Thanksgiving to the Lord
I said it before and I say it again. Tirupati is like a magnet for many of our montris and our chief montri. He was there on June 23. It’s not a coincidence that Kamath was there days after Babush merged his UGDP into the Congress giving the Grand Old Party 19 MLAs. That’s not all. Kamath is secure now that he has co-opted the “CEO” of the Group of Seven. No wonder he was in Tirumala to give thanks.
Mumbai, here I come
Manohar ‘Babu’ Azgaonkar, Minister for Panchayat Raj & RDA
The flight plans of our montris tend to sometimes reveal a little bit about them, like for instance, visiting Mumbai is like an adrenalin rush for many. It varies too. Nilkanth Halarnkar got his rush recently promising everything he wasn’t, for the love of God, ever going to keep but had to say because they think you and I are dimwitted. Other montris get their rush flying Business Class. It’s free in any case. Babu Azgaonkar gets his, flying to Mumbai. Of his fifteen flights made between April 2008-January 2010, ten were made to Mumbai, and only two to Delhi. But he did, by the way, go easy on your tax bucks, flying Business Class on four occasions only. Don’t thank him yet, he might change his flying habit after reading this. In fact, the government could do well by accepting his flight fares as an average or MRP if you will for flying your montris to Mumbai and Delhi. Babu Azgaonkar could, as a matter of fact, offer his services as adviser on low cost flying. Case in point: his flight Mumbai-Kolhapur cost you a piddling (compared to what his compadres-in-the-air blew) just Rs 3,350 in April, a time when fares actually sizzle. Take a look.
2008 You pay they fly
11-13 April, Mumbai, Rs 13,585+702, total Rs 14,287; 23-25 April, Delhi, Rs 25,150+615, total Rs 25,765; 26-29 April, Mumbai-Kolhapur, Rs 3,350+702, total Rs 4,052; 26-28 June, Mumbai, Rs 7,600+780; total Rs 8,380; 02-03 August, Mumbai, Rs 16,609+442, total Rs 17,051; 19-22 September, Mumbai, Rs 7,555+962, total Rs 8,517; 11-14 October, Mumbai, Rs 17,385+962, total Rs 18,347; 23-24 October, Mumbai, Rs 8,320+520, total Rs 8,840; 17-19 November, Mumbai, Rs 7,895+72, total Rs 8,597.
2009
06-10 January, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 14,953, 04-06 April, Mumbai, Rs 19,819+702, Rs 20,521; 06-08 June, Mumbai, Rs 7,258+780, total Rs 8,038; 01-03 July, Mumbai, Rs 4,708+702, total Rs 5,410; 04-11 November, Hyderabad-Tirupati-Hyderabad, Rs 13,458+1,101, total Rs 14,468. Strangely, when Vishwajeet Rane also flew to pray at the Lord Venkateshwara Temple in July 2008 his Economy Class airfare cost Rs 43,439. That’s why I say take his as the basis for future reference.
2010
13-15 January, Mumbai, Rs 1,058+702, total Rs 10,760.
Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Minister for Water Resources & Forests.
He seems to be a rarity among our council of ministers, barely zipping here and there unlike the others who sprout wings soon after induction into the cabinet.
2008
30 June-03 July 2008, Mumbai, Rs 13,078+962, total Rs 14,040.
2009
06-08 January Delhi, total Rs 11,850; 06-07 July, Delhi, Rs 13,896+520, total Rs 14,416.
The Flying Club Cost so far:
Vishwajeet Rane Rs 17,56,397
Churchill Alemao Rs 14,28,633
Digambar Kamat Rs 13,26,144
Joaquim Alemao Rs 12,34,442
Mickky Pacheco Rs 11,98,946
Babush Monseratte Rs 6,48,115
Babu Azgaonkar Rs 1,87,986
Dayanand Narvekar Rs 1,36,275
Ravi Naik Rs 4,08,749
Filipe Rodrigues Rs 40,306
Grand Total: Rs 83,65,993
Whose pleasure?
A lot has been said about the crap (literally) dumped by the offshore Casinos and pleasure vessels, more so after the pollution control board woke up from hibernation, blinked, poked its still-drowsy head into the squalid waters of the Mandovi, and surfaced quickly pronto as if it had sighted the Loch Ness monster. Only this was not the north of Scotland. It was not even our own little Nessie (as the Scots affectionately call the LN). It was like the crap hit the ceiling as the saying goes. Everyone was running helter-skelter, one daily (not Herald) even turning it into a circus. Whatever happened to action taken? If there was action to be taken, that is. Anyway, here’s an itsy bitsy bit (but which ought to raise a stink no less) of information, no one bothered to dig up then. My point being for all the crap and garbage the poor Mandovi gets, see what your government gives the rich Casino and pleasure vessel owners in return? Talk of inverse proportional benefits to the rich!
The Captain of Ports Department has four jetties in Panjim. The Malim jetty which the Mandovi Fisherman Marketing Co-Op Society has virtually commandeered and where someone, I am not sure who, even collects an entry fee from shoppers brave or foolish enough to buy the rather expensive fish sold there. The other three jetties are allegedly used on a temporary basis for berthing mainly the pleasure boats on what is called “touch and go basis”. Quaint. Only your government could think of such a catchy turn of phrase. These are the Patto jetty where the Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s, Priya Darshani River Cruises, Parsadise Cruises, Aqua World and Savio Messias are allowed to anchor or moor their vessels, leave out the ‘touch and go bit’ –it just doesn’t work like that. Now, all this information I garnered from the department itself. There is the Captain of Ports jetty, the eastern part of which is like or was like a permanent home for Leela Ventures from as far back as December 12, 2007. The fourth and last is the jetty on the western side of the Captain of Ports building leased to Goa Coastal Resorts and Recreation from October 24, 2008. All this for a song – an itsy bitsy Rs 4.30 lakh per annum. The reasons why these prized assets are not publicly auctioned but are furtively granted at the rulers’ sanctorum at Porvorim where pockets are touched and the bidder departs pleased as punch, are not known. All I can offer is that a helluva clever pickpocket, operating within those hallowed portals, made good use of the ancient Port Rules of 1983 and between toucher and touched got the compliant Captain of Ports to oblige. How touching! Thanksgiving to the Lord.
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Monday, June 28, 2010
Flying Circus - V
You ain't seen nothin yet!
Fortunately for your tax bucks, Francisco ‘Mickky’ Pacheco, the former Minister for Tourism blinked first in the Mexican stand-off and resigned, but don’t pop that bubbly yet, your good cheer could end sooner than later. Because, instinct suggests that Srikanth Halarnkar as tourism minister (as I write this on June 15) may already have both eyes on the tourism convention calendar and a hand on the phone. You have doubts? Then why did he say post-induction: “I have no demands blah, blah, blah”. Plus this gem: “I will resign my ministership if Mickky Pacheco gets back” or words to this effect. In the double-talk of politicians, it simply, means: “Demands? Boy, I haven’t even begun/just wait till I start making them.” Also, for the reason that tourism ministers and officials of both the Goa Tourism Development Corporation and Tourism Department simply can’t resist packing their bags and taking off behind their masters on foreign junkets, like supporting actors, in the Flying Circus. In the past, it happened each time a new minister took charge, Mickky only took it to a new level. His reputation for long-haul flying even gave Manohar Parrikar the opportunity to sack him as a minister while on an expense-paid trip on 4 June 2004. Heaven help us if he were the sports minister today. His air and World Cup tickets would have been a waste after costing us an arm and a leg. To think, he would have stayed the entire course of the World Cup.
On Mickky’s trail
On 09-17, 2008 November he flew Mumbai-London-Mumbai which cost Rs 2,54,489 and was paid DA of Rs 23,076. The question is, should a government perk like DA be paid to a minister on a foreign junket when even his restaurant tips are covered. It’s logical or rather or rather makes sense if a minister flies off to Mumbai, but abroad, DA? Then there was his cab fare (see what I mean?) of Rs 2,40,000 (did he hire helicopters?) and hotel expenditure of Rs 1,49,310 making it a grand total of Rs 6,66,875 of tax money squandered away. Wasted, because what good does it do, participating in foreign tourism conventions to sell Goa over and over again with nothing new to offer and even less to show by way of improved tourist infrastructure. The squalor in the Colva creek will persist, tourists will continue to balance sightseeing with garbage sighting, and get short-changed at each transaction virtually.
Mickky gets picky
On 20-24, 2009 September he flew Mumbai-Dubai-DME (Russia)-Dubai-Mumbai, Business Class which cost Rs 53,710, was paid DA of Rs 8,104, strangely did not incur any cab fare but incurred a hotel expenditure of Rs 81,600. Total: Rs 1,43,414.
Goldfinger gets brazen
Yeah, I know, I know, he doesn’t wear them nowadays, but I couldn’t resist it. He was airborne again on 09-22 November, 2009 flying Doha-London-Helsinki-Copenhagen-Zurich-Rome-London-Doha, Business Class, spending Rs 1,87,621 on airfare, got paid DA of Rs 64,650, spending nothing on cab fare and incurring a huge Rs 1,36,386 on hotels. Total: Rs 3,88,657. All of which really, really makes the airfare of Rs 2,54,489 to London very, very suspect, as is the equally questionable cab fare of Rs 2,40,000 and I do know London cab fares are exorbitant. But to spend Rs 34,285.71 per day on cabs when you are supposed to be hard selling Goa! Whatever the facts behind these three hugely unnecessary junkets, Micky did manage to spend Rs 11,98,946 of your hard earned money. But with every new fact tumbling out on la affaire Mickky, go figure the hows and wherefores.
Fellow rambler, Minister for Education
2008 Year of Coincidence
Like his buddies, Babush began his flying with that familiar airdash to you know where on 22-23 September, at a cost of Rs 57,510+355, total Rs 57,865; followed by another to Delhi on 25-26 November, Rs 51,320+355, total Rs 51,675. Why coincidence? It just happened that of the 17 flights he took, nine took place when Vishwajeet Rane was also in Mumbai, which to the Goa G-7, is like Davos is to the real G-8 and corporate czars. For the same reason that on 15-21 December (cost: Rs 24,705+1,655, total 26,360) when he flew to Mumbai, Rane was there (18-24). Still think I’m on a flight of fancy?
2009 more happening together
He began the year with a flight to Delhi-Mumbai between 06-11 January, that cost Rs 60,828. Rane was there too (06-09). 08-11 April, Mumbai, Rs 19,868+960, total Rs 20,828; 13-17 April, Mumbai, Rs 19,868+1,185, total Rs 21,053. Monseratte’s next five flights to Mumbai coincided with Rane being there YET AGAIN. Rane was in Mumbai on 27 April-01 June. The flights are: 1) 27-28 April, Mumbai, Rs 22,013+520, total Rs 22,533. 2) 15-24 May, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 63,787+2,340, total Rs 66,127. 3) 19-21 May, Mumbai, Rs 20,268+780, total Rs 21,048. 4) 22-24 May, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 61,706+702, total Rs 62,408. 5) 27-28 May, Mumbai, Rs 20,268+442, total Rs 20,710. 10-13 June, Mumbai, Rs 20,268+962, total Rs 21,230; 30 June-01 July, Mumbai, Rs 22,432+442, total Rs 22,874; 09-10 August, Mumbai, Rs 22,432+442, total Rs 22,874. RANE WAS THERE TOO (he took a same flight) when Monseratte flew Delhi-Mumbai on 1-16 October, Rs 65,423+743, total Rs 66,166; 23-25 October, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 58,962+702, total Rs 59,664.
2010 Two minds with but one thought
Rane was again in Mumbai when Monseratte flew to Mumbai on 06-07 February, Rs 23,430+442, total RS 23,872. In the end a total of Rs 6,48,115 was spent on flying him Business Class only, mostly to Mumbai and no guesses why. It is where Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel of the National Congress Party hatch conspiracies against the Congress).
The Flying Club Cost so far:
Ravi Naik Rs 04,08,749
Vishwajeet Rane Rs 17,56,397
Digambar Kamat Rs 13,26,144
Dayanand Narvekar Rs 1,36,275
Joaquim Alemao Rs 12,34,442
Churchill Alemao Rs 14,28,633
Mickky Pacheco Rs 11,98,946
Babush’ Monseratte Rs 6,48,115
Grand Total: Rs 81,377,01
Feedback 2280935, 9822152164 lionroars.goa@gmail.com
Fortunately for your tax bucks, Francisco ‘Mickky’ Pacheco, the former Minister for Tourism blinked first in the Mexican stand-off and resigned, but don’t pop that bubbly yet, your good cheer could end sooner than later. Because, instinct suggests that Srikanth Halarnkar as tourism minister (as I write this on June 15) may already have both eyes on the tourism convention calendar and a hand on the phone. You have doubts? Then why did he say post-induction: “I have no demands blah, blah, blah”. Plus this gem: “I will resign my ministership if Mickky Pacheco gets back” or words to this effect. In the double-talk of politicians, it simply, means: “Demands? Boy, I haven’t even begun/just wait till I start making them.” Also, for the reason that tourism ministers and officials of both the Goa Tourism Development Corporation and Tourism Department simply can’t resist packing their bags and taking off behind their masters on foreign junkets, like supporting actors, in the Flying Circus. In the past, it happened each time a new minister took charge, Mickky only took it to a new level. His reputation for long-haul flying even gave Manohar Parrikar the opportunity to sack him as a minister while on an expense-paid trip on 4 June 2004. Heaven help us if he were the sports minister today. His air and World Cup tickets would have been a waste after costing us an arm and a leg. To think, he would have stayed the entire course of the World Cup.
On Mickky’s trail
On 09-17, 2008 November he flew Mumbai-London-Mumbai which cost Rs 2,54,489 and was paid DA of Rs 23,076. The question is, should a government perk like DA be paid to a minister on a foreign junket when even his restaurant tips are covered. It’s logical or rather or rather makes sense if a minister flies off to Mumbai, but abroad, DA? Then there was his cab fare (see what I mean?) of Rs 2,40,000 (did he hire helicopters?) and hotel expenditure of Rs 1,49,310 making it a grand total of Rs 6,66,875 of tax money squandered away. Wasted, because what good does it do, participating in foreign tourism conventions to sell Goa over and over again with nothing new to offer and even less to show by way of improved tourist infrastructure. The squalor in the Colva creek will persist, tourists will continue to balance sightseeing with garbage sighting, and get short-changed at each transaction virtually.
Mickky gets picky
On 20-24, 2009 September he flew Mumbai-Dubai-DME (Russia)-Dubai-Mumbai, Business Class which cost Rs 53,710, was paid DA of Rs 8,104, strangely did not incur any cab fare but incurred a hotel expenditure of Rs 81,600. Total: Rs 1,43,414.
Goldfinger gets brazen
Yeah, I know, I know, he doesn’t wear them nowadays, but I couldn’t resist it. He was airborne again on 09-22 November, 2009 flying Doha-London-Helsinki-Copenhagen-Zurich-Rome-London-Doha, Business Class, spending Rs 1,87,621 on airfare, got paid DA of Rs 64,650, spending nothing on cab fare and incurring a huge Rs 1,36,386 on hotels. Total: Rs 3,88,657. All of which really, really makes the airfare of Rs 2,54,489 to London very, very suspect, as is the equally questionable cab fare of Rs 2,40,000 and I do know London cab fares are exorbitant. But to spend Rs 34,285.71 per day on cabs when you are supposed to be hard selling Goa! Whatever the facts behind these three hugely unnecessary junkets, Micky did manage to spend Rs 11,98,946 of your hard earned money. But with every new fact tumbling out on la affaire Mickky, go figure the hows and wherefores.
Fellow rambler, Minister for Education
2008 Year of Coincidence
Like his buddies, Babush began his flying with that familiar airdash to you know where on 22-23 September, at a cost of Rs 57,510+355, total Rs 57,865; followed by another to Delhi on 25-26 November, Rs 51,320+355, total Rs 51,675. Why coincidence? It just happened that of the 17 flights he took, nine took place when Vishwajeet Rane was also in Mumbai, which to the Goa G-7, is like Davos is to the real G-8 and corporate czars. For the same reason that on 15-21 December (cost: Rs 24,705+1,655, total 26,360) when he flew to Mumbai, Rane was there (18-24). Still think I’m on a flight of fancy?
2009 more happening together
He began the year with a flight to Delhi-Mumbai between 06-11 January, that cost Rs 60,828. Rane was there too (06-09). 08-11 April, Mumbai, Rs 19,868+960, total Rs 20,828; 13-17 April, Mumbai, Rs 19,868+1,185, total Rs 21,053. Monseratte’s next five flights to Mumbai coincided with Rane being there YET AGAIN. Rane was in Mumbai on 27 April-01 June. The flights are: 1) 27-28 April, Mumbai, Rs 22,013+520, total Rs 22,533. 2) 15-24 May, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 63,787+2,340, total Rs 66,127. 3) 19-21 May, Mumbai, Rs 20,268+780, total Rs 21,048. 4) 22-24 May, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 61,706+702, total Rs 62,408. 5) 27-28 May, Mumbai, Rs 20,268+442, total Rs 20,710. 10-13 June, Mumbai, Rs 20,268+962, total Rs 21,230; 30 June-01 July, Mumbai, Rs 22,432+442, total Rs 22,874; 09-10 August, Mumbai, Rs 22,432+442, total Rs 22,874. RANE WAS THERE TOO (he took a same flight) when Monseratte flew Delhi-Mumbai on 1-16 October, Rs 65,423+743, total Rs 66,166; 23-25 October, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 58,962+702, total Rs 59,664.
2010 Two minds with but one thought
Rane was again in Mumbai when Monseratte flew to Mumbai on 06-07 February, Rs 23,430+442, total RS 23,872. In the end a total of Rs 6,48,115 was spent on flying him Business Class only, mostly to Mumbai and no guesses why. It is where Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel of the National Congress Party hatch conspiracies against the Congress).
The Flying Club Cost so far:
Ravi Naik Rs 04,08,749
Vishwajeet Rane Rs 17,56,397
Digambar Kamat Rs 13,26,144
Dayanand Narvekar Rs 1,36,275
Joaquim Alemao Rs 12,34,442
Churchill Alemao Rs 14,28,633
Mickky Pacheco Rs 11,98,946
Babush’ Monseratte Rs 6,48,115
Grand Total: Rs 81,377,01
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Sunday, June 13, 2010
Pigs have wings - Flying Circus(IV)
More reason to squeal like pigs
He was in the news recently for all the wrong reasons, calling us names, proving yet again and like a spoilt child that he just wouldn’t tolerate even being rapped on the knuckles. Actually he was, ahem, squealing like a pig! Remember, he accused the concerned citizen leading the opposition against the Cavellossim bridge of being a loner in his battle; he said the same thing when someone led a protest against the Mumbai builder who is turning a part of Carmona into a concrete jungle for the rich to holiday. Clearly, Churchill Alemao brooks no opposition on the ground. In the air, he is king of all he surveys. Take a look at his flying exploits between April 2008 and January 2010, all paid by your tax bucks of course. The cost: Rs 14,28,633.
2008 Business with pleasure
The Union Minister for railways Mamta Banerjee spends more time in Kolkatta than in Delhi, the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers is perpetually in Madurai when he should be in Delhi. Not so our our Goa montris who are in Delhi at the drop of a hat.
06-09 April, Delhi, Rs 24,626+1,040, total Rs 25,666; 17-18 April, Delhi, Rs 25,120+355; Rs 25,475. A one-dayer to Mumbai on 29 April that cost you just Rs 16,789 (Rs 16,607+182) because he flew Economy Class one way and quite obviously travelled without the human baggage the poor man seems to be saddled with. 31 May-01 June, Mumbai, Rs 20,034+442, total Rs 20,476; 04-05 June, Bangalore-Mumbai, Rs 37,448+277, total Rs 37,725; 14-15 June, Mumbai, Rs 20,634+520, total Rs 21,154; 23-24 June, Delhi, Rs 37,595+355, total 37,950. This is five overnight flights and a one-dayer in seven flights so far, and must surely add a new dimension to his line of work. 04-09, Chennai-Bangalore, Rs 29,327+1,482, total Rs 30,809; 12-16 September, Delhi, Rs 59,072+1,135, total Rs 60,207. The next one is something only Alemao Inc. could pull off. Between 07-13 October he flew Delhi-Calcutta at a cost of Rs 86,985+1,057, total cost Rs 88,042. If you remember brother Joaquim made that same rather expensive flight also to Calcutta on 11-13 October which I figured most certainly had nothing to do with the working of government, unless off course freebie flying is part of governance. So, what were the siblings doing in Calcutta? The answer could be in the fact that Churchill United played Chirag United on 12 October. Sadly, Churchill United drew 0-0 despite the huge fan support they got from Goa, if you get my drift. And then, these two overnight flights: 20-21 October, Delhi, Rs 51,596+520, total Rs 52,116; 12-13 December, Delhi, Rs 34,501.
2009 Delhi calls
07-08 January, Delhi-Mumbai, total Rs 67,208; 12-13 January, Delhi, Rs 53,796; 22-25 January, Delhi-Mumbai, total Rs 36,355, that’s three flights in a single month. 17-19 February, Delhi, total Rs 36,505. Churchill spent six days in Delhi between 25 February-03 March flying there Economy Class for Rs 14,986 only. But you can’t help noticing can you, the high cost of flying to Delhi prior to that, plus the huge difference in air fares, proving my point that there is something fishy going on. My theory is flying solo is not something our montris like to do, the more the merrier seems to be the motto. There is cause to mull over, because he flew back again on 05-12 March at a penny pinching fare of Rs 13,702. The big spending was back when he flew Delhi-Mumbai on 13-16 March at a cost to you of Rs 42,751+710, total 43,461, and if you hadn’t noticed his DA went up too but which for unknown reasons he did not claim for a short period. 16-22 March, Delhi, Rs 15,836+1,523, total Rs 17,359. He ended March, a month of tireless flying (5 flights, 25 days spent in Delhi), but entirely necessary in Goa’s treacherous power-play, with this jaw-breaker of a flight to Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai on 25-31 March that cost Rs 1,14,999 plus DA of Rs 1,705. But, it’s the flight cost that hurts. In fact of his 39 flights, he flew Economy Class only five times, clubbing Economy Class with Business Class thrice. And, so it went. 01-06 April, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 48,772+1,222, total Rs 49,994; 26-29 April, Delhi, Rs 32,783+1,040, total Rs 33,823; 06-07 May, Mumbai, Rs 14,463+520, total Rs 14,983; 21-23 May, Delhi, Rs 55,243+702, total Rs 55,945; 09-11 June, Delhi, Rs 33,360+780, total Rs 34,140; 08-09 August, Delhi, Rs 58,732+364, total Rs 59,069; 20-21 August, Delhi, Rs 34,999+260, total Rs 35,259, 03-9 September, Madras-Tiruchipally-Madras, Rs 44,144+945, total Rs 45,089; 19-23 September, Delhi, Rs 33,750+1,300, total Rs 35,050; 30 September-02 October, Mumbai, Rs 24,823+702, total Rs 25,525; 11-13 October, Delhi, Rs 33,235+780, total Rs 34,015; 22-24 October, Pune-Mumbai, Rs 24,600+504; total Rs 25,104; 31 October-02 November, Mumbai, Rs 22,276+615, total Rs 22,891; 09-10 November, Mumbai, Rs 21,393+364, total Rs 21,757; 23-25 November, Mumbai-Madras-Tiruchirapally-Madras, Rs 26,830+530, total Rs 27,360. Thus while the CM went to invoke the Gods in Tirupati, Churchill was Trichy-bound in September and November and one can safely assume that since Trichy is the closest airport to Nagapattiam which has the shrine of Annai Velankani, that’s where he was headed.
2010
04-05 January, Delhi, Rs 21,987+442, total Rs 22,429; 11-12 January, Mumbai, Rs 19,713+277, total Rs 19,990; 14-16 January, Delhi, Rs 14,714+483, total Rs 15,197.
The Flying Club Cost so far:
Ravi Naik Rs 04,08,749
Vishwajeet Rane Rs 17,56,397
Digambar Kamat Rs 13,26,144
Dayanand Narvekar Rs 1,36,275
Joaquim Alemao Rs 12,34,442
Churchill Alemao Rs 14,28,633
Grand total Rs 62,90,640
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Flying Circus -III
Narvekar's clipped wings
The former Finance & IT Minister Dayanand Narvekar spent only Rs 1,36,275 on his flying but that was only because Digambar Kamat pressed his ejection seat button jettisoning him out of the cabinet, which Narvekar would of course argue, was done prematurely. Whatever their ‘code of conduct’ as politicians, his freefall resulted in him losing his ministership and as a result also his free membership to the Frequent Flyers club of government ministers. But, hey he did enjoy himself in the brief period he got to fly among the clouds. You could say he was on Cloud Nine!
2008
06-09 April, 2008, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 34,765+962, total Rs 35,727. He also flew to Bhuj, known for its palaces in traditional Kutchi style, spending 11 days in Bhuj, Gujarat flying Bangalore-Delhi-Mumbai-Bhuj-Mumbai Business Class between 17-28 April, 2008 at a cost to you of Rs 84,112+ Rs 2,360, total Rs 86,472. He flew again between 18-20 May, 2008, Mumbai (Rs 13,556+520) at a total cost to you of Rs 14,076.
Business as usual
Another aficionado of the travel-at-taxpayers-cost is Joaquim Alemao, the Minister for Urban Development. Of his 27 flights between April 2008 and January 2010 he flew Economy Class only once, perhaps only because there wasn’t a Business Class seat available. His flying cost you Rs 12,34,442.
2008
28 April-04 May, Mumbai, Rs 16,930+1,655, total Rs 18,585; 24-26 June, Bangalore-Mumbai, Rs 37,210+1,135, total Rs 36,345; 19-20 July, Mumbai, Rs 19,910+442, total Rs 20,352; 08-09 August, Bangalore, Rs 24,237+442, total Rs 24,679; 18-19 August, Bangalore, Rs 17,765+442, total Rs 18,207; 05-08 September, Bangalore-Calcutta, Rs 54,635+1,040, total Rs 55,675; 11-13 October, Bangalore-Calcutta, Rs 84,330+577, total Rs 84,907. While his recent flights seem to have taken him to Bangalore for reasons best known to him, his rather expensive flight to Calcutta on 11-13 October most certainly had nothing to do with the working of the government, more likely I guess with the fact that Churchill Brothers played Mohun Bagan in Calcutta on January 8. My research with a small margin for error also shows that a Goa-Mumbai flight at that point in time cost Rs 16,600 by Economy Class. What’s more, a Goa-Bangalore air ticket then cost Rs 11,919, a Bangalore-Calcutta flight cost Rs 29,444, a Calcutta-Mumbai flight cost Rs 22,664 and a Mumbai-Goa flight cost Rs 10,134 (Indian Airlines-Business Class fares). That makes it a total of Rs 74,161, well short of the Rs 84,330 Alemao spent. It was back to Mumbai for him : 21-25 October, Mumbai, Rs 24,705+1,300, total Rs 26,005; 13-17 November, Mumbai, Rs 26,070+1,097; Rs 27,167. His next flights completely expose the man’s enormous appetite for flying free. Between 08-09 August he flew to Delhi at a cost to you of Rs 58,070+482, total Rs 58,552. He was back to doing his quick Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VToL) like the Indian Navy’s Sea Harriers to Delhi between 23-24 December flying there at a cost of Rs 61,455. Go figure how he could manage to spend so much of your money because the airfares defy interpretation, mine at least, the increasing ATF cost (aviation turbine fuel) notwithstanding.
2009, crashing landing your tax bucks
Yet another quickie VToL flight between 23-24 December took him to Mumbai this time at a cost of Rs 30,658 and another between 20-21 January at a cost of Rs 37,852 and he ended his dizzy dashing off, this time a one-dayer, to Delhi on 19 February at a cost of Rs 45,085. And so it went. 14-16 March, Mumbai, total Rs 19,460; 14-16 March, Mumbai total Rs 19,460. Here’s a funny thing. He wasn’t paid DA for any of these flights. Poor man. Then came this whopper of a flight between 27-29 March when he flew Bangalore-Delhi-Mumbai at a cost to you of Rs 83,783+962, total Rs 84,745. 19-21 May, Mumbai, Rs 19,129+702, total Rs 19,831; another Goliath of a flight between 23-24 May to Delhi at a cost to you of Rs 67,684+442, Rs 68,126. In fact it’s all downhill (for your tax buck, that is) for you from here onwards, so fasten your seat belt while Alemao enters rarified air burning up your tax bucks like a jet’s afterburner that increases the thrust (in their case lust for flying) of a jet engine by feeding fuel into the hot exhaust (in your case leaving your tax bucks exhausted) gases. 11-15 June, Delhi-Mumbai-Chennai, Rs 73,795+1,222, total Rs 75,017; 20-21 June Mumbai, Rs 25,863+442, total Rs 26,305; 30 August-01 September, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 74,220+702, total Rs 74,922; 30 September-03 October, Mumbai, Rs 23,868+962, total Rs 24,830; 19-21 October, Delhi, Rs 58,480+702, total Rs 59,182.
2010
Alemao was back in India’s soccer capital between 06-09 January flying Mumbai-Calcutta-Mumbai at a cost of Rs 87,969+960, total Rs 88,929; another quick VToL between 20-21 January at a cost of Rs 57,274+442, total Rs 57,716 and finally 28-30 January, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 86,278+702, total Rs 86,980.
The Flying Club Cost so far:
Ravi Naik Rs 04,08,749
Vishwajeet Rane Rs 17,56,397
Digambar Kamat Rs 13,26,144
Dayanand Narvekar Rs 1,36,275
Joaquim Alemao Rs 12,34,442
Grand total Rs 48,62,007 and soaring
Oink, Oink
Let’s see, according to Churchill Alemao if you are a concerned citizen (and I am not talking about those who pontificate from the comfort of their homes or write letters to the editor like newsprint could go out of fashion) then you are a squealing pig, which makes Mathany Saldanha and Manohar Parrikar the mothers of all squealing pigs. I’m sure they won’t have a problem with being called that as I am sure Remo will title his next song “Oink, Oink”, an ode to the bacon and ham of Indian politics. I am also relieved that Goa’s 5-star hotels can now begin to rehire Goan waiters they had stopped employing because Goan youth only wanted that service certificate and not the job really thank you, to get a (gainful this time) job in the Gulf or on a cruise liner and which the hotels stopped issuing precisely because of that; because now Goan youth are queuing up for jobs as security guards - Goa’s latest career choice after 1,000 Goans filled up all the vacant posts for builders. It’s a stampede out there. This is the Gospel according to the man himself. Amen.
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The former Finance & IT Minister Dayanand Narvekar spent only Rs 1,36,275 on his flying but that was only because Digambar Kamat pressed his ejection seat button jettisoning him out of the cabinet, which Narvekar would of course argue, was done prematurely. Whatever their ‘code of conduct’ as politicians, his freefall resulted in him losing his ministership and as a result also his free membership to the Frequent Flyers club of government ministers. But, hey he did enjoy himself in the brief period he got to fly among the clouds. You could say he was on Cloud Nine!
2008
06-09 April, 2008, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 34,765+962, total Rs 35,727. He also flew to Bhuj, known for its palaces in traditional Kutchi style, spending 11 days in Bhuj, Gujarat flying Bangalore-Delhi-Mumbai-Bhuj-Mumbai Business Class between 17-28 April, 2008 at a cost to you of Rs 84,112+ Rs 2,360, total Rs 86,472. He flew again between 18-20 May, 2008, Mumbai (Rs 13,556+520) at a total cost to you of Rs 14,076.
Business as usual
Another aficionado of the travel-at-taxpayers-cost is Joaquim Alemao, the Minister for Urban Development. Of his 27 flights between April 2008 and January 2010 he flew Economy Class only once, perhaps only because there wasn’t a Business Class seat available. His flying cost you Rs 12,34,442.
2008
28 April-04 May, Mumbai, Rs 16,930+1,655, total Rs 18,585; 24-26 June, Bangalore-Mumbai, Rs 37,210+1,135, total Rs 36,345; 19-20 July, Mumbai, Rs 19,910+442, total Rs 20,352; 08-09 August, Bangalore, Rs 24,237+442, total Rs 24,679; 18-19 August, Bangalore, Rs 17,765+442, total Rs 18,207; 05-08 September, Bangalore-Calcutta, Rs 54,635+1,040, total Rs 55,675; 11-13 October, Bangalore-Calcutta, Rs 84,330+577, total Rs 84,907. While his recent flights seem to have taken him to Bangalore for reasons best known to him, his rather expensive flight to Calcutta on 11-13 October most certainly had nothing to do with the working of the government, more likely I guess with the fact that Churchill Brothers played Mohun Bagan in Calcutta on January 8. My research with a small margin for error also shows that a Goa-Mumbai flight at that point in time cost Rs 16,600 by Economy Class. What’s more, a Goa-Bangalore air ticket then cost Rs 11,919, a Bangalore-Calcutta flight cost Rs 29,444, a Calcutta-Mumbai flight cost Rs 22,664 and a Mumbai-Goa flight cost Rs 10,134 (Indian Airlines-Business Class fares). That makes it a total of Rs 74,161, well short of the Rs 84,330 Alemao spent. It was back to Mumbai for him : 21-25 October, Mumbai, Rs 24,705+1,300, total Rs 26,005; 13-17 November, Mumbai, Rs 26,070+1,097; Rs 27,167. His next flights completely expose the man’s enormous appetite for flying free. Between 08-09 August he flew to Delhi at a cost to you of Rs 58,070+482, total Rs 58,552. He was back to doing his quick Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VToL) like the Indian Navy’s Sea Harriers to Delhi between 23-24 December flying there at a cost of Rs 61,455. Go figure how he could manage to spend so much of your money because the airfares defy interpretation, mine at least, the increasing ATF cost (aviation turbine fuel) notwithstanding.
2009, crashing landing your tax bucks
Yet another quickie VToL flight between 23-24 December took him to Mumbai this time at a cost of Rs 30,658 and another between 20-21 January at a cost of Rs 37,852 and he ended his dizzy dashing off, this time a one-dayer, to Delhi on 19 February at a cost of Rs 45,085. And so it went. 14-16 March, Mumbai, total Rs 19,460; 14-16 March, Mumbai total Rs 19,460. Here’s a funny thing. He wasn’t paid DA for any of these flights. Poor man. Then came this whopper of a flight between 27-29 March when he flew Bangalore-Delhi-Mumbai at a cost to you of Rs 83,783+962, total Rs 84,745. 19-21 May, Mumbai, Rs 19,129+702, total Rs 19,831; another Goliath of a flight between 23-24 May to Delhi at a cost to you of Rs 67,684+442, Rs 68,126. In fact it’s all downhill (for your tax buck, that is) for you from here onwards, so fasten your seat belt while Alemao enters rarified air burning up your tax bucks like a jet’s afterburner that increases the thrust (in their case lust for flying) of a jet engine by feeding fuel into the hot exhaust (in your case leaving your tax bucks exhausted) gases. 11-15 June, Delhi-Mumbai-Chennai, Rs 73,795+1,222, total Rs 75,017; 20-21 June Mumbai, Rs 25,863+442, total Rs 26,305; 30 August-01 September, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 74,220+702, total Rs 74,922; 30 September-03 October, Mumbai, Rs 23,868+962, total Rs 24,830; 19-21 October, Delhi, Rs 58,480+702, total Rs 59,182.
2010
Alemao was back in India’s soccer capital between 06-09 January flying Mumbai-Calcutta-Mumbai at a cost of Rs 87,969+960, total Rs 88,929; another quick VToL between 20-21 January at a cost of Rs 57,274+442, total Rs 57,716 and finally 28-30 January, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 86,278+702, total Rs 86,980.
The Flying Club Cost so far:
Ravi Naik Rs 04,08,749
Vishwajeet Rane Rs 17,56,397
Digambar Kamat Rs 13,26,144
Dayanand Narvekar Rs 1,36,275
Joaquim Alemao Rs 12,34,442
Grand total Rs 48,62,007 and soaring
Oink, Oink
Let’s see, according to Churchill Alemao if you are a concerned citizen (and I am not talking about those who pontificate from the comfort of their homes or write letters to the editor like newsprint could go out of fashion) then you are a squealing pig, which makes Mathany Saldanha and Manohar Parrikar the mothers of all squealing pigs. I’m sure they won’t have a problem with being called that as I am sure Remo will title his next song “Oink, Oink”, an ode to the bacon and ham of Indian politics. I am also relieved that Goa’s 5-star hotels can now begin to rehire Goan waiters they had stopped employing because Goan youth only wanted that service certificate and not the job really thank you, to get a (gainful this time) job in the Gulf or on a cruise liner and which the hotels stopped issuing precisely because of that; because now Goan youth are queuing up for jobs as security guards - Goa’s latest career choice after 1,000 Goans filled up all the vacant posts for builders. It’s a stampede out there. This is the Gospel according to the man himself. Amen.
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Saturday, June 5, 2010
Flying Circus - II
A healthy flight schedule
This week let’s have a look at the travel forays of Vishwajeet Rane, the Minister for Health. Yes, the man and his henchmen called the Group of Seven (G7) whose constant pressure on the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to quit is like a virus that has no cure, but could be good for the bottomline of the airline industry, and the reason that kept Kamat airborne for the most part of his 22-month period between April, 2008 and January 2010 (Mirror May 16).
2008
01-06 April (travel date), Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai (place visited), (airfare) Rs 50,420 + Rs 1,560 (DA), total Rs 51,980. As I wrote last Sunday, some of these airfares don’t just square up with the real fares. This one definitely looks on the higher side even when you factor in Rane’s stated preference for Business Class travel. 09-15 April, Mumbai, Rs 18,250+Rs 1,742, total Rs 19,692; 21-22 April, Mumbai, Rs 18,250+442, total Rs 18,692; 05-06 May, Mumbai, Rs 19,940+442, total Rs 20,382. Between 13 May-03 June Rane spent 21 days vacationing in Mumbai (or whatever he did there for such a long period) and got paid a DA of Rs 5,642. Total cost: Rs 25,582. 06-08 June, Mumbai Rs 20,540+702, total Rs 21,242; 12-14 June, Mumbai, Rs 20,540+624, total Rs 21, 164. Between 18-20 June he flew Delhi-Mumbai at a cost of Rs 51,415+615 (total cost: Rs 52,030). This time Rane flew Economy Class yet still landed up paying almost the same fare he paid for his first flight (01-06 April) but the longer Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai route flying Business Class. Something’s amiss surely. 27-28 June, Mumbai, Rs 20,540+442, total Rs 20,982; 30 June-01 July, Delhi, Rs 42,850+355, total Rs 43,205 and yet another Business Class flight. To Kamat’s credit, he flew Business Class on a total of four flights only, while, Rane flew Business Class on 35 of the total of 52 flights during the same period Kamat flew a total of 59 times. Quite obviously Rane’s flying around cost you more too at Rs 17,56,397 against Kamat’s Rs 13,26,144. But, put that down to his vanity and extravagance, if you like.
Austerity is not a word our montris are familiar with but Rane seems to have taken that to its height – almost as much as the flight that was transporting him for his various jaunts.
2008 and still flying
03-05 July, Mumbai-Shamshabad-Tirupati-Bangalore, Rs 43,439+530, total Rs 43,969; 09-10 July, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 59,980+446, total Rs 60,426. Rane flew on consecutive days to Delhi on 16 July flying Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 21,625+95, total Rs 21,720 and on 17 July flying Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 21,625+260, total Rs 21,885, which tells you much on how your tax bucks are wasted as the Group of Seven indulge in their healthy (according to them) game of toppling Kamat. 24-27 July, Bangalore-Coimbatore-Bangalore, Rs 34,095+845, total Rs 34,940; 06-07 August, Mumbai, Rs 21,510+364, Rs 21,874. Rane had another longish vacation in Mumbai between 06-16 September at a total cost of Rs 25,238. 11-15 October, Mumbai, Rs 22,418+1,300, total Rs 23,718; 19-27 October, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 63,399+2,340, total Rs 65,739; 02-04 November, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 37,723+780, total 38,503; 09-13 November, Mumbai, total Rs 13,991; 21 November, Mumbai-Delhi, total Rs 32,415; 04-06 December, Delhi-Mumbai, total Rs 59, 727; 18-24 December, Mumbai, total Rs 36,514.
2009 & the Big ‘B’ of Business Class
As a frequent flier to Mumbai, Rane deserves to be named the Big ‘B’ of Business Class because he flew Economy Class on three occasions of the many flights he made in 2009 and in fact up to 2010. 06-09 January, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 57,063, total Rs 57,063; 28 January-01 February, Mumbai, total Rs 13,692; 18-20 February, Mumbai, total Rs 20, 393. Between 26 February-01 March he evidently went on holiday flying Delhi-Jammu-Delhi at a total cost to you of Rs 64,390. 03-04 March Mumbai, total Rs 20,720; 08-11 March, Mumbai, total Rs 21,832. Between 13-19 March he spent a whopping Rs 90,623 flying the route Delhi-Bangalore-Kochi-Mumbai and quite clearly had some unofficial business to finish soon between 29 March-06 April at Mumbai flying there at a cost of Rs 20,867. Unfinished, did I say? He was back again in favourite Mumbai where he stayed longer between 27 April-01 June and his airfare cost you Rs 21,425 but his 35-day Mumbai jaunt cost you an extra Rs 9,282 by way of DA. 05-10 June, Mumbai-Coimbatore-Mumbai, Rs 37,639+1,560, total Rs 39,199. I can’t comprehend this one either, that is, the flight cost of Rs 60,078-624 travelling Business Class to Delhi-Mumbai between 17-19 June. In truth none of his more expensive flight costs make sense when you compare the market rates for a single passenger. 15-19 July, Mumbai, Rs 14,035+1,040, total Rs 15,075; 11-16. August, Mumbai, Rs 22,182+1,482, total Rs 23,664. Rane was back with another high-priced Business Class airfare flying to Delhi-Mumbai between 19-22 August at a cost of Rs 69,871+1,222. Total cost: Rs 71,093. 25-31 August, Mumbai, Rs 23,086+1,742, total Rs 24,828; 18-19 September, Mumbai, Rs 24,208+442, total Rs 24,650; 21-25 September, Mumbai, Rs 24,192+1,222, total Rs 25,414; 15-20 October, Mumbai, Rs 22,917+780, total Rs 23,697. Rane spent all of nine days in Mumbai again between 28 October-6 November, his total cost amounting to Rs 24,242+2,522. Total: Rs 26,764. 07-10 November, Bangalore, Rs 16,141+962, Rs 17,103; 12-13 November, Mumbai, Rs 22,835+442, total Rs 23,277; 18-24 November, Mumbai, Rs 22,835+1,742, total Rs 24,577. The same here: 05-11 November, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 65,637+1,820, total Rs 67,457. 28 December, Mumbai, total Rs 33,321; 05-10 January, Mumbai, Rs 28,092+1,560, total Rs 29,652; 31 January-04 February, Mumbai Rs 17,911+1,300, total Rs 19,211; 06-07 February, Mumbai, Rs 24,556+442, total Rs 24,998; 12-15 February, Mumbai, Rs 24,556+962, total Rs 25,518.
Total: Rs 17,56,397
Digambar Kamat: Rs 13,26,144
Grand total: Rs 30,82,541 and still soaring high.
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This week let’s have a look at the travel forays of Vishwajeet Rane, the Minister for Health. Yes, the man and his henchmen called the Group of Seven (G7) whose constant pressure on the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to quit is like a virus that has no cure, but could be good for the bottomline of the airline industry, and the reason that kept Kamat airborne for the most part of his 22-month period between April, 2008 and January 2010 (Mirror May 16).
2008
01-06 April (travel date), Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai (place visited), (airfare) Rs 50,420 + Rs 1,560 (DA), total Rs 51,980. As I wrote last Sunday, some of these airfares don’t just square up with the real fares. This one definitely looks on the higher side even when you factor in Rane’s stated preference for Business Class travel. 09-15 April, Mumbai, Rs 18,250+Rs 1,742, total Rs 19,692; 21-22 April, Mumbai, Rs 18,250+442, total Rs 18,692; 05-06 May, Mumbai, Rs 19,940+442, total Rs 20,382. Between 13 May-03 June Rane spent 21 days vacationing in Mumbai (or whatever he did there for such a long period) and got paid a DA of Rs 5,642. Total cost: Rs 25,582. 06-08 June, Mumbai Rs 20,540+702, total Rs 21,242; 12-14 June, Mumbai, Rs 20,540+624, total Rs 21, 164. Between 18-20 June he flew Delhi-Mumbai at a cost of Rs 51,415+615 (total cost: Rs 52,030). This time Rane flew Economy Class yet still landed up paying almost the same fare he paid for his first flight (01-06 April) but the longer Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai route flying Business Class. Something’s amiss surely. 27-28 June, Mumbai, Rs 20,540+442, total Rs 20,982; 30 June-01 July, Delhi, Rs 42,850+355, total Rs 43,205 and yet another Business Class flight. To Kamat’s credit, he flew Business Class on a total of four flights only, while, Rane flew Business Class on 35 of the total of 52 flights during the same period Kamat flew a total of 59 times. Quite obviously Rane’s flying around cost you more too at Rs 17,56,397 against Kamat’s Rs 13,26,144. But, put that down to his vanity and extravagance, if you like.
Austerity is not a word our montris are familiar with but Rane seems to have taken that to its height – almost as much as the flight that was transporting him for his various jaunts.
2008 and still flying
03-05 July, Mumbai-Shamshabad-Tirupati-Bangalore, Rs 43,439+530, total Rs 43,969; 09-10 July, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 59,980+446, total Rs 60,426. Rane flew on consecutive days to Delhi on 16 July flying Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 21,625+95, total Rs 21,720 and on 17 July flying Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 21,625+260, total Rs 21,885, which tells you much on how your tax bucks are wasted as the Group of Seven indulge in their healthy (according to them) game of toppling Kamat. 24-27 July, Bangalore-Coimbatore-Bangalore, Rs 34,095+845, total Rs 34,940; 06-07 August, Mumbai, Rs 21,510+364, Rs 21,874. Rane had another longish vacation in Mumbai between 06-16 September at a total cost of Rs 25,238. 11-15 October, Mumbai, Rs 22,418+1,300, total Rs 23,718; 19-27 October, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 63,399+2,340, total Rs 65,739; 02-04 November, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 37,723+780, total 38,503; 09-13 November, Mumbai, total Rs 13,991; 21 November, Mumbai-Delhi, total Rs 32,415; 04-06 December, Delhi-Mumbai, total Rs 59, 727; 18-24 December, Mumbai, total Rs 36,514.
2009 & the Big ‘B’ of Business Class
As a frequent flier to Mumbai, Rane deserves to be named the Big ‘B’ of Business Class because he flew Economy Class on three occasions of the many flights he made in 2009 and in fact up to 2010. 06-09 January, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 57,063, total Rs 57,063; 28 January-01 February, Mumbai, total Rs 13,692; 18-20 February, Mumbai, total Rs 20, 393. Between 26 February-01 March he evidently went on holiday flying Delhi-Jammu-Delhi at a total cost to you of Rs 64,390. 03-04 March Mumbai, total Rs 20,720; 08-11 March, Mumbai, total Rs 21,832. Between 13-19 March he spent a whopping Rs 90,623 flying the route Delhi-Bangalore-Kochi-Mumbai and quite clearly had some unofficial business to finish soon between 29 March-06 April at Mumbai flying there at a cost of Rs 20,867. Unfinished, did I say? He was back again in favourite Mumbai where he stayed longer between 27 April-01 June and his airfare cost you Rs 21,425 but his 35-day Mumbai jaunt cost you an extra Rs 9,282 by way of DA. 05-10 June, Mumbai-Coimbatore-Mumbai, Rs 37,639+1,560, total Rs 39,199. I can’t comprehend this one either, that is, the flight cost of Rs 60,078-624 travelling Business Class to Delhi-Mumbai between 17-19 June. In truth none of his more expensive flight costs make sense when you compare the market rates for a single passenger. 15-19 July, Mumbai, Rs 14,035+1,040, total Rs 15,075; 11-16. August, Mumbai, Rs 22,182+1,482, total Rs 23,664. Rane was back with another high-priced Business Class airfare flying to Delhi-Mumbai between 19-22 August at a cost of Rs 69,871+1,222. Total cost: Rs 71,093. 25-31 August, Mumbai, Rs 23,086+1,742, total Rs 24,828; 18-19 September, Mumbai, Rs 24,208+442, total Rs 24,650; 21-25 September, Mumbai, Rs 24,192+1,222, total Rs 25,414; 15-20 October, Mumbai, Rs 22,917+780, total Rs 23,697. Rane spent all of nine days in Mumbai again between 28 October-6 November, his total cost amounting to Rs 24,242+2,522. Total: Rs 26,764. 07-10 November, Bangalore, Rs 16,141+962, Rs 17,103; 12-13 November, Mumbai, Rs 22,835+442, total Rs 23,277; 18-24 November, Mumbai, Rs 22,835+1,742, total Rs 24,577. The same here: 05-11 November, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 65,637+1,820, total Rs 67,457. 28 December, Mumbai, total Rs 33,321; 05-10 January, Mumbai, Rs 28,092+1,560, total Rs 29,652; 31 January-04 February, Mumbai Rs 17,911+1,300, total Rs 19,211; 06-07 February, Mumbai, Rs 24,556+442, total Rs 24,998; 12-15 February, Mumbai, Rs 24,556+962, total Rs 25,518.
Total: Rs 17,56,397
Digambar Kamat: Rs 13,26,144
Grand total: Rs 30,82,541 and still soaring high.
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Don't have wings, but will still fly
Flying Circus back in town -1
Yes, I am back with the Flying Circus and the flying expenses of ourmontris courtesy your tax bucks. Your Chief Minister spent Rs 13,26,144 flying mainly to New Delhi between April, 2008 and January 2010 my guess is on those frequent fire-fighting missions to stave off those seven MLA’s who seem to have an everlasting grudge against his “style” of ruling which means they won’t rest till he resigns which implies Kamat could almost permanently be airborne as his flying itinerary so far will prove. So really, one of the perks of being Goa’s CM is you get to fly frequently to Delhi and live in a 5-star hotel paid for again by your tax bucks. His to-ing and fro-ing worked out to 59 flights in 22 months at a cost of Rs 60,279 per month. Factor in the days spent in Delhi or Mumbai and the travel time and you will know how many days your Chief Minister was in the air in that short period.
2008
Digambar Kamat – (travel date) 14-16 April (place visited) Mumbai, (airfare) Rs 18,350 + (DA) Rs 442, total Rs 18,792; 18-19 April, Delhi, Rs 11,113+355, total Rs 11,468; 22-23 April, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 15,624+483, total Rs 16,107; 29-30 April, Mumbai, Rs 10,320+355, total Rs 10,675; 01-03 May, Bangalore, Rs 7,283+702, total Rs 7,985; 09-11 May, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 20,410+615, total Rs 21,025; 27-29 May, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 19,825+578, total Rs 20,403; 31 May-01 June, Mumbai, Rs 8,100+277, total Rs 8,377; 18-19 June, Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai, Rs 17,080+190, total Rs 17,270.
01-02 July, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 17,300+355, total Rs 17,655; 09-10 July, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 16,067+483, total Rs 16,550. Some of his high-cost flying needs scrutiny, especially as the costs are supposedly for single return airfares. For instance, between 14-17 July he flew Delhi-Mumbai Business Class at a cost of Rs 49,468+962, total Rs 50,430. 22-24 July, Delhi, Rs 12,444+780, total Rs 13,224. The same thing applies elsewhere: 29-30 July, Mumbai-Delhi-Delhi, Rs 49,375+446, total Rs 49,821. 06 August, Mumbai, Rs 21,615, total Rs 21,605; 10-12 August, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 26,398+537, total Rs 26,935. Ditto for 08-10 September, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 47,371+702, total Rs 48,073; 12-14 September, Delhi, Rs 13,275+483, total Rs 13,758. The same here: 22-24 September, Delhi, Rs 36,317+615, total Rs 36,932; 12-14 October, Delhi, Rs 18,864+615, total Rs 19,479, 02-04 November, Delhi, Rs 15,762+665, total Rs 16,427; 09-10 November, Delhi, Rs 14,469+405, total 14,874; 14-15 November, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 24,675+182, total 24,857; 21 November, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 28,741+182, total Rs 28,923; 01 December, Mumbai, Rs 26,043+95, total Rs 26,138; 04-07 December, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 19,429+962, total Rs 20,391; 26-27 December, Mangalore, Rs 13,660+230, total 13,890.
Also, work this one out for yourself. Kamat made four one day trips to Mumbai on August 6, 2008, on November 21, 2008 Delhi-Mumbai, on December 1, 2008 to Mumbai and July 26, 2009 to Mumbai.
Voted on swarag or earth?
You would think after being voted into power, politicians would feel indebted to the people who queued up in the scorching sun to cast their ballots. But no, they seem to think only divine intervention got them to their gaddis. But this is audacious. Even Digambar Kamat’s flights to Tirupati to pray at the Lord Venkateshwara Temple were paid by you. Between 22-23 June, 2008 he flew Mumbai-Hyderabad-Tirupati-Hyderabad at a cost of Rs 19,770+190. Total: Rs 19,960. Between 18-23 June, 2009 he took yet another Mumbai-Hyderabad-Tirupati-Hyderabad flight that cost you Rs 18,261+1,138. Total: Rs 19,399. And again between 03-07 January, 2010, this time taking the Mumbai-Shamshabad (Hyerabad’s new airport)-Tirupati-Shamshabad flight at a cost to you of Rs 33,583+1,097. Total: Rs 34,680. Curiously the Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane undertook the same pilgrimage in the first week of July, 2008 (on that later) but apparently failed to evoke Lord Venkateshwara’s blessing as he has not been able to unseat Kamat. But really, do we have to pay for this? Do the gods approve?
2009
04-08 January, Mumbai, Rs 15,380+1,222, total Rs 16,602; 07-10 February, Delhi, Rs 20,383+925, total Rs 21,308; 12-16 February, Mumbai-Calcutta (Dimapur)-Guwahati-Mumbai, Rs 37,984-635, Rs 38,619; 18-20 February, Mumbai, Rs 13,732+624, total Rs 14,356; 28 February-02 March, Delhi, Rs 18,427+780, total Rs 19,207; 13-15 March, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 16,348+355, total Rs 16,703. Here’s an expensive Economy Class flight: 16-20 May, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 35,478+1,003, total Rs 36,481; 21-24 May, Delhi, Rs 15,422+743, total Rs 16,165; 10-13 June, Delhi, Rs 16,415+925, total Rs 17,340; 06-07 July, Delhi, Rs 13,896+520, total Rs 14,416; 10-12 July, Mumbai, Rs 8,630+780, total Rs 9,410; 14-15 July, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 16,398+446, total Rs 16,844; 26 July, Mumbai, Rs 8,472+95, total Rs 8,567; 15-19 August, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 14,702+1,040, total Rs 15,742; 27-28 August, Mumbai, Rs 13,200+364, total Rs 13,564; 03-04 September, Delhi, Rs 19,383+483, total Rs 19,866; 14-15 September, Delhi, Rs 16,377+483, total Rs 16,860; 05-07 October, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 23,353+578, total Rs 23,931; 08-10 October, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 15,926+537, total Rs 16,463; 26-28 October, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 25,411+743, total 26,154.
There is something amiss here because the cost of Kamat’s next four flights to Delhi began to progressively increase. Was someone riding shotgun with him, a supportive MLA perhaps, not entitled to limitless flying perhaps? (1) 06-07 November, Delhi, Rs 17,373+442, total Rs 17,815; (2) 09-11 November, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 26,737+442, total Rs 27,179; (3) 16-18 November, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 41,560+624, total Rs 42,184; (4) 04-07 December, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 36,571+702, total 37,273; (5) 08-11 December, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 30,696+702, total 31,398. And this lone flight on the eve of Christmas when the whole world shuts down: 24-25 December, Mumbai, Rs 17,289+442, total Rs 17,731.
2010
09-10 January, Mumbai, Rs 14,071+277, total Rs 14,348; 12-14 January, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 38,020+702, total Rs 38,722; 20-23 January, Pune-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 53,944+849, total Rs 54,793.
Grand Total: Rs 13,26,144.
Feedback 2280935, 9822152164 lionroars.goa@gmail.com
Yes, I am back with the Flying Circus and the flying expenses of ourmontris courtesy your tax bucks. Your Chief Minister spent Rs 13,26,144 flying mainly to New Delhi between April, 2008 and January 2010 my guess is on those frequent fire-fighting missions to stave off those seven MLA’s who seem to have an everlasting grudge against his “style” of ruling which means they won’t rest till he resigns which implies Kamat could almost permanently be airborne as his flying itinerary so far will prove. So really, one of the perks of being Goa’s CM is you get to fly frequently to Delhi and live in a 5-star hotel paid for again by your tax bucks. His to-ing and fro-ing worked out to 59 flights in 22 months at a cost of Rs 60,279 per month. Factor in the days spent in Delhi or Mumbai and the travel time and you will know how many days your Chief Minister was in the air in that short period.
2008
Digambar Kamat – (travel date) 14-16 April (place visited) Mumbai, (airfare) Rs 18,350 + (DA) Rs 442, total Rs 18,792; 18-19 April, Delhi, Rs 11,113+355, total Rs 11,468; 22-23 April, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 15,624+483, total Rs 16,107; 29-30 April, Mumbai, Rs 10,320+355, total Rs 10,675; 01-03 May, Bangalore, Rs 7,283+702, total Rs 7,985; 09-11 May, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 20,410+615, total Rs 21,025; 27-29 May, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 19,825+578, total Rs 20,403; 31 May-01 June, Mumbai, Rs 8,100+277, total Rs 8,377; 18-19 June, Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai, Rs 17,080+190, total Rs 17,270.
01-02 July, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 17,300+355, total Rs 17,655; 09-10 July, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 16,067+483, total Rs 16,550. Some of his high-cost flying needs scrutiny, especially as the costs are supposedly for single return airfares. For instance, between 14-17 July he flew Delhi-Mumbai Business Class at a cost of Rs 49,468+962, total Rs 50,430. 22-24 July, Delhi, Rs 12,444+780, total Rs 13,224. The same thing applies elsewhere: 29-30 July, Mumbai-Delhi-Delhi, Rs 49,375+446, total Rs 49,821. 06 August, Mumbai, Rs 21,615, total Rs 21,605; 10-12 August, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 26,398+537, total Rs 26,935. Ditto for 08-10 September, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 47,371+702, total Rs 48,073; 12-14 September, Delhi, Rs 13,275+483, total Rs 13,758. The same here: 22-24 September, Delhi, Rs 36,317+615, total Rs 36,932; 12-14 October, Delhi, Rs 18,864+615, total Rs 19,479, 02-04 November, Delhi, Rs 15,762+665, total Rs 16,427; 09-10 November, Delhi, Rs 14,469+405, total 14,874; 14-15 November, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 24,675+182, total 24,857; 21 November, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 28,741+182, total Rs 28,923; 01 December, Mumbai, Rs 26,043+95, total Rs 26,138; 04-07 December, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 19,429+962, total Rs 20,391; 26-27 December, Mangalore, Rs 13,660+230, total 13,890.
Also, work this one out for yourself. Kamat made four one day trips to Mumbai on August 6, 2008, on November 21, 2008 Delhi-Mumbai, on December 1, 2008 to Mumbai and July 26, 2009 to Mumbai.
Voted on swarag or earth?
You would think after being voted into power, politicians would feel indebted to the people who queued up in the scorching sun to cast their ballots. But no, they seem to think only divine intervention got them to their gaddis. But this is audacious. Even Digambar Kamat’s flights to Tirupati to pray at the Lord Venkateshwara Temple were paid by you. Between 22-23 June, 2008 he flew Mumbai-Hyderabad-Tirupati-Hyderabad at a cost of Rs 19,770+190. Total: Rs 19,960. Between 18-23 June, 2009 he took yet another Mumbai-Hyderabad-Tirupati-Hyderabad flight that cost you Rs 18,261+1,138. Total: Rs 19,399. And again between 03-07 January, 2010, this time taking the Mumbai-Shamshabad (Hyerabad’s new airport)-Tirupati-Shamshabad flight at a cost to you of Rs 33,583+1,097. Total: Rs 34,680. Curiously the Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane undertook the same pilgrimage in the first week of July, 2008 (on that later) but apparently failed to evoke Lord Venkateshwara’s blessing as he has not been able to unseat Kamat. But really, do we have to pay for this? Do the gods approve?
2009
04-08 January, Mumbai, Rs 15,380+1,222, total Rs 16,602; 07-10 February, Delhi, Rs 20,383+925, total Rs 21,308; 12-16 February, Mumbai-Calcutta (Dimapur)-Guwahati-Mumbai, Rs 37,984-635, Rs 38,619; 18-20 February, Mumbai, Rs 13,732+624, total Rs 14,356; 28 February-02 March, Delhi, Rs 18,427+780, total Rs 19,207; 13-15 March, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 16,348+355, total Rs 16,703. Here’s an expensive Economy Class flight: 16-20 May, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 35,478+1,003, total Rs 36,481; 21-24 May, Delhi, Rs 15,422+743, total Rs 16,165; 10-13 June, Delhi, Rs 16,415+925, total Rs 17,340; 06-07 July, Delhi, Rs 13,896+520, total Rs 14,416; 10-12 July, Mumbai, Rs 8,630+780, total Rs 9,410; 14-15 July, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 16,398+446, total Rs 16,844; 26 July, Mumbai, Rs 8,472+95, total Rs 8,567; 15-19 August, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 14,702+1,040, total Rs 15,742; 27-28 August, Mumbai, Rs 13,200+364, total Rs 13,564; 03-04 September, Delhi, Rs 19,383+483, total Rs 19,866; 14-15 September, Delhi, Rs 16,377+483, total Rs 16,860; 05-07 October, Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 23,353+578, total Rs 23,931; 08-10 October, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 15,926+537, total Rs 16,463; 26-28 October, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 25,411+743, total 26,154.
There is something amiss here because the cost of Kamat’s next four flights to Delhi began to progressively increase. Was someone riding shotgun with him, a supportive MLA perhaps, not entitled to limitless flying perhaps? (1) 06-07 November, Delhi, Rs 17,373+442, total Rs 17,815; (2) 09-11 November, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 26,737+442, total Rs 27,179; (3) 16-18 November, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 41,560+624, total Rs 42,184; (4) 04-07 December, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 36,571+702, total 37,273; (5) 08-11 December, Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 30,696+702, total 31,398. And this lone flight on the eve of Christmas when the whole world shuts down: 24-25 December, Mumbai, Rs 17,289+442, total Rs 17,731.
2010
09-10 January, Mumbai, Rs 14,071+277, total Rs 14,348; 12-14 January, Mumbai-Delhi, Rs 38,020+702, total Rs 38,722; 20-23 January, Pune-Delhi-Mumbai, Rs 53,944+849, total Rs 54,793.
Grand Total: Rs 13,26,144.
Feedback 2280935, 9822152164 lionroars.goa@gmail.com
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Not cool
Blistering May
It’s going to be blistering the rest of May, sizzling even. Remember the Rs. 7,40,686 that Shaikh Aftab scammed in his capacity as supervisor of the accounts and taxation section of the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP). The sting was first exposed by the Comptroller and Accountant General of India and intimated to the Director of Municipal Administration on February 2, 2010. The CCP’s report was due last month. All eyes now are on the Administration-cum-Accounts Officer of the CCP and one truly wishes he didn’t have his shades on while he was doing his investigation.
……and facilitation money
But if May really sizzles it will because of the threat of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) decision to terminate the contract given to Kanaka Infratech Ltd., Mumbai for ‘improvement of infrastructure at Patto Plaza in Panjim reported by an English daily on April 25. Mouthing his utter disgust at the company for miserably failing to deliver, EDC’s MD WV Murthy said no money had been paid to the company till now. Whoa, hold your horses, no money paid to the contractor yet, despite the fact the newspaper reported the so-called beautification project of Patto Plaza began in October 2009. Do infrastructure firms work for free? Murthy didn’t tell the paper, but the tender was worth Rs 9,20,38,780.70. Why sizzling? Because EDC despite its denial to the paper has actually paid Kanaka Infratech an amount of Rs 46,01,939 in accordance with the contract. Come now Mr. Murthy all builders and contractors are paid a huge advance, because that is what they use to start work and also from where the facilitation fee is paid to people. FYI, facilitation money was formerly called speed money, Vitamin M and Dhirubhai Ambani once famously called it ‘managing government’. Now, after the IPL (Indian Premier League) it is called facilitation fee. The advance was paid against a bank guarantee. So, is it going to be another legal saga like the true story of the sunken River Princess off Candolim and the salvaging firm Jaisu Shipping and bank guarantees and ………. Etc. etc. One thing bothers me though. The EDC has always harped on the landscaping as it calls it, of Patto Plaza. Even the newspaper quoted it as saying so. Details of the work order I have, clearly call it work that includes improvement of the existing infrastructure wherever needed. As far as I can recollect, the existing so-called infrastructure was built two decades ago and began deteriorating from Day 1 itself. Fact is, the Rs 9,20,38,780.70 is coming out of your pockets to pay for EDC’S past mistakes. Fact is, the Rs 46,01,939 has come out of your pocket. Future fact: EDC is going to re-tender the project (the report said). This cost too will come out from your pockets. I said Blistering, didn’t I?
Farmers as bakras
It’s truly an irony that a small state like Goa which cannot produce enough for its own citizens should even think of an agriculture mall when bigger states which produce all the essential (also called core vegetables) fruits and vegetables and not the seasonal vegetables that Goan farmers grow (melons, string beans, raddish etc) more for their own sustenance because they cannot double up as labourers like their counterparts in other states, have not done so. Chandrababu Naid started the single-window clearance 10 years ago. It’s no secret that the single window was only used for self-aggrandisement of politicians not industry or agriculture. The “rythu bazaars” (farmers market) concept started during Naidu’s time with much fanfare was supposed to delete the middleman (read politicos) so that farmers could sell directly to buyers and get a decent price. But that did not happen as farmers in AP were the first to commit suicide because they had no other way out of their debt traps. Designed to be a platform to better their lot, instead rythu bazaars became a synonym for corruption as retailers flocked there with their baskets and bought fruits and vegetables cheaply and sold them for double the price at their outlets. The rich became richer and the poor became poorer.
Another example
In Tamil Nadu, the uzhavar santhai (farmer’s markets) were started some years ago again to help farmers get a better price for their produce. It was evocatively described as “to help housewives exercise their haggling skills with illiterate farmers”. But if these markets were such a success story, then you would not have biggies like Reliance Fresh, More (Aditya Birla) and Heritage Farm Fresh (ironically owned by Naidu himself), raking in huge profits. Granted their prices are reasonable for an urban population which fits in shopping amidst a busy day schedule, but have farmers, who form the first step of this human chain, benefitted? This episode should answer that question. In January this year, farmers in a village in Krishnagiri district, TN boycotted ‘uzhavar santhai’ protesting against “official apathy”. About 13 farmers set up shops outside the santhai, sold their products for prices less than the ones fixed by the Agricultural Marketing Board. Board officials did nothing when intermediaries prevented farmers from bringing their produce to the market. As a result farmers were not able to sell their products whereas middlemen earned huge commissions by diverting produce to markets nearby. This shows there is a need to reconstruct our system of trade, not build agriculture malls that perpetuate exploitation of farmers. Better stay out of it.
Mall rats, literally!
But yet, a huge land bank 44,000 square metres (built up area) is going to be set aside at the Mapusa market yard to bring traders, buyers and sellers under one roof. And where are the real farmers in Goa and where for god sakes is the parking space in Mapusa. If anything, the mall will become the face-off between traders from Karnataka and Maharashtra and buyers who are also outsiders. Or, is this a seed planted for yet another money scam.
Like IFFI, but even more iffy!
It’s a bit like bringing the International Film Festival of India to Goa when there was neither a market nor serious consumers for films. Finally Goa seems to have been turned into the playground of Bollywood stars - and apparently an opportunity to scout for heritage homes and lay down roots – to come every year and act superior to the locals while Konkani cinema is far from thriving. Granted Bollywood is shooting more films here – even Diwar played host to a shooting on April 25. You should have seen the superior air and the swagger and attitude displayed by what could have only been extras and not A-listers like a Shah Rukh Khan who treated the locals as yokels blocking traffic in the island narrow roads and hogging the ferries!
Feedback 2280935, 9822152164 lionroars.goa@gmail.com
It’s going to be blistering the rest of May, sizzling even. Remember the Rs. 7,40,686 that Shaikh Aftab scammed in his capacity as supervisor of the accounts and taxation section of the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP). The sting was first exposed by the Comptroller and Accountant General of India and intimated to the Director of Municipal Administration on February 2, 2010. The CCP’s report was due last month. All eyes now are on the Administration-cum-Accounts Officer of the CCP and one truly wishes he didn’t have his shades on while he was doing his investigation.
……and facilitation money
But if May really sizzles it will because of the threat of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) decision to terminate the contract given to Kanaka Infratech Ltd., Mumbai for ‘improvement of infrastructure at Patto Plaza in Panjim reported by an English daily on April 25. Mouthing his utter disgust at the company for miserably failing to deliver, EDC’s MD WV Murthy said no money had been paid to the company till now. Whoa, hold your horses, no money paid to the contractor yet, despite the fact the newspaper reported the so-called beautification project of Patto Plaza began in October 2009. Do infrastructure firms work for free? Murthy didn’t tell the paper, but the tender was worth Rs 9,20,38,780.70. Why sizzling? Because EDC despite its denial to the paper has actually paid Kanaka Infratech an amount of Rs 46,01,939 in accordance with the contract. Come now Mr. Murthy all builders and contractors are paid a huge advance, because that is what they use to start work and also from where the facilitation fee is paid to people. FYI, facilitation money was formerly called speed money, Vitamin M and Dhirubhai Ambani once famously called it ‘managing government’. Now, after the IPL (Indian Premier League) it is called facilitation fee. The advance was paid against a bank guarantee. So, is it going to be another legal saga like the true story of the sunken River Princess off Candolim and the salvaging firm Jaisu Shipping and bank guarantees and ………. Etc. etc. One thing bothers me though. The EDC has always harped on the landscaping as it calls it, of Patto Plaza. Even the newspaper quoted it as saying so. Details of the work order I have, clearly call it work that includes improvement of the existing infrastructure wherever needed. As far as I can recollect, the existing so-called infrastructure was built two decades ago and began deteriorating from Day 1 itself. Fact is, the Rs 9,20,38,780.70 is coming out of your pockets to pay for EDC’S past mistakes. Fact is, the Rs 46,01,939 has come out of your pocket. Future fact: EDC is going to re-tender the project (the report said). This cost too will come out from your pockets. I said Blistering, didn’t I?
Farmers as bakras
It’s truly an irony that a small state like Goa which cannot produce enough for its own citizens should even think of an agriculture mall when bigger states which produce all the essential (also called core vegetables) fruits and vegetables and not the seasonal vegetables that Goan farmers grow (melons, string beans, raddish etc) more for their own sustenance because they cannot double up as labourers like their counterparts in other states, have not done so. Chandrababu Naid started the single-window clearance 10 years ago. It’s no secret that the single window was only used for self-aggrandisement of politicians not industry or agriculture. The “rythu bazaars” (farmers market) concept started during Naidu’s time with much fanfare was supposed to delete the middleman (read politicos) so that farmers could sell directly to buyers and get a decent price. But that did not happen as farmers in AP were the first to commit suicide because they had no other way out of their debt traps. Designed to be a platform to better their lot, instead rythu bazaars became a synonym for corruption as retailers flocked there with their baskets and bought fruits and vegetables cheaply and sold them for double the price at their outlets. The rich became richer and the poor became poorer.
Another example
In Tamil Nadu, the uzhavar santhai (farmer’s markets) were started some years ago again to help farmers get a better price for their produce. It was evocatively described as “to help housewives exercise their haggling skills with illiterate farmers”. But if these markets were such a success story, then you would not have biggies like Reliance Fresh, More (Aditya Birla) and Heritage Farm Fresh (ironically owned by Naidu himself), raking in huge profits. Granted their prices are reasonable for an urban population which fits in shopping amidst a busy day schedule, but have farmers, who form the first step of this human chain, benefitted? This episode should answer that question. In January this year, farmers in a village in Krishnagiri district, TN boycotted ‘uzhavar santhai’ protesting against “official apathy”. About 13 farmers set up shops outside the santhai, sold their products for prices less than the ones fixed by the Agricultural Marketing Board. Board officials did nothing when intermediaries prevented farmers from bringing their produce to the market. As a result farmers were not able to sell their products whereas middlemen earned huge commissions by diverting produce to markets nearby. This shows there is a need to reconstruct our system of trade, not build agriculture malls that perpetuate exploitation of farmers. Better stay out of it.
Mall rats, literally!
But yet, a huge land bank 44,000 square metres (built up area) is going to be set aside at the Mapusa market yard to bring traders, buyers and sellers under one roof. And where are the real farmers in Goa and where for god sakes is the parking space in Mapusa. If anything, the mall will become the face-off between traders from Karnataka and Maharashtra and buyers who are also outsiders. Or, is this a seed planted for yet another money scam.
Like IFFI, but even more iffy!
It’s a bit like bringing the International Film Festival of India to Goa when there was neither a market nor serious consumers for films. Finally Goa seems to have been turned into the playground of Bollywood stars - and apparently an opportunity to scout for heritage homes and lay down roots – to come every year and act superior to the locals while Konkani cinema is far from thriving. Granted Bollywood is shooting more films here – even Diwar played host to a shooting on April 25. You should have seen the superior air and the swagger and attitude displayed by what could have only been extras and not A-listers like a Shah Rukh Khan who treated the locals as yokels blocking traffic in the island narrow roads and hogging the ferries!
Feedback 2280935, 9822152164 lionroars.goa@gmail.com
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