This is an opposition which is perhaps the most relevant in the democracy of today – the people’s opposition. The decision of various cause-based social groups, mainly from South Goa, to come together to jointly strategise their opposition to river nationalisation, expansion of highways and most importantly coal transportation, assumes significance beyond the causes for which they have come together.
The sanctity of this decision lies at the core of democracy, a sacrosanct core that needs to be protected as a national duty and that is the right of the people of a land, who among other things, pay taxes, to oppose policies and decisions with a fact based narrative. Opposition for opposition’s sake can be countered, but fact-based people’s opposition has to merit a serious response. And while the issues like the impact of river nationalisation and the expansion of highways will find a voice, the biggest elephant in the room is coal transportation.
Starting from Vasco and spreading to villages which face the brunt of coal dust pollution, Goa has been united in protest. This was evident during the public hearings against coal pollution earlier this year. Everyone, including the MPT, was surprised that what was meant to be a public hearing in Vasco, on an issue of concern to locals was attended in such massive numbers by people across Goa.
It is perhaps that spirit, which is sought to be extended, by deciding to form coordination committees and asking all 189 panchayats to take the resolution to oppose coal and river nationalisation. If this is pulled off, it will surely be an impact creating decision, followed by a state wide signature campaign.
And if all the panchayats get together to oppose coal pollution among other things, the respective MLAs will have to take a stand. And it is clear while all are issues of importance, the battle against coal pollution is the most potent, especially when the Chief Minister has agreed that no expansion of coal handling facilities at MPT can take place unless pollution levels, as a result of spillage during coal transportation, are completely mitigated.
The battle against coal, has surprisingly and pleasantly found traction also among civic bodies and panchayats too. In one meeting of the Mormugao Municipal Council, one councillor Shraddha Amonkar , said, “It has been noticed that though the council, when formed a year back, had come down strongly on the coal pollution issue in the city, eventually nothing happened. After monsoon, the pollution has increased.”
She questioned chairperson Deepak Naik who in turn said, “It is very unfortunate that despite so many meetings and warnings, the concerned authorities are not taking precautions.” He requested the council and the public to support him when he would come out openly on the streets against the coal pollution issue.
In Sao Jose de Areal, the local Social Justice Forum held a massive demonstration protesting the coal pollution the villagers suffer from, and moved the State Human Rights Commission.
The opposition to coal transportation, in a manner that it pollutes villages and towns through which these trucks pass brings us to a wider issue of finding alternatives to the use of coal for energy and power. Real solutions will emerge only then.
For instance ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference, Germany is planning to phase out the use of coal to generate electricity. In any case, the Paris Climate Change Accord, pretty much asks nations to look at the era ahead as that of de-carbonisation. In Germany, the proportion of lignite and hard coal in the energy mix is coming down, giving way to renewable energies, which are contributing more to gross power.
Hence, changes have to happen at both levels.
The widespread people centric opposition which will emerge through Goa’s villages will be a big eye-opener, if it was needed at all. At the same time there is no substitute to alternate energy solutions, along the lines of other nations.
