Curbing chemically ripened fruit sale
The Food and Drugs Administration officials are reported to have raided a godown at Ponda market this week and confiscated two tonnes of chemically ripened mangoes. This is the third case in recent weeks. In the previous two raids at Siolim and Bicholim about 9.5 tonnes of artificially ripened mangoes were seized and destroyed. Bananas are also chemically ripened. There will be some cases which have gone undetected. Nevertheless, good work has been done by the FDA officials. But what the people would like to know is what action has been taken against the guilty fruit dealers.
Ripening of fruits by using chemicals is against the law as such fruits are dangerous to health. Innocent people have had serious health problems after eating unsuspectingly, chemically ripened fruits. Merely imposing a fine neither meets the ends of justice nor serves as a strong deterrent. Therefore, besides heavy fines, the guilty fruit dealers should be given rigorous imprisonment after a speedy trial.
Rodney D’Souza, Assagao
Political strategy
While it is almost certain that the BJP has already planned well and finalized its devious strategy in advance for the next Assembly elections, the entire opposition which consists of diverse parties, in a show of one-upmanship, still seem to be acting like toddlers. AAP says “I am the one and the only one”. The Congress torn between “old guard” and “new guard”, under egoistic leadership of two rancid veterans, is tottering. Goa Forward runs the risk of being isolated. Consolidation of forces is a term alien to those who aim to displace the BJP.
Meanwhile, with the news that Velingkar will join Parsekar’s birthday bash, it is an open secret that the BBSM and BJP must have worked out a compromise formula which will carry the rubber stamp of the staunch neo-communalists like Uday Bhembre and Arvind Bhatikar. To make matters worse, under the guidance of Parrikar, BJP has already started filing criminal cases against possible opponents to make them dance like puppets on a string at the time of elections to tilt the balance in favour of this rotten party called BJP. So, for the niz Goemkar the writing is on the wall.
Dr Francisco Colaço, Margao
Brexit and Goans
Brexit has taken place, as the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union (EU). This will undoubtedly have widespread ramification in that country. The development will also have widespread ramifications for Goans who have been working and living in the UK after acquiring the Portuguese passports. It now means that they will need a work permit, currently required for Indian and other non-EU citizens. It will also mean no access to benefits and public funds until they get permanent residency after five years of stay. Of course those who have been in Britain for five or more years have all got their ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’. The ILR status grants them the right to live here indefinitely. But what of those Goans who don’t qualify for ILR and are holding Portuguese passports now after UK has voted to leave the EU? They will of course still be able work in the rest of Europe or settle in Portugal but then the Portuguese themselves are coming to Britain in search of work as Portugal is in the throes of economic crisis. The only other option that is available is to return back to Goa.. Most of those returning back home will be rendered unemployed and add the growing number of unemployed people in the state. Indeed a worrying time ahead for the Goa government.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
