The recent statement by your Health Minister, Satyander Jain in Goa, that AAP will provide free housing for migrants, without clarifying his intent, has left many a Goan in disbelief not knowing what to make out of it. Does he mean to say that Goan land will be acquired and housing colonies built for migrants whose numbers keep increasing day by day? When he said Goa has enough surplus land, what exactly was he trying to say? These foot in the mouth statements do more harm than good for AAP.
When AAP made a foray in Goan politics, we were happy and excited that at last we had a choice whereby we could liberate ourselves from the ills brought about by BJP and the Congress governments of the past. No doubt the migrant vote bank was created by these parties for selfish gains and the ill-effects of that are visible all over Goa. A solution has to be found for the same which should be acceptable to the Goans. While its a known fact that migrant labour forms a major part of Goan labour force, we just cannot accommodate on a permanent basis, all these migrants flooding Goa day by day or else it will become like the proverbial camel who kicked out its master from the tent.
Those migrants who have been staying in Goa for many years, holding Aadhar card with Goan address could be rehabilitated, but the temporary labour force, which keeps flooding in Goa on a daily basis has to accommodate themselves on rental basis to go back to their state, from where they hold their Aadhar card. For this, the contractors who bring them should be held accountable and nowhere in Goa these temporary tents with unhygienic conditions be allowed.
In our childhood we never saw any slums in Goa and this recent phenomenon is due to some of our unscrupulous and selfish present and past MLAs. As for the mining imbroglio, AAP has to debate and take advise from environmentalists like Claude Alvares as to what is the best solution for Goa. We do not want to finish our mines overnight but keep something for our grandchildren and their generations.
One of the reasons we took a liking for AAP was because of its transparency where we have a voice to debate and express our opinion and there is no VVIP racism unlike other major parties. We sincerely hope AAP local leaders, who are sons of the soil, will emerge from the shadows and start making statements about AAP policies and future decisions to the Goan populace. We do not want Central diktat to rule Goa, practiced by some parties and abhorred by the general public. It is pertinent to note, Goan voters like me are “yes men” to no one and will wisely decide and educate others as to what is best for Goa.
Sincerely hoping AAPs manifesto will truly reflect the sentiments and concerns of the Goan populace, whereby a change can be effected.
