The mushrooming of illegal construction in every panchayat and town has not only destroyed the beauty of Goa but has left the next generation with less greenery, nor enough open spaces, with narrow or no roads and a sea change of the topography, making it ugly and unbearable.
Moreover, these constructions are a result of a huge illegal racket, mainly of people from outside Goa and different authorities. The demolition of the illegal kiosks and the structures outside the GMC under the express orders of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has been one of his most decisive actions.
It is significant that the Chief Minister issued directions down the line to take this call and that too with eight months left for elections. And unlike his predecessor Parrikar, Chief Minister Sawant has not acted and will not act with any vindictiveness. These illegal structures were a serious health and logistical hazard and he took the step for the safety of so many patients and their relatives who come to GMC for treatment.
Most of his MLAs, especially the turn coats who defected from the Congress, would have only paid lip service to the removal of the illegality but allowed all public projects which destroy Goa’s beauty.
WHY DID OPPOSITION PARTIES RUSH TO SHED TEARS FOR ILLEGAL ENCROACHERS? BECAUSE THESE OUTSIDERS VOTE IN GOA
Vote bank politics allows illegalities and destruction of Goa. Across panchayats and towns, there are either illegal projects or the construction of illegal shops, hotels, property extensions. The sheer number of such illegalities makes it evident that they cannot exist without political backing.
But it was shocking to see the manner in which opposition parties started issuing statements rushing to the spot to take up for encroachers who have been given several intimations to move out and not run the business of shops and kiosks outside GMC. Some politicians from the St Cruz area who have had a history of protecting illegalities and doing politics based on the votes of illegal settlers were quick on their feet. These opposition politicians were not to be seen in any people’s agitation against Goa’s projects that will take way homes and the land of people and villages like the railway double tracking or the National Highway expansion. But when it came to illegal outsider encroachers they rushed to shed their political tears.
Do these encroachers think they will get back their illegal spaces or convert their illegal structures to legal ones through this election season opposition benefactors?
CM SAWANT HAS SET THE TONE TO DEMOLISH ILLEGAL STRUCTURES. TURN TO HIM DIRECTLY TO TAKE ACTION ANYWHERE IN GOA
Now that he has set the tone, and given that no MLA will act against any illegality during an election year for vote banks, it’s best to report all illegalities in every village panchayat directly to the Chief Minister and expect him to order action immediately. The example of Curca Bambolim should be followed by every panchayat and urban civic body. In fact, we urge the CM to set up a direct line and a WhatsApp number to receive complaints and videos of illegality that are destroying Goa’s towns and villages and order action directly without any interference of any MLA. Because we are sure that the local MLA will not help.
CM Sawant has shown how zero tolerance to illegal structures that destroy Goa, can be a mantra. And cannot be sacrificed at the altar of vote-bank politics.
