Reservations over quotas
With the furore over the quota system fuelling various speculations to the extent of having the BJP indicating its support for affirmative action for the economically backward among upper castes; the irony of the reservation policies favoured by various governments so far is not lost on anyone. Who is to benefit from the reservation policy that is in effect in the country today? If the upliftment of the socially backward classes remains the sole criterion for the quota structure promulgated by the government, how is it that it has been blind to the glaring economic disparity amongst various other communities, the so-called middle and upper class, that has been a natural fallout of the implementation of the reservation policy? Purely reserving seats for those desirous of pursuing courses in professional colleges or institutes, or ensuring a fair share of the government jobs would never have been the idea of social reformers who strived all along to make an everlasting change in certain aspects of society rooted deeply in despicable customs. It is obvious that the ‘richer backwards’ walking away with seats and jobs due to the reservation policies of the government are depriving the worthy and meritorious, who would otherwise have benefitted if the reservations were non-existent.
Pachu Menon, Margao
Amend the Act
The report of the Cuelim sarpanch not attending an important gram sabha meeting is indeed a serious affair. She claims it was unavoidable because of illness. We need to believe her but at the same time we need to have rules so in future it will not happen again anywhere in Goa. The role of the sarpanch, the deputy sarapench and the panchas is to protect the village and the interest of the villagers. We know no elected panch will challenge this view prior to the panchayat election but after? The people of Carmona are demanding the implementation of the 73rd and 74th amendments so the mega disaster which is taking place in their village will not happen again, and will not happen in other villages in Goa. Now, this is a reasonable request and they are asking for unity from the other 180 plus Panchyats in Goa.
Goa's Deputy Chief Minister who is a lawyer wants greater peoples' participation in the decision-making process in municipal affairs. This invasion of our villages is against natural justice and is laissez-faire capitalism. Goans should not forget: We are the village!
Ashley Fernandes, Cansaulim
Whither Goenkarponn?
At a nationalised bank I find forms that ask me besides English and Hindi what other language can I speak. The boxes have every other Indian language except Konkani, our language included in the 8th schedule. A private bank does not have Goa in its drop box for electric bill payment. The poink,poink of the baker has been ursurped by vendors from other states operating in Goa. So when I come out to buy bread, I find it is a fish, plastic bucket or some other vendor. The government is not showing much enthuasism in helping the struggling poders whose humble bread beats any of the sophisticated expensive packed and sliced bread, especially for the enjoyment of choriz- pao, pao bhaji or sorpotel- poe. Everywhere I go, I cannot fathom what sort of government we have in Goa encourages operations in Goa that drives against and destroys what is beautiful and unique to Goa.
John Eric Gomes, Porvorim
