Within five months, Goa will be electing a new government. It’s time for the people to demand certain poll promises that have not been kept. It would be a futile exercise, if the people do not demand and do not get what they were due to.
The port town of Vasco has been suffering the most due to coal dust pollution and thus one of the main issues should be stoppage of coal handling by MPT and transportation of coal through the State of Goa. MPT can be utilised to handle pharmaceuticals or any other non-polluting goods. It should be imperative this time that the three linear infra projects in the State through the Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary in Mollem, which has seen overwhelmingly widespread protests and opposition should at all costs not see the light of day. Off-shore casinos in the Mandovi basin should be shut down so as to prevent gambling culture from depraving the youth. Goa does not need to become another Macau. As a means to stimulate employment generation, the next government should provide financial assistance to youth so as to encourage self-employment. It is also essential that the quality of potable water be improved and supplied at least for four hours throughout the State as also to have uninterrupted power supply throughout the day.
The next government should set up a new master plan to prevent pollution of our rivers by adopting strict effluent treatment norms for industries and industrial estates as well as to prevent mining run-offs. The social welfare schemes should be rationalised in such a manner that best use is made of the work force by providing employment. Social welfare schemes should only be doled out to the most vulnerable sections of the society such as the disabled and the senior citizens. It is most important that protection of the basic freedom to people in the State be allowed against anti-people projects from sprouting against the wishes of the people. Resumption of sustainable mining should be done following Supreme Court directives in letter and spirit.
The issue of the All Goa Taxi owners has to be resolved in a fair and equitable manner without affecting the livelihoods of the taxi owners, since taxi owners and drivers are forming a large section of those who are self-employed. A tough law preventing mass felling of trees and the protection of the flora and fauna of the State should be enacted. Matters regarding the Coastal Regulatory Plan and the Coastal Zone Management Act should be devised by taking people into confidence.
Goa badly needs the setting up of a disaster management task force. The cyclone this year exposed the lack of preparedness to deal with disasters. Solar energy should be popularised and incentives given for purchase of electric cars so as to prevent pollution of the ambient air. Curtailing of runaway inflation by bringing down prices of petrol, diesel and LPG should be resorted to. Roads are in a pathetic state and drainage systems in bad condition, as well as flood relief measures should be undertaken.
There are numerous other issues but the above mentioned should form part of the poll promises.
