BSNL Goofed up Bill

Goa 365 has learnt from sources that the actual problem that led to Public Sector Telecom Service Provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited disconnecting many telephone lines was because of the goof ups in the printing of bills which are outsourced by the company to a printing press in Bengaluru. The telecom giant arbitrary and irresponsibly disconnected several telephone lines citing non-payment of bills.

It may be noted that BSNL had earlier switched over from the caller data record software by Kerala based Dot soft company. Recently the Telecom giant then switched over to a caller data record software s provided by the Tata’s.

Phone and Internet connections that were recently cut off were done from Pune ITPC department. The department usually cuts connections in the evening but this time, the connections were severed in the morning itself which further leaves room for doubt.

What compounded to the problem was a printing error by the agency to which BSNL had outsourced printing of the bills. Printing contract of bills was given by BSNL to  a printing press in  Bengaluru which was unable to print bills for February due to its own faults.

Thus, a printer fault led the BSNL to terminate the contract, which was then given to a Pune printing press. The printer in Pune added February amount into March and April months. Some people also got double bill due to the fault of bengaluru printing press. BSNL has stated that excess amount paid will be adjusted in the next month’s bill.

Giving respite to the consumers the General Manager of BSNL told Goa 365 BSNL has now decided to reconnect all the lines regardless of whether the customers in question paid the bills or not.

Tribute to Mathany .

 

Mathany was a man with a vision. His charisma raised the hopes and expectations of his followers. He focused on reaching out to the masses and offering concrete solutions to their problems. In his ability to understand and resolve peopl’s problems and promote development, Matanhy Saldana perhaps resembled Goa’s first Chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar

Matanhy Saldana believed in direct delivery and mass contact, which he established with a humanitarian approach. Saldana immensely valued people and gained their faith by extending emotional support and motivation to the downtrodden, developing mutual trust, and developing sympathy for them. As a leader, he was easily accessible to the people. 

Similar to Dayanand Bandodkar, Matanhy Saldana was concerned with the upliftment of the fishing community. He inquired from time to time about the needs of the fishermen, visited the houses and huts of the community, and share their grievances humbly sitting down on the floor with the fisher folk.

 Matanhy’s house was always open for the needy and he was easily accessible to the people from all walks of life. People who suffered with CRZ clause looked at him as a savior. With his sudden death fishing and farming community of Goa now feels orphaned. 

Matanhy Saldana had sensed the need for change and devoted his energies to make that change happen. Like Bandonkar he worked selflessly towards the welfare of the people.  The beauty of this man was that he could feel the pulse of the people, worked wholeheartedly for their upliftment and always was and will remain a loving figure for the general populace.

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Medium of Instruction issue cropped up in every political parties election manifesto

Congress led coalition govt decision of giving grants to English medium schools challenged in the court of law and the decision will announced after elections. But the genuine challenged at the people court, which will give verdict on 3^rd March through their votes made the every major political parties and independent candidates to stress on the issue.

Bharatiya Bhasha Surkasha manch and the Forum for Rights of Children's Education are the two groups forms in the state on the decision of the government. Accodring to some sections of the parent’s congress govt decision on the MoI is the right decision and some parents opposing the decision terming it will affect the Goan identity.

Force held meeting, morcha and agitation and asked the govt to give grants and supported the decision of the government.

While BBSM also held morcha, agitations, gherao, parents meetings, chaka jam and even one-day goa bandh was observed by the BBSM against the govt decesion.

Meanwhile BBSM start their agitation through colleges and higherseconadry schools. Youth group was formed and was lead by the former congress spokesperson Vishnu surya Wagh.

Many writers’ educationist, teachers and thinkers force the govt to revoke their decision but govt remain firm on the decision.

Lastly prominent activist challenged the cabinet decision in the court.

The issue, which was argued at every level and diluted the atmosphere once again cropped up during the elections and every political parties trying to blames once another on language of instruction fiasco.

Chief campaigner of the congress party Pratap Singh Rane refused to justify the decision claiming the matter is in the court while congress-working president Francisco Sardinha said such policies will help congress candidates to emerge the victory.

BJP blames the congress party for the mess on medium of instruction and newly entrant party into the goan politics trinamool congress also criticized the congress party.

To lure the groups BBSM and FORCE members every political party mention about the MoI in their election manifesto.

Congress party committed to give choice to parents in selecting medium of instruction for their children at primary level. They also committed to give grants all primary schools with medium of instruction in English any other Indian languages including Konkani and Marathi.

BJP oppose the decision of the govt and promises the amicable solution to the problem considering the sentiments of certain sections of the society.

While trinamool congress promises to support the grants to English medium of schools if voted to power.

Goa assembly elections remain hardly few days and the climate of the every corners of the state began burning on the various issues will chill out on 6^th March..

The dissatisfied NCP members have alleged that alliance with congress was only to accommodate congress backed candidates and their spouse.

Nationalist Congress Party a major alliance partners in the present government has been shattered after the declaration of candidates. Many of the party’s aspirants and office bearers have quit the party The dissatisfied NCP members have alleged that alliance was only to accommodated congress backed candidates and their spouse.

NCP is contesting on seven seats out of which three have been allotted to non-office bearers who later joint NCP. According to the Congress NCP seats sharing agreements, Sanguem constituency is allotted to NCP. Sources suggest that this constituency was given by congress to NCP only to accommodate Congress minister Joquim Alemao’s son Yuri Alemao.

 In Mapusa where the Party president and senior politician Surendra Sirsat was denied ticket in favor of  Ashsish Shirodkar who is contesting assembly elections for the first time and has the backing of  Vishwajeet Rane.

There was also a tough tussle  between Congress and NCP in Mayem constituency where Ravi Naik son Roy Naik and Rudresh Chodanker aspired for the party ticket. The party  filed Rudresh Chodankar who is also backed by the Vishwajeet Rane as their candidate. Remaining four candidates of the NCP include Ministers Nilkant Halankar,Jose Philip D’Souza former minister Suresh Parulekar and NCP state mahila unit president Fermina Khaunte.

 Siolim constituency, which was earlier given to the NCP, is now with congress and the health minister supported Candiadte Uday palyekar has been filed by Congress. NCP General secretary Rajan Ghate left the party in protest against of the party’s decision. Ghate was in NCP for 13 years and had worked consistently for the party at the grassroots level even pioneering the opening of three party offices in Siolim in anticipation of the ticket. Rajan Ghate has now filed his nomination on Samajwadi Janata Party to contest elections from Siolim.

In Mandrem constituency NCP's vice president Sangeeta Parab has openly declared her support to BJP candidate Laximikant Parsekar. Parab can be seen taking centre stage in the BJP's public meetings. Sangeeta was upset when the imported BJP candidate Dayanand Sopte was given  Congress ticket when she was aspirant for NCP ticket from Mndrem.

In Saligao Trojana Demelo was denied ticket to Suresh Parulekar has quit the party and has filed his nomination as an independent candidate.

NCP's former general secretary Venkatesh Prabhu Moni who was an aspirant candidate from Porvorim has resigned from the party and joints BJP claiming that NCP tickets were sold out. Former minister Prakash Phadte has also parted ways withthe party. The ticket in Porvorim has been allotted to Fermina Kahunte. .

In Bicholim NCP leader Pandurang Raut has joined Trinamool Congress party to contest in Bicholim constituency.

The NCPs decision regarding allotment of tickets has created large number of dissatisfied elements and weakened the party at the crusial juncture of assembly elections.

Samir Salgacor name in the congress candidature list from Mandrem constituency.

Congress and Nationalist Congress Party alliance will announce at the end of the month worries Mandrem constituency aspirants. Two-time defender of Mandrem constituency Bharatiya Janta Party president Laxmikant Parsekar is yet to know about his rivals in the assembly elections. Congress leader Dayananad Sopte and NCP leader Sangeeta Parab claiming the ticket towards their respective parties but name of Samir Salgacor in the congress candidature list upset both aspirants.
After delimitation Mandrem constituency votes increased upto 29,000 can change the verdict in this assembly elections.
 Former BJP pernem Mla Dayanand Sopte joined congress to contest from Mandrem constituency on party ticket., Dayanand Sopte even secured backing of aspiring political kingmaker, Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane, for both the Congress ticket from Mandrem as well as a win from the constituency. Going further in Sopte's favour is the fact  that a chunk of his pernem voter base has been included in Mandrem constituency  after delimitation exercise.
On the other hand, Nationalist congress party leader Sangeeta Parab is tiring hard to get Mandrem constituency in the box of NCP after alliance.  The NCP leader has  claimed that Mandrem was dominated by MGP for nearly 32 years but in the assembly elections year 1994 she defeated veteran MGP candidate Adv Ramakant Khalap by 633 contesting on congress symbol.  The entry of Adv.Ramakant Khalap into congress for party ticket created tension among the Sangeeta Parab and Khalap  forcing her to contest independently.


BJP candidate Laxmikant Parsekar was  elected twice against his congress rivals Ramakant Khalap and Sangeeta Prab. Sangeeta  claimed that congress candidates were  never elected in Mandrem constituency  after 1994.This may prove to be major advantage to Sangeet Parab in securing her claims to the constituency.
However, political equations in Mandrem might be altered with the entry of  Samir Salgaocar in the list of congress candidates for Mandrem constituency. Neither NCP nor Congress is willing to give up the constituency.
Aspiring candidate Samir Salgaocar has  not yet attached himself with any party and is  an independent candidate. He has already opened up a ration shop in Mandrem and has announced many schemes through a Mata Mamata Sukhadata trust run by his family. He has registered nearly 4500 ration cards.
Sources claimed that Adv Ramakant Khalap is on the defensive and may  not  make efforts to contest assembly elections due to Dayanand Sopte ‘s  entry into congress. He reportedly had a meeting with the high command at Delhi with the Anil Salgaocar and supported Samir Salgaocar Candidature in Mandrem.
Samir Salgacor’s inclusinon in congress candidate list has upset Dayanand Sopte.Sources also claim that Dayayand Sopte is tiring to join BJP again since congress party failed to keep its  promises of 100 jobs and further on.
Sources from Samir Salgaocar camp suggested  that if the congress ticket goes to Dayanand Sopte , Samir will contest independently but the resulting  division of votes will affect congress candidates. Anticipation of the same might have made congress to give ticket to Samir Salgaocar who is working hard in the Mandrem constituency through his trust. This option can keep NCP out and will help congress to keep the constituency in its own hands












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The NCP and MGP is unable to start the party’s campaign in vital constituencies as the talks over seat sharing are yet to conclude.

As political power houses Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party start their campaigning for the 2012 assembly elections, the alleis of the two rivals, Nationalist congress party and Mharashtrravadi Gomantak are stil awatining the outcome of coalition talks leaving election work pending. On the other hand,  the Goa vikas Party and the united Goans democratic front have already  declared their alliance and finalized the constituencies.

The cadre of congress ally NCP and BJP partner MGP is unable to start the party’s campaign in vital constituencies of the state as the talks over seat sharing are yet to conclude.

Congress and the NCP have a pre poll alliance since 2002. The NCP was given 6 seats out of NCP candidate’s goy victory over 3 constituencies. In the 2007 assembly elections Both the parties are willing to continue their alliance for the current elections as well. 

NCP claim over 8 seats has haunted the seat sharing talks between NCP and the congress as some congress leaders are not in the favor of the alliance and allotment of  8 seats to the NCP. since congress party high command and the NCP supremo is in the favor of alliance.

The delay in announcing the alliance means that NCP cadre cannot start campaigning in their respective areas due to uncertainties where as congress candidates have started campaigning. It is Congress, which stands to gain a greater advantage from the alliance thus leaving the NCP on back foot.

The talks between Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party and the Bharatiya Janta Party are still in progress but confusion over  seat sharing formula means a  delay in declaring their alliance. NCP and the MGP are on the defensive in the state politics  which has left the workers of the tow parties in doubt about where to start the parties work.

Declaring candidates at the end of month January will confuse rebellions in Congress.

 

Declaring candidates at the end of month January will confuse rebellions in Congress.

Congress party may be one of the strongest parites in India but in Goa the party seems have become a tool in the hands of powerful politicians who use the party to pursue theiur own interests, revolting against Congress if denied the party election tickets. It is to avoid just such revolts that the party has not yet declared its candidates for the assembly elections, speculations suggest.

Congress party in Goa is presently in an alliance with the national congress party.

Before elections ruling Congress party has time and again  expressed intentions of  contesting assembly elections independently as it has  wining candidates in most of the constituencies. However congress party has always opted for pre-poll alliances after declaration of elections stating that it is a high command decision.

It was revealed that many Congress candidates who are presently allotted ministerial berth and chairmanship of key management boards always perform their personnel progress rather than congress party.

Congress leader Churchill Alemao has time and again revolted against congress leadership, pressurizing the party to achieve his own ends. During the assembly elections of 2007, Churchill Alemao resigned from congress party and founded the Save Goa front, which contested on 17 seats. He himself contested from Navelim against veteran congress leader Luizinho Falerio and defeated him.

Churchill placed Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco against loyal INC candidate Fransico Sardinha and brought down Sardinha with nearly 1827-votes.which decreases the magic number of the congress –NCP alliance. Churchill Alemao who constantly blackmails Congress party for his own family interest had not filed any candidate against his own brother Joaquim Alemao in Cuncolim constituency in 2007.Churchill Alemao thus became the king-maker of Congress party and later merge his own party SGF into congress.

Now, Alemao’s brothers claim that they have votes in Sanguem,Benaulim,Navelim and Cuncolim constituencies and are lobbying for tickets of the same constituencies for their family instead of giving opportunity  to emerging congress leaders.

Babush Monseratte, another rebel who declined contesting on congress ticket at the last moment in 2007 elections and was elected with huge margin on UGDP ticket. Babush has now joined congress and is demanding ticket for his wife and  himself.

In accordance with the congress party ideology one family one ticket Vishwajeet Rane contested independently and won election from Valpoi constituency resigned later and joined congress party again and contested on congress ticket and elected with huge margin on his own strength.

It can thus be speculated that Congress as a party does not have winnable candidates in major constituencies but individuals politicians who have the capacity to get elected due to  their loyal voters on any ticket, push around the Congress for their own interests. Congress party can’t deny ticket to bigwigs because it will increase the possibility of revolt, which is why Congress is still not ready to declare its  candidates in any constituency.

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