Whenever a political party in opposition aspires for a change in governance, it is but usual they find a slogan to capture the imagination of the electorate.
These political slogans are very amusing and indeed interesting. When there was wide spread allegation of corruption at UPA II government. The slogan was all on “good governance”, a very effective slogan to capture power. But what is good governance?
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According to the World Bank, good governance involves six aspects – voice and accountability, political stability and the absence of violence, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption.
The newly formed NDA government at the Centre and the government in states like Goa soon realised that “Good Governance” is not their cup of tea and they would never ever be able to practice it because all the six ingredients are counter to their philosophy of governance.
But the government needed a slogan. It was then that the government in power took up the lobby of “development”. They then began speaking and even eulogising development especially the development of infra-structure like, roads, bridges and buildings etc, because there was huge amount of money involved and a justification for taxing the masses. Everyone involved in the process were more than happy because huge funds could change hands almost at all stages of such development. Not only that all these kinds of development, is like a perpetual milch cow, there is always, money flowing, be it repairs, renovation, modification or even complete overhauling or upgradation if nothing else then a change of plans.
Among other issues, the immediate effect of these development projects is the irreversible damage to environment, beginning with polluted air and water, two vital sources of life.
Goa being a costal state having a stretch of over 70 kilometres facing the Arabian Sea, the sea breeze has been a great saviour of Goa’s air quality but with ugly building in the form of hotels and multiplexes coming up, even within the CRZ zones. It is like sores on the face of beautiful Goa, the soothing breezes would soon become part of Goa’s lost heritage.
As regards water, Goa is the biggest loser. A state where, well water was like purified mineral water and a health tonic with seeping drains and waste of all kinds the water in almost all the wells in Goa are no more drinkable, so there is development in the form of public water supply system and the constant leakage and breakdowns are mere evidence of underlying corrupt practices.
There are frequent, full-page advertisements, and self-proclaimed accolades for the new and wide roads built in Goa, causing much inconveniences and expenses and loss of work time of millions of commuters over the last few years. Self-praise now a days is a political privilege though the victims are of course the silent majority. Think of the millions of trees and plants that have been destroyed for this ultra-modern infrastructure and surprisingly no one, absolutely no one, speaks about refurbishing the tons of oxygen cover Goa lost. The simplest and the barest minimum is to plant at least ten trees for every tree cut in the vicinity so that the eco balance is maintained, for life to thrive and refurbish the oxygen levels. What a deaf and dumbfound population, sacrificing the life and health of the future generation by depriving them of the basic needed oxygen.
What is the use of these structures if the population is deprived of their right to pure air? The unforgivable callousness of those in authority and their failure to ensure that free oxygen is available and yet praising themselves on development. Is it not a dirge for Goa? Is it not a debt owed to the future generation?
With a resident population of little over 15 lakh how easy it is for anyone with genuine concern to provide basic requirements and a sense of safety and happiness especially to the poor and those in rural Goa.
The slogan of development has only brought to the state, crimes, drugs and a large sense of insecurity. If the government in power is unable to satisfy the basic aspirations of such a small electorate is busy, to visualise projects worth millions of dollars, where is the State heading if not on its final journey of burial?
Any development which does not benefit the majority of the resident population is an unwise investment and a liability for the future.
The least these elected representatives could do is revive the Panchayati Raj system to make every village self-sufficient. Recently, in one of the southern States a Panchayat has shown the way, by establishing a super market which is able to supply the residents almost all essential consumer items at less than 50 per cent of the prevailing market price. Panchayats in Goa should take up such a venture in all panchayats so that the resident population is insulated against the evils of the development slogan and the consequent inflation. In many countries such concessions are given to the local residents. Even in UAE, the local Arabs get a sizable refund from the government for the consumer goods they buy from the supermarkets. This is the barest minimum an elected representative can do to those who elected him/her instead of merely following the dictates of the party leaders/ high command who are not the reason for their being elected.
In a dormant electorate, when people are unable to exercise their right properly because of infighting and rivalry by political parties and between the contesting candidates, people have no choice and often the wrong candidates get elected, there has to be some means to stop this dirge for Goa’s destruction.
(The writer is a professor of law and an education consultant)
