Integrity is often described as an expensive trait, and recent events in Goa have highlighted the moral bankruptcy that seems to pervade our system. The Smart City initiative serves as a glaring example. Swayandipta Pal Chaudhuri, the former CEO of the Imagine Smart City Development Corporation Limited, has been accused of embezzling substantial sums, yet the government has done little more than initiate an inquiry.
Just this week, Dr Shamila Monteiro, who has served as the Director of the Fisheries Department for over a decade, was removed from her position following allegations of misconduct involving overseas trips with family members. This incident, along with a recent case of a police constable assaulting a traffic assistant sub-inspector at Banastarim, underscores the pervasive corruption within our State departments.
The situation is further exacerbated by the actions of Margao municipal staff, who were found to have significant sums in personal accounts, siphoned off from the municipality’s coffers. It seems that no sector of our bureaucracy or political landscape is free from corruption and suspicion.
The State government has announced that contractors will be blacklisted for failing to repair roads that have long been in disrepair. However, this raises the question: why are the Public Works Department (PWD) officials - from the Principal Chief Engineer down to junior engineers - not held accountable for the poor quality of work that has made life miserable for Goans?
It is a well-known fact that no government office operates without the expectation of a ‘service tip’ from the lowest-ranking staff to senior officials. The common man wonders how so many officials continue to serve despite ongoing corruption allegations. Why does the government fail to address these issues proactively? Are annual audits being conducted? Or are they merely a formality? The lack of vigilance inquiries into numerous corruption allegations raises serious concerns about accountability.
Moreover, the discrepancies in project budgets are alarming. Projects often exceed their initial estimates by more than double, yet the government seems oblivious to this pattern. Even a layperson can distinguish between quality work and shoddy construction, yet government-appointed consultants and staff continue to squander taxpayer money.
The state of our infrastructure is dire. Poorly maintained roads contribute to fatal accidents, and environmental degradation is rampant. Illegal land conversions are being carried out, benefiting only a few while threatening Goa’s natural beauty.
The recent comments by Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai about brain drain prompt us to question whether the government has truly reflected on its failures in providing employment opportunities—not just in the public sector but also by attracting sustainable industries.
Social security schemes meant to assist the differently-abled, senior citizens and those without stable employment are often delayed for months, leaving vulnerable populations in dire straits. The small amounts intended to support these individuals are frequently withheld, exacerbating their struggles.
From agriculture to tourism, every sector is facing a crisis. The taxi problems remain unresolved, and families dependent on mining have been left in limbo for over a decade, awaiting the resumption of legal operations. While statistics may show an increase in tourist arrivals, the reality is that the hotel and food industries are suffering.
Despite holding a significant majority in the Legislative Assembly, two years ago, a major chunk of the Congress party switched sides and joined the BJP. The ruling party faces criticism from the Opposition, which has accused it of deception. However, the history of Goa’s politics reveals that no party can claim to be above reproach. When politicians and bureaucrats lack the courage to uphold principles, it leads to a culture of compromise that ultimately decays the integrity of our State.
The moral bankruptcy evident in Goa’s governance is a pressing concern. Bureaucrats understand that the political class is compromised, and in order to protect themselves, they will permit the bureaucracy to be compromised as well.
Moral bankruptcy and the impunity of the bureaucracy are decaying the State of Goa.