GOA'S POLITICALLY MANIPULATED AND BULLIED BUREAUCRACY.

By Aires Rodrigues

In a democracy, the bureaucracy must be allowed to function independent of the political establishment. Only an independent bureaucracy can render the rule of law. The performance, character and role of the bureaucracy depends on the social and political scenario around it. Officers remain as honest, upright and efficient, as the society around them or as their political masters want them to be.


The rule of law requires government officials to comply with the law at all times. Every executive action must have legal authorization and no decision can contravene or violate a legal restriction. Political interference, in the day-to-day administration is not permissible neither acceptable. A perusal of the file notings of some senior officers reflects that they have just surrendered to the political establishment. Some of the officers knowing that it is an exercise in futility simply pass files up the ladder without any comments.


Officers need to be encouraged to give their free and frank opinion. They should be at liberty to work out details and implement their decisions. The political and administrative wings of the Government together should pursue the path of progress by accommodating diverse viewpoints and interests without bias.

We have witnessed many officers including Chief Secretaries and DGPs who have been sent packing overnight for not bowing down to politicians in power. One can understand the suffering and agony that such officers go through due to these abrupt transfers. The trauma these officers endure should however not be in vain. It should only strengthen and solidify the resolve of their peers and strengthen the system towards sanity.

The IAS was never meant to be ( I Agree Sir ) and the IPS ( I Please Sir ), but the reality is a sordid tale. If the pinnacle of the bureaucracy caves in, the entire force crumbles and this needs to be rectified. Let us hope every bureaucrat from the top to the bottom will vow to assert his position and always do what is right. This resolve and courage will have to emanate and flow from the top across every layer of the administration. May this be the humble plea to the conscience of every IAS and IPS officer

NEED TO CREATE PUBLIC AWARENESS ON GOA LOKAYUKTA ACT.

By Aires Rodrigues


The Goa Government should immediately commence a public awareness campaign on the recently notified Goa Lokayukta Act. The public need be made aware of their rights and responsibilities in regards to the Lokayukta Act. This awareness drive should be across every town and by possibly having a presentation on the Goa Lokayukta Act at the gram sabhas at the village level.


While the Lokayukta is in the process of being set up, the awareness campaign could begin to enlighten the people on the issues of mal administration, corruption and abuse of power that they could raise before the Lokayukta for the redressal of their grievances.


The government could seek the assistance of Law College students or some NGO’s in this awareness drive to seek the people’s role in striving to make Goa corruption free. Along with around 50 like minded advocates across Goa I am ready to volunteer my services over the week end to help in this public awareness campaign on the Goa Lokayukta Act.


The success of the Lokayukta would to a very large extent depend on the public participating fearlessly in raising documented cases of corruption and other misdeeds by public servants. The public at large have a crucial role as watch dogs in curbing the cancer of corruption that is corroding Goa.


The Lokayukta would be empowered not to merely probe complaints about corruption but any type of maladministration and abuse of power would also come under the scanner and the jurisdiction of the Lokayukta.


A transparent administration is a must for reducing corruption. The office of Lokayukta could help in achieving this with public support and participation.


Copies of the Goa Lokayukta Act in English, Konkani, Marathi and Hindi should be made available at all Mamlatdar offices as well as at the Panchayats, Municipalities, Colleges, Schools and Public Libraries for the benefit of the public.

TO HELL WITH VISITING "KETTIST" TIATRISTS.

It was somewhere in 1959 at Mapusa, my late brother Josemarie when I was small he took me for one Tiatro, if I am not mistaken it was of John Claro.  Jacinto Vaz was to do the comedy role.  Director and the audience were eagerly waiting for Jacinto Vaz to come but No,  Jacinto Vaz did not appear at all.  Fully shaken, the director then appeared on the stage and told the audience that Jacinto Vaz did the "KETT" for him by making a  "GHAT".  Then he asked the audience whether they agree for going ahead without Jacinto Vaz.  For this the audience in one voice said YES, GO AHEAD.  Then the director told the audience, if you support me we can create so many Jacinto Vaz. Then the Tiatro started well and ended also well.  The absence of Jacinto Vaz was not felt at all on that night. During those days Jacinto Vaz was not reliable and was acting many times proud and arrogant like the owner of Konkani Stage.
On 18th of this month three Tiatrists like Jacinto Vaz did "Kettam" but their kettam had no impact on the Tiatro "Ghonvdho".  If we the members of the audience agree, then the director Nazy can create in Kuwait itself so many Hazels, so many Steffis and so many Luis Bachans. 

As it is the director of the Tiatro Mr. Nazi has already created in comedian Jr. Simla not only another Luis Bachan but 100 times better than Luis Bachan.

Many in the audience during Ghondho Tiatro were aspiring to see more and more on the stage Jr. Simla.  His first and new Konkani Comedy VCD "Good Night" is already in the market in Kuwait city and since the Ghonvdho Tiatro its sale has been increased.  I watched this VCD and its comedy is worth admiring.

In future we can rightly say to "Hell with visiting Kettist Tiatrists".

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.