Bus fare cut for all women
Goa government is mulling to offer a 50% concession on bus fare to women to help them take up jobs in the private sector and to reduce their travel expenses (NT June 29). This is a good proposal, but will it not seed discontent amongst the other women – homemakers, those working in government services, shop owners, vendors etc? In all fairness, the scheme should be extended to all women irrespective of their employment status. Every woman would like to save money for investment and/or for daily needs. When free bus travel for women was commenced in Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Karnataka, the other states snickered and denounced it saying that voters were offered freebies. It was predicted that the scheme would be stopped due to lack of finance but it is still running with all women (locals, tourists, working, non-working) travelling free in normal buses while they pay full fare in express, air-conditioned or point-to-point buses. Recently 50% and 75% concessions were offered to women and senior citizens, respectively in Maharashtra. All governments would be aware that it is a circular economy and if bus rides are subsidised or offered free, the money saved by women returns to the markets and banks. Hence, the Goa government could consider providing free bus travel to women in its Kadamba Transport Corporation buses.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
Rising crime
In recent days, Goa has seen a disturbing rise in unlawful activity – from increasing violence against women to shocking cases of abuse involving minors and even crimes committed by minors. These incidents are not isolated anymore; they point to a growing and dangerous trend. What is even more troubling is the apparent lack of swift or strict enforcement of laws. When people begin to lose faith in the legal system, they take matters into their own hands – a dangerous direction for any society. When will the government act decisively against crime? What good is rapid infrastructure development or boosting tourism if the people of Goa no longer feel safe in their own neighbourhoods, whether in broad daylight or at night? We need more than just smart cities. We need accountability, safety and a justice system that actually works.
Goa deserves better.
Lynn Rodrigues, Merces
Public transport
The state government’s Mhaji Bus Scheme is a landmark initiative that deserves immense praise for its forward-thinking approach to revolutionising Goa’s public transport system, echoing the vision long advocated by former president of Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)
Shrinivas Dempo for seamless and inclusive mobility. This scheme is poised to deliver far-reaching benefits, transforming how Goans commute while fostering social and economic progress. A standout feature is the travel concession for women in the workforce, particularly those working in the private sector. By making public transport affordable, the scheme empowers women to access job opportunities across urban and rural Goa, breaking financial and logistical barriers. This aligns with Dempo’s emphasis on equitable economic growth, enabling women to contribute more actively to Goa’s economy, fostering financial independence and promoting gender equity in workplaces. Women employees in tourism, retail and small businesses will particularly benefit, with affordable commute enhancing their mobility and job retention. The scheme will alleviate Goa’s traffic burden by encouraging a shift from private vehicles to reliable public buses. This will decongest roads in tourist-heavy areas like Panaji, Margao and Calangute, reducing travel time and fuel consumption. Environmentally, it supports sustainability goals by lowering carbon emissions. Enhanced connectivity will boost tourism, local commerce and rural economies, creating a vibrant, accessible Goa.
Vaman S Sankhalker, Harvalem
Bilingual policy
Karnataka state government’s decision to adopt a bilingual policy is commendable. The rationale behind the three-language policy of the central government to promote Hindi in a subtle manner means learning Hindi despite all the obfuscation and inconveniences everyone faces and seems flawed. By focusing on fewer languages, students may achieve higher proficiency in those languages. India is an amalgamation of different regions with different cultures and languages under one flag and not a linguistically homogenous country like Japan, China, etc. Furthermore, the central government continues to promote Hindi by attempting to rename the Indian Penal Code as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita even though Article 348 of the Constitution specifies that any law enacted by the Parliament or a state legislature must be in English. Even in the European Union, English is used despite the Brexit fiasco. Most of our technical and other higher education is already in English, and it has already helped India produce millions of dollars by directly integrating into the greater global service economy.
K V Chandramouli, Mysuru
