P'yat 15-day deemed clause for realty approvals flawed
The Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho recently had his BJP govt introduce a flawed 15-day response deadline to those applying to Panchayat for real estate approvals. If response is not given within 15 days, then those applying for permissions get the approvals under the deemed clause (even if there are illegalities or violations of the law!) I say this 15-day deemed c
Will NRIs return to protect Goa’s future?
Rather than debating on social media, the real question is: Will most Goan NRIs return home to vote in the upcoming Assembly elections? Our beloved Goa faces threats from reckless politics that have damaged its peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty, turning it into a concrete jungle. Today, outsiders outnumber locals...
Election Commission must respect due process
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has come under scrutiny over decisions reportedly taken during the ongoing electoral process. A petition before the Supreme Court has challenged decisions, guidelines and software changes allegedly made without the consent of the other two Election Commissioners. It contends that such actions violate statutory provisions...
Strengthen village child committees
The new Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) recently conducted a stakeholders’ convergence meeting on child protection, focusing on inter-agency coordination, timely referrals, rehabilitation and stronger child protection mechanisms. These are important steps towards ensuring children’s safety. Goa has 191 panchayats and 14 municipal...
What I finally learned about myself from Dylan
Reading Stephen Dias’ latest letter on Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize win, has given me licence to share my heart for an artist always ahead of the curve. Though my gateway song to Bob’s music was either Knocking on Heaven’s Door or Like a Rolling Stone when I was 20, my...
