Humane approach needed
The Mandrem Police prevented a suicide attempt by a resident during the ongoing demolition of illegal structures. The demolition drive is being carried out in compliance with an order of the High Court of Bombay at Goa, which directed the removal of 19 structures found to be in violation of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms. The incident highlights the urgent need for a more humane approach in executing such orders. The demolition of homes during the monsoon season is particularly harsh. It is claimed that the family has a child with a disability, adding to the anxiety over the situation. A more considerate timeline, postponing demolitions until after the monsoon, could prevent unnecessary suffering. This would ensure that compliance with court orders does not come at the cost of human dignity and mental well-being. Ultimately, the goal of CRZ regulations is to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development. But sustainability must also include social responsibility.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Reforms for demolitions
India recognises that law should not encourage stale claims. Under the Limitation Act, adverse possession reflects the principles of legal certainty, finality and discouragement of prolonged inaction. A similar approach deserves consideration for long-standing unauthorised structures on private land. Although such structures do not become legal merely with time, demolition after more than 12 years of open existence, without timely action by landowners or authorities, raises serious questions of justice. Many have become family homes, with occupants paying taxes and enjoying civic amenities for decades. Demolition after prolonged official inaction causes severe hardship and undermines confidence in the legal system. Parliament and state legislatures should therefore enact a law barring demolition of such structures after 12 years, except where public safety, environmental protection, fraud, or encroachments on government land, roads, water bodies, forests or other protected areas are involved. Such reform would promote certainty, fairness and administrative accountability.
Paul Pereira, Utorda
Call for resourcefulness
A decade back the UGC-NET exams used to be conducted twice a year: June-July and in November-December. The results of the former used to be declared late and by then the circular for the latter date would be announced. Not knowing their fate, lakhs of candidates would fill the form and pay the fees. If they passed the June/July exam, then the money went waste and so too their efforts preparing for the November/December exams. In August 2018, the then minister of human resource development Prakash Javadekar and his team set a record by declaring the results in three weeks! This year the NEET exam of May 3 was compromised in various ways and was re-conducted on June 21. The paper-setters were kept in a secret place and were deprived of electronic gadgets so as to cut off the access to the outside world. Leakage of the exam papers of the re-test was not reported as other precautions were taken by the government. Normally, it takes four to six weeks for the results to be declared but that of the re-test was declared on July 16. The above examples show that a go-getter person who runs a tight ship can get the job done and the team would follow him/her.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Judicial impartiality
When the Supreme Court was approached to examine allegations of police excesses against students and others gathered under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to protest the alleged NEET irregularities and demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, it was surprising that the Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined to entertain the plea urgently. Reports also indicated that the Chief Justice was not inclined to watch videos said to depict the alleged police brutality against the protestors and advised the petitioner not to waste the court’s time. It is well known that the CJP derives its name from the Chief Justice’s reported reference to unemployed youth as “cockroaches”, a remark many found offensive and which reportedly prompted the movement’s formation. Against this backdrop, should not Caesar’s wife be above suspicion?
Tharcius S Fernando, Chennai
Dangers of antibiotics
Antibiotic resistance, a common occurrence when the bacteria is resistant to the drugs designated to destroy it however, as per a study, can be more dangerous than previously thought. The use of across the counter, familiar analgesics like ibuprofen and paracetamol concomitantly with an antibiotic can augment bacterial resistance. Additionally, most countries are indiscriminately using ‘watch’ or ‘strong’ antibiotics that have to be reserved when first line antibiotics fail. Furthermore, more than 60 per cent of nations are still prescribing antibiotics that have been discouraged by the WHO.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
