Right move
In September 2019, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant decided to recruit candidates for Group ‘C’ posts through Goa Staff Selection Commission (GSSC) and not through departmental selections. This was done to nip in the bud the role of middlemen/women who assure government jobs but leave the candidates in the lurch. In October 2024, it was reported that the Chief Minister may scrap GSSC because of pressure from the Centre and the MLAs (ruling and in the opposition) and revert to departmental selections, the reason being the high rate of unemployment in Goa. But Sawant did not bow down and stuck to his guns. To date, 1,100 Group ‘C’ posts have been filled through GSSC in various departments. In the annual budget (2026-27), the Chief Minister announced that the government would fill 2,500 posts through GSSC (NT March 7). Way to go! It is important that merit is recognised. Goa Staff Selection Commission will be a level-playing field for all candidates, especially the deserving ones.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Saluting heroes
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that came into being on March 10, 1969, has a significant role in protecting government and industrial establishments. From approximately three battalions and 3,000 personnel to protect the Public Sector Undertakings (PSU), the CISF has grown into a formidable force of nearly two lakh employees to ensure safety of large states and private institutions. Its aim is to secure, among others, more than 300 major industrial installations, airports, sea ports, metro railways, sensitive government buildings, nuclear power plants and oil refineries. The CISF’s role in anti-terror operations, disaster response, cyber threats and fire safety through its ‘fire wing’ needs no mention. Police personnel of the force are highly trained and exceptionally motivated to handle any unforeseen exigency. CISF Raising Day is observed every 10th day of March to pay tribute to the unquestionable honesty, unwavering commitment and undoubted skills of the CISF workforce.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
LPG supply
The recent order issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas directing oil refining companies and public sector oil marketing companies to supply Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) solely to domestic consumers has triggered widespread concern among stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism sectors. While the government’s intent may be to ensure uninterrupted access to cooking fuel for households, the blanket nature of the directive risks inflicting serious collateral damage on hotels, restaurants, small eateries, canteens and catering businesses, especially in tourism-dependent regions like Goa. Liquefied petroleum gas is the lifeline of the food service industry. From roadside eateries and small family-run restaurants to large hotels and catering services, most commercial kitchens depend heavily on LPG for daily operations. Liquefied petroleum gas shortage hits restaurants harder because they consume much more of it whereas households usually have lower consumption and more flexibility in coping with the temporary shortage. Tourism is the backbone of the state. Hotels, restaurants, beach shacks, cafes and catering services form a vital part of the tourism ecosystem. Visitors depend on these establishments not only for accommodation but also for food and hospitality services. If these businesses struggle to access cooking fuel, the ripple effects could be severe thereby disrupting services, increasing costs and ultimately damaging Goa’s reputation as a vibrant tourist destination. Cooking gas is an essential household necessity, and the government has an obligation to protect the interests of ordinary families. Commercial establishments already use non-subsidised LPG cylinders that are priced higher than domestic cylinders. Policymakers must strike a balance between protecting households and sustaining the businesses that keep India’s vibrant hospitality and tourism sectors alive.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Social media
Social media feeds these days are filled with war, missiles, flames, smoke, rubble, sirens and screams of helplessness. Thirty second reels, reposts, forwards, shares; we are expected to watch, react, comment and scroll to the next one. There was a time when news of war was factual, restrained, and sombre, delivered once a day at prime time, with the gravitas it deserved. Now it feels constant, crude, wanton and pushed into your face. Those waging the wars and those sharing the clips, both seem to demand that everyone participate in it. Ennui and fatigue are already setting in, and we barely understand how this endless stream is reshaping us, how it dulls the senses, how it numbs us, how it plays havoc with our mental health. Endless fragmented images of destruction flashing past our screens, and us, blobs of flesh and blood consuming them without even blinking. Zombies, that is what we have become. The sufferings of fellow men do not seem to move us any more, what to talk of empathy.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
