During his last visit to Goa while performing his Yatra, BJP Leader Advani according to available information had a meeting with the Church leaders to discuss the BJP agenda on its communal bias. The results of this discussion was not to my knowledge disclosed, yet it was a good beginning.
Said Gandhji, “India does not need political workers for its upliftment but Social Workers”. In Goa there are very many social workers and their groups striving for the good of Goa. They should join together and collectively as one unit meet the BJP leadership under Parrikar to discuss its agenda for the forthcoming election.
Christian leaders must make a point to call a meeting with Parrikar to get an assurance from BJP leadership that if elected to form the next government in Goa, BJP will never use its power against Christians as it has done in the past.
On the basis of Parrikak’s assurance, Christians as a whole must decide to vote for BJP candidates or no. Alternative to rogue Congress Party is a must now and if BJP discards its communal hatred towards minorities in general and Christians in particular then Christians in general in Goa should think positively. The only irritant in BJP is its communal agenda which it must delete from its hidden manifesto.
BJP’s greatest defect is its communal stand against Christians in Goa and they have openly shown this inspite of having in its fold two Christian MLA’s who both remained as traitors as Judases. Our Christians problem in Goa is that we don’t have a faithful leader to fight for our cause. Mathanay Saldanah and D;Souza from Mapusa both proved to be impotent to confront Parrikar when BJP harassed Christians by cutting Christian holidays and also by ignoring Christians in government jobs. Christians felt hurt when BJP under Parrikar worked against the interest of their religion. That time our both Christians partners in the BJP government acted like purchased commodities by BJP.
Taking advantage of BJP’s biased against Christians, Congress gets Christians votes of course undeservingly but Christians have no other choice but to support Congress however much corrupt Congress may be. The fear of Christians of BJP is very deep rooted because of the sins of BJP against Christians in the past.
This fear from the minds and hearts of Christians BJP can remove only by openly assuring Goan Christians that if voted to power, BJP will not give step motherly treatment to Christians in Goa and will never interfere in their religious rites and formalities.
Can any of the social workers in Goa who is interested in the good results in the coming election come forward to meet the BJP leadership under Parrikar to get an assurance in favour of Christians and also of other minorities?
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
November 28, 2011
HIGH COURT DECLINED GOA GOVERNOR'S PETITION SEEKING STAY OF RTI JUDGEMENT.
HIGH COURT DECLINES TO HEAR GOA GOVERNOR’S PETITION SEEKING STAY OF RTI JUDGEMENT
A Division Bench of the Bombay High Court today declined to hear the petition filed by the Governor of Goa seeking a stay of the judgment passed by the High Court which had ruled that the Governor of Goa was a public authority and came within the ambit of the Right to Information Act. “Not before me” said Justice A.P. Lavande who was heading the Division bench along with Justice U.V.Bakre.
In his petition Dr.N.Radhakrishnan, Special Secretary to the Governor of Goa had sought stay of the High Court Judgment passed on November 14th as the Governor has decided to challenge it before the Supreme Court.
Dr Radhakrishnan in his petition further submitted that if the judgment was not stayed he would suffer grave loss and prejudice as the Goa Raj Bhavan would be compelled to furnish information sought under the Right to Information Act.
The Goa Raj Bhavan’s petition follows a legal notice served earlier this week by Adv. Aires Rodrigues demanding that all the information sought by him through his 15 applications under the RTI Act which are pending at the Raj Bhavan be furnished to him within 7 days.
In one of the applications Adv. Aires Rodrigues had sought from Goa Raj Bhavan under the RTI Act details of the action taken by the Goa Governor on the complaints filed by him against the Advocate General of Goa Mr. Subodh Kantak. Adv. Rodrigues had also sought copies of noting sheets and correspondence pertaining to the processing of his complaints against the Advocate General.
The Bombay High Court at Goa by a judgment on 14th November had clearly ruled that the Governor of Goa was a Public Authority coming within the ambit of the RTI Act and that the Public Information Officer at the Goa Raj Bhavan was duty bound to furnish information sought under the RTI Act.
Adv. Aires Rodrigues in his Affidavit filed in response to the Governor’s petition has stated that the Governor’s petition was misconceived and that he was not entitled to any stay.
Stating that the judgment by the High Court has already been delivered and was now operative, Adv. Rodrigues has in his affidavit further stated that seeking a stay now does not arise as no attempt was made to seek a stay when the judgment was pronounced on Nov 14th though the Advocate for the Governor was present when the judgment was pronounced.
Adv. Rodrigues has also stated that now a different bench of the High Court could not stay a judgment which had already become operative.
Stating that the High Court had in a well considered and detailed judgment held that the Governor of Goa was a Public Authority, Adv. Rodrigues has further stated that such a judgment cannot be stayed merely on the ground that the Goa Governor desires to move the Supreme Court.
Adv Rodrigues has also submitted that the Governor has to comply with the RTI Act and that no prejudice would be caused to the Governor if he furnishes the information sought as required by law.
Stating that the petition by the Goa Raj Bhavan has been filed malafiedly and without application of mind, Adv Rodrigues has sought that the High Court dismiss the Goa Governor’s petition by imposing heavy and exemplary costs.
Interestingly despite every other Governor in the country and even the President of India complying with the RTI Act, the Goa Raj Bhavan over the last five years had chosen to avoid furnishing information under the RTI Act on the grounds that the Governor of Goa was not a Public Authority.
It may be recalled that the former Chief Justice of India J.S.Verma who is also a former Governor himself on a visit to Goa earlier this year had publicly opined that the Goa Governor was a Public Authority and did come within the ambit of the Right to Information Act. A similar view was also strongly expressed by noted RTI Activist Aruna Roy while in Goa recently.
Ironically the current Goa Governor Mr. K. Sankaranarayanan who is complying with the RTI Act as Governor of Maharashtra, in Goa like his predecessor Dr. S.S.Sidhu has refused to comply with the Act where he is holding additional charge as Governor.
A Division Bench of the Bombay High Court today declined to hear the petition filed by the Governor of Goa seeking a stay of the judgment passed by the High Court which had ruled that the Governor of Goa was a public authority and came within the ambit of the Right to Information Act. “Not before me” said Justice A.P. Lavande who was heading the Division bench along with Justice U.V.Bakre.
In his petition Dr.N.Radhakrishnan, Special Secretary to the Governor of Goa had sought stay of the High Court Judgment passed on November 14th as the Governor has decided to challenge it before the Supreme Court.
Dr Radhakrishnan in his petition further submitted that if the judgment was not stayed he would suffer grave loss and prejudice as the Goa Raj Bhavan would be compelled to furnish information sought under the Right to Information Act.
The Goa Raj Bhavan’s petition follows a legal notice served earlier this week by Adv. Aires Rodrigues demanding that all the information sought by him through his 15 applications under the RTI Act which are pending at the Raj Bhavan be furnished to him within 7 days.
In one of the applications Adv. Aires Rodrigues had sought from Goa Raj Bhavan under the RTI Act details of the action taken by the Goa Governor on the complaints filed by him against the Advocate General of Goa Mr. Subodh Kantak. Adv. Rodrigues had also sought copies of noting sheets and correspondence pertaining to the processing of his complaints against the Advocate General.
The Bombay High Court at Goa by a judgment on 14th November had clearly ruled that the Governor of Goa was a Public Authority coming within the ambit of the RTI Act and that the Public Information Officer at the Goa Raj Bhavan was duty bound to furnish information sought under the RTI Act.
Adv. Aires Rodrigues in his Affidavit filed in response to the Governor’s petition has stated that the Governor’s petition was misconceived and that he was not entitled to any stay.
Stating that the judgment by the High Court has already been delivered and was now operative, Adv. Rodrigues has in his affidavit further stated that seeking a stay now does not arise as no attempt was made to seek a stay when the judgment was pronounced on Nov 14th though the Advocate for the Governor was present when the judgment was pronounced.
Adv. Rodrigues has also stated that now a different bench of the High Court could not stay a judgment which had already become operative.
Stating that the High Court had in a well considered and detailed judgment held that the Governor of Goa was a Public Authority, Adv. Rodrigues has further stated that such a judgment cannot be stayed merely on the ground that the Goa Governor desires to move the Supreme Court.
Adv Rodrigues has also submitted that the Governor has to comply with the RTI Act and that no prejudice would be caused to the Governor if he furnishes the information sought as required by law.
Stating that the petition by the Goa Raj Bhavan has been filed malafiedly and without application of mind, Adv Rodrigues has sought that the High Court dismiss the Goa Governor’s petition by imposing heavy and exemplary costs.
Interestingly despite every other Governor in the country and even the President of India complying with the RTI Act, the Goa Raj Bhavan over the last five years had chosen to avoid furnishing information under the RTI Act on the grounds that the Governor of Goa was not a Public Authority.
It may be recalled that the former Chief Justice of India J.S.Verma who is also a former Governor himself on a visit to Goa earlier this year had publicly opined that the Goa Governor was a Public Authority and did come within the ambit of the Right to Information Act. A similar view was also strongly expressed by noted RTI Activist Aruna Roy while in Goa recently.
Ironically the current Goa Governor Mr. K. Sankaranarayanan who is complying with the RTI Act as Governor of Maharashtra, in Goa like his predecessor Dr. S.S.Sidhu has refused to comply with the Act where he is holding additional charge as Governor.
November 27, 2011
SHOULD THE CHURCH OR PRIEST DABBLE IN POLITIICS?
By Nisser Dias 24th Nov 2011
Should the Church or priest dabble in politics?
We are on the threshold of state assembly elections 2012, sitting MLAs and aspiring candidates have already kicked off their campaigns in their respective constituencies. One can see banners, flexes along the roadside. Some ministers have started sponsoring dramas, tournaments in a bid to appease the voters to win over their voters.
During elections time the politicians who have amassed huge illegal wealth, loosen their purse strings and dole out huge amounts of money surpassing the expenditure ceiling imposed by the Election Commission and the majority of voters grab this opportunity to make a quick buck.
Some of the politicians like Churchill Alemao, Ravi Naik, Digambar Kamat and lots others sing a common tune when elections are nearing, ‘people vote for us because of the affection we have showered upon them and the development we have brought in our respective constituencies’. So many years, they have been contesting from the same constituency and yet they need to develop it. It is basically an indication that they are not going to retire from active politics as they have made it their business. In Churchill Alemao’s case this is very evident as even after voters of Benaulim constituency rejected him and subsequently was rejected by the people of south Goa, he continues in politics.
The question that comes to my mind is if these politicians say that they contest because the voters force them, why do they spend colossal amounts of money to win elections. As I said before lakhs of rupees are spent on banners or flexes wishing people on festivals, sponsoring chicken and beer for parties and picnics, funding tournaments. Huge advertisements on news dailies. If people urge these politicians to contest, why do the politicians not advice the constituents to fan out in the constituency and convince people why they should elect them. Why do the politicians need to pay the workers to fix banners, party flags, canvass among other things.
Be that as it may, over the period of time politicians have seen the power of the church or rather the parish priests to change the tide in their favour. For decades now priests have been using the pulpit specially in the Salcete taluka to canvass for Congress candidates. I do not know whether it is the dictum of the church or whether the parish priests are doing it on their own. In any way it is wrong for the church or the priest to use place of worship to carry out a crusade for a certain party or a candidate. The church or the priest can educate its laity on how vote and what to see in a candidate or a politician party while casting the ballot, but surely not whom to vote.
As recently as last week, Fr. Tadeo – parish priest of Vaddem in Sanguem constituency was quoted in the advertisement on a local daily singing praises of Yuri Alemao on his birthday who is aspiring to contest from the said constituency. Fr. Tadeo said, “Yuri is young and shown that he is capable of doing work. He is blessed with the natural qualities that attract people, he is mild, humane, easily approachable and can speak to people’s heart. He will make a good MLA since he can deal with people and has good administrative qualities. He has helped my parishioners by providing generator, he has built a chapel and sponsored pilgrimages of the faithful to Vailankanni. I wish him God’s choicest blessings on his birthday and for his political career”.
Did, ‘His Grace’ Bishop Filipe Neri Ferrao give his assent for such a statement if not have the officials at Bishop’s house demanded an explanation from Fr. Tadeo. The faithful have a right to know.
We have seen in the last five years that Urban Development Joaquim Alemao father of Yuri has been hauled up by the High Court for building of sun bays illegaly at Baina Beach which were ordered to be demolished by High Court and cost be recovered from the officials. Joaquim was exposed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for criminal waste of public money for ordering sweeping machines worth crores of rupees which were not even used once. Then wasting Rs. 7 crores to set-up a treatment plant at Sonsoddo with untested technology. If this is not corruption what is? Lest one should forget Joaquim Alemao is being investigated for illegal mining in the state too.
Could Fr. Tadeo tell us the source of income of Yuri Alemao to be able to build a chapel and to sponsor pilgrims to Vailankanni? If he is using his father’s allegedly ill-gotten wealth to win over votes then Fr. Tadeo is equally responsible of promoting corruption and dynastics politics. The question is what is Fr. Tadeo’s interest in promoting Yuri? Fr. Tadeo be better adviced that one does not have travel almost 50 kms from his place of residence to undertake social work. Yuri has seen huge mining potential in Sanguem and through politics he want to exploits it.
Of course Fr. Tadeo is not an isolated case of a priest in this practice of promoting candidates by motivating the laity to cast their ballot in their favour, there are many others. Fr. Conceicao D’silva hobnobs with most of the catholic politicians and in times of political crisis also helps in mediation. His birthday parties are lavish with most on the ministers on the invitees list, bestowing him with equally lavish gifts. With all the politicking he has indulged in, he could be a politician in his new avatar.
Controversial priest of Colva Fr. Diego also indulges in politics. During last assembly election when he was the parish priest of Colva his sermons were more political than spiritual. And as if that was not enough on the day of polling he was in the church yard which is in close vicinity to the polling booth showing his hand to the voters – as if trying to wave out to them but in reality he was urging them to vote for Congress whose symbol is ‘hand’.
Then we have Fr. Eremito Coutinho currently posted at Seraulim. An ardent fan of Churchill Brothers football tea but over the years his passion has spilled on to politics. Fr. Eremito wanted to allegedly print lottery coupons with Churchill Alemao’s picture on it. He was stopped in his tracks by some donors who contribute money to the church as well wishers.
Bishop Filipe Neri Ferrao during his annual interaction with politicians and the media preaches about curbing corruption and upliftment of the poorer section of the society but here are his priests urging the laity to vote for the most corrupt ministers and their families. God forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.
Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com or SMS 9422437029)
Should the Church or priest dabble in politics?
We are on the threshold of state assembly elections 2012, sitting MLAs and aspiring candidates have already kicked off their campaigns in their respective constituencies. One can see banners, flexes along the roadside. Some ministers have started sponsoring dramas, tournaments in a bid to appease the voters to win over their voters.
During elections time the politicians who have amassed huge illegal wealth, loosen their purse strings and dole out huge amounts of money surpassing the expenditure ceiling imposed by the Election Commission and the majority of voters grab this opportunity to make a quick buck.
Some of the politicians like Churchill Alemao, Ravi Naik, Digambar Kamat and lots others sing a common tune when elections are nearing, ‘people vote for us because of the affection we have showered upon them and the development we have brought in our respective constituencies’. So many years, they have been contesting from the same constituency and yet they need to develop it. It is basically an indication that they are not going to retire from active politics as they have made it their business. In Churchill Alemao’s case this is very evident as even after voters of Benaulim constituency rejected him and subsequently was rejected by the people of south Goa, he continues in politics.
The question that comes to my mind is if these politicians say that they contest because the voters force them, why do they spend colossal amounts of money to win elections. As I said before lakhs of rupees are spent on banners or flexes wishing people on festivals, sponsoring chicken and beer for parties and picnics, funding tournaments. Huge advertisements on news dailies. If people urge these politicians to contest, why do the politicians not advice the constituents to fan out in the constituency and convince people why they should elect them. Why do the politicians need to pay the workers to fix banners, party flags, canvass among other things.
Be that as it may, over the period of time politicians have seen the power of the church or rather the parish priests to change the tide in their favour. For decades now priests have been using the pulpit specially in the Salcete taluka to canvass for Congress candidates. I do not know whether it is the dictum of the church or whether the parish priests are doing it on their own. In any way it is wrong for the church or the priest to use place of worship to carry out a crusade for a certain party or a candidate. The church or the priest can educate its laity on how vote and what to see in a candidate or a politician party while casting the ballot, but surely not whom to vote.
As recently as last week, Fr. Tadeo – parish priest of Vaddem in Sanguem constituency was quoted in the advertisement on a local daily singing praises of Yuri Alemao on his birthday who is aspiring to contest from the said constituency. Fr. Tadeo said, “Yuri is young and shown that he is capable of doing work. He is blessed with the natural qualities that attract people, he is mild, humane, easily approachable and can speak to people’s heart. He will make a good MLA since he can deal with people and has good administrative qualities. He has helped my parishioners by providing generator, he has built a chapel and sponsored pilgrimages of the faithful to Vailankanni. I wish him God’s choicest blessings on his birthday and for his political career”.
Did, ‘His Grace’ Bishop Filipe Neri Ferrao give his assent for such a statement if not have the officials at Bishop’s house demanded an explanation from Fr. Tadeo. The faithful have a right to know.
We have seen in the last five years that Urban Development Joaquim Alemao father of Yuri has been hauled up by the High Court for building of sun bays illegaly at Baina Beach which were ordered to be demolished by High Court and cost be recovered from the officials. Joaquim was exposed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for criminal waste of public money for ordering sweeping machines worth crores of rupees which were not even used once. Then wasting Rs. 7 crores to set-up a treatment plant at Sonsoddo with untested technology. If this is not corruption what is? Lest one should forget Joaquim Alemao is being investigated for illegal mining in the state too.
Could Fr. Tadeo tell us the source of income of Yuri Alemao to be able to build a chapel and to sponsor pilgrims to Vailankanni? If he is using his father’s allegedly ill-gotten wealth to win over votes then Fr. Tadeo is equally responsible of promoting corruption and dynastics politics. The question is what is Fr. Tadeo’s interest in promoting Yuri? Fr. Tadeo be better adviced that one does not have travel almost 50 kms from his place of residence to undertake social work. Yuri has seen huge mining potential in Sanguem and through politics he want to exploits it.
Of course Fr. Tadeo is not an isolated case of a priest in this practice of promoting candidates by motivating the laity to cast their ballot in their favour, there are many others. Fr. Conceicao D’silva hobnobs with most of the catholic politicians and in times of political crisis also helps in mediation. His birthday parties are lavish with most on the ministers on the invitees list, bestowing him with equally lavish gifts. With all the politicking he has indulged in, he could be a politician in his new avatar.
Controversial priest of Colva Fr. Diego also indulges in politics. During last assembly election when he was the parish priest of Colva his sermons were more political than spiritual. And as if that was not enough on the day of polling he was in the church yard which is in close vicinity to the polling booth showing his hand to the voters – as if trying to wave out to them but in reality he was urging them to vote for Congress whose symbol is ‘hand’.
Then we have Fr. Eremito Coutinho currently posted at Seraulim. An ardent fan of Churchill Brothers football tea but over the years his passion has spilled on to politics. Fr. Eremito wanted to allegedly print lottery coupons with Churchill Alemao’s picture on it. He was stopped in his tracks by some donors who contribute money to the church as well wishers.
Bishop Filipe Neri Ferrao during his annual interaction with politicians and the media preaches about curbing corruption and upliftment of the poorer section of the society but here are his priests urging the laity to vote for the most corrupt ministers and their families. God forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.
Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com or SMS 9422437029)
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