Using right terminology
With regard to an advertisement issued by a Ponda-based higher secondary school regarding a post of Teacher Grade-I in Co-operation & Secretarial Practice, it is observed that the advertisement contains barred, incorrect, offensive and outdated term ‘P.H.’ to refer to Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. This terminology is in violation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates the use of correct and respectful language in all official communications. Furthermore, the advertisement fails to specify the category of disabilities to which the reservation applies. This omission is contrary to Section 34 of the said Act, which clearly requires transparency in reservation details. The overall language and approach of the advertisement suggest a lack of awareness regarding the proper maintenance and verification of the reservation roster register, which is to be duly maintained and verified by the appropriate authority annually and prior to any advertisement of vacancies. I request the authorities concerned that the impugned advertisement be withdrawn and republished using the correct legal terminology. The specific categories of benchmark disabilities for which the post is reserved should be clearly mentioned in the republished advertisement. The reservation roster register should be verified by the competent authority before reissuing the advertisement. The Directorate of Education should issue strict instructions to all institutions under its control to adhere to these statutory responsibilities.
Vishant Nagvekar, Panaji
LPG theft
In a major crackdown on gas agencies involved in the sale of underweight liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, the Directorate of Civil Supplies reportedly seized over 1,000 cylinders during a raid in Sancoale. It is learnt that several cylinders were found unsealed. There is a complete ban on sale or distribution of LPG cylinders below or in excess of the standard weight under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Those involved were allegedly carrying out illegal LPG decanting without authorisation or proper safety measures, posing a threat to human life. It is learnt that commercial cylinders were found weighing more than their standard weight. Over-filling of LPG cylinders can prove dangerous, as they can explode. If absolutely necessary, decanting needs to be carefully handled due to the hazardous nature of LPG and such operations should be undertaken by trained personnel in a safe environment. However, decanting for the purpose of theft is unacceptable and the culprits need to be booked. It is learnt that an FIR has been lodged against those involved in the theft. Distribution of underweight LPG cylinders means that the consumer is getting less of cooking gas for the price paid. This amounts to cheating. It would be in the fitness of things for the consumer to weigh the LPG cylinder when it is delivered at doorstep. But then, all consumers may not possess a weighing machine. Hence, it would be prudent for every delivery van supplying LPG cylinders to carry an electronic weighing machine. The cylinder should be weighed by the delivery boy when it is delivered. The consumer should ensure that the weight is as per the specification.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Repair road
The Benaulim beach road is a highway to hell in every sense of the phrase. There are no potholes on the road rather there are bits of road in a sea of potholes. Recently the road was dug up to lay a pipeline but the surface was subsequently not filled up, and all this in the middle of monsoon. Whatever perfunctory filling was done washed away with the first showers and the road width has been reduced by a third. People are forced to walk on the drain covers at the edges and those too are broken at many places; if one does not stumble on the cratered road then there is every chance he will fall into a drain. Repeated letters to the Public Works Department and a visit to the local MLA have not elicited any result. Are these the ‘achhey din’ promised to us?
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Sudden deaths
A sudden surge in deaths occurring due to heart attacks in Karnataka’s Hassan district has prompted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to initiate a ‘high-level’ probe. There have been 18 deaths over the last 30 days and four in 24 hours. Among the deceased, four were below 20 years, one between 21 and 30, and five between 30 and 40 years. The Karnataka CM was worried about the possibility of Covid-19 vaccination side effects being the causative factor for these deaths. At the same time, the Centre has rebutted Siddaramaiah’s allegations of “rush approval and mass rollout” of Covid vaccines. Studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have proved there was no vaccine link to the sudden deaths that occurred between October 2021 and March 2023 in the 18 to 45 age group. However, an exhaustive and a sustained study is definitely the need of the hour.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
