Reduce Lok Bhavan fee
The Government of India has renamed all the Raj Bhavans as ‘Lok Bhavans’, as the former term has colonial connotation while the latter means ‘people’s house’. The abode of the President of India, Rashtrapati Bhavan, charges Rs 50 (for individuals eight years old and above) and Rs 1,200 for a group of 30 persons to visit the main building. The entry fee (if any) and the permission to visit Lok Bhavan in the other states can be checked on their official sites. The fees cover viewing the gardens and in some cases heritage buildings, museums and guided tours. A visit to Goa’s Lok Bhavan (Cabo Raj Niwas) would set you back by Rs 500 (for those aged 13 years and above) and Rs 350 (below 13 years). No discounts to students, senior citizens and groups. One can see the historic Cabo Palace estate, heritage features, chapel and gardens. Why is the fee 7-10 times than that of the Rashtrapati Bhavan? If the Centre wishes to encourage people to visit the Lok Bhavans, then the entry fees need to be affordable and uniform throughout the country.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Energy efficiency
Power minister Ramakrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar’s push for energy saving practices (NT October 18) is a welcome step, given the rise in power requirement in Goa and the whole country. It is time we realised gravity of the situation and switched over to efficient energy-saving practices with the use of renewable energy for our daily requirements. It is unfortunate that the use of solar power in Goa has fallen below the projected expectations. On the other hand, we cannot expect much from the government’s push for energy saving constructions unless there are guidelines and mandatory requirements for the construction of houses and government offices. Besides solar panels, there is also a need for natural cross-ventilation and heat absorbing construction materials and insulation that will reduce heat and the use of fans and air-conditioners. We need to move beyond the verbal statements.
A F Nazareth, Alto Porvorim
Middle path
The debate over whether Goa should ban its traditional Narkasur effigy-making celebrations during Diwali has brought to the fore the need to strike a balance between preserving cultural traditions and maintaining public order. While on the one hand, there is a call for an end to the celebrations, citing disorderly activities during night-time festivities, on the other, there is opposition to a total ban on the festivities. Narkasur celebrations have become an integral part of Goa’s Diwali festivities. The tradition brings together local youth, who work collectively to build effigies of the mythical demon king Narakasura. The eventual burning of these effigies symbolises the triumph of good over evil. Beyond its religious significance, the tradition encourages teamwork, creativity and community participation among youngsters. However, over the years, celebrations in some places appear to have deviated from the original purpose. Complaints about late-night noise, unruly behaviour and other disturbances have raised legitimate concerns among residents. At the same time, imposing a blanket ban on Narkasur celebrations would be an extreme step that could undermine a long-standing Goan tradition. A middle path seems necessary. Instead of abolishing the practice, the government should focus on regulating it and ensure that celebrations remain within acceptable limits. Guidelines including fixed timings, restrictions on excessive noise, prior permissions for public events and strict action against those violating the rules could be introduced.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
RTI pendency
The Right to Information (RTI) Act has just come of age, and its birthday brings little cause for celebration. As of June 30, 2026, some 3.85 lakh appeals and complaints were pending across 28 information commissions. As the RTI Act completed 21 years on October 12, a report by Satark Nagrik Sangathan (SNS) found that nine information commissions returned 37,701 cases without passing orders between July 2025 and June 2026. Five commissions did not provide data on the number of appeals and complaints returned. Anjali Bhardwaj, founder of SNS, told news agency PTI that the central government and some state governments had prescribed formats for filing second appeals, and commissions returned cases that did not conform to those formats. The concerns come amid rising pendency at the Central Information Commission (CIC). Transparency campaigner Commodore Lokesh Batra (Retd.) told PTI that pending cases at the CIC had increased by 9,378 between January 1 and October 12, 2026, despite the CIC having its full strength of 11 commissioners, including the chief information commissioner. Fourteen information commissions across the country may take a year or more to dispose of the appeals and complaints, according to the report. The estimated waiting period was 19 years and eight months in Tripura, 19 years and two months in Madhya Pradesh and 18 years in Chhattisgarh, it claimed. A law meant to deliver information in 30 days now delivers a delay measured in decades.
Yashpal Palhan, Jalandhar
