Unfulfilled promises
With around 4-5 months remaining for the Goa Assembly polls, there remains a backlog of promises to be fulfilled by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the departments of road works, water supply, sewerage, power and transport. These ought to have been completed during the five-year tenure of the incumbent government and not kept on the back burner. It remains almost certain now that some MLAs will be waiting to see if they will be given a ticket this time, only after which they will start to act and fulfil their long-standing promises in the hope of securing people’s votes. Goans have seen through the game plan and wily moves of party hoppers and betrayers and will hopefully teach them a lesson this time.
A F Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
Public trust
Recently, an incident came to light in Goa wherein a man reportedly paid another person Rs 27 lakh to secure the post of Excise Commissioner. He received an appointment letter and, believing it to be genuine, went to the office and occupied the chair. The post was reportedly vacant at the time. Eventually, suspicions arose, the police intervened, and the man was detained. He reportedly claimed that he had paid the money and had been duped. The person who allegedly received the money must face the law if found guilty. But what about the man who allegedly attempted to buy the government post? Has he not also potentially committed an offence by trying to obtain public office through payment? This is the conundrum. There should be accountability on both sides. Being cheated does not automatically absolve a person of responsibility for their own actions. Liability must, however, be determined according to the law and evidence. The government must formulate sound policies, enact effective laws and ensure strict implementation to prevent such scams. Those who sell fake appointments and those who attempt to buy public posts must be held accountable wherever the law establishes their culpability.
Yugal Prabhudessai, Oman
Artificial intelligence
Throughout history, human innovation –from early stone tools and the wheel to electricity, computers and the internet –has consistently driven progress and enhanced efficiency. Artificial intelligence (AI) builds on this legacy, but its hyper-exponential growth represents a fundamental paradigm shift. Tech insiders and safety experts warn that pursuing AI development without robust safeguards poses catastrophic risks, sparking ongoing debate over its potential dangers and advantages. Consequently, a consensus has emerged among computer scientists, industry leaders, ethicists and philosophers: development must prioritise artificial narrow intelligence with a well-defined input-output architecture. Such systems can be rigorously tested, audited and regulated, ensuring AI remains a controlled tool serving human oversight.
Maria L Gomes, Miramar
Pending applications
Securing a resolution for a Mhaje Ghar application before the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) takes effect in Goa requires immediate action through expedited processing channels, as government departments freeze the issuance of new scheme benefits, regularisation orders and sanads once elections are announced. Applicants need clear pathways to track and push their files, ideally through designated nodal officers mandated to clear bureaucratic blockages. Currently, members of the public seeking information are repeatedly told they will receive a phone call, leaving them stranded without actual status updates. The government must cooperate by providing transparent tracking. Furthermore, despite recent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under the Mhaje Ghar Yojana and the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Construction Act (GRUCA) aimed at removing procedural bottlenecks, applications continue to stall. A major grievance involves pre-1972 houses where an applicant’s name appears on Form 3 and Form 9, and the house is clearly marked on the survey plan, yet the file is kept pending simply due to the absence of the name on Form 1/14. The government must sort out this specific issue.
Rajesh Banaulikar, Arpora
Civic neglect
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, alongside Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza and civic officials, made a surprise visit to the Mapusa fish market on Wednesday, October 7, to interact with vendors and listen to their grievances. To address these issues, the government announced plans to establish a dedicated special office directly on the market premises. However, with the state assembly elections approaching, this sudden inspection appears to be a calculated attempt. The reality is that the Mapusa fish market has suffered from persistent filth and accumulation of wet garbage for years despite the constituency being represented by the ruling party MLAs for a prolonged period. To achieve a permanent cleanup and truly transform Mapusa into a smart town, voters need to unite and vote smartly.
Jerry Fernandes, Saligao
