I recently came across a post written by a lady originally from Mumbai now residing in Goa. She was sharing how she had been frequently sexually harassed on the serene by-lanes of Goa. One of the comments commiserating with her experiences was from a Goan lady who, without irony, claimed these acts were being committed by outsiders.
So, what exactly is Goa today? Is it that sun kissed idyllic place? Or is it where the beaches are covered with shacks blasting music that drowns the soothing sound of the sea? Is Goa the land where young restaurateurs open their bars and eateries or is it that place where tourists pay through their nose to get the right table to watch the sunset or Instagram new age cuisine? Is Goa that escape which people choose in their desire to slowdown or is it where new-Goan shopkeepers open their shop at 6 am and shut at 10 pm, and where every other new-Goan becomes a property agent? Is Goa the land of gated communities or modern villas or something called Portuguese villas or large apartment complexes? Does Goa breed corrupt politicians or residents who are too busy in their lives to realise what is happening to their land but have time to complain about ‘outsiders’?
Goa is one of those places where the taxi fare from or to the airport may equal the cost of the flight.
The tragedy of Goa is that everyone wants a piece of the pie without accepting the responsibility for the outcomes.
Goa facts
Per the 2011 Census, Goa’s population was 14.59 lakhs. This was an increase from the 13.48 lakh as determined in the 2001 census. Per Goa government website population growth rate of 14.8% during 1991-2000 is lower than what it was in 1981-1990 ie 16.08%. The birth rate has fallen since Goa achieved statehood – 18.24 per 1000 in 1987-88 to 10.87 in 2022-23 and 10.73 in 2023-24. As per the Goa government website Goa’s current population is 18.2 lakhs.
Domestic tourists have increased since the formation of this state – 7.34 lakhs in 1987-88 to 76.69 lakhs in 2022-23, and 84.32 lakhs in 2023-24. Hotels and lodging houses have increased from 275 with 11065 beds in 1987-88 to 7483 with 108679 beds in 2023-24.
The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices has increased from Rs 856.15 lakhs in 1987-88 to an estimated Rs 10653257 lakhs in 2023-34. The per capita income at current prices has increased from Rs 7,618/- to an estimated Rs 674684/- in the same time period.
On the other hand, the number of people registered in government employment exchanges has increased from 14065 in 1987-88 to 21,008 in 2022-23, and 18,131 in 2023-24. The vacancies that were notified by this body were 4800; 15,001 and 21,852 for the periods mentioned above. However, the vacancies filled were 1219, 2135 and 1845 respectively. The unemployment rate in Goa is 8.7%, the youth unemployment rate is 19.1%. These figures are contested by the Goan
government.
Taxes on property and capital transactions have increased from Rs 253.36 lakhs in 1987-88 to Rs 128552.73 lakhs in 2023-24. The government has spent crores on vanity smart City projects. Goa is becoming a prime market for purchase of second homes. Some second homes are offered at between Rs 40 and 50 crores. Per Savills Research ‘The standard sizes of villas have shrunk to almost half from 5,400 sq. ft. to 2,700 sq. ft. in the past five years’. The demand for land has increased to such an extent that it has decreased the size of villas. Is the pie decreasing and therefore more is being made of less. Or to cater to the high demand, builders are building smaller but making a bigger bang for their buck? It’s a moot question but - ‘would Goa’s falling birth rate need more houses?’
There must be a link between increase in per capita income; higher GSDP; manifold increase in tourists, and property and capital transaction taxes; Goa’s high unemployment; the much-reported increase in crime rate, and air pollution (poor on Feb 25th as per aqi.in).
Rest of the country
India’s GDP is growing, domestic and foreign tourist numbers are near pre-Covid figures, and direct tax and GST collection is increasing. The per capita income has increased from Rs 125,883 in 2019 to Rs 184,205 (provisional) in 2024. However, World Inequality Lab, finds ‘extreme levels of inequality in India …... In 2022-23, 22.6% of national income went to just the top 1%, the highest level recorded in our series since 1922, ………. The top 1% wealth share stood at 40.1% in 2022-23 ……..’ Per Blume Ventures, Indians are not saving enough because of an increase in unsecured loans, and household debt to GDP is at an all-time high. Further, consumption in India is not widening but deepening ie the consumption market is not fuelled by new consumers but by current consumers consuming more expensive goods. Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy data indicates the unemployment rate was 8.3% in December 2024.
The inability to bridge the wealth gap is mirrored in the country’s inability to control air pollution which costs India 3% of her GDP annually.
Is there a link between increase in GDP, high GST collection, pollution, inequality, and unemployment?
Goans blame outsiders for Goa’s problems. Many in India have a plethora of choices - minorities, the past, the Nehruvian socio-economic model - to blame for India’s current predicament.
The increase in government collection seems to be benefiting a few, others - who face an uncertain future - are told that they should be proud of the many vanity projects. This makes for India’s very own Marie Antionette moment which is exacerbated by this absurd blame-game.
On its website the Goa government claims ‘Goa is the coolest place in India’, and ‘Goa is forever’. The Government of India promised Acche Din, Viksit Bharat, and in its 2022-23 Budget introduced the Amrit Kaal Budget. There is just one question to both – For Whom?
(Samir Nazareth is an
author and writes on
socio-economic and
environmental issues)