Injustice, nepotism must be avoided
Jose Maria Miranda

In just two months of having a new Government in place, many of those who enthusiastically supported the party now in power, are already feeling  a bit disillusioned, not so much because of things that have not happened, but because of things that have happened. Perhaps the CM is sometimes constrained to act under pressure from those who have historically been close to him, but he shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that after all, his mandate comes not from them, but from the people who expect him to do what is right.

Coming to specifics, in the case of appointment of the  Health Director, Parrikar justifies his decision in superseding Dr Ruando de Sa by stating that the Congress had acted similarly  while appointing the earlier Director. However, we must remind Mr. Parrikar that if he is where he is, it is not to perpetuate the blunders of the past and use them as justification, but to undo the wrongs, wherever possible, and to avoid repeating the same mistakes. It is everyone’s ambition to retire in the highest possible position, even if he has only a month or less to go. People in Goa and elsewhere and, if I am not mistaken, even in the High and Supreme Courts, have occupied the top post for very short terms, before their retirement. Supersedures and denial of promotions, particularly of upright people, are most unfair practices, affecting their morale, prestige and dignity. If Dr Ruando was denied promotion by the earlier Government, it behoove of CM to undo this injustice now, at the fag end of his career. He doesn’t belong to the defence forces where top positions cannot be taken up by people having a short time for retirement.

In  the case of Pramod Hede too, he has so far been denied promotion to Director of Prosecution, as his senior, Shobha Dhumaskar was given a shameful extension in service, though she has been charged by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. The Law Department too has now strongly disapproved her exonerating the son of the former IGP, K.D. Singh in the case of the accident involving the official car of the IGP. Grave injustice has been done both to Dr. Ruando and Mr. Hede. Extensions out of turn promotions and jobs at a price have happened in the past and though there was general criticism about such incidents, specific cases may have sometimes been ignored. Merit, incentives and appreciation of good work, absence of nepotism and zero tolerance to corruption must be the way forward.

Coming to Mopa, neither Mr. Parrikar’s nor the PM’s assurances can convince us that Dabolim will continue after Mopa comes. Even if these two gentlemen continue in power till then, they will be powerless before  the Navy’s tantrums. We have had enough of its stubbornness both at Dabolim and Angediva, the latter gifted by Ravi Naik as if it was his private property. Mopa should be rejected not only because two airports cannot coexist at such short distances but mainly because the people from the locality are not prepared to give up their precious land to serve the interests of the politicians and real estate mafias, who have bought land around Mopa.

Further, knowing the docile nature and lack of entrepreneurship of our people, it will be undoubtedly the outsiders who will benefit as they will swarm the area, as it is already happening elsewhere in Goa.  People of Goa, particularly of South Goa, will have to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Mopa. If the Government wants another Nandigram in Goa, so be it.

On Special Status or rather in support of amendment to Art. 371 I, as proposed by our Rajya Sabha MP, Shantaram Naik, it is bound to be a long drawn battle, particularly in view of statements both from Nitin Gadkari earlier and the more recent ones in Parliament by the Congress Minister, Ashwini Kumar, but the latter seems to be on financial demand, which is not our case. We do not know how serious the local BJP is on the issue, but I had the opportunity of meeting and hearing the Urban Development Minister, Mr. Francis D’Souza, whom I found very sincere and genuine while expressing his views on the matter.

The CM needs to be applauded for the early assent to Lokayukta Bill as also for the collection of plastics due to start soon. But unless the use of plastic bags is curbed, the drive may not be successful. Plastic is injurious to health and to the environment.

With the guidance and support from the authorities, we need to ensure minimum use of plastics, scientific disposal of garbage and lifting of debris to proper locations, so that our roads and surroundings are free from this ugly sight. Let us offer our wholehearted co-operation to the Government in this commendable effort.

We hope the new Government will take more steps beneficial to the people and avoid those which compel us to be critical of its performance, which is solely aimed at bringing in corrective measures and avoidance of further injustice.