Successive Goa governments have let Goa down since liberation. Under the influence of a highly corrupt central government who were eyeing Goa’s rich resources Goa has gone from a beautiful pristine state into a state of filth, high crime and of course corruption.
The one hope we had was in Manohar Parrikar and which was the reason he came to power giving lot of promises. One clear example besides others was the much promised Regional Plan as a result of which the destructors of Goa are having a field day. The Bangalore school rape incident forced the Karnataka government to act but the Vasco school rape is brushed under the carpet and I believe that some highly influential bodies are involved here on the issue. Clearly this Govt is also under the strong influence of various lobbies including the corrupt few mining and real estate lords both from within the state and outside. So now we need to think of solutions beyond the Congress/BJP political class who are all basically the same. We need a strong citizens movement using all means necessary to stop the further destruction of Goa, it’s land, environment and identity.
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
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Study tours
Now that the study tour season is over, the delegates must sit down to write their reports which may be published for the benefit of readers. The government on its part should submit a list of tours undertaken in the past five years, the number of reports submitted and most importantly the number of schemes implemented, if any.
For the next season I have some suggestions. Our leaders should visit other Indian states to study their ‘ best practices’. BJP-ruled Gujarat may be the first state for a study tour. Good governance, power self-sufficiency and the Amul cooperative movement can be studied and replicated. Rajasthan may be visited for its Jan Ashudi stores dispensing cheap generic drugs. Down south Tamil Nadu’s Amma kitchens deserve a look in. There are several states in the country excelling in some or the other areas. Their best practices may be studied and implemented in Goa to good effect.
Prof Robert Castellino, Calangute
Country hopping
It is amazing to read in that the Parrikar government has drained Goa Rs.13.5 crores for Parulekar & Co’s country hopping. It’s public money,
the government cannot waste it like this. These ministers go for foreign jaunts with their families in the name of development at the cost of exchequer. What changed did Parrikar’s government do after sending Parulekar &co to foreign countries . Recently the foreign jaunt to Brazil in the name of World Cup by six elected representatives was foiled through public outcry. Please Mr Chief Minister stop these foreign jaunts by ministers and other top officials costing Goa crores of rupees from public fund.
Marcos Alemao, Varca
Refreshing change
If the elected representatives have a genuine agenda to serve the people who elected them it would do well for them to go to the people once the elections are over. That seems to be the motto of BJP St. Andre MLA Vishnu Surya Wagh who will reportedly probably be the first Goan MLA to have an office on wheels for the benefit of his constituents. The ‘office on wheels’ will reportedly be launched by July end. It is understood that the 21-seater air-conditioned bus has a changing room, a bathroom-toilet and a kitchenette. The seats have reportedly been removed and a special cabin has been created for him which will face eight seats meant for the people. Seven villages make up the St. Andre constituency most of whom live below the poverty line.
The novel idea of the St. Andre MLA comes as a refreshing change. At times the elected representatives may be inaccessible and they may not be available even in their offices. Poor people and the illiterate living in the villages may not even know where the office of their local MLA is situated. The elderly people may find it difficult to make umpteen trips to the office of the elected representative if the MLA is not available every time they go there. Other elected representatives should learn from Wagh and start a mobile office of their own.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
