The advent of the New Year generally dawns hopes, aspirations and dreams of a year better than the one gone by, no matter how good the latter might have been. But, unfortunately, in this country, however optimistic and eager we may be of seeing better days ahead, such hopes, at least of the middle and poorer classes, will just remain hopes. Last year was one of high expectations but also of apprehensions. While expectations are yet to be realized, apprehensions are already coming true. Perhaps it is too early to comment on the performance of the Government, which has development as its mantra. However, the way it is trying to go about it, riding roughshod over environmental concerns – which it is trying to overrule with new laws – and the rights of the land losers with amendments to the new Land Acquisition Act, which the BJP itself had supported earlier, only confirms that this Government is too eager to oblige and reward those who offered tremendous financial support during the general elections. The Ordinance route chosen by this Government only exposes its haste in repaying the debt of the industrialists and magnates by going ahead with unnecessary projects stamping on the rights of the poor and the farmers.
Our Prime Minister’s oratory skills and the power of his vocal chords, seen during election campaigns, can hardly be matched by anyone, but he goes mute when he most needs to speak. The highly communal assertions made by his parliamentary and ministerial colleagues, the shameful ”ghar vapasi”, where heavy financial rewards have been dished out for religious conversions or re-conversions, the latest mock drill in Surat, where dummy terrorists were made to wear skull caps, thus suggesting that it is only the skull cap wearers who are involved in terrorism and many other instances, which are being reported with regular frequency, would not have taken place had those responsible for them not enjoyed immunity, support and even patronage of the present Government. But if the Government could go ahead with Ordinances to have its way, we need to wait only for a while until it has a majority in the RS to show its true colours. The consequences of Babri Masjid demolition are still fresh in the minds of many. The new Government at the Centre seems to be leading us through the same path, which eventually may destabilize and seriously disturb the much-needed unity of the country.
Goa may have, so far, been relatively free from extremist elements though the statements of certain individuals and the actions of some organizations could be a cause for worry. Hence, the need for us to be on guard. But the New Year does not seem to augur well for the State, if developments towards the end of the year are any indication. The heavy drop in the foreign tourist arrivals should be a matter of grave concern to a State heavily dependent on tourism, particularly after the mining imbroglio. The Government needs to introspect with utmost urgency into its causes and take immediate remedial measures. To my mind, the uncontrolled rise in the cost of living, the fleecing by taxis, rickshaws, pilots and hotels, particularly during the festive season, the filth and garbage, and the traffic chaos prevailing almost all over, are surely a deterrent for tourists to opt for Goa, a heaven to them at one time. It is time the Government and those responsible for exploiting the tourists, realize that they have nearly killed the goose that lays the golden eggs.
The extremely poor traffic management came to the fore during the last week of 2014. I fully empathize with the hardships the Traffic Police have to undergo by standing long hours to direct the traffic at certain points. This problem could have been partly solved had traffic lights been installed. Surely many corporates would have come forward for the purpose. But Goa is famous for throwing them out of order and being unable to repair them for months, until they are discarded. The Police also just refuse to take rounds on a motorcycle to ensure discipline on the roads and thus avoid traffic jams. However, it is not the Police alone that are responsible for the mess, but also the babus, such as the Collector and PWD Engineers, who just refuse to take steps in placing dividers, where they are most needed. One can never have a good word for the Traffic Police until they control, with an iron hand, the traffic on our roads and drastically reduce accidents and the loss of so many precious lives. But I must say that the Traffic Police in Margao did a fairly good job during some days of the Christmas season by placing cones, serving as dividers, and by closing the F.L. Gomes Road (Old Station road) to four wheelers. This step needs to be taken further in future by pedestrianizing the entire market area for 2/3 days. In contrast, at Agassaim, the chaos was unprecedented, as I myself was witness and a victim on 26/12/14. The Police proved ineffective in controlling the racing of vehicles on every side, forming three and even four lanes in one direction. It was a free for all, as is happening almost everywhere. One would have expected this Government to decongest our roads by improving the inter-city bus transport, which would have also helped in saving precious fuel. The Government did another ”vapasi” of VAT on petrol, going back on its manifesto and creating another dent on our pockets. The BJP stalwarts in Margao have so far only been critical of Digambar’s performance in Margao and have failed in getting Parrikar’s promises fulfilled as far as Margao’s traffic and parking problems are concerned. While discussing Goa’s carrying capacity, Parrikar had acknowledged that Goa was saturated. The Government and the citizens need to put their heads together to avoid road rage and a complete collapse of traffic administration and it is therefore imperative that the Traffic Police and the new IGP take the initiative in this regard, before the situation becomes uncontrollable.
(The author is a retired banker)
