Just as we have had from times immemorial the man-animal conflict, we have been witnessing, for several years now, a regular and fierce tussle between the people and the Government or the establishment. The reasons for such conflicts are more or less the same. While animals feel that man has occupied their space, and this is undeniably true, the people too feel that the Government has unnecessarily and unreasonably been bulldozing its way in acquiring and occupying their land and bringing in unwanted and sometimes harmful development. What is strange and ironical in this case, however, is that this fight is against the Government elected by the very same people. It is indeed painful and distressing that no sooner a Government is elected, its functionaries are filled with such arrogance that they ignore public sentiment, frame laws and act in detriment to people’s interests, often to serve their own.
The total disconnect with the people is evident and the trust deficit is enormous. The people are not prepared to believe that any good can come from the MLA or the Government. Even if the project or the scheme could be beneficial, in some ways, there are always suspicions about the Govt. or the MLAs’ intentions or motives. This is because the Government, by its past actions, has forfeited the confidence of the people. Consequently, we have often pronounced that people oppose everything or are totally opposed to development. Yes, we have, unfortunately, reached that level of distrust or mistrust. One wonders why the Government is always reluctant to consult, at least the concerned people about its proposed schemes or projects to sense the pulse of the people. Had this been done, the misgivings or doubts of the people could have been erased or clarified and it would have been easier for the Government to move ahead with its plans or tread with caution on aspects where people have reservations. This is, in fact, a democratic way of functioning, of course for those who believe that the will of the people is supreme and not theirs.
From experience we know, though we are always unable to prove, that every project involves cuts, bribes or underhand dealings. Considering that corruption and bribery is deeply rooted in our system, the people would perhaps be prepared to ignore this aspect, provided the project is in people’s interests and not harmful to them or to the environment. However, what we, in fact, generally observe is that most projects proposed by the Government are against the people’s interests and are mainly to serve the big industrialists, who finance the ruling Party.
It is undoubtedly evident to us, Goans, that not only this is the motive of the Government but there is another more pernicious one and that is to change the demographics of this State and this is where mainly the problem lies. If there have been persistent attempts by previous Governments to create and protect vote-banks by encouraging the influx of migrants, this is becoming increasingly true in the last few years of BJP rule. We have been hearing of projects being proposed which would create thousands of jobs. Will the Government provide us with statistics of how many jobs for Goans it has created in the last few years? Will they tell us how many Goans are employed by Konkan Railways and in Verna or other Industrial Estates? If our employment situation was so good, would there have an exodus of Goans to UK? Has the Government taken any steps to stop this export of Goan talent? Or is it happy with it? I ask this because a top BJP Minister had once said: “Vochun dhi re tankam” when someone complained to him about this exodus. Nitin Gadkari’s puppet, Sudin Dhavalikar tells us of crores spent and being promised to Goa for building roads, bridges, etc. For whom is this development meant? Is it for the benefit of Goans or for coal transportation and expressway to Mopa?
The Government must understand that Goans, deep inside, irrespective of party affiliation, do not want to be turned into a minority or allow further influx of outsiders. We have already tolerated too much and Goa today is bursting at its seams. This is the crux of the matter. The intentions of the Government are diametrically opposite, as its main aim is to win elections. The type of development being implemented by the Govt. will only bring in more outsiders and in no way help Goans, as has already been seen by them over the years.
It goes without saying that it is the Government that needs to keep a check on the activities of its people and bring them to the right path or punish them in case of breach of rules or law. This happens in most countries, where people’s activities are always under surveillance. However, in India and particularly in Goa it is the other way round and it is the Government that needs to be under surveillance. It is the alert and Goa-loving citizens who are keeping and have to keep a regular check on Government’s illegal activities.
I salute them for their selfless work. That some many projects had to be stalled for want of environment clearances or other reasons by the Courts and that the Government has been caught on the wrong foot on many occasions including in abetting or ignoring violations by influential individuals is a slur and a shame for any Government worth the name.
It is up to the Government to introspect and mend its ways and bow to people’s wishes, but will it happen when the stakes are so high?
(The author is a retired banker)
