With polls round the corner political parties are going all out to woo Goan voters, by promising them changes in policies, good governance and assurances of tackling all issues affecting Goans. Issues that find place regularly in the news and manifesto of political parties are mining that has been re-started and its impact on environment; medium of instruction, closures of casinos, infiltration of drugs, etc. 

As Goans we are looking for change. In 2012 fed up with the Congress, we looked for change and voted to power the BJP. But has the BJP delivered on its promises? The litmus test awaits the party, when we go to polls in February. Goa's overall report card for 2016 is a 'Fail', as important areas such as infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, etc are in shambles.

Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar recently boasted to a leading magazine, saying, "Infrastructure-wise, in Goa we are looking 25 years ahead." In the past two years the government has undertaken numerous projects, spending approximately Rs 1000 crore and above. It is learnt that in the next two years the government is expected to spend an additional Rs 1000 crore and more towards infrastructure. The government does not realise that massive spending on infrastructure is not the answer to our infrastructure problems. In Goa a large number of suggested infrastructure projects have met with stiff opposition from the people. We have seen how the new infrastructure created has not served its purpose. Take for example, the new parking building in Panjim (rarely being used), the third new bridge being built over the Mandovi (presently unnecessary). Instead they should have begun creating infrastructure for the Zuari Bridge and worked on ways to improve existing infrastructure that would have helped ease the traffic congestion in our cities). The government for some reason keeps overlooking practical projects and instead prioritises and focuses on huge infrastructure projects. Three weeks ago Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar while addressing the Vijay Sankalp rally at Mapusa said that if the BJP is voted back to power all infrastructure projects will be fast-tracked. New infrastructure projects are only an instant fix. The government should in fact be looking towards maximising the efficiency of our existing infrastructure, by optimising the existing air, rail and ground systems, rather than creating white elephants. Creating new infrastructure only burns a hole in the economy.

Agriculture in Goa is dwindling and majority of our agriculture produce is being sourced from neighbouring states. Despite government’s numerous efforts and sops given to boost farming, year after year the government fails to bring farmers back into the fold of agriculture. According to a report, Goa receives the highest farm subsidies, but yet farming is not being taken up. Being a part of the farming community for the last ten years, I can say that the efforts made by the government towards agriculture are half-hearted. Subsidies do not reach farmers. Many times farmers are unaware of the subsidies, and if they are, then the procedures to avail them are lengthy and tedious. There is no connection between the farmers and agriculture officers. In addition there always is a shortfall of seeds and fertilizers under the offered schemes. Further, if a subsidy is doled out then the farmer has to wait for a period of four to six months before he receives the payment. For farmers, this wait is too long and the cost of buying seeds in the open market is too high. None of the authorities, be it the government or those from the agriculture department have ever come forward to try and understand or ask the farmers as to what difficulties they face. As a result farming is being avoided.

While farm lands lie unused, the government in the name of development bullies her citizens into giving up their fields and Comunidade land for creating new infrastructure. The government through the Regional Plan and ODP is converting Goan land for the wasted interest of a few people — real estate, politicians and a few business houses. For example, in Taleigao the approved ODP has a road passing through the fields near the Sao Paulo market. This road has been created for the benefit of a politician who has his farm house in the same vicinity. It seems the TCP and politicians are hand in glove to destroy the green canopy existing across Goa. While Margao and south Goa's ODPs met with stiff resistance from the people, Panjim and Vasco ODPs were hurriedly approved. The ODPs of the North and South had the same discrepancies and yet the government hurriedly approved Panjim and Vasco ODPs. How can the government approve the ODPs without the finalisation of the Regional Plan 2021? ODP and Regional Plan as a whole have changed the face of the Goan landscape, where roads are been approved through our fields to allow builders to construct high-rise buildings. The present government lacks integrity and has been weaving a web of deceit to us Goans.

Our only hope is that the future government which will be elected by the people will take into consideration the past blunders done by the BJP and Congress and bring a government that is of the people and for the people. Our state is stagnating and in order to change that, we need change at local and government levels. This poll, make your voice heard, make your vote count.

(The author is managing director of Aviation Travel & Tourism Services)