Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Contagious Goa virus?
The bureaucracts posted in Goa are a hassled lot. Barely do they begin the process of carrying out the whims of their political masters than the incumbent government is toppled and the new dispensation begins to move in reverse gear.
Rather than take the criticism that accrues from the political see-saw, Indian Administrative Service officers on deputation to Goa plan their departure even before they land in the State. One such official with a reputation for quiet efficiency recently managed to wangle a transfer to New Delhi after a five-year stint in Goa.
Even as journalists went to congratulate him, the bureaucrat could not help remarking on the vagaries of fortune. 8220;If the Government in New Delhi falls, I will be accused of carrying the Goa virus,8221; he observed, to the amusement of his listeners.
Liberalised employment
The liberalisation bug has bitten the Goa Government. Last week, Chief Minister Fransisco Sardinha further opened up the export of Goa8217;sbiggest revenue earner 8211; labour.
As per new policy, it will be easier for State Government employees to take up jobs abroad without resigning from service. They will now be allowed to avail of leave without pay for up to five years so that they may go abroad for work. At the end of the period, they will be allowed to rejoin duty though they will miss out on promotions and increments. The Government will recruit substitutes on contract for this period.
In other words, Government employees in Goa will no longer need to supply fake medical certificates in order to avail of long leave.
What the stars foretell
A certain astrologer from Karnataka is making hay, thanks to his reputation as Chief Minister Fransisco Sardinha8217;s soothsayer.
According to the gentleman, Sardinha will be comfortable in the saddle till the end of June. However, as the year draws to a close, the Government will have been toppled and Goa will face fresh elections in March 2001, according to the astrologer. The predictiononly confirms what most of Goa is already talking about 8211; that the Bharatiya Janata Party will use this opportunity to seize power. Sardinha, meanwhile, is reported to be looking at ways to defer the machinations of fate, and those of his his political partners.
Tailpiece
The Reserve Bank of India seems to be treating Goa as a dumping ground for damaged currency notes from elsewhere in the country. It is, therefore, not surprising to see shopkeepers hand out rupee notes wrapped in plastic bags.
So when the state police arrested some suspected Inter-Services Intelligence agents with counterfeit Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes and produced the forgeries before the press, the hacks couldn8217;t hide their surprise at the professionalism of the counterfeiters. Not only were they exact replicas of currency notes, but they were also printed in better quality paper.
So will the authorities begin importing currency notes from across the border?
8212; SHIV KUMAR
