Discourage construction near road
While laying foundation stone for the road widening work between Karaswada and Assonora, CM Parsekar had urged the people to avoid construction of houses touching the roads. He also stated that the village panchayats and other concerned authorities should keep a watch. As a matter of fact, houses and compound walls in the jurisdiction of Durbhat (in Ponda) have come up very close to the road. A recently constructed house under the supervision of the acting sarpanch over a co-ownership property at ‘Dessai-Bhat’ area in Adpai has encroached on the road. Mind you, this location happens to be a sharp turn with narrow road. It is surprising that NOC from fellow co-owners was not obtained prior to commencement of the said construction. The Sarpanch who is supposed to exercise control over this activity has remained to be a mere spectator. It is absolutely necessary for the Directorate of Panchayats to initiate stringent action against the elected representatives of the VPs who flout the rules and regulations in different matters, thereby behaving as per their own whims and fancies. I hope the CM would take a serious view of above facts and seek necessary clarification from the sarpanch for his negligent attitude as far as constructions at this jurisdiction are concerned. No doubt, illegal construction must be discouraged at all costs.
Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai
Unnecessary name calling
An unnecessary hornet’s nest has been stirred in the local press on the role of homeopaths and ayurvedic doctors prescribing allopathic medicines, to the extent of branding them as quacks, when the fight is actually against unqualified quacks who are making a quick buck thriving on the gullibility and superstitious beliefs of some patients. Such remarks against qualified and registered doctors are both demeaning and uncharitable and cannot be expected from respectable and erudite allopathic doctors. While homeopaths and ayurvedic doctors are expected to stick to their own fields of practice and medicine, prescribing of allopathic medicines can prove harmful to patients. Little or half- knowledge it is said, is a dangerous thing. So, it is best to avoid cross practice. Separate departments should be opened by the govt in hospitals and rural health centres so that cross practice is avoided.
A F Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
Crocs in the sand
The fact that a crocodile appeared on Morjim beach is not something that is so far out of the ordinary that we start pointing fingers and blaming someone or the other for this. Sure, there has been rampant development in North Goa, so much so that there was probably some sort of displacement of species. It's highly possible that the croc just wandered out of the river into the sea or was washed up there with the currents. The national media had a field day, and so did social media. You can call such an incident a freak of nature. It was a funny incident really, but we still have to wonder what could have happened had the beach been crowded.
Prakash Chanda, Calangute
