The recent discussion in the State Legislative assembly on what our worthy MLAs thought was a topic of pressing importance. Traffic Sentinels scheme underlies their misplaced priorities. It is not that the scheme is per se not important. The fact remains that this scheme was passed by the same cabinet ministers who were debating the issues, were they not discussed when it was passed retrospectively. One can tell the character of a place by watching its citizens follow traffic discipline. Obviously in Goa we have got used to having absolutely no discipline and hence the outrage when you get challaned if you do not follow the rules. The MLAs decided this was a grave issue and promptly decided to discuss the same.
The level of discussion also belied the involvement or understanding. Take for example the fact that one felt that the scheme was promoting the business of pimps. The fact that pimps operate did not seem to be of any consequence. The other fact is pictures taken on the Sentinel App can only be sent to the administrator and cannot be saved to the phones gallery. So if someone wanted to click a picture of a woman without her consent, would he not do it anyway with his camera phone? Then there are closed circuit or CCTV cameras just about any and everywhere, many actually recording. What happens to these cameras?
Another felt that the sentinels who were collecting photographic evidence against law breakers ran the risk of creating a law and order situation. Meaning those who were photographed and would have to pay a fine would gang up on the person complaining and thus endanger him/her. Really now are we looking at the wrong end of the problem, should we not be taking steps to ensure that the law breakers do not further break the law by taking the law in their own hands? Should not our law makers be sending a strong message that ensuring laws are followed to the “T”.
The other argument was that it is “ok not to wear helmets in the towns”; Who made the law? Why argue with the enforcers, the police are just doing their job. If the law makers had any issue with those enforcing the law they could have passed another ordinance like in the case of an hotel, simply saying henceforth wearing a helmet is left to the discretion of the rider. However, they did no such thing and promptly went home without any decision. This is just as well because the State now continues to get to use of the latest cameras by paying a small amount as reward, while on the other hand collecting fines from law breakers without corruption rearing its ugly head.
Why did our MLAs feel it necessary to debate when they could have debated the following issues which are hanging fire or causing heartburn till date?
The mining Imbroglio: Instead of rushing to Delhi and taking pictures with whoever is willing to pose but not take a decision, could they not have discussed this instead? The CM has now realised that his Cabinet was not getting the big picture and has now instructed them to find a solution locally, Delhi cannot provide one. Maybe now they will discuss the answer that is blowing in the wind for a while, auction or mining corporation. Surely, all the MLAs will have to sit and debate in the Assembly if there is going to be any progress and if the mining dependants are going to get any solution.
The Taxi Issue: Approx 25,000 taximen are holding the entire State to ransom by refusing to allow any discussion on the matter. Why should locals not have the freedom to get a cheaper ride? Why must they be house bound because of the exorbitant fares? Tourist can always drive down in their cars to bypass the taxi issue, locals cannot. With the availability of taxi aggregators, the issue of having to return empty is reduced as there are many who would be headed in the opposite direction and thanks to the apps the customer and taxi driver would be connected. The Government did try to reinvent the wheel with Goa Miles, but why not a more professional and cost effective service? Surely, this issue would have reached the ears of the MLAs. Some are not coming back next term so if they discuss and decide maybe they will be able to us the TAXI APP post the 2019 elections.
The Section 16B: The TCP Minister has clarified what can be converted under the new section 16B. Surely this is a topic that could have been debated in the assembly before it was introduced and then perhaps there would be no need of clarifications. If this section is designed to give relief to those whose properties were wrongly marked in RP2021. A proper discussion in the assembly with each representative giving his views and finally a properly drafted section to do justice would surely have been better than this hastily inserted section that has clarifications in the newspapers but none in the rule books. If and when a conversion is challenged even if it is in an area clarified as not eligible, the courts will go by the existing rule and not newspaper clarification. So basically the clarifications are an eyewash. This blanket application of conversion spells further doom to Goa’s fragile ecosystem.
Goa will be a great place once our MLAs decide to follow the law and debate and decide on serious issues in Goa’s favour. Can our MLAs respond and make the change for Goa? Only time will tell. Jai Hind.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
