By Nisser Dias.
8th Sept 2011
Lokayukta is required to weed out the rot in the most corrupt government in Goa.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh led UPA government has finally relented to the demands of 74 year old Gandhian Anna Hazare and his team to draft the Jan Lokpal Bill as per their satisfaction so as to bring all and sundry under its ambit. Anna’s draft was discussed in both houses of the parliament and passed unanimously. The question before us was why were the Parliamentarians hesitant to incorporate the clauses recommended by the Anna team, was it because many of them have skeletons in their closet?
Nevertheless Anna through his 12 days fast brought not only the Union government to its knees but even the opposition to agree to his point of view. He has clearly said that he suspending the fast till such time as the central government passes the Bill in 30 days time.
Now let us take the instance of Goa Lok Ayukta Bill, though it was passed in the Goa Legislative Assembly it is yet to become an Act. Does our government or rather successive government have an answer. While other states already have their Lok Ayukta in place, Goa’s Bill has been making rendezvous between Raj Bhavan and the Government in power.
Recently Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar boasted that if he comes to power he will constitute Lok Ayukta within three months. This could be wishful thinking but then looking back why did he not feel the need while he was in power. Even then he used to talk about alleged corruption by the Congress legislators. Parrikar outburst is not for the good of administration or to curb corruption but only to cash on the mood of the people at the moment hoping to translate it into votes. The very intention is unclean. And if at all he succeeds, knowing Parrikar’s way of functioning, which is ‘know it all’ and arrogance he is very likely to constitute LokAyuta and its members of his choice. The fact remains that politicians do not favour Lok Ayukta because they are sought to be made accountable for their acts of commission and omission.
For example somewhere in 2008, the High Court in a judgment on a Public Interest Litigation filed by a spirited activist Leonardo E Lobo ordered demolition of the sunset-bays built at Baina beach in violation of Coastal Regulations Zone norms for viewing sunset by GSUDA at the cost of more than Rs. one crore. The order also directed that the entire cost be recovered from the government employees serving in the agency. However Urban Development minister Joaquim Alemao had ordered the construction of the same but no law so far can hold him responsible. Similar is the case with Rs. 7.28 crores spent on Sonsoddo garbage treatment plant.
Thought Comptroller and Auditor General of India had noted that GSUDA’s haste is awarding the contract to Hyquip in 2006 prevented more technically competent agencies from setting up solid waste management plant at Sonsoddo leading to waste of resources. CAG had even observed that GSUDA did not process Hyquip’s pre-qualification tender. Central Pollution Control Board had exposed the consultant’s lie that in-vessel composting technology had been introduced in India. The then chief secretary had advised scrapping of the project based on finance and vigilance departments reports of irregularities, yet GSUDA pursued the tender after increasing the performance guarantee, which the company failed to furnish. But Urban
Development minister Joaquim Alemao went ahead with the unknown credentials knowing very well that he cannot be held accountable for waste of public fund even though people know very well where the exchequer’s money were diverted, the junior Alemao knew that under the present laws he could not be held accountable. That is the reason that we need to constitute Lokayukta so that corrupt politicians be not only be indicted but arrested and the loss caused to the exchequer be recovered from their family. And now he wants to introduce his son into politics to assist him in the loot and plunder of Goa.
Very recently opposition leader Manohar Parrikar has come out strongly against PWD minister Churchill Alemao for the sub-standard roads which have been washed away in the rains. Everybody knows the reason why the roads are getting washed away but who will hold the minister accountable. As of today he is attending Valankanni feast, praying to the divine powers to absolve him of his sins.
These are just some examples, infact all the ministers in the Digambar Kamat government and even those who were stripped are involved in corrupt practices. Be it the high security number plates, allotment of land for SEZ, land scam, PPP projects in the Health department, illegal mining, excise scam the list can go on. But no law in the country can hold them responsible and accountable. Of course only if they threaten to destabilize the government then only they are threatened with raids, exposure and arrest. Otherwise the principle of the Union and the state governments is loot and let’s loot together.
Jan Lokpal Bill and Loyakuta are like a Damocles sword which will hang over the heads of corrupt politicians. And that is the reason that the Congress led government at the Centre as well in the state of Goa are hesitant to introduce a strong Bill and constitute Lokayukta here. The very fact that chief minister Digambar Kamat has said that Lokayuta will require a re-look is an indication that he is bargaining for time to end his tenure and then let someone else bear the headache.
In Goa too people lent support to anti-crusader Anna Hazare’s fast unto to death through rallies, protests and other forms to bring the Union government to its knees to include his three recommendation in the Jan Lokpal Bill. However that is not enough, if the people of this state want the government be it the current or the one that is going to elected very soon constitute a strong Lokayuta then we should be ready to repeat Anna’s act here otherwise we will continue to live in the same rut that we are living in.
Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com Or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser Dias writes a regular column in GT every Thursday).
For Goa News Log on to WWW.nizgoenkar.net
September 8, 2011
SECURITY AND TERRORISM IN INDIA.
In our times we have seen the ugly rise of terrorism to newer heights and none worse than the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center in the USA, which was terrorism at it’s worse. What is commendable is, since then, there has not been another terrorist attack on the US soil, so due credit must be given to their Security and Intelligence Services and Agencies for having not just managed to strengthen it’s raw and delicate underbelly but also reinforcing it with not just six pack but eight pack abs and this shows the commitment of the USA government to the security of it’s citizens even though it is the most hated country in the world and topmost on the terrorists agenda.
We Indians have also been victims of this bloody atrocity on a number of occasions and still continue to be a hotspot and a soft-target for terror attacks. The Mumbai attacks of 26/11, 2008 should have been a lesson for our Authorities to tighten up our security girdle but unfortunately even then we have had more attacks and hundreds of more casualties.
So what is the cause of these repeated attacks ? Or why is India prone to these attacks ? The answers are obvious and simple: First and foremost everyone knows India is a democracy and so will respect and protect every criminal and terrorists till he/she is proved guilty beyond a “reasonable doubt”. Till then they will be well cared for, well protected and well fed at the cost of the tax payers, so even if they are caught alive they have nothing to worry about as everything will be provided for. So we definitely need tougher laws to deal with terrorists to discourage terrorism in India.
Next, by now the whole wide world knows the limitations of our Intelligence Services and Agencies as most terrorists and criminals come and go as they please, creating havoc as and when they please, leaving us bruised and battered all over and our highly acclaimed Intelligence Services bewildered and clueless. To change this, our Security Services and Agencies need to be regularly upgraded, procedures changed with time and situations, personnel well trained and provided with state of the art and latest security gadgets and apparatus and coordination with international Agencies.
Next, our tedious judiciary process is well know to the world, cases have been going on endlessly and with the best of lawyers at their disposal, one can eat, sleep and make merry for a long long time. To change this aspect fast track courts should be provided for speedy deliverance of justice and harshest punishment evoked to discourage terrorist activities in India.
Next, everybody knows the slow and lackluster response mechanism of our elite security forces, though they can be effective, they are always delayed by lack in communications and mobility apparatus. So by the time they are alerted and ready for action, the terrorists and criminals have caused excessive damage or have already disappeared after their acts of terror and crime. To change this aspect every state should have an elite force, with it’s own elite control and command centre to take immediate and effective actions to neutralize any threat.
Next, everyone knows that our bungling security services are the most notorious in the world, they can be bought and sold at the drop of a hat and their improper handling of cases and their limitations in acquiring witnesses and proofs and present air tight cases, have led to more acquittals and than sentences for alleged high profile criminals and terrorists. To rectify this aspect we need well trained investigators and forensic experts to zero on, to the perpetrators with minimum evidence and efforts with the help of all source able data and well equipped forensic labs.
Next, our Netas are a burden on the security services as they are surrounded by excessive number of highly trained security officers, not just to protect them but to even wipe their shoes, who could be used for other urgent security needs of the people and the country. We should prioritize our security notions by limiting security to our politicians and avail the best security where it’s needed the most.
Next, everyone knows we Indians not just lack civic sense and civic responsibility but that we also lack security sense, we get upset, impatient and angry if we have to go through even just one security check in the streets. We do not have the understanding like Japanese or Americans to stay calm and follow orders of the security personnel and most of all we do not care about what happens to the others around as long as we are not affected. To improve, we need to change our security sense and be prepared, submit to and encourage regular security checks and keep our eyes and years open for unusual and mysterious behaviors and packages and stay calm and follow orders of our security personnel as and hen required without malice, irritation and anger.
If and only if we all (politicians, security services and us) change our perception and our apathy towards security and security procedures and join in to help our security personnel to maintain the required security levels only then will we be secure or else we will always be soft targets and hotspots for terrorist endeavors till the next attack devours us.
Freddy Agnelo Fernandes.
We Indians have also been victims of this bloody atrocity on a number of occasions and still continue to be a hotspot and a soft-target for terror attacks. The Mumbai attacks of 26/11, 2008 should have been a lesson for our Authorities to tighten up our security girdle but unfortunately even then we have had more attacks and hundreds of more casualties.
So what is the cause of these repeated attacks ? Or why is India prone to these attacks ? The answers are obvious and simple: First and foremost everyone knows India is a democracy and so will respect and protect every criminal and terrorists till he/she is proved guilty beyond a “reasonable doubt”. Till then they will be well cared for, well protected and well fed at the cost of the tax payers, so even if they are caught alive they have nothing to worry about as everything will be provided for. So we definitely need tougher laws to deal with terrorists to discourage terrorism in India.
Next, by now the whole wide world knows the limitations of our Intelligence Services and Agencies as most terrorists and criminals come and go as they please, creating havoc as and when they please, leaving us bruised and battered all over and our highly acclaimed Intelligence Services bewildered and clueless. To change this, our Security Services and Agencies need to be regularly upgraded, procedures changed with time and situations, personnel well trained and provided with state of the art and latest security gadgets and apparatus and coordination with international Agencies.
Next, our tedious judiciary process is well know to the world, cases have been going on endlessly and with the best of lawyers at their disposal, one can eat, sleep and make merry for a long long time. To change this aspect fast track courts should be provided for speedy deliverance of justice and harshest punishment evoked to discourage terrorist activities in India.
Next, everybody knows the slow and lackluster response mechanism of our elite security forces, though they can be effective, they are always delayed by lack in communications and mobility apparatus. So by the time they are alerted and ready for action, the terrorists and criminals have caused excessive damage or have already disappeared after their acts of terror and crime. To change this aspect every state should have an elite force, with it’s own elite control and command centre to take immediate and effective actions to neutralize any threat.
Next, everyone knows that our bungling security services are the most notorious in the world, they can be bought and sold at the drop of a hat and their improper handling of cases and their limitations in acquiring witnesses and proofs and present air tight cases, have led to more acquittals and than sentences for alleged high profile criminals and terrorists. To rectify this aspect we need well trained investigators and forensic experts to zero on, to the perpetrators with minimum evidence and efforts with the help of all source able data and well equipped forensic labs.
Next, our Netas are a burden on the security services as they are surrounded by excessive number of highly trained security officers, not just to protect them but to even wipe their shoes, who could be used for other urgent security needs of the people and the country. We should prioritize our security notions by limiting security to our politicians and avail the best security where it’s needed the most.
Next, everyone knows we Indians not just lack civic sense and civic responsibility but that we also lack security sense, we get upset, impatient and angry if we have to go through even just one security check in the streets. We do not have the understanding like Japanese or Americans to stay calm and follow orders of the security personnel and most of all we do not care about what happens to the others around as long as we are not affected. To improve, we need to change our security sense and be prepared, submit to and encourage regular security checks and keep our eyes and years open for unusual and mysterious behaviors and packages and stay calm and follow orders of our security personnel as and hen required without malice, irritation and anger.
If and only if we all (politicians, security services and us) change our perception and our apathy towards security and security procedures and join in to help our security personnel to maintain the required security levels only then will we be secure or else we will always be soft targets and hotspots for terrorist endeavors till the next attack devours us.
Freddy Agnelo Fernandes.
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