The year 2020 was without a doubt a test by fire for Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, who had taken over the reins from the veteran and seasoned politician late Manohar Parrikar just nine months earlier. We say it was a testing year not just because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns but there were several other issues that needed attention like the economy, the Mhadei water diversion, resumption of mining operation and finally the coal issue. There have been several times when the CM has announced deadlines for finding a solution to these issues, but these have not been met. Chief Minister Sawant has continuously assured of resolving all the issues but 2020 vanished with the problems of Goa remaining unresolved.
First there was the issue of the Mhadei, which Sawant said would be resolved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah but instead Karnataka was granted Environmental Approval for the Kalsa Bhandura project for water diversion. The Chief Minister visited Delhi, met several top leaders but the solution to the issue does not seem to be forthcoming despite Goa having a strong case in the Supreme Court. The year has ended but neither did Union Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar, nor did the Prime Minister or Home Minister have a solution for Goa’s lifeline.
The second issue, which the Chief Minister has been dragging along, is mining. The Centre is aware that mining is the backbone of Goa’s economy and ever since the Supreme Court order stopped mining operations in 2018, there seems to be no solution in sight even three years later. Interestingly, the Chief Minister continued to assure the mining dependent people on the resumption of mining operations but it didn’t happen. Mining is not just the issue of the people dependent on it or the mine owners, the economy of the State depends on the industry as it contributes significantly to the State treasury. But somehow, the Chief Minister appears to have failed to convince the Centre on the seriousness of the issue. Despite this, the CM continues with his rhetoric of “mining is expected to start soon”.
The third assurance was that the coal handling at Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) would be reduced by half soon. The statement was made in October and the Chief minister said that the Union Ports Minister would be in Goa by the month end to explore other substitute businesses at MPT like cruise tourism and handling of other cargo. But it has been over two months now since the Chief Minister made this assurance but the Union minister has not come to Goa and coal handling at MPT continues despite the protests. Today, thousands of people are protesting the coal handling and, in relation to it, the double tracking of the South Western Railway line is also being opposed as the belief is that it is meant to transport more coal. Interestingly, for the last one year Sawant has been dragging the issue which indicates he is buying time till the next Assembly elections to be held in 2022.
However, with elections now some 13 months away, Sawant will have his task cut out on all these issues, including curbing unemployment and stabilising the State economy which is in tatters. The State’s current debts have risen to about Rs 22,000 cr. The Chief Minister has to put his foot down on various issues like Mhadei, coal and mining and these would be the core issues for the 2022 elections. If he fails to do that it will be a tough ask for the BJP to return to power irrespective of the Zilla Panchayat election results, which the party won comfortably.
