Goans, seething with anger, are revolting everywhere, in Melauli, Siridao, Mopa, South Goa, etc. Better late than never, there is a change in our “mhaka kiteak poddlam” attitude”attitude. So far, the youth too, who had remained somewhat aloof from the struggles, meant to protect their and future generations, feel now that they too need to be part of the fight to retain what is left of Goa. Or else, this State is doomed and the destruction will soon be completed by the vultures which prey on Goa. With the youth, now in tow and taking centrestage, to save Goa, come what may, from the monsters, things will not be easy for this Government and the Chief Minister would be well advised to stop flexing his muscles in a show of bravado, which will only bring him closer to the end of his despotic, destructive and despicable rule.
The entire focus of the Government is in amassing funds to entice voters at election time and if this fails to buy off MLAs thereafter, as BJP has done in various States including Goa. Hence, the haste in advancing projects and depriving the poor of their legitimate dues. Some beneficiaries of Griha claim having been paid only for 5 months during current year. In the eagerness to make money, Government’s compassion and empathy has eroded and they stooped so low as to feel no compunctions in taking away from the poorest of the poor even the paltry amount they received through DSS and Griha Adhar.
No wonder, therefore, that the Government decided to fast-track their favourite projects, at this juncture, anticipating that people would not risk protests during the pandemic. This perverse and satanic move only proved once more that the CM values his own chair much more than his people’s lives. However, people realised that while their lives are important, Goa and their future are far more precious. The cowardice of Maina Police prompted them to file FIR against protestors while they never dared confront them at the spot in Chandor, due to their large number. “Rioting” being one of the charges, did some blind policeman imagined it happening?
Notwithstanding denials, documents prove conclusively that the three linear projects are meant for coal, which will benefit Adani, Jindal & Vedanta with no benefits but only disastrous consequences for Goa, our forest cover, tourism and Goans’ health and lives. Using rail, roads and rivers, Goa will be a coal hub and corridor to transport 136 mn tonnes to Karnataka & Maharashtra. Jetties are being built, by reclaiming land adjacent to the rivers, to stock coal for eventual transportation. And yet, the CM feigns ignorance to a delegation of Goencho Ekvott, on quantities and some aspects of the project, but turned pale when confronted with documentation. Is it conceivable that a CM does not understand, or rather prefers not to, to please his bosses, the implications of such a deadly project? He also owes an explanation to Goans on his recommendations to invoke Railway Act to take over forcefully Goans’ prime land, when Parrikar, in 2013, had refused permission for double tracking, since it was meant for coal transportation; and also when the Rly State Minister volunteered to take the project elsewhere, if Goa did not favour it. With mining in doldrums, tourism is the only industry which can bring in some revenue to Goa and Goans. What tourists do we expect when hundreds of trucks and trains travelling at high speed will be covering entire Goa with coal dust?
It is no secret that millionaires and other magnates of the country finance important political parties to serve their own interests. BJP and Congress are their main beneficiaries. According to ToI, Adani put a jet, belonging to his Karnavati Aviation group at Modi’s disposal during his 2014 election, ensuring that Modi was back home every night after crisscrossing the country. Adani was Modi’s faithful companion in many of his foreign trips. In one of the photographs which is in circulation, Adani is seen shaking hands, in Modi’s presence, with Queensland’s PM – the Australian State where massive protests erupted after Adani bought the Carmichael coal mine which threatens the Great Barrier Reef. GBF is world’s largest coral reef system, considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Sajjan Jindal, boss of JSW may not be as close to PM as Adani is, but he is known to have facilitated a meeting between Modi & Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan in 2014 in Nepal. It was perhaps no coincidence that Sajjan landed in Lahore the same day when Modi paid a surprise birthday visit to Sharif on Christmas Day in 2015. Goans surely cannot dictate to the PM the choice of his friends, but let him please not sacrifice Goa to return his favours.
While we are saddened that the CM appears prepared to sacrifice Goa to save his chair, we are aghast at the silence or connivance of BJP MLAs, with the exception of Alina Saldanha, who needs to be commended for going a step further in being critical of CM’s attitude. The least that was expected from the MLAs was to support their people and openly oppose these unacceptable projects and thus rock the CM’s chair. But none would do that because again for them too their chairs are more important than Goa and Goans.
BJP must stop justifying their actions by blaming the Congress. Blunders must not be continued but reversed. Therefore, my fellow Goans, it is imperative that we all take an oath to send all the MLAs home in 2022. They are tired of serving. Let us give them all a much deserved rest.
(The author is a retired Banker)
