but of late, the people are clamoring for the so-called development to the extent that the real meaning of ‘development’ has been sadly lost.
The question that must be asked is ‘Development for whom’? If any development that takes place in one’s home state is not catering to the needs and the growth of indigenous people, but on the contrary benefits outsiders, then this type of development is no development at all. Example: A steel rolling mill set up in Goa just because iron ore is abundantly available, has not benefitted Goans but out of state labour class as Goa does not have a labour class. This type of development not only pollutes Goa’s environment but also overburdens the state resources to cater to the outsiders. A better example is Zuari Agro Chemicals, the manufactured product of which is not used in Goa to the extent of even 5% having rendered Goa’s agriculture dead, but on the contrary, this industry has loaded Goa with migrants rendering Goa’s immaculate swathes of landscapes as slums.
The governments of the day must decide what development must take place so that this development benefits the growth of its people, and not create exodus of its people in search of job opportunities elsewhere outside the state that are not available at home and not pander to the whims and fancies of developers just to rake in commissions.
GSRP has always said that if the state concentrates in putting in place excellent infrastructures such as power, water, roads, bridges, health, public transport, markets, sanitisation and cleanliness and define in bold letters what sort of development shall be allowed, then Development will walk in by itself without being pre-occupied. Charity, it is said, must start at home.
Hopefully, the persons who are making a bee-line for the next elections and towards the formation of the next government will take note.
