Comunidade land ‘scam’
There has been an increase in fraudulent transactions involving Comunidade lands, particularly in South Goa. These lands are being misused to benefit select hotel projects and multi-housing residential complexes, largely serving the interests of cash-rich real estate developers from outside the state. Many such cases date back over 20 years and continue to the present. In several instances, protected areas such as sand dunes, agricultural fields, and low-lying zones belonging to the comunidades have been usurped. I strongly suspect that certain comunidade committee members are complicit in these multi-crore deals. A judicial enquiry into the matter would likely expose the full extent of this scam and lead to the prosecution and imprisonment of the guilty parties. While local incumbent panches, former panches, and other residents may also be involved, the primary responsibility lies with ‘corrupt’ gaunkars who are selling off ancestral properties that our forefathers preserved for future generations.
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Call for Goan youth
Broadly, locals fall in two categories: youngsters (voting age) to mid-50s and mid-50s to super senior citizens. The latter category is deeply concerned with burning issues plaguing the state. These citizens write petitions, hold protests, grapple with the cases filed against them, argue against atrocities committed by politicians and authorities. They raise their voice at gram sabhas on various civic issues. They do all these to protect Goa from falling apart. Photographs published in newspapers would attest to the above facts. In contrast, the Goan youth hardly or reluctantly take up the cudgels against the issues. Perhaps they are busy with their studies, looking for jobs, no time from work, making reels, family matters or simply not interested. This is concerning. Youngsters could at least attend panchayat meetings and get to know what is happening around and raise their voice against illegalities, suggest improvements and work as volunteers.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Careers jeopardised
Question paper leak and subsequent cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is shameful. Due to a few unscrupulous elements the hard work of lakhs of students has gone down the drain. That nearly 22 lakh students vied for over 2 lakh MBBS and allied courses reveals the intense competition involved to become a doctor. Earlier, in an unrelated case, relating to CBSE exam paper leak, the Supreme Court had said that exams can be termed null and void even if one student stands to gain illegally. However, the National Testing Agency (NTA) that conducts several tests, including the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for engineering mainstream, cannot shy away from its responsibilities. It is answerable to students. Of course, it is not the first time that question papers of major tests have been leaked. Papers of CBSE, All India Engineering Test, among others, were leaked in the past. But the NTA’s failure to put in place a foolproof system is mystifying.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Life ruined
The tragedy involving the 11-year-old boy who lost his leg due to alleged medical negligence has shaken public conscience. While the announcement of Rs 25 lakh as compensation may appear significant on paper, it falls short of addressing the long-term realities that await the young boy and his parents. The pain of the family cannot be measured in monetary terms alone. The boy has lost not just a limb, but also a part of his childhood, confidence, and perhaps future opportunities. In such circumstances, the government needs to go beyond a one-time compensation package and provide meaningful rehabilitation and long-term support. The father of the boy should be offered a suitable government job so that the family has financial security and dignity. The child must be provided with the best possible prosthetic leg, along with complete medical care, physiotherapy, counseling, and educational assistance at the government’s expense. More importantly, the government should announce a guarantee of employment for the boy once he attains adulthood.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
United front needed
A strong unity among all Opposition parties in Goa is essential to form the next government after the 2027 Assembly elections. Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Goa Forward Party, Revolutionary Goans Party, Nationalist Congress Party and other allies with significant support must immediately forge a united front to bring much-needed change. The Sawant government has been accused of not protecting Goan interests. The majority of Goans are eager for a change of guard. A fair seat-sharing formula should be adopted, with Congress contesting around 20 seats in its strongholds and other parties allocated seats proportionate to their grassroots strength. In the 2022 Assembly polls, the Opposition secured strong vote share but failed to win due to disunity. This time, with consistency, hard work and mutual understanding, a united Opposition can secure a decisive victory.
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
