Above the law?
On Thursday, May 26, The Goan Everyday story informed us that the State Level Committee tasked with rectifying the regional plan has drawn up and frozen guidelines for finalizing the plan. The Goa, Daman and Diu Town and Country Planning Act of 1974, which is the operative Act in this connection, does not have any provision for the setting up of any State Level Committee to "rectify the regional plan."
Under which provision of which Act, has such a State Level Committee has been constituted? Prima Facie it appears that this Committee is illegal and without any legal standing whatsoever. The Town and Country Planning Act of 1974 is severely flawed in many respects but has been the framework within which the so-called Regional Plan for Goa 2021 has been formulated. According to the news report, "The SLC has also finalized a vision document for Goa for the State Government to consider with respect to urbanization trends across Goa and the challenges it has thrown up." Who has authorised the State Level Committee to prepare such a Vision Document for Goa, and under which provisions of the law?
Averthanus L. D'Souza, Dona Paula
Updated numbers
It is time that BSNL Goa came up with a new telephone directory since the one in use was last updated in Dec. 2008. Many changes have taken place since then - new subscribers are added, old subscribers have dropped out and new telephone exchanges are opened. It is suggested that BSNL Goa indicate in the new directory the area each telephone exchange serves. For example Bastora covers Uccassaim, Varca covers Carmona and so on. This information is helpful and was provided in the previous directories. It is excluded in the current one. Likewise, the postal PIN of each place may be given as in the previous directories. It is true that increasing number of people now use electronic mail and cell phones but the time is nowhere near when landlines and paper correspondence will stop. Besides, some items like the greeting cards still have more charm and warmth than SMS and emails. Until then, old is gold.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
Bus violations
After the 15- day drive by the RTO in Goa for checks on traffic violations by motorist and two wheelers , it is now time for a crackdown on private passenger buses plying on Goa roads for rampant violations that have crossed the limits of tolerance, which even the RTO seems unable to tackle. None of these buses ever leave the terminus until it is filled to more than twice its capacity, even as passengers go through a harrowing time, remaining huddled up uncomfortably and helpless like cattle. Bus tickets are never issued by the conductor, even though it has been made mandatory through rules framed by the transport department a year ago. The minimum bus fare on these routes is Rs 8, but passengers land up paying Rs 10 for want of loose change deliberately withheld by the conductor. This has become a regular practice these days, and it is time to save passengers from being cheated and travel in a civilized way.
A F Nazareth, Porvorim
