We need to be very distraught about the sickening and senseless public discourse over religion that Goa is currently witnessing. Our forefathers must be rolling in their graves to the seeds of disharmony being mischievously sprouted in our peace-loving State. If immediate steps are not taken to nip this malady, we may reach a point of no return.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has to crack the whip with an iron hand against all those trying to create needless fissures in our otherwise tranquil society. We need some concrete action as there can be no room for double talk. No one however well connected must be spared while disturbing our secular peace. Action against such elements has to be deterrent and merciless. The law must take its course against those creating rifts amongst us.
Peaceful, secular and in communal harmony we should always thrive and live as a harmonious community as we have always been. The world is grappling with enough problems and peace is the need of the hour while those trying to disrupt it should be conveyed a stern message.
Saint Francis Xavier has, is and will always be the patron saint of us all regardless of our caste, religion or creed. Goa’s well-being and the happiness of all our fellow brothers and sisters should be our paramount and only concern.
Rane’s cabinet status will empty Goa’s coffers
That ‘Lifetime Cabinet Status’ is something unheard of even in the history books; perhaps never bestowed on anyone, ever across the world. At least in India this unprecedented phenomenon appears for the very first time. And it’s happening in Goa, the land of Fish, Feni and Fun. No wonder Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had said “Ajeeb hai Goa ke log” (strange are the people of Goa).
The court will decide on the legality of this huge bonanza by way of ‘Lifetime cabinet status’ gifted to Pratapsingh Rane. As this has all been malafidely cooked up with political motives, I would have failed in my duty if I had not challenged this mega abuse of power. The government had the nerve to mislead Goa by falsely claiming that Pratapsingh Rane had completed 50 years as MLA when factually he hadn’t. History and records should never be distorted.
Besides an official car, free travel and accommodation at the cost of the state, the 83-year-old Pratapsingh Rane will now for life be entitled to 18 staff at his service.
All this will cost the taxpayers a couple of crores every year. A huge burden on a State that is already reeling in financial crisis while borrowing hundreds of crores every month to make ends meet.
The doctrine of “no-work-no-pay” is a fundamental axiom at any workplace but will not apply to Pratapsingh Rane who will reap all these rich benefits while having no work whatsoever to do. God Save Goa.
