(PUT IN BOX)
Over the years, private bus operators have been disobeying rules and regulations framed by the Directorate of Transport. However, this authority has been found incompetent to exercise control over them. Fare tickets are not being issued by bus conductors. Commuters are being overcharged due to shortage of coins. Reservation of seats is not followed at all. Men occupy the seats meant for women, while youngsters occupy those meant for senior citizens. Drivers and conductors seldom wear the prescribed uniform while on duty. Besides, over-speeding and overtaking happens to be a regular phenomenon. This ultimately puts commuters at great risk. Unless the department exercises proper control, the situation is bound to get worse in future. It is absolutely necessary that commuters are assured a safe and comfortable journey. Let us hope that Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar will take appropriate steps in improving the state's degrading public transportation.
Pravin U Sardessai, Adpai
***
Now that BRICS is over, a few observations that should prick the conscience of any well meaning citizen. Our Prime Minister stayed at super luxury resorts on the beach along with other heads of State. No doubt a Prime Minister deserves to be in comfort. But knocking down and redoing suites at super luxury hotels with public money just for his two-night stay goes way beyond comfort and luxury. This kind of lavishness even surpasses the extravaganza associated with the maharajahs of yore that we have read about in history books! Are the normal suites at these resorts not good enough for his comfort?
It's not a question of whether we can afford such unwarranted extravaganza, but more of a moral issue in a country where half the population can hardly afford the basics. Mahatma Gandhi, a London educated barrister, switched over to wearing khadi clothes as a way of identifying with the common people of India. The whole world still respects the Mahatma for his simple living and high thinking! Modi, on the other hand, perhaps thinks that he can impress Presidents and Prime Ministers of prosperous nations by wearing suits costing lakhs of rupees.
Heads of States no doubt ought to be given the best possible security and hospitality - never mind if some of them like the Chinese Premier thinks it fit to praise Pakistan. But why inconvenience the public when better and cheaper options like flying the VVIPs to their hotels are available? The money virtually poured down in a jiffy for cosmetic make-up jobs could have been judiciously utilised to built good infrastructure.
Mercifully, none of the heads of states thought it worth their time to stop and have a closer look at the newly done Colva-Margao road which has all the potential to make international headlines.
Jesuin George Fernandes, Cansaulim
**
