FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Jose Maria Miranda
When in 2012 Goans and in 2014 Indians voted overwhelmingly for BJP led by Manohar Parrikar and Narendra Modi respectively, they did it with a sincere hope and firm conviction that the State and the country were being entrusted in the hands of honest and capable leaders who would ensure that the people were provided with a clean, efficient and corruption free administration. And, when hopes and expectations are raised to the skies, the disillusionment is equally high, particularly when people realise that it is not really inability or dearth of opportunities but verily lack of will and determination, which stop our governments from acting tough and doing what is right. People who truly believed in Modi’s slogans “Ne khaunga, ne khane dunga” and “Saab ke sath saab ke vikas” soon realised that the “achhe din” were distant and promises, as usual, were made solely to ensure a decisive win, by fooling the gullible electorate. However, what people perhaps had never anticipated was that the Government could be so reckless, brazen, and outright authoritarian in pursuing anti people’s policies particularly with regard to environment and ecology solely to protect their favourites, despite possible harmful effects on citizens’ health, livelihoods and lives.
We are all aware what was our former Chief Minister’s role on issues he had so vociferously raised while in Opposition, in particular with regard to casinos, recovery of mining loot and expansion of Dabolim airport, even while he was the Defence Minister. Has our present CM come up to any of our expectations? Possibly he has, to some of his ardent supporters, particularly those whom he has handsomely rewarded for supporting his continuance in the chair. But to many of us, not forgetting the Governor – who has been honestly outspoken – I must say he has been more than a disappointment, to use the mildest possible term. Not so much because of his fracas on Covid, where he surely played a very damaging role, but because he used the pandemic to foster his agenda of pandering to the whims and dictates of his masters in Delhi, instead of focusing and giving his undivided attention to this serious issue, which has numbers galloping everyday and deaths even of young people.
Of the deaths which have occurred from Covid, about 50% are from Vasco. Did the Govt. bother to order an investigation – or is it deliberately avoiding it – into the possibility of these being related to coal handling and transportation in Vasco, which have reportedly resulted in lung ailments in people around, as claimed by Goencho Avaaz and social media? Isn’t the health of Goans a priority to this Government?
In July 2013, Parrikar had informed of his rejection to the proposal of double tracking the railway line from Hospet to Vasco, which, he asserted was meant for coal transportation. He had done so, despite a contrarian opinion from GCCI. And he was unequivocal in stating it was not necessary, as it would in no way benefit the Goan industry. In September 2019, Minister of State for Railways, Suresh Annaddi had threatened to shift the project to another State, if Goa was unable to provide more land, which is around 150 acres. So, what made the present CM propose now that the draconian Railway Act 1989 be invoked to acquire land by compulsion, since Goans were determined not to do it willingly? And why this, when the locals are strongly opposed to it due to coal transportation and damage to their land and dwellings, including heritage houses? Is it that the Executive can impose its will and those who elected them should watch helplessly? Land was also acquired for 80 meters highways through our fields, fragmenting our villages and burying low lying areas and water bodies and rivers were nationalized, all to turn Goa into a coal corridor. Why should Goa oblige steel plants in Karnataka and elsewhere for coal transportation, when those States can use their own ports? Is it partly the same reason why the Centre is favouring Karnataka on Mhadei river issue? Is it right for the CM to sacrifice his State’s land, the health, livelihoods and lives of his people only to please the magnates and others, friends of Central Ministers, perhaps with the sole motive of retaining his chair?
The three projects – the expansion of railway line, of highway and power transmission line through Mollem National Park and Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary – with over 50000 trees being felled have unnerved environmentalists, already aggrieved by the draft EIA notification 2020. Lakhs spammed Environment Minister’s email account with protest letters, prompting Police to initially invoke UAPA, an anti-terrorism law. The new draft, which legalizes post-facto ECs, dispenses with EIA study for some categories of projects, dilutes public participation and ignores the cumulative impact of all activities on environment, allows EIA reports prepared by consultants paid by the project proponent, only go to prove how much this government cares for the health and lives of its people.
The Government cannot always complain that people oppose development. Yes, they will, because there is justifiably trust deficit. Consultation, sincerity and transparency are imperative. The problems we are facing today, with the Centre possibly considering Goa as war booty, would have been avoided if proper safeguards were ensured in 1961 or 1974. We may leave that aside now, but we have rightly been blaming our elders for ignoring and the super patriots, who, in their enthusiasm and servility, obstructed these. Let not future generations blame us for having remained silent and passive when Goa and its environment were being destroyed. At least we would be spared such curses, which the accomplices may not and must carefully note.
(The author is a
retired banker)
