GOA POLICE FORCE IN DIRE STRAITS.

By Aires Rodrigues.

A politically independent police force that is able to effectively ensure law and order is the key to the prosperity and well being ofany State.

This government came to power on a solemn pledge of a Parivartan. Nothing seems to have changed. Even the Goa police continues to lack any independence in its functioning. The police force continues to be puppets in the hands of politicians in power. The Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) have no say whatsoever in transfers and promotion of police personnel with the Chief Minister, Ministers and ruling MLAs calling the shots.

A small State like Goa has a police force of over 6000. This government is in the process of recruiting more. What is required are not more political recruits but proper and judicious deployment of the existing force by ensuring its proper utilization. Good policing cannot be achieved by merely having more cops on the streets. The techniques of proper surveillance have to be upgraded. Proper investigation cannot be achieved by just increasing the numbers of an already swollen police constabulary. Crime needs to be curbed by bolstering community and neighborhood watch on criminal activities.This task however becomes arduous when politicians are themselves the perpetrators if not the cohorts in breaking and violating the law.

Ministers have appropriated the authority to assign postings of all police ranks, from Inspectors to constables and even the post of SPs to Dy SPs. The intent and manner behind depriving the DGP and IGP of their authority in such routine administrative matters is deplorable.The damage done to the status of the DGP and IGP is incalculable and unacceptable. Today the DGP and IGP cannot even transfer or disciplinea constable.

It was on the directions of the Supreme Court that State Governments were directed to set up a Police establishment board to oversee the transfer of police personnel. The intent was to improve and monitor the functioning of the Police system. The Supreme Court was very candid clear that the police force should be totally insulated fromany political pressure, whatsoever, so as to be able to secure thecitizen's rights under the Constitution. The Police should be allowed to discharge their fundamental duties of ensuring strict enforcementof the law and maintaining order. For good public policing the politicians should never use the police to target their political opponents and to silence voices of dissent. Politicians publicly speakabout the independence of the police and of the law taking its owncourse. The ground reality is very different as they interfere andintervene in the day to day functioning of the police.

We have many good and smart policemen. But unfortunately their brains and investigative skills are locked in the custody of the politicianswhose line they have to tow. A college degree is no longer a novelty,and there are now police constables with graduate degrees as well. Even some constables have an academic education way beyond that of some of our Ministers and MLAs. This is an encouraging trend. It istime to make the Police force function as a professionally-competent body and not as mere agents of the political party in power. A small state like Goa can have optimum levels of peace and tranquility butthe rising crime is a matter of great concern. If immediate correctivesteps are not taken we may plunge to a point of no return.

Today murders, thefts and rapes are on the increase. At times the Police lack the will to investigate because of political pulls and pressures. The Government should ponder and investigate the cause of crime. Unless we have the vision and spine to get to the root of the problem, any superficial steps would be merely cosmetic and would not yield long-lasting results.

Due to political interference, the police often shelve criminal complaints on the excuse that the subject matter is of a civil nature. And instances are also galore where at the behest of politicians thepolice swiftly and highhandedly proceed with criminal action in civildisputes.

There has to be a consensus to ensure that the police get their independence and identity. It is a shame that officers have over they ears been manipulated and tamed by the powers that be and that infact the officers have no role to play except dance to the tunes of those in power. In effect they have been bound and gagged. The frequent transfer and victimization of police officers at the instance of politicians has to stop. It affects the morale and credibility of the officers while adversely affecting their performance.

In its Mission Statement, the Goa Police had resolved to give peoplean efficient, law abiding and responsive law enforcement machinery. Independence of the police force is a must and Ministers & MLA’s should stop controlling police stations. Powers to transfer and discipline police personnel should vest solely with the DGP and IGP. There has to be a consensus amongst all politicians on the need to allow the Police force to function freely and independently devoid of any political interference and manipulation whatsoever. It is hightime there is a concerted effort in this direction. Only then can we inch towards a peaceful and crime free Goa.

May the Goa Police be inspired by the words of Sir Robert Peel, who was known as the Father of Modern community policing“ Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law. The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence”

( the writer can be contacted on 9822684372 or airesrodrigues@gmail.com)

CAJETAN-MARCUS-XAVIER TRIO IN KUWAIT TIATRO "APLEA BHURGEAM SANGATAK".

On Konkani Stage since its inception the first known Trio that was formed and made its solid impact was of Trio of Kid – Young – Rod. During those days people will flood to see and listen to the excellent Trio songs they rendered. The theme of their trio songs was Social or Family life or in rare cases “Zupattis” for the fellow Tiatrists. This Trio after a good period of time successfully entertaining the Goan audience due to some difference of opinions within themselves splitted when the backbone of it Minguel Rod deserted it. Then due to ingenuity of Alexinho de Candolim as a good schemer, Minguel Rod was roped in for the newly formed Quartet consisting of Alexinho de Candolim-Minguel Rod-C. Alvares-Jacinto Vaz. As a mode of propaganda of their unity they published their photograph in the Handbill holding one another’s hand in a gesture of unity. But this unity did not last for long since Minguel Rod returned to his original Trio.

The second well known Trio was formed immediately after the invasion of Goa by Bharat. Unable to bear the disgrace of Bharati corrupt Raj in Goa and to raise their voice against the corruption, Conception-Nelson-Anthony formed their Trio. It was a Trio purely rendering political songs and because of their hard hitting songs this Trio became the darling of the audience. After about one and a half decade of doing great service from the Stage for the cause of Goa, it got splitted when Nelson its backbone was separated from it. Later on Nelson died and also Conception died and the onus of its survival fell on the shoulders of Anthony who with the new substitutes kept it going.

As a matter of interest, the Trio of Conception-Nelson-Anthony was so powerful in Goan political scene that what 12 MLA’s of UG could not do this Trio was doing because Bandodkar the then Chief Minister of Goa was more afraid of this Trio than of 12 UG MLA’s.

The third known professional Trio on Konkani Stage was of Mendes Bros. which was formed immediately after the death of their beloved father Anthony Mendes in early Sixties. All the youthful Mendes Bros. namely Felix-Derek-Xavier was of instant hit soon after the formation of their Trio. Their comedy trios were hilarious and the audience enjoyed the same to their total satisfaction. They are all three brothers who are in Kuwait leading a decent life since last three decades and occasionally seen participating in Tiatros in Kuwait, mainly for Charity Shows.

The fourth known professional Trio that was formed was of Rom-Rem-Rod, this trio concentrated mainly on political songs. After serving Konkani Stage for a decade it came to an end.

Then came another professional Trio of Wilmix with dazzling colours and after a short period it also faced its extinction. It was led by Wilson Mazarello.

In Kuwait among all the Gulf States there are more Tiatrists who played a very good role on Konkani Stage before landing in Kuwait. Some of these Tiatrists were very matured and seasoned in Goa and Bombay. Cajetan de Sanvordem is one who came to Kuwait approximately in 1975 and who was later on followed by Marcus Vaz the son of the then great Tiatrist Master Vaz. Before them came Xavier Gomes and all the three started creating ripples with their individual performances on Kuwait Konkani Stage.

Then somewhere in mid-eighties Cajetan-Marcus-Xavier joined together and formed their trio named as Cajetan-Marcus-Xavier as shown in the above photo. They rendered trio songs on comedy and decent themes and their trios were liked by the audience. Not only in Kuwait even in Goa they were very much in demand. Among the three only Cajetan de Sanvordem is still working in Kuwait while the other two already retired from Kuwait. But occasionally when they get opportunity of being together, they join together to participate in the Tiatros and render their trios.

In “APLEA BHURGEAM SANGATAK” they will be seen together in action in Kuwait on 28th September 2012 for the Tiatro written and directed by Dy. S.P. Sammy Tavares to entertain the Kuwait Konkani audience once again.

A. Veronica Fernandes,

Kuwait.

ONE LAKH TWENTY THOUSAND GOANS STRANDED WITHOUT DSS BENEFITS SINCE JUNE

 By Aires Rodrigues.

The Chief Secretary of Goa Mr. B.Vijayan has today been served a legal notice for non payment of Dayanand Social Security benefits since June this year to all the 1,20,000 beneficiaries. It has been demanded that all arrears to the beneficiaries be paid within 24 hours and thatfurther payments be made promptly on the first of every month.

The Dayanand Social Security scheme was launched by the Goa Governmentin 2001 as an initiative under “Freedom from Hunger” project. The beneficiaries which include 80,000 Senior Citizens, 30,000 widows and 10,000 disabled citizens are all without benefits from June this year despite this monthly monetary benefit being the only source of income and sustenance for these poor downtrodden beneficiaries.

This blatant wanton neglect of this poorest and unprivileged section of society is despicable and unjustified. The welfare and well being of the poorest should have been the paramount priority of any government. It is intriguing that the government despite being unable to pay benefits in time to these beneficiaries is contemplating other welfare schemes and also taking several populist decisions having afinancial impact. A clear paradox..Unless the government is able to adequately implement existing schemes, any attempt to launch otherwelfare schemes would be inappropriate and undesirable.

It is apparent that the 1,20,000 beneficiaries under the Dayanand Social Security Scheme have not been paid from June due to the financial crunch the State exchequer faces. It would be very appropriate for the government to adopt rigorous austerity measuresand stop squandering money on unnecessary expenditure.

All wasteful expenditure must stop. Unnecessarily 11 lakhs was spenton the swearing in ceremony of the current government held on 9th March. Lakhs are going down the drain on the four MLAs who are now on a joy ride to the United Kingdom at tax payer’s expense. All this while the Goa Government had no money to pay monthly benefits under the Dayanand Social Security scheme to the financially distressed Senior citizens, widows and the disabled

 Non payment of monthly benefits under the Dayanand Social Security scheme is surprising and reflects the sordid state of affairs. Inpublic interest it would be appropriate to move the Bombay High Courtat Goa for appropriate orders if immediate steps are not taken by theGoa Government to pay the DSS beneficiaries all the pending arrearsand further benefits on the first of every month.