To make Goa business-friendly State,IT Professionals' body says: Eliminate Ministerial Interference

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,September 30- In a letter addressed to people's representatives and officials of Goa Government, the GITP,body of IT professionals have given a slew of measures for creating a healthy environment in the State to boost existing businesses, attract businesses from across the globe and also give confidence to local youth to turn to entrepreneurship.

As per media reports the Goa government is in the process of reviewing the implementation of the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) 2020 and is in the process of collating data and inputs about their ease of doing business (EODB) action points from various departments,says GITP and goes on to urge the government to implement these measures, with a stern hand if the need be, to help entrepreneurs and businesses operate effectively in Goa and in turn help the economic revival of the state post Covid crisis.       

Eliminate Ministerial involvement

Eliminate the practice of obtaining approvals from ministers and chairpersons for investment proposals. It has been proved time and again that this centralisation of the otherwise decentralised file movement process is a major bottleneck.  Despite having the highest per capita number of government employees, if Goa shows such a dismal performance, it is clear that we need to fix the bottlenecks in the processes being followed.

Single Window

The hassle free Single Window System and not yet another window added to the umpteen permission windows should be put in place ASAP. The system should have 100% online interaction. All instructions regarding expectations of the government in terms of certificates/permissions/NoCs/ Plans /licenses etc should be described on the website so that there is minimal back and forth interaction between government and the applicant.

Simplified workflows

Provide Simplified WorkFlows(SWF) to ensure that irrelevant departments and their approvals are eliminated.

Deemed Approval

All approvals have to be time-bound and the system should provide a deemed approval if it is not acted upon within the allocated timeframe. This should also result in a financial penalty on the concerned officer for dereliction of duty. It was promised during Vibrant Goa to provide approvals within 30 days. Almost a year later, this concept does not seem to have moved beyond paper.

Using Services of consultant to tap industries with expansion/shifting plans

Ernst & Young who has been taken on board by the Goa Government can also be asked to suggest a policy framework to attract industries that are planning to move out or expand from other states and countries especially from China.

Develop power infrastructure and facilitate tapping alternate sources of renewable energy 

Blessed with renewable energy sources in abundance, Goa is rightly placed to serve as a model for generating solar, tidal and wind energy. This is the right time for the govt to make these efforts in association with the center and with international agencies to set up such plants in Goa. The Govt needs to widely publicize and enforce the rooftop solar power generation scheme and ensure that the promised benefits reach the beneficiaries in the stipulated time frame. This will help motivate many more to take up such initiatives. 

Technical Education geared towards creating industry ready manpower

Industry looks for productivity from the hired candidates. The quality of graduates and their industry-readiness needs to be improved by setting up an Industry-Academics partnership so that the years of graduation are utilized most optimally and students are made aware of industrial best practices. This will eventually reduce the costs borne by industry in training the new hires.

E-Governance

The time is ripe for using and fine tuning E-Governance systems. Robust E-Governance systems will enable Govt employees to work from anywhere, streamlining the governance processes and ensure that hurdles are minimised in meeting permission deadlines . This needs investment in infrastructure for setting up an integrated system. Benefits of E-governance are well known. We are sure the local IT community will readily help in this effort for evaluating the technical options.

Robust B2G interface for Existing Businesses

Provide effective online Business-to-Governance interface to existing businesses. 

Simplified Registration

Please do not ask for irrelevant information which can be digitally obtained from various govt owned sources when registering a business  Please understand that companies have to focus on their business rather than spend time in providing extensive details. 

Improve Connectivity 

The Connectivity scenario in Goa needs to be improved on priority. Full potential of both GBBN and BSNL need to be leveraged through strict government intervention and regulation over quality of service and price. Private players also need to be strictly regulated, not with the intention of making things difficult for them,  but to ensure that they ensure the best price performance ratio. All internet service providers in the state should be made to cater to sparsely populated areas if they wish to continue their business in thickly populated areas. While permitting setting up of mobile towers as per the new announced Telecom policy  too, locals should be taken into confidence.  Places which will have least negative impact and in turn least resistance need to be selected in consultation with local residents. Huge benefits can be accrued if just this one factor is taken care of. Goa being a city state, IT Anywhere and Concept like Swaympurna Gaon, Sampanna Goem  floated by the state government will have some hope for turning into reality if and only if  fundamental needs like connectivity are met with effectively. 

If we are to grow as a State and lift the economy of the state from the Pandemic induced low it is currently going through there is only one way out. All stakeholders will have to shed their self/community/party etc centric approach and work towards improving the messed up ecosystem of the state. Above listed pointers need to be the new economy boosting mantras. Government needs to understand the urgency of the situation and get going before it is really too late,says the letter.

Goa needs to be no less than No. 1 in EODB considering its small size and the resulting ease of manageability. Goa also has a number of professionals who want to see their state prosper. GITP, for example, has members who have designed and developed such systems for international organizations. Instead of spending hundreds of crores on, it would be worthwhile to involve the state's educated manpower in building the system.

It has said that they will be closely monitoring the steps being taken by the government using tools such as RTI and will also be reporting to the Central government based on the progress they see.(eom)

High Court issues notice to Ministry of Environment, Forests on a PIL challenging amendment notification on HTL & khazans in Goa

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,September23-Bombay High Court at Goa has issued notice to the Ministry of Environment, Forests & CC on a PIL challenging a part of the amendment notification on HTL and khazans in the State of Goa.

This PIL writ petition is filed for the rehabilitation of Goa’s ecological endowment, ‘the khazans’. The khazan system is unique to Goa and due to it, a vast farmland (reportedly 18,000 hectares, or thereabouts) has been literally reclaimed from the sea, through the sheer ingenuity of our forefathers. The protection of the khazan system and its embankments is a mandatory requirement in view of climate change and expected sea level rise.

However a recent amendment dated 1st May 2020 to the CRZ Notification 2011 -- which was introduced in connection with the demarcation of the High Tide Line in the CRZ areas in which khazan lands exist -- erroneously classifies mangroves found within the khazan areas as CRZ IA and to be protected as such. The impugned amendment ostensibly (and in good faith) seeks to provide the blanket protection offered to all mangroves in the CRZ notification to those mangroves which have grown within the khazan lands as well. However, in relation to the khazans, mangroves can only be encouraged and protected outside the khazan bunds, not within. 

The PIL claims that mangroves within the khazans are a result of mismanagement of the embankments and sluice gates. They are therefore an undesirable development not intended. If they are protected, the khazan areas cannot be rehabilitated. The PIL does not challenge the definition of the HTL in the State of Goa, introduced by the same amendment.

Hence the petitioner is seeking deletion of only a part of the clause of the Amendment Notification 2020, on grounds that it is contrary to the objectives of the CRZ notification,aude Alvares

Goa Foundation(eom)

Over 99% sex workers in Pune look for alternative livelihood, shows study

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,September 15-As the  COVID -19 pandemic has brought the world to a screeching halt, 99% of commercial sex workers are now wanting to take up alternative livelihood options, if given an opportunity, says a study conducted in Pune.

Over the period of lockdown, the demand for sex work has dried down forcing sex workers to borrow loans for survival.

According to a sample survey conducted by Asha Care Trust, a forum that works towards the welfare of sex workers, over 85% of the workers have taken loans and over 98% of them have taken it from their brothel owners, managers and moneylenders, subjecting themselves to further exploitation.

Budhwar Peth is India’s third-largest red-light area which nearly houses 700 brothels and around 3,000 commercial sex workers. A study of 300 (around 10%) commercial sex workers in Budhwar Peth was conducted for this report.

What is more alarming is that 87% of workers stated that even before the pandemic struck, their incomes were not sufficient to support themselves or their families. Key factors like lack of education and employable skills compel them to depend on one source of income i.e. earning through flesh trade and remain trapped in the vicious circle. Majority of the workers now want to explore alternative sources of livelihood and get away from flesh trade.

Delving deeper into their plight, the report explores several socio-economic factors of commercial sex workers and here are the key highlights:

 

· 82% of the workers fall in the age group of 25 to 45 years. Some of them were forced into the trade when they were a minor.

·  Over 84% of the sex workers have not had any formal education and the rest 16% were pushed into the flesh trade even before they finished high school.

·  92.7% stated that they fear resuming sex work but are also crippled with the fear of starvation. Harassment from brothel managers has led them to worry about their daily bread and butter.

·   While 68% believe that the sex trade will pick up in the days to come, 99% stated that they will take up any alternative livelihood option if given an opportunity. 

"COVID-19 epidemic has presented us with an opportunity to create a mechanism to rehabilitate  sex workers in mainstream society. Our survey suggests almost all of them are looking at alternative sources of livelihood in Budhwar Peth region. For the women who opt-out of sex trade, trafficking victim relief fund should be provided to help them pay-off their debt and get started with a new chapter,” said Sheela shetty, president of Asha Care Trust.

The survey also suggests that the District and the State administration can launch basic skill training programs under the National Urban Livelihood Mission for upskilling women in areas like tailoring, data entry, telecalling, sales and marketing, packaging, entrepreneurship training, working with NGOs.

Extending support to the initiative, one of the representatives of Freedom Firm, a local NGO that works in the area added, “ This initiative is a positive thing. The red light area in Pune, consists of  500+ brothels which could not have been evolved over night. It is high time that the authorities and NGOs should view this unprecedented time as an opportunity to act quickly for providing alternative livelihood to sex workers who have faced a lot hardships already. I hope this initiative gets support from the government and NGOs as well and brings lasting impact.”

Adelegation led by Asha Care Trust along with representatives of other organisations like Shailesh Badhai from Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti, Yogesh Bhokre of Maharashtra Itak Kamgar Sangathana, social worker Pratibha Shinde, Fayyaz sheikh of Pune Jilha Grahak Sanrakshan Samiti, Bhola Vanjale and Advocate Vidya Pedankar met Mayor Murlidhar Mohol, and submitted the report.

The delegation also requested quick action supporting the findings of the study. Talking about the meeting Ms. Shetty stated, “The meeting was very good and the Mayor gave us a very positive response on this. We are very hopeful that the district administration will help us in this regard.”

Reiterating the need for alternate livelihood during the Covid time, one of the sex workers, Nilu (name changed), said, “We have been facing lot of hardships for the last 4-5 months. With each passing day it is getting difficult for us to survive as we have no earnings and hardly any savings. All of us here are bound to start the business as we have no other means of livelihood. Given an opportunity, I would like to opt for alternate livelihood so that I have a better source of income to sustain myself and my children.”

The community members also plan to meet other district and State level decision makers to help them take the initiative forward and provide requisite support to the sex workers in this difficult time,said a spokesperson of Asha Care Trust.(eom)

WGEEP recommended that there shall be no linear projects in Mollem wildlife sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahavir National Park:Madhav Gadgil

Prakash Kamat

Panaji, September 10- Environmentalist Dr. Madhav Gadgil who headed the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel(WGEEP) has reiterated unequivocally that the WGEEP had recommended that there shall be no linear projects in Mollem wildlife sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahavir National Park in Goa.

In a recent email addressed to his friends and the people of Goa at large, Dr. Gadgil pointed out that hid attention was recently drawn to a mischievous disinformation campaign that has been launched using  his name in Goa by those who want to justify certain thoroughly unjustifiable linear projects in protected areas such as Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahavir National Park. "Our Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel had suggested that the Western Ghats be  divided into zones of three levels of ecological sensitivity; the ecologically most sensitive localities were assigned to ESZ1,  those with medium level of sensitivity were labelled as ESZ2 and the those with lower levels of sensitivity were labelled as ESZ3. We had suggested that there should be no interference of any sort in the ecologically most sensitive zone ESZ1. For ecological sensitivity we had used a well defined multifactorial quantitative index that was arrived at after an open discussion through public forums including a publication widely circulated scientific fortnightly Current Science. An important yardstick for deciding on the values of this quantitative index above which the areas will be classified as the most sensitive were the levels in the areas currently classified as protected areas. It was specifically mentioned that all currently protected areas are to be included in the ecologically most sensitive zone ESZ1 in which there must not be any human interference. So it is very clear that WGEEP recommends that there shall be no linear projects in Mollem wildlife sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahavir National Park",said Dr. Gadgil.  

This was the e-mail which brought to Dr. Gadgil's notice how his name was being misused in Goa by vested interests:

Wed, Aug 5, 2020 at 10:46 PM Nandini Velho <nandinivelho@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Professor Gadgil,

My name is Nandini Velho and I am a wildlife biologist who did my MSc. from NCBS. I remember meeting you briefly at our institute when you came for our annual talks.

I am pasting an article in the Hindu about forest clearances that were given to multiple forests across India, including my home-state of Goa where three projects are slated in Goa's largest protected area, Bhagwan Mahavir WLS.

Sir, on one hand, a lot of citizens from across Goa are coming together, including artists and others (please see attached). On the other hand, I think there are some propaganda groups (one of the projects is being run by Sterlite) are publishing things in your name:

https://www.facebook.com/TransformingGoa/

I have attached a citizens toolkit on the issue of Mollem. I was wondering if it would be possible for you to send a short one-page statement, not in response to propaganda and news in your name, but about Goa's forests, the Western Ghats and the need for due process in the projects of Mollem?

Best wishes

Nandini

..........

Goa Government to Crack Down on Use of Spiked Weapons on Horses and Other Animals:Responds to PETA Plea

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,September 8- TheGoa Government to Crack Down on Use of Spiked Weapons on Horses and Other Animals follllowina complaint by PETA India.

The State Animal Husbandry Department issues orders after receiving appeals from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India pointing out the rampant use of spiked (or "thorn") bits – devices with metal spikes sticking out of them – to control horses throughout Goa, even though they are explicitly banned under Rule 8 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Draught and Pack Animals Rules, 1965.

Dr Santosh Desai,Director of Goa's Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, issued an order to all assistant directors and veterinary officers calling on them to ensure that spiked bits; harnesses or yokes with spikes, knobs, or projections; or any sharp tackle or equipment are not used to control any animal, in violation of the Rules, and further directed that such devices be confiscated and that incidents be reported to the concerned authorities for further action. 

In its letters, PETA India pointed out the illegality and inhumanity of using spiked (or thorn) bits on equines. When these devices are used to control horses for weddings or rides or to force them to haul goods, they can sink more than a centimetre deep into their mouths, ripping their lips and tongues and causing extreme pain, bloody wounds, immense psychological trauma, and lifelong damage.  

 "These illegal torture devices lacerate horses' mouths and leave them with tremendous pain, and the weapons don't belong at joyous occasions like weddings or anywhere else," says PETA India Senior Legal Counsel Swati Sumbly. "We are grateful that the Goa government is calling for a crackdown on the use of these harmful spiked bits, and PETA India stands ready to lend a hand to help enforce the law if needed."  

Based on the results of a multi-state survey of government efforts to enforce India's ban on using spiked bits on horses, PETA India launched a nationwide campaign in December 2019 aimed at helping police enforce the ban.

States – including Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh – have issued orders mandating the enforcement of this prohibition. PETA India is campaigning not only for police to search for and confiscate the illegally used devices but also for laws to be introduced to include a ban on the manufacture and sale of spiked bits, a loophole that needs to be closed.(eom)

  

Goa RTI Forum writes to Goa Chief Secretary to remove illegal religious structure on road at Miramar beach near Panaji

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,September 7-The Goa RTI Forum is awaiting action from Goa government on a blatant unauthorised roadside religious construction next to Miramar beach,after it wrote to Chief Secretary, Government of Goa with copies to other authorities.

The letter drew the attention of the authorities towards the unauthorised /unlawful construction and expansion activities of the Saint Anthony’s shrine which are in progress on the road outside Miramar Beach, next to the Miramar Circle, which are in violation of Supreme Court Orders in earlier matters. (Supreme Court Order in Union Of India vs State Of Gujarat and others. on 31 January, 2018). Vide its Judgment / Order in related matter, the Hon. Supreme Court of India has banned all unauthorised,new and future construction of places of worship on public land and sought strict compliance of its order from the Union and State governments. Furthermore, State Governments have been directed to maintain strict vigil and ensure that new structures do not come up. From observing works going on at the said place where footings and columns can be seen being constructed, it is clear that works being carried out are not mere repairs but large expansions of the existing religious structure. (Photographs enclosed). 

They have said that such unlawful constructions / expansions will turn out to be a huge hindrance for implementation of future road-expansion plans and can also result into breach of peace and tranquillity on roadsides and in public places. 

The Supreme Court Order inter alia reads: "In pursuance of the order of this Court dated 29th September, 2009, by which this Court directed that henceforth no unauthorized construction shall be carried out or permitted in the name of Temple, Church, Mosque or Gurudwara etc. on public streets, public parks or other public places, the affidavits of all the States and the Union Territories, except the Stateof Uttarakhand, have been filed. All the States and the Union Territories have taken necessary steps to ensure that no further unauthorized construction shall take place and Court directions are seriously and meticulously complied with. 

The other part of the directions issued on 29th September, 2009, were that in respect of unauthorized construction of religious nature which has already taken place oon publicstreets, public parks or other public places, the State Governments and the Union Territories were directed to review the same on case to case basis and take appropriate steps as expeditiously as possible. We do not find comprehensive and satisfactory affidavits as far as  this direction of the order is concerned. Therefore, it has become imperative to direct all the States and the Union Territories to formulate comprehensive policy regarding the removal/relocation/ regularisation of the unauthorized construction within six weeks from today. 

The policy should clearly indicate within what period the States and the Union Territories are going to fully comply with its policy to remove / relocate / regularise the unauthorized construction."

When Goa is blessed with beautiful temples, churches and other places of religious worships, such unlawful religious structures on roads and in public places tarnish the fair name of religion and State GGovernmentsand its authorities must not permit this to happen. 

In view of the sensitivity and seriousness of the matter, you are furthermore requested to inspect all such new constructions that have come up, post Supreme Court Order and State Government policy, and to oorder the removal of all such structure. 

In light of the above, your office is requested to act appropriately and furthermore also requested to take steps to implement the other directives in the aforesaid Supreme Court Order, particularly to implement the policy passed by Goa government post the Supreme Court direction in regards to the removal/ relocation/ regularisation of the unauthorized existing constructions in a phased and time bound manner. 

In case no action is taken, we may be compelled to approach the Hon. High Court of Bombay at Goa for contempt over non-compliance.,the Forum has warned.(eom)

Drishti issues advisory in Goa: Stay away from rocky areas and cliffs; avoid venturing into the sea

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,September 3-Drishti, the Goa State appointed lifeguard agency has advised beach goers to stay away from rocky areas and cliffs along the coastline. 

The rocks are very slippery during monsoon season and also wave height, intensity and frequencies are very high and one can easily get washed out.

“It has been observed that a number of visitors to the beach are scaling rocky area and cliff tops in an attempt to get photographs to share on their social media profiles. Many of the images and videos posted online are located at extremely dangerous locations amidst steep rocks with jagged edges, areas with loose rocks and locations prone to rip currents and fierce waves. Many of these locations are at beaches which are unmanned by lifeguards. This poses a serious threat to visitors.” explained Ravi Shankar, Executive Director, Drishti Marine. 

”Induan Meteorological Department has predicted very heavy rainfall for the next few days across Goa. Visitors to the beach are advised to not enter the sea as the sea conditions are expected to be extremely rough," cautions advisory by DrishtiMarine on Thursday.

In an effort to reduce the number of accidents and falls from slippery and rocky areas along the coastline; Drishti Marine had previously identified unsafe zones which are strictly no-selfie zones. Appropriate signage boards continue to be posted at these spots along the coast.

Red flags are put up on all beaches marking them as strictly no-swim zones.(eom)