Save Goa’s rivers
The State is fighting with neighbouring states on the Mhadei issue. Here in Goa we talk of preserving water but we also need to talk about not polluting our water bodies. Every day, there are atleast a few people who throw their garbage off the main bridges, like the Mandovi and Zuari bridges, into the water. In many places people are emptying their sewage into the river. The Sal river is an example of this widespread pollution. Now they are saying that any fish there should not be eaten because of the pollution. It is important for people to respect this precious commodity and also understand that without clean flowing water in rivers many of the things we consider valuable, like our agricultural lands, will also disappear. Do not pollute our waters, but clean them and save our great rivers.
Sheryl Pereira, Margao
Sound judgement
Chief Justice of India T S Thakur’s emotional plea for more judges may not be a solution to the woes of the Judiciary unless outstanding persons are appointed. Merely doubling the number of judges without ensuring their quality will only further mess up India’s already ailing Judiciary. It is very essential that only persons with sound knowledge of law and impeccable integrity be selected as Judges even at the entry level in the lower Judiciary. The selection of judges through a very transparent laid down process has to be very meticulous as persons with suspect credentials and those who cannot interpret the law inflict irreversible damage to the justice delivery system. It is imperative that politicians should have no role whatsoever, direct or indirect in the selection, promotion and posting of Judges.
Over three crore cases in trial courts across the country, a whopping 38 lakh in the 24 High Courts and a mind boggling 60,000 in the Supreme Court is no easy task to grapple with. Judges should have the spine to crack on illegalities done by any politician, regardless of the party he is affiliated to and the high position he holds. If Judges cannot independently balance the scales of Justice, the temples of Justice lose their sanctity.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
Reduced rates
The pay parking rates have been finally reduced to a reasonable amount by the CCP, who had first put out numbers that were equal to highway robbery. This shows the kind of background work and market research done by local bodies and the government when making decisions like this. In so many cases, they have drawn public ire because of nonsensical decisions. Perhaps it would be prudent to first conduct proper research, possibly speak to a section of concerned people and then come out with a proper detailed report and policy, which will explain everything. They may represent the people but they are still expected to work for the people and the reasons behind any decision needs to be reported.
Bhushan Kamat, Panaji
