The scare of the novel coronavirus should not divert attention from other pressing issues that are staring at the State. No doubt that government has to act to contain the spread, and so far it has been doing well, but the fact is that Goa has been faltering in other areas is being obfuscated as the attention is wholly focused on the spread of the virus. A ground report by Team Herald found that there are adequate precautions at the airport, but the bus stands and the railway stations are not being monitored so ably. Given that the spread of the virus is more likely to be from foreign nationals coming to India, it is at the airport that the measures should be more stringent, as it rightly is. But, while the virus has shut down towns and cities in China and Italy, and has seen thousands in quarantine across the globe, it has this far spared Goa. For the moment, we can be safe in the belief that the government is doing whatever it can on this count. Let’s then look at other issues.
Uppermost comes the Mhadei, where Goa has taken several beatings. Opposition leaders have turned quite vocal on the subject. Leader of the Opposition, Digambar Kamat, said, “The people of Goa are presently facing the grave threat of entire State of Goa getting converted into a desert as the neighbouring State Karnataka is all set to divert the water from our lifeline Mhadei. It is time to gear up to save our Mother Mhadei.” On the same day, another opposition MLA Vijai Sardesai said, “Being the opposition, we will extend our full support to Chief Minister if he makes it clear what he intends to do to stop Karnataka from going ahead with the work of Kalasa-Bhandura project. Will he approach Prime Minister or Jal Shakti Ministry?”
The realisation amidst the polity that this is a grave issue and should be fought together is welcome, but this battle will not be won by them making statements or by tweeting. It requires that all the MLAs and all the parties come together to reach an understanding that will give Goa united strength to take on the neighbouring State on the issue. Remember that when it comes to its rivers and its waters, Karnataka has never taken a divided stand, but has stood unitedly. Goa and its political class need to learn from the neighbour how to fight and how to make the Centre agree to their stand.
The Mhadei issue is not new. It is years and decades old. The politicians who are speaking out today were in power at one time. What did they do to save the Mhadei and its waters when they were in positions to do so? Goa needs action, rather than words not just on the issue of Mhadei, but in all other matters that are plaguing it. It is heartening that the politicians are worried of the diversion of the Mhadei waters, but why aren’t they so motivated when fragile ecosystems are diverted for development activity? If only they had so been, we might have had less of activism in the State.
Let not coronavirus or for that matter, the Zilla Panchayat polls shift the focus from core issues. The district panchayat polls have sparked much interest. For 50 seats, there have been 345 nominations filed (many are dummy candidates of the parties), but the fact that there is so much attention being given to the polls, with internal party fights dominating, keeps other issues on the simmer. The Mhadei cannot be allowed to be pushed to the back of people’s memory. If they have succeeded in anything, the opposition MLAs have in keeping the issue alive in the minds of the Goans.
