grant of Rs 2.33 crore from

the government for setting

up garbage treatment plant,

he informed.

anil shankhwalker

bardez

The Goa State Pollu-

tion Control Board

(GSPCB) has be-

come a regular visitor to Ma-

pusa in recent times, mainly

because of Mapusa Munici-

pal Councils (MMC) inabil-

ity to effectively tackle its

garbage in the town.

The GSPCB has been

compelled to act in the mat-

ter, following complaints

from Assagao Commu-

nidade. It had objected to the

dumping of garbage on the

Assagao Plateau stating that

during the monsoon,

garbage water flows down

the village and pollutes the

nearby spring and well

water.

Later the Communidade

filed a Public Interest Litiga-

tion in the High Court to di-

rect MMC to stop dumping

of garbage in its property.

The court however permit-

ted MMC to dump segre-

gated garbage at Assagao

Plateau till it got a new

dumping site.

In 2009, on receipt of a

complaint from Assagao

Communidade, GSPCB in-

spected the site and directed

MMC to cease dumping of

un-segregated garbage at

Assagao.

However on November 3,

2010, Shiv Sena Ad-hoc

Committee member Philip

DSouza filed a complaint

with GSPCB alleging that

un-segregated waste includ-

ing plastics and rubber waste

was being dumped and

burnt at Assagao hills,

thereby causing environ-

mental pollution and a health

hazard to the residents of ad-

joining Ganeshpuri, Housing

Board and Ektanagar.

On November 18, 2010,

GSPCB officials inspected

the Assagao Plateau and ob-

served that MMC was dump-

ing un-segregated/mixed

waste at the site. A municipal

vehicle was also seen dump-

ing mixed waste during the

inspection.

Citing Section 5 of Envi-

ronment (Protection) Act

1986, the GSPCB chairman

had directed MMC to imme-

diately cease dumping of un-

segregated waste at Assagao

Plateau, to construct fencing

around the site and to pro-

vide adequate 24-hour secu-

rity at the site to prevent

such dumping.

On February 24, 2011, the

GSPCB along with MMC of-

ficials carried out joint in-

spection of the sites at

Assagao, Kadamba depot

and market area to check

whether MMC initiated

steps in regard to the collec-

tion and disposal of garbage

and made suggestion.

During the meeting, MMC

assured GSPCB that it

would initiate necessary

steps to maintain cleanliness

in the market. MMC had

also impressed upon the

GSPCB the permanent solu-

tion to the garbage problem

would be garbage treatment

plant.

MMC stated that the mat-

ter of land acquisition for

treatment plant was pending

with the revenue depart-

ment.

MMC Chief Officer H

Toraskar requested the

GSPCB to impress upon the

government the need to

speed up land acquisition

process in light of the waste

management problem being

faced by MMC.

... Assagao Communidade hits back

Anil Shankhwalker

A scavenger eats food thrown in the dustbin at Mapusa.

Built for protection, Mormugao Fort now cries for protectionThe Mormugao Fort, a 17th century heritage structure has been given a measly grant of Rs 21 lakhs forits restoration. But at least its a beginning to preserve this fort built by the Portuguese to ward off theMarathas

The Baina bay bulwark.

M Prabhav

taurappa lamani

mormugao

Garbage dumped around the Assagao Plateau.

Anil Shankhwalker

3 www.oheraldo.in

goaI will form the government in the next fiveyears. I will give representation to the Mahi-las, ST and minorities.

Benaulim MLA, Mickky Pacheco

Goas population is already peggedaround 1.5 million, and if another two mil-lion comes into the state, the future gen-eration will have no place to live in.

former MLA Matanhy Saldanha

Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011

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Mickky on new party drive! HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 19: He

evaded a direct reply to a

query whether he is moving

fast to float a new political

party, but asserted that he

would form the next govern-

ment in the state after the

coming Assembly polls.

And, the former Tourism

Minister, Mickky Pacheco

has promised to bring in

new faces, with due repre-

sentation to women, Sched-

uled Tribes and the

minorities in the political

scheme of things.

Incidentally, while

Pacheco was briefing the

media in a city-based hotel

here this evening, one of his

supporter drove outside the

venue displaying a message

United Goans, Mickky will

rule Goa, indicating that the

Benaulim MLA is moving in

the direction of forming a new re-

gional party in the state.

Moreover, at the press

briefing, Pacheco sought to

clearly distance himself from

the NCP, saying he is ad-

dressing the media in his in-

dividual capacity and not as

a NCP MLA. And, he went

on to say that individuals are

more important than politi-

cal parties, and categorically

stated that he is not inter-

A NEW ROAD: The car driven by Mickky Pacheco supporters displaying message United Goans Mickky will rule Goa.

Santosh Mirajkar

ested in any ministership in

the Kamat government.

When questioned that he

is moving fast to form a new

political outfit, Mickky

replied I will form the gov-

ernment in the next five

years. I will give representa-

tion to the Mahilas, ST and

minorities. The Mahilas de-

serves not just 33 per cent

but 40 per cent reservation.

Replying to a question,

Pacheco said he had volun-

tarily resigned from the

Kamat ministry and is no

more interested in the Cabi-

net berth.

The Benaulim MLA

spoke very little of the NCP,

especially on the decision by

the two Ministers, Jose

Philip DSouza and Nilkant

Halarnkar, saying the party

leaders will take a decision

on the resignation after the

session.

Sources close to the Be-

naulim MLA says that

Pacheco is seriously toying

with the idea of floating a re-

gional outfit under the ban-

ner of United Goans by

bringing all anti-Congress

and regional forces under

one banner.

CORTALIM CORRE-

SPONDENT ADDS:

Mickky Pacheco also admit-

ted to Herald that he had al-

ready started the process of

forming a new political party,

which would be named as

`United Goans Party' -- the

party which had led a his-

toric movement to retain the

identity of Goa in the Opin-

ion Poll.

Mickky, who was in Cor-

talim to attend a Litany at

the miraculous Bandeacho

Khuris, recently said that the

family of Jack Sequeira who

is known as father of Opin-

ion Poll would also be en-

rolled in the party formation.

probe into BpL scheme soughtHERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 19:

Are Goans becoming poor

with each passing year or are

the schemes manipulated by

the government as part of

vote bank politics?

This question was posed

by former Tourism Minister,

Mickky Pacheco as he al-

leged that the BPL list in the

state is going up every year

with addition of poor families.

Look at the BPL list com-

piled by the RDA then and

now. Kamats government

swears by the aam admi, but

the BPL lists showed an in-

crease in the beneficiaries

three times. Is this to suggest

that the people are becom-

ing poor with each passing

year or is it purely due to ad-

ministrative discrepancies

that the number of poor

under the BPL scheme is

showing an upward trend,

he asked.

The Benaulim MLA has

called for a probe into the

functioning of the BPL

scheme saying that un-

scrupulous politicians are

distributing cylinders and

gas stoves under the guise

that the people are poor.

A detailed probe into

the functioning of the

RDA is needed, Mickky

demanded.

The Benaulim MLA has called for a probe into the func-tioning of the BPL scheme saying that unscrupulouspoliticians are distributing cylinders and gas stovesunder the guise that the people are poor.

movement for Special Status to be intensified

Former MLA Matanhy Saldanha participating in an interactive workshop on Special Sta-

tus for Goa -- Article 371 at Grace Church Hall, Margao.

Savio Dias

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 19 : An

interactive workshop on

Special Status for Goa Ar-

ticle 371 held in the city on

Saturday evening has re-

solved to intensify the move-

ment every nook and corner

of the state.

Participants said the need

of the hour is to protect the

states identity by banning

the sale of land to outsiders,

adding that only special sta-

tus under Article 371 of the

Constitution can protect and

save the state for future gen-

erations.

They further argued that

the Indian Constitution was

drafted and adopted when

Goa was still under the Por-

tuguese regime and called

for Amending the Constitu-

tion to accord special status

for the state.

Participating in the work-

shop, former MLA Matanhy

Saldanha made a humble

plea to the people to leave

aside their differences on

caste, religion and language

and come under one ban-

ner as Goans to achieve

the goal of special status

for the state.

Saying that the SC, STs

and OBCs comprises nearly

60-70 per cent of the states

population, Saldanha said

this itself is a ground for ac-

cording special status for

Goa to protect the land of

these communities from

being sold to outsiders.

Convenor of Asha Family

Responsibilities & Rights

Association, Rui Da Gama

said that the organization

and the activists have re-

solved to take the movement

for special status for Goa for-

ward. Goas population is

already pegged around 1.5

million, and if another two

million comes into the state,

the future generation will

have no place to live in. Our

interests should be pro-

tected a la Mizoram and

Nagaland via special sta-

tus under Article 371, he

demanded.

Gama said the land sharks

from Delhi and other parts of

the country are quoting the

land rates in Goa. The land

is in Goa, but the land title is

in Delhi, he said, adding

that outside land sharks are

out to make business of

Goan land.

He said the movement for

special status under Article

371 will be spread across the

nook and corner of the state

so that a resolution is passed

in the Legislative Assembly

demanding special status for

the state.

4 www.oheraldo.in

goaPoor utilization of National Rural Health Mis-sion funds resulted in large unspent balance.The unspent balance accounted for 41 percent of the funds received during the four yearperiod 2006-2010.

CAG Report

Our doors are still open for the rival group to hold talksand arrive at a compromise. But, we cannot wait for-ever since the government has announced dates forthe festival in various towns.

Samiti member Rupesh Mahatme

SNAPSHOT

Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011

GGEA strike termed illegalPANJIM: The State government has termed illegal theproposed strike by the government employees,under the aegis of Goa Government Employees As-sociation (GGEA), from March 21.

The government has further warned that anyonefound not discharging their assigned duties duringthe strike period, shall be treated as absent and theprinciple of no work no pay will be invoked in suchunauthorised absence.

The GGEA is seeking up-gradation of pay scales tovarious sections of the government employees onunsustainable grounds of providing similar benefitsto other employees where parity of pay scale wasgiven.

Since the demands are not met, the GGEA hascalled for an indefinite strike from March 21.

One arrested for theftCALANGUTE: Calangute Police on Saturday arresteda man from Margao on charges of stealing a digitalcamera and cash from a stationary Honda Activascooter on Saturday...

Ajay Masrani of Nasik had filed a police complaintstating that his digital camera worth Rs 8000 andcash of Rs 2000 were stolen, when thieves brokethe dicky of his Honda Activa while he along with hiswife had gone for water sports activity on Calangutebeach on March 8.

Calangute Police accordingly registered an offenceagainst the unknown persons on Friday and roundeda suspect, Ansar Altaf, on Saturday, who later con-fessed of the crime.

The digital camera was recovered from the accused,who was arrested in this connection. Altaf has beenremanded to four days judicial custody and PSI Har-ish Gauns is investigating the case.

Italian held on drugs chargesCALANGUTE: An Italian national was arrested by An-juna Police on charges of possessing drugs worth Rs1.56 lakh at Zhor Vaddo, Anjuna on Saturday.

Anjuna Police was tipped off regarding a deal be-

tween the Italian, Andrea Secchio (46), and another

party near the Hospital at Zhor Vaddo, Anjuna.

The Police then laid a trap and arrested Secchio in

possession of 25 gms Heroine valued at Rs 1.56

lakh. The Anjuna Police team was led by PSI Pravin

Gauns, Umesh Pawaskar, Kishore Naik, Samir

Gauns, Nitesh Mulgaonkar and Suhas Joshi. PSI

Pravin Gauns is investigating the case.

Bars closed during ShigmoPANJIM: All bar/restaurants, liquor shops in North

Goa along the Shigmo floats routes have been or-

dered to remain closed on March 20, 26, 27, 28, 31

and April 5, from 4 pm onwards, according to an

order issued by District Magistrate of North Goa. The

order has been passed to prevent the public from im-

bibing alcohol along the Shigmo route and preempt

any untoward incidents.

Rider dies in mishapPORVORIM: A motorcycle rider from Dodamarg died

while the pillion rider was seriously injured when the

motorcycle they were riding rammed into a roadside

building at Tivim in the wee hours of Saturday.

According to Mapusa police, While returning home at

about 2 am, Varak dashed against the old post of-

fice building at Tivim. While Varak died on the spot,

Shinde sustained grievous injuries.

The moon appears bigger and brighter after 18 years as it comes closest to the Earth on Saturday evening.

Rozario Estibeiro

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, MARCH 19:

BJP MLA Damu Naik-led

Margao Shigmotsav Samiti

has served Sunday evening

as the deadline for the rival

Shigmotsav Samiti headed

by Chief Minister, Digambar

Kamat to strike a compro-

mise over the holding of one

festival in Margao this year.

Samiti member Rupesh

Mahatme said nothing has

happened on the compro-

mise talks between the two

groups so far. Our doors are

still open for the rival group

to hold talks and arrive at a

compromise. But, we cannot

wait forever since the gov-

ernment has announced

dates for the festival in vari-

ous towns, Mahatme said,

while serving a deadline till

Sunday evening to strike a

compromise deal between

the two groups.

He said the Samiti led by

MLA Damu Naik will offer

the sacred coconut to Lord

Damodar at Pimpalkatta on

Monday evening if the com-

promise fails to take pace.

In that event, he said the

Damu-backed Samiti will go

ahead with the Romtamel

festival in the Commercial

Capital on March 26.

It appears the rival group

is not interested in bringing

the two groups together.

Girish Chodankar has spoke

to me over the phone, but

my suggestion that both

Chief Minister and MLA

Damu Naik should meet

and discuss the issue had no

takers from the other side,

he lamented.

Damu serves deadline to CMs Shigmotsav Samiti

NRHM funds: CAG raps Health Dept HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 19: Alls

not well with the Health De-

partment and it needs to be

injected with some shots of

efficiency.

The Comptroller and Au-

ditor General (CAG) report

for March 2010, has exposed

the inefficiency of the Health

Department in effectively

implementing National

Rural Health Mission

(NRHM).

Major chunk of the funds

released during last four

years under NRHM re-

mained unutilized.

Poor utilization of funds

resulted in large unspent

balance. The unspent bal-

ance accounted for 41 per

cent of the funds received

during the four year period

2006-2010, CAG remarked.

Total Rs 8.47 crore were

left unutilized in the bank ac-

count of State Health Society

(SHS) as on March 2010.

Also, advance payments

totalling Rs 1.83 crore re-

leased during 2007-10 to pe-

ripheral units were also

pending utilization, making

the total unutilized balance

Rs 10.30 crore as of March

2010.

During 2006-2007, 100 per

cent grants were provided

by Government of India to

the State. From the eleventh

Plan period (2007-12) on-

wards, the State was to con-

tribute 15 per cent of the

funds required annually.

However, there was no con-

tribution by the State till

2008-2009.

The important aspect of

NRHM is to strategize

upgradation of Community

Heath Centres (CHCs)as per

Indian Public Health Stan-

dards (IPHS) to provide sus-

tainable quality health care

with accountability and peo-

ples participation along with

total transparency.

Also, Rogi Kalyan Sami-

ties (RKS) were evolved to

be established at Primary

Health Centres (PHCs) and

CHCs and district hospitals.

The main functions of the

RKS are to identify and re-

dress the problems faced by

the patients; acquire and

maintain equipment, furni-

ture, ambulances and more.

However, during CAG

audit it was found that out of

two district hospitals, five

CHCs, 19 PHCs, RKSs were

formed in two district hospi-

tals, three CHCs and nine

PHCs.

Moreover, SHS distrib-

uted only Rs 67 lakhs to DHs

and Rs 1 lakh at PHCs in

Sanquelim and no grants

were given to remaining

RKSs.

The SHS submitted that

funds were not released due

to the absence of work pro-

posals from the concerned

CHCs and PHCs and though

RKS were constituted, they

could not perform any func-

tions.

As per the Mission guide-

lines, RKSs at district hospi-

tals were to receive corpus

grants of Rs 5 lakh each

every year in addition to

grants from the State Gov-

ernment.

They were also required

to generate their own re-

sources through levying user

charges, receiving philan-

thropic donations etc.

But in reality nothing hap-

pened. The CAG discovered

that no user charges were

collected by the RKS formed

in the test-checked district

hospital. Also, the State

share was not found credited

to the RKS account till Octo-

ber 2010.

The CAG in its report also

pointed out that amount re-

leased by the Central gov-

ernment for upgradation of

district hospitals, CHCs and

PHCs was not fully utilized.

CHC - Canacona and

PHC Bicholim: Though

CHC was shifted to a new

building with an operation

theater it was not used on

regular basis for want of a

regular surgeon, anesthetist

and ancillary staff, and blood

storage equipment.

Also, one blood storage

unit installed in March 2010

at cost of Rs 8.54 lakh was

not made operational till Oc-

tober 2010.

Similarly, no operations

had been conducted in the

OT at PHC in Bicholim since

2007 due to non-availability

of specialists and patients

are referred to the district

hospital and CHC, Valpoi.

There is also shortage of

specialists in CHCs as com-

pared to NRHS norms. Each

CHC should have seven spe-

cialists and though posts

have been sanctioned, cur-

rently, none of the CHCs

have total strength.

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 19:

Goa is projected as the

State that has best health

care system in place but

the reality seems to be

something different.

The recent report of

Controller and Auditor

General (CAG) that cov-

ered health segment says,

basic health care services

there were required to be

provided in the health cen-

ters were not available at

many of the centers visited

by the audit team.

Basic health care facili-

ties such as blood storage ,

new born care, 24X7 deliv-

eries, X-ray, ICCU/ICU,

ultra sound, ECG, obstetric

care, paediatrics, cold chain

system were not available in

the health centers.

The State Programme

Manager for National

Rural health Mission

(NRHM) however tried to

justified the non-perfor-

mance saying funds made

available under NRHM

were insufficient to build

up the infrastructure to the

fullest extend even as large

quantum of funds released

remained utilized.

The audit team also

found that infrastructure

at Cottage Hospital in Chi-

calim as well as leprosy

hospital in Macasana was

in poor state.

Owing to poor mainte-

nance, the ceiling of the

hospital was leaking. The

isolation ward for control-

ling the spread of HINI

(swine flu) could not be uti-

lized due to its unhygienic

condition and it also lacked

space for beds, says CAG

report with respect to Cot-

tage Hospital.

The condition of Cottage

Hospital has worsened due

to non-maintenance and

the corridor passages are

utilised by placing beds for

male patients. Also, it lacks

space for storing medicines.

The table in the labour

room is so old that it needs

to be supported by a

wooden piece.

Though worsening con-

dition of the hospital has

already been reported to

the higher authorities but

action is still not forthcom-

ing.

Says health centers lack basic amenities

Woman kills her paramour, dies later VIBHA VERMA

BICHOLIM, MARCH 19:

Kalyani, 50-year-old lady ad-

mitted at Bicholim Primary

Health Centre (PHC) walked

out of her hospital bed and

travelled to Bicholim, killed

her paramour and slipped

back into her hospital bed.

Kalyani alias Rajani alias

Babita is no more as she died

almost a day after she was

arrested for murder. She suf-

fered breathing complica-

tions but the police

investigations reveal how skill

fully she plotted and executed

murder of her paramour at Deul-

wada in Narvem village of Bi-

cholim taluka.

Babi Mote accused of hav-

ing string of relationships with

women including that with

Kalyani and her sister-in-law was

murdered by sickle.

When the murder took

place, Kalyani was formally

admitted in PHC for respira-

tory problems and was yet to

be discharged.

The incident happened on

February 24-25 and people

were unaware about the

killing till February 26,

morning when son of a land-

lord came to the rented house of

Mote looking out for him. He was

found in the pool of blood.

Initially, police suspected

the murder to be handiwork

of Raghu, Kalyanis hus-

band. But after a proper in-

vestigation, police zeroed

down on Kalyani.

Deputy Superintendent of

police Bousette Silva, who

supervised the probe, said

that initially Kalyani acted

smart and refused to accept

that she murdered Mote.

But subsequently, she

broke when police told her

that Mote is alive and recu-

perating in the hospital. She

confessed to the murder.

Another patient, who was

admitted next to Kalyani in

PHC, also told the police that

on February 24 night, she

(Kalyani) had disappeared

for few hours and later came

back to the bed in the mid-

night. She was discharged

only on February 25.

Visit to the spot where the

story of Kalyani and Mote

unfolded, revealed that vil-

lagers are reluctant to speak

about them.

I have not met Kalyani

but heard that she was abu-

sive to the people around. I

went several times to get her

listed in the BPL category

but she was never at home,

local sarpanch Pratishta

Mishal said.

For us, it was not so easy to

enter into this village and

strike the conversation.

Mishal suggested that we

should be disguised as a BPL

enumerator and go around.

The first one, we met in

the village, happens to be

Kalyanis relative, who

claimed that she received

maximum abuses from her

for no reason.

She was sick, mentally

and physically. She had

medical problem, thats why

she was admitted in the hos-

pital, an elderly lady said

when we introduced our self

as BPL enumerators.

Kalyanis death is not

much spoken in the Devulwada

locality of Narvem. Its almost 12

days and people have not even

bothered to do the rituals as per

Hindu religion.

She would come to this

pond (nearby her house) to

wash clothes. Not many

would talk to her because of

many reasons she was

very abusive and used foul

language. Some days before

her death, she was not able

to walk a distance. She was

weak and feeble, said an-

other villager.

Deulwado, a cluster of

around 80 houses is situated

around Saptakoteshwar

Temple. The village compris-

ing of around 360 voters is ac-

cessible only by two

wheelers.

Kalyanis past is rattled

with misery. She was mar-

ried to Raghu from whom

she delivered four boys, of

whom two died due to

drowning, one committed

suicide while another boy -

Lou is alive.

She developed relation-

ship with Mote and contin-

ued to stay with him in the

village for more than 15-

years, creating a social

stigma for herself.

Kalyani continued enjoy-

ing government doles after

death of her boys. She was

even paid Rs 10,000 through

local scheme to repair roof of

her house, which she never

did. Mishal said that Kalyani

was overall paid some Rs

30,000 and a cylinder from

the Government.

Initially, Kalyanis death in

Goa Medical College was

feared as a custodial killing

as she was already arrested

for the murder. But later

doctors certified that she had

breathing issues, which took

her life.

SDM N M Gad who is

conducting an inquiry into

the case - as she died while in

police custody, told Herald

that none of her family

members suspect foul play.

She suffered from tuber-

culosisOur inquiry is still

underway and after complet-

ing recording statement and

other investigations we will

summarize the case, he said.

Back to the village, death

of duo a carelessly kept

house of Kalyani and an-

other room where Mote was

killed helped us to restruc-

ture the life of both these

people. The villagers are re-

luctant to talk on the issue al-

though it is playing on their

sub conscious mind.

Space plan for Sinquerim, Baga beach belt soonHERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, MARCH 19 : Goa

government will soon ap-

point architect, planner or

consultant to undertake

Critical Area Space Plan for

Sinquerim-Calangute-Baga

beach belt con-

sidering un-

p l a n n e d

growth of

tourism in this

area.

As per the Action Taken

Report on the last budget

submitted during ongoing

State Legislative Assembly

session, the matter to ap-

point consultant is under

consideration of the special

cell of the Regional Plan con-

stituted by the Government.

The tender for the ap-

pointment of architect or

planner or consultant will be

floated shortly, the report

reads.

Chief Minister Digambar

Kamat during last budget

had said that unplanned

growth of tourism related ac-

tivities and real estate in the

coastal areas of the state has

been very disturbing.

During the presentation of

budget last year, he had said

that the Critical Area Space

Plan for the Sinquerim-

Calangute-Baga beach belt

would be taken up on pilot

basis.

This study would bring

out the way forward in these

areas with the regards to the

environment, solid waste

management, sewage and

sanitation, development

control rules and regula-

tions, road network and oth-

ers, he had said in his last

budget speech.

Kamat had said that the

study will be in line with the

recommendations made in

the Draft Regional Plan 2021

by the Task Force.

In a similar case, Goa gov-

ernments announcement

during last budget to set up

Special Logistic Hubs at

Sancoale and Dharban-

dora in a PPP mode has

also not seen light of the

day till date.

The report mentions the

matter is

under consid-

eration of Spe-

cial Cell of

Regional Plan

constituted by

the Government. In this

case too, the tender for the

appointment of

architect/planner/consultant

will be floated shortly.

Kamat had said that the

Professional Advisory Group

set up by the government

had indicated that Goa

has immense potential to

be world class logistic cen-

tre.

We have to take advan-

tage of the synergies of vari-

ous modes of connectivity

which the state is endowed

with, the budget speech

during 2010-11 reads.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat during last budgethad said that unplanned growth of tourism relatedactivities and real estate in the coastal areas of thestate has been very disturbing.

goa

5 www.oheraldo.in

Terming the proposed GGEA strike illegal,the government has warned that anyonefound not discharging their assigned dutiesduring the strike period, shall be treated asabsent and the principle of no work no paywill be invoked.

Tiatr is not only a source of entertain-ment, but also an instrument of aware-ness that needs to be encouraged andsupported by all.

Churchill Alemao

Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011

Email: gcwt2010@gmail.com

CHAIRMAN

Holi reassures the people of the power of the truth.

It is the ultimate victory of good over evil...

Let us all be a part of such a colouful and joyous festival

Holi helps to bring the society together And strengthens the secular fabric of our country

HAVE A GREAT TIME THIS HOLI

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MARCH 19: Well

known tiatrist Mario

Menezes was felicitated by

PWD Minister Churchill

Alemao, at a function or-

ganised to mark the stag-

ing of his 25th production

Futtleli Boxi under the

aegis of Menezes The-

atres.

Mario who made his di-

rectorial debut with Goa

Bandh, a tiatr that won the

first prize at the tiatr compe-

tition in 1992, has written

and directed 25 tiatrs till

date. His 26th production

Rogtacho Rong Tambaddo

is set to be released on

Easter Sunday.

Churchill Alemao con-

gratulated Mario for his

achievements in tiatr, and

said: tiatr is not only a

source of entertainment,

but also an instrument of

awareness that needs to be

encouraged and supported

by all.

Thanking the organisers

and Alemao for the felicita-

tion, Mario said that he is

happy to achieve the feat of

writing and directing 25

tiatrs, each with a social

message, and that he

would always strive to con-

tinue doing so and serve

Mario Menezes felicitated

Menezes felicitated by PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, at a function organised to mark

the staging of his 25th production Futtleli Boxi.

the Konkani stage in future

too.

Special mementos were

presented to all the artistes

of Menezes Theatres at the

hands of Churchill in the

presence of South Goa Zilla

Parishad President Maria

Rebello and Filomeno Bar-

retto.

HERALD NEWS DESK

PANJIM, MARCH 19:

PONDA: The seating

arrangement of SSCE of

Ponda centre is as follows:

seat nos 19352 to 19591 at

IVBD High School, Dhavali;

19592 to 20071 at AJ de

Almeida High School, 20072

to 20357 at St Marys High

School.

CURCHOREM: Sarvo-

day Educational Society

High School: 11959 to 12222

and 12689 to 12761; New Ed-

ucational Institute: 12223 to

12462 and Guardian Angel

High School: 12463 to 12688.

CALANGUTE: St

Josephs High School,

Calangute: 26451-26572 and

Little Flower of Jesus High

School, Calangute: 26573-

26762 and 26763-26772.

SSCE seating arrangement

There is a lingering hush in Casa

Monseratte after the Battle of

Panjim has been won. But Mon-

seratte, as always, is full of surprises.

Not always delightful ones. But this

time was different. At his post battle

press conference, he spoke like a states-

man and not like a conqueror. Politics

is over. It is Panjim First. When did we

say Panjim second?

Monserratte has administered a sec-

ond coup de grace in Panjim. He won

the CCP elections in the last term. He

won it again, after having nearly lost it.

Having secured Parrikars bastion in the

corporation, he even chose to appropri-

ate the name of Parrikars panel Pan-

jim First in deed.

The contours of the fallout of the

story of Monseratte squeezing victory

out of defeat in Panjim, has not been

comprehended. The final word is not

out yet. Will he chose to embark upon a

schizophrenic journey of break and

build, convert and seize, turning old

homes and shops into skyscrapers or

will he take the bread and butter route

Clean drains, de congest traffic, sort

out garbage and so on?

The early indications are that Mon-

seratte will take on the bread and butter

role during year one of the new CPPs

term. It is this and only this that will give

him the ultimate jam- the MLA of Pan-

jim. It is only then that Monseratte, the

friend of builders will unleash his Man-

hattan- like dreams, consuming village,

town and country into a gigantic con-

crete monster.

Babush is playing smart. Babush in

CCP 1 chose Uday Madkaikar to be co-

opted. Babush in CCP 2 has chosen Pa-

tricia Pinto to be co-opted.

The change of choice from Mad-

kaikar, tainted with criminal charges to

Particia Pinto, arguably one of the most

prominent faces of sustained activism

for the city, is itself a story and a sign of

how Babush wants to handle this reign

of his.

But let us not mistake this as a

change of avatar of Monseratte, at least

not yet. This is just the beginning. It is

merely a change of strategy wherein he

needs to make himself the suitable boy,

before marriage to the prospective

bride can be proposed.

The hand of Panjim will not be given

easily because the folks here have lived

for generations and value their history

and heritage. There is a mandate for the

good bits of the olden times to be pre-

served, unlike in Taleigao where ram-

pant construction over vast fields sig-

nalled the nature of development.

Though sometimes you dont realise

where Panjim ends and Taleigao be-

gins, the DNA of the two are different.

It is the attempt at synergising the brick

and mortar with history and heritage

which will be Monserattes biggest chal-

lenge. And that is precisely why he

needs to tread carefully.

Unlike in Taleigao, Monseratte will

not be able to construct a new identity

for the city. He has to refuel the old iden-

tity with modern efficiency and polish.

Having said this, the very narrow mar-

gin of his victory, is a blessing for Pan-

jim.

Imagine what Monserattes arro-

gance would have been if he had won

27 wards instead of 16.The cushion of

comfort would have dimmed the mind.

Here he is under pressure to deliver.

But, Monseratte needs to be on our

watch. A part of him will not change.

Deal-making comes naturally to him.

We need an opposition and a civil soci-

ety which is effective in resisting sweet-

heart disinvestment deals with private

players for several of Panjim projects.

The insurmountable corruption

under his watch at the CCP, which

forced good bureaucrats to either leave

or get thrown out, rankles.

The ghost of this corruption, includ-

ing the ghost workers who got paid

though they were not on the rolls of the

CCP, need to be buried pronto. Clean-

ing up corruption is sadly not one of the

strong points on Monserattes CV.

But Monseratte is nothing if he is not

street smart. He has realised that he is

not infallible. The perception he still

carries is that his efficiency stems from

his crossing the line between what is

legal and ethical, and what is not.

If he earlier assumed he was

Ouroboros, a snake in Greek mythol-

ogy, who could end its life only by self

consumption, he has begun to realise

the fallacy of that belief.

For the first time in his career, Mon-

seratte knows that people power can

take away his power.

And thats what he cant afford to

lose. Therein lies the hope that Panjim

might win.

opinion6 www.oheraldo.in

The mid day meal scheme works only ifthe food is actually cooked by the SHG.Moreover, there is no mechanism tocheck the quantity and quality of foodsupplied to the SHGs.

Edit

We can demonstrate all we want, butuntil we are able to transform this into asustained critique of the system and cre-ate agendas for change, we will remain inthe rut.

Jason Keith Fernandes

WEEKENDEDIT

Vol. No CXI No. 78 I Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011

PEOPLESEDIT

Editor-in-chief: Mr R F Fernandes. Editor: Sujay Gupta (Responsible under PRB

Act). Regd Office: St Tome Road, Panjim, Goa. Tel: 2224202, 2228083, Fax:

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sujay Gupta

Babushs project: To be a suitable boy for Panjim

FLY ON THE WALL

Three French men, Louis XVI,

Napoleon Bonaparte and

Alexandre Dumas, are credited

with declaring that Europe ends at the

Pyrenees, or alternatively, that Africa

begins at the Pyrenees.

What these wicked, wicked men sug-

gested was that the Iberian peninsula,

comprising Spain and Portugal, shared

more with Africa northern Africa at

any rate than it did with Europe. A

number of Portuguese too will laugh-

ingly use this reference to explain away

the laxity that marks this western most

part of the European continent.

It is no secret that the Portuguese

economy is today in an unholy mess. A

good number of Portuguese will lay the

blame for this mess squarely on the

same laxity.

The sins on this list are rather long.

They will agree that Portugal is not

marked by a meritocracy. If you dont

come with the right name and the right

background, moving forward could be

substantially difficult for you.

Business interests and political lead-

ership are shamelessly twined, official

power used to further private interests.

Joining the European Union has meant

that the directives from Europe regard-

ing the setting up of systems and proce-

dures are met, but in a manner that

recalls the spirit of that famous re-

sponse by the Spanish Viceroys in the

Americas, I obey, but do not comply.

But perhaps what makes this worse is

the situation where there is no wide-

spread culture of popular dissent in

Portugal.

Fed up with the situation in the coun-

try that includes the cut back of funding

for students, the lowering of salaries of

public functionaries, the rolling back of

the rights of workers, the significant

amount of unemployment among the

young, a good amount of these under

the excuse of dealing with the economic

crisis, a group of four young persons fi-

nally said enough is enough.

This group of four, speaking in the

name of the gerao rasca, or the cor-

nered generation called for a demon-

stration in Lisbon on March 12. They

pointed out that their generation was

the most qualified generation in Portu-

gals long history ever. And yet, large

numbers of these youth are unem-

ployed and have to emigrate, to find fu-

tures outside of the country.

Hundreds of thousands of Por-

tuguese congregated to march in the

protest scheduled to end at Praa de

Restauradores. So large were the num-

bers that once at the end of the march,

they carried on to other parts of the city,

continuing to voice their protest at the

systems that has pushed the lives,

dreams and ambitions of so many in

this country into crisis.

As powerful as this demonstration

was however, one wonders if it contin-

ued to resound with the problems that

mark this wonderful but sadly trauma-

tised country. The leaders of the

demonstration failed to offer a sugges-

tion to go forward beyond the manifesto

that launched the demonstration.

The manifesto itself, framed in the

broadest possible manner to attract

broad support, did not get down to

specifics.

And here lies the problem, one that

we share in Goa. We can demonstrate

all we want, but until we are able to mo-

bilise this anger and transform this into

a sustained critique of the system, and

create agendas for change, we will re-

main in the rut.

This is not yet the moment for cri-

tique though. This is the moment to

congratulate the gerao rasca and

wish them strength to network and

combine to create options for systemic

change in their country.

LETTERS FROM PORTUGAL

A Gerao rasca

jason keith

fernandes

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CedriC da Costa

The issue regarding the

medium of instruction in pri-

mary schools has once again

come up in Goa. This same issue

had rocked Goa a few years ago, and

as usual, it was one of those issues

that was not put to rest aesthetically

and with good study. I fully support

the Archdiocesan Board of Educa-

tion and the PTA on the issue.

It will be very difficult for our stu-

dents to reach out to the world and

tap opportunities if they do not have

a good command over the English

language.

In all my stints overseas and in

India I have seen that the main

problems faced by a majority of In-

dians is a good command over the

English language, a fact that most of

us should admit and work on to im-

prove.

Also, the Goa government cannot

provide jobs to all Goans and hence

the children of today will definitely

have to look out for avenues abroad

to ensure a better future. And even

if the standard of Goa and India

must improve, the knowledge of

English will be vital, especially in an

age when foreign collaborations and

international corporate partner-

ships are an order of the day.

I appeal to the Education Minister

to intervene in this issue and lay it to

rest using his good offices, once and

for all. In fact it is failure on part of

the previous education ministers to

comprehensively solve this issue

that has led to the current situation.

We all acknowledge that Konkani

is the official language of the State of

Goa, although Marathi is being also

promoted through the back door by

some politicians who have vested in-

terests to appease their vote banks,

but this is a very serious issue as it

concerns the future of Goa and our

children who will be the pillars of so-

ciety of a better tomorrow.

The issue has also found its echo

in the ongoing Legislative Assembly

session. There too the politicians

have exhibited that they stand di-

vided on the issue. Education Min-

ister, Antanasio Monserrate has

assured the house that all stakehold-

ers including members of the oppo-

sition parties would be consulted.

But here again, the Leader of Oppo-

sition, Manohar Parrikar has

thrown a spoke in the wheel, keep-

ing in mind his BJP vote bank and

has even quoted the UNESCO

guidelines which states that primary

education should be in the respec-

tive mother tongue. Parrikar also

has said that should grants be given

to English medium schools,

Konkani and Marathi medium

schools would have to shut shop.

But all these are sheer political

gimmicks to influence a logistic de-

cision in the better interest of the

students. Parents of children who do

not subscribe to this logic should

read between the lines and know

that the statements of the Leader of

opposition are nothing but political

stunts to subvert the actual issue

and give it a political slant to ap-

pease a particular vote bank.

Let not the current politicians,

both in the ruling and opposition

factions make this a prestige issue

and chew some mileage out of it.

Parents, principals of schools and all

the major decision makers in Goas

education system, please ensure

that the politicians who are grabbing

any issue as this is the election year

do not dilly dally with the future of

our children.

May better sense prevail!

Politicians andmedium of instruction

FACEBOOK

But let us not mis-take this as achange of avatarof Monseratte, atleast not yet. Thisis just the begin-ning. It is merely achange of strategywherein he needsto make himselfthe suitable boy,before marriage tothe prospectivebride can be pro-posed. The handof Panjim will notbe given easily be-cause the folkshere have lived forgenerations andvalue their historyand heritage.

Cuisine for kids rat droppings

Sometime last week, students at a school in Vasco were getting

ready for their mid day meal supplied by a local self-help

group. When the box was opened, there were rat droppings

and cockroaches on the bread.

It then got worse. After the self-help group was informed, they

sent a fresh box of bread. When this box was opened, rat droppings

were found again. When this was pointed out to the driver who sup-

plied the breads, he called the self help group but it refused to supply

bread again.

Now this gets bizarre. The concerned school authorities told the

SHG to warn the bakery owner and hoped that this cycle of cock-

roaches and rat droppings with the bread would end. When the next

consignment arrived, what did the bread box have? Cockroach

droppings again. Why is it such a big deal to remove rodent and in-

sect excreta from bread meant for children? These self-help groups

consist mainly of relatives, both close and distant, of politicians who

get them employed.

The National Programme of Mid-Day Meals in Schools, started

in 1995, is one of the flagship programmes of the Government of

India to achieve the Millennium Development Goals to reduce

child malnourishment and reduce school drop-out rates. It covers

approximately 11.74 crore children.

Ultimately the onus lies on the state governments. Orissa and

Madhya Pradesh have not only implemented this scheme but

turned it into an excellent tool for social empowerment, enabling

many rural women to be leaders and implementers of this project.

Goa sadly has failed. The mid day meal scheme works only if the

food is actually cooked by the SHG. Moreover, there is no mecha-

nism to check the quantity and quality of food supplied to the SHGs.

Has the FDA checked and certified these meals? Has there been

any discussion to work on a diet and nutrition plan for the kids?

The SHGs too, need to be given incentives so that this activity be-

comes a full time service. The Madhya Pradesh government gives

a full insurance cover to all self-help group workers. Dignity and sin-

cerity comes with this financial security.

Goas problem seems even more insurmountable, because not

only is there a system to check food which could harm children,

there is no culture of extracting accountability. The SHG which sup-

plied rat droppings and called them bread has not been taken to

task or their contract cancelled. No police complaint has been filed

against the SHG or the bread supplier. Most importantly, no one is

alarmed!

To a large extent, civil society, social groups and the media needs

to become active stakeholders in addressing issues of nutrition, ed-

ucation, transport and employment as intrinsic and interconnected

peoples issues and not break them into departments.

Take this simple analogy A poor mother gets proper employ-

ment, she sends her daughter to a government school in accessible

public transport, her childs meal is taken care of and she gets

dropped off home, well fed and well educated. Look at the number

of departments that need to work as team to make this simple

dream possible.

Sean Faia

Babush just about made it with 16 candidates. If anything, its a

cause of concern for him, especially after boasting that he would win

27 seats. The BJP on the other hand has gained from the last term

winning 12 seats. But most importantly there has been a huge rise

in women getting elected. If Im not mistaken BJP have 9-10 women

who have won from the 12 seats they won.

Thomas Gracias

Four crucial votes made a difference. If the social groups like PINC

keep up the good work a lot of new faces will be seen in the assembly

elections.

Paganini Fernandes

The efforts of the intelligentsia have paid some dividends in Panjim.

This is just the beginning. Most Goans now have realized their folly

and may not be lured any more. There is lot of work to be done. Its

the job of the intelligentsia and right thinking people, to cling to-

gether and spread the word and educate those who unfortunately

do not understand the larger interests at state versus the short span

of warmth gained through the goodies and freebies.

Lourenco Fernandes

People are becoming more literate to understand that the future of

Goa lies not in the hands of quack personalities like politicians but

in the hands of good administrators to run the intelligent people of

Goa.

Gustavo Stephen Godinho

The Kamat government is showing lollypops to the people of Goa

through this budget, to make them vote for them again and make

them grab whatever little is left in Goa.

7 www.oheraldo.in

india Our talks with Trinamool on seat sharingwere inconclusive, hence it was told thatwe will discuss the issue again. We wereseeking more time to resolve the differ-ences on the number and nature of seats.

-- Shakeel Ahmad

We have made our position clear both in LS and RS and through our press state-ments that we value strategic relationswith the US and that all sources of energyshould be tapped.

-- Prakash Javadekar

Goa I Sunday 20, March 2011

appointmentsSNAPSHOT

Teenagers drown in boat capsizeGORAKHPUR: Four teenagers drowned after theirboat capsized in a pond in Sahjanwa area, policesaid.

Bobby (13), Priyanshu (12), Shivam (11), Par-

manand (13) and Sri Ram (13), all residents of Bis-

ari village, had gone for a bath in the pond yesterday

when their boat capsized, they said. While Sri Ram

swam to safety, the four teenagers drowned.

Rs 30 lakh seized in coimbatoreCOIMBATORE: An unaccounted sum of about Rs 30

lakh was seized in the city, officials of the Flying

Squad formed following directions from the Election

Commission said.

The sum was confiscated when a car was stopped

and searched at Brooke Bond Road in the city, they

said. The occupants of the car claimed the sum was

the proceedings of the sales at a leading jewellery in

the city but were unable to provide valid proof to

back up their argument, the officials said.

lawyer crushed to death AZAMGARH: A lawyer was crushed to death by a

truck in Chatwara bazar here when he was out for

some work, following which the locals today blocked

traffic, sources said.

Nisar Ahmad was crushed by a truck late last night

at Chatwara bazar in Sidhari area here, outrage over

which the locals blocked road and damaged several

vehicles including a roadways bus, Sub-Divisional

Magistrate Harilal said.

2 nabbed for 'honour killing' RAMANAGAR: Two persons were arrested today for

their alleged involvement in the 'honour-killing' of a

woman and her four-month-old child, police said.

The gory incident occurred in Thammasandra vil-

lage in Kanakapura Taluk on February 27 in which

Deepika and her four-month-old child were allegedly

murdered and their bodies burnt by her family mem-

bers.

THE TONIA GROUP OF INDUSTRIES

REQUIRESACCOUNTS ASSISTANT/ SR ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT Candidates should be graduate with minimum 3-5 years experience in an industry with sound knowledge of Tally 9 and accounting procedures up to finalization stage is essential. Female candidates preferred.Retired Bank employees/ government servants/ ex-servicemen may also apply.Posting at Head Office Raia, Margao.Salaries commensurate to ability and experience.

nd rdWalk in interviews on 22 and 23 March between 1000hrs to 1300hrs and 1500hrs to 1700hrs.Those who cannot make it may e-mail john_jabalpur@yahoo.co.in or call for an appointment on 2740186-189.

A well reputed Goan company The Tonia Group of industries requires

Raicho Ambo, Raia, Salcete, Goa-403720.Ph:-0832-2740186/87/89

ACCOUNTS ASSISTANTS /

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The Tonia Group

Candidates should be graduate with minimum 3-5 years

experience in an industry with sound knowledge of Tally 9 and

accounting procedures up to finalization stage is essential. Female

candidates preferred. Retired Bank employees/ government

servants/ ex-servicemen may also apply.

POSTING AT HEAD OFFICE RAIA, MARGAO.

Salaries commensurate to ability and experience.

nd rdWalk in interviews on 22 and 23 March between 1000hrs to

1300hrs and 1500hrs to 1700hrs.

Those who cannot make it may e-mail john_jabalpur@yahoo.co.in

or call for an appointment on the following numbers.

appointments

appointments

PTI

Hyderabad, March 19 : Admit-

ting that the present system

of preparing environment as-

sessment report is flawed,

Environment and Forest

Minister Jairam Ramesh

today said the Ministry would

now seek third-party opinion

to evaluate the projects.

He also informed that the

Ministry would soon map the

wetland areas in the country

to formulate a better defini-

tion of the same.

The Minister said the pres-

ent system of preparing envi-

ronment assessment report is

flawed and the Ministry itself

would take third party opin-

ion on environment in proj-

ects like coal, power and

construction of ports.

"We have done the satellite

mapping of all wet lands in

the country. We have wetland

atlas of every state which will

be released by month-end.

So far we did not follow sci-

entific approach of wetland

management as in revenue

record, wet land is recorded

as waste land. All these are

legacies of the past. We will

clean up the system," the

Minister told reporters on the

sidelines of Green Landscape

Summit-2011 organised by

CII.

He also ridiculed the pres-

ent system of preparing the

environment assessment re-

port by the company itself

which is proposing to set up

a project.

Environment assessment system flawed

PTI

New Delhi, March 19 : BJP

was today engulfed by Wik-

ileaks expose with US diplo-

matic cables stating that the

party leadership had told

them that its criticism of the

US in public was to score

"easy political points" against

UPA and when in power, it

would not harm the Indo-US

nuclear deal.

The expose, published by

'The Hindu', drew immediate

strong reaction from Congress

which asked BJP to apply to

itself the same standards it

adopted for the government

when it was needlessly dis-

rupting Parliament.

The BJP, however, denied

there was any doublespeak.

Seshadri Chari, BJP National

Executive member and RSS

pointsman in the party fig-

ured in the cables as having

told an US official in Delhi in

December 2005 "not to read

too much into the foreign pol-

icy resolution especially the

parts relating to the US",

which had attacked the UPA's

"subservience" to Washington.

Now, BJP hit by Wiki bomb

US diplomatic cablesstated that the party lead-ership had told them thatits criticism of the US inpublic was to score "easypolitical points" againstUPA and when in power, itwould not harm the Indo-US nuclear deal.

wIkIleaks exPose

Cops lookingfor Batchas call recordsPTI

Chennai, March 19 : Police

have collected call details of

former Telecom Minister A

Raja's key aide Sadiq Batcha,

who allegedly committed sui-

cide in mysterious circum-

stances, for analysis and were

expecting the post-mortem

report in a few days.

City Police Commissioner

T Rajendiran told reporters

here that the viscera samples

have been sent for examina-

tion.

We have done the satel-lite mapping of all wetlands in the country. Wehave wetland atlas ofevery State which will bereleased by month-end.So far we did not followscientific approach of wet-land management as inrevenue record, wet landis recorded as waste land.All these are legacies ofthe past. We will clean upthe system.

wInds of change

PTI

New Delhi, March 19 : Taken

by surprise, Congress today

said it has sought more time

to resolve the differences

with its ally Trinamool Con-

gress which has made a uni-

lateral decision to announce

a list of candidates for the

West Bengal Assembly polls.

"This is a new situation...

new development. The party

central leadership will dis-

cuss the issue in detail and

then take a decision," CWC

member-in charge for West

Bengal Shakeel Ahmad told

PTI.

Making no effort to hide

the party's displeasure over

the Trinamool Congress

(TMC) move, Ahmad said,

"Our discussions for seat

sharing had remained incon-

clusive, hence it was told that

we will discuss the issue

again. We were seeking more

time to resolve the differ-

ences on the number and na-

ture of seats to be contested

by each party.

Congress seeks time to resolve TC differences

weIf the elected representatives have any concern for the future generations, let English be the medium of instruction and Konkani a compulsory language

Henry DCosta

Students fi nd it diffi cult to adjust to the English medium at standard fi ve. The confusion over the switch over makes the students lose their confi dence and we fi nd a dropout rate from class eight to class ten Dr Belinda Viegas

Goa I Sunday March 20, 20118 www.oheraldo.in

Father Conceicao D Silva, Parish Priest, Carambolim

This has been a historical ploy of for-mer Chief Minister Shashikala Kakod-kar not to give grants to schools that teach in English so that poor parents send their wards to other schools. The church realises its mistake of teaching in Konkani (or should we say having to teach in Konkani) Children who do not study English from standard one cannot cope up later. PTAs across Salcete have approached their respective MLAs. This is a strong peoples movementArchdiocesan Board

There are 10,000 more children waiting to enter the portals of educa-tion in June this year. Let them not suffer, (Br Len Noronha, Secretary, in a memorandum which was submitted to the MLAs)

There is nothing in the demand of the parents that goes against the Rules of The Goa, Daman and Diu School

Education Act, 1984 and Rules 1986; not even against rule six, which states, Teaching in a school at the primary stage, shall, as far as practicable, be in the mother tongue of the child, unless the parents or guardian of the child re-quest otherwise in writing.

Celsa Pinto, Director of Education(on the next course of action after the ministers assurance)

The minister has given assurance on the floor of the house and hence I need to discuss with him further.

Jose Mario Quadros, Chairman, Goa Headmasters Association

The association has already passed the resolution that English should be the first language and medium of in-struction in the primary and elementary from standard one till standard eight. Konkani or Marathi can continue as a compulsory subject till standard eight.

W e de-m a n d , u n d e r t h e Right of Children to free and com-pulsory education Act, 2009, that English should be used as the first lan-guage, which shall be used as the medium of instruc-tion in all classes at the elementary level of school education in Holy Spirit Institute, Margao from the Academic year 2011-12, so that a uniform pat-tern of studies is followed and our children are saved from unnecessary mental trauma. We also demand that Marathi/Konkani should continue as one of the compulsory languages up to Elementary Educa-tion, - a resolution passed by the Parent-Teacher As-sociation of Holy Spirit Institute, Margao by show of hands.

Protest and agitation are two words that are normally not taught by parents to their young

children in their forma-tive years. Yet all the parents who raised their hands in this show of defiance against a gov-ernment, which insists on caging children with Konkani when the world looks beyond, have chil-dren less than ten years old. And it is for them that they have taken t the streets, knocking on politicians doors and even changing the way institutions like the church feel about impart-ing Konkani.

The Holy Spirit Insti-tute PTA is not the only school that has strongly rooted for English as the medium of instruction at elementary education. Resolutions pitching for English as the medium of instruction, with Konk-ani or Marathi as the compulsory language at elementary education, have been adopted by the PTAs of schools around Salcetes countryside. Their counterparts in

Tiswadi, Bardez and other talukas have also joined hands.

Dinar L Barros, who has been literally hop-ping from one school to the other across Salcete explaining parents on the medium of i