Isnap

The NCP-Congress alliance candidate, two time MLA, Mr Jeetendra Deshprabu seems to be closing in on the frontrunner - the BJP’s sitting, two time MP and ex Union minister, Mr Shripad Naik - as the North Goa parliamentary election campaign hits fever pitch in its home stretch.

The state goes to polls on April 23 and despite the late surge, this effort could be too little and too late and winning, though not impossible, an uphill task.

Margao had a providential escape recently with the fire at one of four petrol pumps bang in the center of the Margao, being doused out on time. But this has raised the issue of safety of petrol pumps, especially given their location. Also - almost unbelievably - none of these petrol pumps have any NOCs from the fire services. And officials accuse them of not having any stringent security, especially during nights, to avoid any untoward incident given the highly combustible, hazardous material stored there.
“NOC is compulsory as per the law. Also the building code of 2005 mandates a lot of formalities to be compiled with by everybody,” fire official, Mr K Amonkar told media. “However as per my knowledge none of these pumps have approached us for any NOC.” Sources also say that the yearly renewal had not been done either, pointing to powerful connections.