Politician protecting rogue employees of power dept?

BY GT REPORTER


PANJIM: Top honchos of the Electricity department are under severe pressure from a powerful politician to withdraw consent given to the police to prosecute two of its employees involved in misappropriating revenue to the tune of Rs 55-odd lakhs.
Sources told GT that several senior engineers are being pressured to influence Chief Electrical Engineer, Nirmal Braganza to withdraw the written consent he has given for the prosecution of the two employees.
The two LDCs/Ledger Clerks attached to the Asst Engineer's office, sub-division III at Bambolim -- Mauricio D'Cunha and Alexander Rodrigues -- were found involved in misappropriating a whopping Rs 55.24-lakh, the energy charges collected from consumers. The duo between themselves siphoned off the money during the seven years between April of 1997 and August of 2004.
Agacaim police, who had launched a probe into the fraud in January 2005 after the then AE Thankappan Prakash filed the complaint, have wound up their investigations and are now in the process of filing the chargesheet in the relevant court.
Sources said, since both the accused are government servants, the law requires the police to first seek a formal 'sanction to prosecute' from their appointing authority, which in their case is the Chief Electrical Engineer.
On receiving a letter from the North Goa Superintendent of Police seeking the formal 'sanction to prosecute', Braganza passed an order granting it, in the first week of July this year.
No sooner this was done, the officials involved in the decision-making process pertaining to this case have come under direct pressure from the top politician, who is hell bent to ensure that the rogue employees are let off the hook, sources said.
He (the politician) has even asked that the 'sanction to prosecute' already issued by Braganza be withdrawn, the sources added.

CM to present budget on Friday

Focus on administrative reforms: Kamat

BY GT REPORTER

PANJIM: Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will present an 'additional budget' on July 24, with a focus on administrative reforms.
Kamat made the announcement in the legislative assembly yesterday while replying to the general discussion on the budget.
It may be recalled that the Chief Minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, was unable to present a full budget for 2009-10, as the Election Commission had enforced the Model Code of Conduct for the Parliamentary elections. Instead he had presented a vote-on-account for four months to provide for government spending till July 31.
Speaking further, Kamat said, he will soon form a committee of Secretaries to build up Goa's case before central ministries for funds under various welfare schemes of the Central government.
Kamat said, one could not expect Goa to be insulated from the global recession and economic crisis that had adversely hit the Indian economy and stunted its growth from 9 per cent to 6 per cent.
The challenge, however, was for the government to maintain growth at acceptable levels, he said, adding that he had confidence in the ability of the people of Goa and together they will tide over the situation.
Kamat, nevertheless told the Assembly that inspite of the recessionary trends, the state's revenue receipts had increased and that tax rationalisation was introduced to achieve economic buoyancy. A revenue surplus of 82.91 per cent is expected this fiscal, he said.
Kamat also said, the Union Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh will visit Goa shortly to study the exact position vis-a-vis Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), including the issue of of traditional dwellers along the Goan coast, whose homes and holdings are facing the axe in the wake of directives from the Bombay High Court.
He said, the Union Minister will arrive in Goa via Cochin and after visiting Mumbai, would study the CRZ regulations and frame up some regulations to give solace to the traditional fishermen.
On Mopa, Kamat said, the steering committee will be reconstituted soon and that the government had issued section 6 of Land Acquisition Act, which would be finalised in the next two months.

Teachers hail new ATKT rules

BY GT REPORTER

The executive committee of Higher Secondary Teachers’ Association of Goa (HISTAG) has welcomed
the decision to award ATKT to students of Std Xth and XIIth who fail in two subjects.
HISTAG felt that it is a positive step by Education Minister Babush Monseratte.
HISTAG at its Annual General Meeting at RMS College hall, Margao, also felt that the Minister should consider exemption for practicals, to those students in Std XIIth who have passed in practical's and failed the theory examination. Students should not be asked to answer practical exams again in which they have passed.
The meeting also thanked the government and education department for issuing circular to the managements of Higher Secondary Schools (HSS) for clearing all cases pending for granting senior scale to higher secondary teachers completing 12 years.
"This was a long pending demand of the Association which was being pursuit," said HISTAG spokesman Shrikant More.
More said, some demands such 20 per cent criteria for granting Selection Grade Scales to teachers and laptops to teachers were on the verge of implementation.
He also added that, HISTAG had full faith that the government will settle all issues in regard to implementation of Part B of the Sixth Pay Commission for Higher Secondary Teachers.
HISTAG also highlighted that efforts are on to fight for implementation of Part ‘B’ by involving all the related associations such as All Goa Secondary School Teachers’ Association, Vocational Teachers Association and others.
Meanwhile, the HISTAG spokesman announced that the general body meeting of all the Higher Secondary Teachers has been convened on Sunday, August, 2 at 11am at RMS Higher Secondary School, Comba-Margao to discuss the various others issues.

Sanjay Srivastava appointed new CS

The newly appointed Chief Secretary of Goa, Sanjay Srivastava yesterday took official charge as Chief Secretary of the State from the outgoing Chief Secretary Hauzel Haukhum.

House debates on price of ACs, spoons

Ministers rob from official bungalows: Churchill

BY GT REPORTER

PANJIM: Sometimes, serious issues tickle the funny bone of our legislators. And the whole House -- inclusive of the opposition -- enjoys the light hearted banter generated via such serious issues turned hilarious melodramas.
Yesterday's proceedings in the House -- related to a particular issue -- proved just how our Ministers 'Live life Kingsize' and thoroughly enjoy the criticism in the House with the opposition also joining in the laughter!
What then explains the rising cost of an air-conditioner of the same tonnage and similar make when installed in ministerial bungalows? How does one justify the highly inflated cost of steel spoons? And, do TV sets of a similar screen size and the same model widely differ in prices?
Serious though these issues might seem, but the House was treated to light hearted banter when the opposition turned the focus inwards -- inside the Ministers' official bungalows.
Hilarious scenes were on show when the PWD Minister charged one of his colleagues for transporting the items from his official bungalow to his residence. Of course, without naming him.
The House also witnessed the Speaker went on record to state that he had handed over a written inventory of items in his official bungalows while leaving the same.
But it was the opposition leader Manohar Parrikar who inadvertently tickled the funny bone of the legislators when he pointed out to the rising cost of air-conditioners, TV sets and stainless steel spoons (see BOX).
"Is there a set pattern for purchase of these items? What about old items?" was Parrikar's question directed at the PWD Minister Churchill Alemao.
However, the seriousness of the question was lost on the House when Alemao vowed to call the officers and question them on this aspect. Alemao's tone and his delivery of the answer threw the House, visitors galleries and the press gallery into peels of laughter.
At this stage, Speaker Pratap Singh Rane intervened to state that he had submitted a list of the inventory in his official CM's residence before leaving the same.
This prompted the opposition leader to quiz whether an inventory is indeed submitted by Ministers with a 'Separate Listing'.
Not to be cowed down by the prevailing humour in the House, Alemao compounded matters further for himself when he told the House yet again that he will call a meeting of officers to quiz them on this issue.
More laughter erupted from the House. Mapusa MLA Francis D'Souza pressed the matter further when he demanded to know whether such items are recovered.
"I know a Minister has taken certain items to his residence. I will ask him to get them back. I know the concerned Minister but I will not name him," remarked Alemao with a serious tone. That aggravated an already funny atmosphere in the House as all legislators burst out laughing.
Former Finance Minister Dayanand Narvekar was quick to rise on his feet. "I have written to the concerned Minister to take it back," he claimed.


What’s with the prices?

Price of air-conditioners (1.5 TR)
At PWD Minister's official bungalow: Rs 30,650
At Transport Minister's official bungalow: Rs 35,228
At another official bungalow: Rs 37,650

Price of a TV set(29 inches)
At CM's official residence: Rs 19,000
At PWD Minister's official residence: Rs 16,000
At another official bungalow: Rs 15,000

Market price: Rs 13, 500(according to Parrikar)
Price of a steel tea spoon
Price of purchase at official bungalow: Rs 66
Price in the open market: Rs 15 (according to Parrikar)

Mining cos object to NEERI report

BY A GT REPORTER

PANJIM, JULY 21: Two of the three mining companies operating in Sirigao filed their reply as objection on the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) report that claimed the mining activities were depleting the water table of the village, in the Bombay High Court at Goa.

The division bench comprising Justices S B Deshmukh and U D Salvi has adjourned the matter and posted it four weeks later, to study the mining companies' replies to the NEERI report.

The High Court had in June 2008, appointed NEERI to conduct a survey and determine the consequences of mining activities on water resources and agriculture in Sirigao village. The court also asked the agency to recommend measures to negate the damage to agriculture and water resources, if any.

The NEERI study reported that the water table in the village was depleted and its (village's) topography too altered due to the open cast mining activity.

The environmental degradation according to the report was due to the deepening of mines and loss of recharge area.

“The deepening of the mines has led to the loss of recharge area for the dug wells seated at the foothills of the plateau.

Hence, the water scarcity is attributed to the loss of recharge area and deepening of mines,” the report mentioned.

On studying the groundwater scenario, NEERI said, the situation was terrible in December 2008, with almost all the dug wells in Sirigao dry, while in the neighbouring villages the wells had water in the same month.

The reputed agency also pointed out in its report that highs of the ground water resources were removed because of the open cast mining activity and depressions created in form of mine pits.

It also revealed that mechanized mining had worsened the situation and suggested that the water crisis could be tackled if artificial recharge was done.

“Open cast iron ore mines owned by M/s Rajaram Bandekar (Sirigao) Mines Pvt Ltd, M/s Dempo Mining Corporation Pvt Ltd (now Sesa Goa) and M/s Chowgule & Co Pvt Ltd are having iron ore working mines in and around Sirigao village since 1949, 1951 and 1949 respectively.”

BE(n)d it like Goa sarkar

BY A GT REPORTER

PANJIM, JULY 21: Aiming to be a Grade I teacher and you aren’t armed with BEd degree? Don’t worry, you are always welcome to Govt-run higher secondary schools, for, they don’t insist on one. But contrary to its flexibility in its teaching institutions, mandatory are the norms laid by it for aided schools.

Picture this: In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that the State’s education department has one set of rules to recruit teachers in its own higher secondary schools and another for employing teachers in aided, private schools.

The government is likely to appoint a significant number of teachers to regular posts in Government Higher Secondary Schools, shockingly without the BEd qualification.

The teachers have been selected despite the Goa Public Service Commission (GPSC) having instructed the Directorate of Education to amend the recruitment rules for appointment of ‘Teacher Grade I’ and make the education degree (BEd) compulsory for selection of higher secondary teachers.

But what went wrong in the process of changing the recruitment rules, the Directorate of Education is yet to officially reveal.

The Department had advertised for 60 posts of ‘Teacher Grade I’ in different subjects to be filled up through the GPSC in December 2008.

“What is the fate of teachers without BEd in the classroom? It’s like the fate of a doctor in the operation theatre without surgical equipments,” said one senior teacher in the government’s employ for decades.

Every selection of Teacher Grade I in any subject in the aided higher secondary schools makes the BEd qualification compulsory, he said.

It is learnt that these ‘unqualified’ teachers were likely to step into the positions of teachers who were promoted on adhoc basis as higher secondary teachers, all of who have vast teaching experience and have obtained excellent results for several years. But unfortunately they were deemed unsatisfactory at the interview and would be demoted as assistant teachers.

When contacted, a senior Directorate of Education official admitted on condition of anonymity, that such a lacuna does indeed exist in the recruitment rules.

The department is in the process of amending the recruitment rules, the official said, while refusing to come on record.

According to him, nobody took cognisance of this lacuna in the requirement rules since there was a stagnant number of only nine government higher secondary schools in Goa since 1976, while, aided higher secondary schools mushroomed since 1986.

The official also admitted that these lapses had affected the promotional prospects of qualified teachers. It is learnt that one senior teacher teaching a science subject at a Ponda school on completion of MA, was promoted as an English teacher in a higher secondary school at Panjim, bypassing English teachers, who have seen no promotion come their way for over two decades.

Some teachers complained that they are not promoted in subject-wise categories, even as they were appointed subject-wise at the time of initial recruitment.

BJP pushes for biographies of tiatrists in school curriculum

BY A GT REPORTER

PANJIM, JULY 21: For posterity to remember the rich contribution of veteran Tiatrists to Konkani stage, the BJP feels their biographies need to be included in the school curriculum. And to start with, the BJP wants such biographies to be prepared by the Directorate of Art and Culture.

Raised on the floor of the House yesterday, this demand comes close on the heels of the Tiatr Academy of Goa also airing similar views on this subject in recent times.

The BJP sought to voice this demand while the House paid rich tributes to the memory of late Tiatrist Manuel Santana Aguiar alias M Boyer and former bureaucrat Alban Couto.

Moving the motion for the obituary reference, Mapusa BJP MLA Francis D’Souza described the late Boyer as a colossus in the field of drama and a dramarist par excellence.

“He was a producer, writer and director as well as a comedian and a serious artiste.

He was also a lover of Konkani language and thoroughly enjoyed acting,” said D’Souza.

“Let the Art and Culture Department prepare biographies of such Tiatrists which can prove to be an inspiration for future generations. If possible, get these books (biographies) in the school curriculum,” he demanded, as he found support from PWD Minister Churchill Alemao from the treasury benches.

Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho, who also spoke in favour of the motion, wanted the Tiatr Academy of Goa to get more funds for enabling it to raise the standard of Tiatr.

Others who spoke in favour of the motion included Curtorim MLA Alex Reginald Lourenco, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Santacruz MLA Victoria Fernandes, Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Civil Supplies Minister Jose Philip D’Souza, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira, Fatorda MLA Damodar Naik and opposition leader Manohar Parrikar.

Replying to the motion, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the late Boyer spread social message through his Tiatr and framed songs hailing Hindu, Muslim and Catholic unity in the state. Referring to Couto, the Chief Minister recalled his services to the state as and when called upon to deliver during crucial times.

“He also got an opportunity to serve the Commonwealth Secretariat,” claimed Kamat.