The Chief Minister of Goa is again in the USA for treatment. Being the CM of the State, he could not be denied treatment abroad, irrespective of costs, which few ordinary mortals, like us, would be able to afford from our own pockets. With the triumvirate, in apparent serious disagreements, during his earlier absence, governance was a casualty but what we witnessed thereafter was nothing but mis-governance. However, after disruption and heated debates, the MLAs were eventually kept happy with a fat pay packet rise, perhaps as a reward for having behaved like good boys and girls and keeping the Government intact, as experience of the past showed that absence makes hearts grow fonder of the chair.
The controversy of formalin purportedly used for preserving fish imported from States as far off as Orissa, has failed to die down, with even the most voracious fish eaters exercising restraint, if not total abstinence from fish, apprehensive of possible consequences. For once, Goans, who rarely unite, even when the worst happens or is expected, unless they are individually affected, thankfully nearly boycotted the fish markets for a few days. However, we ought to have reacted vehemently when Fatorda Police refused to act, despite a complaint from a lawyer, possibly under instructions from the man who swears by “Goenkarponn”.
When the Health Minister apologises for the “faux pas” over “permissible limits”, why is it that the Government did not arrest and sue the criminal and further also permitted the sale of adulterated fish? What faith can people have in the FDA when artificial ripening of fruits and unhygienic sale of edible items in gaddas seem not to worry them at all? What did the Congress achieve, despite its large presence, by paralysing the Assembly for two days but failing to get even an inquiry instituted, with a brazenly audacious coalition determined to stall such a demand? If the disruption did not continue further was because all needed to join hands to demand resumption of mining and getting their pay hike.
Does a Government which allows damage to people’s health, even after reports of cancer and other ailments show a marked increase in Goa and death ads in the newspapers reveal that young people are succumbing to such diseases, have a right to continue in power? When such assaults on people’s health are taken lightly and the culprits are left scot free or encouraged to continue with their nefarious activities, because the stakes are high and the chair is at grave risk, then perhaps the time has come to hang up the boots and retire for a much needed rest.
No matter who is ruling and who is involved, if such murderous attempts, not on an individual but on the people at large, can be absolved with such brazen impunity, then we have surely descended to gutter levels and reached scum-filled and shameful depths of decadence and putridity. Ironical that we now not only pay for the VIPs’ health, sometimes willfully damaged in misadventures, but also for the irresponsible guardians of our health, to spoil our own health and eventually shell out to pay doctors and hospitals!
The SC halted mining by cancelling all “unduly hasty” renewals of leases by the Government. It also indicted the MOEF, which ‘played ball’ by lifting the order on environment clearance, asserting that inferences for this “are quite obvious”. Only the thick skinned can take this… Reasons for unanimity in resumption, without adhering to other conditions, including recovering the loot, are also indeed, quite obvious. Ignoring recovery, when it could be used to compensate the dependents as well as the affected, is highly suspicious. And the man who, while as LOO claimed that the losses on illegal mining was around Rs 25000 crores, now says that it is only Rs 3000 to 4000 crores, as he claims that mining outside the leased area was wrongly assessed by Shah Commission at 578 instead of 10 hectares. If, as is being said, the mining lobby can make or break Governments in Goa, losses may never be assessed or recovered, unlike in Orissa. And to defend resumption of mining, our Marathwadi Rane belittles our Goan brethren, who reluctantly left our shores and their families to earn a living. It is surely more dignifying to do honestly such jobs than to vote shamelessly for higher salary for oneself, notwithstanding a cash-starved treasury, solely to warm up chairs and display signs of senility.
Another controversial issue is the amendment to TCP Act and Transfer of Developmental Rights (TDR). This latter concept is not suitable to Goa, considering that vertical development is unnecessary in a small and over-built place like Goa. Building activity “on the rocks”, when thousands of flats are closed worries only those benefitting by way of funds or vote-banks. People are rightfully suspicious as they have not been taken into confidence over TDR and this is being spearheaded by someone whose credentials are dubious.
Last but not the least comes the attempt to unlock SEZ lands by paying back the holders their contribution and interest. The BJP’s interest in settling this issue outside the Court is malafide, firstly because a case in this regard is pending with the SC and secondly because it is allowing those involved in fraudulent allocation of land to go unpunished, despite strictures passed by High Court on the issue.
From all this, it is abundantly clear that BJP and Congress are two sides of same coin. It is a case of “you scratch my back, I scratch yours”. Spoils are perhaps shared. BJP needs to compromise to obviate roadblocks, while we watch helplessly.
(The author is a retired banker)
