Financial gains have been the main motive behind almost every decision then and appear to be more so now. But while the Congress was, at times, willing to listen to the people, this Government’s bull-headed and fascist tendencies are coming to the fore. Every Goan worth the name is surely peeved and revolted at the declassification of our coconut tree – a clear licence to fell trees and convert coconut groves into settlement. Our forests are next in the list. This Government has overstepped the limits of tolerance and has surely lost its mental balance.
Have we ever pondered what will Goa look like without our precious and beautiful coconut tree, which like Kerala is synonymous with Goa’s identity? Have we thought of employment loss and destruction of related industries it will cause? Should those who represent us and have corroborated with this draconian law be allowed to sleep in peace or are we going to crawl before them for petty favours and crumbs? Are we prepared to stand up to this nonsense and save our land or would we opt to take up a Portuguese passport and quit? If we are confronted with stupid decisions detrimental to our State, our place ought to be in the streets and not at home anymore. I applaud Alina for her stand but if there is still any love for Goa left in her and others, more than the love for their chairs, they must resign forthwith.
The need and urge for development, is understandable, but it cannot be at any cost. Recently, both the CM and the Dy CM agreed to scrap RP 2021, if majority of people want it. Was such an option ever before the people or were they only asked for suggestions/objections, with both these ministers stating earlier that it would not be scrapped? Can this come from stable minds?
Goa cannot be an exception to the corruption and bribery rampant in the country. However much we may tolerate this unfortunate reality, Goans will never permit the use of these means to destroy their land. At least on such issues we expect the politicians to have a heart. A good friend often tells me that my charge of corruption against the Government is generally not substantiated. If that could be done our prisons would have been overcrowded. The tragedy is that the investigators are themselves not always above board and those trying to be, are shunted out, as it happened recently in the case of bribery against the relative of a top politician. The issue was raised in the Press and in the Assembly. Refusal by the police to file FIRs often need recourse to expensive court directions. No judge is prepared to take up the Lokayukta’s post as the State is immersed in corruption. When water bodies, sand dunes, low lying areas, mangroves, etc. are converted into settlement zones, on mere application from a builder/developer, as in Goa Velha and Vanxim and elsewhere, if constructions of 88 villas can be authorized with just a 3 meter access road as in Carmona, if constructions can be permitted in eco-sensitive zones like in Loliem, if a law is passed to treat our coconut tree as grass to allow an alcohol company in Sanguem to fell hundreds of trees, if the new Investment Promotion Board can bypass all laws and Departments then do we still need proofs of corruption?
What attracts tourists to Goa in preference to other places in India are our lush green fields and hills, coconut trees, beaches, sand dunes, the hospitality and the friendly and affable nature of our people. But above tourism is the need to preserve this heritage for our future generations. My great anguish has always been that we have been let down by people who mattered and who we looked up to with reverence for guidance and hope that they would stand up for and do whatever best they could for Goa and Goans. These include intellectuals, writers, bureaucrats and politicians in particular.
Recently, a leader of BBSM shockingly went to the extent of calling the opposition to Defexpo in Betul and to Navy’s presence in Dabolim a part of de-indianization process! Not a word is uttered about the several above quoted anti-people’s decisions, except on MoI. People in Betul need land for housing and their apprehensions about Defexpo are not totally unfounded with an anti-people and autocratic Government in power. Eviction of Navy from Dabolim, has not been a forceful demand anymore – only for some more land presently used for recreation and housing so that the poor people of Mopa can save their land and environment. Surely it is more important to be humane than intelligent and to step into the shoes of those who suffer to understand their pain and fears. Let not the diminishing respect people still have for some not vanish altogether due to such malicious and irresponsible utterances.
We may not be accountable to anyone in this world or even in the next. But we surely are to our future generations. This Government and their stooges are inviting curses upon them. Let this Government not test the patience and goodness of our people. Surely, if we do not rise, we will perish, but if we do rise, who will perish is anyone’s guess…
(The author is a
retired banker)
