We congratulate the new Government and look forward to people centric decisions in the coming five years. The Government formation took time and it was because leadership issues had cropped up, there were more than one claimant for the top spot. The matter seems to be resolved but at what cost?
In hoardings around Goa, the BJP top brass says THANK YOU GOA, and that is heartening, as they have to provide good governance to 100% Goans and not just the 33% that voted them to power.
With 20 seats in the bag, one would have assumed the BJP was sitting pretty, comfortable and calling the shots, especially since the MGP and independents gave unconditional support minutes after the results were declared. It was not so, the BJP was forced to accommodate the MGP leader who is a staunch and vocal critic. The moment the results were announced he changed his tune and is now the Power Minister. The CM himself promised that the MGP Supremo would never get a ministry again. The cadre is not amused with this change of heart. All “Independents” have been offered Chairmanship of Government Corporations.
What changed? The fact that there is a possible contender, this move ring fences the leadership from a possible coup in the future. Given Goa’s track record of defections it is not impossible to imagine. It is still not impossible but now more difficult. The other reason is that the Center’s writ would have prevailed as they are now focused on getting a record numbers into Parliament in the next Lok Sabha elections and at that time Goa’s two seats assume significance, especially the South Goa seat.
This means that CM’s position and BJP central goal have been taken care of, but does it mean Goa has been taken care off? The BJP had the majority but have now turned it into a coalition of sorts, so will there be compromises as is usually the case with such arrangements? What sops will be given to those who were loyal, to agree to this compromise?
The Chief Minister took up the issue of rebuilding of temples destroyed 500 years ago by the Portuguese. His first budget allocated Rs 20 crores to achieve this end. However, is there any data available? How many such temples have been identified? Temples have very intricate details and require very skilled manpower, will this budget allocation be enough? Who has been tasked with the job of identifying these destroyed temples, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?
Following closely this budget allocation, came his next unsubstantiated statement, many religious conversions are happening because of poverty and property in Goa. If it was a FB post by someone it could have been ignored, but coming from the CEO of the State, it has to be taken seriously. Again, where are the statistics, data of how many were converted and over what period, there seems to be none. Instead of asking the administration to take note and be vigilant to prevent conversions through allurement, he has asked temple committees to be vigilant, is that encouraging private bodies to do what should be administrative work? Will it not embolden any and sundry to foment trouble? Is Goa’s interest of religious harmony being taken care off with these moves? Maybe a focus on job creation, poverty alleviation, given rising prices of fuel would have helped stem the tide if they are indeed causes for conversion. Many if not most of the BJP’s cadre would have passed through Catholic schools in Goa, how many have been converted? Is raising the conversion bogey a step to bringing up an “anti-conversion bill”? None of the remaining elected representatives seem to be taking this seriously. Who will stand for Goa’s communal harmony?
What is interesting is he also mentions conversions to usurp property. Goan property is being usurped by unscrupulous agents across Goa. People come home after working abroad and find their unoccupied properties transferred and new occupants in them and have absolutely no recourse because procession is taken as ownership and the original owner has to run pillar to post to no avail. These properties are transferred with the support of corrupt officials, this should have been the focus of the CM’s concern, absentee Goan property being transferred illegally to new owners, that would have ensured he stood for Goa. Case of mixed priorities.
A good decision that is in the interest of Goa is the review of PWD contracts. The quality of what we can see on roads repaired, resurfaced is pathetic. It is well known fact that the quality suffers because of the corruption, but if the Government uses technology viz, geo tagging and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) they will get more accurate measurements and reduce the inflated bills due to wrong measurements at present also test reports on material quality used should be made public. It is heartening that the CM has heard Goan voices and acted. Together the administration and people have stood for Goa
The speed at which the CM, the Power Minister acted based on industry feedback to avoid production stoppages due to non availability of power is heartening and encouraging. They have stood for Goa and avoided job losses at a critical juncture. More power to the Goan economy.
The TCP minister’s easing of procedures for small dwelling units and clarion call to use any means to call out the corrupt is a win for Goa. The IT and Sports Minister’s too have sprung into action and we can expect to see change that will do Goa good.
It will be important and imperative that every Goan is vigilant and watchful especially to ensure communal harmony. It is also important that our elected representatives focus on ensuring peace and economic prosperity. Dev Borem Korum.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao.)
