In a few days we will have a new constituent Assembly for Goa. On Valentine’s Day, Goans came out and silently spoke out of love for Goa. On March 10, this voice will be heard. No one is sure which way the dice will fall, but whatever happens we hope Goa will benefit. Goa needs some serious leadership and good ideas to steer her through the choppy waters both social and economic.
In the last episode we saw the sordid sage of defections supposedly for development, this was one issue that pushed the electorate to come out in large numbers and vote, the mood was clearly against this practice. We do hope, dear MLA elect that this time around, there will be no horse trading and each of you will think Goa and not self when aligning and realigning to form the government. We pray that better sense prevails this time.
The first thing that one noticed, due to election affidavits filed, despite the effect of COVID on economic activity, each and every one of the outgoing MLAs had grown his income/assets by a minimum of 100%. The average is much higher. What this means is that there is tremendous potential in each MLA to take good financial decisions personally and so if they put their heads together for Goa, they can and should take Goa out of the debt trap it is heading towards. So, dear MLA-elect; please focus on Goa’s financial health for a change. We talk to Goa’s potential to replicate Singapore, make it a reality.
In the last term, the Goa Assembly met a total of 80 days in five years, including four single day sessions. This is an average of just sixteen days a year. Despite this low number, just 11 MLAs had 100% attendance. 93 bills were passed and 9,400 questions asked; where is the time to have meaningful discussions or find answers? A really poor performance. During campaigning all say that they are doing this for the love of Goa and at the same time taking full salary. So dear MLA-elect, please remember you are paid, so please attend and push for more and longer sessions. Make it a point to attend as that is your first priority.
There is a major trust deficit between the electorate and the elected. Basically, the electorate is not aware of the plans and direction the government wishes to take till the last moment when the work starts and people realise something is happening. These surprises lead to agitations and conflict between the people and the State. It appears that people object to everything. To avoid such situations can the plans be tabled in the House with sufficient notice and all the elected representatives will take the views of the municipalities or panchayats and come to the Assembly prepared to discuss the pros and cons and suggestions. So dear MLA-elect, demand proper and timely agendas for sessions so that this open discussion will build trust and the people of Goa will also respond positively.
Given our State’s small size, it is easy to fall prey to keeping a few voters happy so as to ensure re-election. Dear MLA-elect, this time do try to do a good job for Goa so as to ensure your re-election, this means avoid focusing on “pavers or a religious structures” within your constituency. Take up issues plaguing Goa as a whole and find solutions to them. Consider garbage as a Goa issue and not of a panchayat or constituency. After all any project done in a constituency would require taxpayers’ money who is a citizen anywhere in Goa. A project does not have to be black or white, take coal handling, technologies exist that can ensure it is clean, a dome over unloading area to prevent dust, mechanically covered wagons rather than plastic sheets. Let’s look for solutions.
Another major area is ecology, we have only one Goa and it is called golden for a reason, but the speed at which so called developmental projects are coming up, leaves one wondering if there will be a Goa in a few years or will it be just power stations, buildings, roads and railway lines? This fear is what makes people agitate. So dear MLA-elect, sit and discuss these major developmental projects in the Assembly, they are not constituency oriented, coal is not a Mormugao issue, it effects tourism/health, which effects all, so every MLA must make his point and where better than in the Assembly.
During the campaign, many promises have been made to support the economically weaker sections of society. To ensure these promises can be fulfilled dear MLA-elect, please focus on revenue generation, this means making, Ease of Doing Business not just a buzz word but a reality, because that is where the jobs and revenue are generated.
With heat and dust of the election battle behind you, dear MLA-elect, citizens of Goa have decided that you are the best person to represent the constituency. This means you now represent everyone and not just your supporters, because all voters are not supporters and all supporters are not voters. Please take decisions which benefit each and every person in your constituency and avoid supporter-based decisions.
Wishing each and every one of you a successful and fruitful five years. A term where you will look back and see Goa’s progress because of your contributions in the Assembly. We do wish each and every one of you who will be elected, all the very best and God’s choicest blessings and wisdom that you together govern Goa well.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao.)
